09/23/2021 ISSUE 38

September 23, 2021 | Volume 8, Issue 38 Newsstand Price: $1.00

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

COUNTY WORKERS GET 3 4 6BACKLASH OVER GOP UNIT’S
VACCINE INCENTIVE CENSURE OF BAREFOOT
ADVANCES IN HEARING AID
TECH BIG PLUS FOR PATIENTS

Registered nurses Vero forced to temporarily leave beach without lifeguards COVID-19 cases,
at Vero’s hospital hospitalizations
vote to keep union fell here last week

By Michelle Genz | Staff Writer By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer
[email protected] [email protected]

Contract negotiations between By Stephanie LaBaff | Staff Writer would not be a lifeguard on duty New COVID-19 infections
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hos- at Humiston Beach on Sept. 9 or here fell nearly 16 percent over
pital and the union representing its During the past 18 months 10. That initial closure extended the last week, with 581 people
registered nurses have intensified, of the pandemic, Vero’s pristine through the weekend, with the testing positive and fewer peo-
as a Sept. 30 deadline for a new public beaches became a high- lifeguards returning to the stand ple ending up in the hospital.
contract approaches, after an elec- ly sought-after place to escape. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, to fully staff
tion that could have thrown the Most days, beachgoers can take all three public beaches within The rolling seven-day hospi-
union out instead revealed over- a swim knowing that Vero Beach’s the city limits. talization number this past week
whelming support. lifeguards have their back. was 49, or an average of seven
“We had a bunch of people out people admitted to the hospital
Among the issues still under On Sept. 8, however, messag- sick and had to close one beach. per day. That’s down nearly 38
negotiation at press time: whether es were posted on social media percent from the 71 people ad-
to give RNs a more generous ma- notifying the public that there CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 mitted to the hospital last week,
ternity and paternity leave plan, and the well over 100 people ad-
the same plan extended to the rest mitted weekly in August.
of the hospital staff in April of last
year. Last week, the hospital told Indian River County’s positivi-
union negotiators they could not ty rate – the percentage of all the
afford to include nurses in that people tested at a clinic, phar-
benefit, according to the union. macy, hospital or other medical
facility who tested positive for
A spokesperson for the hospi- COVID infection – also fell again
tal, Scott Samples, said: “Because this week. The current positivity
we are still in the negotiation pro- rate of 16.82 percent was down
cess, it would not be appropriate from nearly 3 percent from the
to comment on specific details at previous week, but every coun-
this time.” ty in Florida is still considered
a high-transmission zone, as
Indian River is the only one of public health officials get con-
cerned when the positivity rate
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 approaches 10 percent or higher.

INSIDE The local positivity rate could

NEWS 1-5 ARTS B1 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

HEALTH 6 GAMES B13

PETS B12 CALENDAR B16

REAL ESTATE 11 Marine Bank, growing fast during pandemic, plans more expansion

To advertise call: 772-559-4187 By Steven M. Thomas | Staff Writer The bank is opening a new, Quail Valley COO Kevin Given, Marine
For circulation or where to pick up [email protected] 5,000-square-foot operations center this Bank’s longest-serving board member,
your issue call: 772-226-7925 week to keep up with growth and is un- says he and the rest the board have been
Marine Bank is on a roll. It has been a dertaking a capital offering to raise $10 “tickled to death” by Penney’s perfor-
Bill record year for residential loan produc- million that will be used, in part, to ex- mance as bank president. “It is a very ex-
Penney. tion, according to president and CEO pand operations into St. Lucie County, citing time for the bank,” Given said.
Bill Penney, and the bank’s assets have where Penney plans to open two branch
© 2021 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. grown dramatically since before the pan- banks “as soon as possible – hopefully in Marine currently has four locations –
demic – up 74 percent from $287 million the next six months or so.” two in Vero, one in Sebastian and one in
on Jan. 1, 2020 to $500 million today.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

MARINE BANK operation in the cleaned-up Fort Pierce Port loan department to make more business tense time pressure as businesses across the
area, and the upcoming $85 million King’s loans and partnering with mortgage giants country scrambled for a limited amount of
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Landing development downtown – which like Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale money won Marine Bank & Trust many new
will include a 140-room, $45-million Marri- Mortgage to smooth the path of residential customers.
Melbourne. Penney and his board of direc- ott hotel – should bring a new wave of eco- loan customers.
tors first sensed an opportunity in St. Lucie nomic activity to the area. “We had so much positive feedback –
when Harbor Community Bank sold to Cen- “We were able to close a home loan re- emails, cards and letters,” Penney recalls.
terState Bank several years ago. “All of that development coming down- cently in 16 days, which is pretty neat,” Pen- “I remember one Friday night I went home
town will create jobs and bring positive ex- ney says. exhausted and had this stack of letters and
“We stayed out of St. Lucie in the past be- posure to Fort Pierce,” he says. started reading them and started crying.
cause Harbor was the dominant bank down In late 2019, the bank started MB Funding, People wrote that we had saved their careers
there,” says Penney. “I knew we wouldn’t get Based on what happened in Sebastian, a commercial real estate brokerage designed or saved the business they spent 30 years
the good customers or locations because where Marine opened a branch in 2016, and to fund loans the bank itself can’t take on be- building and they were so grateful. It made
they had them locked up, and deservedly so. Melbourne where the bank set up shop in cause of banking rules. me realize for the first time what we had ac-
But when they sold, we took another look.” 2018, the St. Lucie expansion is likely to be complished.”
successful. “We have a pretty tight box with the regu-
Marine’s first strategic move was to bring lators and anything outside of that, we typ- On top of that emotional reward, PPP was
two well-connected St. Lucie businessmen Penney says the Melbourne branch, where ically turn it down,” Penney says. “But there a moneymaker for the bank, which earned
onto its board, including Hal Roberts, former he has two residential loan officers and two are others out there that make those loans, an average of 2 percent of the loan amount
president and CEO of Harbor Community commercial loan officers, is doing “very whether it is a private investor, an insurance in origination fees.
Bank. Penney also snapped up former Har- well,” and deposits in Sebastian are up from company, or companies that specialize in a
bor employees and in August opened a loan $13 million at opening to $50 million today, certain type of a loan. So, now, when a cus- Today, one employee still works on the
production office at Town Center in St. Lucie a coup that Penney and his team pulled off tomer needs a loan we can’t do for whatever program, walking customers through the
West to get his foot in the door. where a much larger bank floundered. reason, we give it to MB Funding, and they forgiveness phase paperwork, so that the
go and find a home for it.” loans are converted to grants that don’t have
One of the new branches will be in St. Luc- Where Valley Bank – which has $41 billion to be paid back.
ie West or Tradition in the booming western in assets and 200 locations in four states – Penney singles out the PPP loan pro-
part of the county, while the other will likely wasn’t able to make a go of the branch, Pen- gram as the single biggest boon to the bank “I have been saying for 30 years that local
be in downtown Fort Pierce. ney and his team have succeeded – a testa- during the pandemic. While larger banks banks are best,” Penney says. “But it took a
ment, he says, to the power of local banking. fumbled with the program’s new and ev- pandemic to prove it.”
“I like the downtown area,” says Penney. er-changing loan regulations in the midst
“I’ve been in Florida my whole life, up and “We are the only local bank headquartered of the economic emergency, Penney and As for the new operations center open-
down the coast, and the old money still tends in Indian River County and when we open in his associates pulled out all the stops, shift- ing this week – a 5,000-square-foot space in
to be on the east side of town, whether it is St. Lucie, we will be the only local bank down ing most employees to PPP loan processing the 2001 building at 9th Avenue and 20th
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or elsewhere. The there,” Penney says. “Our knowledge of the and working 16-hour days to support local Street the bank leased in a deal brokered
growth is all out west, like what is happening community and longstanding relationships businesses. by Keith Kite – Penney says it will provide
in Tradition, but the old money is still down- enable us to provide better service for our much-needed space for back-office opera-
town.” customers.” “In the end, we originated 1,245 loans for tions such as accounting, human resources
$94 million that saved thousands of local and the bank’s wire transfer room. “We had a
In addition, Penney notes that the arriv- Marine has expanded its lending capa- jobs,” Penney says. 3,000-square-foot operations center, but we
al in May of Derecktor, a mega-yacht repair bilities along with its geographical reach, flat out outgrew that,” he says. 
enlarging its Small Business Administration That phenomenal performance under in-

Michael Scott Rezmer

Michael (Mike) Scott Rezmer, born April 18, 1966
passed away August 17, 2021. He was born in Chicago,
IL and resided in Orlando, FL where he passed away.

His parents were Richard W. Rezmer and Linda M.
(Hays) Wafford. He also had a sister, Melinda Marie
(Rezmer) Anderson.
Mike graduated Vero Beach High School June 1984 and then went to college at
the University Central Florida.
Mike made an impact and touched the lives of others. He was an avid sports
fan including Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and the UCF Knights. He enjoyed
playing sports from a very young age and excelled at baseball as a catcher and
third baseman. He lived his ultimate dream by attending Game 5 of the World
Series in 2016, which the Chicago Cubs ultimately won. He loved his beloved
rescue dachshund Sequoia and his work in the hospitality industry, working in
Sales in Marketing for a variety of hotel properties. Mike will be remembered as
someone loved to have fun and bring laughter and joy to others - he was self-less
and always put others first. He will be missed!
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in his name to Franklin’s
Friends (https://franklinsfriends.info/mike-rezmer-memorial) a Central
Florida organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare.
He was preceded in death by his father Richard Rezmer, Grandmother M.
Marie Comiskey, Aunt Marleen Comiskey, Grandparents Ralph and Sally Jo
Hays, Great Grandmother Mable Purcell, Grandparents Chester and Agnes
Rezmer and brother William (Bill) Rezmer.
Mike is survived by mother Linda M. Wafford, Sister Melinda R. Anderson,
Aunts Jenise Brennecke, Judy Johnson, Suzanne Rezmer-Socha, Uncle E.
Samson Nisser and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held October 2, 2021 at 11:30am
at the Pathway Church; 1105 58th Avenue, Vero Beach, FL.

