03/21/2024 ISSUE 12

News 1-14 Arts 51-56 Books 44 Dining 74-77 Editorial 42 Games 45-47 Health 57-69 Insight 37-50 People 15-36 Pets 78 Real Estate 81-96 Style 70-73 March 21, 2024 Volume 17, Issue 12 Newsstand Price $2.00 TO ADVERTISE CALL 772-559-4187 FOR CIRCULATION CALL 772-226-7925 Cancer Survivor Clinic helps with healing process. P58 Green thumbs up for GardenFest. P16 Pelican Island Wildlife Refuge celebrates 121st. P14 Grand Harbor Outreach targets $500K! Page 26 © 2024 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. For breaking news visit How would you feel if you owned a piece of property on the Vero island, were moving ahead with plans to build your dream retirement home, then found scammers were trying to sell your lot out from under you at a bargain price? “The main feeling was disbelief,” said Rhode Island resident Craig Kaspark. Thanks to a suspicious real estate agent and watchful South Beach neighbors, the scam was thwarted before any financial damage was done, but other similar scams have succeeded here. “It’s scary. It really is,” said Indian River County Property Appraiser Wesley Davis, whose office keeps a list of notaries involved in property Sandridge Golf Club sorely needs a new, larger and betterequipped clubhouse with an expanded parking area, but the self-supporting, countyowned facility hasn’t generated enough additional revenue to cover the entire cost of construction. Even as Sandridge Golf Director Bela Nagy continues to revise the initial plan that attracted higher-than-expected bids, the projected costs are about $4 million above the funds available for the project. The county should cover the difference. Whether through a one-time investment in what has been a wildly successful public amenity, or by providing a low-interest long-term loan, there’s no good reason the County Commission can’t get this done. It would be money wellspent on a county-operated Couple narrowly avoids property scam on island BY STEVEN M. THOMAS Staff Writer MY VERO BY RAY MCNULTY Sandridge Golf Club needs, deserves a new clubhouse Fresh off a $3.5 million renovation of its Arnold Palmer-designed golf course – the most significant revamp since it was built in 1990 – the Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club will host a U.S. Open local qualifying tournament on May 13. The qualifiers who advance from the 84-player field here will go on to compete in final qualifying events on May 20 and June 3, when they’ll vie for berths in the 124th U.S. Open, scheduled for Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina June 10-16. “We are thrilled to again host U.S. Open hopefuls on our Palmer course, and we’re Two of Vero Beach Regional Airport’s most recognized tenants seem to enjoy working together – and, it appears, for the betterment of both. Skyborne Airline Academy Skyborne/Piper partnership hits new heights with $8M deal CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Throughout his campaign for a seat on the City Council last year, Taylor Dingle stressed the need for Vero Beach’s young adults to get more involved in the decisions that impact the future of their community. BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer Rookie Vero city councilor seeks to engage younger citizens with ‘After Hours’ forum BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 Orchid Island course to host prestigious U.S. Open qualifier BY RAY MCNULTY Staff Writer CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS Which was fitting: Elected in November at age 27, he became the youngest council member in the city’s history. Now 28, Dingle is continuing his efforts to engage with citizens of his generation – anyone under 40, really – and provide more opportunities PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

2 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ confident the players will find the newly refreshed course to be challenging but fair,” Orchid Island General Manager Rob Tench said last week. “The course not only offers ideal conditions, but it’s also a tranquil and beautiful setting.” The most-recent refurbishing of the Orchid Island course – a Certified Audubon Sanctuary nestled between the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean – began last summer and was unveiled to the club’s members in November. The work was conducted by the Arnold Palmer Design Company and encompassed all of the course’s greens and tees, bunkers, short-game practice area and driving range. The most noticeable design changes were to the ninth hole, which included lowering the fairway and removing bunkers to provide a spectacular view of the lake. NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Orchid Island golf coup Expansive Gated Riverfront Estate I $2.895 Million Your Luxury Vero Beach Property Requires My Local And Global Connections As the former Vice Mayor of Vero Beach and an Estate Agent with Premier Estate Properties, I can draw on my own extensive local connections ... as well as our six synergistic offices and Billion Dollar Estate Portfolio (the ultimate source for buyers) to maximize sales. Referrals and marketing through our Incomparable Global Network further extend that reach. I will connect you with buyers at home and abroad to get your million dollar-plus Vero Beach property sold. You have my word. DISCLAIMER: The written information provided has been obtained and conveyed from third parties such as the applicable Multiple Listing Service, public records as well as other sources. All written and verbal information including that produced by the Sellers or Premier Estate Properties are subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice and purchaser shall perform their own due diligence. Copyright 2023 Premier Estate Properties Inc. All Rights Reserved. OUR INCOMPARABLE GLOBAL NETWORK 772.473.7983 LangeSykes.info 675 Beachland Boulevard, Vero Beach Lange Sykes

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 3 That number increased to 114,000, 119,000 and 124,000 the next three years. This year, Nagy said Sandridge is on a pace to at least match that 124,000, which is projected to produce $5 million in revenue. One day last week – with Daylight Saving Time in effect – a whopping 560 rounds were played there. “We can’t put any more people out there this time of year,” Nagy said, adding that the rounds-played numbers are also increasing during the offseason months. Certainly, then, the Sandridge clubhouse is something our county commissioners should be discussing publicly, rather than merely rejecting the submitted bids and requesting a lesscostly plan under the cover of a routine consent-agenda vote, as they did last month. And they need to discuss it soon, before any revised plan is finalized. As Commission Vice Chairman Joe Flescher said: “You want to reduce costs where you can, but if you reduce them too much, are you accomplishNEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Other distinct changes included: The No. 5 green was moved to slightly shorten the hole. The contour of the No. 7 and No. 13 greens was modified. The No. 18 green was dramatically reshaped, as was the bunkering around it. Orchid Island Golf Director Dave Champagne said the club’s members have responded favorably to the update and they’re excited to see how the U.S. Open qualifying competitors handle the course, which has water on 17 of 18 holes. “It’s a very challenging course, and it will be a good test for the players,” Champagne said, adding that United States Golf Association officials will arrive on the club’s grounds about a month prior to the tournament to determine how they want the layout set up. He said the most likely tweaks would be to the speeds of some greens. In addition to the two previous U.S. Open qualifiers, Orchid Island has in recent years hosted the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in 2018; Florida State Golf Association Four-Ball Championship in 2016; South Florida Professional Golfers Association Championship (with Hawk’s Nest) in 2014; Florida Open (with Quail Valley) in 2013; and FSGA Senior Match Play Championship in 2010. The USGA has scheduled 109 local qualifying tournaments, including 13 in Florida, for this summer’s U.S. Open. The only other qualifiers in South Florida will be played at The Legacy Golf & Tennis Club in Port St. Lucie and Wellington National Golf Club in Palm Beach County. Of the 10 final qualifying tournaments played in the U.S., only one will be played in Florida – at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 My Vero recreational gem that serves thousands of local residents annually and draws raves from visitors who can’t help but be impressed by the quality of the courses, maintenance of the grounds and clublike service provided by the staff. It would be money that needs to be spent for Sandridge to properly accommodate the increases in usage the facility has experienced in recent years, especially since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought swarms of new residents to our community. During the fiscal year prior to COVID, 95,000 rounds of golf were played on Sandridge’s two 18-hole courses, named “The Dunes” and “The Lakes.”

4 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ ing what you want to accomplish?” While the bids did seem high – in the neighborhood of $15 million – much of the sticker shock was the result of Nagy’s initial estimate of $5.5 million being unrealistically low. And he knew it. “That $5 million was just a placeholder,” Nagy said. “I knew it wasn’t enough. Once we really got into it, I envisioned it would be $9 million to $10 million. I’m not sure the commissioners knew that, though.” During the design phase, Nagy learned the site work and infrastructure needed to install water and sewer connections, along with expanding the parking lot from its current 85 spaces to 210, would drive the costs even higher. He did not know how high. Only three construction companies submitted bids, and one was immediately eliminated because it didn’t provide the requested timetable. The two qualified bids came from Proctor Construction of Vero Beach ($14.7 million) and Di Pompeo Construction of Fort Pierce ($15.8 million). “When I first saw the bids, my heart sank,” Nagy said. “But once I got over the shock, they fueled me to find a way to get this done, even if we had to downsize a bit.” In the past month, Nagy said he has trimmed $2 million off the cost of the project, reducing the size of the proNEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 My Vero Explore More Of Our Exceptional Vero Beach Collection PremierEstateProperties.com New to Market John’s Island Fairway Estate $4.5 Million Info: www.V266562.com Nancy Hardy 772-321-8300

