02/10/2022 ISSUE 06

February 10, 2022 | Volume 9, Issue 6 Newsstand Price: $1.00

YOUR LOCAL NEWS SOURCE FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
For breaking news visit VeroNews.com
PAGE B7 PAGE B2

EXCITING HEART VALVE 6 SCUDDER CHERISHES B2 VERO QUILT GUILD’S B6
REPLACEMENT ADVANCES HER ARTFUL LIFE ART DRAWS RAVES

MY TAKE Covid claims 45
more lives here
BY RAY MCNULTY since Christmas

Starting to get hopeful
about the Vero riverfront

For the first time in what seems By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer
like years since the process began, [email protected]
I’m starting to believe I’ll live to
see the so-called “Three Corners” While the number of new
property become the riverfront
dining, social and recreational COVID-19 infections reported to
destination our community sore-
ly lacks. the Florida Department of Health

That’s saying plenty, given the declined another 41 percent last
Vero Beach City Council’s history
of moving at the speed of erosion week, Indian River County is not
when it comes to making impact-
ful decisions, particularly when coming out of the Omicron-vari-
they pertain to any type of mean-
ingful development. ant surge unscathed. At least 45

And, for that reason alone, I local residents died of COVID
applaud the four City Council
members who last week – urged since Christmas.
on by a packed Council chamber
– possessed the foresight, wisdom According to the Centers for
and courage to push forward with
the project and approve a master Disease Control and Preven-
plan that dares to dramatically
enhance our quality of life. tion, 11 Indian River County

This potential-filled plan – al- SANDRIDGE ON COURSE FOR NEW CLUBHOUSE COVID-positive residents died
beit only conceptual in its design between Jan. 30 and Feb. 6, on top
– doesn’t settle for merely keeping of five deaths the previous week.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 wWhile nearly one-third of the

FILE PHOTO county’s total COVID-19 deaths

The popular Vero golf facility is slated for a new 18,000-square-foot clubhouse in the fall of 2023. See story, Page 5. since the pandemic began have

been residents of long-term-care

Vero uses curious argument in its water-sewer lawsuit facilities, only one-fifth of the
deaths of COVID-19 positive peo-
ple between Christmas and Jan.

By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer cil was seeking the best value for Vero News was there in the room 29 were people from local nursing

[email protected] Shores residents and club com- for the presentations by both util- homes and assisted-living facil-

Whether Vero will win or lose munities. ities. There wasn’t much daylight ities. According to CDC data, the

the breach of contract lawsuit Both Indian River County between the deals presented, number of new hospital admis-

filed against it by the Town of Indi- Utilities and Vero Beach Utilities except for reuse irrigation water sions improved somewhat, drop-

INSIDE an River Shores is still in the hands pitched for the Shores’ business – CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

of the court, but the arguments

NEWS 1-5 ARTS B1 made last week by Vero’s legal Flowers hoping vague apology on Facebook will save his job
team might give pause to any en-
HEALTH 6 GAMES B13

PETS B12 CALENDAR B16 tity contemplating doing business

REAL ESTATE 11

with the city. By Ray McNulty | Staff Writer high standards.”

To advertise call: 772-559-4187 In 2012, Indian River Shores [email protected] He later published the state-
For circulation or where to pick up
your issue call: 772-226-7925 was exactly where it is now – a Five days after Vero News re- ment on his personal “Sheriff Eric

few years short of the end of a ported that Sheriff Eric Flowers Flowers” Facebook page – but not

water-sewer franchise agreement had been caught having an ex- on the “Indian River County Sher-

with its service provider, Vero tramarital affair, he issued an iff’s Office” Facebook page.

Beach Utilities. in-house memo to his 500-plus He did not face reporters at a

Then-Mayor Tom Cadden, like employees Monday in which news conference.

current Shores Mayor Brian Foley, he apologized to his wife, to the Flowers didn’t mention the af-

was staring down a deadline to PHOTO: agency and to the community for fair in his statement, which began
give Vero notice of termination of KAILA JONES
“not living up to my own personal CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

© 2021 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. the franchise, and the town coun-

2 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

UTILITY LAWSUIT county decreased its reuse water rate from SHERIFF FLOWERS adding that she had not been directed to
67 cents per 1,000 gallons to 21 cents per notify the local news media.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 1,000 gallons in 2019. Vero refused to give CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the Shores’ customers the 21-cent rate, and By Monday afternoon, however, Flow-
rates. Reuse water is wastewater treated the current dispute arose. with him writing that he was “publicly apol- ers’ statement had been posted on multi-
enough to not be hazardous, but a nutri- ogizing” to his wife, Rachel, and their family ple social-media sites, including Facebook,
ent-rich water source when sprinkled on In the hearing before Judge Janet Croom, “for all the hurt, embarrassment and anger where the 200-plus comments on his per-
lawns and golf courses. a great many legal terms, case citations I caused.” sonal page ranged from supportive to hos-
and quoting of Florida Statutes flew back tile with many criticizing his hypocrisy.
Indian River Shores uses a tremendous and forth between Vero City Attorney John He went on to state that he would not al-
Turner and the Shores’ outside attorney low his “personal life and these challenges” Some cited Flowers’ campaign promis-
NEWS ANALYSIS Paul Berg. to affect his job performance, adding that es and first speech after being sworn in 13
he will remain focused on leading the law months ago at Holman Stadium, where he
amount of reuse irrigation water to keep Boiled down to its essence, Vero’s argu- enforcement agency. equated the deputies’ oath of office to mar-
the town green and beautiful. Vero’s reuse ment now is that it was illegal for the City of riage vows and said he expected the depu-
water rates were about three times what the Vero Beach to enter into a franchise agree- He then inferred that he and his wife ties to reflect his values.
county charged. ment that ties the rates of one customer were attempting to keep their marriage in-
class (i.e. the Shores) to a rate-making au- tact – a change from his position last week, Others called for Flowers’ resignation,
Then-Vero City Manager Jim O’Connor, a thority other than the City of Vero Beach when he had told supporters the couple writing that he couldn’t be trusted and
smart negotiator, thought of a way to knock (i.e. the county). was headed for divorce. apologized only because he was desperate
the legs out from under the county’s pro- to keep his job.
posal. He told Cadden and the rest of the But there’s another part of Vero’s argu- “Rachel and I both appreciate all of the
Shores council that the town could have the ment that’s the head scratcher: Vero is ar- messages we have received,” Flowers wrote, Even the Press Journal, which huffily
best of both worlds – stick with Vero for ser- guing that the town of Indian River Shores “but ask that you give us privacy as we work sought to pass off the story that Vero News
vice for 15 more years, and the city would was legally bound – as an entity contracting together on our marriage.” broke a week ago as based on “rumors,”
match Indian River County Utilities rates with a municipal utility – to know that it found Flowers’ statement insufficient, ask-
for water, sewer and most importantly, for was illegal for Vero to have proposed such He closed his statement by writing: “I ing: “Should the public demand an expla-
reuse irrigation water. an agreement. am sorry to all the agency and community nation or an investigation?
members who I have disappointed, and I
The deal he proposed would start imme- So it’s all Indian River Shores’ fault for will work hard to earn your trust and sup- “As Flowers has said he works 24/7, it
diately, instead of years down the road at signing a contract with Vero that they port going forward.” would make sense for Flowers to be more
the end of the franchise agreement. should have known was illegal, this line of open or the public to know more.”
argument goes, and Vero can set whatever Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Debbie
How could the county beat that? The deal rates it wants. Carson said Flowers had no plans to face Sheriff’s Detective Joe Karman, presi-
was signed in October 2012. Instead of let- reporters at a news conference, and that dent of the Indian River Deputies Associ-
ting the Shores’ franchise with Vero expire, Town Manager Jim Harpring said he Flowers would not comment publicly be- ation, said Monday his organization had
the new agreement simply supplanted the heard from Berg that it could take 30 to 90 yond the statement posted on his personal “no comment at this time” on how Flowers’
old one, and was extended to 2027. days for Judge Croom to issue her ruling. If Facebook page. betrayal of trust might impact his ability to
Vero wins, she will grant a summary judg- lead the agency.
Vero and the Shores abided by the agree- ment in the city’s favor. Or the case will move She said the statement was not posted
ment for more than six years until the forward to trial.  on the Sheriff’s Office page because it was a Flowers clearly hoped Monday that his
“personal matter” and not agency business, Facebook posting had laid this matter to
rest. That struck many as unlikely. 

NEWS OTHERS MISS, OR CHOOSE TO IGNORE | PUBLISHED WEEKLY

MILTON R. BENJAMIN

President and Publisher | [email protected] | 772.559.4187

STEVEN M. THOMAS

Managing Editor | [email protected] | 772.453.1196

DAN ALEXANDER

Creative Director | [email protected] | 772.539.2700

Assistant Managing Editor: Michelle Genz, Associate Editor: Paul Keaney, Staff Editor: Lisa Zahner,
Society Editor: Mary Schenkel, Reporters: Stephanie LaBaff, Ray McNulty, Samantha Rohlfing Baita,
George Andreassi, Columnists: Kerry Firth, Ellen Fischer, Ron Holub, Tina Rondeau, The Bonz,
Photographers: Kaila Jones, Graphic Designers: Robert Simonson, Jennifer Greenaway, Tania
Donghia-Wetmore

ADVERTISING SALES
JUDY DAVIS Director of Advertising
[email protected] | 772.633.1115
KATHLEEN MACGLENNON | [email protected] | 772.633.0753
MARIO CORBICIERO | [email protected] | 772.559.5999