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS September 23, 2021 3

County workers get raise, vax incentive

By Ray McNulty | Staff Writer “We think it will be less than that.”
[email protected] Brown said the cost of the vaccination-in-
centive program could be covered by excess
County employees who show proof of CARES Act funding.
being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 Under the program, fully vaccinated
by Dec. 1 will receive one additional day of employees will receive 7 ½ to 12 additional
vacation time in 2022. vacation hours, depending on their work
schedule. Those who work a traditional 40-
County Commissioners unanimously hour week will get eight hours.
approved the incentive program last week, The additional hours will be added to em-
just minutes after they voted 5-0 to give ployee vacation balances, beginning with
county employees a 4 percent raise that the January 2022 accrual process.
takes effect on Oct. 1. The board’s approval made the volun-
tary program effective immediately for the
County Administrator Jason Brown said county’s non-union employees and allowed
he didn’t know how many of the county’s 900 Brown’s staff to seek agreements from the
employees were already vaccinated because Teamsters and International Association of
its human resources department doesn’t Fire Fighters unions.
track those numbers. “We hope this will en- Brown said numerous county employees
courage those who are on the fence about have missed work because of COVID-19 ill-
getting vaccinated,” Brown said, adding that nesses and quarantines.
the county currently does not track whether Commission Vice Chairman Peter O’Bry-
its employees are vaccinated. an suggested the county staff not keep a
running tally of how many employees par-
While the program’s “hard costs” are ex- ticipate in the program to avoid outing and
pected to be minimal – because, in most pressuring those who choose to not get vac-
cases, the additional vacation days won’t cinated. “I wish everybody could be vacci-
require the county to pay for backup em- nated,” O’Bryan said, “but I don’t think we
ployees – Brown said there are positions can force people.”
that demand at least minimal staffing, As for the employees’ pay raises, Brown
such as Fire Rescue, lifeguards and wa- said they will cost about $605,000 and all
ter-plant operators. but $36,000 already has been budgeted,
with the balance coming from the county’s
Backfilling those positions could cost reserve fund. 
the county up to $230,000, if all 900 em-
ployees participated in the program,
Brown said, “but we don’t expect everyone
to participate, so that would be the ceiling
in terms of costs.

COVID-19 CASES DECLINE home DIY positive student tests and
tests performed by a health professional
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 together, but earlier this month the two
types of test results were listed separately.
be artificially low, or artificially high – no
one knows – due to the growing popularity At that time, 29 percent of the students
and availability of do-it-yourself, at-home who tested positive used home tests. That’s
rapid COVID-19 antigen tests, the results statistically very significant when applied
of which are not reported to the Flori- to the overall positivity rate. Student cas-
da Department of Health and thus not es are tracked and contact traced by the
included in the case positivity data pub- schools hand-in-hand with the health de-
lished by the Centers for Disease Control. partment, but adults testing positive using
home tests are not reported or traced.
The tests cost $25 to $35 each and are
available over the counter in pharmacies, It’s rational to assume that for every
discount and grocery stores and online. student who tested positive using a DIY
It’s not known how many tests have been home test, at least a handful of adults in
sold locally or nationwide, but CVS phar- the same household also tested them-
macies recently had to impose a pur- selves with a home test, once or twice.
chase limit of six packages of tests online,
or four packages in its stores. The increasing use of DIY home tests
also makes tracking breakthrough infec-
Traditional clinician-administered test- tions among vaccinated people pretty
ing that is reported to public health offi- problematic.
cials was down 20 percent this past week
from the previous week, with 3,906 tests Vaccinated people with mild or asymp-
performed in the week ending Sept. 16, tomatic COVID cases who never land in
according to the CDC. a doctor’s office or emergency room are
likely never reported.
How many people tested negative or
positive at home, or at work using DIY Another big unknown is the local
tests, is unknown. death count and which way it’s trending.
The CDC Covid Data Tracker lists zero
One glimpse into the prevalence of the deaths in Indian River County over the
use of these tests locally is the School Dis- past seven days – a number that seems
trict of Indian River County COVID dash- unrealistic.
board. The school district now lumps
Vero News will continue to attempt to
obtain and report accurate local data. 

4 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

Backlash against Jay Kramer over GOP unit’s vote to censure Barefoot

By Ray McNulty | Staff Writer public-comment periods – her remarks drew best decisions we can during this pandemic, “This man voted in a way that he believed
[email protected] cheers from her raucous, anti-mask allies – and with an extremely divided community,” was best for our school district,” Flescher
Barefoot promptly shut her down. she continued, adding, “I do not approve or said. “You don’t censure somebody just be-
School Board Chairman Brian Barefoot support the censuring of a board member.” cause you disagree with the way they vot-
responded to the local Republican Execu- “Mrs. Rosario, I’m the chair and I have the ed on something. Had I been in the room, I
tive Committee’s recent vote to censure him privilege of being able to make an exception Barefoot, who said he wasn’t “losing any would’ve said something.”
– for supporting a school mask mandate to what we normally do,” Barefoot said. “And sleep over the censure,” thanked Barenborg
here in defiance of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order under the circumstances, that’s what I did.” for her comments, but he also expressed Sources who attended the meeting and
– with a question committee Chairman Jay concern about partisan politics infecting spoke on the condition of anonymity said
Kramer couldn’t answer. He then moved on to identify the next what’s supposed to be a nonpartisan board the censure vote has created a rift in the Re-
scheduled speaker, ignoring Rosario’s re- and destroying any sense of trust among its publican Executive Committee and some
After Kramer announced the Republi- tort and effectively ending what appeared members. longtime members are threatening to resign
can Executive Committee’s action during to be her disingenuous pandering to her if the action isn’t recanted.
the public-comment segment of last week’s supporters. In fact, Barefoot had alerted “We don’t have to agree, but we have to
School Board meeting, Barefoot asked: “Mr. School Board members earlier in the day know that we’re being straight-shooters with One source said some members are ques-
Kramer, before you leave, could you explain – at their pre-meeting workshop session – one another,” said Barefoot, 78, a former tioning the legitimacy of the censure and
to me what censuring me means?” that he “may respond” if a Republican Ex- Indian River Shores mayor. “We don’t need want the Republican Party of Florida to in-
ecutive Committee representative used the people entering into a political discussion, vestigate the matter because the item was
Kramer couldn’t. public-comment forum to put the censure whether it was intended or not, undermin- not on the meeting’s agenda and, contrary
Obviously caught off-guard by Barefoot’s on the record. ing somebody else on this board.” to committee policy, guests were in the room
question, Kramer stammered a bit, saying, when the vote was taken.
“That would be a definition to the member- During that afternoon workshop session, At least two other prominent elected of-
ship of the REC. … If you would like, the next School Board Vice Chairman Teri Baren- ficials attended the Republican Executive Barefoot, who returned to his summer
meeting, I will ask them that question.” borg confirmed she attended the committee Committee meeting, but none spoke in de- home in Vermont after the School Board
Barefoot, though, wasn’t done. meeting but abstained from voting on the fense of Barefoot, one of the community’s meeting, said he has been told “there was
He continued his counterattack, mock- censure. She also said she resigned her Re- most-respected Republicans. a negative reaction from REC members to
ing the committee’s vote by asking Kramer a publican Executive Committee membership. Jay” and his inability to explain what the
second question: “Do I get a plaque or some- Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan didn’t re- censure meant. “I was told a number of peo-
thing, now that I’ve been censured? I ought “I was not only surprised, but also dis- spond to messages left on her mobile phone. ple were embarrassed and intend to resign,”
to get something.” mayed, with this vote,” Barenborg said. “It County Commission Chairman Joe Flescher Barefoot said.
Then, after School Board member Jack- is difficult enough to serve as a school board said he wasn’t in the room for the censure
ie Rosario attempted to rescue Kramer by member without personal pressures being discussion or vote. He said the censure was “as ridiculous as
warning that policy prohibits board mem- put on us over our votes. it is meaningless,” adding: “It’s just grand-
bers from engaging with speakers during However, Flescher said last weekend that standing, and it doesn’t reflect well on the
“I respect all of my fellow board members the vote wasn’t appropriate and he would leadership of the REC.” 
and know that all of us are trying to make the not have supported the censure.

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Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS September 23, 2021 5

VERO LIFEGUARDS not experienced any beach closures due to
staffing or COVID-19,” county spokesperson
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Kathleen Keenan said on Monday.

We didn’t anticipate going that long, but we Indian River County is the northernmost
had callouts. Like every department here county on the East Coast that has guarded
in the city, our department has had several beaches 365 days a year, and according to
COVID cases over the last several weeks,” said an annual beach report distributed by the
Jim O’Connell, COVB recreation director. Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, it is es-
timated that pre-pandemic more than 1
According to O’Connell, while the pan- million people visit the city’s local beaches
demic added to the staffing problems, it was each year.
not all COVID-related. Between scheduled
vacations and other sick days taken, O’Con- Historically, September is a slow month
nell explained that they didn’t have enough with children heading back to school, fre-
lifeguards to guard all three beaches safely. quent thunderstorms, and other weather-re-
lated deterrents.
The decision was made to close Humiston
Beach and direct beachgoers to the other Typically, two lifeguards are stationed at
two city beaches, which cover a larger area, each of the three beaches with a supervisor
preferring to ensure there was a good level of on duty to rove as needed. With a full-time
coverage at two locations instead of minimal staff of nine, O’Connell says that is usually
coverage at all three. enough to fully staff the lifeguard stations.

“Humiston being the least used beach of Fortunately, no incidents were reported
the three, we decided to close that one,” ex- as having occurred when there weren’t life-
plained O’Connell. guards posted at Humiston Beach.

A beach closure like this is unprecedented O’Connell noted that lifeguards would
at the three city beaches – Jaycee, Humiston be on duty from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. going for-
and South Beach – and so far, things have not ward instead of the summer 9 a.m. to 7
gotten so bad in the county lifeguard corps. p.m. schedule. “That allows our full-timers
“The Parks and Recreation Department has to work five, 8-hour shifts instead of four,
10-hours,” he said. 

HOSPITAL NURSES on the new contract, Myers said, offering up
proposals that Myers called “surface bar-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 gaining” rather than “get down to the meat
and potatoes issues of the contract.”
five Cleveland Clinic Florida hospitals to
have unionized nurses. “The election gave them an excuse to
stall on negotiations since the adminis-
By a more than 2 to 1 margin, Indian River tration believed the decertification would
nurses voting in the so-called decertification pass,” Myers said.
election chose to keep the union that has
represented them for 23 years. Last week, Cleveland Clinic had agreed to
pay out staffing incentive bonuses if nurses
Of the 455 RNs at the hospital, all of whom choose to work extra shifts, Myers said. But
were eligible to vote whether they were his hope was to also offer what some call
dues-paying union members or not, 267 hazard pay to work in areas of the hospital
voted in the vote-by-mail election that took treating COVID-19 patients.
place over the course of nearly five weeks in
August and September. Votes were counted “We have nurses that are dealing with
Sept. 9: 181 voted to keep the union and 84 COVID patients that aren’t getting paid any
voted to independently work out compen- different than other nurses. That’s really sad.
sation and other employment issues with We’re trying to reach an interim agreement
management. “I thought we were going to for ICU and emergency room nurses right
win,” said Steve Myers, business agent for the now, but so far, the hospital has been unwill-
Teamsters Local 769, which represents RNs at ing (to increase pay).”
the hospital. “I wasn’t sure by what margin.”
Indian River’s RNs are working alongside
Nurses were notified of the so-called de- other staff that last spring became eligible
certification vote in July when Dr. Gregory for fully paid maternity leave and paternity
Rosencrance, the hospital’s president, sent leave. New mothers who aren’t RNs get eight
out a letter saying a petition filed by a nurse weeks of maternity leave plus four weeks
had garnered enough signatures to warrant of parental leave; the other parent gets four
a formal vote, a move authorized by the Na- weeks of parental leave. The policy applies
tional Labor Relations Board. to same sex couples, adoptive parents, and
surrogate parents. Without the benefit, RNs
“We know what caused the decertifica- get parental leave, as mandated by federal
tion election to take place – the hospital’s law, but it is unpaid unless they use time in
whisper campaign that they wanted to pay their “paid time off bank.”
nurses more money but that the union was
preventing that from happening,” said My- Nationally, nurses employed by hospi-
ers. The union filed an unfair labor practice tals are feeling short-changed as the ranks
charge with the National Labor Relations of so-called travel nurses grows during
Board, which he said was still under inves- COVID-19. Those nurses, employed by
tigation. Other charges have also been con- agencies typically at much higher rates of
templated, he said. pay but with fewer benefits, have increased
in ranks, with some staff nurses resigning
Two weeks ago, as the final vote was tal- from hospitals to work for more money – in-
lied, Cleveland Clinic appeared to be stalling cluding at their former hospitals. 

6 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

All clear: Advances in hearing aid technology help patients

By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer conductive, caused by damage or blockage Dr Aaron Liebman. cant,” said Liebman, discussing how hear-
in the outer or middle ear, most commonly ing aid technology has advanced and how
Hearing loss affects nearly half the peo- because of a build-up of ear wax, which muf- PHOTO: KAILA JONES an audiologist works with patients to ensure
ple in the United States older than 65. In fles the sound. they have the appropriate device for their
Vero Beach, with its 54,008 residents over 65, “In the years just prior to computer digital needs, expectations and budget.
that’s more than 26,000 people statistically and computer programmable hearing aids,
likely to have some level of hearing loss. differences between hearing aids made by “In those days, as a way to adjust the sound
different manufacturers were not signifi- quality, tiny electrical devices called poten-
Hearing loss can be frustrating, embar- tiometers could be found on some hearing
rassing and even dangerous, so it is good instruments. Usually, audiologists would try
news that hearing aids have gotten better in to fit hearing aids that had as many of these
recent years, according to Aaron Liebman, as possible. We could adjust volume, control
a doctor of audiology (AuD) with more than over-amplification of loud sounds, low fre-
30 years’ experience who operates Aaron’s quencies and high frequencies. The adjust-
Hearing Care. ments had to be made by hand using a tiny
jeweler’s screwdriver.
From the time when yelling was the only
way to deal with hearing loss, to the 17th “When these types of adjustments were
century when an “ear trumpet” placed in made, we didn’t see the [corresponding] nu-
the ear concentrated incoming sound into a merical data that, with today’s technology,
smaller area to make it louder, to non-digital we can now follow on a computer monitor.”
hearing aids, to today’s high-tech devices,
remedies for hearing loss have improved Computer advances that began in the
dramatically. 1980s continued into the digital age, giving
audiologists the ability “to use a computer
The most common cause of hearing loss, to adjust tone, volume and the maximum
according to Mayoclinic.org, is sensorineu- loudness aspect using a digital sound pro-
ral, which occurs when the inner ear, hear- cessing chip.
ing nerves or hearing structures in the brain
become damaged. In adults, the aging pro- “Research discovered that a digital pro-
cess is the most common cause of this type cessing chip could automatically evaluate
of damage and hearing loss. more aspects of incoming sounds, speech
and noise, and make decisions on how to
Another common form of hearing loss is adjust itself to decrease noise and increase

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH September 23, 2021 7

mm sounds. Most permanent loss. A bone vibrator headset sends sounds He recommends a patient’s hearing aid
hearing loss is at the higher directly to the inner ear. If the patient hears based on “the highest level of technology
frequencies, with loss of the better this way than with the pure-tone test- within what you can afford. We’ll try it, pro-
‘voiceless’ consonant sounds: ing, they likely have conductive loss. vide follow-up care, counseling and adjust-
ss, f, t, k, p, which provide the ments. If we determine that it is not the best
clarity of speech. Once the extent and nature of the hearing for you, then we’ll change to a different style
loss is determined, the patient can choose or manufacturer to find what is best for you.”
“Because there is typically from the available devices with the assis-
more hearing loss in the high tance of the audiologist. Furthermore, he adds, in addition to pro-
frequencies where soft speech viding the best technology possible, it is also
clarity sounds are found, Florida requires licensed audiologists vital that the “fitter” understands that tech-
just increasing the loudness to have a doctorate in audiology, requiring nology, so the chosen hearing aid can benefit
doesn’t always make speech years of study concerning hearing, hear- the patient at the highest possible level pos-
understandable,” Liebman ing rehabilitation, anatomy, and function sible, in terms of comfort and sound quality.
added. Women’s voices typi- of the hearing mechanism and hearing aid
cally have more speech infor- technology. Aaron’s Hearing Care is located at 925
mation further out in the high- 37th Place in Vero Beach. The phone num-
er frequencies than men’s, Dr. Liebman utilizes a range of manufac- ber is 772-562-5100. 
which can make them more difficult to hear turers and technologies and does not believe
for someone with hearing loss. one manufacturer is “the best.”
“Most people are not aware when they
speech clarity,” said Liebman. “This more need help. They’ll often blame it on other
sophisticated computer software has pro- people mumbling, background noise, or say
vided us with the ability to adjust the hear- the TV or radio volume is too low,” said Li-
ing aids to provide an acceptable sound ebman. “So they’re surprised when they get
quality for our patients.” tested and realize what they can’t hear.”
To determine the various aspects of an
Today an impressive array of hearing aid individual patient’s hearing loss, Liebman
brands is available, with equally impressive typically asks questions and has the pa-
high-tech features, which can vary from tient describe her or his hearing issues and
brand to brand and are often proprietary, the circumstances under which the loss is
designed for use with specific devices. most noticeable and troublesome – whether
inside, outdoors, watching TV, in conversa-
Bluetooth technology, for example, can tion, in traffic or in large, noisy gatherings.
be used to wirelessly connect hearing aids to One of the most common hearing tests
such short-range devices as cellphones, TVs, is “pure-tone testing,” in which the patient
computers and tablets. Another technology wears headphones and listens to a series
is T-Coil, which helps hearing aids perform of beeps while using a hand-held pushbut-
better in challenging, noisy environments. ton device to indicate when a beep is heard,
They are also, according to the FDA, better which helps pinpoint the frequencies at
for hearing over the telephone. which hearing is lost.
Liebman uses this test and, he explained,
Also available is directional microphone also verbalizes at various volume levels and
technology that enables the device to op- asks the patient to respond “yes” instead of
timally pick up sounds from in front of the pushing a button. This, he said, can make
wearer, while reducing noises from behind for a more spontaneous response, while the
or next to the wearer. beep/push-button method could create an
anticipation response, which might skew
Liebman explained that normal adult hu- the data and alter the accuracy of the test.
man hearing falls within a 20 to 140 decibel He said he can tell more about how close
range. Examples in the lowest volume range they are to the softest level the patient can
would be rustling leaves or normal breath- hear from the way in which the patient
ing. Mid-range sounds include conversation says “yes.”
(about 45 decibels), moderate rainfall (50-60 A bone conduction test can help deter-
decibels) and hair dryer (90-100 decibels). mine whether there is a conductive hearing
Heavy metal concerts and jet planes taking
off are in the high-to-painful range (about
140-150 ear-shattering decibels).

“We test different frequencies that cover
the speech communication range,” Lieb-
man said. “The low to mid-range sounds
are mostly the ahh, ohs, bu, du, oooo, eee,

8 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

Yes, you can get a COVID
booster and flu shot together

By Allyson Chiu yourself against each one separately.”
The Washington Post As Americans prepare to roll up their

With flu season swiftly approaching in sleeves again for flu vaccines and possibly
a country already battling a resurgence coronavirus boosters, here’s what experts
of the coronavirus, experts are urging say you need to know.
Americans to avail themselves of any and
all vaccines they are eligible for – wheth- Can you get a COVID booster and a flu
er it’s their first coronavirus vaccination, shot at the same time?
a booster vaccine dose to combat waning
immunity or a flu shot. Yes. The CDC has green lit receiving the
coronavirus shot and other vaccines at
“It’s terribly important” to get both the the same time – a change from a previous
flu and coronavirus vaccines, said Wil- recommendation to wait a minimum of 14
liam Schaffner, medical director of the days between the different vaccinations.
National Foundation for Infectious Dis-
eases. “They are both very nasty respira- “Now that we have so much experience
tory viruses that can make many people with these COVID-19 vaccines, which we
very, very sick.” didn’t have when they were first intro-
duced, we are quite comfortable saying
And because the coronavirus and flu it’s fine to give them with other vaccines,”
Moore said.

vaccines “train your immune system to According to the CDC, the past guid-
protect you against completely different ance was issued during the early stages of
viruses,” getting a shot that protects you the coronavirus vaccine rollout “out of an
against one virus will not offer any protec- abundance of caution.”
tion against the other, said Kelly Moore,
president and CEO of the Immunization “We wanted to get a very clear sense of
Action Coalition. what the side effect profile was in the real
world,” Schaffner said.
“It’s like protecting yourself against a
bee and a wasp, both of which can sting For now, getting two shots offers conve-
you,” Schaffner said. “You’ve got to protect nience: “The pro is pretty obvious. You go

