Senior Scene Magazine

08/13/2025

Open House at Green Gables for the month of August:

Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village, Inc.
Address: 1501 S. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, FL
Phone 321-306-8635 for questions

Saturdays:
August 2nd
August 9th
August 16th
August 23rd
August 30th
Time:10 AM to 2 PM
Last tour begins at 1:30 PM
$10 donation for a tour
Children 12 and under are free
Visit Green Gables at Historic Riverview Village, Inc. and explore one of only three remaining Queen Anne-style homes in the Melbourne area. This nonprofit organization has acquired the property, but currently we are raising the necessary funds to restore and preserve this historic treasure to its original condition and charm. Learn how the early Wells Family left a legacy with their support in developing Melbourne.
Take a leisurely tour of Green Gables, step back in time within the home, and unwind on the beautiful grounds overlooking the Indian River Lagoon. You'll quickly understand why we're committed to restoring Green Gables and discover how you can contribute to this important cause.

08/12/2025

New Urgent Care Clinic Opens at Viera VA Clinic
The Orlando VA Healthcare System is pleased to announce the opening of a new Urgent Care Clinic at the Viera VA Clinic, providing timely and convenient care for Veterans in need of same-day medical attention.
The new clinic will operate Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., offering services to address non-life-threatening medical conditions, such as minor cuts, burns, wounds, infections, irritations, cold or flu symptoms, and other non-life threatening but urgent needs.
“The establishment of this urgent care clinic guarantees that Veterans will receive quality, immediate care during critical times,” stated Dr. Brandon Wormsbacher, Chief Medical Officer at the Viera VA Clinic. “We are dedicated to addressing the healthcare needs of our Veteran community, and this clinic represents a crucial advancement in enhancing access to care.”
Located within the Viera VA Clinic, the urgent care facility is staffed with skilled healthcare professionals who are dedicated to providing personalized and efficient care. This expansion reflects the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s ongoing commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility and ensuring Veterans receive the attention they deserve in a timely manner.
For more information about the new urgent care clinic or the services available at the Viera VA Clinic, please visit: https://www.va.gov/orlando-health-care/locations/viera-va-clinic/.
Media representatives interested in attending and hosting media engagements are encouraged to contact the Office of Public Affairs by emailing vhaorlpublicaffairs@va.go or by calling 407-840-6967.

08/11/2025

August Events at the Barrier Island Center

Greetings From the Barrier Island Center,

We’ve got you covered this month for great programs to embrace the heat, or beat it. We have two first-time programs to highlight, a free intro to sustainable inshore fishing workshop; learn how to fish the IRL successfully and conscientiously. Also, Tim Kozusko, Brevard native and retired Space Center Ecologist, will be offering a talk ’n walk do discover the adaptations of our coastal strand native plants to fire and the resulting importance of prescribed burns. Our popular sea turtle nest excavations are also starting this month or check out our thematic crafts in the AC.

Hope to see you soon!

Barrier Island Center August Events
All Events are Free Unless Noted “*”

Touch Tank-Drop in and interact with our interesting sea creatures. Horseshoe crabs, sea cucumbers, sea stars & more!
• Sundays in August, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
• Tuesdays, August 12 & 26, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


*Glass Turtle Workshop-Saturday, August 9 @ 11 a.m.-Join Melbourne Beach glass artist, Delynn Ellis, for a Make-Your-Own-Turtle class. Students pick their own colors and design a fused glass turtle. No experience is necessary. Materials fee $25. Space limited, please enroll.

Eco-Art: Upcycled Garlands & More-Sunday, August 10, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.-Make a sea turtle garland or other upcycled, eco-friendly craft. Please enroll.

*Sea Turtle Nest Digs With Sea Turtle Conservancy-Thursdays, Starting August 14 @ 7:45 a.m. as conditions permit-Join Sea Turtle Conservancy for a morning loggerhead nest evaluation of hatching success. Possibility of viewing the release of live loggerhead hatchlings. Please register.

*Sea Turtle Nest Digs with Friends of the Carr Refuge-Saturdays, Starting August 16 @ 7:45 a.m. as conditions permit-Join Friends of the Carr Refuge for a presentation and first hand look at how nest hatch success rate is determined. May include hatchling release but not guaranteed. Please register.

*Sea Turtle Decoupage Shells-Sunday, August 17 @ 11 a.m.-Learn about our local sea turtles, then beach combing craft enthusiast Diana Watkins will tech you how to decoupage with marine life napkins onto found shells. Each participant will be provided with a kit containing all necessary supplies. Please enroll.

Sea Turtle 101 & Beach Cleanup-Saturday, August 23 @ 10:00 a.m.-Come learn about our local sea turtles and how you can help, then take action by cleaning the nesting beach. Participation prizes for kids while they last. Please enroll.

*Glass Turtle Workshop-Sunday, August 24 @ 11 a.m.-Join Melbourne Beach glass artist, Delynn Ellis, for a Make-Your-Own-Turtle class. Students pick their own colors and design a fused glass turtle. No experience is necessary. Materials fee $25. Space limited, please enroll.

Hands-on Introduction to Inshore Sustainable Fishing-Thursday, August 28, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m-Join Rider Ridgeway, EEL Coordinator, for an introductory class for anyone who wants to learn how to start fishing the Indian River Lagoon. Topics covered will include: Rules and regulations, fish identification, how to cast, knot tying, types of bait to use, and how to be a conservation focused angler. Be sure to get your free FWC shoreline-saltwater license first, as applicable. You will be able to practice your skills in the water, so please dress appropriately to get wet. Please enroll.

Native Plant Fire Adaptations Talk ’n Walk-Saturday, August 30 @ 10 a.m.-Join Tim Kozusko, Brevard Native and retired Kennedy Space Center Ecologist, for a presentation and exploration of our native plants inhabiting the coastal strand and how they’ve adapted to fire. This is part one, pre-burn, of a two part series. Please enroll.

Save The Date for Creatures Fest-Saturday, October 11th, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.-Join us for a free, fun, family event to celebrate animal diversity, ecology and conservation with a Halloween theme. Enjoy critteriffic games, touch tank, live animal encounters, conservation booths, scavenger hunt, eco-art crafts, black light not-so-scary experience and more! Costumes encouraged and appreciated.

The Barrier Island Center was created and is managed under Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The referendum was established by voters in 1990 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity of Brevard County for future generations. The Barrier Island Center is centrally located in heart of the Archie Carr Refuge in southern Melbourne Beach at 8385 South Highway A1A. The Barrier Island Center operates in collaboration with the Sea Turtle Conservancy to provide hands-on educational experiences for visitors to the Refuge through interactive exhibits, special programs and a 1-mile long “dune-to-lagoon” nature trail along the Doc Ehrhart Sanctuary. Admission is free to the education center which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information please call, (321) 723-3556.

08/10/2025

08/08/2025

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery to Host “Spirit of ‘45” Commemoration

WHAT: Cape Canaveral National Cemetery will host a “Spirit of ‘45” wreath-laying ceremony. The ‘Spirit of ’45’ event honors World War II Veterans on the 80th anniversary of President Truman’s announcement of the unconditional surrender of Imperial Japan marking the end of World War II. The ceremony will include remarks by cemetery director, a wreath dedication and military honors.

WHO: Participation will include:
• Invocation/Benediction by Pastor Jerry Hanson
• Welcome Remarks
• Wreath Dedication by WWII Veteran
• Moment of Silence
• Rifle Salute by North Brevard Honor Guard Team
• Live Taps by Skip Watson (Bugles Across America)

WHEN/WHERE: The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m., Aug. 14, at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery Flag Assembly area.
Seating: Limited seating will be available. If you are unable to stand for the 20-minute service, please bring your own lawn chair.
Parking: Parking is available for the public onsite; Mobility impaired users with Handicap tags will have limited space parking. News media parking: Check in upon arrival.

WHY: The Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration traditionally holds ‘Spirit of ’45’ commemoration events every five years at its 156 cemeteries commemorating the service and sacrifice of World War II Veterans.

CONTACT: Cindy M. Van Bibber, Cemetery Director; Phone: (321) 383-2638.
Email: CCNC@va.gov.

08/03/2025

Orlando VA Launches New CRC Housing Program
to Support Aging Veterans
By Hansraj Raghunandan, Public Affairs Specialist, Orlando VA Health Care System
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) is expanding support for aging Veterans through its newly launched Community Residential Care (CRC) Program—a long-term care solution for Veterans who can no longer live independently but don’t require nursing home-level care.
Designed to provide a safe, supportive, and homelike environment, the CRC program connects eligible Veterans with VA-approved assisted living facilities or adult family care homes. Veterans receive supervision, assistance with daily living, and monthly case management from the VA—all while maintaining as much independence as possible.
The program recently approved its first two participating facilities: Aum Haven ALF in Kissimmee and Excellence ALF in South Orlando. Aum Haven offers a cozy, residential 10-bed setting with mental health-trained staff. Excellence ALF provides a vibrant community in a modern 185-bed facility near the airport, with robust social activities and both private and semi-private rooms.
“This program fills a critical gap,” said Marie Rosen, LCSW, CRC Coordinator. “We already have programs for fully independent living and nursing homes, but we needed something in between. CRC supports Veterans who need extra help but still want to age in a comfortable, community-based setting.”
Veterans who qualify must be enrolled in VA healthcare, medically and psychiatrically stable, and able to manage most activities of daily living with minimal assistance. Participants also agree to stay connected with their VA primary care team and receive monthly visits from CRC staff.
80-year-old Army Veteran Ronald Cook is one of the proud residents at Excellence ALF—and now serves as the VA Ambassador for fellow Veterans at the facility.
“I’ve been here going on two years now, and I enjoy it very much,” Cook shared. “The facility is clean, the meals are great, and the staff is top-notch. They’re very helpful and cooperative with all the residents.”
Cook, who now helps orient new Veteran residents, says his role gives him a sense of purpose. “If a Veteran has a question, now they can come to me, and I can point them in the right direction.”
Facilities in the CRC program undergo a thorough application and inspection process led by a VA interdisciplinary team. This includes evaluations by a nurse, dietitian, social worker, and fire safety officer. Facilities must meet high standards for care, cleanliness, safety, and services—and are re-inspected annually. CRC staff conduct monthly unannounced visits to ensure ongoing quality.
Veterans pay privately for their care. However, some Veterans may be eligible to use HUD-VASH housing vouchers to help offset costs.
“The VA provides a direct line of support for Veterans and facilities alike,” Rosen said. “When something changes with a Veteran’s health or there’s an emergency, the facility knows they can call us directly. That continuity is key.”
The CRC program is expected to expand into Seminole County soon, with plans to grow into Lake, Brevard, and Volusia counties within the next two years.
Rosen encourages any licensed assisted living facility or adult family care home interested in becoming a CRC partner to reach out. “We’re looking for community partners who want to help Veterans thrive—not just live”.
For more information or to inquire about becoming a CRC partner, contact Marie Rosen, LCSW at Marie.Rosen@va.gov or visit www.va.gov/orlando-health-care.

08/02/2025

Enchanted Forest August 2025 Events

August 2025 Events at the Enchanted Forest Sanctuary
Please note events may be cancelled due to weather or staffing availability.


Guided Hikes-Enjoy a 45-minute guided hike. Please bring a hat, water, and closed toe walking shoes.
Hikes take place at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays. Available dates:
• August 3
• August 10
• August 24
• August 31
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED no later than the day before hike. Please enroll.
Nature Storytime-Wed. August 13 from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.-LIMITED SPACE. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Geared towards ages 5 years and under. Theme: Horseshoe Crabs! Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Please enroll
Forest Funday-Sun. August 17 All Day!-Stop by and learn about a Brevard County native that has not changed for over 300 million years, through our grab-and go educational activities, and take-home crafts in the Discovery Room.
Horseshoe Crab Presentation-Tues. August 19 @ 11 a.m.-Join naturalist Teresa for a presentation on one of the lagoons most misunderstood residents. All ages are welcomed.
Sanctuary School-Wed. August 20 @ 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.-LIMITED SPACE. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Geared towards ages 6 through 12. Theme: Horseshoe Crabs! Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Please enroll
Yoga in Nature-Every Sun. in August. 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.-Join local yoga instructors for a traditional class for all levels on the porch! Wear loose-fitting clothing and do not eat anything an hour before class. Bring water and a mat. Please dress appropriately for outdoor weather. Classes are first come, first served. SPACE LIMITED.
Photo of the Month!
We are looking for photo entries from any of our EEL sanctuaries to be featured at the EFS nature center. To enter your photos, please email eelnorthregion@gmail.com
Upcoming Events:
Sun October 12th-The annual 5K returns to the Enchanted Forest. Details coming soon.
Sat October 25th 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.-Harvest festival makes a comeback; featuring live animals, presentations from the Florida Wildlife Hospital, food trucks, creepy crawly creatures, and much more. Join us for a family friendly day of activities that get you closer to nature. Costumes are highly encouraged.



The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary was created and managed under the Brevard County's Environmentally Endangered Lands Program referendum. The referendum was established by voters in 1990 to protect and preserve the rich biological diversity of Brevard County for future generations. The Enchanted Forest Sanctuary operates in partnership with the Friends of the Enchanted Forest, Inc. to provide hands on educational experiences for all visitors. Admission to the sanctuary and education center is free and open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm.