04/07/2022 ISSUE 14

Rocking the Boat for
Youth Sailing. P14
ShrimpFest &
Craft Brew. P24
Grilles & thrills at

Antique Auto Show. P22

TCCH appears Dede Ashby, middle, with her For breaking news visit
set to take over children Trey Higdon and Laurie
nursing at jail Connelly at their Ocean Drive lCsouOwrgVheIeoDrnes.wtIiaslyla?
store, The Petite Shop.

PHOTO BY KAILA JONES

BY RAY MCNULTY BY LISA ZAHNER
Staff Writer Staff Writer

The Sheriff’s Office is in ne- MY Ocean Drive’s Petite Shop celebrates 70th Australia, Hong Kong, Japan,
gotiations with Treasure Coast VERO South Korea, China and the
Community Health to take- vast majority of Western Eu-
over the healthcare of inmates BY RAY MCNULTY a festive evening of dining and ton agreed to lease the then- rope – they’re all being plagued
at the Indian River County Jail Staff Writer drinking with her parents, Dick vacant, now-prime parcel of by the latest surge in COVID-19
on a long-term basis, both and Evelyn Bireley, at the Drift- Vero Beach land on the south- cases, fueled by the BA.2 Omi-
parties have confirmed. Somewhere in Dede Ash- wood Inn. east corner of Beachland Bou- cron variant. How long until it
by’s Indian River Shores home levard and Ocean Drive, where hits Vero?
TCCH would provide 17 is the napkin Waldo Sexton “I know I’ve got it,” said Ash- the Bireleys would build and
registered nurses (RNs) and signed in 1950 – maybe it was by, who turned 80 in February, open The Petite Shop in 1952. As of press time Monday,
licensed practical nurses 1951, she’s not sure – during “but I don’t know where it is.” the Centers for Disease Con-
(LPNs) – two more than sourc- CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 trol and Prevention had cast
es said previously were on the By signing that napkin, Sex- all of Florida in green as areas
Sheriff’s Office staff – to care of “low community transmis-
for a jail population that often sion.” Other states in the North-
exceeds 500 inmates, accord- east, Midwest and Southwest
ing to Colette Heid, commu- are starting to see numbers rise
nity relations director for the and urgent care waiting rooms
local nonprofit. fill up. But people don’t stay
put, especially during the busy
As the week began, no con- spring break travel season.
tract had been signed, but
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Based largely upon data from
Debbie Carson said “conver- Israel, the U.S. Food and Drug
sations are taking place.” Administration announced
last Tuesday that people age 50
TCCH, which primarily serves
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

After 6 years, prosecutor asks judge to set Neighbors want Castaway Cove home condemned for code violations
‘date certain’ for trial of Asbury Lee Perkins
BY STEVEN M. THOMAS demned due to persistent
BY LISA ZAHNER ed murder of his estranged wife Staff Writer code violations stretching
Staff Writer and business partner Cynthia back at least five years.
Betts. A group of neighbors
Assistant State Attorney Bill in the Wave VI neighbor- The petition is just one
Long has asked Circuit Judge Perkins, 64, was arrested hood of Castaway Cove on in a long series of efforts
Dan Vaughn for a “date certain” on Nov. 4, 2015, and initially South Beach are circulating by residents, the Wave VI
when former South Beach resi- was represented by a court- a petition to have a house Home Owners Association
dent Asbury Lee Perkins finally appointed public defender, on Spanish Lace Lane con- (HOA), and city and county
will be tried for the premeditat- but then decided to represent
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
PHOTO BY KAILA JONES

April 7, 2022 Volume 15, Issue 14 Newsstand Price $1.00 McKee Antique Show:
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News 1-12 Editorial 34 People 13-28 TO ADVERTISE CALL buyers & sellers. P18
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Books 36 Health 49-55 Real Estate 69-80
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© 2022 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Jail nursing services month basis since last May, according the first such nonprofit organizations to providing dental or behavioral-health
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 to Heid. “venture into jail services,” she added. services to inmates, but plans for it to
do so are being discussed.
people who have limited access to Subsequently, Heid said, the Sheriff’s “Inmates have a constitutional right to
healthcare, has been providing medi- Office approached TCCH with an eye to get health care, but you typically see for- Sources familiar with the negotia-
cal service at the jail on a month-to- outsourcing medical services at the jail profit groups come in to provide it,” Heid tions said the Sheriff’s Office put out a
permanently. If the parties can agree on said. “This is based on a new model.” request for proposals and received at
a contract, TCCH would become one of least two others before choosing TCCH
According to Heid, TCCH is not yet

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 3

NEWS

because of the quality of its services and state health officials reported detailed gency Departments to be treated for The Florida Department of Health
local access to healthcare resources. COVID-19 data every day on the state COVID-19 illness. We knew how many now publishes a pared-down report on
dashboard. We knew how many people 32963 residents were testing positive alternate Fridays. It tells us the case pos-
Carson didn’t say what prompted the tested each day, how many tested posi- each day, which was extremely useful itivity rate, how many new cases we’ve
Sheriff’s Office to explore outsourcing its tive, whether they had recently trav- to our island readers. had the previous week countywide, and
medical services at the jail, but sources eled or been exposed to an infected how many people got a shot. That’s it.
said the goal is to improve care without person. We had demographic informa- Now, as we hold our breath antici-
any significant increase in costs. tion – age, gender, race and ethnicity. pating the surge that Southeast Asia Local doctors and other healthcare
The reports listed how many people and Western Europe and Australia are professionals are also getting reports
By contracting with TCCH, the Sher- were showing up in hospital Emer- already experiencing, we have scant every 14 days, with charts and graphs
iff’s Office would no longer need to em- information to go on.
ploy its own healthcare professionals, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
including a nursing staff.

Many of the Sheriff’s Office’s nurses
resigned and joined theTCCH staff, Heid
said, “so no one really lost their job.”

TCCH announced on its website on
March 9 that it had signed a letter-of-
intent with the Sheriff’s Office to “es-
tablish a long-term contract to pro-
vide quality, comprehensive services”
to the jail population.

In the announcement, TCCH stated
its administrators would work with ex-
isting jail employees to ensure a “seam-
less transition” in the medical services
provided to inmates.

Heid said she couldn’t predict how
soon a contract would be signed.

“Providing medical services at a jail
is a very involved process, and there
are a lot standards that need to be ad-
hered to,” she said. “Regardless of how
long it takes to get a contract, our mis-
sion remains the same – to provide the
best quality care we can.” 

COVID low

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

and older could now get a fourth dose of
COVID-19 vaccine, provided their third
shot was at least four months ago.

Officials also said that yet another
booster – which could be a fifth shot
for older Americans and immunocom-
promised people, or a third (or fourth)
shot for everyone else – will likely be in
the cards this fall to prepare for a po-
tential winter surge.

Spikes in local cases have happened
in July 2020, January 2021, August 2021
and January 2022, so it’s not unreason-
able to anticipate a January 2023 spike
– after holiday travel and get-togethers,
when Vero’s barrier island is verging on
maximum capacity.

Other than authorizing boosters, pub-
lic health officials have no new, flashy
advice for keeping numbers flat, just
the same old tools – social distancing
while indoors, being outdoors or staying
home, and wearing a KN95 mask.

Compliance with all those recom-
mended behaviors increases as the
number of new positive cases, COV-
ID-19 hospitalizations and deaths rise,
and locals know when those numbers
are rising (i.e. when to start being more
careful) from reports published by the
Florida Department of Health.

In 2020 and the first half of 2021,

4 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

COVID low and death data, as well as some num- Perkins trial rests and financial ruin. Then on the
bers on the percentage of staffed hos- evening of Nov. 2, he snapped and shot
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 pital beds being occupied by COV- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Betts in the bedroom of the Seagrape
ID-positive patients. Sometimes it’s Drive home they once shared.
that are often a week or two behind. correct, and sometimes it’s way off. himself. Perkins has dismissed numer-
The sketchy data we do have is be- ous attorneys appointed over the years Via a series of hand-written legal
The bottom line is not to rely on to help him prepare the case – citing pleadings, and pressure from ap-
coming more and more meaningless some government agency, or the me- disagreement over defense strategy peals to the Fourth District Court of
each week. Just about every home now dia for that matter, to send up a flare among the reasons. Appeals, Perkins obtained permis-
has do-it-yourself rapid COVID-19 if and when the next wave, surge or sion to hire experts to investigate the
tests in the medicine cabinet. As a re- spike of COVID-19 cases, hospitaliza- Court documents indicate Perkins’ couple’s history leading up to Betts’
sult, positive cases tested in the pri- tions and deaths hits our community. defense will hinge on convincing the death, and to prepare evidence and
vacy of your own home never show up jury that decades of false accusa- visual aids for trial, including a digi-
on a report – unless the person con- Unless something drastically chang- tions and police reports against him tal reconstruction of the crime scene,
firms with a test at a reporting facility es in terms of reporting, the informa- by 63-year-old Betts and her father blood-spatter analysis, and DNA and
or ends up seeking medical care. tion being collected and shared just caused a downward spiral in his life, fingerprint processing of the firearm
isn’t robust or timely enough to be very including heavy drinking, repeated ar- and shell casings.
The CDC collects hospitalization useful in making decisions. 
It’s been five months since Vaughn
signed off on the experts for Perkins,
so Long wants to rein things in before
the case drags on into a seventh year.

“During the pendency of this mat-
ter, the Defendant has received fifty-
three continuances,” Long wrote in a
motion asking Vaughn for a schedul-
ing conference to put the parties on
deadlines.

Perkins has unsuccessfully tried to
get Vaughn kicked off his case due to
delays in issuing the orders he request-
ed, but thus far, the appeals court has
denied all of Perkins’ requests. So it
appears Vaughn will decide how long
Perkins has to wrap up his trial prepa-
ration.

Nothing has happened in the case
since December. A scheduling confer-
ence could hold both sides account-
able for providing discovery and de-
posing all of the potential witnesses
– who at this point are recalling events
from more than six years ago.

Long took over prosecuting the case
in 2021 from Assistant State Attorney
Christopher Taylor, who has been out
on medical leave.