CONTINUED ON PAGE 10



10 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 ‘No one should protected against,” he added. bowling tournament or something like
be in the hospital What if I want to space the shots out? that, maybe that’s not the best day to get
once and you’re done and it’s over with,” for a preventable People who have a history of strong ad- your flu shot and your covid shot,” he said.
said Gabe Kelen, an emergency medicine condition right
physician and director of the Johns Hop- verse reactions to vaccines or other rea- I’ve never gotten a flu shot before.
kins Office of Critical Event Preparedness now.’ sons for not wanting to get two shots at the Should I start now?
and Response. same time, can space out the injections if
– Kelly Moore they prefer, experts said, as long as they It’s critical, experts emphasized, to take
But there may come a day when two make sure to get the vaccines within the the risks of the flu seriously and protect
shots won’t be necessary. In April, Moder- symptoms if you get the shots together, recommended timeframe. yourself from both viruses. “The flu kills
na, the company that developed one of the Moore said. “But in our experience giv- as well,” Kelen said. “It’s not a trivial infec-
messenger RNA coronavirus vaccines, an- ing multiple vaccines at once, it’s not ad- So don’t delay going in for a flu shot in tion for many. It can take anybody’s life,
nounced plans to create a two-in-one shot. ditive,” she said. “It’s not like you have order to get it at the same time as a corona- including children.” This year’s flu shots
double the reaction because you had two virus booster if it means waiting until the offer protection against four different flu
If I get both shots, will the potential shots instead of one.” end of October has passed. “You should virus strains that may be circulating. Pro-
side effects be worse? get the flu shot when it’s a good time to get tection from flu shots is thought to last for
Though giving a coronavirus vaccine the flu shot,” Schaffner said. “You don’t at least six months, according to the Im-
According to the CDC, history has and a flu shot together has not been stud- want to put it off.” munization Action Coalition.
shown that a vaccine’s side effects “are ied, experts and the CDC emphasized that
generally the same when given alone or the practice of vaccinating against differ- One drawback to not getting the shots Flu shots are especially key for people
with other vaccines.” Therefore, a coro- ent diseases at the same time is not new. together is the possibility that you will for- ages 65 and older, who may have a higher
navirus vaccine booster shot given at the Children, particularly infants, often get get or delay the other shot. To avoid that, risk of developing severe complications,
same time as a flu shot is not expected to several vaccines during one visit. schedule an appointment to come back according to the CDC. Regular vaccines
cause previously unknown side effects or for the second shot when you get the first. are approved for use among this group, but
a significantly worse reaction. What’s more, although the side effects there are also two shots – high dose and ad-
of the coronavirus and flu vaccines can be What if I want to get the shots at the juvanted flu vaccines – that have been spe-
“Even though they’re different technol- uncomfortable, “they are not dangerous same time? cifically designed for older people.
ogies, you’re not suddenly going to grow or unsafe in any way,” Moore said.
horns,” Kelen said. “It’s not going to be If you are getting both shots at the same Getting a flu shot is extremely import-
something wildly different.” “It’s worth it to go ahead and be pro- time, the CDC guidance for vaccine pro- ant this year, Moore said, because hospi-
tected against everything you need to be viders notes that injection sites should be tals and clinics in many parts of the coun-
Both the coronavirus and flu vaccines, separated by an inch or more or adminis- try are already overwhelmed by the surge
which are typically administered in the tered in different limbs if possible. in coronavirus infections due to the delta
upper arm, can cause soreness at the in- variant. “Even if you’re not a person who
jection site. If, for example, you get a shot While it’s not recommended to take usually gets the flu vaccine because you’re
in each arm, both your arms are likely to medications before your appointment to willing to take your chances against the
be sore afterward, Schaffner said. ward-off side effects because that may virus, this is not the year,” she said. “No
blunt the immune response, Schaffner one should be in the hospital for a pre-
It is also “somewhat more likely” that suggested planning for the possibility that ventable condition right now.” 
you could experience some of the vac- you might not feel well.
cines’ common side effects, such as fever,
headaches, body aches and other flu-like “If the next day you’re going to be in a

Sophisticated Glendale Lakes home
boasts beautiful landscaping

4731 9th Place in Glendale Lakes: 3-bedroom, 2-bath 1,678-square-foot lakeside home offered for $369,000
by Craig Von Kohorn, 772-713-7973, and Kyle Von Kohorn, 772-501-0816, of Alex MacWilliam Real Estate

12 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

Sophisticated Glendale Lakes home boasts beautiful landscaping

By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer ing room/family room, which lends itself room can also be accessed from the dining below, and hinged, vertical storage panel
[email protected] to a variety of furniture configurations, room and kitchen. inside the right section.
and features a wood-burning fireplace
One of the most visually appealing, wel- with a hearth wide enough for seating and Left off the foyer, the open eat-in kitch- Off the kitchen, the spacious formal din-
coming residences in the woodsy Glen- a striking stone surround. A glass pane en possesses an appealing cottage feel. ing room opens to the screened lanai and a
dale Lakes subdivision, the lovely lake- door leads to the covered lanai with its Along a large bi-fold shuttered front win- mesmerizing view of the wooded back yard,
side home at 4731 9th Place sits well back lovely lakeside view. This comfy gathering dow is lots of space for table and chairs, green lawn and grassy lake beyond. A win-
from the street on a lushly landscaped, perfect for informal meals or game night. dow on the east side offers additional natu-
oak-shaded lot. On the inside wall is a long desk counter
with drawers below and cabinetry above ral light and, after nightfall, a sleek wave-like
Front and back, mature oak trees, soar- and to the side. linear fixture provides illumination.
ing palms and beautiful, low tropical land-
scaping surround the home and dapple This sleek kitchen includes a wealth of A delightful dining room feature hidden
the sunlight. wide, sparkling white quartz countertop behind a white bifold is a classy wet bar,
workspace on all sides. The top-lighted, a sophisticated beauty with full-ceiling
A walk leads from the driveway past stainless-steel sink sits below a white-shut- flat panel lighting, glass shelving on either
gracefully curved garden spaces designed tered window with a view of the front yard.
in the Zen garden style. The recessed entry The white/gray, striated subway tiled
porch offers an inviting feature you don’t backsplash extends throughout the kitch-
see much these days – a front porch swing. en, and there is plenty of soft-close cabin-
etry above and below.
The home’s light tan exterior is perfect-
ly accented by soft barn-red shutters and The cabinetry includes a built-in elec-
front door. The door is a charming stand- tric range, microwave and dishwasher, and
out punctuated by a small window with a floor-to-ceiling custom pantry featuring
jewel-colored stained glass. pull-out drawers. The Bosch side-by-side,
water-in-the-door fridge increases its
The light-filled interior glows in shades storage space with a large freezer drawer
of white, grounded with handsome wood
laminate flooring. A stylish renovation has
created an exceedingly livable family home
that is subtly sophisticated and artistic
without losing its cozy, relaxed ambiance.

Along the foyer/front hallway there’s plen-
ty of room for a bench and a side table.

Straight ahead is the long, spacious liv-

Dryer Vent
Cleaning

Call for free inspections

(772) 494-1922

Facebook.com/advantageservices

Veteran Owned & Operated

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E September 23, 2021 13

side, handsome brown, tan and cream The two tidy and charming guest bed- As you explore this exceptional house, ties, from adult evening parties to kids games.
African animal wall covering, and black- rooms have bi-fold closets and windows you’ll see how perfect it is for entertain- You’ll also find the lanai (or a bench by
topped gold/tan cabinetry. Next to this looking onto the beautiful oak-shaded ing: The kitchen is easily accessible to the
beauty is a built-in, black-top sideboard, front lawn. One boasts a classy, multi-dot- living room/family room, which offers all the water’s edge) perfect for launching
with shelving above and cabinetry below. ted black/brown/gold accent wall. The sorts of space, and there is access to the your day, coffee in hand, as the lake awak-
other is currently in use as an office. Both large screened lanai and backyard patio. ens with bird songs, the trees along its
To the right of the foyer is the bedroom are flexible rooms, which share a full bath, banks reflected in the sparkling surface; or
wing. The cool, airy owner’s suite is a sim- with tub/shower. The lanai accesses the wide back lawn, winding down with a beverage of choice as
ple, uncluttered beauty, with honey-hued with its own endless entertainment possibili- daylight fades. Here is truly your own se-
wood laminate flooring and a magical rene, lakeside paradise.
woods-and-lake view you won’t even have
to get out of bed to enjoy. Glendale Lakes is only minutes from
the shopping hubs along State Road 60;
Behind a white wood, barn-style sliding a few minutes farther east to Vero Beach’s
door is the striking owner’s bathroom, all downtown arts, gallery and restaurant
white tile, quartz and marble, save for the district, then across the Intracoastal to
dramatic black vanity cabinet and black Vero’s seaside village with boutique shop-
window frame. ping, pubs and restaurants, live profes-
sional theater, renowned art museum,
A large mirror above the vanity is illu- boat launches and more. 
minated by two pairs of clear, gold-fixture
shades. The sink and shower fixtures are
also gold-tone. The large glass and mar-
ble shower sports a pair of ceiling rainfor-
est heads as well as a built-in bench and
handheld spray. Here, too, is a pocket door
to the large, well-lighted custom dress-
ing room/walk-in closet, with space for
storage and garment hanging, and a huge
black-framed mirror.

FEATURES FOR 4731 9TH PLACE

Neighborhood:
Glendale Lakes
Year built: 1976
Remodeled: 2021
Construction: Wood frame
Home size: 1,678 square feet
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Additional features:
Wooded lot; central heat/air;
electric range, fridge, micro-
wave, dishwasher, washer/
dryer, propane tank; storm
panels; large, built-in gen-
erator; partial, impact resis-
tant glass; fenced back yard;
irrigation sprinkler; screened
lanai; room for a pool; 2018
shingle roof; large 2-bay ga-
rage; no HOA
Listing agency:
Alex MacWilliam Real Estate
Listing agents: Craig Von
Kohorn, 772-713-7973;
Kyle Von Kohorn, 772-501-0816
Listing price: $369,000
(recently reduced)

14 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

MAINLAND REAL ESTATE SALES: SEPT. 13 THROUGH SEPT. 17

TOP SALES OF THE WEEK

A very strong week for mainland real estate sales saw 51 transactions of single-family residences
and lots reported (some shown below).
The top sale of the week was in Vero Beach, where the 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom new residence at
5565 Camino Real Lane – first listed in May for $1,950,000 – sold for the asking price on Sept. 16.
Representing the seller in the transaction was agent Danette Dieffenbach of Dale Sorensen Real
Estate Inc. Representing the buyer was agent Barbara Parent of Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS

ORIGINAL SELLING
PRICE
TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD
$1,960,000
VERO BEACH 5565 CAMINO REAL LN 5/23/2021 $1,950,000 9/16/2021 $799,900
SEBASTIAN 13610 OLD DIXIE HWY 6/12/2021 $825,000 9/17/2021 $745,000
VERO BEACH 1497 LILYS CAY CIR 6/14/2021 $785,000 9/13/2021 $650,000
VERO BEACH 7623 S VILLAGE SQ 6/2/2021 $569,900 9/15/2021 $635,000
VERO BEACH 1110 CAMELOT WAY 4/1/2021 $650,000 9/14/2021 $535,000
VERO BEACH 1925 SPOTTED OWL DR SW 5/28/2021 $530,000 9/15/2021 $499,000
VERO BEACH 2529 SAINT LUCIA CIR 7/29/2021 $499,000 9/17/2021 $495,000
VERO BEACH 1705 SAINT DAVIDS LN 4/2/2021 $550,000 9/15/2021 $450,000
SEBASTIAN 300 SWALLOWTAIL LN 7/26/2021 $450,000 9/15/2021 $450,000
VERO BEACH 5313 ANTIGUA CIR 7/29/2021 $525,000 9/17/2021 $445,000
SEBASTIAN 5922 S RIVER RUN DR UNIT #5922 6/18/2021 $448,000 9/14/2021 $439,900
VERO BEACH 5557 57TH WAY 7/23/2021 $439,900 9/15/2021 $435,000
VERO BEACH 1782 BERKSHIRE CIR SW 8/12/2021 $425,000 9/14/2021 $419,000
VERO BEACH 4575 BRIDGEPOINTE WAY UNIT #154 7/31/2021 $419,000 9/15/2021 $405,000
SEBASTIAN 603 MONARCH WAY 6/26/2021 $395,000 9/17/2021 $405,000
VERO BEACH 5246 ELEUTHRA CIR 3/17/2021 $399,900 9/15/2021 $369,000
VERO BEACH 1455 29TH AVE 8/23/2021 $369,000 9/15/2021 $360,000
SEBASTIAN 711 W FISCHER CIR 7/9/2021 $360,000 9/13/2021 $360,000
VERO BEACH 3770 7TH PL 8/12/2021 $350,000 9/15/2021 $347,000
VERO BEACH 1256 37TH AVE 7/11/2021 $364,000 9/16/2021 $325,000
VERO BEACH 1025 22ND CT 8/4/2021 $299,000 9/15/2021 $325,000
VERO BEACH 585 26TH AVE 8/11/2021 $300,000 9/15/2021 $321,500
SEBASTIAN 362 BELFAST TER 7/23/2021 $312,000 9/17/2021 $320,000
SEBASTIAN 193 PORT ROYAL CT 5/21/2021 $320,000 9/15/2021 $320,000
VERO BEACH 404 21ST ST SE 6/29/2021 $339,900 9/17/2021 $310,000
VERO BEACH 320 14TH PL 6/9/2021 $369,000 9/15/2021 $305,000
VERO BEACH 246 21ST AVE 8/3/2021 $300,000 9/15/2021 $295,000
VERO BEACH 3308 63RD SQ 4/5/2021 $295,000 9/15/2021 $289,000
SEBASTIAN 110 MORGAN CIR 3/22/2021 $289,000 9/15/2021

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E September 23, 2021 15

HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP RECENT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY REAL ESTATE SALES.

13610 Old Dixie Hwy, Sebastian 1497 Lilys Cay Cir, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 6/12/2021 Listing Date: 6/14/2021
Original Price: $825,000 Original Price: $785,000
Sold: 9/17/2021 Sold: 9/13/2021
Selling Price: $799,900 Selling Price: $745,000
Listing Agent: Sherrie Coleman Listing Agent: Desiree McCluskey

Selling Agent: ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Selling Agent: Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

Jennifer Bailey Kim Weber

Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc.

7623 S Village Sq, Vero Beach 1110 Camelot Way, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 6/2/2021 Listing Date: 4/1/2021
Original Price: $569,900 Original Price: $650,000
Sold: 9/15/2021 Sold: 9/14/2021
Selling Price: $650,000 Selling Price: $635,000
Listing Agent: Leonard Mass Listing Agent: Vance Brinkerhoff

Selling Agent: Palm Beach Financial Group LLC Selling Agent: Coldwell Banker Paradise

Janyne Kenworthy Vance Brinkerhoff

ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty Coldwell Banker Paradise



Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH September 23, 2021 B1

NEW ADVANCES IN 6 ‘SOURCE’PUSHING B6 PURR-FECTLY B12
HEARING-AID TECHNOLOGY VAX TO THE MAX CHARMING PENNY

Coming Up ART’S ABILITY TO HEAL,
CONNECT INSPIRES
ELC STUDY GROUP ‘HEARTIST’ HAMMLER PAGEB2
DELVES INTO CLASSIC
‘LAND REMEMBERED’

By Pam Harbaugh | Correspondent

1 This is something you’ll want
to get into your schedule
right away. It’s the Environmental
Learning Center’s study group of
the wonderful Florida book, “A Land
Remembered.” The study group
begins Oct. 2. Ranked #1 Best Flor-
ida Book multiple times by Florida
Monthly Magazine, this book takes
readers through the lives of three
generations of a Florida family –

from 1858 when Florida “Crackers”
had seemingly insurmountable
challenges, and on into 1968, when
the now-wealthy family battles the
hardest challenge of all: human
greed. The epic tale includes bat-
tles with wild animals, Confederate
deserters, mosquitoes, starvation,
hurricanes and more. Its author,
Patrick Smith, was a soft-spoken,
kind man with a rich southern voice
and who infused heart and dignity
into the Cracker family’s story. The
book, which was first published in
1984 and has had at least 14 hard-

CONTINUED ON PAGE B5

B2 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com

ART’S ABILITY TO HEAL, Karin Hammler.
CONNECT INSPIRES
‘HEARTIST’ HAMMLER PHOTOS: KAILA JONES

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF | STAFF WRITER

Karin Hammler says she does not con-
sider herself a skilled artist.

“I’m just a humble ‘heartist’ trying to
do something that gives me peace and
pleasure,” says Hammler, describing a
word she defines as art from the heart.

Hammler, who was raised on Long
Island, relocated to Vero Beach in 1990
and was hired by the School District of
Indian River County, where she contin-
ues her employment as a K-12 District
Literacy Specialist. Her parents would
later follow her down to the area.

Her interest in art began at age 8
when, in an effort to emulate her old-
er sister Birgit, she stole her paints and
dashed away to paint her first creation.

“My sister was a prolific painter, and
I wanted to be just like her. We were 10

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE September 23, 2021 B3

Ford reached out and invited her to community who use pottery, painting,
show her pieces at the 2019 BCAP exhib- woodworking or sculpture as their respite.
it at the University of Cambridge in En-
gland. Although primarily a virtual plat- Hammler’s earlier affection for mer-
form, they periodically organize physical maids hasn’t waned, and today her depic-
exhibits as well. tions of the fishtailed mythical creatures
are often juxtaposed with items that are
Hammler would like to host a similar type identified with cancer.
of art project here, calling it ‘Feel the Heal,’
as a way to give others the same opportunity “One might have an ostomy bag while
to express their feelings through art. another has had a mastectomy. I like mer-
maids because I have so much latitude.
“People, whether you are a caregiver, Nobody can tell me what she looks like be-
have breast cancer, or are in the midst of cause they aren’t real,” she explains.
any kind of cancer, would get to have a
voice,” she says, noting that there are like- While vacationing in Highlands, N.C.,
ly many people who are struggling in our she met a kindred spirit at a gallery called

CONTINUED ON PAGE B4

years apart, but it was something that we ‘Boobilicious.’”
connected over,” says Hammler. As girls, Karin and Birgit called them-

She painted what she called her “first selves the ‘mermaid sisters,’ so that was the
Monet” that day, and still has the painting. theme of another painting.
Later, she would study the works of the Old
Masters to hone her skills. The mermaid was initially a different
color, but after Birgit described her che-
She channeled that sisterly bond into art mo treatments as making her skin feel like
after her sister was diagnosed with breast it was on fire, Hammler changed it into a
cancer and used art to reflect her personal pink mermaid they called “Pinky.”
feelings about her sister’s struggle.
When Birgit ultimately lost her coura-
To illustrate her angst, she painted her geous battle, art became a significant part
breasts and put them against a canvas. “I of Hammler’s grieving process.
made one all red, and my sister named it
“I painted because that was the only time
that my mind was quiet.
You can’t think of any-
thing else while you are
painting,” she explains.
Hammler had posted
her ‘Boobilicious’ and
‘Pinky’ paintings online,
where they were seen by
Adriana Ford, founder
of the Breast Cancer Art
Project, whose mission is
to “provide a platform for
those affected by breast
cancer to express their
experiences of cancer
through art.”

B4 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B3 eling similar journeys. To feel the heal by activities that are meant to help students for her, is being able to express herself
sharing and supporting each other through open up about their feelings. One activity, through her passions – cooking, writing
Easely an Artist, and later partnered with the power of art.” she explains, begins with students putting and painting.
the owner for a ‘Mermaids in the Moun- stray marks on a canvas, and
tains’ show, with a portion of the proceeds To achieve that, she has begun teaching then switching that canvas She has authored several nonfiction
benefiting breast cancer research. classes in acrylic crayon melting at the Vero off with another student, who books, primarily teaching support books,
Beach Art Club Annex on 14th Avenue in is then asked to create some- and her entrée into fiction came with “Chef
Although COVID has meant that Downtown Vero Beach. thing from it. Nutmeg: Knuttin’ to it,” a book for middle
Hammler has had to put any exhibits on graders. The story has Chef Nutmeg and her
The classes incorporate some bonding Although Hammler also cat Cinna Min, along with another charac-
the back burner, she still wants to help peo- dabbles in acrylics and oils, ter, Sir Spatula, who try to bring a zest for
ple who are struggling by providing an out- she says she was drawn to learning back to Orange Peel Elementary.
let where they can tell their stories through crayon melting because of
art. Just as she has channeled her loss and the process, which involves “I’m not trained in any way, but you
grief into artistic expression, she wants to blowing hot air, such as don’t have to be trained to rise to your
encourage others to step into a safe space with a hair dryer, to melt gifts or do something that gives you pas-
and ‘feel the heal.’ the crayons onto the canvas sion. I don’t bake well, but it doesn’t stop
and also using it to manip- me. I still eat what comes out of the oven.
“That’s where you make the real connec- ulate the design. Expression comes in many forms. Wheth-
tions,” says Hammler. “We release our pain er I’m making bad brownies, painting or
by joining with other wounded souls trav- “You have to totally fo- writing something, I love trying things.
cus. Melting that crayon I like that sometimes they’re epic fails,
and directing that air; and you laugh,” she explains.
when I’m trying to move
the blue, the red melts a lit- “It doesn’t have to be great. It has to be
tle too. It requires control great for you. Different times in your life
but also letting go.” call for different things. I’m poised for the
next thing. When you’re ready to envision
Hammler says that the a new chapter, fate points you in all the
most important aspect, right directions.”

Hammler’s next Feel the Heal class at the
VBAC Annex begins on Oct. 5. To register,
visit verobeachartclub.org. 