LOCATED AT 4855 NORTH A1A, VERO BEACH, FL 32963 | 772.226.7925

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS February 10, 2022 3

MY TAKE land-use designation of the 17-acre, pow- and they’ve earned the benefit of the doubt the referendum passes,” Jeffries said. “I’m
er-plant property to allow commercial ven- in choosing the right developer for the optimistic that it will, but we’d still have a
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tures. The charter can’t be amended with- project. lot of work to do before any type of ground-
out voter approval. breaking.”
Vero Vero, a nostalgia-driven notion that is In fact, city officials already have reached
too often taken to extremes. There’s no commercial use planned out to nearly a dozen developers that have Any chance the riverfront will be open
for the 16 acres south of the bridge, so no shown interest in the project, and they’ll for business within 10 years? “Oh, yeah,”
Instead, the City Council-endorsed plan amendment to the charter is necessary surely will hear from more if the referen- Jeffries said. “If everything stays on track,
promises to make Vero better by trans- and that parcel isn’t included in the refer- dum passes. Then they’ll whittle the list you should see dirt moving in five years.”
forming 33 acres of riverfront property, endum. down and solicit proposals.
now occupied by an abandoned power That’s assuming future City Councils
plant and outdated wastewater treatment Is there any chance city voters will reject “That’s going to be a lengthy process,” don’t get in the way. City Council members
facility that eventually will be relocated, the plan and vote “no” on the referendum? City Planning Director Jason Jeffries said. serve two-year terms, and the elections for
into a special venue that will be celebrated the five seats are staggered, which means
for decades. Anything’s possible, of course, and ref- While the city will protect its interests, power can shift almost annually.
erendums do sometimes fail. But there’s a Jeffries said, officials also understand the
“I’m 100 percent for this project,” Vice good feel to this one, a positive community project must be a worthwhile endeavor for Jeffries, however, said support for
Mayor Rey Neville said before the City buzz that makes me believe this is the right the developer, too. the project has been “pretty consistent”
Council’s vote. plan at the right time in the right place. throughout his four years here.
That’s why the hotel remains in the plan
All of us should be. Despite the naysaying and what-iffing and there was no reduction in the length of “It’s an exciting time,” Jeffries said. “I like
Imagine a wildly popular, some- we heard from the plan’s opponents – they the lease. where we’re headed.”
times-festive community gathering place argued a hotel wasn’t necessary, traffic
on the mainland’s riverfront – as can be congestion would become problematic, “We need the hotel to make it a destina- But we’re not even halfway there.
found in Sebastian, Fort Pierce, Jensen the community lacked the demographics tion and generate additional business for There’s still plenty of time for something
Beach and Stuart – that includes a re- to support it, and developers shouldn’t be the restaurants and shops,” Jeffries said, to go wrong, especially as we move through
sort-style hotel, plazas with restaurants trusted with a 99-year lease – there’s no adding that the hotel would probably offer the next five years and we see new faces on
and retail shops, a day-dock marina and good reason to not enthusiastically em- 150 to 200 rooms and banquet facilities. the City Council, which has a long history
picturesque walking promenade. brace this project. “We also heard concerns about the 99-year of getting bogged down.
Now imagine those wonderful amenities lease, but developers need that type of We can’t let that happen, and I don’t
in a tree-lined, park-like setting in which Not only has the City Council reached commitment to get their financing.” think we will – now that so many people
green space covers half of the property. out to all sectors of the community, includ- agree Vero Beach needs a riverfront desti-
And that’s just on the north side of the ing county residents outside Vero Beach Another issue brought forth at last nation where we can dine and drink, stroll
17th Street Bridge. and young people, but it also has conduct- week’s City Council meeting was the fate and shop, and enjoy meeting neighbors
On the south side, current home of the ed this process in the most welcoming and of the now-idle power plant, affectionately and newcomers.
city’s wastewater treatment plant, the plan transparent way. known as “Big Blue,” and whether the un- I think the referendum will pass, the city
envisions a Youth Sailing Foundation train- sightly 60-year-old building could be re- will find the right developer and the river-
ing and competition facility, recreational Based on the feedback the city has re- purposed into a hotel. front will become something special.
amenities and cultural areas, including a ceived, most folks agree that we need such At age 63, I think I’ll live to see it. And
performance stage. a development, especially with newcomers It’s in the plan, but the ultimate decision hopefully, it will have a much better name
The third corner – a 4.3-acre parcel on still pouring into the county and limited rests with the developer. by then. 
the southwest corner of Indian River Bou- waterfront dining and drinking options on
levard and 17th Street, where Florida Power the island. “You’re still a few years away from see-
& Light built a substation on the southern ing anything happening on that site – if
half of the property – is not included in the Is there risk? This is Florida, where the
plan but could become part of the project economy goes through periods of boom
if needed. and bust, so we could experience tough
That decision, though, will be made by the times. But this is also Vero Beach, which
project’s developer, which will be chosen by tends to recover from downturns much
the City Council if Vero Beach voters approve quicker than other parts of the state.
the master plan in a Nov. 8 referendum.
Specifically, voters will be asked to It’s worth the gamble.
amend the City Charter by changing the As for the other concerns expressed by
opponents: There’s nothing on the list that
can’t be addressed in advance.
Our city officials have managed this pro-
cess exceptionally well, given the challeng-
es presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,

COVID UPDATE even months, the virus is handily spread-
ing throughout schools, clubs and work-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 places.

ping to 24 per week from 31 the previous Indian River County remained at or be-
seven days. low the 10 percent positivity rate mark for
nearly 10 weeks from late September to
Though the number of new cases doc- mid-December, the brief respite between
umented by the health department has Delta and Omicron.
plummeted 65 percent from our all-time
high of 2,225 on Jan. 13 to 758 on the Feb. Since March 2020, more than 31,000
3 report, Indian River County still sits at a locals have tested positive for COVID-19,
20 percent positivity rate – meaning one making up roughly 20 percent of the coun-
out of five people tested get a positive test ty’s population.
result – and community spread is still char-
acterized as high by the CDC. Some 76 percent, or 117,000 Indian Riv-
er County residents, have been vaccinated
Public health officials throughout the against the virus.
pandemic have used a 10 percent positiv-
ity rate as a reference point for COVID-19 The two age groups with the most infec-
spread becoming serious in a community, tions reported are 25 to 34 years old, and 55
so until Indian River County is safely in to 64 years old, which together make up 28
the single digits for a stretch of weeks or percent of all cases. The 65 to 74 age group
and the 75-plus age group each account for
10 percent of cases. 

4 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS www.veronews.com

Bling, cars, luxury hotels figure in trial of caregivers for elderly couple

By Lisa Zahner | Staff Writer bought from Piercing Pagoda total- Michelina Martinelli told police she and lingerie from Victoria’s Secret. They
[email protected] ing $3,889. Then there were two iPhones thought the CNAs were charging items are accused of charging cosmetic sur-
at $719 each, three Apple watches rang- for her husband to their own cred- gery, legal bills and buying gold by the
A staggering amount of evidence is ing in price from $329 to $399 each, and it cards, so she would ask them how ounce for an investment.
expected to be used later this month a smart television set from Best Buy. much they spent and reimburse them by
against former home-health nursing check, without asking for receipts. Indian River Shores Deputy Chief
assistant Chiquita LaShae McGee when There were also $3,247 in Avis and Mark Shaw said only Det. Bennett, who
she goes on trial for exploiting an elder- Budget car rentals, $9,213 in luxury and The CNAs were fired from Indian Riv- joined the Shores’ force after a long ca-
ly John’s Island couple for 10 months in exotic car rentals including a Rolls Royce er Home Health after the Martinellis’ reer with the Vero Beach Police Depart-
2017. from MPH Car Club, a $1,369 stay at The daughter reported them. Susan Shea ment, is expected to testify at the trial,
Plaza in New York, two nights at The also filed a Florida Healthcare Provider but he praised everyone who worked to
Assistant State Attorney Lev Evans re- Bentley hotel in Miami for $1,012, plus Complaint with the state. build the case.
cently sent the court a list of allegedly $1,702 in home furnishings from Own It
fraudulent credit-card transactions – to- Now. Three Indian River Shores Public Safe- “Ken and our team of investigators
taling more than $115,000 – that he in- ty officers worked to assemble the ev- put a phenomenal amount of time and
tends to enter into evidence at trial. But the most confounding purchas- idence that led to an arrest warrant for energy into this case. Ultimately, we
es made with the credit cards of two McGee and Shepherd in January 2018. hope to get closure for the victim and
The arrest warrant affidavit accuses 80-somethings were racked up on 47 Det. Ken Barrett, Sgt. Kip Benham, and family,” Shaw said.
McGee of taking pleasure trips to New trips to Champs Sporting Goods, where Det. Rodney Grass conducted inter-
York and Miami, and purchasing pricey a total of $19,262 worth of merchandise views, gathered bank records and inter- Prosecutor Evans said he expects the
electronics, gold jewelry, sporting goods was charged. viewed store employees where McGee trial – his last case before he retires – to
and apparel for herself and for family and Shepherd are accused of making span one week. McGee’s private defense
members. Court records say McGee and her fraudulent charges on the Martinellis’ attorney, James Regan of Fort Pierce, a
co-defendant and sister, Sophia Monae credit cards. former prosecutor and colleague of Evans,
The credit card charges on the list Shepherd (aka Sophia Brown), were au- was not available Monday for comment.
don’t seem to fit the lifestyle of McGee’s thorized to use a credit card to buy nec- Not surprisingly given their more than
patients, 89-year-old Alfred Martinelli essary items for Alfred Martinelli. But $19,000 in purchases, the Champs store McGee’s co-defendant Shepherd re-
and his wife, then-86-year-old Micheli- police say that plan went awry due to manager remembered and positively cently changed defense attorneys, de-
na Martinelli. Vero Beach internist Dr. Michelina Martinelli’s dementia. identified McGee and Shepherd, as did laying her trial.
Garrick Kantzler is expected to testify other store clerks.
that both had dementia at the time, and The investigation found not only the Attorney Bob Stone had to bow out
it was noted in their medical records. credit card purchases, but also $85,000 Arrest documents say the CNAs also due to a chronic health problem, so
in checks made out to McGee from the charged a Carnival cruise to the Baha- Shepherd is being represented by As-
First on the list of purchases are Martinellis’ bank account. Confused, mas, a diamond ring from Zales Jewelers sistant Public Defender Dorothy Nau-
18 gold chains, bracelets and charms mann. 

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Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | LOCAL NEWS February 10, 2022 5

SANDRIDGE ON COURSE ACCEPTING
FOR A NEW CLUBHOUSE NEW PATIENTS!
BY AUTUMN OF 2023
We provide all Primary Care Medical Services
By Ray McNulty | Staff Writer County Administrator Jason Brown and
[email protected] the County Commission agreed. BRUCE MURRAY, MD SANDY POTTER, RN

Barring any setbacks, the county-owned “Whenever you evaluate a building, you Board Certified BA Health Care Administration
and wildly successful Sandridge Golf Club look at all options,” Szpryka said. “It’s like Practice Manager
will have a new 18,000-square-foot club- evaluating a car: You have to decide whether
house – with a restaurant, bar and banquet it’s worth fixing the one you have, or if you’re Home Visits when
facilities – in the fall of 2023. better off buying a new one. Medically Appropriate

The new clubhouse will be built in a “When I evaluated that clubhouse, the
now-vacant area northwest of the existing best option was to build a new one.”
clubhouse, which will remain operational
until the new place opens and then be lev- The new clubhouse will be equipped
eled to create an expanded golf-cart staging with a commercial-grade kitchen and two
area and additional parking. banquet rooms, each of which will seat 100
people, as well as a restaurant and bar. It also
In fact, the architectural design approved will have a covered porch and 5,000-square-
by the County Commission last week would foot event lawn for outdoor festivities.
increase Sandridge’s parking capacity from
80 to 206 vehicles. The banquet facility will overlook the 18th
green of the Lakes Course, and the restau-
The plan also includes construction of a rant and bar will overlook the 10th green.
new 1,100-square-foot turn station imme-
diately east of the practice green. The facil- “We do over 40 golf events a year, but we
ity would offer grab-and-go food service, a don’t have space for 150 people,” Nagy said.
unisex restroom and self-service breezeway “With the snack bar we have now, we can
where golfers can get water and ice. handle 60 people indoors and 70 outdoors.
But it’s just a snack bar.
According to longtime Sandridge golf di-
rector Bela Nagy, county officials are expect- “The new clubhouse will provide us with
ed to begin seeking bids from construction full banquet facilities,” he added. “We also
firms in July and hope to break ground on expect to attract new opportunities, such as
the $5.5 million project early this fall. weddings and other parties.

