03/03/2022 ISSUE 05

House of the Week A20 B2 B8First-rate second stage
Theatre Guild adds a new venue
A stunner in Sabal Creek Fort Pierce ‘mane event’

‘Cracker Trail’ caravan rides in

VOLUME 7, ISSUE 5 YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022

New COVID-19 Port St. Lucie
cases nosedive set to close on
across St. Lucie City Center buy

BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer CITY: $39M PHOTO: LINDA KLOORFAIN BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer
[email protected] IN UPGRADES [email protected]
TO PARKS IN
New COVID-19 cases in St. Luc- ‘PORT DISTRICT’ Port St. Lucie City Manager Russ
ie County plummeted in late Feb- Blackburn said Monday the city’s
ruary to their lowest levels since BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer The city already plans to two historic buildings. purchase of 21 acres at City Center
mid-December as the Omicron [email protected] undertake $7 million worth of The city also plans to spend from a federal receiver for $400,000
variant wave subsided. improvements to Pioneer Park, is set to close on March 10.
Port St. Lucie plans $39 mil- a 10-acre tract on Westmore- $1.1 million this year construct-
A total of 270 county residents lion worth of improvements in land Boulevard, south of the ing the missing link of the Riv- The purchase would set the
were diagnosed with COVID-19 The Port District, a 1.5-mile- Botanical Gardens, including erwalk Boardwalk beneath the stage for the city to undertake the
during the week ending Feb. 24, a long stretch of parkland along a river-themed playground, Port St. Lucie Boulevard Bridge, long-awaited redevelopment of
decline of 95 percent since the re- the North Fork of the St. Lucie boardwalk stage, terrace seat- which would link Bridge Plaza the former Village Green Shopping
cent high of 5,619 cases during the River from Lyngate Park to Pio- ing, waterfront restaurant and to Tom Hooper Park. Center into an entertainment dis-
week ending Jan. 13, Florida De- neer Park. trict with shops, restaurants and
partment of Health records show. CONTINUED ON PAGE A4 apartments.

It was the lowest number of The City Center land has lan-
new cases since the week of Dec. guished in legal limbo since being
16 when 191 people in St. Lucie seized by U.S. Securities Exchange
County tested positive for the vi- Commission in November 2015
rus, records show. during an international fraud in-
vestigation.
The positivity rate of county
residents tested for COVID-19 The City Council voted unani-
dropped to 6 percent, also the mously Monday to forgo nearly $40
million in back property taxes, spe-
CONTINUED ON PAGE A4
CONTINUED ON PAGE A4

Midway Business Park building pair of warehouse distribution facilities

PSL ATHLETE TURNS BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer ment boom along Interstate 95. vard and Glades Cut-off Road. The Port St. Lucie City Coun-
PICKLEBALL PASSION [email protected] Business Park owners LTC A 192,500-square-foot build- cil voted unanimously Monday
INTO CAREER. Page 3 to approve a major site plan for
The Midway Business Park Ranch Joint Venture of St. Au- ing with 50 loading docks is Project Glades. The council also
plans to develop two warehouse gustine proposed building Proj- planned along Midway Road and approved a preliminary and final
and distribution facilities totaling ect Glades on a 32.7-acre parcel a 161,700-square-foot building subdivision plat creating com-
354,200 square feet in the latest on Midway Road between LTC with 39 loading docks is planned
addition to the industrial develop- Parkway Boule- on LTC Parkway. CONTINUED ON PAGE A8

IN THIS ISSUE Sports medicine: Why ‘hip
arthroscopy’ is a boon to
LOCAL NEWS A1-A9 PETS B18 injured athletes. Page 12
ARTS/PEOPLE B1-B15
HEALTH A10-A17 GAMES B20-22
SPORTS
ADVICE B19 B23

REAL ESTATE A18-A28

© 2021 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.



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Courting success: Local athlete hooked on playing, coaching pickleball

BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent al Pickleball Registry (PPR) Certified Coach Amanda Hendry. nothing to do. There was an old badminton
designation and I’m now one of the official court on the property so the two looked for
Amanda Hendry is no stranger to com- coaches at PGA Verano. I coach about 80 PHOTO: LINDA KLOORFAIN badminton equipment and couldn’t find
petition, having played field and ice hock- clients, which keeps me busy. Right now, I a full set of rackets. They improvised and
ey throughout her high school days, and plan to coach as a career, travel in tourna- one of the most popular sports in America played with ping pong paddles and a per-
the challenging position of field hockey ments and see where it goes.” in the last decade, it was invented over 50 forated plastic ball.
goalie for the University of North Carolina, years ago by Joel Pritchard, a congressman
where her team won three NCAA National While pickleball has bounced its way to from Washington state, and Bill Bell, a suc- At first, they placed the net at badmin-
Championships. But the 23-year-old Port cessful businessman. After playing golf one ton height of 60 inches and volleyed the
St. Lucie resident has found a new passion summer day, they returned to Pritchard’s ball over the net. As the weekend pro-
and life-calling in pickleball, a court sport home to find the family sitting around with gressed, the players found that the ball
that combines the elements of tennis, bad- bounced well on the asphalt surface and
minton and ping pong. soon the net was lowered to 36 inches. The
following weekend they introduced Barney
“I started playing pickleball less than McCallum to the game and soon the three
a year ago when I visited my mom during men created the rules relying heavily on
summer break,” Hendry explained. “My badminton. Fast-forward through the de-
mom is an avid pickleball player in her cades to 2005 when the USA Pickleball As-
community of PGA Verano, where their club sociation was formed fostering the growth
has 27 hard courts. I played with her and my of the sport that is exploding in popularity
sister and met my boyfriend, who happens today with pickleball courts popping up at
to be a top-10 pickleball pro, during a tour- community centers, gyms, retirement cen-
nament. We started training and competing ters and residential communities through-
together. I quickly moved up in the rank- out the U.S. The sport continues to grow
ings to the top 20 in women’s singles and worldwide as well, with many internation-
I’m climbing the ladder in women’s doubles al clubs and governing bodies established
and mixed doubles rankings. on multiple continents.

“I graduated from college in 2021 with a “Pickleball is fun for all ages,” Hend-
degree in economics and business sociol- ry assured. “The rules are simple and the
ogy with the hopes of following a career game is easy to learn, but it can develop
in finance,” she continued. “But I enjoyed into a fast-paced, competitive sport for ex-
pickleball so much that I came up with a perienced players. It’s a great way to make
plan where I could coach and still travel for friends and keep in shape.” 
tournaments. I recently got my Profession-

4 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com

CITY CENTER mously Monday to give the county Fire several other assets, federal records show. COVID CASES PLUMMET
District a 2.95-acre lot adjacent to the dis- The 21 vacant lots and 2.3-acre Bealls
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 trict’s administrative offices, 5160 NW Mil- CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1
ner Dr., to settle nearly $490,000 in back Outlet store property have a market value
cial assessments and stormwater fees to set taxes, assessments and fees. of $6,415,000, according to St. Lucie Coun- lowest since the week of Dec. 16. Over-
the stage for the closing. ty property records. The lots range from all, a total of 73,084 people in St. Lucie
A federal judge had authorized the SEC 0.14 acres to 2.55 acres. County have been diagnosed with the
“The largest chunk of money that is left receiver on Jan. 5 to sell the City Center virus since March 2020. That’s about
is the amount owed to the city,” Jennifer land to Port St. Lucie pursuant to a pur- The city also owns 11 other properties 22.7 percent of the county’s population
Davis, the city Community Redevelopment chase and sale agreement Blackburn ne- totaling more than 10 acres in City Center, of 322,154.
Area project manager, told the council. gotiated. including a warehouse, utility building,
an outdoor stage area and several parking New COVID-19 cases in St. Lucie
“This transaction is essentially saying The city first started working on the City lots. They have a combined market value of County’s public schools also dropped
we are not going to be seeking reimburse- Center redevelopment plans on 60 acres at about $2 million. sharply during the past two weeks. A to-
ment of these funds based on any future U.S. 1 and Walton Road in 2001. tal of 28 students and 9 employees were
transactions,” Davis said. Mayor Shannon Martin and Vice Mayor diagnosed with the virus between Feb.
The city built the MIDFLORIDA Credit Jolien Caraballo said they were looking for- 15 and Feb. 28, school district records
“The seller was not able to close without Union Event Center and nearby parking ward to working on a new master plan for show. The 37 cases represented a 178
those being settled.” garage, but the initial developer defaulted the City Center land. percent reduction in cases compared to
on its agreement with the city and flipped the 215 cases during the first two weeks
The city had already cleared approxi- the land to US1 Real Estate Developments “We are looking at potentially a clean of February.
mately $7 million in taxes, assessments LLC and Lin “Lily” Zhong, of Boca Raton, title once we take possession,” Caraballo
and fees owed to the St. Lucie County gov- in a short sale. said. “I am looking forward to the mas- Along with the caseload, the number of
ernment, School Board, Children’s Services ter plan process and I am ready to work St. Lucie County residents getting vaccinat-
Council and several other taxing authori- The SEC charged Zhong in an internation- through that process before we start going ed against COVID-19 went way down, state
ties and tax certificate holders. al visa fraud scheme in November 2015 and crazy on whatever is the future for those
seized her holdings in City Center as well as parcels.” 
In addition, the council voted unani-

THE PORT DISTRICT PHOTO: LINDA KLOORFAIN to the river, as well as a look out.”
The city would also spend $4 million
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1
to build stormwater drainage and park
The city’s new master plan for The Port facilities at Midport Lake, $1.8 million to
District envisions $13 million for new expand the parking lot at Lyngate Park,
boardwalks and trails through wetlands $2 million for improvements to Veter-
and along the North Fork of the St. Lucie ans Memorial Park and $1.7 million for
River north of Port St. Lucie Boulevard. improvements to Tom Hooper Park, city
records show.
The City Council decided by consen-
sus on Feb. 23 to approve the list of im- In addition, the city would spend $3.2
provements outlined in the master plan. million to reconfigure parking at the
boat ramp at Rivergate Park.
The biggest new feature would be
an iconic observation tower between Another possibility in the long run is
Midport Lake and Veterans Memorial purchasing the Bank of America prop-
Park that would cost an estimated $2.9 erty at Port St. Lucie Boulevard and Vet-
million, city records show. It would cost erans Memorial Park for additional park
another $2.4 million to build a picnic space, Davis said.
area with pavilions and parking near
the tower. City Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo
said she opposed the idea of spending
“One of the first priority project clus- $720,000 to develop remote camping
ters we identified is the Iconic Observa- sites along the North Fork that would be
tion Tower and coupling that with the accessible by boat, kayak or paddleboard.
picnic area and pavilion and parking,”
Jennifer Davis, the city’s Community “Especially in an area that’s going
Redevelopment Area project manager, to be a high entertainment district …
told the City Council. “We also wanted I think something primitive wouldn’t
to do one boardwalk segment down go with the current desire and vision
or what we’ve done before,” Caraballo
said. “I want it off.” 

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Health Department records show. Just 154 County, or about 70 percent of those age gram, said City Manager Russ Blackburn. points of distribution is down,” Black-
county residents were vaccinated against 5 and older, have been vaccinated against “The bad news is we had so much burn said. “At our last pod, we only had
the virus during the week ending Feb. 24. COVID-19. seven individuals come to get their vac-
That’s a reduction of nearly 29 percent com- COVID with Omicron and Delta, that cines.
pared to the week ending Feb. 10, when 216 The combination of the overall high now a lot of people have either been vac-
residents received vaccinations. rates of vaccination and infection with the cinated or had COVID,” Blackburn told “So, we are discontinuing the vaccine
drop in demand for vaccinations prompted the City Council Monday. pods until demand picks up. We hope it
Altogether, 213,589 people in St. Lucie Port St. Lucie to halt its vaccine clinic pro- never picks up.” 
“So, the demand for our vaccination

6 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com

Budget: City preps for economic slowdown VERO’S AIRPORT REOPENS
ITS PRIMARY RUNWAY
BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer who moved into the city in the past year as
[email protected] new home construction grew, Blackburn BY RAY McNULTY | Staff Writer of the city-owned facility’s longest run-
said. way – it stretches 7,314 feet – also will al-
Port St. Lucie administrators hope to re- The primary runway at Vero Beach low air traffic controllers to significantly
duce the city property tax rate for 2023 to at The city issued 5,263 single-family home Regional Airport reopened Monday, six improve their day-to-day management
least partially offset increases in property construction permits in 2021, a 38 percent months after it was closed for resurfac- of takeoffs and landings.
values, stormwater fees and water and sew- increase compared to 2020 when 3,823 per- ing and a month before Elite Airways
er rates. mits were issued, Blackburn said. plans to resume commercial jet service “The air traffic isn’t going to notice-
at the airport. ably increase, but with our primary run-
City Manager Russ Blackburn last Friday The city anticipates gaining $2.4 million way open again, they’ll be better able to
proposed a combined property tax rate of in new property tax revenue as a result of Elite temporarily moved its Vero handle the traffic that exists,” Scher said,
$5.50 per $1,000 of assessed value for the $570 million in new residential, commer- Beach flights to Melbourne in early Sep- adding that only a small number of air-
2023 fiscal year, a decrease of 10 cents com- cial and industrial construction completed tember to accommodate the $8.5 million craft were unable to land here because
pared to the current rate. in 2021, said Caroline Sturgis, the director project. The boutique airline is sched- the longer runway was closed.
of the city’s Office of Management and Bud- uled to return to the Vero airport with
Meanwhile, property values are expect- get. non-stop service to Newark, New Jersey, Besides resurfacing the primary run-
ed to increase by at least 10 percent, which on March 25. way, which hadn’t been repaved since
is likely to drive an increase in property tax But Sturgis warned, “an economic slow- 2001, the project included the installa-
bills for most real estate owners in the city, down is inevitable at some point, thus OMB Service between Vero Beach and Port- tion of new edge lights and other nav-
Blackburn and other city officials said. has taken the conservative approach.” land, Maine, is scheduled to start March igational aids. Scher said Florida run-
26, followed by flights to and from White ways should be repaved every 20 years,
Blackburn also proposed increasing the With inflation reaching 7 percent, the Plains, New York, on March 30. and that the timing of this project was
city’s stormwater drainage assessment by costs of operating the city government are determined by funding availability and
$5 to $168 annually, city records show. In increasing and the prices for new construc- In addition to being fully equipped to weather patterns. 
addition, Blackburn proposed raising water tion projects are exceeding the consumer handle Elite’s flights, Vero Beach Airport
and sewer rates by 1.5 percent. price index for inflation, Sturgis and Black- Director Todd Scher said the reopening
burn said. The city has lowered the prop-
Mayor Shannon Martin and the four city erty tax rate in each of the past six years,
councilmembers asked Blackburn to find Blackburn noted.
ways to further reduce the proposed tax
rate for the council’s annual budget retreat “Of course, there’s always a desire to con-
on July 20-22. tinue to lower the millage,” said Vice May-
or Jolien Caraballo. “I would always like to
The city must cut $1.4 million in spend- look at that, but then the thing I’m more
ing for each 10-cent reduction in the prop- concerned is about the economic discus-
erty tax rate, Blackburn said. sion. We’re not going to have the growth we

Part of the balancing act includes pro- CONTINUED ON PAGE A8
viding services to the 10,000 new residents



8 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com

Spring into March BUDGET PLANS property tax rate. “If there’s any way we
with Exciting Events! can reduce it, I really hope we can do that,”
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A6 Morgan said.
MORE EVENTS AND INFORMATION
AT WWW.TRADITIONFL.COM have been seeing for the last few years and So did Councilman David Pickett.
it’s projected that home prices actually may “Maybe, we need to sharpen our pencils
decrease. That doesn’t mean we can’t lower and decide what is really needed and what
the millage, it just means if we’ve got to low- isn’t needed to where we can at least reduce
er the millage, then we can’t do additional the millage rate by (10 cents) at a mini-
projects.” mum,” Pickett said.
“The economy, it is what it is,” Pickett
Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan also added. “It’s not going to get better any time
called for Blackburn and city adminis- soon, so we need to have a serious conver-
trators to find ways to further reduce the sation.” 

