09/10/2020 ISSUE 37

My Vero: High school football
may not hike risk. P4
No vote needed

for Shores Council. P10
Professional tennis tourney
returning to Vero in October. P12

New COVID-19 For breaking news visit
deaths slow in
past week locally State confirms
major problems
BY LISA ZAHNER at Sea Breeze
Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY BRENDA AHEARN BY MICHELLE GENZ
Finally this week, the number Staff Writer
of new COVID-19 deaths locally BY STEPHANIE LABAFF pected coming out of the having their best summer
slowed somewhat, with six ad- Staff Writer coronavirus lockdown. Some ever. A state inspector who checked
ditional deaths and 67 more businesses report a decline out the Sea Breeze Rehabilita-
positive cases in the county The summer of 2020 in sales compared to prior Snowbirds staying in Vero tion and Nursing Center after
reported through Sunday. turned out much better for summers, but the big hotels longer than usual, instead of the daughter of a COVID-pos-
island hotels and shops and many shops say they returning to the Northeast itive patient called in a com-
The downward trend in than almost anyone ex- have been busy, with some where the pandemic was in- plaint issued a lengthy report
deaths and new cases is en- last week, largely backing up
couraging as Florida works to CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 the accounts of families who
catch up on reporting back- have told Vero Beach 32963 of
logs and death certifications. outrageous problems at the fa-
cility where nearly 60 corona-
Hopefully, that statistic will virus cases left seven patients
dwindle to zero new deaths dead in June and July.
sometime soon if residents
remain vigilant in social dis- The state report told of a
tancing, mask-wearing and broken hot water heater that

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

Five candidates join Quarantined students
race for Vero Council set to return to their
classrooms this week
BY LISA ZAHNER
Staff Writer BY GEORGE ANDREASSI
Staff Writer
Five people have qualified
to run for three seats on the Five students in four Indian
Vero Beach City Council in River County public schools
November, and this Wednes- have tested positive for COV-
day’s scheduled budget hear- ID-19 since schools reopened
ing is a prime example of why two weeks ago, leading to the
voters need to choose three quarantining of an addition-
fiscal conservatives. al 81 students and one staff
member.
When the budget process
began, the city staff antici- More than 30 of the quaran-
pated the revenue situation tined students were expected
would be dismal thanks to the to return to school this week on
pandemic economy’s effect Tuesday, according to School
on sales tax and gas tax re- Superintendent David Moore.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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2 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

‘Better-than-expected’ summer safe place to take a vacation or week- nomenal, all things considered,” Olson crease in small group bookings to help
end getaway and they have filled the says. The stylish hotel’s summertime fill any gaps in occupancy.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 larger hotels on weekends. That activ- guests were mainly Florida residents,
ity, in turn, has helped other Central so travel restrictions had little effect on Olson said Costa actually saw an
tense during the spring, and flocks of Beach businesses as visitors ventured the numbers. uptick in food and beverage services
visitors from South Florida, which has out from their hotels to shop and dine. compared to prior summers. “I think
seen many more coronavirus cases Awet Sium, Kimpton Vero Beach that the guests, when they got here,
than the Treasure Coast, are two main According to Statista, a global mar- Hotel and Spa general manager, says didn’t necessarily leave the property
factors that drove the successful sum- ket data collector, the occupancy rate “the summer went great,” even though [as much]. They came here and en-
mer season. of U.S. hotels overall was a dismal 47 numbers were down slightly from last joyed room service, the spa and dining
percent this summer, but Costa d’Este year, and he’s seeing an expansion in out on the property,” says Olson.
A strong real estate market, which Beach Resort & Spa had a busy season the hotel’s booking window from one
brings new residents and potential and was fully booked for Labor Day week to 21 days, which is promising. So far, bookings at Costa in Septem-
buyers to town, also helped. weekend, according to general man- ber are slightly ahead of last year.
ager Chad Olson. Sium expected to be at full capacity
South Florida visitors, along with over Labor Day weekend and is seeing “We sold out faster for this Labor Day
guests from Orlando and other large “The resort performed this summer positive indications for September, weekend than any year that I’ve been
Florida cities, see Vero as a relatively just as it historically does, which is phe- October and November, with an in- here,” Olson says. “Historically, people
always waited until the last minute for
Labor Day because hurricanes always
seem to come around at this time. This
year, everybody said the heck with it;
we’ve been through enough.”

Olson says it’s still too early to predict
how busy October will be because many
guests are still booking on short notice,
but he also notes that intimate wed-
dings are on the upswing at the hotel.
With capacity restrictions still in place,
couples whose nuptials were canceled
earlier this year are opting to wed now
with festivities on a smaller scale.

About 85 percent of the Vero Beach
Hotel & Spa’s guests travel from Tam-
pa, Orlando, Miami and Palm Beach,
looking, Sium says, “for a little more
relaxed experience on the beach. They
still want that luxury experience and
can have all of that while being in a
city with low COVID-19 cases.

“We can seat over 300 guests out-
doors. That’s been our claim to fame.
Both restaurants have really been gang-
busters. Our new facility, Heaton’s, is
open-air and covered.

“We’re being protective of our guests
and employees, so much so that we
still haven’t had a case at our hotel,”
Sium adds.

At the Driftwood Resort, the ma-
triarch of the island hotels, Zach Ze-
browski, owner relations manager,
says an influx of weekend guests has
carried the hotel through the summer.
“We’ve been booked most weekends,
and we are already taking reservations
out as far as December.”

South Beach Place, a boutique hotel
a mile south of Central Beach, has been
busier this summer than last summer,
says Nikki Barroso, manager. “A lot of
people are coming from South Florida,
especially on the weekends. Last sum-
mer, people had more choices; now
they are doing domestic tourism.”

Looking ahead, Barroso adds that
South Beach Place is already almost
fully booked for high season, a prom-
ising sign of things to come.

Business at the Prestige Hotel, also
in Vero’s South Beach area, hasn’t been
as strong, says General Manager Edyta
Zachariasz.While the hotel was booked
for Labor Day weekend with guests
from Miami and Palm Beach, over-

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 3

NEWS

all summer traffic was down by more since they were unable to visit the New are starting to come to visit us again. “Thank goodness many of the hotels
than half compared to prior years. York market or attend the big Miami That’s much better because we can try have been booked this summer.”
show where they normally find mer- on and see how things fit.”
The hotel’s traditional clientele are chandise. Despite a general sense of cautious
mainly Europeans, and with interna- Pauline Adams, owner of jewelry optimism, some stores are still lament-
tional travel bans still in place, Zacha- “The designers are trying to find boutique I’ll Never Tell, says she is op- ing the sales that didn’t occur during
riasz is not seeing many bookings for new ways for us to do our buying,” timistic about the future of her busi- the early weeks of the pandemic last
upcoming months. says Marchant. “We have personal ness, even though “we have no idea spring.
appointments on Zoom and Face- what’s going to happen with season.”
Business has been slow at the Is- time, but that’s difficult because you “We had a good June, we had a pretty
lander Inn in Central Beach, too, where can’t feel the fabrics. Some of our reps She says “it’s tourism from the ho- good July and a nice August, but you
Manager Mary Jane Moreton says “with tels” that is driving sales in her store.
COVID-19, we take two steps forward CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
and four steps back.”

Usually, the hotel is rented out for
Labor Day weekend by a single family,
but the family canceled this year, leav-
ing lots of empty beds at the 16-room
hotel.

Despite that glitch, hotel guests
have been a big factor in the success of
shops in Central Beach, where Leigh
Jewelers had a 24-carat summer, ac-
cording to owner Suzanne Leigh-Avi-
la. “May, June, July and August far ex-
ceeded the expectations I had placed
on those months before COVID hit.”

She attributes the successful sum-
mer to “self-purchasing to help peo-
ple feel better, winter residents stay-
ing longer and an increase in visitors
coming up from South Florida.”

Looking forward to a busy season,
Leigh-Avila adds, “I believe winter
residents are coming back. Especial-
ly if they’re in the Northeast. At least
being here in Vero, they have the op-
portunity to be outside in the winter
months as opposed to being seques-
tered indoors.”

Lyra Mickley, owner of Lyra’s, which
offers artwork, furniture, lighting and
accessories for the home, says she has
had a pretty good summer, considering
everything that has gone on this year.
“People stayed longer, and we have had
a lot of people coming in that are leav-
ing the city and moving down here.”

Mickley adds she’s hopeful the sea-
son will be better than ever as clients
have shared plans to come in Novem-
ber and stay through the holidays in-
stead of going back north for Thanks-
giving and Christmas.

Diane Williamson, manager of Log-
gia, which offers “fine apparel, jewelry,
shoes and handbags,” says her store
has seen an influx of customers from
South Florida and noted that there
have been many people who said they
were newcomers to Vero Beach in the
last two weeks.

Sassy Boutique saw significant
changes over the summer, says Deana
Marchant, co-owner. The shop moved
to a new location on Ocean Drive,
which stirred up some interest. “Over-
all,” she says, “we did pretty well. We
maintained a good summer business,
but we worked hard for it.”

After the hubbub of retrofitting the
new space, Sassy’s buyers have now
turned their attention to finding new
lines for the coming winter season,

4 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

‘Better-than-expected’ summer staff and residents of nursing homes ficials to better isolate the impacts on atric cases are public school students
and other long-term care facilities. local infections caused by the return studying on-campus, prompting con-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 of children to classrooms. tact tracing and the quarantine of 81
A dozen new patients suffering with students at four local schools (see re-
have to put it in context,” says Beach the virus had to be admitted to a hos- Over the past two weeks since in- lated story).
Shop owner Martin Bireley. “We missed pital over the past week. That’s down person school began here, Florida
‘Christmas.’ It was a good summer as from an average of 22 new hospitaliza- Department of Health reports show Daycare centers, private schools,
summers go, but we missed our six tions per week in August. 18 pediatric cases of COVID-19, plus charter schools and homeschoolers
weeks of ‘Christmas,’ which for us is two positive cases in 18-year-olds who are outside Superintendent David
during March and April.” This is good news because this lull may be in high school. Moore’s reporting responsibility so we
in cases before flu season kicks up, and have no idea about outbreaks in these
The Allure Gallery saw less foot traf- before the traditional snowbird season We know from the Indian River facilities.
fic earlier this summer, says Jennifer kicks in, should allow public health of- School District that five of those pedi-
Jackson, manager. “There was a big
dip in sales, but things are picking up MY High school football: Maybe not a big increase in risk
now.” She, too, attributes the uptick to VERO
busy hotels full of South Florida visi-
tors, people taking Florida staycations BY RAY MCNULTY Which means games will be can- Or to be more precise: Are high
and day trippers coming up from celed. school football players at greater risk
Palm Beach and Miami-Dade. Staff Writer of infection than their classmates?
We’ve already seen that happen
At Posh Clothing and Accessories, If I were a high school football play- at Vero Beach High School, where a Maybe not.
sales are down about 25 percent be- er today, I’d want to play – and I’m pret- significant number of football play- Contrary to what I believed before
cause of COVID, says Lynn Williams, ty sure my parents would’ve let me. ers, including a majority of starters my lengthy conversation last week
owner. “A lot of my customers still don’t on defense, were among 46 students with Jankowski – one of the state’s top
feel safe going out to dinner. They’re How do I know this? forced into a two-week quarantine coaches and Vero Beach’s athletic di-
staying home, so they don’t need to During two-a-day summer prac- last week after a student tested posi- rector – I’m no longer convinced that
buy clothes.” tices before my sophomore season, tive for the coronavirus. playing football significantly increas-
a football player at my Long Island es the risk of kids getting infected.
Conversely, White’s Tackle on Cardi- high school collapsed on the field That one infection forced Vero At least not here.
nal Drive had a busy summer because and died of heat exhaustion, and my Beach football coach Lenny Jankows- Jankowski and his staff are taking
people had extra time on their hands. parents didn’t stop me then. ki to cancel the team’s season-open- this pandemic seriously, embracing
David Olson, manager, says he sold But what if I had a high-school- ing game, which was scheduled for every possible precaution to keep
quite a bit of beginner fishing equip- aged son now, during the worst pan- tomorrow at Venice. their players healthy on the field, in
ment. demic in more than 100 years, and meetings, even in the locker room.
he wanted to play football? “I really believe that our players “I’ve read through all the guidelines
“A lot of people were looking to do Would I let him play? Would I risk are fine, but we’re always going to err we’ve been given, and we have a great
something to get out of the house, and him becoming infected by COVID-19, on the side of caution and student full-time trainer who makes sure ev-
fishing was one of those things, and knowing he’d almost certainly survive safety,” Jankowski said, adding that eryone is following them so that we’re
people who typically stayed just for the any accompanying illness – and might none of his non-infected, quaran- doing everything we can to protect
winter stayed longer,” explains Olson. not get sick at all – but not knowing if tined players have gotten sick. “It’s the kids,” Jankowski said. “But, sure, it
he’d experience any health issues later unfortunate we had to cancel the has presented some challenges.
Another good sign for the beachside in life? game, but it was bound to happen.” “Our summer workouts, which are
retail scene is new businesses opening. Probably, yes. normally so routine I can plan them
That’s not the answer I would’ve And it’s likely to happen again. in my sleep, took four hours of plan-
Ryder’s gourmet market opened last given you a week ago, when I was On the island, in fact, St. Edward's ning.”
Friday and Hot Wax, a smoke shop that steadfast in my belief that it was ir- School officials postponed the start Jankowski’s coronavirus adjust-
offers a complete line of CBD products responsible, even reckless, to allow of fall football practice until this ments, however, weren’t as drastic
and assorted handblown parapherna- high school kids to play football dur- week, using the delay to further as- as they could’ve been.
lia, is another new kid on the block. ing a pandemic and risk not only sess the risk to students before em- “Anyone who has been to our prac-
The shop opened on July 1. their health but further spread of the barking on a season already short- tices, even before COVID, knows that
virus in our community. ened by the virus. we move quickly,” he said. “Our prac-
“Everything is going great, all things You’ve got linemen exerting them- The risk, though, remains the same tices run really fast, broken down into
considered,” says Hot Wax co-owner selves in close proximity – their faces – and for the same reasons. 10-minute periods, so the kids are
Wes Gensel. only inches apart when they’re block- Teenagers are social animals, and never going to be in someone else’s
ing or trying to fend off those blocks – it’s difficult to get them to distance face for more than a few seconds.
Heading into mid-September, most breathing heavily on each other and themselves from their friends, espe- “Even when we scrimmage, the av-
island merchants and hoteliers are feel- often exchanging blood, sweat and cially at school. They’ve been told the erage play lasts only four to six sec-
ing pretty good and turning their at- saliva. coronavirus doesn’t pose much of a onds.”
tention toward preparing for what they You’ve got ball carriers being tack- threat to young people. Even if it did, Also, Jankowski and his coaching
led, sometimes by two or more de- kids that age tend to believe they're staff call offensive and defensive plays
expect to be a good winter season.  fenders. You’ve got multiple-player invincible. from the sideline – and have for years
pileups when a ball is fumbled.You’ve No one should be surprised, then, – so players don’t huddle, further re-
COVID-19 deaths slow got players huddling with their team- if another football game gets can- ducing face-to-face interaction.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 mates between plays and around celed, either because Vero Beach or One noticeable change was in the
their coaches during timeouts. one of its remaining opponents has locker room, where lockers are now
hand-washing practices to slow the You’ve got no social distancing, players under virus-related quaran- assigned by position, with players
spread of the virus. which means players will become tine. It’s also fair to wonder if, at some who play the same position at least six
infected, which means they can’t point, the pandemic will shut down lockers apart. That helps, Jankowski
As of Sunday the county’s rate of play or practice – nor can any team- the season. said, because “we have meetings by
people who had died with the virus mates who came in close contact But if more players test positive – if
since the start of the pandemic stood with them. players in quarantine force the can- CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
at 3.6 percent of positive cases, with cellation of more games, possibly the
54 deaths – or 52 percent – being resi- season – will football be to blame?
dents of nursing homes and assisted-
living facilities.

That is considerably above the na-
tional average. About 40 percent of
all coronavirus-related deaths in the
United States have been among the

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 5

NEWS

We know 13 other children beside the of all the new positive cases reported A total of 300 Indian River County four times that of Indian River County.
five in public schools and two 18-year- in Indian River County since school kids have tested positive since March, In Martin County, 498 kids have test-
olds tested positive since fall classes started. According to the most recent making up 10.3 percent of the county’s
resumed, but not where or if those kids pediatric case report on Friday, kids cases. ed positive since March, with St. Lucie
attend a brick-and-mortar school. are testing positive at a rate of 11.9 per- County posting the highest number of
cent, not too far off from the county- Only 450 kids have tested posi- pediatric COVID-19 patients on the
The 20 new cases of people age 18 wide positivity rate of 9 percent. tive in Brevard County to our north, Treasure Coast at 602 cases in children
and younger make up 13.7 percent despite the population being nearly
under 18 years old. 