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE September 23, 2021 B5

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 fire drills around a stopped go-cart. In begin 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday,
addition to speed and race cart driving Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept.
cover reprints, was won Most Outstanding know-how, participants can get showman- 25, at Riverside Theatre, 3250
Florida Historical Novel by the Florida His- ship points via outrageous team costumes, Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach.
torical Society. “Our main hope is a deeper performance and/or soundtracks for their All seats are $20. Get there ear-
connection with the land itself, as a living, race. Organizers hope to make this an ly and enjoy free music in the
breathing force of nature,” says Sonya Lou- annual event to help raise awareness of loop. Friday’s music features
ise, co-leader of the study group. The study Vero Goes Zero, an initiative designed to Collins and Company, a variety
group is part of the ELC’s “Wellness in the raise awareness of recycling and reduc- tribute band that plays Motown,
Wild,” a new woman-centered series begin- ing single-use plastic. “This is going to be reggae, Billy Joel, Crosby, Stills
ning 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 with a lecture the most unique and exciting event this and Nash, David Bowie and cer-
on achieving and actualization, and then a town has seen yet,” says organizer Kend- tainly enough to get you singing
connecting stroll through nature. The com- ra Cope, founder and executive director along. Saturday’s music is by the
plete series runs through March 2022. But of Coastal Connections. She’ll be driving Beatle Guys, which, as you can
do plan ahead for the book study group. “We a derby car as well, which, she said, has a guess, is a Beatles tribute band
wanted to make it more than a book club,” turtle involved in its design. The event is and covers all their songs. Food
says co-leader Jennifer Satterly. “We wanted free for spectators. Portions of vendor pro- and drinks available for pur-
to get more in depth with the book instead ceeds will help fund Coastal Connections, chase. Call 772-231-6990 or visit
of just having a conversation.” “A Land Re- a sea turtle organization focused on con- RiversideTheatre.com. 
membered” Study Group runs 6 p.m. to 7:30 servation of sea turtles in Vero Beach. The
p.m. Saturdays starting Oct. 2 at the Envi- event runs noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept.
ronmental Learning Center, 255 Live Oak 25, at Walking Tree Brewery, 3209 Dodger
Dr., Vero Beach. Price without book is $50, Road, Vero Beach. Call 772-217-3502 or vis-
with the book is $65. (You can pick up the it WalkingTreeBrewery.com.
book at the gift shop ahead of time.) The first
meeting will cover chapters 1 to 11, so arrive 3 Riverside Theatre’s Comedy Zone
prepared to engage in a lively discussion. For presents headliner Tim “The Dairy
more information, call 772-589-5050 or visit Farmer” Moffett and opening act Rosco
DiscoverELC.org. Nash in standup entertainment this week-
end. Moffett’s nickname is appropriate since
2 For entertainment and a good time he was born and raised on a dairy farm. His
galore, head to the Recycle Derby decidedly down-home humor is born from
Saturday afternoon at Walking Tree Brew- his attitude that “if you can grow it, pick it,
ery and co-sponsored by Coastal Con- pluck it or pull it, there is a joke in there some-
nections. This is the event where you see where.” The opening-act comedian rounds
amateur drivers hop into their homemade out the bill with his quick-witted, sardonic
derby cars made mostly of recyclable ma- take on the world (he’s a former New York
terials and take to a fun course loaded with City sanitation worker; enough said!). Shows
challenges like hills, weavings and sudden

B6 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE www.veronews.com

Vax to the max: ‘Source’ pushing the needy to get jab

By Mary Schenkel | Staff Writer Lloyd Norton receives his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES
[email protected]

When the Florida Department of
Health in Indian River County sent
out word that they would take mobile
COVID-19 vaccination teams to loca-
tions such as businesses, churches and
nonprofit organizations, Tony Zorbaugh,
executive director of the Source, quickly
filled out a request form.

“We started in August, and we’ve prob-
ably done about 15 of these,” said Stacy
Brock, DOH-Indian River public infor-
mation officer. “We’ve been going wher-
ever anybody needs us and it’s been suc-
cessful.”

The Source, a Christian-based minis-
try, addresses the needs of the homeless
and the poor, who are among the most
vulnerable members of our community.

“People need to realize that our pop-
ulation at the Source is one of the most
heavily infected populations because of
their movements. They go to the coun-
ty jail, they go to the hospital, and they
come right back to the Source. And those
are the two most highly infectious places
that you can go to,” said Zorbaugh.

They hoped to entice clients and the
30 percent of staff who remain unvac-
cinated to get the jab so that they might

Linda Luongo and Maryjo Sullivan.

resume full operations. Without cars, said Zorbaugh.
many of their clients were unable to ac- A post he put on Facebook a couple of
cess vaccination sites, so this brought it
to their doorstep. weeks ago was misconstrued by some
people who thought the Source was clos-
While slightly more than a dozen did ing down for good. In fact, like many oth-
get the shot during the 90-minute clinic, er COVID closures, it was only tempo-
others continue to believe false claims rary; in this case 48 hours.
from anti-vaxxers. He referenced a group
of people sitting on the porch waiting for “In order to be objective you some-
meals. times have to step back, shut everything
off, and take a look to see what I can do,
“I said to one woman, ‘Hey we have a rather then what I can’t do,” said Bever-
clinic. Would you like to come in and get ly Paris, publicist for the Source. “And
vaccinated?’ She said, ‘No, I don’t want that’s exactly what he did. And it only
to get sick.’ You can’t make this stuff up,” took him a couple of days to know what

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE September 23, 2021 B7

JR Gonzalez and Stacy Brock. “But, unfortunately, there’s still a few Despite numerous obstacles, he de-
people that are choosing not to get it,” he fied the odds, launching two food trucks,
said. “Our maintenance guy kept refus- with a third anticipated in July 2022. And
ing to get a vaccine; refusing, refusing, this past March saw the launch of their
refusing. And then he was quarantined Dignity Bus, which features 20 individu-
twice because he had exposure.” al sleeping pods.

Zorbaugh said the man was in his They are currently awaiting city ap-
mid-60s, so he explained to him that the proval for a property they hope to close
small mark on his arm showed that he on, a 4,000-square-foot building where
had received the smallpox vaccination they plan to install a commercial kitch-
as a child. en. Doing so will enable them to expand
their culinary training and catering
“I said, ‘Well your kids don’t have that, operations, thereby increasing their
and I don’t have that because it worked. self-sustainability. The new building will
There’s generations of people that don’t be in addition to the current facility on
have to do it anymore,’” said Zorbaugh, Commerce Avenue.
referencing the routine smallpox vac-
cinations that ended once the disease The Source had previously assisted
was considered eradicated in America. during disasters elsewhere, but Zor-
“I said, ‘It’s the same thing as what we’re baugh said he had to decline a very lucra-
doing now.’” tive offer to assist with recovery efforts in
New Orleans.
The man got the vaccine.
Absent a vaccine mandate, they test “I can’t do it; I wish I could. But this
unvaccinated staff on a weekly basis and variant is just insane,” said Zorbaugh.
do require masks for everyone on the “We were doing this at a high level for
property. 15 months. It really just smacked me re-
“We are doing everything that we pos- cently, because kids are going back to
sibly can, in our power, to help those school and people let their guard down.
that are in need in our community,” said So we spend money on tests; we do what
Zorbaugh. “We want to continue to oper- we can. And when multiple people go
ate at a high level, but because the Delta down, I’ve got to reposition and change
variant is so potent in our community, and move and do the best that I can.”
there’s not much that I can really do.”
Zorbaugh pointed out that he has only For more information, visit iamthe-
been executive director for a little more source.org. To request an application for a
than four years, half of which has been visit by the mobile vaccine clinic, call the
during the pandemic. DOH-Indian River at 772-794-7479. 

Anthony Zorbaugh and Taneka Harris.

he could bring back.” services have been reintroduced.
“It’s given us a chance to say what we “We’re gradually opening up for a

need and what we don’t need and refine shower and for laundry services, but
it,” said Zorbaugh in agreement. everything has to be disinfected and
cleaned after every single use,” said Zor-
Administration staff, who had been baugh.
moved to an off-site location over the
summer to enable safe distancing, re- Additionally, whenever staffers are ex-
turned to work after the first day. Their posed to someone with COVID, they are
food trucks and catering operations were automatically quarantined for 10 days,
soon reinstated as well and have been which creates a domino effect.
kept very busy.
To encourage vaccinations, he re-
Although the main facility on Com- minds staffers that if they are unable to
merce Avenue is still not offering indoor work, they’re going to have trouble pay-
dining, programs or gatherings, other ing their bills, including rent.

B8 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING www.veronews.com

NAVIGATING THE HORROR OF A POST-COVID DINNER PARTY

By William Sitwell you wouldn’t pour your teenagers. And now ny/next door neighbor/local farmer/dog has the flow of conversation. You’re listening to
The Telegraph that we are such fusspots, with allergies COVID, so we’re having to be ultra-careful.” your host, gearing up to pile in with how ex-
at every turn, working out what to cook is pensive the tennis lessons for your child are,
Just when you thought it was safe to em- fraught with difficulty. Or you can blame your hitherto unknown when they leap up and leave you stranded
brace fully the new normal, I’ve got bad underlying condition – can’t be too careful, with the randoms. Most people are just hap-
news, folks. It also means that dinner par- If you’re worried about the next dinner etc. Your host should be too polite to ask what py to have someone else doing the cooking
ties are back. party you might have to give or go to, here are is it, even if that underlying condition is that for a change, and then the washing up.
my top dos and don’ts, to help you navigate you hate dinner parties.
After the enforced 18-month social lull, the this post-pandemic minefield. 7. Talk the right way
thought of having to spend a convivial eve- 3. Do cancel … There is very little worse in this life than
ning breaking bread (and, if things get par- 1. Don’t give dinner parties You know the feeling: Weeks ago you caved finding yourself the victim of some self-
ticularly well-lubricated, wine glasses) with The far simplest way to avoid the trauma. in to the invitation, now the evening of the ish oik who is talking the wrong way. No, I
friends you haven’t seen for ages, as well as a And blaming COVID for your loss of hospital- dinner party approaches, like the shadow of don’t mean your accent. I mean if the par-
few interloping strangers, might cause some- ity skills and/or generosity is the greatest get- Satan blocking your path to happiness, and ty is quite formal and the chat is not just a
thing of a shudder. out-of-jail-free card of our lifetimes, so take you just can’t be bothered. “Can you believe shouty free-for-all, check who your host is
full advantage. it? Our babysitter’s just phoned and says she talking to at the start of dinner and direct
One downside of the post-pandemic din- 2. Don’t accept invitations to dinner has COVID. We’re livid.” your conversation accordingly.
ner party is that one has to risk other peo- parties 4. … but not at the last minute I feel ill at the very thought of being in
ple’s food and drink, when lockdown made This is a vital adjunct to rule number one, However much you feel settled on the sofa a room, buzzing with warm chatter and
us all gloriously used to our own hospital- and you can use the same excuse. “Gosh, we and don’t want to go out, there is no worse laughter, only to find that the people either
ity and preferences. How annoying when would so love to come on Friday night, but I/ social faux pas. Think of the host: When the side of me are talking to their neighbor and
your host takes the decent bottle of wine he/she/the nanny/housekeeper/child/gran- phone rings around 6.30 p.m., or there’s a not me, and I’m left on an island of lonely
you’ve brought and serves you something text ping, the heart sinks at the prospect of solitude.
a screwed-up seating plan. When people 8. Do not serve food too late
cancel last minute on me, I consider rooting What’s the point in inviting people over
around for hoodlums who I can commission “7.30 for 8” and going to all the trouble
to pop round and kidnap their children. of cooking, only to let everyone languish
5. Pay someone to wash up around until 9.30 p.m., drinking white wine
So you took leave of your senses and and filling themselves until they’re sick with
planned a dinner party. However, there is Kettle Crisps and sweet chilli sauce? And, by
one way you can survive: Book someone to the way, do not EVER serve that.
help. Even if their hourly rate is extortion- 9. Don’t fight at the table about who’s
ate, this will literally be the best money driving home
you ever spent. Although not quite as terrible as com-
Just imagine the beautiful scene: all your plaining about school fees, there is nothing
ghastly friends have gone home and while more pedestrian than squabbling in front
you were sitting soft (and, by the way, do not of others about who is taking the wheel
EVER use the expression: “Let’s go and sit on the way home. “Oh, I thought you were
soft”…), your magical helper(s) has cleared driving,” he says, necking a tequila to ram
the table, washed up, put stuff away and the point home. Agree it clearly in advance,
cleaned the kitchen surfaces. Honestly, it’s write it in capital letters on a board in the
such a beautiful feeling, one that almost kitchen, or book a cab.
makes you like dinner parties … 10. Don’t linger
6. Cook something simple You don’t like dinner parties, they don’t
Yes, you can start with a souffle, but don’t like dinner parties, so when the meal is fin-
plan a menu that means you have to jump up ished, for God’s sake, go home. 
and down incessantly from the table. It spoils

