With her sister serving 14 years in state prison for her part in stealing more than a half-million from an elderly John’s Island couple and their banks, 35-year-old former nursing assistant Sophia Monae Shepherd took a plea deal on Monday just as jury selection had begun for her criminal trial. Shepherd, also known as Sophia Brown, agreed to plead no contest to two felony charges, to serve eight years in state prison and to pay back $20,000 to the victims’ family, and $150,000 to American Express for the luxury items, trips and services she charged to the platinum card belonging to Michelina Martinelli and her late husband Alfred. The two octogenarians were in As his 50th birthday rapidly approaches, County Attorney Dylan Reingold wants to reach for new heights – while he still can. That’s why he notified the County Commission last week of his intention to resign from his $194,000 job (plus benefits) to pursue his longtime dream of traveling to Tanzania Convicted fraudster and disbarred attorney Ira Hatch, 76, died on May 31 in state prison while serving a 30-year sentence for stealing more than $4 million from 700 clients of his law firm and from his Vero Beach company Coastal Escrow. A former Castaway Cove resident who famously enticed escrow clients of the area’s elite real estate professionals with lavish cocktail parties, Hatch was arrested in January 2008 after shuttering Coastal Escrow over Labor Day weekend 2007, leaving home buyers, attorneys, brokers and estates wondering where all the money they entrusted to him had gone. Following an eight-week criminal trial during the summer of 2010, Hatch hastily changed his plea while the jury was out deliberating. Convicted on first-degree felony charges, Hatch was sentenced to serve at least 85 percent of a 30-year sentence, minus 21 months credit for time served. Retired assistant state attorney Lev Evans, who prosecuted the case with co-counsel Ryan Butler, said the Hatch case was one of the most complex financial crimes he’d worked on in his career and definitely the longest trial. Numerous victims testified in court to losing their life savings, which they had left with Hatch for safe keeping pending the purchase of a home. Realtors also lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in rental deposits they’d placed with Coastal Escrow. INSIDE To advertise call: 772-559-4187 For circulation or where to pick up your issue call: 772-226-7925 NEWS HEALTH PETS REAL ESTATE 1-5 6 B12 12 ARTS GAMES CALENDAR B1 B13 B16 © 2023 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer [email protected] Judge Robert Meadows and Sophia Shepherd, who accepted a plea deal, appear in court Monday. PHOTOS: JOSHUA KODIS Indian River County got much more valuable over the past year. The dollar value of property taxed to fill the county’s general operating fund jumped nearly $3 billion, from $23.3 billion to $26.2 billion, a bracing 12.4 percent increase, according to estimates released this month by Property Appraiser Wesley Davis. The tax roll numbers are impressive – $26 billion worth of real estate isn’t bad for a small, mostly rural county with a population less than 165,000. It translates to more than $150,000 worth of real estate for every man, woman and child, and many of the dogs and cats. But the taxable values are only part of the iceberg. The actual value of real estate in the county is likely twice what the tax rolls reflect, more like $50 billion, with a $5 billion or $6 billion increase from last year, though there is no official number. Homestead exemptions are the biggest reason for the discrepancy between taxable and actual value. Most people are familiar with the $50,000 break residents get for a home they live in full time. If the appraiser values a house at $300,000, the owner only pays taxes on $250,000 if it is homesteaded. Just that protected value amounts to several billion dollars that don’t show on the tax roll. But much more value is “concealed” by the Save Our Homes amendment to the Florida constitution that was approved by votBy Ray McNulty | Staff Writer [email protected] June 15, 2023 | Volume 10, Issue 24 | Newsstand Price: $1.00 | For breaking news visit VeroNews.com YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY AREA ARTISTS FOCUS OF VERO MUSEUM’S JURIED EXHIBITION Arts & Theatre, Page B2 BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER: EXPERT DETAILS TREATMENT Your Health, Page 6 Ira Hatch dies in prison; defrauded clients of millions CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Land whoa! County property values see multibillion bump CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 County Attorney resigns. Next stop: Mt. Kilimanjaro By Steven M. Thomas | Staff Writer [email protected] Second sister takes plea deal in elder abuse case
ers in 1992 and went into effect in 1994. That amendment and subsequent legislation limit the increase in taxable value for homesteaded properties to 3 percent a year, for the most part, and 10 percent a year for non-homesteaded properties. In a booming real estate market like we have had in the past several years, in which property prices have increased by 50-to-100 percent or more in many cases, a huge amount of untaxable value quickly builds up on the ledger. Here are couple of examples pulled at random from the property appraiser’s highly functional and transparent website, which allows anybody who’s interested to look at property tax details: A house in Wave Three of Castaway Cove was valued by the appraiser’s office in 2022 at $1,320,287, but after homestead exemptions were applied, the taxable value was reduced to $978,454. A home in the 800 block of Riomar Drive was valued at $2,870,398 by the appraiser last year, but with homestead exemptions, only $2,062,867 was taxed. And a house on Ocean Drive valued at $6,474,030 had a taxable value of only $4,303,477 last year, due to homestead protections. For just those three houses, which are not abnormal in beachside neighborhoods where home prices skyrocketed in recent years, that leaves more than $3.25 million in phantom value not included in the $26 billion tax roll. Altogether, the basic $50,000 homestead reduction and the Save Our Homes damper on value increases excludes more than $10 billion in value from taxation, according to Davis’ office, raising what that office calls the Just Value of real estate in the county to more than $40 billion. But there’s still more value that remains hidden. Davis chief deputy, Mickey Umphrey, told Vero News in an email that there are “44 lines of calculations on each property that are not included in the numbers above ... there are exemptions and many other calculations in the 44 lines of the state report that alter the total.” Using last year’s school board numbers as an example, he said that taxable value for the school board was $25.7 billion, with $7 billion in homestead exempted value not included in that figure. At first glance, that seemed to show the total value of property taxed to support the school board was $32.75 billion, slightly more than the general fund, but according to Umphrey, “adding the other 44 lines of calculations, the [actual] school board total Just Value was $37.5 billion.” So those 44 lines would appear to add billions more to the actual value of land and buildings in Indian River County. On top of that, there is another huge but uncalculated factor that reduces the ratio of taxable value compared to actual market value. The three houses mentioned above illustrate this differential. The house in Castaway Cove that was valued at $1,320,287 before exemptions in 2022 sold last June for $2.55 million, nearly double the official figure, while the home in the 800 block of Riomar Drive, which was assigned a value of $2,870,398, sold last June for $5.1 million. And the house on Ocean Drive valued by the appraiser’s office at $6,474,030 sold for $13.9 million, more than twice the assigned value. So some value was missed last year. The county valued the three homes at $10.7 million in 2022, with a combined taxable value of $7.34 million, but the live real estate market valued the properties decisively at $21.5 million, nearly three times the taxed value. This year, prices have continued to go up, 11 percent during the first four months of the year compared to last year and increase that is hard to accurately assess in the short term and is only partially reflected in the current tax roll estimate. None of which should be taken as criticism of the property appraiser’s office, where valuations are necessarily backward looking. Davis and Umphrey lead a staff of 38 professionals who work yearround to update values and pave the way for fair and accurate taxation. But they are operating in a complex matrix of state laws and fast-moving market conditions that create an inevitable time lag in valuations. They are on the lookout for tax cheats, such as people who claim homestead exemptions they are not entitled to, but also want to give taxpayers every break they are entitled to, which include exemptions for widows, disabled people, members of the military, charitable groups and certain types of farmland. Since all three of the houses mentioned above were sold last year, much of the value that was missing from the books in 2022 is included in this year’s higher numbers. And the appraisers and analysts in Davis’ office captured much of the increase in the value of other houses in island and mainland neighborhoods, based on the sales prices of houses that changed hands, but they have to be careful and certainly did not capture all of it. The bottom line is the value of real estate in Indian River County is much higher than shown in the tax rolls and the increase in value from last year to this year was huge – which is good news for all concerned. 2 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 COUNTY PROPERTY VALUES NEWS OTHERS MISS, OR CHOOSE TO IGNORE | PUBLISHED WEEKLY MILTON R. BENJAMIN President and Publisher | [email protected] | 772.559.4187 LOCATED AT 4855 NORTH A1A, VERO BEACH, FL 32963 | 772.226.7925 STEVEN M. 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the sisters’ care as Shepherd and McGee were hired on as CNAs to work in the Martinelli home. McGee and Shepherd had access to the Martinellis’ credit cards to purchase needed items for the couple’s care and health. In addition to those essentials, they charged clothing, jewelry, shoes, electronics, casino junkets to South Florida, cruises, a trip to New York City, a hotel stay at The Plaza, the rental of a Rolls Royce and even cosmetic surgery. Indian River Shores Public Safety officers seized a roomful of ill-gotten merchandise from McGee and Shepherd, including televisions, Apple watches, and dozens of pairs of high-priced sneakers, many still in the box. Court records show that over a ninemonth period, Shepherd stole more than $200,000 from the Martinellis on top of the more than $300,000 her sister Chiquita Lashae McGee is serving time for stealing. Shores Deputy Chief Mark Shaw, who oversaw the investigation, praised the detectives’ perseverance in building a strong case that led to two pleas. “Exploitation of the elderly in our community will not be tolerated and we will leave no stone unturned in order for Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS June 15, 2023 3 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 PLEA DEAL justice to be served,” Shaw said. Despite the severity of the felony charges they were facing, both McGee and Shepherd were released on bail and had been out free since their 2018 arrests. Accommodations were made so they could volunteer at their children’s schools while under community control pre-trial release. Even after entering her plea, Shepherd is still free while awaiting sentencing. Judge Robert Meadows scheduled a sentencing hearing for Sept. 14 and ordered a routine pre-sentencing investigation, which will tell him what Shepherd’s recommended sentence would be had she gone to trial and been convicted, based upon various details of her life and her lack of prior criminal history. The maximum sentence for the two felony counts in her plea is 45 years in prison. Meadows is not duty bound to follow the sentence that Shepherd, her defense attorney and the prosecutor negotiated, but if he hands down a harsher sentence, Shepherd can withdraw her plea and take her chances with a jury trial. Seventy-five potential jurors had been called up for the case, which has received a decent amount of publicity since the sisters were arrested in 2018. Just a few minutes into jury selection, the proceedings stopped, the jurors were escorted out and the attorneys notified Meadows of the change of plea. When the market was booming, Hatch was able to replace the money he was stealing with funds from new depositors. But when the real estate and mortgage markets crashed, the scheme began to unravel. Withdrawals outnumbered new deposits and soon the accounts were drained. Longtime husband of Marjorie Hatch – who was deeply involved in the business yet