The clubhouse project will be funded “This gives us the ability to have more
by user fees generated by Sandridge. If the events and generate more revenue.”
user-fee funds aren’t enough to cover the
initial costs, the county will borrow money More than 112,000 rounds of golf were
from another fund and Sandridge will pay it played on Sandridge’s two courses – the oth-
back using future revenues generated by the er is the Dunes – during the 2020-21 fiscal
club. year. As the county continues to grow, Nagy
said he expects his numbers to do the same,
“I’m excited,” Nagy said. “I’ve been here adding, “We’re experiencing an incredible
for 27 years, and I’m not planning to go any- surge in activity.”
where, but this will be my legacy.”
Acknowledging Sandridge’s success, the
Nagy said discussions about renovating County Commission unanimously sup-
and expanding Sandridge’s existing club- ported moving forward with the project
house, which was built in 1992, began six last week. “The Sandridge location certain-
years ago. It was during those talks that ly has proven to be one of the more covet-
County Public Works Director Rich Szpryka, ed governmentally operated golf courses in
after evaluating the aging structure, recom- the state,” Commissioner Joe Flescher said.
mended it be replaced. “This shot in the arm will only improve its
value and operations.” 

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6 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

‘Valve-in-valve’ heart valve replacement now available here

By Kerry Firth | Correspondent cardiologist Dr. Vikranth Gongidi. were meant to last about
As a general cardiologist, Dr. Gongidi that long, and now with
“The A-Team of cardiologists at Cleveland people living longer the
Clinic Indian River Hospital literally saved coordinated the A-Team of doctors that in- valves are no longer ef-
my life,” said David Wallace, who last De- cluded Dr. Mariano Brizzio, an interven- fective. It’s a hard thing
cember became the first patient to undergo tional cardiologist, and cardiac surgeon Dr. to do because once
an advanced “valve-in-valve” heart valve re- Carlos Lengua-Gonzales. Together they de- you open the chest to
placement procedure at the hospital. termined that Wallace’s previously replaced do valve replacement,
valve was not functioning properly and there’s a lot of scar tissue
After he was admitted to the emergen- needed to be replaced once again. underneath and to go
cy room with pneumonia, the emergen- back in is always risky.
cy doctors determined Wallace’s heart “Mr. Wallace had an artificial heart valve
function was only 20 percent of what it that had been put in 10 years ago and, un- “In his case we col-
should have been, and he was referred to fortunately, it was failing,” Dr. Gongidi lectively decided that
explained. “Most of these artificial valves a newer, less invasive
procedure called valve-
in-valve replacement David Wallace and
was the best solution for Dr. Vikranth Gongidi.
Mr. Wallace. Normal-
ly we would have sent PHOTO: KAILA JONES
him down to Miami
or Gainesville or some
other University Cen-
ter. But with our highly
qualified team, we knew
we could do it here in his
hometown.”

Valve-in-valve (ViV)
transcatheter mitral
valve replacement is
performed by implant-

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH February 10, 2022 7

ing a transcatheter heart valve within a cedure, patients here can be treated locally,
failing bio prosthetic valve. “It allows us with family members close by, walk out of
to insert a new valve made from pig or the hospital in five to seven days, and go
cow tissue into the old valve without ever home to familiar surroundings.
opening the chest,” Dr. Gongidi said.
Dr. Gongidi emphasized the importance
The procedure is done in the operating the comprehensive team approach used at
room with the patient anesthetized and the hospital. This procedure required the
put on a ventilator. The surgeon makes care and expertise of a general cardiologist,
a small incision in the femoral artery in an interventional cardiologist and a highly
the right groin area and inserts a catheter skilled cardiac surgeon with specialized
into the heart and makes a small hole to training in valve-in-valve replacement. No
cross the atrium from the right side to the one doctor could have done it alone.
left side. The surgeon then enters from
the top down to put the new valve into “The doctors made me feel comfort-
the old failing valve. able throughout the entire process,” Wal-
lace said. “The entire team sat down with
Once the new valve is placed and ex- me and went over all the particulars and
panded, it pushes the old valve leaflets out risk factors and ultimately ended up sav-
of the way and the tissue in the replace- ing my life.
ment valve takes over the job of regulating
the blood flow. Typically, the patient will “Not only were they able to do the sur-
spend less time in the hospital after this gery, but they were prepared for the emer-
procedure compared to more invasive sur- gency that happened when I went into car-
gical valve replacement. diac shock after the procedure, and they
had to take me back into the operating room
“I liken the valve-in-valve replacement to insert a temporary heart pump.
procedure to a set of Russian dolls where
you put one doll inside another,” Dr. Gon- “I could hear them barking orders like
gidi said. “Over time there’s a limit to how they were prepared for this. I was terrified,
many valves can be inserted based on the but then I could breathe again, and I felt an
patient’s anatomy and the size of their inner peace. When I was returned to my
heart. The valves come in different sizes, so hospital room I saw a beautiful rainbow out
we take multiple pictures with ultrasounds my window and knew I had been blessed.
and CT scans of the chest to measure the
valve area. We do our best to estimate the “These doctors are heroes to me and
size, but we do have different sizes at our without their expertise I wouldn’t be here.
disposal if we have to size up or down.” My son is getting married next week, and
I will be there. I am forever grateful to the
Valve-in-valve replacement patients re- doctors and staff at Cleveland Clinic Indian
quire extensive post-operative care and River Hospital. My heart is functioning at
physical rehabilitation, so they need a solid about 35 percent now and improving, and I
support system, which makes local treat- feel like I’m good for another 10 years or so.”
ment advantageous. It would have caused
added emotional and financial strain for Dr. Vikranth Gongidi completed his un-
the Wallace family if he had been sent to a dergraduate studies at the University of
distant facility for the operation. Now, with North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and his in-
Cleveland Clinic Indian River doing the pro- ternal medicine internship and residency
at Botsford Hospital in Farmington Hills,
Michigan. He went on to complete his car-
diology fellowship at the University of
Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in
Stradford, New Jersey. He can be reached
at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospi-
tal’s Health and Wellness Center, 3450 11th
Court, Vero Beach. He also sees patients one
day a week at Cleveland Clinic Indian River
Hospital’s Cardiology practice in Sebastian.
Call 772-388-5402 for an appointment. 

8 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH www.veronews.com

How to tell whether you have the flu … and not COVID

By Catherine Roberts versity Medical Center in Nashville. never had a temperature of cent in adults ages 65 to 74 to almost 18
The Washington Post Classically, a flu infection begins not 99 degrees or higher. The percent in adults 85 and older. And stroke,
lack of a high fever – or any kidney disease and neurological complica-
The typical signs of the flu – fever, chills, with respiratory symptoms but with the fever – doesn’t rule out the tions can also occur.
cough – can make a case of this viral illness sudden onset of fever along with some com- possibility of a case of the flu.
tricky to distinguish from other respiratory bination of chills, headaches, muscle and These complications aren’t likely to be
diseases, such as colds and COVID-19, the joint aches, and generally feeling unwell. Vague symptoms, such the first flu symptoms you have, but they
disease caused by the coronavirus. But the Cough, sore throat or runny nose might not as loss of appetite: Some- are one reason it is important to diagnose
flu can also bring some unexpected symp- arrive until later, Schaffner says. times signs of the flu (or a case of the flu early. When treated early
toms, such as stomach problems and pink- other infections) include with antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir
eye, that you might not realize are related. But there also are other, less common flu ambiguous symptoms like (Tamiflu and generic), the chance of severe
symptoms to be alert for, including: losing your appetite or feel- disease is lower. The flu shot also lowers
In one 2018 study published in the Journal ing unusually fatigued, par- your risk of severe effects from the virus. It’s
of the American Geriatrics Society, research- Gastrointestinal problems: Nausea, diar- ticularly in older people. not too late to get your jab. 
ers found that older adults who came to the rhea and vomiting are more commonly seen These types of signs, which
hospital and tested positive for the flu were in children. But they can occur in older adults can also include confusion
less likely to have shown classic signs of flu- as well, Schaffner says. These same signs can or disorientation, are some-
like illness than younger adults. also accompany COVID-19. times noticed first by a person’s companion
or caregiver, Prabaker says. If you lose your
With the flu and COVID-19 both circulat- Conjunctivitis: Many viruses, including appetite or feel abnormally weak, tired or
ing, it’s crucial to check in with your doctor the flu, can cause conjunctivitis (pinkeye) generally unwell, contact your doctor.
about even mild symptoms, in case you need – tearing, burning and reddening of the
a test for one or both. eye. It’s not the most common symptom of Less common complications of the flu:
the flu. But it can be so bothersome that it Bacterial pneumonia is one of the most
“If you’re worried about one, you need to might lead you to miss a case of the flu if common severe complications of the flu, but
be worried about the other,” says Kavitha you pay attention to your eye and overlook the virus can also affect other parts of the
Prabaker, assistant clinical professor in the your cough, Schaffner says. body in serious ways.
division of infectious diseases at the David
Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Low or no fever: Older adults are less likely In a 2020 study of almost 90,000 flu cases
to have a fever (or a high fever) than younger published in the journal Annals of Internal
The problem is, the flu might not look adults with the flu. In one 2015 study pub- Medicine, rates of severe cardiac events,
exactly as you expect, says William Schaff- lished in the journal Influenza and Other Re- such as heart failure, ranged from 12 per-
ner, a professor of preventive medicine spiratory Viruses, out of 184 older adults who
and infectious disease at Vanderbilt Uni- were hospitalized with the flu, 22 percent



