VB32963_ISSUE50_121516_OPT

Teachers hit with huge hike in
health insurance. P9
Music, excitement

soar at ACO benefit. P14
Dozens of students take ill
at Gifford Middle School. P10

New Harbor Branch Sewer question
director set to deal again is an issue
with big challenges in Central Beach

BY MICHELLE GENZ BY LISA ZAHNER
Staff Writer Staff Writer

For a world-renowned ocean- Older homes in Vero’s Cen-
ographer like Anton Post, cli- tral Beach neighborhoods
mate change deniers have al- that still utilize septic tanks
ways been a bit maddening. and might benefit from hook-
ing up to the city’s hybrid sep-
So only days after the presi- tic-sewer system often are on
dential election, Post sat in his canopied streets, with grand,
new office at Harbor Branch overarching oaks deeply
rooted in the path sewer lines
Sandfly Lane, one of the canopied streets would need to cross to carry
remaining in Central Beach. PHOTO BY DENISE RITCHIE away household waste.

Jake’s buddy giving Vero two youth baseball diamonds The challenge of how to bal-
ance two competing ecologi-
BY RAY MCNULTY in Harvick, the 2007 Daytona nate in Owen's name "several cal interests – preservation of
Staff Writer 500 winner who visited him in hundred thousand dollars" charming old trees and pre-
Vero Beach last weekend. to the Cal Ripken Sr. Foun- venting septic runoff into the
Homegrown country music dation, which will match the Indian River Lagoon that poi-
star Jake Owen will be getting A pair of diamonds. Base- contribution and build two sons marine life – has caused
an impressive Christmas gift ball diamonds. youth-league baseball fields – Vero officials to pause before
from his NASCAR buddy, Kev- extending the Septic Tank Ef-
According to a knowledge- CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 fluent Pumping (STEP) sys-
able source, Harvick will do- tem to the city’s most estab-
lished barrier island streets.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Dr. Anton Post PHOTO BY MITCH KLOORFAIN

Oceanographic Institute, try- MY We’re happy Vero airport is growing,
ing to reconcile election re- VERO but after Elite, which airline’s next?
sults with the already daunt-
ing challenges he faces as BY RAY MCNULTY planes than commercial jet Captain Joshua Kalbow gives a cockpit tour to Vero Beach police officer Darrell Rivers.
Harbor Branch’s new execu- Staff Writer service – eventually become
tive director. so busy that it forever chang-
How much is too much? es the face and feel of our sea-
The former visiting scholar Or to be more precise: side slice of heaven?
at M.I.T., who won a fellow- Could our quaint, little air-
ship to do research at the port – better known for "The community really
famed Oceanographic Insti- flight instruction and private hasn't talked about that,"
tute at Woods Hole, had spent
his career studying the shift- CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

December 15, 2016 Volume 9, Issue 50 Newsstand Price $1.00 Holiday joy for kids
at Miracle on 43rd
News 1-10 Faith 75 Pets 73 TO ADVERTISE CALL Avenue. Page 23
Arts 35-38 Games 51-53 Real Estate 77-88 772-559-4187
Books 48-49 Health 55-60 St Ed’s 74
Dining 66 Insight 39-54 Style 62-65 FOR CIRCULATION
Editorial 46 People 11-34 Wine 67 CALL 772-226-7925

© 2016 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

My Vero its service between Vero Beach and place so special, merely for the sake of For the past year, local travelers
New Jersey, even as I welcomed the commerce and convenience. As much have boarded direct flights to Newark,
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 announcement that Islip, N.Y., will as I want to see our airport thrive and N.J., in numbers that have made the
be among the airline's new, non-stop be a boon to our local economy, I don't route Elite's hottest ticket, prompting
said Vero Beach Planning and Develop- destinations when it expands its ser- want it to become so heavily trafficked the airline to offer additional destina-
ment Director Tim McGarry. "We're en- vice in the spring. that it alters our way of life. tions.
joying success at the airport and, right
now, people are happy and excited about I grew up on Long Island. I still have I hope we don't sell our souls and In March, the company will add
the possibility of more jobs. There's cer- family and friends there. The new Elite forget what makes Vero Beach so dif- flights to and from Islip and Asheville,
tainly plenty of room for expansion. flights would make traveling to visit ferent from everywhere else. N.C., as well as service to Tallahassee
with them much more convenient. when the Florida Legislature is in ses-
"But can we be too successful? Can So I smiled when Elite President sion. And Pearsall said flights to the Bos-
we get too busy?" he added. "That's a But I live here. and CEO John Pearsall told the festive, ton area, a Midwest city and the airline's
good question." And I live here for a reason: I love the Friday-night gathering at Vero Beach home base in Maine are on his radar.
small-town charm, the quality of life, Regional Airport that "everybody's
That question kept gnawing at me our sense of community. been asking for Islip," but also listened In addition, Elite has entered into
throughout Elite Airways' celebra- I don't want us to lose the Rock- carefully as he shared his plans for the preliminary discussions with Vero
tion of the one-year anniversary of wellian characteristics that make this airline's future here. Beach Airport Director Eric Menger in
hopes of building a fleet maintenance
facility on the airport grounds.

"This," Pearsall said, "has become
an enormous success for us."

So much so, in fact, that others
in the industry have taken notice –
Menger said he has had conversa-
tions with representatives from other
airlines that are closely monitoring
Elite's numbers.

Some of those other carriers are larg-
er airlines interested in providing ser-
vice to major hubs, such as Atlanta and
Charlotte, from which travelers could
connect to flights across America.

And while Menger sees possibilities
in those discussions, he assures us that
"We're not becoming Orlando or West
Palm Beach, or even Melbourne."

But the airport is growing – in terms
of service and stature, if not size.

The most noticeable transforma-
tion began 18 months ago, when Vero
Beach Municipal Airport was rebrand-
ed Vero Beach Regional Airport for
marketing purposes. Then, a year ago,
Elite arrived and began offering twice-
weekly flights to Newark, eventually
expanding its service to four days per
week and adding flights to Naples.

Now, new destinations are being
added and, based on what we've seen,
there's no reason to doubt that more
are coming. Pearsall, who ignored both
the naysayers and numbers when he
decided to return commercial air ser-
vice to Vero Beach, appears eager to
double down on his investment here.

That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Indeed, no one I spoke with ex-
pressed any real concerns – immedi-
ate or long-term – about the impend-
ing increase of activity at the airport.
To the contrary, most folks said they're
excited to see the facility being utilized
to such an extent.
"We're not going to be anyone's ma-
jor hub, but Elite Airways seems to be
filling a need in a very positive man-
ner," County Commissioner Bob So-
lari said. "Getting the airline here has
been a good addition to the commu-
nity. I haven't heard any complaints."
Nor has Carter Taylor, the acting
executive director of the Indian River
Neighborhood Association.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 3

NEWS

Taylor said his watchdog group sup- size unless new property is purchased, has in the past – and could again – al- "We're not going to build things and
ports Menger's efforts to "get the most and that's not likely to happen any time ter the master plan's projections. The wait for someone to show up," Menger
out of the facility" and has found no soon – so while it's possible to see busi- airport had more takeoffs and land- said. "When they come, we will build
cause for concern that the airport will ness growth on the grounds, there's ings in 2002 than it does now, but it. Right now, we have what we need.
become so busy that it negatively im- little room to add or lengthen runways those numbers plummeted during the We're still a regional airport in what's
pacts the community's quality of life. that would be needed to significantly Great Recession, falling to fewer than still a relatively small county.
expand commercial air service. 170,000 in 2011.
"That would be a high-grade prob- "The bottom line is: The airport is
lem to have – one I wouldn't mind "They're kind of hemmed in," Taylor So it could be many years before here to serve the needs of the public,"
having – but it's not a problem that has said. the number of takeoffs and landings he added. "What happens from here is
been on our radar," Taylor said. "Typi- climb beyond 300,000 – if they ever do. up to the community." 
cally, the problem you have with a busy Then there's the economy, which
airport is the noise from the bigger jets
taking off and coming in, but that's the
sound of progress.”