MIDWAY BUSINESS PARK foot warehouse with 60 loading docks
between I-95 and Crossroads Parkway,
CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 south of Okeechobee Road/State Road 70.

mercial lots on a portion of the property. JBL Asset Management of Hollywood
It’s the newest large industrial project pro- plans to start construction on the project
by June and be ready for occupancy by the
posed for the Midway Business Park and the end of the year, said Maureen Saltzer, of the
I-95 corridor. Amazon is in the process of Economic Development Council of St. Luc-
building a 1.1-million-square-foot distribu- ie County.
tion facility on a 110-acre site in the business
park fronting on I-95, south of Midway Road. The warehouse to be built at 3800 Cross-
roads Parkway has been designed to be di-
Seefried Industrial Properties, which is vided into spaces ranging from 25,000 to
developing the Amazon facility, also plans 200,000-plus square-feet, Saltzer said.
to build a 658,000-square-foot warehouse
and distribution center along I-95, just A subsidiary, JBL Fort Pierce Industrial
south of the Orange Avenue interchange, in LLC, bought the 12.71-acre site on May 4,
unincorporated St. Lucie County. It is called 2021 for $2,070,800, St. Lucie County prop-
the Kings Logistics Center. erty records show.

The Fort Pierce City Commission ap- In addition, Sansone Group of St. Louis is
proved the site plan on Feb. 7 for the Inter- in the process of developing a 5.4-million-
state Commerce Center, a 207,458-square- square-foot industrial park on 400 acres
along I-95, north of Becker Road. 

Thursday, March 3rd 8-10pm Jim Breuer: The Freedom
of Laughter Tour
Join us in Town Hall for a night of laughter, smiles and fun! To purchase tickets,
visit townhalleventcenterofpsl.com

Friday, March 4th/18th 5-9pm Chow Down and Shop Around
Join us in Tradition Square for an array of food trucks, local vendors, and
entertainment.

Saturday, March 5th 11:30-2pm World of Travel Expo in Town Hall
A free travel expo featuring 25+ cruise, tour & vacation suppliers. Free admission.
Exclusive deals, complimentary refreshments, door prizes & more!

Sunday, March 6th 2-5pm Family Field Day at Tradition
Bring your family out to Tradition Square for a fun day of music, cornhole
competitions, kid’s games, food trucks, face painting and a bounce house!
Plus, a live BMX show by BMX Trickstars at 2:30 and 4pm.

Sunday, March 20th 4-7pm Spring has Sprung in Tradition
Come out to the Gazebo at Tradition to celebrate the first day of Spring! Live music
by Permanent Affair, Horse & Wagon rides, honeybee education, local vendors,
delicious food options plus more!

Sunday, March 20th 6:30-8:30pm Musical Bingo in Town Hall
Bring your friends, beverages, snacks and get ready to name that tune!

Saturday, March 26th 3-9pm Battle of the Food Trucks

and Battle MS
Featuring over 20 food trucks to satisfy any craving and live music
by Burnt Biscuit - a modern twist on Country. VIP judges will determine who
has the best food truck in the Treasure Coast! Register for the Warriors of MS 5K
Walk/Run by visiting https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PortSaintLucie/MSWarrior

Sunday, March 27th 5:30-7:30pm Sunset Music at the Gazebo
Featuring the Truck Stop Hooligans - a blend of Folk and Rock. Grab a chair
and enjoy!



10 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com

NEUROPATHY’S MANY CAUSES MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE

BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent athy,” said Dr. Jagdeep Kohli, a board-certi- ication-induced or nutritional imbalance.”
fied neurologist with Cleveland Clinic Indian Since there are so many causes, the phy-
It starts with a sensation of pins and nee- River Hospital. “The most common cause in
dles or numbness in your hands and feet. It the Western world is diabetes, but it can also sician plays detective in narrowing down the
may progress to a sharp, jabbing, burning result from injuries, infections and exposure list of possible causes for his patient.
pain and spread upward into your arms and to toxins.
legs. You may even feel like you are walking Dr. Kohli said he looks at family history
on marbles or wearing socks or gloves when “Neuropathy is extremely common. In because there is a genetic connection to the
you are not. people 50 years of age and older, about 25 disease. One way to tell if you have that ge-
percent will experience symptoms, and netic predisposition to is to wiggle your feet.
All of these are symptoms of peripheral those over 75 years of age have a 50 percent If you have high arches or hammer toes and
neuropathy – nerve damage that causes pain chance of getting the disease. When we see it are having trouble walking, that is a strong
and numbness as well as lack of coordina- in younger people it’s usually due to genetic clue that it is genetic neuropathy. He’ll also
tion and muscle weakness. causes or more unusual things like HIV, med- ask about drinking habits because there is
a strong link between alcohol use and neu-
“There are hundreds of causes of neurop- ropathy. He looks at routine labs and blood
work. He might even find a clue on the pa-
NEED A RELIABLE ELECTRICIAN? tient’s skin or nails during a physical exam- Dr. Jagdeep Kohli. PHOTO: KAILA JONES
ination. It’s an intensive diagnosis and, in
Family Owned & Operated spite of all the tests and examinations, 30 the patient has a high alcohol intake, we limit
percent of patients never have the underly- it. Sometimes neuropathy is a side effect of
Residential / Commercial / Service ing cause discovered. chemotherapy so we may have to reduce the
FREE ESTIMATES dosage. If we find the cause, we can find the
The Mayo Clinic cites many health con- cure. Aside from directly treating the cause
“High Quality & Prompt Service ditions that can cause neuropathy. Diabetes to reverse the nerve damage, all we can do
is our Tradition” is the most common cause with more than is treat the pain and condition the muscles.”
half of diabetic patients developing some
• SERVICE UPGRADES type of neuropathy. Infections like hepatitis Early diagnosis and treatment offers the
• NEW OUTLETS & CIRCUITS B and C, shingles, Lyme disease, diphtheria best chance for controlling symptoms and
• ANNUAL HOME ELECTRICAL CHECKUP and HIV also are primary causes of neurop- preventing further damage to your peripher-
• CEILING FANS/LIGHT FIXTURES athy. Certain autoimmune diseases like lu- al nerves. “People have to understand that if
• GENERATOR/HOME SURGE PROTECTION pus, rheumatoid arthritis and Guillain-Barre they are having abnormal sensations in the
• LANDSCAPE LIGHTING syndrome can also be culprits. Kidney and feet, it needs to be checked out rather than
• RENOVATIONS liver disease, hypothyroidism and connec- ignored,” Dr. Kohli said. “Neuropathy can be
tive tissue disorders are known causes, as are very serious, and it will progress if untreated.
cancerous tumors that press on the nerves. Many people try to self-diagnose and pass it
Alcoholism, certain medications, injuries, off to ill-fitting shoes or such. Some even visit
exposure to toxins, and vitamin deficiencies a podiatrist, but a podiatrist may not recog-
can all lead to neuropathy. nize it as neuropathy.

“It’s such a difficult disease to treat be- “It’s best to get it evaluated properly by a
cause the treatment is based on the cause family doctor to make sure you are not di-
and the cause is not always discoverable,” Dr. abetic or pre-diabetic, that your thyroid is
Kohli explained. under control and that you don’t have any vi-
tamin deficiencies. Your primary care doctor
“If we find a cause, we focus on treating will identify the symptoms and refer you to a
that. For example, if we find that the patient neurologist if necessary.”
is diabetic, then we treat the diabetes. If we
find that the patient has a vitamin deficien- There is no miracle surgery that can cure
cy, we focus on replenishing that vitamin. If neuropathy, but for many people lifestyle

FREE SURGE SUPPRESSOR
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651 NW Enterprise Dr., Ste 111 Port St. Lucie 34986

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changes and management are successful in For some, wearing orthopedic braces to discuss your care plan with the aim of man- New Mexico and his residency at Mayo Clinic
slowing the progression of the disease. Los- compensate for weakness and balance loss, aging symptoms, reducing pain and getting in Rochester, Minn. He recently joined Cleve-
ing weight, exercising, monitoring blood or using a cane or walker to reduce the risk back to enjoying life again. land Clinic Indian River Hospital and is see-
sugar levels, not smoking, limiting alcohol, of falling will help. Working with a physical ing new patients at his office in the Health
improving vitamin deficiencies, and making therapist can help you walk safely again. Dr. Jagdeep Kohli completed his medical and Wellness Center, 3450 11th Court, Suite
sure injuries and infections don’t go untreat- education at the University of Calgary fol- 305B, Vero Beach. Call 772-770-6848 for an
ed are all keys to managing neuropathy. Still, the most important thing you can do lowed by an internship at the University of appointment. 
is to see your doctor to seek a diagnosis and

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12 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com

Non-invasive ‘hip arthroscopy’: A boon to injured athletes

BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent Dr. Michael formed as an outpatient, day surgery,” Dr. incisions about the size of my fingernail
MacKechnie. MacKechnie explained. “Once the patient on the front side of the hip and insert the
It’s not only seniors who have hip prob- is fully asleep with general anesthesia, arthroscope to be able to see the inside of
lems. Young people, especially athletes, repair the condition causing pain or mo- we’ll gently pull on the leg to open up the the joint. The other holes are used to in-
often have hip injuries resulting in pain bility problems in their hips without the ball and socket joint and create a space sert the tools to trim back and repair the
and immobility, or pain caused by genetic need for a total hip replacement. Typical- for us to put in our equipment. cartilage and bone. It’s a new and impres-
issues. Otherwise these teens and young ly, your doctor will recommend arthros- sive tool to help people and I’m happy to
adults are perfectly healthy. In the past copy only if non-surgical treatments like “We typically make three or four small offer this minimally invasive surgery as
they may have had to look at a total hip steroid injections or physical therapy fail. part of the comprehensive management
replacement or live with the pain, but an of hip problems.”
evolving non-invasive procedure called “Hip arthroscopy is generally per-
hip arthroscopy can alleviate their dis- Since hip arthroscopy is a newer area
comfort and get them back in the game. of orthopedics, many surgeons aren’t
trained in it. Dr. MacKechnie sees pa-
Hip arthroscopy, sometimes called a tients from as far south as Miami and as
hip scope, is a relatively new, minimally far north as Indian River County. “I’ve
invasive surgery that allows your ortho- been at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
pedic surgeon to put a camera, called an for a little over a year now and I’m happy I
arthroscope, inside the ball and socket of can bring my experience with this proce-
the hip joint to diagnose and treat a num- dure to the hospital,” he said.
ber of common hip injuries.
When asked if the arthroscopic sur-
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Michael gery can delay the need for hip surgery or
MacKechnie, director of sports medicine postpone the advancement of hip arthri-
for Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, is ex- tis, Dr. MacKechnie said there are many
cited by this new method of treating those studies going on right now but no defin-
who need hip surgery but not a full joint itive answer.
replacement.
“I think arthroscopy is an important
“Our arthroscopy patients are general- tool but not a panacea,” he said. “We only
ly younger and active with minimal or no offer this surgery to patients who have
arthritis. When a teen or a patient in their the type of injury that can be treated and
20s has a hip injury, we want to avoid a do well. It is not a treatment for all with
total hip replacement if possible, because hip problems and some patients may ul-
the new joint only lasts 15 or 20 years and timately require a total hip replacement.”
they’d have to do it all over again in the
future. A patient who undergoes arthroscopic
hip surgery can expect to spend about a
“This is where sports medicine and ar- month on crutches and between three
throscopy really help. Of course, young is and six months before they are fully re-
a relative term. I’ve done this procedure covered. Rehab after the surgery is highly
on people in their 40s, 50s and 60s too, as recommended and an important part of
long as they don’t have arthritis. Unfortu- the recovery process.
nately, the only cure for arthritis is a joint
replacement.” “When a patient comes into Cleveland
Clinic’s Orthopaedic Department with
Hip arthroscopy is used for the removal hip pain, we offer at multidisciplinary ap-
of loose pieces of bone or cartilage, and to proach,” Dr. MacKechnie said.
treat labral tears, tendon tears and releas-
es, hip dysplasia, diseased or inflamed “We have a non-operative sports med-
joint lining, painful bone spurs and im- icine doctor who can administer injec-
pingement – a condition where an unusu- tions, anti-inflammatory medicines and
ally shaped hip joint causes two bones to physical therapy. It’s always a good idea to
rub together. try as many non-operative treatments as
you can prior to any type of surgery. Then
For many people, an arthroscopy will