10 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | HEALTHY SENIOR

Treatment methods vary for shoulder problems

By Fred Cicetti | Columnist • Compress the painful area to reduce improve range of motion, strengthen mus- the shoulder is often recommended if the in-
swelling. cles and prevent injury. jury does not improve in the first few weeks.
[This is the second of two columns on
shoulder problems.] • Elevate the injured area with a pillow • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stim-
to keep it above the level of the heart. (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and ulation (TENS) with a small battery-oper-
The shoulder is made up of three bones: naproxen are used to reduce pain and ated unit may be used to reduce pain by
the collarbone, the shoulder blade and the Other treatments: swelling. blocking nerve impulses.
upper arm bone. The shoulder is the body’s • Slings are used often to keep an in-
most movable joint. It is also unstable be- jured shoulder in place. • Ultrasound is used to warm deep tis- • When tears are severe, surgery may be re-
cause the ball of the upper arm is larger • After rest, stretching and exercise can sues and improve blood flow. quired but seniors often can be treated with-
than the shoulder socket that holds it. The out surgery for a complete rotator-cuff tear.
unstable shoulder is held in place by soft • An injection of a corticosteroid drug into
tissue: muscles, tendons and ligaments. Here are some easy exercises to strength-
en shoulder muscles and prevent injuries:
Common shoulder problems include
dislocation, separation, torn rotator-cuff, • Attach elastic tubing to a doorknob.
frozen shoulder, fracture, arthritis, ten- Pull the elastic tubing slowly toward your
dinitis and bursitis. The rotator cuff is body. Hold for a count of five. Repeat five
defined as the set of muscles and tendons times with each arm. Perform twice a day.
that secures the arm to the shoulder joint
and permits the arm to rotate. • Lean forward and place your hands on
a wall with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Doctors diagnose shoulder problems by Slowly perform a push-up. Hold for a count of
studying your medical history, giving you five. Repeat five times. Perform twice a day.
a physical examination and performing
tests such as X-rays, ultrasound and mag- • Sit upright in a chair with armrests.
netic resonance imaging (MRI). With your feet touching the floor, use your
arms to rise slowly. Hold for a count of five.
Shoulder problems are most often first Repeat five times. Perform twice a day.
treated with RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression
and Elevation): An aerobic exercise program will help
improve the blood flow to a tendon or
• Rest the shoulder for two days. bursa. This helps reduce soreness. Smok-
• Ice the injured area for 20 minutes, ers should quit smoking so more oxygen
four to eight times per day. reaches the injured tendon. This will help
the injury heal faster. 

Upgraded Central Beach cottage
perfect for raising a family

816 Gayfeather Lane in Central Beach: 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath, 3,085-square-foot home offered
for $2,385,000 by Mike Bottalico, AMAC/Alex MacWilliam Real Estate: 772-538-3937

12 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

Upgraded Central Beach cottage perfect for raising a family

By Stephanie LaBaff | Staff Writer Bottalico, Realtor with Alex MacWilliam The house is nestled among mature oak pantry, wine bar, laundry room, garage
Real Estate. “He blended old with new. It’s trees and lushly landscaping with native access and walk-in pantry are within easy
The Florida-style cottage home at 816 got a lot of personality and character. Every- plants. A wide front porch with plenty of reach of the kitchen.
Gayfeather Lane would be the perfect body that comes in here leaves with a smile space to sit and watch folks take their morn-
place to raise a family. From the quiet, on their face,” said Bottalico. ing walks opens at the apex of the brick- In a separate, defined space off the dining
oak-canopied street in Central Beach to paved circle driveway. room, the kids can watch television while
the two-story casita tucked into the re- Flinchum managed to maintain the their parents entertain in the living room.
sort-like backyard, it’s a spectacular mix charm of the original Florida cottage while Tons of light filters into the living room
A private hallway just off the family room

of comfort and elegance. updating it to create a roomy and efficient through the glass entry door and bay win- allows guests to use the powder room at-
Timothy and Dana Corr purchased space. Quality millwork and finishes, vault- dow at the front of the house. Two distinct tached to the owner’s bathroom when nec-
ed ceilings, white oak plank floors and seating areas – one at the front window and essary. A pocket door separates the spaces
the home several years ago from custom crown molding are paired with subtle de- the other by the gas fireplace bracketed by so when the owners are in residence, they
home-builder Russell Flinchum, who had tails just as relevant today as they were 40 built-ins – add functionality to the space. can come and go through both sides of the
updated the property and raised his chil- years ago. generous space directly into the bedroom
dren there, according to listing agent Mike French doors at the rear of the room open or through the cedar-lined, walk-through
onto the screened lanai so you can enjoy the closet and changing room.
breeze and views of the lovely backyard oa-
sis. “The home lives a lot larger than it is be- The private portion of the bathroom has
cause you have all this outdoor space,” says a walk-in shower, vanity, second toilet and
Bottalico. sink. A door in the closet leads to a screened-
in, outdoor shower and bathtub sequestered
With the open concept, L-shaped floor- behind a bamboo wall and surrounded by
plan and the screened patio across the rear lush landscaping for complete privacy.
of the house, the home’s design works per-
fectly with a split bedroom layout. The spacious owner’s suite has a large bay
window with a window seat, overhead stor-
The living room, dining room, kitchen age space and an office behind open shut-
and family room provide a natural buf- ters that create a semi-private space that
fer between the two guest bedrooms and can also be used as a sitting room or as a
shared bath on the eastern side of the house nursery, which is how the Corrs used it. This
and the owner’s suite, which occupies the room opens onto the screened lanai but has
rear western side of the home. just enough separation from the rest of the
area for added privacy.
Just off the front entry, the chef’s kitch-
en boasts high-end appliances, a farm- The backyard was well-used by the Corrs
house sink, tile backsplash and granite and their children. The lanai gave them a
countertops. The dining room, butler’s

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E February 10, 2022 13

space to play no matter the weather, and the of wine. The Bali-inspired bathroom has such close proximity to the beachside shop- the best, especially on these streets. Iris and
backyard was a never-ending source of fam- a separate entrance, ensuring its use as a ping and dining district. He walks to work, Hibiscus are not through streets, so the kids
ily fun. The children spent endless hours pool bath won’t cause interlopers to disrupt goes to Sailfish, takes the kids for ice cream can ride their bikes up and down the street
frolicking in the pool and playing games in guests staying in the casita. or to Humiston Park. “It’s like having an every day, and you don’t have to worry about
an area where they laid AstroTurf. extension of your backyard. The location is them.” 
Corr says he has greatly enjoyed living in
There’s a space between the casita
and the privacy wall where gas has been
plumbed for a grill and nearby is a full sink
for cookouts or a place to pot plants. On the
pool side of the building, there’s a second
sink and countertop perfect as a wet bar or
snack station.

The two-story casita has an air-condi-
tioned, multiuse space on the first floor,
which the children used as a playroom. A
pair of barn doors opens the room up to the
outdoors. The functionality of this space
is endless as a workshop, art studio, office,
yoga or fitness room. Upstairs, a Juliet bal-
cony allows guests to sit and enjoy a glass

816 GAYFEATHER LANE

Neighborhood:
Central Beach

Year built: 1980
Lot Size: 100 feet by 122 feet

Home size: 3,085 sq. ft.
Construction: Concrete block

Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3 full baths and

1 half-bath

View: Garden
Pool: Swimming pool with
fountain and swim out bench

Additional features: Vault-
ed ceilings; crown molding;
white oak plank flooring; gas
fireplace; wine cooler and

wet bar; office; screened
lanai; two-car garage; guest
casita; outdoor shower and
tub; irrigation well; propane
tank; security system; storm
shutters; fountain; new Ow-
en’s Corning 30-year shingle
roof; and two new A/C units.

Listing agency: AMAC
Alex MacWilliam Real Estate

Listing agent: Mike Bottalico,
772-538-3937

Listing price: $2,385,000

14 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTATE www.veronews.com

MAINLAND REAL ESTATE SALES: JAN. 31 THROUGH FEB. 4

TOP SALES OF THE WEEK

Another moderately busy week for mainland real estate sales saw 40 transactions of single-family
residences reported (some shown below).
The top sale of the week was in Vero Beach, where the 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom residence at 1665
E Rosewood Court – first listed in December for $795,000 – sold for $750,000 on Feb. 1.
Representing both the seller and the buyer in the transaction was agent Robert Chaffee of Vista
Plantation Realty.

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS

ORIGINAL SELLING
PRICE
TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD
$750,000
VERO BEACH 1665 E ROSEWOOD CT 12/6/2021 $795,000 2/1/2022 $575,000
VERO BEACH 5426 ARABELLA LN 1/9/2022 $575,000 1/31/2022 $569,000
VERO BEACH 6535 36TH LN 10/18/2021 $569,000 1/31/2022 $520,000
VERO BEACH 7137 E VILLAGE SQ 12/30/2021 $530,000 1/31/2022 $439,000
VERO BEACH 5980 MANZANITA WAY 9/1/2021 $435,000 2/3/2022 $400,000
VERO BEACH 491 S KEY LIME SQ SW 10/5/2021 $410,000 1/31/2022 $385,000
VERO BEACH 1546 LEXINGTON SQ SW 12/19/2021 $399,900 1/31/2022 $379,500
SEBASTIAN 625 ROSELAND RD 8/10/2021 $369,000 2/3/2022 $375,000
VERO BEACH 7644 15TH ST 12/15/2021 $375,000 2/1/2022 $364,000
VERO BEACH 1539 LEXINGTON SQ SW 12/8/2021 $350,000 2/1/2022 $355,000
SEBASTIAN 7490 131ST ST 1/6/2022 $339,900 2/4/2022 $340,000
SEBASTIAN 114 DRAKE WAY 9/24/2021 $399,950 1/31/2022 $335,000
VERO BEACH 3227 ANTHEM WAY 12/26/2021 $335,000 1/31/2022 $325,000
SEBASTIAN 112 ALHAMBRA AVE 12/14/2021 $315,000 1/31/2022 $320,000
SEBASTIAN 841 GARDENIA ST 11/24/2021 $315,000 1/31/2022 $317,500
VERO BEACH 817 GREENLEAF CIR 12/6/2021 $340,000 2/4/2022 $309,000
VERO BEACH 2431 20TH AVE 11/30/2021 $329,000 2/2/2022 $300,000
VERO BEACH 6235 60TH CT 10/18/2021 $350,000 1/31/2022 $285,000
VERO BEACH 736 19TH PL SW 1/16/2022 $284,900 2/2/2022 $277,500
VERO BEACH 1542 PAR CT 12/22/2021 $265,000 2/4/2022 $262,000
VERO BEACH 9985 E VILLA CIR 12/20/2021 $255,000 1/31/2022 $250,000
VERO BEACH 2551 STOCKBRIDGE SQ SW 12/21/2021 $250,000 2/4/2022 $245,000
VERO BEACH 5560 59TH TER 12/7/2021 $295,000 1/31/2022 $235,000
VERO BEACH 2075 56TH AVE 12/15/2021 $220,000 1/31/2022 $235,000
VERO BEACH 1525 19TH AVE SW 11/15/2021 $239,900 2/4/2022 $224,000
VERO BEACH 1700 42ND SQ UNIT#101 12/16/2021 $230,000 1/31/2022 $215,000
VERO BEACH 626 20TH PL SW 9/27/2021 $235,000 1/31/2022 $199,000
VERO BEACH 535 23RD AVE 11/16/2021 $199,000 1/31/2022 $198,000
VERO BEACH 2800 INDIAN RIVER BLVD UNIT#J8 12/19/2021 $205,000 1/31/2022 $189,000
VERO BEACH 1170 6TH AVE UNIT#20C 10/6/2021 $189,900 2/1/2022

ATTENTION RETIRED
REPORTERS AND/OR EDITORS

Bored with bridge? Weary of Wordle? Tired of talking to the dog?
Vero Beach 32963 is looking for highly experienced retired journalists interested in fulltime
or parttime work – as little as a day or two a week – helping us cover our special community.