not charged with any crimes – Ira Hatch quietly divorced his wife from jail while awaiting trial, signing over all of the couple’s assets to her while taking on all of their liabilities. After Ira reported to state prison, Marjorie Hatch sold their waterfront home on Winding River Road – which as the couple’s homestead, had been exempt from seizure – for $1.06 million in September 2011 and left the Vero Beach area to live in Gainesville. According to Alachua County property records, Marjorie still owns the five-bedroom, three-bath, 3,100-square-foot home she purchased in September 2011 in Gainesville’s Ridgemont subdivision. While their father was siphoning off clients’ money to pay for the Hatch family’s lavish lifestyle, son Rory Hatch was attending Rice University and daughter Danielle Hatch (now Eisenmenger) was studying at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Records show upwards of $200,000 per year from client deposits ended up in the accounts that Hatch used to pay his mortgage, the lease payments on family members’ BMWs, and his children’s college tuition. Meanwhile victims lost tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, of dollars. Vero Beach civil attorney Louis B. “Buck” Vocelle represented clients who sought recompense for losses, including one family who had deposited more than $1 million from an estate into Hatch’s escrow account while probate was being settled. Vocelle would not comment on Hatch’s death, but said he stands by his victim impact statement for Hatch’s sentencing, an except of which was published in Vero Beach 32963 in 2010. “Because of Mr. Hatch’s status as a lawyer, he was able to convince Vero Beach’s most respected realtors ... to place their escrow deposits in his escrow company,” Vocelle wrote. His victims assumed that since Hatch was an attorney, there was some measure of regulation of the trust accounts, which allowed Hatch to steal wantonly, he said. “I realize that the Court may have a concern that if a 30-year sentence is imposed, Mr. Hatch will ultimately die in prison,” Vocelle wrote. “If it is any consolation to the Court, I am in agreement with those victims whom I represent, who are also my friends and colleagues, that if Mr. Hatch’s sentence is ultimately cut short as the result of premature or untimely death, we will not complain; nor should the Court.” No cause of death was provided in the letter certain victims received from the Florida Department of Corrections. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 IRA HATCH DIES IN PRISON
to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,341 feet. Reingold, an Indian River Shores resident who has served as the county’s chief legal counsel for the past 10 years, said his last day in the job will be in late July or early August. His resignation comes one month after the commissioners unanimously approved a new one-year contract. “This is something that has been on my mind for a long time, but I wasn’t ready to pull the trigger,” Reingold said last week. “The more I thought about it, though, the more I realized I need to do it now, while I’m still physically able and can enjoy it. “I’m going to be 50 next month, and while I’m healthy, fit and I feel good, I know it’s only a matter of time before I start developing the aches and pains,” he added. “So if I don’t do it now, it’s probably never going to happen. “We don’t have children. We can make it work, financially. Now is the time.” In addition to climbing Kilimanjaro in September and then going on an African safari with his wife, Reingold said he plans to fly to Nepal to join a Mount Everest base camp next March. He said he won’t dare attempt to climb to Everest’s peak – at more than 29,032 feet, it’s the world’s tallest mountain – but he does plan to trek along various trails in the Himalayas. To prepare, Reingold said he’ll need to train to get his body in shape for the rigors of those adventures, as well as acclimate to high altitudes, so he plans to go to the mountains of either New Mexico or Montana this summer. “Coming from Florida, it’s going to take some time to adjust to being at altitude,” he said. “Fortunately, my family has a house in Sante Fe, and my wife has a friend in Montana.” Reingold said he plans to take some down time when he returns from Africa before revving up his training in February for the Everest trip. He knows what he needs to do to prepare. In 2012, Reingold climbed to the summit of Washington’s Mount Rainier, the fifth-tallest – and most glaciated – mountain in the Lower 48. Less than three weeks later, he went on a 10-day trek through the Andes in Peru. “It was right after I met my wife,” he said, “and right before I took the job here.” An experienced rock climber, Reingold also has climbed and competed at several of the sport’s top sites across America: Joshua Tree and Yosemite national parks in California, Devil’s Tower in Wyoming and the Adirondack Mountains in New York, as well as in Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama. In fact, he contributed to a book – “Fifty Places to Rock Climb Before You Die,” an illustrated guide to some of the world’s best rock-climbing locations – submitting his review of Horse Pens 40, which sits atop Chandler Mountain in northern Alabama and is considered one of the top bouldering sites in the southeastern United States. As for what he will do after he returns from Mount Everest, Reingold isn’t sure. “I really don’t know what post-March 2024 looks like,” he said. “I haven’t gone deep on that yet. I’m sure I’ll be a regularly employed lawyer somewhere, but I don’t have anything lined up. I do know my wife and I still plan to live here.” Would Reingold return to his soon-tobe-former job if the situation arose? “I honestly haven’t thought about it,” he said. “I’m not opposed to it. It’s certainly something I’d consider.” Commission Chairman Joe Earman said the county needs to find a new county attorney to help address the many challenges confronting the area as a result of the surge in population and development the past three years. Earman said Reingold’s resignation will be discussed at next week’s meeting, with the search for his replacement expected to begin immediately and Deputy County Attorney William DeBraal likely to serve in the interim. Earman said he was surprised when Reingold told him of his plans. “It caught me completely off-guard, and while I’m happy for him, I hate to see him leave, because he has been a great asset to the county,” Earman said. “He’s not only a really good attorney, he’s very good at negotiating, especially in situations where cooler heads need to prevail.” Reingold, who started on July 1, 2013, said he has enjoyed his 10 years here and will miss working with the commissioners and other county staffers. He said he expects the vacancy to attract plenty of strong candidates. “This is a wonderful community,” he said. “Anyone would be lucky to have this position.” Before taking the job here, where he replaced the retiring Alan Polackwich, Reingold worked in the Office of General Counsel in Jacksonville, where he headed the Land Use and Environmental Law Department. In the cover letter attached to his resume, Reingold told commissioners he wanted to return to Indian River County, where he had performed oceanographic research as a student at the Florida Institute of Technology. The commissioners were swayed by his energy and enthusiasm, as well as the broad legal experience he gained in Jacksonville. Reingold’s resignation follows a monthslong search by the county to replace former county administrator Jason Brown, who left in December to take a job in the Clerk of the Court’s finance department. Brown, like Reingold, resigned for personal reasons, citing job stress and the desire to spend more time with his family. 4 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 COUNTY ATTORNEY RESIGNS
6 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com Body dysmorphia disorder: A painful search for perfection Two-time Academy Award-winning actress Jane Fonda made headlines in May when she revealed in People Magazine that she has suffered from body dysmorphia disorder (BDD) for most of her life. The same month, Hollywood beauty Megan Fox made a similar confession during an interview reported in the Washington Post. What exactly is BDD? Ironically, in the cases of Fonda and Fox, it is a condition characterized by a preoccupation with one or more perceived defects or flaws in appearance, which are unnoticeable to others. Occasionally a perceived flaw is actual and noticeable, but it’s usually a normal variation in appearance and not nearly as prominent as the sufferer believes. Media reports sometimes refer to BDD as “Imagined Ugliness Syndrome,” but the ugliness is very real to the individual concerned, causing severe mental and emotional distress. Dr. Susana Marikle, a clinical psychologist with a practice in Vero Beach, said we all have a little bit of BDD. “It is the intensity and severity that make it a diagnosable mental health disorder.” The number of people who suffer from BDD may surprise you. According to the National Institutes of Health, it appears to be relatively common, seen in up to 2.4 percent of the general population, making it more common than schizophrenia or anorexia nervosa. “We frequently find depression and anxiety to be concurrent diagnoses,” Dr. Marikle says. She said that if your preoccupation with your appearance gets in the way of your normal ability to function, it’s a red flag. “Does it interfere with work, family time, hobbies? Are you unable to leave your home?” Johns Hopkins Medical School reports that patients may find that negative thoughts about their bodies are hard to control and they may spend hours each day worrying about how they look. Thoughts can become so negative and persistent that some consider suicide. By Jackie Holfelder | Correspondent To be diagnosed with BDD, you must be abnormally concerned about a small or nonexistent body flaw. Your thoughts about your body flaw must be severe enough that they interfere with your ability to live normally. And other mental health disorders must be ruled out as a cause of your symptoms. “Many people are rewarded, praised and given validation by their family from a young age for their good looks,” said Dr. Marikle. You learn early that being attractive gets you attention and you don’t forget that, even in your 60s, 70s and 80s. Nobody knows the cause of BDD but it usually begins in adolescence, with males and females equally affected. Contributing factors may include: • A family history of BDD or a similar mental disorder. • Abnormal levels of certain brain chemicals. • Personality type. • Life experiences. The most common areas of obsession for people suffering from BDD are face, hair, skin, chest and stomach. There are many symptoms of the disorder, including: • Constantly checking yourself in the mirror or avoiding mirrors. • Trying to hide your body part under a hat, scarf or makeup. • Constantly exercising or grooming. • Constantly comparing yourself with others. • Always asking other people whether you look OK. • Not believing other people when they say you look fine. • Avoiding social activities. • Not going out of the house, especialDr. Susana Marikle. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH June 15, 2023 7 By Jackie Holfelder | Correspondent HARBOR PRIMARY CARE 1300 36TH ST, STE 1G VERO BEACH, FL 32960 Medical Arts Center West of Hospital Emergency Department PLEASE CALL 772-562-3960 FOR APPOINTMENT THET L. TUN M.D. Board Certified Internal Medicine Board Certified Hospice & Palliative Medicine • Accepts Medicare and Most Major Insurance Plans • Dr. Tun is an Active Member of the Medical Staff at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital since 2011 ly in the daytime. • Seeing multiple healthcare providers about your appearance. • Having unnecessary plastic surgeries. • Picking at your skin with fingers or tweezers. • Feeling anxious, depressed and ashamed. • Thinking of suicide. Being in treatment early with a provider who is experienced with BDD can bring positive results. “Early intervention is critically important,” says Dr. Marikle. “It’s easier to get successful results if a patient starts at 16 rather 60.” Treatment may include talk therapy or medicines. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective talk therapy and it is what Dr. Marikle uses. In CBT, a mental health professional helps patients replace negative thoughts and thought patterns with positive thoughts, teaching the patient to think in a healthier more realistic way. BetterHelp, the world’s largest therapy platform, states that there is no known way to prevent body dysmorphic disorder, and it’s important that people understand that body dysmorphia symptoms are not their fault. Although this life-altering disorder can be treated, proper diagnosis is essential. Dr. Marikle adds, “People often suffer with body dysmorphic disease far too long before seeking treatment. Why put up with something this painful when there’s so much that can be done? There’s always something we can do to make ourselves better.” Dr. Susana Marikle is a clinical psychologist, licensed in Florida. She earned her doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale and completed her pre-doctoral internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Dr. Marikle’s postdoctoral fellowship was at the Center for Eating Disorders at the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt Hospital in Baltimore. She has helped individuals with body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder and behaviors such as overeating, emotional eating and obsessive habits. Dr. Marikle’s practice is located at 847 20th Place, Vero Beach. The phone number is 772-663- 2929. She is accepting new virtual or in-person patients. “Why put up with something this painful when there’s so much that can be done?” Endometrial cancer: Common but thankfully ‘very curable’ Endometrial cancer, also known as uterine cancer, is a serious threat to women’s health worldwide, with 417,000 new cases in 2020, including 61,738 cases in the United States, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. It is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide and the 15th most common cancer overall. Happily, it’s also one of the most curable cancers out there, according to Dr. Christopher McCann, D.O., a gynecologic oncologist affiliated with HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital. Hysterectomy, the surgical removal of the uterus, is the most common treatment for this cancer and with the advent of robotic surgery the procedure can be done as an outpatient, with no need for a hospital stay. “I always tell my patients that if you are going to get cancer, endometrial cancer is a good one to get because it is very curable,” said Dr. McCann. “It’s curable because it’s generally caught early on when the post-menopausal patient presents with bleeding. Most of the time all they need is surgery, which includes a hysterectomy, removal of tubes and inspection of the lymph nodes.” Endometrial cancer affects the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in the pelvis where a fetus grows during pregnancy. The cancer occurs when the cells in the endometrium grow excessively, forming a tumor. While the exact cause is unknown, there are several factors that contribute to development of this cancer. The risk rises with age, and the disease primarily affects women in their postmenopausal years. The decline in hormone production during menopause can disrupt the delicate hormonal balance, leading to abnormal cell growth. Excess body weight and genetic predisposition also increase the risk of developing endometrial cancer. “Ten or 20 years ago, a hysterectomy was done through larger incisions that would require admission to the hospital for a couple of days,” Dr. McCann CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
8 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com explained. “Then we started doing it laparoscopically and those patients would stay one night in the hospital. We now treat hysterectomies with [less traumatic] robotic surgery. “While some physicians still require patients to be hospitalized, I don’t. If the patient doesn’t have any comorbidities, I get them home the same day where they can recover more comfortably. I do same-day surgeries using the robotic platform about once a month at HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital.” Surprisingly, same-day hysterectomies were born from the era of COVID when patients didn’t want to spend time in the hospital. “Because these were cancer patients, we were allowed to still operate while other specialties were not,” Dr. McCann said. “One-day surgeries worked out so well that I’ve continued doing it that way in my practice. Recovery is so much easier with the small incisions and the pain is minimal, so they might as well be comfortable in their own home.” Robotic surgery has revolutionized the field of gynecologic oncology, offering multiple advantages over traditional open surgery and other laparoscopic techniques. The robotic surgical platform enables surgeons to perform precise and minimally invasive hysterectomies for endometrial cancer. The patient is placed under general anesthesia and small incisions are made in the abdomen to accommodate robotic arms and instruments. The anesthesiologist, surgical assistant, nurse and scrub technician remain by the patient’s side while the surgeon sits at a console away from the patient and controls the robotic arms, manipulating instruments that are inserted through the ports. These instruments include a high-definition camera and specialized surgical tools. The surgeon carefully removes the uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and, if necessary, nearby lymph nodes. The robotic system provides enhanced visualization and instrument control allowing for precise dissection and removal of the cancerous tissue. Dr. McCann said the high-definition camera provides a magnified 3D view that allows the surgeon to view the surgical site with exceptional clarity. Additionally, the robotic system offers increased dexterity and range of motion enabling surgeons to perform intricate procedures with enhanced precision. After the surgery, the incisions are closed and the patient is sent to the recovery room, and then home with postoperative care instructions. “Endometrial cancer has a five-year survival rate of 90 percent and nearly all patients can benefit from the use of the robotic platform,” Dr. McCann added. “The smaller incisions result in less scarring, less blood loss and faster recovery compared to open surgery. The only time we’d have to use larger incisions would be if the cancer had metastasized to other parts of the body and we had to cut the disease out. “Robotic technology continues to advance and evolve, enabling us to perform intricate procedures with improved patient outcomes,” Dr. McCann concluded. “It’s become so common now that most residency programs only teach the robotic platform for hysterectomies.” Dr. Christopher McCann, D.O., received his medical degree from the University of New England and completed residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn. He completed fellowships in gynecology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York and at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He is a full-time physician with Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute in Palm Beach County and is often referred to Treasure Coast patients by their local gynecologists for specialized surgeries. HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital is located at 1800 SE Tiffany Ave, Port St. Lucie. The phone number is 772-335-4000. Florida Cancer Specialists and Research Institute is at 1309 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach: 561-366-4100. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER Dr. Christopher McCann.
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH June 15, 2023 9 If you’re struggling to reach 10,000 steps a day, here’s some good news: The latest science suggests fewer daily steps may be the sweet spot for many of us, depending on our age, fitness and health goals. There is nothing magical or evidence-based about 10,000 steps a day. So feel free to let go of that goal. The notion to take 10,000 daily steps stems from a marketing ploy: As the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics approached, a Japanese researcher decided to nudge his nation to be more active by offering pedometers with a name that loosely translated as “10,000-step meter.” (The Japanese character for the number 10,000 looks a little like a person walking.) More recently, scientists have come up with evidence-based recommendations about step-count goals. I recently spoke with some of the world’s leading experts on the science of step counting. Here’s their advice. 1. Your step count goal may be lower than you think In the past few years, multiple largescale studies have stepped up, looking closely into how many steps we probably need for our health and longevity. In the largest, published last year in the Lancet Public Health, dozens of global Forget 10,000 steps – 7 surprising tips for step counters By Gretchen Reynolds | The Washington Post researchers pooled data from 15 earlier step-count studies, some unpublished, covering 47,471 adults of all ages, and compared their typical daily step counts to their longevity. The sweet spot for step counts was not 10,000 or more. In general, the pooled data showed that for men and women younger than age 60, the greatest relative reductions in the risk of dying prematurely came with step counts of between about 8,000 and 10,000 per day. For people older than age 60, the threshold was a little lower. For them, the sweet spot in terms of reduced mortality risk came at between 6,000 and 8,000 steps a day. Walking more than 10,000 steps a day wasn’t bad for people – it didn’t increase the risk of dying – but also didn’t add much, in terms of reducing mortality risks. The benefits also weren’t confined to longevity. In other studies, step counts of at least 8,000 a day for adults substantially lowered risks for heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, many types of cancer and even sleep apnea, said Janet Fulton, the chief of the Physical Activity and Health Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2. Even a small increase in daily steps is good for you Not managing 8,000 steps a day at the moment? Or 6,000? Or even 5,000? You’re not alone. Even before the pandemic, most Americans were averaging fewer than 6,000 steps a day. And COVID-19 seems to have reduced many people’s daily step counts by 10 percent or more, according to some recent reCONTINUED ON PAGE 10
10 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com search, with daily activity levels only slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. “I suggest starting with an increase of about 500 to 1,000 steps per day,” said Ulf Ekelund, a professor at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences who studies physical activity and was one of the co-authors of the Lancet step-count study. Other researchers agree. “We currently consider 500 steps a day as the minimum target for increased activity in inactive individuals,” said Thomas Yates, a professor of physical activity, sedentary behavior and health at the University of Leicester in England. Every week or two, try accumulating another 500 or 1,000 steps, Ekelund said, until you reach at least 8,000 a day, or 6,000 if you’re past age 60. 3. You don’t need an expensive step counter “Phones or watches are reasonably accurate,” said I-Min Lee, an epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who studies physical activity. But not everyone owns a watch or similar activity tracker, Fulton said, while “almost everyone has a smartphone now.” And almost every smartphone, Apple or Android, contains an accelerometer, which is a movement tracker, that can tell you how many steps you take, Fulton said. These devices are not as accurate as the research-grade accelerometers used in scientific studies, Ekelund said, and their readings may differ enough that your step count will be different from mine at the end of our identical walk. But these issues are relatively trivial, Yates said. Most phones and other types of trackers “are reasonably reliable,” he said, and if they over- or underestimate your steps somewhat, they’ll do so “consistently,” so you can track your progress. 4. Learn step count math Here’s some basic step-count math: 1,000 steps is about half a mile. Want to go that extra mile? For most of us, 2,000 steps is about a mile, depending on stride length. Taking 10,000 steps would mean walking for about five miles. 5. Speed doesn’t matter In terms of time, a half-hour of walking equals around 3,000 steps for most of us, if we don’t hurry. The good news is we probably don’t need to hurry. In almost all of the recent studies of step counts and mortality, the intensity of the steps, meaning how fast people walked, didn’t seem to matter much. It’s the overall number of steps they took throughout the day that made a difference. Intensity is the “icing” on the cake, Matthews said. Walking faster has the potential to amplify the health benefits of walking, but only slightly, he said. The key is to walk as frequently as you can manage, whatever your pace. 6. Step goals aren’t about weight loss Walking is not a calorie zapper. In broad terms, accumulating 2,000 steps, which is walking for about a mile, burns about 100 calories for an average adult moving at a strolling pace. Your typical doughnut contains about 300 calories. An apple has about 100. Even 10,000 steps a day adds up to only about 500 calories. 7. It’s easier to count steps than minutes of exercise Why count steps at all? Because, for most of us, it’s a simpler, more-concrete goal than accumulating “at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity” every week, which happens to be the formal advice in the U.S. government’s 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines. “I have stopped trying to explain and prescribe the physical activity guidelines to my patients,” said William Kraus, a professor of medicine at Duke University, who was involved in writing the 2018 guidelines. “They do not understand them and cannot absorb them. I have gone to prescribing steps. I tell them they need to get to a minimum of 7,000 steps per day.” Stepping goals weren’t included in the 2018 guidelines, since a scientific advisory board believed the evidence then was thin, but most experts expect step counts to be included in future recommendations. Meanwhile, the advice for most of us is the same, however we measure our movements (and assuming we are physically capable of walking). “Some is good, more is better,” Lee said, and the first step is to just get up and take a few steps. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 STEP COUNTING