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6 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

My Vero Quarantined students ployee in our district yet, which really when the new quarter starts on Mon-
speaks to the systems we’ve created to day, Oct. 12, Moore said.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 keep everyone spaced,” Moore said.
“You see a level of anxiety diminish Another 3,000 students in the Indi-
position, so when one group is meet- Fellsmere Elementary, Sebastian over the course of two weeks.” an River Virtual Academy are expected
ing in the locker room, the players River High School and Vero Beach to continue studies via computer pro-
are socially distanced. We also try to High School each had a single student Finding a way to make it easier for gram through the end of the semester.
socially distance as much as possible test positive for the virus, Moore said, students to take a breather from wear-
when we’re in meeting rooms.” while Osceola Magnet had two stu- ing facemasks is a key issue school of- Educators will be monitoring the
dents. No staff members have tested ficials are working on, Moore said. More progress of the district’s 14,000 students
He paused for a moment, then add- positive, he added. spaces will be identified for breaks. to ensure they meet their academic goals
ed: “Our players and their parents ap- by the end of December, Moore said.
preciate the measures we’re taking to The students testing positive should Faulty computer hardware was the
keep everyone as safe as possible.” serve as a warning to the community main issue for students in the district’s “We’ve lost time. We need to make
about the danger of the virus and the virtual schooling options, Moore said. up some time,” Moore said during a
And they should. need for safety precautions, a parent Most issues were resolved when stu- Facebook Live presentation. “We can’t
But Jankowski can’t control his play- said Friday. dents traded in devices at the district’s allow COVID to have a long impact on
ers’ environment after practice ends Tech Depot or downloaded computer the lives of our children.”
and they leave school grounds. “Hopefully, this will encourage ev- program upgrades from the district’s
He can’t stop them from squeezing eryone to take this seriously,” said Mark network. To offset lost classroom time, schools
into already-crowded vehicles, shar- Manera, whose son is a fourth-grader at will offer tutoring before, during and
ing drinks or food, or socializing with Osceola Magnet. Parents of 2,000 students in a nine- after school to students who are fall-
friends. He can’t force them to abide week transitional program will be asked ing behind, Moore said.
by social-distancing recommenda- “There are so many people who are in mid-September whether they intend
tions when indoors in public places or doubters and they don’t know what to to send their child back to school in per- “We want to accelerate their learn-
wear masks when that’s not possible. believe on the news. They think it’s a son for the second nine-week quarter. ing so that when we hit December, we
He can’t be there to remind them to hoax, some people. have eliminated all potential learning
wash their hands. That will enable school officials to
“I’ve heard every different view- “I think it’s unfortunate, but it’s plan for “another opening of schools” loss or ‘COVID slide,’” Moore said 
point on this virus, and I’m not going good [school officials] realized this is
to tell you it’s not real,” said Jankowski, something to take seriously.” Sea Breeze Staff writer Nick Samuel contributed
who last week alerted Vero Beach foot- to this report.
ball fans that crowds at this season's Vero Beach High School canceled its CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
home games will be limited to 1,000 to first football game, which was sched- rector, Donna Wildes, and was told she
encourage social distancing. uled for Friday at Naples High School, “intermittently” left the building with- was unavailable. Pressed to provide
“My goal is to make this happen for because a substantial number of play- out hot water in the middle of a pan- a better time to call, the receptionist
our seniors and their parents, if we ers were quarantined, said school dis- demic. One former staff member as said Wildes would remain unavailable.
can do it safely, and I think we can,” he trict spokeswoman Cristen Maddox. well as family of residents at the facil-
added. “I don’t believe that football, or ity told Vero Beach 32963 the faulty Even something as minor-seeming
athletics in general, is going to spread But overall, Indian River County hot water heater had been on the blink as a problem TV remote took on com-
this thing. schools and residents seem to be do- for as long as three months. pounded significance to a resident
“That’s my biased opinion.” ing a good job limiting the spread of newly isolated with COVID-19. The
My unbiased opinion has changed COVID-19, Moore said Friday during a It also cited inadequate nursing staff state report relates that staff said the
since a week ago. radio interview. that, among other problems, caused room’s prior occupant had left her TV
Kids who choose to play high school residents to go without showers and but taken the remote. For days, the
football during a pandemic are put- “We are in some ways returning to baths for weeks, residents said. The in- new room-bound resident had been
ting themselves at risk, and some of normal,” Moore said during the inter- spector spoke with multiple residents unable to operate the TV. Finally, staff
them probably will test positive for view. “What we’re doing as a commu- who said they had gone three weeks provided her with another remote, but
COVID. Some might get infected play- nity collectively is working.” without a shower. it wouldn’t turn the TV on or off, or
ing football. lower or raise the volume.
But are kids who play high school The school district saw fewer stu- The lack of hot water also affected
football putting themselves at sig- dents test positive for the virus than laundry procedures at the facility, ac- “(The resident) voiced frustration
nificantly greater risk than their non- nearby counties and Indian River cording to the former staff member. with the inability to control the TV for
playing classmates? County’s COVID-19 trends are more She said that staff members were forced the past week, explaining that it was
favorable, Moore said. to pile dirty laundry in the nursing the only thing she had to do while be-
Probably not.  home’s van and drive it to a laundro- ing ‘stuck in this room’ because of the
New virus cases have steadily de- mat. COVID-19 pandemic,” the report read.
clined here over the past month.
The report also finally offered an ex- Even more distressing, the inspec-
Ideas provided by parents and teach- planation as to why resident phones tor noted that a resident was left in a
ers helped administrators improve weren’t working properly when fami- broken bed stuck in the upright posi-
safety measures at schools, Moore said. lies needed them most to check on tion – at nearly a right angle – for more
loved ones: a phone line had been cut than two days. The resident said it had
“We do not have a positive em- outside the facility and no one had broken before and the repair was done
been called in to repair it. with Superglue.

“We were running out to Walmart The inspector also verified through
to buy people cellphones and setting interviews with families that Sea Breeze
them up for them so they could talk was not keeping them or their loved
to their families,” said the former staff ones in the facility apprised of the CO-
member. VID-19 outbreak there, as required by
the state.
Multiple attempts over two months
to reach Sea Breeze and its Brooklyn- Two out of three residents inter-
based corporate parent, Citadel Care viewed by the inspector said they had
Centers, for comment have been un- not been bathed or showered in three
successful. weeks. A third resident is quoted as
saying, “I’ve been lying in this bed for
That includes as recently as Fri- a week without a bed bath.”
day, when Vero Beach 32963 asked to
speak to Sea Breeze’s new executive di- That resident told the inspector that
the facility was short staffed. When the
inspector asked how she knew, she
said “they tell her so.” She said the staff

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 7

NEWS

told her “they only have three CNAs PHOTO BY ROSS ROWLINSON One CNA told the inspector that the One former landlord of a Sea Breeze
for the unit,” which had 38 patients, prior weekend, there had been only resident contacted Vero Beach 32963,
according to the report. nursing assistant, or CNA, told the in- one CNA present on the night shift. frantic with concern after not being
spector. The facility is “always running able to learn anything about her ten-
A registered nurse told the inspec- short yet they expect the same work,” CNAs are paid between $11 and $14 ant, whom she regarded as a friend.
tor there should be five CNAs on the said another CNA. an hour for work that involves inti-
day shift, but there were “usually only mate care and comfort for the patient. The tenant had been hospitalized af-
four.” The RN said residents should That CNA was one of eight the in- ter collapsing in the rental condo and
be getting showers twice a week and a spector interviewed, out of a total of Family members told the inspector was discharged to Sea Breeze. Though
bed bath every day. 12 CNAs at the facility. She also spoke about more than the missed baths. the landlord had concerns that clear-
with five out of seven licensed nursing The conversations “revealed multiple ly had the tenant’s interests in mind
According to the report, nearly all of staff – LPNs and RNs. complaints that they had not been – what to do with her car, and how to
the 79 residents at Sea Breeze needed able to reach residents in the facility stop her automated rent payment – she
staff to help them shower or to give The CNAs spoke of having only two due to problems with the phone lines, was told repeatedly she couldn’t speak
them bed baths. Fifty-eight residents on a unit at a time, making it impos- staff not answering the phones, and/ to the Sea Breeze patient. Turned out,
were “totally dependent” on staff. sible to shower a patient weak enough or staff being too busy.” the resident’s phone was broken.
to need two people to assist, since that
Melissa Schwanke says her mother would leave no one free on the floor. That wasn’t the only communica-
was among those who went for three tions failure at Sea Breeze. Accord-
weeks at Sea Breeze without being ing to the state report, Sea Breeze
bathed. She took photos of her mom’s neglected to file the mandatory daily
matted hair, saying it had been that COVID-19 reports to AHCA’s Emer-
way for days. gency Status System, which monitors
not only COVID-19 cases, but also PPE
Schwanke grew so frantic over her and facility census.
mother, who had tested positive and
had a horrible cough, she called the po- The report said Sea Breeze failed to
lice non-emergency number. They sent file those figures on 13 out of 31 days,
an ambulance to take her mother to the presumably in July, when the outbreak
ER, but Sea Breeze turned it away. was at its worst. That means media
outlets including 32963, which checks
It was Schwanke who called the the state charts daily, were looking at
Agency for Healthcare Administration outdated figures for nearly two weeks
to register her concerns. In all, seven out of that month.
out of eight complaints arising from
Schwanke’s call were substantiated by Family members also told the in-
the AHCA inspector.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
“Staffing is horrible,” one certified

8 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Sea Breeze mid-August. A new director of nurs-
ing, Steve Pendleton, arrived in May,
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 and the executive director, Loudins
Geffrard, left in July to go to another
spector they were not getting required Citadel facility, Sandgate Gardens, in
updates on the COVID-19 status of the Fort Pierce.
facility.
Wildes, Sea Breeze’s new administra-
The report spells out the AHCA rule tor, has worked for the past nine years at
that facilities must give at minimum Sandgate. For the last two years, she has
weekly COVID-19 updates to resi- been Citadel’s regional director over the
dents, their representatives and fami- Fort Pierce and Vero facilities.
lies. And if they learn of a COVID-19
positive case or know of three or more As for the hot water, the mainte-
residents or staff coming down with nance director from Sandgate came
new-onset symptoms within 72 hours the week of the inspection to finally
of each other, the facility has to inform install a new hot water tank. He wasn’t
residents and families by 5 p.m. the fol- much help to the inspector, though.
lowing day.
“He was unable to access the elec-
The AHCA report pointed to staff tronic work order system to verify
shortages as a cause of Sea Breeze’s when the hot water issue first began
failure to inform resident families of or when other repairs were made,” the
the status of their loved ones and the inspector wrote in the report.
facility at large, or even respond to
phone calls. The report said the facili- The state is finally showing one proj-
ty’s staffing levels were “insufficient” to ect completed at Sea Breeze: the im-
provide the basic activities of daily life. plementation of its emergency power
plan. That plan required the installa-
Some staff quit because they were tion of a state-mandated backup gen-
afraid of getting sick, others because erator, which was supposed to be in-
they were told they could not work at stalled in April.
multiple facilities. Still others got CO-
VID-19 themselves and had to stay Sea Breeze got a six-week exten-
away for two weeks or more. sion from the state, blaming delays
on crews not wanting to work around
The resulting staff shortages put nursing homes during COVID-19, and
stress on the workers who remained, the state subsequently granted a sec-
causing others to get discouraged and ond extension to June 1. Sea Breeze
leave. sailed past that deadline, but the gen-
erator finally was in place by June 30,
Leadership is in turmoil too. Along according to the project’s Miami con-
with maintenance supervisors coming tractor, who added there are still a few
and going, the facility’s dietician left in
kinks to work out. 

Vero City Council burden of residents and struggling
business owners.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
But Falls did not include any such
ceipts. Based upon that, the city coun- proposal in his two recommendations
cil opted to keep the property tax rate to the council in Wednesday’s meeting
the same to bring an extra quarter- backup documents:
million dollars into the general fund
instead of going to the “rolled-back” “The unappropriated surplus can
rate that would have brought in the be applied to reduce the amount of
same tax dollars as the current year. residual cash from the electric sale
proceeds used to balance the general
That quarter million dollars in ex- fund budget for the year three of five
tra property taxes would help fund of the transition plan,” Falls wrote,
an additional eight employees and referring to the 2021-22 budget year.
a $565,000 increase in payroll at a “Alternatively, [the windfall] could be
time when the local businesses pay-
ing those taxes are laying people off, NEWS ANALYSIS
implementing furloughs or taking out
loans to keep their doors open. That retained for a future appropriation for
was the picture presented in July. projects such as continued support for
Three Corners planning as those costs
Last week, City Manager Monte Falls become identified.”
wrote to the council with the good
news that Vero took in $317,000 more It will be interesting to see if anyone
than expected, so instead of a deficit pipes up and says, “Or, we could cut
of $229,000, the council is now work- the tax rate!”
ing with a budget surplus of nearly
$88,000. The candidates’ positions on is-
sues like taxes will unfold in the next
This is great. Vero can whittle the 10 weeks leading up to the election
property tax rate down a bit now that as the five hopefuls debate and ques-
the city does not need to pile an extra tion each other’s fitness for office – but
quarter million onto the property tax

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 9

NEWS

some important things can be gleaned a bump in assessed values. His candi- anthropic families, Brackett is bull- cil member most in tune with the lo-
from their backgrounds. date packet reveals Brackett’s financial ish on Vero’s economy and the city’s cal business community, so his col-
interest in 90 properties in Indian Riv- prospects for attracting commercial leagues on the dais typically listen to
Councilman Robbie Brackett – the er County and 55 properties elsewhere investment in the riverfront project, his point of view. To bolster the can-do
only incumbent running for re-elec- in Florida. including a major hotel. contingent, Brackett wants to bring
tion – should understand the impact more young, optimistic people into
on a business of paying more property A Vero native and member of one But can he persuade the rest of the
taxes in a challenging economy due to of the county’s most generous phil- council to dream big? He is the coun- CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