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B12 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | PETS www.veronews.com

Bonz enjoys cat chat with purr-fectly charming Penny

Hi Dog Buddies! Better an Not So Sad, he an fast as me.”
Kitty Mom started looking
This week I ventured once again into the for The Right Kitten. One “Any pet pals?”
still-mostly-mysterious-to-me world of The day they visited HALO
Feline to innerview a perfectly charming, rescue, which happened “Well, I do have a cat cous-
rather shy young lady, Miss Penny Eisdor- to be where I’d been livin’
fer, a rescue Tabby who’s about 3. for seven months. Thank in, Sushi, but I haven’t met
Garfield, even tho I wasn’t
A nice lady welcomed me an my assistant a kitten, the HALO per- her in the fur yet. Same with
led us into the living room, where Miss Pen- son brought me out, just
ny was peeping out from behind a chair. in case.” my dog cousin Gracie, she’s a

Knowing that cats don’t do the Wag-an- “Woof!” I blurted. mini-Schnauzer. We’ve only
Sniff like us dogs, but usually opt for the “Seven months!”
Sit-an-Size Up, I sat as low to the ground as met on Zoom.
I could an said, Sotto Voce, “Good morn- “I KNOW! Right? Any-
ing, Miss Penny. It’s a great pleasure to way, I was so cute Kit- “But I’m not just about naps
meet you.” ty Mom an Kitty Dad
couldn’t pass me up, so an playin’. I pride myself on
She advanced a couple of steps and said just like that, I had found
softly, “Good morning, Mr. Bonzo. I do not my wonderful Furever contributing to the family’s
wish to be rude, but I am an Only Cat, an I Famly. It’s been about 2
much prefer humans to, no offense, DOGS. years now. well-being. Every night, I pa-
I’m not overly fond of cats, either. But I do
read, an occasionally nibble on, your col- “When I first got to HALO, they thought trol the perimeter, check all
umn, so, when my fren Renae told Kitty I was a BOY, if you can buh-leeve it. They
Mom that I should be in it, it seemed like called me Henry! When they ree-lized I the doors, make sure all is well.
a Cool Catnip idea. An you seem nice. An am, in fact, a girl, they changed it to Hen-
puhlite. An not scary.” ny, which is, like, Seriously? So Kitty Mom Before I begin my rounds, Kitty
and Kitty Dad changed it to Penny. An
“I’m duh-lighted to hear it, Miss Penny,” sometimes Pretty Penny. It suits me, don’t Dad lifts me up on the bed (even
I replied. you think?”
though I can totally jump that
“Oh, I almost forgot. This is my Kitty “Absolutely, Miss Penny! What’s life been
Mom, Julie. My Kitty Dad is Arthur. He’s like since then?” Penny. high when I want to) so I can
golfin’. Now, please explain how this in- make sure him and Kitty Mom
nerview thing works.” “It took, like, 2 minutes for me to locate PHOTO BY KAILA JONES are tucked in safe and sound, an
my potty box an my food an water dishes.
“It’s easy, Miss Penny. You tell me all And guess what? Kitty Dad built me my I can get in a few more ear and
about your life, and I write it down in This very own Really Cool Catnip liddle door so
Very Notebook.” I could get to my potty box in the laundry known to Dog. chin scratches.”
room without having to open the big door.
“All right. So, I shall begin now. OK?” Setting the croissant gently down, she When my assistant handed Kitty Mom
As Miss Penny situated herself graceful- “I spend much of my day on the screened
ly on the couch, I was happy she seemed luh-nye, observing the lizards, ra-butts continued. “I love my wiggly tunnel from one of my bizness cards, Miss Penny ex-
relaxed. I noticed that she didn’t wrap her an squirrels. Except when those humans
tail around her like other cats of my ac- come around with Big Scary Loud things Aunt Francesca. I also enjoy boppin’ liddle claimed, “Oooh, I LOVE business cards.
quaintance do. Then, as she adjusted her called MOW-ers. Then, I hide. Wanna see
puh-sition, I realized that she had no tail to my Favrite Toy?” fluffy pom-poms around, or my ball. That’s I sometimes jump on Kitty Dad’s desk an
wrap. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. ‘Hummm,’ I
thought, as she began her story. Penny zoomed off, then zoomed back usually when I get The Zoomies: I go flying steal, I mean re-arrange, his. Maybe I can
“Kitty Mom an Kitty Dad’s pree-vious carrying a liddle stuffy croissant, with a
cat, Binki, had to go to Kitty Heaven. Dad is tiny beret and moustache. I was speechless. around the house really fast for No Apparent get some of my own, now that I’ll be FAY-
a Total Cat Person, an, when he felt a Liddle
I thought I’d seen every stuffy toy Reason, an leaping over stuff. Sometimes, in muss, with my pickshur an story in the

mid-Zoom, I slip on the tile and, since (you PAYpurr.”

might have noticed) I don’t have a rudder, I Headin’ home, I was smiling, think-

occasionally bounce off the walls.” ing about Pretty Penny an her rudderless

For a second, I was like, ‘a rudder?” then Zoomies. Ackshully, I thought her lack-of-

I ree-lized she was refurring to her Lack Of tail gave her a stylish, On Trend, sorta bun-

Tail. nyish look.

“I thought you were a Manx,” I said.

“No. I just came without one. Maybe who- Till next time,
ever makes cats temporarily ran out of tails.
Anyway, HALO had me all checked out to be The Bonz

sure I wasn’t missing anything else import- Don’t Be Shy
ant. I wasn’t.
We are always looking for pets
“I love helpin’ Kitty Mom and Kitty Dad with interesting stories.
play Scrabble. I watch quietly unless one of
’em misspells a word. Then I help ’em fix

it. In the evening, we all watch TV. Most- To set up an interview, email

ly ice hockey, which my grampa played in [email protected].

college. Those hockey humans are almost

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES September 23, 2021 B13

ANOTHER KEY SPOT THAT WAS MISSING WEST NORTH EAST
10 9 KQ6 J72
By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist 10 7 3 QJ64 A8
K Q 10 7 4 32 865
Mark Twain said, “I was born modest; not all over, but in spots.” 762 AQ93 J 10 8 5 4

In last week’s deal, South would have made his slam if he had held the trump seven- SOUTH
spot instead of the six. In this week’s deal, South is in six hearts. What happens after A8543
West leads the diamond king? K952
AJ9
On the second round of the auction, North raised to two spades, worried about the K
low doubleton diamond. Then, over South’s three-heart rebid, North did very well,
control-bidding four clubs. This announced four-card heart support, the club ace Dealer: West; Vulnerable: East-West
and a hand she really liked. (With four hearts and an unexciting hand, she would
have raised to four hearts. Without four hearts, she would have continued with three The Bidding:
spades or three no-trump.) South then bid what he hoped he could make.
SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
The diamond lead was lethal. South won with his ace, cashed the club king, crossed Pass 1 Clubs Pass
to dummy with a spade and discarded his last two diamonds on the club ace-queen. 1 Spades Pass 2 Spades Pass LEAD:
Then came the heart queen. When East won with his ace and led a club, declarer 3 Hearts Pass 4 Clubs Pass K Diamonds
ruffed with the heart nine, but West overruffed to defeat the slam. 4 NT Pass 5 Diamonds Pass
6 Hearts Pass Pass Pass
Then South realized that if dummy had had the trump seven and West the six, the
slam could have been made. In the end-position, when East leads the club jack, South
can ruff with his king, then lead the heart nine to pin East’s eight and draw trumps
without further loss. Of course, that play would not have looked so clever if East had
begun with ace-10 doubleton.

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(772) 562-2288 | www.kitchensvero.com
3920 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960

B14 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES www.veronews.com

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (SEPTEMBER 16) ON PAGE B12

ACROSS DOWN
1 Sound of a crow (3) 1 Capture (5)
3 Cost (3) 2 Desiring (7)
5 Slow (a vehicle) (5) 3 Escape (4)
8 Flavour (5) 4 Use (6)
9 Corridor (7) 5 Commercial enterprise (8)
10 Locks, tresses (4) 6 Mindful (5)
11 Most youthful (8) 7 Put into office (7)
13 Violent, tempestuous (6) 12 Way in (8)
14 Distributed (6) 13 Consequences (7)
17 Come apart (8) 15 Reveal (7)
19 Deeds (4) 16 Atelier (6)
22 Found out (7) 18 Obvious (5)
23 Very bright; intense (5) 20 Unfortunately (5)
24 Feeling (5) 21 Sinister (4)
25 Bird of prey (3)
The Telegraph 26 Flat fish (3)

LOVING OUR LOCALS How to do Sudoku:

COLOR OR NAIL SPECIAL Fill in the grid so the
numbers one through
DO YOU WORK DOWNTOWN OR IS VERO YOUR nine appear just once
HOMETOWN? IF SO, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR in every column, row
LOVING OUR LOCALS SPECIAL. WE ARE OF- and three-by-three
FERING A 20 PERCENT DISCOUNT ON A HAIR square.
COLOR OR NAIL SERVICE THRU 9.30.21

BOOK TODAY

(Service MUST completed by
September 30, 2021)

