Space Coast

SECTION B | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012 | FLORIDA TODAY | FLORIDATODAY.COM

Columnist: I
must better
than I cant
PAGE 3B

LOCAL EDITOR John Kelly | jkelly@floridatoday.com

Ryan appearance generates buzz

By Stacey Barchenger
FLORIDA TODAY

Brevard County Republicans were

driving up excitement Saturday after
vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan
announced he would make a campaign stop in Melbourne on Monday.
Volunteers who turned up at the office of the Republican Party of Brevard in Melbourne and the Romney/
Ryan Victory Office in Suntree were
looking forward to the visit.
Ive gotten a lot of calls from people asking about tickets, said Barba-

ra Davis, the chairwoman of the Republican Party of Brevard. Oh,

theyre excited, everyones excited.
Its getting widespread promotion.
She said she expected Paul Ryan to
talk about the economy, Social Security and Medicare during his stop.
The event is set for 5 p.m. at Florida Techs Clemente Center, and doors
will open at 3 p.m. Tickets are required.
They are free and available to the
public online at www.RomneyFL.com.
The Romney campaign did not

FOR TICKETS
Tickets are only available online at
www.RomneyFL.com. For questions
contact TeamFL@MittRomney.com or
call 813-644-2493.

have an estimate Saturday night on

the number of tickets that had been
requested.
Michele Wallick, a volunteer at the
campaign office in Suntree, said that
See RYAN, Page 2B

SANDY HEADS NORTH

Brevard escapes, superstormconcern grows

Michele Wallick greets supporters at the Romney/Ryan

Victory Office in Suntree. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY

Brevard events
make difference
By Scott Gunnerson
FLORIDA TODAY

Hurricane Sandy is still affecting Brevard's beaches. Ocean Lifeguard Jon Brown comes back to shore after checking
out the currents at the east end of Minutemen Causeway in Cocoa Beach. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY
By Stacey Barchenger
and Scott Gunnerson
FLORIDA TODAY

urricane Sandy passed the

Space Coast on Saturday
leaving wind and washing-machine surf in its
wake but no reports of major
damage.
The storm is headed north,
where forecasters say it will mix
with two winter-weather patterns
as early as Tuesday to create a superstorm in the Northeast. The
hurricane is responsible for 58
deaths in the Caribbean.
Experts said the storm was
most likely to hit the southern
New Jersey coastline by late
Monday or early Tuesday.
Governors from North Carolina, where heavy rain was expected today, to Connecticut declared
states of emergency. Delaware
ordered evacuations on the coast .
But in Brevard, Sandy

thrashed surfers and sent windwhipped palm fronds and other

debris flying. It also carved short
cliffs in sand dunes on Brevards
beaches.
Brevard County officials will
wait before determining the full
extent of beach damage caused
by Sandy.
Certainly some of it will come
back on its own unless we get hit
with another storm shortly after, said Virginia Barker, Brevard County watershed program
coordinator. A lot of it will recover naturally.
Teams from FEMA and Army
Corps of Engineers are expected
this week to assess the beach erosion and whether it is cost effective to replace the sand now or
wait.
Conditions improved Saturday. Florida Power & Light officials reported electricity had
been restored to 11,610 customers
in Brevard County with 30 still

A birthday party to benefit an animal shelter and a

5K run to help a coach with
ALS were some of the ways
people tried to make a difference on Saturday.
Several Brevard County
events were part of Make A
Difference Day, billed as
the largest national day of
community service when
volunteers try improve the
lives of others.
More than 500 people
ran, walked and pushed baby carriages at Melbourne
Central Catholic in a fundraiser for Jason Whitworth, who suffers from
ALS.
Former students and
colleagues were drawn to
the event because of the
difference
Whitworth
made in their lives during

his 15 years as a coach and

educator in South Brevard.
Whitworth convinced
West Shore Jr./Sr. High senior Maegan Muir, 17, to try
out for cross country three
years ago, and she was at
Jasons Run to show her
support for her coach.
He always supported
us and he is really important to us, Muir said. We
want to help him and his
family through this. Im
glad a lot of people came
out, including from other
schools.
Participation in the 5K
was larger than normal for
a first-time race, according
to Running Zones Denise
Piercy, who manages about
40 races a year.
Usually a first-year
race will get 150, maybe
200, Piercy said. Over
See EVENTS, Page 2B

Lifeguard Jon Brown watches

surfers. RIK JESSE/FLORIDA TODAY
without power at 8 p.m. Saturday.
Brevard County Ocean Rescue officials said waves at Cocoa
Beach on Saturday measured 8 to
10 feet. Organizers of the World
Skin Cancer Foundation Slater
See SANDY, Page 5B

Jasons Run, a Make a Difference Day event held Saturday

at Melbourne Central Catholic, was in honor of West Shore
Jr./Sr. High teacher Jason Whitworth who is battling ALS.
RIK JESSE/ FLORIDA TODAY

Shuttle visit rekindles motherly memories

Delivery
Editor Sara
Camodeca
got an
up-close
look at
shuttle
Atlantis
earlier this
month. TIM

SARA
CAMODECA
SPACE

HOMECOMING 2012

Savor the night all over again. Go to

floridatoday.com/homecoming for photo galleries
from Cocoa Beach and Titusville celebrations.

SCARY?
MAYBE.
CHEAP? YES!

EARLY VOTING
OFF AND
RUNNING

Early voting gets off to its

weeklong run across
Florida. PAGE 10B

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Expir

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Plenty of Halloween
events around Brevard
are family-friendly and
not-so costly. PAGE 3B

PHASING OUT

Mayport base sees fewer

frigates. PAGE 10B

0
for 60

've always had a thing for

space shuttle Endeavour.
That doesn't sound right.
Especially as we celebrate Atlantis being here for good on the
Space Coast. But I have good
reason.
I wasn't always a space junkie,
of sorts. Shameful, I know. I went
to Alan B. Shepard High in the
southwest suburbs of Chicago.
My mom once taught at a middle
school named for Virgil Gus
Grissom.
Even when I first moved to
Brevard County in 1999, I didn't
quite wrap my mind around the
magnitude of it all, until my first
experience craning my neck
skyward to see one of those big
birds launch. And the first drill of
sonic booms shaking me from my
slumber in the middle of the
night.
But what really sealed it for
me was the night of Nov. 23, 2002.

%INTEREST
MONTHS

10 Year Parts &

10 Year Labor

WALTERS/
FLORIDA
TODAY

WHERES JOHN?

John Kellys Space column will

return next Sunday.

That morning, I welcomed my

first baby a sweet little girl
named Kristen. She arrived a
month ahead of time, born at
Cape Canaveral Hospital in Cocoa
Beach. One of the things I most
recall about that day besides
falling for her first fussy little
cries was being in that hospital
room that night, on the north side
of the building. I was still overwhelmed by the love I felt for this

precious little creature. And as I

sat in bed, still in a bit of a druginduced stupor, my maternity
room suddenly lit up.
It was Endeavour, en route to
the International Space Station.
I was hit hard twice in one day.
From that point on, I always
tried to instill in my girl just how
remarkable it was that she came
barreling into the world the day
of a shuttle launch. We'd watch
countdowns on TV for other liftoffs, then rush to the backyard as
they arced into outer space. I
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FLORIDA TODAY

Memories

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2012

FROM PAGE ONE

Sandy

Continued from Page 1B

Continued from Page 1B

always told her when it

was Endeavour launching,
That's your shuttle.
Photos of that exact
launch hang in our home.
A FLORIDA TODAY
front-page special section
saluting Endeavour is
framed above Kristens
bed.
For a while, I was gunning for my second baby
to be born on a launch day.
Jake was scheduled to
arrive via C-section March
16, 2007 and Atlantis
was supposed to lift off
the very next day. I
thought about asking to
bump the delivery back,
but didn't think my obstetrician would sync her
surgery schedule with a
shuttle countdown clock.
(Good thing, because a
freak hailstorm pushed
Atlantis' journey to June. I
wouldn't have made it.)
When the shuttle program ended last year, we
made sure to witness the
last liftoffs.
I was incredibly disappointed when Endeavour's ferry flight to California in September happened to coincide with a
family vacation one
we'd planned the year
before.
Which is why when I
got the chance to get in on
a media tour of shuttle
Atlantis, I responded,
Heck, yeah!
I was excited, but skeptical my love for Endeavour could be challenged.
I realized I was wrong.
Dead wrong. Just walking
into the Orbiter Processing Facility and catching a glimpse of the left
wing, my heart nearly
burst through my chest.
And walking through
the white room into the
crew compartment a
trek that countless astronauts have taken? I was
the luckiest girl in the
world that day. I crawled
onto the flight deck and
was just astounded.
It was incredible looking at the workmanship up
close every puzzle piece
that guarded the orbiter.
The heat-shielding tiles
and the white quilted
blankets that made up the
Thermal Protection System. The windows of the
cockpit, 4 inches thick in
some spots. Peering up
into the hydraulics of the
wheel well alone was intimidating. I barely made
it through high school
physics. I can't imagine
the kind of brain power a
program like this demands.
I was a total tourist.
Crouched down in front of
the nose for a photo op.
The workers, many
donning garb commemorating the end of the
program, were eager to
show Atlantis off. I could
barely absorb all the intricate little details they
walked me through. They
asked me if I had any
questions. I hardly knew
where to begin.
I spoke to Bill Albright,
whos on the orbiter processing team with United
Space Alliance and spent
much of his career with
Atlantis, and asked if he's
still in awe of this scientific marvel. Without a
hint of hesitation, he said
he was. And that if anyone
who works on it isn't,
They shouldn't be here.
A select number got to
sit where I did.
To walk in their footsteps for a couple hours
made me feel incredibly
humbled. And proud.
I also realized one more
thing that day. To me,
space shuttles are kind of
like children.
It's just impossible to
pick a favorite.

Brothers Invitation surf competition postponed to today.

Still, a few daring surfers
speckled the surf. Emergency
responders and rescue crews
were called briefly Saturday
morning, when a boogie boarder was reported missing in Cocoa Beach. The man turned up
safe a short time later, having
drifted about a half-mile south,

officials said.
Lifelong surfer Lauren Holland stood on the beach
wrapped in a fleece blanket,
checking out the conditions.
Swapping the blanket for a bikini, she ran out to join her husband and friends.
You have to follow what the
lifeguards say, she said. But
Im a fan of, if it looks good, go
out.
Contact Barchenger at 321-242-3669,
sbarchenger@floridatoday.com or follow
at Twitter.com/sbarchenger.

FIVE REASONS TO WORRY

1. EXTRATROPICAL

Extratropical systems
are driven by temperature contrasts in the
atmosphere, not warm
water.

2. TIME OF YEAR

Sandy is expected to
merge with a wintry
system from the west,
at which point it will

become the powerful

superstorm that has
forecasters on edge.

3. ARCTIC AIR

Frigid air coming

south from Canada
also is expected to
collide with Sandy and
the wintry storm from
the west. Two feet of
snow is possible.

4. HIGH TIDES

A full moon means the

tides will be higher
than usual. Storm
surge could reach 8
feet.

5. POWER
OUTAGES

Wet snow and high

winds are devastating.
Hurricane force winds
could topple trees and
power poles, too.

Special Occasions, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Homecomings, Weddings,

Engagements, Graduations, Conrmations, Bar Mitzvahs, Family Reunions
and more! For more information call 242-3545

Engagement

67th Anniversary

HIERS - STRUBLE

A.J. and Brenda Hiers of Indialantic, Florida announce

the engagement of their daughter, Kari Hiers to Matthew
Struble, son of Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Struble of Henryville,
Pennsylvania.
Kari and Matt met in law school 5 years ago and practice
in South Florida. She is employed at Hurtig Law Group in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida as a personal injury attorney. Matthew is
an insurance defense attorney handling rst party property
damage claims at Conroy, Simberg et al. in Hollywood,
Florida.
Their wedding is planned for February 2013.

KEN & WILLIE GRIFFIN

Sixty-seven years ago, Willie Mae Collins of Rocky

Face, Georgia, became the blushing bride of Kenneth
Kenemer Grifn, also of Rocky Face, Georgia. On that
warm fall Tuesday morning, the two began a fascinating
journey that continues today. Moving north to Detroit,
they raised three children, Dennis, Darlene and Darby,
and started their own successful business, Grifn Fire
Equipment Service. In addition to their business, Ken
served 25 years as a reghter and Asst. Fire Chief for
the Highland Park Fire Department. Ken began his public
service career as President of the Highland Park School
Board. After retiring and moving to Cocoa Beach, Florida
in 1992, he continued his dedication to public service by
serving on the Cocoa Beach Board of Adjustments for 8
years (6 years as chairman), City Commissioner for 10
years (currently seated), and many other organizations
such as the Cocoa Beach Kiwanis Club, Cocoa Beach
Citizen's League, Citizens for Florida Waterways, AOPA
Pilots Association, and Titusville Airport Authority.
Of course, behind every great man (as clich as
it sounds) is a great woman. Willie encouraged and
supported him through his endeavors. An avid reader,
throughout the years she also enjoyed boating and
waterskiing, golf leagues, activities with the Highland
Park Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary, and Cancer Pad
Sewers, among other community activities.
Together, they enjoy new experiences. They share a
love of travel; having journeyed to almost every state
(including Alaska where Ken testied at a trial as an
expert witness of re equipment), Europe, and most
recently enjoyed a weeklong cruise with their children
to Haiti, Jamaica, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman Island.
The pursuit of a goal (especially a worthwhile goal) is
challenging.
As parents, they set an example of love, humor,
dedication, teamwork, and service to community. They
share their lives with their Shih Tzu, Wicket, 3 children,
and a delightful daughter-in-law, 4 grandchildren, and 5
great-grandchildren with two more expected this year.
Sixty-seven years ago, Ken and Willie joined hands,
joined hearts, and with a heavy dose of adventure,
began their remarkable journey. A most notable
occasion, indeed.

60th Anniversary
JIM & PAT CAIN

On October 13, 2012, the family and friends of Jim and

Pat Cain gathered at the Gondolier Restaurant in Lake
City, FL to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. They
married in Biloxi, Mississippi on October 11, 1952.
After living in Brevard County for over 40 years, they now
reside in Lake City, Florida.
We love you Mom and Dad and appreciate your
excellent example of love and commitment to each other,
Denise, Libby and Jamie

60th Anniversary

THEN

NOW

FREDDIE & ODESSA WILLIAMS

Freddie and Odessa Williams of Melbourne, Florida celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary on October 24, 2012 by treating themselves to an 8 day Southern Caribbean Cruise.
The couple has been happily married since October 24, 1952. They have 2 children, 8
grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

50th Anniversary

Sara Camodeca is a delivery editor

for FLORIDA TODAY.

VIDEO
See
more
about
Saras visit
with
shuttle Atlantis at
floridatoday.com.
COMING UP
Atlantis: Welcome
Home. A special section celebrating Atlantis illustrious history.
Get it in Fridays FLORIDA TODAY.

THEN

NOW

LLOYD & CHERRY BROWNHILL

MOM

Lloyd D. and Cherry Brownhill, of Melbourne, Florida celebrate 50 years of marriage! Their journey began November 3, 1962, in Magnolia, Mississippi and
has taken them all over the world!
Blessed with three daughters and a son, Theresa Brownhill, Charla Sanders, Shannon Brownhill and John Garrison; eight grandchildren, Channa Lefngwell,
Jessica Ghobrial, Sheree' Caruso, Chanel Caruso, Joseph Caruso, Alycia Calderin, Michael Garrison and David Garrison; eight great grandchildren, Jordan
Ford, Shyleigh Lefngwell, Noah Caruso, Brooklyn Calderin, Laith Islam, Grace Caruso, Ella Percival, Soa Calderin, and two on the way!
This wonderful couple is truly blessed to sail into their golden years together! Congratulations!
Lloyd and Cherry celebrated their First Anniversary at the Memphis Peabody, dining on steak, baked potatoes and the best baked Alaska that they have ever
had. They will again share that same meal, 50 years later at the Memphis Peabody on November 3, 2012.
Thank you, Dad, Mom, Grandma, Grandpa, Popop and Gigi! We all love, admire and are in awe of the tremendous amount of love and emotional support
that you so generously provide.

5B