10 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

Vero City Council City Council is notorious for getting it- city council, voters will need to decide I think those go together. By embrac-
self into some horrific business deals. whether or not they want a political ing best practices and auditing each
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 powerhouse on the dais pressing the and every part of our government, I’m
“He also has extensive experiences IRNA agenda on the city once again. confident we can improve the quality of
the planning process to push a more working with various government en- municipal services without spending a
forward-thinking approach. tities around the world successfully Central Beach resident John Cotug- single penny more than we already do.”
negotiating agreements that were ben- no probably has the least name recog-
Brackett seems a shoo-in for a eficial for the governments involved nition of the five candidates running, Former councilman and perennial
second term on the Vero Beach City and for the firms he was representing,” so he will need to get his message out candidate Heady does not campaign
Council, with four other candidates McCabe’s bio states. to voters in an election season when or promote himself in the traditional
– Bob McCabe, Honey Minuse, John people are still social distancing and sense, because he wants to be judged
Cotugno and Brian Heady – scrapping Minuse has become locally famous avoiding large events. Good thing he’s on what he stands for, and for who he
it out for the remaining two seats. for her own style of leadership in the a marketing consultant by trade, with is – an unbridled maverick. The big
Indian River Neighborhood Associa- skills that should come in handy. problem with Heady is that he’s to-
Vero Beach Chamber of Commerce tion, a group accused over the years of tally unpredictable, and he’s an auda-
CEO McCabe’s name was pulled on being staunchly anti-growth and anti- Cotugno’s Facebook page lays out cious contrarian. In the past he’s gone
Friday for top billing on the ballot. Mc- development. In an announcement an agenda of fiscal responsibility that against the grain not only when Vero
Cabe came close to being elected last of her candidacy, Minuse pointed out sounds like a nightmare for city staff, had wandered far astray, but even at
year when only two seats were open so that she’s served on Vero’s Planning but a boon for taxpayers. “My goal is times when city leaders were solidly
he’s trying again. and Zoning Board for 10 years. to make municipal government as re-
sponsive and efficient as possible, and on the right track. 
McCabe is a 32963 resident who came The IRNA has publicly pushed for
to Vero with a solid corporate leader- Vero to impose a stormwater utility NO ELECTION NEEDED: SHORES TO
ship background. His position leading tax – an idea many disagree with that USHER IN 3 NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS
the Vero Chamber puts him in a unique keeps cropping up as the staff seems
position to listen to the concerns and hell-bent on pushing it through in BY LISA ZAHNER electric sale, building the Shores cell
priorities of the local businesses that 2021. Numerous council members en- tower, selling the town’s oceanside
fuel Vero’s economy. McCabe could dorsed by the IRNA’s now-defunct po- Staff Writer 5-acre parcel, reconstructing the com-
presumably become a constructive litical wing actively worked to thwart munity center and bolstering employ-
partner to work with Brackett to create the sale of Vero electric to Florida Pow- Indian River Shores residents will ee pension funds as successes during
city policy that is less bureaucratic and er & Light. More than a decade ago, not vote for new town council mem- his term.
more pro-growth and pro-business. the IRNA ran the City of Vero Beach bers this fall since only three candi-
through mayors Tom White and Sabe dates filed for the three open seats. “We accomplished a lot. I’m leav-
But one aspect of McCabe’s resume Abell and their obstructionist cohorts. ing the town in very good shape,” Au-
– the part about him negotiating on six Christian Hendricks, John McCord waerter said.
continents in his 32 years with Gener- Though Minuse is intelligent, savvy and Mary Alice Smith were automati-
al Motors – stood out from his general and a dedicated public servant, and cally elected to four-year terms and Slater echoed Auwaerter’s assess-
qualifications, because the Vero Beach might very well do a decent job on the will step up to the dais in November ment that the current council has
as Mayor Tom Slater, Vice Mayor Bob worked hard and achieved much. Slat-
Established 18 Years in Indian River County Auwaerter and Councilwoman Debbi er decided not to run for re-election
Peniston pass the torch to the new because he’s been spending too much
(772) 562-2288 | www.kitchensvero.com members. time out of state lately to give council
3920 US Hwy 1, Vero Beach FL 32960 service his full time and energy.
Peniston said of her choice not to
seek re-election, “It’s been a privilege “I have some health problems that
and an honor to work on the town could keep me from doing my job on
council for four years, but four years is council and ... I’d want to be able to be
a long time.” fully committed or it wouldn’t be fair
to the town,” Slater said last week.
She expressed her admiration of
and gratitude for the staff who keep “I have great faith in all three peo-
the town running, especially Town ple,” Slater said of Smith, McCord and
Manager Joe Griffin, Town Clerk Laura Hendricks.
Aldrich and Town Treasurer Heather
Christmas, and said she’s “very sup- Smith is retired from a successful
portive” of the new council members. career in the pharmaceutical industry
“I’m sure they’ll do a fine job.” and is heavily involved in charitable
projects and in the John’s Island com-
Peniston is joining the board of the munity. McCord, an attorney by train-
Learning Alliance and wanted to free ing, has worked for decades as a high-
up time to devote to that cause. level energy consultant and has served
on many key local boards. Hendricks
Auwaerter, who lost the Republican retired from more than three decades
primary for the District 5 Indian River of government service as deputy in-
Board of County Commissioners seat, spector general of the U.S. House of
signed a “Resign to Run” agreement Representatives. He works as a real
when he entered the commission estate agent on the barrier island and
race. The form is mute on what hap- has chaired the town’s Planning Zon-
pens if a candidate loses a primary in ing and Variance Board.
one race and then has time to run for
re-election to another office without The new council members will be
any overlap in service, but Auwaerter seated in the midst of a dispute with
said it doesn’t matter because it’s a the City of Vero Beach over what the
good time for him to exit. Shores claims is a breach of the town’s

He listed the closing of the Vero CONTINUED ON PAGE 12



12 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

16th Street ballfields property may Shores Town Council critical water and sewer infrastructure
not be sold to a developer after all in the older parts of the town.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10
BY RAY MCNULTY and agility drills. Videos of the ses- Last month the town council au-
sions were sent to 700 recruiting water-sewer utility franchise agree- thorized the filing of a lawsuit, which
Staff Writer services and colleges. ment with the city. would trigger a state-mandated me-
diation process designed to save tax-
Just last week, Vero Beach 32963 “There’s definitely a need for a The Shores’ beef with Vero is twofold payer money on legal fees when the
reported that Vero Beach City facility like this in our community,” – partially about reuse irrigation water litigation involves two municipalities.
Councilman Joe Graves was, by his said Motta, an island resident who rates the city is charging after a rate The town council was set to meet at
account, close to a deal with Indian coached successfully at St. Edward’s hike in 2019, and partially about a per- 4:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss the case,
River County that would have al- for a decade. “Even with COVID, ceived failure by the city to adequately with a public hearing of the town’s
lowed him to sell the 16th Street we’ve had nearly 5,000 kids come invest in maintaining and replacing
ballfields property he owns to an through here the past six months 2020-21 operating budget to follow. 
Orlando developer who planned to for one activity or another.
build homes there. PROFESSIONAL TENNIS TOURNEY
“Joe’s intentions are good, and TO RETURN TO VERO IN OCTOBER
That has abruptly changed. there’s an opportunity here.”
This week, Graves said his dream BY RAY MCNULTY “The UTR guidelines are much sim-
of converting the property into a rec- Graves’ 15-year-old son, Jimmy, pler,” said Lynn Southerly, Mardy Fish
reation and youth-activities complex was killed in a December 2016 boat- Staff Writer Children’s Foundation executive direc-
to honor his son has been resurrected ing accident, prompting his father tor, adding that the tournament prob-
with the help of former St. Edward’s to start a foundation dedicated to Vero Beach’s annual men’s profes- ably would need to limit spectator
School football coach Bill Motta. creating youth activities and recre- sional tennis tournament, postponed seating, particularly on The Boulevard’s
Graves said Friday he canceled ational facilities in the community. this year because of the pandemic, clubhouse deck, and encourage use of
a $1.1 million contract to sell the has been rescheduled for Oct. 19-25, the stadium court’s bleachers to abide
11.6-acre parcel he purchased from With the county offering a sweet- but organizers said last weekend they by social-distancing recommendations.
the county 3 ½ years ago to the Or- heart deal – a selling price of $250,000 were unsure if this year’s event would
lando firm. The developer planned for a parcel that appraised at more be sanctioned, as usual, by the United “This tournament is our No. 1 fund-
to build affordable, multi-family than $500,000 – the foundation pur- States Tennis Association and Interna- raiser,” she said of the event, usually
housing on the property. chased the ballfields property, lo- tional Tennis Foundation. played in late April and early May, “and
Instead, Graves said he will keep cated across 16th Street from Vero we want as many people as we can
the land, where Motta – hired in Beach High School, in March 2017. If not, organizers said the tournament safely accommodate to come out.”
February to maintain and operate still would be played at The Boulevard
the complex – has been running Graves told county commission- Tennis Club under the banner of the Foundation President Tom Fish, a
youth, athletic and recreational ers he planned to build a recreation Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Ten- Central Beach resident and tennis di-
programs for the past six months. and youth-activities complex that nis Championships, but as a Universal rector atWindsor, said the sponsors and
“Bill’s presence has changed he hoped would include a regula- Tennis Rating“open” event with no qual- box-seat holders have remained loyal to
things,” Graves said, explaining that tion-size track that could be used ifying rounds and as many as 64 men the tournament, which has been played
Motta has used his coaching, admin- by Vero Beach High School athletes. competing for $10,000 in prize money. annually in Vero Beach since 1995.
istrative and maintenance skills to
create programs that have sparked a According to Graves, he invested The Universal Tennis Rating is a “They’ve all stuck with us,” he said.
renewed interest in the complex. another $250,000 in making im- global rating system – separate from “We communicated with them when
“We’ve never had someone with provements to the property – re- the men’s ATP Tour and women’s WTA the tournament was postponed, and
his experience and expertise run- moving antiquated lighting, old Tour world rankings – that began sanc- we told them we’d try again later in
ning things,” he added. and unsafe fencing, a rotting shed tioning small, pro events in May, when the year. Nobody has asked for their
The programs Motta has started and two unusable field houses; re- the major tours were shut down by the money back.
at the Jimmy Graves Sports Complex pairing the irrigation system and pandemic.
include ultimate Frisbee, high school replacing pumps; remodeling the “So, we want to have the tourna-
football 7-on-7 passing camps, Bud O’Reilly Field House; installing “I expect to get a strong field, regard- ment, and we’re going to have a tour-
middle school football instructional 5 acres of athletic turf; and resurfac- less of whether it’s a USTA Pro Circuit nament – as long as the county doesn’t
7-on-7 passing camps, high school ing the parking lots. event or a UTR event,” Tournament prohibit it because of the virus.”
athletic conditioning, 3-versus-3 Director Randy Walker said.
soccer, youth flag football and youth Graves abandoned his plans after After the USTA shut down all its
SNAG (Starting New At Golf). three years, however, when the non- “Players ranked 150 and lower haven’t tournaments in March, Walker began
Motta said more than 80 kids, profit foundation failed to generate had many opportunities to play lately searching the Pro Circuit calendar for
ages 8 to 13, have registered for a the donations needed to fund the because of the virus, so they’re starved open dates in the fall.
fall flag football league. project. He then transferred owner- for tournament play and paychecks.”
Motta also has used the facility ship of the land to a for-profit com- He noticed an October vacancy, a
for his Christian-based Victory Kids pany he owns and put the property Walker and other tournament or- week after a tournament in Tallahas-
camps, where student-athletes are up for sale earlier this year, eventu- ganizers say they’re concerned they see.
taught to compete honorably, re- ally accepting a lucrative offer from won’t have the resources to comply
spect their opponents and live high- the Orlando developer. with the USTA’s strict pandemic pro- “I sent the USTA an email and asked
character lives. tocols, which, in addition to requiring if we could slide into that date, and
In addition, Motta organized a Graves said selling the property masks worn on the premises, include they said yes,” Walker said. “Then we
football combine at which 32 high to a developer was his “last resort, processing participants’ health ques- had to sit back and wait.
school players from four counties our only option,” after his recre- tionnaires, testing , daily body-temper-
– most of them from Vero Beach – ation complex plans fell through ature screenings and social distancing. “We need to hear something soon,”
participated in six strength, speed and no local buyer came forward. Southerly said, “so that if we don’t have
He said he approached the Boys & While the USTA would cover the Fish a Pro Circuit tournament, we can make
Girls Clubs of Indian River County, tournament’s $15,000 purse – organiz- the necessary arrangements and get
school district, St. Francis Manor ers would need to put up all the prize everything set for a UTR event.”
and other nonprofit organizations money for a UTR event – Pro Circuit
about taking over the property. tournaments bring more expenses, in- Either way, the pandemic presents
cluding housing and paying USTA ad- only one obstacle. The other is hurri-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 ministrators and officials. cane season.

“Don’t say that,” Fish said. “Don’t

even think it.” 



14 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

NEWS

16th Street ballfields er, Graves needed to resolve a dispute ter his costs were covered – to the county, property, but he’ll lease the land to his
with the county over a deed restriction which stood to take in at least $500,000. son’s foundation to protect his invest-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12 limiting the land’s use to recreational The county planned to use that money ment in case his second attempt to re-
and youth-related activities. to build new fields at Hobart Park and alize his vision fails, too.
“We were willing to sell the property name the complex after Graves’ son.
at cost,” he said. County officials were willing to remove “I would love it if we can make this
the restriction, but they wanted Graves Graves said Friday his for-profit work,” Graves said.“It would be a dream
To complete the sale to the develop- to turn over all profits from the sale – af- company will retain ownership of the
come true.” 

‘SCIENCE INSTITUTE’
HELPS KIDS DISCOVER
AMAZING NEW WORLD

16 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

‘Science Institute’ helps kids discover amazing new world

BY STEPHANIE LaBAFF
Staff Writer

Despite the pandemic, Marga- Margaret Ingram. PHOTOS: KAILA JONES & STEPHANIE LABAFF PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
ret Ingram, executive director of
the Science Institute of Discovery, across the train tracks,” she said. ford Youth Achievement Center, but Another opportunity came with
launched her summer science insti- Later, even with the Environmen- this year, CDC guidelines limited the announcement that SpaceX was
tute for minority and disadvantaged tal Learning Center “right in their the number of students who could launching two astronauts to the Inter-
students into the stratosphere this backyard,” they were constrained attend. Instead, taking advantage of national Space Station. After reading
year. Ingram founded the science by a lack of transportation and oth- the fact that students were already “Chasing Space,” they participated in
education nonprofit 20 years ago to er factors. familiar with school being taught a two-part virtual course with Leland
empower students to reach for the virtually, Ingram made adjustments Melvin, a retired astronaut in “Chas-
stars. “I knew that something had to be to the program and took it online. ing Space: Science and Life Lessons.”
done to motivate these students to
Rather than viewing the pandem- learn science,” said Ingram. And Ingram also capitalized on her While constructing models of the
ic restrictions as a barrier to shar- she was just the person to do it. connection with the Learning Al- International Space Station, they
ing her love of science with an over- liance as its lead Reading Captain, were treated to virtual guest visits
looked segment of the population, Using connections she made over and integrated a literacy compo- from two SID alumni: Aaron Jordan,
Ingram saw it as an opportunity to the years, Ingram has built a cadre nent into her program that includ- Life Sciences Glovebox facility op-
take the children on a virtual trip “to of resources in the scientific com- ed reading, writing, speaking, re- erator at Teledyne Brown Engineer-
infinity and beyond.” munity, enabling students to in- search and publishing. ing, and Austin Jordan, communica-
teract with professionals from the tions manager at Made in Space. Both
No stranger to adversity, Ingram U.S. Horticultural Laboratory in The Learning Alliance supplied served as inspirational examples of
grew up in Wabasso as one of 11 chil- Fort Pierce, Environmental Learn- books for students to read prior to the possibilities available to students
dren. Her mother died when she was ing Center, Harbor Branch Oceano- each virtual field trip. interested in scientific careers.
6 years old and her father left them graphic Institute, Indian River State
when she was just 8 years old. College, Florida Atlantic University, She took them on an unexpect- Ingram’s own son, George, taught
Florida Institute of Technology, ed virtual journey to South Africa, Zoom sessions on coding from Cali-
Ingram said she tells her minor- Center for Advancement of Science where they befriended students fornia, instructing the students on
ity students, “You might be thinking in Space, Treasure Coast Animal from Youth Potential South Africa. how to add lights and music to their
that all you want to do is play basket- Emergency and Specialty Hospi- Both groups read “There Must be a space station models. The students
ball or football or cheerleading, but I tal, Piper Aircraft, Ocean Research Rainbow,” a book about positivity practiced their coding with Artie
know there’s a much better academ- and Conservation Association, Sally in the face of adversity, and devel- 3000, an art robot, incorporating
ic future for you if you go to college. Ride Science program and the Ken- oped pen-pal relationships that had math and art.
If this girl from Wabasso dirt can get nedy Space Center. the added benefit of helping their
through college with no parents and new friends to improve their Eng- In lieu of a traditional graduation,
you’ve got half of a parent, you’ve got Each summer, SID provides men- lish skills. students stopped by Ingram’s home
50 percent more than I had at that tors, role models and exercises in – masked and socially distanced –
time.” STEAM (Science, Technology, Engi- Two guest speakers – one living to pick up certificates, a celebratory
neering, Art and Math) fields to fos- in Guyana, and the other now in meal, a bag of books, and ELC ‘Nature
Ingram has been blazing trails her ter interest in scientific careers that the United States after having spent Near You’ kits to continue using their
entire adult, retiring from teaching could improve their lives and those time in a Liberian refugee camp – exploratory skills.
after 35 years with the School Dis- of future generations. spoke about life in Africa and their
trict of Indian River County. She experiences as coders. Additionally, “COVID-19 opened up the world to
has been honored over the years as Robotic engineering, coding, through the book “The Boy Who everybody,” said Ingram. “Before, I
Florida Teacher of the Year, Hospi- space travel, environmental sci- Harnessed the Wind,” the students was confined to that one little space
tal District of IRC appointee, Indian ence, web development, and me- learned of a small village where one at Gifford Youth Achievement Center
River Teacher of the Year, Florida chanical and electrical engineering young Malawian boy built a wind- and the places we could physically
Ambassador for Education, Christa are just some of the areas Ingram mill to save his village from fam- visit. This year I was able to take the
McAuliffe Ambassador for Educa- has introduced to her students. ine, which segued into studying students beyond Indian River County,
tion, and Disney Teacher of the Year. mechanical engineering using pin- across the globe and into space.”
For the past few years, Ingram wheels.
It was while teaching at Beach- conducted SID programs at the Gif- For information, visit sidinc.org. 
land Elementary School that In-
gram recognized that girls were less
likely to pursue the sciences than
boys.

“The children loved science, but I
saw a lack of confidence in my girls,”
said Ingram. However, they became
increasingly self-assured when she
provided additional opportunities
for the girls to “get their hands on
things.”

As time went on, Ingram realized
this lack of scientific interest and
confidence extended to minority
students as well; primarily the re-
sult of a lack of opportunities.

“When I was a child, segregation
prohibited us from going too far



18 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16

Enyjai Tyson, Alleia Bryant and Courtlyn Dix.

Zakiyah Killings and Davionne Stinson. Leeandra Ealy and Natalya Ealy. Jeanne Perry and Iva Perry.

