05/19/2022 ISSUE 20

My Vero: Urban services area
not seen expanding. P12
Are COVID-19 cases
rising? Who knows. P10
Museum’s ‘Circle’ women

do their part to fund art. P18

Deal near on new For breaking news visit
concessionaire
for Seaside Grill Summer closings
set for downtown
Vero rail crossings

BY RAY MCNULTY BY GEORGE ANDREASSI
Staff Writer Staff Writer

Vero Beach officials are nego- PHOTO BY KAILA JONES Brightline plans to close the
tiating a long-term concession railroad crossing at westbound
agreement with a Royal Palm Vero resident wins record 43rd world tennis title 20th Street (Route 60 west) from
Beach-based company to take May 31 through June 20 for in-
over the recently shuttered BY PIETER VANBENNEKOM fael Nadal, with his 21 Grand Harbor resident with slightly stallation of new safety equip-
Seaside Grill at Jaycee Park. Staff Writer Emeritus Slam titles. stooped shoulders who is very ment for high-speed passenger
hard of hearing and has had trains, then work on the other
City Manager Monte Falls If someone were to ask you You would be wrong. two knee replacement opera- downtown Vero Beach cross-
said last week he expects to which male tennis player has The man who has won the tions on each knee. ings throughout the summer.
present the City Council with a won the most world champi- most world tennis champion-
ready-to-sign, 30-year deal next onships, you might say Ra- ships – a record 43 – is an un- That physical description Brightline anticipates com-
month for a new lessor to take assuming, 87-year-old Grand pleting improvements at eight
over the city-owned facility. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 Vero Beach railroad crossings
– from 17th Street to Aviation
“We want to come back to Boulevard – by Sept. 25, hop-
the council as quickly as pos- ing to complete the disruptive
sible,” Falls said. “I feel confi- work before seasonal residents
dent we’ll have it done for the begin returning in the fall.
June 7 agenda.”
As part of its effort to connect
GC Ventures FL – one of sev- Orlando and Miami with lim-
en companies to submit pro- ited stops and faster-than-driv-
posals by the city’s March 10 ing commute times, Brightline
deadline and one of four final- is spending $2.7 billion to up-
ists selected by an evaluation grade the Florida East Coast
committee composed of Rec- Railway tracks between West
reation Director Jim O’Connell, Palm Beach and Cocoa and
Planning Director Jason Jeffries build new tracks between Co-
and Finance Director Cindy coa and Orlando International
Lawson – emerged as the pan- Airport.
el’s top choice in April.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

The art of the private real estate deal Shores watching legislature for action on condo inspections

BY STEVEN M. THOMAS struggling to secure listings BY LISA ZAHNER lapsed in Surfside last year, the brought the matter up after
Staff Writer and find houses for their cli- Staff Writer town council is closely watch- the Florida House and Senate
ents, others are having their ing next week’s special session failed during its regular ses-
Historically low inventory best years ever. Even though none of the of the Florida Legislature to see sion to coalesce around a pro-
has divided island real estate older condominium buildings if state leaders take action on gram of periodic, milestone
agents into haves and have- The first part of 2022 has in Indian River Shores is a high- condo building inspections. inspections at set intervals
nots. While many agents are been challenging for every- rise like the tower that col-
Councilman Bob Auwaerter CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

May 19, 2022 Volume 15, Issue 20 Newsstand Price $1.00 ‘Tipsy Turtle’
race increases
News 1-12 Editorial 32 People 13-26 TO ADVERTISE CALL awareness. P22
Arts 41-46 Games 35-37 Pets 62 772-559-4187
Books 34 Health 47-53 Real Estate 65-76
Dining 58-61 Insight 27-40 Style 54-57 FOR CIRCULATION
CALL 772-226-7925

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2 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Art of the deal “If they are still hesitant, we ask what
they are looking for in a new place and
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 tell them we will help them find it. The
question then becomes, ‘If I find you a
one, with the total number of island place to go, will you sell?’”
sales down drastically from last year at
this time – and dollar volume of prop- Often the answer is yes.
erties sold 17 percent lower in the first Daley said half of her deals so far
quarter than in the first quarter of 2021. this year have been off-market trans-
actions worked out between individu-
But many top island agents have fig- als in her network without ever being
ured out the algorithm, and are feeling exposed to the public.
good about the market and the future. Successful agents are always on the
lookout for what Curley calls opportu-
“It is all good to me,” said Scott Reyn- nistic buyers, people who will make a
olds, who manages the Reynolds Team move if the price is compelling enough.
at Compass. “I tell my agents not to use With so many wealthy pandemic mi-
the term low inventory. We call it an ac- grants wanting to move to Vero Beach,
celerated market. Lots of deals are being there is a good chance a well-connected
done. But houses don’t sit on the market agent can find a buyer once they have a
long enough to be counted as inventory.” price in hand.
“I have a neighbor who paid $1.7
“I have never made this much mon- million for his home,” said Curley, who
ey in my entire life,” said Cathy Cur- noted she is doing an increasing num-
ley, a Dale Sorensen Real Estate agent ber of private deals. “He could sell it all
whose business doubled in the first day long for $3 million. Is he a seller
part of 2022 compared to 2021. at $3 million? He isn’t sure yet – he is
chewing on it. But he is definitely a
Multiple factors tend to distinguish seller at $4 million.”
the haves from the have-not agents in Longevity is a great virtue in the so-
the current market – including how phisticated arbitrage process that now
long they’ve worked in real estate in characterizes the island market.
Vero Beach, the depth of their mar- “I have been doing this for more
ket knowledge, their adaptability and than 40 years,” said Charlotte Terry, a
how hard they work. top agent at AMAC Alex MacWilliam
Inc. “That helps because it is very im-
But nothing has been more impor- portant how well the agent knows the
tant than mastering the art of the pri- market and other agents.
vate real estate deal – one done within “Those longstanding relationships
a network, that doesn’t show up on the are so important, whether it is some-
MLS until it closes. one calling me and telling me they
are about to list something in Village
Because listings are scarce and hous- Spires and asking if I have anyone
es that go on the market are gobbled up for it – which I do – or me picking up
quickly, it’s been increasingly hard to the phone and calling people I have
get people who might otherwise be sell- known forever to see if they have any-
ers to put their homes on the market. thing coming in Riomar or on the river
that would be good for my buyer.
Even though prices are at record “Those kind of old connections help
highs, people hesitate to sell because you get your client in there to make a
they’re afraid they won’t be able to find deal before it becomes a feeding frenzy.”
a replacement home they like. Market knowledge, including detailed
awareness of hundreds of individual is-
“Where will I go?” is the common land properties sold or shown through-
refrain. out the years, and a wide network of sat-
isfied clients to tap into also come with
To meet this objection, agents often long experience in the market.
have to engineer complex, multipart Time in the trenches also helps agents
deals that weren’t a feature of island develop the sensitivity and psychologi-
real estate a few years back. cal skill needed to guide buyers and
sellers through complex and stressful
For example, an agent hears from transactions.
a client who wants a house of a cer- “There are so many options for selling
tain style and size. There is no house a home today,” Terry said. “You can do
like that on the market, but the agent the ‘coming soon’ thing on the MLS, or
knows of several suitable off-market list in a traditional way and take offers, or
homes, including one owned by cli- take offers for a limited amount of time
ents or friends who have talked about and pick the best one at noon on Mon-
moving but not acted. day or whatever, or do a private deal.
“If you go to the open market and
“It’s like matchmaking,” said Sally create that piranha-like frenzy, you fre-
Daley, who leads a team at the new quently get more money, but some peo-
Douglas Elliman office on the island. ple don’t want to have to go through that

“If I know of a house that would suit
one of my buyers, I might call and ask
the owner what number would make
them a seller. If that number is in my
buyer’s budget, I can go back to the
owner and tell them I can bring them
an off-market deal for the price they
want from a buyer who will let them
stay in the house for 90 days or six
months, so they aren’t rushed.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 3

NEWS

– to keep their house perfect and take The council directed Town Manager interest groups lobby right up to the weeks,the Shores Town Council put its
out the dogs and have a million strang- Jim Harpring to do some research and final minute to get their issues heard discussion of the matter on hold.
ers traipsing through their house.” come back in April with recommenda- in this last-chance-until-next-spring
tions. In the meantime, a special ses- session. Florida Senate Majority Leader Deb-
If an older couple is ready to move sion focusing on property insurance bie Mayfield, who represents Indian
to assisted living, they may prefer a was announced and political pres- The five-day special session is set to River County, has stated publicly that
simple, solid deal with a private cash sure began mounting for legislators to open at 9 a.m. Monday and close by she thinks Gov. Ron DeSantis will ex-
buyer who will pay the asking price tackle condo inspections, too. 11:59 p.m. Friday. That’s not a whole tend the special session until the prop-
and give them plenty of time to make lot of time, at the speed government erty insurance matters are addressed if
the transition. The session’s agenda had not been operates, but since there was a chance legislators can’t get it done in five days.
finalized as of press time, as special- of state regulation in the coming
“I give the seller the options and tell CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
them about what the options entail
and then let them decide what they
want to do,” said Terry.

“Figuring out a strategy for sellers is
the key to getting listings today,” said
Reynolds, who currently does about
35 percent of his deals off-market.

“If they are selling a second home
they don’t need, or moving out the area,
it isn’t so challenging; but if they want
to stay in this market, we have to talk to
them the way we would to a buyer.

“Do they have their financials in or-
der? Do they need the proceeds from
the sale to buy? What terms do they
need to make the deal work? We want to
figure everything out ahead of time, so
they don’t have to end up moving twice.”

Buyers have to be coached and
coaxed, more so than ever before, be-
cause of the market’s Grand Prix pace.

“It is hard to get buyers the prop-
erties they want,” said Curley. “They
need to be ready to act fast and listen
to advice. If they have lost a few times
and fully trust their agent, they have a
better shot.”

Reynolds, Daley and other island
agents expect demand for island homes
to stay strong and prices to keep rising,
though more slowly than in the past
two years.

Daley said the economists she fol-
lows expect a 9 percent price rise in
2022, with another 5 percent gain
in 2023 and smaller increases in the
next few years after that for a cumu-
lative 25 percent price gain over the
next five years.

“Some buyers are starting to think
they missed it, but 25 percent is not
a bad return on investment,” Daley
said. 

Condo inspections
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

in a building’s life. A number of the
condos in the Shores were built in the
1970s and 1980s.

“I want to have a discussion with
my fellow council members of what
approaches, if any, we may wish to
consider on this subject given that we
live on a barrier island,” Auwaerter
said at the time.

“Part of that discussion might be ask-
ing staff to provide us more informa-
tion on how these so-called milestone
inspections might work,” he added.

