01/24/2019 ISSUE 04

Are School District reserves
dangerously low? P8
Property appraiser
makes changes. P9
Vero may look at local

city manager candidates. P8

Hospital preparing For breaking news visit
to contract out jobs
of service workers Answers sought
for high infant
mortality rate

BY MICHELLE GENZ BY MICHELLE GENZ
Staff Writer Staff Writer

When the staff of what had Council approves site plan for Rowing Club boathouse The Indian River County
been Indian River Medical Hospital District last week
Center met for the first time BY SAMANTHA ROHLFING BAITA ing the City Council’s 5-0 ap- Lajoie, who sounded both re- made a rare venture outside
with Cleveland Clinic execu- Staff Writer proval of the club’s site plan lieved and excited to finally get its mission to fund healthcare
tives on Jan. 9, a clear concern last week. a green light from the city to for the indigent, and voted to
was expressed: Would employ- The Indian River Rowing move the project forward. “We fund research into why babies
ees have to reapply for the jobs Club is a big step closer to “That was the last functional are very happy.” die here at a rate higher than
they currently held? having its own boathouse on hoop we had to jump though,” the rest of the state.
the river in Vero Beach follow- said club secretary and for- Back in November 2015,
Reapplication is sometimes mer Notre Dame rower Shotsi The District Board approved
required in transitions like CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 a $60,000 fetal and infant mor-
the one that just took place as tality review, the first such
Cleveland acquired the coun- study in more than a decade,
ty’s largest hospital. according to Miranda Hawk-
er, who leads the state Health
The answer from Cleve- Department office in Indian
land was equally clear – and River County.
in writing. “No, they will not,”
was the response spelled out “We’ve been talking about
in a takeaway of questions and this for a couple of years,” said
answers. district trustee Allen Jones,
who since joining the board
For two divisions in the hos- in late 2014 has made it his
pital, that answer held up ex- quest to improve the health of
actly a week. the county’s babies and their
mothers.
Last Wednesday and Thurs-
day, janitors, cooks and ev- Jones is frustrated that what
eryone else in the dietary he called the “excellent” pre-
and environmental services natal care the hospital district
divisions – more than 200
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Curtis Huff Jr. charged with insurance fraud MY The long criminal history of a Vero High grad
VERO

BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ Curtis Huff Jr., 50, 955 32nd Ave. SW, BY RAY MCNULTY the February 1992 abduction and mur-
Staff Writer was arrested for insurance fraud on Jan. Staff Writer der of Ruth Haut, a 42-year-old Kissim-
7 and released from Indian River Coun- mee chiropractor whose lifeless body
AVero Beach man who has served time ty Jail after posting a $20,000 bond on For nearly 24 years, Vero Beach High was found the next day in an orange
for attempted murder and been a suspect Jan. 9, according to court records. School graduate Curtis Huff Jr. was grove on the outskirts of St. Cloud.
in two others has been charged with in- identified as the “prime suspect” – the
surance fraud greater than $100,000, a Huff, who is employed by MBV En- only suspect ever publicly named by Last week, however, the supervisor
felony. gineering, was involved in an auto ac- Osceola County Sheriff’s detectives – in of the agency’s Violent Crime Unit said

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

January 24, 2019 Volume 12, Issue 4 Newsstand Price $1.00 Gala fetes success
of Quail Valley
News 1-10 Faith 52 Pets 72 TO ADVERTISE CALL Charities. P12
Arts 33-40 Games 53-55 Real Estate 75-88 772-559-4187
Books 50 Health 57-61 St. Ed’s 51
Dining 66 Insight 41-56 Style 62-65 FOR CIRCULATION
Editorial 48 People 11-32 Wine 67 CALL 772-226-7925

© 2019 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved.

2 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Rowing Club boathouse floor for boat and “rowing vessel” stor- No construction company has been ing that club leaders and members are
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 age, the second level for the club's office chosen for the project, but the club looking forward to the increased com-
and exercise and training areas. has been talking informally with Proc- munity outreach they will be able to
the club, officially named Vero Beach tor Construction about its plans, ac- do with the new boathouse in place.
Rowing Inc., signed a 25-year lease The rowing club has raised nearly cording to Lajoie.
with the city for a 1.66-acre piece of $2 million for the boat house project Plans include introducing the phys-
property behind the Volunteer Ambu- since launching a fundraising cam- The club’s vision for a boathouse that ical, mental and social benefits of row-
lance Squad in MacWilliams Park at paign two years ago, much of it from is “a handsome, functional, well-de- ing to more residents, providing row-
the eastern end of the Merrill Barber donors who themselves are rowers or signed building” that harmonizes with ing scholarships for qualified kids, and
Bridge. The $25-a-year lease includes rowed in college. and enhances the beauty and culture finding ways to include handicapped
an option to renegotiate for another 25 of its neighbors in MacWilliams and individuals in rowing programs.
years in 2040. With the city approval in hand, Riverside parks is reflected in architect
which includes a set of construction renderings by Staffan H. Lundberg Ar- Vero Beach Rowing Inc. has more
According to the site plan applica- requirements, the club will “refine” its chitect LLC that are included in the ap- than 100 active members, 50 or so
tion, the club plans to build a two-story, plans and cost estimates prior to seek- plication packet submitted to the city. adults and 60-70 rowers in junior high
14,734-square-foot structure, the ground ing bids, “so we'll know how much and high school, mainly students at
more fundraising we'll need to do,” Lajoie said the club hopes to break St. Edward’s, Vero Beach High School
Lajoie said. ground “in a couple of months,” add- and Indian River Charter High School.
There is one paid employee: Austin
Work, an experienced rower and in-
structor who came on board in Janu-
ary as rowing director.

Club membership includes many
barrier island residents, for whom the
new boathouse will be especially con-
venient, Lajoie said. 

My Vero

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

detectives no longer are focusing their
attention and efforts on Huff, who
lives in Vero Beach and, coinciden-
tally, is free on $20,000 bail after be-
ing arrested earlier this month on an
insurance-fraud charge.

“We have done an exhaustive inves-
tigation, and we’re continuing to do
so,” Sgt. Raul Correa said in a phone
interview Friday. “I can’t discuss the
details of an open and ongoing inves-
tigation, but what I can tell you is that
Mr. Huff is not a suspect.”

Why is Huff no longer a suspect?
Correa provided no answers, de-
spite revealing such stunning news,
which baffled Indian River County
Sheriff’s detectives, who said they still
consider Huff to be a “strong person
of interest” in an eerily similar abduc-
tion and murder of a Vero Beach wom-
an that happened nine months after
Haut’s murder, in November 1992.
He declined to offer any explana-
tion, in fact, saying only that his de-
tectives have the “most accurate and
up-to-date information” regarding
the case and warning that some of the
information being disseminated via
social media isn’t correct.
“There’s no way to make a connec-
tion,” Correa said of Haut’s murder
and Huff. “People want to make a con-
nection. They shouldn’t.”
But why?
What about that mountain of cir-
cumstantial evidence, which detec-
tives investigating the case in the
1990s used to convince a judge to is-
sue warrants to collect DNA samples
from Huff and search his father’s St.
Cloud home, where Huff had lived?

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 3

NEWS

Both Jean Wagner, who was Haut’s It wasn’t until mid-February 1995, County for a 1993 attempted murder no doubt in my mind that you intend-
live-in girlfriend, and Stephen Ma- however, that the Osceola News-Ga- that occurred during a botched rob- ed the death of your victim.”
donna, Haut’s grand-nephew, were ap- zette broke the story that detectives bery at a Kissimmee motel.
palled by Correa’s statement. working the case had identified Huff as To obtain the search warrants in the
their “prime suspect” in Haut’s murder. He ultimately served only 12 of the Haut case, the News-Gazette reported,
“That’s BS,” Wagner said. “They 20 years, but the News-Gazette report- detectives filed an affidavit loaded
know. They know what happened. At the time, Huff, who has a lengthy ed that the judge who sentenced Huff with circumstantial-but-damning evi-
They screwed up the case, and now criminal history dating back to his in that case as a habitual violent felony dence linking Huff to the murder. The
they’re trying to bury the story.” younger years in Michigan and In- offender told him: “My picture of you connections included:
diana, was already serving a 20-year is someone who is afflicted with deep
The story had been buried for two term at the state prison in Hardee psychological disturbance, and there’s  Huff’s red pickup truck, which
decades before Osceola County detec-
tives, seizing on the 20th anniversary CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
of Haut’s murder, reopened what was
then a cold case in 2012 and found Exclusively John’s Island
new information that still hasn’t been
released to the public. A boater’s paradise! Commanding one of the most scenic river views in JI is this
desirable 4BR/5.5BA residence sited on 1.42± acres. Offering 135± feet of Intra-
In television interviews, though, an coastal Waterway frontage, revel in breathtaking sunset and river views while en-
agency spokeswoman said in 2012 tertaining on the poolside terrace. The 6,646± GSF home features gracious living
that detectives believed the suspect areas, large island kitchen, ample storage, spectacular refinished pool/spa, private
lived in Indian River County. master suite, newer roof, 3-car garage, 2BR/2BA guest cabana, and a boat dock.
185 Sago Palm Road : $4,500,000
Six years later, with detectives no
closer to charging Huff or anyone else three championship golf courses : 17 har-tru courts : beach club : squash
with Haut’s murder, Madonna single- health & wellness center : pickleball : croquet : vertical equit y memberships
handedly pushed the Osceola County
Sheriff’s Office to again reopen the 772.231.0900 : Vero Beach, FL : JohnsIslandRealEstate.com
case in early 2018 and used his “Jus-
tice for Ruth Haut” Facebook page to
spearhead the effort.

Madonna, who was 4 when his aunt
was killed, gave no credibility to Cor-
rea’s dismissal of Huff as a suspect.

“There are things I can’t say, but
I can tell you that I’ve spoken to five
detectives who’ve worked the case –
most of them from the 1990s – and
they still feel he’s the prime suspect,”
Madonna said. “They said they could
never rule him out, and he was still a
suspect just a couple of months ago.”

According to police reports: Haut,
who was launching a new career as
a chiropractor, went to her office for
an appointment at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26,
1992. She was reported missing later
that night by Wagner, who had arrived
home from work at 10 p.m., saw Haut
wasn’t there and became concerned.

Wagner said she went to Haut’s of-
fice, where she found the door un-
locked, the lights on and the phone
lines cut. Haut’s keys were still inside,
and her car was still in the parking lot.
Haut’s body was discovered the next
day. She had been stabbed more than
10 times and her throat slit.

A receipt found next to Haut’s body
led detectives to a Vero Beach bank,
where a camera produced a video re-
cording of someone using her ATM
card. Although the person was wear-
ing a hooded sweatshirt pulled tight
over his face and latex gloves, an en-
hanced image revealed the user was
white, stood 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-6 in
height and drove a red pickup truck.

Also found next to Haut’s body was
a blood-stained shirt similar to the
unstained shirt worn over the hoodie
in the ATM image, prompting detec-
tives to believe she was alive through-
out the three-hour round trip to Vero
Beach and was killed upon her return
to Osceola County.

4 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

My Vero have enough – that they were miss- “Sound familiar?” Indian River told he was no longer a suspect in
ing a couple of pieces to the puzzle,” County Sheriff’s Detective Chris Cas- Haut’s murder, Huff said, “I’d rather
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 Madonna said. “They had a lot of cir- sinari said, referring to the similari- not comment.” He referred any fu-
cumstantial evidence, but they want- ties between the Haut and Wise mur- ture inquiries to his Vero Beach attor-
was seized in the 1993 attempted- ed to make sure they had enough to ders. “They’re the only two cases I’ve ney, Julia Graves, whom he hired to
murder case, matched the description convict him, because they’d get only worked in 30 years where the killer represent him in the insurance fraud
of a vehicle seen near the area where one shot.” forced the victims to drive to an ATM case.
Haut’s body was found the night she an hour or two away to withdraw
disappeared. That could explain why Huff was money, then took them to a remote Wise’s sister, meanwhile, wasn’t
never prosecuted. The abundance of area to be killed and left the bodies in surprised that Huff kept quiet.
 Tire tracks in the grove matched circumstantial evidence pointing to a field.”
the tires on Huff’s truck. Huff, however, makes it difficult to “What’s he going to say?” said Sha-
understand what convinced detec- Cassinari also cited the proxim- ron Correa, who lives in Sebastian,
 A cassette tape of Billy Thorpe’s tives he was no longer a suspect. ity of the victims to Huff’s home and and believes Huff is more than a per-
“Children of the Sun” album was his then-girlfriend’s home – Wise was son of interest in her sister’s murder.
found inside Huff’s truck, but without Among those puzzled by Correa’s Huff’s neighbor in Vero Beach and
the box. A box for a “Children of the revelation are Indian River County Haut’s office was only a few blocks “To me, he doesn’t really have any
Sun” cassette tape, without the tape, Sheriff’s detectives investigating the from the girlfriend’s home in Kissim- conscience or regret,” she added.
was found near Haut’s body. Nov. 2, 1992, murder of Mary Ellen mee. “His only worry now is that, while he
Wise, who lived across the street from has built this persona of being a great
 Huff stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, Huff and was close friends with Huff’s “There’s so much stuff,” Cassinari guy, he knows there are people from
which fit the size of the person in stepfather, Johnny Herron. said, adding that the killer in both his past who won’t let this go.” 
footage from the ATM camera. cases wore latex gloves.
Wise, 39, was home alone when she Insurance fraud
 Huff grew up in Vero Beach and was abducted from her Vero Beach There’s enough “stuff” that Cas-
had lived a short distance from the home. She was forced to drive her sinari said he won’t allow Osceola CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
bank where Haut’s ATM card was red 1990 Honda CRX to a Melbourne County’s decision, which he found to
used. Also, his then-girlfriend told bank to withdraw money from an be perplexing, to dissuade him from cident at 7:45 a.m. on June 13, 2017,
police he often traveled to Vero Beach ATM before returning to a Vero Beach continuing to view Huff as a person of according to an Indian River County
from his home in St. Cloud. bank, where she withdrew more mon- interest in the Wise case – especially Sheriff’s Office report. The single-car
ey from a drive-through teller. since even Herron can’t say his step- crash occurred on Route 60, 13 miles
In addition, once armed with a son is innocent. west of I-95.
search warrant, detectives seized Her abandoned car was found the
from Huff’s father’s home a pair of next day in the parking lot of the “I haven’t spoken to Curtis in five After the accident, Huff was airlift-
Reebok tennis shoes that matched Ramp Raw Bar in Fort Pierce. Five years, and I can’t tell you what I don’t ed to Lawnwood Medical Center and
footprints found in the grove. days later, her brutally beaten body know, but with everything the Sher- treated for unspecified injuries. He was
was discovered in a field near Peanut iff’s Office has shown me and told released from the hospital on June 15,
Somehow, though, Huff was never Lake in rural St. Lucie County. me ... It’s very difficult for me,” Her- 2017, and subsequently filed a work-
charged. ron said, adding that he’s “aghast” to ers’ compensation claim, stating that
think his stepson might’ve killed two he was working at the time of the crash,
“I was told they felt they didn’t women, including someone Herron according to a court affidavit. His claim
considered a friend. was approved by FCCI Insurance
group, which paid Huff $137,070.30.
“There are just so many coinci-
dences.” Approximately one year later, Indian
River County Sheriff’s Office investiga-
Madonna and Wagner think so, too, tors received a tip that Huff was not on
but the Osceola County Sheriff’s de- the job the morning of the accident.
tectives disagree. According to the tipster, Huff was
actually on his way to stand trial on
“I’ve talked to Mr. Madonna, and multiple felony charges in Highlands
I understand his zeal for this case, County where he faced the possibility
but this isn’t a TV show,” Correa said. of significant prison time if convicted.
“This is an old case, and it’s going to
take time. We want to find the person After the tip came in, the story Huff
or persons who committed this crime, told insurance investigators to secure
and we’re going to do it the right way.” the workers’ comp cash began to un-
ravel.
What does Huff think of this latest
development?