Rhonda McGilberry and Tobias McGilberry. Jayden Peterson and Christopher Peterson.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 19

PEOPLE

Dignity Food Truck becomes another ‘Source’ of pride

BY STEPHANIE LABAFF are just so delighted to see
Staff Writer this project come to fruition
so quickly, and at a time when
The Source is taking the show Maureen Archer. PHOTOS CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 I think it’s needed. The Source
on the road with their new Dignity offers dignity, confidence and
Food Truck, which has begun serv- er-interaction confidence and hone PHOTOS: BRENDA AHEARN& KAILA JONES independence; helping those
ing up delicious meals at various lo- their skills, and proceeds from food in need to be productive
cations around town. sales are funneled back into benefit members of society.”
programs and services.
For the past 25 years, the Chris- In addition to ordering
tian outreach ministry has assisted “We always had this vision of meals on location, custom-
the homeless as a drop-in center, social enterprises, and how can ers can also download the “I
providing them with food, clothing, we continue to be unique in Vero. am the Source” app to view
hygiene items, showers, laundering That’s when the food truck idea was locations and menus, and
facilities, mail and phone services, born,” said Zorbaugh. place and pay for orders be-
counseling, job readiness programs fore heading to the location to
and community referrals. It also The timing couldn’t have been pick them up.
serves as a cold-weather shelter. better. At the same time as the coro-
navirus forced the cancellation of The Dignity Food Truck
The Dignity Food Truck, which events and stymied their catering operates from 11 a.m. un-
was funded by a grant from Impact program, more and more people til food is sold out five days
100 of Indian River County this past were seeking their assistance. per week. Current locations
April, is the most recent addition to are: Monday and Tuesday at
their Dining with Dignity program, The Dignity Food Truck provides Tropical Scooters, 1081 U.S. 1;
which was launched three years another opportunity for culinary Wednesday at United Against
ago. The goal is to train the home- students to get hands-on training, Poverty; Thursday at Premier
less and unemployed in food indus- cooking for and serving customers Estate Properties; and Friday
try positions, so that they may work in the greater community. at Route 60 Hyundai.
their way to self-sufficiency.
“COVID hit, and we realized it For information, visit
Participants learn food prep was the perfect opportunity to roll iamthesource.org. 
skills, meal and nutritional plan- out the Dignity Food Truck,” said
ning and, upon completion, earn Zorbaugh.
State of Florida ServSafe and Saf-
eStaff certification. Their business The Dignity Food Truck made its
model runs the gamut from salaried debut recently in the parking lot of
job training and employment coun- Route 60 Hyundai, luring customers
seling to job-placement assistance with the scent of tantalizing foods
through relationships built with lo- and selling out within two hours.
cal restaurants. The goal, said Zorbaugh, is to earn
$2,500 a week from the food truck to
The Dining with Dignity program help fund programs and operations.
has several tiers based on the train-
ees’ level of experience. Since its in- “The food truck is a creative way
ception, 60 participants have found for the Source to continue with
employment and 47 have found a hands-on training and to generate
place to live. income,” said Pilar Turner, Impact
100 community partner chair. “We
Anthony Zorbaugh, executive
director of the Source, said that
participants are also learning how
to prepare and serve breakfast to
homeless clients in the Source’s
dining hall.

“We have created the first made-
to-order menu for those in need in
the country,” said Zorbaugh. “When
people come into the Source,
they’re seated, waited on, and given
the menu options.”

That program was so well-re-
ceived by the community that Dig-
nity Caterers was added to broaden
experiences through additional
training in food delivery and ser-
vice skills, with participants serv-
ing their catered meals at the meet-
ings and events of local businesses
and nonprofits.

Feedback is shared with the stu-
dents to help build up their custom-

20 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PEOPLE

PHOTOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19
The Source executive director Anthony Zorbaugh and culinary director Chef Karlos Ayala.

Kris Rohr, Barbara DiMarzo, Pilar Turner and Sherri Kolo.

The Source board president David Puscher Orlando Ortiz.
with daughter Kristina.



22 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT COVER STORY

A FEW DAYS shy of her 90th birth- pable of looking after themselves. They been identified as the cause have also doubts that its prevalence increases
day, tortured by leg ulcers and arthritis, lose the ability to read, cook and shop. risen. In April it came second only to with age.
Vera, has kept herself alive, it seems, to They forget to drink and get dehydrat- covid-19. Those with dementia often
meet her first grandchild, due any mo- ed, or become incontinent. They suf- have conditions that make them vul- By some estimates, 1.7% of 65- to
ment now. But when the happy day fer delusions, or become frightened nerable – above all, being old, but also 69-year-olds have dementia, and its
comes and the baby is brought to her, or angry, or they sink into an apathetic being overweight, depressed, smok- incidence (the number of new cases)
she is confused. slump. They require care for all their ing, having high blood pressure or dia- doubles every five years to the age of
waking hours, and often supervision betes. 90. Another estimate is that at the age
She recognizes her daughter-in-law, when asleep. of 85, between a third and a half of peo-
but is puzzled by the bundle in her And dementia makes it hard to un- ple have dementia.
arms. “That’s nice, dear,” she says. “But The covid-19 pandemic has been a derstand the danger of the virus, or
why have you brought me a coconut?” huge ordeal for people with demen- to remember social-distancing or hy- In this sense dementia is collateral
tia. The loss of routine and social con- giene precautions. Many have endured damage from one of humanity’s tri-
Dementia is a cruel condition, rob- tacts under lockdown have hastened the pandemic in senior care homes, umphs: increased lifespans. A hun-
bing people of their deepest joys and cognitive decline. Dementia patients which have accounted for nearly half dred years ago, life expectancy at birth
hopes. It may start as a “mild cognitive have proved highly susceptible to the of all deaths from covid-19 in the rich was not much more than 30. By 1960
impairment” (MCI): forgetfulness or virus – Britain some studies suggest world. it had reached 52. Today it is about 70
“senior moments.” But as it progress- it has been the commonest “pre-ex- for men and 75 for women, and in rich
es, attacking mental agility and eating isting condition” in those dying from Dementia affects more than 50 mil- countries, over 80 apiece.
away memory, it steals much of what covid-19. lion people worldwide, a number that
counts as identity. is rising fast. It has many causes and is Nonagenarians and even centenar-
And deaths where “dementia” has imperfectly understood. But nobody ians are no longer rare. Despite cov-
When severe, people become inca- id-19, medical progress will continue,

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 23

INSIGHT COVER STORY

further lengthening lives. Yet demen- ticed abnormalities also found in the tries and 80% in poorer ones. Some 82 country, with a median age of 28 com-
tia is stubbornly resistant to efforts to brains of older people with dementia. million people will have dementia by pared with China’s 38, and lower life
find a cure. 2030 and 152 million by 2050. expectancy (70 compared with 77) had
Of the dozens of forms of demen- some 4 million in 2018, mostly undi-
It was long seen as a natural part tia identified, the pathology known as Encouraging recent research in agnosed, a number that may reach 7.5
of growing old, the last of the seven “Alzheimer’s disease” is the common- America and parts of Europe suggests million by 2030.
ages of man defined by Shakespeare’s est, accounting for between 60% and that changing lifestyles may be bring-
Jaques: “second childishness and mere 80% of cases. Next, each accounting for ing down the incidence of age-specific Other places with big numbers are
oblivion.” Kate Swaffer, an Australian 5-10%, are vascular dementia, caused dementia. But it appears to be rising the European Union, with an esti-
diagnosed with dementia in 2008 who by an inadequate flow of blood to the elsewhere, so global projections are mated 9.1 million in 2018, the United
chairs Dementia Alliance Internation- brain, and Lewy body dementia. unlikely to be revised downwards. States (about 6 million) and Japan (5
al, a campaigning group, sums up the million).
advice she got: “Go home and prepare All forms of dementia become more Dementia disproportionately affects
to die.” prevalent in old age, and so will be- women, even allowing for their longer Set against the size of the world’s
come more widespread as life expec- life expectancy. In the United States, population, these numbers may seem
Dementia used to be called “senile tancy rises. As people in less well-off two-thirds of people with Alzheimer’s manageable. That is illusory. Nowhere
dementia” or simply “senility.” But a parts of the world enjoy longer lives, are female, and 60% of carers at home in the world, rich or poor, is equipped
small minority of sufferers are not old that is where three-quarters of new are women. to deal with the scale of the problems
at all. In 1906 Alois Alzheimer, a Ger- cases will arise. created by dementia. No cure exists,
man psychiatrist, conducted an autop- China has more people with de- and even the most hopeful new thera-
sy on Auguste Deter, a woman who had In 2015 the OECD estimated that by mentia than any other country – an es- pies will have only a mild impact. So
developed dementia in her 40s. He no- 2030 the number of cases of dementia timated 9.5 million people (it includes
would increase by 50% in rich coun- Taiwan in its total). India, a younger CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

24 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 INSIGHT COVER STORY

all these dementia patients will need The covid-19 pandemic has shown published a “global action plan on the tia compared with 3 million on cancer.
to be cared for – often for many years. the fragility of many health-care sys- public-health response to dementia.” And everywhere, the costs of long-term
tems, and drawn attention to the large care for people with dementia can be
Humane care will require vast num- numbers of people with dementia who So dementia could hardly be said crippling – are not usually covered by
bers of people, and huge sums of occupy hospital beds mainly because to be below the radar. In Britain, for health insurers.
money. An estimate cited by the World of a lack of alternative facilities to care example, 52% of people know some-
Health Organisation (WHO) put the for them. When the virus is defeated, body with the condition. And it has The comparative neglect of demen-
annual global cost of caring for people dementia will continue to spread. not spared the famous: Ronald Reagan tia has several causes. One is that it of-
with dementia at $1 trillion in 2018, ris- and Margaret Thatcher had dementia, ten falls between different government
ing to $2 trillion by 2030, a total “that In her book “Where Memories Go,” along with many other statesmen, agencies. In the absence of useful med-
could undermine social and economic a memoir of her mother who had Al- sports stars and writers. ical interventions, health ministries
development globally and overwhelm zheimer’s, Sally Magnusson, a journal- do not want the strain of looking after
health and social services, including ist, calls dementia “perhaps the greatest Yet campaigners working for demen- untreatable and perhaps otherwise
long-term care systems specifically.” social, medical, economic, scientific, tia charities around the world have a healthy people on their budgets. Often
philosophical and ethical challenge of point when they argue that theirs is an the provision of long-term care is the
In Japan, governments have for de- our times.” Hyperbole? Yet many politi- underfunded cause. Covid-19 is likely responsibility of local governments, so
cades tried to create systems to deal cians seem to agree with Magnusson. only to make things worse, as the pan- its availability and quality vary wildly.
with the problem, but officials admit demic sucks in money and medical ex-
they are unsustainable. There will be In 2013 David Cameron, Britain’s pertise. More fundamentally, the old notion
neither money nor carers enough to prime minister, used his chairman- that dementia is a natural part of the
cope. In 2018 the average lifetime cost ship of the G8 to convene a “dementia Already dementia research receives ageing process is deep-rooted – held
of care for an American with demen- summit.” Other leaders have adopted far less money than cancer or coronary by two-thirds of people and even by
tia was put at nearly $350,000, with the cause. Moon Jae-in, South Korea’s heart disease (CHD). A global study in 62% of medical practitioners, accord-
70% being the costs of care at home by president, campaigned on a pledge to 2018 found 250,000 papers on demen-
families. Many poorer countries have get the state to take on more of the bur-
yet to confront the problem at all. den of dementia care. In 2017 the WHO

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 25

INSIGHT COVER STORY

ing to a survey last year by Alzheimer’s in some African countries, where those nual report: “When a person has de- why people prefer not to confront the
Disease International (ADI), an advo- with dementia may be shunned or per- mentia, the condition takes over as the dementia emergency: fear. Knowing
cacy group. secuted, is the starkest example of the main descriptor of who they are. The how likely they are to develop it, and
stigma attached to dementia. stigma cancels the individual’s person- seeing the difficult lives of those who
It also found that one in five people ality or personal history.” already have, they prefer to look the
attributed dementia to bad luck and No other disability, Swaffer points other way – just hope that a cure will
almost 10% to God’s will. As many as out, is treated in the way hers was dis- On top of the stigma the condi-
2% blamed witchcraft. That belief, held missed. As ADI puts it in its 2019 an- tion brings, there is another reason one day be found. 

26 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT OPINION

We spent a good part of the late 1960s to the early Superficially, this seems a pragmatic response to below the 2 percent target for some specified period.
1980s grappling with the scourge of rising inflation. balancing the risks of inflation and unemployment. But would the Fed then automatically raise inter-
Consumer prices rose from less than 2 percent in But history – such as the previous run-up of inflation
1960 to 13 percent in 1980. There was a widespread – sounds an alarm. est rates to quell inflation? How would periods of
fear it would go higher. undesirably low inflation be calculated? Would the
No one favored the inflation breakout; no one Fed wait too long before raising rates and, thereby,
Various presidents tried different approaches, wanted it. The increases occurred in short and pow- worsen inflation?
including mandatory wage and price controls. We erful bursts that fed on each other. What people did
need to be careful that we don’t accidentally fall into want was “full employment,” defined in the early Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Powell
the same trap. 1960s as about a 4 percent unemployment rate. Peo- had been eager to promote a tight labor market that
ple were willing to suffer slightly higher inflation to would provide jobs for many low-skilled and low-
On its face, this is an absurd statement. The dou- keep wages high and unemployment low. paid workers, who traditionally have struggled to
ble-digit inflation of the early 1980s was crushed by find employment. That goal was (and is) commend-
a deep recession engineered by then-Federal Reserve What seems remarkable now is that many, possibly able, but for the time being, it’s unrealistic.
Chair Paul A. Volcker, with the crucial backing of new- most, economists blessed this arrangement. Their
ly elected President Ronald Reagan. Peak monthly argument was that just a little bit more inflation was We ought to remember that high inflation, when
unemployment reached almost 11 percent. a small price to pay for sustaining “full employment.” it raged in the 1970s and 1980s, was enormously un-
popular. People didn’t know whether wages and sala-
Today, inflation is an afterthought. The crying The trouble was that “just a little more inflation” ries would keep up or fall behind rising prices. High
need now is to reduce the huge pool of jobless work- was repeated countless times until it was a lot more inflation made planning for retirement harder for the
ers receiving unemployment benefits – about 14.5 inflation – and, as a practical matter, was out of con- same reason. In general, the future seemed more un-
million, or roughly a 10 percent unemployment rate. trol. Only the harsh Volcker-Reagan recession con- predictable and precarious. Sadly, the Fed has made
vinced companies and workers that high inflation many errors in forecasting inflation and interest rates.
We believe we’ve won the battle against high infla- would no longer be accommodated.
tion. It’s one economic problem not worth worrying We don’t want to revisit this failure, which was po-
about. The staggering number of unemployed peo- The Fed’s new inflation policy bears a striking re- litical and social, as well as economic. None of this
ple will keep wages from exploding. Federal Reserve semblance to the flawed approach of the past. The detracts from the Fed’s constructive role in stabiliz-
Chair Jerome H. Powell and others have argued that Fed would tolerate breaking the 2 percent inflation ing the economy after the global financial crisis of
the Phillips curve, which describes the relationship barrier to the extent that actual inflation had been 2008-2009 and the pandemic. Since mid-March, the
between wages and inflation, has flattened. Fed has pumped $3 trillion into the economy, argu-
ably preventing crippling insolvencies.
Wage gains have a much weaker impact. Popular
expectations of annual inflation over the next de- But the Fed is not all powerful. The whole exercise
cade average a mere 1.34 percent, reports the Fed- of hitting a rate of inflation of 2 percent assumes the
eral Reserve Bank of Cleveland. Fed can control inflation and job creation with an
exactitude that doesn’t exist.
All that is true – and it’s wildly misleading.
The Fed last week announced new guidelines for The best the Fed can do is to aim at a range of in-
policing inflation and unemployment. The old policy flation – say, zero to 2 percent – and, when prices are
established an inflation target of 2 percent. If inflation moving undesirably in one direction or the other, re-
exceeded this level, the Fed would presumably raise spond vigorously to reverse course. It’s unheroic but
interest rates to relieve upward pressures on wages and
prices. Under the new policy, the Fed would tolerate feasible. 
slightly higher inflation levels temporarily rather than
risk triggering a recession or economic slowdown. This column by Robert J. Samuelson first appeared
in The Washington Post. It does not necessarily reflect
the views of Vero Beach 32963.