4 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Condo inspections troduced into Congress in April by dations were that Florida establish King Van Nostrand
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 two legislators from Florida. Called what the experts called “Mandatory CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the Securing Access to Finance Exte- Minimum Structural Inspections” and
Such an extension could allow condo rior Repairs (SAFER) in Condos Act of “Whole Building Safety Inspections” for makes Kingdon “King” Van Nostrand
inspections to squeeze into the session, 2022, the measure would allow feder- buildings of a certain size. In general, sound like a pretty typical Vero Beach
as the lack of statewide condo safety ally backed loans to be used to finance with some exemptions like townhomes, retiree, except that he still travels all
standards presents another risk factor certain building repairs. buildings with more than 10 occupants over the world beating everyone else
for insurers of condos, and island condo would require inspection should the in his age group on a tennis court.
owners are feeling the pain in their pre- After the 12-story beachfront Cham- group’s recommendations be codified.
miums like single-family homeowners. plain Towers condominiums tumbled King, as everyone calls him, just won
down on June 24, killing nearly 100 The Surfside Working group recom- his record-breaking 43rd world cham-
The other pricey problem yet to be people, a state working group of en- mended the inspections kick-in when pionship at the latest title event in
resolved is how condo owners will gineers and builders was formed to the building reaches 30 years in age, Boynton Beach sponsored by the Inter-
pay for needed structural repairs af- examine the tragedy and recommend with reinspection every 10 years. Flor- national Tennis Federation (ITF), which
ter buildings are inspected. Federal what could be done to prevent similar ida has about 1.5 million condomini- oversees the Grand Slam tournaments
condo safety legislation was also in- events in the future. um buildings, more than half of which as well as the senior and junior tours.
are 30 years old or older. 
The group’s two main recommen- It almost didn’t happen.
King was stuck on 41 world cham-
pionships – garnered in all the senior
age categories in five-year increments
starting at 45, and super-seniors start-
ing at age 65 – when the COVID-19
pandemic halted tennis tournaments
for almost two years. Then, in October
of last year just as things were starting
to open up again, King needed major
surgery when a tendon in his right
arm – he is right-handed – detached
from the bone. He couldn’t do a thing
for eight weeks after the operation.
“I really wondered if I had hit my
last tennis ball,” said King. “I was liter-
ally hanging by a thread.” But he did
get back in shape with three months of
rigorous physical therapy and signed
up for this year’s world champion-
ships in Boynton Beach in the over-
85 group. He tied the previous record
of 42 world titles held by Lorne Main
with a gold medal in the team event
won by the U.S. and went for his 43rd
by reaching the doubles final.
Partnering with Gordon Nichol of
Ohio, King came up short in a close
three-set match against Albert Lyle of
Mississippi, who had just entered the
85-and-over age group. King had to
settle for a silver medal in the doubles.
Then he had to face Lyle again in
the singles final, at 1 p.m., the hottest
part of the day in the South Florida
sun with 95 percent humidity against
a guy to whom he was giving away
three years in age.
“That may not make much of a dif-
ference in your 50s or earlier,” said
King, “but it’s huge when you’re over
85. It’s basically the difference be-
tween being able to run hard and fast,
or shuffling around and waving at a
ball as it goes by.”
King has another handicap because
he takes out his hearing aid when he
plays – the sweat makes it too uncom-
fortable to wear it – so he can hardly
hear the sound of the ball as an oppo-
nent hits it. That makes it tougher to
judge speed and angles. “As with any
other handicap,” said King, “all you
can do is try and compensate for it.”
In the final singles match, King eked
out a 6-4 victory in the first set but

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 5

NEWS

got routed 1-6 in the second set, and a “completely exhausting” two-and- “Will I continue to do this, and is it longer to heal. But I am sort of a mas-
quickly fell behind 1-6 in the deciding one-half-hour match, notching his 43rd a goal of mine to still play and win ti- ochist, I just love the game, I love do-
10-point super-tiebreaker. world title to truly become the king of tles in the over-90 category? I honestly ing it, and the tournaments are won-
the heap. don’t know,” King said. “It’s not easy. I derful, even though a lot of the people
He then managed to hit clean win- often I ask myself, Why do I keep tor- I used to play with are now gone.
ners on seven of the next nine points – “What made me do it to try those turing myself like this? After the in-
including two totally unexpected drop risky drop shots?” King said. “Pure evitable injuries, it takes longer and “Also, I have three titles to defend in
shots – to win the tiebreaker 10-7 after desperation, I guess.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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6 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

King Van Nostrand most memorable were the first, in 1981, on Long Island. At one point, he might After 9/11 they became concerned
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 in Buenos Aires, in the 47-48 category – have been good enough to play tennis about being able to get out of New York
when no one had ever heard of him and for a living, but by the time tennis en- if anything else should happen. They
Europe – in Barcelona, Spain, and two he won all four matches, some of them tered the so-called “Open Era” with pro- also became less and less enchanted
places in Germany, one of them Baden- over former professionals or Davis Cup- fessionals allowed to make money, King with cold weather, so they sold their
Baden – where I get nice free housing pers from Britain, Italy and France – and was in his mid-30s. Too old for the tour. home in New York and moved to Vero
in five-star hotels just for showing up his title in 2004 in 70-and-over category, Beach full-time – and began traveling
as the defending champion,” said King. when he and his wife Yvonne, known Boots quit her teaching job and be- the world in search of more tennis titles.
to all as “Boots,” became the first hus- came a full-time homemaker after her
At age 87, King said he has lost a lot band-and-wife couple to win separate first pregnancy. The couple went on to For a period of seven years, both King
of upper body strength in his shoul- world titles in the same year. have four children. All of them got into and Boots played on a German summer
ders and he can no longer depend on tennis and obtained college scholar- club tennis team that provided them
a powerful service. His main asset now King Van Nostrand is originally from ships for tennis, and two of them be- with free transportation, a luxury car, a
is his quickness. “Ironically, I can still Long Island. He studied at Cortland came professionals. “We never pushed nice house and other amenities.
run like a deer,” King said, “and the State, part of the NewYork state university them into tennis,” King says. “We just
knee replacement operations actually system, where he met Boots when they tried to be a good example to them, “They treated us very nicely over
helped me, because nothing can hurt sat next to each other in their senior year. but they all wanted to do it. there,” King recalled. “I’m kind of
me there anymore.” They have been married for 67 years now. ashamed to admit that we didn’t learn
The Van Nostrands first bought a much German. It’s not that we didn’t
Among his 43 titles, King says his After he spent three years in the U.S. home at Grand Harbor in 1998 as an want to, but everyone spoke such per-
Navy, he and Boots became teachers eventual retirement property. fect English.” 

Seaside Grill annual rent of $12,000 plus 10 percent Studebaker’s proposal states that, Studebaker wrote that, under his
of its gross receipts. Falls said the city once the lease is signed, GC Ventures management, the restaurant also would
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 prefers a rent-only lease, which would FL will immediately begin renovat- sell sunscreen, sunglasses and other
eliminate the need for yearly audits. ing the restaurant – providing a more sundries beachgoers and park visitors
According to the “executive summa- comfortable setting for customers and might’ve forgotten to bring with them.
ry” included in its proposal, the com- City records show the previous lease, upgrading kitchen equipment.
pany and its affiliate, GC Ventures, have given to Dan and Rose Culumber in “We feel that we will add new life to
been in the food and concession busi- 1992, required rent of $600 per month Their goal is to change the décor the park and beach, as we’re always
ness for seven years in Minnesota and plus 12 percent of the business’ gross to give the place the feel of a “beach- watching and implementing innova-
one year in Florida. receipts. In the fiscal year that ended style restaurant,” the proposal states, tions in the restaurant industry,” the
in September, the Culumbers made by adding bright colors to accent the GC Ventures FL proposal states.
The companies currently operate the nearly $78,000 in lease payments. building’s natural wood.
Okee Grill at the Okeeheelee Golf Course “From the food to beverages, there
in West Palm Beach and are awaiting In its bid, GC Ventures FL committed “Outdoor seating would be changed are trends that change from time to
final approval to take over The Links to being open for business within six from the concrete tables and chairs to time, and we stay on top of them, while
restaurant at the Boynton Beach Golf weeks of signing a lease, Falls said, add- more comfortable seating,” the propos- also catering to the locals to make sure
Course and the concessions at Ocean- ing that the company plans to operate a al continues, and new tables will better they are getting what they want.”
front Park in Boynton Beach. They also food truck on the premises while reno- fit the new design of the indoor dining
operate restaurants at two golf courses vating and upgrading the 2,500-square- area. The company also will consider The evaluation committee ranked
in Minneapolis, as well as a food-truck foot facility, which was built in 1957. painting the building’s exterior walls. GC Ventures FL first among the bid-
business in the Minneapolis area. ders based on qualifications, technical
Falls said GC Ventures FL’s ability to In addition, Studebaker plans to ex- operations (menu, staffing, marketing
The proposal states GCVentures’ part- open earlier than the other finalists pand both breakfast and lunch menus. and plans to upgrade the premises)
ners, Anderson Studebaker and Wylon was among the factors considered by and proposed lease terms.
Wong, have a combined 50 years-plus the evaluation committee. In its request for proposals, the city
in the restaurant and bar business. stated its desire for the restaurant to After ranking the seven companies
“Any renovations will be done at their be open during same hours as Jaycee that submitted proposals, the commit-
Falls presented the evaluation commit- expense,” he added, “unless we find a Park, which would be from 7 a.m. to tee invited the four finalists to make oral
tee’s recommendation to the City Council major defect in the building, which we 10 p.m. daily, and GC Ventures FL in- presentations. Only three showed up: GC
at its May 3 meeting, where council mem- don’t expect to happen.” cluded those hours in its bid. Ventures FL, the Fellsmere-based M&M
bers voted unanimously to authorize him Florida Juice Company, and the Stuart-
to begin negotiations with the compa- In his letter to the city, Studebaker However, Falls said the city planned based Oceanside Restaurant Group,
ny, which is seeking a 20-year lease with wrote that his company would embrace to require that the restaurant be open which operates seven Mulligan’s Beach
two five-year options. the “same philosophy” as the Culum- for breakfast and lunch, “and possibly House restaurants between Sebastian
bers, longtime island residents who op- for an evening meal, but not too late.” and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
GC Ventures FL has proposed paying erated the iconic, oceanfront eatery for
30 years before retiring last month. The Culumbers operated the restau- CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
rant from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily.



8 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Seaside Grill 5,000-square-foot, two-story restaurant weekends – offering a full liquor bar Beach,” the Oceanside proposal stated.
that would be marketed as a “world- and featuring live music. The evaluation committee, howev-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 class destination with upscale dining.”
The restaurant would employ a “five- er, decided a restaurant of that stature
It was George Hart’s Oceanside group “The Vero Beach Grille & Oyster star chef” who would prepare “high- and magnitude might be a better fit
that pitched the most intriguing plan, Bar,” as it was called in the proposal, quality seafood and steaks” served in as part of the proposed development
offering to build a new $5 million, would be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. a “rustic modern setting surrounded of the city’s so-called Three Corners
during the week – and until 11 p.m. on by highlights of the history of Vero site. 

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10 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Vero downtown rail crossings Railroad crossings at 17th Street, 23rd
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Street, 14th Avenue and 26th Street will
also be upgraded for high-speed passen-
The rail company plans to commence ger trains in August, with all four under
high-speed passenger service between construction between Aug. 9 and Aug. 18.
Orlando and South Florida in 2023 with
32 trains per day zipping through Indi- Brightline plans to start construction
an River County at up to 110 mph. on the 17th Street railroad crossing on
Aug. 2 and finish work by Aug. 18.
Brightline settled a long-running le-
gal and political struggle with Indian Meanwhile, Brightline scheduled
River County in June 2021 by agreeing construction on the railroad crossings
to construct $31.6 million worth of safe- at 23rd Street, 14th Avenue and 26th
ty measures at the county’s 32 railroad Street to start on Aug. 9 and be com-
crossings and along publicly accessible pleted by Aug. 27.
sections of the tracks.
The final downtown railroad cross-
DowntownVero Beach businesses and ing – 21st Street – will be under con-
patrons will face railroad crossing clo- struction from Sept. 6 through Sept. 25,
sures and detours throughout the sum- Brightline’s construction advisory says.
mer.
In Gifford, the railroad crossing at
Starting May 31, motorists traveling 43rd Street will be closed for recon-
westbound on SR 60 West/20th Street struction from May 19 through May
will be directed to travel north on 11th 27, with traffic being detoured to the
Avenue to 21st Street, travel west on 45th Street crossing.
21st Street to 14th Avenue and south
on 14th Avenue to 20th Street, Bright- In South Vero, Brightline plans to
line said in a construction advisory. close the Highland Drive railroad cross-
ing for reconstruction from June 13
After completing construction on SR through June 29. Traffic will be detoured
60 West, Brightline contractors intend to to 9th Street.
move to the eastbound 19th Place rail-
road crossing on July 5 and finish work Brightline has also ramped up con-
on July 23. struction in Sebastian, where the rail-
road crossing at Barber Street was closed
Next up, Brightline contractors are last Friday (May 13) and will reopen
set to start work on the Aviation Bou- Monday (May 23). Traffic is being de-
levard railroad crossing on July 16 and toured to Schuman Drive.
complete the job on July 30.
Earlier in May, Brightline closed rail-
road crossings at 99th Street and 85th
Street. 

