11/23/2023 ISSUE 24

A mystery company is seeking economic development incentives to build a $37.5 million industrial complex called “Project Bears” on a 30.95-acre tract on Tom Mackie Boulevard, south of East/West 2 Roadway, in Tradition Commerce Center. And an Orlando developer wants to build a luxury hotel with upscale Italian and Mediterranean restaurants VOLUME 8, ISSUE 24 YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 A6 A14 B4 Orange Avenue projects More industrial development OK’d Combating fatigue First, understand the causes ’Tis season at Sunrise Entertaining holiday fare abounds Exhibit of M.C. Escher works mesmerizes at Vero museum. P. B2 New civic center with celebratory park planned on Village Parkway PETS ARTS/PEOPLE GAMES SPORTS A1-A11 A12-A19 A21 A22-A36 A20 B1-B25 B28-B30 B31 © 2023 Vero Beach 32963 Media LLC. All rights reserved. IN THIS ISSUE LOCAL NEWS HEALTH ADVICE REAL ESTATE P1 MOTOR CLUB GETS COUNTY GREEN LIGHT DESPITE OBJECTIONS A civic center with a Port St. Lucie city park, a St. Lucie County Fire Station, a K-8 public school and a connection to Tradition Trail is taking shape on Village Parkway, north of Marshall Parkway in southwestern Port St. Lucie. The City Council voted unanimously Nov. 13 to approve a major site plan for the Stars and Stripes Park on a 16.447-acre tract on the west side of Village Parkway. The City Council also voted unanimously to approve a major site plan for an 11,813-squarefoot Fire Station on a 2.5-acre lot on the east side of Village Parkway, north of Marshall Parkway, in Tradition Commerce Center. In addition, the council voted unanimously to approve a preliminary and final plat dividing a 47.51-acre tract into the 16.447- acre park site, a 20.492-acre school site, a 10.199-acre stormwater drainage pond and .377-acres to connect to Tradition Trail. Among the attractions planned Proposed Tradition development includes luxury hotel, restaurants BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE A6 CONTINUED ON PAGE A10 BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected] The Eagle Bend subdivision proposed preserving a 23.15-acre zone around a bald eagle’s nest as part of the development of 1,713 residences on a 391.26-acre site near the Orange Avenue Interchange on Interstate 95 in northern St. Lucie County. Whalou Properties LLC of CONTINUED ON PAGE A11 BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE A8 ‘Eagle Bend’: 1,713 new homes eyed BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected] Vietnam Veterans Chapter 566 presents the colors to begin Port St. Lucie’s Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Nov. 11. See story and photos, Page B10. PHOTO: LINDA KLOORFAIN SALUTE TO VETERANS Developer of the restaurant complex in Pioneer Park wants to add four food venues and downsize the anchor eatery overlooking the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. Page A4 Changes to restaurant project ‘menu’ ARTIST’S RENDERING Objections by environmentalists and nearby homeowners were not enough to convince St. Lucie County commissioners to reject the proposed P1 Motor Club project. County commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 7 to approve a future land use element amendment creating a Special District on 629 acres of land on Okeechobee and Summerlin roads that had previously been designated for agricultural uses. After the vote, Townsend urged the opponents to speak with the P1 developers, Ari and PHOTO: LINDA KLOORFAIN

on my bucket list over 20 years ago,” Young said. “I signed up for the ‘Olympics.’” Before that effort would win her the Martin gold, Young would refine her technique through the work of local swim coach Deni Gillespie. Gillespie is the founder and head coach of the Port St. Lucie Swim Squad summer program in addition to managing No Sweat Swimming, a private training practice. The Swim Squad will enter its 20th year of operation in 2024. Gillespie posted news of Young’s gold medal win in a Nov. 7 release as part of No Sweat To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS November 23, 2023 3 CONTINUED ON PAGE A4 BY CHARLES CALOIA | Correspondent It was a golden morning for 75-year-old Port St. Lucie resident Joy Young when she triumphed in her first-ever swim meet on Oct. 24. Young placed first in the Women’s 25- Yard Freestyle event at the Martin County Senior Games held in Stuart’s Sailfish Splash Water Park. Young’s milestone would seem like any ordinary feat of geriatric grit if it weren’t for an impulse following her recovery from being widowed twice and an intense bout with COVID-19 that floored her over the past summer. “It was terrible,” Young said with a tone of semi-flippant candor. “A lot of people I knew had COVID, and they’d say ‘oh, I had COVID,’ and I’d say ‘oh, you poor baby.’ Then I got it and said, ‘I think I may die.’” Young did not go to the hospital despite her severe COVID infection, choosing to fight it off at home. “It was a good two-and-ahalf to three weeks before I could [function] because I couldn’t breathe.” Before moving to Florida, Young ministered as a pastor of the Oceanport United Methodist Church in her native New Jersey. “I didn’t become a Christian until I was 50,” Young said. She moved to Port St. Lucie in June 2019 after losing her first husband, John, the preceding December. “My uncle was sick, so I came to visit him, and I bought a house,” Young said. It was at the Faith Church’s soup kitchen on Savona Boulevard where she found love again with longtime local school teacher/ volunteer chef Michael Young. Young was a New York City police officer before teaching at Dan McCarty Middle School, Southern Oaks Middle School and Port St. Lucie High School throughout the 1990s. “We kind of danced around for two years before we got married,” Young said. But he died suddenly of a heart attack after a seven-month marriage on July 5, 2022. Young became a “widow coach” shortly after Michael’s death to move past her own bereavement, which would be aided by her return to the water. “I knew I had to do something physical to help with my mourning. He left me with a gorgeous house and pool; it helped mentally as much as physically,” Young said. Young chose to readjust herself to the water after her illness subsided by diving headfirst into signing up for the Martin County Senior Games. “It was something that I put Golden effort was triumph of resiliency for both swimmer and coach Joy Young, above left, celebrates her gold medal from the Women’s 25-Yard Freestyle at the Martin County Senior Games with coach Deni Gillespie. At left, Young swims under Gillespie’s watchful eye. PHOTO: CHARLES CALOIA PHOTO COURTESY MELANIE McCREADY/BLACKBIRD PHOTOGRAPHY

4 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com President and Publisher Milton R. Benjamin, 772.559.4187 [email protected] Creaave Director Dan Alexander, 772.539.2700 [email protected] Corporate Editor Corpo Steven M. Thomas, 772.453.1196 [email protected] Adverrsing Lisa Crawford, 516.721.0848 [email protected] Chris McIntosh, 772.485.4000 [email protected] Managing Editor Paul Keaney, 617.593.6320 [email protected] City Editor George Andreassi, 772.577.9953 [email protected] Columnist Columni : Shelley Koppel We are here to provide readers with the most comprehensive and objeccve news coverage of rapidly growing St.Lucie County. You will also find fun and entertaining features about the communiies in which you live. For our adver F rsing partners, we pledge to provide the most complete consultaave and markeeng programs possible for the best return on your investment. VERO BEACH 32963 MEDIA LLC Swimming. “Three months ago, Joy could not swim the length of the 25-yard (22.86 meter) pool,” Gillespie said in the release. The American Red Cross recommends that 25 yards is the minimum length “that all adults should be able to swim for their own safety in.” Gillespie’s work refined Young’s breathing and stroke techniques with a touch that she could relate to after her COVID-induced isolation. “I YouTubed everything and I thought, ‘I could never do that in my whole life without a coach!’” “Joy called me and said she had signed up for the Senior Olympics and she needed a coach,” Gillespie said. “I assumed she was a former competitive swimmer like myself.” “We met for the first time, and she thought that I was a swimmer all my life. The reason I called for [Deni] was because I didn’t know any of the technical things,” Young said. The three months after Young’s illness would prove transformative as regular swimming rehabilitated the frailty that dogged her in being sick and grieving. Young credits Gillespie’s “‘Breath, Brain & Body’ teaching method” as “an enlightening experience. My improved body awareness should even help me prevent falls that people my age can be prone to. “Becoming a swimmer at my age has changed how I feel in my body,” Young said further in the release. “No matter how I do [on Oct. 14], I will be a lifelong swimmer because it makes me feel so good!” Gillespie, now 70, has a 50-plus-year career in the water: from lifeguard duty to swim instruction stretching back to her youth in Wildwood, New Jersey. “I’ve been extremely successful in this one area of my life,” Gillespie said. “It’s something I have never failed at, and I’ve been doing it since I became a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor at 16.” Those successes would follow her from guarding at Morey’s Piers Water Park to training at Rutgers University under famed Olympic swim coach Frank Elm. “He was an assistant coach for the women’s Olympic Team during the [’70s when] I was at Rutgers,” Gillespie said. “I had expected to have the life of a student athlete, but I went for that team and was shocked I could not keep up.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE A3 SENIOR SWIMMER Gillespie’s career has covered the past six decades despite struggling with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: an inherited condition that adversely affects her nerves and muscular tissue. Despite these adversities, Gillespie’s resume cites her being ranked No. 1 on New Jersey’s Civil Service list as Recreation Supervisor of Swimming in 1983, among other honors. She would go on to teach many students how to swim between Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach and Vero Beach once she moved to Florida. After her Martin County medal win, Young is looking to partner with Gillespie by renting out her pool to No Sweat Swimming. “We’re trying to have my pool as a small business,” Young said. “As far as the ‘Olympics’ go, maybe state gold.” The developer of the “Dining Docks” restaurant complex in Pioneer Park wants to add another 4,958 square feet of dining space with four food venues and downsize the anchor restaurant overlooking the North Fork of the St. Lucie River. An update to the major site plan for the Dining Docks project reflecting the changes received approval Nov. 13 from the Port St. Lucie City Council. PIII Investments LLC of Miami is developing the 14,112-square-foot restaurant complex on a 1.11-acre lot in the park Port St. Lucie is developing on a 9.75-acre tract on Westmoreland Boulevard, south of Port St. Lucie Boulevard. The developer has proposed a 5,852-square-foot full-service anchor restaurant with a rooftop terrace for dining, city records show. The other elements of the first phase of the project include an 800-square-foot Tiki bar, a 525-square-foot outside bar, a 1,524-squarefoot “quad” food venue and restrooms. The second phase will consist of two 1,401-square-foot food venues and a 1,551-square-foot food venue. In other business involving Pioneer Park, the City Council awarded a $726,980 contract to Brothers Construction Inc., of Stuart, to repair the section of the Riverwalk Boardwalk South that had been damaged by fire. The company has also built the new sections of the Riverwalk Boardwalk. RIVERWALK ‘DINING DOCKS’ RESTAURANT ADDING FOUR FOOD VENUES BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected]

6 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com Two more industrial projects on Orange Avenue get OK Palm Beach Gardens wants to build 955 single-family houses, 404 townhouses and 354 apartment units on the vacant tract south of Angle Road, east of W. Johnson Pierce Road and west of the planned Westwood Academy High School. The developer’s environmental consultant repeatedly observed a mating pair of bald eagles nesting in a pine tree north of Lake 1, St. Lucie County records show. Reports of eagles on the property date back to 2004. Consequently, Whalou Properties offered to abide by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife recommendation to keep new structures at least 660 feet away from the bald eagle’s nest on the north side of the property. The Eagle Bend project is expected to generate 13,275 motor vehicle trips per day on the surrounding roadway network, county records show. That includes 1,204 during the evening rush hour and 858 during the morning rush hour. Whalou Properties will dedicate 160 feet of right-of-way and construct Jenkins Road from Metzger Road to Angle Road. The northsouth thoroughfare will bisect Eagle Bend. The developer will also dedicate 110 feet of right-of-way and construct “Road G,” an east-west roadway that will intersect with Jenkins Road, between two proposed northsouth roads, “Road A” and “Road B,” county records show. In addition, the developer will CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 EAGLE BEND The boom in industrial development near the Orange Avenue Interchange on Interstate 95 is set to continue as St. Lucie County commissioners approved a rezoning and preliminary site plan for a 374,000-square-foot light industrial complex. The project is being built in unincorporated St. Lucie County, but may wind up being annexed into the City of Fort Pierce because the site is adjacent to the city limits and water and sewer utilities will be provided by the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority. Tambone Companies LLC of Palm Beach Gardens plans to build the Orange 95 Commerce Center on a 34.09- acre tract 2,000 feet north of Orange Avenue, abutting the canal running south of Floyd Johnson Road. County commissioners voted unanimously Nov. 14 to rezone the agricultural tract for Planned Non-Residential Development and approve the preliminary site plan for 334,258 square feet of industrial space and 39,752 square feet of office space. Other major industrial projects near the Orange Avenue Interchange on Interstate 95 include the 1.3 million-squarefoot South Florida Logistics Center and the 658,000-square-foot Kings Highway Warehouse, county records show. County commissioners had updated the zoning in August 2022 to “transition this low-intensity district from having the purpose of office commercial, commercial general and institutional uses to support growing demand for light industrial for flex warehouse activity serving the I-95 and Orange Avenue Interchange,” said county Planning Manager Kori Benton. Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky warned the developers the FPUA service agreement could eventually require them to accept mandatory annexation into the City of Fort Pierce. “A lot of times folks don’t realize they could be annexed with that service agreement,” Dzadovsky said. FPUA provides water, wastewater, fiber optics and natural gas utilities to the development area, Benton said. “With the City of Fort Pierce’s limits, or territorial extension to the east, as part of the final development order and the entering of a service agreement, the City of Fort Pierce would have the capacity to eventually annex this property,” Benton said. But developers Richard Tambone and Brad Currie, of Engineering Design & Construction Inc., of Port St. Lucie, seemed unbothered by the potential for annexation into the city. The developers proposed enhanced stormwater treatment areas with upland littoral plantings and a recreational trail for employees, Benton said. The two parcels totaling 34.09-acres are owned by Joseph G. Miller, of Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County Property Appraiser records show. They have a combined market value of $948,275. County commissioners also voted unanimously Nov. 14 to rezone a 34.98- acre portion of a 72-acre agricultural tract on the southeast corner of Orange Avenue and Shinn Road, approximately 2.5 miles west of Florida’s Turnpike, for Planned Non-Residential Development and approve a preliminary site plan. Owners Gary and Lisa White, of Fort Pierce, proposed developing three industrial lots fronting on Orange Avenue on the 34.98-acre property, county records show. The lots would be 10.96 acres, 11.92 acres and 11.98 acres. Potable water will be provided by private on-site wells. Wastewater treatment and disposal will be provided by private onsite septic systems. BY GEORGE ANDREASSI | Staff Writer [email protected]

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS November 23, 2023 7 dedicate 50 feet of right-of-way for the future construction of 3,000 feet of north-south Road A, which runs along the east side of the Eagle Bend property. The developer estimates 548 students will live in Eagle Bend. The proposed Westwood Academy High School property may have enough room for an elementary school. The preliminary development plan envisions protecting 15.77 acres of wetlands, 7.3-acres of wetland buffers and a two-acre stand of native habitat near the southeast corner of the property, county records show. That’s in addition to the 23-acre bald eagle nest protection zone. A public park will take up 9.4 acres and an amenity and recreation area will cover another 5.05 acres. Plans call for 71.92-acres of stormwater lakes and dry detention areas. The perimeter landscape buffer will cover 14.42 acres. Whalou Properties has asked St. Lucie County commissioners to rezone the 391.26- acre site for a residential Planned Unit Development. The property is currently zoned for agricultural and residential use. The developer also submitted a preliminary site plan for County Commission approval. The county Planning and Zoning Commission was set to review the rezoning proposal recommendation and preliminary site plan last Thursday.