Contacted by phone last week and

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 5

NEWS

The Florida state trooper who had that Huff made no mention of per- It was also discovered that Huff ing day, when the accident occurred.
responded to the accident told sher- forming any work duties. had appeared in court on June 12, Huff’s employer told investigators
iff’s investigators that Huff had told 2017, for jury selection. Investigators
him that he was traveling to court that Huff’s attorney told investigators listened to an electronic recording of that Huff had asked for June 12 off
morning when he had a sneezing at- that he had been unable to reach his the jury selection process, and say it without giving a reason, and that he
tack and hit a guardrail. client regarding the trial that morning was clear that Huff was aware that he showed up at work early in the morn-
and that Huff had failed to appear in was to be in court for trial the follow- ing on June 13, around 7:15 a.m., and
The state trooper told investigators court as scheduled.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

A SELECTION OF OUR ULTRA LUXURY

LIFESTYLE PROPERTIES

675 Beachland Boulevard 6 +/- Acre Ocean To River Estate
$17 Million
772.234.5555
O’Dare/Boga 772.234.5096
Premierestateproperties.com Video | Info: www.v213017.com

Our Unrivaled Global Network

Riomar Bay Riverfront Estate $2.895 Million Old Riomar Fairway Estate $2.295 Million Equestrian Estate On 4.7+/- Acres $1.195 Million
O’Dare/Boga 772.234.5096 Info: www.v208391.com Brown/Harris/Webb 772.234.5332 Info: www.v203660.com Brown/Harris/Webb 772.234.5332 Info: www.v188968.com

6 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Insurance fraud murder of Mary Ellen Wise in Vero The staff apparently never got word vides food service and nutrition to
Beach, according to Indian River Coun- of Aramark’s impending arrival even hundreds of hospitals across the Unit-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ty Sheriff’s Detective Chris Cassinari. though then-interim CEO Karen Da- ed States and is consistently ranked #1
vis told the IRMC Board of Directors in its industry.”
informed his boss he was heading out Previously, he was a suspect in an- about the change in September and
to perform a jobsite inspection at a other 1992 murder that took place in won unanimous approval to move The statement went on: “The EVS
concrete plant. Osceola County, but police there say forward. and Food caregivers will transition to
he has been ruled out in that case.  Aramark, retaining their current ten-
However, investigators say records That was prior to Cleveland taking ure, and their salaries will remain the
indicate Huff had already performed Hospital service workers over, so the change in employee status same or may increase.”
the inspection on June 9. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 for the affected workers was already
set when the acquisition was finalized According to minutes from the Sep-
Neither Huff or his attorney, Julia workers, according to one source – in December. It is unclear whether tember hospital board meeting, out-
Graves, returned phone calls seeking were told they would indeed have to Cleveland Clinic played any role in the sourcing the janitorial and food ser-
comment about the insurance fraud reapply for their jobs. And not with decision. Hospital officials did not re- vice will only save the hospital about
allegation. Cleveland Clinic, but with an outside spond to inquiries about why the af- $7,000 per year, and the change was
contractor: Aramark, a global facilities fected workers were not notified ear- undertaken with the idea of increasing
Huff has a lengthy criminal history maintenance, food services and uni- lier or why an exception to the blanket the quality of services.
dating back to his younger years in form company. promise of job stability wasn't noted
Michigan and Indiana. He served 12 at the Jan. 9 meeting or before. Davis said at the meeting that the
years of a 20-year term at Hardee Cor- Cleveland Clinic uses Aramark’s ser- hospital had been “struggling with
rectional Institution in Bowling Green, vices at its Weston hospital as well as The move to outsource food and HCAHP scores” – patient surveys
Florida, for a 1993 attempted murder most of its Ohio community hospitals, cleaning services came after “months mandated by the Center for Medicare
that occurred during a botched rob- and it will be taking over those ser- of careful consideration,” the hospi- and Medicaid Services – in both di-
bery at a Kissimmee motel. vices at Cleveland Clinic Indian River. tal, now Cleveland Clinic Indian River, etary and environmental services.
The 200 workers will be employed by said in a statement provided Monday.
In an earlier driving-related inci- Aramark, not Cleveland Clinic. But only one question of the sur-
dent, Huff was charged with reck- “Aramark will be updating and reno- vey’s 32 had to do with either service;
less driving on Dec. 8, 2017, along The news of Aramark’s three-year vating the cafeteria serving area, while it asks only if the patient found their
20th Street near Avilla Avenue in Vero contract came as a shock, according focusing on creating more healthy room and bathroom clean “always,”
Beach, according to sheriff reports. to the source, an employee affected by food choices for patients, visitors and “usually” or “never.” Scores from 2017
the change who requested anonymity caregivers,” the statement said, us- showed 59 percent of IRMC patients
He was fined $148, ordered to pay due to employment concerns. ing the term “caregivers” as Cleveland found their rooms “always” clean, as
$1,000 in property damage, and re- Clinic uses it to refer to all employees. opposed to 70 percent statewide and
quired to complete a 4-hour basic “Aramark was chosen because it pro- 74 percent nationally.
driver improvement course.
Regardless of the reason for the
Huff is an active suspect in the 1992

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 7

NEWS

change, the affected workers feel blind- were always able to bank that. Now, Infant mortality terviews; the second aims to provide
sided, according to the source. we don’t know. They gave a straight CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 solutions by involving a community
answer about paid time off, but they action team to address the issues
“If they knew about this in Septem- didn’t have a straight answer about the funds through the Partners in Wom- found.
ber, why didn’t we know? If we knew sick time.” en’s Health program – care for some
before we signed up for our benefits 600 women deemed medically indi- “The hospital district would be a
for 2019, a lot of us may have done it The source described another em- gent – has not brought down the rate key partner in this to help make that
differently,” said the employee. ployee who has worked at the hospi- of infant deaths, particularly in the systemic change that would be recom-
tal for more than three decades who black community. mended by the case review team,” said
The employee spoke about be- was worried when she didn’t see her Hawker at the hospital district board
ing “bitterly” disappointed by what specific position listed with Aramark. Now, staff from the county’s health meeting Thursday.
to some appeared to be Cleveland When she voiced her concern, an Ara- department in collaboration with
Clinic’s broken promise. “You have mark representative asked if she’d be Healthy Start and other providers will The first phase of the study, gather-
the (new) administration saying one willing to relocate. comb through documents such as ing data and conducting interviews, is
thing and then they come back a birth and death records, trying to pin expected to be completed by October.
week later and tell us outright anoth- “She was just aghast,” said the em- down the reason a baby dies before The second phase of finding solutions
er thing. We’re really not going to be ployee. “She said, ‘I was born and raised its first birthday. Even more critically, would launch when the first phase
Cleveland Clinic employees and we here. I’ve been here my whole life. And teams will personally interview not wraps up.
really do have to re-apply for our job you want me to relocate?’” only providers but the mothers and
and we really are going to lose benefits families of the infants who died. Solutions can range from treating
for 2019. This is all I’ve thought about At the very least, employees are scram- new mothers for post-partum depres-
since Wednesday’s meeting.” bling to find Social Security cards, birth “There hasn’t been a study done in sion to giving newborns a safe place to
certificates and high school diplomas, quite a while on the causes of infant sleep in the hopes of preventing sud-
At the Aramark presentation, work- the employee said. mortality,” hospital district trustee Al- den infant death syndrome.
ers were told they would get health- len Jones told the board last week. “In-
care services comparable to what Aramark is a global, publicly-traded fant mortality persists at a high rate, The two most common causes of in-
they now receive, “but they didn’t company of 730,000 employees in food somewhat higher than the state, and fant mortality are preterm births and
provide any pricing,” said the source. service, facilities management and that’s despite Partners clinic care, but low birth weight, according to Andrea
“We don’t know the insurer and we supplies. In hospital settings, it claims we don’t really know for sure why.” Berry, who directs the Healthy Start
don’t know how much it’s going to that nearly 60 percent of its “room ser- program locally. What causes those
cost us.” vice” accounts are in the top quartile of The review, part of a national move- early births and smaller-than-normal
patient satisfaction. ment to study the abysmal U.S. infant newborns is a more complex ques-
Still to be resolved is the issue of sick mortality rate, has two components. tion, particularly when race is added
pay. Some of the workers have been at Whether it provides employee satis- One will look at data and conduct in- to the equation.
the hospital 35 years and have as much faction is another question. Aramark
as 1,000 hours of unused sick pay. “We is slated to take over March 18. Appli- In Indian River County over the past
cations are due Feb. 6. 
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

8 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Are School District reserves running dangerously low?

BY KATHLEEN SLOAN on the school district by the state for 2 percent, the district must submit a McGarrity’s latest calculation put the
Staff Writer miscounting bus riders, $2.6 million financial plan to the state. If the plan is fund at 4 percent, he said, and shifting
due employees, $90,000 for “additional deemed weak, the state can take over salaries to other funds is not complete.
School Superintendent Mark Ren- legal fees” and $70,000 for “generator district finances, she said.
dell was unable to give clear answers fuel leak clean up/tank replacement.” Rendell asked the board not to take
on how much cash is in the general Rosario asked Rendell how often he action to cut spending until McGarrity
fund at the Jan. 15 School Board meet- Pelletier’s projected general fund bal- looked at the general fund balance. gives a final report at the Jan. 29 meet-
ing, but he denied recently-resigned ance deficit didn’t reflect an additional Rendell said “twice a year.” Former ing.
Finance Director Julianne Pelletier’s $1.1 in transportation funding that Assistant Superintendent of Finances
warning that the district’s reserves will School Board Member Jacqueline Rosa- Carter Morrison, who was suspended Zorc warned she would make a mo-
soon fall to 2.5 percent, or $3.8 million. rio says will be withheld by the state due in July, would only show him the bal- tion for a spending moratorium then
to additional rider counting errors. ance at the end of the fiscal year and “if all my questions aren’t answered,”
That would be a problem because during budget talks, he said. and asked fellow board members to
state statute requires a 3 percent cash State documents confirm state think about possible cuts to bolster
remain in school district general funds transportation funding for the In- Rendell said Pelletier’s calculations the general fund balance in case it is
for emergencies and unexpected ex- dian River School District will drop were incorrect and assured the board, necessary.
penditures. from nearly $4 million to $2.8 million “I don’t believe we’ll be anywhere near
this school year, which includes the 2.5 percent.” He said he had hired Mar- When expenditures came up later
School Board Chair Laura Zorc $1.1 million take-back. garet McGarrity of CFO Strategic Part- in the meeting, the board voted to
placed discussion of Pelletier’s report ners to go over Pelletier’s figures, and delay spending nearly $600,000 for a
at the top of the meeting agenda to With that money figured in, based that McGarrity found some salaries grounds maintenance contract and
warn fellow board members against on Pelletier’s report, the school district’s could be charged to other funds, eas- $156,000 for digital reading textbooks
any unnecessary spending until the fund balance would drop below $3 mil- ing the burden on the general fund. that would have come out of the gen-
state of the fund balance is made clear. lion and amount to less than 2 percent, eral fund. 
Zorc said the report “is very troubling,” far below what the state mandates.
and needed to be brought “out into VERO MAY CONSIDER LOCAL TALENT
the sunshine.” Zorc said transparency on general IN SEARCH FOR NEW CITY MANAGER
fund reserves is essential. She cited
Zorc only cited part of Pelletier’s re- state statutes that require the district
port, a list of pending expenditures that to notify the state if the “projected”
will leave the general fund short. The general fund cash balance will fall be-
list included $600,000 in fines levied low 3 percent.