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you have me offering minimally invasive Answers to questions on stroke, constipation and elder abuse
arthroscopic surgery to those with little or
no arthritis, and my colleague who offers BY FRED CICETTI The clinical definition of constipation is Q. Are there telltale signs that an older per-
the straightforward and complex hip re- any two of the following symptoms for at son is being abused?
placement. There are a lot of options and Q. What are the most common symptoms least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecu-
arthroscopic surgery is just one arrow in that you’re having a stroke? tive) in the previous year: straining during A. If you’re concerned an older adult might
the quiver. bowel movements, lumpy or hard stool, need help, these are symptoms to look for:
THE HEALTHY SENIOR sensation of obstruction or incomplete
“My goal as a sports medicine surgeon evacuation, fewer than three bowel move-  Physical injury such as a bruise, cut,
is to focus on where you are right now, The most common stroke symptoms ments per week. burn, rope mark, sprain or broken bone.
whether you’re a 20-year-old soccer play- include sudden numbness, weakness, or
er or a 50-year-old pickleball player and paralysis of the face, arm or leg – usually Those reporting constipation most of-  Refusal of the caregiver to allow you to
get you back to where you need to be,” Dr. on one side of the body; trouble talking or ten are women and adults aged 65 and visit the older person alone.
MacKechnie said. “If we can do that with understanding; sudden blurred, double or over.
minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, decreased vision; dizziness, loss of balance  Indications of dehydration, malnour-
you’ll have a shorter recovery time, low- or coordination; a sudden headache with a Common causes of constipation in- ishment, weight loss and poor hygiene.
er chance of infection and overall better stiff neck; facial pain; pain between the eyes; clude insufficient intake of fiber and liq-
results.” vomiting or altered consciousness; confu- uids, lack of exercise, medications, older  Negative behavior such as agitation,
sion, or problems with memory, spatial ori- age and abuse of laxatives. withdrawal, expressions of fear or apathy.
Dr. Michael MacKechnie earned his entation or perception.
medical degree from McGill University Many seniors eat a low-fiber diet that  Unexplained changes in finances.
Faculty of Medicine in Quebec. He com- During a stroke, brain cells are deprived causes constipation. Some lose interest in Recently, the U.S. Administration on Ag-
pleted the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency of oxygen and nutrients. They begin to die. eating and choose convenience foods low ing found that more than a half-million peo-
program at University of Toronto and his The earlier a stroke is treated, the better the in fiber. Others have difficulties chewing ple over the age of 60 are abused or neglected
Clinical Fellowship in Orthopaedic Sur- results. or swallowing; this leads them to eat soft each year. About 90 percent of the abusers
gery Sports Medicine program at Univer- processed foods low in fiber. Aging may af- are related to the victims.
sity of California, Los Angeles, where he Your doctor has many diagnostic tools fect bowel regularity because a slower me- What is elder abuse, exactly? It can take a
worked as the assistant team physician for stroke. Among these are: physical exam, tabolism results in less intestinal activity variety of forms – physical, sexual, emotional
to the Los Angeles Lakers and the UCLA blood tests, carotid ultrasonography to and muscle tone. and financial. Neglect of an older person also
Bruins football team. He currently serves check the carotid arteries in your neck, ar- is within the umbrella of elder abuse.
as the official team doctor for all St. Luc- teriography to view arteries in your brain, a Some medications can cause constipa- All 50 states have elder-abuse prevention
ie County high schools and Indian River computerized tomography (CT) scan of the tion. They include pain medications (es- laws and have set up reporting systems.
State College. He is based at Cleveland neck and brain, and a magnetic resonance pecially narcotics), antacids that contain Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies in-
Clinic Martin Health and serves patients imaging (MRI) of the brain, among others. aluminum and calcium, blood pressure vestigate reports of suspected elder abuse. To
at Martin South, Martin North, Tradition medications (calcium channel blockers), report elder abuse, contact your APS office.
and in St. Lucie West. To schedule an ap- Q. How bad does it have to be before you anti-Parkinson’s drugs, antispasmodics, You can find the telephone numbers at the
pointment call 772-781-2735.  can say you’re constipated? antidepressants, iron supplements, di- website operated by the National Adult Pro-
uretics and anticonvulsants. tective Services Association. Go to: http://
www.napsa-now.org/get-help/help-in-
your-area/. 

14 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com

LOSING YOUR KEYS DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE LOSING YOUR MIND

BY ANGELA HAUPT | The Washington Post common occurrence and certainly very an- it the TV remote or a phone or glasses,” he what to make for dinner. Or there could be
noying,” said Daniel Schacter, a professor said. “We’re thinking about something else, another innocuous factor at play: “It might
Sasha Bradford doesn’t have time to lose of psychology and director of the Schacter and then we never really encode the infor- be that I mindfully put something down
things. She’s a working mom with lots of Memory Lab at Harvard University. “Most mation into memory about where we’ve put somewhere – maybe it’s a book I’m reading
hobbies, and when she misplaces her keys of the time, losing things results from what the object, because we have other concerns – and I know I won’t be able to get back to
or important papers – or leaves a favorite I call absent-mindedness. That’s a break- occupying our attention.” it for a few days,” he said. “And then I can’t
purse at a restaurant – she becomes frus- down at the interface of attention and remember where I put it.” This is a perfectly
trated and irritable. memory, where we’re focused on something That’s not necessarily a bad thing, he normal example of “transience,” or the de-
other than the object we’re going to lose – be said; we could be busy pondering some- creasing accessibility of memory over time.
“It impacts me greatly,” said Bradford, 34, thing productive, such as a work task or
a Washington, D.C.-based federal contract- Schacter, author of “The Seven Sins of
ing officer who blogs about mental health. Memory: How the Mind Forgets and Re-
Bradford has attention-deficit/hyperactivi- members,” has tried to train himself to keep
ty disorder, which makes her “prone to put track of where he puts his reading glasses
things places and not remember where I and car keys, to the point that he only sets
put them,” she said. them down in certain places and would no-
tice if he strayed from that routine.
She’s learned to adapt, in part by writ-
ing down where she has stored valuables, Sometimes, when we’re operating on
such as expensive jewelry, and setting mi- autopilot and not truly focused on our
cro goals. For example, “every time I travel, I surroundings, even the best of intentions
typically forget or lose something. So now I might not suffice, Schacter said. But for the
think of one thing that’s really important to most part, he thinks people can overcome
remember [to bring home], and I focus on the tendency to misplace things.
that.” Bradford also coaches herself not to
panic when an item goes astray by focusing It’s possible, however, that something
on breathing and affirmations. more serious than absent-mindedness is
going on. Misplacing and losing items is
Her internal angst is probably familiar to one sign of ADHD, which is characterized
anyone whose phone is MIA a dozen times by traits such as inattention and impulsivity.
a day, or who can’t find the TV remote until
10 minutes after the best show of the night If you have the condition, you’ve prob-
began. Such lapses might be accompanied ably struggled with wayward objects
by a nagging fear: What’s going on? Is some- throughout your life, said Stephanie Moul-
thing wrong with me? ton Sarkis, a psychotherapist based in Tam-
pa who specializes in ADHD. To determine
Probably not, experts agree. “It’s a very

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whether you need help, consider the in- – and they may tell you that you’ve been los- ty to be creative. You could make up a quick let or purse that will ring like a phone when
tensity, frequency and duration of the ten- ing your keys all your life,” he said. “When rhyme, Dennis suggested: “My keys are by you press a button on either another fob or
dency: “Which means, how much is it im- we’re looking for a real change that has real the door for when I leave.” a phone app. The downside to such tech-
pacting your day-to-day life? How often is it meaning, what we’re really looking at is a nology, Dennis said, is it’s one more thing to
happening, and how long does it take you change from past performance.” Take pictures. Ever leave a store and keep track of.
to find your stuff?” Sometimes, people who wander around the parking lot for 10 min-
have ADHD report that losing things affects A new tendency to misplace things, or an utes because you can’t locate your car? Take Set up a routine. Dennis coaches her pa-
their work or relationships; for example, if increase in severity, can indicate you need a picture of your parking spot, especially if tients with ADHD to make a “home for ev-
they can’t find their keys and are late to the to see a doctor. More than half of patients you’re at an airport and won’t be returning erything.” That might mean placing a bas-
office or a dinner party, they could anger who begin experiencing memory problems to it for a few days, suggested Susan Whit- ket by your front door where you drop your
their boss or friends. have a non-dementia cause that can be ef- bourne, a professor emerita of psycholog- keys and wallet immediately upon entering
fectively treated, Jicha said, such as a lack of ical and brain sciences at the University of your home or designating one drawer as the
In that case, Sarkis says, it’s worth being sleep or thyroid problems. Sometimes med- Massachusetts at Amherst. scissors drawer. Then, at the end of the day,
evaluated by a doctor. There are many effec- ication is causing the forgetfulness, or vi- “scan the areas where you’ve been, find the
tive medications that can “make it so your sion or hearing troubles could be behind it. The same advice applies to lots of things: items that need to be taken back home and
brain is able to put something back where it Photograph all those spots where you store return them to their home spot,” she said.
belongs,” she said. Here is some advice from these and other easy-to-lose objects, and when you can’t
experts about how to overcome your ten- find them, pull up the photo. “One second Take a breath. If you’re in a situation
Many people ask Gregory Jicha, the di- dency to misplace things: is all it takes,” she said. where you’ve misplaced something, “take
rector of clinical trials at the University of a deep breath, and give your brain a min-
Kentucky’s Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, When you put something somewhere, Make your belongings stand out. Dennis ute or two,” Jicha said. “[The location] will
whether they should be worried about mis- say its location out loud. Sometimes we recommends designating a personal “brand come, in the vast majority of cases.”
placing things. Often, it’s simply a normal barely notice where we set, say, our glasses color” that you love, such as bright purple.
part of aging: “The brain does change over or iPad. One way to be more mindful in the Attach your keys to a purple key ring and Be kind to yourself. It’s certainly un-
time,” he said. For example, imagine you moment is to verbalize the item’s location, select a purple phone case, “so that, when derstandable if you’re frustrated with your
run into someone and can’t surface their said Mareen Dennis, an assistant professor you’re scanning, you’re always looking for tendency to misplace your items. But if you
name – and hours later, it pops into your of psychiatry at the University of Kentucky your favorite color.” You could also put re- keep beating yourself up about it, it could
mind. “That’s the slowing associated with College of Medicine. One way to do that is flective tape on the TV remote, which will “become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and you
normal aging.” to verbalize the item’s location. “You’d say, make it easier to find when it inevitably start to think you can’t control your mem-
‘OK, I’m setting my mouse to the right of my vanishes. ory, that you’re losing it, that there’s some-
Still, some worry it’s a harbinger of Alz- computer right now.’ And saying that either thing wrong with you, and you get anxious
heimer’s disease, Jicha said, overlooking the internally in your mind or out loud makes Invest in technology. There are many about that,” Whitbourne said. When your
fact that the problem has existed since they you focus your attention on where you put gadgets designed to keep track of items: You thoughts spiral in such a manner, you’re
were a teen. it,” heightening the odds that you’ll remem- can attach an Apple AirTag to products you even less likely to be able to focus and keep
ber its location later. often misplace, for example, and an app track of your possessions. So, remember to
If you’re afraid you’ve developed a prob- will guide you to their location, Sarkis said. give yourself a break. 
lem that could indicate cognitive decline, Make up a song or rhyme. Turn keeping There are also fobs you can put in your wal-
he suggests turning to a trusted confidant: track of your belongings into an opportuni-
“One of the best ways to distinguish that is
to reach out to a friend or family member

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16 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com

LONELINESS CAN For older women, being lonely and of potential health effects of loneliness pendently, social isolation increased
INCREASE RISK OF socially isolated can increase the chance and isolation that include dementia and heart disease by 8 percent and loneliness
HEART DISEASE FOR of developing heart disease by as much mental health issues such as anxiety and increased it by 5 percent.
as 27 percent, according to research depression.
OLDER WOMEN published in the journal JAMA Network However, the effect was much stron-
Open. Data from nearly 58,000 postmeno- ger for those who reported high levels of
pausal women who were tracked for both feelings, giving them a 13 percent to
The finding adds heart disease to a list more than a decade showed that, inde- 27 percent higher risk for cardiovascular

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problems than women with low levels of of adults 65 and older are socially iso- from people,” whereas loneliness is a
both. lated (women more often than men) feeling “that can be experienced even by
and one-third of those 45 and older feel people who are regularly in contact with
Heart disease is the leading cause of lonely. Although similar, loneliness and others.”
death for U.S. women, responsible for 1 social isolation are not the same.
in 5 deaths, according to the Centers for A socially isolated person is not always
Disease Control and Prevention. One of the researchers described so- lonely, and a lonely person may not be
cial isolation as “physically being away socially isolated.  –­ THE WASHINGTON POST
The researchers said that one-fourth

18 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com

GLOBAL TENSIONS PUT BRAKES ON
MORTGAGE RATES’ UPWARD CLIMB

BY KATHY ORTON | The Washington Post changes their tune to be more diplomat-
ic one day and more aggressive the next,
Mortgage rates’ upward trajectory our bond prices and yields react, giving
was halted by developments in Ukraine. [the Federal Reserve] a run for their mon-
ey on their effect on today’s rates.”
According to the latest data, released
last Thursday by Freddie Mac, the 30- But Rueth notes that actions by the
year fixed-rate average fell to 3.89 percent Federal Reserve in the coming months
with an average 0.8 point. (A point is a fee will affect mortgage rates’ trajectory, as
paid to a lender equal to 1 percent of the well.
loan amount. It is in addition to the in-
terest rate.) It was 3.92 percent two weeks “As the Fed raises their Fed rate, tapers
ago and 2.97 percent a year ago. their balance sheet and tries to control
a runaway inflation affected not only by
Freddie Mac, the federally chartered supply chain issues and excessive de-
mortgage investor, aggregates rates from mand but now by Russia’s determination,
about 80 lenders across the country to we will all watch long-term interest rates
come up with weekly national averages. play a stressful game of tug of war,” she
The survey is based on home purchase said. “I continue to advise my clients to
mortgages. Rates for refinances may be not lock in a rate based on fear, but on the
different. It uses rates for high-quality impact that rate has on the payment and
borrowers with strong credit scores and their budget. And if the Fed does raise
large down payments. Because of the cri- the Fed rate enough to control inflation,
teria, these rates are not available to ev- slowing down the economy causing the
ery borrower. 2- and 10-year Treasurys to invert and
an impending economic slowdown, well
The 15-year fixed-rate average slipped then we will see long-term rates go down
to 3.14 percent with an average 0.7 point. and refinance opportunities return.”
It was 3.15 percent two weeks ago and 2.34
percent a year ago. The five-year adjust- Meanwhile, mortgage applications
able-rate average was sank to their lowest level in more than
unchanged at 2.98 per- two years last week. The market compos-
cent with an average ite index – a measure of total loan appli-
0.3 point. It was 2.99 cation volume – decreased 13.1 percent
percent a year ago. from a week earlier, according to Mort-
gage Bankers Association data. Applica-
Although Russia’s at- tions were at their lowest level since De-
tack on Ukraine came cember 2019.
too late in the week
to be factored into The refinance index fell 16 percent,
Freddie Mac’s survey, down 56 percent from a year ago. The
events leading up to it purchase index dropped 10 percent. The
had already caused a refinance share of mortgage activity ac-
reaction in the finan- counted for 50.1 percent of applications.
cial markets. Stocks
plunged, with the S&P “Purchase applications have fallen for
500 entering correc- three straight weeks and remain slightly
tion territory. Energy below year-ago levels,” said Bob Broek-
prices soared. And the smit, president and chief executive of
yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped be- MBA. “Mortgage rates are almost a full
low 2 percent. percentage point higher than in early
2021, which has also cooled refinances.
Long-term bond yields are a closely Activity has decreased in six of the last
watched indicator of where mortgage seven weeks.” 
rates are headed because they often fol-
low the same path. The yield on the 10-
year Treasury, which had closed at 2.05
percent on Feb. 15, has remained under 2
percent the past week. However, it closed
at 1.99 percent last Wednesday.