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

© 2020 Vero Beach 32963 Media, all rights reserved NERVE BLOCKS  Facet joint nerve blocks
Facet joints are paired joints on the sides of the midline of
Nerve blocks can be diagnostic or therapeutic. each level of the spine. Multiple injections may be ad-
DIAGNOSTIC NERVE BLOCKS ministered depending upon how many joints are involved.
In this procedure, an anesthetic is injected into a specific nerve Facet blocks are typically performed on patients with back
in the body. The patient is not usually sedated so he or she can pain due arthritis, injuries or stress on the spine.
let the doctor know if there is any pain relief. If there is, the  Medial branch nerve blocks
source of the pain may have been located; if not, the origin is Medial branch nerves are small nerves that feed out from
probably elsewhere. facet joints and carry pain signals from facet joints to the
THERAPEUTIC NERVE BLOCKS brain. The doctor injects outside the facet joint near the
The purpose of this procedure is to "turn off" a pain signal com- medial branch nerves that supply the joint. Like facet joint
ing from a specific location in the body, or to decrease inflamma- blocks, medial blocks are most commonly used to decrease
tion in that area. The doctor injects an anesthetic and/or anti-in- pain related to arthritis, injuries or stress on the spine.
flammatory medication (a steroid) into a targeted nerve or group  Selective nerve root injections
of nerves. Imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (a type of X-ray) A selective nerve root block is an injection around a very
or computed tomography (CT), may be used to help the doctor specific swollen or compressed spinal nerve in the lumbar
place the needle. Some patients feel immediate relief; others see (lower back) area that exits out of the spinal cord. It’s
best results three to 10 days later or need a series of injections. commonly used to treat a herniated disc or sciatica.
While pain relief is rarely long term, a therapeutic nerve block  Specific nerve root injections
may allow time for damaged nerves to heal. A steroid is injected along the nerve root to help reduce
Types of nerve block injections to relieve chronic back pain include: irritation and swelling to relieve pain. The steroid usually
 Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) starts to work two days to two weeks after the injection.
The epidural space, an area of the spine between the Some patients experience no decrease in pain; others
vertebral canal and spinal cord, lies inside the canal but gain long-term relief.
outside the cord. ESIs help reduce pain caused by herni-  Trigger point injections
ated intervertebral discs, spinal canal stenosis (narrowing) Trigger points are painful “knots” in your muscles which
and some “mechanical” back problems resulting from im- form when a muscle cannot relax. Some are palpable
proper bending and lifting, poorly-designed seating and when you rub your muscle. Trigger points can also cause
or poor posture. referred pain to seemingly unrelated parts of the body. An
injection into the trigger point may help alleviate muscle
pain in the lower back. 
Your comments and suggestions for future topics are always
welcome. Email us at [email protected].

28 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BOOKS

gests that the thunderous
slapping is a way one pod
communicates with others
nearby. But Giggs wonders
if the whales are simply
being playful, reveling
in their implausible – if
momentary – mastery of

gravity.
Who are these ani-

mals that appear so un-
like us, yet are as playful
and communicative as
we are? Whale mothers
breastfeed their young
with milk dyed pink by
their diet of krill. They
are demonstrably af-

fectionate with their
babies and typically
gentle with humans
who cross their paths.
They appraise us with
basketball-size, un-
blinking eyes, seeming

to peer into our depths
and read us, Giggs re-
ports of her own en-
counter with the dy-
ing humpback.

Ecologists are dis-

FATHOMS

THE WORLD IN THE WHALE

BY REBECCA GIGGS | SIMON & SCHUSTER. 340 PP. $27
REVIEW BY RICHARD SCHIFFMAN, THE WASHINGTON POST

Rebecca Giggs’ lyrical new book, “Fathoms,” be- deafened by the booms of the seismic cannons covering the critical role that whales play in the life
gins and ends with dead whales. The first, a beached used during underwater oil prospecting. They are of the oceans and even, surprisingly, in the compo-
humpback juvenile, was pushed back to the sea by also being poisoned by a witches brew of industrial sition of the Earth’s atmosphere, Giggs reports. Their
concerned onlookers, only to swim again to shore, chemicals that concentrate in their oily blubber. manure fertilizes plankton, and the turbulence of
where it died, Giggs writes, crushed on land by the The two dead humpbacks that Giggs writes about their passage pushes these tiny plants closer to the
weight of its own bones. The second, a humpback needed to be treated as toxic waste, so fouled was sunlit surface where they thrive. Plankton absorb
already days dead, was washed into a tidal pool out- their flesh by pollutants. carbon dioxide, sequestering carbon at the bottom
side Sydney, where it was, by turns, gawked at and of the sea when they die, and they emit more than
grieved by a crowd of the curious. Cetaceans are an older – perhaps wiser – lineage twice as much oxygen as all the rainforests on the
than our own. Their very presence on Earth can planet. “Each whale has been calculated to be worth
Whales – whether dead or alive – are a spectacle. seem redemptive, Giggs writes, in an age when the more than a thousand trees in terms of carbon ab-
We are drawn not just by their size but by an almost living world is rapidly being decimated. Moreover, sorption,” Giggs writes.
spiritual allure. The gigantic creatures are stand-ins whales challenge our smug anthropocentrism and
for the sea, Giggs tells us, poster children of bound- belief that we have the world figured out. They have Protecting whales may be one of the best things
lessness itself. But that boundlessness is under siege big brains, but scientists can’t say what exactly they that we can do to put the brake on climate change.
as we humans increasingly use the world’s oceans as use that prodigious brain power for. Whales are
slaughterhouses and dumping grounds. master communicators, forming “linguistic” com- Facts like these are eye-opening. But the book
munities whose vocalizations, in the case of hump- shines most brightly in its poetry. A whale sneezing
The good news is that in an age when ocean gar- backs and related species, can resemble songs in sounds like “a roll-up door slamming,” descending
bage gyres are visible from space and fisheries ev- their intricacy and aesthetic appeal. Still, nobody is krill are “jerky as little cocktail umbrellas.”
erywhere are crashing, whales endure. Centuries of sure what the songs mean or why whales sing them.
whaling – the most intensive commercial exploita- Giggs’ writing has an old-fashioned lushness and
tion of any wild animal on Earth – decimated some Other common behaviors are equally enigmatic. elaborateness of thought. Still, all that rich language
populations. Yet remarkably, no commercial spe- In one of the most ecstatic passages in the book, and the author’s meandering philosophical reflec-
cies of whale went extinct. The global anti-whaling Giggs describes seeing a pod breaching during a tions on subjects from parasites to the history of
movement of the 1970s led to a ban in 1982. Japan whale-watching cruise. “Are the whales leaping? taxonomy can make for slow reading and seem at
and a few other countries still retain small quotas, Leaping! How many? Three, four whales. We are times to be diversions from the main subject. Also,
but the centuries-long killing spree is over. gaining on them. … We can see the humpbacks Giggs focuses too much, for my tastes, on the dy-
sending up great crescents of salt water, slamming ing and decomposition of whales and not enough
The ban bought whales time, Giggs says, but no their bulk, over and over, against the sea’s surface.” on describing living animals. I wanted more stories
assured future. Sperm whales and humpback num- about how whales interact with one another and
bers have bounced back. However, new threats She confesses to being rattled by the sheer de- with us.
abound. Excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere structive power of these truck-size mammals crash-
has acidified the oceans, killing off many krill, the ing back to the waves – “like witnessing a demoli- This is not the book for those kinds of anecdotes.
shrimplike crustacean that some whale species eat. tion from afar.” Why do they do it? One biologist But its finest passages – and they are many – awak-
The charismatic animals are increasingly struck speculates that these leaps dislodge barnacles and en a sense of wonder. That other lives as marvelous
by ships, entangled in abandoned fishing nets and other freeloaders from whales’ skins. Another sug- and mysterious as these still exist is, for the moment
at least, a reason to celebrate. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 29

INSIGHT BRIDGE

THE RIGHT CARD AIDS PARTNER’S DEFENSE WEST NORTH EAST
752 A Q J 10 8 K63
By Phillip Alder - Bridge Columnist 92 KQ74 85
K 10 7 4 3 9 AJ62
Voltaire wrote, “Each player must accept the cards life deals him. But once they are in hand, he AJ8 10 6 3 9542
alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.”
SOUTH
In a way, that is true, but sometimes a bridge defender must be careful with the card he plays 94
in order to give partner the necessary information so that they can defeat the contract. A J 10 6 3
Q85
In this deal, for example, how should the defenders card to beat four hearts after West has led KQ7
a low diamond?
Dealer: North; Vulnerable: Both
North might have rebid four diamonds, a splinter bid showing at least four-card heart support
and game-going values with a singleton (or void) in diamonds. But with all of those club losers, The Bidding:
he settled for a less-revealing rebid. (If you employ two-over-one game-force, North would
rebid three hearts, and South would raise to game with his minimum.) SOUTH WEST NORTH EAST OPENING
2 Hearts Pass 1 Spades Pass
At trick one, East can see two defensive tricks: the diamond ace and spade king. It is clearly 4 Hearts All Pass LEAD:
right to shift to clubs, hoping to gain two winners there. But he must be careful to lead the 4 Diamonds
club nine to deny an honor in the suit. Then, after South plays the king or queen, West ducks
to keep communication with his partner. (If West takes this trick and returns his club eight,
declarer can win with dummy’s 10.) When East gets in with the spade king, he can lead a
second club to defeat the contract.

Often from 9-5-4-2, one would lead the five, second-highest from a weak suit, but here that
would be very dangerous. West might think it was from H-9-7-5 and that his side could cash
three club tricks.

30 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT GAMES

SOLUTIONS TO PREVIOUS ISSUE (SEPTEMBER 3) ON PAGE 54

ACROSS DOWN
1 Lofty (4) 2 Alphabetical list (5)
4 Overhead shelves (5) 3 Large flatfish (7)
8 Clock regulator (8) 4 Send in payment (5)
9 Factory (4) 5 Order (7)
10 Practical joke (4) 6 Latin American dance (5)
11 Treachery (8) 7 Previously (6)
12 Leave (6) 13 Non-professional (7)
14 Make smaller (6) 14 Round domed building (7)
16 Clearly visible (8) 15 Exclusive group (6)
19 Post; armour (4) 17 Evidence (5)
20 Fool; information (4) 18 Bird of prey (5)
21 Liberal; charitable (8) 19 Month (5)
22 Compel (5)
23 Dull pain (4)

The Telegraph

How to do Sudoku:

Fill in the grid so the
numbers one through
nine appear just once
in every column, row
and three-by-three
square.

The Telegraph

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 31

INSIGHT GAMES

ACROSS 80 Clove, for one 53 From Here To Eternity co-star The Washington Post
81 Part of a belt surrounding 54 Slow passages
1 Chapplication? 55 Deteriorate
8 The Charleston, once Mars 56 Partners ___ (conspirators)
13 Cold reading? 82 Poet-preacher John 57 Put the sprinkler on
19 Sequentially 83 Sit precariously 58 Frosts
20 Retraction of a sort 84 Immigration org. 60 Those who feel that all events
22 Fools 85 A Little Rascal
23 Watched 86 Goya’s duchess are inevitable
24 Frosted 87 like this 61 Like Batman
25 Serve a sentence 92 Consisting of Spain and 64 In the Heat of the Night first
26 Apollo lander acronym
27 Tummy woes Portugal name
29 Corleone of The Godfather 95 Early TV show for late-night 65 Of the eyelids
66 Eleanor’s place
and Spatafore of The host Johnny 67 Knucklehead
Sopranos 96 “Sorry” 68 Ready to rip
30 He played the Japanese 97 Behaving bullishly 71 First in a series from MGM,
colonel in The Bridge on the 98 Superman’s name on Krypton
River Kwai 99 Ingenuous 1938’s ___ Kildare
35 Lafitte’s feet 74 Bare-bottom prank
36 Famous Grandma DOWN 75 Solidify
37 Authoritative 78 Stumble over
38 Wither 1 Can top 79 Bungle a stroke,
39 Cliffhanger ingredient 2 How some symphonies
40 Gandhi was one in golf
41 Intro to “hog” are written 80 Pick
42 ___ before 3 It’s often a shepherd 82 Workshop tool
(no later than) 4 Laura’s dad 83 Small drum
43 Latin class word 85 Bomb target?
44 Indian P.M., 1989-91 5 Common vipers 87 Berkeley, the school, for short
45 Sponge 6 City ENE of Manchester 88 Flagstaff campus: abbr.
46 Armageddon, in Norse 7 Miniver, for one 89 Turn on the waterworks
mythology 8 A movable item of 90 “___ understand it ...”
48 Mailing instruction 91 Half an antiaircraft burst
49 Lend ___ (listen) personal property
50 Opposite of bus. 9 Communicates with, perhaps 92 Words before jam or pickle
51 Smacked high and 10 Mini matter 93 Vogue, mostly
far, to a baseball announcer 11 First name in western fiction 94 The phone bk., largely
52 Easy putt 12 Suffix with “morph”
53 More seasoned? 13 “Peek-a-boo!” LOADS O’ WORDS By Merl Reagle
57 Oater 14 One who fishes off the Jersey
58 Start over, as a gardener THE Art & Science
59 “___ get it” coast
60 Clips 15 Ogle of Cosmetic Surgery
61 Geometric fig. 16 Fleur-de-___
62 “You bet!” 17 Apple recordings attendee SPECIALTIES INCLUDE:
63 33 percent 18 Chicago cable station • Minimal Incision Lift for the
64 Miles Archer’s partner 20 Query after a knock
69 Greek marketplace 21 Sight-see, Hawaiian-style Face, Body, Neck & Brow
70 Early years 25 “New World” composer • Breast Augmentations
71 Alarmed exclamation 27 Ready to take on
72 With 76 Across, a diving 28 Climbing vine & Reductions
apparatus 30 Perform a surfing maneuver • Post Cancer Reconstructions
73 Home of the brave? 31 International service club • Chemical Peels • Botox
74 Ray’s mom on Everybody 32 The scholarly life • Laser Surgery • Tummy Tucks
Loves Raymond 33 Military exercise • Obagi Products • Liposculpture
75 Categorizes, as by color 34 Edited, e.g. • Skin Cancer Treatments
76 See 72 Across 36 “For your eyes only” items
77 Vacancy sign 37 Campfire leftovers
79 Located 39 Kitchen utensil
40 Rear
44 Bird dogs
45 Basketball players
47 “Chain of Fools” singer
48 The ___ Chapel
51 Third-person trio

The Telegraph Proudly caring for patients over 28 years.

3790 7th Terrace, Suite 101, Vero Beach, Florida

772.562.5859

www.rosatoplasticsurgery.com

Ralph M. Rosato
MD, FACS





34 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

INSIGHT BACK PAGE

She’s beside herself now that he’s beside someone else

BY CAROLYN HAX He got angry. He hounded you to come back.
Washington Post When you refused, he hounded you to call it a break
instead of a breakup. You relented. He then broke up
Dear Carolyn: Last semester, I with you. (Thus regaining the upper hand.)

ended a 1½-year, semi-long-dis- He shifted all blame for his problems onto you –
with your consent, because you wanted to make
tance relationship (different col- him happy. He declared himself happy with his first
someone-else – maybe because he is, but possibly
leges). Basically, toward the end, because he knew you’d think you had failed.

he was never satisfied, and I could He declared the matter closed, denying you the
last word.
never do anything right to make
That’s the power-jockeying I see.
him happy. I got tired of putting my own happiness There is nothing wrong with wanting to make
someone happy. There is something very wrong with
and sanity aside to appease him and finally ended it. people who take advantage of that impulse in others.
Consciously or unconsciously.
He was angry and begged me to come back, but I And there is something wrong with still wanting
to make someone happy even when you have ample
was emotionally exhausted. We went back and forth proof of what it’s costing you.
That’s why ridding your conscience of this guy is
and finally agreed on a three-month silence to give only part of the work you need to do. The other part
is to realize your alarms didn’t go off during two
each other space to heal. We also agreed to call each years of manipulation. They still haven’t gone off;
that clanging you hear is me. Please ask yourself why
other if we became involved with other people. I you were so ready to change, blame and surrender
yourself.
wasn’t (and still am not) interested in dating anyone There are better people to make happy – yourself,
for starters – and better ways to make them happy,
else for now. such as remembering birthdays, doing your share
of the housework, being yourself. When those aren’t
A few nights ago, he called to tell me he was, in- enough, he isn’t the right one for you. 

deed, dating someone else. He’s also incredibly hap-

py, has acknowledged he wasn’t happy with me and Confused and Crying: I hate to make such a dif-
ficult situation sound so easy, but I believe it is:
is branching out and becoming more open-minded
He has your number. But good.
– something I silently wished for while we were to- Everything you describe can be explained by his
wanting control over you – though we’ll give him the
gether. benefit of the doubt and assume it wasn’t conscious.
You worked to please and appease him. He wasn’t
Oh, and we agreed to basically never speak again. satisfied. You worked harder. He remained unsatis-
fied. You reached the point where you couldn’t work
Well, I feel like a Band-Aid has been ripped off my any harder, and quit. (Your sole possession of the
upper hand.)
heart and it won’t stop bleeding. I feel like I really

failed him. I had wanted him to be content with his

life so badly! I know I need to get over this – I broke up

with HIM, after all – but I don’t know how.

– Confused and Crying

‘THREE’ CHEERS!
HUBBELL PORTRAIT
FINDS PROUD NEW HOME

VBMA executive director
Brady Roberts.