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | HEALTHY SENIOR June 15, 2023 11 Q. What exactly causes my old teeth to decay? A. Tooth decay – and gum disease – are caused by plaque, a layer of bacteria. This plaque can build up quickly on the teeth of older people. In addition, seniors have a greater tendency to get decay around older fillings. And we have more fillings than younger people because we didn’t all grow up with fluoride. Cavities in the roots of teeth are also more common among older adults, because the roots are exposed when our gums recede and we become “long in the tooth.” The root surfaces are softer than tooth enamel and decay more easily. Dry mouth, which is a lack of saliva, promotes tooth decay. Saliva is needed to neutralize the cavity-causing acids produced by plaque. Most dry mouth – a condition also known as xerostomia – is related to the medications taken by older adults rather than to the effects of aging. Despite all the dental problems related to age, seniors are holding onto their teeth longer than they used to. One reputable survey showed that the rate that seniors lose their teeth has dropped by 60 percent since 1960. This improvement has been attributed to advancements in treatment and better oral hygiene. Q. How common are headaches? A. More than 45 million Americans suffer from recurring headaches. About 70 percent of headache sufferers are women. There are primary headaches that are unrelated to another condition, and secondary headaches, which are related. Primary headaches include tension, migraine, mixed headache syndrome and cluster headaches. Secondary headaches include chronic progressive, sinus and hormone headaches. About 90 percent of primary headaches are caused by tension. These muscle-contraction headaches cause mild-to-moderate pain and come and go. Tension headaches are called chronic if you have them more than 15 days per month. They are episodic if you get them less than 15 days per month. Most tension headaches can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin and ibuprofen. Q. What should I do if someone in my home is poisoned? A. If you have a poison emergency, here are some steps you can take. The order of the steps depends upon the severity of the problem. You can call 911, call your poison control center at 800- 222-1222 or search the poison’s label for instructions and an emergency phone number. The following are some general first-aid instructions for poison victims: If you get a poison onto your skin or in your eyes, rinse the affected area in the shower for at least 15 minutes. If you inhale toxic fumes, get fresh air immediately. If poison is swallowed, do not use an emetic medicine such as syrup of ipecac to induce vomiting. Doctors no longer recommend using these medicines because there is no evidence they prevent poisons from entering the bloodstream. Addressing tooth decay, headaches, poison emergencies By Fred Cicetti
12 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com The updated ground-floor condo at 5045 Harmony Circle can’t be beat for refined, indoor-outdoor living. It is bright and airy inside and from the lanai you have front row seats to one of Harmony Island’s most impressive vistas, which takes in green fairways and a sparkling lake where exotic birds congregate, including glorious white pelicans with their 9-foot wingspans who visit in the winter. The open, light filled interior awaits your personal touch, with a serene, white-on-white palette, lofty ceilings, crown molding, elegant tile flooring throughout the living spaces, gorgeous bamboo floors in the bedrooms and a wealth of storage space. Every room has a ceiling fan, each with its own stylish design. From the east-facing front entry, step into the spacious central living room/dining room area, with the open kitchen to the left, well suited to an easy, unbroken flow of dining and conversation from end to end. Focal point of the dining room is a graceful white metal candelabra-style chandelier. The kitchen features sleek white cabinetry, including a pair of glass door display cabinets; glowing quartz countertops; and stainless-steel double door fridge with water dispenser, dishwasher, oven and built-in microwave. The beautiful Kohler porcelain sink sits beneath a sunny double window. Here, too, behind double bifold doors, is the washer, dryer and small utility space. There’s also room for a breakfast nook or booth. A lovely soft gray, diagonal tile covers the kitchen’s entire west wall and a large passthrough to the dining room makes conversation and serving a snap. As a matter of fact, from the kitchen, you can actually see all the way through the center of the home to the lanai and out to the beautiful lake, so the beauty of nature that surrounds you in this special home is only a glance away. At the far (north) end of the living room, French doors and two door-size windows with pull-down shades reveal the long, lovely lanai, a room that may well become your go-to for morning coffee, after work down-shifting, evening sunset, casual meals, reading or simply taking a break to relax and enjoy the beauty of the lake and its abundant bird life. This terrific screened space is a full 9 feet, 4 inches by 27 feet, 4 inches, and features a trio of impressive, rounded pillars with decorative capitals that flanks two broad arches with a door that opens to the back yard, a green expanse of grass sloping down to the lake that is bisected by a paved sidewalk. Just off the living room to the east, through pocket doors, is a flexible room perfect for a den or study. It’s a splendid addition to the home, with French doors to the lanai, and its ultimate use will be limited only by your imagination. You’ll quickly see how well suited this home is for all sorts of entertaining. The bedrooms occupy the west side of the condo. The primary suite has beautiful bamboo flooring, double French doors to the lanai and a wide, arched window, so you can enjoy that view first thing in the morning, without even getting out of bed. There’s a custom walk-in closet on either side of a small hallway leading to the owner’s bathroom. The dark-wood furniture-style vanity features a quartz top double basin with full mirror and three-tulip bulb light. There is a linen closet, glassGrand Harbor condo has space galore and sparkling views By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer [email protected]
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE June 15, 2023 13 door walk-in shower, tub, and w/c. On the southwest end, the guest bedroom offers a window to the south, a double bifold closet, and a bathroom with gray/brown wood plank look tile flooring; tub shower; single basin white cabinetry vanity; and some extremely cool white with green tropical foliage wall covering. One of the most sought after residential communities in the area, Grand Harbor is extremely well located, only moments away shopping and dining on the barrier island, the gallery and restaurant district downtown and the county’s main hospital and medical complex. Memberships to Grand Harbor’s full-featured beach and country club are available. Neighborhood: Grand Harbor Year built: 1988 • Construction: CBS; tile roof Home size: 1,486 square feet Bedrooms: 2 • Bathrooms: 2 full baths Additional features: Central heat/air; front door faces east; 1 covered parking space; large, screened lanai; den; lake and golf course views; updated bamboo/tile flooring; ceiling fan/lights; French doors; higher ceilings; crown molding; Roman tub; split bedroom plan; 2 custom walk-in closets; open kitchen; in-unit laundry closet; located across from pool and hot tub; nearby, on-property dog park; gate staffed community Listing agency: AMAC Alex MacWilliam Real Estate Listing agent: Patty Valdes, 772-473-8810 Listing price: $409,000 FEATURES FOR 5045 HARMONY CIRCLE, UNIT 109 A once grand 1920’s apartment building in Royal Park that sat derelict for many years and was slated for demolition twice has been rescued by a Vero couple who love old buildings and want to preserve and improve the community. The eightunit building will open with fanfare on Saturday, already mostly rented, and is on track to be added to the National Register of Historic Places – which brings not just prestige but a 20-percent tax credit that made the project feasible. When it was completed in 1925, the structure was one of four buildings in a substantial, upscale complex located within easy walking distance of the train station and downtown Vero Beach. Today, only Tangelo House, located at 1110 Royal Palm Blvd., remains. No longer the shabby gray eyesore that stood boarded up for more than a decade, the stately terra cotta and cream structure has undergone a stunning renovation and looks today much like it did when Calvin Coolidge was president. The handsome Mission Revival-style building commands its sprawling corner lot, with a trio of robust tangelo trees planted in the green lawn along Royal Palm Boulevard. On the building’s west side, a spacious pavered parking area has been installed; behind the main structure, the former garage has been transformed into two additional cozy apartments, for a total of 10. Tangelo House was nominated for a spot on the prestigious National Register of Historic Places because “it was significant at the time of its construction, and its significance is enhanced by being the only surviving example of this building type and style in this part of Vero Beach,” said Paul Weaver, president of Historic Property Associates, Originally part of the Ryburn Apartments, the two-story building and garage were constructed the same year that “The Great Gatsby” was published, when Vero Beach, incorporated only 6 years before, was a Florida boom town and Royal Park was a state-of-the-art planned development. There were specific areas for hotels, apartments and single-family homes, all required to be of masonry construction and designed in Spanish styles, according to information from the Historical Preservation Commission’s application document. Contractor and builder B.H. Strickler had a national reputation for his design and construction of “modern” apartment buildings and had built this same style previously in St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Indianapolis before coming to Vero Beach. Strickler’s associate was Vero Beach’s first resident architect, William Garns, who had relocated from Indianapolis. The Ryburn was the first development in Royal Park Subdivision designed specifically as a modern apartment building. Previous multi-family apartments had been boarding houses, adapted from big single-family homes, or mixed-use commercial/apartment structures downtown. The Ryburn apartments were high-end structures, fitted with modern kitchens and bathrooms and designed for use by the rapidly growing seasonal population of snowbirds who began coming to Vero Beach during the Roaring Twenties. Good times were had by all but years passed and tastes changed, and the three of the buildings were eventually torn down. The remaining, once elegant structure fell into disrepair and in recent years became notorious for drug trafficking, prostitution and other illegal activities. Twice slated by the city for demolition, it was spared from the wrecking ball only because the city didn’t have money in its budget for the job, said current co-owner Garrett Puzzo. It was then that Puzzo and his wife, Stephanie, entered the picture. They’d been interested in the building for a while but had not been able to negotiate a purchase until he spring of 2021, when they were finally able to buy the decaying structure for $275,000. Longtime Vero residents, the Puzzos share a passion for renovating old houses and had already had a hand in renovating other historic local structures here, including the Royal Viking half a mile East on Royal Palm Place, which they bought Tangelo House, a newly renovated old haunt, roars again in these ’20s! By Samantha Rohlfing Baita | Staff Writer [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo.
14 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com MAINLAND REAL ESTATE SALES: JUNE 5 THROUGH JUNE 9 TOP SALES OF THE WEEK Another impressive week for mainland real estate sales saw 56 transactions of single-family resi- dences and lots reported (some shown below). The top sale of the week was in Vero Beach, where the 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home at 5090 Pendelton Square – listed in March for $849,900 – sold for $828,000 on June 8. Representing the seller in the transaction was agent Lauren Connolly of Custom Real Estate Ser- vices IRC. Representing the buyer was agent Barbara Rosenbaum of Engel & Voelkers. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS ORIGINAL SELLING TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD PRICE VERO BEACH 5090 PENDELTON 3/1/2023 $849,900 6/8/2023 $828,000 VERO BEACH 5020 MONROE CIR 3/23/2023 $809,000 6/5/2023 $809,000 VERO BEACH 3030 BUCKINGHAMMOCK TRL 2/20/2023 $829,000 6/5/2023 $750,000 VERO BEACH 1165 RIVER WIND CIR 7/15/2022 $865,000 6/5/2023 $728,000 SEBASTIAN 100 BALD EAGLE WAY 10/10/2022 $596,915 6/6/2023 $613,510 VERO BEACH 5462 BARBADOS SQ. 4/7/2023 $625,000 6/9/2023 $610,000 VERO BEACH 1025 WHITETAIL AVE SW 1/25/2023 $599,900 6/5/2023 $550,000 VERO BEACH 2255 3RD PL SW 2/8/2023 $570,000 6/7/2023 $535,000 VERO BEACH 3745 9TH PL 3/15/2023 $498,000 6/6/2023 $488,000 SEBASTIAN 13825 RUFFNER LN 4/23/2023 $500,000 6/5/2023 $485,000 VERO BEACH 2245 47TH TER 3/31/2023 $499,000 6/5/2023 $475,000 VERO BEACH 4391 BEAUTY LEAF CIR 5/4/2023 $470,000 6/6/2023 $439,000 VERO BEACH 4826 WOOD DUCK CIR UNIT#29 2/9/2023 $450,000 6/6/2023 $430,000 VERO BEACH 3170 ASHFORD SQ 4/24/2023 $425,000 6/5/2023 $425,000 Stats were pulled 6/10/23 12:02 PM
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE June 15, 2023 15 HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP RECENT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY REAL ESTATE SALES. Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: 10/10/2022 $596,915 6/6/2023 $613,510 Joe Robinson Laurel Agency, Inc. Dahlia Gotzmann Atlantic Key Realty Group 100 Bald Eagle Way, Sebastian 7/15/2022 $865,000 6/5/2023 $728,000 Diane Litzinger RE/MAX Crown Realty Janice Jolly ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty 1165 River Wind Cir, Vero Beach 2/20/2023 $829,000 6/5/2023 $750,000 Christopher Nolan Jr EXP Realty, LLC Juan Garcia Weichert REALTORS Hallmark 3030 Buckinghammock Trl, Vero Beach 3/23/2023 $809,000 6/5/2023 $809,000 Cheryl Burge Berkshire Hathaway Florida Vicki Higgins Dale Sorensen Real Estate Inc. 5020 Monroe Cir, Vero Beach in 2016, and the Virginia Apartments. “We grew up and went to high school in Vero Beach,” Garrett Puzzo said. “We love these old buildings. We buy them to preserve them and give back to the community. We are trying to promote an awareness of Vero’s past. It’s our passion.” At his mother’s urging, Puzzo studied accounting in college, but his dad was in the building trades and Puzzo said he and the children of tradesmen his father knew took a revolving series of summer jobs with each other’s parents. “Me and my friends, we’d swap around to all the local tradesmen and builders, and we learned a lot of different things,” he said at the building last week, where he was working alongside his renovation crew. To qualify for the National Register of Historic Places Registry and thus be eligible for the 20-percent tax credit, the owner must use original materials and processes within very stringent guidelines, Puzzo explained, adding that 90 percent of the fixtures, fittings and materials in Tangelo House are original, from windows and window cranks to doors, doorknobs and hard pine floors. He figures the acquisition and renovation budget will top $1 million by completion. Financially, he acknowledges, such a plan “only makes sense as a long term investment.” He sees the project as a “pension – for Stephanie and me, and then for our children,” with a steady stream of rental income When the Ryburn Apartments were new, a century ago, apartments rented for $60 a month or $600 a year. Today, apartments at Tangelo House will rent for between $1,400 and $1,800 a month. “Most of them are rented already.” said Stephanie Puzzo, who provided a building walk-through that revealed great architectural charm and meticulous attention to authenticity, detail and historic preservation. From the start of project, Puzzo worked closely with City Planner Jason Jeffries to make sure everything was up to code and he credits Jeffries as being a key player in moving the project forward successfully. The flooring is nearly all original, with narrow, golden knotty pine milled a century ago painstakingly sanded, cleaned and refinished by hand. In a few places, flooring that was beyond repair was replaced with 100-plus-year-old pine from a demolished building. Other original woodwork is mahogany; walls are textured stucco. Narrow archways remain as a charming, authentic touch, connecting living areas to kitchens, which feature modern electric ovens and fridges with brushed nickel fixtures, and black and white mosaic tile floor. What was once a window opening in one kitchen has been cleverly transformed into a spice rack. The original steel doorknobs remain; and the windows’ beautiful brass crank apparatus are polished and gleaming – beautiful, functional works of art still emblazoned with the date –1922 – when they were forged. In the center of the home is an 8-footby-8-foot atrium, which let in light and air and channeled rainwater from the roof into a huge cistern in the front yard that still remains, hidden beneath the turf. Small windows in several kitchens open into the atrium, allowing neighbors to enjoy friendly chats with morning coffee, a fun feature in an apartment building that seems made for community. The downstairs apartments also have their own little porch/patios. The upstairs apartments are larger, with an additional corner room featuring beautiful hand-crafted architectural workmanship and spectacular windows with splendid neighborhood views. The bathrooms are modern, of course, but with a classic look featuring subway tile and a clean white porcelain that creates an early 20th century vibe. Each upstairs apartment has its own balcony and lovely neighborhood view. Additionally, modern additions such as a sprinkler system and central heating and air conditioning are part of the renovation. With the Tangelo House project completed, the Puzzos are looking ahead to their next historic renovation. They did not specify the project but said they plan to gather a group of small investors to fund it, with buy-ins as low as $35,000, seeking people who “don’t have a lot they can invest” but might be interested in their longrange investment “pension” philosophy. As of last Friday, the couple were on the job at Tangelo House, making sure everything is ready for a debut event that will benefit the Indian River County Historical Society. There will be a one-time-only walk-thru Saturday June 17, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. to show off the beautiful restoration of this historic building, with a $6 admission fee. Then, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., there will be a paranormal experience. Investigators from the Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigation, which has named Tangelo House The Most Haunted House in Indian River County, will give visitors a taste of how to detect disembodied spirits, using “ghostbuster” gear inside the apartment building. Admission for that event is $11, cash only at the door. Yes, Puzzo said, the house absolutely does have some sort of presence. He’s felt it. A flickering light. A gust of wind. The hair standing up on his body. You can find out for yourself this Saturday and see an important part of Vero’s history at the same time. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13
1 Captains for Clean Water and the Indian River Firefighters Benevolent Association will hold the Second Annual Offshore Fishing Tournament this weekend. This is part of the two groups’ “Fighting for the Lagoon” campaign which aims, in part, to raise awareness of the lagoon’s health and the health of surrounding water in the ecosystem. The event starts with a captain’s meeting 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, at the Sebastian Saltwater Marina. It then proceeds to the fishing tournament, which starts with lines in at 6 a.m. with weighing taking place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17. The maximum number of anglers (rod and reel) per boat is six. The entry fee per boat is $250 and there is a $13,000 awards purse ranging from $300 to $1,000 for grouper, dolphin, kingfish and tilefish; $500 to $1,000 for amberjack; and $2,000 for top boat. Sebastian Saltwater Marina is at 1732 Indian River Dr., Sebastian. Call 772-643-1361 or visit irffb.com. 2 Saturday is the time for a couple of golf tournaments. The Vietnam and All Veterans of Indian County will host the 2023 Mary Snyder Annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 17, at Sandridge Golf Club in Vero Beach. It begins with a 7 a.m. registration then an 8 a.m. shotgun scramble. Lunch and awards ceremony will be held immediately after the tourna- ‘OFFSHORE FISHING’ TOURNEY HOOKED ON HELPING THE LAGOON CONTINUED ON PAGE B5 Sophie Bentham-Wood and Ellen Roberts PHOTOS: JOSHUA KODIS Coming Up! HOUSE OF THE WEEK: GRAND HARBOR CONDO KOKO IS ALWAYS A7 A12 ON THE GO-GO-GO! B12 ENDOMETRIAL CANCER: COMMON BUT CURABLE By Pam Harbaugh | Correspondent Local artists’ sublime skills shine in ‘Treasure Coast Creates’ P. B2
B2 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com The extraordinary talents of area artists are on full display at the Vero Beach Museum of Art in the juried fine art exhibition Treasure Coast Creates: A Tribute to Local Artists, on view through Sept. 3. “This show stemmed from the immense popularity of Vero Collects, which we did last winter. And, as a result of seeing the level of talent that we have within our artistic community, there was this really strong feeling that we wanted to showcase that talent,” says Sophie Bentham-Wood, VBMA director of marketing and communications. “It’s not going to be the first show of its kind. This is the beginning of a continued relationship and connection with our very lively artist community.” The application process, which began in September, was extended to Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie county residents, and to museum members. Ellen Roberts, the former senior curator of American Art at the Norton Museum of Art, was given the daunting task of choosing from more than 800 pieces submitted (only one per artist was selected). “They asked me to pick 100, but they were such a strong group that we added 35. It was difficult to choose,” said Roberts. “I particularly am impressed by the great talent of this community in all of these different media.” The hanging of the show came at a transitional time for Anke Van Wagenberg, then VBMA senior curator. Van Wagenberg was appointed effective June 1 to replace Roberts in an expanded capacity at the Norton as senior curator of American and European Art. To best display the diversity of the works, Van Wagenberg and her curatorial staff hung the show in sections, categorized as cityscape, landscape and seascape; abstract; figurative; and photography; with sculpture, ceramic and other 3D pieces disbursed throughout the galleries. “It’s a really nice mix. And I think they did a really nice job of grouping the pieces. It could feel very much disjointed, because there are so many different media, but because they chose to organize it by these different sections, it works better,” says Roberts. Roberts conducted the juried process remotely, and judged the works the evening before the show’s opening reception on May 26, when winners were announced. The show was judged in its entirety, as opposed to mediums, due to the diversity of works, from sculpture and paintings to drawings, photography and mixed media. “They asked me to choose first, second and third prize overall. But I thought, it’s such a strong group, let’s choose some honorable mentions as well. So there’s also seven honorable mentions,” Roberts explains. First Place was awarded to Jensen Beach artist Eduardo Gomez Rojas for “Mountain of Grief,” an exquisitely carved marble sculpture that clearly emotes sadness despite its beauty. “There’s some great sculpture in the show, which is impressive to me, because these are very hard media to work with. I think this artist is very talented in terms of the ability to carve marble, which is very difficult, and also to convey this emotion just through this posture,” says Roberts. Second Place was awarded to Danielle Deptula Pokrandt, a Vero Beach Art Club Local artists’ sublime skills shine in ‘Treasure Coast Creates’ By Mary Schenkel | Staff Writer