If the fund is projected to fall below

BY LISA ZAHNER might want to step forward. He said
Staff Writer he would like to get “some people who
have an idea of our local ins and outs
The current Vero Beach City Council to participate if they’re interested.
debates many issues, and discussions
sometimes get testy. But one thing “If Joe Baird wanted to apply, then
council members agree on is that City he should apply,” Howle said. Former
Manager Jim O’Connor will leave enor- county administrator Joe Baird, an In-
mous shoes to fill. dian River Shores resident, has been
working as a government affairs con-
Realizing what a job they have in sultant for Republic Services.
front of them as they seek his replace-
ment, the council decided that – paral- Howle pointed to retiring Shores
lel to hiring a search firm to recruit and Town Manager Robbie Stabe, who
filter qualified candidates – they would indicated he’d like to stay on the job
also consider people they already know. there even as the Shores Town Council
searches for his replacement.
Mayor Harry Howle pointed out at
least four talented local people who Then there is Fellsmere City Man-
ager Jason Nunemaker, who is well-re-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 9

NEWS

spected for what he’s done for Indian “I appreciate the confidence,” Falls Wesley Davis making changes
River County’s most westerly city. said. “As I’ve expressed to Jim, I’ve done at Property Appraiser’s office
this once before, it was a really stressful
Howle also mentioned lobbyist Matt time. I’m not a trained city manager and BY LISA ZAHNER cades of experience, Wilson said mov-
Mohler, who has worked in Tallahas- I don’t have the criteria that you’re look- Staff Writer ing her into Long’s spot has resulted in
see and behind the scenes on various ing for. But I do love this city, and I’ve “no interruption of service.”
city issues, including the electric sale. worked for the city for 28 years.” Change is coming fast following the
appointment earlier this month ofWes- Davis also has reached out to local
O’Connor pointed out that after the Young said, realistically, the city ley Davis to be the new County Proper- CPA Glenn Heran to help form a citi-
Shores makes its scheduled final deci- could hope to have the new manager ty Appraiser. zen audit committee that will take a
sion on a manager on Thursday, two on board by June or July “if we move hard look at the operations of the ap-
potential candidates of the three un- with dispatch.” Deputy Property Appraiser Sissy Long, praiser’s office.
der consideration will still be available. who had been recommended for the top
Those three are former Sebastian city City Attorney Wayne Coment also job by David Nolte before he died in of- Heran said he plans to work with
manager Joe Griffin, former Melbourne just retired, so the city needs to deter- fice last fall, has resigned. Davis and the employees to learn
city manager Mike McNees and former mine whether to manage legal work more about internal controls, and the
Palm Bay city manager Gregg Lynk. with the existing staff, or to conduct a In the No. 2 spot now on a consulting appraisal process, as well as the orga-
search for a new city attorney as well. basis is Darlene “Beannie” Silverstein, nizational structure and potential pay
But to cast the net as widely as pos- who served as Nolte’s chief deputy for inequities within the office.
sible, Vero plans in the next two weeks to Councilman Val Zudans and Coun- 25 years.
put out a Request for Proposals to search cilman Lange Sykes both said they saw “One of my main goals is to get in
firms to find the next manager to replace the city attorney vacancy as a chance Davis has also added a familiar face there and talk to the appraisers and
O’Connor, a city manager with more to downsize the legal office and save to his team to improve interactions with find out what they do and how they do
than 40 years’ experience. some money. the taxpaying public and the media. appraisals, like I would do if I was do-
ing an audit,” said Heran, who early in
O’Connor suggested the city also “I’m actually satisfied with the sta- Former Vero councilman and Vero his career performed audits of agen-
place an advertisement with the In- tus quo to be honest,” Zudans said, re- Beach Chamber of Commerce official cies and organizations with KPMG.
ternational City and County Managers ferring to keeping acting city attorney Charlie Wilson is now serving as direc-
Association. Kira Honse on in the lead role. tor of communications and govern- People Heran has asked to help out
ment affairs. in the transparency effort are County
“We can do it simultaneously,” Coun- Zudans reminded the council that Commission Chair Bob Solari of Vero
cilman Tony Young said, also proposing the budget process is coming up and Wilson said the personnel changes Beach, and Indian River Shores Vice
that in case the process gets drawn out that for the next five years they need to fall within Davis’ current, approved Mayor Bob Auwaerter. 
past O’Connor’s last day of March 15, find $500,000 in budget cuts, and that agency budget. With Silverstein’s de-
Public Works Director Monte Falls serve one fewer attorney would make this
as interim city manager. challenge easier.

Falls said he would fill in for a limited “If they can handle the workload,
time, but that he’s not interested in the that’s great,” Howle said. “If it becomes
job permanently. an issue, we’ll address it then.” 

10 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Infant mortality thousand births. In 2012, the rate was births. Florida compiles data in its three-fourths of Indian River County
even higher – 38.8 out of 1000 black birth registration system, including pregnant women saw a provider in
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 babies born died as infants. The on the mother and father, as well as their first trimester. The statewide
state’s black infant mortality rate has the pregnancy itself. The weight of rate was only a fraction higher. Yet the
decade, an estimated 100 babies died for years stood at around 11 deaths the baby at birth is recorded as well as county’s neonatal death rate – babies
within a year of birth. In 2017, nine per thousand. the gestational age. That data can be who die within a month of birth – was
babies died out of 1,276 babies born, used to examine three common risk 5.3 per thousand live births, consid-
translating to a rate of 7.1 per thou- In 2017, the county’s black com- factors for infant mortality: low birth erably higher than the state’s neona-
sand. Statewide, the rate was 6.1. munities got a respite from their weight, preterm birth and whether tal death rate of 4.2.
grief. None of the seven babies who the baby is small for its gestational
In the county’s black communities, died that year was black. But Hawker age compared to other babies. On the District Board, only trustee
the tragedy occurs in disproportion- was pessimistic that 2017 marked the Michael Weiss took issue with the
ately high numbers. In 2016, all five start of a trend “because of our past Those issues also reflect on a child’s study’s relevance. He said that along
infants who died in the county were history.” general health and development. with a woefully small sampling to
black, although only 202 black babies work from in a county of only 145,000
were born. That put the black infant Infant mortality rates reflect the Prenatal care has been viewed as a residents, the study could not ad-
mortality rate at a staggering 24.8 per number of babies who die before linchpin in reducing infant mortality. equately delve into the issue of black
their first birthday per thousand live Between 2015 and 2017, more than infant deaths. He cited studies show-
ing that even affluent, educated black
women were more likely to lose an
infant, which he blamed on DNA.

Hawker responded that a newer
theory existed: that physiologically
toxic stress could be to blame for the
nation’s dismal black infant mortality
rates.

That theory was examined at
length last April by the New York
Times, which pointed out that na-
tionally, the black infant mortality
rate is more than twice that for white
infants. That high death rate for black
babies is blamed for the U.S. ranking
32nd out of the 35 wealthiest nations
in infant mortality.

“Education and income offer little
protection,” the Times reported. “A
black woman with an advanced de-
gree is more likely to lose her baby
than a white woman with less than an
eighth-grade education.”

The local study could find compo-
nents of that stress, including whether
conditions such as high blood pres-
sure play into mortality rates.

“Any information on types of ill-
ness or disease would be captured,
[along with] any information on pro-
tective factors like breastfeeding, or
factors that are not protective [such as
smoking],” said Hawker, outlining the
study’s goals to the hospital district
board.

In particular, she stressed the study’s
unique inclusion of in-person inter-
views in supplementing epidemio-
logical data. “Infant mortality is very
complex. It’s very important be able
to talk to those mothers, talk to those
families, talk to those service providers
... because otherwise we don’t have a
hope to improve what’s going on in our
county.”

“We wouldn’t only learn about the
medical history and the genetics that
you’re referring to but we would also
learn about their practices at home,
what is going on,” said Cecilia Escor-
bore, director of services at Healthy
Start. “When we learn those things,
then we can make an intervention
based on what practices are going on
in their homes.” 

STARS AND PARS:
FISH LURES CELEBS TO
CHARITY GOLF EVENT P. 20

12 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Gala fetes Quail Valley Charities’ fundraising success

Quail Valley Executive Chef Joe Faria with guest Chefs Michael Beriau, Paul Sorgule and Walter Zuromski. Karla Spooner, Cathy Cronin, Debbie Bower and Susie Kintner. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

PHOTOS: MARY SCHENKEL

Michelle and Walt Borisenok with Joanna Myers. Marie and Armund Ek. Elke and George Fetterolf. Linda and Mel Teetz.

Susan and Ed Smith. Jeannette and John Corbett. Trudie Rainone, Carol Fischman and Wanda Lincoln. George and Rita Allen.

BY MARY SCHENKEL Dr. Marc and Heidi Rose. Ray and Jean Oglethorpe. Saturday’s Gala, guests and repre-
Staff Writer sentatives of the beneficiary charities
nity in a positive way.” on the 1988 New England Culinary bellied up to multiple internationally-
Quail Valley Charities capped off Organizers wanted to raise $500,000 Olympic Team. The 10-member team, themed buffet stations set up inside
another successful fundraising season the No. 1-ranked regional team in the and outside, including a spectacular
with its Grand Gala Saturday evening from this year’s events to fund grant re- world, brought home 18 gold medals, dessert spread by Frosting and Grind +
at the Quail Valley River Club. quests from 36 local charities focused two silver and one bronze from the Grape. Outdoors, people danced to the
on children and education, which Frankfurt, Germany, competition. amazing River Rats, while all through
“We’re in our 17th year and the would bring the 17-year total to more the evening, Quail’s outstanding team
member involvement is nothing less than $6 million. Guests at the Chef dinner felt like members tended to their every need.
than spectacular,” said Kevin Given, winners themselves, snapping up the
chief operating officer/partner. “We Wanda Lincoln, Quail Valley Chari- coveted tickets as soon as they were Raffles and auctions elicited sub-
continue to have new members join ties executive chair, said their goal was available, to enjoy a delectable four- stantial bidding, thanks to a generous
the club and one of the first things they to fully fund each of the grants. “We course dinner paired with a selection community, said Trudie Rainone, QVC
inquire about is Quail Valley Charities hope that we can do that.” of Beaulieu Vineyard wines. vice chair. “If you put out a call saying
and how they can participate.” we need merchandise for the auction,
Events last week began with the Other events included duplicate it happens; they support us. They’re
The popularity of each of the Quail Gourmet Guest Chef & Wine Dinner, bridge, tennis and golf tournaments, very generous and caring. It’s a win-
Valley Charities events was evidenced with Quail Valley Executive Chef Joe a new Mahjong tournament, tower win.”
with events quickly selling out. Faria hosting the 30th reunion of Chefs shoot at Blackwater Creek Ranch and
Michael Beriau, Walter Zuromski, and Girls’ Night Out shopping spree. At “Our goal each year has been to
“It’s a great group of volunteers and Paul Sorgule – three of his colleagues continue to increase community in-
committee members; the camaraderie volvement, but it’s also nice to be able
is phenomenal. They’ve taken it to a to say that 95 percent of the events are
whole new level. Our team as well; we’re filled up with our own members,” said
now up to 288 team members from an Given. “Many are coming from other
employment standpoint,” said Given, communities where they’re very phil-
adding that 26 countries are represent- anthropic as well. For them to pick
ed by staff. “I couldn’t be prouder of the Quail Valley Charities, we don’t take
membership and our team as a whole. that for granted.” 
It’s a great feeling to affect the commu-



14 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 Chuck Ball and Tom Nelson.
Angela Waldrop, Sam Garcia and Arianne George.

Janet Pommersheim and Patricia Ashdown. Sarah Logemann and Melanie Snowberger. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Keith Kite and Andy Williams.

Peter and Liz Robinson with Karla and John Spooner.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 15

PEOPLE

Naddy Dolan (center) with daughters Kathleen Conte, Maureen Sherman, Marcy Haley and Meg Laska. Martha Redner, Kevin Given and Kathy Mulvey.

Stephanie MacWilliam, Trudie Rainone and Susan Perry. Wanda Lincoln and Carol Fischman. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Nina and Mark Heyer with Cindy O’Dare.

Suzanne Leigh and Marcelo Vilas.

Mike Sexton and Chandler MacWilliam.

16 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Kathy Mulvey with Tom and Carol Corr. Fried and Cathy De Schouwer with Chris Foster.
Carol Fischman with Richard and Charlotte Moore.

Chuck Ball and Dave Donten. Stacey Watson-Mesley and Michael Mesley.

Ryan and Melissa Weaver, Agency Owners Jean and Angie Mitchell. Laura Sweeney and Gene Chuba.
Ryan Weaver Insurance, Inc. is a locally owned Diane and Stu Keiller. Jessica and Jason Simmons.

independent agency that has been serving
Indian River County for over 12 years.

All lines of commercial or personal insurance available.

OLD DOMINION
INSURANCE COMPANY

A member of Main Street America Group

855 21st Street – CenterState Bank Building
2nd Floor – Vero Beach

(772) 567-4930 • [email protected]
www.rweaverinsurance.com

Conveniently located just off of Miracle Mile,
across from Classic Car Wash on US-1

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 17

PEOPLE

A ‘Moving’ birthday tribute to Laura (Riding) Jackson

Louise Kennedy and Elizabeth Friedmann. Marie Stiefel with Jeff Pickering and Susan Boyd. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Bonnie and Dan Dillivan.

Joanne Mitchell, Helen Land, Jim Mitchell and Jamie Read. Jacque Jacobs, Jeanne Fore-Moran, Jay Moran and Carrie Adams. Nan Paparelli and Betty Mattifield.

BY MARY SCHENKEL ademic season of the college.”
“So that it will be in place and ready
Staff Writer
to go when they get back in the fall,”
Supporters of the Laura (Riding) added Marie Stiefel, board president
Jackson Foundation hosted ‘Laura’s of the all-volunteer nonprofit. “That’s
Birthday Bash’ last Saturday to cel- in our minds; that’s what we would
ebrate the 118th birthday of the es- like to have happen.”
teemed 20th century American poet
at the historic home she lived in after No birthday party is complete with-
moving to Indian River County with out cake, and this one had two colorful
husband Schuyler B. Jackson. versions – one with birthday greetings
and a photo of the home as it stands
Looking at the primitive “cracker” now, and another with ‘Good luck on
home they shared – with its artisan the move’ and a photo of the home on
well and lack of hot water and elec- wheels.
tricity – it is almost difficult to believe
that her history is actually a relatively There were also talks by people who
recent one. Jackson was born Jan. 16, knew her, including her authorized
1901 and died at age 90 on Sept. 2, 1991. biographer Elizabeth Friedmann, au-
thor of “A Mannered Grace: The Life of
Once nestled amid a citrus grove Laura (Riding) Jackson.”
they operated to help pay the bills, the
home was carefully relocated to the “It was wonderful to have Elizabeth
grounds of the Environmental Learn- Friedmann here,” said Stiefel, noting
ing Center in 1994 and is now on the they enjoyed hearing stories of Jack-
move once again – this time to the son and her time living and working
campus of Indian River State College. in the home.

