Mercury astronauts reunite at KSC to celebrate 40 years of Americans in orbit
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| State Representative Bob Allen reads proclamation as original Mercury astronauts (from left) John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra and Gordon Cooper look on. |
From STAFF REPORTS
Mercury Astronauts John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra and Gordon Cooper took their place on stage among glistening rockets at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Sunday, February 24, to celebrate 40 years of Americans in Orbit and officially dedicate the newly renovated rocket garden.
Thousands of people applauded and cheered as if it were February 20, 1962 - the day that Glenn made history as the first American to orbit the Earth. The other four astronauts followed shortly thereafter.
"I am standing here in awe," said Ohio resident Jim Bums, who traveled with his family to Florida for the anniversary celebration. "These (the Mercury astronauts) are my childhood heroes and now I am able to share this with my son."
Bums was not alone in passing the torch. Children with their parents lined the velvet ropes reaching out to touch the astronauts and obtain autographs as they walked by.
I am happy to see all of the children in the audience," said Glenn. "They are the ones who will take us to Mars."
Glenn also shared his early experiences with the space program, watching the Atlas rocket blow up and then having to ride that rocket. "We are proof that the Atlas rocket is a 100 percent safe," he said with a smirk.
While telling lighthearted stories, the conversations turned serious. All four astronauts expressed their concern with NASA's present course. Schirra stated that NASA should not let budget cuts dictate the progress of the International Space Station.
Carpenter urged the crowds to support the Space Program. "NASA does what the citizens of this nation tell it to do," he said. Cooper said that we do not want to wait another 40 years to put a person on Mars.
When asked if given the opportunity to travel in space again who would go, eight hands shot up-two from each astronaut.
The culmination of the day was when all four astronauts autographed a plaque of a Mercury Atlas Rocket to be displayed in the new rocket garden.
By participating in this historic event, the astronauts also helped to ensure the future of the space program. Each astronaut agreed to donate his appearance fees to :the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to upper level college students and those pursuing advanced degrees in the fields of science and engineering. The Mercury astronauts founded ASF, along with the other surviving Mercury astronauts, Alan Shepard, Deke Slayton and Betty Grissom, the widow of astronaut Gu's Grissom.
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PAL hosts Titusville 500 Mini-NASCAR benefit race
From STAFF REPORTS
Gentlemen, start your engines!
The 1st Annual Woodson and Associates Titusville PAL 500 will be held on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16.
But, first annual? Yes, indeed!
In the past years, the Titusville 500 was held by the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) along with the Titusville PAL as the co-beneficiary of the proceeds gained by the event. Due to scheduling difficulties and the numerous amounts of special events on the TACC calendar, they have decided to turn the entire event over to PAL-which PAL has gladly accepted. Titusville PAL will be solely hosting the Titusville 500 this year-their "1st Annual."
The Titusville 500 Mini-Nascar Benefit Go-Kart Race is a two-day fundraiser event held at Miracle City Mall. Each business team participating enters their kart in the event decorated in NASCAR style with paint jobs and business advertisements. The race karts are made "race ready" based on a set of guidelines, just like a regular racing event. The race is scheduled based on the schedule of a normal NASCAR race weekend. The go-karts used in the event are Carter-Brothers five horsepower fun karts with either stock car bodies or open wheel bodies.
In addition to the actual go-kart race, PAL has planned two new events-time trial (qualifying), and a new and challenging fastest pit crew competition.
There will be food & fun for everyone with games and activities for the family such as rock climbing, carnival style games, etc. Miracle City Mall's parking lot will be full of vendors and displays for spectators to enjoy as well.
PAL will be racing two cars in their inaugural race. They finished in third and fourth place in the last race and they're determined to do better this race.
PAL is still looking for sponsors for the race and whether you are a local business or individual, your contributions would be highly appreciated. Also, there are plenty of slots available for teams to enter the event as well. If you already own a Carter Brother's go-kart or are interested in getting one and want to enter the competition, you can contact PAL for participant information.
The Titusville 500 Mini-Nascar Benefit Go-Kart Race will be a prime opportunity for businesses throughout Brevard County to participate in great race, advertise for their business, and to support Titusville PAL and the Titusville PAL KART (Kids Advancing Through Racing Technology) Program. Also, it will be a great opportunity for the Titusville KART Program to recognize and advertise for it's sponsors and partners.