Hard to tell if COVID-19 cases rising here

BY LISA ZAHNER Since the spring of 2020, a total of 655
deaths of Indian River County residents
Staff Writer have been attributed to COVID-19 in-
fection, 200 of those in nursing homes
Are new COVID-19 infections rising and assisted-living facilities. Eighty-five
or falling locally? COVID-positive people have died since
Christmas, according to a May 7 report
That question – on the minds of from the Florida Department of Health,
many as the global pandemic contin- including three deaths in the last three
ues – deserves an answer. But govern- weeks.
ment health officials had no intention
last week of making that information One positive indicator is that the
available. number of COVID-positive patients at
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
The Florida Department of Health declined by 38 percent this week.
now only publishes numbers every
other week, and the Centers for Disease Hospital spokesperson Arlene Al-
Control and Prevention also has no case len-Mitchell said on Monday that five
data on the county level from the state COVID-positive patients were in the
this week, so we have no clue whether hospital and none of those five was
new infections are rising or falling. in the Intensive Care Unit. Last week,
eight COVID-positive patients were in
Statewide, Florida’s cases continue to the hospital.
inch upward a slight 2.7 percent, with
33,900 new infections reported across The CDC COVID Data Tracker says
the state over the past week, accord- 11 people were admitted to hospitals
ing to the CDC. Most of Florida, except countywide with COVID-19 in the past
Broward and Miami-Dade counties, are week.
currently considered areas of low com-
munity transmission. Seventy-six percent of Indian River
County adults and 95 percent of seniors
The Indian River County School Dis- age 65 and older are considered “fully
trict’s COVID statistics remained flat, vaccinated.” Those numbers have not
with five active cases reported this week changed much in recent months. 
and five last week.



12 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

MY Don’t expect a change soon in the county’s urban services boundary
VERO

BY RAY MCNULTY ment, especially along the 58th Avenue  Where will the thousands of peo- which is seeking the community’s in-
Staff Writer corridor in the county’s midsection. ple who work in the service industry put on future land-use strategies.
that dominates our local economy –
We see the increasing traffic conges- And we can’t help but wonder: as well as entry-level teachers, nurses, “It can be difficult to get people in-
tion on our roadways, especially along  When will the county need to look police officers, firefighters and local- volved in planning for the future, un-
the mainland’s major arteries. to the west and expand its urban ser- government employees – find homes less there’s a tangible project, such as
vices boundaries, which were drawn in they can afford, even as renters? the road in front of your house,” Coun-
We see the thousands of newcom- the 1980s? ty Community Development Director
ers who’ve poured into our communi-  How much growth can the county Those topics and others are being Phil Matson said.
ty, and driven the county’s population endure and still maintain the small- discussed in a new series of “vision-
beyond 160,000. town feel and relaxed quality of life that ing workshops” hosted by the county’s “But given the gravity of the study, we
attracted so many of us? Metropolitan Planning Organization, want a robust discussion,” he added,
We see all the new residential develop- “so this is a full-court press to get the
community’s input in the process.”

The MPO is particularly eager to hear
from younger people, who too often
don’t participate in these discussions,
which will impact their futures here.

Previous workshops were held in
October and February, but the County
Commission requested that another
round be scheduled this spring, resulting
in two sessions being held Monday – one
each in Fellsmere and Sebastian – and a
third Tuesday at Indian River State Col-
lege’s Richardson Center inVero Beach.

Two more workshops are scheduled
for Wednesday (May 25) at the Vero
Beach Community Center (2 p.m.) and
the county’s Intergenerational Recre-
ation Center (6 p.m.).

Matson said the challenges of man-
aging growth, preserving our quality
of life and providing affordable hous-
ing are driving the discussions.

“There’s pressure coming from all
sides,” Matson said. “We need to address
the problems associated with growth,
which means growing without the traf-
fic congestion and urbanization we see
in South Florida.

“It can be done.”
After the study is completed and
strategies have been devised, the MPO
will present a report to the County Com-
mission, probably in the fall of 2024.
Will one of those strategies involve
expanding the urban services area to
the west?
Former County Commissioner Bob So-
lari, a fierce advocate for affordable hous-
ing, said it’s “unconscionable” that people
who provide the services that enhance
our community can’t afford to live here.
He strongly advocates for expanding
the urban services area – even to I-95
and beyond – to encourage construc-
tion of homes working folks can afford.
But County Commissioner Joe Fle-
scher doesn’t believe expanding the
urban services area is necessary.
“No, no, no – not in the foreseeable
future, anyway,” “I don’t know what the
solution is to the challenges we face,
but I don’t believe draconian expansion
of the urban services area is the answer.
“I don’t want to encourage out-of-
control growth,” he said. “We’ve got to
remember why we live here.” 

‘TIPSY TURTLE’ RACE ADVANCES
COASTAL CONNECTIONS’ MISSION P. 22

Christy Strater, Sara Dipardo,
Cathy Morrison and Erika Wright.

14 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

At Camp Haven gala, cherishing tales of transformation

Diana Stark and Louise Hubbard. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES Steven Fishman and Bonnie Josephson. Graham Smith and Karen Smith.

Drs. Rick and Nancy Baker, with Sarah Logemann and Linda and Gordon Stewart. Dr. Thomas and Donna Spackman.

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF disorder and over time changed his Haven is in and of itself an expression “Louise is a true friend of the home-
Staff Writer behaviors. of their hope for something better in less. She helps all the homeless. The
their lives. Hope is great. It’s beautiful. kind that we take care of and that no-
Donors and supporters of Camp “I’m very thankful for this place. It’s wonderful. It’s the start of recov- body takes care of,” said Stewart.
Haven sparkled with generosity at the When they get people in, they can ery, but it only becomes meaningful
Diamonds in the Rough Gala at Bent rehabilitate them. It’s a real positive when it’s backed up by commitment Stewart also said they have insti-
Pine Golf Club to benefit the trans- thing,” said Slocum. and action,” said Pelletier. tuted a fund to continue counseling
formational shelter for homeless and and support services to graduates of
at-risk men. Alumnus Mike Digman, who at- The evening was a stunning hit, the program for a year or two as they
tended the event with his wife and with more than $110,000 raised transition back into society. Addition-
During a sumptuous dinner, guests children, said he became addicted to through auction items and donations ally, they plan to ease the stress for
heard via videos from several Camp painkillers after a series of sports in- made during a Call to the Heart led by graduates willing to sign a pledge dur-
Haven graduates, who spoke about juries. Unable to hold a job or manage auctioneer Wesley Davis. ing their transition period, by assist-
the impact Camp Haven has made his life, he became homeless, but to- ing with unexpected expenses such as
upon their lives. day he is married, has a newborn and Among the fantastic auction items, skyrocketing rents and medical emer-
a stepdaughter, is employed and has one stood out: a bonsai-style bougain- gencies.
Dan Bradley said his life began to plans for the future. villea lovingly tended to by another
unravel after he responded to the graduate, Jerry Ross, who had dug up “Camp Haven is about providing
2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School “If you are at the end of your rope the struggling tree from Camp Haven, services to homeless and at-risk men.
shooting, turning to alcohol and and running into a wall every single tending and shaping it over the years. Our job is to help them rebuild their
drugs to soften the effects of PTSD. time, give Camp Haven a shot. You’ll lives so that they can get reestablished
When he finally hit “rock bottom,” be able to become a productive mem- “This was his absolute prize pos- in our community,” said Chuck Brad-
he turned to Camp Haven, where its ber of society and a good family mem- session. It was the one thing that he ley, executive director.
structured environment helped turn ber,” said Digman. loved out of all his bonsai trees more
his life around. than anything. It held tremendous Since opening eight years ago, 241
Camp Haven board member Steve value to him. He was proud of it,” said men have benefited from programs
Tim Slocum became homeless Pelletier said that while he has never Adam Logemann, board member. and services such as psychological
six days after graduating from high been homeless, he did once struggle and life skill counseling, personal fi-
school and remained so before dis- with alcoholism. Gordon Stewart, board president, nance education, and employment
covering Camp Haven. Through announced that this year’s Diamond assistance.
counseling sessions, he was diag- “I only made it this far with a lot of Award recipient was Louise Hubbard,
nosed with obsessive compulsive help from a lot of people,” said Pelle- Treasure Coast Homeless Services For more information, visit camp
tier, now 30 years sober. Council executive director. haven.net. 

“The fact that men do come to Camp

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 15

PEOPLE

Chuck Bradley with Robin and Brian Korkus. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Ron and Nancy Rosner. Shotsi Lajoie with Wilfred and Dorothy Hart.

PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Marcia and Gavin Ruotolo.

Jennifer and Gabe White.

16 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Howard and Phyllis Brewer.
Victoria and Alan Schommer.

Lulu and Jamie McAndrews. Candace and Randy MacMillan. Bernadette and Mike Emerick.

VERO BEACH’S PREMIER Bill and Libby King with Sally and John Pearse.
COUNTRY CLUB COMMUNITY Mel and Linda Teetz with Angela Oliver-Burgess and Leonard Bleile.

Every luxury and amenity imaginable awaits you inside of Oak Harbor’s
clubhouse. Join us for a wide range of social and wellness programs

as well as our award winning cuisine in our richly appointed dining room.
Enjoy golf on our Joe Lee designed golf course with no greens or cart
fees. Tennis, Croquet, Bocce, Pickle Ball and a heated pool
are just a few of the other outdoor activities.

Fully licensed On-site Assisted Living Facility and In-Home Healthcare.
Transportation, Housekeeping and Maintenance services available.

4755 S Harbor Drive • Vero Beach, Florida 32967 • www.oakharborfl.com • 772.562.3808

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 17

PEOPLE

Stewart and Megan Massey with Bob Gibb. Adam Logemann with Max and Judith Thyssen.

Lisa Gehin and Joanne Knoetgen. Greg and Angela Nelson. Lisa Rymer and Sabre Mochachino.

Willie and Lisa Bullock with Steve and Sallyan Pelletier.

Justin Stallard and Taylor Davis with Tonya and Wesley Davis.

18 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

Via outreach funding, ‘Circle’ women again do their part for art

Kate Walsh, Christine Ryall and Sara Klein. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES Cathy Cronin, Lyn Adams and Pam Larrick.

BY MARY SCHENKEL “There’s a renewed energy, excite- five programs under consideration content determined by the veterans’
Staff Writer ment, enthusiasm, vitality in the and a total of $36,250 to award. interests; and the Senior Resource
Circle,” said Becky Torbin, outgoing Association Partnership, which of-
Members of the Circle, a philan- chairwoman of the steering com- Before she provided an overview fers Artful Engagement and Move-
thropic cadre of women who support mittee, thanking everyone who had of each of the programs, Robyn Or- ment in the Moment classes at its
the Vero Beach Museum of Art edu- a part in the group’s achievements. zel VBMA director of development, Vero Beach and Sebastian locations.
cational outreach programs, gath- commented that despite the great
ered recently to determine which “This is the culmination of a sea- challenges over the past couple of Torbin announced that Trudy
programs they would fund in this son in evaluating the programs that years, the Circle had risen above Powers Hoffman would be the new
coming season. have been presented for funding,” them all. Circle chair, with Susie Kintner in a
said Torbin, adding that there were newly created co-chair position.
“The Circle’s funding of these pro-
grams is a way for you to endorse While the votes were being tallied,
what we’re doing as an organization the two ladies shared their vision for
and it’s helping us to achieve the re- the sustainable growth of the Circle
sults that we want to achieve with all over the next five years and beyond.
of these populations,” said Orzel. They were assisted by Pam Larrick
and Cathy Cronin, who have worked
Once the ballots were counted, on a comprehensive strategic plan
Torbin said members had decided that will be presented in detail in
to fully fund the Alzheimer and Par- November.
kinson Association Partnership and
partially fund Museum Explora- “My first job of the 2022-2023 sea-
tions. son is going to be to thank you for re-
sponding to our survey,” said Hoff-
The Alzheimer and Parkinson man, who proceeded to comment on
program launched in 2016 with Mu- some of the key results.
sic and Movement at the Museum.
Subsequent programs have included The model of the Circle over the
Music and Movement in the Mo- past 13 years has been to have mem-
ment, and Artful Engagement class- bers contribute $250 or more per
es at Indian River Shores and Vero year and, after narrowing down the
Beach locations. list of programs under consider-
ation, to vote on which ones to fund.
The goal of Museum Explorations, Members have donated more than
which is available to all public, pri- $400,000 to VBMA educational pro-
vate and homeschool groups and grams since its inception.
organizations, is to “enhance visual
literacy, critical thinking and so- Through the survey, she said
cio-emotional learning through art members overwhelmingly agreed
museum experiences” via museum to raise the dues to $350 to be able
tours, art kits and engagement. to give at the same level as 13 years
ago, and they also hope to double
A Pre-K at the VBMA program, tar- the number of Circle members in the
geting local Title 1 schools, with visits next five years.
on site, take-home art projects, and
professional development opportuni- “That’s one more friend for each
ties for teachers, didn’t make the ini- one of us. I think we could do it
tial cut, but a Circle member stepped much sooner than five years, but
up at the last minute to fund it. our goal is to do it in five years,” said
Hoffman.
The others under consideration
were a Veterans Program, offering For more information, visit VB
art experiences to veterans through Museum.org 
three five-week classes, with course

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 19

PEOPLE

Carol Ross and Diane Ross. Gail Prauss and Nancy Cutshall. Barbara Ruddy and Cindy Gedeon.