“We’re starting our Capital Cam- In addition to preserving Jackson’s
paign, ‘Let’s Move It,’” said LRJF turn-of-the-century home and pos-
board member Susan McDaniel, sessions, the LRJ Foundation sponsors
noting they hope to raise roughly such public programs as Teen Writers
$500,000 to relocate and preserve and Adult Writers Workshops, and an
the integrity of the home. They have annual Poetry & Barbecue event.
been offered a $50,000 matching
fund from the Indian River Commu- Jackson’s original writings are
nity Foundation, which she said they housed and can be researched at Cor-
hope to match by June. “We want to nell University, where she was edu-
move the house before the hurricane cated.
season and also to align with the ac-
For more information about LRJF
and links to Cornell, visit laurariding-
jackson.org. 

18 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Waves of talent lift Vero’s ‘Art by the Sea Exhibition’

Judy Rixom and Sherry Haaland. Ellen Fischer, Joan Earnhart and Elise Geary. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE Armand and Betty Langevin.

BY MARY SCHENKEL Beach Art Club.
Staff Writer The popular show was chaired by

Hundreds of artists, art lovers and Judy Rixom and Sherry Haaland and
collectors descended upon the Vero ran through Sunday. Thousands of
Beach Museum of Art last Friday eve- visitors were expected to visit the ex-
ning to view and get a first chance at hibit over the weekend to peruse the
purchasing works of art made by Ve- artwork of more than 220 members of
ro’s talented artists at the opening re- the Vero Beach Art Club and the Vero
ception of the 31st annual Art by the Beach Museum of Art.
Sea Exhibition, presented by the Vero
“We’ve never missed a show since
we’ve been coming down here,” said

‘Senora Habana’ by Debby Marriott. ‘Rhiannon’ by Catherine Duffield.

Armand Langevin, as he and wife Yorker Magazine covers. “This is all
Betty examined an intricate drawing. original art I collected from 1970,”
“There’s so much talent in the area.” said artist Al Gustave, noting that
each row contained exceptional
This year’s Best in Show was award- covers from the same artist.
ed to Joan Earnhart for her spectacular
sculpture ‘Music in the Mangroves.’ “I’m amazed at the variety of art-
ists that we have in this town,” said
“It’s a combination of nautical and Ali Furnsinn. “I always say, para-
music,” Earnhart explained. She said dise can’t be any better than this.”
the mangrove ‘roots’ were made of
copper piano strings hanging from a The Vero Beach Art Club was
crab trap from Chesapeake Bay; all set originally formed in 1936 as the
against a blue interior to denote the Vero Beach Sketch Club, and even-
water. And the wooden sides of the tall tually incorporated in 1954 under
piece were made from a piano. “It sig- its present name. Funds raised at
nifies what you would hear if you were the event benefit the Vero Beach
a fish under water and a boat goes by Art Club Scholarship Program,
and makes the mangroves sway.” which awards scholarships towards
degrees in fine arts to local high
Another unusual piece was a room school students. 
screen featuring inimitable New

2019 ART BY THE SEA FIRST-PLACE WINNERS

Mary Mazur Memorial Award for Best in Show:
Joan Earnhart, Music in the Mangroves

Acrylic Painting: Rita Barone, Dune Walk
Film/Digital Photography: J Scott Kelly, Stark Naked Beauty

Jewelry: David McQuinn, Mr.
Mixed Media/Fabric: Gregory Ingerson, Illusion
Oil Painting Noel Rothmayer Award: Stephen Strickland, Triad

Pastel/Graphics: Charles Kaune, Untitled
Sculpture/3D: George Beckman, Galactic Dreamer
Watercolor Painting: Debby Marriott, Senora Habana

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 19

PEOPLE

Carl and Shirley Cerreto with Veronique Aniel. Judith Ragusa with John and Carol Makris. Darlene Davis with Ed and Jill Uttridge.

Ernst and Ali Furnsinn. Barbara and Harry Beatty.

Yvonne Steere with Regan and Mary Kenyon.

Robert and Susan Whiting with Kathy and Bud Carney.

20 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Stars and pars: Fish lures celebs to charity golf event

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF
Staff Writer

Sixty golfers teamed up last Mon- Randy Walker, Lynn Southerly and Tom Fish. PHOTOS: LEIGH GREEN
day morning to play in the Mardy Fish
Children’s Foundation Charity Golf The nonprofit was founded in 2007 them. We’re a great resource for them Mikael Pernfors.
Tournament on the majestic Wind- to provide afterschool exercise, nutri- and can even help bring programs Alet Filmalter.
sor golf course before heading to the tional and enrichment programs to together to collaborate,” said Wilson.
clubhouse patio for a luncheon and youngsters who would not otherwise
awards presentation. be able to participate. The program From April 29 to May 5, the 2019
currently supports impactful fitness, MFCF Tennis Championships will be
Each year the tournament garners a nutritional and enrichment pro- played at the Boulevard Tennis Club.
substantial following of celebrity ath- grams at 13 elementary schools, six Randy Walker, tournament director,
letes teeing up in support of the char- middle schools and two afterschool announced that this year the tourna-
ity founded by Vero’s own Mardy Fish, centers. ment has been elevated by the offer of
the former Top 10 tennis star who was increased prize money.
recently named U.S. Davis Cup cap- Last year, the MFCF changed its
tain. Notable celebs included former organizational model from running “The $25,000 purse will attract
Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Rick Rho- programs to funding them, enabling higher-ranked, more prestigious
den, former Boston Red Sox pitcher them to double the number of chil- players,” said Walker.
Tim Wakefield, French Open finalist dren they’ve been able to serve, ex-
Mikael Pernfors, and two-time U.S. plained Kristen Wilson, MFCF direc- And on Feb. 23 the Mardy Fish
Open semifinalist and founder of the tor of marketing and programs. Children’s Foundation will again be
Celebrity Golf Tour, Cliff Richey. the beneficiary of the Sea Oaks Char-
“There are some amazing pro- ity Day, featuring golf at Sandridge
“To be able to support and give back grams out there. Now we can sup- and tennis and bridge at Sea Oaks.
to this area is very special. The place port them instead of competing with
that has given so much to me and our For more information about MFCF visit
family,” said Mardy Fish. “It’s a lot of mardyfishchildrensfoundation.org. 
fun to have that platform and be able
to give back.”

“This year we’ve helped over 2,400
children in this community with fit-
ness and health programs,” said Mar-
dy’s father, Tom Fish, MFCF chair-
man, noting that the foundation now
funds scholarships for a broad as-
sortment of existing youth programs.
“We’re really excited to help those
kids and more kids in the future. Your
money is going to go directly to help-
ing children.”

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 21

PEOPLE

Roger Van Dyke, Mike Hickey, Jack Apple and Patrick Ayers. Lee Fentress, Cliff Richey, Bill Meyer and Rick Rhoden.

Betsy Hartnett, Cole Thompson, Sheila Hartnett and Mike Hartnett. Mardy Fish. Bob Barrows, Tom Fish and Bill Biersach.

Steve Owen. Peter Holmberg and Bill Stewart. Paul Delaney. Sally Fish and Kristen Wilson.

22 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Impact Day’: Proof positive of life-changing success

BY MARY SCHENKEL $100,000 transformational grant. “This year, our 11th year of opera- “We don’t call it homework; we call it
Staff Writer Suzanne Carter, Impact 100 im- tions, Impact 100 will surpass a total family engagement,” said Sanders.
of $4 million in grants given in Indian
Indian River Impact 100 members mediate past president, moderated River County,” said Carter. Shearer said that through the Little
and prospective members gathered a discussion with Carroll Oates, Vet- TYKES (Teaching Kids Emotionally
last Wednesday afternoon at North- erans Council of IRC special projects With 100 percent of member contri- and Socially) program, they provide
ern Trust Bank for Impact Day, where director; Natalie Sanders, Economic butions earmarked strictly for grants, support services to children ages zero
the four latest Community Partners Opportunities Council of IRC Head event sponsorships are essential; Im- to 5 struggling with mental health or
welcomed the opportunity to thank Start director; Jeff Shearer, Tykes & pact Day was sponsored by Robin inappropriate behaviors, often the re-
members and discuss achievements Teens executive director/CEO; and Lloyd & Associates, P.A. sult of traumatic family lives. Working
since April, when each was awarded a Felix Cruz, Youth Guidance executive with teachers, they develop ways to
director. “This is the only charity that I’ve ever interact with those children, and de-
seen that does this: shows you where velop relationships with parents, some
your money went and lets the folks tell with issues themselves. He added that
you what they did with it. And to me because of this early intervention, he
that’s very important,” said Lloyd. believes they will likely not have to see
them in adolescence.
Each panelist spoke briefly about
the status, challenges and highlights “And that is why we do what we do,”
of their programs. said Shearer.

“We have a large veteran popula- The S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology,
tion; over 15,000 in Indian River Coun- engineering, arts and math) Magnet
ty,” said Oates. “Because of your grant, Program at Youth Guidance is pre-
we were able to start a new program paring low-income children from sin-
called Veterans Helping Veterans – ex- gle-family homes for future success
actly what our mission in life really is.” through programs designed to engage,
educate and motivate children so they
He said the program improves the are not intimidated in school or in the
lives of veterans and their families future. Through their music program
through home improvements and re- they are teaching coding and sequenc-
pairs, trying whenever possible to em- ing; in turn providing an introduction
ploy veteran-owned contractors and/ into robotics and computer graphics.
or Next Gen veterans with the skills Cruz said one home-schooled girl, now
needed for projects. “We are right now in 11th grade, entered the program
about 65 percent through our grant,” with fourth-grade-level reading and
said Oates. “The need was much great- math. In less than a year, he said, “she
er than we thought.” has jumped five grade levels, just be-
cause of the things we are doing with
The EOC’s Early Bird Program Ex- her.”
pansion funded the purchase of a
portable classroom, furniture and “Thank you for sharing with our
technology to enable 17 low-income members what you do,” said Denise
Gifford children to attend preschool at Battaglini, Impact president. She noted
Dodgertown Elementary School. Chil- that the Impact 100 Membership Drive
dren are exposed to critical academ- is currently underway, adding that the
ic and social skills to prepare them number of members – who each con-
for kindergarten, and parents have tribute $1,000 – determines the num-
also benefited. With their children ber of grants that will be funded.
in school, some have found employ-
ment, and Spanish-speaking parents For more information, visit impac-
are learning English along with their t100ir.com. 
children.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 23

PEOPLE

Carroll Oates, Natalie Sanders, Jeff Shearer and Felix Cruz. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE

Suzanne Carter and Gladys LaForge. Robin and Brenda Lloyd.

Denise Battaglini and Amy Acker. Suzanne Conway and Carolyn Antenen.

Linda Knoll and Judy Peschio. Sally Daley and Jane Coyle.

24 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Fine Art and Music Festival: Showtime for Sebastian!

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 “She was so ’60s,” recalled Terry
Staff Writer Corcoran, who designed this year’s
Ray McLendon and Suze Lavender. Terry Corcoran. PHOTOS: STEPHANIE LABAFF T-shirt in homage to Robinson and
With the promise of bad weather explained the meaning behind her
looming on the horizon for Sunday, the nearby stage. son, the longtime proponent of the design. “Art meets the river. That was
art and music lovers descended upon Robert and Lynn Johnson stepped arts who founded and directed the Lisanne.”
the 18th annual Sebastian Riverfront festival before losing her battle with
Fine Art and Music Festival at River- in this year to organize the event, cancer last summer. “Artists from across the country
view Park last Saturday, wanting to held in memory of Lisanne Robin- participate in the show; it brings
make sure they didn’t miss out on people to town. I’ve heard Sebastian
the two-day event. referred to as ‘Key West north,’” said
Johnson. “It’s a big cultural event for
Booths contained artwork from Sebastian.”
130 juried artists ranging from the
traditional – clay, oil, watercolor, The goal of the nonprofit is to “pro-
wood, glass and photography – to the mote interest in and appreciation of
sui generis, think plates made from the arts and to promote cultural en-
recycled soda cans, drumstick and hancement and awareness through
palm frond art. It was a veritable cor- public exhibition and performance
nucopia of techniques and mediums. within the City of Sebastian and its
environs.” Proceeds from the festival
After taking a turn through the enable them to give scholarships to
colorful display of artwork, which schools’ performing and visual arts
also included jewelry, textiles and programs in Sebastian.
sculpture, attendees dined at food
tents set along the Indian River La- Show organizers also try to seek
goon. While feasting and mulling out three emerging artists who have
over their purchases, they were en- never done a big art show before to
tertained by a local lineup of musi- help them gain exposure.
cians who cranked out tunes from
For more information, visit sebasti-
anartshow.com. 

Our Boat House

Home Furnishings Inspired By The Salt, Sand and Sea

ANNUAL TENT SALE

SAVE UP TO 70%

DELRAY 1/24-1/27
VERO 1/31-2/2

Order Online at www.ourboathouse.com or visit us:
4320 US Highway 1, Vero Beach 32967
820 SE 5th Avenue, Delray Beach 33483

1.888.708.9270

48 Years Come Experience Our Showroom
In Business!
We always pay top dollar for special interest vehicles.
We specialize in exotic, classic and luxury vehicles.