36 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

PHOTOS BY KAILA JONES

‘THREE’ CHEERS! HUBBELL PORTRAIT FINDS PROUD NEW HOME

BY ELLEN FISCHER | COLUMNIST Fitch was a lawyer in New York City suavely proficient painters William- bell with 19th century leader of the
with a home on Park Avenue and a Adolphe Bouguereau and Jean-Paul Naturalist School Jules Bastien-Lep-
A recent acquisition to the Vero country house in Greenwich, Conn. Laurens. age, a painter regarded as continuing
Beach Museum of Art collection is He traced his Fitch ancestry in the in the realist vein of Gustave Courbet.
a delightful blend of art history and New World to a passenger on the Hubbell soon left that stodgy scene By 1908 Hubbell was an associate of
Florida history, sweetened with fam- Mayflower; others of his forebears to study under James McNeill Whis- the American Impressionists colony
ily ties to Vero Beach. The portrait had roles in the founding, gover- tler at Whistler’s own art school in in Giverny, France. Before his 1910 re-
painting of three charming sisters nance, industry and fine arts of the Paris. The master of tonalism paid turn to the United States, the French
was confected in 1907 by American United States. Hubbell a high (and rare) compli- government purchased one of Hub-
artist Henry Salem Hubbell in Paris. ment when he said, “One day you bell’s paintings from the artist’s last
He and wife Florence (née Hopper) will be called a great colorist.” Hub- exhibition in Paris (it sold out).
Ah, Paris! Only your classic desserts and their girls were staying in Paris bell soon gained notice in what was
– le macaron, l’éclair et le millefeuille when Fitch met Henry Salem Hubbell then the art world’s center, when he Not bad for a boy born in Paola,
– can equal the rich delectability of and commissioned his daughters’ received an honorable mention at Kan., on Christmas Day, 1870.
this work of art. The 52-inch-high, group portrait. the Paris Salon of 1901; his work ap-
66-inch-wide oil on canvas, served up peared in the annual Salon for the Hubbell’s painting of the Fitch
in a gilded frame, was commissioned Hubbell and wife Rose, whom he next seven years. girls foretold his successful career as
by the little girls’ doting father, Win- met when both were students at the a portrait painter. It also shows off
chester Fitch. Art Institute of Chicago, had come to By the time Fitch met Hubbell, the some of the ideas he learned from
Paris in 1898 so that Hubbell could latter’s work had received favorable his teachers, the time he spent living
The Fitches were truly a gilded polish his style at the Académie Ju- review in the Parisian press, with one in the most culturally sophisticated
family of the Gilded Age. Winchester lian. His teachers there were the critic going so far as to compare Hub- city of its time, as well as Hubbell’s

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 37

ARTS & THEATRE

‘I feel the painting in her hair are an assertive shade of to paint the figural works that first which was adapted for publication in
blue, while her sisters’ trimmings gained him fame, featuring lovely the September/October 1998 issue of
has come home are pink. young women, stylishly dressed. American Art Review.

again.’ When the Fitch family left Paris for Van Wagenburg says that it was In it, Williams identified Hubbell as
the United States, the painting trav- unusual for a painter of Hubbell’s ac- “one of the least known of the Giverny
Anke Van Wagenburg, eled with them. It resided for a while, complishment to settle in Florida “in- Circle of American Impressionists”
says Vero Beach Museum of Art cura- stead of New York City or Boston.” who, unlike his American colleagues
Vero Beach Museum tor Anke Van Wagenburg, in the fam- in France, Richard Emil Miller and
ily’s house in Connecticut. Former VBMA curator Jay Wil- Frederick Carl Frieseke, might be bet-
of Art curator liams also pondered Hubbell’s career ter remembered today if “he had lived
But another get-a-way away home choice. In the late 1990s, when Wil- out his life in [New England], the
own observations of the girls’ per- was already in the works, this one in liams was curator at the McKissick Midwest or even California. Instead,
sonalities. an obscure winter playground called Museum of the University of South Hubbell left his New York and Con-
“Vero” in Florida. Carolina, he wrote the catalog essay necticut studios … to live in Miami,
The Fitch sisters were in their child- for an exhibition titled “The Figura- traveling outside Florida primarily to
hood when Hubbell painted them. Winchester Fitch built the house he tive Paintings of Henry Salem Hub- take portrait commissions.” 
The portrait emphasizes the sisters’ called “Orchid Oaks” in 1919, in “Rio- bell: An Elegance Rediscovered,”
physical relationship; they shared mar” (he is credited with creating
dark eyes and ivory-pale faces, with the name which means ‘river to sea’ THE LAUGHING DOG GALLERY | CELEBRATING
flushed cheeks and full, red lips. Sim- in Spanish) on Vero’s barrier island.
ilarly dressed in frilly white frocks Hard to think of the Fitch family as MORE THAN EVER
and seated on the brocaded cushions “pioneers,” but in the Vero Beach his-
of a Louis XV-style sofa, the girls look tory books, they were, even though Proudly celebrating 20 years of
as frothy as whipped cream blossoms pioneer life included Winchester American craft and our commitment to
on a birthday cake. and Florence entertaining the likes
of President Warren G. Harding. By American-made products.
The two eldest children, 10-year- then, the Fitch sisters were young
old Alta Jane and 8-year-old Kather- adults. 2910 CARDINAL DRIVE, VERO BEACH • 772-234-6711 • THELAUGHINGDOGGALLERY.COM
ine, bookend 3-year-old Dorothy who,
with dolly clasped to her side, watch- The painting eventually descend-
es the antics of a paper butterfly on ed to Elizabeth (Liz) Phillips Mar-
a wire manipulated by Katherine. shall, who donated the painting to
Katherine leans in toward Dorothy, the VBMA. Her sister, Suzan Phillips,
who also looks up at the fluttering toy. is another well-known Vero Beach
resident; their mother was Katherine
The butterfly occupies the upper (Kitty) Fitch Phillips. In 1986 Doro-
right corner of the picture and at first thy Fitch Peniston, also a Riomar
glance seems to be unconnected to resident, wrote “Island in Time,” her
the girls. It seems to be decorative memoir of life on the barrier island.
thing in the composition, not unlike Alta Jane “A.J.” Fitch Hotchkiss was a
the famous butterfly monogram of winter resident of Vero Beach, from
J.M. Whistler. Hubbell had been pro- 1920 onward.
foundly influenced by Whistler’s art
even before studying with the mas- Van Wagenburg is uncertain which
ter. By the time Hubbell was painting of the sisters, who all lived into the
the Fitch children, Whistler had been 1990s, had custody of the Hubbell
dead four years. Could it be that, in portrait after their father died, but she
the guise of a dainty plaything, Hub- does know that it was on display for
bell snuck homage to his teacher into a number of years in the early days
the portrait? of the VBMA (then called Vero Beach
Center for the Arts).
Hubbell was also capable of show-
ing us something more about his girl- “I feel the painting has come home
ish subjects than a competent render- again,” says Van Wagenburg.
ing of their faces and forms. That’s
where psychology comes in. “Somewhere in our archives is a
picture of the sisters as old ladies,
Hubbell shows the eldest girl, seated under the portrait of them as
Alta Jane, sitting as far away from girls.” As in the painting, Dorothy,
her sisters as is possible on the tiny clutching her childhood doll, is seat-
sofa. This placement may have been ed between her big sisters, Alta Jane
a comment on the relationship, as and Katherine.
Hubbell saw it, between the sisters.
Sitting up straight and tall and al- After returning to the United Sates
ready quite the young lady, Alta Jane in 1910, Henry Salem Hubbell, with
holds an open book in her lap. Clear- wife Rose and son Willard in tow,
ly, she is the studious, no-nonsense lived in Chicago, New York City (with
one; the one who takes charge when a summer home in Silvermine, Conn.)
Mother is not around to watch the and Pittsburgh (where Hubbell head-
children. Like her sisters, Alta Jane is ed the Painting Department at Carn-
in clad in white lace, but the ribbon egie Institute of Technology).
sash around her waist and the bow
The Hubbells moved to Miami in
1924; Henry died there in 1949. His
career during that time included
painting portraits of distinguished
men, including Chief Justice Har-
lan Fiske Stone, President Franklin
Delano Roosevelt and President Her-
bert Hoover. Hubbell also continued

38 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

ARTS & THEATRE

COMING UP! Get into a ‘New York Film Fest’ state of mind

BY PAM HARBAUGH you are, allows you to partake of one ing voices; an 11-film all-access with
Correspondent of New York City’s best arts events. eclectic mix for $75; and a 13-film
The festival presents a variety of sec- plus eight short programs for $150
1 You’re probably in a mood for tions: Main Slate includes films like all-access, which comprises a diverse
something new. After all, no Chloe Zhao’s “Nomadland” starring mix of new and innovative films.
Frances McDormand and David Tickets go on sale 2 p.m. Friday, Sept.
matter how brilliant Showtime’s “Bil- Strathairn; Currents section takes 11 for both drive-in (for your friends
a look at contemporary cinema and and family living near Brooklyn or
lions” and HBO’s “Succession” are, its emerging voices worldwide; Spot- Queens, N.Y.) and virtual cinema
light section has sneak previews, gala platforms. Now. Get your calendar
there’s only so many times you can events and other special goodies, like out and head to the Lincoln Center’s
the David Byrne film, Pedro Almo- film website to decide which films
re-watch these lavish shows without dovar’s “The Human Voice” starring you’ll see, FilmLinc.org, then scroll
Tilda Swinton, and Sofia Coppola’s down and click onto 58th New York
knowing the script by heart. So, time “On the Rocks” with Rashida Jones, Film Festival.
Marlon Wayans and Bill Murray;
to open your mind to something de- and Revivals explores films in previ-
ous festivals, such as “Meeting the
cidedly new and different. Coming Man: James Baldwin in Paris,” which
screens Oct. 11-16. Virtual cinema
to the rescue is the New York Film tickets are $15 for the Main Slate, $12
for Revivals, Currents and Spotlight
Festival 58, which runs Sept. 17 to screenings. But really, the best thing
is to take advantage of the curated
Oct. 11. Be sure to plan ahead for this bundles. You can get a seven-film
documentary sampler for $85; seven-
one. In fact, you’ll want to go online film Returning acts films for $85; a
six-film “Discoveries” bundle for $70,
and determine which of the many which will let you see films by emerg- 2 The Space Coast Symphony
Orchestra presents another
great films in this cinematic trea-

sure trove you’ll have time to see. of its popular “Drive-In” concerts sive) Sunday
brunch back up and run-
By the way, one of those is the Spike this weekend. It’s “Fan Favorites ning, you can always forgo the dra-
matic sunrises and instead luxuriate
Lee film of David Byrne’s celebrated Redux” and it begins 7 p.m. Friday, in gorgeous sunsets, by heading west
to the Ritz-Carlton, Naples. Situated on
Broadway show, “American Utopia,” Sept. 11, at the Pathway Church the Gulf Coast, there’s a Greg Norman-
designed golf course, an interactive en-
which will be screened virtually Oct. parking lot. This concert features vironmental children’s program, a spa
with more than 30 treatment rooms,
4 to Oct. 9. Certainly, festival found- principal trombonist Alexis Regazzi wellness and nutrition programs, a
fitness center and so much more. And
ers could not foresee drive-in screen- performing the virtuosic showpiece you’ll probably need that fitness center
given the easy accessibility to the Ritz-
ings, nor screenings on something “Blue Bells of Scotland.” The sweet Carlton’s eight dining experiences. The
Ritz-Carlton Naples is at 280 Vanderbilt
that would be known as “the Inter- thing about these drive-in concerts Beach Rd. Call 239-598-3300 or visit
RitzCarlton.com. But wait … did you
net,” that wonderful democratizing is that music lovers can remain in know you can stay in town and still
visit one of the best? The Kimpton Vero
invention which, no matter where their car or bring some folding chairs Beach Hotel & Spa eked out a No. 15
spot on the list. We recently wrote about
to place outside during the concert. its “Live Music” series. So, if you need a
getaway from your own four walls, de-
Musicians also keep their distance spite how divine they might be, then
get out and get a different point of view
via physical barriers. Tickets are $10 and refresh that spirit. Kimpton Vero
Beach Hotel & Spa is at 3500 Ocean Dr.
per person or $25 per carload. Free to Call 772-231-5666 or visit VeroBeach-
HotelAndSpa.com. 
children 18 years and younger. The

orchestra strives to limit physical

interaction, so they request that you

purchase tickets online by calling

855-252-7276 or visiting spacecoast-

symphony.org. Pathway Church is at

1105 58th Ave., Vero Beach.

3 Nothing like a brief respite out of
town to help vanquish the virus

blues. Travel & Leisure magazine has a

great selection of Florida hotels an easy

drive away. While you’ll probably want

to wait for the Breakers in Palm Beach

to get their fabulous (and oh-so-expen-

DOC HAS THE LOWDOWN ON
TREATING HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE P. 16

40 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Doc has the lowdown on treating high blood pressure

BY TOM LLOYD are the two leading causes of death in Dr. Julio Pagan. to swallow your food or medications
Staff Writer this country. So, it’s an important top- and replace any losses through sweat-
ic.” PHOTOS: KAILA JONES ing or excessive loss, [like] diarrhea, for
Dr. Julio Pagan, an internal medicine instance. But outside of that, I see a lot
specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Indian Pagan says he sees “a lot of miscon- that “tens of millions of adults in the of patients who drink more water than
River Hospital’s Primary Care South ceptions” about how high blood pres- United States have high blood pressure they really need to.”
location just off Oslo Road, says high sure should be treated. and many do not have it under control.”
blood pressure is “the most common Not drinking more than you need to,
medical problem that patients have in The CDC is blunt about this par- High blood pressure can be the re- Pagan points out, also applies to alco-
this country and it predisposes you to ticular problem and it wholeheartedly sult of excess salt in your diet, smok- hol.
heart disease and to strokes, and those agrees with Pagan’s assessment, saying ing, drinking, obesity or a combination
“high blood pressure increases the risk of factors. Or, as unfair as it seems, you Yes, years ago researchers found that
for heart disease and stroke,” and adds might have inherited your high blood drinking red wine might have a benefi-
pressure. cial impact on blood pressure but that
wasn’t a prescription to guzzle a whole
And, as the Harvard Medical School bottle at one sitting. And not all alcohol,
says, “if you didn’t have high blood it seems, is created equal.
pressure before, there’s a good chance
you do now.” “There’s a difference,” Pagan says,
“between wine versus mixed drinks
That’s because “in 2017, new guide- versus beer. The mixed drinks tend to
lines from the American Heart Associa- raise blood pressure more. But, again, a
tion, the American College of Cardiolo- glass of wine actually may have a low-
gy, and nine other health organizations ering blood pressure effect as a mild di-
lowered the numbers for the diagnosis uretic. Beer tends to raise intravascular
of hypertension to 130/80 millimeters because you have to drink so much of it
of mercury (mm Hg) and higher for all to get some sort of effect. But a little bit
adults. The previous guidelines set the of wine is OK.
threshold at 140/90 mm Hg for people
younger than age 65, and 150/80 mm Hg “A little bit of wine also raises the
for those ages 65 and older.” HDL, the good cholesterol. So, we don’t
encourage drinking as a way of con-
With that change, 70 percent to 80 trolling blood pressure, but in small
percent of men age 55 and older were amounts, certain types of alcohol, par-
suddenly classified as having hyperten- ticularly red wine, seems to be all right.
sion. While we don’t totally understand why,
we do see fewer heart attacks in patients
In that context, the refreshingly can- who have less than 2 ounces of wine a
did Pagan takes aim at what he sees as day.”
medical misinformation about water
intake. Pagan next addressed the topic of
blood pressure medicines, offering ex-
“There is this medical myth,” he says, tensive explanations about what an-
“that we have to drink eight glasses of giotensin receptor blockers (ARBs),
water a day to keep our kidneys healthy. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
And that’s a medical myth. [That much inhibitors and other medications can
water] raises the intravascular volume, and cannot do to help control blood
which can therefore lead to increased pressure.
blood pressure. It also tends to stimu-
late appetite, so a lot of patients’ blood He calls ARBs as well as ACE in-
pressure tends to parallel [their] weight. hibitors the “preferred blood pressure
medicines for mild to moderate hy-
“As the weight goes up, the blood pertension, because they do seem to
pressure tends to go up. So whether preferentially protect the heart and
you’re trying to lose weight or whether the kidney from heart failure or kidney
you’re trying to keep the blood pressure failure,” two common complications of
under control, I try to talk about keep- high blood pressure.
ing the fluid intake to what’s needed
At the same time, he cautions there’s
no such thing as a one-type-fits-all
medication, so people need to talk to
their physician to find the best medi-
cation or medications for their specific
blood pressure problem.

A chat with an internal medicine spe-
cialist like Pagan might well be the best
first step in getting – and then keeping –
your blood pressure under control.