8 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com DDS4Vets.org for the support of our amazing veterans. Their support and contributions have made it possible to provide counseling, financial assistance and to give fully working service dogs to our veterans who were injured serving our country, fighting for our Freedom. To all the active military and retired veterans, thank you for your service. May we all remember those who will not be home this Thanksgiving and Christmas. Thanking the Treasure Coast COVID caused 5 deaths in county in past 2 weeks – GEORGE ANDREASSI COVID-19 caused the death of five people in St. Lucie County in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of pandemic-related deaths to 1,5287, according to a Florida Department of Health report. The virus caused the death of two people during the week ending Nov. 10 and three people during the week ending Nov. 3, records show. The number of new COVID-19 cases in St. Lucie County declined to 64 during the week ending Nov. 10. That represented a 15 percent decline compared to the week ending Nov. 3, when there were 75 cases and a 25 percent drop compared to the week ending Oct. 27 when there were 83. Overall, a total of 100,801 St. Lucie County residents have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since the pandemic started in March 2020, state Health Department records show. That includes 7,769 in 2023. The numbers for COVID-19 vaccinations administered in St. Lucie County during the weeks of Nov. 10 and Nov. 3 were not available on the start Health Department COVID-19 database. on a 2.09-acre lot on Tom Mackie Boulevard, just south of Trade Center Drive. The City Council voted unanimously Nov. 13 to approve deals for the two development sites in the city-owned commerce center west of Interstate 95, between Becker Road and Discovery Way. The council approved a $7,415,001 purchase and sale agreement with Four Port St. Lucie LLC, of Delaware, for the 30.95-acre tract for “Project Bears.” Four Port St. Lucie LLC plans to build up to 500,000 square feet of industrial and office space and employ 200-to-300 workers, said Jennifer Davis, the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency director. The land deal and economic incentive package is “something that our staff has been working on since August of last year, so this is a long time coming,” Davis said. “It will be having an incentive package brought before you in the coming months once all the details have been worked out,” Davis told the City Council. The sale is expected to close by November 2024, contingent on City Council approval of the development plans for the site, city records show. Richard Tambone represented the buyer, Davis said. No other information about the developer or the project was immediately available. Four Port St. Lucie LLC is not listed in the state Division of Corporations database. The city obtained approximately 1,200 acres of vacant land in Tradition Commerce Center for free in June 2018 after Tradition Land Company Ltd., announced it would no longer pay more than $5 million in annual assessments and property taxes. The city has been marketing and selling parcels ever since. The City Council also voted on Nov. 13 to approve a letter of intent authorizing city administrators to negotiate a purchase and sales agreement with Amandine LLC of Orlando for the 2.09-acre lot for $910,404. Amandine plans to build a boutique hotel, two restaurants and 17,000 square feet of retail space, the letter of intent said. The city and Amandine have until Dec. 5 to execute an agreement. “We would like to do an Italian gourmet on the first restaurant and Mediterranean on the second restaurant,” Nicholas Greaux, president of Amandine LLC, told the City Council. The Mediterranean restaurant should feature a 3-D dining show from Europe, Greaux said. The boutique hotel will feature 14 luxury suites with a “very modern and European” design, Greaux said. “I think it will be a great fit for the area.” Several council members said they welcome the restaurants. “Make it happen,” said Mayor Shannon Martin. “Bring us some Mediterranean and Italian. Residents will love it.” City Councilman Anthony Bonna said jokingly, “You had me at a premium Italian gourmet restaurant.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 TRADITION PROJECTS

10 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS www.stlucievoice.com SOUTH PALM FAMILY CENTER SOUTH PALM FAMILY CENTER southpalmfamilycenter.com Comprehensive primary care Preventive care management Geriatric care Chronic disease management Acute/Sick visit Medication management Annual wellness visit Sports/School physical exam Employee physical exam Mental Health Preoperative evaluations On-site EKG Judith Brooks, MD Board Certified in Family Medicine Fellowship Trained in Geriatrics New Patients & Walk-Ins Welcome Your Health is Our Priority! 1701 Hillmoor Drive, Suite B9 Port St Lucie, FL 34952 772-348-0303 [email protected] Transform Your Life with Buddhist Meditation Classes Please scan code for details Eliminate Stress Improve Relationships Increase Your Wisdom & Compassion Tuesdays 6:30 - 7:45 pm Port St. Lucie Community Center 2195 SE Airoso Blvd. - Room E Sponsored by Kadampa Meditation Center Ft. Lauderdale Meditateinportstlucie.org (954) 372-7481 CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 STARS AND STRIPES PARK for the Stars and Stripes Park are a celebratory plaza for military veterans and first responders featuring large star structures and wave-like stripes. “The park is meant as a celebration of our veterans and first responders as well as a celestial classroom and passive open space providing direct connection to and acting as a destination along Tradition Trail,” said Steve Garrett, a land planner representing developer Mattamy Palm Beach LLC, which is developing the park with the city. “We look forward to immediately pulling permits,” Garrett said. “It’s about a 13-to 14-month construction schedule. Our goal would be to have it open by Veterans Day, or around Veterans Day of next year. “You have two primary spaces,” Garrett said. “You have the Veterans and First Responders Celebratory Plaza, a walkway leading to the sundial and outside classroom, and then you have a Celestial Lawn that expands out to the northwest.” Mattamy Palm Beach commissioned Creative Machines Inc., of Tucson, Arizona, a design fabrication firm, to create the stars. “There is a series of three of these stars, fairly large,” Garrett said. “If you look closely, you’ll see there is an engraving in each of these panels. The engravings are actually quotes from veterans and first responders within our community. “Creative Machines went through and interviewed 150 of our own hometown veterans and first responders,” Garrett said. “Their own words will be memorialized in these stars. “The stars have been fabricated,” Garrett said. “They’re waiting on shipping to the site and for installation when we begin construction. “There is a second star here at the plaza,” Garrett said. “This one you’ll see introduce a gold element for our Gold Star families. “This is a large interactive sundial,” Garrett said. “When it’s in place and you come here, you’ll be able to mark the time on the plaza. You can see the planetary orbits radiating out. Each of the planets is memorialized on these discs out on the lawn. Those are the planetary discs for the first part of the outdoor classroom. “The stars at night are illuminated,” Garrett said. “The lowest panels that face the ground are reverse etched so those words, when they’re projected onto the surface, you’ll actually read them.” Restrooms would be built during the second phase of construction, said Bridget Kean, a senior planner with Port St. Lucie. Mayor Shannon Martin jokingly said she was “starstruck” by the project. “This is amazing,” Martin said. “Everything about it is really amazing. It’s absolutely gorgeous.” Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo said the park will provide much needed open space for recreation. “I think it’s going to be really awesome,” Caraballo said. “What I love is the celebratory nature. I love the open spaces. I think our city is in need of this and people are going to really love it.” Artist renderings of the proposed Stars and Stripes Park on Village Parkway in southwestern Port St. Lucie. Attractions include a celebratory plaza for military veterans and first responders, far left; and a Celestial Lawn, near left, featuring an interactive sundial, above.

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | NEWS November 23, 2023 11 772-579-8548 SPECIALIZING IN: Neck, Shoulder, Back Pain and More. LET ME KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING AT IT’S BEST WITHOUT PAIN OR RESTRICTIONS! THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE BY STEFANIE GAMBINO Located inside Balance Beauty and Wellness Center www.MassageByStef.com 525 NW Lake Whitney Place, Suite 203, PSL MA#42795 MM#43262 Mollie Straus, about their concerns about the proposed motor club. “Please reach out to them, have conversations with them,” Townsend said. “There is still a lot to be done. This is still a couple of years into the future. It’s not going to happen overnight, so there are a lot of conversations that can still be had. “When they come back with their site plan, you can make a comment and make it part of their site plan planning and be able to feel comfortable with this project,” Townsend said. “I am comfortable with it.” The Special District would allow the development of stand-alone water and wastewater treatment plants as part of a mixed-use motor sports complex with 125 single-family residences, garage condominiums, two performance track circuits, events centers and a 400,000-square-foot automotive-related research and development complex. Other proposed facilities include a karting/autocross circuit, an off-road circuit, a skid pad and an auto launch control pad (a straightaway to test and set electronic accelerations to optimal efficiency), county records show. The development site, 5325 Summerlin Road, is bounded to the west and south by two large tracts where the South Florida Water Management District plans to develop water quality improvement projects. Several environmental activists said they were concerned the racing facility would pollute the protected wetlands with effluent from the wastewater treatment plan and runoff from asphalt racetracks and fueling facilities. “We object not to the project, but to the location where it is going,” said Diane Goldberg, conservation chairwoman of the St. Lucie Audubon Society. “It does not work for this property,” Goldberg said. “It is in a poor location because of the reservoir. It drains in the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. It is a worry for us. “Your soil survey says it has excessive wetness, a high water table and it has poor potential for septic absorption fields,” Goldberg said. “We feel runoff or spills, clean-up will be at our expense once it’s off property site.” Ellen Lynch, president of the St. Lucie Audubon Society, said she fears the noise from the race cars will scare away the birds and animals that live in the SFWMD wetlands. “My husband and I go birding every Sunday morning,” Lynch said. “We got to Summerlin and drive down that dirt road and we look for birds and we’ve seen so many beautiful birds; the roseate spoonbills and the osprey. “There are a lot of wildlife in that area,” Lynch said. “We would hate to have that noise level. It will scare those birds away. There won’t be any birds within miles of that area during the day, or wildlife for that matter.” Indian Riverkeeper Jim Moir, of Rocky Point, and Drew Martin, of the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Sierra Club, also urged county commissioners to reject the proposed land use change. Grayson Gilbert, a homeowner who lives a half-mile from the P1 property, said he was concerned allowing the motor club in the agricultural area in western St. Lucie County would set the stage for other property owners to propose dense projects resulting in urban sprawl. “I don’t understand how you’re going to handle other property owners that come before you after this is approved and handle their special requests,” Gilbert told the commissioners. “It’s going to open a floodgate for other opportunities and they’re going to seek to change the zoning on their properties,” Gilbert said. “I don’t see this as a positive way for us to handle expansion.” Gilbert also called for a noise study to make sure the sound of revving motor engines doesn’t ruin the rural quality of life. “We’ve talked about the noise and that’s a big concern,” Gilbert said. “That noise attenuation is going to be a very important issue for me as a neighbor there. “I’m trying to do what I can to preserve the natural beauty and flora and fauna for that exist out there now,” Gilbert said. “I’d like to have that preserved for years to come.” Peter Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County, spoke in favor of the P1 Motor Club because the developers plan to invest $107 million in the facilities and hire 126 workers with an annual payroll of $9.7 million. Tesch also cited the P1 developers’ record of success developing motor clubs in Monticello, N.Y., and Tampa. Townsend and Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky said they had several meetings with the development team to work through all the environmental issues. That included removing a proposed runway that the P1 development team had considered important. “I know we’ve asked a lot of you,” Townsend told Ari and Molly Straus. “We’ve asked you to make a lot of exceptions and I appreciate your willingness to do that, so thank you very much.” Dzadovsky said he asked the developers to exceed environmental development standards to protect the nearby wetlands. “I’m not taking this lightly,” Dzadovsky said. “I take what I’ve done for 45 years, protecting water quality, very seriously.” Ari Straus summed up his approach this way: “We want to set the gold standard for sustainability for other motor clubs around the world.” CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 P1 MOTOR CLUB

12 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com When people think of breast cancer they usually think of women. But of course, breast cancer also affects men – just not nearly as often. While American women have a 13 percent chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime, men only have a 1 percent chance – unless they have a BRCA gene mutation that dramatically increases their risk of contracting the disease. Dr. Jason Radecke, a bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon with HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce, knows first-hand about the risks and occurrences of breast cancer in men with the BRCA gene. “My uncle had it and fought breast cancer for 11 years before he passed,” Dr. Radecke said. “My father had it and died of pancreatic cancer which is also associated with the BRCA gene mutation. My nephew has it, and my fraternal twin brother and cousin have it and both had a preventative bilateral mastectomy. “My sister does not have it and preliminary genetic testing indicates I do not have it,” he continued. “So, it appears that breast cancer gene mutation is passed on through the males in my family. If a man develops breast cancer, he should alert his family to get genetic testing done.” What exactly is this BRCA gene? The name BRCA is an abbreviation for ‘Breast Cancer’ gene. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are two different genes that can affect a person’s chances of developing breast cancer. Every human has both the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes and these genes actually play a big role in preventing breast cancer, most of the time. They help repair DNA breaks that can lead to cancer and uncontrolled growth of tumors. Because of this, the BRCA genes are known as tumor suppressor genes. When a gene becomes altered and doesn’t function correctly it’s called a gene mutation, and a small percentage of people (about 1 in 400) carry mutated BRCA genes. The mutation renders the gene ineffective at repairing broken DNA and helping prevent breast cancer. These people are more likely to develop breast cancer and the carrier of the mutated gene can pass on the gene mutation to his or her offspring. “There are several breast cancer risk assessment tools available online that can calculate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer,” Dr. Radecke said. “The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool, also known as the Gail Model, can estimate your risk of developing breast cancer based on your answers to a few questions about your medical and reproductive history and the history of breast cancer among your first-degree relatives. If you are at high risk, your insurance company may pay for genetic testing.” While a full panel of genetic testing can run into the thousands, there are basic athome tests from companies like 23andMe and Quest that can be done for under $200. These tests will only test for the most common variants of the BRCA genes but are affordable enough to give you some peace of mind if you are negative, or the ability to talk to your insurance company about more testing if you are positive. “Many women and men who test positive for the BRCA gene mutation choose to take preventative measures by removing all the breast tissue with a bilateral mastectomy and implant reconstruction,” Dr. Radecke said. “Fortunately, insurance will pay for this procedure 100 percent if you have the BRCA gene mutation. Movie stars Angelina Jolie and Christina Applegate were probably the first to bring awareness to this life-saving procedure. Because the gene mutation is also linked to ovarian cancer, we will often take out the ovaries during the same procedure. “Men with the BRCA gene mutation are BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent Dr. Jason Radecke. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS Mutated BRCA genes put both sexes at risk for breast cancer

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH November 23, 2023 13 SKIPPING SALT? MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT SHORT ON IODINE There are plenty of good reasons to bypass the saltshaker. Too much sodium can increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. But table salt is probably the most reliable and plentiful source of iodine in most diets. Manufacturers have been fortifying salt with the mineral since the 1920s, when iodine deficiency was widespread in the United States. If you don’t use much salt, you may be shorting yourself on this important nutrient. While iodine deficiency is uncommon today, certain people – including older adults – may be at risk. A 2017 study of 189 women ages 51 to 86 found that 60 percent were moderately deficient. “Iodine is critical for the production of thyroid hormone,” says Marilyn Tan, a clinical associate professor of medicine at the Stanford University School of Medicine in California. Thyroid hormone plays a role in weight, cognitive function, energy levels and even how well hair and nails grow. “It’s responsible for metabolism and can also affect other organs in the body,” Tan says. Very low iodine levels can cause hypothyroidism, where the body makes too little thyroid hormone. “Symptoms can include weight gain, fatigue, depressed mood, memory issues, constipation and intolerance to cold,” Tan says. Low iodine intake over a long period can cause an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). Hypothyroidism is increasingly common with age. Yet it sometimes goes undiagnosed in older people, in part because many of the symptoms are often written off as a natural part of aging. Iodine is found naturally in only a few foods. It’s in fruits and vegetables, seaweed and seafood if they come from BY THE WASHINGTON POST VIA CONSUMER REPORTS CONTINUED ON PAGE A15 also getting double mastectomies and reconstructive surgeries as a preventative measure,” Dr. Radecke said. “They have pectoral implants for men which may even look better that the pecks they were striving for when working out at the gym. There seems to be a stigma to men getting implants for some reason, but at the very least they should be diligent about getting annual checkups including mammograms and ultrasounds.” “I advise anyone who tests positive for the BRCA gene mutation to consider getting the mastectomy and reconstruction,” Dr. Radecke continued. “Based on which BRCA gene mutation you have, you carry a 40-to-92 percent chance of having breast cancer by the age of 50. Even if you are 65 it’s not too late. You don’t have breast cancer yet, but by the time you are 80 you most likely will. You don’t get a glimpse into the future and have the opportunity to do something about it very often. Of course, all options should be discussed with your healthcare professional to determine what procedure and treatment is right for you.” While breast cancer in men remains rare, more and younger women are being diagnosed every year. Fortunately, the cancer is being diagnosed in much early stages when it is more curable much of the time. Genetic testing is one part of the equation. Women have also become more diligent about scheduling yearly surveillance and screenings with 3D mammograms and ultrasounds. The end result is that more cancer is being caught and cured and survival rates are increasing. “The five-year relative survival rate for women in the United States with non-metastatic invasive breast cancer has increased to 91 percent and the 10-year relative survival rate for women with non-metastatic invasive breast cancer is 85 percent,” according to cancer.net. “If the invasive breast cancer is located only in the breast, the five-year relative survival rate of women with this disease is 99 percent and about 66 percent of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at this stage.” “Being proactive is always a good thing for both men and women,” Dr. Radecke said. “Genetic testing is changing the face of medicine and breast cancer in particular. We have now identified the BRCA gene mutation as a major contributor to the disease and knowing you have it will empower you to make important decisions about your health. It’s like giving you a window to the future. Only you can decide what to do with that information.” Dr. Jason Radecke received his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, completed his surgical residency in General Surgery at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore, and completed his fellowship at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He is accepting new patients in his office located at 2402 Frist Blvd., STE 202, Fort Pierce. Call 772- 241-6800.