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE June 15, 2023 B3 member, for “Fentanyl,” a thought-provok - ing mixed media artwork. “This one is just very dark, about the fentanyl opioid epidemic, but I think it’s very powerful. To me they look like tomb - stones, but it’s like you’re looking through an arcade at this landscape. And, when you look closely, these are maps of certain places,” says Roberts, referencing the area behind each tombstone. “I feel like the opioid epidemic is so much worse in certain places, so it’s kind of a nice way to highlight that whole as - pect of it.” Third Place was awarded to Toren - zo Gann of Martin County for his acrylic painting “Breakthrough.” “I love this one also. The artist has writ - ten a haiku about it, which I think helps you kind of see what they’re thinking about in terms of emerging from the ashes,” says Roberts of the haiku: ‘Out of the Ashes After the Raging Battles The Victor Rises’ “But also, it just says acrylic, but there’s a thickness to it and holes, so the surface is very interesting,” says Roberts. Honorable Mentions were awarded to the following seven artists. Dennis Bartholomew of Vero Beach re - ceived one for “Conflict,” a striking bronze sculpture of conjoined faces. “I think this is a very strong sculpture,” CONTINUED ON PAGE B4
B4 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com says Roberts. “I love the fact that these two people in conflict are so close to each other. It kind of makes you realize how personal conflict is. And the way he’s kind of distorted the forms of their faces really conveys that very effectively.” Lawrence Behunek of Vero Beach received it for his mixed polymer abstraction “Boundaries.” “I honestly had not realized until I saw it in person that it’s two different canvasses, immediately right next to each other. It’s called ‘Boundaries’ and it makes you really think about boundaries,” says Roberts. “I love the fact that the two sides of it are so different, yet some elements have crossed into both sides, so it’s almost like a permeable boundary. Then you start thinking about, are any boundaries actually absolute?” Bill Brody of Port St. Lucie received one for his woodcut “Begguyya.” “I love this one. The title is a native Alaskan word, and it is the name of the mountain chain in Alaska. I love the way he’s used this woodcut medium to really kind of emphasize the dynamism of that landscape. It looks like it’s alive, to me,” says Roberts. “Leaf Bird,” a mythical bird mélange drawn with Mars Lumograph pencil, earned one for Nancy Baur Dillen of Melbourne. “This is kind of crazy. The artist is so talented in rendering these leaves and the bird’s feet. It’s such a weird but fascinating piece. It’s a drawing but it packs a big punch,” says Roberts. Israel Guevara of Port St. Lucie received it for “Abacu,” a colorful multi-piece installation featuring four rows of 10 acrylic works on wood, that greets viewers as they enter the Holmes Gallery. Bentham-Wood notes that the pieces were installed exactly to the artist’s specifications. “I really love this piece,” comments Roberts. “It’s so interesting because of how it looks so different from all the different angles. I love the way it changes as you move around and the way the shadows become part of it.” Vero Beach photographer Nicole Leiner received one for her whimsical “Sunny Side Up,” showcasing the head of a woman resting on a plate, a sunny side up egg plastered to her cheek. “I love, love this photograph. It just makes me laugh, because I feel like that’s how we all feel in the morning. We’re trying to be optimistic that it’s going to be a sunny side up day and instead you just want to go back to bed,” says Roberts. Vero Beach artist Lori Rowe received it for her radiant oil painting “Summer Breeze.” “I love the brilliant colors in this one. To me it kind of throbs, in an amazing way, just all the layers” says Roberts. “When you look at it, it seems very static at first glance, but it’s actually not. I think partially because the colors are so vibrant and also the lines are not quite straight. So it kind of gives you that throbbing sense of South Florida.” “It really is a beautiful show,” says Roberts. For more information, visit VBMuseum. org, where a full list of the show’s artists is available. CONTINUED FROM PAGE B3
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE June 15, 2023 B5 ment. Fees are $75. The Sandridge Golf Course is at 5300 73rd St., Vero Beach. Call 772-538-2484 or visit VVIRC.org. The Citrus Golf Tournament begins with an 8:30 a.m. registration then a 9 a.m. shotgun start Saturday, June 17, at Grand Harbor Golf Club’s River Course. It includes breakfast, lunch and awards, which are held immediately after the tournament. Fees are $200. The event helps raise money for agencies supported by the United Way of Indian River County. The Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club is at 4985 Club Terrace, Vero Beach. For more information, call 772-567-8900 or visit UnitedWayIRC.org. 3 The 18th Annual Waterlily Celebration runs Saturday at McKee Botanical Garden in Vero Beach. The annual event shows off one of Florida’s largest arrays of waterlilies. They can be seen at McKee’s ponds and waterways. The event will educate visitors about the importance of waterlilies, their various species, colors, blooming and growing habits. Expect to see plain air artists painting throughout the garden and see demonstrations of potting. There will also be plant sales. The Annual Waterlily Photo Contests submissions will be on display in McKee’s Hall of Giants. The garden will open early for this event, which runs 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at McKee Botanical Garden, 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Admission is $15 general, $10 children 2 to 12 years, $13 seniors 65 and older, and youth 13 to 17 years, and $10 for active or veteran military with ID. It is free to children under 2 years. For more information, call 772-794-0601 or visit McKeeGarden.org. 4 The Indian River County Department of Emergency Services will host a Hurricane Preparedness Expo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at the Indian River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., Vero Beach. Admission is free. Call 772-226-3900. 5 Learn about local history and maybe even see a spirit or two when Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo lead you through newly renovated Tangelo House, a historic spot formerly known as the Ryburne Apartment Building. The newly restored building will be “investigated” for ghostly activity by the Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigation and Indian River Hauntings. The tours will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 17, and cost $6 per person. The paranormal experience tours will be held 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 17, and cost $11 per person. Funds raised will benefit the Indian River County Historical Society. Cash only at the door. The Tangelo House is at 1110 Royal Palm Blvd., Vero Beach. 6 Flash back to disco when the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra performs “’70s & ’80s Broadway: Bellbottoms & Afros” this Sunday afternoon. The concert includes music from “Evita,” “Chicago,” “Hair,” “The Who’s Tommy” and more. You’ll also hear “YMCA,” “D.I.S.C.O.,” “Funky Town” and more. Tickets are $30 and available at Marine Bank & Trust or at SCSO’s website. Tickets at the door are $35. Those 18 years and younger or with a college ID are admitted free. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 18, at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. Call 855-252-7276 or visit SpaceCoastSymphony.org. CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1
B6 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE www.veronews.com Buggy Bunch supporters gathered at the Vero Beach Museum of Art to enjoy a Night at the Museum, celebrating the remarkable growth of the organization since its founding in 2009. Tara Wright, Buggy Bunch executive director, said they are seeing an average of 10 to 15 new moms a week at their Buggy Bunch Family Center. In 2022 they served more than 3,700 men, women and children and provided some 27,000 diapers to families in need. “We provide weekly educational playgroups that are just as important for the mother as they are for the child. We offer a single mom support group, teen mom support, financial classes, various Bible studies, health and fitness classes, marriage building opportunities, parenting seminars, park playgroups, and our diaper closet. And all of our services are free,” said Wright. “Each day we are encountering moms from every socioeconomic background, every religious, non-religious background, every phase of life,” said Wright. “On behalf of the board of directors, the staff and the families that we serve, I truly thank you for helping us by touching hearts, changing lives and impacting families.” Co-founder and board member Erin Refsland said it all began with four mothers, who had met in a Bible study group and would walk the Barber Bridge with their baBuggy Bunch on a roll, fetes growth with museum event By Mary Schenkel | Staff Writer [email protected] 772-240-1417 Hiring Experienced Caregivers [email protected] www.tcoastangels.com • Meal Preparation • Hygiene Assistance • Light Housekeeping • Errands, Shopping, Walks • Medication Reminders • Affordable Hourly Rates • Hourly to 24 Hour Care • Temporary or Long Term Home Care Services Include: Jamie Miller with Jean and Bill Borduin. PHOTOS: JOSHUA KODIS Shevaun Harris, Justine Hicks and Nicole Campanelli. Erin Refsland with Sean and Kathy Minix. Carolyn Walker with Reida and Gene Lewis, and Sandy and Bob Brackett. Steven and Tracey Offill with Melissa and Nick Carter. Helen and Andy Bowler with Cyndy Hazlewood.
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE June 15, 2023 B7 bies in strollers, while talking about whatever was on their minds. After noticing another group of mothers exercising and learning that it cost $10 a class, they decided to start a free group. “Our eyes were opened to the amount of moms that felt alone and isolated,” said Refsland. As word spread, churches and businesses began offering space and volunteers helped with childcare. “Over time, we could tell God was doing something big with this organization, and when we needed financial support, our generous and beloved donors came through just when we needed it,” said Refsland. “The women at the Buggy Bunch have been my family’s rock and have prayed so, so much for my children,” said Nicole Campanelli, who discovered the nonprofit during COVID. In February 2022 she said, “I felt the Holy Spirit was screaming at me to go home and check on the baby.” She did and found her 18-month-old son unresponsive. He was airlifted to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando where they discovered brain damage to the cerebellum. Doctors didn’t know if he would be able to walk, talk, speak or swallow, but he continues to improve through hyperbaric oxygen therapy. “Tommy had an army of people praying for him and it worked,” said Campanelli. Remarkably, a benefactor donated a hyperbaric chamber to the Buggy Bunch for her to use. “I knew right then that God was providing exactly what we needed to help continue to heal my son. As a single mother raising two small boys, I am so grateful for this resource, for our family, and for the relationships I’ve gained coming here for the last three years. I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the Buggy Bunch and the lifeline that they’ve been for our family, especially for helping to save my sanity in a world that had gone crazy.” Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Department of Children and Families, spoke about Hope Florida – A Pathway to Prosperity, spearheaded by Casey DeSantis, wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis, and implemented by DCF and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in collaboration with the private sector, faith-based communities, nonprofits and government entities. Hope Florida has transformed the way DCF engages with families by using Hope Navigators who form relationships with individuals and families, creating customized plans to connect them with the services they need to meet their individual goals. They have served more than 54,000 families over the past 18 months, including employment, educational and vocational resources, housing, childcare, reduced reliance on public assistance benefits, and those referred by child protective investigators. “We want them to be able to thrive and be economically self-sufficient,” said Harris. For more information, visit TheBuggyBunch.com. Michele Land, Brooke Marotta and April Muller. Ryan and Sarah Cobb with John Moore.