“We live in a global economy, so as
much as interest rates are swayed by do-
mestic policy, current world events have
a marked impact on interest rate direc-
tion as well. Russia is a prime example
of this,” said Nicole Rueth, producing
branch manager at the Rueth Team.
“People start selling out their higher risk,
higher return options, such as bitcoin
and stocks, for the safer lower return of
bonds. We’ve seen this increased demand
increase bond prices and pull the 10-year
Treasury back below 2 percent. As Russia

Stunning ‘Sabal Creek’ home
perfect for entertaining

8323 Calumet Court in Sabal Creek in PGA Village: 5-bedroom, 5.5-bathroom, 4,763-square-foot pool home offered for $1,250,000 by
Kay Rodriguez, 772-486-2126 and Christopher Rodriguez, 772-828-9963 of Lang Realty

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800-682-5551 | LangRealty.com

20 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com

Stunning ‘Sabal Creek’ home perfect for entertaining

BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Columnist bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, and
[email protected] thoughtful upgrades that add comfort and
beauty.
There’s no question about it. From the
moment you come to the circular drive, You enter the house through double
the house at 8323 Calumet Court in PGA doors into the impressive foyer, where you
Village’s Sabal Creek neighborhood is a see the beautiful Turkish marble floors
jaw-dropper. Stately and elegant, yet ap- that cover all of the common areas. There
proachable, this stunning home has five is a formal dining room (18 feet by 14 feet)

with a serving area and food warmers and and pool outside, and you can keep an eye
a living room (15-by-17) with a wet bar and on everything from the kitchen, a generous
fireplace. Your family and guests will, no 15-by-16. The kitchen has granite counter-
doubt, spend a lot of time in the great room, tops, dark cabinets, an island with a vegeta-
an amazing 26-by-20. Adjacent to the kitch- ble sink, stainless-steel appliances includ-
en, this is where you’ll all gather to watch ing a GE Monogram built-in refrigerator
the big game, celebrate a birthday or just and a dining area. The public rooms also
enjoy hors d’oeuvres and good company. include a gorgeous custom built-in office.
Guests can move from indoors to the lanai
The master suite is truly the stuff of

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE March 3, 2022 21

dreams, with a master bedroom 25-by-20
with hand-scraped wood floors, plantation
shutters and a sitting area with views of the
pool. On the way to the master bath are two
large walk-in closets. The master bath is a
“Wow” with separate vanities, a soaking tub
with a surround for candles, a glass of wine
and a book, and an amazing double-sid-
ed walk-in shower with body spray, dual
shower heads and a drying area. It’s hard to
imagine why you would leave this private
retreat and oasis. On the other side of the
home, you’ll find the four additional guest

bedrooms, all ensuites. with the paper in the morning or relaxing in gorgeous custom, built-in office,” she said. pool, covered and screened lanai, and sum-
Outside, there is a screened and covered the evening. “There are luxury upgrades everywhere, mer kitchen. This is a house made for en-
from a wet bar in the living room, to cof- tertaining, indoors and out.”
lanai, open-air in-ground pool and lush pri- For Kay Rodriguez of Lang Realty, this fered ceilings, double tray and crown mold-
vate grounds. A summer kitchen makes this house is simply spectacular. ings. The kitchen is a cook’s delight, and This is PGA Village and you have all the
the perfect place for entertaining al fresco. the master suite is absolutely magnificent, amenities this special community has to of-
It’s perfect for a pool party or for quiet time “This beautiful custom home has five with hand-scraped wood floors, a sitting fer. You may leave for a golf or tennis game
bedrooms, all with ensuite baths, and a area and an amazing master bath. Outside, or to enjoy the company of friends, but you
there are lush private grounds, an open-air will return to the stunning place you are
fortunate enough to call home. 

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Year built: 2007
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Square footage: 4,763 sq. ft. Realtor Realtor
Total square footage: 7,474 sq. ft.
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Bedrooms: 5 • Bathrooms: 5.5
Flooring: marble, slate, wood 561.818.1918

Security: manned gate 1850 SW FOUNTAINVIEW BLVD. • SUITE 200
Additional features: five bedrooms plus den, 5 ½ baths, in- ST. LUCIE WEST (Past Bob Evans)
ground pool, screened and covered lanai with summer kitch-
en, hand-scraped wood floors, plantation shutters, impact
windows, exterior foam-filled walls, water heater installed
2017, two new air-conditioner units installed in 2016 and
2017, surround sound to great room and master bedroom,

whole house intercom system, blinds, drapes

Community amenities: basketball, billiards, clubhouse, fit-
ness center, library, pickleball, picnic area, pool, tennis

Listing brokerage: Lang Realty
Listing agents: Kay Rodriguez, 772-486-2126

Christopher Rodriguez, 772-828-9963

Listing price: $1,250,000

22 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com

TRADITION AND ST. LUCIE WEST REAL ESTATE SALES

TOP SALES OF THE WEEK

A solid fortnight for real estate sales in Tradition and St. Lucie West saw 46 transactions of sin-
gle-family residences and lots reported (some shown below).
The top recent sale was of the residence at 9056 SW Pepoli Way. Listed in January for
$1,000,000, this newly built, 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom home sold for the full asking price on
Feb. 18.
Representing both the seller and the buyer in the transaction was agent Joseph Rosen of EXP
Realty LLC.

SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS SELLING
ORIGINAL PRICE

TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD 1,000,000
900,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 9056 SW SW PEPOLI WAY WAY 1/19/2022 $1,000,000 2/18/2022 700,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 8007 PLANTATION LAKES DRIVE 11/22/2021 $975,000 2/23/2022 658,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 12370 PIPER CUB TERRACE 6/1/2021 $849,900 2/18/2022 621,500
PORT SAINT LUCIE 9997 SW CORAL TREE CIRCLE 12/30/2021 $650,000 2/14/2022 609,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 818 SW ST. JULIEN COURT 11/2/2021 $639,888 2/15/2022 600,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 813 SW GRAND RESERVES BLVD 12/21/2021 $609,000 2/15/2022 530,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 957 SW GRAND RESERVES BLVD 10/20/2021 $590,900 2/22/2022 525,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 7318 MYSTIC WAY 1/5/2022 $520,000 2/18/2022 500,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 8332 BELFRY PLACE 1/27/2022 $475,000 2/25/2022 495,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 9617 SW GUM TREE COURT 12/7/2021 $500,000 2/16/2022 485,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 10077 SW OAK TREE CIRCLE 1/18/2022 $495,000 2/23/2022 475,000
PORT SAINT LUCIE 5365 NW WEST PADEN CIRCLE 1/4/2022 $485,000 2/18/2022
PORT SAINT LUCIE 5713 NW WESLEY ROAD 1/7/2022 $475,000 2/18/2022

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE March 3, 2022 23

HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP RECENT TRADITION AND ST. LUCIE WEST REAL ESTATE SALES

8007 Plantation Lakes Drive, Port Saint Lucie 12370 Piper Cub Terrace, Port Saint Lucie

Listing Date: 11/22/2021 Listing Date: 6/1/2021
Original Price: $975,000 Original Price: $849,900
Sold: 2/23/2022 Sold: 2/18/2022
Selling Price: 900,000 Selling Price: 700,000
Listing Agent: Donald Baetzold Listing Agent: Chris Miret

Selling Agent: Keller Williams Realty Selling Agent: Keller Williams Realty

Jamie Chauss Chris Miret

Coldwell Banker Realty Keller Williams Realty

9997 SW Coral Tree Circle, Port Saint Lucie 818 SW St. Julien Court, Port Saint Lucie

Listing Date: 12/30/2021 Listing Date: 11/2/2021
Original Price: $650,000 Original Price: $639,888
Sold: 2/14/2022 Sold: 2/15/2022
Selling Price: 658,000 Selling Price: 621,500
Listing Agent: Julie Cline Listing Agent: William Eggeling

Selling Agent: RE/MAX of Stuart Selling Agent: RE/MAX Masterpiece Realty

Tony Reagan Pavla Gibson

Sandhill Realty Group RE/MAX Realty Associates

24 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com

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26 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com

She paid off mortgage after husband died. But where’s the deed?

BY ILYCE GLINK & SAMUEL J. TAMKIN | The Washington Post In either case (joint tenants with rights of doesn’t mean you don’t own the home on In your situation, you simply need to
survivorship or tenancy by the entirety), you your own. make sure that your lender released the
Q: My husband died a few years ago and became the sole owner of the home upon mortgage or issued the release of the trust
had a life insurance policy. When I got the your husband’s passing. You wouldn’t need If you and your spouse happened to have deed. You would do that at the local Record-
proceeds from the policy, I was able to pay off to do anything to the title to the property for a mortgage on the property at the time of er of Deeds office. You might call them and
our home mortgage. you to become the sole owner of the home. your spouse’s death, you would now be ask if they can help you look up the relevant
It happens automatically because of the entirely responsible for making those pay- records. You might also be able to get this
I never received the original deed from the way you chose to hold title. ments every month. information online (some areas do charge
mortgage holder, and querying the lender is for access, but the cost should be nominal).
getting me nowhere. I’m not sure what to do When you purchased the home, the set- In most states, the mortgage lender has
to protect myself against scammers. tlement agent or seller’s attorney would a lien on your home until you pay off the Of course, if you and your husband did not
have prepared the deed conveying the sell- mortgage company in full. In your situa- own the home with rights of survivorship or
Why can’t I get the deed to my house? er’s ownership in the home to you and your tion, you paid off the mortgage lender and as tenants by the entirety, that will require a
When I search online, I keep getting websites husband. That document stays in place and the lender should have sent a release of the different set of steps; particularly if he died in-
that want me to pay for protection. And the doesn’t change over time, even with your mortgage for recording or filing to the office testate, without a will. But, if this is the case,
lawyer who drew up the refinance passed husband’s death. that handles real estate documents in your you should find an estate attorney or a real
away before my husband died. county (typically, the Recorder of Deeds). estate attorney to discuss your ownership of
If you and your husband owned the the home, who else might now have an own-
Is there somewhere I can get a copy of my home as joint tenants with rights of survi- Keep in mind that your ownership in ership interest and what steps you might need
deed? vorship, you automatically and legally be- your home isn’t affected by paying off the to take to determine what happens next.
came the sole owner of the home upon your loan. The loan and your ownership of the
A: First, please accept our condolences husband’s death. You don’t need to do any- property are independent of each other. Finally, your email mentioned that you’re
on your loss. One of the reasons we recom- thing more at this time to prove ownership. worried about being scammed. The best
mend that both spouses and partners keep Be aware that in some states, a lender thing to do is check your title from time to
a hand in managing family money is to When you decide to sell the home, you takes a trust deed and not a mortgage as col- time, to make sure no additional liens have
avoid painful quests like this one. will simply need to show a copy of the death lateral for the loan. In general, a mortgage been attached to it. Also change your on-
certificate to the settlement agent or title and trust deed work to provide the lender line passwords to two-step authentication,
But while your search for protection company to prove that you became the sole collateral and security for the homeowner’s use a password manager, consider putting a
hasn’t been fruitful so far, the good news owner of the home. loan. The one difference in the law is that credit freeze on your credit reports with the
is you likely don’t have to worry about the the trust deed gives the lender custody of three major credit reporting agencies (Equi-
ownership of the property. Typically, mar- If you want to check, look online at your the title to the home until the loan is paid fax, Experian and TransUnion) and never
ried couples own property as joint tenants local Recorder of Deeds office. If you look off. When a lender has a trust deed as col- click on any email or link from someone you
with rights of survivorship. When it comes up the property, you should see that your lateral and the loan is paid off, the lender don’t know. Good luck. 
to the primary residence, married couples name and your husband’s name are still on issues a release of the trust deed to give the
will either own it as joint tenants or as ten- the title to the home. That’s quite normal. It property owner full rights to the property.
ants by the entirety.

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fun, food SECTION
festivities
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022 YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

MAY THE HORSE BE WITH YOU ...

The Horses & Heroes Meet & Greet in Palm City on Feb. 19 was an
opportunity for the community to come out to meet horses and see how
the program helps veterans battling Post Traumatic Stress. Above, horse
trainer Karen Woodbury explains how horses can help those suffering
with the affliction; left, Stephanie Ankiel-West, Kendal Ankiel-Cunning-
ham, 9, and Kellie Harris meet one of the kindhearted horses; and below,
Gen. Frank Libutti welcomes Major Tom Mateo to the event. 

PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN

Coming Up! Backus Museum & Gallery serves up ‘Juice & Jazz’ this Sunday

BY PAM HARBAUGH | Correspondent Music will be by the Fort Pierce Jazz seum & Gallery, 500 N. Indian River happenings. Up first is this week- dors, children’s activities, youth
& Blues Society. There will also be Dr., Fort Pierce. Tickets cost $15 in end’s Treasure Coast Garlic Fest. performances, a carnival, live
1 The A.E. Backus Museum auction items and the museum’s advance, limited seats. This event The two-day festival includes music and a parade to the center.
& Gallery presents “Juice & popular Florida Art Raffle, which replaces this year’s Backus Brunch. food, shopping, music and more. It runs 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday,
Jazz” this Sunday, March 6. The will give away “Loxahatchee #30,” For more information, call 772- Where else can you get garlic March 11, and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
event will be held at the museum’s a 1998 20-by-30-inch, black-and- 465-0630 or visit BackusMuseum. soup or garlic ice cream? It runs Saturday, March 12. (The parade
Outdoor Mural Plaza and take white silver gelatin print by famed com. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March begins 11 a.m. Saturday.) Food
place rain or shine. The event is a photographer Clyde Butcher, who 5, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, trucks will be there throughout.
concert featuring delicious treats is in the Florida Artist Hall of Fame. 2 The MIDFLORIDA Credit March 6. Admission is $5. Next The Event Center is at 9221 SE
such as pastries, fruit, fresh juice, “Juice & Jazz” runs 10:30 a.m. to Union Event Center will is the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, Event Center Place, Port St. Lucie.
coffee and $3 alcoholic drinks (mi- 12:30 p.m. at the A.E. Backus Mu- be the place for a couple of fun which brings arts and crafts ven-
mosas, Bloody Marys or Prosecco). CONTINUED ON PAGE B10

2 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com

Theatre Guild opens new doors with first-rate second stage

BY PAM HARBAUGH | Correspondent The audience at the Vero Beach Theatre Guild’s new Studio Theatre watches Ben Earman perform in the comedy “Buyer & Cellar.” PHOTOS: KAILA JONES

While professional equity the-
aters have had a rough time during
the pandemic, community theaters
have soldiered on and, in some cas-
es, even flourished. A good example
of that is the Vero Beach Theatre
Guild.