When you crawl into bed at night after a long day and can’t wait for your head to hit the pillow, you’re tired. If you wake up the next morning feeling just as unrested, you’re suffering from fatigue. And they’re distinctly definitely different, say the experts. Jamie Crawford, a nurse practitioner at Steward Medical Group in Melbourne, says being tired is a variant in everyday life. “You’ve had a busy day and at night when you finally get to bed, you’re ready to sleep. Fatigue is completely different. No matter how much sleep or rest you’ve had, you can’t overcome it. There’s no amount of sleep that’s enough.” According to Mayo Clinic, fatigue is a common symptom that most people feel during a short-term illness. It usually goes away when the illness is over ... except sometimes it doesn’t, which leaves you with reduced energy, reduced ability to do things and reduced ability to focus. Ongoing fatigue affects quality of life and state of mind. Crawford says that fatigue most often is a sign of some other condition, which may or may not be physical. “Besides fatigue, what else is bothering you?” she asks. Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Other causes include grief, sleep disorders, medications, other drugs or alcohol, overactive or underactive thyroid, cancer, heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, chronic pain, anemia or iron deficiency. The best place to start dealing with fatigue is with your primary care doctor, suggests Crawford. Get checked for undiagnosed illnesses, vitamin deficiencies or conditions like anemia or sleep apnea, “which is frequently found in people suffering from fatigue.” Sleep apnea is a serious medical condition and one of its complications can include daytime fatigue. The repeated awakenings associated with sleep apnea make healthy, restorative sleep impossible, in turn making daytime drowsiness, fatigue and irritability likely. Harvard Medical School reports that fatigue often is the most debilitating symptom of autoimmune disease. This fatigue differs from the tiredness most people feel after long periods of work or exercise or when they haven’t slept well. It’s a feeling of constant exhaustion that makes it hard to get through the day, let alone participate in activities you enjoy. Harvard adds that it’s not entirely understood why autoimmune disease and fatigue go hand-in-hand, although inflammation, pain, poor sleep, inactivity, or depressed mood may all contribute. Lifestyle factors that may contribute to fatigue include: Alcohol or drug use. Eating poorly. Medicines, such as those used to treat allergies or coughs. Not enough sleep. Too little physical activity. Too much physical activity. In addition to feeling tired, people who are fatigued are more easily distracted, are less able to concentrate, tend to forget things more easily, take longer to solve problems, make more mistakes, have slower reaction times, and take more risks than they might otherwise. At the extreme, they 14 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com Dr. Andrew Salzberg. We treat patients like family 266 NW Peacock Blvd., Suite 102, Port St Lucie, FL 34986 with Charles Buscema MD 772-618-0505 Adult General Psychiatry OPIATE ADDICTION? You will receive private individualized care by board certified staff who are committed to providing affordable and effective treatment. Immediate appointments available. BY JACKIE HOLFELDER | Correspondent Understanding – and how to counteract – the causes of fatigue Jamie Crawford. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH November 23, 2023 15 The best place to start dealing with fatigue is with your primary care doctor ... Get checked for undiagnosed illnesses, vitamin deficiencies or conditions like anemia or sleep apnea. might fall asleep while driving. Although we tend to think of fatigue as an adult medical problem, children and teens can suffer from it, too. Kaiser Permanente says the cause can be too much or not enough activity, or it can come from stress, lack of sleep, boredom or poor diet. Viral infections can cause fatigue and, as with adults, emotional problems, especially depression, are often the culprit. Since fatigue is usually a symptom of another problem, treatment depends on the cause. For example, if your child has fatigue because of a health problem, treating the health problem also treats the fatigue. If depression or anxiety is the cause, treatment for those all-too-prevalent teenage conditions may help. Follow-up care is a key part of a child’s treatment and safety. Make and go to all appointments and call your doctor if your child is not responding to treatment or having additional problems. Make sure your child gets regular exercise and plenty of rest. Be encouraging and supportive and help your child eat a healthy diet. Try to limit medicines that can cause fatigue. Crawford says that the most important step anyone can take to prevent or overcome fatigue is to practice good sleep hygiene. Strong sleep hygiene means having both a bedroom environment and daily routines that promote consistent, uninterrupted sleep. Keep a stable sleep schedule, make your bedroom comfortable and free of disruptions, follow a relaxing pre-bed routine, and build healthy habits during the day that contribute to sound sleep at night. Every sleeper can tailor their sleep hygiene practices to suit their needs. Sleep hygiene encompasses both environment and habits, and it can pave the way for higher-quality sleep and better overall health, according to Crawford. Nurse practitioner Jamie Crawford, APRN, FNP-C, specializes in internal medicine for Steward Medical Group, which is operated by Steward Health Care. She received her BSN from Wright State University and her MSN from University of Cincinnati. Steward Medical Group is located at 240 N Wickham Road, Suite 300, Melbourne: 321-752-1588. iodine-rich soil or seawater. Dairy products and eggs are good sources if they come from animals given iodine-fortified feed. Packaged breads made with iodate dough conditioner also contain it. But changes in the environment, farming practices and food processing are affecting the iodine content of all these foods, says Adrienne Hatch-McChesney, a research dietitian in the Army’s Military Nutrition Division, so the iodine content can be inconsistent. You might think that because many packaged foods contain sodium you’re getting plenty of iodine. “But the salt used in processed foods typically isn’t iodized,” Hatch-McChesney says. “Also, fancier salts that are popular now, such as sea, Himalayan or kosher salts, are not good sources.” What’s more, the iodine content of foods isn’t usually listed on the nutrition facts label, so it can be a challenge to know how much you’re getting. The recommended daily allowance of iodine is 150 micrograms (mcg). You can get that amount in ½ teaspoon of iodized salt, but you’re also getting a whopping 1,165 milligrams of sodium. If you’re watching your sodium intake, that’s too much. But it’s still worth using an iodized version anytime you do sprinkle salt on food or use it in cooking. And bump up your intake of iodine-containing foods like these: Whole-wheat bread with iodate dough conditioner (2 slices): 309 mcg Baked cod (3 ounces): 158 mcg. Dried seaweed (2 tbsp.): 116 mcg. Oysters (3 ounces): 93 mcg. Plain nonfat Greek yogurt (¾ cup): 87 mcg. Nonfat milk (1 cup): 85 mcg. Large egg: 26 mcg. CONTINUED FROM PAGE A13 DON’T FORGET IODINE

16 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com Most of us enjoy pleasing others. Research even suggests that “agreeableness,” which is a personality trait linked with altruism and cooperation, can generate joy, boost confidence and foster social connections. Sometimes, though, appeasing others comes at a cost. It can make us feel resentful, worn out and undervalued. These are warning signs of people-pleasing’s dark side: chronic people-pleasing. Chronic people-pleasing isn’t a recognized diagnosis like depression or anxiety. But it can still hurt your mental health. As a therapist, I have seen how chronic people-pleasing is a pain point for some of my patients. Happily, it is something that can be changed, especially when you understand more about it. Here are some signs of chronic people-pleasing: Over-apologizing: You apologize over and over even for small mistakes or when you may not have done anything wrong. Frequently, this is an attempt to avoid “upsetting anyone.” For instance, one of my former patients said he apologized every time he asked his boss a question because he “didn’t want to make them mad.” Taking responsibility for other people’s feelings: Feeling responsible for someone else’s sadness, anger or disappointment and trying to “fix it,” even when it hurts you. For example, you cancel a weekend getaway that you were looking forward to because your friend doesn’t want you to go. Agreeing, even when you don’t: Backing up another person’s opinions and preferences, even when you disagree. Years ago, I worked with a patient who championed her father’s political views, even though she couldn’t stand them. Saying yes to avoid conflict: For instance, you might say yes to your boss’s unrelenting demands or yes to pay for things you can’t afford. Feeling like your needs don’t matter: You often believe (often without realizing it) that your feelings and needs don’t matter. Often, you hold a false belief that expressing them will be a burden, or cause someone to abandon you. Why we become people pleasers Chronic people-pleasing has many causes. A high desire for social approval and acceptance may play a role. This trait, called sociotropy, has also been linked with low self-esteem and rejection sensitivity. For example, one study of 321 individuals found a connection between sociotropy and beliefs such as “I am unlovable” and “It is important to be liked and approved by others.” Thoughts like these may make some eager-pleasers more sensitive to depression and anxiety. The need to please can also be an aftershock of “relational trauma.” This is trauma that takes place within intimate relationships, especially with one’s parents or caregivers. For instance, I once worked with a patient whose father shamed him whenever he expressed sadness. “If you want to cry, I’ll give you something to cry about,” he was told. On other occasions, his dad (who had also been abused as a child) said, “I’m not in the mood to hear any of your stupid whining.” As a result, my patient worked hard to be “good” by doing what he was told. “If people like you, they leave you alone,” he told me. This behavior is an example of a trauma response called “fawning,” which is pleasing others to avoid real or perceived danger. It’s an attempt to stay safe, especially when a “trauma trigger” arises. This could be a painful memory or interacting with someone who reminds you of the person who hurt you. How to manage people-pleasing The impulse to please is often driven by a fear of loss. Perhaps you’re afraid you’ll lose someone’s respect, affection or care. Or even worse, that you’ll lose the relationship entirely. Often, I encourage my patients to meet their fear with curiosity. Sometimes, I ask them: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” This can be an empowering way to tap into your desires. Identifying your needs puts you in a position to meet your goals, which is one step toward change. ARE YOU A CHRONIC PEOPLE-PLEASER? HOW TO BE KINDER TO YOURSELF BY JULI FRAGA | The Washington Post

Q. Is there any truth to the old saying “Laughter is the best medicine”? A. Lots of truth. Laughter simply makes you feel good and this is beneficial to you in many ways. We come into this world knowing how to laugh. Infants begin smiling in their first weeks; they laugh out loud within months of being born. We must have been given this ability for a reason. Laughter has been shown to prevent heart disease, reduce stress, elevate immunity, ease anxiety, alleviate pain, relax muscles, elevate mood, develop emotional resilience and strengthen relationships. A recent study found that humor can reduce agitation in people with dementia. Researchers included 399 nursing home residents who had dementia or other age-related problems. They were visited weekly by an Elder Clown. It was found that the participants in the clown sessions had a 20 percent decrease in overall agitation. This benefit lasted for at least 14 weeks after the program ended. Laughter: Relaxes the whole body. A major guffaw relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after. Decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, which improves your resistance to disease. Triggers the release of endorphins, chemicals that promote a sense of well-being and relieve pain. Improves the function of blood CONTINUED ON PAGE A18 Time Away From Life’s Demands Special for our 15 year anniversary: 15% OFF any service of your choice Limit one service per customer. November 15-30th Thankful for 15 Years Quality Service, Reasonable Pricing & Relaxation Massage • Skin Care • Waxing • Body Treatments • Nails By appointment only. (772) 828-1599 • ahmassageandskincare.com MM23468, CE10040150 451 SW Bethany Dr., Suite 102 (in the medical building) Moved To: To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH November 23, 2023 17 Here are three more strategies to manage people pleasing: Learn self-compassion: People-pleasers are often forgiving of others but very harsh on themselves. Behavioral self-compassion focuses on identifying actions that provide nurturing. Start by asking yourself: “What is one thing that will help me feel soothed?” It could be a walk or a cup of tea. Or it might be calling a friend or spending time with your beloved pet. Practice saying no: I encourage my patients to practice saying no, especially in situations where they feel safe. This could be a friend’s last-minute dinner invitation or a neighbor’s request to help them move. You might say: “Thank you for asking, but I can’t make it this time,” or “Thank you for asking, but I can’t help you this time.” Remember, you don’t need to over-explain or rationalize your answer. While saying no usually takes practice, many of my patients find it energizing and even liberating. Seek support: Try to identify when your people-pleasing tendencies light up. Does it happen when you sense a conflict brewing or in situations where you really want to be liked? Or maybe it pops up every time you interact with a difficult family member or with a powerful person such as your boss. Once you pinpoint people-pleasing’s origins, you can seek the support you need to overcome it. A therapist can help. Reaching out to trusted family and friends can be a lifeline. It allows you to find out how much people care, which can remind you that your needs and feelings matter, too. LAUGHTER REVITALIZES THE MIND AND BODY THE HEALTHY SENIOR / Fred Cicetti

vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. Humor strengthens our relationships by creating emotional connections. When we laugh with one another, a positive bond is created. This bond acts as a strong buffer against disagreements. And humor is a powerful way to heal hurt feelings. In the 1960s Norman Cousins, editor of the Saturday Review, was stricken with a life-threatening form of arthritis. Cousins took high doses of vitamin C – and of positive emotions. He included daily doses of belly laughter. He wrote about his recovery in the best-selling Anatomy of an Illness published in 1979. In the book, he affirmed that “the life force may be the least understood force on earth” and that “human beings are not locked into fixed limitations. The quest for perfectibility is not a presumption or a blasphemy but the highest manifestation of a great design.” 18 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH www.stlucievoice.com CONTINUED FROM PAGE A17 THE HEALTHY SENIOR

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | HEALTH November 23, 2023 19 But suppose your sense humor isn’t very strong. Are there ways to build up your laugh muscles? Here are few pointers: Don’t take yourself so seriously. You’re not alone and you shouldn’t feel the world is ending because you’re dealing with adversity. You’ll be amazed sometimes that you can laugh under the worst conditions. Think about your most embarrassing moments; they usually get you off your high horse and make you laugh. Find some image that makes you laugh and put it on a wall where you can see it every day. Use it as a screensaver on your computer. Buy toys for yourself. I keep my first camera – a 1960s Minolta SLR – on my desk. I set it for a 1-second exposure and then start the self-timer. I listen to it wind down and make a long c....l....i.....c....k. It’s fun. Spend time with children. Get on the floor with them and play their silly games. I do this with my grandchildren and it makes me roar with laughter. Remember the words of that great sage, Groucho Marx: “A clown is like an aspirin, only he works twice as fast.”