“The State of Florida anticipates
that at trial, testimony will be provided
by a number of witnesses, to include:
civilians; law enforcement officers;
medical personnel; and, various ex-
pert witnesses,” Long said in his mo-
tion for a trial date.

Though Perkins is one of the longest
pending felony cases in the Indian Riv-
er County court system, the entire felo-
ny caseload is seriously backlogged af-
ter jury trials ceased for seven months.
Court operations have struggled to
catch up, while juggling defendants,
witnesses and attorneys who have
been sick or in quarantine.

“The State of Florida acknowledges
the aforementioned COVID-19 pan-
demic has affected every legal matter
currently pending before this Honor-
able Court and is partially responsible
for some of the continuances of this
matter. That said, this matter is six
years, four months, and eight days old
as of the date of this filing, and needs
to be resolved,” Long’s motion con-
cluded. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 5

NEWS

My Vero other accessories – will celebrate its “We have a lot of very loyal customers of our location, but the majority of our
70th anniversary. who appreciate how we do business,” customers have been here before.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 said Adriana Lattanzio, who has man-
There will be a tent outside, and the aged the shop for the past 21 years and “There’s a small-town, family feel to
Next Wednesday, the family-owned public is invited to stop by for refresh- continues to ride her bicycle to work the place, and for as long as I’ve been
seaside boutique – which sells wom- ments and giveaways. Longtime cus- from her Central Beach home. “We get here, we’ve followed the same philoso-
en’s clothing, jewelry, handbags and tomers are welcome to enjoy a nostalgic a lot of passersby stopping in because phy: Treat people the way you want to
stroll down memory lane and reminisce.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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6 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

My Vero we buy my dad’s pool hall in Tennessee.’ of Beachland Boulevard and Ocean himself appearing on “What’s My Line?,”
“I wanted the pool hall.” Drive, and when the Higdons said a nationally televised game show, where
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Higdon, though, convinced her to re- they were interested, he grabbed a a stumped panel failed to identify his
napkin, drew up an oversimplified 99- unusual occupation.
be treated,” she added. “To this day, we turntoVeroBeachandhelprunThePetite year lease and signed it.
do things the old-fashioned way. We’ll Shop – which, by the way, was not named “So he told them, ‘I make monkey
gift-wrap your purchases and still hand- for the size of the clothing it sold. In fact, Later, to further authenticate the hats,’ and they brought one out to show
write receipts, which is something you the store didn’t start selling clothing until agreement, two witnesses signed an the audience,” Ashby said. “The next
rarely see anymore. after Ashby and Higdon took over. addendum on a Driftwood receipt, on day, Saks Fifth Avenue called and or-
which the Sextons wrote: “To the Bire- dered grosses of them.
“When you think about it, it’s remark- The “Petite” name came from the tiny leys from Mrs. and Mr. W.E. Sexton. Love
able that this place has been here for 70 size of the Bireleys’ first store, which was & kisses. We hope to see you on your “We started making more hats, but
years, still owned by the same family and located in Fort Lauderdale, where they 99th birthday and I will agree to extend after a while, my dad had to call and tell
still running the business the same way.” lived before the family moved to Vero the lease for another period of 99 years.” them we just couldn’t do it,” she added.
Beach in 1960. “It was too much.”
Same as the Bireleys ran it. A formal lease was signed in June
Same as Ashby ran it with her husband, Why Vero? 1952, Ashby said. Years later, Ashby would take a simi-
Jim Higdon, even after they were divorced According to Ashby, her parents be- lar gamble and become an innovator
three decades ago but remained business came enamored of Vero when they That her father would take such a fi- in the women’s clothing industry by
partners until his death in November. and their South Florida friends began nancial risk was not surprising, Ashby introducing petite sizes at the shop
You might find it somewhat ironic, visiting in 1949, making the four-hour said, citing his past business ventures, here – at a time when there were only a
then, that Ashby initially wanted noth- drive north on U.S. 1 and staying at the specifically The Straw Basket, one of handful of such lines made in the U.S.
ing to do with the shop when her par- Driftwood. the Bireleys’ South Florida retail stores.
ents, who had owned and successfully “There wasn’t much on Ocean Drive Ashby said The Petite Shop, which
operated other retail businesses in back then,” Ashby recalled. “The Ocean In addition to straw baskets, the store now sells women’s clothing of all sizes, is
South Florida for years, offered to sell it Grill was there, and the Driftwood Inn, sold straw hats that became wildly popu- enjoying a “phenomenal” season, which
to her and Higdon in 1972. and maybe a couple of other business- lar with college students who flocked to is true of most businesses on the island,
When the call came, the Higdons were es. Nothing like it is now.” Fort Lauderdale for spring break. Then, where tourism revenues are soaring.
living in Texas with their two young chil- It was at the Driftwood that the Bire- Ashby’s father came up with a way to
dren, Laurie and Trey. leys met and befriended Sexton, who, make the hats even more appealing. And with 29 years remaining on the
“My parents wanted to sell and asked along with his wife, would join the lease, she doesn’t anticipate any ma-
if we wanted to buy it, and I immediately group for dinner and drinks. At one He ordered hundreds of little toy mon- jor changes to the operation – for now,
said no,” Ashby said. “I had grown up point, Ashby’s father mentioned that keys – their arms, legs and heads moved anyway.
in retail and really didn’t want anything he’d welcome the opportunity to build – and enlisted the family’s help in gluing
to do with it. But Jim said, ‘You have a a store in Vero Beach. them onto the straw hats, creating a new “For Trey and I, the shop has been
choice: Either we buy the shop in Vero or As Ashby explained: Sexton said company fitting named Monkey Busi- part of our lives forever,” she added.
he had some land at the intersection ness. “And we’ve got almost 30 years left on
our lease. That’s a long time.”
The hats were a rousing success, so
much so that Dick Bireley soon found So is 70 years. It’s an anniversary worth
celebrating. 



8 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Castaway Cove house The house, which has belonged to the rotted exterior wall, holes in the roof the street from 1215 Spanish Lace Lane
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 same family since it was built in 1988, has and collapsing interior ceilings, with and is involved in the petition effort.
lacked a finished roof for three years – no drywall and insulation hanging down, “There hasn’t been a roof on it since we
officials to force the owner of the prop- shingles, tiles or metal, just a fading layer according to a county report. moved here in 2020.”
erty at 1215 Spanish Lace Lane to re- of blue peel and stick underlayment – ac-
pair the home or tear it down. cording to neighbors and city officials. “This is a beautiful neighborhood Padulo and other neighbors said that
and that house doesn’t belong here,” when they complain to the city and
Until recently, there were sections of said Angelique Padulo, who lives across
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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10 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Castaway Cove house Island Roofing, which has a contract
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 to put a new roof on the Lucey house;
McAdam at the county; Wave VI HOA
county, they have been told to be pa- president Garry Perkins; and several
tient. But their patience has run out. neighbors said Maureen lives out of
state and is hard to contact.
“This eyesore and health hazard is now
depreciating our home values,” Padulo Multiple efforts to reach her via
wrote in a March 13 letter to Mayor Rob- phone and email to get a comment for
ert Brackett and the city council. this article were unsuccessful.

Suzanne Pirnie, who lives six doors Current problems at the house be-
down from the problem property and gan in 2017, according to Jeffries.
is involved in the petition effort, ex-
pressed the same concern: “I absolute- He said the house was first cited in
ly feel [the condition of the house] has March of that year for “collapsing roof”
been detrimental to our home values. and rotted soffits and facia.
It is the first thing you see when you
pull down Spanish Lace Lane.” “They fixed it to some degree, so the
code inspector passed it, but it was
Building and development officials a patch job and the problems reoc-
admit they have not been as aggressive curred,” Jeffries said.
as they might have been or used their
full authority to enforce city and county The city got new complaints in 2018
codes and their own orders. about tarps on the roof where repairs had
failed, and cited the home again.
Vero Beach planning and develop-
ment director Jason Jeffries told Vero In 2019, the Luceys applied for a re-
Beach 32963 last week its possible “we roof permit, which seemed like progress,
trusted this person too much, that they and the city closed the code enforce-
would do the right thing.” ment case. But a year later, the HOA
again complained to the city about the
But Jeffries said he had spoken with exposed roof and the case was reopened.
county building official Scott McAdam,
and they have agreed they won’t extend The Luceys asked for more time, cit-
the active building permits at the house ing COVID difficulties, and a second
again. That red line is important because reroof permit was issued in July 2020.
the permit for a roof expires on April 25. That permit expired in January 2021
with the roof still not finished and par-
“The owner has had different rea- tially open to the weather.
sons for not moving forward,” McAd-
am said last Wednesday. “But we are Complaints continued and in April
getting to a point where we wonder if 2021, Indian River County building
we are getting fed baloney. inspector Shawn Doutrich visited the
property.
“The roof needs to show progress.
We are not going to extend the permits The next day, on April 22, 2021, the
again. If they expire, the city will take county building division issued a No-
them to the city code board and that tice of Violation, stating that the home
will be the resolution.” was “an unsafe structure” and requir-
ing the homeowner to either tear the
The code board has considerable pow- house down within 60 days or com-
er, and can impose fines of up to $500 a plete all repairs within 180 days.
day, though a $100-a-day fine would be
more likely. The county has the authority Last summer, the Luceys got a third
to condemn and tear the house down if re-roof permit from the county and
it is not brought up to code, charging the contracted with Orchid Island Roofing
cost to the homeowner. to install a new roof. Eight months later,
the decaying underlayment is still ex-
County records show the unoccupied posed, with no finish roofing installed.
house belongs to Dorothy M. Lucey and
Maureen J. Lucey. Dorothy Lucey and “We told her when we signed the
her husband John J. Lucey purchased contract that the structural repairs had
the lot at 1215 Spanish Lace Lane in to be complete before we could start,”
1987, when there were only a handful of Leman said Monday. “We reached out
homes in the new community, and had to her many times [and extended the
the 3,000-square-foot, three-bedroom, roofing permit twice] but she seldom
three-bath house built the following year. answers her phone.”