In fact, the 64-year-old institution
is popping its buttons with renova-
tion, expansion and the addition of a
smaller second stage, called the Stu-
dio Theatre.

“It’s very exciting to be able to
present many scripts that would not
be considered on the main stage,” says Jon
Putzke, VBTG artistic director.

A second stage is where a theater will typ-
ically present shows that do not have the
mass appeal of a mainstage show or musical.
Think intimate dramas and quirky comedies.

The Studio Theatre opened in February
with the one-man show “Buyer & Cellar,”
which runs on Sundays through March 27.
It’s a funny take on an out-of-work actor who
takes on a job running a shopping mall in
Barbra Streisand’s basement. Streisand is the
mall’s sole patron.

The next show scheduled for the Studio
Theatre is “The Chicago Gypsies,” which fol-
lows the youngest actress in a family of four

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS March 3, 2022 3

showbiz company during the Great Depres- a revenue stream for the institution. Lisa McNamee and artistic director during COVID, so that it could re-open as
sion. That show runs Sundays from April 24 That, she says, can only happen with Jon Putzke stand in the Vero Beach quickly as possible. They took out seats,
to June 26. Theatre Guild’s new Studio Theatre. distanced audience members, enacted pa-
sponsors. And that, she says, will only hap- perless ticketing, updated the HVAC system,
The Studio Theatre has what’s known as pen if people know that the Studio Theatre, surprised that the Vero Beach Theatre Guild restricted audience gatherings to outside
flexible staging, which means it can present and even the Vero Beach Theatre Guild in is open and has been producing shows since and enacted a mandatory mask policy (now
shows in various styles, including in-the- general, exists. November 2020. It had shut down for only mask optional).
round. Depending on the configuration, it eight months during the early days of the
can accommodate from 41 to 61 audience She frequently hears from people who are pandemic. Only one show, a production of “Buyer &
members. Therein lies its charm. Cellar,” had to be postponed due to illness.
During that hiatus, the organization went No show has been canceled.
“It’s very intimate; you have actors per- through a lot of effort to make things safe
forming right in front of you, up close and Indeed, being a non-professional com-
personal,” Putzke says. “Audiences have munity theater, the VBTG is free from union
been pleasantly surprised.” dictates requiring equity theaters to pay
small fortunes for frequent COVID testing.
A theater professional who has made his Professional theaters, such as Riverside The-
living directing and producing for decades, atre, which casts members of the Actors Eq-
Putzke knew the Vero Beach Theatre Guild uity Association, have been forced to cancel
had grown to the point where it very much or postpone entire seasons due to COVID.
needed a second stage. The VBTG had al-
ready offered three solid years of their Apron And there, says McNamee, is the source
Series, a readers theater program Putzke be- of irony plaguing her. Many people confuse
gan in order to present serious works such as VBTG with Riverside Theatre, which recent-
Arthur Miller’s hard-hitting dramas. A sec- ly canceled the majority of its season. “Word
ond stage was the logical next step. needs to get out more,” she says. “The big-
gest problem is people think we are closed.
Then, during the height of the pandemic, We have made it safe here. The shows con-
Putzke sat down with Jeff Hall, the theater’s tinue and they are quality shows.”
technical director and scenic designer, to
discuss what they could do during those Not only that, but the theater is also about
down months, when society was getting its to launch a new Theater Learning Center,
COVID footing. which will educate children and adults on a
continuing basis.
They installed a proper rehearsal studio
on the second floor of the annex, added Other activities planned for the Studio
more space in the dressing room and built a Theatre include cabaret acts, jazz groups,
covered “Actors’ Alley” running directly from lecture series and even film. “The Wine and
the dressing rooms to backstage. Film Festival is renting our place this sum-
mer,” Putzke says. “Now they will have two
They also took out almost half of the seats places to show their films.”
in the large mainstage theater, which gave
Putzke an idea: Use those extra seats to cre- The theater’s popular actor and director,
ate that second stage. Alex Martinez, heads up the non-theatrical
bookings. As the newly appointed Studio
The Theatre Guild got a matching $13,000 Theatre programming coordinator, Martinez
grant from the Indian River Community sees this as an opportunity for both patrons
Foundation and turned its old “green room” and volunteers.
(the place where actors wait during a perfor-
mance) into a studio theater. “I am incredibly excited about what this
new theatrical space means for the com-
The VBTG board of directors is excited munity,” he says. “The Studio Theatre allows
about the opening of the Studio Theatre, says the Vero Beach Theatre Guild to broaden the
its president, Lisa McNamee. horizons of what is possible at our theater by
offering entertainment not seen before on
“Most definitely,” she says. “It’s a wonder- the Guild mainstage.”
ful thing. It gives us another way to reach the
community and bring in local talent.” The Vero Beach Theatre Guild is at 2020
San Juan Ave., Vero Beach. For more in-
However, as the organization’s presi- formation, call 772-562-8300 or visit Vero
dent, McNamee concerns herself a great BeachTheatreGuild.com. 
deal with finances. She expects that shows
in the Studio Theatre will pay for them-
selves, but she would like to see it become

4 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com

DEATH’S A LAUGHING MATTER IN A.C.T.’S ‘DEARLY DEPARTED’

BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer heart,” he said. “It pushes some but-

[email protected] tons. You couldn’t write it today, but

Death and its accompanying ritu- by the end of the play, you see the

als do not always bring out the best characters more in balance. You can

in people or families. Long-standing condemn their point of view, but

disagreements or bad feelings are of- have a more balanced view of why

ten magnified. Throw in the subject they are the way they are. It’s a play

of money, like who’s paying for the you laugh at in spite of yourself. The

funeral, and you have the makings characters are flawed, but they’re not

of “Dearly Departed,” a funny look at held out as noble.”

how one Southern family, the Turpins, The cast of 11, playing 20 charac-

deals with the death of the patriarch. ters, includes David Tanner, Keith

A.C.T. Studio Theatre will present Russo, Kristal Eckhardt, Martha Kelly

“Dearly Departed” weekends from and Megan Pollak in principal roles;

March 4-20 and director Richie Les- longtime A.C.T. favorites Patti Mind-

ter spoke about why he wanted to do en, Paul Heiner and Milo Hassloch;

the play, which is written by David and first-timers Caryn Schneider,

Bottrell and Jessie Jones. The latter Lara Pollak, Lori Dodson and Kathy

went on to team with Nicholas Hope Corliss as an actor and stage manag-

and Jamie Wooten in comedies like er. Director Lester describes himself

“The Dixie Swim Club,” and “Christ- simply as “old and tired.”

mas Belles.” Lester said that despite the lack

“This is one of the plays I pushed of political correctness, all of the

to do,” Lester said. “It’s really funny. key characters are matriarchs. He

I’m from West Virginia and I’m really Lori Dodson (Suzanne) and Keith Russo (Junior) have their usual “argument on wheels.” PHOTO COURTESY OF A.C.T. STUDIO THEATRE attributed that to playwright Jones,

familiar with Kentucky and the Caroli- who writes strong women characters.

nas. When I read it, I thought, ‘I know these and it’s a really nice story. There is a death ing lots and he’s having an affair. There is The departed’s sister Marguerite is the re-

people.’ Sometimes these plays poke fun, in the family, and everyone has come in infidelity, financial ruin, miscarriages.” ligious lady and is similar to Mama in the

but this one has a poignancy at the end, to get ready for the wake and funeral. The In fact, the stuff of life. Lester noted that old television show “Mama’s Family.”

a coming together of family and insights, eldest son is afraid of funerals and knows the play, written in the early 1990s, is far “She says it likes it is, she’s rude, but you

not just foibles. It’s about overcoming ob- he’s going to pay for it. Another has lost the from politically correct. do get affection for her,” he said.

stacles. Each character has a nice little arc family money on a business washing park- “It’s not for the comedically faint-of- Lester is pleased that the cast has at-

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS March 3, 2022 5

tracted new people to the A.C.T. stage. All in the family: TC Theatre play explores classic themes
“Four of the actors have never done a
BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer
show at A.C.T.,” he said. “It’s a really phe- [email protected]
nomenal group of actors, maybe the best
cast I’ve ever had. It’s an actor’s play with a Families and the infinite varieties of con-
lot of storytelling.”
flict they spawn have always been one of the
There is also music in the scenes in the
church. The show ends with everyone theater’s go-to themes. We all have families, in
singing “In the Sweet By and By,” and there
will be hymns and gospel music playing as some form or other, and we all can relate to the
the audience comes in to the theater.
stress and support they can provide. The the-
“I feel, as an audience member, that the
show starts when I walk in the theater,” ater gives us families in comedy and in drama,
Lester said. “We have gospel and hymns
playing to start off.” sometimes in the same play.

In the end, the play is about universal Christopher Durang’s 2013 Tony Award-win-
truths about families, and you will recog-
nize people you know in the characters. ning comedy, “Vanya & Sonia & Masha &

“The Turpin family is a not-so-upward- Spike,” explores the relationship among mid-
ly-mobile family living south of the Ma-
son-Dixon Line in the heart of the Bible dle-aged siblings and the boy-toy of one. If
Belt,” Lester said. “The challenge of the
play is if the family can put aside petty you notice some Chekhovian names, it’s not
squabbles and come together at a moment
of need.” accidental, but while the play explores some

Or perhaps the widow Turpin will pre- of Chekhov’s themes, you don’t have to famil-
vail and she’ll get her preferred inscription
on the tombstone to commemorate her iar with his works to enjoy this play. The rea-
late husband: “Mean and Surly.”
son the characters share names with Chekhov
You’ll just have to come to the show to
find out. characters is simple: Their parents loved the

A.C.T. Studio Theatre, 23909 S.E. Ocean playwright. Sonia even considers a handful of Dawn Achin as Sonia, Angela Anderson-Knittel as Masha and Mark Fetterly as Vanya rehearse
Blvd., Stuart, presents “Dearly Departed” apple trees an “orchard,” in another bit of hom- a scene from “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike.”
weekends from March 4-20. Call 772-932- PHOTO COURTESY OF TREASURE COAST COMMUNITY THEATRE
8880 or visit actstudiotheatre.com. 
age to the playwright.

Port St. Lucie’s Treasure Coast Community Theatre will pres- are supported by their movie-star sister Masha, who arrives one

ent “Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike” weekends from March weekend with her lover, a much younger Spike. Masha is not get-

4-20 and director Rosemary Knight spoke about why she wanted ting the jobs she used to and with money becoming tight, she

to present this play. wants to sell the family home and hold onto her youth, as well.

“I saw it on Broadway and loved it,” she said. “It talks about “She’s always been the center of attention,” Knight said.

family dreams, missed dreams and expectations. All of them are “In the second act, Sonia breaks away and meets someone.

not happy for one reason: They’ve let time go by and they are Masha realizes she doesn’t need to be the center of atten-

dissatisfied with their lives. They haven’t moved forward.” tion. There are transformations in the relationships as they

Vanya and Sonia live in the family home in Bucks County and CONTINUED ON PAGE B7

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6 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com

‘Truth’ be told, playwright’s comedy was meant for Florida folks

BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer what happens next, you’ll have to drop in, Joe Moore and Meredith Osborn Childe and master carpenter Gus McCall.
[email protected] definitely announced. rehearse a scene from “The Bare Truth.” Brown said that each time he directs

It’s not easy to get a new play performed. The cast includes Ellen Gillette, Steve PHOTO COURTESY OF THE BARN THEATRE the play, there are little adjustments that
Someone – or a group, such as a play com- Dionne, Meredith Osborn, Joe Moore, he makes. “It’s the same play,” he said. “I
mittee – has to be willing to take a chance Elizabeth Lappert, Austin Parriott and Brigida Mumford. Brown is directing, do a lot of directing. Some playwrights are
that audiences will also take a chance and Jeanette Mazzella is producing and Pat adamant (about changes). Edward Albee
buy tickets. Port St. Lucie playwright and Tobin is the stage manager. knew they’d left out a comma because the
director Howard Brown has defied the pause wasn’t long enough. Anything can
odds with his comedy “The Bare Truth.” It A shout-out is also due to costumer happen on stage because it’s live theater.
had its world premiere in New York at the Marcia Molinari, technical director Bryan If we find things in the course of rehearsal,
American Theatre of Actors, a repertory we make a word change that seems more
company dedicated to developing new appropriate. Every night is a little different
playwrights, directors and actors. Not- because they’re human.”
ed performers including Dennis Quaid,
Danny Aiello and Edie Falco have trained When we last spoke, Brown was in the
there. Brown traveled to New York to see midst of pandemic writing. He was work-
his play performed and sent back online ing on a one-act play about a couple with
reviews that persuaded the Pineapple disabilities. The work was based on peo-
Playhouse in Fort Pierce to present it un- ple he knew or saw around him. The fin-
der his direction. ished play, “Penny and Sam,” is ready for
performance and now the work begins,
Brown always intended the play for trying to interest theaters in adding it to its
Florida audiences because of its subject roster. Brown has sent it off to some con-
matter. Marco Island Players presented it tests and theaters. “I think there’s a place
last year and the Barn will present it March for shows that have no intermission and
10-27 as part of the 2021-2022 season. one setting,” he said.