The PAL KART Program is a sixweek, hands-on educational/vocational coarse in the racing kart/automotive field. The PAL dream of bringing the sport of racing to North Brevard area youth is close to becoming a-reality with the first class scheduled for April 2002. The program was developed with the goal of providing area youth with an introduction to the sport of racing and enhancing driving safety, driver skills, and knowledge of motor mechanics.
Go-karts and racing are the tools; all the lessons directly relate to safe auto control and maintenance for daily street driving. The concept was to encourage team work between students and to build self-esteem.
The goal now is to establish a PAL Racing Series where a race season can be organized and various PAL programs can compete with one another. The development speed of the program entirely depends on the fundraising success and support of the community.
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Chamber and downtown merchants to host St. Patrick's Street Party
From STAFF REPORTS
It is not expected there will be a temperance movement visible during the upcoming St. Paddy's Day celebration scheduled in downtown Titusville on Saturday, March 9, which will run from 6 to 10 p.m.
Plans for the event include closing the northbound lane of U.S. 1, to vehicle traffic from Julia to Broad St., and Main St., from Washington Ave. to Indian River Ave.
The. event will include live local entertainment, food, drinks and games. Local antique and classic cars will also be on display. Many of the downtown merchants will remain open for business during the party and the Watercolor Society of Brevard will hold the grand opening of their historic Brevard exhibit in the old Citizens Bank.
The Chamber will conduct a silent auction at the event and bidding will begin at 6 p.m. and close at 8:30 p.m. Many packages will be available, including autographed memorabilia. Giveaways will take place throughout the evening and various contests will be arranged, including a "Mad Hatter's" contest for the craziest St. Patrick's hat.
Those attending are urged to be creative and come to the street party sporting their nuttiest cap to vie for various prize packages from local merchants.
The event has been organized by the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Downtown Merchants. Admission is free and the event is open to the general public.
There are also opportunities for sponsorships at the Gold and Silver levels, from $100 to $250, which entitles sponsors to display banners, display booths, free drink coupons and recognition during the event.
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Recollection of shopping in Titusville
EDITORIAL
For nearly the first hundred years of Titusville's existence, shopping consisted of typical small town America, with four square blocks of shopping in downtown with a mixture of all kinds of goods available to the good citizens of Titusville. The first shopping plaza to open was Big Apple Plaza on the north end of town, with a Belk's, a large grocer, a drug store, etc. With the advent of the space program, Searstown Mall was built in the mid '60s, and -with even greater growth forecast, Miracle City Mall was constructed and opened in November 1968. At that time, Titusville was projected to have a population of 70,000 people by the turn of the decade. This never materialized due to the cutback of the space program, shortly after the Apollo 11 launch. In retrospect, one of the two malls never should have been built.
Miracle City Mall was the town center for twenty years; the local spot. where everyone went to see everyone, similar to Wal-Mart today. There was a twin theatre, plenty of restaurants, shopping, events, etc., but as we went into the '90s, shopping habits changed. Oveido Marketplace opened, Orlando moved east, Merritt Island was convenient, and lately the Waterford Lakes Plaza now seems to be the center of choice for many Titusville residents.
So what to do with our two malls? One of the malls has to go. With the opening of Brevard Crossings in two plus years, we have a hunch that the Sears, Penney's and/or the Belk's will be leaving Titusville for the new regional mall that is planned, just twenty minutes down the interstate.
There are many uses for one of the malls, such as a training center, school, convention center, high tech center, or university satellite school. Or tear one of the malls down, such as Winter Park Mall did, and build a village, with housing, shopping, services, apartments, etc.
Changes are coming; economics will dictate that. The owners of Miracle City Mall realize that and probably will make the changes that are necessary to make that property profitable. Searstown Mall will probably fade away.
Retirement: Doing nothing takes work
After only a couple weeks into retirement I can nevertheless make a cogent argument that it ain't what it's cracked up to be. The time to retire is when one is young and in good health so it can be enjoyed.
When one is in my age bracket and has a medical history where buying green bananas is not a wise investment, odd and unexpected things tend to change your day-to-day plans.