20 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | PETS www.stlucievoice.com Hi Dog Buddies! Super-sized Chip, a real pip, has quite a backstory Even though Chip Fisher Johanson weighs 87 pounds an (when not smilin’) does perhaps appear, well, fuh-ROWshus, he’s a Total Puppy at heart, with soft, kind eyes: frenly, slurpy an super EEE-gur for whatever’s next. An, woof! does he ever havva fascinatin’ tail to tell. Chip (aka Potato Chip, Chocolate Chip, Chipper Doodle) lives with his Mom an Dad, Nichole and James, an human brother Jace, in Suh-BASS-chun. When my assistant knocked, the window blinds started flappin’ an this Big Ol’ face appeared. Chip mooshed his nose against the window an grinned at us. Then the door opened an we were greeted by a lady, anna boy, an Chip, wigglin,’ waggin’, an happily grippin’ a chew bone between his teeth. It was sorta braided, an obviously durable. “WELL-cubb, Bister Bodzo! I’b CHIB! Cubb ID!!” Somehow he managed a very large smile, even with a face full of chewy, which he placed on the floor in front of us an announced proudly, “I always like to show my Very Best Chewy to Frens an Guests!! Isn’t it PAWSOME?” “It is, indeed!” I replied. Following intros an Wagan-Sniffs, Jace led the way to a comfy sofa, my assistant presented Chip with a duhlishus snack from The Satchel, an I opened my notebook. “I’m super excited to tell you my story,” he said. “I just talk an you write it in there (he nudged my notebook), right? Maybe I’ll get a liddle drink of water first. Be right back.” He trotted off down the hallway (right past his water bowl, I observed). A few slurpin’ sounds could be heard, then he zipped back. “I don’t drink from my regular water bowl,” he explained cheerfully. “It’s too liddle, an I get it all over the floor. Then I discovered there’s a handy, MUCH BIGGER water bowl in the bathroom, so that’s what I use. WAY better. It’s like a liddle pond.” “Ready when you are,” I said, stifling a small chuckle. Chip climbed onto his Mom’s lap, curling up with his head on her shoulder, basically obscuring everything but her head an arms. “OK, so about 3 human years ago Mommy an Daddy’s pooches Captain an DeJa had gone to Dog Heaven, an Daddy said, ‘NO MORE PETS! ZERO! ZIP! ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY NOT! NO!’ However, Mommy’s brother (Uncle Josh) happened to mention that his fren’s pooch in Fort Pierce had just had puppies (my litter) an they should go see us For No Reason Whatsoever. “So Mommy an Uncle Josh did. They played with us an I thought, ‘Yay! I found my Furever Famly’ like our Pooch Mama said would happen someday, but they went home puppy-less. However, cuzza our irresistubble adorable-ness, Mommy kept thinkin’ about us. Time passed. Uncle Josh told Mommy, ‘You better pick a puppy soon! They’re FREE!’ Daddy was not on board, but Jace really, really wanted a puppy. More time passed. Uncle Josh’s fren an us puppies moved to North Carolina. I’d been sure I’d found my Furever Famly, but I began to think I was wrong. I was gloomy. Then Uncle Josh told Mommy, ‘There’s only ONE PUPPY LEFT!’ Obviously, it was me. “So at the Very Last Minute, Mommy an Jace drove to North Carolina an I got my Furever Famly after all.” “Woof, Chip, you were right all along!” “It was Meant To Be! Wait’ll you hear THIS! I was born July 20, 2020, which is what we call Mel Fisher Day!!” “That name sounds fuh-mill-yer,” I said. But I couldn’t recall why. Chip explained. “Mel Fisher is my Chip. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS

Dear Carolyn: My 9-year-old has a naturally loud speaking voice. You can hear him having a normal conversation anywhere in the house, and, like any kid, he often gets a lot louder. Spouse and I have both tried to get him to talk more quietly, and he tries for a while, then reverts. Spouse is highly sensitive to noise, and this drives them up the wall – to the point where it’s affecting their relationship. Any advice? – Anonymous Anonymous: In the interest of expediency, I’ll skip me and jump to pediatrician and (maybe) neuropsych testing. Here’s why: Neurodivergent conditions are often hereditary. Noise sensitivity and noisiness are both, you may soon learn, on symptom checklists for neurodivergent conditions. So, your spouse and child may both have a thing that messes with their volume controls. I am just a person here, not a medical expert, but I think it’s time to enlist one. Hi, Carolyn: My husband of 18 years has always been a backward-looking person, and often (almost daily) talks about things he regrets and wishes he could change. I have listened sympathetically. I’ve tried to gently prompt him to think about how he could use regret to inform future choices. I have also tried to (again, gently) point out that focusing on regret isn’t the most helpful or healthy thing to do. Nothing has changed his outlook – which I get. But I would hope that maybe he could change the habit of ruminating with regret about selling his car in 2004. Basically, I am at my breaking point and looking for a way to let him know that I can’t listen to his regrets anymore. It’s draining. I also feel like a jerk changing the subject or leaving the room when he starts up. Any suggestions? Thanks, and I regret not bringing this up sooner. – Regrets Regrets: While I have nattered on repetitively myself about the limits on our ability to change others, I think you may have skipped the part where you get to say how you feel – and what changes you’d like to see. So do that. You have standing to say you’re happy to help as he works something out in his mind, but a car sale from 2004 seems outside the bounds of usefulness – and maybe there’s something bigger going on here? Suggest this kind of persistent negativity can’t feel good to him, either – and may arise from a diagnosable condition. Then urge a health evaluation. Fingers crossed. Caught between a loud 9-year-old and a noise-sensitive spouse CAROLYN HAX – THE WASHINGTON POST When Amtrak canceled John deCastro’s train from Boston to Baltimore, he asked for a refund. Amtrak isn’t responding. Q. I recently tried to change an Amtrak ticket from Boston to Baltimore. I couldn’t find a way to do it online, and Amtrak’s online chat was of no help. When I reached the call center, I found out that the train had been canceled. An Amtrak agent told me that they could not change my train reservation but didn’t mention the cancellation. Now I am trying to apply all or part of my original fare of $74 to the cost of a new ticket. I bought a new ticket for $127 online. An Amtrak agent suggested I should ask for a refund of the difference between the rail fares. Given that Amtrak canceled the original reservation, I think I am owed a refund of $53. I asked Amtrak, and it has not responded. I escalated my request in writing to one of the executive contacts on your consumer advocacy website but have heard nothing. Can you help me? A. This should have been two simple transactions. Amtrak canceled your first train from Boston to Baltimore. You should have received a full refund for that. And transaction number two? You buy a new ticket. Instead, Amtrak combined these into one problem, turning it into a complex case that involved a cancellation and a credit. Oh boy. Here’s the confusing part. It’s not entirely clear if you tried to change your ticket before Amtrak canceled it or afterward. If you did it before, then cancellation penalties might apply and you could lose part or all of your ticket credit. If, however, Amtrak canceled before you did, then you should have received a full refund or Amtrak should have rebooked you on another train without you having to buy a new ticket. You followed all the right steps for resolving this, including keeping a paper trail and appealing to one of the executive contacts for Amtrak that I list on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. Someone from Amtrak should have responded and straightened this out. The easiest fix would have been to just refund your first ticket. By the way, you are not the first reader who has complained about Amtrak’s site. Amtrak has a step-bystep guide on changing your reservation on its site. Next time you have to change your ticket, you might want to check it out. My inner consumer advocate says such a guide should not be necessary. It should be obvious how to change your ticket. I contacted Amtrak on your behalf. The company finally refunded your $53. Get help with any consumer problem by contacting Christopher Elliott at http://www.elliott.org/help. Amtrak canceled my train. Why can’t I get a credit? To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ADVICE November 23, 2023 21 great-grampa an my Mommy’s grampa, an my Gramma Taffi’s Daddy. Great-grampa Mel was the Most FAY-muss Sunken Treasure Hunter EVER. He lived in Vero an treasure hunted in the ocean where a buncha Spanish treasure ships sunk in hurry-canes. He’d been searching for this one treasure shipwreck, The Atocha, down in the ocean near Key West for 16 people years (that’s like, 112 in Dog). THEN, on July 20, 1985, his crew FOUND the treasure, lotsa gold an silver an EM-rulds, which humans get Very Excited About for some reason. Isn’t that Totally Crispy Biscuits?” “Woof! Chip! You said it! That’s Pawsome! Majorly Crispy Biscuits! So, what’s your daily life like?” “I’m basically pretty chill, respectful, frenly. Occasionally, I still chew stuff. I mean, I’m only 3. Recently, Jace’s roo-bix cube. Mommy ordered another one, an I chewed it, pretty much, all up. Cuzza me being so, you know, big an all, I don’t have tons of pooch pals, even tho I’m always very kind to fellow pooches AN humans. I don’t do dog parks or daily-walk Wagan-Sniffs. Anyway, Jace is my BFF! (We’re Major Miami Dolphins fans, BTW.) An I love liddle kids, speshully babies, like my cousin Merrick. He’s 1. An I love cuddlin’ with Mommy. (She taught me who’s the Alpha, an it’s NOT me!) I LOVE swimmin’ in Gramma Taffi an Grampa Michael’s POOL, even tho I mostly sink like a rock. I also run alongside Mommy, Daddy an Jace on the bike or scooter. “At night, I watch TV in bed with Mommy, then I sleep with Jace. I like fetch, to a point, then I switch to Tugga-War. Which I always win. I know how to do Sit, Stay and Down, if a cookie is involved. An I have a fav stuffy: Lambie. Well, technically it’s not MY stuffy. Lambie buh-longs to Jace. I’m just DRAWN to it. I never mean to overchew it, but it has had multiple surgeries by Mommy. Lambie only has one ear an a couple of replacement limms. An maybe some re-stuffing. “Occasionally, I help at the famly bizz-ness, but only in the office. It’s all about Grampa Mel an the treasure, called The Mel Fisher Treasure Museum. Totally Cool Kibbles.” Heading home, I was smilin,’ picturin’ Chip’s big, happy smile, an thinkin’ how easy it is to think the totally wrong thing about a fellow creature if we just go by what they look like. I was also plannin’ to Google more about Chip’s Grampa. Till next time, DON’T BE SHY! We are always looking for pets with interesting stories. To set up an interview, email [email protected]. The Bonz

There was an upbeat moment last Tuesday at a housing market lecture at Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach. The lecture was sponsored by Marine Bank and attended by many of the top real estate brokers and agents on the island. The speaker was Ken Johnson, Ph.D., a former commercial real estate broker turned academic. Mid-lecture, Johnson, an entertaining speaker who is now a dean at FAU’s College of Business and a renowned housing market statistician, projected a graph showing housing prices in Vero Beach between January 2000 and September 2023. There were two lines on the graph. One, which slanted upward, straight and steady, from the lower left corner to the upper right, showed the historical trend of Vero housing values. The other snaked up and down, rising to a dizzying peak in 2006 before collapsing far below the trend line in the 2007-2012 housing crash and then rising to another exhilarating high, way above the trend line, during the COVID housing boom. “I have done this before,” a smiling Johnson said to the packed room. “I know when you look at this chart [with current prices way above the trend line, just like in 2006] you are thinking, ‘It’s going to happen again. Prices are going to crash and it’s all going to come tumbling down. To give away the ending, the odds of that are low.” Drilling down in a phone interview with after the lecture, Johnson emphasized the point, calling the odds of a 2006-style crash “very, very, very low.” “The housing and economic ingredients are completely different this time,” he told the crowd at Quail Valley, also noting that current high prices are not as far above the trend line as in 2006 (about 65 percent in 2006; just over 40 percent today). The early-century crash was fueled first of all by so-called “liars’ loans” that allowed people without jobs or financial resources to buy houses they could not afford. As reckless money poured into the lotto-like market, builders got exuberant, buying all the land they could find and building houses as fast as they could build them. That resulted in a major oversupply of housing that eventually caused prices to fall. As they fell, more and more people found themselves underwater with their mortgages, owing more on their houses than the houses were worth. Many of those people walked away from their homes, bringing on the foreclosure crisis, which Johnson said “was like gasoline being poured on the fire” of the developing downturn. Mass foreclosures in places like California’s Inland Empire, Las Vegas, Phoenix and South Florida drove prices down even further and faster, bringing on a full-blown housing crash that continued until the market finally found a bottom in 2012. “Last time, there was an extreme oversupply of housing,” Johnson said. “This time we are significantly short of units, especially in Florida. And there is no fear of a foreclosure crisis because people have so much equity in their homes. Even if someone [had financial reverses and] had to sell, its likely they get more than the mortgage balance. “The story is completely different this time around,” Johnson continued. “We are way undersupplied with housing and demand is strong, [driven by population growth]. Household formation is huge. The growth is wild. Florida’s population increased something like 2 percent in a year, which is amazing for a state 22 million.” “We see people coming in from all over the country and from other countries, from South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and many of them are bringing wealth and businesses and jobs with them. Miami has become the Hong Kong of the Caribbean.” Other expert sources and statistics strongly back Johnson’s points. According to Freddie Mac, Florida has a housing deficit of 5.13 percent, the fourth highest deficit in the country. The number means that there are only enough houses 22 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com BY STEVEN M. THOMAS | Staff Writer Residential & Commercial FL LIC# CCC1330976 Office: 772-332-8450 [email protected] Scan Me Don’t wait until it’s too late! NO CREDIT CHECK FINANCING OPTIONS AVAILABLE IT’S HURRICANE SEASON!! FREE ROOF INSPECTIONS Make sure you’re Hurricane Ready, Schedule Today! Housing market expert sees chances of a crash as ‘very, very, very low’ and apartments for 95 percent of the state’s population, which leads to families doubling up in units, living in substandard housing and ending up homeless. Locally, looking at apartments, an important component of the overall housing picture, the three-county Brevard/Indian River/ St. Lucie area is projected to be short 10,000 rental units by 2030, according to BuildFlorida2330, an online housing projection tool. Indian River County is projected to have 2,500 fewer units than needed – even with a number of large apartment complexes under construction or opening in IRC this year. At the same time, Florida continues to attract as many as 1,000 new residents per day. It was the fastest growing state in the U.S. in 2022, the year mentioned by Johnson when the population increased by 1.9 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Florida’s population is projected to increase by another 3.2 million residents by 2030 according to the Florida Apartment Association. Johnson said an average of 2.5 people live in each Florida housing unit, including houses, condos and apartments. That means the state will need well over a million new residences within the next seven years – and that is just to keep up with growth, not remedy the current housing deficit. “Demand is just too strong for a housing crash to be likely,” Johnson said.

Light and bright home epitomizes Verano at its finest 9592 SW Nuova Way in Verano at PGA: 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, 1,600-square-foot home offered for $525,000 by AnnMarie Napolitano, 954-675-2804 of Keller Williams Realty of Port St. Lucie

24 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com The house at 9592 SW Nuova Way in PGA Village Verano starts with a long paver drive and an entrance that is nestled away. If it’s raining or you’re searching for your keys, you have a little private space. Inside, the house is light and bright as you step into the foyer. The open concept brings everything within reach, and you and your guests can enjoy each other from virtually any vantage point. The eat-in kitchen, always the heart of the home, has dark, rich cabinets, a breakfast bar, granite countertops, a glass backsplash, under-mount lighting, stainless-steel appliances and a pantry. You can talk to your guests as you cook because the open floor plan offers the opportunity to visit while you whip up something special. Friends and family will gather in the living room, a generous 22 feet by 16 feet, and it’s the perfect place for entertaining, playing board games or watching the big game. Doors open onto the lanai, so guests can come in and out with ease. If you need to escape, a den (11-by-11) offers a nice respite, and could easily serve as the home office we all seem to need these days. The spacious master suite is the perfect place to relax at the end of the day. The bedroom is a generous 15-by-12, and the two large closets inspire closet envy. The master bath is contemporary and on trend, with white cabinets, new quartz countertops, dual vanities (each with a mirror), a Roman tub nestled between the vanities and a separate shower. It’s a lovely place to relax at the end of the day or prepare for the one ahead. There is a second bedroom (11-by11) and an additional full bath. Outside, there is an extended screen-enclosed lanai that overlooks the preserve area and golf course. It’s private and a great place to have morning coffee, lunch or a drink before retiring. At 27-by-10, there is plenty of room to entertain guests, as well. For AnnMarie Napolitano of Keller Williams Realty of Port St. Lucie, this furnished home is move-in ready. “This Giordana model, on the 5th hole of the Wanamaker Golf Course, is in one of Verano’s first sections, where the lots are bigger and the views from your screen-enclosed lanai are tranquil and desirable. The home is in move-in condition, including Light and bright home epitomizes Verano at its finest BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Columnist [email protected] D ™ owDecorating ecorating Over 39 Years Experience Your new home for decorating in St. Lucie West IN-HOME SERVICE - MEASURE - INSTALL Mon-Thu 10am-5pm Fri 10am-4pm or By Appointment Kathy & David Blinds, Shades & Shutters New Upholstered Furniture MADE IN AMERICA … right here in Florida! Come on in & have a seat Draperies Upholstery Beautiful Fabrics Valances & Cornices Pillows Bedspreads & More!

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE November 23, 2023 25 furnishings, and is decorated with volume ceilings, porcelain tile on the main areas, an eat-in kitchen with granite countertops, and a spacious master suite with updated master bath. PGA Verano offers so many resort-style amenities and is minutes away from PGA Golf Club, with three public championship courses and a private course. You can literally move in and begin to enjoy the Florida lifestyle as quickly as you can unpack your toothbrush.” Close your eyes for a minute and imagine moving into a home that’s just waiting for you. Life doesn’t get much easier than this and when you see this home, the decision will be an easy one, too. Independent Senior Living in a Coastal Community Centrally Located Between Historic Downtown Stuart and the Oceanfront. Call Today to Schedule a Tour! 772-286-9384 Between the Fresh Market & Sewells Point Bridge 2750 SE Ocean Boulevard Stuart, FL 34996 Neighborhood: Verano at PGA Year built: 2011 • Construction: CBS Square footage: 1,600 sq ft. • Total square footage: 2,376 sq. ft. Bedroom: 2 • Bathrooms: 2 • Flooring: carpet, laminate, tile Security: manned gate, owner-owned security system Additional features: on 5th hole of Wanamaker course, golf and garden views, furnished, complete impact glass, barrel tile roof, decorative curbing, landscape lighting, volume ceilings, epoxy flooring on 2+ car garage, porcelain tile in main areas Community amenities: fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, indoor and outdoor pools, tennis, pickleball, billiards, cards, crafts, library, cooking classes, dog park, playground Listing brokerage: Keller Williams Realty of Port St. Lucie Listing agent: AnnMarie Napolitano, 954-675-2804 Listing price: $525,000 (House is also available as an annual furnished rental at $3,200 per month.) FEATURES FOR 9592 SW NUOVA WAY

26 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com TOP SALES OF THE WEEK The past fortnight saw modest activity in the local real estate market, with 35 sales of sin- gle-family residences and lots reported (some shown below). The top recent sale was of the residence at 11955 SW Aventino Drive. Listed in December 2022 for $895,000, this 5-bedroom, 5-bathroom home sold for $840,000 on Nov. 17. Representing the seller in the transaction was agent Cesar Trujillo of Keller Williams Realty. Representing the buyer was agent Holly Meyer Lucas of Compass Florida LLC. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCES AND LOTS PORT SAINT LUCIE 11955 SW AVENTINO DRIVE 12/10/2022 $895,000 11/17/2023 $840,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 7822 LONG COVE WAY 10/4/2023 $899,000 11/10/2023 $800,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 127 NW MADISON COURT 9/16/2023 $765,000 11/15/2023 $752,500 PORT SAINT LUCIE 11322 SW LUNATA WAY 8/28/2023 $724,900 11/6/2023 $715,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 5425 NW BRISCOE DRIVE 9/5/2023 $699,000 11/6/2023 $699,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 5441 NW BRISCOE DRIVE 7/26/2023 $749,000 11/9/2023 $681,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 9470 SW PEPOLI WAY 9/8/2023 $675,000 11/6/2023 $670,000 PORT ST LUCIE 8709 TOMPSON POINT ROAD 6/29/2023 $799,999 11/7/2023 $650,000 PORT ST LUCIE 9960 SW CLOISTER DRIVE 2/6/2023 $672,475 11/15/2023 $637,780 PORT SAINT LUCIE 5956 NW HANN DRIVE 7/24/2023 $649,000 11/6/2023 $619,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 5879 NW CINCY COURT 9/22/2023 $614,000 11/13/2023 $585,000 PORT SAINT LUCIE 11764 SW MOON RIVER WAY 6/15/2023 $600,000 11/14/2023 $568,000 PORT ST LUCIE 11912 SW MACELLI WAY 12/15/2022 $590,020 11/14/2023 $562,885 ORIGINAL SELLING TOWN ADDRESS LISTED ASKING PRICE SOLD PRICE TRADITION AND ST. LUCIE WEST REAL ESTATE SALES Stats were pulled 11/18/23 10:53 AM

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE November 23, 2023 27 Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: Listing Date: Original Price: Sold: Selling Price: Listing Agent: Selling Agent: HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP RECENT TRADITION AND ST. LUCIE WEST REAL ESTATE SALES 9/5/2023 $699,000 11/6/2023 $699,000 Patrick Smith Coldwell Banker Realty Mary Feistel Illustrated Properties LLC 5425 NW Briscoe Drive, Port Saint Lucie 8/28/2023 $724,900 11/6/2023 $715,000 Isabelle Pollock Lang Realty AnnMarie Napolitano Keller Williams Realty 11322 SW Lunata Way, Port Saint Lucie 9/16/2023 $765,000 11/15/2023 $752,500 Nader Hamdan Baron Real Estate Chris Walker Keller Williams Realty 127 NW Madison Court, Port Saint Lucie 10/4/2023 $899,000 11/10/2023 $800,000 Kay Rodriguez Lang Realty David Coulter RE/MAX Gold 7822 Long Cove Way, Port Saint Lucie

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE November 23, 2023 29 Sharelle Rosado didn’t give a lot of thought to the legal solicitations piling up at her front door earlier this year. She’d recently gotten a speeding ticket and figured lawyers were offering their services. It wasn’t until she began opening the letters that she realized the mail was much more serious: Her house was in foreclosure. Rosado is generally savvy about homeownership. She’s a licensed real estate agent and the one-time star of the Netflix show Selling Tampa, which tracked the staff of her all-female, all-Black brokerage. Her clients count on her expertise. Yet she was bewildered that her lender was moving to take her four-bedroom house outside Tampa. It turned out to have everything to do with a COVID-era mortgage program that allowed borrowers with federally backed loans to postpone payments for a year or longer and then, at the end of this forbearance period, apply to pay the arrears over time. About 8.5 million homeowners availed themselves of the program, including about 445,000 military veterans such as Rosado, a former Army paratrooper whose loan was backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In March 2022, after her 12-month forbearance ended, Rosado filled out what’s known as a loss-mitigation application – essentially a report on her financial status, used to determine her eligibility for a repayment plan – and sent it to her lender, United Wholesale Mortgage. UWM approved her application and sent her a loan-modification agreement, under which she would resume her monthly payments and the payments she’d skipped would be due when the mortgage was paid off. There was one problem: Rosado was recently divorced, and UWM wanted her ex-husband to sign the document, too. She and UWM came to an agreement, she says, that her ex didn’t need to co-sign the modification if he would instead sign a quitclaim deed, a document confirming he no longer had an ownership stake in the house. After some delay, he signed, and in August of that year, Rosado sent her signed agreement along with the quitclaim. The next month her mortgage payment of $1,282.77 was posted to her account, which she took as proof that the matter had been resolved. Not so: She was told there were still paperwork problems with her modification. She says she sent the quitclaim again. Rosado says she had no idea the company intended to seize her home until the legal solicitations arrived on her doorstep in March. After a final failed attempt to get her loan modification approved, she faced two unappealing choices: immediately pay more than $45,000 in arrears and fees or lose her house. “I was pissed,” Rosado says. “This is embarrassing. I’m not about to lose my house.” She paid. In a written statement, a UWM spokeswoman said the company “works hard to assist borrowers, even distressed borrowers, in servicing their loans,” but that Rosado’s account was incomplete. She said the signed agreement Rosado sent in August 2022 was an old version, and under the VA’s requirements she needed to submit a divorce decree in addition to the quitclaim. The company said it had “attempted telephone contact” with her 35 times last year and 43 times this year. Rosado says that UWM didn’t ask her for a divorce decree prior to foreclosing and that she didn’t receive any voicemails saying her file was incomplete. At first, it looked as if the entire episode was an expensive fluke. But Rosado began hearing from friends she’d met while serving at Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) in North Carolina who were having their own troubles getting their loans modified. They had some things in common, including signs of financial vulnerability, such as disability, unemployment or divorce. The lenders had things in common, too: Most were nonbank companies, which issued more than 80 percent of the 746,000 VA loans written last year. Over the past decade, as traditional banks have retreated from the $12 trillion U.S. mortgage market, these lenders, which mostly operate online and outside the scrutiny of bank regulators, have stepped into the void. The mortgage forbearance program was a feature of the 2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, known as the Cares Act. It covered a large majority of the mortgages in the U.S., because most mortgages are backed by federal programs. Loan-modification agreements typically offered one of two options: The arrears would be added to the mortgage, extending the reU.S. vets got a mortgage break ... now they’re losing their homes BY CALEB MELBY, POLLY MOSENDZ AND ANN CHOI Bloomberg CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

30 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com payment period while keeping the monthly cost affordable; or, as in Rosado’s case, the arrears would be lumped into a balloon payment due when the mortgage was paid off. But the government didn’t require lenders and servicers (companies that buy and manage loans) to approve those agreements. Or to make the process straightforward and easy. Across the U.S., about 4,000 veterans whose mortgages had been in the forbearance program had lost their homes as of mid-October, according to ICE Mortgage Technology Inc. Some 6,000 more are in foreclosure; 34,000 others are marked delinquent. Not all the foreclosure actions were the result of loan-modification denials. But the figures don’t include thousands of borrowers, like Rosado, who paid a lump sum, sometimes under duress. The problem isn’t limited to veterans. Other homeowners who took part in the forbearance program have faced similar difficulties. About a half-million of them are delinquent or facing foreclosure, and an additional 87,000 have lost their homes. But the actions against veterans are notable given the lengths policymakers and regulators have gone to get them into homes and keep them there. The Cares Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill, was rolled out within weeks of the pandemic’s onset, during the Trump administration. The mortgage forbearance element in the act was broad and homeowner-friendly: Borrowers didn’t have to prove they were hard up, and mortgage companies couldn’t say no. So lenders and servicers lost a huge chunk of their primary revenue stream, and the legislation contained no bailout for them. Many were unhappy. “It’s frankly frustrating and ridiculous that we do not have a solution in place,” Jay Bray, chief executive officer of the lender Mr. Cooper Group Inc., formerly Nationstar Mortgage, told CNBC in April 2020. “There is going to be complete chaos.” His company had a strong balance sheet, Bray said, but others in the industry would “start seeing problems soon.” (Instead, interest rates fell, millions of people refinanced their mortgages, and lenders made a lot of money.) As borrowers began to exit forbearance, in early 2021, the mortgage companies needed to help them craft repayment plans, which involved more people, more paperwork and more cost. The rollout of those plans was rocky at best. Some borrowers encountered insurmountable roadblocks, with their homes on the line. Conventional wisdom has long held that lenders prefer what are called workouts, such as loan modifications, rather than foreclosing on homeowners, which can be time-consuming and expensive. But home prices were skyrocketing, the product of a Covid-inspired desire for more space, historically low interest rates and a flood of government money. “Right now, because of the property values, they don’t mind foreclosing,” Safora Nowrouzi, a lawyer in California who handles foreclosure cases, says of lenders. “And that’s why denials are much higher.” Borrowers, lawyers and advocates describe a rudimentary playbook: requests for documents that have already been submitted, assurances that an application is complete only for it suddenly to be reopened, envelopes that don’t contain promised documents, loans transferred to different lenders and other paper-shuffling moves that force borrowers into delinquency, increase the size of their arrears and narrow their options. Borrowers are “lulled into inaction, because they’re led to believe that the lender is working something out,” Nowrouzi says. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which monitors lending practices, says it’s unable to track how many loss-mitigation and loan-modification applications go awry, or how many are denied. But complaints from service members prompted the agency and the U.S. Department of Justice to issue a warning in December 2021 to lenders and mortgage servicers citing borrowers who had “suffered negative impacts.” The letter described “incorrect or confusing communications” and mandatory lump sum payments as things that could run afoul of protections in the Cares Act. Borrowers with government-backed loans, the warning letter said, “generally cannot be required to repay their forbearance amount in a lump sum payment if they indicate that they cannot afford to do so when exiting forbearance.” The letter doesn’t appear to have had the desired effect. In a report that covered transactions through March 2023, the agency again made clear that something was amiss. It said it had identified lenders that delayed homeowners’ applications and that “borrowers could not reasonably avoid injury because servicers controlled the processing of applications, and borrowers reasonably expected servicers to enroll them in the options they applied for.” The report didn’t identify any lenders by name, and no enforcement actions were taken. But the agency said the unnamed companies had “ceased the practice and developed improved policies and procedures.” That hasn’t been the experience of veterans and advocates who spoke to Bloomberg Businessweek. “Instead of bringing attention to the damage inflicted, it conceals it,” Roberto Rivera, a consultant in New Jersey who CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29 CONTINUED ON PAGE 32

32 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com works with attorneys whose clients are going through the loan-modification process, says of the agency’s reports. A spokesperson for the CFPB says it doesn’t make supervisory interactions with companies public. Even after everything, Rosado considers herself lucky. Her circumstances had changed since she bought her home in 2020 – the Netflix show plus a recent engagement to former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson – and she could afford the one-time payment. “If I didn’t have that money, I’d be with some of those other people, losing everything,” she says. One of those other people is Monica Rosario, a retired Army captain. When it came time to modify the loan on her three-bedroom townhouse in Fayetteville, North Carolina, she was going through a divorce and between jobs. The divorce proceedings put her taxes in disarray, so Rosario, a colon cancer survivor, sent bank statements to her lender, Freedom Mortgage Corp., showing that she was still receiving disability benefits from the Army and was able to make monthly payments. She says the documentation never seemed to stay in her file. Freedom denied her loan-modification application and told her earlier this year that she had to pay $15,000 or lose her home, she says. She didn’t have that much money on hand and forfeited the house in a short sale in July. Her home was listed for sale at 53 percent more than the price she paid. Rosario, who now rents across town, says she’s so wracked with depression that she’ll go days without stepping outside. “I still don’t understand how I was expected to pay that money so suddenly and continue on with my life,” she says. “It doesn’t make any sense.” A spokesperson for Freedom, one of the largest originators of VA loans last year, declined to comment. Someone who last bought a home a decade ago would scarcely recognize the mortgage market today. The changes began with the 2008 global financial crisis, which was triggered by risky mortgage lending practices. In the aftermath, down payments once again became standard for most conventional mortgages, variable-interest-rate loans fell out of favor with both lenders and borrowers and income-verification standards were tightened. Those reforms also made the business of writing mortgages less profitable for banks, which at the time underwrote the majority of home loans. Borrowers with higher credit scores and larger down payments can still count on bank loans; they’re desirable customers who, in addition to being unlikely to default, can be sold on more lucrative services, such as wealth management. For other clients, a new generation of companies sprouted up. Nonbanks, sometimes called shadow banks, don’t take deposits and are subject to much less regulation. They figured out they could make a profit lending to not-quite-prime homebuyers. Of course, the nonbanks need money to run their businesses. They often get it in the form of credit lines from many of the same banks that pulled back from the messy business of underwriting. Last year, nonbanks accounted for 60 percent of all U.S. home loans. The two biggest, Rocket Cos. and United Wholesale Mortgage, originated more than $255 billion of mortgage debt – more than Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase and US Bancorp, the top three bank lenders in 2022, combined. John Bell, who manages the VA’s homeloan program, praises the role nonbank lenders have played in the VA mortgage business. “Thank goodness we had some of these nonbanks that raised their hand and were wanting to get into the business when banks backed out,” he says. Many mortgage companies love VA loans. They’re backed by the government, the VA doesn’t set minimum credit score requirements, and down payments often aren’t necessary. Even closing costs can be borrowed, sending loan-to-value ratios as high as 103.3 percent. The result: VA borrowers often begin homeownership owing more than their home is worth, creating a long earnings runway for lenders. Nonetheless, veterans who’d been waved through when they applied for their mortgage found their lenders weren’t going to make things easy when it came time to modify their agreements. Lawyers and housing advocates say that, depending on the state, trying to beat lenders in a he-said, she-said battle over who dropped the ball in a loan modification can be almost impossible. Those who succeed say borrowers must rigorously document their cases if they have any hope of winning. Absurd could describe Rosie Bennett’s situation. She got forbearance for the mortgage on her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in July 2020, the month before the death of her husband, who served as a Navy medic in the 1950s. The reprieve gave Bennett, who’s 79 and has multiple sclerosis, time to settle her affairs. In January 2022 her mortgage servicer, Dovenmuehle Mortgage Inc., mailed her an envelope that she expected to contain her loan-modification agreement. But the envelope was empty, according to a lawsuit she filed against Dovenmuehle in federal court in Idaho. Bennett says she contacted the company several times to ask for the agreement and was told it would be sent. She continued making monthly payments, but the paperwork never came. In May 2022 the company sent a notice saying Bennett would be foreclosed on if she didn’t pay $33,529 within a month. Dovenmuehle started foreclosure proceedings in June. In October the company transferred Bennett’s loan to PHH Mortgage Corp. She says she reached a modification agreement with PHH, only to have it rescinded this January. She was told she “needed to have her deceased husband execute and record” a document transferring his ownership in the house to her and was again threatened with foreclosure, according to the lawsuit, which also names PHH as a defendant. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 30