WE OFFER: VEHICLE SALE  CONCIERGE SERVICES  FINANCING  CONSIGNMENT

$14,900 $15,900 $18,900 $23,900
2008 Lexus RX 400h SUV 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 2014 Volkswagen Eos Komfort 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT
SULEV Convertible, 18K miles
50k miles Summit 4WD SUV, 82K miles Coupe, 7K miles

$27,900 $28,900 $28,900 $32,900
2003 Chevrolet Corvette 2015 Audi A5 2.0T quattro Premium 2010 Jaguar XK R Coupe Coupe 2012 BMW 640i Convertible
50TH ANN. SPECIAL EDITION, 14K Mi.
Convertible, 46K miles 43K miles 35K miles

$33,900 $34,900 $37,900 $44,900
2012 Porsche Cayman Coupe 2013 Porsche Boxster Convertible 2014 Jaguar F-TYPE S Convertible 2014 Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG ~
“P30 Package” Convertible, 7K mile
35K miles 38K miles 37K miles

$47,900 $49,900 $53,900 $65,900
2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 2015 Land Rover Range Rover 2014 Maserati Gran Turismo 2010 Mercedes-Benz G 55
Cabriolet Convertible, 18K miles
Sport HSE SUV, 18K miles Sport Coupe, 13K miles AMG SUV, 52K miles

$29,900 NEW ARRIVAL $119,900 NEW ARRIVAL $189,900 NEW ARRIVAL $950,000 NEW ARRIVAL
2011 Mercedes-Benz E 550 2013 Bentley Continental GTC V12 2010 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Convertible

Convertible, 28K miles 13K miles HGTE Coupe, 9K miles CSX2095

WE OFFER: VEHICLE SALE  CONCIERGE SERVICES  FINANCING  CONSIGNMENT

ROSNER Contact Us
MOTORSPORTS Sales: (772) 469-4600
rosnermotorsports.com
2813 Flight Safety Dr.,
Vero Beach, FL 32960

Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00AM - 6:00PM  Saturday: 9:00AM - 5:00PM  Sunday: By Appointment Only

26 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 Jeni Housley. Deirdre Creech and David Martin.
Barbara Borer and Linda Dalton.

Russ and Karen Overfield.
Robert and Lynn Johnson.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 27

PEOPLE

H.A. Brown and J.J. Brown. Sharon McDonald, Stephanie Pollack and Margo Bassarab.

Mary Trerice and Karl Bissex. Cindy Robinson, Bridget Benedetti, Trisha Collins and Tim Latta. Sandra Burns and Judy Proud.

28 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Secret Supper’ whets appetite for McKee kids’ garden

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Susan and Ron Rosner. PHOTOS: STEPHANIE LABAFF purse with Tortoise Creek Zinfindel. goal, and we had our first million-
Staff Writer Dinner concluded with Warre’s War- dollar donor come to McKee to estab-
gnon Blanc; a petite Belgium endive rior Porto and an Italian cappuccino lish an endowment for education,”
McKee Botanical Garden benefac- salad with crumbled Chevre served Semifreddo served with wild Italian said Blossom. “Everything we raise
tors took a culinary journey at the with Alois Lageder Riff Pinot Grigio; Amarena cherries. this evening will go toward our Chil-
second annual Seed to Sea: Secret and Moroccan spiced jumbo shrimp dren’s Garden.”
Supper last Sunday evening at Chef paired with a Clean Slate Riesling. Auctioneer Jeff Petersen prepped
Kitty Wagner’s Blue Star to benefit For the main course a chargrilled the crowd before offering choice auc- The Children’s Garden is an exten-
the Children’s Garden at McKee. Faroe Island salmon was accompa- tion items including a cruise with sion of the mission to preserve and
nied by Alexander Valley Chardon- Capt. Bruce Jackson aboard Moon- sustain the 18-acre historic property
Adding to the suspense of the clan- nay and the Angus short-rib beggar’s raker and a paddle raise for a private for future generations. Scheduled
destine gourmands’ adventure, the garden party in the Children’s Gar- to open this summer, the Children’s
location was unveiled just before it den. Garden is a space where children can
was time to depart. Attendees were reconnect with nature, explained
welcomed with a relaxed, eclectic Ginny Blossom, McKee director of Christine Hobart, McKee executive
vibe, enjoying al fresco cocktails and philanthropy, shared the progress director.
hors d’oeuvres or taking in the sump- being made in the Children’s Gar-
tuous surroundings of the Library den – an area filled with engaging “There is nothing else like the Chil-
Bar. features to spark imagination and get dren’s Garden around,” said Hobart.
children outdoors and in sync with “If you look at our community and
The sophisticated dining room nature. beyond, there’s no place for kids to go
took on the tropical beauty of a bo- that’s safe and fenced in that is also
tanical oasis, where April French The space will feature a Lily Pad interactive and outdoors. It will be
of Lady Sings the Blues entertained Water Walk, Karst Hideout, Splash a great place for families to come –
guests as they supped on one delec- Fountain, Bamboo Village and Huts, that’s what we’re all about.”
table course after another prepared a life-size Pirate Shipwreck, Fairy
by Wagner and her team. House in the Fairy Forest, Education- The Seward Johnson Sculpture Ex-
al Amphitheater, Blue Crab Reading hibit will be on display through April 28,
The six-course menu featured an Circle and Stumpery. and on Feb. 9 McKee will host the 10th
heirloom tomato gazpacho paired annual Motor Car Exhibition. For more
with an Elizabeth Spencer Sauvi- “We are only $900,000 away from information, visit mckeegarden.org. 
reaching the nonprofit’s $7.5 million

Furniture • Home Décor • Art • Glass • Jewelry • Gifts & MUCH MORE!

Don’t pay new prices when you can have
quality pre-owned items for ½ the price!
HUGE Selection - Lowest Prices In Area

Inventory Changes Daily

20% OFF FREE We Take
Delivery Consignments
Any One Item & Buy Estates!
(Excluding Furniture) Any Purchase Of
$500 or More Store is over
32963-1 coupon per purchase per day. 9000 Sq. Ft.
Expires 2/14/19 (1 Hour Limit)
Mon-Friday 10-5
10% OFF 32963-1 coupon per purchase per day. & Sat 10-4
Expires 2/14/19
Furniture

32963-1 coupon per purchase per day.
Expires 2/14/19

Voted Best Consignment Store

(772)226-5719
644 Old Dixie Hwy SW
(Between 4th St. & Oslo)
Blue Heron Plaza, Vero Beach
kaleidoscopeconsignments.com

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 29

PEOPLE

David McKenna and Barbara Holmen-McKenna Anne Wallace, Sayre Schwiering and Margot Funke. Connie Cotherman, Phil Kiklis, David Kiklis and Christine Hobart.
with Stephanie Hurtt and Lee Adamson.

Evelyn and Don Mayerson with Barbara Metzler.

Sandra and Ron Rennick with Dr. Monika Srivastava.

Maria Segura and Jeff Petersen with Ginny Blossom.
Peter and Liz Remington.

30 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Old Vero Ice Age’ Centennial dinner: ‘Bone’ appetit!

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 dating of a mammoth bone from the Soils collected from sites in the west-
Staff Writer area as between 12,000 and 14,000 ern portion of the county are cur-
Ron and Patty Rennick. PHOTOS: DENISE RITCHIE years old that put to rest the Vero rently being dated at the University
Members and supporters of the Man scandal and eventually led to of Georgia Laboratory.
Old Vero Ice Age Sites Commit- Vero Man remains were uncovered the creation of OVIASC.
tee gathered last Friday evening for in the same area two years later. “To date, no one has really looked
a Centennial Gala at the Riomar Randy Old, board president, said at the potential for deeply stratified
Country Club to celebrate their on- Dinner guests Friday included the collaboration developed under sites in this part of Florida,” said
going success at digging up the past. Barbara Purdy, curator emerita at the excavation protocols of principal geoarchaeologist Frank Vento. “With
Guests rehashed ancient history the Florida Museum of Natural His- investigator James Adovasio, with Dr. Adovasio’s work and the work of
over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres tory and a professor emerita of ar- support from Indian River State Col- the Vero group, we know that there
before enjoying a dinner of “Mam- chaeology and anthropology at the lege students and researchers. is a potential to find not just artifacts
moth” proportions. University of Florida. It was Purdy’s at the surface, but more deeply bur-
“The excavations that were con- ied cultural resources that date back
Honorary co-chairs Tommye and ducted in Vero from 2014 through many, many thousands of years.”
Rody Johnson were acknowledged 2017 were the most complicated
for their unwavering support of the logistically archaeological excava- Adovasio added, “It’s about paint-
nonprofit’s mission to preserve and tion ever conducted in the state of ing an image of past behaviors, cli-
excavate Ice Age archaeological and Florida,” said Adovasio. “We tried to mates and environments in a way
paleontological sites in the county, understand the geological and envi- that hasn’t been done previously
and promote a greater understand- ronmental history of this area and anywhere else in the state. We are
ing of their contents and history. then to figure out where the human extremely indebted to all of you for
record articulated with that geologi- your interest in this. There is no
The Vero site saga began more cal and environmental record. We other group that concentrates on the
than a century ago when, while now think we have the best handle late Ice Age in the manner in which
dredging the Main Relief Canal, the on 20,000 years of changing envi- you folks have helped us to do.”
Indian River Farms Company un- ronments that exist anywhere in the
earthed fossilized bones belonging American Southeast.” The Old Vero Sites exhibit can be
to extinct mammoths, mastodons, viewed at the Brackett Library at
saber-tooth tigers and bear sloths. OVIASC is now looking to fill in Indian River State College. To learn
pieces of the past in other locations. more, visit oviasc.org. 



32 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30 Mary Singer, Eleanor Sexton and Beth Stryker. Karen and Bill Penney with Marie Stiefel.
Dave Horner and Connie Pitcher with Tommye and Rody Johnson.

Nancy Faigen, Helen Post and Linda Currie. Eric Rawls and James Adovasio. Tom Vento, Katherine Ward and Kyle Freund.

Susan Sheridan, Jim Chandler, Gertrude Terry and Marta Porter.

SEW BE IT:
SUNBONNET SUE QUILTERS

ENJOY ‘SPECIAL BOND’

34 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Sew be it: Sunbonnet Sue quilters enjoy ‘special bond’

BY STEPHANIE LABAFF
Staff Writer

Following the old adage “many Barb Scamehorn, Ann Bryant and Laddie Kruiten. PHOTOS BY LEIGH GREEN
hands make light work,” the 100-plus
members who comprise the Sunbon-
net Sue Quilt Guild have been stitch-
ing their way to gossamer proportions,
creating beautiful fiber artwork in Vero
Beach over the past 40 years.

Despite their obvious artistic ele-
ments, quilts have always been integral
to the fabric of life, born out of the ne-
cessity for warmth. It wasn’t until the
onset of the Pop Art movement, which
pushed the boundaries of acceptable
content and material, that quilting was
finally elevated as “art” under that ex-
panded definition.

Tina Marchese says the local nonprofit
guild began with an advertisement in the
local paper, adding, “one of the leaders
of the Woman’s Club offered a quilting
class and I thought that would be fun.”

Through those initial stitches, the
Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Guild was eventu-
ally formed to preserve the heritage of
quilting; be a source of education, infor-
mation and inspiration; and perpetuate

a high quality of excellence in quilting. care for them, and a pet food pantry for
“It’s our job to teach the love of quilting seniors in need.

to others,” explains Linda Jackson, board Quilt show co-chairs Diane Miller and
president. “It bridges a gap between peo- Cindy Baron are excited about this year’s
ple from all sorts of backgrounds. When event which, in addition to presentations
it comes to quilting, you are really put- and demonstrations, will feature 26 ven-
ting yourself out there, which creates a dors showcasing everything from mate-
special bond among quilters.” rial to mats and machines. More than
200 quilts will be on display, 140 of which
One of the guild’s endeavors is their were considered in a judged show.
biennial quilt show. The 2019 Sunbon-
net Sue Quilt Show: Treasures of the “My mother taught me how to sew,”
Treasure Coast will be held at the Indian says Baron, a travel nurse who began
River Fairgrounds Feb. 7, 8 and 9 from 10 quilting in 2005. “We lived in the middle
a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for one of nowhere so there was nothing else to
day or $15 for a three-day pass. do when I was young. Quilting is my hap-
py place. I don’t know what I would do if I
Proceeds from the event will benefit didn’t have quilting.”
the Love of Paws, which provides a sanc-
tuary to pets of seniors no longer able to “I was a network administrator for

ATLANTIC CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA

S Copland

Violin Concerto Appalachian Spring Suite

Tessa Lark, Violin Schumann

Symphony No. 1

Tuesday, February 12 Community Church

7:30 p.m. Vero Beach

CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA 772.460.0850

DAVID AMADO www.AtlanticClassicalOrchestra.com
Music Director & Conductor

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 35

ARTS & THEATRE

Betty Henry, Linda Jackson, Kathleen McGinn and
Barbara Higgins and Diane Miller. Linda Gibson-Glass.

courthouses and I would drive by a quilt using the medium of thread and cloth Adorn yourself with our inspired
shop on my way to work every day,” says to create a colorful hybrid of art, craft collection of fine art jewelry.
Miller. “I told myself, ‘When I retire, I’m and design.
going to quilt.’ And I did.” 2910 CARDINAL DRIVE, VERO BEACH • 772-234-6711 • THELAUGHINGDOGGALLERY.COM
The group exhibits a literal patchwork
Guild members have created a col- quilt of expertise and ages, with profes-
laborative masterpiece quilt that will sional backgrounds as colorful as the
be displayed and auctioned during the fabrics they piece together. Members
show. Raffle tickets can be purchased run the gamut from beginner to expert
for $1 each. and range in age from 40 to 92.