Margaret Gumbel, Gerri Smith and Elise Geary. Diana Davis, Sharon Novak and Rita Mergemekes. Lee Albro, Jean DeSantis and Holly Lentini.

Becky Torbin and Trudy Powers Hoffman. Mary Wright and Tammy Kennedy.

Susie Kintner and Pam Larrick. Linda Downey and Sue Sharpe.





22 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Tipsy Turtle’ race advances Coastal Connections’ mission

BY KERRY FIRTH Brandon Rinchack, first place. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES to start the day and support our sea should be long wavelengths (red
Correspondent turtles.” or orange), low to the ground and
draisers and a chance to create com- shielded. Special turtle-safe light
It may be named the Tipsy Turtle munity awareness about sea turtle Younger runners had fun partici- testing cards are available for busi-
race, but the 240 runners who gath- nesting season, which started March pating in a Hatchling Dash, sprinting nesses to determine whether the ar-
ered at Sexton Plaza on a glorious 1 and runs through October. All the in the sand and dodging obstacles, tificial lighting they use is sea turtle-
Saturday morning looked more like funds raised today will go toward lo- much like the sea turtle hatchlings friendly.
rabbits as they dashed across the cal sea turtle conservation.” do after scrambling out of their nests
2-mile finish line in record times. and making a dash to the ocean. Vol- Proceeds from the Tipsy Turtle
The mad dash raised funds and “I train every day, and this is so unteers, dressed as predators such race also help fund Coastal Connec-
awareness to help the nonprofit much fun with people of all ages as crabs and raccoons and beach de- tions’ free educational programs of-
Coastal Connections protect coastal and abilities,” said Brandon Rin- bris such as plastic bags and fishing fered to the public, including night-
habitats for sea turtle survival. chack, the first runner to cross the nets, represented the various hur- time turtle walks, coastal cleanups,
finish line. “Plus, it’s a beautiful way dles sea turtle hatchlings encounter the beach litter baskets at all public
Post-race, participants hydrated along the way. beach accesses, and the Vero goes
with water before helping them- Zero program, which provides local
selves to quiche, fruit cups and pas- One of the biggest hurdles for sea restaurants with single use plastic
tries donated by Chelsea’s Gourmet, turtles and hatchlings is the distrac- alternatives.
mimosas from Mulligan’s Beach tion from lights on the beach ema-
House and beer from Sailfish Brew- nating from homes, businesses and Coastal Connections has grown
ing Co. hotels. Coastal Connections volun- considerably since its 2017 incep-
teers were happy to educate every- tion. The organization has increased
“This is more than a race,” said one about the danger of beachfront from an initial eight volunteers, into
Kendra Cope, founder and executive lighting during nesting season. Arti- a thriving, environmental nonprofit
director of Coastal Connections. ficial light can draw hatchlings away that drives eco-tourism with a force
from the sea and into danger and of more than 100 community volun-
“This an opportunity for families can also deter females from nesting teers each year.
to come out to the beach, have some on the beach at night.
fun and learn a bit more about the For more information, visit coastal-
plight of the sea turtles. The Tipsy According to FWC lighting guide- connections.org. 
Turtle race is one of our biggest fun- lines, sea turtle-friendly lights

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 23

PEOPLE

Tara Perrin, first female finisher. Alexander Bryant and Cammie Bryant. Nicholas Corcoran and Kimberly Corcoran. Brandon Reynolds with Isobel,
Thomas and Ellie Reynolds

Kristine Meyers, Krista Sadlers and Craig Meyers. Janice Sewell, Egidijus Jankevicius and Brianna Webb. Kare Benson, Anne Cahill and Sherri Davis.

24 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Mad Hatters’ fundraiser suits scholarship winners to a ‘Tea’

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF Pam Cooper and Mary McReynolds. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 26
Catherine Schofield, Sharon Hammond and Gail DeRoy.
Staff Writer Lorraine Mims, Jan Wilson, Karen Foltz and Sandy Fowler. grade, shared that she has attended
GYAC since kindergarten. She said that
The Vero Beach Women’s Club her experiences there have helped her
put the kettle on for its second an- to grow, exposing her to programs and
nual Mad Hatters Tea Party, to raise activities that she otherwise would not
scholarship money for college- have experienced.
bound young ladies attending the
Gifford Youth Achievement Center. “Lenore is a good student. The fact
that she’s still here speaks to her love
Dressed in their Sunday best and of the program and the staff,” noted
adorned with hats bursting with a Perry.
garden’s worth of color, women and
young ladies enjoyed an afternoon Tyjah Warner, an eighth-grade stu-
tea at the Women’s Club’s historic dent at Oslo Middle School, described
landmark building. Three-tiered GYAC as a wonderful place to be.
serving stands, piled with finger
sandwiches and bite-size sweets “The teachers care about the stu-
catered by Adrienne Drew, sat atop dents and their education. GYAC helps
tables beautifully decorated with students strive for academic excel-
vintage teacups and tablecloths. lence, respect and community involve-
ment,” said Warner.
Members of the Gifford Youth Or-
chestra provided the musical enter- One could almost sense the approval
tainment, a fitting pairing, noted of Irene Young, who founded the VBWC
GYO founder Rev. Dr. Crystal Bujol, in 1915, originally as the Woman’s
who called the GYAC its cousin be- Unity Club. As the wife of Anthony W.
cause of their tangential missions. Young, Vero’s first mayor, she sought to
provide women with a conduit to help
Both nonprofits promote the de- the community.
velopment of self-esteem and char-
acter by encouraging children to With renewed vigor, the VBWC has
reach their full potential. GYO does had an influx of new members and
so through musical and cultural ed- is planning to renovate the historic
ucation, while GYAC does so through building, an icon of Vero’s history. The
academic tutoring and mentoring, building was added to the U.S. National
and exposure to career options in Register of Historic Places in February
the arts, science, math and litera- 1995 and is available for event rentals.
ture.
For more information, visit Vero-
Other amusements included a si- BeachWomensClub.org. 
lent auction and an Easter Bonnet
competition, with attendees vying
for the title of Best British Hat, Best
in Show, and Most Colorful/Origi-
nal.

“A tea party is a wonderful way to
bring women together,” said Gail Al-
exander, VBWC vice president.

The nonprofit club, whose motto
is “In unity there is strength,” raised
nearly double the amount of funds
as last year, enabling them to pro-
vide scholarships to three deserving
young women.

“The Vero Beach Women’s Club
Scholarship helps us provide schol-
arships to GYAC’s former and cur-
rent high school students headed off
to college,” said Angelia Perry, GYAC
executive director, adding that the
funding helps students with tuition,
books and other expenses.

“This makes a difference to these
students. They’re very appreciative
of the funds they receive because
they know it helps offset some of
those out-of-pocket expenses,” said
Perry.

Lenore Carter, currently in ninth



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Island and is unparalleled in age, quality, design and location. The coveted waterfront gated neighborhood consists of only 7 properties. Exclusive to each owner is a
beautiful meditation garden and kayak launching ramp. The renowned Palm Beach architect, Randal Stofft, strategically designed the home to showcase the 400 linear
ft of seawalled riverfront through the massive impact windows, doors, lanai and balconies. The exquisite 4,737 air-conditioned living space boasts 3 ensuite bedrooms,
with a first-floor master bedroom, 3 full baths, 3 1/2 baths, an office, gym, and art room; all with glorious riverfront views. This beautiful home also has a 3-car garage
with storage abound. The elegant appointments, coffered ceilings, white oak flooring, “state of the art” marble, tile, and polished nickel lighting will be the envy of any
designer. The brilliantly designed bright kitchen, with all custom cabinetry and quartz surfaces will surely delight any “Master Chef”. The 2-story foyer is graced with
a “Trophy” white oak staircase and an advanced technology elevator. All bathrooms are beautifully designed with custom detail, incomparable tile and cabinetry. The
amazing sunsets across the Indian River are unencumbered with breathtaking views from all rooms in the home. Enjoy the views from the “Al-Fresco” 1000+ sq. ft floor
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$1,890,000 $3,500,000

Orchid Island Estates gated waterfront estate. Welcome to the Sensazionale “Casa di Gioia”.
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banks of Indian River. Adjacent spoil island is 10+-Acres is country living with city conve-
home to many rare Audubon species. 13 an- nience. 6 bd, 4-1/2 baths 5248 sf courtyard &
cient oaks & 22 palms grace this tropical para- pool, 1000 sf fire pit space, 480 sf guest house,
dise. Water views abound. The screened pool pond, 2 master suites, 1 up/1 down, elevator.
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Bay Island Club Units 304 & 402 Silver Palm Drive Surf Club Sold 2 of 11 units Oceangate Condo

26 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 Annabel Schlitt, Katie Schlitt, Olivia Luther and Neriah Schlitt. Ali Schlitt, Rebecca Schlitt and Iga Luther.
Charlotte Terry, Mary Jane Stewart and Kate Moor.

Joan Hoben and Lucy Hamilton. Tatiana Wallace, Crystal Bujol and Lynn DiMenna. Laura Moss and Stephanie Nelson. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES

Gretchen Terry Hibbard and Celeta Arden. Gail Alexander and Janet Hoffman.

Tyjah Warner, Angelia Perry, Christel Jones and Lenore Carter.



If it flew, and that was very much a big if, the lit- would be hard to reach on the ground, and served on Mars more than a year ago, Ingenuity missed a
tle helicopter would take to the skies on Mars five as a surprisingly resilient scout that has adapted to planned communications session with Persever-
times – max – over a period of 31 days. the changing Martian atmosphere and survived its ance, the Mars rover that it relies on to send data
harsh dust storms and frigid nights. and receive commands from Earth.
But over the past year, the plucky little helicopter
known as Ingenuity has taken to the Martian skies Now the engineers and scientists at NASA’s Jet Will a dust-coated Ingenuity survive a Martian
28 times, far exceeding expectations and giving sci- Propulsion Laboratory are worried that their four- winter where temperatures routinely plunge below
entists a new vantage point on the Red Planet. pound, solar-powered drone on Mars, may be minus-100 degrees Fahrenheit? And if it doesn’t,
nearing the end of its life. how should the world remember the little helicop-
Over the past 13 months, it has stayed aloft in ter that cost $80 million to develop and more than
total for nearly an hour, traveling nearly 4.3 miles, Winter is setting in on Mars. The dust is kicking five years to design and build? Those closest to the
with a max speed of 12.3 mph and reaching a top up, coating Ingenuity’s solar panels and prevent- project say that as time winds down for Ingenuity,
altitude of 39 feet. ing it from fully charging its six lithium-ion batter- it’s hard to overstate its achievements.
ies. This month, for the first time since it landed
It’s traversed craters, taken photos of regions that

The Mars 2020 Perseverance
Rover. The rover has a drill to
collect core samples of Martian
rock and soil, then store them
in sealed tubes for pickup by a
future mission that would ferry
them back to Earth for detailed
analysis.

This illustration shows Ingenuity
after takeoff on Mars.

NASA’s aviation experts in
atmospheric flight shared their
experience with the helicopter’s
designers to help ensure the
technology demonstration on
the Red Planet will be a success.