For example, when I awake to start that new and constructive day with my list of things to do (some call it a Honey-Do-List), I often find that at the end of the day I did it again-- Nothing.
Each day I collect a lot of paperwork, list of letters to be written, phone calls to make, bills to be paid and notes on things I want to write. Nothing.
Two weeks ago I loaded my briefcase with tons of research material and haven't opened except to get out a pen I left in it. What I'm learning is that everything takes longer than you think it's going to. I can understand plain not doing something, but what I don't understand is how I can so consistently fool myself into thinking I'm going to do something when my life experience should tell me that there isn't a chance in the world I'm gonna do it. My genius for thinking I'll do more than I can do is nowhere more apparent than with the reading I'd planned to do-- and don't.
I buy books, magazines, newspapers and save all the good Sunday supplement stuff and put them aside for when I have more time. Now, I have never once in my whole life had more time and don't know why I think I ever will. I should be one of the best informed people in the world, but now I discover I'm a classic procrastinator.
In my defense, there are some extenuating circumstances I have little control over. One of my priorities after retirement was to buy a bunch of landscape books in order to get our lawn back in shape, or failing that, cover the whole acre with forest green indoor-outdoor carpet. Other pursuits would have also involved physical attributes I no longer have.
What I do have that takes the urine and vinegar out of my desire to perform laborious tasks is chronic back pain. And I'm not alone. There are millions of people suffering-- often unnecessarily-- either because they have no insurance coverage or receive poor medical advice. Recently I found that no one has to go through life suffering because of back pain.
Before last week I tried almost everything-- and nothing worked to my satisfaction. I won't go into all the drugs I've taken without relief, but will tell you that I finally found the answer. It may not work for everyone but studies show that it helps 75 percent of people taking it.
It's called Duragesic, a fentanyl transdermal system that comes in an adhesive patch. It is worn on the skin and delivers a strong pain-relieving medicine through the skin and into the bloodstream. It provides up to 3 days of pain relief at each application. As long as you continue to replace the patch every 72 hours (or as directed by your doctor, or pain management specialist) the level of fentanyl in your system remains consistent, which means a consistent level of pain relief.
Duragesic is also convenient. It is the slow release of fentanyl into the bloodstream and it minimizes the peaks and valleys in pain relief found with other medications. It also enters the body through the skin instead of through the stomach and it should lessen the local side effects in the digestive system. I've tried OxyContin and, while it worked initially, I found that I required stronger doses because I developed a tolerance and and began popping them like M&M's. Not good!
With the Duragesic you should not worry about becoming addicted, however you may find that you will become physically dependent which is not the same as addiction. But, hey! At my age, so what?
I recommend it highly, but keep in mind that it is not intended for use if you have pain that will go away in a few days, such as pain from surgery, medical or dental procedures, or short-lasting painful conditions. However, a visit to you doctor will clarify any questions you have.
In a nutshell, this stuff I'm taking is part of a family of medications called opioid analgesics, which are the major class of pain-relieving medicines used in managing moderate-to-severe pain. They do this by interacting with certain parts of the central nervous system that affect the way your body feels pain. The drug attaches to specific sites in the cells of your body, called receptors, and alters the feeling.
It is working for me, and it could work for you.
Now, in the event you happen to see me walking around town for the next few days with a limp, it isn't because of any negative reaction, or because the drug is failing me. There is another stupid reason that has nothing to do with my back.
After six days of wearing the patch and feeling like a million bucks for the first time in years, I had a little setback. Walking into the bathroom shower last Sunday night, I slipped on the wet ceramic tile floor and rolled across the floor feet first, slamming into the metal-legged bench, and then slid into the side of the bathtub, banging my big toe, which is now red and swollen and missing half a nail.
My back is fine, but my toe hurts like hell.
So much for golf this week...
Armadillo update
Another week. Another half dozen l8-inch-deep holes in the yard.
The armadillos are back-- with a vengeance.
They may be stupid, but how do they know I'm staked out with an ax in my hand hiding on the patio waiting for them to emerge from their bunkers in the field next door?
I don't know how they know, but they do.
I seriously thought about purchasing a shotgun, and firing it from the kitchen window as they entered my territory. Sue didn't think this was a neat idea, observing that I could miss the critter and hit the neighbor's dog, or that hearing the report some neighbors might call the cops.