Unlike other TC publications, we do NOT hire kids just out of school
who think social media is journalism.

We have always sought out top-tier reporters from major news organizations,
and are hoping Vero may be home to a couple of bored retirees ready
to demonstrate they still have “the right stuff.”

If you have a strong newspaper background and are interested in exploring this further,
please send an email outlining your credentials and interests to [email protected], and

we will get back to you. Please, no texts or phone calls.
Milton R. Benjamin, Publisher

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | REAL ESTAT E February 10, 2022 15

TOP RECENT INDIAN RIVER COUNTY REAL ESTATE SALES.

5426 Arabella Ln, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 1/9/2022
Original Price: $575,000
Sold: 1/31/2022
Selling Price: $575,000
Listing Agent: Kristine Gabor

Selling Agent: ONE Sotheby’s Int’l Realty

Thomas Yates

Treasure Coast Realty LLC

6535 36th Ln, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 10/18/2021
Original Price: $569,000
Sold: 1/31/2022
Selling Price: $569,000
Listing Agent: Amanda Brown

Selling Agent: Keller Williams Realty

Jeffrey Allen

Alex MacWilliam, Inc.

7137 E Village Sq, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 12/30/2021
Original Price: $530,000
Sold: 1/31/2022
Selling Price: $520,000
Listing Agent: John DiGirolomo

Selling Agent: Billero & Billero Properties

Jennifer Ciecwierz

Keller Williams Realty

5980 Manzanita Way, Vero Beach

Listing Date: 9/1/2021
Original Price: $435,000
Sold: 2/3/2022
Selling Price: $439,000
Listing Agent: Beth Livers

Selling Agent: Berkshire Hathaway Florida

Jill Slowik

Redfin Corporartion



Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | YOUR HEALTH February 10, 2022 B1

ADVANCED HEART VALVE 6 QUILT GUILD’S UNIQUE B6 LACEY: A SHY BUT B12
REPLACEMENT HERE ART DRAWS RAVES FASCINATING FELINE

Coming Up ‘I JUST KEEP EXPLORING’

BLUES & BBQ FEST CREE SCUDDER CHERISHES AN ARTFUL LIFE
HEADLINES VERO’S
MUSICAL WEEKEND PAGE B2

By Pam Harbaugh | Correspondent

1 The rhythm is definitely
“gonna get you” this weekend
in the Vero Beach area. The Vero
Beach Blues & BBQ Festival makes
its debut Feb. 12-13 at the Indian
River County Fairgrounds. This is
the event where you put aside those
resolutions to diet and plunge whole
hog into the incredible barbecue
and more served up southern style
by a host of vendors. Said vendors
will also be selling cold adult bever-
ages including beer and full liquor
bar selections. There will be a full
roster of musical artists hitting the
stage all during the festival. Satur-
day’s lineup begins 11:30 a.m. and
includes David Julia, Z-Tones Band,
Ellie Lee Band, J.P. Soars, the Joel
DeSilva Band, the Eric Culberson
Band and Selwyn Birchwood, who
takes the stage at 8:15 p.m. Rolling
Stone magazine hailed Birchwood
as “a remarkable, contemporary
bluesman … a powerhouse.” Sun-
day’s lineup begins at 11:15 a.m.

and includes the Front Porch Blues
Band, the Blues Crusaders, Joe Sur-
vival Caruso and the Dave Scott
Band, which takes the stage at 3:30
p.m. There will also be arts and
crafts vendors on hand, as organiz-
ers say to “expect the unexpected.”
Admission to the festival is $5 per
person. You can purchase them at
the gate with cash or credit card.
Children 12 years of age and young-
er are admitted free. Parking is free.

CONTINUED ON PAGE B5

B2 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com

‘I just keep exploring’

Cree Scudder
cherishes an

artful life

BY ELLEN FISCHER | COLUMNIST Cree Scudder. Raised in Coconut Grove, Fla., Cree
attended prep school through 12th grade
Painter and collage artist Cree Scudder PHOTOS: KAILA JONES at Miami’s Ransom Everglades School
relocated to Vero Beach in 2017, after a where, as an engaging girl with a wide
38-year sojourn in La Jolla, Calif., by way smile and a creative bent, her high school
of Princeton, N.J., where she met her hus- artistic endeavors involved, as she puts
band, Ned Scudder.

Join us for Sunday Worship
8:30, 9:30 and 11:00 AM

Quality discipleship, fellowship, music,
youth programs, and more - for all ages!
We would love for you to join our church family!

Sunday, February 13th

This week’s message:
“Minimizing the Woes of Life”

Luke 6:17-26

Dr. G. Timothy Womack, Senior Pastor

520 Royal Palm Blvd First Presbyterian Preschool
Vero Beach, FL 32960 www.firstpresbyterianpreschool.org
(772) 562-9088 PRIMO School of Performing Arts
www.FirstPresVero.org
www.PRIMOMusic.org

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE February 10, 2022 B3

it, “poster making, things like that.” That was in 1976; the couple married two a computer. You had to do keyboard and good training for when I began painting,
When it came time to go to college, Cree years later. Four years into the marriage, proofreading, graphic design and paste- years later.”
Cree had the opportunity to own and man- up, and then send the galleys to the cli-
was set to attend her father’s alma mater, age Optima Typesetting Inc., a typesetting ent,” says Cree. After 14 years in the business, the
the University of Florida, in Gainesville. and graphic design firm in nearby Kings- Scudders moved lock, stock and barrel to
ton, N.J., that she says was the real begin- Her clients were businesses that pub- La Jolla, where the next phase of Cree’s art
Smiling, she recalls her father’s decree: ning of her art training. lished annual reports, advertising bro- education commenced. She took a few art
“I think it will be a fine spot for you, Cree.” chures and catalogs. classes at the University of California in
“Ours was a studio that had keyboard nearby San Diego, and also studied with
However, when Cree suggested that she operators. That was before you had op- “I didn’t paint, but creatively I did learn professional artists in other venues.
wanted to study art at UF, her father put his portunities to just run something through that there is a certain amount of artistic
foot down. knowledge to typesetting,” she says. “It was “I did everything I could to get just as
much exposure as possible to find out
“Dad said, absolutely not! You are going about art,” she says.
into business.”
Cree and Ned became involved mem-
Cree has a strong streak of pragmatism; to bers with the San Diego Museum of Con-
please herself and her father, she settled on temporary Art and the Stuart Collection
a B.S. in journalism. The outgoing Scudder – an outdoor collection of contemporary
decided that with her tendency to “get in- sculpture on the campus of UC San Diego,
volved with things,” her journalism degree attending as many programs, lectures and
would give her access to the interesting peo- exhibitions as possible.
ple, places and events that awaited her.
They also began collecting art by the
By the time she graduated in 1974, her California-based artists they met, in-
mother had remarried and was living in cluding Manny Farber (1917-2008), Phil-
Princeton. She invited her daughter to ip Petrie and Reed Cardwell (1955-2013).
come up and “look around,” says Cree. The latter, who had studied under Nathan
Oliveira, became a mentor to Cree.
Cree soon got a job in the press office
of the McCarter Theatre on the campus of “Reed inspired me. He said, ‘Cree you
Princeton University, where she met Ned have to keep going. You know you can do
Scudder, who knew a thing or two about this.’ He would talk to me, and instructors
journalism, himself. don’t really talk to their students, in my
experience.”
Ned’s paternal great-grandfather found-
ed the Newark Evening News in 1883, and Paintings by Cardwell are prominent-
his father and uncle operated the paper un- ly displayed in the couple’s living room,
til its sale in 1970. among many other beloved artworks that
the Scudders collected in unison.
At the time Cree fell in love with him,
Ned was founding a brand-new maga- CONTINUED ON PAGE B4
zine, New Jersey Monthly, with three other
Princeton graduates.

B4 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE www.veronews.com

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B3 own art game. “You think, well, I could try Ned, however, had no such memories of entry to the VBAC’s “Art by the Sea” exhi-
doing that. It’s not going to be just the same, life in Florida, and relied on Cree to have bition at the Vero Beach Museum of Art,
“We are pretty careful about what we but I can do it the way I want to do it.” the right intuition about moving here. and two other works were at the framer
want to purchase. It has to be something for display the VBAC Annex and Gallery
that we really feel we need to have,” she says. After 38 years in California, the Scudders “I just assumed it would all be OK. It’s on 14th Street.
returned home to Vero Beach, considered been wonderful. My sister is here, too,” she
There is a lot of art to see in their house. by Cree as her second childhood home. says. “Our next-door neighbor from Coco- Cree has exhibited at Raw Space and at
Although the paintings and three-dimen- nut Grove lives on the water; she and my the Environmental Learning Center, and
sional artworks live in close proximity to “Both of my grandparents, my father’s sister are best friends. We have this little the clubhouse gallery at Orchid Island Golf
one another, it is a harmonious family. McDougal side and my mother’s Dodge enclave going here.” and Beach Club has also been a venue for
A visiting art lover feels entirely at home side, had homes here in Vero Beach. My her work. In 2020 Cree cast her net further;
and would be content to visit the collec- mother and father each came home from Vero has welcomed Cree back with that year her work was accepted for the
tion for hours, with Cree as the enthusias- college to Vero and happened to meet open arms. As an artist she has exhibit- 34th Annual All Florida Juried Exhibition
tic docent for each piece. one another here. That was our lives,” ed in group and solo shows with the Vero in Fort Myers.
she says, adding that she and her siblings Beach Art Club. As this article was being
Surrounded by the works of others, spent many holidays here. written she was preparing to deliver her In part to dodge Florida’s hurricane sea-
Cree is continuously inspired to up her

