It's a small world!

We have been discovering that there are lots of people that we know who live in Florida, even in the vicinity of Vero Beach.  Of course there are Suzie Perot and Charlie Muir.  We were invited to dinner at their home in Sea Forest last Tuesday.  It was great to catch up with them--it had been quite a while that we had seen them both.
I have been in touch with Ricki (Erica Ivers when I first knew her, now Ricki López Chaar).  Hers is a great story.  I first met Ricki at Horace Mann School, where we were both first year teachers in 1970.  I was part time that year, as I was still a full time student at Columbia University and living in Johnson Hall, the graduate women's dormitory on 116th Street between Amsterdam and Morningside Park.  When I decided to teach full time (my NDFL fellowship had ended and I needed more funds to continue working on my PhD.), Ricki and I decided to rent an apartment, and with two others, we ended up in a great place on W. 86th street.  Anyway, after three years, Ricki decided to return to the Boston area, but we kept i touch.  Her mother invited her to go on a vacation to PR and while walking on the beach, she was picked up by a guy who claimed to be the mayor of Dorado.  He picked her up that evening in his limousine--yes, he was the mayor--and that was the beginning of their relationship.  By 1976, Alfonsi (Papiño) had asked Ricki to marry him.  She was still worried about all of the implications of moving to a new culture, family expectations, learning a new language, etc.  She wanted to try it out for a summer before committing, and they decided that she would wear a wedding band for that summer, so people (especially her mother-in-law) would accept her.  I got to visit them for a week in Dorado, along with her friend, Meg.  We were treated royally!  Papiño took us to visit many parts of the island--the Cerromar resort, el Yunque, Ay Bonito, Ponce, Loquillo Beach, etc.  We even got to ride in an ambulance, with the siren on, since it was the only way to get out of a huge traffic jam!  Meg and I took Ricki to Tortola to celebrate her birthday.  Anyway, Ricki returned to Boston to teach one more year and then decided that yes, she and Papiño would get married, and they did so the following July 3.  They have been togethere for more than 37 years!!  Ricki and Papiño also own an apartment near West Palm, close to her mother's current residence, so, once I told her that I was retiring and spending the winter in FL, we planned to meet.  Last Saturday (3/1), Ricki and Papiño drove up to Vero and we had a great visit.  We had lunch at the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa that is right on Ocean Drive and the beach.  We sat on the patio overlooking the beach.  Lunch was good, and the company even better.  We even stopped for an ice cream at the Boardwalk Cafe on the beach.

Ricki and I, Coral Stone 

Lunch at the Cobalt

Sieg, Maryanne, Papiño, Ricki

When I mentioned to Eric that I flew out of Melbourne, FL, to go to celebrate Nana's 95th birthday, he remembered that that is where Charles Parson's parents live.  We are hoping to see them once they return from the UK.
I was trying to locate Gabriella (Gabi) Ossimanti Sheehan, a friend from my high school days.  I lost her e-mail (we had been in contact two years ago when the 50th reunion was about to take place), but I had no luck, so I googled her and lo and behold!--they live in Palm Bay which is even closer than Melbourne.  We chatted the other day, and she has invited us to come to a family dinner one of the next Sunday's.  She has four children and numerous grandchildren, and would like us to meet them.  Her husband, Dan is just in the process of retiring from the U.S. Postal Service.  (more to follow in another blog!)

Jacksonville, January 31-February 2

So, how did we end up going to the National Annual Meeting of the United States Power Squadrons, held most years in Jacksonville, FL?  It had never been high on our list of things to do.  In fact, we only went to the district meeting in Ocean City, MD, once, at the urging of Scott Borzell when he was commander.
We were in Vero Beach in late June, staying at the Caribbean Court Boutique Hotel while we looked for a winter rental.  The last morning we were at breakfast, sitting at a large table.  A couple approached and asked if they could join us, since the restaurant was full.  We made small talk for a while, and I casually mentioned boating.  Louie perked up and asked if we had ever heard of the power squadron.  When I said yes, that we were members of Main Line in PA, he told us that he is the current national Admin Officer, moving up to Exec this year and to Commander in two years!  Louie and Dottie Ojeda were in Vero for a wedding, but they know people from the Vero Beach squadron and encouraged us to become associate members.  They also pushed for us to attend the national meeting in Jacksonville.  We eventually decided to go, since we would be in FL, and was a 100 year celebration of the founding of the USPS.  (And because we felt a personal contact because of Louie.)
Siegfried had checked out the hotel (the Hyatt-Regency) and discovered that it was pet-friendly, so Minnow didn't have to be boarded after all!  We set out on Friday morning, in heavy rain, to drive the 206 miles back north to Jacksonville.  By the time we stopped for lunch (yes, at a Chick-Fil A), the rain was pretty much over, thank heavens.
We got to the hotel in mid-afternoon.  It is in a beautiful location, overlooking the river.