“This year we made a row quilt called Jim Bell, the eldest member, began
‘A Day at the Beach,’” says Jackson. “We quilting in 1951 when her son was born,
used a variety of quilting techniques, in- and has been a guild member since
cluding paper piecing, applique, embroi- 1995. A creative person by nature, she
dery, Broderie perse and design. It took also does needlepoint and stained glass
nearly 10 months and more than 1,000 works. “If you don’t have a needle in your
hours to complete under the direction hand you go crazy,” says Bell, who quilts
of quilt co-chairs Ann Bryant, Laddie for five or six hours a day.
Kruiten and Barb Scamehorn.”
Jackson says she has been quilting for
Although members were initially nearly 30 years, creating large tapestry-
unaware of the city’s Centennial Cel- size quilts that hang on her walls. “It adds
ebration when the project began, the so much warmth to a home,” she says.
quilt landed center stage with its Vero-
centric focus on images of the Barber In addition to creating art to share
Bridge, crabs, frigates, sea turtles and with family and friends, guild members
sandcastles. “A Day at the Beach” has also find joy in service to the commu-
since been labeled the Centennial Cel- nity through charity sews – providing
ebration Quilt. therapeutic quilts to those in need and
donating specialty quilts to organiza-
Additionally, Cherrywood Hand Dyed tions for fundraisers.
Fabrics annually hosts a Cherrywood
Challenge, asking artists to create a Over the years, the guild has de-
unique piece of art using a prescribed signed and donated quilts to the Peli-
color palette, based on a specific theme. can Island Audubon Society, Chil-
The 2018 ‘Prince Exhibit’ was selected as dren’s Home Society, Environmental
the inspiration behind the quilting com- Learning Center, Indian River County
petition and will also be on display. Administration Building, McKee Bo-
tanical Garden, Samaritan House, the
Guild meetings – think modern-day Veterans Council of Indian River Coun-
quilting bees – are held at 9:30 a.m. ev- ty, and local nursing homes.
ery Thursday at St. Augustine Church.
Classes are taught, guest speakers Additionally, guild members have
brought in, and quilt-centric sessions made roughly 1,500 quilts and more
organized to help the women further than 1,000 teddy bears for the Indian
their sewing skills. River County Sheriff’s Victim’s Ad-
vocate Unit to use with children and
Many bring handwork, tatting, cro- families in crisis, created fidget quilts
cheting, knitting or piecework to keep to provide sensory and tactile experi-
their hands busy during the business ences for dementia and Alzheimer pa-
portion of the meeting. And while most tients, designed port bags for chemo-
are drawn in by their love of quilting, therapy patients, made pillowcases for
they stay for the camaraderie, bonding hospitalized children, created weight-
over projects, social interactions and the ed blankets for children with autism,
reactions of like-minded stitchers dur- and placemats for Meals on Wheels
ing show-and-tell sessions. and Our Father’s Table clients.

The women who make up the guild For more information email vbsonbon-
membership are “cut from the same [email protected]. 
cloth” in their shared fabric obsession,

36 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Will’s on his way: Talented teen drawn to art, environment

BY KERRY FIRTH Will Johnson.
Correspondent
PHOTO BY DENISE RITCHIE
It is rare to find a teenager these
days who is more engrossed in watch-
ing birds and saving the environment
than taking selfies and playing video
games, but Will Johnson is that one in a
million. The St. Edward’s School senior
has spent most of his life studying na-
ture and now replicates birds in intri-
cate drawings worthy of an art master.

“I started drawing when I was about 3
years old,” says Johnson, now 18. “I was
fascinated by palm trees and just start-
ed drawing them with crayons. A year
or so later I discovered the wonderful
world of bugs and caterpillars and but-
terflies. I would catch them in a weed
patch over by South Beach, take them
home in a little bug cage and draw them
in colored pencil. I guess that’s when I
started drawing prolifically.”

While Johnson has explored art me-
diums, he still prefers colored pencil.

“I use Prismacolor pencils, which al-
lows me to layer colors over each oth-
er,” he says. “The soft core of the pen-
cil allows me to draw powerful lines,

delicate blends and silky shadowing, ings on eBird, an online database of
which is so important in recreating the birding observations.
intricacies of feathers.”
“We have a very diverse ecosystem
And recreate them he does, with vi- here in Vero Beach, which attracts the
brant true-to-life colors and birds that northern birds in the winter and now
are so inso tensely lifelike you can al- we’re seeing more southern birds from
most feel the softness of their feathers. the Bahamas coming north because
of the devastation left by hurricanes,”
Johnson’s grandmother, Katherine says Johnson.
Johnson, who passed away in 2008, was
a renowned local landscape artist and “I’ve seen the most species in the
he says the biggest influence in his ar- county this year and 374 species since
tistic passion. I’ve been recording them. And I’ve seen
the northern-most sightings of two Ba-
“She saw the innate talent I had and hamian species – the thick billed vereo
helped me fine-tune it. I spent many and the western spindalis, who have
hours in her studio and I’m so grateful been displaced because of Hurricane
for the guidance she gave me.” Matthew.”

Johnson has been an avid birder Johnson has become so knowledge-
since age 7 and documents his sight-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 37

able that he often guides birding tours g‘Outihdearnkcied, saAlnoRdoTkhSeto&isWTaHillwEl AfaoTyrsRahEnusmwberles and
for the Pelican Island Audubon Society, and
the Environmental Learning Center
and the Indian River Land Trust. He willing to help. He’s so collaborative and
spent summers at his grandmother’s
house on Grandfather Mountain and positive in his work.’ you feel like the world will be protected.”
there volunteered with the Grandfather His advice to his younger peers is
Mountain Stewardship Foundation. - Kerryann Monahan
simple.
Johnson is drawn to environmental teacher the past four years. “Most of competes with other schools on envi- “Get out and enjoy nature. In Indian
science every bit as much as he is to his the greatest scientists are artistic, but ronmental topics.
art. they get pigeon-holed into an analyti- River County we are so blessed with an
cal box. He will always have his art but “Other kids look to Will for answers abundance of natural resources. We’ve
Having grown up in Vero Beach, the world needs his brain.” and guidance, and he is always humble got the ocean, the lagoon and all the
Johnson spent countless hours on Me- and willing to help,” says Monahan. wildlife that lives around us,” Johnson
morial Island with a seining net; catch- Johnson has maintained stellar “He’s so collaborative and positive in his advises. “As a free diver, I love to dive
ing seahorses, crabs and all kinds of grades and has been a member of the work. You cannot be around Will and not the Breckenshire wreck off South Beach.
marine life in the seagrass beds. He St. Edward’s Environthon Team, which feel happy about the world. He makes Just around the boiler tank I’ve seen 66
laments that those seagrass beds are species of fish, octopus, eels and squid.
gone now, leaving his younger broth- There is just as much diversity under
ers unable to enjoy that experience. the water as there is on land. It’s all right
He also worries about algae from Lake here so get out and experience it.” 
Okeechobee discharges and red tide in
the ocean.

“When the red tide came this past
summer, I recorded 73 species of dead
fish that were washed up on shore. Lit-
erally decades of fish perished. It broke
my heart and the issue can be resolved
but action needs to be taken now.”

Compelled to inform others of the
negative effects of their actions on the
environment, Johnson says, “I feel that
if I can help make people aware that
choosing short-term benefits over the
longevity of our resources is lethal, may-
be I can make a difference. I simply try
to create awareness, because so many
are unaware and turn a blind eye. This
is our world and it needs our help.”

Lourdes Alvarez-Rogers, Johnson’s art
instructor at St. Edward’s for the past six
years, says she is impressed by his char-
acter as much as his “God-given talent.”

“In my 28-year teaching career, he is
one of the most talented students I’ve
ever had. But he’s also one of the most
talented, responsible, ambitious stu-
dents I’ve ever known.”

In addition to all the accolades and
first-place awards he has garnered over
the years, she says it is “his humility, his
diligence and his heart that I admire
most. He is always one to help another
student and he is such a well-rounded
young man. Everything he’s ever tack-
led he’s demonstrated commitment
and success and I look forward to hear-
ing a lot about him in the future.”

Johnson was recently accepted to
Dartmouth, where he plans to pursue
environmental sciences, while con-
tinuing his art.

“Ideally, I’d like a major that could
balance my passion for art and natu-
ral science. I’m not sure what that will
be yet, but at Dartmouth you can form
your own disciplinary major, so I can
customize it. Maybe I’ll figure out a way
to incorporate it all.”

“The world needs his scientific acu-
men and thinking” says Kerryann
Monahan, his environmental science

38 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Coming Up: Superb Shanghai orchestra is special treat for Vero

BY SAMANTHA ROHLFING BAITA
Staff Writer

1 From China with Music: After a
grand start to the Indian River

Symphonic Association’s 2019 “Fes-

tival of Orchestras” season – a mu-

sical tour of Europe via the terrific

Brevard Symphony Orchestra – the

second January concert delivers a

truly rare treat: We’ll journey to Chi-

na with the Shanghai Opera Sym-

phony Orchestra on its very first ap-

pearance in the U.S., this Friday, Jan.

25, at Community Church of Vero

Beach. The orchestra is “one of the

most popular in China and through-

out Asia,” says musicworcester.org,

and has also performed on tour in

“Finland, Italy, U.K., Germany, Hong

Kong and Macao.” The Friday’s con-

cert will feature violin virtuoso Chen

Yangyuetong, who will present “But-

terfly Lovers’ Concerto.” This beau-

tiful piece is an orchestral adapta-

tion of an ancient legend, according

to Wikipedia, and one of the most

famous orchestra works of Chinese 3 The Long Run at Emerson Center, Jan 31.

music. Written for the western style

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 39

ARTS & THEATRE

orchestra, it features a solo violin ramics, jewelry, mixed media, pho-
“played using some Chinese tech- tography – and for all ages (aka kids’
niques.” Also on the program will activities). You’ll be able to meet
be Berlioz’s glorious “Symphonie and chat with the artists and, as you
Fantastique” and Rossini’s show- stroll about, you might well discover
stopping “Overture to the Barber of that Perfect, Fabulous Piece. You’ll
Seville.” Time: 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $90. also discover plenty of comestibles,
772-778-1070. and weekend-long live music in the
Wellington Amphitheatre. Welling-
2 In the wake of Vero Beach ton is, of course, home to the Win-
Opera’s powerful, full-house ter Equestrian Festival, and is also
the international “Polo Capital of
season-opener, Bizet’s “Carmen,” the World.” The setting itself is quite
beautiful, as well. Times: Saturday,
comes another strong opera op- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. Admission: Free. 
portunity next Friday, Feb. 2, at the 4 “Jazz Up the New Year!” at Melbourne Auditorium, Jan. 30-31.

VBHS Performing Arts Center. Ac-

cording to the Vero Beach Opera

promo, a “Bel Canto Concert” will

fill the house with arias, duets and ing lead vocals. Look forward to an
evening of Eagles faves such as “Take
quartets by the “leading Bel Canto It Easy,” “Witchy Woman,” “Peace-
ful, Easy Feeling” and other hits you
(beautiful singing) Italian com- know all the lyrics to. As long as they
play “Desperado,” I’m good. Time:
posers of opera of the 19th centu- 7 p.m. Tickets: $25 to $95. 800-595-
4849 or 772-234-4412.
ry – Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti,

including an exciting mix of selec-

tions from “Lucia di Lammermoor,”

“ The Barber of Seville,” “La Fille

du Regiment,” “Don Pasquale,” “I

Puritani,” “La Favorita,” “Ann Bo- 4 It’s free, and too big to squeeze
into only one night: the annu-
lena” and “Maria Stuarda.” VBO

“Rising Stars,” whose exceptional al, musical blow-out everyone gets

talents will give voice to these be- jazzed about. It’s “Jazz Up the New

loved works, are soprano Christine Year!” when, for the ninth winter, the

Suits, a finalist in the 2016 Marcello Melbourne Community Orchestra

Giordani Competition; mezzo so- and the Swingtime Jazz Band com-

prano Alexandra Rodrick, a 2016 bine in a rousing, high-energy, finger-

finalist and recipient of an encour- snapping, toe-tapping two-night con-

agement award from the Deborah cert that promises, as advertised, to

Voigt/VBO Foundation Inaugural jazz up your New Year. The rhythm-

International Vocal Competition; centric 2019 collaboration will take

tenor Matthew White, winner of place Wednesday and Thursday, Jan.

the Deborah Voigt/VBO Founda- 30-31, at the Melbourne Auditorium.

tion 2018 International Vocal Com- The “Jazz Up the New Year!” promo

petition; and baritone Ethan Simp- announces the concerts will be a

son, 2016 Encouragement Award, veritable hit parade of two dozen or

Deborah Voigt International Vocal more jazz and Big Band standards:

Competition (and owned the role of Cole Porter’s “Night and Day”; “The

the glamorous matador Escamillo Pink Panther” and “Moon River” by

in the VBO’s recent production of Henry Mancini; “Embraceable You”

“Carmen”). Dynamic, high-octane and “Someone to Watch Over Me” by

Met Maestro Caren Levine, who Gershwin; Duke Ellington’s “Med-

wielded the baton for “Carmen,” ley for Orchestra” and other classics.

returns to the VBO stage as pianist; MCO pres (and oboe player) Nancy

and Dr. James A. Drake will serve Anderson says a cool aspect of this

as narrator. Over three decades, musical partnership is that “we’ll be

the VBO has earned a position of performing Big Band works arranged

respect in the international opera (especially) for orchestra and jazz

world. See for yourself. Time: 7 p.m. band together!” She adds that it’s not

Tickets: $30, $40 and $50. Students unusual for concertgoers to get out

half-price. 772-564-5537. of their seats and start dancing. “The

aisles of the Melbourne Auditorium

3 Coming to Vero: “The ultimate are definitely large enough to cut a
South Florida Eagles tribute
rug!” Time: 7:30 p.m. both nights. Ad-

band” is how the Lyric Theatre de- mission: Free. 321-285-6724.

scribes “The Long Run,” and this

six-pack of seasoned musicians is re- 5 Up for a weekend road trip to
check out a terrific art festi-
turning to the Live! from Vero Beach

concert series at the Emerson Center val? Head south to Wellington for

next Thursday, Jan. 31, “by popu- the 13th Annual Juried Fine Art

lar demand.” According to the show and Fine Craft Show – “Art Fest on

promo, the Long Run “blends great the Green 2019” – this Saturday and

melodies, great harmonies and great Sunday, Jan. 26-27. It’s free, and

songs,” with all six members play- there’s something for every artistic

ing multiple instruments and sing- preference – painting, sculpture, ce-





President Trump stayed in Washington over the server who, like most residents, declined to be named tial norms: Palm trees wrapped in white lights, the
holidays, so South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach for fear of alienating friends and neighbors. “It’s like, Breakers towers lit red and green, men in tuxedos
was not closed to traffic, allowing the residents of ‘This is Palm Beach. We’re all rich. Let’s be polite.’ ” and women in diamonds.
this exclusive Florida enclave to move around town
without checkpoints or delays. So it was a relief when Trump’s scheduled 16- With Trump stuck in Washington, his family host-
day vacation was abruptly canceled because of the ed Mar-a-Lago’s New Year’s Eve party for 650 people.
That’s no small thing for billionaires and ultrarich government shutdown. Aside from more police, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and his wife, Hil-
people unaccustomed to inconvenience. the rest of the island returned to its pre-presiden- ary, threw an exclusive dinner at their $23 million
villa. Kellyanne Conway and her kids walked around
Since Trump became president two years ago, A Coast Guard boat is seen town practically unnoticed.
the Secret Service shuts down a long sliver of the patrolling in front of the
road connecting the south and north parts of this Mar-a-Lago Resort. “It’s a better energy when he’s not here,” says a
16-mile-island whenever he stays at Mar-a-Lago, Worth Avenue business owner, one of two dozen lo-
the luxury seaside estate he bought in 1985. Private President Trump and first lady Melania Trump with cals interviewed for this article. “It’s like the clouds
jets are not allowed to fly into the small local airport. Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, lifted and everybody goes about their business.”