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | ARTS & THEATRE February 10, 2022 B5

son, the couple escapes to upstate New York CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 3 With Valentine’s Day around the Emerson Center. The musicians are all the
every summer. This summer Cree’s work corner, you might want to make actual performers who played with groups
will be part of a three-person show at the The Vero Beach Blues & BBQ Festival runs 11 plans to take those loved ones to the Val- like Foreigner, Journey, Styx, the Hoot-
Blu Seed Gallery in Saranac Lake, which a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, and 11 a.m. entine Pops Concert this Saturday, Feb. 12, ers, Steely Dan, Cheap Trick, the Rascals,
has carried her work for several years. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13 at the Indian at the Community Church of Vero Beach. Alan Parsons, Three Dog Night, Cream,
River County Fairgrounds, 7955 58th Ave., The concert features soprano Rachel Car- Grand Funk and even the Who. This is a
At present Cree is working in collage, a Vero Beach. For more information, call 772- multi-media concert so expect it to be a lot
mode and medium informed by her ability 492-6105 or visit VeroBluesFest.com. ter Murphy and the Festival Pops Orches- of fun as musicians share memories about
to compose on rectangle and square from tra performing romantic works of Bern- rock history. The Hit Men group has been
back in the days at her typesetting com- 2 The Indian River Symphonic Associ- stein, Lahar, Guettel, Puccini, Menotti, recognized by the Musicians Hall of Fame
pany. The quality of her craft, the cleanly ation presents the Russian National Horner and the Beatles. The conductor is and Museum in Nashville and received its
glued bits of paper on substrates of paper, Orchestra, which will be performing as the Andrew Galuska, the church’s director of inaugural “Road Warriors Award.” It is pre-
canvas or board, pays homage to the hours Palm Beach Symphony, on Thursday in Vero music and fine arts. The concert begins at sented by Live! from Vero Beach. It begins 7
she spent doing paste-up long ago. Beach. The concert will feature works by 7 p.m. at the Community Church of Vero p.m. at the Emerson Center, 1590 27th Ave.,
Beach, 1901 23rd St. Tickets are $25 at the Vero Beach. Tickets are $35 to $80. For more
Instead of blocks of type, however, there Russian composers. It will be led by Maestro door. Masks are recommended regardless information, call 800-595-4849 or visit Mu-
are arrangements of cut paper quadrilat- Gerard Schwarz and feature pianist William of vaccination status. For more informa- sicWorksConcerts.com.
erals in a myriad of color and pattern, tex- Wolfram, who will play Rachmaninoff’s Pia- tion, call 772-562-3633 or visit CCoVB.org.
tures and layered thicknesses galore. In her no Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18. Also on 5 The 12th Annual Motor Car Exhi-
geometric abstractions, Cree is mindful the program is Lyadov’s Kikimora, Op. 63 and 4 Sink back into some great rock bition will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
to leave negative space between her cut Shostakovitch’s Symphony No. 5 in D minor, and roll when the Hit Men take Saturday, Feb. 12 at the McKee Botanical
shapes to give the eye plenty of room to Op. 47. The concert begins 7:30 p.m. Thurs- the stage Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Gardens. There will be 40 amazing cars
wander through them. Some of her compo- day, Feb. 10, at the Community Church of on display throughout the garden. They
sitions are complex; others, especially the Vero Beach, 1901 23rd St. Tickets are $85. Call include a rare 1958 Ferrari California Spy-
small square ones, are more restrained. 772-778-1070 or visit IRSymphonic.org. der, a 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Spe-
ciale and a 1984 Ferrari BB 512i. You can
“I don’t want any one element to take see all these with your regular ticket to the
over the collage. I need to be sensitive about gardens. Tickets are $15 general, $13 for se-
that. I love to put strange things in my com- niors 65 years and older, $13 for children
positions, like a paint swatch from the paint 13 to 17 years of age, $10 for children 2 to 12
store. I just keep exploring.” years of age, and free to children younger
than two. The McKee Botanical Garden is
Referencing two freshly framed 12-
inch square collages on cradled hard- at 350 U.S. 1, Vero Beach. Call
board that are destined for display at a 772-794-0601 or visit
brand-new gallery in Lake Placid, she McKeeGarden.org. 
says, “These are my favorites. They are
what I want to be: to be colorful and alive
and thoughtful.” 

B6 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE www.veronews.com

And ‘sew’ it goes: Quilt Guild’s unique art draws raves

By Mary Schenkel | Staff Writer sortment of sizes, techniques and ma- with all monies raised donated to the ber art judged by two professionals in
[email protected] terials. Vero Beach Lifeguard Association, the small, medium and large sized pieced,
nonprofit chosen for this show. Mem- appliqued and mixed techniques, as
The impressive display of quilts at In addition to more than 160 quilts, bers have provided items to numerous well as miniature, wool quilted with
the recent Vero Beach Quilt Guild (for- many of museum quality, there were charities over the years, such as sewing batting, wool only, abstract/art and
merly Sunbonnet Sue) Quilt Show at the vendors selling everything from mate- placemats for Meals on Wheels and Our block of the month categories.
Indian River Fairgrounds confirmed rials to longarm sewing machines. And, Father’s Table, fidget quilts for dementia
that quilters are engaged in a complex while many in attendance were quilters, and Alzheimer patients, and quilts and Additionally, Martha Mook exhibited
art form, one that spans multiple con- others came just to view the exhibits. teddy bears for the Indian River County 13 works she created as entries in the
tinents and thousands of generations. Sheriff’s Victim’s Advocate Unit. Hoffman Challenge, using cotton made
“It’s an art. You don’t have to be a by Hoffman California Fabrics. Hoff-
The two-day exhibition, co-chaired quilter to come and admire the quilts,” Baron described the 120 members of man chooses a specific fabric that must
by Cindy Baron and Diane Miller, was said Baron. the guild as “quilters supporting quil- be used in the quilts, whose maximum
itself put together like a patchwork ters. If someone needs help piecing or perimeter must be 160 inches or less.
quilt, showcasing fiber art in a wide as- Guild members had also crafted learning wool quilting or other tech-
items to sell at their Boutique Booth, niques, people will help them out.” “I don’t remember how many I’ve
made; maybe 25 or 26. I designed them
Miller said that while she is a hand all and made them all myself,” said
quilter, Baron prefers working on lon- Mook.
garm machines to create larger works.
“Everybody in the U.S. and Europe
Explaining the process, Baron said, gets the same material, each person,
“You have your quilt top, and you have and you’d be surprised how different
your backing. The warmth of the quilt they are,” said Baron.
is what you put in-between. It’s like
making a sandwich. But you have to Given that the show was benefiting
tie those quilts together somehow. So, the lifeguards, there was also a Tur-
in the old days, the women used to sit tle Challenge, with members creating
around and hand-sew or you would do 20-inch by 20-inch wall hangings that
it on a quilt rack by yourself. Now you needed to contain at least one turtle.
can longarm it on a big machine, or you Those whimsical, colorful quilts were
can pay somebody to do it.” judged by two lifeguard captains.

Women who wished to had their fi- A quilt appraiser was on site, some-
thing Miller said is essential for in-

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | SEEN & SCENE February 10, 2022 B7

Mary Tyro and Patti Bohrer. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES Anne White and Liz Locke. Irene McGlinchey and Laura Myers.

Hearing Loss & Cognitive Decline

Nikki Watkins. Aaron Liebman, Au. D. progression of cognitive decline. decrease noise and increase speech
Doctor of Audiology clarity,” said Liebman. “This more
Margie Averill and Suzanne Wagner. The most common cause of hearing sophisticated computer software
Hearing loss affects nearly half the loss, according to MayoClinic.org, is has provided us with the ability to
surance purposes. For example, she people in the United States older than sensorineural, which occurs when the adjust the hearing aids to provide
explained that without an appraisal, 65. Yet according to the Centers for inner ear, hearing nerves or hearing an acceptable sound quality for our
an insurance company may only reim- Disease Control and Prevention and structures in the brain become patients.”
burse $20 for damage to what they con- Better Hearing Institute, the statistics damaged. In adults, the aging process
sider a blanket, whereas a show quilt for screening are alarming. While is the most common cause of this type “Most people are not aware when they
might actually be valued at thousands 74 percent of adults have their eyes of damage and hearing loss. need help. They’ll often blame it on
of dollars. examined every two years and 63 other people mumbling, background
percent will visit a dentist each year, “First and foremost, my goal as an noise, or say the TV or radio volume
The guild, founded in 1979, garnered only 23 percent of adults receive any Audiologist is to perform a proper is too low,” said Liebman. “So they’re
a lot of attention in 2019 with the raff le form of hearing screening. diagnostic hearing test so I can decide surprised when they get tested and
of its “A Day at the Beach” Centennial whether a patient needs to be referred realize what they can’t hear.”
Celebration Quilt. Research by John Hopkins University to an ear, nose and throat physician for
has confirmed what many audiologists a medical evaluation, or if this is strictly Florida requires licensed audiologists
“After that, we changed our name and physicians have long suspected: a permanent hearing loss that needs to have a doctorate in audiology
from Sunbonnet Sue to the Vero Beach that there is an irrefutable link between help with hearing aids,” Dr. Liebman requiring years of study concerning
Quilt Guild because we’re more recog- hearing loss and cognitive decline. said. “That is what really differentiates hearing, hearing rehabilitation,
nizable that way,” said Baron. In fact, studies have shown that me from a traditional hearing aid anatomy, and function of the
individuals with moderate hearing loss salesman. I’ve got a Doctorate in hearing mechanism and hearing
Although COVID forced the rear- were three times more likely to develop Audiology and my diagnosis is based aid technology. Dr. Liebman utilizes
rangement of their odd-numbered year dementia. “Losing one’s cognitive on years of education, not a few a range of manufacturers and
biennial show, they hope to be back on ability is the No. 1 fear of people of all months of hearing aid salesmanship. technologies and does not believe
track with their next show, tentatively ages,” said Dr. Aaron Liebman, board I will take the time to screen and one manufacturer is “the best.”
scheduled for Feb. 10-11, 2023. Quilters certified audiologist and owner of assess all the data prior to making
of all skill levels meet Thursdays from Aaron’s Hearing Care in Vero Beach. a recommendation for hearing aids. “If we determine that it is not the
about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., currently at St. It’s now scientifically proven that the Even AARP says that you are more best for you, then we’ll change to a
Augustine Episcopal Church. slow onset of hearing loss can have a likely to be successful with a hearing different style or manufacturer to
significant impact on several key brain aid fitting by seeing an audiologist determine which is best for you.”
For more information, call 303-506- functions, including the memory. The than a hearing aid salesman”. “Furthermore”, he adds, “in addition
0456.  proactive management of hearing to providing the best technology
loss may delay or slow down the “In the years just prior to computer possible, it is also vital that the “fitter”
digital and computer programmable understands that technology, so the
hearing aids, differences between chosen hearing aid can benefit the
hearing aids made by different patient at the highest possible level
manufacturers were not significant,” possible, in terms of comfort and
said Liebman, discussing how sound quality.”
hearing aid technology has advanced
and how an audiologist works with If you are a candidate for hearing
patients to ensure they have the aids, you should get them fitted
appropriate device for their needs, properly and wear them consistently
expectations and budget. to stimulate the brain. Early detection
is the key.
“Research discovered that a digital
processing chip could automatically Aaron’s Hearing Care is located at
evaluate more aspects of incoming 925 37th Place in Vero Beach. The
sounds, speech and noise, and make phone number is (772) 562-5100.
decisions on how to adjust itself to

B8 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | DINING www.veronews.com