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE November 23, 2023 33

34 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | REAL ESTATE www.stlucievoice.com There’s talk of a great divide in the U.S. housing market, as new buyers face 8 percent mortgage rates while earlier ones cling gratefully to loans of less than 3 percent. Missing from this story is a third, even more fortunate group: the rapidly growing number of Americans who own their homes outright. The share of U.S. homes that are mortgage-free jumped 5 percentage points from 2012 to 2022, to a record just shy of 40 percent. More than half of these owners have reached retirement age. Freedom from mortgage debt gives them the option to age in place – or uproot to sunnier climes. Emmet Tydings, 66, a small-business owner in Delaware, refinanced out of a traditional 30-year mortgage into a 20-year, then into a 15-year and finally a 10-year, lowering his interest rate each time. He used the savings to pay off the mortgage on a rental his wife owned. Proceeds from the sale of that home in 2020 allowed the couple to make an all-cash offer for a house near Bethany Beach, a family-friendly town on the Delaware shore. Being mortgage-free allows Tydings and his spouse to keep socking away money for retirement while splurging occasionally – on their daughter’s wedding, for example. “We are focused on saving still. If we need something, we can buy it. We can travel without worry but are keeping it limited until we retire full time,” Tydings says. Interest rates on 30-year mortgages dropped into the single digits in the early 1990s and proceeded to drift lower into the current decade, allowing millions of American homeowners to refinance their loans multiple times. Many borrowers were able to switch into shorter-term mortgages without jacking up their monthly payments, allowing them to pay off their loans at an accelerated rate. At the same time, real estate prices surged after the Great Recession and covid boom making homes even more valuable. The number of mortgage-free, single-family homes and condos increased by 7.9 million from 2012 to 2022, to 33.3 million, according to Census Bureau data analyzed by Bloomberg. As baby boomers age, they’re snapping up – or holding on to – a larger share of homes overall. Of the 84.6 million owner-occupied homes that existed in 2022, almost 33 percent were owned by people age 65 or older, a 4.6-percentage-point increase from 10 years earlier. Some mortgage-free boomers say they feel less pressure to downsize as they reach retirement age and are electing to stay put. Nevertheless, many older Americans are opting to sell their homes in pricier regions and use the proceeds to fully pay for a new home in the Sun Belt, where construction is booming and the proportion of no-mortgage homes is among the highest in the country. Of the 4.1 million new homes built in the U.S. from the start of the pandemic through 2022, 29 percent were in Florida and Texas, according to Census Bureau figures that include rental properties. In both states the share of fully paid-up homes tops 43 percent. The state with the largest share of homes owned outright is West Virginia, at almost 53 percent. The median price of a home there was $157,498 in October, the lowest of any state, according to Zillow Group Inc. The mortgage-free lifestyle belies the wisdom of many personal finance professionals, who typically counsel that homeowners are better off investing any extra money rather than using it to pay their principal down early. Yet Michael Roberts, a finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, argues that there are factors to consider besides dollars and cents. “If people derive some intrinsic happiness out of paying off their mortgage because it reduces their stress, then that has value,” he says. “That psychological benefit is real.” That’s true for Mike Dallas, 61, who says not owing the bank each month brings a big sense of relief. “I knew that I could not lose my house to foreclosure,” says the commercial real estate broker from Austin. “Now all I have to worry about is the tax collector.” There are different routes to mortgage freedom. Some people inherit their home; others chip away at their debt by making extra payments. Almost two-thirds of all mortgage-free homes in the U.S. are paid off over a period of more than 21 years, according to data compiled by Attom, a real estate property data provider. Anthony Stump, 38, paid off his 30-year mortgage in just nine years, which he says allows him to live the lifestyle of someone with at least twice his annual income. The software engineer and his wife, Emily, who’s a nurse, made extra monthly payments and used one-off windfalls such as tax refunds to pay down the loan on their home in Lenexa, Kansas. “I know the financial argument, but it’s more the security,” says Stump. PGA VILLAGE – VERANO I $949,900 LUXURY LIVING ON THE LAKE IN THIS STUNNING POOL HOME The 2,772 SQ. FT. ‘Bellacerra’ is an open & spacious Great-Room plan w/ soaring ceilings & an abundance of natural light & boasts beautiful, appointed finishes thru-out. 3BRs w/ ensuites, PLUS den, powder-room & 3CG, covered lanai overlooking the sparkling pool & lake. RESERVE CREEK - PGA VILLAGE I $899,900 CUSTOM POOL HOME WITH GORGEOUS WATER & GOLF VIEWS This custom designed & beautifully updated home features, 3BR, 2.5BA, PLUS den, 2.5CG and sits on a stunning .72 acre private lot, updated kitchen w/newer cabinets, SS appls, gas cooktop & wall ovens, updated bathrooms + much more. This home is a must see! PORT ST. LUCIE – OFF BECKER RD. I $499,900 LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION! True 4BR + Den, 3BA w/ new metal roof & new A/C. Open floor plan w/ High ceilings & lots of natural light. White kitchen cabinets w/ SS appls & granite. Beautifully maintained property w/ a combination of hurricane impact glass windows & accordion shutters, fenced yard. ST LUCIE WEST - LAKE CHARLES I $529,000 SPACIOUS ‘WINTHROP’ FLOOR PLAN WITH LAKE VIEWS BRAND NEW TILE ROOF 2023! Original owners have maintained this 4BR, 3BA, 3CG home with formal Living-Room & formal Dining-Room, the updated kitchen boasts quartz counters, subway tile backsplash + much more, screened lanai offers peaceful lake view! Linda MacCormack REALTOR 772-812-0469 [email protected] LOCAL • TRUSTED • PROVEN “Helping People With Their Real Estate Needs For Over 30 Years” NEW TO MARKET NEW TO MARKET NEW REDUCED PRICE! Share of mortgage-free Americans at an all-time high BY ALEXANDRE TANZI | Bloomberg

Elise Danielian 772-418-2992 [email protected] Ingrid Hewitt 772-203-7800 [email protected] Isabelle Pollock 772-713-3221 [email protected] TREASURE COAST TRIO Top Producing Team WE’VE BEEN BUSY! Elise Danielian 772-418-2992 [email protected] Ingrid Hewitt 772-203-7800 [email protected] Isabelle Pollock 772-713-3221 [email protected] 11919 SW AVENTINO DRIVE • ESTATES AT TRADITION OFFERED AT $784,900 8813 ONE PUTT PLACE • PGA VILLAGE OFFERED AT $719,000 9012 SW TERZI WAY • VERANO OFFERED AT $789,500 8032 LINKS WAY • PGA VILLAGE OFFERED AT $775,000 8687 SW FLUTTO WAY • VERANO OFFERED AT $795,000 6091 SW BALD EAGLE DRIVE • PALM CITY OFFERED AT $584,900 10029 SW DUCCIO LANE • VERANO OFFERED AT $399,000 22032 SW TIVOLO WAY • VERANO OFFERED AT $585,000 7290 RESERVE CREEK DRIVE • PGA VILLAGE OFFERED AT $1,150,000 8863 SW BREVE WAY • CRESSWIND AT VERANO OFFERED AT $590,000 9009 HOUNDSLAKE COURT • PGA VILLAGE OFFERED AT $545,000 17004 SW AMBROSE WAY • VERANO OFFERED AT $599,900 11311 SW VISCONTI WAY • VERANO OFFERED AT $449,900 7370 PINE CREEK WAY • PGA VILLAGE OFFERED AT $369,900 11958 SW LAGUNA BAY PARKWAY • VALENCIA GROVE OFFERED AT $724,900 AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE AVAILABLE — FEATURED LISTINGS — UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT SOLD SOLD NEW LISTING NEW LISTING

fun, festivities food THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2023 YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SECTION Rising Up From Silence Foundation’s “An Elegant Affair” runs 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center, 9221 SE Event Center Place, Port St. Lucie. The event includes dinner, dancing, cocktails, a DJ, live entertainment and a silent auction. Formal attire only please. Admission is $75 singles and $140 couples. Funds raised will benefit victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more information, visit RUFSFoundation.com. A Golden Years Senior Dance will be held 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center (address above). Both singles and couples are welcome to enjoy an evening of dancing, music and refreshments. There will also be a couples best-dressed contest. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call 772-807-4499 or visit CityOfPSL.com. The Winter Wonderland Light Show runs through December at the Community Center, 2195 SE Airoso Blvd., Port St. Lucie. Its opening runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 with festive lights, music and dancing. Free admission. For more information, call 772-878-2277. Sunrise Theatre has a variety of entertainment these next two weeks. It begins with actor/comedian/writer Tom Segura coming to town with his live comedy show. Segura is best known for his Netflix specials. His stand-up act begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25. Tickets are $55.50 to $105.50. There is also a Private VIP CONTINUED ON PAGE B7 BY PAM HARBAUGH | Correspondent 1 Coming Up! ELEGANT ‘RISING UP FROM SILENCE’ GALA AT THE EVENT CENTER 2 3 PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN 4 Treasure Coast High School’s Jami son Davis, above and near right, rushes for big yardage during the Titans’ 28-0 shutout of Osceola - Titan time High School in the opening round of the regional playoffs on Nov. 10 at South County Stadium in Port St. Lucie. Far right, Demari Scott (No. 6) follows his lineman en route to a first down. Below, Gabriel Avin (No. 5) signals for another Titans touchdown. The Titans followed up this win by knocking off Vero Beach High School, 21-12, on Friday in the Regional 4S semifinals to advance to this Friday’s final against DeLand.

The current Vero Beach Museum of Art exhibition, M.C. Escher: Infinite Variations, is a fascinating mix of works by Maurits Cornelis Escher (1898-1972), an acclaimed graphic artist and printmaker, whose mind-bending optical illusions, and what he called “mental imagery” artworks, challenge logic and reality. The single-source, traveling exhibition, which features 160 woodcuts, lithographs, drawings and mezzotints, is on loan from PAN Art Connections, and on view through Dec. 30. “I like to imagine what people thought back then. Because there was nothing like it at the time,” says Dr. Salvatore Iaquinta, an otolaryngologist with a passion for Escher, who serves on the board of the M.C. Escher Foundation. “We’re used to seeing optical illusions and all that now.” The exhibition spans Escher’s career, from his early Italian landscape sketches and portraits to his revolutionary images of impossible construction and infinity works. Among his most iconic artworks are tessellations, a type of geometric tiling that repeats forever in all directions; metamorphosis pieces, which effortlessly transform, for instance, birds and fish; and his fascinating reflections, of mirrors, spheres and eyeballs. Iaquinta explains that although mathematically oriented patterns are rampant in many of Escher’s works, he decided to become an artist rather than an architect, as his father had wished, because he wasn’t very good at math. Ironically, despite that lack of architectural schooling, his works are also rife with cityscapes, draftsmanship and structural designs. Greatly influenced by his travels, Escher derived as much from the geometric tiling patterns of the Alhambra in Spain, as from the landscapes and vistas of Italy and the Mediterranean. “He spent a lot of time on the Amalfi Coast and used the background of those early drawings when he started creating his more fantastical works,” said Iaquinta. “Escher started doing lithographs in the 1920s; he had done just wood cuts before that. It wasn’t until the 1940s that he started doing mezzotints [copper plate]. He only did eight of them, but they’re all here.” Many of the works on display are quite rare, including “Rome and the Griffin of Borghese,” a 1927 woodcut. “A lot of the ones before World War II are really hard to find because they’ve been destroyed. But also, he was selling ART REVIEW B2 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com THE SURREAL DEAL Rare, iconic Escher works mesmerize at Vero Museum BY MARY SCHENKEL | Staff Writer these on the street; it’s not like he had a gallery,” Iaquinta explains. He adds that even works from the 1950s have pinholes or tape, as they were often treated as posters. Iaquinta says “Saint Francis (Preaching to the Birds),” 1922, featuring the saint ‘preaching’ to a rapt group of birds, was Escher’s transition piece. “This is the first piece did when he decided, ‘I’m going to be an artist and I’m going to sell my work.’” In the early 1930s, Iaquinta says, perspectives get a little more fantastical, as in “The Bridge,” a 1930 lithograph depicting an area of Southern Italy. “Like in real life, this bridge isn’t here; he added it in,” says Iaquinta. “Which doesn’t sound like a big deal, but for him it’s actually a transition. Because as you look at a lot of these lithographs and woodcuts from that time period, they’re really photographic type renderings. And here he’s just starting to play with things; shift the perspective a little bit to make things a little more fantastical.” Because Escher kept a diary and saved everything throughout his life, scholars can see how his artwork evolved. Iaquinta explains that “Cycle,” 1938, where a figure rushes down the stairs and loses his identity to become part of the pattern, is one of the last tessellations he made with a character upside down. “At some point, somewhere around 1930 to 1939, he came up with all these rules, like he doesn’t want an animal upside down.” “Day and Night,” 1938, is one of Escher’s largest and most iconic tessellations. In it, gray rectangular fields develop upwards into silhouettes of white and black birds flying in opposing formations. “The overlapping of the night and day skies was a theme Escher returned to over many decades. And over the years, Escher collectors kept returning for this work. Escher journaled that it was his most popular woodcut,” Iaquinta explains. “He wrote in his journal that this is the print he sold the most. He printed this about 645 times during his life. That kind of gives a sense of how few Eschers are out there.” Iaquinta says Escher called his surreal “Dream” series, created in the early 1930s, “finger exercises,” a way to practice such techniques as using single lines to create images. It also introduces us to Escher’s fascination with insects and reptiles.