B8 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING & WINE www.veronews.com On a hot day, most people I know will reach for ice to dump in their glass if the rosé has overheated. Most people I know will also comment defiantly or apologetically as they do so. Recently, wine expert Joe Fattorini tackled the issue of why we mind so much about getting it ‘right.’ Referring to the German sociologist Norbert Elias, Fattorini linked the refinement of table manners to a process of civilization. ‘Our revulsion at those who broke the rules is intensified because it represents a rejection of the whole Western social order.’ If it’s any consolation to anyone who has wanted to put ice in wine but didn’t quite dare, those of us who know our way around the stuff agonize way more about venturing an opinion in case doing so means we’re taken for Wine Snobs. (Is there any being more reviled?) In restaurants, the ice mood is permissive. ‘One hundred percent here for people wanting ice in their wine,’ says Donald Edwards, head sommelier at the Michelin-starred La Trompette. "I actually have a specific ban on anyone ever even raising an eyebrow if someone asks for ice in their wine," said Mike Boyne of BinTwo, a wine shop I highly recommend. But wait! Perhaps you are wondering why raising an eyebrow might need specifically to be banned … Look, I didn’t say wine pros don’t have opinions. Most, however, are only concerned about what happens to their own wine, and if we’re talking about to ice or not to ice, there is no clear answer. I have canvassed a large number of colleagues on the subject and, while an outlying few are always against it, the general consensus boils down to this. 1. If rosé or an inexpensive white is too warm, they will happily add ice. 2. Ice works best with the more ‘refreshing’ styles of wine; it’s less good with chardonnay, or oaked styles. 3. Be generous: lots of ice will cool the drink more effectively without diluting it. Once the job is done, consider removing the ice unless you happen to drink quite quickly. 4. Ice with red is tricky. It can enhance the clean fruitiness of the wine or it can make the tannins jar unattractively. You won’t know which until you try. 5. With anything that might be considered a fine wine – a good Burgundy, for instance, or an old claret – you do risk spoiling the wine if you add ice. It’s better to consider alternative cooling methods. The classic is, of course, putting the bottle in a bucket of ice and water. To speed things up, add salt to the water. This lowers the melting temperature of the ice, cooling the wine more quickly. I don’t like bits of plastic floating around in my glass, but reusable ice cubes, which can cool wine in the glass with no dilution, do have a following too. Mike Boyne says his own ice-filled wine glass is most likely to contain a ‘bright and juicy red on a hot, sunny day.’ But if a customer wants ice in a fine Burgundy, they’re welcome to it: "Making people feel comfortable is the primary goal." We can all drink to that – pass the ice bucket. Big Age Statements, Big Age Statements,Bold Experiments Bold Experiments June 22nd, 2023 from 6:00-9:00pm $125 per person *Exclusive of Gratuity & Tax Father's Day Father's Day Gift Gift Bottle Bottle engraving engraving THE COLD HARD FACTS ABOUT PUTTING ICE IN YOUR WINE By Victoria Moore The Telegraph
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING June 15, 2023 B9 Fine Dining, Elevated Exciting Innovative Cuisine Award Winning Wine List Unparalleled Service Expanded outdoor dining in The Café. Proud recipient of Trip Advisor’s Traveler’s Choice Award placing us in “The Top 10% of restaurants worldwide”. Catering Now Available (772) 234-3966 • tidesofvero.com Open 7 Days a Week Starting at 5 PM 3103 Cardinal Drive, Vero Beach, FL Reservations Highly Recommended • Proper Attire Appreciated Wine Spectator Award 2002 – 2021
B10 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING www.veronews.com PARTY PLATTERS AVAILABLE 56 Royal Palm Pointe 772-567-4160 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram OPEN FOR DINNER WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY BEGINNING AT 4 PM. CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY. ORDER ONLINE FOR DELIVERY OR PICKUP THROUGH Pizzoodles.com or ToastTakeout.com SALADS, PASTA, VEAL, CHICKEN , SUBS AND DESSERTS OPEN WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY Serving Dinner Tues - Sat from 5pm (772) 226-7870 Downwn Vero Bea 2023 14th Avenue www.VeroPrime.com Prime Steaks, Seafood & Italian Specialties Happy Hour featuring Premium Spirits Nightly 5 - 6:30pm (Bar Only) Early Dining Menu Nightly 5 - 5:30pm
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B12 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | PETS www.veronews.com Woof does Koko Guirgis ever love humans! I mean, soon as me an my assistant walked up the liddle steps into Koko’s Super Crispy Biscuits MOE-der Home, he was bee-stowin’ zillions of slurpy puppy smooches on my assistant, while si-mullTAYnee-us-lee wiggle-wagglin’ every square inch of his fluffy liddle Shih Tzu body. He didn’t bark AT ALL, but he had the most inthoo-zee-ass-tick wiggles I EVER saw! I addressed the wigglin’ whirlwind. “Ahem! Hello there! I’m Bonzo the Columnist. A pleasure to meet you. I understand you’re about to begin an exciting adventure. I’m eager to hear about it!” Koko pawsed and glanced up from The Satchel, out of which my assistant was attempting to extract a size-appropriate pooch Snack. Koko was attempting to assist. A nearby Frenly Man was attempting to detach Koko from The Satchel. I was attempting to maintain my professional demeanor (or at least not burst into laughter). The Frenly Man plucked Koko out of The Satchel and placed him on the floor. The liddle poocheroo was brown-an-white with a close summer cut ’cept for his ears which were inna Cool Kibbles bob: Tray On Trend, I thought. “Hallo, Mr. Bonzo. I don’t do Wag-anSniff’s cuzza usually gettin’ knocked over. This is my Daddy Emil. My Mommy Marcy’s gonna be here preddy soon. I’m Koko. Daddy-an-Mommy sometimes called me Koko Puff or Puffy cuzza my Very Puffy Tail! (Fun Fact: It’s the only part of me that sheds.)” “This is my Modor Home! Isn’t it SO Crispy Biscuits? We’re gonna take it onna Big Trip all over the HOLE COUNTRY. I’m SO Excited! It’s what’s called an ud-VENchur. That means visitin’ a buncha places you haven’t BEEN buh-for an doin’ stuff you haven’t DONE buh-for an you might be a liddle NERvuss but that’s OK cuz Daddy an Mommy’ll be right there with you!” “Woof, Koko, that’s sounds so excitin’! I hope you take a buncha phodos! So, tell me about yourself. You have such a happy doganality! How’d you an your Daddy an Mommy find each other?” He plopped down next to my assistant (and The Satchel.) “Mommy’d obtained pooches from my breeder in Hidden Valley Farms in Jor-Juh for years, so when it was time for a new pooch, she looked at the current litter on line an picked ME cuzza my freckles an cuteness. Then Daddy-an-Mommy drove up to get me. I was 8 weeks old. 2 pounds, 7 ounces. (Now I’m 8 pounds! I always hafta watch my diet, but I occasionally get my fav treats, liverwurst and Pop Tarts, in appropriately small amounts.) “I was a liddle timid on the drive back but Very Well Buh-haved, didn’t make a mess or anything. I’ve always prided myself on Doing my Doody in the Proper Place.” “That’s great, Koko! Kudos! What was it like when you first got to your Furever Home?” “It was a 4-hour drive. We arrived late at night. I got outta the car. It was dark an I wandered straight into the pool. We all freaked out. It was on the ledge in the shallow end but still, I mean, alluva sudden I was all wet! They hauled me out an dried me off an woof! if I didn’t walk right back into the pool. I never did like ackshully swimmin’, but now I have my own surfboard and I float around, or just lay on the ledge to keep cool.” “I know you’re a traveler: Where all have you been so far?” I inquired. “An tell me more about that Big Adventure comin’ up!” Suddenly, the door opened an his Mommy swept in. Koko immediately flew off the couch and leapt into her arms, wiggling nose-to-puffy tail an bestowing nonstop slurpy smooches. The two greeted each other as though it had been decades since they last met. Totally heartwarming! (As us dogs all know, time passes in a different way for us, an when our humans are gone, it doesn’t matter if it’s 10 minutes or 10 days, it ALWAYS feels like Forever. Am I right?) Koko settled into his Mommy’s lap. “Yep! I’m a Mommy’s Boy. I can do anything I want when I’m with Mommy. WAY fun! But Daddy’s the Boss of Me. I always do what he says. When I come in from outside, I wait at the door till he wipes off my paws an nether regions with a towel. And, of course, we’re travel Buds. See, Daddy usta be a COP in Long Eye-lun. He ree-tired and now he has a job where he travels all over, drivin’ or flyin’, an I go with him. It’s WAY excitin’. I’ve been to Ver-GIN-yuh, New York, Tennis-SEE, VAY-gus, atLAN-tuh. When we flew to callah-FORN-yuh I snoozed inna special bag under the seat, an I didn’t hafta potty even once. I was Very Proud. I’ve Stayed inna buncha hotels. I’m VERY well buh-haved. “Didja know airports have these special dog places with fake grass where you can Do Your Dooty an not get yelled at? “Speakin’ of: Recently I ree-lized, from observin’ other pooches – you guys do that Leg Lift thing when you P. I never did learn that. One time I tried it an I almost fell over. Do you think I’m weird?” “Well,” I replied. “I always thought it was an in-stink, but apparently it’s learned. I don’t think you’re weird, Koko,” I assured him. “You’re you-NEEK! So, tell me about this Big Advenchur.” “We’ll go to Virginia for the summer, then do a big ol’ loop, out to Maine, then south, an all around the lower states, west to callah-FORN-yuh. Every night we’ll stay in our modor home in lotsa Cool Kibble places called CampGrounds and meet all sorts of interesting humans and poocheroos an see a buncha of SIGHTS. If I had THUMS, I’d keep a diary.” I was smiling ear-to-ear all the way home, picturing wiggle-waggly, mankind-lovin’ Koko, spreading joy and slurpy smooches wherever he goes. I can’t wait to hear all about his Big Adventure upon his return. Bon Voyage, little pal! We are always looking for pets with interesting stories. To set up an interview, email [email protected]. DON’T BE SHY The Bonz Hi Dog Buddies! Bonz meets kool Koko, who’s always on the go-go-go Koko PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES June 15, 2023 B13 The deuce is low but informative By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Segal’s Law is “A man with a watch knows what time it is. A man with two watches is never sure.” At the bridge table after an uncontested auction, when a two is led against a no-trump contract, third hand can be confident that his partner has a four-card suit headed by at least one honor. Against a suit contract, though, the lead might be ambiguous. It could also be from a suit headed by at least one honor. (Yes, now the leader won’t have the ace or two touching honors, both of which are possible against no-trump.) However, it could also be a singleton. How does third hand decide which it is? Usually the bidding will give the game away, but sometimes third hand must be guided by declarer’s play from the board. Take today’s deal as an example. Against two spades, West led the heart two, and declarer played low from the board. What should East have done? If West had led from length, surely declarer would have won with dummy’s ace. So, East should have won with his king and returned the heart three, both giving his partner a ruff and sending a suit-preference signal for clubs. A trusting West would underlead his club ace. East would win with his king and deliver a second club ruff. After the club ace survived, the contract would be down one, with the spade ace still to come. At the table, East played the heart 10 at trick one, so South won with his queen, led a trump and got home. (Finally, yes, here, declarer guessed wrongly at trick one in not winning with dummy’s ace.) Dealer: North; Vulnerable: Neither NORTH K Q J 3 A J 8 5 J 9 5 6 3 WEST A 9 5 4 2 K 3 2 A 10 8 7 4 SOUTH 10 8 7 6 Q 9 4 A 10 8 4 Q 5 EAST 2 K 10 7 6 3 Q 7 6 K J 9 2 The Bidding: OPENING LEAD: 2 Hearts SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 Diamonds Pass 1 Spades Pass 2 Spades All Pass Established 32 Years in Indian River County (772) 562-2288 | www.kitchensvero.com 3920 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960