“The helicopter has just far exceeded those ini- Perseverance touched down in a dramatic landing to spin incredibly fast – 2,500 rotations per minute.
tial expectations,“ Lori Glaze, the director of NASA’s in February 2021 under a parachute with a secret “We built it as an experiment,” Glaze said. “So it
planetary science division, told TheWashington Post. code snuck inside that read, “Dare Mighty Things.”
didn’t necessarily have the flight-qualified parts that
Given the thinness of the Martian atmosphere, the The rover, the size of an SUV, landed at an area we use on the big missions like Perseverance.” Some,
scientists and engineers who worked on the Ingenu- of Mars known as Jezero crater, which once held such as components from smartphones, were even
ity weren’t sure the experiment would succeed at all. water and could yield clues to the history of the bought off-the-shelf, so “there were chances that they
Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator of planet and whether life existed there. The rover is might not perform in the environment as we expect-
NASA’s science mission directorate, said at the time gathering rocks and soil samples that NASA hopes ed. And so there was a risk that it wasn’t going to work.”
will be returned to Earth in a future mission, as well
that it was an endeavor that forced NASA to find the as using its seven instruments to conduct science As Ingenuity kept flying, controllers on the ground
“right line between crazy and innovative.” experiments and test new technologies. started to realize their little project could accom-
So when the first flight, on April 19, 2021, was plish big things. Before its fifth flight, they wrote in
a success, NASA heralded it as a Wright Broth- Ingenuity was something of an add-on, a tech- a blog post that “our helicopter is even more robust
ers moment. As a tribute, Ingenuity had a nology demonstration that could prove useful for than we had hoped. The power system that we fret-
postage-size bit of fabric from the brothers’ future missions and allow the space agency’s scien- ted over for years is providing more than enough
aircraft, known as the Flyer, attached to a ca- tists to explore more of the Martian landscape than energy to keep our heaters going at night and to fly
ble under the solar panel. they could by land alone. during the day. The off-the-shelf components for
Ingenuity flew to Mars tethered to the un- our guidance and navigation systems are also doing
derbelly of the Perseverance Rover, the star of But flying an autonomous drone on Mars would great, as is our rotor system. You name it, and it’s do-
NASA’s most recent Mars mission. After travel- be extremely difficult. The atmosphere there is just ing just fine or better.”
ing some 300 million miles over seven months, 1 percent the density of Earth’s, so to generate lift,
the helicopter’s four-feet-wide blades would have COVER STORY CONTINUED ON PAGE 30

This image of the "back- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 29
shell" that protected the
Mars Perseverance rover As it continued to perform, the sci-
and the parachute that entists at NASA became increasingly
helped it descend to the intrigued by the idea that maybe this
Martian surface was taken helicopter could become an integral
by the Ingenuity helicopter part of the mission.
on April 19, 2020.
“What happened was, and this is re-
ally key, after Ingenuity performed so
well on those first five flights, the sci-
ence team from Perseverance came to
us and said, ‘You know what, we want
this helicopter to keep operating to
help us in our exploration and achiev-
ing our science goals,’ ” Glaze said.

So NASA decided to keep flying.
On its sixth flight, Ingenuity ran
into trouble. The helicopter navigates
with a camera that takes 30 pictures a
second of the terrain below, each with
a timestamp. An algorithm predicts
what the camera should have seen at
that particular moment based on im-
ages taken moments before. Then it
calculates the difference between the
predicted location and the actual lo-
cation of features of the ground to cor-
rect its position, velocity and altitude.
But on this flight, the timestamps
were off. As a result, Ingenuity looked
like it was being flown by a drunk driver,
“adjusting its velocity and tilting back
and forth in an oscillating pattern,”
NASA said in the blog.

Ingenuity being inspected
at the Kennedy Space
Center for the final time
before being attached to
the Perseverance rover.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 31

INSIGHT COVER STORY

Still, it was able to land safely within ware, close up, in such high-definition So the next day, as the sun rose and munications session does not mean
16 feet of its target because of “the con- that the “Dare-Mighty-Things” encod- began to charge the batteries, the heli- Ingenuity is out of the woods. The in-
siderable effort that has gone into en- ed into the chute was visible through a copter was out of sync with the rover: creased (light-reducing) dust in the air
suring that the helicopter’s flight con- thin coating of red Martian dust. “Essentially, when Ingenuity thought it means charging the helicopter’s batter-
trol system has ample ‘stability margin,’ was time to contact Perseverance, the ies to a level that would allow important
” NASA wrote. In other words: “In a very Then, 10 days later, on April 29, it took rover’s base station wasn’t listening," components (like the clock and heaters)
real sense, Ingenuity muscled through its last flight to date, No. 28, a quarter- NASA wrote. to remain energized through the night
the situation.” of-a-mile jaunt that lasted two-and-a- presents a significant challenge.”
half minutes. Now NASA wonders if that Then NASA did something extraor-
Flight 9, in July, was also a “nail biter,” will be the last one. dinary: Mission controllers command- Maybe Ingenuity will fly again. May-
as NASA wrote. Not just because Inge- ed Perseverance to spend almost all of be not.
nuity broke records for flight duration The space agency thinks the heli- May 5 listening for the helicopter.
and cruise speed, but because it flew copter’s inability to fully charge its bat- “At this point, I can’t tell you what’s go-
over a crater, “an area called ‘Séítah’ teries caused the helicopter to enter Finally, little Ingenuity phoned home. ing to happen next,” Glaze said. “We’re
that would be difficult to traverse with a low-power state. When it went dor- The radio link, NASA said, “was sta- still working on trying to find a way to fly
a ground vehicle like the Perseverance mant, the helicopter’s onboard clock ble,” the helicopter was healthy, and the it again. But Perseverance is the primary
rover,” NASA wrote in its blog. reset, the way household clocks do af- battery was charging at 41 percent. mission, so that we need to start setting
ter a power outage. But, as NASA warned, “one radio com- our expectations appropriately.” 
Because Ingenuity was designed as
an experimental technology demon-
stration, engineers designed it to fly
over largely flat terrain, more easily nav-
igated by its onboard camera. For this
flight, however, Ingenuity would have
to dip into the crater. That required it
to reduce its speed and for engineers to
tweak the navigation algorithm.

The flight was a success, and Inge-
nuity was able to beam back colored
photos of the region, including a loca-
tion that some think “may record some
of the deepest water environments in
old Lake Jezero,” NASA wrote. “Given
the tight mission schedule, it’s pos-
sible that they will not be able to visit
these rocks with the rover, so Ingenu-
ity may offer the only opportunity to
study these deposits in any detail.”

Since then, Ingenuity has soldiered
on, overcoming obstacle after obstacle.
At one point in September, it detected
an engine problem during its preflight
checkout “and did exactly what it was
supposed to do: It canceled the flight.”

About a month later, the problem
was fixed, and it returned to flight.

In April, it made another discovery
– flying over the parachute that slowed
the rover for its Mars landing, it spot-
ted the ruins of the shell that had pro-
tected the rover as it plunged toward
the Martian surface. There was a pair
of human-made objects, sitting on
another planet, images that “just blew
my mind,” Glaze said.

In the past, NASA has been able to
spot vehicles on the surface of Mars
through an orbiting spacecraft far
away. But here were pieces of hard-

32 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT EDITORIAL

Approximately a million people have died from crossers? There was never much of an explanation. example, quarantine recommendations from the
Covid-19 in the US. The country now faces a new By then it was already clear that Covid had spread CDC still define exposure as spending more than 15
surge in BA.2 and BA.2.12.1; other variants are likely across the country. minutes within six feet of an infected person. But
to follow. Yet Americans are now packing into res- the risk of being in the same room at all with an in-
taurants, parties and exercise classes as if it’s 2019. Public health measures for the rest of the pan- fected person is much higher than being within six
demic were equally confusing and often not science- feet outside.
It’s easy to blame Covid fatigue, but that may based. Things like plexiglass dividers and supermar-
not be the problem. People are confused, badly in- ket one-way arrows probably didn’t save any lives. At this point, smart, well-targeted recommenda-
formed, and cynical for good reason – the public tions might be more life-saving than muddled man-
health establishment has let us down many times, Mask mandates were the centerpiece of all rules, dates. We need better data about the relative risk of
underplaying the risk early, making rules that were and there’s good evidence that N-95 and KN95 masks eating in restaurants outdoors and indoors, the risk
geared as much for show as for our protection, and are protective – but the efficacy of the cloth and sur- associated with different kinds of shops, hair parlors
blaming us for their failures. gical masks most people use remains in question. and gyms, as well as public transportation and gath-
It was a mostly empty gesture to require people to erings at home.
Now mandates are becoming less popular, and wear them to and from restaurant tables.
people are being left to make more of their own When cases start to climb, the CDC could save
choices, or as the New Yorker phrased it: “Americans The messages the public got on pandemic safety lives by issuing clear warnings about the riskiest
knew what was allowed and what wasn’t. We’re now were often “contradictory, incomprehensible, sanc- places and activities – even if it is bad for the restau-
reverting to the Wild West phase.” timonious and disrespectful,” according to Carnegie rant industry or other businesses.
Mellon University public policy professor Baruch
But the problem isn’t the shift to personal choice. Fischhoff, in an essay for Foreign Policy magazine. The agency could also do better at informing us
It’s that our public health establishment wasn’t very I saw this attitude play out as well; occasionally in how to protect others while still getting back into
good at making effective mandates or giving people my interviews and often on social media, experts ac- the swing of life. That would include up-to-date in-
the information needed to calculate our own risks. cused the public of being too “selfish,” “irrational” or formation on how to decide if you’ve been exposed
“science illiterate” to absorb honest messages. based on the latest understanding of airborne trans-
“What was allowed and what wasn’t” often didn’t mission and incubation time, which is usually short-
make sense – or much of a difference. Over the last When I interviewed Fischhoff for a column this er than originally thought.
two years, Covid rules were formed with many mo- spring, he said that years of research in risk com-
tives in mind beyond public safety; politicians and munication demonstrates the benefit of showing Why not create a new category of possible exposure
business owners wanted to be seen as taking strong people the scientific underpinnings of new policies – something that might encompass going to a large
action to protect voters and customers. But indoor and rules. Failing to do that will leave some people indoor event such as the Gridiron Dinner, or eat-
restaurants were never safe despite extra clean- “feeling that their lives were disrupted for no good ing indoors in a crowded restaurant during a surge?
ing and mask mandates, and parks were unlikely reason and other people feeling they were left need- Many cases could be avoided if people in those cat-
sources of disease. Nonetheless, the rules imposed lessly exposed to risk,” as he put it . egories took at least a few extra precautions for a few
around them rarely reflected current scientific un- days afterward, such as avoiding people who remain
derstanding. The CDC and WHO both owe the public an apol- vulnerable.
ogy for being too slow to accept evidence that Co-
The only time Americans were under any sort of vid-19 is primarily transmitted through small air- Some people are acting as if they are done with
lockdown was during the spring of 2020, when res- borne particles that can infect people over long precautions and ready to accept the risk of catching
taurants, churches, gyms and schools were forced to distances indoors. Their slowness to admit Covid Covid, but many others just want to get back into life
shut down. That was never sustainable, although it was airborne made it harder for public health offi- while still making reasonable choices. Public health
seemed prudent as a short-term measure to prevent cials to give the public credible advice. owes it to us to make that easier. 
hospitals becoming overrun.
Yet even now, public health advice remains hung A version of this column by Faye Flam first appeared
But why did so many governors put checkpoints at up on the disproven notion that you’re safe as long on Bloomberg. It does not necessarily reflect the views
state borders or impose quarantine rules for border as you stay six feet away from unmasked people. For of Vero Beach 32963.

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

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 33

INSIGHT OP-ED

Something went wrong with installa- They stopped the roof work halfway after this I received a bill for $4,672 Normally, a contractor will pull the
tion of Christine Miller's solar panels. through because they had no permit. from Sunrun. Items that had not been necessary permits before starting work.
Now the company that was supposed They had already removed tiles and done were also listed. But in this case, it looks as if they started
to install them has sent her a bill. set new tar paper down. They didn't some preliminary work before applying
put the tiles back. I began contacting the project man- for a permit.
QUESTION: ager, customer care, and the billing de-
Since they abruptly stopped the partment. Nothing has been resolved. I It looks as if Sunrun didn't cancel the
I have a situation with Sunrun, a com- project, I assumed it was canceled do not know how to proceed. This bill project. Instead, it wanted to resolve a
pany that sells and installs solar pan- and asked who was going to put my should be rescinded. permitting issue before continuing.
els. After discussing the need for a roof roof tiles back. One morning the roof- But you didn't have the funds for an
upgrade so that my roof was stable for ers showed up and put the tiles back. ANSWER: expanded project, so Sunrun agreed to
solar panels, Sunrun began work in After a brief conversation with a Sun- cancel the project as long as you paid
preparation for solar panel installa- run employee, I thought the deal was I'm so sorry to hear about your ill- for work already done.
tion before they had a permit. now closed and done. fated solar panel installation. It sure
sounds as if Sunrun missed a step or I think a brief, polite email to Sun-
A few weeks later, I received a phone two before it started work. Since it run might have cleared up some of the
call from Sunrun asking if I had can- abandoned your project, should you confusion. Sunrun should have quick-
celed the project. Because the roof had have to pay for it? ly removed the items it didn't do from
been put back and all seemed closed, I your final bill.
said yes. What I should have said is that Yes and no. Sunrun did some work,
Sunrun halted the project. A few weeks but I'm troubled by the charges for I contacted Sunrun on your behalf.
work that it didn't do. It agreed to reduce the amount of
your bill by $2,336. You aren't happy
with that resolution. You believe the
permits were Sunrun's responsibil-
ity to procure, and that you shouldn't
have to pay anything. You've decided
to consult a lawyer. I wish I could
have done more for you. 

Get help with any consumer prob-
lem by contacting Christopher Elliott at
http://www.elliott.org/help

We’ve Found our
Forever Firm Home
and We’re Moving!

After May 5th, come see us at:

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Call to learn more
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Jennifer D. Peshke, P.A.
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*We will also continue to maintain a second office location in our original location in
Pelican Plaza at 4731 Hwy A1A Vero Beach, Florida 32963 by appointment only

34 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

Before I started reading “In on the Joke: The Original The reason Min- wardrobe and that are scarcely
Queens of Stand-Up Comedy,” I was reasonably sure nie Pearl caught me by known to younger audiences.
I was not interested in learning about Minnie Pearl surprise, it turns out, The shows were generally an
(1912-1996), the country-styled comedian who wore is that her persona was hour long, and guest stars
a straw hat with a price tag hanging off the side and completely invented would do an abbreviated edi-
opened her act by bellowing “Howdy!” I was certain and invested in by one tion of their act and perform
I was familiar with Joan Rivers’s biography as we had Sarah Ophelia Colley, a gamely with an almost Las
briefly worked together on a project and I had been a graduate of posh Ward-
fan of hers for years. Belmont College, where Vegas-style company of sing-
she was a theater ma- ers and dancers.
But Shawn Levy, whose previous books include bi- jor. Though not a fan of
ographies of Jerry Lewis and the Rat Pack, has done a the “hillbilly” arts of the Of all the paths to fame and
sensitive job telling the stories of the nine pioneering Grand Ole Opry, Colley equality in our less-than-fair
women he has designated as those who cracked the auditioned for it and was culture, comedy seems to be
glass ceiling of comedy. a huge hit on the radio among the more retrograde.
institution for years, until Those hoary complaints
Jackie “Moms” Mabley was a Black ex-vaudevillian she had to figure out what that women aren’t funny
born in 1894 (or 1897; birth date is in dispute) in North Minnie Pearl would look (yawn), that funny women
Carolina who ran away with a theatrical troupe, end- like on the new medium of aren’t feminine enough
ing up in Pittsburgh playing in a variety-show sketch television. The costume in (gag) and that men can’t
called “The Rich Aunt in Utah.” Vaudeville, especially which she became famous
on the less-affluent Black tour, required a performer was a hastily improvised stand the implicit competi-
to sing, dance, tell jokes – and do it multiple times a purchase at a Nashville tion they feel from a wom-
day, 30 shows per week. Entertainers might couple up, thrift shop. She died, after a an with a sense of humor
like “Buck and Bubbles,” or emerge a star in their own long career, as an eminence (I can’t hear you) seem to
right, like the actress Ethel Waters and the musician in Nashville. me to be deaf, dumb and
Fats Waller. Mabley’s grandparents had been enslaved. blind. All the women in
Her road to “The Merv Griffin Show” and “The Smoth- Levy salts his texts with anecdotes about Bob this volume had to endure
ers Brothers Comedy Hour” was the least likely of any Hope, who could make comedians stars by featuring that and worse. No one’s parents wanted
of her contemporaries, especially as she performed her them as guests on his many USO tours and TV spe- their daughters to go into comedy. For the women who
act in a housedress and a cap and, later, often without cials. Ed Sullivan, the Broadway columnist turned wanted to be actresses or singers, those careers weren’t
her teeth, playing elderly before she even was. Her ma- Sunday night TV host (when the country had three quite as embarrassing – but the stage was not an ele-
terial was risque, and she was a barely closeted lesbian. networks and only seven channels, everyone watched gant or appropriate setting for a young lady, especially
Her journey was made possible on the Chitlin’ Circuit, him), was even more powerful. Hope and Sullivan a young lady who was in want of a husband.
the network of nightclubs and theaters that catered let Phyllis Diller and other female joke-tellers walk “In on the Joke” demonstrates how tough the work
to Black entertainers and audiences in the 1930s and through their velvet ropes, but the men also kept out was – incessant travel, leaving one’s family for weeks
’40s. Many famous musicians such as Duke Ellington, many would-be entertainers such as Belle Barth, who at a time just to get heckled onstage or fondled back-
Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday and Sammy Davis Jr. got was arrested numerous times for obscenity. She told stage, doesn’t seem so fun. Levy spends too much time
their start at these venues. At Harlem’s renowned Apol- dirty jokes. “She knew she was never going to be on calculating what a 1959 paycheck would be today. We
lo Theater, Mabley killed. Ed Sullivan or Johnny Carson,” Levy writes. As a late- get it: inflation.
night talk show host, Carson helped manage the door Of his nine exemplars, only one is still alive: Elaine
I’d never heard of an entertainer named Jean Carroll, to fame for female stand-up acts. His feud with Joan May. I was so looking forward to reading Levy’s inter-
but like several of the stars in this book, she began her Rivers is a poignant chapter in this book. Needless to view with her and disappointed that her profile was
performing life as a singer-dancer. When she added say, there is no longer any single television impresario written without her input. At the end of his book, Levy
jokes to her repertoire in the 1940s, the term “stand-up with that kind of omnipotence. does list some of the more successful working com-
comic” hadn’t yet been coined. (That would happen in ics who are women. They are not funny despite being
1950, by Variety, the trade magazine.) She was called a Female stand-ups also benefited from the era of women, and they are not funny because they are wom-
“comic monologist,” and she was famous for being at- TV variety shows – hodgepodge programs filled with en. They are funny. 
tractive. From a review: “Miss Carroll does not hurt her something for everyone, like Carol Burnett’s long-
cause by being lovely to look at and by enunciating like running show. It seemed like every performer of the IN ON THE JOKE
an elocution teacher … . Her timing is faultless and the ’60s and ’70s had a variety show – Sonny and Cher,
laughs follow each other in almost unending succes- Glen Campbell, Dean Martin, Rowan and Martin – THE ORIGINAL QUEENS OF STAND-UP COMEDY
sion.” Perhaps she was a real-life inspiration for “The all names that now have the scent of a musty vintage
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” an idea Levy floats a few times. BY SHAWN LEVY | DOUBLEDAY. 383 PP. $30
REVIEW BY LISA BIRNBACH, THE WASHINGTON POST

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 35

INSIGHT BRIDGE

WHEN MUCH YOUNGER, BID MORE WEIRDLY WEST NORTH EAST
J753 K98 42
By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist 7 AKQ62 10 8 4 3
QJ7643 A52 8
Hunter S. Thompson, the founder of the gonzo journalism movement, said, “When the 72 85 A Q 10 9 6 3
going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
SOUTH
Young bridge players experiment with weird bids, usually before they turn pro. In 1974, I A Q 10 6
partnered Dennis Spooner, a former scriptwriter, in a one-day pair event, when this deal J95
occurred. K 10 9
KJ4
I opened the South hand with one heart, promising a four-card or longer suit in the Acol
system we used across the pond. (It seemed like a good idea at the time.) If partner had Dealer: South; Vulnerable: East-West
four-card heart support and game-going values, he had to bid his own suit, then jump
to four hearts, what was called the Delayed Game Raise. (We had not heard about the The Bidding:
Jacoby Forcing Raise.) Instead, Spooner (North) bid his own three-card suit, then, after I
rebid two no-trump, promising 15-17 points, he jumped to six hearts, the Delayed Slam SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
Raise, as he explained afterward. I beat a retreat to six no-trump. 1 Hearts! Pass 2 Diamonds! Pass
2 NT Pass 6 Hearts Pass LEAD:
West led a club. East won with his ace and returned the suit. I was confident that East 6 NT Pass Pass Pass 7 Clubs
had the club queen, but I did not need to finesse, because either spades would be worth
four tricks, or I would have a squeeze.

After winning with the club king, I played a heart to dummy’s ace, took my two top
diamonds (seeing East discard a club) and ran the rest of the hearts. Everyone came
down to four cards. I had my spades, and dummy held three spades and one diamond,
but West could not keep the diamond queen and four spades. Plus 990 was a top.

I turned pro six years later.

36 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT GAMES

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (MAY 12) ON PAGE 64

ACROSS DOWN
1 Definitely (informal) (4) 1 Continuously (4,2,4,3)
3 Unpleasant sticky stuff (4) 2 Confess (5)
6 Prune (3) 4 Outcome (6)
9 Manager (13) 5 Scottish church (4)
10 Inside (8) 6 Salad ingredient (7)
12 Joke (4) 7 Trappings (13)
13 Rocky hill (3) 8 Falsehood (7)
15 Sailing vessels (6) 11 Angler’s equipment (3)
18 Erase (6) 14 Desist (7)
19 Concealed (3) 16 Vie (7)
21 Vast number (4) 17 Pose (3)
22 Freshwater turtle (8) 20 Consume (6)
25 Move alien root (anag.) (4-9) 23 Black-eyed animal (5)
26 Lace (3) 24 Enthusiasm (4)
27 Grass (4)
The Telegraph 28 Epic story (4)

We welcome you How to do Sudoku:
with open arms,
and car doors. Fill in the grid so the
numbers one through
Vero Beach nine appear just once
1365 US Highway 1 in every column, row
772-77-MIDAS and three-by-three
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The Telegraph

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 37

INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS 86 Gambling mecca solar system The Washington Post
1 Butterfield 8 novelist 89 But ending 46 Standing rules
6 Sax by itself 91 Org. with agents 47 Terry and the Pirates UNEASY LISTENING By Merl Reagle
10 Small crows, for short 92 Mozart’s birthplace: abbr.
14 Not outdoors, as a camera 93 “___ the season ...” creator
96 Not a good Muzak tune for a 48 Licorice flavoring
shot: abbr. 49 Slangy “sorry”
17 ___ a beet psychiatrist’s office? 50 Merges
18 Lacking ethics 100 Take offense at 51 Crossing charges
20 In need of liniment 102 Arctic bird 52 Just
21 Mexican uncle 103 Flowerlike bract 53 Restless, in music
22 Not a good Muzak tune 104 Neck wrap 54 Dignified propriety
106 “Coming into Los 59 Downfall
for a psychiatrist’s office? 61 Shocked
24 Bit of news Angeles” singer 62 Wildly enthusiastic
25 Six-legged queen 107 Part of UNLV 63 Balloon cabin
26 Ronnie Howard role 108 “Believe ___ Not” 67 Old Scandinavian dialect
27 Gulf st. 109 Not a good Muzak tune for a 68 Nabisco’s ___ Wafers
28 Land, as a marlin 69 Borders on
30 “As they shouted out with psychiatrist’s office? 71 More stylized
113 Before, before my time 76 Temporarily out?
___” 114 Goad 77 Hen hangouts
31 “On your feet” 115 Dominant NBA team of the 78 Sinatra in a Vegas heist film
33 Not a good Muzak tune 79 Like a man of few words
1980s 81 Stirrer
for a psychiatrist’s office? 116 Took the SUV 82 Parma’s state
37 Trixie’s guy and others 117 Messy place 83 French pointillist
38 Peanut product 118 Mama’s boys 86 CEO and VP, e.g.
40 Yard-long fish 119 Nautical direction 87 Have ___ (care)
41 “Thrilla in Manila” guy 120 Had the gall 88 A Bell for Adano author
42 Small weights 90 Ambulance attendant,
43 Sooner ___ DOWN
45 “This news ___ indeed” 1 Bird of baseball for short
2 Stacked 91 Horse, in Lyon
(Richard III) 3 Lets on 93 That screaming feeling
47 Not a good Muzak tune 4 Motel info 94 Like Romeo and Juliet
5 Mary Kay’s last name 95 Hid (away)
for a psychiatrist’s office? 6 Aero ending 97 The hound of the Jetsons
55 “Drop me ___” 7 Skating Bobby 98 Liberty Bell’s home: abbr.
56 “___ the pits” 8 A Chump at Oxford 99 Tampa’s historic district, ___
57 Zero
58 Stuck co-star, 1940 City
60 Docile, as a doggie 9 Twin Mary-Kate or 101 Pelvic bones
61 ___ for effort 105 Part of a mil. educ.
62 Small brook Ashley 108 Audiotape abbr.
63 Chlorine, for one 10 Norman Rockwell’s 110 ___ out a living
64 Water cooler? 111 Kid’s exclamation
65 Munich’s river milieu 112 Do sums
66 Not a good Muzak tune 11 Fighting for a cause
12 “___ was 17 ...”
for a psychiatrist’s office? 13 Au or Fe, e.g.
69 Director Egoyan 14 Napoli’s nation
70 Marsh 15 Morning time
71 Impressed reactions 16 Clan emblems
72 Belts in the Ginza 18 Great respect
73 Sit-___ 19 Long dress
74 Seaport of SE Italy 23 Prima ballerina
75 Felt hat 29 Grand old time?
77 Wine party cheese 30 Braced
78 Lifelong 32 Stuff (oneself)
79 Ballet costumes 34 Vs.
80 Not a good Muzak tune 35 Big sandwich
36 Many potatoes
for a psychiatrist’s office? 39 Spanish speakers
84 Liquid measure 43 Furry swimmer
85 Integrative-medicine 44 Second largest moon in our

types

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The Telegraph It has been a joy for us to be able to provide
you with our best service over these past 30 years.

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40 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BACK PAGE

She feels like a failure compared to her doctor cousin

BY CAROLYN HAX capabilities and your decision-making. Therefore, If not, why not? The proof is there. You
Washington Post in all her staggering irrelevance, she serves no pur- did exactly what you wanted and were
pose except to distract you from stuff you need to ready for. By definition.
Dear Carolyn: My cousin “Marie” think about.
had her second baby last month. If you can, then, next step: What deci-
Marie is a successful pediatrician, Which is, first step: Can you make peace with your sion makes the most sense for you now,
the job I always dreamed about choices? given your changed circumstances? Going
and planned on having. I was pre- to med school, maybe?
med in college, but then I married You seem(ed) pretty certain medical training and
young, had two kids within two years, ended up get- having a family are mutually exclusive. You know Research your options. If it’s possible but
ting a research job that paid the bills. what? They are. For some people – maybe those who you find you just don’t want to anymore,
I have gone through several phases of regret about lack focus and mental stamina (like me, for exam- then, well, congrats? Sounds liberating.
not becoming a doctor, including one very intense one ple). For others, it’s doable. And since you’re looking
when Marie started her residency. This will sound ter- only through the lens of your own self-knowledge, Or would a different healthcare creden-
rible, but one of my small comforts at the time was maybe it’s time for you to recognize it wasn’t a viable tial suit your life better now? PAs, nurse
assuming Marie would have to sacrifice something, path for you – then release yourself of second-guess- practitioners, nurses, and a whole army
probably a traditional family life, to be a doctor. Now ing once and for all. of therapists (occupational, speech and
it looks like that isn’t true, and I’m back to feeling language, physical, psychological, etc.) provide es-
crappy. Can you do that? Accept your decision as having sential care. Why torture yourself with, essentially,
I love my husband, love my kids, am lukewarm been right for you at the time, then move on? a childhood vision (patient care = doctor) when the
about my career, and wish I had found a way to find adult-you has access to so much more nuanced in-
satisfaction in both. formation.
This feeling will pass, right? How do I get back to a If it’s just the cachet of “doctor,” then beat it back
healthy perspective on my own choices? with the cachet of an open mind.
Short answer, see the jail you’ve built around your-
– Feel Like a Failure self, then see how much of it is imagined, then let
yourself out of it.
Feel Like a Failure: First, get Marie out of your life School is harder while you’re responsible for kids,
story. She has no part in it besides proximity. yes. No unicorns and rainbows here. But finding a
way to manage a self-redefinition and letting them
Whether she’s happy or unfulfilled, or a parent see that up close could be really good for them. And
or not a parent, or whatever else has zero to do it would be really, really great for you to take concrete
with you and your life and your purpose and your steps to reverse the self-loathing, so there’s nothing
left to splash onto Marie. 

‘ALMOST HEAVEN’

PEAK PERFORMANCE AT RIVERSIDE

42 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

‘AlmosARTtS& Heaven’THEATRE
Peak performance at Riverside

Ensemble cast of “Almost Heaven.”

PHOTOS BY ANGEL UDELHOVEN

BY TERRY GIRARD | CORRESPONDENT opening night audience was clearly de-
lighted to be back in the theater after the
Riverside Theatre re-reopened its sea- long delay and embraced the show and
son on May 10 with a splendid produc- its actors with heartfelt affection.
tion of “Almost Heaven: John Denver’s
America,” the last show of a season pre- As conceived by Harold Thau, “Almost
maturely cut short by the pandemic. The Heaven” is not a conventional narrative
musical in the Rodgers and Hammer-

Sam Sherwood as
John Denver.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 43

David Lutken. Sam Sherwood. ARTS & THEATRE Morgan Morse.

stein mold, nor is it a jukebox musical or While he is, in effect, the title char-
a revue. Drawing on John Denver’s cata- acter and receives the lion’s share of
logue of greatest hits from his 12 gold the show’s focus, Sherwood is sur-
and four platinum albums, the show rounded by eight other astoundingly
folds in a measure of biography, conceiv- versatile musician-performers.
ing a musical collage of his songs and the
times that fostered them. Margaret Dudasik is just one example.
Here she is part of a trio singing a lovely
“Rocky Mountain High,” “Sunshine rendition of “Leaving on a Jet Plane,”
on My Shoulders,” “Take Me Home, then she’s playing flute, next the piccolo.
Country Road” and many other of the Wait, that’s her again, one of the four vio-
prolific singer-songwriter’s best-loved linists slaying “Thank God I’m a Country
hits are here, often having been given Boy.” And she’s step-dancing, to boot!
new and surprising arrangements.
Suffice it to say each of the nine per-
Accordingly, concert-like aspects of formers is given plenty of moments to
the show take center stage. Seamless shine, individually and collectively.
direction and musical direction by Sher-
ry and David M. Lutken, respectively, If Denver’s work was ever deemed
showcase the countless talents of their “uncool” during some people’s high
cast of nine musician-actors. Each offers school years, it has mellowed over time
ample evidence of the broad range of into fond, familiar melodies, highlighted
their abilities, from vocal prowess to vir- here by innovative interpretations.
tuosic playing of multiple instruments,
some 40 instruments overall. “Calypso,” for instance, Denver’s pae-
an to the work of Jacque Cousteau, drives
Sam Sherwood is our surrogate John rhythmically to become the Act One fi-
Denver, although he wisely suggests nale, a rhapsody of percussion-only ac-
the performer without attempting an companiment.
outright impersonation. Their physical
resemblance is minimal, and the only The book, or storyline, such as it is,
real feature denoting any likeness is a moves us breezily through the high-
progression of eyeglasses, from nerdy lights of Denver’s early career and the
black frames to signature wire rims and, cultural shifts in which he rose to fame,
eventually, none. Sherwood is tall and with just enough connective tissue to
affable, and easily charms with a laid- get from one song to the next. In the sec-
back, country-boy vibe which mirrors ond act, it bogs down in detail about the
that of Denver. failed marriage to his wife Annie, about
whom we’ve been told little and so don’t

CONTINUED ON PAGE 44

Allison Ann Kelly, David
Lutken and David Finch.

44 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

Kris Saint-Louis, EJ Zimmerman, Leenya Rideout, Sam Sherwood, Margaret Dudasik, Allison Ann Kelly and David Finch.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43 browns and tans of leather with blues
of denim and touches of maroon. These
much care, but this is because so much costumes, designed by Kurt Alger, evoc-
of his songwriting dealt with that event. atively recall the 1960s and ’70s without
ever veering into parody. A furry vest
Occasionally, a performer will assume here, a peasant blouse there, root us in
the character of an admirer or critic, the times without sledgehammering us
stepping downstage to reflect on the pro- for the effect. Even Ms. Kelly’s early-’60s
ceedings by quoting from actual fan let- hair flip unobtrusively places us in Pat-
ters. (Allison Ann Kelly’s starstruck fan ty Duke-era America.
girl gushes amusingly early in Denver’s
ascent.) It’s an effective technique that On a large video screen upstage of
could be used more in the overall struc- the action, projections designed by Joe
ture of the piece to help tell the story, in Payne illustrate the lyrics of the song be-
place of some of the “... and then this hap- ing sung or use stock photos to evoke the
pened” narration. times and cultural bearings of the year in
which Denver wrote a given song. Denver
As is the usual case at Riverside, the himself appears briefly on screen near
show is given an exemplary physical the end, a poignant reminder of the man
production. The scenic design by Riv- and his talent, taken too soon.
erside’s artistic director, Allen Cornell,
nicely showcases the performers and Cornell refers to Denver as “the Jimmy
their multitude of instruments. Warm, Stewart of folk music,” and it’s easy to see
geometrically arranged planks of wood how Denver’s amiable persona attracted
on either side of the action intersect up- Hollywood to cast him as the ‘Everyman’
stage, their brown and tans matching to whom George Burns as the ‘Almighty’
the colors of the various guitars, cellos appears in the first “Oh, God!” movie.
and myriad other instruments arranged
across platforms of staggered height. That likability comes across in Den-
ver’s songs, in Sherwood’s channeling
Kenyon Yeager’s lighting palette con- of the songwriter, and in every aspect of
tributes to this overall look, with an this production. If the title “Almost Heav-
amber glow of sunset, complemented en” may overstate the show’s case just a
by pools of blue about the stage. Subtle smidge, it is a very entertaining evening.
shifts in this lighting gently direct us to
performers harmonizing or featured in “Almost Heaven: John Denver’s Amer-
instrumental solos. The effect is rustic ica” runs through May 29 at Riverside
and woodsy; we might well be in a moun- Theatre, 3250 Riverside Park Dr., Vero
tain lodge in, you guessed it, Colorado. Beach. Tickets start at $45. Call 772-231-
6990 or visit RiversideTheatre.com. 
This color scheme carries over into
the costumes, which also blend the

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 45

ARTS & THEATRE

COMING UP! All ‘Eyes’ on Backus Museum for juried photo show

BY PAM HARBAUGH Khachaturian, Ginastera, Stravinsky,
Correspondent Copland and more. Also on the program
will be virtuoso performances by SCSO
1 The A.E. Backus Museum and principal trombonist Alexis Regazzi per-
Gallery opens its popular annu- forming “Blue Bells of Scotland,” violinist
Jose Guedez performing “Playera,” and
al exhibition “Through the Eye of the award winner Dylan Rhodes perform-
ing Gershwin’s “Piano Concerto in F.”
Camera.” The juried show comprises There will also be a world premiere of
“Pangean Dances” by Central Florida
scores of works by both amateur and composer Mark Piszczek. Tickets are $30
in advance or $35 at the door. Students
professional photographic artists in or those under 18 are admitted free. The
concert begins 3 p.m. Sunday, May 22 at
both traditional and digital photogra- the Community Church of Vero Beach,
1901 23rd St. Call 855-252-7276.
phy. This show is highly anticipated by

area art lovers, so be sure to make time

for it. It offers up cash awards to win-

ners in various categories including

Animals, Flora & Landscape and Peo-

ple/Portrait. There’s also an open cat-

egory, so you’re sure to find something 6 The Vero Beach Triathlon begins
7:15 a.m. Sunday, May 22, at South
that will appeal. The show runs Friday,

May 20 to June 24 at the A.E. Backus Beach Park, 1702 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach.