Most of the thousands of flights into
and out of the airport continue to be
relatively small planes.

"I don't think anyone's too con-
cerned that the airport will become too
successful," he added. "Maybe, some-
day, it could become a problem, and
we'll certainly keep an eye on it and
respond if we need to. We don't want
to become another West Palm Beach.

"But it's still a relatively small, re-
gional airport, which is a big part of its
appeal."

The airport property covers 1,750
acres, or about one-fourth of the to-
tal area of the city. Menger said that's
plenty of room to handle the project-
ed growth in operations.

With just its existing infrastructure
– runways, taxiways, tower and termi-
nal – the airport could probably add
100,000 more takeoffs and landings
annually.

"We're at 230,000 now, and our max-
imum capacity is 330,000," Menger
said. "That would be very busy and we
might need to add taxiways, but we
could handle it. We wouldn't need to
build new runways.”

Such projections are included in
the Vero Beach's airport master plan,
which was approved by the City Coun-
cil in June and the Federal Aviation
Administration in November.

Menger said putting together the
plan was a three-year process that
included input from the FAA, Florida
Department of Transportation, the
city Airport Commission, a county
Metropolitan Planning Organization
advisory committee, airport staff and
tenants, and local citizens groups.

"We wanted public input," Menger
said, "and we held several public meet-
ings."

Barbara Drndak, a longtime Airport
Commission member and its current
chairman, echoed the sentiments of
Menger and others who said there's
little reason to fear the facility will grow
to a level where it diminishes or dis-
turbs the quality of life in Vero Beach.

"There's room for smart growth,"
she said, "but you're not even going to
notice it."

Growth in airport operations is lim-
ited by its geographic boundaries – the
airport grounds can’t grow in physical

4 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

New Harbor Branch director much above sea level,” he says, pinch- tor of the University of Rhode Island’s Massachusetts. From there, he ended
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 ing his fingers. “I saw the king tide, I Coastal Resources Center, part of the up at the University of Rhode Island.
saw all those pictures of Fort Lauder- school’s department of oceanogra-
ing oceans. Now a political tide had dale underwater and Miami underwa- phy. There is pride – and an insistent Post’s first visit to Florida was in June;
rendered him close to speechless, at ter. I think we have big challenges. It’s urgency – as he describes the center’s he has been visiting monthly since then.
least on one subject: Donald Trump, the going to be my task to work with Har- work and achievements. He arrives permanently next month to
soon-to-be leader of the free world, has bor Branch for the state of Florida.” take the helm at Harbor Branch. The in-
said he thinks climate change is a hoax. “That center takes the evidence- ternationally respected marine research
Post remains upbeat despite first- based science that is produced at the institute is home to 155 scientists on a
“I live on Cape Cod. I see the effects hand knowledge of how reliant science university and other universities and 144-acre campus; it is located along
of sea level rise there. I work in Rhode is on government as well as private-sec- works with the community to provide the Indian River Lagoon between Vero
Island, in Newport. They have kept a tor funding. Much of Post’s career has them with products and solutions that Beach and the Fort Pierce inlet. Dr. Me-
record since the 1930s. Sea level rise been spent overseeing projects involv- counter global climate change, that gan Brown, who has served as interim
has happened there at a foot-and-a- ing multimillion-dollar research grants benefit their livelihoods and their econ- director for the past three years, will
half per century. That may sound like at universities and the National Science omies and their quality of life,” he says. continue as a research scientist.
little, but it is not,” says Post. Foundation, where he was a program di-
rector at the Division of Ocean Sciences. The team Post worked on was in- Harbor Branch, founded in 1971 by
“I look at Florida and we are this volved in marine spatial planning for deep-water submersible engineer Ed-
Most recently, Post has been direc- the country’s first offshore wind farm, win Link and pharmaceutical tycoon
mapping the various uses and values J. Seward Johnson Sr., is now part of
of Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island. Florida Atlantic University, whose
“It’s like urban planning for the marine main campus is in Boca Raton.
environment,” Post says. “You map
out where the fishermen are, where FAU, Florida’s fifth public university,
the rich people live, where the tour- took over Harbor Branch in 2007 at a
ists go, what the shipping routes are, time when the ocean research center
where the bird watchers want to be. was struggling financially.
From that mapping exercise, we ana-
lyze it in identifying a [windfarm] site.” The institute’s goal is to further ocean
engineering, aquaculture, drug discov-
The five-turbine Block Island Wind ery and other marine biotechnology
Farm, which has made national head- and explore new ways to monitor the
lines, is slated to go online later this oceans. But the most important goals
month. to local residents are its focus on coastal
ecology and marine mammal research.
Post says he has always had a soft
spot for windmills. Born in the Nether- Last month alone, Harbor Branch re-
lands where his uncle owned a wind- searchers published papers in two im-
mill that powered a saw mill, he grew portant scientific journal – one, on the
up 15 minutes outside of Amsterdam. impact of sea ice changes on the migra-
tion of whales, and another, published
Post’s father relied on another Dutch by the CDC’s Journal of Emerging Infec-
tradition: He built a chain of chocolate tious Diseases, on lesions in dolphins.
shops – the family home turned into a
candy factory at Christmas and Easter, Dolphin diseases and marine mam-
Post recalls, with a division of labor in mal stranding in the Indian River La-
each room. goon and elsewhere “all tie back to some
degree with ocean acidification and sur-
“He was very proud of being able face warming due to human impact on
to provide for his family and the chil- the natural eco-system,” Post says.
dren’s education. But he had inter-
rupted his own academic studies to Now, the fate of Harbor Branch’s
support a young family after the war. research dollars may be uncertain.
So he also wanted me to have a Ph.D. Trump has already promised to cut EPA
He never pushed me, but he always regulations by “70 to 80 percent,” and
gave me an opportunity.” appointed a climate-change skeptic,
Myron Ebell, to direct the EPA transi-
After earning his bachelor of science tion. Last week, he doubled down, ap-
degree in biology, a master’s in aquatic pointing Scott Pruitt to head the EPA.
microbial ecology and a Ph.D. in mi-
crobiology from the University of Am- Pruitt, Oklahoma’s attorney gen-
sterdam, Post’s academic career took eral and an outspoken opponent of
an international turn. He had what he pollution regulation, is suing the EPA
calls “a formative internship” with the on two fronts over its efforts to limit
Brookhaven Institute, and spent al- greenhouse gas emissions. A former
most a year in Japan. Republican state senator, Pruitt calls
himself “a leading advocate against
From there he went to Israel in 1986 the EPA’s activist agenda,” and has
for post-doctoral studies at Hebrew called the debate over climate change
University. He met his wife Osnat in Is- “far from settled.”
rael and started what would be a fam-
ily of three children. Osnat Post is an “How much denying will be going
architect and urban planner. on? What will support be for science?
How will it affect funding?” asks Post.
While in Jerusalem, Anton Post col- “It’s a big challenge but I truly believe
laborated closely with Sally Chisholm that even though we have questions,
at M.I.T., who was awarded the Na- in any transition there are challenges
tional Medal of Science by President but also opportunities.
Obama. He eventually earned a fellow-
ship to work at the University of Chi- “So maybe there will be a period
cago’s Woods Hole Research Center in where there is less funding for federal
agencies, but that will provide opportu-















12 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Alla Kramer with Armund and Marie Ek. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Dennis Hunt and Helen Robertson with Elke and George Fetterolf. Barbara Stewart, Teena Jackson, Shirley Becker and Sandy Patterson.

Lalita and Dr. Walter Janke. Ro Smith and Linda Teetz. Crystal Lemley with Robin and Brenda Lloyd. Brenda and Chuck Bradley.

William and Henriette Churney with Janice and Arthur Stillings. Jan and Mike Harrell with Maya Peterson. Pam and Clay Price with Petra King.