I had to agree, also confessing that I might not be the same sharpshooter I was when I served in the U.S. Army 50 years ago and did not need corrective lenses.
Last Sunday while walking around the Frontenac Flea Market I found the solution.
Effective and silent.
I bought a pistol crossbow (80 pounds) that the manufacturer claims is powerful, has pinpoint accuracy and came with steel tipped aluminum arrows. It even features sight adjustments, windage wheel and elevations controls.
I finally assembled the weapon a couple days ago and plan on practicing shooting at the target provided from about 50 feet. One problem is that the crossbow did not come with any infra-red equipment, which means only daylight hunting.
Which means that instead of working around the house, or yard, completing Sue's To-Do-List, I'll be perched on the roof with my fatigue jacket and pith helmet imitating Mel Gibson in Braveheart and drawing a bead on those (expletive) isopod crustaceans, hoping for a quick kill before I fall off the roof and kill myself in the process.
There could be a photo-op in this somewhere ...
By BOB SOCKS
Florida Today, Monday, March 4, mentions that Titusville growth will be 80,000 people by the year 2020, just 18 plus years from now. If this figure is anywhere near possible, (and it's the first time I've heard of a population figure that astounding), then Titusville is on the verge of a monumental boom.
Breaking down that figure, 2,100 new residents will be moving into Titusville every year for the next 18 years and, with an average of 2.4 people per household, that's 875 new housing units per year.
I am predicting 50,000 people in Titusville by 2010, or an increase of 8,000 new folks over the next 8+ years. That may be reasonable. But we shall see.
Business License Report - February 2002
Total licenses issued: 32
- Breakdown as follows:
- Home based business: 14
- Restaurants: 3
- Retail sales: 2
- Paralegal: 1
- Landscaping: 1
- Well drilling: 1
- Building, developing, general contractor: 1
- Telephone answering service: 1
- General contractor: 1
- Church: 1
- Mobile Vendor: 1
- Accountant: 1
- Apartment House: 1
- Carpentry Contractor: 1
- Special events: 1
- Museum: 1
Restaurant report
- Shoney's is closed. The franchise holder has closed the four Shoney's he owned. These were all owned by one individual, and were not part of the 1,000 plus Shoney's nationwide that are owned by Shoney's Inc.
- Steamer's raw bar and sushi bar is opening this weekend in downtown Titusville. The chef was previously employed by Emeril's and is acclaimed for his imagination and quality in food preparation. The grand opening party was held Tuesday night and was well attended by the local who's who.
- I was in touch with a Steak 'n Shake this past week to see if there is interest in Titusville, and in particular the Shoney's location. Although there is interest, the V.P. told me that the only location they would be interested in in Titusville is the truck stop location at the corner of I-95 and 50. He told me the Shoney's is too far off the interstate.
By the way, he knew more about Titusville and its economics than I do, and he lives in Indianapolis.
Local home sales of note
Great Outdoors is booming...check these out:
- 704 Plantation sold for $153,000.
- The Great Outdoors Commerce Center, Unit 3 sold for $190,000.
- 503 Fairways Dr. sold for $235,000.
- 977 Grande Haven sold for $330,000.
- 953 Grande Haven sold for $399,000.
In our other North Brevard towns surrounding our fair city...
- A house at 2895 Laura Lee Lane in Mims sold for $155,000.
- A house at 4272 Eastman Street in Port St. John sold for $154,142.
Hindsight is 20/20
There are other raw deals in business, Enron notwithstanding; check out these poor business decisions:
- Napoleon Bonaparte sold the Louisiana Territory (800,000 sq. miles) to the United States for $15 million in 1803.
- Nicola Tesla sold the patents for AC power generation to George Westinghouse in 1888 for $216,000, plus royalties.
- Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster sold the rights to the superman character to DC Comics for $130 in 1938.
- Sam Phillips sold Elvis Presley's contract to RCA Victor in 1955 for $35,000.
- Ed McMahon lost 1.4 million on a psychedelic design paper company.
- Robert Citron, Orange County, California Treasurer, lost $1.7 billion of the county's money in 1994 by gambling on high-risk investments known as derivatives.
- Paul Simon, musician, lost $11 million, much of it his own money, on the 1998 musical flop, The Capeman.
Quote of the Week: "A fairly decent man does not need laws to keep him straight-- his competitors and patrons usually tend to that."
-- Ed Howe
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Traveling? Rent a mailbox from The Mail Center and let them handle forwarding your mail on to you.
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Take in your business card to Express Copy and enter a drawing for a free oil change. See their ad...
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Sheri Vincent, owner of Brevard Answering Service, will be opening Friday, March 15, at 702-B Garden St., across from Bobb's Fire Equipment.
Brevard Answering Service is the new, and the only answering service in North Brevard, with reasonable rates by the call-- not by the minute! It's a 25-hour service and can accommodate all your answering service needs.
Call Sheri at 385-9440 or 427-9133 (cell) for rates or to sign up. She can help any business in Brevard.
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Plantation on the Green is celebrating their 3rd anniversary with a party on Fri., March 8, featuring Rob Barnes, with dancing, prizes and more.
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As many of you know, Lenny of "Keeper of the Stars" has been very ill for months. He's much better and hopes to be back at Tommy's 5 'Til 2 Lounge soon.
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The Christmas Dreams Shoppe , 9 Main St., will be open later than usual on March 9, for the Downtown Street Party. See their ad for more details...
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Simply Precious Crafts & Gift Shop says their spring merchandise has arrived! They invite you to join them and other merchants for the St. Patrick's Downtown Street Party on March 9 from 6 to 10 p.m.
During the street party, Prop 'A Place Hobby Shop will have race cars and a race track on the street, with checkers inside.
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Altman's Air Conditioning has moved to a larger facility and are back at the old building (Titusville A/C) located at 3485 S. Hopkins Ave across from Cumberland Farms. Stop by or call 383-7910 for any questions.
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Have you been looking for your nail tech Robin Matteson? She's now at Aliff Hair Designs & Spa. Call her for an appointment.
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Check out Scooter's Bar's ad about free hot dogs and free pizza.
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River Breeze Restaurant says to bring in their ad from this edition and receive a 10% discount off any meal.
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Debra's Kids Exchange has a 50¢ clothing sale everyday. In addition, they have lots of Little Tykes outdoor toys and baby furniture. Stop in today for some great deals!
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Plan to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Be sure to look in the News Observer Dine Out & Entertainment Guide for info on St. Patrick's parties and which restaurants around town are serving corned beef and cabbage.
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Steven's Sofas Direct offers $100 off the purchase of any king or queen-size bedding set. Go in and browse their furniture for every room in your house.
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Are you planning on buying a car? Get great auto loan rates as low as 4.25% at Community Educators Credit Union. And your car loan earns a 3 or 4-day cruise! Call their auto loan advisor at 690-2328 for more info.
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Beginning quilting classes start March 9 at Fabric Emporium. They do dressmaking, alterations, repairs and more too!
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Need to get rid of the fleas on your pet? Stop in The Pet Masters and get your one-month flea stop for just $5.50.
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Fill your Easter basket with books from Ken's Used Books. They sell and trade books and have gift certificates.
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Stop in Gladiator Nutrition and receive 50¢ off any frozen cappuccino or fruit smoothie. While you're there, check out all the nutritional vitamins they've got in stock.
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Boutique Plus has new men's shirts, jeans and shorts-- up to 6X! They have a $1 to $5 big sale everyday, plus ladies' clothing, sizes 4 to 4X.
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Spring into action against allergies at Sunshine Health Foods. They can help you find all the right kinds of vitamins for your health, and some great health food snacks.
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A-1 Locksmith, 625 S. Washington Ave., carries and large line of keys for your home, motorcycle, boat, RV, heavy equipment, import and domestic cars, desks, file cabinets, safes and more.
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Stop in MJ's Deli and have lunch with Michelle. Check out their great daily specials...
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Mr. Submarine & Salads has a coupon in this week's edition for $1 off any whole sub or large salad.
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Get your Easter pictures taken at Creative ../../images. See their ad for super specials.
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Make St. Patrick's Day, Sunday, March 17, lucky for you at Townsend's Gifts & Collectibles. Go in and see all the unique gifts and home accessories.
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Andy Ahnados is the new owner of Kelly's Korner, and he's offering 40¢ off their daily specials. He says it's the home of "real grilled Cubans."
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