NEW BOOKINGS ONLY

Downtown Vero Beach  1964 14th Avenue
772.217.2161  HairIdentityVB.com

The Telegraph

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES September 23, 2021 B15

ACROSS 82 Christian apparel? or prime The Washington Post
1 Multiplied 83 Reliever’s target 37 Kirk’s saga
5 “___ this wait?” 84 Gar resembler 38 Enigma Variations composer OH, BROTHERS! By Merl Reagle
9 English French fry 85 Hostess Mesta 40 Gave (out) sparingly
13 Auto stat 86 Jungle heavy 43 Hamster, for one
16 He’s not to be believed 87 Some motorcyclists? 44 Snow sliders
17 Piece of architecture, literally 91 Lopsided win 46 Lies quietly
18 Leisure 92 The entire cast 47 Feeler of imaginary walls
19 Funny Anne 93 Monthly outlay 48 Qualified voter
21 “She wouldn’t listen 94 25 Across, e.g. 49 Job histories
95 Govt. guy 51 Schooner feature
to me!” 97 Tapmaster Hines 52 Field marshal?
24 Grin and ___ 99 Sen. Sam of Watergate 53 Legal documents?
25 Snoopy relatives? 54 Is exceedingly helpful?
26 Licorice flavoring fame 55 Court org.
27 Words on a Wonderland 101 Fortune-teller’s tidbit 57 Wine choice
104 Theater district 59 Turn psycho
bottle 105 A privilege of democracy? 61 “___ the
28 Debt voucher 107 Uncomprehending
29 Vexes 108 Petri dish layer ramparts ...”
30 Syria neighbor 109 Head over heels 62 Breezy
31 Linotype units 110 In order 63 Brightened
32 Thai money 111 Meditation method 66 Market
34 Sot’s realization in May? 112 It’s hidden in “atom bomb,” 70 “Unhand that woman!”
38 Be off 72 Paycheck-biting org.
39 Leading appropriately 74 Cans, in Canterbury
41 Ending for run, sit, 113 Part of ASAP 75 College grant name
114 Old Italian family 77 Sentry’s shout
or stand 78 Neckline shapes
42 Get from ___ DOWN 79 Activist Indian,
1 Facile
(proceed carefully) 2 Ceremony ___ Cody
43 Works at (a trade) 3 Bouts of otalgia 80 Inuit knife
45 Fuel-making factory 4 Pronto? 81 Director’s place
47 Airport detector exciter 5 Middies’ friends 83 Like some forests
49 Of kings 6 Liberal ___ 84 Yule quaffs
50 Away from the wind 7 Base fellow, briefly 87 Leander’s love
51 Roger Bannister, 8 Foils 88 “Obviously,” obviously
9 Cherry red 89 One reason a bar may bar a
for one 10 Comical Conried
52 Postpone again, 11 Words of understanding teenager
12 Prelude to “se” 90 Edberg of tennis
as a motion 13 Blackhearted 92 India tourist stop
53 Singer-actress-TV panelist, 14 “Put your car behind the 93 Nino who wrote the music

___ Morgan building!” for The Godfather
55 Tom, Dick, or 15 Fantasy’s antithesis? 96 Min. alternative
19 Chow ___ 98 Secluded valley
Harry, e.g. 20 Some salt or ester endings 99 So
56 Very, in Versailles 22 Yale student 100 Stationery measure
58 Fridge visit 23 1960s neck symbol 101 Not for here
59 Bubble material 24 Hee-haw 102 Room enough to swing ___
60 “Watch yourself!” 27 Olive ___ 103 Celebration
64 Cozy streets: abbr. 105 Dieter’s concern
65 Rhapsodic poetry (military color) 106 Long March leader
67 A Penn 29 Juiced-up particles
68 Anybody’s game 30 Teen mag pinup
69 Lactescent 32 Paper or plastic item
71 More like a fog 33 “So that’s it!”
35 Boom attachment, perhaps
than a rain 36 Word after crime
73 Baby bird?
75 Fountain of music
76 They do their part
77 Rife with down
78 Herculaneum destroyer

The Telegraph

B16 September 23, 2021 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | CALENDAR www.veronews.com

ONGOING Connections’ Vero Goes Zero initiative, with 1|2 Riverside Theatre for Kids pres- German grub from Wild Thyme Catering, and
amateur divers taking the wheels of their teams’ ents Disney’s “Beauty and the live music from the String Assassins. Walking-
Check with organizations directly for up- homemade derby cars made from 75 percent re- Beast Jr.,” 6:30 p.m. on the Stark Stage. $10. treebrewery.com
dates/cancellations. cyclable materials. Coastalconnections.org 772-231-6990
2 Hunt for Hope, 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. from
Vero Beach Museum of Art: Martin Puryear - 26 Chimpathon 5K/10K to benefit Save 1-30 Pelican Island Conservation So- the big pavilion at Riverview Park in Se-
Printmaker, through Jan. 2. 772-231-0707 the Chimps, 7 p.m. from St. Lucie ciety’s 10th annual Indian Riv- bastian, a family-friendly team scavenger hunt
County Fairgrounds, with recorded videos and er Bird and Nature Art Show at Environmental to benefit the IBC Network Foundation, which is
First Friday Gallery Strolls in Downtown Vero live streams of the chimps and the sanctu- Learning Center featuring paintings, 3-dimen- seeking a cure for inflammatory breast cancer, a
Beach Arts District, monthly from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. ary screened taking the place of actual runs sional works and photography, with 30 percent rare but deadly cancer. 772-589-1140
through the sanctuary (curtailed for COVID), of sales benefiting PICS. Plein air artists invited
Riverside Theatre: Weekly Friday &. Saturday concluding with vendors, food and games. 772- to paint at ELC Oct. 2, and Artists Reception and 2 to January 2 – Vero Beach Museum of Art
Comedy Zone, 7 and 9 p.m. on the Waxlax Stage 429-0403 or savethechimps.org Awards 4:30 p.m. Oct. 16, multiple wine and presents American Perspectives, high-
($20), and Live on the Loop concerts, 5:30 to 9 cheese cruises ($60pp), and other birding tours. lights from 70+ works of folk and self-taught art
p.m. (free but tickets required).772-231-6990 28 Relay for Life Kickoff – a Relay Reunion, Firstrefuge.org or discoverelc.org from the museum’s collection, sectioned into
6 p.m. at the Heritage Center, inviting Founders, Travelers, Philosophers and Seekers.
SEPTEMBER relay participants from the past 25 years to 2 Freedom Run 5K Run/Walk, 7:30 a.m. 772-231-0707
wear T-shirts from their favorite year and share from South Beach Park to support Sub-
relay photos/memories. 772-562-2272 stance Awareness Center of IRC prevention, 4 Inaugural Golf Tournament hosted by In-
education, treatment and recovery programs, dian River Firefighters Benevolent Assn.
24 Downtown Friday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 28 Bids and Brews Lifestyle & Media Auc- including school-based prevention taught to to benefit Mental Health Association, 9 a.m.
along 14th Avenue hosted by Main tion to benefit Sebastian River Area all fifth and sixth grade students in IRC. Secure. shotgun scramble at Vero Beach Country Club.
Street Vero Beach, with music by Johnny & the Chamber of Commerce, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at runningzone.com 772-321-5033
Blaze, and American Cancer Society as charity Pareidolia Brewing Co. $15 members; $20 non-
of the month. Free. 772-643-6782 members. Register by Sept. 21. 772-589-5969 2 United Way Day of Caring with 8 a.m. Kick- 6 National Night Out, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at
off Breakfast at First Presbyterian Church, Intergenerational Center hosted by IRC
25 Lines in the Lagoon Junior Fishing OCTOBER followed at 9 a.m. by individuals and teams Sheriff’s Office, with representatives of local
Tournament, lines in 7 a.m., lines out 2 fanning out around the county to lend a help- state and federal law enforcement, first re-
p.m., with Captains’ Meeting Fri. 9/24 at White’s 1 Author Nicholas Sparks speaks about his ing hand to those in need with activities such sponders and military members, food, live mu-
Tackle, and Family Awards Dinner 4 p.m. to 6 newest book, The Wish, presented by the as painting, gardening, cleaning and organizing. sic, K-9 demos. Free.
p.m. Sat. 9/25 at Walking Tree Brewery. $30 reg- Vero Beach Book Center, 6 p.m. (doors open 5 772-567-8900, ext. 120 or unitedwayirc.org/doc
istration includes awards dinner. 772-538-6164 p.m.) at Sebastian River High School PAC. $35 6-17 Vero Beach Theatre Guild pres-
includes one autographed book (pre-signed; no 2 Oktoberfest at Walking Tree Brewery ents Bram Stoker’s spooktacu-
25 Recycle Derby, noon to 4 p.m. at Walk- personalization). 772-569-2050 begins with 11:30 a.m. Volksmarch, a lar thriller, “Dracula.” 772-562-8300
ing Tree Brewery to benefit Coastal 1.5-mile stroll followed by new beer releases,
7-10 The Flamingo, benefiting the
Solutions from Games Pages ACROSS DOWN Crossword Page B14 (DID YOU GET MY LETTER?) Jake Owen Foundation, with Fla-
in September 16, 2021 Edition 1 REEF 1 EARN mingo Golf Classic Player Party, 5 p.m. Thurs. at
4 HERD 3 FAMINE Quail Valley River Club (for tournament players);
8 PANE 4 HERMES Flamingo Golf Classic Tournament, 8 a.m. Fri.
9 TRIMARANS 5 RANCID shotgun start at Quail Valley Golf Club (break-
11 CANYON 6 EASYCHAIR fast starts at 6:30 a.m.) followed by cocktails and
13 INTERIM 7 KEEN awards; the Flamingo Jam, 5:30 p.m. Sat. at Cor-
15 MINERS 10 SAMURAI porate Air, featuring live music by Jake Owen and
16 DURHAM 12 AMOS Friends; and the Flamingo Fishing Classic, 7 a.m.
18 STORMS 13 INCONCERT Sun. at Riverside Café, with weigh-in at 1p.m.
20 SANITY 14 TRAMCAR and awards at 2 p.m. jakeowenfoundation.org
22 CASHIER 17 MAYO
23 JACKAL 19 SALOME 8 Tropical Night Luau, 6 p.m. at the Boulevard
25 ROBINHOOD 20 SHRINK Village and Tennis Club to benefit Youth
26 PURR 21 NEPHEW Guidance Mentoring Academy, with a tropical
27 LEEK 23 JAPE buffet, dancing and auction. 772-492-3933
28 WEAN 24 SOFA

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]

Our directory gives small business people eager to provide services to the community an opportunity to make themselves known to
our readers at an affordable cost. This is the only business directory mailed each week. If you would like your business to appear in

our directory, please call 772-633-0753.
This is also where we publish Fictitious Name or “Doing Business As” notices, Public Notices and Employment ads.

To place one, please email [email protected].