Warm ‘Glow’ all over at Hibiscus’ cheery Winter Gala

BY MARY SCHENKEL on the Treasure Coast. The Hibiscus and coordinating the gala’s huge highlight of the social season!”
Staff Writer Children’s Shelter in Jensen Beach assortment of silent auction items, After the gourmet dinner, which
houses newborns to 12-year-olds, Teetz happily showed off her sparkly
Festive lights adorned every inch and the Hibiscus Children’s Village Jimmy Choo flats, remarking, “And featured a main course of filet mi-
of The Moorings Yacht and Country in Vero Beach accommodates youth they were worth every penny; they gnon and crab-stuffed filet of sole,
Club at the Hibiscus Children’s Cen- from age 12 until they “age out” of are so comfortable!” and a sinfully delicious chocolate
ter’s Winter Glow Gala last Saturday the system at 18. In addition to coun- tuxedo bomb for dessert, attorney
night. The annual Winter Gala is seling and education, their Career The festive décor in the cocktail John Moore elicited spirited bidding
hosted by the ladies of the Hibiscus Pathways to Independence program area featured a colorful traditionally on an assortment of must-have live
Indian River Guild and this year was helps teens reach their full potential decorated Christmas tree as well as auction items that included getaways,
co-chaired by relative newcomers in life. a stunning 9-foot white Christmas catered dinners and an exquisite sea
Henriette Churney and Janice Still- tree by Jennifer Killen of Vero Beach turtle sculpture by Ruth Ann Holt.
ings and longtime advocates Carole “We’re changing lives one life at a Florist, which later was sold dur-
Casey and Linda Teetz. time,” Churney agreed. “We see in- ing the live auction. Sophisticated Hibiscus CEO Paul Sexton recog-
credible results with the children in touches in the dining room includ- nized the co-chairs, the ladies of the
Stillings said she got involved af- the Village.” ed high-pillared centerpieces filled guild, sponsors and guests adding,
ter hearing a presentation about the with led lights and tall twinkling “On behalf of the children that we
organization, adding, “When I heard Glimmering lights were every- white branches, and “diamond” serve, thank you for being here. With-
everything they were doing for the where, reflecting brilliantly off the napkin-ring holders. out your support, we would not be
teens, I just wanted to get involved. guests’ own sparkly jewels and el- able to serve these innocent victims
The success rate at Hibiscus is bet- egant gowns. Guests passed by tall “Isn’t this fabulous, festive and of abuse, abandonment and neglect.”
ter than having these kids in foster palm trees at the portico glistening great?” exclaimed Sue Sharpe. “Car-
homes. Having them live in their with hundreds of white lights, and ole Casey thought of this theme of Government funding provides
own environment is very effective.” were greeted by Saint Edward’s stu- a winter wonderland and carried it roughly two-thirds of the financial
dents Tyler Peters and Richie Appen, through from the reception area and support needed, leaving an addition-
Hibiscus provides a wide range of looking sharp in white tails. into the dining room. Once again, al $2.5 million to be raised annually
programs and services to children the Hibiscus Children’s Gala is the through donations, special events
Having walked miles amassing and grants. 



14 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Music, excitement soar at annual ACO Benefit Concert

BY MARY SCHENKEL
Staff Writer

Supporters of the Atlantic Classical David Amado, Lindsay Garritson and Igor Pikayzen. PHOTOS: MARY SCHENKEL Jean and John Beckert.
Orchestra braved a torrential thun-
derstorm to enjoy an exceptional per- an extensive search that narrowed to said Marie Jureit-Beamish, ACO board And speaking of great music, the
formance by violinist Igor Pikayzen four finalists, each performing as a chair, referencing the McMullans. audience was entranced by the out-
and pianist Lindsay Garritson at the guest conductor in the 2016 Master- standing performance of gifted Rus-
fifth annual Benefit Concert hosted works series in Vero Beach, Stuart and “It has been a little bit intimidating sian-American violinist Igor Pikayzen,
by the Vero Beach Friends of the ACO Palm Beach Gardens. and overwhelming meeting so many a Julliard graduate with a master’s
and held last Tuesday evening at the people; so many fans of the ACO. We from the Yale School of Music, in his
Orchid Island Beach Club. “We are absolutely thrilled to have do have really a tremendously won- Vero Beach debut. Guests were slightly
Maestro David Amato. In addition to derful season of music planned,” said more familiar with Lindsay Garritson,
“This is the start of the ACO’s 27th the great music you will be hearing, it Amato. He shared a quick overview whose sister Ashley Garritson is ACO
year. Many of you have been support- will be a continuation of the great leg- about the upcoming season before principal cellist and whose mother is
ing the ACO from the early years and acy that was begun by these two peo- adding, “You really cannot go wrong; Jureit-Beamish. Lindsay Garritson,
that speaks volumes about our spe- ple sitting right here in front of me,” it is the greatest music.”
cial orchestra,” said Friends President
Jean Beckert, before thanking the eve-
ning’s sponsors and praising former
Vero resident and Conductor Laureate
Andy McMullan and wife Jean, ACO
founders.

McMullan passed the baton in 2004
to Stewart Robertson, who retired at
the end of the 25th anniversary year,
and the new music director, Maestro
David Amato, officially came on board
July 2016. Amado was chosen after

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 15

PEOPLE

Den Kopani with Jean and Andy McMullan. Nancy Paul, Nancy Briggs and Peggy Miles. Ann Wheeler, David Amado, Shirley Wertz and Dr. Bill McHugh.

Virginia Schwerin and Mary La Salle Shoaf. Angela Pate and Leah Scott. Sue Yahraes and Anne Lanier. Jane and Dan Garr.

Jacqueline Malloy, Warren Schwerin and Jill Benedict. Roger Haines, Brandon Alfaro and Kendra Haines. Chad Morrison, Jeannette and John Corbett and Scott Bayman.

who is also an accomplished violin-
ist, is equally brilliant as a soloist or,
as she was Tuesday, an accompanist.

Special highlights of the evening
included the Sonata in G minor by
Claude Debussy, which Amato said
came at a time when the composer
was just beginning to forge ahead into
new edgier territory. Pikayzen and
Garritson brought the audience to
their feet with the final piece, Franz
Waxman’s Carmen Fantasie, the
Academy-nominated score to the 1946
movie Humoresque, based on themes
from Georges Bizet’s opera Carmen.

“Wow – I didn’t know fingers could
fly over keys and strings so quickly!”
exclaimed Beckert, once the applause
finally died down.

“I couldn’t be more pleased; it’s ex-
cellent in every sense,” said Andy Mc-
Mullan after the performance, about
the evolution of the ACO. “The or-
chestra makes its own legacy at this
point.”

“Stewart Robertson was superb,
and now David Amato is going to car-
ry us to even greater heights,” added
Jean McMullan.

For information on the full season,
visit ACO-music.org. 

16 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Owen Country: Hometown is where his heart is

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Prior to the start of the con- Meet & Greets with Owen, and au- & Girls Clubs of Indian River Coun-
Staff Writer cert, VIPs were treated to a recep- tographed guitars. ty, Hibiscus Children’s Center and
tion hosted by Dale Sorensen Real the Mardy Fish Children’s Founda-
There was a whole lotta country go- Estate, where they enjoyed hors The auction and ticket sales tion. On a national level, Owen’s
ing on in Vero Beach last Friday night d’oeuvres, beverages and an auc- racked up quite a few dollars, which foundation supports the St. Jude
with the return of Jake Owen to his tion while mingling with the per- will be added to the $1.25 million Children’s Research Hospital for
Vero Beach High School alma mater, formers. Auctioneer Wesley Davis that has been raised to date to help children battling cancer and other
where he entertained a sellout crowd got the crowd energized with a little local youth organizations. childhood diseases.
of fans at the 10th Annual Jake Owen friendly bidding on items that in-
Foundation Benefit Concert. cluded an autographed golf cart, Eighty percent of the funds raised “This is a huge community effort
stay in Indian River County and and I’m just a little piece of it,” said
benefit such nonprofits as the Boys Owen of the foundation’s accom-
plishments over the past 10 years.

“One of the reasons I got my start
doing this was that I had family that
taught me great values and morals
and how to work hard,” said Owen,
reflecting on his rise to stardom.
He added that growing up in a town
like Vero Beach had played a major
role in making him the person he is
today.