They lived in the home together McAdam said structural repair work
for 18 years, until John Lucey’s death was finally undertaken in January and
in 2006. Ownership of the home was February when a local construction
transferred by Dorothy Lucey to the company pulled permits, replaced failed
Dorothy M. Lucey Living Estate in truss sections, and put new sheathing on
2009, with her daughter Maureen as rotted sections of the roof and exterior
co-owner, set to inherit the property walls, closing the house to the elements.
upon the death of her mother.
He said the construction company
Building officials say Maureen has informed him the structural repairs are
been managing the home repair process. ready for inspection but that they had
not been able to coordinate with Mau-
Pretty much everyone involved, in- reen Lucey to allow the inspections.
cluding Doug Leman, owner of Orchid
McAdam finally reached Lucey last
week and told her the house was ready

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12



12 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Castaway Cove house begin – but that material prices had in- “If I lived in that neighborhood, I “But government processes move
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 creased since the contract was written. would be upset too,” McAdam said. slowly,” McAdam said. “We need to
“They are probably thinking, ‘Why give them the opportunity to complete
for inspection. Meanwhile, Leman also “I sent her the revised pricing and we did I move down here and spend all the work for which they have permits.”
managed to get in touch with Lucey last are waiting to hear back from her if she that money for a beautiful home in my
week and told her that reroof work could is OK with the new cost,” Leman said. dream area near the beach when I’ve And he added: “We have a close eye
got this eyesore right on the corner? on it at this point and if the permits ex-
Both McAdam and Jeffries said they pire, that’s it.” 
understand residents’ unhappiness.

Judith Kennerk, Helli Luck
and Mary Cancelosi.

McKEE ANTIQUE SHOW:

GOOD OL’ TIME FOR
BUYERS AND SELLERS P. 18

14 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Youth sailors perform like craft-y veterans at ‘Rock the Boat’

Judy Peschio and Chris Pope. PHOTOS: MARY SCHENKEL Diane Keiller and Kris Rohr. John Moore and Mary Morgan.

BY MARY SCHENKEL YSF has grown considerably over
its 13-year history, in the number
Staff Writer of participants, programs, its fleet
and overall stature within the sail-
During the Youth Sailing Founda- ing community, with many students
tion’s Rock the Boat fundraiser at the having proven their mettle in races
Quail Valley River Club, some of the across the state.
young sailors in the program ably
maneuvered their craft, demonstrat- There are some 400 children who
ing to their supporters that they know participate annually in their recre-
the ropes. ational and competitive programs,
40 percent from underserved homes.
The delightful event kicked off There is a nominal fee for the pro-
with a cocktail hour, and as guests grams, but scholarships are available
watched from the marina, younger so that any child who wishes to can
students in 8-foot, one-person Opti participate. YSF also offers adult sail-
craft, and high schoolers in 12-foot, ing.
two-person 420 sloops, set sail during
the warmup to show off their tacking Before the start of the auction,
skills. Morgan introduced the young sail-
ors, who were questioned by Moore
Members of the Vero Beach Pipes about their sailing experiences and
and Drums then provided a rousing goals, which included everything
start to the regattas, with Mary Mor- from simply becoming better sailors
gan, YSF sailing director, providing to competing in the Olympics.
race commentary.
The nonprofit is currently embark-
“This is some difficult wind to sail ing on the creation of a $3 million YSF
in,” said Morgan. “It’s an easterly, Community Sailing Center and Ma-
coming off of the land, so it might be rine Recreation Park where its cur-
a little shifty out there for them and rent base is, at the water treatment
it’s very puffy.” plant by the foot of the Alma Lee Loy
Bridge.
She said some of the students had
just competed in a four-day regatta “It’s a 10,000-square-foot build-
which saw winds blowing up to 40 ing,” said Keiller. “It’s where we sail
knots and 4-foot seas, adding, “They from now; it’s the perfect spot for it.
braved it and lived to tell the tale.” We’re happy to announce that we
have about $1.8 million already.”
Quail Valley served up a delicious
outdoor buffet dinner, providing The two-story building will offer
ample opportunities for everyone to 400 feet of waterfront viewing from
watch the young sailors, and to re- its porches, indoor and outdoor space
view the items that were bid on later for classrooms and social gatherings,
in an auction led by attorney John boat and paddle sport rentals, and
Moore. picnic pavilions. Floating docks and
launch ramps for small crafts are al-
Among the nautically themed ready in place.
items was an 18-foot Annapolis row-
ing wherry, painstakingly built by For more information or to take a
Stu Keiller, YSF executive director. “It tour of the site, call 772-492-3243 or
took me about three months,” said visit ysfirc.org. 
Keiller, saying much of the time was
spent on its eight coats of varnish.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 15

PEOPLE

Holly Wilson, Stu Keiller and Kitty Mountain. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Gavin and Marcia Ruotolo, Charlie Pope and Ellen Gower.

Nelson and Gretchen Cover.
Francie and Chuck Cramb.
Bill and Linda Beardslee.

16 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Carrie and Keith Franco. Phil Barth and Peter Laughton.
Pat Marquis and Barbara Butts.

Patsy Tremaine and Babs Tremaine. Gene and Jean Cravens. Jim and Terry Byrnes.

Join us for Sunday Worship VERO BEACH’S PREMIER
8:30, 9:30 and 11:00 AM COUNTRY CLUB COMMUNITY
Quality discipleship, fellowship, music,
youth programs, and more - for all ages! Every luxury and amenity imaginable awaits you inside of Oak Harbor’s
We would love for you to join our church family! clubhouse. Join us for a wide range of social and wellness programs

Sunday, April 10th (PALM SUNDAY) as well as our award winning cuisine in our richly appointed dining room.
Enjoy golf on our Joe Lee designed golf course with no greens or cart
This week’s message: fees. Tennis, Croquet, Bocce, Pickle Ball and a heated pool
“Keeping Quiet is Not an Option” are just a few of the other outdoor activities.

Luke 19:28-40 Fully licensed On-site Assisted Living Facility and In-Home Healthcare.
Transportation, Housekeeping and Maintenance services available.
Dr. G. Timothy Womack, Senior Pastor
4755 S Harbor Drive • Vero Beach, Florida 32967 • www.oakharborfl.com • 772.562.3808
Maundy Thursday Service - 7:00 PM, April 14

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

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 17

PEOPLE

Pat and Michael Wangen. Kendra Kranz with Karen and Steve Schievelbein and Cassandra Otten. Jim and Heather Delamater.

Rory Mueller, Blake Relick and Melanie Walsh. Dick Gates and Pat Harris. Doug and Weasy Carmack with Valerie and Scott Brown.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

McKee Antique Show: Good ol’ time for buyers and sellers

BY MARY SCHENKEL
Staff Writer

McKee Botanical Garden opened PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
its gates once again to some of the
industry’s preeminent dealers for the Janny Bernays, Laura Hazell and Anna Rostand. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES
third annual Garden & Antique Show
and Sale. The items were all well pro- McKee shows as well as a Vero Beach Austin, having previously dealt with “We’ve been here since the old mu-
tected from the elements, housed ei- Museum of Art antique show for al- them up north or purchased from seum days and we did shows with
ther in sturdy tents (on raised floors most 25 years. them at prior shows. Elke for 25 years,” said Gordon Nicoll.
in the grassy areas) or inside the Edu- “We’ve been doing it for long enough
cation Building and Hall of Giants. Some of the discerning antique “It’s really interesting to see these that we have a lot of clients here, so
lovers who flocked to this show rel- very, very good antiques,” said Elke we do very well. And we love coming
The three-day event featured su- ished reconnecting with dealers, who Fetterolf, who was enjoying catching to Vero Beach.”
perb collections of antique furni- hailed from all along the Eastern sea- up with Mary and Gordon Nicoll, of
ture, paintings, rugs, estate jewelry, board and as far away as Chicago and Nicoll Fine Art and Antiques. For others, it was their first time
collectibles and objets d’art, along
with garden-related pieces, such
as wrought iron tables and chairs,
statuary, fountains and other gar-
den accessories. To further enhance
outdoor spaces, Valkaria Gardens
offered a selection of bromeliads, or-
chids and other plants.

McKee again presented the show
in conjunction with Charlie Miller of
Miller, Hamilton & Co., based in Cha-
pel Hill, N.C. Miller is well-known to
Veroites, having managed the prior

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 19

PEOPLE

attending the show at McKee. owner of the Lili Pad Gallery in Watch saurs Around the World Exhibition, terlily Celebration, from 8:30 a.m.
“I’m just fascinated that we have Hill, R.I., another first-time visitor. on display until May 1. Others dined to 2 p.m. on June 18, with repotting
alfresco on goodies prepared by the demonstrations, plein air artists and
such a quality show here,” said Barb Having perused the show and Garden Café. a waterlily photo contest. General ad-
Hochkiss. “I think it’s great.” made their purchases, many attend- mission rates apply.
ees took the opportunity to wander Next up, McKee, which boasts one
“I didn’t think that there would the lush gardens and view the anima- of the state’s largest waterlily collec- For more information, visit
be such exceptional artwork. I’m tronic sculptures of McKee’s Dino- tions, will host its 17th annual Wa- mckeegarden.org. 
impressed,” said Wivi-Anne Weber,

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20 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 Catherine Carmody and Sharron O’Brien. Susan and Charles Rusbasan.
Gail Mayland and Diana Iskiwitch.

Kay Hamilton and Holly Galloway. Kris Rohr, Renae Tesauro and Pat Willis. Laura and Bill Buck.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 21

PEOPLE

Julie and John Fenimore.
Gladys LaForge and Jacquie Sanders.

22 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Grilles and thrills: ‘Antique Auto Show’ revs up fans

Experience That Delivers Ray and Kathy Charles with Jim and Polly Ransom. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES
Exceptional Results Randy and Priscilla Valentino.
Vera and Tom Paquin. Hundreds of cars rolled into Riv-
BUSINESS SERVICES erside Park recently to take part
Audit & Assurance in the 43rd annual Antique Auto
Show hosted by the Indian River
Tax Preparation & Planning Region Antique Automobile Club.
Accounting & CFO Solutions • Tax Resolution The one-day show, publicized as
being the “oldest and largest” an-
Mergers & Acquisitions tique car show, featured antique,
classic, prestige, foreign, special
INDIVIDUAL SERVICES interest, commercial and modi-
Financial Planning fied vehicles, and were judged
in 15 classes for cars built before
Tax Filing & Representation 1997. As they wandered about the
Elder Care beauties, the sight of old favorites
brought fond memories to mind
Estate Planning • Family Office for many of the attendees. It was
easy to spend the entire day check-
ing out the cars, perusing the auto-
centric flea market or enjoying the
food choices and music. The event
was free, but attendees were asked
to bring non-perishable food items
for the U.S. Post Office Stamp Out
Hunger food drive, held annually
on the second Saturday of May. 

www.nuttallcpas.com

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 23

PEOPLE

Ron and Gini Grommes with Cathie and Rick Kowalczuk. Diane, Makenna and Brad Bryant.