There are detours, traffic jams and other irrita- at Mar-a-Lago in 2017. But Trump’s magnificent estate is exactly where
tions, the kind of things, frankly, that the wealthy it’s always been: Poised in the center of an island
regulars come to Palm Beach to avoid. less than a mile wide, vulnerable by land, air and
sea. Airspace is restricted for 10 miles. There is no
Once just another rich guy in a place full of re- military base nearby to land Air Force One; Trump
ally rich guys, the 45th president has invaded their prefers Palm Beach International Airport, which
roads, their airspace, their head space. In this ulti- causes commercial flights to be delayed.
mate escape town, Trump and everything he brings
with him – security, media, protesters and contro- When Trump goes to his golf club on West Palm
versy – are inescapable. Beach, the southern artery to the island is closed.
Even members of Mar-a-Lago – who pay a nonre-
This tropical paradise – 10,000 year-round resi- fundable $200,000 membership fee, plus $14,000 in
dents, 30,000 during the “season” that runs from New annual dues – must drive off and then back on the
Year’s Eve to Easter – was created for the very rich to island for a security clearance.
bask in the American Dream without apology, judg-
ment or headlines. Everyone is in vacation mode, Last year, the Palm Beach County sheriff asked
and the last thing they want to think about is politics. the federal government to repay $5.6 million in
overtime pay. Despite promises to reimburse local
Republicans rarely bring up his name in public. agencies, there’s grumbling that local taxpayers are
Democrats won’t pick a fight. There are no Trump paying more than their fair share.
souvenirs (pro or con) for sale.
In theory, this investment should pay off after
“Even the people that don’t like him don’t like any Trump leaves office. “For the first time, people in
sort of outright rudeness or nastiness published about China are hearing about Palm Beach,” says histo-
him when he’s here,” explains one longtime social ob-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 43

INSIGHT COVER STORY

rian Rick Rose, author of “Palm Beach: The Essential The President and First Lady on Christmas Eve 2017 at Mar-a-Lago. team” and show up at Mar-a-Lago every Saturday
Guide to America’s Legendary Resort Town.” He was when Trump is there.
interviewed for a documentary broadcast across President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with members of
China. the U.S. Coast Guard, who he invited to play golf, at Trump “You may not support him, but the fact is that he
International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. is the president,” says one GOP supporter and resi-
So far, there’s no Trump Bump in tourism: Shops dent. Like many of her friends, she’s become more
and restaurants report small but steady growth. It’s “It’s very divisive,” says a wealthy Washingtonian involved in local causes: “People love living here.
the locals who are disappearing, staying home or who owns a home in Palm Beach. “People try not to There are a lot of people today who feel disaffected
flying out of town when the president comes in. talk politics.” by the global politics and national politics. They
don’t know how to fix it. So they’re going deep in
But it would be unfair to conclude that the citizens She first met Trump at a 2008 Hillary Clinton fun- their communities, fixing what they can.”
of Palm Beach don’t support Trump. In 2016, he won draiser in Palm Beach “when he was a Democrat.”
3,231 votes to Hillary Clinton’s 2,612. His tax cuts Now she has friends who feel they “need to be on his Which brings us to those famous charity balls at
and the bull stock market (until the last month) are Mar-a-Lago. In 2004, Trump built a 20,000-sqaure-
very popular. Not that anyone wants to talk about it. foot pavilion on the property to compete with the
Breakers and other clubs. It worked until 2017, when
“Palm Beach is a private town,” says Piper Quinn, hosting or not hosting a benefit became a politi-
owner of Buccan restaurant. “We’re protective of cal statement. Many organizations fled, fearful that
each other collectively, regardless of our political Trump’s controversial views would turn off contribu-
affiliations. We certainly respect our privacy, regard- tors. Others came calling, eager to pay the club’s rent-
less of where you stand, and there’s no deviation al fees on the chance the president would drop in.
from that at all. We don’t lay it on the table when
we’re out. Socially, it’s not a thing.” “This is not about taking a political stand or what’s
right or wrong; it’s about the donors,” says one long-
Quinn presides over one of the island’s hotspots that time observer. “If a donor says, ‘If you have your
belies the stereotypes: It’s young, diverse, crammed event there, I’m not giving you any money,’ they
with full-time residents looking to make (or expand) move the event. If enough donors say, ‘I’m not giving
their fortunes in South Florida. Like the Kennedys – you any money if you move the event, they’ll keep
regulars in Palm Beach 60 years ago – the Trumps gen- the event there.’ It’s not about morals or principles
erate a lot of buzz. or any of that B.S. It’s all about money.”

“People are very curious,” he explains. “There’s the Palm Beach was always about the money. Found-
allure of Mar-a-Lago, its history and Donald Trump. ed in 1894 by Standard Oil magnate Henry Morrison
Regardless of naysayers, being president is still a big Flagler, it became a winter playground for the ultra-
deal. It’s a wonderful thing to have the president, wealthy: Vanderbilts, Fords, DuPonts. After World War
some of our Congress and our Cabinet in our town.” I, Europeans, such as the duke and duchess of Wind-
sor, flocked to this permanent party for the idle rich.
Needless to say, not everyone agrees. Like the an-
cient parable from India of blind men describing an There were heirs and heiresses with vast fortunes
elephant: It depends what you’re feeling.
STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

Mar-a-Lago Resort

132 Properties Sold/Under Contract Since January 2018

John’s Island

It’s your lifetime. Spend it wisely.

John’s Island is the place where everyone wants to be. A private, luxurious seaside community full of people who–like you–have
a zest for the good life. Indulge in 1,650± tropical acres along miles of pristine beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. From sunrise to sunset,
enjoy the active and legendary social lifestyle and world-class amenities including three championship golf courses, 17 Har-tru
tennis courts, pickleball, professional squash, croquet, an abundance of water activities, and a health & wellness center. A
picturesque seaside landscape and near perfect climate compliment the outstanding calendar of social and recreational activities
for all ages. Savor in fresh, seasonal dishes available at any of the three renovated clubhouses, including the spectacular Beach
Club overlooking miles of pristine beach. We invite you to discover life at John’s Island.

Bob Gibb, Broker : Judy Bramson : Jeannette Mahaney : Ba Stone : Michael Merrill : Kristen Yoshitani : Susie Perticone
Open 7 days a week : 1 John’s Island Drive : Vero Beach, Florida 32963

All information herein has been supplied by third parties, and is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. We cannot represent that it is accurate or complete. Buyer is advised to verify information to their satisfaction. This offering is subject to errors,
omissions, change in price or withdrawal without notice. Rendering and floor plans are for marketing purposes only and are approximate. All rights reserved, duplication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. © 2019 John’s Island Real Estate Company.

Exclusively John’s Island

Gem Island 5BR+Study Soundfront Home, 8,240± GSF Impressive 4BR/4.5BA Oceanfront Home, Pool w/ Pergola Exquisitely Renov. 4BR+Library/5.5BA Waterfront Home
120’± Water Frontage, Intracoastal Access, Dock w/ Lift 6,342± GSF, 130’± Direct Ocean Frontage, 1.68± Acres 6,166± GSF, Panoramic JI Sound Views, New Dock w/ Lift
1.05± Acres, Swim-Out Pool, Indoor/Outdoor Living, Cabana Living Room w/ Fireplace, Private Beach Access .5± Acres On Private Cul-de-sac, Gourmet Island Kitchen
672 Ocean Road : $5,295,000
120 Green Turtle Way : $5,850,000 241 Sandpiper Point : $4,900,000

COMPLETED! NEW CONSTRUCTION

Rarely Available! 130± Feet Direct Ocean Frontage Stunning, Updated 4BR/5.5BA Waterfront Retreat, 1.13± Acres MOVE IN READY! Stunning 4BR+Office, Cul-de-sac
Desirable 1.72± Acre Lot In Highly Private Location 5,095± GSF, Amazing River Views, Boat Dock w/Lift, Kayak Dock 7,138± GSF, Captivating SE Indian Lake Views, Pool/Spa
Stunning Ocean Views, Brilliant Sunrises, Beach Access Custom Finishes, Gourmet Kitchen, Pool, Fire Pit, Putting Green
Moor, Baker & Assoc./Builders East, 3-Car Garage
674 Ocean Road : $4,400,000 70 Oyster Cut : $4,350,000 791 Shady Lake Lane : $4,350,000

NEW LISTING

COMING SOON! Stunning 3BR/3.5BA, Private Street Beautifully Updated 2BR/2BA Oceanfront Condominium Handsome 3BR/2BA Oceanside Condominium, Lanai
4,864± GSF, Golf Views, Pool w/ Wet Deck, Fire Pit 2,250± SF, Unparalleled Panoramic Ocean Views, Pool 1,825± SF Gorgeous, Tropical Oceanside Views
(Optional En-suite Guest/Office for $3,800,000) Gourmet Kitchen, Wet Bar, Underground Parking, Storage
370 Llwyd’s Lane : $3,600,000 Spacious Living Areas, Private Pool/Beach Access
850 Beach Road #378 : $1,750,000 700 Beach Road #258 : $995,000

luxury estates : condominiums : homesites : townhouses : cot tages

772.231.0900 : JohnsIslandRealEstate.com

46 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 INSIGHT COVER STORY

and little to lose. Trump was one in a Then President-elect Donald Trump makes a statement to the media following gay couples – began the slow process to
long line of colorful personalities when a day of transition team meetings at Mar-a-Lago Club on December 28, 2016. diversify other clubs in town.
he first came in 1982; unfamiliar with
the history and class structure, he was, lion, then flipped it to a Russian bil- “Basically, he didn’t care who came in Trump rarely leaves his palace; peo-
as one local puts it, “a Miami Beach kind lionaire for $95 million (who tore it as long as they could pay for it,” explains ple come to him. He hosted the prime
of guy.” During a tour, he spotted Mar-a- down and sparked rumors of money a Palm Beach social expert. Money may minister of Japan and the president of
Lago, the mansion built by cereal heir- laundering.) have been the motive, but Trump’s China and tapped two ambassadors
ess Marjorie Merriweather Post in 1927. open-door policy – his was the first club from his membership list: Robin Ber-
Trump was shut out of all the private to accept African Americans and openly nstein for the Dominican Republic
Post left the 128-room, 20-acre es- clubs, the heart of Palm Beach social life. and handbag designer Lana Marks for
tate to the federal government as a South Africa.
winter White House, but the offer was So Trump opened Mar-a-Lago as a
rejected due to prohibitive operating private club in 1995. Unlike the Ever- Many of the club’s original mem-
costs. Trump scored the real estate glades or Bath and Tennis clubs, which bers, primarily Jewish Democrats, have
deal of his life, buying the house, fur- did not admit Jewish members, and left, replaced by an eclectic mash-up
niture and beachfront for $10 million. the Palm Beach Country Club, which of business executives, socialites and
Forbes estimates the entire estate is admitted wealthy Jews, Mar-a-Lago groupies. It’s lively.
now worth $160 million. was open to anyone.
And lucrative: Trump earned an es-
With millionaires and billionaires timated $25 million from Mar-a-Lago
such as David Koch, Stephen Schwar- in 2017.
zman, Rush Limbaugh and Howard
Stern, wealth is the common denomi- Palm Beach may not have missed
nator in Palm Beach. Trump’s meticu- Trump this holiday season, but the
lous restoration of Mar-a-Lago – now president missed Mar-a-Lago.
a historic landmark – was widely re-
spected and would have opened doors “I am all alone (poor me) in the White
socially had he been willing to pay House” he tweeted Christmas Eve.
even a passing nod to the unspoken On New Year’s Eve, there was a video:
rules of civility and discretion. “While I’m at the White House working,
you’re out there partying tonight. But I
But from the beginning, Trump don’t blame you. Enjoy yourselves.”
rubbed Palm Beach wrong. He was
arrogant and pushy, and he didn’t And Palm Beach did. There was a
care that locals thought he was party at the Breakers and a dinner
loud and vulgar. He bought a gaudy dance at Club Colette, a private din-
oceanfront estate in 2004 for $41 mil- ing club favored by the A-list. The
most exclusive party of all: Coconuts, a
24-member club that hosts an annual
New Year’s Eve dance. Trump is not a

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 47

INSIGHT COVER STORY

member; it’s unclear if he’s been asked. Kessler, a frequent guest at Mar-a- ber and pay $1,000, plus 20 percent tip mostly club members, who paid $650
“The old guard just will never accept Lago, says some things have changed and tax. (Or snag a spare ticket.) to see Melania, Ivanka, Jared, Eric and
since 2016: The Secret Service now birthday boy Don Jr., who celebrated his
him, no matter what he does,” says ropes off Trump’s table so no one can More than 900 people originally 41st with girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle.
author Ron Kessler. “They love to look approach him unless he calls them planned to attend, but one member
down their noses on him. People have over. But anyone can go on New Year’s said a couple hundred dropped out af- “It was absolutely fantastic,” said
no idea just how wealthy Palm Beach Eve if they are sponsored by a mem- ter news that the president would not member Anka Palitz. “As always, there
is and how many strange rituals it has.” be there. The remaining guests were was a long line for caviar.Tin after tin.” 