The play concerns Jack and Betty Baxter, Brown keeps up with websites such as
a retired couple who move to Florida to be Play Submissions Helper, the Dramatists
near their grown children. Those children Guild and the Playwrights’ Center. Brown
feel free to drop in, unannounced, and the said it’s easier for playwrights than for ac-
Baxters find that inhibiting to their love tors. “New opportunities come in pretty
life. Neighbors suggest that the Baxters tell regularly,” he said. “There are occasionally
the kids that they’ve become nudists. For contests or theaters accepting plays. You

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ARTS March 3, 2022 7

never know when you’re going to strike cal theater decides to give his latest play a
gold. You have to be prepared for rejec- chance, he’s ready to direct that, too.
tion, but you have a whole country and
Canada and the U.K to choose from. Ac- The Barn Theatre, 2400 SE Ocean Blvd.,
tors don’t have that ability.” Stuart, presents “The Bare Truth” March
10-27. Call 772-287-4884 or visit barn-
While waiting to see if he strikes gold theatre.com. 
again. Brown keeps busy directing. If a lo-

‘HERMITS’ WITH PETER NOONE HIT EMERSON CENTER

Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone entertained Vero Beach before the pan-
demic, and the producers of Live! From Vero Beach selected them to return post-pan-
demic to pick up everyone’s spirits with a show unmatched by any other performers.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, March 24, 7 p.m. at the Emerson Center.

Noone achieved international fame at the age of 15
as the lead singer of the legendary 1960s pop band Her-
man’s Hermits. Ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over
60 million recordings. In all, 14 singles and seven albums
went gold. Noone has a great voice, is funny, energetic, a
great storyteller and an all-around great entertainer.

Tickets are on sale now ranging from $45-$135. For the

best seats, buy now. Visit MusicWorksconcerts.com for a

listing of all concerts, their available seating locations and

ticket prices, or call the TIX Customer Service line at 800-

595-4849. The Emerson Center is located on the campus of

the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, 1590

27th Ave., on the SE corner of 16th Street and 27th Avenue.

The doors with Will Call access open at 6 p.m. All concerts are subject to change. For

more information call 772-234-4412.  ­– CONTRIBUTED

TC COMMUNITY THEATRE the adventures of a Broadway understudy.
They will run on Friday through Sunday
CONTINUED FROM PAGE B5 and audience members can purchase tick-
ets to one for $25 and to both for $45. ‘Tales’
all realize they need to move forward.” is approximately 90 minutes and ‘Missing’
The play includes the four characters in approximately 75. Also of note is “A Summer
of Simon,” with two Neil Simon plays, “The
the title, as well as the neighbor, Nina, and Prisoner of Second Avenue” and Broadway
the housekeeper, Cassandra, who, true to Bound,” on the schedule.
her name, spouts predictions in poetry. The
cast includes Mark Fetterly as Vanya, Dawn If you don’t know the Treasure Coast
Achin as Sonia, Angela Anderson-Knittel as Theatre, which opened shortly before the
Masha, Zach Hoge as Spike, Ellie Nicholas pandemic, now is the time to get to know it.
as Cassandra and Sarah Klein as Nina. The theater has plays year-round (in normal
times) and presents a variety of tragedies,
On April 8-10, the Treasure Coast The- comedies and musicals. There’s sure to be
atre will have a special weekend of theater. something to your taste.
“Lobster Tales,” by Tim Monaghan, and
“Missing Person,” by Susan Campanaro, The Treasure Coast Community Theatre is
two one-person, one-act plays that have located at 10175 S. U.S. 1, Port St. Lucie. Call
been performed off-Broadway. “Lobster 772-418-2439 or visit treasurecoasttheatre.
Tales is about growing up in Bangor, Maine, com. 
and “Missing Person” is a musical about

8 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | PEOPLE www.stlucievoice.com

MANE EVENT!

Fort Pierce crowds welcome
‘Cracker Trail’ caravan

BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent were cracking their bullwhips, a skill used by the cow- safely on their way to Cuba, the Crackers
boys of old to herd the cattle and communicate with would ride back across the pastures to
Throngs of people lined the streets of each other. The 10-to-12-foot bullwhips made of braid- their homes in Fort Pierce.
historic downtown Fort Pierce last Satur- ed leather literally break the sound barrier with a loud
day morning to welcome about 75 riders “Crack!” that can be heard for miles. The riders used Modern day Cracker Trail Riders don’t
to their final destination after a week-long them like a form of Morse code and the cracking sound herd cattle and are accompanied by law
ride across the state. The caravan of hors- earned the cowmen the nickname of Crackers. enforcement in the counties they cross.
es and wagons trekked 120 miles from The Florida Cracker Trail runs through five
just east of Bradenton to the Sunrise City Long before there were any roads, the Cracker Trail counties from Bradenton to Fort Pierce
in their annual re-enactment of the cat- was the only dry route across Florida as the Kissim- along portions of State Road 64, U.S. 17,
tle drives of old. For 35 years, horsemen, mee River and its floodplains blocked the passage to State Road 66, U.S. 98, County Road 68
women and children from all walks of life the north, and Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades and U.S. 441. They ride about 20 miles a
have gathered to live the life of cowboys blocked passage to the south. Once the cattle were day and landowners along the route offer
and cowgirls for the arduous trip across the PHOTOS: KERRY FIRTH their pastures for the riders to set up camp
pastures and backroads of Florida. along the way. The riders share grub and stories around
a campfire before turning into their tents or horse trail-
The riders who transport their steeds from all over the er cabs for the night. Their last night on the trail was
country are passionate about preserving the history of spent at Fort Pierce’s own Adams Ranch where they cel-
Florida’s role in the introduction of horses and cattle into ebrated having completed the ride.
the New World, and the advent of cattle and horse indus- Having completed the jubilant parade through down-
tries by Florida’s early descendants. The cattle drives date town Fort Pierce with thousands of cheering fans, the
back to the 1850s, when early settlers along Florida’s east wanna-be cowboys loaded up their horses and headed
coast would hunt and round up scrub cows in Florida’s home to their everyday lives as doctors, lawyers, house-
rugged terrain of wooded hammocks, ranges, plains, riv- wives and everyday citizens. One thing for sure is that
ers and streams, and herd them to the west coast where they take with them memories that will last a lifetime
they could be shipped and sold in Cuba. and a posse of new friends. 

Much to the delight of crowds, many of the riders

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To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | PEOPLE March 3, 2022 9

Drum roll, please ... it’s the annual ‘Powwow’!

FILE PHOTO BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent Beach. That event is in February every ficers corroborated. The Senate ignored the
year. The Explorer Scout Post 476, Fort Pierce, corroborated complaints and ratified the
The 56th annual Florida Indian Hobbyist started the Florida Indian Hobbyist Associa- questionable treaty in 1834, and the now
Association Powwow and Native American tion started in 1965. The group claims it’s the President Andrew Jackson told disagreeable
Experience will be at the St. Lucie County longest-running hobbyist powwow in the Seminoles he was going to enforce it with the
Fairgrounds March 25-27. Southeast. military.

“We have (Ottertrail Singers) as our host This year’s powwow, coincidently, falls On Dec. 23., 1835, Major Francis L. Dade
southern drum,” said organizer Richard Gal- near the bicentennial of the creation of the left Fort Brooke, Tampa, for Fort King, Oca-
lant. “Our northern drum is Warpaint.” Florida territory – March 30, 1822. Florida’s la, with two companies, 110 soldiers. A large
entry into the United States as a territory and group of Seminoles shadowed the soldiers for
On Friday, March 25, the gates will open at later state on March 3, 1845, is inextricably five days. On Dec. 28, 1835, fighting started as
4 p.m. and events will continue until 10 p.m. connected to the Seminole Wars. Dade and his men passed through palmetto
On Saturday, March 26, the gates will open brush. Details of the day-long battle are scant.
at 10 a.m. and events will be until 10 p.m. Historians differ on what events date the The Seminoles only left a few survivors. The
On Sunday, March 27, the powwow will be start and end of the First Seminole War. But costly and unpopular Second Seminole War
most agree the pivotal event was Andrew was now on and would go until 1842.
open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grand entries will Jackson leading troops into Spanish Flori-
be at 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and da in 1818. That forced a treaty with Spain, The federal government extradited itself
noon on Saturday and Sunday. which transferred Florida to the United from the lingering war of mostly raids and
“We have flute players,” Gallant States. Through the 1820s settlers entered the counterraids by enacting the Florida Armed
said. “Dance seminars, ven- new U.S. territory and tensions with the Sem- Occupation Act of 1842. It basically out-
dors, food.” inoles grew. Then the Indian Removal Act of sourced the remnants of the war to settlers
Advance tickets (available 1830 made another hot war with the Semi- by offering 160 acres south of Palatka to ap-
at fiha.us) are $8. At the gate noles inevitable. In 1832, the federal govern- plicants who were “able to bear arms.” The
admission will be $10 for those 13 and ment put forward a treaty that promised the first of those 160 acres giveaways went to
older. Those 6 to 12 will get in for $5. Seminoles lands west of the Mississippi River Dr. Frederick Weedon, whose land grant was
Children younger than 6 will enter free. if they’d leave Florida voluntarily. Many did what’s now part of Fort Pierce. About 1,300
“We do have free admission for vet- and the largest population of Seminoles is in men, and at least one woman, applied for
erans with some type of ID proving Oklahoma. the land. That moved about 6,000 people to
they’re a veteran,” Gallant said. And Florida. With that population surge, Florida
Of course, there were Seminoles who re- became the 27th state in just a couple years.
“veterans” includes current servicemembers. fused to leave. Much of that owed to chiefs
FIHA hosts two powwows a year. In ad- claiming they’d been forced to sign treaty The Florida Seminoles never signed a
documents, an assertion some military of-
dition to the St. Lucie Native American Ex- CONTINUED ON PAGE B10
perience, it’s recently taken over the annu-
al Thunder on the Beach Powwow in Vero

10 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | PEOPLE www.stlucievoice.com

‘HOPPING’ TO IT FOR VETERANS Michael and Missy Colton, right, attend the
2nd Annual Sock Hop to benefit DDS4Vets
last Friday at Baron Real Estate in St. Lucie West. Colton brought Shylah, a service dog in training, who will be presented
to a veteran in need during the upcoming Believe in the Mission Gala. Below left, Lisa Crawford and Tess Drieu dance
“The Stroll, while below right, Stephanie West and Sandy Thomas do the twist. 

COMING UP Tickets to the Popovic concert cost $42. The POWWOW The most famous Florida tribe, the Semi-
Lyric Theatre is at 59 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart. nole, is an admixture of peoples that started
CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 Call 772-286-7827 or visit LyricTheatre.com. CONTINUED FROM PAGE B9 as an alliance and grew into a culture. The
Seminoles weren’t originally in South Flori-
Call 772-878-2277 or visit CityOfPSL.com. 5 Indian River Symphonic Association peace treaty with the federal government. Af- da, the area commonly associated with them.
patrons will be busy the next few days ter the Third Seminole War, 1855 to 1858, the They had retreated to South Florida for sur-
3 Sunrise Theatre brings comedian with a couple of concerts, which promise to federal authorities relented and let about 200 vival during the Second and Third Seminole
Howie Mandel to town 7:30 p.m. be sell-outs. First, it’s famed virtuoso violin- to 300 Seminoles remain in Florida. Nation- Wars.
Tuesday, March 8. Tickets begin at $48. ist Joshua Bell and the Academy of St. Martin wide, the forced removal of Native Americans
Then, the venue presents famed rock in the Fields in performance today, March 3. and the accompanying state of shifting, per- Britannica explains at its website that the
band Blood, Sweat and Tears on 7:30 p.m. Bell, a most likable and talented violinist, has petual warfare started by the Indian Removal word “powwow” appears to be a poor Angli-
Thursday, March 10. Tickets to that begin performed with major orchestras around the Act was ended by the Indian Citizenship Act cization of an Algonquian word or words. In
at $52.75. The Sunrise Theatre is at 117 S. world. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Tick- of 1924. the 1800s traveling medicinal salesmen em-
2nd St., Fort Pierce. Call 772-461-4775 or ets, if you can get them, are $100. The IRSA ployed Native Americans to entertain crowds
visit SunriseTheatre.com. presents The New World Symphony with There are more than 560 federally recog- with their dances and other cultural exhibi-
conductor Stéphane Denève on Sunday, nized tribes nationally, and numerous claims tions. The word “powwow” entered the lexi-
4 The Lyric Theatre brings in Grammy March 6. It is a rarity to be able to hear this re- of tribal remnants that don’t have govern- con to describe the exhibitions. There was a
Award-winner Keb’ Mo’ at 8:30 p.m. nowned orchestra outside of Miami. The pro- mental recognition. slow bifurcation between the medicine sales
today, March 3. Keb’ Mo’ has the reputation gram includes works by Haydn, Beethoven and Native American cultural exhibitions
of being a “modern master of American roots and Debussy. The concert begins at 7 p.m. There are two federally recognized tribes which took on the educational and cultural
music.” Tickets cost $60. Guitarist Ana Popo- Tickets to that concert are $85. Both concerts in Florida. Those are the related Seminole exchange components we’re familiar with
vic performs 7 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Popo- will be held at the Community Church of Vero and Miccosukee. Before European settlement today.
vic was the only female guitar player invited Beach, 2801 23rd St., Vero Beach. Call 772- started, Florida had numerous people, rang-
to play in the All-Star Hendrix Experience. 778-1070 or visit IRSymphonic.org.  ing from Choctaw in the western Panhandle The fairgrounds are at 15601 W. Midway
to the Ais, Tequesta – and related tribes – in Road, Fort Pierce. 
Southeast Florida.

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12 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | CASUAL AND FINE DINING www.stlucievoice.com

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Peanut butter jar drive hits high gear! PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN

The Port St. Lucie Sunset Rotary Club collected 507 jars of pea- $25K to help feed Treasure Coast? Bank on it!
nut butter for Grace Packs, Inc. The drive is part of the Peanut
Butter Brigade, which encourages local businesses and groups to
collect jars to feed the approximately 500 children Grace Packs
serves weekly. Between January and February, St. Anastasia

Catholic School, the
Port St. Lucie Sunset
Rotary Club, K2 Photog-
raphy & Marketing, Boys
& Girls Clubs of St. Lucie
County, A&G Pools and
First International Title
collected 1,858 jars of
peanut butter. Pictured,
from left in front row: Marti Ackerman, Adrienne Waters, Laura
Klosterman, Linda Thayer, Nancy Oldham, Patricia Christensen,
Jeannette Weiss and Linda Sample Chastain; in back row, Leo
Ladefian and Dale Weiss. For more information about Grace
Packs Inc., visit gracepacks.org. 

4KIDS GALENTINE’S DAY HONORS ‘UNSUNG HEROES’

Bank of America recently presented $25,000 to Treasure Coast Food Bank to

support its mission to address food insecurity in the region. This donation is

part of a unique incentive encouraging bank employees to receive their booster

shots while supporting the overall health of the community. For each bank em-

ployee who recorded a COVID-19 booster shot, the bank donated $100 to local

hunger relief organizations, in addition to a company contribution. Pictured:

Judith Cruz, president and CEO, Treasure Coast Food Bank, and Doug Sherman,

president, Bank of America Treasure Coast.  ­– CONTRIBUTED

From left: Jennifer Garcia, Teresa Farley, Olivia Hoyos, Alexis Armstead, Kenya Reinhardt and Janine Gonzalez.