Richard and Lucy Kesler. Don and Lisette Lassaline.

24 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

ShrimpFest & Craft Brew
Hullabaloo: Let’s eat, ‘shell’ we?

Marc Gingras, Derek Gerry and Scot Deschane. PHOTOS: STEPHANIE LABAFF

Emma Steffen, Yazmin Garro, Rashelle Alexis, Samiya Adams and ZaNiyah Lindsey.

Pam Sinclair and Gary Hussion. Despite the diminutive stature
Dave and Mary Silvieus. of crustaceans, they were the gi-
ant-sized focus at the three-day
ShrimpFest & Craft Brew Hul-
labaloo held at Sebastian’s Riv-
erview Park. A caravan of food
trucks served grilled, fried, sau-
téed and marinated shrimp, and
even ‘Shrimpritos,’ po-boys and
ceviche, plus options for those
not inclined toward seafaring
creatures. Additionally, Sebastian
River High School culinary stu-
dents helped prepare and served
up shrimp boil, shrimp pizza and
shrimp on the barbie at the ‘Ro-
tary Restaurant.’ And on the Craft
Brew Hullabaloo side of things,
folks enjoyed sipping on 20 Flor-
ida craft beer varieties. Through-
out the weekend, attendees pe-
rused vendor booths or just sat in
the park listening to the live musi-
cal entertainment. Proceeds from
the festival, hosted by the Rotary
Club of Sebastian and the City of
Sebastian, support youth sports
and charities throughout North
Indian River County. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 25

PEOPLE

Pam Murphy and Steve Hughey. Leann and Larry Null with Debbie White. Marcia Singery with Dan and Susan Larson.

Lauren and Mike McElroy with Emma and Lily.

Judy Lantagne and Gail Curran.

Ralph Camacho with Lydia and Evie.

26 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Author’s advice resonates at ‘Successful Aging Luncheon’

BY MARY SCHENKEL 200-year-old farmhouse in Tuscany. Appropriate to the theme of the they take off to Tuscany, where they
Staff Writer “With her signature language and luncheon, Mayes said that her recent recoup their earlier ambitions and
novel, “Women in Sunlight,” soon to dreams.
With humor and charm, Frances her descriptions of the beauty and be made into a movie, is about three
Mayes, bestselling author of “Under the simplicity of life in Italy, we’ve all women who tend to go against the “I have never been happier or more
the Tuscan Sun,” delighted an audi- learned to age beautifully with her. groove of what’s expected of them. engaged with life than I am now. I felt
ence of supporters of the Alzheimer She’s inspired many others to em- older at 20 than I did at 50. If you have
and Parkinson’s Association of In- bark on our own journeys, whether “When you start getting older, you your health, if you have some means,
dian River County at a recent Suc- they are flying to foreign countries, notice that an awful lot of people you can, in the last third of your life,
cessful Ageing Luncheon at the Vero tasting one of her recipes or simply start trying to tell you what to do,” be freer than ever before. You live in
Beach Museum of Art. engaging in armchair travel, which said Mayes, to knowing laughter from the now, not the future. Now. A deli-
many of us have been doing for a cou- the audience. cious word, now,” said Mayes.
“It took two years to get Frances ple of years now,” said Rolf.
here,” said Peggy Cunningham, ex- So as to not be a burden to oth- “When I started living in Italy, I saw
ecutive director, referring to the lun- Mayes said that she and husband ers, she said advice is often given to a different model for everyday life
cheon’s prior pandemic cancellations. Ed had arrived in Vero Beach the day downsize, drive a sensible car, watch than the one I knew. Age was much
before, adding: “We can already tell, your step, quit your job and discard less important,” said Mayes. She ex-
“Proceeds from this event will go we’re ready to move here.” the trappings of your life. plained that great-grandparents and
to the families who are trying to take toddlers sit together at the dinner
care of someone with Alzheimer’s, or Mayes grew up in Georgia, which “The treasures of your precious table, children help out at the family
those with movement disorders, like she wrote about in her book, “Under life are suddenly potential burdens trattoria and stonemasons cheerfully
Parkinson’s. And, as you know, ev- Magnolia,” and she “just crossed the to them. The subliminal message work well into old age.
erything we do is free of charge and border” to attend and graduate from is, shrink yourself,” said Mayes. She
everything is funded through philan- the University of Florida. added with characteristic humor, “This lack of separating out into age
thropy,” said Cunningham. “Just think: They’re going to inherit groups makes life seem more natural,
“I can also tell, just by being here all your money. The least they can do makes time more natural. It opened
In her introduction of Mayes, among you this morning, this is a is clean out the attic.” my eyes to assuring that I always had
board member Sandy Rolf said that place where an amazing sense of friends of all ages,” said Mayes.
in 1996, Mayes introduced readers to community thrives,” said Mayes, Mayes said that rather than down-
a new world with her memoir about adding that being involved in your size their lives, she allows the three For more information about the free
buying and restoring an abandoned community is one of the most impor- women in her book to start rein- programs at Alzheimer & Parkinson’s,
tant aspects of a balanced life. venting and expanding their lives as visit AlzPark.org. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 27

PEOPLE

Sue Tompkins, Ralph Evans and Jenna Suleman. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

PHOTOS: KAILA JONES

Trudie Rainone and Kathie Pierce. Susanne and Doug Sweeny.

Barbara Leigh and Scott Alexander. Ann Marie McCrystal and Frances Mayes.

Bob and Emilie Burr. Ginny Miller and Helena Mahony.

28 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27
Sandy Rolf, Barbara Ruddy and Dhuanne Tansill.

Don and Mary Blair with Randy Rolf.

Susan Hale, Linda Knoll and Denise Battaglini.

Betty Cates, Mary Ann Lievois and Fran Moulder.



30 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT COVER STORY

FIVE POINTS, Calif. – The hard truth each year,” said Baldomero Hernan- est start to a year in at least a century. Wind and wildfire have been more
dez, the principal of Westside Elemen- The end-of-year storms that raised the common than rain this year. Less than
here, the one that fundamentally shapes tary, who has lived in this hot, hazy level of state reservoirs and brought a half an inch of rain fell one day last
the lives of those in the San Joaquin Val- valley for more than six decades. “And bounty of essential snow to the Sierra week on Sacramento, the capital 180
ley, among the most productive agricul- it is all because of a lack of water.” Nevada and Cascade ranges are a dis- miles north of here through the valley,
tural regions on earth, is that water is tant memory. to break a record 66-day streak without
disappearing. California’s drought is intensifying precipitation during the winter months.
as it enters a third year, and along with The year’s historically dry start has
As a result, farms are also vanishing, much else here in the San Joaquin, resulted in a snowpack more than 60 The whiplash has prompted the
as hundreds of thousands of acres of the hope that a wet end to 2021 would percent below average. Not a single federal Central Valley Project, the vast
rich soil – that provide the nation with bring more water has disappeared, major reservoir is filled to its average Depression-era system of pumps, aq-
a quarter of its food – are left unplant- too. The same sentiment holds across for this time of year. The one that serves ueducts and reservoirs that provides
ed each year. much of the parched American west. the water district here, the nation’s larg- much of this region’s surface water,
est by area, is less than half full as the to declare a second straight year of no
So is a way of life, a core of California After a rainy and snow-filled Decem- state’s wet season ends. water deliveries.
economic culture. ber, the state has just endured its dri-

“This is getting progressively worse

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 31

INSIGHT COVER STORY

The announcement means farmers That translates into roughly a quarter A sign warns visitors of the lack
across the valley must rely on depleted of the nation’s food, according to federal of drinking water in Mendocino,
groundwater supplies and what they government statistics, and 40 percent of Calif.
have been able to store. its fruits and vegetables. Farmers in the
Westlands district produce nearly $2
The state, too, announced earlier this billion worth of food and fiber crops an-
year that it would provide only 15 percent nually.
of its scheduled water deliveries, which
primarily serve residential customers in But the scarcity of water and the now-
Southern California. Last Friday, given exorbitant price for it have prompted
the withering recent weather, state wa- many farmers to leave large tracts of
ter officials cut deliveries to 5 percent. land fallow, an alarming trend that is
accelerating with each dry year.
California’s Central Valley, which
includes the San Joaquin, produces According to a UC Merced study con-
around 8 percent of the nation’s fruits, ducted for the state, California farmers
vegetables, dairy products and other left nearly 400,000 acres of agricultural
food, as measured by value, according land unplanted last year because of a
to the federal government. lack of water.

A tractor tills a field between Firebaugh and Mendota, Calif.

A farm in Firebaugh, Calif.,
cut back its melon crop by 20
percent last year in efforts to

manage the limited water
supply caused by drought.

A dried weed lies in a In Sonoma County, a newly
fallowed California field. constructed rain collection
pond has had little rainwater
to collect during a severe
drought throughout the west.

Lake Oroville, which has expe- Nearly all of the fallowed land is here today at almost twice the rate deemed
rienced a severe water level in the Central Valley. Farmers in the sustainable. Hundreds of groundwater
drop, provides drinking water Westlands district left 200,000 acres wells are running dry as the water table
to 27 million Californians and idle last year and some say they expect sinks with each dry year.
water to millions of acres of to leave even more unplanted this year.
California farmland. This is a state where nearly all the
The environmental implications of the water comes from one end – the north
drought are also grave. In 2014, the state – and the vast majority of the popula-
legislature passed a law that requires wa- tion lives in the other.
ter districts to eliminate any “overdraft”
in pumping – removing ground water It is a dilemma of geography and
faster than it can be replenished – within planning that has shaped California’s
two decades of its passage. politics for a century, inspired on-the-
ground violence and pop-culture mon-
Westlands water officials say ground- uments such as “Chinatown,” and more
water within the district is being pumped
CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

32 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 INSIGHT COVER STORY

Because of the drought emergency, most California farmers did not receive their typical irrigation allotment this year.