48 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT OPINION

As global debt booms, we’re entering unexplored territory

We are in the midst of a worldwide more common in “emerging-market” if lenders fear debts won’t be repaid, delinquencies; corporate borrowers wor-
credit boom that may be without prec- countries (China, India, Mexico). they may withhold new loans. ry that they won’t be able to “roll over” ex-
edent. The debt explosion suggests isting loans, while household borrowers
that the global economy – all the na- There are no universal rules on how For the moment, confidence seems fear losing their homes or cars.
tional economies combined – is being much debt is too much. A lot depends to be holding. One reason may be low
driven heavily by massive government on investor psychology – that is, con- interest rates, which make it easier for If economic growth slows, then ser-
and private borrowing. fidence or fear. Behavior can be self- borrowers to carry large debts. vicing outstanding debts becomes
fulfilling. If banks and bondholders harder. “The risk is not [an econom-
Is this debt buildup stable? Or is it the believe debts will be repaid, then they Still, the debt buildup poses dangers. ic] blowout but a slow slog – slower
harbinger of a sharp economic slow- will be, because borrowers will raise The first – and maybe the most likely – is growth,” Gibbs says. “As debt service
down or crash? No one really knows, new loans to replace the old. Similarly, that both borrowers and lenders become gets bigger, it takes away from what
but the numbers certainly give pause. more cautious. Lenders fear defaults and you can do with more borrowing. It di-
While everyone is fixated on President verts from more productive uses.”
Trump and his opponents, hardly any-
one is paying attention. Another risk is that over-indebted
businesses in emerging-market coun-
The latest figures come from the In- tries trigger some sort of financial crisis.
stitute of International Finance (IIF), an Loan losses force some banks to close or
industry research and advocacy group. stop lending. The circumstances are par-
It reports that in September, worldwide ticular to individual countries or indus-
debt totaled $244 trillion, or almost a tries, but if too many local crises occur,
record 318 percent of world gross do- the global economy could lose steam.
mestic product. That figure covers all
government, household and nonfinan- Finally, there’s “rollover risk” – the
cial business borrowing. (World GDP possibility that borrowers won’t be
means total global output.) able to renew existing loans. That pros-
pect seems particularly strong among
Here’s a detailed breakdown. Gov- emerging-market borrowers. Accord-
ernment debt has tripled from $20 tril- ing to the data from the IIF, emerging-
lion in 2000 to $65 trillion in 2018, ris- market borrowers face $2 trillion of
ing as a share of GDP from 55 percent maturing debt in 2019, with about a
to 87 percent. Household debt has in- quarter of those loans made in dollars
creased over the same years, from $17 (most of the rest are in local curren-
trillion to $46 trillion (from 44 percent cy). To avoid default, borrowers must
to 60 percent of GDP). Finally, nonfi- somehow raise those dollars, either
nancial corporate debt rose from $24 from a new loan or from other sources.
trillion to $73 trillion (71 percent of
GDP to 92 percent). When it comes to global debt, we
may be in unexplored territory. The
“Debt has fueled a good deal of eco- only certainty, as the IIF’s Dylan Riddle
nomic growth,” says economist Sonja puts it, is that “there’s been a breath-
Gibbs of the IIF. Higher borrowing is taking accumulation of debt in the last
widespread, though countries borrow decade or so.” 
differently. Government debt, for exam-
ple, is highest among mature economies, This column by Robert J. Samuelson
such as the United States and France. By first appeared in The Washington Post.
contrast, business borrowing has been The views expressed do not necessarily
reflect those of Vero Beach 32963.

PROSTATE CANCER PART VII small incisions, usually less than one centi- pathology report. Together you will make plans
meter long, and then places thin tubes called for next steps.
TREATMENT (continued) trochars into those incisions. A tiny camera is
If prostate cancer has not spread outside the placed in one trochar. Its images appear on a RADIATION THERAPY
prostate gland, radical prostatectomy surgery monitor in the operating room. Carbon dioxide Radiation therapy can be used as primary treat-
may be recommended as a cure. is sent through another trochar to expand the ment (instead of surgery) for prostate cancer
SURGERY surgical area, making it easier for the surgeon and/or after surgery if the cancer was not fully
The two types of radical prostatectomy to see inside the body. Through other trochars removed or if it returns.
surgery are: surgical instruments are placed to be maneu- The two primary kinds of radiation therapy used
 Retropubic open radical prostatectomy vered during the operation. for prostate cancer are:
 Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical The surgeon sits at a console that is connected  External beam radiation therapy
prostatectomy (RALP) to the three- or four-armed robot by cables. He  Brachytherapy (internal radiation)
RETROPUBIC OPEN or she can see every detail of the surgical area
RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY which is magnified on the console’s three-di- EXTERNAL BEAM RADIATION THERAPY (EBRT)
Radical open retropubic prostatectomy is the mensional screen. Under the surgeon’s control, External beam radiation therapy uses photons
traditional “open approach” surgeons use to the robot is directed to use the surgical instru- (X-ray) to treat cancer. Over the years, advance-
remove the prostate and nearby tissues. The ments. ments such as three-dimensional conformal
surgery is performed through a single long skin Advantages of RALP: radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated
incision (cut). Bleeding that requires transfu- � Precision and accuracy – the robot has radiotherapy (IMRT) have provided more tar-
sion may occur. The patient is usually hospital- flexible wrists and can make delicate, geted treatments with less damage to nearby
ized for a few days and must limit his activities small movements healthy tissue, which can cause side effects.
for several weeks. � Less blood loss Other types of external beam radiation are pro-
ROBOTIC ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPIC � Shorter healing time ton beam therapy, which use protons, and ste-
RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY (RALP) � Quicker recovery of urine control and reotactic body radiation therapy.
RALP has become the gold standard in prostate sexual function Next time, we’ll discuss internal radiation thera-
surgery. Rather than making a long incision in The success of RALP depends on how experi- py – prostate brachytherapy.
the skin to access the prostate gland and sur- enced the surgeon is. The more surgeries the
rounding tissues, RALP is a minimally-invasive doctor has performed, the better he/she will be Your comments and suggestions for future topics are
surgery in which the surgeon makes some at this surgery. always welcome. Email us at [email protected].
After surgery, your surgeon will review the final
© 2019 VERO BEACH 32963 MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

50 Vero Beach 32963 / January 24, 2019 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

As a teenager hun- confessional. In its entries, Jünger records Far from home, the attractive, well-bred soldier em-
gering for adventure, his dreams, migraines and depressions, barks on at least one serious love affair with a French-
Ernst Jünger ran away describes his interaction with Parisian woman. Nonetheless, Jünger dispassionately registers
from school in 1913 and artists and aristocrats sympathetic to the the hatred he notices in the eyes of a Paris shop assistant
joined the French For- Germans, closely inspects every flower as she sees his uniform, and he later feels ashamed when
eign Legion. His father and insect he encounters and obsessively – for the first time – he encounters a trio of young Jew-
eventually retrieved his reflects on the human condition. “The ish girls wearing the odious yellow star. On July 18, 1942,
delinquent child from goal of life,” he decides, “is to gain an he laments that “Jews were arrested here yesterday for
North Africa, just in time deportation. Parents were separated from their children
for the 19-year-old to en- idea of what life is. In the absolute sense, and wailing could be heard in the streets.”
list in World War I. Over of course, that changes nothing … but it
the next four years, Jünger helps our journey.” Later on, Jünger learns about their fate in the camps
would be wounded in ac- but doesn’t risk taking a public stand against Kniebolo,
tion 14 times and, in 1918, Overall, Jünger remains essentially his journal’s code-name for Hitler. However, he does pri-
be awarded the Pour le contemplative, an observer by instinct. vately criticize the generals who give in to the Führer and
Mérite, Germany’s equiva- “My conversation is often halting be- his demonic inner circle, those sycophantic “courtiers in
lent to our Medal of Honor. cause I weigh each sentence before the realm of darkness” among whom “the defamation of
He remains the youngest uttering it, anticipating any doubts or one’s enemy is a cult.”
man ever so honored. objections it could elicit. This puts me
at a disadvantage with conversational Throughout “A German Soldier in Occupied Paris,”
In 1920, Jünger pub- Jünger laments that “ancient chivalry is dead” and our
lished “Storm of Steel,” an partners who blurt their opinions.” wars are now “waged by technicians.” He despises the
extraordinary memoir of his battle experiences. (I rec- Near the beginning of the journal, forces, industrial and ideological, that reduce people to
ommend Michael Hofmann’s translation for Penguin.) he dutifully forces himself to watch a German deserter machines or automatons. Against these we must fight to
Like T.E. Lawrence’s near-contemporary “Seven Pillars of stood up against a tree and shot. In his “Notes From the remain fully human, to resist “the tendency within our
Wisdom,” the book views war from an almost Homeric Caucasus,” the stark and appalling descriptions of what breast to harden, calcify, ossify.” Such high-minded ide-
perspective, celebrating the martial virtues of courage, he saw on the Eastern Front recall Goya’s famous etch- als don’t preclude shrewd understanding about life in a
comradeship and steadfastness; it is dedicated, apoliti- ings of the disasters of war. police state: “Exaggerated prudence increases danger.
cally, “For the fallen.” In the years following its publica- Mainly, though, Jünger writes about his day-to-day life People listen most carefully to those who disguise their
tion, Jünger completed an astonishing self-transforma- in Paris. He visits painters in their workshops (Picasso, he voices.” Still, there is no armor against fate.While serving
tion into an exceptionally well-read and cosmopolitan writes, “appeared as a powerful magician, while Braque in Italy, Jünger’s beloved son Ernstel pronounces some
intellectual, one particularly passionate about French embodied a radiant geniality”), dines with the play- defeatist criticism of the Reich, which ultimately leads to
culture, entomology, mysticism and philosophy. While wright Sacha Guitry, who shows him the manuscript of the young man’s death, quite possibly from an S.S. bullet
his political bent was distinctly right-wing, he resisted Flaubert’s “Sentimental Education” and discusses punc- in the back. Jünger and his wife are crushed with grief.
the era’s virulent anti-Semitism and never joined the tuation with Marcel Jouhandeau, who loves semicolons.
Nazi Party. His allegorical 1939 novel, “On the Marble Jünger notes that Paul Léautaud “hates imagery, similes, When the war finally ends, Jünger’s life is, astonishing-
Cliffs,” is frequently read as a critique of Hitler. and digressions. He believes an author must express ly, only half over – he would live to be 102, dying in 1998.
what he thinks with absolute precision and economy. Some critics argue that his transcendental-mystical bent
WhenWorldWar II broke out, Jünger – only in his mid- … If one wants to say that it’s raining, then one should tends to aestheticize horror and suffering, which to some
40s – loyally rejoined his old company, but was eventu- write, “It is raining.” During a stroll, Jünger thinks hard extent it certainly does. Still, Jünger himself deserves to
ally assigned a desk job in Paris, where he pushed papers about his grammar and concludes, “I have to go deeper be honored as a serious, if morally and politically com-
and, more importantly, kept a journal. This last has final- into the vowel sounds.” plicated, European humanist. 
ly been expertly translated into English by Thomas and Many of his lunchtime walks take Jünger to the city’s
Abby Hansen as “A German Officer in Occupied Paris” print dealers and antiquarian booksellers – “oases in a A GERMAN OFFICER IN OCCUPIED PARIS
with an excellent biographical-critical foreword by Elliot world of carnage.” He reads widely: Pliny’s letters and a
Y. Neaman. glossary of medieval Latin, a biography of the Brontë sis- THE WAR JOURNALS, 1941-1945
ters, the essays of Léon Bloy and Joseph Conrad’s “Heart
Always intended for eventual publication, the jour- of Darkness.” At bedtime he gradually makes his way BY ERNST JUNGER | COLUMBIA. 496 PP. $40
nal eschews soul-searching and avoids anything overtly through the Bible twice.
TRANSLATED BY THOMAS S. HANSEN AND ABBY J. HANSEN
REVIEW BY MICHAEL DIRDA, THE WASHINGTON POST

COMING ATTRACTIONS! RECOMMENDED CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND VERO BEACH BEST SELLERS

TOP 5 FICTION TOP 5 NON-FICTION BESTSELLER | KIDS
1. Daughter of War 1. The First Conspiracy 1. Dog Man: Brawl of the Wild

BY BRAD TAYLOR BY BRAD MELTZER (Dog Man #6) BY DAV PILKEY
2. Squirm BY CARL HIAASEN
2. Where the Crawdad 2. Educated BY TARA WESTOVER 3. Superheroes are Everywhere
Sing BY DELIA OWENS 3. Red Notice BY BILL BROWDER
4. Becoming BY MICHELLE OBAMA BY KAMALA HARRIS & MECHAL RENEE ROE
3. Heads You Win 5. The Point of It All
4. The Meltdown (Diary of a
BY JEFFREY ARCHER BY CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER Wimpy Kid #13) BY JEFF KINNEY

4. The Escape Artist 5. Squirm BY CARL HIAASEN

JAMES ROLLINS PAULA MCLAIN ALYSSA MAXWELL BY BRAD MELTZER

“in conversation” with presents 5. The Tattooist of
Laura Steward presenting Auschwitz
LOVE AND RUIN
CRUCIBLE A Novel BY HEATHER MORRIS
A Sigma Force Novel
Penguin Random House presents
HarperCollins Books January 28th at 6 pm
A MURDEROUS
January 25th at 5 pm MARRIAGE

A Novel
January 29th at 6 pm

392 Miracle Mile (21st Street), Vero Beach | 772.569.2050 | www.verobeachbookcenter.com