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 5 posed new clubhouse from 22,000 to 19,000 square feet. He has also made the pro shop smaller – though it would still be 500 square feet larger than the existing space – and worked out a verbal agreement to share the costs of the water and sewer connections with the county, which is undergoing a similar project at Hobart Park. In addition, Nagy said Sandridge’s dramatic increase in usage the past two years has provided the additional revenues needed to pay for up to $9 million of the construction costs. If Nagy can get those costs down to $13 million, the County Commission would be foolish to not recognize Sandridge’s value to the community and write a check. Remember: The plans for the new clubhouse go beyond a more-roomy pro shop, expanded parking, additional office space and locker rooms. They also include an actual restaurant – not the glorified snack bar there now – and banquet hall, which could be leased for group events, such as weddings. That’s not only another amenity for the community; it’s another revenue stream for Sandridge, which has operated as a self-sustaining enterprise since its opening in 1987. The clubhouse was built in 1992, and as Nagy put it: “We’ve outgrown the facility.” Not only does Sandridge attract residents and visitors in big numbers, but it’s also the home of golf leagues NEWS CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 DISCLAIMER: Information published or otherwise provided by Premier Estate Properties, Inc. and its representatives including but not limited to prices, measurements, square footages, lot sizes, calculations and statistics are deemed reliable but are not guaranteed and are subject to errors, omissions or changes without notice. All such information should be independently verified by any prospective purchaser or seller. Parties should perform their own due diligence to verify such information prior to a sale or listing. Premier Estate Properties, Inc. expressly disclaims any warranty or representation regarding such information. Prices published are either list price, sold price, and/or last asking price. Premier Estate Properties, Inc. participates in the Multiple Listing Service and IDX. The properties published as listed and sold are not necessarily exclusive to Premier Estate Properties, Inc. and may be listed or have sold with other members of the Multiple Listing Service. Transactions where Premier Estate Properties, Inc. represented both buyers and sellers are calculated as two sales. Cooperating Brokers are advised that in the event of a Buyer default, no commission will be paid to a cooperating Broker on the Deposits retained by the Seller. No commissions are paid to any cooperating broker until title passes or upon actual commencement of a lease. Some affiliations may not be applicable to certain geographic areas. If your property is currently listed with another broker, please disregard any solicitation for services. Copyright 2023 Premier Estate Properties, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Your Trusted Advisor for Vero Beach Luxury Real Estate 772.234.5555 675 Beachland Boulevard OUR INCOMPARABLE GLOBAL NETWORK 727 SHORE DRIVE $1.595 Million Info: www.V274890.com Lange Sykes 772.473.7983 8830 S SEA OAKS WAY, UNIT #202 $1.025 Million Info: www.V273477.com Lucy Hendricks 772.559.8812 1510 OCEAN DRIVE, UNIT #2 $1.675 Million Info: www.V274890.com Melissa Talley 772.633.0407 3 W SEA COLONY DRIVE $1.895 Million Info: www.V271702.com Hendricks | Schwiering 772.559.8812 2350 QUAY DOCK ROAD $17 Million Info: www.V271496.com Talley | Brown 772.633.0407 2700 OCEAN DRIVE, UNIT #104 $1.175 Million Info: www.V273216.com Brown I Talley 772.633.0407

6 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ fraud and who has “a life-long family friend” who was scammed when they bought a lot from a fraudster posing as the owner of the land. “It is really bad,” added Gigi Williams, a deputy property appraiser in Davis’s office who reviews documents related to real estate transactions. “I have a thick file of attempts targeting people who live out of state or out of country, trying to steal their property.” Kaspark and his wife, Marcia Kaspark, bought the lot for their dream home in the Silver Sands subdivision in 2013, with plans to make the move from Providence, Rhode Island, sooner rather than later. Health and work issues intervened, and the move was postponed but not forgotten. Craig Kaspark, a librarian, retired in 2022 and the couple hired an architect and general contractor and applied for building permits in recent months, gearing up to finally leave winter behind and enjoy seaside living in Vero Beach. “We are both in our 70s, now, and we are gung-ho about the move, really looking forward to it,” Kaspark told Vero Beach 32963 last week. The first hint that their plans might be threatened came on March 4, when Marcia Kaspark picked up the phone as she was racing out of the house for an appointment. Someone who said they were a realtor in Vero Beach asked if their lot at 2255 Silver Sands Court was for sale. When Maricia said no, the caller said, “I thought it was a scam.” In a hurry and not sure what to make of the call, Marcia hung up and rushed off to her appointment. The next red flag was more distinct. “On March 8, we got an email from a neighbor who lives across the street from our lot,” said Craig Kaspark. “She said, ‘I just ran into your realtor, and I understand you want to sell your lot. I am very sorry we won’t have you as neighbors, but if you are selling I would be very interested [in purchasing the property].” Shortly afterward, the Kasparks got a phone call from another neighbor interested in the lot. By that time, the .31-acre lot 200 feet from the beach that had sat vacant for a decade on a quiet south island lane was listed for sale on a dozen websites for $550,000, priced at least $200,000 below its likely market value to get a quick sale. It was a textbook example of a fastNEWS The Finest Pre-Owned Rolex Watches Le Classique Jewelers and Watchmakers Every Rolex watch comes backed with our 1 year warranty. All Rolex service and repairs are done on premises. Get the Best Price For Your Pre-Owned Rolex We are proud to deliver exceptional customer service and high value offers for your pre-owned Rolex. As your trusted and reputable local jeweler, we make selling your watch a smooth experience with our guaranteed offers. Prices Upon Request 3001 Ocean Drive # 105, Vero Beach, FL 32963 772-231-2060 CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 My Vero CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Property scam thwarted formed by communities such as Sea Oaks, Marbrisa, The Lakes at Waterway Village, and Village Green. Other groups regularly reserve tee times. In addition, Sandridge serves as the host site for numerous tournaments, including an American Junior Golf Association event Nagy is bringing here in June. And for newcomers to the game, or those who want to lower their handicap, golf instruction is available. But when the club is busy – as it so often is nowadays – the clubhouse can get crowded. “I agree that Sandridge is very popular, very well-used, very well-maintained and very well-run,” Commission Chairwoman Susan Adams said. “It’s a wonderful alternative for people who can’t, for whatever reason, join a country club. “I believe the level of service at a public facility doesn’t need to be as luxurious as it is at a private facility, but it should still provide a nice experience,” she added. “That’s what Sandridge does. It’s a facility that accentuates the good feeling we have about our community. “I agree the clubhouse upgrade is necessary, but the initial design might’ve been more aspirational.” Adams said she expects the commissioners to publicly discuss the Sandridge clubhouse project when Nagy completes his revised plan. He shouldn’t cut too much, though. The county’s growing population is projected to reach 200,000 by 2030, which is only six years away. Many of the new residents who move here from the Northeast and Midwest do so because they want to play golf on a year-round basis. Not all of them can afford to join country clubs. So unless the county builds another public course – and there’s nothing on the horizon – we can expect to see more and more golfers playing at Sandridge, which has earned the county’s support. The commissioners talk about being “good stewards of the county’s tax dollars.” Here’s a chance for them to practice what they preach. Besides, 10 years from now – if the commissioners do the right thing and provide Sandridge with the additional funding – people will look at the new clubhouse and say, “You built that for only $13 million?”

8 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ growing type of real estate fraud. “First, scammers use public records to identify properties free of mortgages or other liens, often vacant lots or rental properties,” Forbes reports. “The public records also identify the current landowner. Scammers then use the information they found to pose as the property owners and contact a real estate agent to list the property. The scammers typically never meet with the agent in person, instead communicating solely through email or other electronic means. “The property is then listed for below market value, a tactic to spark immediate interest. When potential buyers make an offer, the scammer quickly accepts, and the impostor makes it clear that all-cash deals are preferred.” Last year, the Secret Service issued an advisory “warning consumers of ... [a] sharp increase in seller impersonation fraud,” according to Forbes. In February, Floridarealtors.org reported that “cybercrime rings have taken aim at U.S. real estate transactions at an alarming rate.” The article went on to note that a recent survey found, “10% of U.S. homebuyers and sellers were targeted for real estate fraud [in 2023] and 5% had losses during their real estate transaction due to fraud,” with real estate fraud losses of all types exceeding $446 million. In the Silver Sands case, the scammer reached out first to ONE Sotheby’s International Realty agent Kelly Fischer, the realtor who first called the Kasparks. “I got a phone call from a person claiming to be the owner of the property but something about the phone number and the way they approached me made my Spidey sense tingle,” Fischer said. When she dug deeper, checking the phone number online and through a realtor fraud prevention app, her suspicions grew, and she tracked down the Kasparks to check with them. Thwarted by Fischer, the scammer contacted Margo Sudnykovych at Vero Beach Rent, LLC and duped her with photos of two fake Rhode Island driver licenses. “The licenses looked very real, with our names and other information, but pictures of two other people,” Craig Kaspark said. Those driver license photos turned out to be the scammer’s Achilles heel. “I was in the car, talking to another neighbor when Margo walked over from the lot,” said Shelley Caldwell, the neighbor across the street who emailed the Kasparks. “She said she was listing the lot and wanted to find out about the HOA dues. I told her the owners couldn’t be listing because they had just surveyed the property and were in for permits – so that would have been a very sudden change of course. “She told me that Craig had cancer and that was the reason” – a lie the scammer told Sudnykovych to create a sense of urgency and explain the low listing price. After learning from the Kasparks that the lot was not being sold, Caldwell contacted Sudnykovych to alert her about the scam, but Sudnykovych said she thought the listing was legitimate because she had the couple’s driver licenses. Caldwell asked her to send them to her, which she eventually did. “As soon as I saw the photos of the licenses, I called Margo and told her, ‘That isn’t them. Those pictures don’t look anything like the Kasparks.’” Caldwell also called the Indian River County Sheriff’s office, where she was told that the sheriff could not do anything since no crime had been committed. After hearing from Caldwell, Sudnykovych removed the listing from Zillow, realtor.com and other sites and notified the FBI of the attempted fraud. She said on Monday that the FBI is investigating the case, trying to identify the scammer or scammers. “We are fortunate to have such good neighbors like Shelley,” said Craig Kaspark. Besides fake seller scams, property fraud includes mortgage fraud, in which scammers take out mortgages on property they don’t own and abscond with proceeds; wire fraud done by hackers who get into the transaction chain and divert purchase funds to overseas bank accounts during real estate closings; and rental fraud, in which scammers list property they don’t own for rent and cheat prospective renters out of the their first and last months rent and security deposits – a scheme bankrate. com calls “alarmingly common.” Bridget Berg, a principal of fraud solutions at CoreLogic, a property data and technology company, told Businessinsider.com that real estate fraud “is still relatively rare,” but the trend is upward. The Federal Trade Commission told Insider there were 1,722 reports of real estate loan-related identity theft in the first quarter of 2023, and the entire range of scams is taking place right here in Indian River County. Fischer, who quickly spotted the Silver Sands scam, said she previously listed a lot for fake owners and spent NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Property scam thwarted CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

10 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ several hundred dollars starting to market it before she was clued in by another agent who knew the lot was not for sale. Gigi Williams at the property appraiser’s office said on Friday that another instance of real estate fraud was just discovered but could not provide details because the matter was under active investigation by the Vero Beach Police. Margo Sudnykovych said Monday she knew of another current fake seller fraud attempt in Sebastian. In the case of Wesley Davis’ friends, “a lot come on the market next door to their home [in Vero Lakes Estates] and naturally they were interested,” Davis said. “It wasn’t unreasonably priced, so they bought it and closed on it and got ready to put up a carport and shed. “They brought in $10,000 in fill and put down a non-refundable $4,000 deposit on a shed before the fraud became known. Luckily, they had title insurance to cover the hard dollars they paid for the lot.” Davis’ office keeps an updated “Notary Fraud List,” which is shared with local title companies and there is a fraud prevention button on the front page of the property appraiser’s webNEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 Property scam thwarted CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Skyborne/Piper deal site. Anyone who signs up for the free service will receive an alert via email each time a document is recorded under their name with the Indian River County Clerk of Court Recording Office. “That is a good initiative of the Clerk’s Office,” Davis said. “It won’t necessarily stop the fraud from occurring but will notify you of it quickly.” Local, online and government experts agree real estate fraud is hard to prevent. They say you must be super careful, watch for any red flags such as notaries with overseas addresses, know all of the professionals you are dealing with, keep personal information secure and be sure to have title insurance. “You can’t do a wire transfer anymore without going into the bank personally,” said Fischer. “I tell clients coming from up north to take care of that with their bank before they come down to close or the bank won’t send the money.” “It is happening,” Davis said. “I am very concerned about it.” recently signed an $8 million contract to purchase 20 new Pilot 100i trainer airplanes from Piper Aircraft as the United Kingdom-based flight school again expands its fleet on its campus here. According to a joint announcement, Piper is scheduled to deliver the additional aircraft to Skyborne throughout this year and beyond. The purchase follows an initial order of 11 new Pilot 100i aircraft, which were delivered in November as part of a multi-year agreement between the companies. “Our top priority is to provide industry-leading equipment to support students through their pilot training,” said Dan Peterson, managing director of Skyborne’s Vero Beach operations. “By expanding our Pilot 100i order, we’re investing in aircraft we trust to be safe, professional and reliable as we grow for the future.” He said the Pilot 100i aircraft is “central to delivering world-class pilots for our airline partners.” With state-of-the-art technology and equipment, the Pilot 100i operates with a full Garmin suite of avionics, including the G3X touch system, which provides altitude and directional guidance along with electronic engine gauges, terrain and obstacle alerting, and SafeTaxi airport diagrams. The system also includes auto-pilot capabilities. Both Skyborne Chief Executive Officer Lee Woodward and Piper Vice President of Sales Ron Gunnarson said they were eager to continue the budding business relationship between the flight academy and aircraft manufacturer. “Over the last three years, Skyborne’s U.S. footprint has grown exponentially as demand for airline-focused pilot training continues to rise,” Woodward said. “A partner and ally from the beginning, Piper has been crucial to helping us meet this need. “We’re proud to be supporting a Florida-based company that aligns with our values of trust and quality, and we look forward to seeing our all-Piper fleet expand to more than 80 aircraft.” Said Gunnarson: “We’re thrilled to support this additional order from our neighbors here in Vero Beach, and it’s a privilege to have them as a Piper Flight School Alliance member. “We look forward to being a part of Skyborne’s growth in our community by providing them with top-of-theline trainers that are reliable and costeffective.” Skyborne, which was founded at the Gloucester Airport in the United Kingdom in 2018, quickly earned an international reputation as one of the most-respected commercial-pilot training schools in the industry. Skyborne purchased Flight Safety Academy in Vero Beach in May 2021.

12 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ for them to publicly share their thoughts and concerns about important issues confronting local government. To that end, he has scheduled a public forum for working residents who cannot attend daytime meetings but want to learn more about and discuss the four proposals the city has received for the development of the Three Corners site. Dingle’s first “Public Input After Hours” session is set for 6:30 p.m. April 11 at the Heritage Center in Pocahontas Park in downtown Vero Beach. “I was a student of the City Council for a long time before I got elected, and while I attended a lot of meetings, I didn’t see very many people my age in the audience,” Dingle said last week, when he announced his plan for the first of what he hopes will be at least two after-hours gatherings per year. “So, I’m trying something new,” he added. “One of my campaign missions was to engage with younger people – get them more involved and get their input, especially on projects as important to the future of our community as the Three Corners. “This forum is open to everyone, but I’m hoping that, by doing it at a time more convenient for people who work during the day, we can target a younger demographic than we usually see at our council meetings.” Dingle, a John’s Island golf pro who ran unsuccessfully for a City Council seat in 2021 and 2022, said he sent the announcement of the inaugural meeting to a “core group of friends” and other young-adult groups in Vero Beach, but he also wants the local news media to help him reach others in the community. In fact, the rookie councilman distributed a news release that stated: “I understand the demands of daily life, and I want to ensure that everyone has the chance to contribute to the dialogue about our community’s future.” He concluded with a plea to his peers, asking them to join him as they “collectively shape the path forward for Vero Beach.” Dingle alone will conduct the forum, which will not be subject to Florida’s Sunshine Law because it is not an official council meeting and he’s not collaborating with other council members to organize it. However, he said he has invited key members of the city’s staff, including Three Corners Project Manager Peter Polk, to attend. Dingle, who founded the local chapter of the Young Republicans and went on to serve on the city’s Utilities Commission, said he would be thrilled to attract a gathering of at least 50 people under age 40 to talk about the Three Corners proposals and provide feedback. He said he planned to refrain from taking a position on any of the submissions, however. “I see this as a pilot program,” Dingle said of his after-hours initiative, adding, “Ultimately, if this thing gets traction, I would love to fill the Heritage Center.” Vero Beach officials want to create a dining, retail, social and recreational hub on the mainland’s waterfront – on 34 acres that straddle the west end of the 17th Street Bridge and are currently occupied by the city’s defunct power plant and still-functioning wastewater treatment plant. Mayor John Cotugno, the oldest member of the City Council at age 75, welcomed Dingle’s attempt to engage with younger citizens who too often aren’t seen at daytime meetings. “Unless there’s a particularly controversial issue and people are really stirred up about something, such as the marina-expansion project, we don’t usually see a cross-section of the community represented from an age-demographic standpoint,” Cotugno said. “Even when we’ve had evening meetings, you don’t see it,” he added. “But I’ve always been a big proponent of public input. The more you can reach out to the community – the more you can engage in conversations regarding what’s going on in the city – the better. “So, as long as nobody is violating Sunshine, why not?” Cotugno regularly participates in “Coffee with the Mayor” gatherings from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on the second Friday of each month at the Heritage Center. Dingle, however, said he’s not planning monthly after-hours forums. Not yet, anyway. “I suppose it could eventually evolve into something more, but I’m not trying to steal anyone’s thunder,” Dingle said. NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Taylor Dingle