Love was in the air in Port St. Lucie on Feb. featuring all things Treasure Coast, from sail- ACROSS DOWN
11 as 135 ladies gathered together to cele- ing to a private plane tour. 1 CROW 1 CUCUMBER
brate 4KIDS Galentine’s Day. It was a time to 3 KAYE 2 OBSTACLE
reconnect with women in our community, Every year 4KIDS Galentine’s Day gets big- 9 LORNE 4 ADAGIO
learn more about the foster care need in the ger and bigger in hopes of reaching more and 10 CASTIGATE 5 ELEMENT
Treasure Coast, and hear stories of redemp- more people with the ways they can help end 11 MOPED 6 TRIP
tion and restoration from women we know the foster care cycle. 12 MEANWHILE 7 FEUD
and love. 15 EULOGY 8 VIEW
If you would like more information on how 17 ATEASE 13 AARDVARK
Foster and adoptive moms were greeted you can get in the foster care story, please visit 19 ZINFANDEL 14 HELLBENT
with flowers and recognized as the unsung them at 4kidstreasurecoast.org.  21 JUDGE 16 GAZETTE
heroes they are. 23 TITILLATE 18 SNATCH
–­ BY JENNIFER GARCIA/CONTRIBUTED 24 MERIT 20 ALLY
Elisha Gohl from iThink Financial and 25 ECHO 21 JUMP
Susan Chessnutt of the Chessnutt Law Firm Solutions from Games Pages 26 SKIT 22 DIRK
shared their own foster care stories. in February 17, 2022 Edition

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as pre- Sudoku Page B13 Sudoku Page B14 Crossword Page B13 Crossword Page B14 (THE ATOMIC CAFE)
senting sponsor iThink Financial and 4KIDS
conducted an empowering activity where
gals encouraged one another with state-
ments of affirmation and, of course, love. I
think you are … (guests filled in the blanks).

4KIDS Treasure Coast is proud to host a
group of strong women who work tireless-
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Among the other fun activities was a raffle

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | COMMUNITY March 3, 2022 15

DISCOVER FAMILY FUN AT HARBOR BRANCH’S ‘SCIENCE SATURDAY’

BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent during these surveys will be used toward research proj-

Pack up the little citizen scientists and take them to ects involving cetacean biology, ecology, behavior, social
Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute on March 26.
structure, health, and anthropogenic activities.”
“Science Saturday is going to be a fun-filled, outdoor
event for the whole family,” said Jennifer Cutter, mis- The Dolphin Spotter program is open to children with
sion ocean discovery outreach manager.
parents’ or legal guardians’ permission.
Science Saturday, which launched on Feb. 26, will
repeat on April 23 and May 28, the fourth Saturday of “Even if we can’t exactly determine which dolphin it is
those months. Cutter explained that a lot of the insti-
tute’s usual offerings are geared toward those aged 10 (in a photo), it still helps our team to say ‘Five dolphins
and older. Science Saturdays are designed to give fami-
lies with members of diverse ages plenty to do. were in this area at this time,’” Cutter said.

“Doing some fun, hands-on science projects in a safe The term “citizen science” has been around likely
environment,” she said.
since the 1970s. The concept of getting public participa-
Science Saturdays are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Harbor
Branch doesn’t have an admission fee, but urges visi- tion in research goes back at least a century before that.
tors to donate $5 to help support outreach programs.
Part of Science Saturdays is showing folks how they can National Geographic says the American Ornithologists’
help the Marine Mammal Stranding and Population As-
sessment Team. Union developed what could be counted as the first cit-

“Another great thing we’re going to be showcasing is izen science project in the late 1800s. Volunteers looked
our citizen science program called ‘Dolphin Spotter,’”
Cutter explained. for and recorded information about birds in their areas.

The team has been in the dolphin rescue business since That helped researchers understand birds’ migration
1998. It’s part of the Southeast United States Marine Mam-
mal Health and Stranding Response Network. The Harbor patterns. There are numerous opportunities for children
Branch folks have helped about 250 stranded dolphins.
But, the team also does population assessments in the and adults to help scientists at citizenscience.gov.
Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean. The team, with
permission from the National Oceanographic and Atmo- Of course, the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center will
spheric Administration, goes out on boats to photograph
and collect data about local cetaceans. be open during Science Saturdays.

“We have infants, toddlers, all ages come in,” Cutter

PHOTO COURTESY OF HARBOR BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE said. “They love looking at the aquarium.”

The institute has more than 80 species of aquatic flo-

“Members of the public can assist our scientists and re- ra and fauna to admire.

searchers,” Cutter said. “We’re encouraging members of the “We’re going to be featuring different activities and top-

public to take land-based photos of dolphins.” ics at every one of our Science Saturdays,” Cutter said.

Turns out dolphins’ fins are individual and identifying. “We’re bringing in a mix of people who represent different

This allows researchers to follow particular dolphins. Peo- research areas and disciplines at Harbor Branch.”

ple taking and submitting photos of dolphins helps the

researchers see what those individuals are doing closer to Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute – a Florida Atlan-

shorelines. tic University campus – is at 5600 N. U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce. For

Harbor Branch’s website explains: “The data collected more information, visit fau.edu.hboi. 

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16 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | CALENDAR/SERVICE DIRECTORY www.stlucievoice.com

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BY LARRY DAVID ALLMAN to a second tournament in Washington, other players, the same determination which was probably
D.C., where they also do just OK. In both, the evident in LeBron and Kobe when they went from high
John Grisham is one of the most team wins some, but loses some mainly to school directly to the NBA – a similar growth arc for Sooley.
well-funded academies and wealthy high
successful authors in the world. school teams from America. But another Because of his lack of polish on the court, Coach Lonnie
miracle takes place in D.C. Ecko invites “red shirts” him for his first season – he can train with the
Since his first novel was published his friend Lonnie, the coach of the Eagles team, travel with them, but he does not play. By Christ-
basketball team at the HBCU North Carolina mas, the team is losing, players are getting hurt, and you
in 1989, he has written a total of 37 Central University … the “other” university probably guessed it, the coach is forced to put Sooley in
the rotation. As soon as he gets his chance, Sooley can nail
novels, and sold over 300 million in Durham, N.C., to see his young Suda- 3-pointers from anywhere beyond the arc, he can dunk,
nese team. Ecko pitches Samuel as one of block and pass and is just what the team, and the coach,
BOOK books. His name the most promising kids he has ever seen, and the school, have always needed: a hero from South
immediately even though under-developed. Lonnie, Sudan with a big smile, a big heart and a ton of talent.
coincidentally, has an unfilled scholarship With Sooley shooting the lights out, the Eagles win their
REVIEW evokes the “legal available, and as a favor to his friend, gives conference and get an automatic bid to March Madness.
thriller” genre. the scholarship to Samuel. This is powerful Their first game is with the Florida Gators; their second is
storytelling by Grisham, who paints it out so that you want with mighty Duke. OK, I gave away the result of the Florida
However, being an incredibly talented, to fall in love with young Samuel as he discovers the land game, but that’s it. No spoilers from here on. I refuse to give
of unlimited opportunity. And Grisham does it so that it all away Grisham’s superb plotting. There’s March Madness,
skilled and curious guy, four of those works perfectly. All of the foregoing happens in the spring there’s the potential for a “one and done,” being drafted
and summer. And in that short time, Samuel grows 4 inches into the NBA, and there’s all the dangers and trappings of
novels are about sports, not lawyers and adds some real muscle. becoming famous at a young age. Nota bene: Once you’re
If you could take an unpolished diamond, and slowly fully invested in Sooley and his story, Grisham throws in a
and courts. He has tackled football and polish it, refine it, and make it as close to perfect as pos- few curves which are totally unexpected.
sible, that is what happens to Samuel at North Carolina
baseball; his latest, “Sooley,” is about Central University. His adjustment to American univer- One other plotting-point Grisham gives us is to graphi-
sity life is captivating for the reader, from his take on the cally depict the plight of refugees and homeless people in a
basketball … and much more. apparent affluence of the students, to the proximity of so war-torn country, in this case, South Sudan. While Sooley is
many appealing women, to the kindness which is bestowed learning the ropes in America, his family in Africa is going
Samuel Sooleymon is a 17-year-old who lives in the tiny on him by his roommate’s family, the coach and everybody through misery, displacement, murderous rebels, and life
else. This is much more than a sports story. in a refugee camp – in Uganda, not even their own country.
village of Lotta in South Sudan, Africa, with his mother, Samuel gets a job working the equipment room for the It is quite a contrast which gives the story of Sooley, the
university’s football team, where the players give him the young athlete in America, even more punch and relevance.
father and three younger siblings. He is tall for that age, nickname “Sooley,” which he accepts (hence the title of the
book). When the basketball season starts, he is tested like Larry David Allman is a resident of PGA Village Verano.
6-feet-2, and thin, but is by far the best athlete in the vil- never before in his life. He practices twice as hard as the His latest novel, “Downward Dog in Miami,” is available on
Amazon. He can be reached at [email protected]. 
lage. Ecko Lam, a Sudanese national who made it to Kent

State on a basketball scholarship and now scouts African

athletes, comes through the country searching out the best

basketball players for a Sudanese under-18 team to play in

two tournaments in America. Although unpolished and

fairly inexperienced, but with more heart and desire than

any two players, Sooley is the last player chosen for the trip.

It is a miracle; and Grisham’s talented writing gives us

the true sense of what that would be like for a dirt-poor

kid living in an impoverished country – and for his loving

family. His first ride on an airplane from Africa to the first

tournament in Orlando. First time in a hotel. Abundant

food and water. New athletic shoes. And playing basketball

in the same arena where the NBA’s Orlando Magic play

their games.

The Sudanese team does just OK in Orlando. They go

18 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | PETS www.stlucievoice.com

Bonzo says awesome Ollie is large and in charge!

Hi Dog Buddies! My uh-PAW-luh-gees. Great to meet you! Ollie. PHOTO: KAILA JONES get back till, like 8 p.m., an it got to be Too
Wanna go PLAY?” Expensive; plus, we hardly ever saw each
This week I innerviewed one of the I was So Happy cuz she’s real tall, like me. I other that much. She was inna duh-LEM-
sweetest, BIGGEST pooches I ever met: Ollie “Great meetin’ you, too, Ollie,” I said, was So Comf-tubble Right Away! MA. So she got Gran-Mommy an Daddy
Eisenberg, a 6-year-old, black Golden Doo- remembering he was still a pretty young, to let me stay with them Just Tem-puh-
dle. Yes, I also uh-SOOMED Golden Doodles playful poocheroo. “l’d love to play, but “At first, when she was workin’, I’d go to RARILY, which turned out to be a year. So
were, well, golden, but the only gold Ollie I’m On The Job so …” Doggy Day Care with this Very Nice Fam- Mommy said, ‘Pleeze, pleeze, pleeze can
has is a dusting around the muzzle. Did I ly, with a Mommy an liddle kids who got Ollie stay here PER-muh-nut-lee?’
mention, Ollie’s Really Large? Pony-sized “Oh, right,” he replied, grinning. “May- homeschooled, so I was Never Alone. It was
large. A hundred-an-five pounds of charm. be later.” grrreat!” “Gran-Mommy an Daddy said,
‘NO!NO!NO!NO!NO! NO PER-MUH-NUT
A Nice Lady answered the door an invited After gaining permission, Ollie accept- “That sounds Cool Kibbles,” I remarked. DOG!’”
us in. I inconspicuously looked around the ed treats from The Satchel, after executing “It totally WAS. How-EVER, Mommy
room, but didn’t see a dog. The Nice Lady ‘Sit’ and ‘Give Paw’ requests from my mostly goes to work at 6 a.m. and doesn’t “Yet, here you are,” I observed.
innerduced herself as Ollie’s Gran-Mommy, assistant, whose hand totally disappeared Ollie laughed. “Yup! All us dogs know
Diane, an said Ollie an his Daddy, Joe, were under Ollie’s lion-sized paw. (“I get that how that works. The Right Pooch an the
still out on their morning leashwalk. from my big standard poo dad,” he later
explained.) Right Humans just seem to
Pretty soon there was a commotion at the find each other.”
door, and a man and this gi-GAN-tic moose Comf-tubbly settled in, I opened my I nodded in agree-
came boppin’ in. Unleashed, the moose notebook. Ollie launched into his tail. ment.
came right over for the Wag-an-Sniff.
“First off, My Mommy, Hillery, lives “Anyway, I started living with
“Now I know what a teacup chihuahua here, too, but she’s usually Somewhere Gran-Mommy an Daddy per-muh-nutly
must feel like,” I thought to myself, looking Else cuz she’s a Traveling Nurse, an on Gran-Mommy’s birthday in 2016. I
up at impressive Ollie: thick, curly charcoal she goes wherever Extra Nurse Help is love bein’ here, but, of course, I miss my
coat, very frenly face, kind eyes. needed, usually places where pooches aren’t Mommy. Oooo, an, Guess What? I’m So Ex-
allowed. cited cuz she’s gonna be here on Valentine’s
“Hey, HellOOO, you’re The Bonz, right? Day for a Whole, Entire Week!”
Cool Kibbles! Sorry we’re a liddle late. It’s “We met when she moved to here from “So, how’d you get your cool name?”
such a beautiful day, EVERYbody’s out Cuh-NETTY-cut for her nurse job, an “I was named for a buh-loved basketball
walkin’. We musta stopped to woof with, wanted a dog to keep her comp-nee. She coach at the college where my Mommy
like, dozens of poocheroos an their humans. got me, a not-pick-of-the-litter pupper, went to in Cuh-NETTY-cut, Kevin Ollie.”
from a breeder in Tampa, over that way.” “Crispy Biscuits! So, tell me about your
He pointed. “I’ve always been a liddle, well, pooch pals. Any fav foodstuffs? Toys?
uh-WARE that I’m usually the Biggest Pooch
in the Room an, when me an Mommy met,

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To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | ADVICE March 3, 2022 19