B14 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES www.veronews.com The Telegraph How to do Sudoku: Fill in the grid so the numbers one through nine appear just once in every column, row and three-by-three square. The Telegraph SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (JUNE 8) ON PAGE B16 ACROSS 1. Water vapour (4) 4. Go wrong (3) 6. Ceremony (4) 8. Filled tortilla (6) 9. Q in the NATO alphabet (6) 10. Shiner (5,3) 11. Middling (2-2) 12. Pleasant music (4,9) 17. Large cat (4) 19. Beethoven’s Emperor, e.g. (8) 22. Bury (6) 23. Paradise Lost author (6) 24. Catch sight of (4) 25. Miserable (3) 26. Ooze (4) DOWN 2. Counting everything (2,3) 3. Nervous (7) 4. Dodge (5) 5. Ask for (7) 6. Stinks (5) 7. Betrayal (7) 10. Ta-ra (3) 13. Former student (7) 14. Evil demon (7) 15. Irritates (7) 16. Viscous substance (3) 18. Suffering (5) 20. Wanderer (5) 21. Figurative expression (5)
Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES June 15, 2023 B15 ACROSS 1 Emulates Salome 7 Fingerprint’s cousin 10 Acronym for Dale Jarrett 16 Holy day 17 Track event 18 Short threat 19 “___ ... in My Size?” 22 Salad-bar sphere 23 “Once” follower 24 Captain’s place 25 Scratch 26 Procrastinator’s word 30 and 38 “___ ... Your In-Laws Say” 34 Girl in “Our Gang” comedies 36 Destination of qtly. payments 37 Surgery ctrs. 38 (See 30 Across) 43 Actress Velez 45 Lethal slitherer 48 Actress Verdugo 49 Actress Adams 50 Old Ford 51 Hymn-singer’s spot 52 Some kind of a nut 54 “___ ... and Other Christmas Ideas by Stephen King” 58 Resort, for short 59 Negotiator’s knack 62 Say 63 Sale preceder? 64 Milosevic, e.g. 66 and 79 “___ ... Without Licking, Begging, or Rolling Over” 70 Greek letters 73 Diving shorebird 75 Michael who played Jennifer Beals’s hunky blue-collar boyfriend in Flashdance 76 Some costs 78 Nome knife 79 (See 66 Across) 84 Game official 86 Tie the knot 87 Shift 9 or Shift 0 mark: abbr. 88 Galley props 91 Ryan of Zero Effect 92 Meadow 93 Skiers’ boon 94 and 100 “___ ... Order a Pizza and Hand Him the Remote” 97 Pine-___ 98 Living Nativity sound 99 Altercation 100 (See 94 Across) 106 Quite a while 110 Stir-fry need 111 Lupino et al. 112 Feathery accessories 114 Café or thé need 115 “___ ... and Run Like Hell” 122 Call it a day 123 Nevada-Arizona lake 124 Comparatively poor 125 Serious series 126 Do simple math 127 Lure DOWN 1 Six-Day War figure 2 Spin City network 3 Bouncin’ ball org. 4 Pop’s place? 5 Caesar’s reaction 6 Berthplace? 7 Investigator: abbr. 8 Bob’s show 9 Where the Erechtheum was erected 10 Words of denial 11 Jackie’s second 12 Work with a Singer 13 Gripping tools 14 No sweat 15 Sit in judgment of again 16 World Series site, 1969 17 Eat sheet 19 Typing-speed stat 20 Sticky stuff 21 Where Pukë is: abbr. 27 Bell town 28 Floating 29 Frameworks? 31 Famed chefs’ sch. 32 Hurry up 33 “All bets ___” 35 Fredericksburg victor 38 Approaches 39 North of San Antonio 40 Notes 41 Mot ingredient 42 Palindromic laugh 43 The ___ Riley 44 Less than accurate 45 Openings 46 The Ligurian, e.g. 47 On-off abbr. 50 Town Without ___ 53 Morse word 55 Pianist Blake 56 Former phone co. 57 35 Down, to Grant 60 Daniel Ortega opponent 61 Ticket bargain 65 Fella 67 Reason for signaling 68 “... she goes ___ go” 69 Home: abbr. 71 Shake like ___ 72 Hostile and uncivil 74 Continued 77 Soprano Renata 79 Mail deliverer, in the Harry Potter books 80 Very early 81 Weasel’s cousin 82 Instantly 83 Obsolete recording medium 85 French soup need 89 No. 1 sitcom of the early 1990s 90 The way you’re going, perhaps: abbr. 94 Rube 95 Meal starter? 96 Robo-teller 97 Harold who played Odd Job in Goldfinger 98 Universe creator, in Hinduism 100 Jury prize 101 Lawncare need 102 Tarzan transit 103 Springtime abbr. 104 Bartlett’s abbr. 105 Extinct bird 107 Little one’s laugh 108 Fall feature? 109 Baltimore paper 113 British gun 116 Kipling orphan 117 Period 118 Wander 119 ___ blanket 120 Infamous Kakwa 121 Nervous reaction The Telegraph The Washington Post DOWN 2. Counting everything (2,3) 3. Nervous (7) 4. Dodge (5) 5. Ask for (7) 6. Stinks (5) 7. Betrayal (7) 10. Ta-ra (3) 13. Former student (7) 14. Evil demon (7) 15. Irritates (7) 16. Viscous substance (3) 18. Suffering (5) 20. Wanderer (5) 21. Figurative expression (5) Self-Help and Beyond By Merl Reagle
B16 June 15, 2023 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | CALENDAR www.veronews.com ONGOING Check with organizations directly for updates/cancellations. Vero Beach Museum of Art: Treasure Coast Creates: A Tribute to Local Artists, through Sept. 3. VBMuseum.org or 772-231-0707 Riverside Theatre: “Honky Tonk Angels” on the Stark Stage through June 18; Friday and Saturday Comedy Zone 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Waxlax Theatre, and free Live in the Loop outdoor concerts, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 772-231-6990 or RiversideTheatre.com McKee Botanical Garden: Playing with Gravity stone balancing exhibit by Adam Conard through July 30. McKeeGarden.org Sea Turtle Conservancy: Guided sea turtle walks at Archie Carr NWR Barrier Island Center, Mon., Tues., Thurs. and Fri. nights through July 28. Max 20/night. Conserveturtles.org First Friday Gallery Strolls, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Downtown Vero Beach Arts District. JUNE 16|17 Indian River Firefighters for Clean Water Offshore Fishing Tournament at the Sebastian Salt Water Marina, with 5:30 p.m. Fri. Captains Meeting and tournament Sat., lines in at 6 p.m., weighin 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. $250 per boat. irffb.com 17 Mary Snyder Golf Tournament hosted by Vietnam Veterans of IRC to support local veterans, 8 a.m. shotgun scramble at Sandridge Golf Course. $75 includes lunch. 772- 538-2484 or vvirc.org 17 Waterlily Celebration, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McKee Botanical Garden, featuring one of the state’s largest waterlily collections, with potting demonstrations, plant sales, and Waterlily Photo Contest on display in Hall of Giants. General admission rates. McKeeGarden.org or 772-794-0601 17 Citrus Golf Tournament to benefit agencies supported by the United Way of IRC, 9 a.m. at Grand Harbor Golf Club River Course, followed by lunch and awards. $200. UnitedWayIRC.org or 772-567-8900. 17 Hurricane Preparedness Expo, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the IRC Fairgrounds, hosted by the Indian River County Department of Emergency Services. Free. 772-226-3900 17 Tours of newly renovated historic Tangelo House, hosted by Garrett and Stephanie Puzzo, with IRC Historical Society and IR Hauntings, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. tours ($6); and paranormal experience 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($11), with proceeds benefiting IRCHS. Cash only, payable at door. 18 Father’s Day Classic Car Show hosted by Vietnam Veterans of IRC, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, with entertainment and raffles. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free admission. $25 to register vehicle day of show. vvirc.org 18 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents ’70s & ’80s Broadway: Bellbottoms & Afros, 3 p.m. at the Emerson Center. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 24 Burgers and Brews Festival to benefit United Against Poverty, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Riverside Park, with slider tasting & Best Burger Competition (2-5:30 p.m.), NAPA car show (2-6 p.m.), live music, vendors, kids zone, food trucks (2-7 p.m.) and apple pie eating contest (4 p.m.). $23.18 for five sliders & two brews/sodas; $44.52 brew tasting punch card; $108.55 VIP air-conditioned lounge and complimentary cocktails. BurgersAndBrews.org 24 Meet & Greet reception with Hezekiah Baker Jr., son of Highwayman artist Hezekiah Baker Sr., 12 p.m. at Treasure Coast Collectibles and Manor Auctions. 954-557-6226 24 Space Coast Symphony Orchestra presents its free annual red, white and blue concert Spirit of America, 2 p.m. at the Emerson Center. SpaceCoastSymphony.org 30 Bubble Wrap Explosion Party, 10:30 a.m. at the Vero Beach Book Center, with story hour, kona ice cream truck and stomping on bubble wrap collected throughout the year. VeroBeachBookCenter.com or 772-569-2050 30 & July 1 – Riverside Theatre For Kids presents Disney’s “Newsies,” the Broadway Musical, performed by students ages 13 to 20. RiversideTheatre.com or 772-231-6990 JULY 1 Wounded Waters Offshore War Fishing Tournament from Causeway Cove Marina in Ft. Pierce to benefit Wounded Waters, a nonprofit that helps veterans, first responders, retired/active military through saltwater therapy. Woundedwaters.org 4 Paddle to the Wreck, 7 a.m. from Costa d’Este Beach Resort, with swimmers and paddlers making their way to the Breconshire and back, and after-party breakfast on the pool deck. costadeste.com 4 Freedom Festival presented by City of Sebastian, Lion’s Club of Sebastian and Sebastian Masonic Lodge, 8:30 a.m. parade start followed by festival at Riverview Park, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9 p.m. 7|8 Vegas Nights at Riverside Theatre, 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the lobby, with real casino games, live music, a full bar and grill menu and great prizes to benefit youth tuition assistance and community engagement programs. Free admission (18+ to play). Stay for Comedy Zone (ticket required) and/or free concert in loop. RiversideTheatre.com 10-15 Mike Block String Camp and Vero Beach International Music Festival at First Presbyterian Church. Public concerts featuring MBSC faculty playing jazz, Scottish, Celtic, bluegrass, Scandinavian, and other forms of music, 7:30 p.m. July 12 and July 14; and a Culminating Concert 7:30 p.m. July 15 with faculty and students from MBSC and Vero public schools, and adult musicians from around the Treasure Coast. $20 donation to MBSC Scholarship Fund appreciated. mikeblockstringcamp.com and verobeach internationalmusicfestival.com Time to Clean Your Carpets/Furniture? Maxfield Carpet Cleaning • 772-538-0213 5300 N. A1A, Vero Beach • SINCE 1979 Three Reasons to Call Mitch Maxfield: QUALITY: My “2-step system” removes even tough ground-in dirt. All work guaranteed. SERVICE: I, personally, will clean your carpets and furniture. PRICE: Two (2) Rooms (any size)...$77, 6’ Sofa or 2 Chairs...$66 Sudoku Page B12 Sudoku Page B13 Crossword Page B12 Solutions from Games Pages in June 8, 2023 Edition Crossword Page B13 (Male-Female Relationships) BUSINESS DIRECTORY - ADVERTISING INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BUSINESSES 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]. ARE you turning 65 or new to Medicare? ARE you looking to review Medicare Choices for 2023. I can help you with over 10+years of experience, the dedication and honesty of a LOCAL INDEPENDENT agent that specializes in Medicare choices. Rose Mary McIlvain Treasure Coast Insurance Sources MAKE IT YOUR CHOICE! 772-766-1558