14 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Island residents celebrated the 121st birthday of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge last weekend with educational events at the headquarters on the North Barrier Island near Windsor, plus ticketed gatherings at the Environmental Learning Center on Orchid Island in Wabasso, but having the nation’s first wildlife refuge as the island’s backyard makes every day a special occasion for bird watchers. Locals grow accustomed to spying Brown Pelicans near the refuge, but the less-common White Pelicans – the original snow birds – grace the shores of the Indian River Lagoon for just a short time each winter to delight residents and tourists alike. Many of the island’s golf and tennis club communities such as Windsor have lakes and ponds that are home to both the Brown Pelicans and their white cousins, the species called Pelican erythrorthynchos of the New World, or the North American White Pelican. An elegant, soaring bird in flight, the White Pelican holds its head close to, and aligned with its body. After a few slow, methodical wing beats followed by a glide, the Pelican’s flight is powerful; and the birds are often seen flying in spectacular groups of linear, circular or V-formation. The wingspan of the white Pelican is up to 10 feet, making it one of the largest flying birds in North America with a beak-to-tail measurement of 55 to 71 inches. They are among the heaviest flying birds in the world with a weight approaching 30 pounds. Windsor resident Peggy Segalas has been admiring these noble birds since she arrived in the area 26 years ago. ”I am actually amazed at the grace and dexterity of the White Pelicans as they herd the fish, their food, around in the little ponds. And they are so beautiful in the air. We are really lucky that the white Pelicans come to Windsor!” she said. The bird is mostly silent, with a variety of low-pitched, lowing, grunting and growling calls. The flight call is a deep quiet croak; at breeding colonies it gives out deep moo calls. Young peliNancy Bunt started her new position as Assistant County Administrator in Indian River County on Monday. A veteran public servant and longtime Floridian, Bunt, 56, worked together with County Administrator John Titkanich for 15 years at the City of Cocoa. In Vero, she will oversee the Natural Resources, Planning and Development, Public Works, and Utility Services departments. “I’m really looking forward to working in Indian River County,” Bunt said. “I think there will be a lot of positive changes and improvements.” Bunt’s hiring is part of a plan to add two top leadership positions in Titkanich’s office – Bunt’s and an Ombudsman who will work with her and Indian River County residents navigating the development plan review process. The two positions were budgeted for the current year which began Oct. 1. Bunt left the City of Palm Bay to accept the position, which pays an annual salary of $170,000, plus benefits. Bunt comes to Indian River County with 28 years of local government experience with specialties like capital planning, public infrastructure, planning and development, and grant administration. NEWS New county official Bunt settles in BY REGINA MARCAZZO-SKARKA Correspondent Pelican Island refuge fetes 121st! BY JULIA DOUGLAS Correspondent cans at the colony are more vocal with loud squawks and food begging calls. They often travel long distances in large flocks by soaring, sometimes to find food. White Pelicans eat fish which they catch by using their throat pouch as a dip-net or a scoop. Usually, the birds feed early in the morning, needing two to three pounds of fish every day while putting on quite a show. The actual “Pelican Island” is a threeacre island, augmented by 2.5 acres of surrounding water off the east coast of Vero Beach’s Indian River Lagoon.

GREEN THUMBS UP! Vero’s splendid ‘GardenFest’

16 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Attendees of the 22nd annual GardenFest: Nature’s Finest Marketplace festival experienced every type of weather necessary to make gardens grow, with sunny and glorious conditions on Saturday followed by off and on rain on Sunday. Both days still bloomed with potential, offering a full range of items – everything anyone could want to tend to those gardens. Members of the Garden Club of Indian River County BY MARY SCHENKEL Staff Writer THOUSANDS GIVE GREEN THUMBS UP TO SPLENDID ‘GARDENFEST’ Marie Stiefel, Chris Runge and Nancy Richards. PHOTOS BY MARY SCHENKEL Aliana and Jahzara with Judy Shottes and Jaquan Pledger.

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 17 host the annual weekend gardening extravaganza, which draws thousands of visitors from around the state to Riverside Park to bask in the glow of all-things garden related. The event, co-chaired for the past 22 years by Barbara Russell and Karen Vatland, is billed as one of the largest free, family friendly garden shows in Florida. More than 85 carefully selected vendors, including 18 new ones this year, proffered a wide variety of plants, flowers, orchids, trees, pottery, furniture, Jean-Nicolas and Karyn Carter. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 Ethan Mann and Sue Dinenno.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ landscape lighting and garden art. Attendees weaved their way along the tree-lined paths, stopping only to take a break for lunch or purchase raffle tickets for an incredible selection of items donated by local businesses and artists. Many brought along their own wagons and carts, but volunteers from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County had wagons at the ready for anyone who purchased more than Duane and Debbie Rowe. Faye Estes and Emily McDonough. Carol Kanarek. Lana and John Turner. Janet Andes and Darlene Heiserman. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 19 they could carry. The event supports the efforts of the club to provide scholarships, and also enables members to continue civic beautification projects, such as helping with gardening and landscape projects at local charities, schools, churches and county buildings. The club is also known for its coveted Christmas ornaments, each one highlighting the uniqueness of Indian River County. Various Garden Club circles meet at different days and times each week. For more information, visit GardenClub Richard Baker with Stan and Chris Rud. ofIRC.org. Elaine Bresnee, Katherine Lake and Sue Holland. Ginger Silverman and Mark Williams. Jo Stewart and Jean Cunningham.

20 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach experienced a supernova at the annual Starfest fundraiser to benefit Childcare Resources, which this year offered luncheon and dinner options at the Riomar Country Club. Both featured music superstar Coy Bowles, best known as the guitarist and keyboardist for the Grammy Awardwinning Zac Brown Band. He’s also a devoted father, children’s book author, and a dedicated advocate for early childhood education. “The mission of Childcare Resources really speaks to me as a mother who is using early education services myself. As a parent working outside of the home daily, I know quality pre-K and early education and childcare provided during the workday is an invaluable resource for a family,” said Jennifer Peshke, board president in welcome. Shannon McGuire Bowman, Childcare Resources executive director, said 2024 is an important year for them. “It’s our 30th year providing vital services to this community. It’s 30 years of changing lives for children, families and teachers,” said Bowman. She shared the story of one parent who found Childcare Resources after he “unexpectedly became a single parent, and very quickly realized he had no idea what he was doing.” “Childcare Resources gave me what Super Bowles adds zest to Childcare Resources’ Starfest BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Staff Writer Shannon McGuire Bowman, Coy Bowles and Jennifer Peshke. PHOTOS BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Barbara Ruddy and Gerri Smith. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Elke and George Fetterolf.

22 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ 710 15th Pl., Vero Beach, FL 32960 I 772.999.3292 VBAutoSports.net Hours: Mon-Fri: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm I Closed Sunday Buy I Sell I Trade I Consignment I Financing 2018 Audi S5 Conv 3.0T Quattro, 13K Mi. 2013 Fiat 500 Pop 5-Speed, 49K Mi. 2016 Mercedes-Benz G550 Designo, 59K Mi. 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK 250, 56K Mi. 2016 Porsche Boxster PDK, 13K Mi. 2015 Mercedes-Benz Blue Tech E250 4 Matic $12K $21K $17K $41K $79K $48K Family Owned & Operated NOW OFFERING Vero’s Exclusive Destination for Exciting Automobiles Specializing in Exotic, Luxury & Collectible Automobiles RECONDITIONING | DETAILING I call the foundation for me to be able to succeed and for my child, most importantly, to succeed and grow and to become a phenomenal human being,” he told her. “We have grown from impacting 102 children in 2012 to now well over 4,000 children every single year,” said Bowman. Through its various programs and initiatives, the nonprofit organization has made significant strides in enhancing the lives of children and families in Indian River County. During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, 172 children benefited from early education services, 1,301 hours of therapeutic intervention were provided onsite, and 271 educators participatCarol Buhl, Susan Donovan, Wendy Streetman and Sarah Horsley. Joyce Parent, Nancy Edmiston, Candace McNulty, Christine Ryall and Sue Curtis. Barbara Blodgett and Suzanne Leigh.

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 23 ed in professional development and career-advancing opportunities to fulfill their mission to promote highquality early childhood development and education. Bowles’ unique blend of musical talent and passion for education was captivating. It was easy to get caught up in his enthusiasm as he related his own story of early childhood advocacy through music and stories, even having the audience singing along to the band’s hit, “Chicken Fried.” “Almost every single thing that I think that we need to make a change for within our early education system, there was an answer and a solution, and that was already happening,” said Bowles, of Childcare Resources, CONTINUED ON PAGE 24 Sue Tompkins, Joyce Parent and Carol Kanarek. Meredith Egan and Elizabeth Swann. Joan Gee, Barbie Horton and Mary Sue Brown. Mary Jo Thompson and Wanda Lincoln. Vicky and Donald DeMuth. Bob and Nancy Puff. Molly Teter Webb and Luke Webb. Suzi Shriner, Stephanie MacWilliam, Kelly O’Connor, Cindy O’Dare and Margaret Anne Evans. Christine Hughes and Kristina Moylan. Barbara Petrillo and Duncan MacLeod.

24 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ after having toured its facility. “If I could take this and model it for the rest of our United States, it would just be one of the most amazing things, and I think that the level of early education would rise.” Research has consistently shown that a child’s early years form the foundation for their future success. Highquality early childhood programs have been proven to enhance cognitive and social development, improve school readiness, and foster lifelong learning. Childcare Resources recognizes the critical role that early childhood education plays in shaping the lives of children and families and, through its programs and services, strives to ensure that every child has access to the resources and support they need to thrive. During the luncheon, Carol Buhl was presented with the Founders Award, which recognizes the impact of their most outstanding volunteers. “The Founders Award is a way for us to honor the brilliance of our three amazing founders [Sandy Kahle, Sherry Waddell and Kathy Marshall] by honoring a volunteer every year for everything they do for us,” said Bowman. The next day, Bowles presented a seven-hour professional workshop for 160 teachers as part of the nonprofit’s series of free programs for local preschool teachers. For more information, visit childcare resourcesir.org. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 Barbara Brumbaugh, Evelyn Ringler, Carole Miller and Barbara Blodgett. Diana Carroll, Tiffany Starr, Emily Essaye and Alexa Dupuis. Kristi Challenor, Mara Puerner, Melissa Zorc and Jacqueline Zehe.