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS November 23, 2023 B3 “Dream (Mantis Religiosa),” 1935, features a praying mantis overshadowing a bishop’s sarcophagus, and Iaquinta explains, “It was based on three different drawings from different years. In 1930 he was sitting on a hillside and a praying mantis crawled on his leg, and then in 1935 he put it all together.” Iaquinta says another thing Escher struggled with was how to contain a tessellation. “Because if you think about it, this pattern can go on forever. But he didn’t like the idea of cutting off animals mid-section. So he was always trying to find ways to contain them,” he says. Escher’s fascination with reflections is demonstrated in “Eye,” 1946. “That’s his own eye. He put a scull reflected in there,” says Iaquinta. “He said the only thing he could think of that would be a universe of reflection is the grim reaper.” “Drawing Hands,” 1948, in which two hands are implausibly sketching the other, is another famous piece, although Iaquinta says most people don’t know who the artist is. “It’s a mirrored image of his hands because he was left-handed. When you do a lithograph, everything prints in reverse.” His well-known gravity defying “Relativity,” 1953 will be recognizable to the younger set from its appearance in the 2014 movie, “Night at the Museum – Secret of the Tomb.” “The art gallery becomes the entire world that the figure is in; it spirals in on itself forever. As the figure comes into the gallery, it keeps turning and turning and turning.” Escher printed most of his works by hand, rather than using a press, and could print woodcut pieces to order. He preferred working in black and white, using one block – generally pear or maple – for each shade of gray/black. On the other hand, he owned just a dozen lithograph stones, wiping them clean to create something new. As a result, he couldn’t later print additional copies. “Sometimes, when he was coming up with an idea, he would lock himself in his office for days at a time, and then he’d come out all excited,” says Iaquinta, adding that once he started on the technical aspects, the children were allowed to make noise again. In the 1960s, Iaquinta says, a lot of Escher’s artwork was used illegally, particularly for album covers and blacklight posters. “He never gave permission; he actually turned down Mick Jagger twice for requests to do album covers.” The Vero Beach Museum of Art is located at 3001 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, For more information, visit VBMuseum.org.

The gift of live theater is one of the very best presents you can give. At this time of year, there are many family-friendly choices that would be perfect for introducing kids or grandkids to the joys of seeing theater live and you might well light a spark that will last a lifetime. You will certainly make a memory. This season, Fort Pierce’s Sunrise Theatre has a variety of holiday events for you to consider. “An Italian Christmas Night” takes the stage Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. with tenor Andrea Del Principe paying homage to great tenors from Caruso to Pavarotti to Bocelli. All your favorite Christmas songs will be featured, as well as classics by Frank Sinatra and Italian favorites including “La Donna e Mobile” and “Nessun Dorma.” On Dec. 15, “Sounds of the Season,” a free concert, will be presented at 7 p.m. The concert will feature performances by Future Generations, Boys and Girls Clubs, PACE Center for Girls, Lindsay School of the Arts, and E.N.D. It. All that is requested is that you bring a new or gently used children’s book to help supply the St. Lucie Reads Little Libraries. Turn Up the Heat Dance Studio presents “Clara’s Christmas Dream” Dec. 16 at 4 p.m. This is the group’s third Christmas spectacular and features dancers of all ages who take the stage as magical dolls, falling snowflakes, owls, floating angels, hip-hop dolls, soldier tappers and more. True Crew Dance Company takes the stage Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. with “A Toy-rific Winter Extravaganza.” Students from ages 2 to adult from both recreational and competitive classes will bring to life toys of all kinds in every dance and performance genre. If you have a budding ballerina or happy hip-hopper, they will have a great time. For something completely different, the Sunrise presents “Christmas with the Ricardos” Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m. If you love Lucy, and who doesn’t, come and see Lucy and Ricky as they leave the cold weather and travel to Florida. This is a comedy musical with favorite Christmas songs and comedy skits from the show you remember. Highlights include Lucy performing “The Nutcracker,” disguising herself as Santa, and dancing with Ricky to “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” If you are looking for a stocking stuffer or something wonderful to do after Christmas, “Cinderella,” presented by the State Ballet of Ukraine Dec. 27 at 7 p.m., is your ticket. The show features a score by Sergei Prokofiev and the ballet is filled with stunning dances and beautiful, colorful costumes, scenery and props to engage a younger audience. Audiences of all ages will love the beloved story and gorgeous music. This is really a treat for the entire family. The holiday season has become a place for dance and dreams and beautiful costumes and music. It is such a wonderful way to enjoy the season and to bring theater into the lives of children. If you ever watched a child watching a stage performance, eyes opened wide, you’ll know that this is something they will remember, and you will never forget. The Sunrise Theatre is located at 117 S. Second St., Fort Pierce. Call 772-461-4775 or visit sunrisetheatre.com. BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer [email protected] B4 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com ’TIS SPECIAL: Sunrise makes holiday magic with family-friendly fare PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SUNRISE THEATRE “Cinderella,” presented by the State Ballet of Ukraine, is coming to the Sunrise on Dec. 27.

On Sept. 30, 2023, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra performed the debut of Chris Brubeck’s composition, “Confluence: Double Concerto for Classical Guitar, Blues Guitar and Orchestra.” Brubeck is a bass trombonist and the son of jazz great Dave Brubeck, who himself strove to bridge the gap between classical music and jazz. The younger Brubeck has made a career of composing and performing his own works while paying homage to the father with whom he often shared the stage. Chris Brubeck; his brother, Dan, the drummer; guitarist Mike DeMicco; and pianist Chuck Lamb come to Stuart’s Lyric Theatre Nov. 30 as the Brubeck Brothers Quartet and Chris Brubeck spoke recently about his father’s legacy and his own balancing of performing and composing. “When you write for an orchestra, there are hundreds of hours of work with notes telling musicians what to play, how loud, which accents and what feeling you’re trying to convey,” he said. “Each note has layers of information. The amazing thing is that with my excellent jazz group, that is so accomplished, jazz is improvised. You don’t write a note. They come up with the beautiful swinging statements. “We’ve all had a lifetime of preparation to learn how to play in the moment. One way to have a satisfying artistic experience is to spend a month writing or to get on stage with four musicians who will improvise. My favorite classical composer is Igor Stravinsky, and my mantra that my father told me is (Stravinsky’s saying) that ‘Composition is selective improvisation.’ It’s the same spark of some part of my brain. The composer part takes the same spark of energy and the discipline to write it down.” Brubeck grew up surrounded by music and began playing at an early age. At some point Dan and brothers Darius and Chris all performed with their father. For Chris Brubeck, having a father “in the business” was a terrific benefit of growing up Brubeck. “I always think composing is like the Sistine Chapel, where there’s scaffolding and you’re on your back and it takes a lot of time but you persist,” he said. “For me, I was fortunate I grew up in a house where my father did it, too. He started melding jazz and classical with Leonard Bernstein. I want to continue this mission. I toured with my father for many years, and we wrote symphonic works together. His legacy is something I have overlapped and extended.” Brubeck recalled a memory he shared with his father. “I had a piece the Boston Pops had commissioned to write for their 100th anniversary,” he said. “My parents came to the premiere. I knew he was really happy. It was a father and son pride moment. We played hundreds of concerts. My children are not in the field. I love them dearly, but I’ve never worked with them. I can imagine, as a father myself, how much it must have meant. For all of us, to play together at different times, it was generations working together.” As a composer of both jazz and classical works, Brubeck noted that the attitude of younger classical musicians toward jazz has changed a great deal. The musicians have been to schools like Juilliard, where you can major in jazz. “This generation gets a kick out of jazz,” he said. “It’s a big difference now.” His mother, Iola, a lyricist, had something to do with the acceptance of jazz beyond smoke-filled nightclubs. “She was a super intelligent and elegant lady,” Brubeck said. “She had an aura. She was the first person to say, ‘I want my husband out of smoky clubs. Why can’t it be an art form in college concert halls?’ She single-handedly started that movement, writing to colleges and making a pamphlet on how to promote a Dave Brubeck concert. No one had done it before.” For the concert at the Lyric, the program will contain a lot of what Brubeck calls “Dave’s music.” He began referring to his father that way when he was on tour with other musicians who called his father “Dave,” and he just fell in with them. To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS November 23, 2023 B5 BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer [email protected] CONTINUED ON PAGE B6 IMAGE COURTESY OF THE LYRIC THEATRE ‘BRUBECK BROTHERS’ HONOR LEGACY, BUT FORGE OWN PATH

B6 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com “We put together a program to celebrate his centennial (in 2020) and only got to do it a couple of times,” he said. “Quite a bit of our material leans on Dave and we play them our way. We have a great guitarist instead of a saxophonist and this exact group used to play at festivals with Dave. We’ve all shared the stage with him. They understand his legacy as a great musician, composer and performer. We play his greatest hits. We’re really favoring Dave.” For now, Brubeck is enjoying the success of “Confluence” and looking at some other commissioned works. “The Memphis Symphony wanted to establish its own sound and style,” he said. “I had fun on this piece, writing for classical guitar, leading up to a more bluesy sound. The orchestra encouraged the audience to react. After a standing ovation in the first movement, the conductor had to get them to sit back down. It was great, a thrill, that all began when a conductor talked to me. I worked on it in my basement studio and it went from my basement to the stage in Memphis. It was an exciting thing.” The Lyric Theatre, 59 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart, presents “The Brubeck Brothers Quartet” Dec. 6. Call the box office at 772- 286-7827 or visit lyrictheatre.com. It always feels a lot like Christmas or Chanukah when Dr. John Southall and his instrumental music students at Indian River State College present their “Home for the Holidays” concert. This year’s concert dates are Nov. 30 through Dec. 3, and the event is a perfect way to get into a holiday mood. If you have visiting friends or family, bring them along. The concert is in two parts, with the Jazz Ensemble for the first half and the Symphonic Band for the second. The Jazz Ensemble will play a mixture of holiday tunes with a few other jazz pieces in the mix, and the Symphonic Band will be full-on holiday with a sing-along at the end. The Jazz Ensemble begins with “A Christmas Medley” to get everyone in the mood. George and Ira Gershwin are represented with “I Got Rhythm,” and the always popular classic “Greensleeves” is next. What would a holiday concert be without Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” and it’s here with an arrangement by Paul Jennings, who arranged several of the pieces. From the sentimental to the silly, we go to the theme from “I Love Lucy,” and then it’s back to the holidays with “The Christmas Song.” You’ll be walking up Fifth Avenue, looking in store windows when the theme from “New York, New York” and “Winter Wonderland” are played, and then you’ll hear the traditional “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” The first act ends with Johnny Marks’ “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer.” “For the non-holiday jazz tunes, I’ll do a dialogue which explains how each piece fits into the holidays, why it is a part of the holidays,” Southall said. “During the jazz portion, there will be improvised solos. That’s very exciting. The tunes we are performing are basic holiday selections, arranged in an interesting jazz style. For ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,’ we’ll add syncopated rhythm. It changes the flavor and makes it more interesting.” The Symphonic Band will open the second act with “Herald the Holidays,” followed by “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” There are several Leroy Anderson pieces, “Bugler’s Holiday” and “Sleigh Ride,” some Latin selections including “We Wish You a Mambo Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad,” and a Chanukah salute that includes “A Chanukah Celebration” and “Dreidel Dance.” There’s a “Country Cookin’ Christmas,” “Do You Hear What I Hear” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” by Handel. It’s a full plate. “We’ll enhance it with the use of live video cameras that can zoom in to see the fingers and hands,” Southall said. “We want them to focus on the performers on stage. Music, itself, is like the dialogue in a stage play. It’s like going to the theater and looking at the characters and listening to the dialogue to understand the story. It happens in music, but it’s aural. The listening part is the most important. The music is our dialogue.” Come hear some talented students make a joyful noise. It’s guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Indian River State College presents the holiday concert “Home for the Holidays” Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the McAlpin Fine Arts Center, 3209 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce. Call -772-462-4750 or 1-800-220-9915 for more information. BY SHELLEY KOPPEL | Staff Writer [email protected] MOST WONDERFUL: ‘Home for the Holidays’ at IRSC CONTINUED FROM PAGE B5 BRUBECK BROTHERS

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS/PEOPLE November 23, 2023 B7 lounge experience for $25 which includes priority entrance, cash bar with premium wines and a specialty drink, light appetizers or desserts, and one complimentary non-alcoholic drink. The Private VIP lounge opens one hour before the show. The theater’s Comedy Corner will also be bringing the laughs when headliner RC Smith and feature act Larry Venturino perform 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Tickets are $25. Music happens with the Dave Koz 7 Friends Christmas Tour beginning 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. Tickets start at $64.50 with a VIP package running at $207. The VIP package includes a premium seat ticket, a meet-and-greet, a photo and Q&A with Dave Koz, an autographed VIP laminate and a special Christmas gift from Dave. Then, “The Nutcracker Ballet” will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Tickets are $50. Sunrise Theatre is at 117 S. 2nd St., Fort Pierce. Call 772-461-4775 or visit SunriseTheatre.com. Lyric Theatre is the place for dance and music. The Dance Academy of Stuart presents its 26th annual “The Nutcracker Ballet.” It runs 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday Nov. 26. Tickets are $32 to $36. The Dance Academy also presents the “Mini Holly Jolly Show” at 11:30 a.m. CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 COMING UP 5 Saturday, Nov. 25, and 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. This show features the youngest dancers ages 3 to 5 years. Tickets are $32 to $36. For more information about the Dance Academy programs, call 772-220- 9440. The South Florida Dance Co. presents “A Christmas Carol” at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $40. The Lyric Theatre is at 59 SW Flagler Ave., Stuart. Call 772- 286-7827 or visit LyricTheatre.com. Register ahead of time for Riverside Theatre’s Distinguished Lecturer Series. Here is the schedule for the 2024 series: Walter Isaacson, best-selling author, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 15. Ambassador John Huntsman Jr., former governor of Utah and ambassador to Singapore, China and Russia, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Feb. 5. Karl Rove, political strategist, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 4. Lawrence H. Summers, former Treasury Secretary, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. April 15. Shannon Bream, anchor for FOX News, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. April 22. The subscriptions are $510 per person for the Stark Theatre Main Stage and $295 per person for the Waxlax Theatre simulcast. Riverside Theatre is at 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero Beach, Fla. Call 772-231- 6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com. 6 Linda Hall of Seacoast Bank, Anthony Burruano of Treasure Coast Lexus, Jarett Perlmutter of Treasure Coast Toyota and Kyla Wickard of the Boozgeois Saloon serve up drinks to the after-work crowd at Cobb’s Landing in Fort Pierce during the 11th Annual Celebrity Bartender event benefiting Family Meals, Inc. on Nov. 8. Tips and proceeds from a raffle went toward providing Thanksgiving meals for local families in need this holiday season. PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN LOCAL CELEBS RAISE THE FUNDRAISING BAR FOR ‘FAMILY MEALS’

them in time, so that everyone can enjoy them. “My photography reminds people that life is our own story, and our world is always changing,” says Semkow, conjecturing that while a lot of what has happened in the past has been documented, there are blank pages to fill from today on. “It’s not how the story starts but how it ends. If someone has a bad day, they can look at a photo, and find strength to keep moving forward. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than someone saying they find inspiration in my photos; that it helps them get through the day.” Semkow was born in raised in Hollywood, Fla., and joined the Coast Guard straight after high school. He says he was driven to serve his country and values the experiences he had and the lessons he learned while on active duty. “Serving in the military teaches you the definition of being an American as well as honor, integrity and devotion to duty,” he says with pride. Soon after being discharged, he found Vero Beach and fell in love with the beachside town. “I rented a little apartment on the beach and started each morning walking the beach and taking photos,” he recalls. “That was my entry to the world of photography. I saw a lot of people taking photos and I wanted to make mine look different, so I started learning the basics of photography and experimenting. I never had any formal training, but I soaked up all the information I could from photographers I met along the way,” says Semkow. “I realB8 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS www.stlucievoice.com Trying to catch up with Joe Semkow is like trying to capture a butterfly. He is constantly on the move, darting here and there, and when he does settle it’s only for a minute before he’s off again. “Sleep is overrated,” says Semkow, a freelance photographer who enjoys jet skiing, snorkeling, swimming with the sharks, and even jumping out of airplanes. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, he lives each day to its fullest, while still taking time to appreciate the wonders of nature. “Someone once told me that if you sleep eight hours a day, seven days a week, the average person sleeps 22 years of his life. That’s a lot of wasted time. I sleep here and there, but I push myself to enjoy as much of life as I can. There’s so much to see and do and the earlier you are up, the more of the day you get to enjoy.” The 36-year-old is well-known locally for his stunning images of rocket launches and sunrises, as well as some jaw-dropping underwater and drone photography. Semkow has mastered the ability to capture Mother Nature’s most beautiful moments and freeze ARTIST PROFILE BY KERRY FIRTH | Correspondent LIFE ... CAMERA ... ACTION! For photographer Semkow, every moment is precious Joe Semkow. PHOTO: JOSHUA KODIS