Museum and Gallery, 500 North Indian The event has a Sprint Distance Triath-

River Dr., Fort Pierce. Regular gallery lon with a 750-meter swim, a 20K bike

hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays and a 5K run. Registration for that is

through Saturdays, and noon to 4 p.m. $95 plus a $6.51 signup fee. There’s also

Sundays. The museum personnel re- an Olympic Distance Triathlon with a

quest that people should wear a mask 1,500-meter swim, a 40K bike and 10K

if they have COVID symptoms or those run. Registration for that is $145 plus

exposed to someone with COVID. For a $9.41 signup fee. The Olympic Sprint

more information, call 772-465-0630 Relay with a 750-meter swim, a 20K bike

or visit BackusMuseum.org. and 5K run. Registration for that is $155

plus a $9.99 signup fee. The Olympic Re-

2 The Environmental Learning lay is 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike and
Center focuses on restoration
10K run. Registration for that is $205 plus

with LagoonFest, running morning $12.89 signup fee. The Aquabike option is

and afternoon on Saturday, May 21. 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike. Registration

The event, which was formerly known is $135 plus a $8.83 signup fee. For more,

as “Eco-Fest,” explores how connecting visit VeroBeachTriathlon.com. 

to nature can heal and how a healthy Florida, May 20, 1865.” The organization,
which has the motto “Remembering our
environment connects with a healthy past while shaping our future,” will com-
memorate the historic day with food,
human. Activities and experiences will music and entertainment. The event
runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at
be presented throughout the ELC prop- the Gifford Historical Museum and Cul-
tural Center, 2880 45th St., Giffordwww.
erty. There will also be Canoe Quick Call 772-985-7573 or visit GiffordHistori-
calMuseumAndCultureCenter.org.
Trips ($10 per person) and Pontoon Boat

Rides ($15 per person). Children should

love the treasure hunt provided by Cap-

tain Hiram’s. There will also be vendors

and exhibitors on the ELC lawn and in

its Event Pavilion. Entertainment will

be offered throughout the event, with a 4 Hit the links and help out a worthy
cause at the Charity Golf Tourna-
special performance by the Vero Beach

Pipes and Drums at 11:30 a.m. There will ment. It begins with a shotgun start

also be crafts activities, a Touch Tank, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21 at the Gator

and storytelling by children’s authors Trace Golf and Country Club, 4302 Ga-

Camy De Mario and Piper Johnson. Get tor Trace Dr., Fort Pierce. Fees are $125

your feet wet as you enjoy the pond dip. per person and $400 per foursome. Pro-

Food and beverages available for pur- ceeds raise funds for Special Equestri-

chase. LagoonFest runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ans of the Treasure Coast. Lunch will

at the Environmental Learning Center, be provided after the tournament. Call

255 Live Oak Dr., Vero Beach. Admission 772-409-7036.

is $10 adults and $5 children. For more

information, call 772-589-5050 or visit 5 The Space Coast Symphony Or-
chestra will share the stage with the
DiscoverELC.org.

Space Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra

3 The Gifford Historical Museum this Sunday for the concert “Fan Favor-
and Cultural Center presents “A
ites” with music by a selection of the great-

Taste of Black History: Emancipation in est composers including Tchaikovsky,



SPECIALIST HELPS WOMEN
WITH HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES

48 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Specialist helps women with high-risk pregnancies

BY KERRY FIRTH Dr. Kathleen Berkowitz. patient care at both Cleveland Clinic
Correspondent Martin Health Tradition and Cleve-
PHOTO: KAILA JONES land Clinic Indian River Hospital.”
Pregnancy is tough on every wom-
an’s body, but it can be life threaten- Maternal fetal medicine special-
ing to women with medical compli- ists complete an extra three years
cations and those who have babies of training in high-risk pregnancies
with abnormalities requiring special and work with the patient’s OB/GYN
coordination of care. In those cases, to assist in preconception planning,
the help of a maternal fetal medicine consultative pregnancy manage-
specialist (MFMS) like Dr. Kathleen ment and delivery. Women are usu-
Berkowitz is needed. ally referred to a maternal fetal med-
icine specialist when an abnormality
Dr. Berkowitz recently joined is detected during a routine scan or
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health in if there is concern for the health of
Tradition after serving as vice chair- the unborn baby or mother.
woman of the Department of Ob-
stetrics and Gynecology at Cleve- High-risk pregnancies can result
land Clinic Fairview Hospital. She from serious medical conditions like
treats patients in Martin, St. Lucie high blood pressure, diabetes, heart
and Indian River counties. disease, autoimmune disorders and
diabetes, or a history of pregnancy-
“I enjoy helping women with related complications like prema-
medical issues achieve a healthy ture delivery, preeclampsia and ges-
pregnancy and I’m excited to join tational diabetes.
Dr. (Jeff) Chapa at Cleveland Clinic
Martin Health Tradition to better Multiple gestations like twins and
serve women with high-risk preg- triplets are considered high risk
nancies in our Florida region,” Dr. because they increase the risk of
Berkowitz said. “Between the two preterm labor. Other high-risk pa-
of us, we can now offer face-to-face tients are women over the age of 35
and those with a family history of a

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The patient and any other person responsible for payment has a right to refuse to pay, cancel payment, or be reimbursed for
payment for any other services, examination, or treatment that is preformed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding
to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee, or reduced fee service, examination, or treatment.

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

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 49

HEALTH

genetic disorder or birth defects. “Sixty percent of pregnancies are cult otherwise, so I’ve got a beautiful Maternal/Fetal Medicine Fellowship
“The most common problems we not planned, however, which is fine opportunity of about six months of at University of California Medical
unless you have complicated diabe- time that I can help with nutrition, Center/Irvine. Having practiced ma-
see are with high blood pressure tes, hypertension, thyroid disease exercise and medication, giving her ternal fetal medicine for 27 years, Dr.
and diabetes,” Dr. Berkowitz con- or are recovering from gastric by- a better understanding of how to Berkowitz is an expert in high-risk
tinued. “And there are other issues pass surgery. Women with gastric take care of her own medical com- obstetrical care and has published
where something shows up on the bypass surgery become more fertile plications. more than 30 articles on maternal
ultrasound with the baby that needs than before and many good gastric fetal medicine topics.
some explanation and coordination bypass programs now address preg- “Giving the patient control over her
of care. nancy preplanning in their educa- ability to manage her complication is Dr. Kathleen Berkowitz is accepting
tion programs. an extra benefit of taking care of her new patients at Cleveland Clinic Mar-
“Preeclampsia affects 5 to 10 per- and her baby during pregnancy.” tin Health Tradition HealthPark Two,
cent of women during pregnancy. “Planning is the best thing you 10080 Innovation Way, Port St. Lucie,
It’s a condition where blood pressure can do to avoid complications, along Dr. Berkowitz earned her medical 772-345-5280, and Cleveland Clinic
goes up and we start to see some pro- with taking care of yourself during degree at Jefferson Medical College Indian River Hospital’s Partners in
teins spilling from the kidneys to the pregnancy. Pregnant women are in Philadelphia and completed the Women’s Health, 1050 37th Place,
urine. In its worst form it can cause very motivated to make changes in OB/GYN Residency Program at Co- Vero Beach, 772-770-6116. 
seizures, strokes and still births, and their life that they might find diffi- lumbia Presbyterian Medical Center
it’s responsible for at least 10 percent in New York City. She completed her
of the maternal deaths in the coun-
try.

“This is a very common problem
in the third trimester and gener-
ally it will get worse until you deliver
and get better after the delivery. It is,
however, one of the most preventable
causes of maternal injury or death
that we face, and with the right care
it can be managed with a positive
outcome for mother and child.”

According to the Preeclampsia
Foundation, thousands of women
and babies get very sick every year
from preeclampsia. The life-threat-
ening hypertensive disorder occurs
only during pregnancy and the post-
partum period.

Preeclampsia and related disor-
ders such as gestational hyperten-
sion, HELLP syndrome and eclamp-
sia are characterized by a rapid rise
in blood pressure that can lead to
organ failure, stroke, seizures and
even death of the mother and baby.
It’s usually diagnosed after the 20th
week of pregnancy. Important symp-
toms that may suggest preeclamp-
sia are headaches, abdominal pain,
shortness of breath or burning be-
hind the sternum, nausea and vom-
iting, confusion, heightened state
of anxiety, oversensitivity to light,
blurred vision, or seeing flashing
spots or auras. Early diagnosis and
management are key to healthy out-
comes for both mother and child.
Most women with preeclampsia will
deliver healthy babies and fully re-
cover.

“My job as a maternal fetal medi-
cine specialist is to educate the preg-
nant mother on what to watch out
for at home so they can come in for
care when they need to,” Dr. Berkow-
itz said. “I love helping women with
medical conditions that might result
in high-risk pregnancies preplan
their pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy con-
sultation can help design what regi-
men of medication is appropriate
and what sort of control your blood
pressure or diabetes needs to be on
before it becomes an ideal time to
conceive.

50 Vero Beach 32963 / May 19, 2022 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

HOW STRESS CAN DAMAGE YOUR BRAIN AND BODY

BY STACEY COLINO and do occur in response to help improve your motivation, abil- can encounter stressor after stressor.
The Washington Post stressors that are not life-threatening – ity to focus and performance, said Chronic stress, which occurs over
work deadlines, traffic jams, financial Wendy Suzuki, a professor of neural
We all know what stress feels like pressures, family strife – and, over time, science and psychology at New York months to years, can lead to high blood
physically – though the symptoms vary they can take a toll on the body and University and author of “Good Anxi- pressure, adiposity (fat accumulation),
by person. Some people experience mind. “People understand big stressors, ety: Harnessing the Power of the Most insulin resistance and greater systemic
shakiness or a racing heart, while oth- but they don’t pay attention to smaller, Misunderstood Emotion.” inflammation, said Ahmed Tawakol,
ers develop muscle tension, headaches accumulating stressors that make a dif- By contrast, the prolonged elevated co-director of the Cardiovascular Im-
or stomach aches. But what we might ference, too,” Kiecolt-Glaser said. cortisol levels that come with chronic aging Research Center and director of
not realize is that our physiological re- stress and post-traumatic stress dis- nuclear cardiology at the Massachusetts
sponses to life’s stresses and strains can What follows is a detailed look at how order (PTSD) can interfere with and General Hospital and Harvard Medical
have deeper, less obvious repercussions stress can affect many organs and sys- damage the brain’s hippocampus, School. “Together, these drive the build-
for just about every organ and system in tems in the body, from head to toe. which is critical for long-term mem- up of arterial plaques and heighten the
the body. ory function, Suzuki said. Long-term risk of heart attack and stroke.”
The brain: Acute forms of stress – increases in cortisol also can damage
“I think people really underesti- when you’re facing a work deadline or the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which is Over time, stress also can lead to the
mate just how big the effects are,” said having an argument with a loved one, essential for focused attention and ex- narrowing of blood vessels and height-
Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, director of the for example – can be beneficial in the ecutive function (cognitive processes ened coagulation (blood clotting),
Institute for Behavioral Medicine Re- short term, briefly bathing the brain that allow you to plan, organize, solve which further raise the risk of cardiac
search at Ohio State University’s Col- with hormones (such as cortisol) that problems, engage in flexible thinking events. It’s also possible that if someone
lege of Medicine. When you experience and control your impulses). experiences an acute stressor on top of
stress, your brain triggers the release of The cardiovascular system: With chronic stress, “there could be an ad-
a cascade of hormones – such as corti- acute stress, your heart rate increases, ditive effect such that the acute stress
sol, epinephrine (aka, adrenaline) and and your blood pressure surges, so could trigger a heart attack or stroke,”
norepinephrine – that produce physi- (evolutionarily speaking) you can pre- Tawakol said.
ological changes. These changes, called pare to fight or run for your life. After
the stress response or the fight-or-flight the stressful encounter subsides, these The respiratory system: During a
response, are designed to help people functions are supposed return to their stressful situation, the sympathetic ner-
react to or cope with a threat or danger normal states. But that doesn’t always vous system ramps up and stress hor-
they’re facing. happen in the modern world, where we mones are released, which leads to rapid
respiration and can make you feel as
The trouble is that these changes can though you can’t catch your breath. This
can affect the transport of oxygen and