Super Bowl pairings: Former NFL stars share wine tips

By Dave McIntyre Charles Woodson. Will Blackmon. Drew Bledsoe.
The Washington Post
roots. “I’m a lobster guy, so for me a lobster
Our popular perception of a Super Bowl California wines fittingly called Intercept. event than ever before,” Woodson says. roll is the way to go,” he says. He likes his
party may be defined by television com- He sees Super Bowl parties going upscale Woodson says he likes to dig into a creamy, rolls simple – “just lobster, a roll and butter.
mercials: pretzels, chips and dips, platters because – well, boys with toys. “We’re That goes so well with chardonnay.”
of wings, bowls of chili – casual foods that seeing sports become more of a culinary cheesy spinach-artichoke dip, washed down
can be eaten without taking our eyes off with a buttery chardonnay. Beef sliders, If your competitive juices extend to
the big screen. And beer. cocktail meatballs and charcuterie call for burgers, Blackmon recommends Gordon
reds before the game gets really serious. Ramsay’s recipe with 15 percent brisket in
How about a more wine-appropriate Su- the grind. And because the Super Bowl is
per Bowl party? Not to be stuffy or geeky “I’ll probably start the first half with a all about winning a ring, he suggests Dou-
about America’s biggest annual sporting few glasses of cabernet sauvignon, then en- ble Diamond Cabernet Sauvignon from
event, but some of us do prefer vino. So I joy some bourbon,” he says. “I’m more in- Schrader Cellars.
asked three former National Football League terested in savoring and enjoying what I’m
stars who are now in the wine business how eating and drinking, and there’s definitely Drew Bledsoe, who quarterbacked 14 sea-
they plan to watch this year’s big game. room for that in sports.” sons for the New England Patriots, Buffalo
Bills and Dallas Cowboys, returned to his
Charles Woodson, the Hall of Fame cor- When Will Blackmon was growing up hometown of Walla Walla, Wash., in the Co-
nerback who won a Super Bowl ring in 2011 in Rhode Island, he didn’t want to party lumbia Valley, to start Bledsoe Wine Estates,
with Green Bay, now has his own line of during the Super Bowl. But when he got to including the high-end Doubleback line.
the show with the New York Giants in 2012,
Fine Dining, Elevated “it was an amazing experience,” he recalls, Bledsoe keeps his Super Bowl parties
Exciting Innovative Cuisine especially when the Giants won. casual. He opens his Family Wine, which
Award Winning Wine List comes in 1-liter bottles. “More wine is al-
Today, Blackmon curates private cellars ways better,” he says. “And we always have
Unparalleled Service for professional athletes as the Wine MVP. soda water on hand, in case someone gets
With society struggling to return to normal excited and spills some wine,” he adds.
Expanded outdoor dining in The Café. from pandemic restrictions, he has been (Another pro tip!)
Proud recipient of Trip Advisor’s organizing in-person wine tastings and
parties, including a few lined up in Beverly As for the menu, Bledsoe goes for casual
Traveler’s Choice Award placing us in Hills, Calif., in the week before the Feb. 13 and gooey. “My wife makes a seven-layer
“The Top 10% of restaurants worldwide”. Super Bowl in Los Angeles. dip that’s always a hit, and I have a Crockpot
queso recipe that is delicious as long as you
Wine Spectator Award (772) 234-3966 • tidesofvero.com • Open 7 Days For the menu, Blackmon would start with don’t look at the ingredients.” 
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B12 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | PETS www.veronews.com

Bonzo meets Lacey, a shy but fascinating feline

Hi Dog Buddies! simple. You tell me your story Lacey. I nodded. “What happened?”
an I write it down.” “Just one day after I was put
This week I innerviewed a beauty-full PHOTO: KAILA JONES up for adoption, a lovely young
fee-line, Lacey Richter, who, she thinks “Splendid! Stop me if I family adopted me. Until that
(an I totally buhleeve after hearing her speak too rapidly. It was a she wouldn’t be All Sad. So Mommy an day, I didn’t think Mommy
tail), has used at least a few of her stan- cold an rainy day in Vero Dennis took me in, an I knew I’d found would really let me go. But my
dard-issue 9 Lives, before at last finding Lake Estates. I was a wee kit- my Furever Home.” new famly was great. They had
her Furever Famly. ten, no more than 2 months, a puh-lite liddle boy, anna fren-
when I was spotted on the “Oh, Miss Lacey,” I exclaimed, “that is ly dog. They sent Mommy pick-
Becuz Lacey is Really Apprehensive curb, shivery an soaking a wonderful story!” shurs to show I was doing well.
around humans she doesn’t know, she wet. I made my way toward But I missed my Furever Famly,
didn’t answer the door. a house to find shelter, an “Not quite, Mr. Bonzo. Not just yet.” an Mommy missed me. I had to
some humans opened the “Why? What happened?” DO something!
Instead, a frenly lady invited us in. garage door. I was too cold “I was a typical, ram-BUNK-shus kit- “Well, after about three months,
While we got situated, she left the room an egg-ZAW-sted to be ten and, since I was feeling much bet- my owner called Mommy an said
an returned with Lacey in her arms. scared, so I went in. ter, me an Mommy an Dennis’ other they didn’t wanna do it but they
Lacey is a Long-Haired, Torty-Point Sia- two cats, Remi an Shea, who are about were gonna hafta give me back. It
mese mixture: very x-ZAH-dic looking, “They probly wudda my age, all started zooming around the seems that, although I was fine all
with long thick dark and cream fur, dark, kept me, but they were house, under stuff, over stuff, havin’ a day, I would meow an cry every night, all
pointy ears an face, mottled paws an tail, uh-LURR-gic, so they called Mommy, noisy, bouncy, zoomy wonderful time. night long, night after night, an nobody
an, on her shoulders, very long tufts of who free-qwently helps stray cats find The three of us were Just Too Much For could get any sleep.
fur swooping down her back like angel homes. She made a call, an I was tak- Mommy To Handle. She thought I was “So I finally returned to my Forever
wings Magical, I thought. en to the vet to get checked out. I was zoomy and ram-bunk-shus cuz I was Famly, for good this time. I’m Leader
a Mess: had a zillion fleas an some competing with Remi an Shea for at- of the Pack. My favrite food’s whitefish
“Good afternoon, Miss Lacey,” I said ghastly WORMS. It gives me the Utter tention, an that I needed to be an Only an toona. I still hafta take a buncha
in my Conversing-with-a-Cat voice. “I’m Willies just thinkin’ about it. I hadda Cat, to be SPESH-shull instead of part of of meds, but I’m So Happy. Mommy
pleased you’ve consented to an innerv- take strong medicine an one time a pack. As much as Mommy loved me, brushes me a lot cuz I am a CHAMP-
iew, an I assure you my assistant has a I hadda SEE-zure. When I was well she decided to put me up for Adoption.” eee-un shedder.
buh-loved cat companion, and is very enough, Mom called several Cat Foster “Wait! Wh-aat?” I blurted. “I “From the screen porch, me an Remi
kind an respectful to all cats.” Frens an they all went to visit me at the thought …” an Shea stalk birds an practice our
vet’s, and I went to a Foster Home. “Yes, I thought so to. I KNEW me an Crouch-and-Leap with a Really ob-
“Good afternoon, Mr. Bonzo.” Lac- Mommy were MTB.” NOCK-shus squirrel. An we sleep with
ey’s voice was husky. “I’m certain that “Whenever the vet checks out a home- “MTB?” I asked. Mommy an Dennis every night.”
is true, an I sincerely welcome you both less kitty, they always figure how old it is, “Meant To Be. I tried to tell her, but Heading home, I was thinkin’ about
to my home. However, I will remain in an assign a birth date. Mine was June 10, sometimes humans just don’t see the Big My Own Furever Famly, an how you just
my Mommy’s lap for the duration of 2021. Mommy hadn’t met me in The Fur, Pick-shur.” know when you’re MTB.
the innerview, an I trust neither of you but she saw a pickshur of me on the curb,
will take offense. You, Mr. Bonzo, are wet and cold, an suggested my name Till next time,
the first CAY-nine I’ve ever met. Or ever should be Lacey, for some reason. (Sog-
seen for that matter, an I’m duh-light- gy would’ve fit me better at that point.) The Bonz
ed to find that I feel absolutely no fear.
Humans, tho, are another matter en- “After a few months, it became ap- Don’t Be Shy
tirely. So, this is my Mommy Linda. An parent no one was looking for me. I still
this,” (she looked up as a man entered hadda take meds but I’d grown bigger We are always looking for pets
the room) “is my Other Principal Hu- and was healthier, so I was put Up for with interesting stories.
man, Dennis. He’s Totally Cool Catnip. Adop-shun. As it happened, Mommy’s
An,” she lowered her voice, “he lets me long-time Siamese cat Sasha went to Cat To set up an interview, email
get away with stuff. Now then, how do Heaven on June 7, an, when Mommy [email protected].
we proceed?” found out the vet had set my birth date
just three days later, June 10), she thought
I opened my notebook. “It’s pretty maybe Sasha had sent me to Mommy so

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES February 10, 2022 B13

NORTH

A WORLD RECORD IS A WORLD RECORD J86

By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Q765

W. Somerset Maugham said, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no —
one knows what they are.”
WEST A 10 7 6 4 3
A good friend of mine, Dennis Spooner, was a scriptwriter for television shows like “Jason 932 EAST
King” and “The Avengers” (when Diana Rigg and Joanna Lumley were Emma Peel). He 942
told me that there are only five storylines and that everything is a version of one of them. 10 7 6 5 4 2 AQ5
Q
Spooner (who died of heart trouble in 1986 at the age of 53) always added a bridge A8
element to his scripts. For example, in one episode the bad guy was known to own two
nightclubs. What was his name? AKQJ983

Spooner also wrote amusing bridge stories under the headline “Diary of a Palooka.” This K
deal appeared in the original edition of “Popular Bridge Monthly” in 1974 (now defunct).
It is described as it happened, with Spooner and his anonymous partner setting a world SOUTH
record that has probably not been matched.
K 10 7 4
Spooner wrote: “As a palooka (a weak player), I know how disconcerting it can be when
you take away another palooka’s conventional bid, so I sailed in with two diamonds. I felt I K J 10 3
had a good out anyway.
—
“My left-hand opponent doubled for penalty, and this bid was passed around to me. My
moment of glory had come. So this is how Belladonna (a 16-time world champion) feels. J9852
With superior confidence and a smug look on my face, I redoubled. There follow three
passes. Dealer: East; Vulnerable: Neither

“In a stunned stupor I watched my partner table his hand.” The Bidding:

In his 0-0 fit, Spooner took four tricks for down four, minus 1,400 in those days. And East- SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST
West had no game available. ?? 2 Clubs
OPENING
The bad guy’s name was Stayman — two clubs Stayman!
LEAD:
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772.217.2161  HairIdentityVB.com

Established 18 Years in Indian River County

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

B14 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES www.veronews.com

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (FEBRUARY 3) ON PAGE B16

ACROSS DOWN
1 Ray (5) 1 Funeral attendee (7)
4 Hobble (4) 2 Lent sign (anag.) (8)
7 Cat (4) 3 Wow (5)
8 Of concern (8) 4 Young sheep (4)
9 Painkiller (9) 5 Dosh (5)
10 Organ of sight (3) 6 Film studio location(6)
12 Ditch (6) 11 Cut short (8)
14 Semi-precious stone (6) 13 Eager; substantial (6)
16 Candle material (3) 15 Sincere (7)
18 Prophetess of doom (9) 17 Subside (5)
21 French loaf (8) 19 Not sour (5)
22 Region (4) 20 Leave (4)
23 South-eastern county (4)
24 Robbery (5)

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

Serving mainland Indian River County VeroNews/Sebastian River News | GAMES February 10, 2022 B15

ACROSS 113 Send out 63 Gives the eye The Washington Post
1 Fleece job 114 Vitamin bottle abbr. 67 Marie Tussaud,
5 Icy coating 116 Perfect gift for an actor? THE PERFECT GIFT By Merl Reagle
9 Deprive 120 Perfect toppers for for one
12 Optometrist’s job 68 Manipulates unfairly
19 Alice’s balladeer puzzle-book gifts? 69 Jungle weapon
20 Perth pets 122 “A poem lovely ___” 70 Checker’s dance
21 Gram or tome opener 123 Dog doc 71 Role for Jodie
22 Madonna’s kid 124 Concerning 72 Cars or horses
23 Perfect gift for a preacher? 125 Passing piece 73 Certain Nebraskan
25 Perfect gift for an attorney? 126 Anagram of “Seattle” 74 Former money of Spain
27 Emergency ___ Only 127 85 Down units: abbr. 77 Lucci role
28 Russian sea 128 School kid 78 Sibelius, for one
29 Kin of hombre 129 Warrior Princess of 1990s 79 Clump of dirt
30 Actor Waterston 81 In shape
31 Perfect gift for a physicist? television 82 The Women director George
35 Spiritual spinoffs 83 Ms. Gaynor
39 Rodent reaction DOWN 85 That old thing?
40 Glyphics opener 1 1940s actor from India 86 Top Iranian, once
41 The third 2 New, as bills 90 Jett Rink’s words about
43 Duc’s king 3 Woolf man
44 Hangs loose 4 H2O, e.g. the oil in Giant
48 Perfect gift for a female 5 Busted again 91 Slangy fisherman
6 “See what ___, jelly bean?”
bioengineer? 7 Muslim teacher (anagram of RESTOR’D)
52 Song sung solo 8 Rough amt. 92 Greets rudely
53 Brown shade 9 Master all over again 93 Sleuth Charlie
55 Gift coverage 10 Airy shoe style 95 Willis’s role in
56 Per unit 11 Hateful human
57 Perfect gifts for 12 Building wing Moonlighting,
13 London louts David ___
ambassadors? 14 Steppe region 96 Sch. officials
63 It means “straight” 15 Ticket to the Big House 100 Opposed (to)
64 Customer alerts 16 Citrus drink 103 Horse speeds
65 Ball-whacking game 17 Ring VIP 105 Word of love, in Latin
66 Double yellow, for one 18 Spelled letter 106 Brazen
67 Game of Clue suspect 24 Presentation prop 107 Overact
69 Perfect gift for a carpenter? 26 Common verb 108 Investigation
72 Golden Triangle flowers 29 Hook’s chum 109 That Drood dude
75 Show sorrow 32 Fit for a king 111 Bobbing on the briny
76 Border 33 Prefix meaning “wood” 115 Cinema canine
77 Finger-lickin’ estab. 34 Costa ___ 116 ___ de tête (headache)
80 “How about if ___ you 36 Invent 117 Sugar finale
37 Response to a riposte 118 Huge container
halfway?” 38 Suck 119 Worked (up)
81 Perfect gift for a knight? 42 Devilish one 120 Jazz club habitué
84 Out-to-launch grp. 44 Duchamp’s art school 121 Mix it up with De La Hoya
85 Without editing 45 Like Australia’s climate
87 Einstein’s birthplace 46 Little bites
88 ___ uncertain terms 47 Places to shower
89 Perfect gift for a model train 49 Scottish fabric
50 “Service” that makes the
buff?
94 Jack the Ripper’s U.S. nervous
51 The Galloping Gourmet and
neighborhood
97 Plant that makes good straw others
98 Herb drink 54 On the pinnacle of
99 1959 Nobelist Severo 58 In the place cited: abbr.
101 Defunct detergent 59 Pouting grimace
102 Hitches 60 Crossword creator’s role
104 Perfect gift for a plumber? 61 Gifts from Goodyear
110 “I see” 62 Like Gilligan
112 Subatomic particle

The Telegraph

B16 February 10, 2022 VeroNews/Sebastian River News | CALENDAR www.veronews.com

ONGOING First Friday Gallery Strolls in Downtown 12 Love 5K Run/Walk to benefit Wom- 18-20 Vero Beach High School
Vero Beach Arts District, monthly from 5 p.m. en’s Refuge of Vero Beach, 7:30 a.m. presents Musical Disney’s
Check with organizations directly for up- to 8 p.m. at Riverside Park. womensrefugevb.org. “The Little Mermaid,” 7 p.m. Fri. and Sat., 2
dates/cancellations. p.m. Sun. at VBHS PAC. 772-564-5537
FEBRUARY 12 Motor Car Exhibition, 10 a.m. to 3
p.m. at McKee Botanical Garden, with 18-20 Thunder on the Beach Na-
Vero Beach Museum of Art: Vero Collects: 10 Live From Vero Beach presents the Hit European sports cars. Mckeegarden.org tive American Powwow at
Hidden Treasures Revealed exhibition, through Men, Classic Rock Super Group, 7 p.m. IRC Fairgrounds, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fri., 10 a.m.
May 15. 772-231-0707 at the Emerson Center. Musicworksconcerts.com 12 Sebastian Art Studio Tour, 10 a.m. to 5 to 9 p.m. Sat., and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sun. $8;
p.m., a self-guided tour using map at children 6 to 12, $5. Fiha.us
Vero Beach Theatre Guild: The Broadway 10 Indian River Symphonic Association sebastianartstudiotour.com
musical “I Do! I Do!” through Feb. 27; Studio presents the Russian National Orches- 19 Sebastian River Rowing 5K, 7 a.m.
Theatre “Buyer & Cellar” performances, 7:30 tra, 7:30 p.m. at Community Church of Vero 12 VIP Brews & Race Crews, 6 p.m. at from South Beach Park in Vero Beach
p.m. Sundays through March 27. 772-562-8300 Beach. 772-778-1070 Vero Beach Outlets to benefit Sunrise to benefit the Sebastian River Rowing Sharks.
Rotary charitable endeavors. floridacraftbre- Runsignup.com
King of the Hill Tennis Tournaments, 6 p.m. 11 Healing Hearts Dinner Dance to wandwingfest.com
Thursdays at Boulevard Tennis Club through support Exchange Club of the Trea- 19 Windsor Charity Polo Cup to benefit
March 3. 772-979-5582 sure Coast’s child abuse prevention charities, 12|13 Vero Beach Blues & BBQ Ocean Research & Conservation As-
6:30 p.m. at Point West Country Club. $135. Festival, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. soc. and the Environmental Learning Center,
Riverside Theatre: Weekly Friday and Satur- tcexchangeclub.org Sat., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun. at IRC Fairgrounds. gates and specialty retail village open 10 a.m.,
day Comedy Zone and Live on the Loop con- $5; under 12 free. verobluesfest.com with 11:30 a.m. junior player demo, and 1:45
certs. 772-231-6990 12 Valentine Pops Concert with soprano p.m. opening ceremonies and match play. Tail-
Rachel Carter Murphy and the Festival 17 Live From Vero Beach presents Classic gate spots, $600/vehicle up to six guests. Wind-
Pelican Island National Wildlife Centennial Trail Pops Orchestra, 7 p.m. at the Community Church Albums Live’s The Beatles: Let it Be, sorcharitypolocup.com.
Meet & Greets, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednes- of Vero Beach. $25 at door. 772-562-3633 7 p.m. at the Emerson Center. Musicworkscon-
days thru April. fws.gov/refuge/pelicanisland certs.com 19 Treasure Coast Jazz Society presents
the Ed Metz Jazz Trio, noon at Vero
Solutions from Games Pages ACROSS DOWN Crossword Page B14 (THE LAST NAME GAME (2) Beach Yacht Club. $40/$45. Optional 11:30 a.m.
in February 3, 2022 Edition 1 TEE 1 TALES buffet lunch, $20. 772-234-4600 or TCjazz.org
3 COE 2 EARNEST
5 SEIZE 3 CREW 19 Florida Craft Brew and Wingfest host-
8 LARGE 4 EMPLOY ed by Sunrise Rotary Club of Vero
9 PRETEND 5 SLEEPING Beach, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Royal Palm
10 SEEN 6 IDEAS Pointe, with craft beers, wing competitions and
11 COMPOSER 7 ELDERLY live music. $45 unlimited beer bracelets. Flori-
13 DETAIL 12 VISITORS dacraftbrewadwingfest.com
14 UNTIDY 13 DECIDED
17 CHEMISTS 15 IMMENSE 19 MHA Rocks fundraiser, Cheeseburger
19 OMIT 16 STUDIO in Paradise, 7 p.m. (6 p.m. VIP) at Oak
22 DIAMOND 18 EXACT Harbor Club, with the Jimmy Buffett Tribute
23 HENCE 20 TREND Band Jimmy Stowe and the Stowaways, danc-
24 DATES 21 THIN ing, buffet, auctions and games. $90 or $225
25 OWN VIP. 772-569-9788
26 END

Sudoku Page B13 Sudoku Page B14 Crossword Page B13

BUSINESS DIRECTORY - ADVERTISING INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BUSINESSES

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Call for free inspections (772) 494-1922

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Veteran Owned & Operated

Time to Clean Your Carpets/Furniture? Our directory gives small business people eager to provide
services to the community an opportunity to make themselves
Three Reasons to Call Mitch Maxfield:
known to our readers at an affordable cost. This is the only
QUALITY: My “2-step system” removes even tough ground-in dirt. All work guaranteed. business directory mailed each week. If you would like your
SERVICE: I, personally, will clean your carpets and furniture. business to appear in our directory, please call 772-633-0753.
PRICE: Two (2) Rooms (any size)...$77, 6’ Sofa or 2 Chairs...$66
This is also where we publish Fictitious Name or “Doing
Maxfield Carpet Cleaning • 772-538-0213 Business As” notices, Public Notices and Employment ads.
5300 N. A1A, Vero Beach • SINCE 1979
To place one, please email [email protected].