Daily roo-TEEN?” Help! Marriott canceled my reservation, then went silent
“I have a buncha pals. I was just now
Marriott cancels Cindy Tomlinson’s reserva- A: Marriott should have honored your reser-
walkin’ with Angus and his human, Patrick. tion at TownePlace Suites New York/Chelsea but vation. It looks like the hotel experienced some
Angus is a Bernese Mountain/Standard Poo won’t rebook her at another hotel. Was it some- construction delays that affected your stay at
mixture. Big Dog. But not big as me. Then thing she said? the original hotel in November. It’s always a
there’re Hooper and Cooper, my ’cross-the- good idea to confirm that your hotel is actually
street neighbors. Hoop’s a Black Lab, Coop’s Q: I recently made a reservation to stay at open. When a hotel can’t accommodate you, it
a Golden Doodle. the TownePlace Suites New York/Chelsea at a will typically send you to a comparable hotel
rate of $416 (for two nights). The hotel notified and cover one night’s lodging as a gesture of
“They know me over at the Dog Park as me that it would not be open when I arrived. goodwill. So why did Marriott stall on that in-
Mr. Ollie Goldendoodle. I LOVE that place. dustry-standard promise?
I ’speshully love playin’ with liddle dogs an, A representative said they could honor my
mostly, they like playin’ with me, too. An, reservation at the SpringHill Suites Times Here’s what I think happened. You planned
there’s a Cool Kibbles liddle gate where you Square South and that I should contact the to be in town to meet up with a friend who had
can go take a dip in the river! hotel. I tried calling the hotel directly, but I a reservation at a nearby hotel. The two alter-
got cut off multiple times. So I called Marri- native hotels Marriott offered were far from
“I eat people food mostly, but only ott Customer Service to see if they could help. the hotel where your friend had a reservation.
uh-PRO-pree-ut stuff. Mommy researches They contacted the SpringHill Suites, which So you tried to make two reservations – one
my foodstuffs first, to be sure they’re Good told them to have me send an email with my for you, one for your friend, at one of the new
for Me. Gran-Mommy fixes me chiggen, confirmation information, and they would honor the rate. properties. That may have confused Marriott, which delayed its
veg-tubbles, eggs, beans, sardines, high response. You can avoid a hotel problem like this by staying at an
QUA-luddy kibbles sometimes, an pumm- I also received an email from the TownePlace Suites to send already-opened property.
kin. My favrite’s baked squash. I also have yet another email to another email address if I wanted to move I think a brief, polite email to Marriott’s customer service con-
a chewy cow horn Gran-Mommy fills with my reservation to The Hub Times Square. I followed these di- tacts might have helped. It’s clear the company was fumbling
P-nut budder; an this duh-li-shus, emu-leg rections. around with your request. I publish the names, numbers and
chew. I’m a Power Chewer, for sure, but email addresses of the Marriott execs on my consumer advocacy
I would NEVER eat a couch or a shoe or After not hearing back from either hotel, I called Marriott cus- site, Elliott.org. I contacted Marriott on your behalf. It reached
anything. tomer service again a few days later. That representative once out and offered to rebook you, but not your friend. As an alter-
again contacted the SpringHill Suites, which told me to send yet native, it offered 40,000 points, which should cover two nights at
“My favrite stuffy is Simba the Lion another email – this time to a different email address – and that some Marriott properties. You took the points and rebooked your-
King. Truth be told, he’s not all that stuffed I would hear back by the end of the day. I didn’t. self at another hotel.
anymore. I got a liddle too in-thoozy-ASTIC
and sorta unstuffed him. But he’s still my I find it hard to believe that there isn’t another Marriott prop- Get help with any consumer problem by contacting
favrite.” erty in midtown Manhattan to accommodate my request. And I Christopher Elliott at http://www.elliott.org/help. 
also find it hard to believe that Marriott customer service can’t
Ollie’s Gran-Mommy produced Simba, rebook me without me sending emails – which don’t get an-
who looked like a raggedy yellow dishcloth swered – to multiple hotels.
with a floppy lion face.
Is it stupid to stay with someone after an ‘unforgivable’ deception?
I stifled a laugh and, in a smooth segue,
remarked how effortlessly Ollie conversed Dear Carolyn: My significant
with his humans. other deceived me in a way that

“Yes! Not bragging but I’m Really Smart. CAROLYN HAX
Gran-Mommy an Daddy always talk to me
like a human an I know a whole buncha should probably be unforgivable, lutes have feelings attached that make them qualified and
words. About 500, Gran-Mommy figures. and I feel certain I would encour- equivocal and malleable.
Two words I’ll NEVER forget are Cane Toad.” age any friend to cut and run in
the same circumstances. So just promise me you’ll promise yourself this: to base
“Huh?” your decisions on how you feel about yourself through this
“They’re Waay Ugly, big, squishy cree- Yet I am considering trying period, not how you feel about your significant other or
churs that are fulla POI-zen and can totally to work through this if they can anyone else. That’s the most reliable indicator – what we
kill you. Lotsa pets are in Heaven cuzza explain why this happened and see in the mirror. You can love someone utterly and if you
cane toads. So Gran-Mommy put one articulate a plan to ensure that don’t love yourself with them, then it’s time to go.
inna bag and let me sniff it an kept sayin; such an action would not occur in
‘NO!NO!NO!NO!NO!.’ She did that a whole the future. I’ve expressed that this Good luck, and I hope your significant other decides to
buncha times to pruh-TECT me. An it will require a lot of difficult work be worthy of you.
worked.” on their part, and even if they do
“Where do you sleep?” this work, I can’t guarantee that in the end it’ll be enough for Re: Trust: Please remember that at no time during the pro-
“I can’t sleep with Gran-Mommy an me to trust them again. But I love them, and am not ready to
Daddy cuzza bein’ so big an fluffy. So I have run just yet. cess do you owe your significant other anything just because
two cuf-tubble, me-sized, Tempur-Pedic
dog beds.” I don’t know if I’m stupid, or if the world is more compli- he/she made some effort or even a lot of effort. This is about
Heading home, I was thinkin’ about cated than it feels when you’re watching other people’s lives
charming Ollie happily playin’ with a posse and not your own. I also don’t know what my question actu- what you owe yourself, not what you owe anyone or what
of liddle pooches. An considerin’ re-speck- ally is here, except maybe, “So which is it?”
fully askin’ my Gramma to make me some anyone owes you.  –­ THE WASHINGTON POST
baked squash. – Should Go, Might Stay

Till next time, Should Go, Might Stay: It’s your life. You get to be as stu-
pid as you want to be with your trust and your feelings.
The Bonz
This might be the only thing on Earth I can claim any
DON’T BE SHY! authority on: It’s a lot easier to see the solutions to every-
We are always looking for pets one else’s problems than it is our own.
with interesting stories. To set
When you’re the one living the problems, all the abso-
up an interview, email
[email protected].

20 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | GAMES www.stlucievoice.com

SOLUTIONS TPORPERVEIVOIUOSUESDISITSIUOEN(’SFESBORLUUATRIOYN2S4,)SOENE PPAAGGEEBB1164

ACROSS DOWN
3 Rain heavily (4) 1 Boo (4)
7 Retain; observe (4) 2 Magnesium sulphate (5,5)
8 Looks at (4) 3 Bard (4)
9 Aroma (5) 4 Without instruction (8)
10 Therefore (Latin) (4) 5Printing error (4)
11 Recess (6) 6Candy scene (anag.) (10)
13 Estimating (8) 10 Betrothal (10)
15 Poke (4) 12 Financier (10)
16 Impudence; bile (4) 14 Implied and not stated (8)
17 Formal request (8) 19 Way out (4)
18 US lime (anag.) (6) 20 Box verbally (4)
21 Indolent (4) 22 Enthusiasm (4)
23 Italian island (5)
The Telegraph 24 Arrest; pin (4)
25 Char (4)
26 Agitate; prison (sl.)(4)

HOUSEHOLD How to do Sudoku:
HAZARDOUS
Fill in the grid so the
Waste Collection Day numbers one through
nine appear just once
Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8 a.m. to noon in every column, row
and three-by-three
450 SW Thornhill Drive • 772-871-5103 • www.CityofPSL.com/HHW square.

Now collecting No container over 5 gallons This event makes it easy for Port St. Lucie
Fats, Oils & will be accepted. The event is and St. Lucie County residents (IDs required)
for RESIDENTS and
to get rid of their unwanted household
Greases (F.O.G.) RESIDENTIAL items only. NO chemicals and hazardous waste. Hand over
COMMERCIAL accepted.
these materials to the experts for proper
disposal, free of charge.

• Ammunition • Herbicides cepted
• Automotive Fluids • Insecticides Ac
• Batteries (rechargeable & vehicle*) • Lighter Fluid The Telegraph
• Bug Sprays • Mercury Thermometers
• Computers/Electronics • Oil-based Paint
• Drain Cleaners • Propane Tanks (20 pounds or less)
• Fire Extinguishers • Prescription Drugs
• Fluorescent Light Bulbs/Tubes • Solvents/Thinners
• Fuels • Thermostats

• Bio-hazard/Medical Waste • Flares Not Accepted
• Containers larger than 5 • Paint (Water-based or Latex)
• Sharps x
Gallons • Tires
• Explosives

*Vehicle batteries including car, truck, boat, lawn mower, etc.

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | GAMES March 3, 2022 21

ACROSS 97 “The ___ Generation” 46 Book shop founded by 52 The Washington Post
1 Tomato impact 99 Deep-drilling project of the Across
6 Hamlet and Laertes’ arbiter SAN FRANCISCO BEAT By Merl Reagle
11 ___ d’art 1950s 47 Swamp plant
16 Novel by 13 Down 104 Spanish queen 50 The whole ___
20 Flintstone’s boss 107 Siegel and Shuster’s 51 “It’s possible”
21 The Beats’ beat 53 Bird’s beak
23 Vanzetti’s co-victim creation 56 Nervous twitch
24 Strong-scented, weedy herb 110 Wedding need 57 Athlete in Salt Lake City
25 Head over there? 111 Flying tests 61 Actress Rula
26 Behind ___ (furtively) 113 Insect stage 63 Christmas contraction
28 Wonder 115 What 52 Across said he 64 Actress Hagen
29 Frequent Ali interviewer 65 Nick Nolte in Heart Beat
31 “Now ___ me down could get in San Francisco 67 Make up (for)
and nowhere else 69 Gen-___ (baby boomer’s
to ...” 118 Letter after pe, in Hebrew
32 Old notation for a chess 119 35 Down opus kid)
120 Rendezvous 75 City near Salt Lake City
piece 121 Counsels, old-style 77 Chicken follower of fiction
35 Mute trumpet’s sound 122 Drinking glass 79 Bible book: abbr.
37 Russian river embarrassments 80 Give the once-over
39 “I ___ !” (“Yuck!”) 81 Luau staple
41 Sugar processor DOWN 82 Paris’s Notre Dame is on
45 Peaks 1 Bedding in the barn
47 Space-age cars, once? 2 Give a ring one
48 Elevate, in a way 3 Dancing Diamond 83 Mil. rank
49 Catches sight of 4 Not ___ eye in the house 85 Arthur the actress
51 El ___, Calif. 5 Everyday article 88 He’s the last to know
52 He wrote A Coney Island of 6 Cockney steeds 89 Before, of yore
7 Whack 90 Hook on
the Mind 8 Bolero composer 92 The last of 26
54 Off-the-wall 9 “How can ___ certain?” 94 Ex-Turkish president Inonu
55 Ballet outfit 10 King pooch 98 Municipal rule: abbr.
58 Complete, as a deal 11 Bones 100 Eightsome
59 1975 Doc Savage portrayer 12 S.F. coffeehouse garb, circa 101 Wouk’s Youngblood
60 Deal with deadbeats, 102 Certain laborers, or a watch
1960
à la Mike Hammer 13 “Beat Generation” coiner company spelled backward
62 Milk, to Mimi 14 Plus other stuff, briefly 103 Offer temporarily
63 Salad fish 15 Race car driver Fabi 104 Imperative on banners
66 Scene of noise and 17 Concerning 105 Webster et al.
18 Cabbage Patch Dolls and 106 Egyptian cobra
confusion 108 Kenneth Rexroth, for
68 Fax forerunner their ilk
70 Behold, to Brutus 19 Conductor Georg example
71 Grist for a Caen column 21 Jeannie C. Riley topic 109 ___-do-well
72 Filmmaker Jacques 22 50 per cent of a Gabor 111 Atlantic food fish
73 “The result being ...?” 27 Manually 112 Words of worry
74 Millisecond’s antithesis 29 Evita character 113 Adherent’s ending
76 Swedish auto of old 30 Director Sidney 114 Dent
77 Jr. or Sr. of moviedom 33 Star material? 116 Wind dir.
78 Howl 34 Scoring nos. 117 Overhead trains
84 Doing a mechanic’s job 35 Beat author whose
86 Prizzi portrayer William
87 Abbr. after Gary Hart’s grandfather founded a
famous adding machine
name, once company
88 Hide 36 Playful
90 Confused 38 The forte of rebels
91 Bible book 40 Try: abbr.
93 Ark’s landing place 41 Clean-fight watchdog
94 “___ pleasure” 42 River in Devon
95 Oh preceders 43 Quite a ways
96 In Mexico, it’s a small 44 Not special: abbr.
45 King Kong, in the beginning
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22 March 3, 2022 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | GAMES www.stlucievoice.com

NORTH

DEFENSE CONTINUES TO CAUSE PROBLEMS Q J 10 9

By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist K852

Holly Lisle, an author of fantasy and science fiction, wrote, “If you don’t accept 76
responsibility for your own actions, then you are forever chained to a position of defense.”
984
When you are “chained” to defense at the bridge table, you must both be responsible for
your signals and watch the cards closely, especially if your partner is signaling. Of course, WEST EAST
if your partner isn’t signaling helpfully, get a new partner! 8743
6 652
Let’s look at some useful defensive principles. Against four hearts, West leads the club A Q 10 9 8
ace. What should happen after that? AK5 93

Over the takeout double, North jumped to three hearts to show a relatively weak hand with 532
four-card heart support. With a limit raise or stronger, he would have responded two no-
trump, a bit that is not needed in a natural sense, because North can redouble. South bid QJ632
game, hoping his partner had the heart king and diamond queen.
SOUTH
At trick one, East’s job is to say whether he does or does not have the club queen. With
the queen and spot cards, he would play the highest spot he could. Here, though, he can AK
do much better, signaling with the queen. This guarantees the jack is held also (or the
queen was a singleton, which here is next to impossible). Then West ought to see the A Q J 10 7 4
advantage of putting his partner on lead for a diamond shift through declarer.
KJ4
Luckily, when East takes the second trick with his club jack, he knows South is out of
clubs. Also, if West has a spade trick, it isn’t going anywhere. So East should return a 10 7
diamond.
Dealer: South; Vulnerable: Neither

The Bidding:

SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
1 Hearts Dbl. 3 Hearts Pass
4 Hearts Pass Pass Pass LEAD:
A Clubs

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