Hyatt-Regency Hotel

River Walk

I was checking in when I turned around and saw Sieg and Minnow, standing by our luggage cart, in the middle of this beautiful, formal, all marble, fancy lobby!!  He is one lucky dog.  Instead of the first floor, as I had requested, our room was on the 12th floor, so we got to ride up and down elevators a lot!  He was allowed just about everywhere, including the gift shop (we went for ice cream sandwiches).  The hotel sent up a dog bowl and the most luxurious doggie bed/cushion for Minnow.

Friday night we went to the 100th anniversary reception in the ballrooms overlooking the river.  It was so mobbed!  The hotel provided wine and beer, and each district had a table with appetizers.  However, we had no idea that it was by district, and I was politely turned away from a district table when they asked if we belonged to their group. Grrr!  We never actually found the district 5 table, since it turned out it was two rooms down.  We gave up and went to dinner in the hotel restaurant.  There were supposed to be fireworks, but we missed them as well :(  Seemed that organization was lacking that day--even the First Timer's Table was unmanned.
But Saturday turned out much better!!  We got up early in order to make the opening of the Annual Meeting.  It was a lot of pomp and circumstance, flags and marching.  And we were pretty much the only ones not wearing uniforms, since we've never been interested in purchasing them.  We sat with District 5 for the entire 3 hour morning session.

Entrance of District and National Officers

Podium

We had lunch in the hotel restaurant again, and returned for more of the meeting.  We got there early enough to chat with Louie Ojeda, and then went to sit in the District 5 section. 

Louie Ojeda, 2nd row far left

Louie and Dottie Ojeda

A woman came over and suggested that we "vacate" those seats, since they were mainly for squadron commanders (and we certainly aren't that!)  I was a bit put out, but it really turned out for the best.  The woman was Mrs.Lafferty, wife of the Commander of District 5, and once she found out that we were representing Main Line, she invited us to a reception for District 5 attendees in their suite after the meeting finished.  It was a really nice event and we got to meet a bunch of people.  The suggestion is that we attend more district and national meetings, but I'm not so sure that is going to happen.  Although, Louie becomes Commander in 2 years, and that meeting will take place in Orlando, so I am tempted!!

District Commander Lafferty and First Lady!

 The evening ended with the Mardi Gras Ball.  The new National Commander is from New Orleans, hence the theme.  The dinner was held in a huge ballroom and about 600 people attended.  Dress was relatively formal, some had masks, some had decorated umbrellas, and all had Mardi Gras beads!  The dinner was excellent (except that they put the dessert, King's Cake, on the table instead of dinner rolls, so we had dessert before dinner).  The band was great, and they played most of the evening.  After dinner, they played Mardi Gras music and everyone got up and "strutted."  It was truly a classy, fun event.  When we got back to our room, Minnow got his ice cream!!

Mardi Gras Strut!

The Oyster Mat Project

After hearing a description of what the Vero Beach Power Squadron is doing to hopefully help to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon, I volunteered to work on oyster mats.  While the quality of water has been getting worse gradually, apparently there was an algae bloom about two years ago that killed a lot of sea grass by cutting off sunlight to the grass.  With no sea grass, the native fish, birds, manatees, etc. are disappearing.  The Rotary Club and the squadron are partnering in an effort to create oyster beds, since oysters are a natural filtering system.  The plan is to make 1100 mats that will be placed in the water in the Mooring flats near the end of March, just prior to the spawning season.  The hope is that the oyster spat (eggs) will land on the oyster shells on the mats instead of being swept downstream or eaten by other creatures.  Each mat is a plastic-coated wire square of about 18"x 18" to which 36 half oyster shells are attached with wire ties.  The shells need to be tightly fastened so they stand up.

 The idea is that  up to 8 people work for three hours (9 a.m. to noon) making mats each weekday, while two others drill holes in oyster half shells. 

The first time I worked (Toby calls it the sweat shop!), it was so cold that we had to move the tables outside.  Normally we are on the screened-in porch.  Week #1 I managed to get 2 mats done.  The next week I did 3.  The third week I did 4 of my own and finished 1 that someone else had started.  I was determined to make them more quickly, after hearing that Kathie Thomas was able to do 5!!!  Last week I did 4 and could have started a 5th, but was told that we should knock off for the day.  This week they cancelled the session because the drill press wasn't working and there were not enough shells available for the mats.  It really feels like I'm doing something good for the environment and the squadron, plus it keeps me busy.

Here is a link to an article from the local newspaper:    Oyster Project
Another article:Oyster Project once more

The last week I made mats, I managed to do 5 easily.  After 6 weeks of actually making mats, Toby asked me to spend the last morning cutting mats, so that the local students they are going to involve in the project would have materials on Saturday, March 15.  The idea is to get students interested in saving the lagoon and to give them a way to do community service.

Cutting the mats!

The mats are being laid in the Mooring Flats on the last 2 Saturdays in March and the first in April.

First week social connections...

Our first Friday night we decided to go to the community's social.  It is every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Club House.  Everyone brings an appetizer to share and something to drink.  The assortment was pretty incredible, and we had a chance to meet some people.  We have gone one other time as well, and I have volunteered to help with decorating for Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day.  I'll be on my way to CT on Valentine's Day, so we'll miss that party.
The first Sunday, we attended the new members' reception for VBPS (the Vero Beach Power Squadron.  It was held at Toby and Jo Ann's house, which is in a beautiful community about 8 miles south of us.  We expected there would be people, but it was absolutely packed, with both old and new members and all of the Executive Committee, etc.  Everyone who leads an activity was wearing a sign with the activity's name.  I will probably join the book club for the March meeting.  Somehow my name got on the list for bird watching, but I'm going to pass on that!!  The most interesting sign for me was "Ask me about Oyster Mats."  So we did, and Toby Jarman gave us the whole story.  I decided that I really wanted to participate in this activity, and I'll describe it further in a separate blog.  Kathy Thomas told me about the Yoga class each Tuesday and Thursday at the Vero Beach Yacht Club, and Chris Paragallo (an owner here at Coral Stone) and I began to attend those sessions.  The first day after yoga class, Kathy took us over to see the actual VBPS Club House, which is near the Yacht Club and sits right on the Indian River (Lagoon) at the Route 60 Bridge.

They are so lucky to have an actual club house where they can offer classes, hold social events, etc.  Plus the weather is so nice here year round that they have raft outs, lunch cruises, etc. every month.  No wonder they have over 400 members!  And so many are really active!! 

Coral Stone--our beach

By Friday I was ready to explore, so I set off with keys to the club house and the beach.  To get to the beach you need to walk across A1A and enter through the locked gate (hence the key). 

Then there is a beautiful, tree-lined path that leads to the beach.  The view is spectacular practically from the gate.

The beach is gorgeous!  It is private, and on one side there is the Disney Vero Hotel/Resort, and to the other side, other private communities.  Each day the beach is different--size of waves, amount of actual beach (depends on the tide and also on the winds), amount of shells left in the sand, etc.  But it is always beautiful.  I need to stop taking pictures, but can't seem to!

First day on beach

 

 

 

Disney Resort

Wabasso Beach

A much rougher day!

I've been trying to walk a mile or two on the beach every day.  It sure beats a treadmill!

Coral Stone--our first full day (1/16)

After spending half of our first full day here at the Fort Pierce Mercedes Benz that is 30 miles south (repairing air conditioner) and then heading to BJ's (an additional 15 miles south), I went grocery shopping, again.  While I was in Publix, I had a call from Eric, who was waiting until I got home to tell us his news!!  He and Jessica were so thrilled with the news--Eric was accepted to the brand new PA program at Johnson and Wales in Providence, RI.  Needless to say, we are also thrilled :)  Hence our celebration dinner, champagne and all.

 

Coral Stone--the community

Coral Stone is a quiet, small and beautifully landscaped property at the north end of Vero Beach, almost across from the Disney Vero Beach Hotel.  There are 5 villages of townhouses, plus a club house that has a lounge, a pool and an exercise facility.

1547--our townhouse

Dining Room--Celebration dinner for Eric!!

Living Room

View from our living room, to the backyard

Club House and Pool

Club House

Typical landscape

January 14-15, Arrival in Vero Beach!!

We left Titusville Tuesday morning to head to Vero.  It seemed like a good idea to get there a day early, so we would could pick up the keys Wednesday morning and begin the moving in process.  As we approached Vero, it got cloudier and cloudier, and we needed a place for lunch.  We consulted the "Bring Fido" site and found a dog friendly restaurant (seating on a patio.)  We decided to take a chance on no rain and went to the Oceala Bistro.  Of course, once we were seated and had ordered, it began to drizzle.  But they were able to open a sun umbrella over us, so all was fine.  The food was excellent.  Sieg had a fancy sandwich and I tried their fish of the day, which was superb.  We'll go there again.
After lunch we checked in at the Holiday Inn Oceanside.  They put us in an end unit, right on the beach! (But neglected to tell us that there would be construction outside our door starting at 9 a.m.--didn't matter since we planned to leave early).  The beach was beautiful.

Holiday Inn from the beach

View from our patio

Our room

View from our patio

There are a group of beach side restaurants nearby, so we ended up having breakfast on Wednesday at Mulligan's.  They are quite well known here and have both an inside and outside section.  Standard beach/resort stuff--large quantities, decent food overall.
We headed to the realtor (David Walsh and Associates) and got the keys.  We found the  townhouse without incident, and I headed out to find a place to buy sandwiches for lunch.  It turns out that we are very near Wabasso Beach and there are two small food places right there.  We are also just across from the Disney Resort.
We spent the afternoon unpacking and then headed to Walmart and the grocery store.  By the time we got home, it was after 7 p.m.

Titusville and the Kennedy Space Center, January 12-14

We stayed at the Fairfield Suites in Titusville.  It is in a perfect location, just off I-95 and within 10 miles of the space center.  It is part of the Marriott chain and the accommodations were very comfortable, except that there was no kitchenette.  Sieg and I decided to go to the Holiday Inn next door for a quick dinner.  We had become aware of the Florida law that you can't leave a dog in a car, so we were concerned about leaving him in the room.  The hotel receptionist offered to keep Minnow with her in the lobby while we were out!  He got to roam the office area, etc. (They also agreed to store his frozen chicken since the fridge in our room didn't have a freezer compartment.) 
On Monday morning, we had an early breakfast in the hotel so we could leave by 8:30 a.m. to get to the Kennedy Space Center, get Minnow checked in and pick up our tickets.  Pat Kramer had told me that the Space Center has a kennel--it is complimentary, has large cages, etc.  You have to provide food and water, a blanket, etc.  and that worked out beautifully (not sure Minnow would agree, but...).  Below are the kennel and two signature buildings.

Kennedy Space Center Kennel

Launch Control Center

Visitors' Entrance to the Kennedy Space Center

We were so lucky with the weather--it was sunny and in the 70s. The first area we toured was called the "Rocket Garden" and they had rockets, space capsules, etc. on display in an outdoor area.

We then went to what was one of the highlights of our visit--the Atlantis Exhibit.  You start by walking up a circular ramp to the top of the building, and then are seated in an outer area before a screen where you see an introduction to the history of the space shuttles.  Then a door opens and you are shepherded in to a circular room where you stand as a film about the shuttle Atlantis surrounds you.  At the end of the movie, they project the words "Welcome home, Atlantis" and the whole front of the room opens up to the actual shuttle, hanging there right before your eyes.  It was AMAZING!!! All around the shuttle are interactive displays, etc. and they continue as you make your way down (again on a circular ramp) to the main floor of the building. 

The shuttle launching system

Welcome Home, Atlantis!!

We had to miss some of the displays because we wanted to catch the IMAX movie about the International Space Station, in 3D no less.  You felt like things were coming at you, touching you, etc.  Again, AMAZING!! We loved it as well. 
We had a quick (rather average) lunch in the Orbit Cafe and then went to meet our tour bus for the afternoon.  We had chosen to do the guided tour of the launch control center, a tour that apparently will be discontinued in the near future.  We got into the building, saw the commemorative plaques for each space mission, and then took the elevator up to the Firing Rooms (which are in the process of being renovated). Security was very tight in the building! 

After the Launch Control Center, the bus took us out to view a launch pad (LC 39B, I think).  That facility is going to be used in the future by a private company.  On the way, we drove along side the Crawler Transport Path where they transport rockets from the Vessel Assembly Building to the launch site.

Crawler Transport Path

Launch Pad 39B

The final stop on the tour was the Apollo/Saturn V Center.  However, we realized that it had been a long day for Minnow, so we decided to "rescue" him from the kennel and save this part of the visit for the next time, along with the Shuttle Launch Experience. And there will be a next time, for sure.  While we have thoroughly enjoyed our whole trip south, this was really the highlight, and we will return!!