Why Oak Harbor? Exclusive to Oak Harbor Club is the focus on healthy living through social connectiveness, activities for the body and mind, and graceful aging in place. The Club’s RN-staffed Wellness Center is a valuable resource for members seeking advice on health concerns, healthcare providers and if ever needed, priority admission to Somerset House. For more information call our Membership office (772) 562-3808. OakHarborVeroBeach.com *Residency within Oak Harbor is not required for Club membership. Interested in rightsizing your current lifestyle? Oak Harbor is a premier Vero Beach community offering gated, elegant living in your own home, villa, cottage or condominium. Conveniently located near Vero’s beaches, shopping, restaurants, arts and entertainment venues, and the comprehensive medical corridor, Oak Harbor provides a carefree way of life for active, engaged seniors. Nestled amid the residential community is the member managed Oak Harbor Club with a variety of memberships tailored to specific lifestyles. Oak Harbor Club delivers the most popular activities and social opportunities of much larger clubs. Its limited membership size is intentional, promoting an intimate environment of friendliness and inclusion, a place where connections are made fast and true. Popular outdoor activities include casual and inter-club Croquet, Pickleball on grass courts, Har-Tru tennis court, Bocce Ball, heated pool and spa. Inside the beautiful 42,000 sf clubhouse are exercise classes, fitness center, card and game rooms, library, salon, golf shop, several dining venues for intimate parties to grand galas, award-winning chef created cuisine, vintageinspired cocktail lounge. The Club’s 9-hole executive golf course meanders through the residential neighborhood delivering a scenic, rewarding experience every round.

26 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Grand Harbor residents and friends filled the Golf Club to share their good fortune with others during the Grand Harbor Community Outreach Program’s annual Gala Dinner. The event, co-chaired this year by Mark and Barbara Rice, is one of the nonprofit’s three major fundraisers, along with their Evening of Giving and the Golf Classic. As guests sipped on assorted cocktails and martinis poured from a glistening ice luge, they bid on assorted auction items before heading into the dining room to enjoy a delicious dinner. Mark Rice explained a major part of the evening is their signature Angel Auction, their version of a call to the heart, which is a major part of their annual appeal, all of which helps to fund grants to the charities they support. “Last year we funded 31 charities for $486,000. This year it will be 34 and we’re hoping for somewhere around $520,000,” said Rice, explaining that Grand Harbor Outreach: Hoping for over $500,000! BY MARY SCHENKEL Staff Writer Mark and Barbara Rice. Susanne and Doug Sweeny. Tom and Jan Gutowski. Janine Nebons with Jim and Marilyn Beede. Carol and Nick Halchak. PHOTOS BY MARY SCHENKEL

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 27 their grants go toward specific programs. “Every one of our charities has been vetted and visited by a financial analyst. There were site visits done and reports written, and then there are recommendations given on the individual grants.” During the evening’s festivities, Doug Elaine and Jim Dawson with Molly Mugler and John Sullivan. Anita and John O’Neill with Barbara Reis. Bob and Nancy Marshall. Patty Larson with Arthur and Jackie Dornbusch. Cynthia and Craig Hovda with Marcia and Ian Thompson. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

28 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 and Susanne Sweeny were given special recognition as Community Outreach Honorees for their 20 years of service to GHCOP. Among their many contributions, each served terms as president, and they have co-chaired the annual Evening of Giving, the annual fund and several galas. This year, the pair led the Angel Auction, and spoke about the many ways GHCOP is improving the lives of others in the community. Susanne Sweeny pointed out that the slides they were showing had been created by teens at the Hibiscus Village, who are learning graphic design skills Martin Brophy and Isabel McGuinnis Brophy with Bonnie and J.D. Walker. Al Gallo, Maureen Kahrmann, Liz Barnett and Marianne Gallo. Wayne and Suzanne Lindros. Betty and Dale Jacobs. Henriette Churney and Jeanne Nappa. Carolyn and Edgar Jones. CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

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30 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ through a Career Pathways program that Outreach sponsors. “This fully complements our ‘hands up’ philosophy as we help soon-to-be young adults develop job skills,” she noted. Citing various statistics, Doug Sweeny said GHCOP has focused its funding on four critical areas: Homelessness (925 individuals – 736 adults and 189 children), veterans in need (with some 6,000 in or close to poverty, 4,000 disabled and 30 homeless), mental health (a particularly growing challenge among youths) and at-risk children (they support 12 agencies). Sweeny said they have adopted the thinking of Harvard professor and author Arthur Brooks, who spoke to them early on about a lasting solution to poverty here and worldwide. “Arthur presented a Venn Diagram that explained that family structure, education and job/career skills all work in combination to either advantage or disadvantage a child and family,” Sweeny explained, noting that a child’s chances of success rise dramatically when they are encouraged to get an education, which leads to enhanced skills and lucrative jobs. “And Professor Brooks said someCONTINUED FROM PAGE 28 Liz Crowther, Sally Pearse and Christine Carrier. Martin Brophy, Gerri Smith, Dr. Bill Cooney and Isabel McGuinnis Brophy. Susan Michaels, Debbie Lindsey and Pat Lauda. Carolyn McAnallen and Lisa Mendelson. Dr. Jack Wilkenfeld and Gina Ganz. Art and Joan Irvine.

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32 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Camp Haven celebrated a decade of commitment toward transforming the lives of homeless men in Indian River County with a 10th Anniversary Celebration at Oak Harbor. Camp Haven takes a multifaceted approach to reach these “diamonds in the rough,” changing men’s lives through its comprehensive programs. Guests saw this firsthand through videos of residents speaking of what led to their homelessness and how they’ve been able to rebuild their lives at Camp Haven. “Over the years, we’ve had over 275 successes. That’s not just thanks to the staff. It’s thanks to you guys for investing in our cause, feeling that emotion, and putting your money there,” said Chuck Bradley, executive director. The milestone is a testament to the determination of the organization to effect lasting change and to the unwavering support of its supporters. The evening shone with brilliance under the creative genius of event co-chairs Brenda Bradley and Linda Teetz, with guests enjoying cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner and a raffle. “Eleven years ago, a few people had the foresight to recognize that there was a community of people that were BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Staff Writer Priceless inspiration at Camp Haven’s ‘diamond’ anniversary Linda and Gordon Stewart. Linda Teetz and Brenda Bradley. PHOTOS BY JOSHUA KODIS Libby and Bill King. Dr. Walter and Lalita Janke. Erika and Gene Ross.

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 33 underserved, and that is homeless men that didn’t want to be homeless,” said Gordon Stewart, board president. After thanking Jim Schorner, Diana Stark who stepped in when her husband Dick passed away, and Dr. Walter and Lalita Janke, for laying the foundation for the nonprofit, he noted that Camp Haven could also not have succeeded without the support of its volunteers. To recognize that crucial role, the annual Diamond Award is given to a Linda and Brian Korkus. CONTINUED ON PAGE 34 Linda Aronberg and Sally Pearse.

34 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ volunteer for service to the organization, and this year Bob Houlihan was the honoree. “I really love going to Camp Haven and speaking and spending time with the men there,” said Houlihan, sharing how meaningful it is when men seek him out to share their successes with him. Given the skyrocketing cost of housing, Stewart said most of the men are still unable to afford the cost of a rental Pat Stelz and Paula Mackey. apartment. To mitigate the issue, they Wheatie and Bob Gibb. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 35 are raising money to build studio apartments for the men to transition into. “So far, we’ve raised $363,000. Once we get to $550,000, we want to start construction. That’s what tonight is about,” he added, before paddles were raised in a Call to the Heart. “It’s the most direct change you can make in the world. It’s profound. It breaks cycles. It changes futures. It changes trajectories,” said Neil Saffer, auctioneer, referencing the impact donations have on men who are ready to do the work. Since its inception, Camp Haven has provided homeless men with the tools and resources to break the cycle of homelessness and lead fulfilling lives for themselves and their families. Through its comprehensive programs, participants are offered shelter, counseling, vocational training, life skills Emily and Ned Sherwood with Drs. Rick and Nancy Baker. Jim and Linda Landers with Mary and John Dicken. Jim Schorner with Robin and Doug LaPointe. Sarah and Adam Logemann. Dorothy and Wilfred Hart. CONTINUED ON PAGE 36

36 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 PEOPLE Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ workshops, and access to educational opportunities, all with the goal of empowering them to regain their independence and reintegrate into society as self-sufficient members. A cornerstone of its success is its transformational educational program, which equips participants with the skills and knowledge to secure employment, manage finances, and navigate life’s challenges effectively. For more information, visit Timothy and Bernadette Longden. camphaven.net. Diana Stark and Leslie Bergstrom. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

38 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT COVER STORY

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 39 INSIGHT COVER STORY When Ayra Redondiez’s son was born five weeks early last December, she went straight from the hospital to the Village Postnatal Retreat Center in San Francisco. During her six-night stay, Redondiez, who works in human resources at a software startup, got lactation coaching, baby CPR training and a massage. Her husband joined her, and they were able to sleep through the night while their newborn dozed in a staffed nursery down the hall. They were also able to check back in after health complications for their baby unexpectedly sent the family back to the hospital midstay. “It’s such a big thing to know you’re not alone and to have that support,” Redondiez says. “For me, that was priceless.” The cost of her experience? About $6,300, a price that’s far from affordable for the average American family. But as more luxury postnatal retreat centers U.S., operators are finding customers among affluent new parents looking for an alternative to at-home recovery. The nascent businesses are capitalizing on the relative dearth of postnatal support services in the United States – while also highlighting a gap in access. For $1,050 a night at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York City, new moms receive three meals a day delivered to their room, roundthe-clock breastfeeding support and hands-on training in baby-care skills such as swaddling and bathing. Hospital-grade bassinets make it easy to wheel newborns from their parents’ room to the nursery and back again, while cameras pointed at each child allow mom and dad to peek in from monitors. For $1,045 a night, guests at Sanu Postnatal Retreat in Tysons, Virginia, near Washington, can stay for up to 12 weeks of recovery and education. Ahma & Co was set to welcome parents with its team of doulas, therapists and newborn specialists for $1,650 a night upon opening last week at the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California. Demand is there, operators say. Esther Park, Ahma’s founder and chief executive officer, says her center has 4,000 people on its waitlist. Investors are interested, too. Late last year, Ahma closed a six-figure early investment round with a slate of backers from the US, including Dorm Room Fund and General Catalyst, and South Korea, including VNTG Corp. and TheVentures Co. The rising popularity of doulas – professionals who provide emotional support and guidance during pregnancy, birth and postpartum – suggests the level of consumer interest in related services. The doula and birth coaching market is on pace to generate an estimated $25.7 billion in global revenue in 2033, up 79% from 2023, according to research firm Future Market Insights. An IBISWorld industry analysis specific to the US also shows steady revenue growth in recent years. “It used to be that society filled that need” of supporting new moms, says Darcy Sauers, a doula and marketing strategist who helps other doulas build their practices. “Now that’s not happening, so you have a business opportunity to fill that.” Billings and staff at her own postpartum doula agency in the Dover, New Hampshire, area have tripled in the past five years, she says. This month, New York-based Boram is averaging about eight bookings every night, up 48% from a year earlier. Revenue from corporate partnerships has doubled since 2022, says co-founder Boram Nam, who previously worked in hospitality and decided to launch the business in part because of a difficult recovery after her second child was delivered by cesarean section. Firms including EasyKnock Inc., which buys homes for cash, cover employees’ entire stay at Boram, while others, such as KKR & Co., offer a discount. Although the concept is fresh to the U.S. – Boram, the first of these centers, opened in 2022 – postpartum retreats are common in many Asian countries. In South Korea, 8 in 10 new moms go to a joriwon after giving birth, where they have access to meals, child-care classes and pampering such as massages and facials. In Taiwan, parents are increasingly spending their postpartum period CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 At Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York City, a new mother is supported by a staff member. In the Baby Lounge at the Village Postnatal Retreat Center in San Francisco, rolling bassinets stand ready for newborns.

40 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 39 INSIGHT COVER STORY at luxe centers that are a mix of a ritzy hotel and exclusive hospital wing. Less expensive options are also available. Gary Lee, founder of MamiGuide, a large online platform for confinement services, as they’re called in Taiwan, has estimated the industry brings in $382 million in annual revenue. In contrast, the vast majority of American mothers give birth in a hospital and are sent home soon after; before the pandemic, a parent who gave birth vaginally stayed at the hospital for two days on average. The country’s largest professional organization for obstetricians and gynecologists recommends providers bring patients in for a comprehensive follow-up no later than 12 weeks after birth, yet almost half don’t get routine postpartum care. The U.S. is also the only high-income country in the world that fails to guarantee parental leave for new moms. In a 2020 analysis of maternity care in 11 high-income countries by the Commonwealth Fund, only the U.S. failed to guarantee new parents postpartum home visits by nurses or midwives covered by national insurance. Lower levels of social support have been associated with higher instances of postpartum depression, while a lack of lactation support has been linked to poorer breastfeeding outcomes. The high-end recovery centers are nonclinical, meaning they don’t technically offer health care, but they’re staffed by doulas, nurses and medical assistants with the training to know when guests should seek a doctor’s care. At the Village in San Francisco, staff members instruct moms on how to take their own blood pressure with an automatic cuff and recommend contacting a medical provider if the result is outside the normal range. “The postpartum experience, it can be very lonely,” says Laurie Zephyrin, senior vice president for advancing health equity at the Commonwealth Fund, which researches health care. “People are now expected to go home and know what to do with a newborn, how to breastfeed and how to recognize signs and symptoms of complications within themselves. And when people have these experiences, they may not know who to call.” New parents checking into places like Ahma and the Village are likely to have the financial resources to hire doulas, lactation coaches and other maternity services, and to have jobs that come with parental leave. But even well-to-do Americans can still yearn for the kind of wraparound care and social understanding of the challenges of new parenthood, emotional and physical, that’s normal in other countries. In Chinese culture, for example, a A room at Boram Postnatal Retreat in New York City. Left: In the Parents Lounge at the Village in San Francisco, new moms and dads can read, relax and enjoy the bar cart.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 41 INSIGHT COVER STORY one-month period of rest and recovery at home is standard. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, there’s a 40-day period of recuperation known as cuarentena, during which a mom’s social network steps in to help with household tasks. In the U.S., emphasis is often placed on mothers bouncing back quickly. Affluent adults are also more likely to live farther away from their own families, making it harder to rely on grandparents or siblings as caretakers in the weeks after delivery. “In the U.S., there is a significant problem in the way that we treat mothers,” says Park, the Ahma founder. “That also stems from not just the way that our health system is currently arranged, but also the way our community is arranged.” Certain approaches have been tweaked to appeal to a U.S. audience. While stays in joriwons in South Korea usually stretch to 21 days or more, postpartum stays in the U.S. are typically shorter. Most centers have a three-night minimum; at Boram, the average stay is five to seven nights. There’s more individualized care, too. In a joriwon moms may breastfeed in a group. U.S. sessions are more often one-on-one and tailored to the parent. Spouses and partners can come along in the U.S., which isn’t always the case in other countries. Retreat owners are eager to broadcast different options for guests to shoulder the considerable cost. Families can add stays at the Village to their baby registry, and a detailed bill at checkout can help parents get insurance reimbursement for services like lactation support. Operators hope the U.S. industry will eventually resemble that of South Korea, where there are budget postnatal recovery options, luxury ones and a spectrum in between – but regardless of the level of frills, the government typically subsidizes some of the cost. Nam thinks that’s possible for the U.S. She points to fertility treatments, which were much less accessible a decade ago, with only a handful of employers offering financial assistance. Although they’re still out of reach for many people, such treatments have become available to a larger cohort. Survey data from workforce consultant Mercer showed that in 2015 some 36% of the largest employers – those with 20,000 or more employees – covered in vitro fertilization, for example. By 2020 it was 42%. “It took about 10 years and change to get there,” Nam says. “To start from out of pocket, very expensive, not a lot of support or understanding or awareness, to companies coming in, states stepping in from the government side. That’s the path I think we’re on.” Hospital-grade bassinets and fully catered meals are part of the experience at many postnatal retreat centers.

42 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT EDITORIAL Nearly a decade ago, Congress passed a law that allows private American space companies the rights to resources they mine on celestial bodies, including the moon. Now, there’s a private venture that says it intends to do just that. Founded by a pair of former executives from Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Jeff Bezos, and an Apollo astronaut, the company, Interlune, announced itself publicly last week, saying it has raised $18 million and is developing the technology to harvest and bring materials back from the moon. Specifically, Interlune is focused on Helium-3, a stable isotope that is scarce on Earth but plentiful on the moon and could be used as fuel in nuclear fusion reactors as well as helping power the quantum computing industry. The company, based in Seattle, has been working for about four years on the technology. Earlier this year, two commercial spacecraft attempted to land on the moon as part of a NASA program designed to carry instruments and experiments to the lunar surface, and eventually cargo and rovers. The first attempt, by Astrobotic, a Pittsburgh-based company, suffered a fuel leak and never made it to the moon. The second, by Houston-based Intuitive machines, did land on the moon, but came in too fast and tipped over. Still, it was the first American spacecraft to land softly on the moon in more than 50 years, and it was the first commercial vehicle to achieve the feat. NASA is planning additional missions in the year to come, which it says will not only help pave the way for humans to return to the moon but for private industry to begin commercial operations there as well. Rob Meyerson, the former president of Blue Origin, co-founded Interlune with Gary Lai, another former executive at Blue, and Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who flew to the moon during Apollo 17. Also on the founding team are space industry executives Indra Hornsby and James Antifaev. In an interview, Meyerson said that the company intends to be the first to collect, return and then sell lunar resources and test the 2015 law. There is a large demand for Helium-3 in the quantum computing industry, which requires some of its systems to operate in extremely cold temperatures, and Interlune has already lined up a “customer that wants to buy lunar resources in large quantities,” he said. “We intend to be the first to go commercialize and deliver and support those customers,” he said. NASA might want to be a customer as well. In 2020, it said it was looking for companies to collect rocks and dirt from the lunar surface and sell them to NASA as part of a technology development program that would eventually help astronauts “live off the land.” NASA has also said it is in a space race to the moon with China. Both are focused on the lunar south pole, where there is water in the form of ice in the permanently shadowed craters there. But China has also said that it is interested in extracting other resources, including Helium-3, which it said was present in a sample it returned from the moon in 2020. Interlune intends to conduct a prospecting mission as early as 2026, when it would fly its harvester on a commercial rocket and spacecraft to an area of the moon believed to hold vast quantities of Helium-3. Once there, it would dig through the lunar soil, or regolith, as it is known, and using a spectrometer measure the amount of Helium-3 it collected. “The objective there is to get the data,” Lai said in an interview. If that goes as planned, the company hopes to launch another mission in 2028 that would be an “end-to-end demonstration of the entire operation,” Lai said. By 2030, the company intends to conduct full-scale operations. But getting to the moon is difficult – and expensive. Setting up a mining operation and then bringing the products home is even more so. To be successful, Interlune would have to rely on a number of launches and technologies that don’t yet exist, such as a lunar rover that would crisscross the surface to dig up regolith. Interlune has developed an extraction technology that is small, light and doesn’t require an enormous amount of power, Meyerson said, making it easier to transport to the moon and operate there. The company is also betting that as more commercial space ventures begin flying to the moon in partnership with NASA, deliveries to and from the surface will become more common, the way SpaceX now flies crew and cargo to the International Space Station in low earth orbit. “We’re just starting this operational cadence, and we’re really building the whole industrial base around going to the moon,” Meyerson said. The company’s funding round was led by the venture capital firm Seven Seven Six, whose founder and general partner, Alexis Ohanian, said that the space sector has become far more appealing to investors. “We’ve seen the technology come such a long way,” Ohanian said. “Obviously, what SpaceX has done has really validated the potential for what private companies can do in this space and really shown a tremendous business model.” He said he was aware that it might take years, or longer for a moon mining business to make money. But he said that, “we’re comfortable waiting for a decade plus to see those returns.” A version of this column by Christian Davenport first appeared in The Washington Post. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Vero Beach 32963. At present, our Pelican Plaza office is closed to visitors without appointments. We appreciate your understanding. Will a private U.S. company be the first to mine the moon?

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 43 INSIGHT OP-ED Yilun Liu canceled her order for a Sears dishwasher more than three months ago. But the company is still holding her $540. Will she ever get a refund? QUESTION: I canceled my dishwasher order after Sears repeatedly delayed the delivery and installation. It's been two months and I still have not received my refund. I've called, emailed and chatted online with Sears, which repeatedly promised a refund in 7 to 10 days. Every time the 10 days were up, I followed up. And every time, they gave me the same answer: that they had not processed the refund but would do so "right away." I have email and chat records with customer service. I forwarded them to their director of customer experience three days ago, but I have not had any response. I'd like to get my money back. ANSWER: Sears should have processed your refund months ago, Actually, it shouldn't have charged you for the dishwasher until it installed it. In a perfect world, you would have paid for your Sears dishwasher only when you were perfectly happy with your new appliance. It looks like you bought your dishwasher online through Sears.com and then asked it to confirm your BY CHRISTOPHER ELLIOTT I canceled my Sears dishwasher order. So where's my refund? delivery several times. Sears couldn't do that, so about a month later, you canceled the order. I think you did the right thing with the wrong company. Your mistake may have been buying a dishwasher from Sears. Sears has a long history of delayed orders and has been undergoing a painful restructuring. You followed all the correct steps. These include calling, emailing and initiating an online chat. Establishing a paper trail is particularly important. A written promise of a refund may help you later if you need to dispute your credit card charges. Sending an email to Sears' director of customer experience was also a brilliant idea. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of the Sears executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. Your case is a cautionary tale about doing business with a company that is struggling to regain its footing after falling on hard times. But it's also a testament to the power of self-advocacy. I reviewed the extensive paper trail between you and Sears, and I'm confident you would have gotten your money back eventually. But why wait? I contacted Sears on your behalf. A representative said a previous sales adjustment caused the refund to stall in its system. Sears processed your refund manually, and you received a full refund of $540. Get help with any consumer problem by contacting Christopher Elliott at http://www.elliott.org/help

44 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The CIA is the world’s most famous secret intelligence agency. Its directors, in retirement, write best-selling memoirs. Reporters detail its covert operations when they go wrong, and sometimes when they go right. Scribes like me write history books about the CIA, interviewing spies who have spent their lives undercover. And its veterans write autobiographies like Jonna Mendez’s engaging and enlightening “In True Face,” an important addition to the canon of nonfiction books about an institution encrusted in myths created by movies, television, novels, hostile intelligence services and, occasionally, the agency itself. This book, written with Wyndham Wood, is filled with adventures and operations. Mendez, born Jonna Hiestand, rose from the typing pool in the early 1960s, besting misogynistic bosses, sharpening her skills during many years working overseas and becoming the CIA’s chief of disguise, master of the masks and other magic tricks that enable American spies abroad to evade detection by their enemies. She started out as a 21-year-old “contract wife” – her first husband, after he proposed, revealed he was a CIA officer. A contract wife was one step up from a chattel slave. As his spouse, she was hired as a secretary at the CIA logistics base in Frankfurt, Germany. The second step up was as staff secretary to the head of the CIA’s Office of Technical Service, where the officers of the clandestine service went for spy gear. Mendez, bored senseless as a typist, prevailed upon her boss to let her learn clandestine photography. She did so well that she was soon training a recruited foreign agent in that dark art. She eventually secured a job in the Clandestine Imaging Division, dealing with invisible ink and microdots. And then, having learned to flex instead of curtsy, she became the most talented aide to Tony Mendez, the master of disguise who ran the CIA’s Graphics and Identity Transformation Group in the 1970s. She became proficient in the use of sophisticated bugs, tiny cameras, covert communications systems, fake passports and undetectable disguises. She learned the mask-making techniques taught by a CIA contractor – the Hollywood makeup artist who had won an honorary Oscar for “Planet of the Apes.” She underwent training in enduring enemy detention, locked in a small cell, deprived of sleep and food – a template for the CIA’s interrogation of prisoners in “black sites” after 9/11. She took assignments all over the world, especially the Indian subcontinent. Working in Pakistan – the hub of the CIA’s gunrunning mission sending hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of weapons a year to the Afghan guerrillas fighting the Soviet army in the 1980s – she plotted to smuggle a Soviet defector into safe passage. In one scene, she recalls being crushed in a teeming security line at the Kolkata airport and yelling at a tiny woman in a white sari to quit shoving, only to realize she had accosted Mother Teresa. Things got really interesting for her, personally and professionally, after she became the Disguise Branch liaison to the spies trying to operate in Russia, China, East Germany and Cuba – “denied areas,” where CIA officers were under round-the-clock surveillance as they tried to conduct espionage. Her work put her on a fast track for promotion. Along with her, women at CIA headquarters were starting to rise up in rank, to rise in revolt against the men who had held them down. Three decades of subsequent lawsuits and public shaming have cracked the glass ceiling and controlled, but not conquered, a CIA culture once more sexist than the Marines. In Tony Mendez, she had found a boss who treated her as an equal. After he retired, she became chief of disguise. She made masks that could change the wearer’s race and gender, a nice trick, and a necessity in a clandestine service made up almost exclusively of white men working abroad in lands where they were a minority. As her fame within the CIA increased, her marriage, gone stale years before, officially died. She and Tony, a widower, declared their love for each other. Kismet! Shortly thereafter, at 47, she was pregnant with her first child. A new life beckoned. She retired. Six years later, she and Tony dropped their masks when a reporter from the New York Times came to interview him about his life and career. (Full disclosure: That was me.) The newspaper story revealed that he had helped create a longsecret operation code-named ARGO – the elaborate escape plan, the false identities and the brilliant disguises that got six Americans out of revolutionary Tehran while others were held hostage in 1980. Jonna and Tony started writing their own story. George Clooney’s production company on Line 1, Brad Pitt’s on Line 2. Ben Affleck stepped in. He played Tony; Jonna and Tony went to the Oscars; “Argo” won best picture. Nowhere in fiction does a CIA story have a Hollywood ending like that. INSIGHT BOOKS IN TRUE FACE - A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked by Jonna Mendez, with Wyndham Wood | PublicAffairs. 306 pp. $30 | Review by Tim Weiner | Washington Post