Dr. Julio Pagan is with the Cleveland
Clinic Indian River Hospital’s Primary
Care South at 4165 9th Street SW, Suite
106 in Vero Beach in the Public shopping
center on Oslo Road. The phone number
is 772-569-7706. 

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 41

HEALTH

How to get rid of tartar and prevent gum disease

BY FRED CICETTI dentist has been amazed at how little recommend flap surgery to remove
plaque there is on my teeth.] tartar deposits in deep pockets. In
Columnist flap surgery, the gums are lifted
Periodontal disease is treated by back, and the tartar is removed.
Question: What exactly is tartar, scaling and root planing. Scaling is The gums are then sutured back in
that stuff on your teeth? scraping off tartar from above and place.
below the gum line. Root planing gets
Bacteria, mucus and food par- rid of rough spots on the tooth root In addition to flap surgery, your
ticles in our mouths produce a col- where the germs gather and helps re- periodontist may suggest bone or
orless film on the surfaces of teeth. move bacteria that contribute to the tissue grafts. Grafting is a way to
This film is called “plaque.” Plaque disease. Medications may be used replace or encourage new growth
contributes to tooth decay and gum with scaling and root planing. of bone or gum tissue that has been
disease. Plaque that is not removed destroyed. 
can harden and form “tartar.” Your dentist or periodontist may

Brushing your teeth will remove
plaque but not tartar. Once tartar
builds up, you need a professional
cleaning, one of those fun things we
all look forward to – well, it’s better
than gum disease.

Gum disease is common among
seniors because it develops pain-
lessly over a long period of time.
Gum disease can be aggravated by
ill-fitting dentures and poor diet –
both senior problems. Symptoms
include bleeding, swollen or reced-
ing gums, loose teeth, a change in
your bite, and persistent bad breath
or taste.

Gum disease, known officially as
periodontal disease, affects about
80 percent of American adults.
Periodontal disease ranges from
gum inflammation (“gingivitis”) to
a serious stage that causes tissue
damage and tooth loss. In fact, peri-
odontal disease is the leading cause
of adult tooth loss.

You’re at greater risk of devel-
oping periodontal disease if you
smoke; suffer from diabetes, cancer
or AIDS; are under great stress; are
taking drugs such as antidepres-
sants that reduce saliva in your
mouth; are a woman going through
hormonal changes, or have a genet-
ic predisposition for gum disease.

The American Academy of Peri-
odontology says that about one in
three people in the U.S. may have
inherited a susceptibility to gum
disease. People who are genetically
predisposed to gum disease may be
up to six times more likely to devel-
op it, even if they are extraordinari-
ly diligent about dental hygiene.

To prevent gum disease, you
should brush your teeth twice a day
with a fluoride toothpaste, floss
daily, see a dentist regularly, eat a
well-balanced diet and avoid to-
bacco.

[Personal note. Several years ago,
I started using a high-powered elec-
tric toothbrush that cleans between
the teeth. I brush after breakfast and
before bed, and I don’t use floss. My

42 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

HEALTH

Aaron’s Hearing Care Center Need a lift? Strength training
could help improve your mood
As you reconnect with others, trust your hearing
to an audiologist with 30+ years of experience

Aaron Liebman, Au. D. Hopefully, all of you are doing well as we BY LORNE DAVID OPLER field to become a personal trainer and
Doctor of Audiology take the necessary precautions to reduce eventually a college professor of fit-
the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus). We The Washington Post ness and health promotion. Whether
Why wouldn’t you want to be fit are committed to keeping our patients, any lecturing students, speaking to audi-
with your hearing aid from the visitors to our offices and our staff healthy Exercise changed my life. It man- ences or coaching clients, encourag-
only audiologist-owned hearing and safe. aged to do what medication alone ing others to strength train for better
aid office in Indian River At all times we’re careful to maintain clean- couldn’t: put a dagger into my depres- mental health has become my man-
County? According to Aaron liness in our offices in Vero Beach. We take sion. tra, my message and my life mission.
Liebman, Au.D., Doctor of extra steps and follow guidelines to further
Audiology, “both Audiologists protect everyone. I’ve struggled with depressive ill- But I’m not basing this message on
and hearing aid salesmen ness since childhood, and through- my firsthand experience alone. New
are licensed by the state. But, We have instituted a deep cleaning policy out the years, my brain and body have research is validating what I feel ev-
typically, the salesman has no and our staff disinfects all surfaces that are often felt like a one-man clinical trial ery time I pump iron: peace of mind
formal education in hearing, touched throughout the day. We’re read- for every antidepressant that came to and a sense of achievement.
while the audiologist has gone ing up to date recommendations as they the market. Prozac? Been there! Lu-
to college and obtained a degree become available while discussing and im- vox? Done that! Effexor? Check! Paxil, The impact of resistance training
in the field”. plementing best hygiene practices to ensure Wellbutrin, Lexapro, Zoloft? Check … on emotional disorders is an emerg-
your safety. check … check … and check-a-rooni! ing area of exercise science, accord-
What this means to you – ing to Jacob Meyer, an assistant pro-
as a patient – is that Liebman than I thought possible.” Although mood-stabilizing pill fessor of kinesiology at Iowa State
will not only fit you with “Aaron is a very caring man, packs have entered and exited my life University. Up till now, most “stud-
a hearing aid, he’ll use patient and works very hard to with varying degrees of success over ies that explore the relationship be-
alternative methods of testing do the best for your problems. the past 30 years, one treatment op- tween exercise and mental health
for accuracy, so you receive I would highly recommend tion has remained a constant, reliable, have focused on aerobic activity for a
the proper instrument. He’ll him.” These are just three no-fail mood booster throughout the couple of reasons,” says Meyer. “From
provide all-around service and of the glowing testimonials decades. That would be exercise. But a research perspective, aerobic exer-
counseling so its full potential delivered by local people who not just any exercise. Not the ellipti- cise is simpler, more straightforward
will be clear. And, perhaps most are “graduates” of Liebman at cal. Not spin class. Not the recumbent and more easily quantifiable to study
importantly, he’ll consider you Aaron’s Hearing Aid Center. bike nor the rowing machine. In fact, than resistance exercise. And histori-
as an individual…including it’s not aerobic exercise at all, which cally, because ‘cardio’ is easily ac-
the affordability of the product Dr. Liebman moved to Florida has been commonly linked to a re- cessible and has been the exercise of
he’ll be recommending. in 2001. He is originally from duction in depressive illness. choice for many people, it was more
This type of kid glove treatment Albany, N.Y. area where both he readily available to study than resis-
may have contributed to a and his father were audiologists. It’s strength training – the muscle- tance training.”
finding quoted on the AARP He has found the residents building, body-toning and sometimes
website that states ‘people fitted of Vero Beach and the rest grunt-inducing workout – that has With more people lifting weights
for hearing aids by audiologists of Indian River County to be helped transform my chronic mental and searching for non-pharmacolog-
are 13 times more likely to receptive and loyal once they illness into better mental health. In ical treatments for depression, how-
be satisfied than people who are exposed to his caring and fact, once I began a regular regimen ever, interest is growing in studying
made their purchase through a concern for them. of resistance training, the positive the effects of resistance training.
hearing aid salesman’. So, if the concept of having your shift in my mood, my confidence and
hearing aid fitted by someone my self-image was so pronounced Meyer was among the authors of a
Dr. Liebman’s satisfied clients who offers more than 30+ that I switched careers. recent meta-analysis of the link be-
have willingly put their praises years of experience, who offers tween resistance training and de-
into print. no-fee consultations, who will I left my work in the social service
“Everything I needed to know return your phone calls, who
was talked about up front in a will supply free batteries for the
very professional way.” “Aaron life of your hearing instrument,
has done more for my hearing and who will provide quarterly
clean up and adjustments
attractive to you, there’s only
one local audiologist to seek
out: Dr. Aaron Liebman,
owner of Aarons Hearing Care,
the ONLY AUDIOLOGIST
OWNED hearing aid office in
Indian River County.

For more information call
(772) 562-5100 in Vero Beach.

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 43

HEALTH

BDNF response, he says: “The pur- depressive illness. And like me, he
pose of my research is to give people pumps iron to manage his condi-
options for alleviating feelings of de- tion. “What motivates my work and
pression. That’s why I focus on the research is my own experience as a
lesser-studied resistance exercise.” weightlifter living with depressive
illness,” he says. I’ve found lifting
Sawyer and Meyer join Herring in weights to be as effective at manag-
calling for more research. “Of the ing my symptoms as medication with
33 trials we evaluated for our study, zero side effects.”
only four required a diagnosis of de-
pression as criteria for participation,” If you’re new to strength training
Meyer says. “We know there is a need but would like to see whether it will
for more investigation that narrows bolster your mood, Sawyer suggests
inclusion to only people with diag- trying a 45-minute workout – includ-
nosed depressive illness.” ing two sets of each exercise, with
eight to 12 repetitions – two to three
For Sawyer, it’s not just academic; times per week. 
it’s personal. Like me, he lives with

pressive symptoms conducted by in the journal Sports Medicine, Gor-
Brett Gordon, then a postgraduate don and his colleagues conducted
researcher at the University of Lim- another meta-analysis of 16 stud-
erick’s Department of Physical Edu- ies involving 992 total participants;
cation and Sport Sciences and now a it concluded that resistance train-
postdoctoral fellow studying exercise ing “significantly improves anxi-
and cancer at Penn State. ety symptoms among both healthy
participants and participants with a
The study, published in the June physical or mental illness.”
2018 issue of JAMA Psychiatry, ana-
lyzed 33 clinical trials for the effects Matthew Herring, an author of
of resistance exercise on depression. both meta-analyses, says “evidence
Results showed that resistance exer- from studies of both animals and hu-
cise “significantly reduced depres- mans supports that resistance exer-
sive symptoms” among research par- cise training may improve both anxi-
ticipants. ety and depression by acting on those
same neurobiological systems, par-
One notable finding was that par- ticularly neurotransmitters and neu-
ticipants showed an improvement rotrophic and growth factors.” More
in their mood regardless of whether research, however, needs to be done,
they grew physically stronger from adds Herring, a lecturer in sport, ex-
the exercises. That means that trig- ercise and performance psychology
gering a mood boost may not depend at the University of Limerick.
on how many exercises you do or how
hard you train. “Perhaps it might be Resistance training, like other ex-
the sense of accomplishment and ercise, induces the release of a pro-
confidence that comes from exer- tein called BDNF, or brain-derived
cising, rather than the achievement neurotrophic factor, into the hippo-
of actual strength gains, to explain campus region of the brain. Among
why study subjects felt better,” Meyer other functions, the hippocampus
says. is responsible for mood regulation,
and in people who are depressed, it
Of course, feelings of pride and shrinks up to 25 percent of its normal
confidence that accompany the volume. The release of BDNF triggers
mastery of other physical activities, the growth of new brain cells in the
such as aerobic exercise, can also hippocampus, restoring it to its full
enhance mood. But Meyer believes size and improving communication
that resistance training may create between cells.
greater antidepressive benefits than
other forms of exercise. “If the physi- “That’s the physiological theory
ological adaptations associated with behind why you feel so good after
strength gains and muscle growth working out,” says Jason Sawyer, an
interact with the neurobiology of de- assistant professor of wellness and
pression, then it may have different exercise science at Rhode Island
(and greater) effects on depression College in Providence who has con-
than aerobic training alone,” he says. ducted small studies that found that
weight training improved the mood
Resistance exercise doesn’t affect of depressed college students. Al-
depression alone; research shows though acknowledging that any de-
that it can reduce symptoms of anxi- gree of physical exertion will elicit a
ety, too. For a 2017 study published

44 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Style Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

Your 7-step fashion re-entry plan

BY FRANKIE GRADDON baskets and this season’s boot shape one’s motivation and mood more J W Anderson’s heritage checked styles
The Telegraph (which, FYI, is chunky and waterproof than a good outfit. Success comes via came with cozy shearling collars, and
– we’re calling it the fashion welly). And easy-to-wear, versatile buys that pos- Maria Grazia Chiuri made the case for
As real life beckons, there’s no need to how about a glamorous frock or two for sess on-the-pulse style factor and will calf-length fringed blankets draped
sacrifice comfort for style. These are the those pre-Christmas events? ease us from loungewear to luxe. Call it from the shoulder at Dior.
best buys to ease you back to reality ... the fashion re-entry – here are the key
Things are a little different this year. pieces to do it in. Part poncho, part pashmina, part
A new month has dawned and with Following endless days of lockdown over-the-sofa throw, the new breed of
it comes the start of the new season. leggings, roomy nap dresses and stay- The Elevated Shopper blankets makes for a desirable first step
While the delights of autumn are cation sandals (think coastal walk ap- into new season outerwear and can ef-
plentiful, it is the reinvigorated sarto- propriate and somewhat orthopedic As the baskets bag and macramé fortlessly be layered over lightweight
rial offering that perhaps offers most looking), the new season feels like less totes of summer get stored away for dresses and blouses to stave off the
excitement. of a sartorial step change, more a gi- another year, a seasonally appropriate early autumn chill. Luxe styles in wool
ant leap. Who can remember what bag style is called for. Forget teeny top or cashmere will prove smart enough
After months of springy blooms and non-elastic waistbands are? How handles and compact cross-bodies; for outside wear, and when teamed
summery dresses, September signals about handbags? I shan’t even broach this autumn the demand is for an uber with classic shirting, will even work for
a switch in mood as an influx of fresh, the topic of bras. functional carryall that still delivers on the office. Look to Arket’s woolen wrap,
new trends take center stage. Con- polish. The elevated shopper ticks all which comes in two wearable tonal
sider it fashion’s New Year – although While life has gained a greater sense the boxes, being roomy enough to hold colorways and can be reversed for
with less of a hangover and thankfully of normality in recent weeks, the usual the new on-the-go-essentials (masks, maximum versatility. Or try Joseph’s
no singing. autumnal dress codes are still up in hand sanitizer, wipes) yet packs plenty large Logo Knit Shawl, which can be
the air; office attire needs to suit both of chic appeal. For those heading back cinched at the waist with a leather belt
Typically, now would be the moment boardroom and living room Zoom call, to the office, its spacious size accom- to add structure. Of course, they’ll also
we’d be discussing hot-off-the-catwalk while party season could just as easily modates a laptop, while the Work From make evenings snuggled on the sofa
looks, enthusing over statement outer- comprise champagne-filled nights on Home brigade can use it to stash a pint feel more indulgent, too.
wear and debating whether head-to- the tiles as at-home dinner dos and a of milk and sourdough loaf on lunch-
toe-leather will look chic or sofa-esque dance around the kitchen. break supermarket runs. Planning your The Statement Collar Blouse
when done in real life. We’d be contem- first mini break in months? It will dou-
plating back-to-work tailoring, hur- However, whatever the coming sea- ble as a weekend bag, too.
riedly adding razor-sharp blazers to our son brings, dressing the part feels more
important than ever; nothing boosts Eschew lightweight cotton in favor
of robust canvas and luxurious leather.
Cos comes up trumps with the decon-
structed shopper in deep green and
leather tote in sand. Sustainable Span-
ish brand Herue delivers on sweet-spot
price point with its Duna bag, which
comes artisan-crafted from canvas
and leather and with a detachable
pouch for valuables.