The atmosphere Friday night in
the VBHS Performing Arts Center
was that of a casual family gather-
ing, but there wasn’t anything laid
back about the quality of talent on
the stage. The star power of Owen
and his band was rounded out with
a few of Owen’s Nashville friends.

Vero’s own singer/songwriter
Scotty Emerick, Grammy-nominat-
ed singer/songwriter James Slat-
er and Lady Antebellum vocalist
Charles Kelley sang crowd favorites
like “I Love This Bar,” “In My Daugh-
ters Eyes” and “Need You Now.” The
foursome also gave a nod to songs
by country greats Glen Campbell
and Johnny Cash.

Owen brought a little jingle into
the evening, sharing an original
holiday song, “Christmas Spirits.”
And, since the foundation focus-
es on children, it was only fitting
that Owen’s daughter Pearl and her
friend JD Sorensen would take the
stage. The pair stole the show as
they led the crowd with lots of zeal
in singing one of their favorite holi-
day songs.

In words taken from the first song
of Owen’s to ever make it on the
radio, concert-goers gave the en-
tire two-hour show a great big “Yee
Haw!”

After Friday night’s foot stompin’
concert, the performer teed up
bright and early Saturday morning
as a participant in the Hale Groves
Indian River Grapefruit Pro-Am In-
vitational at the Vero Beach Coun-
try Club. Bringing in a little more
star power, Owens played in the
tournament with Nascar champion
Kevin Harvick on Saturday and PGA
golfer Jason Day on Sunday. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 17

PEOPLE

Jake Owen (C) performed with Scotty Emerick (L) and Jimmy Ritchy (R) during the Jake Owen Foundation 10th Annual Benefit Concert in the Vero Beach High School Performing Arts Center. PHOTOS: J PATRICK RICE

Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum. Steve Owen with Donna with Randy Hedgecock. Linda Shipley and Linda Proctor.

Tiffany Busch and Gaston Rodriguez. Charles Kelly and Jake Owen clown around.

JAKE OWEN PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
Dale Sorensen Jr., wife Taylor, Jake Owen, daughter Pearl, Dale Sorensen, grandson JD and Matilda Sorensen.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

JAKE OWEN PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Stephanie and Jeff Pickering. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Jane and Lorne Coyle. Rosanne and Jeff Susi.
Mallory, Shannon and Megan Padgett.

Kay and Keith Kite, Collier Proctor, A.J. and Kimberly Koontz, Byron and Stephany Cooksey.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 19

PEOPLE

Vivian and Gabi McFall, Grace Welton, Abby and Emma Jankowski. Kathy, Savannah and Roy Tricomi with Lori Wood. Susan Helms, Bob and Karen Ritter, Sherrie Petermann, and Bob Gibb.

INDIAN RIVER
GRAPEFRUIT PRO-AM

Jarrod Owen, Jason Day and Jake Owen.

Jason Day gives pointers to Dale Sorensen.

Jake Owen tees off. PHOTOS: J PATRICK RICE

20 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Delight at the Museum, thanks to holiday activities

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF the Vero Beach Museum of Art and the necks to see a Toy Soldier Stilt-Walker This is a wonderful event, and I am
Staff Writer museum’s Education Department. as he tiptoed through the crowd. delighted to be part of this annual
museum tradition.”
“It’s the hap-happiest season of all,” Attendees to the festive community Musical performers included the
and December at the Vero Beach Mu- favorite made their way all through- Atlantic Children’s Chorus, Osceo- A long line wended its way through
seum of Art is one of the best places to out the museum, enjoying commu- la Singers, Treasure Coast Strings, the Laura and Bill Buck Atrium as
kick it off with an infusion of holiday nity youth entertainment and holi- Beachland Little Shark Singers, Indi- boys and girls anxiously awaited the
fun. More than 1,700 people did just day-themed activities. In the studios, an River Charter High School Orches- arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus. While
that at the 35th Annual Holidays at children crafted origami ornaments tra, Vero Beach High School Orchestra waiting their turn, many children
the Museum hosted by the Friends of and painted tiles, read books at the and Sebastian Elementary Chorus. took advantage of the Creative Play
Moonshot Rocket, and craned their Dancers got into the act too, with the area or snuck across the hall to snack
Studio C Dance Company, Vero Clas- on Christmas cookies and lemonade.
sical Ballet, Riverside Theatre Per-
formance Apprentices and Dance New this year was a Holidays Around
Space all giving mini-performances the World Scavenger Hunt, where par-
throughout the day. ticipants searched the north Alice and
Jim Beckwith Sculpture Park for eight
“The Museum was elated that so iconic items related to traditions cel-
many families in the community ebrated in other countries. Clues led
came to enjoy the exhibitions, youth participants to everything from Olde
and school performances and art ac- English crackers and paper crowns to
tivities in the studios,” said Holidays Hanukkah gelt and yule logs, giving
performance and volunteer coordina- seekers a glimpse into traditions near
tor Susan Smith. “It is a huge under- and far.
taking and something that we could
not achieve without the commitment Of course, the museum exhibits
of the various performing groups and were also open for all to enjoy, and
their teachers, volunteer hours from guests enjoyed meandering through
docents and the Friends, local high the American Spirit, David Drake:
school teenagers and museum staff. Potter and Poet, Bruce Marsh exhibits
as well as the Indian River Photo Club

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 21

1 PEOPLE
2
3 MUSEUM CAPTIONS juried exhibition.
4 And on their way out many guests
1. Maysie and Jim Van Valen. 2. Treasure Coast
Strings. 3. Samantha Lind, Katelyn Beare, couldn’t resist having a first look
Caroline and Victoria Mills, Lila Milliman and at the recently renovated Museum
Lily Goulet. 4. Nora and Josie Guttuso with Yana Store, where the new layout made it
Bitter. 5. Erin Green-Cerritos with Olivia and Santa easier to browse for Christmas gifts
with Gabriella Cerritos. 6. Hannah Hall and Fanny and stocking stuffers. 
Moncada with Daniel and Veronica Cichewicz.
Allyson Wittenrich, Magenta Gumpel,
PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Callie Houck and Chris Lopez.

6 MUSEUM PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

5



Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 23

PEOPLE

Holiday toy joy for kids at Miracle on 43rd Avenue

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF GYAC PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 believe,” said Tascon. “She had the will last a lifetime.”
Staff Writer whole thing set up with the business- The hope is to foster a foundation
Tim Girard, Mike Quach and Cindy Goetz. es within days.”
Few things tug at the heartstrings to break down barriers between the
more effectively than the sound of PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE The local businesses that got in- Gifford Community and Indian River
children’s voices lifted in song, and volved had each contributed at least County residents while promoting
last Wednesday the Gifford Youth The party format may change, but 10 gifts and guests loaded all the toys productive lifestyles. The GYAC sup-
Achievement Center’s Christmas En- the results are always the same, a cel- into a Pak Mail delivery truck. They ports the community with programs
semble did just that at the sixth an- ebration of giving. Christina Tascon, had exceeded their goal of 196 pres- for children such as mentoring, tutor-
nual Party with a Purpose gathering, GYAC marketing coordinator, had ents for the GYAC students, so the ex- ing, access to computer labs and arts
organized by Cindy Goetz and held at helped with last year’s Party with a cess, along with other items donated and environmental education through
the home of Brian and Liz Mayo. Purpose and asked Goetz if she would by longstanding supporters from Wa- partnerships with the Vero Beach
consider a toy drive for GYAC this year. terway Village, Grand Harbor, John’s Museum of Art, Riverside Children’s
As guest enjoyed cocktails and hors Island and Oak Harbor, will be dis- Theatre, Indian River Land Trust and
d’oeuvres, the children rocked the “She ran with it like you wouldn’t tributed to children in the Gifford Environmental Learning Center, and
house with Jingle Bells before hitting neighborhood. animal care with the Humane Society
just the right notes with Christmas of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
carols and holiday favorites. “It is more than just helping the
kids get a present, although that is “It takes teamwork to make a dream
For the past few years, Goetz and the main point of the toy drive,” said work,” said Woolfork, listening to a
her friends have hosted themed par- Tascon. “The toy drive helps build a lively performance of “Santa Claus is
ties to support local charities; the ben- connection with these businesses and Coming to Town.”
eficiary of this year’s Miracle on 43rd hopefully educates them on the valu-
Avenue Holiday Toy Drive was the Gif- able work we do here and great need Past Party with a Purpose benefi-
ford Youth Achievement Center. there is in the Gifford community.” ciaries have included H.A.L.O., the Al-
zheimer & Parkinson Association of
“A few years ago I started doing Par- “What we’re doing today is another Indian River County and local food
ties with a Purpose with my friends,” way of building relationships,” added banks. Last year they dropped off gifts
recalled Goetz. “We had so much fun GYAC Public Relations Director Fred- and money at the homes of four fami-
helping local families that we’re still die Woolfork. “These toys are just an lies where there wouldn’t otherwise be
doing it.” incentive. The actual relationships many gifts under the tree. 