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 45 Try to avoid what seems ordained By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist Another hot summer’s day resulted in a packed card room for the Senior Life Master’s class. “Let’s see if our declarer play can match the efficiency of our air-conditioning,” the SLM began. He wrote the North-South hands and the auction on the board. You have bid an emphatic four spades (the SLM continued). The first trick goes diamond ace, three, queen, six. West shifts to the club deuce. How would you proceed from there? The SLM gave them a minute to decide on their plans. This deal (the SLM proceeded) arose during a knockout team match here. One declarer was oblivious to the danger. He took the second trick on the board and played a trump. However, West won with the spade ace, led a low diamond to his partner’s jack and received a club ruff to defeat the contract. The other declarer, though, heard the tom-toms beating out a rhythm that went: “Singleton, singleton, singleton.” He knew what West was trying to do, and South saw how to stop West’s plan dead in its tracks. He won the club lead in the dummy and called for the heart king. When East played low, declarer discarded his second diamond. West could no longer get East on lead for his ruff, and the contract made. West immediately apologized to his partner. “If only I had led my club at trick one, we could have beaten the contract.” That is true. Now West will get his ruff whatever South does. In fact, if declarer leads a trump at trick two, a courageous West can get two ruffs, underleading his diamond honors twice. Dealer: West; Vulnerable: Neither NORTH 7 6 K J 8 7 5 10 9 3 A K 4 WEST A 5 4 2 A 9 6 4 A K 5 4 2 SOUTH K Q J 10 9 8 3 — 7 6 Q J 9 8 EAST — Q 10 3 2 Q J 8 2 10 7 6 5 3 The Bidding: OPENING LEAD: A Diamonds SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST 1 Diamonds 1 Hearts 2 Diamonds 4 Spades Pass Pass Pass INSIGHT BRIDGE TOTAL POOL & DECK RENOVATION FREE ESTIMATES 772-878-8452 [email protected] familypoolsinc.com Fully Licensed & Insured Lic # CPC1456929 Deck Resurfacing Swimming Pool/Spa Resurfacing Repairs & Replacements Equipment Installation Vinyl Liner Paver Installation & Sealing Locally Owned and Operated

46 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ The Telegraph How to do Sudoku: Fill in the grid so the numbers one through nine appear just once in every column, row and three-by-three square. The Telegraph SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (MARCH 14) ON PAGE 79 ACROSS 1. Beautiful woman (5) 4. Mangle (7) 8. 007 cocktail (7) 9. Japanese dish (5) 10. Deep-seated (5) 11. Dusk (7) 13. Land measure (4) 15. Promptly (2,4) 17. Spice (6) 20. Faculty head (4) 22. Ironed (7) 24. Fragrance (5) 26. Carnival dance (5) 27. Same woe (anag.) (7) 28. Akin (7) 29. Resided (5) DOWN 1. Small child (7) 2. Actress Sophia (5) 3. Witticism (7) 4. Author (6) 5. Edition (5) 6. Young goose (7) 7. Regretting (5) 12. Star in Lyra (4) 14. Yield (4) 16. Warming (7) 18. Aid sent (anag.) (7) 19. Fall back (7) 21. Longshanks, e.g. (6) 22. Puzzling question (5) 23. Begin (5) 25. Eat away (5) INSIGHT GAMES

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 47 ACROSS 1 Hsydrogen ___ (gas that smells like rotten eggs) 8 Flop 12 Florence sits on it 16 Something to stand on 19 Beaver’s last name 20 Soprano’sneighbor 21 Turn sharply 22 Resident of San Simian? 23 Cup-shaped flower 24 Interrupted film about Southern farmers? 27 Military or music abbr. 28 Made tracks 29 Pianist Rudolf 30 Whitman’s dooryard bloomers 31 Half-wild, half-domesticated canine 34 Gide’s good 35 Conceal 36 A step ahead of the MPs 38 Interrupted bluecollar spinoff of Dallas? 45 Rise up 47 Darned spot 48 Barrister’s quaff 49 Mr. Kazan 50 Laid orbs on 51 Interrupted aerobics-show theme? 57 Photographer Adams 58 Oligocene critters (literally, “toothed mountain dwellers”) 60 Last gasps for gamblers 61 Plutocrat’s digs 62 Mount that Moses climbed 63 Recommended amt. 64 Dew Drop and Dolly Wright 65 Canadian prov. 66 Sinking signal 67 Interrupted show about pruneloving private eyes? 72 Detour abbr. 75 “You betcha” 76 Letterman’s time 77 Hawaiian tuna 78 Supermodel who wed David Bowie in 1992 82 Awakened, in a way 84 Bust bottom 85 Frankenstein neck feature 87 Jannings and Gilels 88 With 96 Across, the other Tammany Hall scandal? 90 “Too much!” 91 Opposite of sud 92 Golfer Hogan 93 Auction gesture 94 Ark of the Covenant, e.g. 96 See 88 Across 103 Oft-dedicated poetry 104 ___-Contra 105 Jousting title? 106 Muscadet wine city 108 A Musketeer 111 Take to a higher authority 114 Sizable: abbr. 115 Geometry proof abbr. 118 Interrupted series about a cramped flying saucer? 120 Blend 122 Parent co. of Universal Pictures 123 Glass coloration 124 Anarchist Goldman 125 Hop on an iron horse 126 Astronomer’s tableau 127 “Wine-dark” places 128 Some grains 129 Lives DOWN 1 Bait-and-switch, e.g. 2 Arm bone 3 Interrupted actor who’d been sitting around too long anyway? 4 Clan: abbr. 5 A paler shade of white 6 Don’t mention it, in Durango 7 Previously, to the Bard 8 Diet restrictions 9 Skin cream herb 10 Pianist José 11 Attach firmly 12 Mary Kay rival 13 Boxer separator 14 Starting-over goal 15 Maker of Tater Tots 16 Aa or pahoehoe 17 Roots was one 18 Hair goos 25 Guesser’s plea 26 Tin is one 32 Ring cheer 33 Bask successfully 35 A living nightmare 36 Incendiary crime 37 “___ not amused” 39 Heaps 40 Luau accessory 41 Linden and Roach 42 Casablanca role and namesakes 43 Mislead intentionally 44 Elihu and Linus 46 ’60s mindbender 52 Go downhill 53 Settle 54 “A big fat hen” preceder 55 Recipient 56 Unseat 57 Italian wine city 59 JFK’s spy hero 61 Caruso or Fermi 64 ___ Teen-age Werewolf 65 Last box on a questionnaire 68 Mirror-breaker’s bad-luck span, briefly 69 A concrete amount 70 Crusades crusher 71 Part of a circle’s area 72 Demetrius’s workplace 73 Slot machine fruit 74 Classic Ford, familiarly 79 Interrupted show about lawn-care crimefighters? 80 ___ of one’s own medicine 81 Salamanders 83 “That ___ religion” 84 See 59 Down 85 Sierra Club sci. 86 Baby’s need, for short 88 Word in a Joe McCarthy question 89 Biol. blueprint 92 Pet 95 Weed yanker 97 Watch sites 98 Some snakes 99 Dog in old RCA logos 100 Gorgeous, to a girl 101 More subdued 102 V-8, for one 107 Gray’s Anatomy et al. 108 Baksheesh 109 Top 40 format 110 Fired, as a torpedo 111 Mound dwellers 112 Pinnacle 113 Poetic pastures 116 City or canal 117 Hibernation stations 119 ___ big way 121 Angle or cycle preceder The Telegraph WE INTERRUPTS THIS PROGRAM By Merl Reagle The Washington Post INSIGHT GAMES Established 32 Years in Indian River County (772) 562-2288 | www.kitchensvero.com 3920 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960

50 Vero Beach 32963 / March 21, 2024 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ INSIGHT BACK PAGE Hi, Carolyn: I am 29 and single. I have a very strong mother, who raised me to treat women with respect. I was taught women are strong, intelligent and independent. And that women don’t need any special treatment. When I go on dates, I treat them that way. I respect them, but I don’t offer to hold their door open or always take my car. I ask if they want to drive. And I always split the check rather than pay for them. I think it’s insulting to think women are fragile and we need to treat them as if they are. As you can imagine, I don’t get very many second dates. And most of my female friends say I act like a jerk. Am I a jerk? Should I change my way of thinking, or stay strong to my beliefs – and remain single? – B. from Maine B. from Maine: Your mother instilled in you some valuable beliefs, but either she or you fashioned them into a needlessly blunt instrument. Dates have nothing to do with scoring political points. If you ask someone to dinner, you pay. Not because your dinner companion is financially dependent upon you, but because you are the host and the pleasure of someone’s company is more than worth paying the tab. If you get to a door first, you hold it for the next person. Not because that person is too frail to handle the door, but because it’s the courteous thing to do. If you are amenable to giving your companion a ride, then you offer a ride. Note that none of these is gender-specific. Each is one person showing kindness to another – and people of all varieties appreciate kindness, even (especially?) the strong, intelligent and independent ones. You have female friends, so presumably you enjoy their company. So, dating women needn’t be any more complicated than your friendships. Try being kind, not right. See if that helps. Dear Carolyn: One of my friends has had fibromyalgia for the past year. It makes me sad, and so I like to find alternative treatments and cures and tell her about them. She’s gotten really annoyed with me for doing this, but I am only trying to help, and I think she should be more willing to listen to what I’ve found. She has a doctor she sees regularly and takes medication, but I don’t know why she brushes it off when I give her my advice. I feel really unappreciated and am starting to wonder if she even wants to feel better. – California California: She takes medication and has a doctor she sees regularly! Would you please respect this as her way of handling her illness, and stop trying to force your way down her throat, just to make yourself feel better? Wanting to help works only if you also want to listen – that’s what makes your efforts about her illness, and not your sadness. Her message to you is that she doesn’t find “alternative treatments and cures” helpful. On behalf of everyone who is struggling with health problems, and who therefore doesn’t need to take on a whole other battle against unwanted advice and suggestions about their own body, please don’t presume to judge anyone’s drive to be well. BY CAROLYN HAX Washington Post His version of respect for women results in few second dates