The Blanket Wrap
A blanket might not sound like the
most obvious style-conscious choice,
but this season numerous designers
have championed it as autumn’s go-to
cover-up.
At Gabriela Hearst, chubby knitted
iterations trimmed with tassels were
layered atop tonal midi skirts, while

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 45

A sartorial smash hit over the sum- As autumnal as pumpkin spice in Quilted cover-ups are this year’s opened back up, a more sophisticated
mer, the statement collared blouse is set your latte, knitwear has long been a cor- transeasonal jacket to know about, hav- choice of footwear is called for. Before
to be just as popular over the coming nerstone in the cool weather wardrobe. ing been showcased on the autumn the weather turns wintry, now’s the
months, having been championed on However, this season it takes on a new catwalks at Chanel and Scandi-cool la- time to make the most of bare ankles
the autumn/winter catwalks at Victo- form, interpreted into sophisticated bel Ganni. Lightweight yet warm, con- with a ballet flat.
ria Beckham, Chloé, Celine and Ganni, knitted dresses. Seen on the catwalks at sider these the 2020 update to puffers.
to name but a few. So if you haven’t yet, Michael Kors, Jil Sander and Dolce and And for those yet to be convinced by the This season, the classic silhouette has
now’s the time to invest. Gabbana, the 2020 knitted dress is all latter, a slimmer-line silhouette makes been given contemporary relevance,
about flattering, contemporary silhou- quilted jackets a more refined, grown- reimagined with squared toe, flatter-
While summer’s statement col- ettes and plays perfectly into the cur- up proposition. ing high-cut vamp and in sleek leather.
lars channeled cottage-core chic, the rent mood for stylish comfort dressing Fashion editor favorites include Esseē n
season’s iterations are rooted in retro (it’s essentially a giant sweater). A collarless style can be worn on its The Label’s Foundation Flat and the
nostalgia; think Princess Diana-esque own now, then slipped underneath an Nikki from Scandi label Flattered. The
pussy bows, pie crusts and sailor sil- Head-to-toe knits can look bulky, so overcoat when temperatures plum- perfect transeasonal shoe, team with
houettes. the trick is to choose fine-spun, stream- met for extra warmth. Arket’s cream midi dresses and ankle-length trousers
lined styles that don’t add width. Ribbed iteration has a neat, cropped silhouette, for both smart and off-duty occasions
Not only are they the ultimate waist- knits will provide shape, ensuring the which looks smart layered over a fine- until boot season beckons. 
up dressing piece, they’re just the overall look isn’t baggy, as will a silhou- gauge roll neck and teamed with office
ticket to dress up off-duty denim, and ette-enhancing tie waist. Cult Buda- skirts and trousers.
perfectly partner evening trousers for pest-based brand Nanushka has given
smart/casual dinner parties – just add its signature Canaan dress a seasonal For weekend wear, Everlane’s cotton
pearly earrings. update, reimagining it in cashmere rib quilted jacket comes with a bottom-
(moth balls at the ready). Subtle volume covering, mid-thigh length and in heri-
The Soft Power Trouser on the sleeves and hem offer a contem- tage green – perfect for park walks and
porary feel, while a modest side slit pub lunches. Ralph Lauren’s printed
While switching soft loungewear breaks up the midi length, allowing a bomber comes with elevating leather
waistbands for sharp tailoring might flash of staycation-tanned – or faux bot- trim and belt, and will traverse both
feel like a step too far, there is a way tle-bought glow – calf to peep through. smart and casual occasions.
to elevate one’s trouser game without Mango’s Nineties-inspired ribbed jer-
causing a shock: introducing the soft sey dress comes with chic mock-neck The Modern Ballet Flat
power trouser. and casual fit for off-duty wear, while If, like me, you’ve spent the months
Boden’s fit-and-flare Rowan Pointelle of March to August wearing noth-
Much like the soft power jacket, these knitted dress can be made boardroom ing but slippers and flip flops on your
manage to at once feel pulled together ready with a pair of smart heels, then feet, the prospect of putting on a pair
while retaining all the comfort factor taken out for dinner with the addition of proper shoes might feel somewhat
we’ve become accustomed to. Think of statement earrings. daunting. However, with life having
relaxed silhouettes in easy-to-wear fab-
rics, with considered detailing for pol- The Quilted Jacket
ished appeal.

This season’s best come via Jigsaw’s
soft twill trousers. The subtle paper-bag
waist is both chic and flattering, and,
thanks to an elasticated section at the
back, supremely comfortable. Modern
Rarity’s paper-bag trousers strike the
perfect balance between comfort and
style-factor, coming with an adjustable
tie waist and crease front. The navy col-
orway provides a softer option to classic
black. When sized up, Me + Em’s cot-
ton twill-tapered trousers can be worn
on the hip for a slouchy yet smart look.
Team with sleek flats and shirting for the
9-to-5, switching to sneakers and knits
at the weekend.

The Knitted Dress

46 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Style Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

London Fashion Week is going ahead – but not as you know it

BY BETHAN HOLT
The Telegraph

During February’s London Fashion
Week, unease was already beginning
to set in about the rising threat of coro-
navirus, a feeling which quickly rose to
something approaching panic as Gior-
gio Armani canceled his Milan show
and other designers wondered if they
should follow suit.

Six months on, and fashion month
is almost upon us again, albeit in a
vastly different landscape – sales have
plunged, many big names have redi-
rected their efforts to making PPE, and
executing anything creative – collec-
tions, shows, shoots – is now mired in
difficulty.

But London Fashion Week is plough-
ing ahead. Last Friday, the British
Fashion Council released a provisional
schedule for the event, which is set to
take place from Sept. 17-22.

Rather than the usual merry-go-
round of shows on the hour, every hour
across all corners of the city, this sea-
son’s LFW will be a more sedate mix
of digital presentations, scheduled

appointments and socially-distanced fashion jobs could be at risk as the
presentations. ramifications of the COVID crisis con-
tinue to be felt. Fashion’s GDP contri-
According to the BFC, there will be bution is set to fall from $45.5 billion to
50 digital-only activations, 21 physi- $34.8 billion.
cal and digital, seven physical only
and three designers who will activate Milan Fashion Week is also set to go
through a physical evening event. ahead with a mix of digital and physi-
cal showcases. New York will keep to a
The biggest London Fashion Week mostly digital schedule, with many of
attraction, Burberry, had already con- the biggest names – such as Ralph Lau-
firmed that it would present a digital- ren and Michael Kors – choosing not to
only livestream, ‘Burberry in Nature,’ show at all. Details for Paris Fashion
which will be an “immersive show ex- Week are yet to be released.
perience set in the British outdoors,” it
announced in June. The British fashion After months when the only big
house’s presentation will open LFW on fashion news seems to have been
Sept. 17. about rising sales of leggings, a jolt of
designer glamour could be just what
Victoria Beckham, another of the the world needs. 
main draws after her return from New
York Fashion Week in 2018, will host a
salon show, as will Molly Goddard.

By far the most popular ‘physical’
route is the invitation-only appoint-
ment; Simone Rocha, Erdem, Chris-
topher Kane, Roksanda, Emilia Wick-
stead and more plan to show their
collections in this more intimate way,
which makes COVID-safe compliance
far easier than bigger gatherings.

After a somewhat lackluster experi-
ment with a digital-only format for
June’s fashion week, the British Fash-
ion Council will be hoping that this
season’s dialed-back version of the
event can create more buzz for the
U.K.’s best designers at a time when it
is acutely needed.

In July, the body warned that 240,000

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Style Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 47

A soft power jacket should top your autumn shopping list

BY LISA ARMSTRONG
The Telegraph

Are you NOW back in the office? Did of the lot, doing heroic ser-
you ever leave your office? Are you nev- vice on a country walk, but
er, EVER going to go to an office again,
so long as you shall live? also talking the talk in a
business meeting.
Don’t look at me. I’m in limbo like Ethnic touches can
everyone else. That must be why I keep enhance a jacket’s
finding myself looking at the ‘soft pow- mood-morphing abili-
er’ jacket. It’s the one bit of certainty I ties, from evenings out
can find in an uncertain world. to staycations, and
most work situations.
Not that I’m beating up on uncer- The denim jacket is
tainty, which could turn out to be good also making a come-
for us. All the agonizing so many of us back – there’s some-
indulged in over micro decisions now thing about a crisp
looks a bit like control freakery. In the collar and seaming
great words of Disney, “Let It Go.” that look efficient,
even when it’s in a
Once you get past the initial
palpitations of not being able casual fabric.
to plan anything beyond The ideal is a jacket that slips on
tomorrow morning, it’s
quite exhilarating. For and off easily when you’re working
instance, normally at from home, but looks the business in
this time of the year a slick office environment. It should
I’d be sifting through be something that you don’t have to
hundreds of online take off because you’re putting a load
lookbooks, look- of washing on, or checking on the put-
ing for trends tanesca sauce on the hob (being wash-
that pass the ‘Are able helps), but should also give you a
they for real?’ test. lift in a serious business meeting. See
whether it works as well sitting at your
This year, though, it’s makeshift desk as it does sauntering
trends, schmends. I’m not down the road – and whether it looks
saying there aren’t any. Far as good worn open as it does done up.
from it. But they’re more
likely to be for specific items I say ‘soft power’, but that’s huge
rather than vague mood- power. If the old structured jackets
board nonsense. And they were the equivalent of an electric
probably germinated on shock, these are a long, sustained
Instagram or WhatsApp charge of green electricity. 
rather than the catwalk.
And in all likelihood,
they’ll be intensely
practical. Because
no one is talking
about clothing you
can’t actually wear any more. Amaz-
ing, isn’t it?

Which brings us back to the ‘un-
power’ or ‘soft power’ jacket. Let’s face
it: You’ve got enough dresses to last
until 2030. If you want to buy some-
thing now that will take you not just
into autumn but into a paradigm shift
that is not your kitchen/home study,
then it is this little jacket.

I say little. It doesn’t have to be
cropped, although cropped is what
works over all those dresses. It could
be longer, like a safari jacket, which is
the ultimate shape- and mood-shifter,
since it often comes with a drawstring
waist and collars that can be flipped
up or down, and cuffs that can be
rolled up. In a crisp cotton or canvas,
the safari or tracker jacket probably
represents the most versatile tailoring

48 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

PETS

Meow-za! Bonz digs cool cats ‘Beau’ and ‘Clemmie’

Beau.

Hi Dog Buddies! As he walked toward the couch, I no- C AT-you-la r r y Clemmie.
ticed he had a black polka dot on the bot- an communicate
Even though it’s been a while since tom of his white sox. Way Cool Catnip. easily with Clem- own chairs on the screen
my first cat innerview, I still get a liddle mie an Mary.” porch. We share toys, an our potty
nervous. There’s just something myste- As my assistant rooted around in The box. Beau loves playin’ with toys but
rious about ’em, like they know stuff us Satchel for the plastic Hairball Greenie Suddenly, I me, I prefer lizards. Back in my youth
dogs don’t know – which, I suspect, they bag, Beauregard came right over an be- heard this soft, I was an amazing Huntress. Now, not
probly DO. gan nosing around in it as well. “I love liddle voice, and so much. I just dream about the Glory
crinkly plastic,” he said. looked up from my Days.”
A feline acquaintance of mine had- notebook to see
da go to therapy for years after being I opened my notebook as Beauregard a delicate ginger Beau spoke up. “Mary has this three-
chased up a tree by a bad-mannered dog polished off his Greenie. “Tell me about tabby approach- section recliner for watchin’ TV. She
so, when me an my assistant knocked on yourself.” ing, with the big- sits in the middle an we have our own
Beauregard an Clementine Schenkel’s gest green eyes, a smaller seats, one on each side. It’s
door, I put on my best bee-NINE Profes- He stretched out on the carpet an be- big white bib anna purr-fect! I also have this terrific seat/
sional Journalist face, fluffed my ruff, an gan. “Our Human already had Clemmie very, very long cream-colored tail that scratch post.”
fervently hoped they hadn’t had any pre- when I came along. We’re both rescues. stood straight up. Clementine!
vious traumatic canine experiences. She’s about 14 now an I’m probly 10, but He ran over an sat in it. It was a big,
I’ve always felt older than she. Anyway, “Are you talkin’ about me, Beau?” she sideways Ess, with some scratchy stuff at
Beauregard answered the door stand- Mary was looking for a companion for said. Then, to me, “I’m quite shy around the front. He looked Very Important in it.
ing right beside a lady. He was a large, Clemmie, who was 8 at the time. A nice strangers, an not at all comf-tubble
impressive fellow with short thick gray Shelter human, Paula, suggested me. with dogs, no offense. But Mary an Beau Heading home, I was grinning like a
fur, white sox an beard. Very elegant. At that point, I’d been there for, like 6 say you’re Cool Catnip, an that’s good Cheshire thinking about my two newest
An not one bit timid. As the traditional months in human.” enough for me.” feline frens, Clementine an Beauregard,
Wag-an-Sniff is a purely canine ritual, I two Totally Cool Kibbles cats, for sure.
stood still an introduced myself an my “Woof!” I exclaimed. “It’s a true pleasure, Miss Clemen-
assistant. “Woof, indeed,” Beauregard agreed. tine,” I said. “I have several cat frens, Till next time,
“It’s not easy being a grown-up cat at a from whom I’ve learned a lot. I must
After one brief but meaningful hissss shelter. Humans usually want younger admit, you speak Dog a lot better than The Bonz
– to advise me that he was Boss of the cats or silly fluffball kittens. It can be I speak Cat. But I’m learning.”
House – Beauregard, cool as a bowl of ice frustrating. Us adult cats are far calmer Don’t Be Shy
water, executed an elegant Swish-Tail, an we’ve already gone through all the She smiled. “That’s usually the case.
Single Pass Ankle Rub for my assistant no-kittens procedures an know all the Anyway (are you taking all this down?), We are always looking for pets
and said, “So, Bonzo, it’s great meeting ropes. But you know how humans are. Mary got me from the shelter in 2006 with interesting stories.
you in The Fur. I’m Beauregard Schenkel Anyway, Paula told Mary she had the as a liddle 4-month-old ginger fluff-
an this is our Human, Mary. Ackshully, purr-fect cat for Clementine. Drako.” ball. Mary’s sister Margaret named me To set up an interview, email
I’m quite familiar with your work. It’s re- “Huh? Who’s Drako?” Clementine cuz I was the color of that [email protected].
freshing to see you’ve been reaching out “That was my shelter name, if you can froot. I liked Beau from the moment he
to the Feline Demographic.” believe it. Thank Garfield, Mary changed arrived. Me an him an Mary are each
it to one more befitting my stature.” other’s best frens. Me an Beau sleep to-
“Absolutely,” I replied. “It is the Post- “For sure!” gether. When Mary gets out of bed in the
Species Era after all. We’ve still got a “Mary agreed I WAS the purrfect morning, we jump in an snooze a liddle
lot to learn about each other, I feel.” pal for Clemmie. I had never made the longer. I don’t get around like I use to an
Looking around. I added, “I understood slightest peep the whole time I was at I have some ISH-yous, so snoozing is my
there were to be two of you.” the shelter, simply because I never had pre-furred pastime.
anything I felt like saying back then.
“That’s correct. My sister Clementine’s However, from the moment I set paw in “One of our favrite places to hang
a liddle shy. She’s probly under the bed.” my new home an met Clemmie, I pretty out is in Mary’s office. We each have
He raised his voice. “HEY, CLEMMIE! much stopped brooding and just sort a cozy bed side-by-side in the sun
Bonzo’s here. He’s Cool Catnip. No wor- of blossomed. Now, as you can tell, I’m right by the door to the courtyard. SO
ries! Come on out!” Then, to me, “Let’s go a very vocal fellow. I have a broad vo- comfy. (Don’t let it get around, but our
sit down. She’ll show up shortly.” beds are – dog beds.) We also have our

Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™ Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 49

WINE COLUMN

How to look for bargains on quality California wine

BY DAVE MCINTYRE releases, and they are terrific. Fans of Cameron Hughes.
Napa cabernet, especially, will want to
The Washington Post be on this mailing list.

Really good California wine under Hughes calls his current model “en
$20 a bottle has become increasingly primeur,” a sort of, but not really, imi-
hard to find over the past two decades. tation of Bordeaux’s practice of selling
Luckily, there’s a glut of wine in the the recent vintage two years before it is
market right now, along with declining released. He buys a batch of wine from a
demand. That creates opportunities for winery and sells a portion immediately
consumers looking to score high-value after bottling it to cover the cost of the
vino at low prices. purchase. He holds the rest to sell later
at a slight premium.
As always, though, caveat emptor.
The market oversupply makes it easy for As I was writing this, I received an
anyone to buy wine on the bulk market, email from de Négoce offering a cab-
“add value” by bottling and labeling it ernet sauvignon from Rutherford, in
with slick but meaningless claims of Napa Valley, that was “built for the $90-
being “clean” or “keto-friendly,” and $120 price range.” Hughes had 350 cases
making a tidy profit. And there’s always available for $18 a bottle.
an ocean of inexpensive plonk made
essentially by recipe to the lowest com- How is he able to do this? Many
mon denominator. high-end wineries sell primarily to
restaurants, and that market dried
With a little research, and a willing- up with the novel coro-
ness to take a chance on unknown navirus pandemic. They
wines, we can find true bargains. need to create cash flow
and free up space in their
Cameron Hughes made his reputa- cellars to process the next
tion as a California “negociant,” follow- vintage. Unloading some
ing the European model of buying wine wine at a deep discount
from growers, then bottling and mar- makes sense.
keting it. His Cameron Hughes Wine be-
came known in the late 2000s for afford- “We’ve had tons of
able, high-quality juice and tantalizing wine thrown at us,”
marketing that had us guessing which Hughes says. “People
cult wineries sold to him under nondis- want to free up cash.”
closure agreements. (And this was be-
fore NDAs became all the rage.) An economic down-
turn coupled with poor
Hughes sold his namesake label in vintages – such as 2010
2017. He reentered the fray in May with and 2011 after the Great
a new label he calls de Négoce. (He pro- Recession – could turn
nounces it day NA-go-SHAY.) In just a boom into bust. For
few months, he has already released now, though, these are
more than 40 wines, all offered to email good times. There are
subscribers at heavily discounted pric- bargains to be found –
es. I’ve tasted a few of de Négoce’s early and savored. 

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50 Vero Beach 32963 / September 10, 2020 Your Vero Beach Newsweekly ™

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