The Community Medic Program (CMP) through the Satellite Beach Fire Department has gained momentum recently and has been the subject of glowing reviews from participants and their families. Both the patients and their families involved in the CMP recognize how helpful the program is with keeping the residents independently in their homes longer, and for the supportive care provided by the SBFD Medics.

The Community Medic Program is supervised by lifelong Satellite Beach resident and Fire Chief, Dave Abernathy. The Program’s Lead Community Medic is Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Humphreys who has been with the City since 2016, after working for many years with Brevard County Fire and Rescue. Other Program Medics are Lieutenant Eric Tippins, an 18-year member of the Department, and Fire Captain and Satellite Beach resident Jay Dragon – a 33-year member of the Department. Rounding out the team
are retired ARPN and Satellite Beach resident Ann Schommer, retired RN Cindi Panning, and retired RN and Satellite Beach resident Tamar Rhorer. They’re supported clerically by Firefi ghter/EMT Abbey Corado.

The Community Medic Program in Satellite Beach has been modeled locally and even statewide. Satellite Beach residents can reach out to let us help manage their chronic conditions, reduce EMS calls, and prevent hospital stays by noting changes that can be managed quickly so that they can live a healthy life and continue to be independent in their Satellite Beach home. To learn more about the Program reach out to Jeff Humphreys, Lead Community Paramedic at 321-773- 4405 x309.

If you didn’t attend, you truly missed out on a good time at two recent gatherings. The last two events the club has hosted have been a great success! “Welcome Spring” on March 23rd at Pelican Beach Park and the clubs “20th Anniversary” celebration at the SB Civic Center!!

At the Spring event everyone received a delicious brunch and the Tropical Bellini’s was a popular drink! Played trivia and laughed with friends.

The April 2nd “55 + 20th Anniversary” event was a blast! DJ “Jimmy D” played all kinds of music and just about everyone danced. Couples and singles were up on the dance floor having a great time. We enjoyed pizza and salad from Bizzarro’s and a delicious cake was served for dessert. Plus, wine and soda flowed all night!

Members are asking if we will host another dance and the answer is “yes”. Not sure when, but another dance is definitely on our radar!!

Bingo – No bingo May 30th and July 4th
Book Club – May 4th and breaks for June, July, August returns Sept. 7th
Bridge– Restarts in May and continues meeting in Teen Zone on Wednesdays at 10:15am
Ex. Board Meetings – May 18th then breaks for June & July, restarts August 17th.
Fishing – meets on the third Thursday of each month at 1:00pm at Beef O’Brady’s
Gardening -Contact Gene at 321/773-4647
Line Dancing – Tues. & Thurs., 1:00pm through summer, entry no earlier than 12:45pm.
Mahjongg– June, July, August meets in Teen Zone on Wednesdays at 10:15am
Walking– June, Tues, Wed. & Thursday 7:30 to 8:30.
Widowed Friends – May 4th and breaks for June, July, August returns Sept. 7th
Travel/Day – May 12th Capone’s Dinner Theatre. No travel June, July & August. Resumes in Sept.

Everyone who went on the Isle of Capri Casino trip on April 21st had a great time. Seems like lots of folks wanted to get out and travel because this trip filled up fast and had a waiting list! As of this writing the Capone’s Matinee Dinner and Show in Kissimmee on May 12th is a go, and I’m sure everyone had a great time. We barely squeaked by gathering enough people for this trip to move forward. Please pay attention
to deadline dates!!!! This trip required a certain amount of people and a reservation had to be made by a certain date. Sometimes events or trips will get cancelled if we drag our feet in responding. Please pay attention!

Twenty years ago, this club was formed and has gone through many metamorphoses. In 2000 founder, Marty Hindsley came into the Recreation office and asked this  question – “Why don’t you have a senior citizen organization”?

It had always been the intention of the Satellite Beach Recreation Dept. to help organize a senior club. So Marty, other like-minded volunteers and with assistance from the Recreation staff,  formed the original blueprint that would launch a new senior club. There is more to this story, but we want to tell you a bit about Marty and his commitment to volunteerism.

Since retirement in Satellite Beach, Marty has not remained idle! He has volunteered in many organizations in Brevard such as: Satellite Beach Recreation Board; 55+ Club Founder & President; Kiwanis Club President; Lieutenant Governor & Foundation Trustee of 11 Kiwanis Clubs in Brevard County; Aging Matters Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Advisory Board Chairperson; United Way Volunteer Coordinator serving
42 Non Profit Organizations; Member Brevard Commission on Aging as a Representative serving the needs of Brevard Seniors; Senior Care of Brevard Chairperson Serving Day care needs of Alzheimer’s & Dementia patients; Housing Authority of Brevard County Commissioner appointed by the Governor of Florida serving the needs of low income residents. Marty was then, and still is a man of visionary ideas, a good leader and a smart delegator. He knew that this club could not run by itself, nor could he run it alone, so he surrounded himself with people of like interest who could make this club successful. Marty and his wife Ilona currently reside in Satellite Beach.

It goes without saying that Marty has had a busy life and his unselfish dedication to volunteerism deserves our humble gratitude. Thank you, Marty, for all you have done!

By Louise Stevenson

Oops!! Your 2022 dues are now past due! If you have not paid your membership for this year, please don’t wait to do so. This can be completed at the DRS Community Center at 1089 S. Patrick Dr. in person or by mail. Make checks payable to the 55+ Club.