24 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

GYAC PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Gifford Youth Achievement Center Christmas Ensemble: Jayden Young, De-Arrah Swoope, Donna Williford and Lenny Zanca.
Dr. Johnson Hagood and Susan Lorenz. Davionne Stinson, Nicholas Young. Back: Danielle Harris, Barbara Pearce, Freddie Woolfork,
Tyona Williams and Lucas Boecker (not shown), and conducted by Jasmine Bell.

Donna and Doug D’Alfonso with Renee Mansfield and Linda Wells. Natall Barsalou and Lindsay Naffziger. Keith and Annaki Frederick.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 25

PEOPLE

Ahoy to the world! Boat
parade lights up Moorings

George and Elke Fetterolf. BOAT PARADE PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
Nora, Charlie and Claire Davenport. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE

Sally Friedman and Sandra Lancaster. enjoyed refreshments and cookies,
laughing at the disparity of apparel
BY MARY SCHENKEL between longtime Florida residents,
Staff Writer snuggled warmly in their winter garb,
and snowbirds in flip-flops and light
Bundled against a brisk evening jackets.
breeze Moorings residents and
friends gathered by the water at Choir director Gary Miller led tal-
Compass Cove last Friday to view ented members of the Indian River
the 2016 Christmas Lighted Boat Charter High School Show Choir in
Parade, presented by the Moorings a performance of holiday songs that
Yacht & Country Club, the Moor- included a festive Jingle all the Way
ings Realty Sales Company and the Medley that attendees joined in on.
Moorings of Vero Property Owners’ Before the parade got underway, cer-
Association. emonies included a blessing by Father
Murphy and the lighting of the Moor-
“We’ve been doing the boat pa- ings Christmas tree.
rade here at the Moorings for 39
years; I’ve been involved for 10 And, to the delight of the youngsters
years,” said parade organizer Vince who eagerly flocked to him like a rock
DeTurris. “Up to 1992 they were do- star, Santa arrived via golf cart and
ing day parades; nobody had power spent time with the little ones, passing
to light the boats up. In 2006 I con- out candy canes, posing for selfies and
vinced the management of the club listening on bended knee to plenty of
that we needed to have a viewing earnest Christmas wishes.
area, because before then you had
to have a home on the water in order This year’s parade saw a total of 18
to see the boats.” boats, ranging in size from 17 feet to
46 feet, each decked out with colorful
White chairs dotted the waterside and elaborate lights. Those on board
viewing area and as they waited the vessels waved to their friends in
for sunset, attendees mingled and the appreciative gathering. Several
boats had inflatable decorations, in-
cluding one crowd pleaser ferrying a
couple of yellow Minions that wafted
about in the wind. Included in the 18
were one each from the U.S. Coast
Guard, Indian River County Fire Res-
cue and the Indian River County Sher-
iff’s Office, lending a hand for the eve-
ning’s festivities.

As the final boats departed the
cove, 250 guests headed over to the
Moorings Club for a Holiday Sunset
Social in the Sunset Grille to warm
up and party on. 

26 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

BOAT PARADE PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 25 George, Linda, Kristin and Kaiden O’Malley. Jim and Debbie Kappel with Sandy McCaffrey and Shelia Haire.
Vince DeTurris, Craig Lopes, George Bryant and Gary Miller.

VAPA Choral Performance.

Peter and Lisa Schiller, Bridget Redeker, Heidi Oehler,
Casey Carr, Alicia and Steve Oehler.

Vicki and Bob Stratton with Shanna
and Bob MacNelly.

Mark Blasch, Lauren Carabelli with Jack,
Barbara Blasch and Alex Carabelli.

MORE PARADE PHOTOS
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32



28 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND

1 234

Christmas on the Island Stroll: Hello, good buys

BY MARY SCHENKEL ton Park and Sexton Plaza. Gogh,” Mistretta explained. “We told cludes a two-night stay at Costa d’Este,
Staff Writer “We’ve been working on this since him, if you were standing with Van with dinner for two at Wave and a spa
Gogh, how would you have painted it?” package, plus a $1,200 shopping spree
The Oceanside Business District the summer. What we’re trying to do along Ocean Drive. Second prize is
took on a decidedly festive flair last is bolster sales and have people shop “Their window was chosen by an valued at $1,350 and additional prizes
Saturday at the third annual Christmas local,” said Jamie Giesea, manager at anonymous local artist, who was asked include tickets to Riverside Theatre
on the Island Stroll, sponsored by the Dede’s and the retail chairperson of to judge the competition in the days productions.
Oceanside Business Owners in part- the Oceanside Business Association. prior to the stroll,” said Giesea. Some of
nership with the Vero Beach Retailers “The theme is Starry, Starry Night; the other more elaborate window dis- “Really, we’re all working together
Association and Riverside Theatre. we tied that in to the Festival of Trees plays were seen at Dede’s, Lazy Daisy, for the good of the retail community
theme at Riverside Children’s Theatre.” Studio Gabrielle and Patchington’s. here,” said Giesea.
Individual musicians and musical
groups, including Jerry and the Dolls The wonderful Stringer Gallery was “Already we’re very busy this morn- This Saturday’s event will also
and numerous talented students from the winner of the Window Decorating ing, and everybody is in a good mood,” tie in with a visit from the world-
the Indian River Charter and Vero Contest, and with good reason. said Elena Jasa at Sequin. famous Budweiser Clydesdales, and
Beach High Schools, lined Ocean of course the iconic Dalmatian, who
Drive, adding to the merriment as resi- “When we heard the theme was Additionally, each of the 24 partici- are due to begin staging near River-
dents and tourists wandered in and Starry, Starry Night, we thought, we’re pating merchants had donated at least side Theatre around 3:30 p.m. before
out of the shops and boutiques, enjoy- going to have our artist, Andre Lucero, a $100 gift card, and through Satur- heading down Beachland in their
ing holiday cheer and special savings. paint something for us,” said Caesar day, Dec. 17, every $100 spent in their Christmas finery. The red, white and
And Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Mistretta, gallery co-owner with John shops will give the purchaser a red gold beer wagon will be festooned
Disney characters dressed in their Stringer. raffle ticket. The Red Raffle winner will with jingle bells and lights. They will
Christmassy finest, greeted young and be drawn at a cocktail party at 4 p.m. go north on Ocean Drive for a pre-
old alike as they made their way along The striking oil painting hanging in this Saturday, Dec. 17 hosted by Costa sentation at Bobby’s, and then south
Ocean Drive, making stops at Humis- the garland-draped window was Luce- d’Este; the winner, or a representative, again, stopping near Costa d’Este for
ro’s interpretation of The Starry Night must be present to win. approximately 20 minutes. 
by Vincent van Gogh.
First prize is valued at $2,400 and in-
“It’s paying homage to Vincent van

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 29

CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND

56

7 89

ISLAND STROLL CAPTIONS 10 STROLL PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 30 11

1. Amanda and Joyce Simpson. 2. Gerry and the Dolls. 3. D.J. and Tom Pilero enjoy the music on Ocean
Drive during the Christmas Stroll. 4. John Stringer with his holiday window display. 5. Debbie Moran,
Ann Ingram, Sophie Taylor, Demaris Cannon. 6. Jamie Giesea and Martin Bireley. 7. Sgt David Puscher
and Terry Higdon with Annie. 8. VBHS Orchestra members Kayla Dancy, Amanda Armas, Marie Lorenz
and Minseon Kim 9. Coco and Joey greet visitors at the Stringer Gallery. 10. Alan Wolford, Pamela Bennet,
Erica Sansone and Jovita Ojeda. 11. Duke and Michele Scales with musician Eirinn Abu. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE

30 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND

STROLL PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 12 13 14 15
ISLAND STROLL CAPTIONS

12. Holiday window display at Patchington. 16 17 18
13. Linda Clark at Sara Campbell. 14. Santa and
Mrs. Claus with Laura and Chad Olson. 15. Lindsey
Mills, Virginia Carr and Jill Switzer. 16. Shannon
Taylor and Sheri Larson, with David and Beverly
Boone. 17. Exclusively Coastal’s holiday window
display. 18. Diego Jiraldo and Camilo Olaya.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 31

CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND

19 20 21 22
ISLAND STROLL CAPTIONS

23 24 19. Emma McCurdy, Carly Monaghan
and Marilyn Threlkeld. 20. Ivan and
Nina Maricic with Minseon Kim.
21. James and Karla Fazzio. 22. Jean
Moseley and Don Little. 23. Chad White,
Brad Brock and Deanna Lebreton. 24.
The Dolls with Disney characters at
Sexton Plaza.

32 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CHRISTMAS ON THE ISLAND

MOORINGS BOAT PARADE PHOTOS

PARADE PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 26 PHOTOS: J PATRICK RICE





FUNDRAISING FOR
NEW ‘NUTCRACKER’
IN FULL SWING!

36 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Fundraising for new ‘Nutcracker’ in full swing at gala

BY MICHELLE GENZ That full-scale production, choreo- Christmas-time audiences flock to Kogan Murphy and Whitney Walsh.
Staff Writer graphed by Schnell, will include a cast the family show. “A ‘Nutcracker’ can PHOTOS BY DENISE RITCHIE
of 21 professional ballet dancers, 35 to be a game-changer,” says Schnell.
Adam Schnell has a tough nut to 40 children, and elaborate original cos- based on how beautiful it is here.”
crack. Along with immense creative tumes and sets already in production. The 2017 production of “The Nut- Meanwhile, he had begun teach-
effort and daunting logistics, he needs cracker on the Indian River” will in-
to raise $300,000 if the vision of a new, That $300,000 investment should volve Ballet Vero Beach’s biggest pro- ing dance at Riverside Children’s The-
locally based, professionally danced ensure at least a decade of performanc- fessional cast yet. But it is the children atre. “The Nutcracker: In Swingtime!”
version of “The Nutcracker” becomes es, Schell says, and with luck could in- who make the show a guaranteed com- had debuted in 2010, just a year after
part of the Ballet Vero Beach repertoire clude regional tours. munity success, each year introducing Schnell’s arrival. That year he had
next year. dozens of kids to ballet, and hundreds enough kids for one cast. But the show
Vero’s ballet fans have come to be- more in the audience.
Already he has raised $65,000 in lieve in Schnell, whose wishes can
private donations, and if state law- seem as fantastical as a little girl’s Nut- “I got into ballet because of ‘The
makers vote his way, a $25,000 state cracker coming to life. Nutcracker,’” says Schnell, who at 10
grant. Two weeks ago, Schnell raised played Fritz, Clara’s annoying brother.
another $20,000 to $25,000 at a golf It was four years ago that Schnell He went on to major in ballet at the
and fashion show benefit, Tea Up for founded a ballet company in a town highly selective Walnut Hill School
The Nutcracker. that had never believed in ballet be- for the Arts in Massachusetts, and af-
fore. Ballet Vero Beach uses profes- ter dancing professionally including
Sunday afternoon, he’s hoping to sional dancers from its sister company, for Omaha Theatre Ballet and Sara-
net another $20,000 at the $125-a-head Ballet Nebraska, setting its own, often sota Ballet, moved back to Vero Beach
Gold Watch Gala, the high point of original choreography, and investing where his parents, Michael and Joan
which is the final performance of a stu- in sets and costumes. Schnell, have lived for many years.
dent Nutcracker he created seven years
ago. “The Nutcracker: In Swingtime!”, In his master plan for the com- It was when he first starting work
an annual tradition at Riverside Chil- pany’s fifth year: a professional pro- on his 2014 master’s in arts adminis-
dren’s Theatre, is being shelved next duction of “The Nutcracker.” Hav- tration that the idea for a Vero-based
year as Schnell’s professional ballet ing the company do a “Nutcracker” “Nutcracker” began to take shape.
company, Ballet Vero Beach, premieres could give it a revenue stream few “My first project in grad school was a
“The Nutcracker on the Indian River.” other works could generate. The an- ‘Nutcracker on the Indian River.’ I’ve
nual Christmas tradition flourishes always had an idea of creating a dance
in so many cities for that very reason:

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 37

ARTS & THEATRE

was a sellout before the first perfor- senior at the Tisch School of the Arts COMING UP: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
mance. The very next year, the ranks at New York University, is not only a ABOUND, INCLUDING ‘CAROL’ AT KING
swelled to two casts of almost 60 each, remarkable dancer, she acts and di-
including eight boys. Nearly a third of rects. Last summer she directed the BY MICHELLE GENZ lot of Christmas carols, this Saturday
the cast had come back for a second summer theater camp at Vero Beach Staff Writer at 7 p.m. Melbourne’s King Center is
go – including the girl who danced High School, and for the past two years hosting a touring version interlaced
Clara, Megan Callahan. This time, she has returned to Vero to direct the high 1 If you’re used to the moody, with songs of the era – Greensleeves,
danced the imperious Mouse Queen – school’s Summerstage performance. melancholic version of Charles Wassail Wassail – giving a big dose
in a costume that included huge mouse of dazzle to what Dickens called his
ears and brought the house down. Callahan was the first Clara in Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” there’s “ghostly little tale.”
“The Nutcracker: In Swingtime!” On
Costume designer Travis Halsey was Sunday she will reprise that role, but a slew to be found on Netflix or Ama- The show is staged by Nebraska
responsible for those mouse ears. Now, this time, she’ll be opposite Schnell,
he will be designing a whole new crop her longtime instructor. zon. But if you’re in the mood for a CONTINUED ON PAGE 38
of costumes for Schnell’s new profes-
sional production, “The Nutcracker on The gala marks a big moment for big Broadway-style production with a
the Indian River.” Schnell himself. As the Telegram Boy/
Nutcracker, he will be taking the stage
At Sunday’s gala, the dancers won’t for the first time in eight years, and the
all be children as they normally are. first time ever in Vero Beach.
Three student dancers from the first
years of the ballet are returning to the “Getting to dance with Megan has
stage, morphed into adults like the toy been not so much about the steps as
Nutcracker at the center of the story. that I’ve rarely come across a perform-
Patrick Schlitt, a sophomore studying er that is so completely engaged in the
public relations at the University of scene,” says Schnell. “From the very
Tampa, was in Riverside’s ballet pro- first rehearsal, she locked eyes with
gram for many years and has contin- me. Every single time we’ve rehearsed,
ued to perform in dance and theater in it’s like there’s no one else in our show.”
college. He will perform en travesti as
the Evil Headmistress, who later turns “I’m so happy to see these alumni
into the Mouse Queen. and know what they’re doing in their
lives,” says Schnell. “To know that the
“Patrick was the first male dancer 40 cast members in this show have
to play the Mouse Queen, and peo- that same potential. You have to fig-
ple couldn’t believe it was him,” says ure that over the years, that’s been
Schnell. “For the gala, I’ve encouraged the case for about 150 kids through
him to be even more over-the-top.” this production.

Shannon Maloney, now a teacher “I can honestly say I may break down
of dance at Riverside Children’s The- in tears at the end of this show,” says
atre, was for years among Schnell’s Schnell. “It’s become a huge part of our
most promising students. She won lives every fall to audition and rehearse
apprentice positions with each of and perform this for seven years.”
the professional companies Schnell
brought in for Riverside’s summer And, like the post-production treats
dance intensives. Maloney also gave donated by the popular Vero bakery,
a stunning performance in a Ballet Patisserie, this year’s gala will include a
Vero Beach performance at the Vero confection on stage: Ballet Vero Beach’s
Beach Museum of Art. Talented as ballet master Camilo Rodriguez danc-
she is as a dancer, Schnell believes ing Duke Ellington’s take on the Sugar
it was mentoring the youngest cast Plum Fairy – the Sugar Rum Cherry.
members of “Nutcracker” that led
Maloney to discover her first love is The show takes place at 1:30 p.m.
working with the youngest children, Sunday at the Anne Morton stage with-
now her niche at Riverside. in Riverside Children’s Theatre.

Megan Taylor Callahan, a standout The regular student performances of
“The Nutcracker: In Swingtime!” take
place Friday and Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m. 

SEE THESE AND OTHER FINE THINGS AT VERO’S FINEST
COLLECTION OF AMERICAN-MADE ART AND JEWELRY

THEL AUGHINGDOGGALLERY.COM 2910 CARDINAL DR.
VERO BEACH, FL
7 72 . 2 3 4 . 6711

38 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

Touring Caravan, a professional arm 3 The State Ballet Theatre of Rus- Violinist Itzhak Perlman.
of the Omaha Community Playhouse. sia brings its 60 dancers to the

Since 1979, the tour has been taking Sunrise Theatre in Fort Pierce to

“A Christmas Carol” across the coun- present the Russian version of “The

try in what is likely the most-seen Nutcracker” next Friday, Dec. 23.

production of the Dickens classic. That’s the touring name of Voronezh

They claim to reach an annual audi- State Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

ence of 100,000 in 60 cities. They’ll be presenting the version of

Vasili Vainonen, the great Soviet cho-

2 This is the last weekend to see reographer who in the 1930s was with
another Christmas classic, albe- the Kirov Ballet. You’ll recognize a

it more modern: “A Christmas Story – number of his ideas in the Nutcrack-

The Musical” at the Henegar Center. ers of Mikhail Baryshnikov and Yuri

Directed by Hank Rion and choreo- Grigorovich. Baryshnikov used his

graphed by Amanda Manis, the Hen- Snowflake Waltz choreography, as

egar adaption for stage of the 1983 well as Drosselmeyer’s puppet show

movie stars Ron Landers and Brenda in the party scene.

Sheets as the parents of Ralphie, the

BB gun-obsessed boy played by Aid- 4 And while it won’t be live, you sure Coast’s own Summer Gill, she’s Lucie’s Shindig Irish Pub Saturday
an Holihan. Aidan played Michael in can see the Grigorovich “Nut- home from college and perform- at 9:30 p.m. Sultry, soulful and com-
ing at Kilted Mermaid in Vero Sun- mitted to her craft, she, like Sum-
“Peter Pan” last year at the Titusville cracker” performed by the legend- day night, and at the first Open Mic mer Gill, is writing her own music.
Night at Ground Floor Farm next She started singing with bands in
Playhouse. In May, he was Young Will ary Bolshoi Ballet in a broadcast at Thursday, Dec. 22. This will be a reg- her early teens and went on to study
ular event at the downtown Stuart vocal jazz at Florida International
in Henegar’s “Big Fish,” and played the Majestic Theatre Sunday at 12:55 urban farm on the fourth Thursday University in Miami as well as Palm
of every month, and Summer will be Beach State College. She also fronts
Pugsley in “The Addams Family” in p.m. and again on Wednesday at 7 hosting it. The mic is open for more a Fleetwood Mac tribute band as
than music – comedy, prose, poetry Stevie Nicks.
2014, with and Michael Halvin as his p.m. In Port St. Lucie, it will be shown and any other talent are all appreci-
ated. Sign up is at 6:30 p.m. And pick
little brother. at the Carmike Theatres on Sun- up a few copies of Summer’s new
seven-song EP, “Stormy Weather,”
day at 12:55 p.m. recorded at Stuart’s Rain Cat Stu-
dios. The proceeds can be her grad-
The State Ballet Theatre At Melbourne’s uation present – she just finished up
her last semester at FSU, a year and
of Russia. Cinemaworld West a half early.

and Carmike Av-

enue 16, the broad-

cast is Sunday at 7 Violinist Itzhak Perlman has
been coming to West Palm
12:55 p.m. Cin-

emaworld shows Beach since 1969, when he played

it again Monday at with the Pittsburgh Symphony in

7 p.m. The ballet the West Palm Beach Civic Audito-

was recorded live rium. It was not long after he’d been

in 2014. Denis Rod- discovered in Israel – by Ed Sullivan

kin dances the role – at the age of 13. Sixteen Grammy

of the Nutcracker awards later, and a recipient last

Prince. Anna Niku- 6 Another South Florida singer of year of the Presidential Medal of
note is playing here this week-
lina is Marie. Tick- Freedom, Perlman comes to the

ets are only $20. end. Melinda Elena, a Wellington- Kravis Center for a Sunday evening

based jazz and R&B singer, performs concert. Tickets start at $35 for the

5 If you want to at Stuart’s The Crafted Keg Friday guaranteed thrilling performance –
see the Trea-
night starting at 9, and at Port St. even in the nosebleed seats. 













Exclusively John’s Island

Luxurious & Modern 4BR/6.5BA Oceanfront Retreat Exquisite, Newly Built Mediterranean-Inspired 4BR “Smart Home” Impeccable 4BR+Study Waterfront Retreat, Outdoor Kitchen
9,761± GSF, Courtyard Pool, Breathtaking Views, Cabana 5,394± GSF, Cul-de-sac, JI Sound Views, Indoor/Outdoor Living 9,600± GSF, Picturesque JI Sound Views, 2BR/1BA Cabana
Double-Height Living Room, Custom Finishes, Elevator Custom Millwork/Finishes, Lush Landscaping, Pool, Boat Dock Pool/Spa, Boat Dock w/2 Lifts & Ramp, 2 Double-Car Garages
331 Palmetto Point : $6,800,000
640 Ocean Road : $8,200,000 630 Coconut Palm Road : $6,000,000
2016 RENOVATION
2016 RENOVATION

Newly Renovated 4BR/4.5BA Courtyard Home Exceptionally Renovated 4BR Lakefront Home Brilliantly Renovated 4BR+Study/4.5BA Retreat w/ Cabana
4,774± GSF, Private Indoor/Outdoor Living Area 5,243± GSF, Bonus Theater Room, Hardwood Floors 3,812± GSF, Private Lush Golf Views, Indoor/Outdoor Living
Luxurious Finishes, Gourmet Island Kitchen, Pool Gourmet Island Kitchen, 2nd Level Guest Suite, Pool Central Location, Architectural Detailing, Fire Pit, Pool & Spa

230 Sundial Court : $3,400,000 631 Indian Harbor Road : $2,995,000 351 Sea Oak Drive : $2,950,000

Spectacular .32± Acre Homesite On Private Cul-de-sac One-of-a-kind 2BR/2.5BA, End Unit Condominium Updated & Furnished 3BR/3BA, 2-Story Townhouse
Panoramic Golf & Water Views, Desirable SE Exposure 1,825± SF, Panoramic Ocean Views, Private Entry 1,900± SF, Golf Views, Private Entrance, 1-Car Garage
Conveniently Near Club, Pre-Approved Plans Available Near Beach Club, Pool, Open & Covered Parking
Desirable Central Location Next To Club Amenities
230 Clarkson Lane : $1,395,000 500 Beach Road #204 : $890,000 111 John’s Island Drive #12 : $780,000

772.231.0900 : JohnsIslandRealEstate.com
luxury estates : condominiums : homesites : townhouses : cottages

It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.

46 Vero Beach 32963 / December 15, 2016 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT EDITORIAL

How Trump could finally win the war on terror

BY ELI LAKE | BLOOMBERG eign policy. But he does understand This miscalculation was an example portunity. He can, for example, make it
this. Obama and Bush do as well. But of what Andrew McCarthy, the former clear that America will be a safe haven
When Donald Trump becomes they also deliberately tried to define U.S. attorney who prosecuted the first for anyone in the Muslim world facing
president next month, he will inherit a the enemy in the long war as un-Is- case against the World Trade Center persecution from radicals, whether
long war that risks becoming a perma- lamic, as murderous charlatans who bombers, calls "willful blindness." By they are marked as blasphemers or
nent one. defame a great religion. defining the enemy in un-ideological from minority faiths such as Coptic
terms, Obama was unprepared to take Christians. Trump can also align more
George W. Bush began it after 9/11, This was a smart strategy. Many on groups like Libya's Ansar al-Sharia closely with leaders like Abu Dhabi's
when he called it the "war on terror." Muslims who believe the state should or the Islamic State before they became Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed
Barack Obama has tried and failed to penalize adultery and blasphemy op- powerful enough to seize territory. By al-Nahyan to build a quiet and profes-
end it. "Democracies should not op- pose terrorism. Also, states like Saudi trying to end the long war, Obama let sional counter-terrorism capability
erate in a state of permanently autho- Arabia have been important tactical threats gather and prolonged it. for the region.
rized war," he warned in his final major allies against terrorists, particularly in
national security speech last week. In recent years. Yet, ideologically, the Sau- There is of course a risk in taking Trump could also use America's
this spirit, he laid out a series of prin- dis and other Gulf states are still com- the ideological approach too far. If, influence in Iraq and Afghanistan to
ciples he believed should guide Ameri- mitted to a vision of political Islam for say, Trump begins purges of suspected encourage secular and reformist poli-
ca's counterterrorism efforts. their own societies. An ideological war Muslim Brotherhood operatives inside ticians, instead of embracing, as both
waged recklessly would alienate them. the U.S., he will be trampling on con- Bush and Obama did, any confes-
For the most part they make good stitutional protections for American sional parties that also gave lip service
sense. Keep the war lawful. Keep the At the same time, the impulse to citizens. He will also be sowing the to opposing terrorism. He could use
threat in perspective. Drone strikes are narrow the definition of the enemy seeds of his own political ruin, because the bully pulpit to encourage Western
the least worst option for taking terror- has ironically exacerbated the risks of this is the kind of thing that will pro- civil societies to adopt newspaper edi-
ists off the battlefield. That kind of thing. permanent war. Obama should know. voke fierce opposition from the courts, tors, lawyers, human rights activists
He authorized the raid that killed the press and many in his own party. and others under threat from radicals
But when it comes to understanding head of al-Qaeda's snake, Osama bin in their own faith. Meanwhile, Trump
the aims of the enemy, Obama makes Laden. After this, he tried to unwind If Trump is not careful in how he could wind down what remains of
the same mistake as his predecessor. the long war, arguing the threat had defines the threat, he risks alienating Obama's first term agenda to build
"The whole objective of these terror- receded. And yet he leaves office with allies he will need in the fight against bridges to Muslim Brotherhood par-
ists is to scare us into changing the U.S. forces fighting al-Qaeda's affili- the terrorists. Finally, Trump would ties that have shown no real interest,
nature of who we are and our democ- ates, spinoffs and fellow travelers all be making a mistake if he gave lead- with the exception of Tunisia, of ac-
racy," he said. This is the president's over the Muslim world. ers like Egypt's Abdel Fattah al-Sisi a cepting pluralism.
version of George W. Bush's "they hate blank check.
us for our freedoms." For a period, Obama's narrow war There are risks in embracing an
led to a bizarre phenomenon. When It's true that Sisi has called for a ideological war against radical Islam,
On this point, Trump has an open- new outfits sprung up in Libya after reformation within Islam, which is as opposed to a long war against ter-
ing. The truth is that the Islamic State, the fall of its dictator, waving the black much needed. But he has also failed rorists. But it has the advantage of de-
al-Qaeda and other jihadists do not flags of jihad and promising to impose to distinguish between his legitimate fining conditions for victory. The long
hate us just because of our freedom. strict Islamic law in their areas of con- political opposition and the radicals war will end when Islamic fascism is
Their objective is not to provoke an trol, Obama's White House did noth- that briefly thrived in his country af- defeated and discredited. What's more,
over-reaction where America ceases ing. When the Muslim Brotherhood ter the revolution. This will not end Trump can set America on this path
to be a democracy. It's much more and more radical parties took control well for Sisi. As Egypt's history proves, without engaging in the cycle of regime
straightforward. These groups want of Egypt's government after the coun- the Muslim Brotherhood thrives as a change and nation-building he has ex-
to force the non-Muslim world – what try's first real elections, the Obama secret society. Its more radical adher- plicitly rejected. Not a bad plan for a
they call the Dar al-Harb, or the house White House saw an opportunity to ents murdered Anwar Sadat when the guy who keeps asking why America
of war – to submit to Islamic rule. Ji- advance U.S. interests by working group was largely underground. doesn't win anymore. 
hadists seek conquest. with them.
But Trump nonetheless has an op-
Trump doesn't know a lot about for-

CHOOSING THE RIGHT OVER-THE-COUNTER NSAID: IBUPROFEN (ADVIL AND MOTRIN) pills, heart or blood pressure medicine, steroids
PAIN KILLER, PART II Like all NSAIDs, ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin) is an and/or if you smoke or drink alcohol, talk to
anti-inflammatory drug. It reduces hormones your doctor before taking Advil or Motrin.
IBUPROFEN (ADVIL AND MOTRIN) AND which regulate inflammation and pain-related
NAPROXEN (ALEVE) responses. In addition to treating the same con- NSAID: NAPROXEN (ALEVE)
ditions as Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil and One of the most striking features of Aleve is its
Last time we discovered that over-the-counter Motrin can be used to relieve menstrual cramps, ability to relieve pain for a longer period of time
(OTC) pain killers fall into two classes: NSAIDs minor injuries and arthritis as well. than Advil and Motrin. However, like most OTC
and non-NSAIDs. NSAID stands for nonsteroidal pain medicines, taking higher doses or for lon-
anti-inflammatory drug. A big plus Advil and Motrin have over aspirin ger duration increases your risk for stomach or
is that irritation of the esophagus and stomach cardiovascular problems.
Popular NSAIDs include aspirin, Advil, Motrin and lining is seen less than with aspirin. Ibuprofen is
Aleve. The most well-known non-NSAID is Tylenol. a better choice for alleviation of pain for those Also, as with other NSAIDs, if you have atrial fi-
who may have ulcers or are suffering from acid brillation (irregular heartbeat) and are on blood
Both NSAIDs and non-NSAIDs provide benefits as reflux disease. An overdose, however, can cause thinners to lower your risk of blood clots and
well as risks. A key consideration when choosing severe damage to the stomach and intestines. stroke, beware of using Aleve.
an OTC pain reliever is your personal medical his-
tory. A benefit of Advil and Motrin over Tylenol is Next time we’ll conclude this three-part series
that, as anti-inflammatory drugs, they can re- with a discussion about Tylenol. We’ll also sum-
If you are at high risk for gastric issues, kidney or liv- lieve symptoms of menstrual cramps, minor in- marize which OTC pain killers are considered
er problems, or if you’re on prescription blood thin- juries and arthritis. Tylenol can’t. best for what ailments, based on information
ners to prevent a heart attack or stroke, you need from the National Institutes of Health, Harvard
to find out which medications to avoid. Your physi- Advil and Motrin intake should be monitored care- Medical School, Columbia University and the
cian can help you determine the best pain killer for fully. Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase sodium Cleveland Clinic.
you based on your particular health issues. and fluid retention which can worsen heart fail-
ure. Long term usage increases the risk of heart Your comments and suggestions for future topics are al-
In Part I, we discussed the benefits and risks of and blood circulation issues; even heart attack. ways welcome. Email us at [email protected].
aspirin, the first NSAID. Today we’ll cover the oth-
er two types of NSAIDs: ibuprofen and naproxen. If you are taking aspirin, anti-depressants, water © 2016 Vero Beach 32963 Media, all rights reserved