Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
MIKKI KRAGELUND This January 12, beachside resident Mikki Kragelund and friend Nina Oosterveer — the “Sunny Cyclers” — will be biking the length of New Zealand to raise $5000 for the World Skin Cancer Foundation. Mikki, whom many here know as “Michelle,” was diagnosed with stage-three melanoma nearly two years ago, but is currently cancer-free, thanks to early detection and treatment. Now living in New Zealand, Mikki came up with the idea for this ride as a... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
Ted Taylor of Ted Taylor’s Fitness • Tobin Bennison Ever since he moved here from Baltimore, Maryland in 1995, personal trainer Ted Taylor has been a well-respected and very visible member of the Cocoa Beach community. You’ll often see the incredibly fit 70-year-old walking on the beach with his wife, Susan, or stepping out of his downtown gym to Juice N’ Java next door for a smoothie. Though he cuts an imposing figure, Ted is a soft-spoken man, the kind who downplays the many... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
The Legend of the Seagullmen How does one go about explaining the Seagullmen phenomenon? With great difficulty. Conceived by brothers Frank, Chris, and David Dreyer and a group of close friends, the Seagullmen are a fascinating fusion of live music, performance art, cutting-edge theater, puppetry, 3-D film, and folkloric folderol. Originally from Philadelphia, the Dreyer brothers moved to Cocoa Beach in 1977 when their father came to the Space Coast to start an advertising agency. “Each of... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
Jillian Burghardt of The Rossetter House Museum • M. Alberto Rivera • The history of the Rossetter House is the history of Brevard County. Overlooking the Indian River in Eau Gallie, on a property shaded with live oaks and sea grapes, this home has witnessed more than 150 years of change in the community. The property was owned and developed by three different families, each of whom made lasting contributions to the county. When John Carrol Houston arrived in what is present day Eau Gallie,... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
Lear Bunda Writer/Director of “The Space Coast” Movie Interview by M. Alberto Rivera; Photos by Jason Maris Over the years, Brevard County has served as the backdrop for a number of space-related films. But in each — from “Apollo 13″ and “Space Cowboys” to the unintentionally hilarious “Armageddon” — the Space Coast comes across as just that: a backdrop. Rarely do moviegoers get much insight into the soul of the area, much less the people... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
Dr. Ben Brotemarkle of The Florida Historical Society Interview by M. Alberto Rivera Nestled beneath the shade of several live oaks on the corner of Brevard Avenue in Downtown Cocoa Village, the Florida Historical Society headquarters sits patiently, waiting for you to stop in. Chock full of maps, books, memorabilia, and photo albums, the FHS is part museum, part research facility and library. Anyone wishing to do research for school project or personal curiosity is welcome to visit and make use... [Read more...]
M. Alberto Rivera
Article Category: 20 Questions
Pastor Dan Bailey of the Seafarers Ministry M. Alberto Rivera Often when people think of sailors in port, the image is one of tattoo parlors and seedy dives where bar fights are more common than beer nuts. What else is available to a sailor disinclined to indulge in vices with three days in an unfamiliar town? The Space Coast Seafarers Ministry is a non-denominational ministry supported by the Southern Baptist Convention, and their mission is to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
On June 30, the Space Coast Idol benefit series will draw attention to the Central Brevard Humane Society and the Animal Safehouse of Brevard, an amazing non-profit organization devoted to providing temporary safe placement of pets who, like their owners, need to flee from domestic violence situations. While there are shelters for women and children, there are currently no facilities for their pets. Most women with pets will not leave their abusive homes if they cannot bring their furry loved ones... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
This month, we interview Gary Kitchens, one of the brains behind Brevard’s Green Team, a Cocoa Beach-based company that helps promote sustainable, “green” business practices. This past February, in conjunction with Club Cars and Solar World, and with the support of the City of Cocoa, Kitchens and BGT were given approval to introduce in June an 8-person solar-powered golf cart to provide free transport and tours of Cocoa Village. It’s an intriguing project, and places Brevard... [Read more...]
Tobin Bennison
Article Category: 20 Questions
Mike Rogers of Grind for Life Pro skateboarder and Cocoa Beach resident Mike Rogers founded Grind For Life, Inc. in 2003 as a way to provide financial assistance for people traveling long distances for cancer treatment. A cancer survivor himself, Mike saw the need for this kind of help firsthand. “My cancer was super rare, so I had to travel from South Florida to New York City for my seventeen-hour surgery and radiation treatments,” he explains. “I had to cash in my retirement... [Read more...]