Water levels remain low, about half what they usually are at this time of year.
Ninety-five percent of California is categorized as being in “severe drought” or higher.

Lake Oroville
in August.

Low water levels at Lake Oroville during
drought conditions in Oroville, Calif.

recently placed environmentalists in Farmers, some still old California miles of aqueducts to eventually irri- loan $2.2 billion to help finance a fed-
conflict with farmers. families but increasingly large corpo- gate the almonds and pistachios, garlic eral reservoir north of Sacramento that
rations, say such decisions, including and lettuce, and tomatoes and citrus in has been envisioned for decades. But
The state’s well-organized environ- many made at the state level, are kill- this valley and beyond. This is part of even with this essential financial boost,
mental lobby argues that farmers for ing the industry. California’s “engineered ecosystem.” final approval is still years away.
too long have received too much of a
scarce commodity, primarily at the ex- The surface water here is delivered What farmers want is a larger share “It is challenging for an optimist like
pense of habitat essential to salmon, first by the Sacramento River, its head- of the water, as well as more dams and me who has deep ties to the commu-
smelt and other wildlife. waters in the far north near Mount reservoirs built to conserve rainfall in nity and great affection for it to see
Shasta. From there it rushes south to- wet years. They argue that California the stranglehold that state and fed-
In 1992, Congress passed the Cen- ward the capital and swerves slightly has plenty of water but public policy eral regulators have on the key to our
tral Valley Project Improvement Act, west for miles, until it joins the San and plumbing have hampered the way economy,” said Diane Sharp, the may-
which requires that 800,000 acre-feet Joaquin River to form a vast delta east it is managed and delivered. or of Hanford and a fifth-generation
of water be used to protect fish and of the San Francisco Bay. resident of the valley.
habitat annually. That amount is al- They received some good news last
most as much as Westlands’ annual The Central Valley Project then week. On Thursday, the Environmental The state’s shifting climate – from
federal allocation. pumps the water south through 400 Protection Agency announced it would cold to hot, wet to dry in rapid turns

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 33

INSIGHT COVER STORY

– also means there is simply less wa- He has received no scheduled water lation,” said Borba, referring to the and has worked this land ever since.
ter here than there was decades ago. deliveries from the Central Valley Proj- advent of the three-decade-old Cen- “You want to know the bad news? I’m
In the last water year, which runs ect in four of the past 10 years. tral Valley Project Improvement Act.
from October through September, the “People are spending their equity now the last,” said Borba, who recently put
quick turn in climate resulted in only Borba fallowed 1,800 acres of his to buy water in hopes of keeping their his farm up for sale after his 44-year-
20 percent of snowmelt making it into land last year and will do the same investment alive.” old son, Derek, told him he would not
aquifers. The rest evaporated. this year. Water costs have jumped be running it and was considering a
from $7.50 an acre-foot, when he Cotton, sugar beets, melons and move out of state. Borba and his wife
“We’re seeing the effects of these took his first Central Valley Project other row crops filled the valley when may follow, given that four grandkids
very dry and warm temperatures that water delivery in 1967, to $280 an Borba’s family began farming it. Those would be heading out with his son.
are driving this,” said Jeanine Jones, acre-foot today. are no longer cost effective, and the
the drought manager for the California shift to more lucrative crops such as “You know who I am talking to about
Department of Water Resources. “So But there will be no water deliveries almonds and pistachios has remade this? Canadian pension funds, Wall
far this water year we have been warm, this year anyway. So he will pump it his farm and the valley landscape, Street hedge funds and big real estate
but we haven’t been as dry, so fingers from the ground, as will his neighbors. blooming snow white from the nut investment firms,” Borba said. “They
crossed we do better on runoff this win- trees on a recent afternoon. are saying this is an investment. But
ter.We’ll have to see how that happens.” “From that point, it has been a they are not talking about growing any-
downward slide, partly because of the He was born here, grew up here thing. Who will?” 
This crossroads town is among a climate and partly because of regu-
crescent of once-thriving, now-declin-
ing places west of Fresno, the state’s ag-
ricultural capital.

Once a primary destination for La-
tino immigrants, the area now has
the air of resigned frustration that in
many nearby communities has re-
placed abiding hope.

There is still evidence, though, of its
spirit in an against-the-odds kind of way.

“The drought puts us on edge and
we hope for rain,” said Jonathan Meza,
a 30-year-old entrepreneur in Men-
dota, the self-proclaimed cantaloupe
capital of the world. “And the rest of
the world should be worried about
what is happening here.”

Meza just opened Oasis, the town’s
first carwash. Operating on 80 percent
recycled water, Meza wants the five-
month-old business to stand as evi-
dence of hopeful investment in Men-
dota, a luxury in a dusty, threadbare
place.

“This is a town of hard-working people
who came here for the American Dream,”
he said. “They will always adapt.”

Farming has always been a long-game
business. The fat years help farmers sur-
vive the lean ones. But the changing en-
vironment has disrupted the balance.

Over the past 35 years, as the cli-
mate has shifted to one of extremes,
federal water deliveries have averaged
less than half their scheduled annual
amount. The effect can be seen along
Mt. Whitney Ave.

Mark Borba lives along the flat
stretch of road in the town of River-
dale, past the empty big-top circus
tent and service station selling nearly
$6-a-gallon gasoline.

He is the fourth generation of his
family to farm the land – in his case,
8,500 acres that he plants with al-
monds, garlic, tomatoes, lettuce and
melons. He stages the crops carefully
– garlic is harvested in May, when he
needs to concentrate his water on al-
monds and other crops – to spread his
supply out over the course of a year.

34 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT EDITORIAL

Experts have told us for years the next nuclear cri- the reemergence of so-called tactical nukes we keep tions, friendly or not, came with built-in guardrails
sis would originate with a madman in Iran or North hearing about. These smaller, low-yield weapons, against reckless leaders.
Korea, or a border war between Pakistan and India, designed for use on a conventional battlefield, un-
or a terrorist with a suitcase bomb in Times Square. dermine the all-important concept of deterrence; if What we failed to recognize is that the same grad-
Putin can launch a nuclear strike without complete- ual erosion of stabilizing institutions we’ve seen in
Suddenly, though, Russia’s foray into Ukraine has ly vaporizing the West, then he might think he can U.S. politics – the decline of party establishments,
upended that assumption. Did we get it wrong? do so without drawing a retaliatory response. the loss of trust in courts and military and media –
isn’t limited to the United States. It’s a global phe-
Concerns about an imminent nuclear strike are But the return of the nuclear nightmare is about nomenon, brought on by the same economic dislo-
now at the highest level since 1962, when President something else, too. At the heart of our faith in stable cation and fueled by the same resurgent nationalism
John F. Kennedy stared down the Soviets over mis- countries was an assumption that established gov- and social media.
siles in Cuba. Russian President Vladimir Putin has ernments relied on strong institutions – militaries,
put his nuclear forces on high alert and explicitly intelligence agencies, political parties – to help keep That means even the most stable governments are
threatened to use them should NATO interfere. a collective check on the impulse of an individual. at the mercy of captivating, demagogic personali-
ties and less buffered by the caution of empowered
It’s a situation we were never supposed to face. We played down the risk from a power like Russia elites.
During the second half of the 20th century, nuclear because we believed that mature and powerful na-
theorists in Washington and Moscow subscribed to Whether Donald Trump would ever have consid-
the doctrine of mutually assured destruction – the ered using a nuclear weapon is doubtful. But what
idea that so long as both countries knew a first strike we do know is that no American president before
would draw a civilization-ending response, no one him elicited quite as much fear from those in charge
would be crazy enough to go first. of the arsenal.

As both the United States and Russia cut back Putin is emboldened by the same ascendant cult
their nuclear arsenals after the Cold War, the think- of personality. Whatever war-hardened institutions
ing was that neither country – nor any of the hand- we might have trusted as bulwarks against insanity
ful of other stable nations thought to possess nukes in post-Soviet Russia have long since been hollowed
– would risk their own annihilation. The real threat out, replaced by the territorial ambitions of a haunt-
now, we were told, emanated from rogue states or ed man who sees himself among the czars.
terrorist cells.
We hope that Russia’s generals would act as a
But if you were going to rank the nuclear threats brake on Putin’s worst impulses, should it come to
in the world, the list would look strikingly different that – but hope, as it’s often said, isn’t much of a
today than it did a few months ago. strategy.

Iran and the West are reportedly closing in on The great powers are no longer the stately ships
another deal to limit that country’s nuclear pro- they used to be, commanding uncertain waters and
gram. North Korea just launched another missile banking for years before any real change of direc-
that might or might not be advanced, but the world tion.
mostly yawned.
The once-discernible line between rogue states
Instead, it’s Russia’s Putin now playing the role and stable powers is harder to draw now. We are only
of nuclear madman – erratic, delusional, bent on as stable as the leaders we enable – and as danger-
recapturing a bygone empire. How did we go from ous as the weapons they possess. 
worrying about tin-pot dictators and cave-dwelling
terrorists to fearing the whim of a major power? A version of this column by Matt Bai first appeared
in The Washington Post. It does not necessarily reflect
The answer certainly has something to do with the views of Vero Beach 32963.

During the coronavirus crisis, our Pelican Plaza office is closed to visitors. We appreciate your understanding.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 35

INSIGHT TRAVEL

When Lufthansa changed Gabriele was more convenient for me just to ANSWER: many hours trying to secure a confir-
Stahl's flight from San Francisco to terminate my flight in Frankfurt than mation for your new flight, to no avail.
Munich, she tried to modify her itin- to continue on to Munich. Lufthansa should have done what it Finally, you just went to the airport on
erary. Now the airline has presented promised you by phone: changed your the day of your departure, hoping for
her with a bill for an extra $1,360. I called Lufthansa and asked to flight from Munich to Frankfurt without the best.
Can it do that? change the ticket to Frankfurt, confirm- charging you. The problem is, you don't
ing that the change did not increase the have any evidence that the phone con- If you ever find yourself in this situa-
QUESTION: price. I did that on the phone, noting versation happened. The airline does; it tion again, make sure you have a con-
the time and the representative I spoke records all calls for "quality assurance" firmation number for the new flight. It
Last year, I booked a ticket from San to. purposes. looks as if Lufthansa didn't do what it
Francisco to Munich. A few weeks later, said. Instead, it canceled your old flight
Lufthansa informed me that the flight When I went to the ticket counter on Until we're on a level playing field – and issued a full refund. Then it made
had changed and that there would be my flight day, a Lufthansa employee until both sides can legally record the a new reservation and waited for you
a stopover in Frankfurt. Given that, it told me that my ticket to Frankfurt conversation, and do – we'll have prob- to pay for it.
hadn't been paid. How was I supposed lems like this.
to know that? I was under the assump- I list the names, numbers and email
tion that the original charge was still The written correspondence be- addresses of the Lufthansa executives
applied since the representative told tween you and Lufthansa is frustrating on my consumer advocacy site, El-
me on the phone it would be exactly for me to read. It looks like you spent liott.org. Unfortunately, Lufthansa al-
the same price. This was a complete most never responds to my nonprofit
surprise to me. organization's inquiries, so I recom-
mended that you send a brief letter of
Lufthansa made me pay a walk-up complaint to the U.S. Department of
fare of $2,360. Transportation.

I have been fighting with Lufthansa Lufthansa refunded the fare differ-
since last July. The airline emailed back ence. I asked Lufthansa to comment
twice but obviously had not even read for this story, but it didn't respond, as
my email. In my last email, I just asked usual. 
two very specific questions. I haven’t
received an answer in five weeks. All I Get help with any consumer prob-
want is a refund of $1,360, which is the lem by contacting Christopher Elliott at
fare difference. Can you help? http://www.elliott.org/help

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36 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

When asked about a proposed Redwood Nation- serving forests intact is that they are the planet’s est preservation, which are persuasive but a bit
al Park in 1966, Ronald Reagan, then running for first line of defense against global warming. dry. They intersperse the science with accounts of
governor of California, said, “A tree is a tree, how what forests have traditionally meant to the peo-
many more do you need to look at?” Big forests “metabolize the carbon” that our in- ples who live in them.
dustrial civilization spews into the air. The boreal
The quote appears in “Ever Green: Saving Big forests in the Arctic and the Congo rainforest also In New Guinea, where the terrain is divided by
Forests to Save the Planet,” by John W. Reid, an safeguard, just below the surface, huge deposits of isolating mountain ridges, more than 1,000 lan-
economist and conservationist, and Thomas E. peat, the largest storehouse of carbon on the planet. guages survive, more than all the Indo-European
Lovejoy, a renowned tropical-forest ecologist who Trees also shade the Earth, and their leaves tran- languages combined. Megaforests, we are told,
died in December. spire, cooling whole regions of the planet in much are not just hot spots for biodiversity, they are
the same way that sweating prevents our bodies spawning grounds for a dazzling diversity of cul-
The authors offer an eloquent and fact-filled from overheating. tures, “each with its own unique way of perceiving
refutation to the Reagans of the world who see reality.”
untamed nature as a blank space on the map that Moreover, maintaining forests is far cheaper than
cries out to be developed for human uses. They implementing technology-intensive schemes for Kenampa, a Korubo Indian from the Javari Valley
detail why forests are a critical life-support sys- lowering the temperature, such as carbon capture, in Brazil, spoke for many of the Indigenous people
tem for the Earth, moderating temperatures, stor- or weaning ourselves off fossil fuels. “Keeping car- in the book when he said: “The forest is part of our
ing carbon, preserving watersheds and generating bon in tropical forests costs a fifth as much as re- family. When we look at a forest, we don’t just see
“flying rivers,” moisture-laden currents of air that ducing emissions from energy and industry in the forest. We see lives. Lives that need us just like we
bring life-giving rains to regions both near and far United States or Europe,” the authors report. need them.”
away.
They are not arguing against reducing emissions. Rather than dismissing such views as primitive
The good news is that five almost unimaginably But, they say, “the math of keeping our world livable or naive, the authors contrast tribal peoples’ keen
vast megaforests remain largely intact: the Ama- doesn’t add up” without preserving megaforests, sense of the interdependence of all living creatures
zon, the North American boreal zone, the Taiga of which exercise a critical stabilizing influence on with our own myopic economic system, which
Russia and far northern Europe, the island of New global climate. gives more weight to short-term profit for a few
Guinea, and the Congo Basin. They are the Earth’s individuals than to the long-term survival of the
greatest depositories of biodiversity, where evolu- To their credit, Reid and Lovejoy don’t limit them- biosphere of which we are a part.
tion continues to this day and untold thousands of selves to making these utilitarian arguments for for-
species are yet to be discovered. When they asked their tribal informants what
they wanted to say to the readers of the book, Reid
You don’t really know what a megaforest is until and Lovejoy expected to hear warnings about cli-
you’ve had the experience of flying over one, as I mate change, streams drying up or the loss of per-
did during a reporting trip to the Amazon in 2015. mafrost. Instead, the most common message was
For more than an hour in the middle of a flight from an invitation: “Tell them to come!”
Brasilia to Manaus, the largest city in the Amazon Didn’t these forest-dwellers know that the people
basin, I saw virtually no roads or towns – only an they were inviting to their homeland belonged to a
ocean of green striped by oxbowing rivers and civilization that was rapidly destroying forests and
stretching from horizon to horizon. I could scarcely the natural systems that support them?
believe my eyes. Undoubtedly they did know. But I suspect they
were motivated by the simple faith that once we saw
Since that flight seven years ago, Brazil alone has their magnificent forest up close, we’d grow to love
lost tens of thousands of square miles to forest cut- it too.
ting and the massive fires that have followed human That was clearly the case for the authors of this
incursions. The authors write that we are moving book. “Ever Green,” for all its scholarly precision, is ul-
perilously close to a point of no return when losses timately an impassioned plea to save the world’s last
in Amazonia may trigger an unstoppable transi- great wild places by two men who had come, through
tion of the entire ecosystem to a drier, savanna-like long professional acquaintance, to love them. Readers
landscape. will find their passion to be contagious. 

The prospects are a bit less dire in the other great EVER GREEN
forests, where population pressures are not so acute.
But all of them face threats from logging and road- SAVING BIG FORESTS TO SAVE THE PLANET
building as well as from climate change, which will
make it difficult for many highly adapted species to BY JOHN W. REID AND THOMAS E. LOVEJOY. | NORTON. 320 PP. $40
continue living where they are now. REVIEW BY RICHARD SCHIFFMAN, THE WASHINGTON POST

Perhaps the most compelling argument for pre-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 37

INSIGHT BRIDGE

NORTH

THE ABNORMAL IS HARD TO GET RIGHT Q 10 9 7

By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Q5

Mark Haddon, who wrote “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” said, “I am K Q J 10 9 8
really interested in eccentric minds. It’s rather like being fascinated by how cars work. It’s
really boring if your car works all the time. But as soon as something happens, you get the WEST 6
bonnet up. If someone has an abnormal or dysfunctional state of mind, you get the bonnet 632 EAST
up.” AJ92
A 854
Surely we are happiest when our car keeps working and we can leave the bonnet — sorry, 98754
hood — down. Some bridge deals, though, make us very happy if we find the abnormal K83
play that is required to make or break the contract — and today’s deal features two
abnormal defensive moves. 743

South is in three no-trump. What happens after West leads the club nine? Q 10 3 2

North’s bidding sequence showed four spades, five-plus diamonds and at least game- SOUTH
forcing strength.
AKJ
Typically, East would play third hand high. Here, however, West’s club-nine lead is top of
nothing. So, East must follow suit with the club two, not put up the queen. 10 7 6 4

South takes that trick, perhaps with a deceptive ace or king, then plays a diamond. 652

West is back in. He should realize that South is ready to run for home, and that the AKJ
defense must take four heart tricks now, despite South’s having four cards in that suit.
Dealer: South; Vulnerable: Neither
West must hope that his partner has king-third in hearts, but he still has to be careful.
First, West must cash the heart ace. Then, he continues with a low heart to his partner’s The Bidding:
king. Finally, East leads through South’s heart 10 into the jaws of West’s jack-nine.
Abnormally brilliant! SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
1 NT Pass 2 Clubs Pass
2 Hearts Pass 3 Diamonds Pass LEAD:
3 NT Pass Pass Pass 9 Clubs

38 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT GAMES

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (MARCH 31) ON PAGE 68

ACROSS DOWN
1 Wages (3) 1 Wind instrument (4)
3 Saucy (4) 2 Twelve months (4)
5 Revile (4) 3 Placed (10)
8 Aspiring (anag.)(8) 4 Haphazard (6)
10 Eons (4) 6 Most cross (8)
11 Lug (3) 7 Heeded (8)
13 Din (5) 9 Sharp implement (5)
14 Verified (9) 12 Stripping (10)
16 Anger (3) 14 Townspeople (8)
17 Female person (3) 15 Not positive (8)
19 Overlooked (9) 18 Picked up (5)
21 Picture (5) 20 Stringed instrument(6)
22 Weapon (3) 22 Relative (4)
24 Go out (4) 23 Lake (4)
25 Posture (8)
The Telegraph 26 Raced (4)
27 Haul (4)
28 Digit (3)

How to do Sudoku:

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

The Telegraph

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 39

INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS 115 Tracker, metaphorically 60 On one’s way The Washington Post
1 Airport runways 117 What happened at midnight 61 Cartoon mouse who Goes
8 Diet ___ THE FULL NAME GAME By Merl Reagle
12 Windy speech last New Year’s Eve? West
19 Vitamin dosage 125 Principled 63 Saudi neighbor THE Art & Science
20 L.A. player 126 Gone astray 64 Playboy of the Western
21 The door, to Dior 127 Built of Cosmetic Surgery
22 What’s for dinner? 128 Intros World playwright
25 John Guare’s House of 129 Rocky or Tobacco 66 Aerialist’s risky decision
130 Mel and others 70 Tee follower
___ Leaves 71 Buckets-on-a-wheel device
26 Rose’s guy DOWN
27 Actress Marisa 1 Longtime resting place (anagram of ON AIR)
28 Something couch potatoes 2 “It is ___ wind ...” 72 Type of pudding
3 Prompt again 73 Drinker’s bill
won’t be saying any time 4 “He ___ me to lie down ...” 74 Series of stateside
soon? 5 Fruit drink
37 “___ my girl?” 6 Small island appearances
38 Charge 7 Aleppo’s nation 78 List-ending abbr.
39 Prob. solver? 8 Steve Canyon 79 ___ good example
40 A birthstone 80 Edible bowties
41 Launch platform penner Milt 81 Golfer Ernie
44 Wile E. Coyote perches 9 Dennis of The Fighting 82 Spinning abbr.
47 Wily 84 Possessive pronoun
49 Heavy coat Seabees 86 T. follower
50 With 59 Across, Captain 10 Crucial 90 Host Ken of the 1980s game
Kirk’s heading? 11 Odic Muse
54 “Or ___ thought” 12 Hemingway title character show Remote Control
56 “Neath” antonym 13 Speed demons (anagram of BORE)
57 Japanese copier company 14 Garden pest 91 Greek portico
58 Earnest request 15 Golf club part 92 Bush snack,
59 See 50 Across 16 That burning sensation? ___ rinds
62 Proscription list 17 Part of a military education: 94 Its meetings can be very
65 Futile educational: abbr.
67 Enemy abbr. 95 Astrologer Sydney
68 ___ My Turn 18 Wedding story word 99 He was Kotter
69 Reaction to dropping a 20 Timber wolf 100 Shining examples
bowling ball? 23 Toasted ___ cereal 102 Slogan
73 With 75 Across, a gas 24 “Dream on” 103 Get mad
75 See 73 Across 29 By hook or crook 105 Texcoco Indians
76 China, in combos 30 Dancer Verdon 107 Spherical bacteria
77 Rapscallions 31 Exxon precursor 108 Doughboy?
80 With 89 Across, a headline 32 1962 Crystals hit, “___ 109 Hard on the ears
about a surly frequent flyer? 110 Business abbr.
83 Space opener Rebel” 111 Finnish architect Alvar who
85 Fizzle (out) 33 1950 Edmond O’Brien film won the AIA’s highest honor,
87 Watercolors, etc. the Gold Medal, in 1963
88 Detector’s finding noir 112 Fogg portrayer
89 See 80 Across 34 Displace 116 Watch displays
93 Halts 35 Malingerers 117 Singer Shannon
95 President’s fiscal advisory 36 Warning device 118 Manhattan ending
org. 41 Juice switch: abbr. 119 Dance piece?
96 Carrier of Leia’s message 42 “Get ___” (baseball coach’s 120 Josh
97 Not strict 121 Theater sign
98 Not slack order) 122 Barrel of brew
99 Jimmy’s Vertigo co-star 43 It means “ten” 123 Sect starter?
101 Kansas auntie and others 45 Rock buy 124 Network
104 Whale movie 46 Verbal attack
106 Magic words? 48 Drug based on ergot SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
113 All singing! No talking! • Minimal Incision Lift for the
114 Sign element alkaloids
49 Pumpkin dessert Face, Body, Neck & Brow
51 Sci-fi staples • Breast Augmentations
52 Approaches
53 Creole speaker & Reductions
54 Basslike fish • Post Cancer Reconstructions
55 “___ a Grecian Urn” • Chemical Peels • Botox
• Laser Surgery • Tummy Tucks
• Obagi Products • Liposculpture
• Skin Cancer Treatments

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42 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BACK PAGE

How not to hold grudge against people promoted over you

BY CAROLYN HAX more. It’s also true that selective positions gener-
Washington Post ally could be filled many times over by qualified
candidates, so someone deserving almost always
Dear Carolyn: Several times in goes home empty-handed, you included. It’s true
that people choosing candidates are flawed and
the past few years, leadership roles can make mistakes. It’s true that accepting this
and moving on and remaining open to new op-
and spots in selective groups that portunities is the only way to live fully and not go
nuts. And win one eventually. Yay logic. But now
I really wanted have gone to other try to tell your feelings how great logic is.

people. For the most part, I am at Time and maturity are cures since they ease
both competitiveness and the disappointment of
peace with this; I have my grieving losing, but if, “You’ll feel better in a few decades,”
is the only cure, then there is no cure.
period, and I try my hardest not to let it affect my day-
Creating your niche, then owning it? Yes!! Also
to-day life. However, it is very difficult to watch the slow.

people who were chosen for these positions not doing a So I have this: If you can’t beat it, dilute it.
When your nagging disappointments and the
better job than I know I could do, and not appreciating next competition are all you have, they’re all you
think about. When you have other pursuits be-
what they have been given as much as I would, when sides competitive work/school, however, ones
that aren’t subject to judges or a selection com-
I know I was just as qualified, if not more; worked just mittee or aimed at a prize – when they’re entirely
your own – then your life will have less room for
as hard, if not more; and wanted the positions just as these disappointments to settle in.
Such interests must be genuine to be effective,
much, if not more. but you can prod them along, whether it’s culti-
vating hobbies or immersing yourself in friends
– Feeling Overlooked or singing badly to your playlists in the car. Any-
thing but notches in the “success” belt. Full lives
Feeling Overlooked: Could be worse! They could Averting your eyes is a strong, underrated ap- can absorb a lot. 
succeed! proach – I get so few chances to counsel denial!
– but only when used sparingly. Leaving every-
Still, I’m not sure there is a cure for watching some- where puts you nowhere.
one prove you should have gotten their job.
Logic, maybe? I’m all for it: It’s true that you
Schadenfreude leaves a guilty aftertaste, as you don’t know, can’t know, whether you deserved
rightly point out. Dammit. the job equally or wanted it more, or would have
done it better, worked as hard, or appreciated it
Corrections – where they say “oops” and hand the
job to you after all – are rare, if not unicorns.

Reframing is a great option when your life takes
a rewarding turn after a rejection, allowing you to
credit the rejection for making the good thing possi-
ble. But it is a bit like waiting for your life to happen.

TEN-SATIONAL!

STUNNING PERFORMANCES
AT RISING STARS OPERA FEST

44 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Ten-sational! Stunning performances at Rising Stars Opera Fest

BY SAMANTHA ROHLFING BAITA singers were chosen from applications throughout South Florida, Europe and Glowing in deep blue satin, Domin-
STAFF WRITER they submitted. Today, the competition his hometown of Georgetown, Guyana. guez’s “gorgeous crystalline highs and
is solely by invitation. This year 10 young powerful mid-range” were on full display
Ten of the most exciting young voices singers competed, each a 2021 MET Op- Before the finalists took the stage, as she dazzled with “Regnava del silen-
in opera thrilled a sophisticated audi- era audition winner at some level, and soprano Meryl Dominguez, first place zio” from Donizetti’s dark and dramatic
ence at the Vero Beach High School each truly a Rising Star. winner of last year’s competition and a “Lucia di Lammermoor.”
Performing Arts Center as Vero Beach national semifinalist in the Metropolitan
Opera’s heralded Rising Stars 2022 Com- On the minimally adorned stage, com- Opera National Council Auditions, re- The first finalist to take the stage was
petition culminated in the Rising Stars petition accompanist Jared Peroune turned to launch the evening. soprano Murella Parton. Charming and
Opera Festival Concert on March 25. sat at an elegant grand piano before a animated, she displayed vocal and emo-
backdrop of twinkling stars. Peroune, The Cuban-American soprano has tional range as Blanche, performing “I
When the lauded Vero Beach Opera be- a Doctor of Musical Arts student in col- performed throughout the U.S., and re- Want Magic” from André Previn’s “A
gan its Rising Stars competition in 2013, laborative piano at Miami University, has cently made her international debut as Streetcar Named Desire.”
performed and collaborated extensively the titular character in Vincenzo Bellini’s
“Norma,” with Musica Viva (Hong Kong). Ryan Capozzo, a tenor from New York,

Murella Ryan Brittany Jongwon Greer
Parton. Capozzo. Olivia Logan. Han. Lyle.

PHOTOS: KAILA JONES

Meryl Dominguez.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 45

Eleomar Jose ARTS & THEATREShaina Timothy Arianna
Cuello. Romero. Martinez. Murray. Rodriguez.

has been “generating genuine drama” on a “piercing, muscular soprano” to one of Other awards included the $3,000 received a $2,000 Encouragement Award
the operatic stage, according to Opera opera’s most beloved, longest and chal- Sergio Franchi Music Foundation Spe- from the Harold and Elma Johnson
News. Capozzo brought his ‘A’ game to lenging arias, “Sempre Libera” from “La cial Award, to Dominguez, in continued Foundation.
bear with the Prince’s Aria from Antonín Traviata” by Verdi. Bravas followed. support of her operatic career; Cuello
Dvoář k’s “Rusalka.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 46
Baritone Tim Murray exuded charm,
With regal bearing, channeling a diva acting chops and a fine baritone as he THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY | CELEBRATING
from the golden age of opera, California performed “Kogna by zhizn domashnim
native Brittany Olivia Logan took the krugom” from Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene MORE THAN EVER
stage and immediately owned it, bring- Onegin.”
ing her rich soprano to “Io son L’umile Proudly celebrating 22 years of
ancella” from Francesco Cilea’s “Adriana Soprano Arianna Rodriguez gave voice American craft and our commitment to
Lecouvreur.” to the courtesan Magda in “Chi il bel sog-
no di Doretta,” from Puccini’s “La Ron- American-made products.
Jongwon Han, from Seoul, South Ko- dine,” doing justice to Puccini’s soaring
rea, stunned with his powerful and com- phrases and floating top notes.
manding bass as he delivered “Riez, Alez,
Riez” from “Don Quichotte” by Jules From such an exceptionally gifted, ex-
Massenet. A host of Bravos ensued. perienced group the Vero Beach Opera
jury faced the challenge of choosing the
Georgia native Greer Lyle, noted by top three best of the best.
Voce di Meche for her “pure vowels and
fine vibrato,” brought a fine soprano and Of the 10 competitors, four – Han, Lo-
engaging acting range to “Dove sono i bei gan, Parton and Murray – were in the
momenti” from Mozart’s comedic “Le MET Open Audition Top Ten in the na-
Nozze di Figaro.” tional for 2021; the rest were winners in
MET U.S. regionals and districts.
Eleomar Cuello, a native of Havana,
Cuba, brought a strong baritone and ex- The three jurists were more than up
tensive stage experience to the emotional to the daunting task, with years of rich
“Per me Guinto … O Carlo ascolta” from experience among them: jury president,
“Don Carlo” by Verdi, presenting a fine VBO artistic advisor (and operatic bari-
dramatic range with great passion, and tone) Roman Ortega-Cowan; Gregory
receiving appreciative bravos. Buchalter, Varna International and Met-
ropolitan Opera conductor; and Randall
A powerful vocal presence (and a Romig, chairman of Metropolitan Opera
sartorial standout with curly dark hair Auditions Southeast Region. After two
and beard, shiny gray tuxedo jacket, long, grueling days of competition, win-
black ruffled shirt, black boutonniere) ners were announced at the conclusion
with considerable acting ability, tenor of the concert.
Jose Romero, a native of Buenos Aires,
moved effortlessly about the stage as he The top three prizes from competition
sang “E la Solita Storia del Pastore” from sponsor, the Kleinschmidt Family Foun-
“L’Arlesiana” by Francesco Cilea. dation: First Place, $10,000, Jongwon
Han; Second Place, $5,000, Brittany Ol-
Shaina Martinez impressively brought ive Logan; and Third Place, $3,000, Jose
what the Washington Post described as Romero.

2910 CARDINAL DRIVE, VERO BEACH • 772-234-6711 • THELAUGHINGDOGGALLERY.COM

46 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 ARTS & THEATRE

Community Encouragement Awards studying marine biology and had to pick First place winner sive performance repertoire. His fa-
from the Windsor Foundation, Tommy an elective. So, she picked voice. With a Jongwon Han. vorite roles thus far include Rodolfo in
and Simonetta Steyer Fund, Harold and significant resume of performances and “La Boheme,” and the Duke of Mantua
Elma Johnson Foundation, Louis Law- awards already at hand, including such family,” he recalls. “He sang at parties, in “Rigoletto.” Dream roles would be
son Legacy Fund, and in Memory of Ju- venues as Wolf Trap, Houston Grand weddings, karaoke – everywhere. He Pinkerton in “Madama Butterfly” and
liet Dykstra, were awarded to Capozzo, Opera and Cincinnati Opera, Logan is was my inspiration.” Mario Cavaradossi in “Tosca.”
Parton, Rodriguez, Murray, Martinez currently at the MET as a first year Lin-
and Lyle. demann Young Artist, and will appear Even with opera literally in his ears Now in its 34th year, Vero Beach Opera
as a priestess in the MET’s production and in his blood, Romero hadn’t consid- has hosted international vocal competi-
The three top winners have been able of “Aida” this season. Her dream is to ered following in his dad’s footsteps. He tions since 2013: the Marcello Giordani
to continue their careers, including vir- perform center stage at the MET and La went to college to study graphic design. Foundation Competitions in 2013, 2014
tually, in spite of the past couple of topsy Scala. Lofty goals and, with her voice and and 2015, and the Deborah Voigt/VBO
turvy COVID-centric years and they re- presence, reachable. Then, he laughs at the cliché: “A friend Foundation Competitions in 2016 and
called the various life journeys that led heard me singing in the shower.” A friend 2018, each with a $10,000 first prize.
them to the opera stage. Growing up in Buenos Aires, Argen- who happened to be the music director of
tina, Romero listened to opera day and the Boston Coliseum. In large part though the impressive
As a teenager in Seoul, Han says, “I had night. “My dad was the singer of the network of international opera contacts
a problem with my vocal cords, so I had With urging and encouragement Ortega-Cowan has built over the years,
to train my voice. I didn’t like it – at all!” (“Dad was super supportive!”) he was VBO established strong, supportive re-
on his way, discovering in himself the lationships with Italian tenor Giordani
Fortunately, Han’s teacher convinced personality and the voice for opera, (who died in 2019) and dramatic sopra-
him that he possessed a talent that could and he’s already compiled an impres- no Voight, both operatic stars who sang
take him places he could never have leading roles in international opera hous-
imagined. And so it has. So far, Han’s fa- es. In 2019, the finalists in Giordani’s and
vorite role has been Aleko from the opera Voigt’s five competitions were invited to
of the same name by Rachmaninoff. His the first Rising Stars Competition.
dream role is, hands down, the dashing,
boastful bullfighter Escamillo, in Bizet’s The competition, concert and a glit-
“Carman.” With Han’s full, powerful tering Grand Masque Ball ended VBO’s
bass and commanding on-stage pres- spectacular season, which saw a stun-
ence, it is easy to imagine that dream ning, fully staged performance of “La
becoming reality. Boheme,” under the baton of MET con-
ductor and VBO Music Director Caren
Logan says with a laugh that opera was Levine; and the “La Bella Italia Concert:
never on her radar. “It was crazy. It just Remembering Sergio Franchi.”
sort of fell into my lap,” she recalls.
For more information, visit Vero-
The Garden Grove native was at the BeachOpera.org. 
University of California in Long Beach

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 47

COMING UP! ARTS & THEATRE

Weekend teeming with entertaining cultural options

BY PAM HARBAUGH the Indian River Symphonic Association ter.com/GYO-Benefit-Concert. For more party, sumptuous bites, an open bar,
Correspondent and also features Berlioz’s “Roman Car- information, call 772-778-5249. a performance by Ballet Vero Beach, a
nival Overture,” Respighi’s “The Foun- deluxe live auction and dancing to the
Culture vultures will be busy this week- tains of Rome” and his “The Pines of 4 Ballet Vero Beach takes a light look Dave Capp Project. Tickets to that start
end. From rock ’n’ roll to classical, and Rome.” Maestro Chris Confessore con- at “the dance” in its next show, at $150. For more information on ei-
ballet to stand-up comedy, there will be ducts. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at ther this weekend’s performance or for
plenty to do. the Community Church of Vero Beach, “Studio to Stage.” This is described in the gala, or to purchase tickets to either
1901 23rd St. Tickets are $60. Call 772- event, call 772-905-2651 or visit Ballet-
778-1070 or visit IRSymphonic.org. part as a “comedic skewering of ballet VeroBeach.org.

schools.” The organization’s artistic di-

rector, Adam Schnell, says the fun bal-

1 See the music that set society on let, “Ecole de Ballet,” reveals how danc-
its ear with “One Night in Mem-
3 Another classical concert which ers can have a good time poking fun at 5 The Sally Wilkey Foundation
promises to be quite something will hold a gala this Saturday
phis: Tribute to Elvis Presley, Carl Per- themselves. “(It) shows we don’t take

kins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash.” features Russian pianist Sergey Bely- ourselves too seriously,” Schnell says. called “Give. Laugh. Love.” The event

This acclaimed show features former avski and German violinist Christoph “We strive to be exciting, engaging and features comedian Gina Brillion and

members of the smash Broadway hit Seybold. The concert is a benefit for the entertaining. And with all that is go- includes an open bar, dinner, prizes

“Million Dollar Quartet.” It starts 7 Gifford Youth Orchestra, which provides ing on in the world, I think that is more and entertainment. Funds raised help

p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Emerson education, performance experience and important now than ever.” The ballet the organization as it helps under-

Center, 1590 27th Ave., Vero Beach. It training in an array of performing arts performs 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 8 and served youth through tennis instruc-

is presented by Live! From Vero Beach. including music, drama, dance and the 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9 at tion and life skills development. The

Tickets are $35 to $80. For more in- vocal arts for the youth of Gifford. The or- the Vero Beach High School Performing organization was created in honor

formation, call 772-777-9321 or visit ganization has a core focus on mastering Arts Center, 1707 18th St. Tickets are $10 of the late Sally Wilkey, a graduate of

MusicWorksConcerts.com. stringed instruments. Both performers to $75. The ballet company also is get- St. Edward’s Academy and collegiate

are virtuosos who have performed in ma- ting ready for its gala fundraiser, “Ballet tennis player who died tragically of

2 On quite the other end of the musi- jor concert halls throughout the world. Under the Stars,” which is scheduled for brain cancer in 2019. “Give. Laugh.
cal spectrum is the Brevard Sym-
The concert begins 7 p.m. Saturday, April 6 p.m. Friday, April 22 at the Tree House Love” starts 6:30 p.m. Saturday, April

phony Orchestra, which features pianist 9, at the Emerson Center (address above). Vero Beach, 8010 43rd Ave., Vero Beach. 9 at the Heritage Center, 2140 14th

Joyce Yang performing Chopin’s Piano Admission is a suggested donation of $10. You need to RSVP for it by Monday, April Ave., Vero Beach. Tickets are $250.

Concert No. 1, in E Minor, Op. 11 on Fri- To see videos of past performances of 11 because of limited space. The event Call 772-643-3510 or visit SallyWilkey

day, April 8. The concert is sponsored by these two artists, visit TheEmersonCen- includes a casually elegant cocktail Foundation.org. 



PATIENTS HOME THE NEXT DAY AFTER
MITRACLIP HEART VALVE REPAIR

50 Vero Beach 32963 / April 7, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Patients home the next day after MitraClip heart valve repair

BY KERRY FIRTH Dr. Carlos Gonzalez.
Correspondent
PHOTOS: KAILA JONES
As an interventional cardiolo-
gist at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Car-
los Gonzalez is expert in cathe-
ter-based, minimally invasive
treatment of structural heart
disease for patients who don’t
need, or fail to qualify, for open
heart surgery.

One of the procedures he uses
is something called transcath-
eter edge to edge mitral valve
repair, which is used to fix dam-
aged mitral heart valves.

“A leaky mitral valve is the
most common valve problem
we see,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “We
use a MitraClip for transcatheter
edge to edge mitral valve repair.

“There are four valves in the
heart and the mitral valve is one
of them. It divides the left upper
chamber (atrium) from the left
lower chamber (ventricle), pre-
venting blood from going back-
wards. If you have a leaky mitral
valve and the amount of leakage

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1225 US HWY 1, VERO BEACH, FL 32960 JULIE A. CROMER, DDS