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ARTS November 23, 2023 B9 ized that photography is something you create for yourself, and it really doesn’t matter if anyone likes it or not. You, alone, are creating what you want to see and capture.” His photographic career was launched while working at Costa D’Este Resort when a marketing director asked if they could use some of his photos. He had worked his way up from valet to front desk associate and eventually to marketing coordinator, a position he still manages to do alongside his photography business. Semkow says a good part of his income these days comes from his commercial real estate photography, where he utilizes drone footage to showcase high-end properties in their entirety. “Drones have replaced helicopters for aerial photography, making it more affordable for Realtors to incorporate those images in their marketing plans,” he explains. “I love doing drone photography. I’ve captured some amazing photos of our coastline, sea turtles swimming on the reef, and the SS Breconshire shipwreck in its watery grace just off our shore.” Semkow says he uses standard camera equipment, stressing that you don’t need the most expensive apparatus to capture great images. “A $500 camera does what the $4,000 camera does,” he says. “It captures the photo. Technology is so advanced that even cellphone cameras can give you the same quality as a 35mm digital camera. And a run-of-the-mill GoPro can capture some spectacular underwater scenes. The quality of the photo is only compromised if you are enlarging it greatly.” Semkow is equally well known for his random acts of kindness and his ability to inspire others. He begins each day by posting positive affirmations to some 2,000 viewers on his feel-good, Vero-centric Facebook page. “This group is meant to inspire people to do good, to lift people up when they are down, and to come together as a community to help others in need,” he explains. “As a group, we’ve been able to raise funds for various charities and individuals in need. We’ve raised money to put kids in new sneakers for the first day of school and supply backpacks full of supplies to those in need,” says Semkow. “We also have purchased hundreds of children’s bikes to give away at Christmas and we make it even more fun by hiding it, posting a photo of it and giving it to the first child who finds it. The main thing we do as a group is support and inspire each other.” Behind the scenes, Semkow has donated wall-sized prints to children undergoing treatment in hospitals, giving them a “window to the beauty of the world” as they fight whatever ails them. He has also arranged for cookies to be delivered to public servants who aren’t typically recognized, filled up gas tanks, and bought lunch for those struggling to make ends meet. In short, Semkow is the poster child for paying it forward. “Everyone needs a smile,” he says. “One thing I’ve learned through my own personal struggles is that nothing is guaranteed. You have to be happy with yourself and do things that inspire you. For me that is photography.”

B10 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | PEOPLE www.stlucievoice.com cast-iron piece of metal put on his seat because he didn’t want his [rear] shot off.” Ervin Hayward (U.S. Army, Ret.), the second vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 566, served for three years as a mortar operator covering the Củ Chi tunnels outside the Vietnamese capital of Saigon, now Ho Chi Minh City. Hayward described how his company covered units with high explosive shells above the tunnels from Viet Cong forces. “Anything past [30 meters], we go to artillery. It’s an everyday experience; you get up there, you know what’s going to happen, it doesn’t affect you much until just when it happens,” Hayward said. Hayward worked in construction after his time in Vietnam, in addition to his veterans’ advocacy. “I deal with [Pickett] as well as the [KWVA] Chapter 106,” Hayward said. Veterans sharing old war stories outside the podium served to imprint a sense of fellowship on a younger generation that builds their own esprit de corps. “It’s nice to see the younger ones taking our place and we’d love to see people showing respect for their military, which we didn’t get too much of back in our day,” Hayward said. national secretary of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA), served eight years of temporary duty in the 1950s, which took him to places like the remote Thule Air Base, now Pituffik Space Base, in Greenland. “There are early warning stations up there; I was a radio operator for a KC-97 (Stratotanker) and we refueled jet bombers over the North Pole,” Trieber said. “It was just a job to do back then. Nobody quarreled, we all went gladly.” His tour paralleled the Air Force’s transition from propeller-driven planes to jets like the B-52 Stratofortress bomber still in service today. “In 1955, I was lucky to service the first B-52 to come east from Seattle [to] Westover AFB in Massachusetts,” Trieber said. “My squadron was the first to refuel a B-52 using a KC-97.” Trieber briefly remembered Col. Martin Zickert (USAF, Ret.), who died on July 2. Zickert gave the keynote speech at the May 29 Memorial Day ceremony where he talked about his tours over Southeast Asia. “He was a great guy. He flew a lot of airplanes, that’s for sure,” Trieber said. “When he’d get in those [F-4 Phantoms], he got a A survivor of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the Pentagon told a crowd of 500 people at Port St. Lucie’s Veterans Day ceremony he was grateful to serve his country despite the injuries he suffered. Chris Barnes, a deputy director at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C., recalled being at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, when hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 77 into its west side, killing 184 people. “The attack on the Pentagon left me with severe vision impairment: an invisible reminder of the challenges that come with serving,” Barnes said in his keynote speech during the ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Veterans Park at Rivergate. “I know many of you have similar stories of separation and loss that define our national service,” Barnes told the audience. “I stand here grateful to have served my country and stand with you, my fellow veterans.” Barnes also served in the U.S. Army with City Councilman David Pickett (U.S. Army, Ret.) at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky/Tennessee border during the Gulf War. Pickett led the ceremony which featured a presentation of colors by Vietnam Veterans Chapter 566 and a rifle salute by the Marine Corps League Jack Ivy Detachment 666. The Port St. Lucie Community Band performed military service branch anthems and patriotic standards under the direction of conductor John K. Southall. Veterans Day marked the 105th anniversary of the armistice signed in France between the Allies and Germany to end World War I, then dubbed the “war to end all wars.” Port St. Lucie’s ceremony attracted veterans who served tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam as well as veterans of the wars in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan. Harold Trieber (U.S. Air Force, Ret.), the VETERANS DAY Respect and gratitude in abundance as Port St. Lucie honors those who served BY CHARLES CALOIA | Correspondent Guest speaker Chris Barnes, above right, deputy director of Veterans Affairs, shares his message of support at Port St. Lucie’s Veterans Day ceremony. At right, David Pickett, Port St. Lucie City Council member, salutes while fellow vet John Ramos sings the national anthem. Above, Mike Rossi performs “Taps.” PHOTOS: LINDA KLOORFAIN

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | PEOPLE November 23, 2023 B11 Clockwise from top left: Riders from American Legion Post 318; Port St. Lucie High School senior and JROTC Captain Alexander Moleon-Matthews; the JROTC raises banners joined by Captain Myley Gittin (third from right); Capt. Jason Dence (U.S. Army, Ret.); roses are placed for the fallen on the Veterans Park Memorial Wall. PHOTOS: CHARLES CALOIA Port St. Lucie High School’s 200-person-strong Jaguar Battalion Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) made up a sizable part of the morning’s attendees. JROTC instructor Capt. Jason Dence (U.S. Army, Ret.) said “we probably have close to 10 percent of the [PSLHS] student population in the ROTC. “I joined the Army life because I was looking for college money from the National Guard. It didn’t turn out to be very much; college [bankrupted] me very quickly and I needed a steady income,” Dence said. Dence said his JROTC duties focus on the enrichment of a student’s opportunities through maintaining grades and earning scholarship prospects no matter what course a student chooses after graduating. “Our mission is not to recruit new people. I, frankly, don’t care if they join or not. My whole thing is that we’re there to make them better citizens,” Dence said. The mass of cadets in blues was led by student captains clad in black Class A dress uniforms adorned with commendations for their years of service. One such captain is Alexander Moleon-Mathews, a Port St. Lucie High School senior who started volunteering in the ROTC in his freshman year. “My friends and I were coming here today packed in the van, all just laughing and joking along the way,” Moleon-Mathews said. “I met some of my lifelong friends here, friends I never want to miss, ever.” He credits his older brother Lawrence Moleon-Mathews for helping him to embrace the service. Lawrence graduated in 2021 and is now a Military Policeman at the Army base in Fort Stewart, Georgia. “My brother was one of the top-ranked cadets. I was always around him at competitions. When I came to high school, I was like, ‘I might as well join,’” Moleon-Mathews said. Moleon-Mathews wants to enroll at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, or the Air Force Academy in Colorado upon graduating next year. Another captain taking the front rank is Kaila Morales, who has served on the Jaguar Battalion since 2021. “It’s helped me become a better leader, especially with kids. Watching them become who they are today is amazing,” Morales said. “I’m just happy that I have such amazing teachers and students.” Morales wants to attend college to play flag football and study physical therapy after PSLHS. “There are good and bad days, most of them are good. Whether or not you want to, you are going to learn something.”

B12 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | PEOPLE www.stlucievoice.com Port St Lucie Community Band Directed by Dr. John K Southall presents December 6, 2023 7 PM Holiday Joy! McAlpin Fine Arts Center 3209 Virginia Ave Fort Pierce, FL 34981 Donations appreciated Refreshments and Meet and Greet the band after the concert in lobby! ALL DECKED OUT: PSLinLights ‘homes’ in on city residents’ holiday displays ’Twas the weeks before Christmas, when all through the town, all the parties were rocking, folks were getting down. The houses were decked to the holiday heights, and folks found them all on PSLinLights. “It is the ultimate list for what is happening in Port St. Lucie,” said Melissa Yunas, creative team leader at the city. “We’re asking residents to join in on the festivities. There are several ways to join in this year.” PSLinLights is the city’s annual holiday season website, cityofpsl.com/PSLinLights. From Nov. 24 through Jan. 1 it will host a holiday cheer cage fight. “Residents are encouraged to show off their lighting skills and compete for bragging rights,” Yunas said. That is, residents will submit photos of their elaborate outdoor holiday displays. “They’re going to go to the PLSinLights and will fill out the form and take three photos of their house and upload the photos,” Yunas explained. “Their photos will be added to a holiday lights self-guided tour map.” Folks will use the photo-illustrated map to go experience the displays for themselves. “We’ll add (submitted home displays) to a searchable database with pictures and descriptions,” Yunas said. There will be a two-day public voting window in early January that will be announced on the webpage. “Winners will be announced in mid-January,” said Yunas. Those winners will be in two categories: Port St. Lucie Showstopper, and New Kid on the Block, which will be for those who have recently moved to our fair city. Of course, maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. “Last year there was someone who handmade all their ornaments,” Yunas reminisced. “It was a tradition handed down from his grandfather.” Back on PSLinLights this year will be the annual elfie selfies. The webpage will have a mapped list of some city holiday displays. “We’re going to have a photo-op contest as well,” said Yunas. “We’re encouraging residents to snap a selfie and upload pictures.” That is, snap selfies in front of the city’s displays to share the cheer on the webpage. PSLinLights has some live action, too. Namely the PSLinLights Party on Friday, Dec. 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. This year Forever Motown will turn the yuletide into soultide with their covers of holiday hits from the Jackson Five, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Diana Ross and more. BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | PEOPLE November 23, 2023 B13 Professional Moving Company 772-380-3588 Residential Commercial Local Long Distance [email protected] 10% OFF your next move with this ad. The power of lights is a curious thing. Make one person leap, make another one sing. The city’s annual Festival of Lights will be on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. “Our main thing is going to be the Parade of Lights,” said Calvin King Jr., the city’s special events coordinator. “It’s going to be at 6 p.m. After that, there’ll be a tree-lighting ceremony and fireworks.” This year’s theme is “Back to the Future.” “There’s going to be a DeLorean there,” said King. Because, you know, Emmett “Doc” Brown’s flux capacitor only works in a DeLorean at 88 mph. It’s all there in the 1985 hit comedy movie “Back to the Future.” The DeLorean Motor Company made the DMC-12 with brushed stainless-steel body panels and gull-wing doors giving it the futuristic look so popular in the 1980s. Only about 9,000 were made from January 1981 to December 1982. The car was a hit even before it was available to the market. But “Back to the Future” made it an icon. About 6,000 are still on the road 41 years after the last one was built. “We’re also going to have Power of Love for the main band,” King said. “They’re a Huey Lewis and the News tribute band.” The Parade of Lights is the city’s annual winter holiday parade. “Currently we have 17 groups (registered) right now,” said King. “We’re expecting more. Last year we had 34 or 35 groups.” King said the parade is diverse. “The (St. Lucie County Fire District) will come through with their vehicles,” he said, while others do actual floats. Then there are the walking performers, such as the Port St. Lucie Police Athletic League. The city is still taking parade entrants. “They can call the (Port St. Lucie Community Center) at (772)- 878-2277 and Tim Murphy will be the contact for parades,” King explained. Murphy’s email is [email protected]. “The more the merrier,” said King. “We welcome everybody.” Following the parade there will be the tree lighting and fireworks, and plenty to do at the midway carnival. “We’re going to have our food trucks there as well,” King said. “And arts and crafts vendors.” Admission and parking are free. The MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center is located at 9221 SE Event Center Place. There will be a North Pole freeze dance for the kids. It’s a contest similar to musical chairs, but without chairs. “You play holiday music, and you turn it off and the kids freeze,” explained Yunas. “If they are not frozen, they get tagged out until we have a winner.” There will also be a Florida snowball zone for the kids. Fret not, parents, the “snow” isn’t the sort that will melt and muss up good clothes in the state’s subtropical winter. “To close out the night, we have a festive pet contest,” Yunas said. “Dress up your well-behaved pet and we’ll strut them across the stage.” Judges will pick winners. The prizes – such as gift cards to pet stores – will go to the furry family members who put in all the real hard work. “Those people who entered into our holiday light contest, we’re going to film a few of them and show it at the PSLinLights Party,” said Yunas. And a special couple special will be dropping in: Santa and Mrs. Clause will be sitting for photos with the families. Parking and admission is free. The MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center is located at 9221 SE Event Center Place. ‘BACK TO THE FUTURE’ IS NOW AT FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE

B14 November 23, 2023 ST. LUCIE VOICE | PEOPLE www.stlucievoice.com Holiday Lights at the Gardens is back, bigger and better than ever. “The city’s coming in with a multitude of new lights this year,” said Heather Furnari, acting president of the Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens. “It’s going to be running from the day after Thanksgiving to (Dec. 30).” The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, located at 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd., is normally open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Holiday Lights at the Gardens will be run 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Normally closed on Monday, the Gardens will be open for this special event on Monday, Dec. 18, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “The (Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is) hosting the opening weekend,” Furnari said. “We will have Santa. We’ll have a food and dessert truck. We’ll have artists in the lobby.” Furnari added, “We’re also having (Petrova Jones Music) coming in on (Nov. 25).” The opening weekend is Nov. 24-26. “We’re also doing that on Dec. 22 and 23,” said Furnari. The city gave the PSL Botanical Gardens a makeover this year. For example, the Secret Garden. The city’s parks department removed the turf that was there and put in a 2,000-square-foot decorative concrete pad to make it more user friendly for weddings and other events. The city also added an 8-foot decorative fence that encompasses the Botanical Gardens property. While the facility has always been Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, many of the changes have made it even more easily accessible to people who use mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs. Melissa Yunas, the city’s creative team leader, affirmed there’s now a record number of holiday lights and displays for Holiday Lights at the Gardens. The city and Friends of the PSL Botanical Gardens cohost the annual event. “It’s going to have over 100,000 lights,” said Yunas. “It’s going to be definitely merrier. We’re featuring new installations. It’s going to be lots of surprises in store for you.” Among other things, there will be light art portraying nature, such as butterflies. “There’s going to be a giant ornament,” Yunas said. “It’s really cool.” With ongoing construction crimping parking at the gardens, carpooling and off-site parking is encouraged. For experienced cyclists who opt to bike, there is a rack, but there are no routes to the gardens with cycling lanes or multi-user trails the entire way from St. Lucie West or Tradition. The Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens is supported by admission donations. The suggested amount is $5. While the park is city-owned, the Friends of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens runs it. Information about the park and organization is at pslbg.org. HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT THE GARDENS: Now 100,000 strong, and glowing! BY PATRICK McCALLISTER | Correspondent PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE