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The Boca Raton Tribune

Boca Raton’s Rising Star: Victoria Johnson’s Journey to American Idol

Boca City Voters Picked Drucker and Thomson

By Marci Shatzman

There was a cake of course, and a lot of hugs for the winners. Boca Raton’s city council election was over a half-hour after the polls closed on Tuesday.

COMMUNITY

Boca Raton, FL – JARC Florida, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted its 38th Annual Gala on March 3rd at the Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton.

By: Charles Maxwell

Sixteen-year-old Boca Raton native Victoria Johnson is taking her talents to the big stage on Season 22 of American Idol. The teenage vocalists’ Idol debut will air on ABC this Sunday, March 24th, at 8 p.m. ET.

Boca Raton, FL – Victoria Johnson may be the age of an average high school junior, but she’s no stranger to the spotlight. Johnson is a seasoned entertainer, with a lifelong passion for singing ingrained in her.

JARC Florida Hosts 38th Annual Gala at Boca West Country Club

Johnson on the set of American Idol / Photo courtesy of Jennifer Johnson

PAGE TWO The Boca Raton Tribune

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Marketing

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News Room

Isabel Rizzi

C. Ron Allen

Marci Shatzman

Thomas J. Madden

Kartik Krishnaiyer

Photographers

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Gabriela Barbieri

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Games

STATEPOINT

ACROSS

9. Type of salmon

13.

P.O.

Boca Raton,

General

Community

14. Simon & Garfunkel, e.g.

15. Popular winter boot brand

16. Ohio city

17. Lodge

18. Squirrel away

19. *Glenn Frey: “The pressure’s high just to stay alive ‘cause ____ ____ is on”

21. *John Travolta in “Grease”: “I got ____, they’re multiplyin’”

23. Automated teller

24. Clarified butter

25. Bad-mouth, slangily

28. Stag

30. Tartans

35. “I’m ____ you!”

37. Commies

39. Monocot’s alternative

40. Road’s edge

41. Living room centerpiece?

43. Prefix meaning “left”

44. Deadly snake

46. Sasquatch’s cousin

47. Court petitioner

48. Blood infection

50. Indian flatbread

52. Opposite of post-

53. Sound of impact

55. *Duran Duran: “Her name is ____, and she dances on the sand”

57. *The Beatles: “Take a sad song and make it ____”

60. *Elvis: “We’re caught in a trap, I can’t ____ ____”

64. Relating to a mode

65. Scrooge’s exclamation

67. Memory failure

68. Bouquet thrower

69. Number of candles on a cake

70. Musketeers’ weapons

71. Picnic invaders

72. “Just kidding!”

73. Did, archaic

DOWN

1. *The Go-Go’s: “They got the ____”

2. 100,000, in India

3. Cameron Diaz’ Fiona, e.g.

4. Hula dancer’s hello

5. These are held to be true

6. Miners’ passage

7. *Tainted Love: “Once I ran to you, now I ____”

8. “Lord of the Flies” shell

9. Like the other side of the pillow?

10. Certain kind of exam

11. Not his

12. Antiquated

15. Protection from a sword

20. To death, in French (2 words)

22. ____ B vaccine

24. Manna from heaven

25. *Bon Jovi: “Tommy used to work on the ____”

26. Habituate

27. Spaghetti ____

29. *Don McLean: “Drove my chevy to the ____”

31. Pains

32. Frost over (2 words)

33. Capital of Delaware

34. *Tennessee Ernie Ford: “I owe my soul to the company ____”

36. Geishas’ sashes

38. “____ ____ good example”

42. Royal topper

45. ____-tattle

49. Pronoun

51. Refused to act, archaic

54. City-related

56. Giraffe’s stripedlegged cousin

57. *Bruce Springsteen: “Tramps like us, baby we were ____ to run”

58. Change a manuscript

59. Small amounts

60. Make sharper

61. Newspaper piece

62. Applications

63. Midterm, e.g.

64. Wharton degree, acr.

66. Back then

COMMUNITY The Boca Raton Tribune

Boca Raton Public Library Presents the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami

Boca Raton, FL – Join the Boca Raton Public Library for a vibrant cultural dance performance by the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the Downtown Library. The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization, and all funding and services are achieved solely through donations and volunteer work. The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami pledges its commitment to educate their own and all others in the traditions of their ethnic heritage, and to keep alive the beautiful legacy of the Ukrainian dance.

The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami was formed in the late summer of 1949 by a group of young Ukrainians rooted in the dances and techniques of Vasyl Avramenko, the man credited with bringing Ukrainian folk dance to North America. The group held dance practices as needed for the various community festivals and functions at the Ukrainian-American Club of Miami. Today, the Dancers include more classical dance elements in their work while retaining the character of the traditional Ukrainian folk dance. The group’s repertoire includes not only many

traditional Avramenko dances, but newer and more complicated dances, including their own Hopak. The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami have performed at EPCOT Center’s World Showcase in Walt Disney World, the Junior and Senior Orange Bowl Pa-

rades, The Miami International Folk Festival, Orlando ArtsFest, St. Petersburg International Folk Fair, and the UNICEF Tribute to Children. In 2022, they were the Artist-In-Residence at the HistoryMiami Museum, presenting cultural performances and workshops.

“The Boca Raton Public Library is excited to host the Ukrainian Dancers of Miami which is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library,” notes Lisa Testa, Program Services Librarian. “Bring the whole family for an exciting cultural experience filled with Ukrainian dance and music!”

The Ukrainian Dancers of Miami performance is a free event on Saturday, April 27, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the Downtown Library, located at 400 NW 2 ND Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33432.

Boca Police Foundation Reveals New Leadership

By Marci Shatzman

Boca’s charitable group that raises money for city police extras just announced founder and chairman Marc Bell is retiring after 11 years. The board of trustees elected Nicole Flier and Alan Rose as the new cochairs, effective immediately.

Bell founded the Boca Raton Police Foundation in 2013 with a group of like-minded residents, and has held fundraisers over the years in his family home in the city. The board named him chairman emeritus.

“As a result of our efforts, the police department now has 74 new pieces of equipment, technology, and training materials and enjoyed valuable community outreach activities,” Bell said in a letter to the board, the foundation noted.

Flier has been a member of the board since 2019 and has served as secretary since 2021. She chairs the foundation’s True Blue Membership Society. Rose joined the board in 2022 and has served on the Fundraising Committee.

In his letter, “Marc went on to thank Chief Michele Miuccio and her command staff for their hard work and dedication to serving and protecting our community, and Debbie Levine, executive director, for her leadership and dedication in helping the foundation grow,” the foundation said.

Additional executive committee members are secretary Jeff Holland-

er and treasurer Craig Ehrnst. Hollander is a founding member of the board and has chaired the Governance Committee since 2021. Ehrnst is treasurer for corporate partner NCCI, and joined the board in 2023 as their representative. He is a commissioner of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District.

The other Boca Raton Police Foundation 2024 Board of Trustees members are: Brian Altschuler, Baptist Health South Florida/Boca Raton Regional Hospital; Nathan Berkoff, UBS Financial; Marc Blumencranz, NFP; Jeff Bolender, The Boca Raton; Barbara Cipriano, Palm Beach State College; Dave Croskey, Croskey Lanni PC; Richard Kendall, Impera Intelligence Group; Brian Kessler, The Kessler Group; Jennifer Kessler, The Kessler Group; Ryan Gregory Leeds, SOX Erosion Systems; John McAvoy, Lynn University; Andrew Queen, Integrated Dermatology; Jeffrey Queen, Integrated Dermatology; Carrie Rubin, Rubin Obstgarten Family Foundation; Adam Sandow, SANDOW; Joel Schneider, Schneider Group; James B. Silver, Wells Fargo Advisors; David Smail, ADT; and Bob Tucker, BT Consulting LLC.

“Our board of trustees are comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders committed to providing strategic direction, oversight, and stability for the foundation,” Levine said in announcing the new leadership. “I am excited to channel everyone’s expertise and energy into furthering our mission.”

Thursday, April 3, 2014 Broken Sound Club 11:30 A.M.

be observed at this event.

www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org

To Benefit The HELEN M. BABIONE MEDICAL SCHOLARSHIP

SYNESIO LYRA

ROSA CAVALCANTI GABRIELA BARBIERI

DOUGLAS HEIZER, Publisher

THOMAS J. MADDEN MARCI SHATZMAN

CHARLES MAXWELL

BY ROBERT J. TAMASY FAITH

What Is The Heartbeat Of Your Mission?

Over the years I have worked with several companies and organizations in a variety of roles. Most of them have had clearly stated missions. Some even printed and displayed their mission statements at strategic spots around their facilities to serve as continual reminders of the answers to questions like, “Why are we here?” “What are we doing?” and “Why are we doing it.”

A mission statement can serve as a kind of corporate GPS (global positioning system) to guide decision-making similar to trip planning: Where are we? Where do we want to go? How are we going to get there?

This is a good idea for us to do individually as well. Many people never ask the questions, but it would be beneficial to ask ourselves, “What is my mission? What do I hope to accomplish with my life – and why?” A personal mission statement can

“Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. ‘Come and sleep with me,’ she demanded. But Joseph refused. ‘Look,’ he told her, ‘my master trusts me with everything in his entire household . . . He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing?’”

- Genesis 39:6-9 (NLT)

Loyalty is a quality that is in short supply in our society today. It seems like nobody is loyal to anything anymore. There’s no such thing as brand loyalty. And most people aren’t loyal to companies or bosses or leaders. They’re loyal to themselves.

Loyalty is an old-fashioned quality. But when a person exhibits a rare quality like loyalty, that person gets promoted. It makes you stand out!

Loyalty is being faithful—whether it’s to your boss or to God or to someone else— when difficulty tests your commitment.

help in coming up with answers to those important questions. These can lead to a number of answers, ranging from simply earning a living, meeting basic needs and being able to pay bills, to ascending the corporate ladder and achieving as much as possible. Knowing our talents, abilities, and interests, we might desire to use them as successfully as we can – and receiving recognition for doing so.

There may be an even more compelling element for determining what our mission should be. Especially for people of faith in the marketplace, those who profess to be followers of Jesus Christ. One of the most memorable songs I have ever heard is “The Mission,” recorded years ago by Steve Green. The refrain he repeats through the song is, “To love the Lord our God is the heartbeat of our mission, the spring from which our service overflows.” I have often asked myself, “Is this the heartbeat of my mission?”

More than 100 years ago, missionary Oswald Chambers expressed similar words that were captured in his devotional book, My Utmost for His Highest. He said, “The call of God is an expression of His nature; the service which results in my life is suited to me and is an expression of my nature…. Therefore, when I receive His nature and hear His call, His divine voice resounds throughout His nature and mine and the two become one in service.”

What this means in a practical, everyday sense obviously will be different for each of us. However, here are some principles from the Bible to consider:

We are co-workers with God. We have the privilege of collaborating with God in achieving His eternal purposes. “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9).

By Rick Warren

Loyalty Makes You Stand Out at Work

It’s easy to be loyal when everything is going great, but when the ship goes into the storm, that’s when real loyalty comes out. And because God is more interested in your character than your career, your loyalty will be tested in your work. In the middle of those storms, he’s seeing if he can trust you with greater responsibility in heaven.

Joseph had a tough test. The Bible says, “Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man, and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. ‘Come and sleep with me,’ she demanded. But Joseph refused. ‘Look,’ he told her, ‘my master trusts me with everything in his entire household . . . He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing?’” (Genesis 39:6-9 NLT).

Now that’s loyalty! Joseph’s got a beautiful woman throwing herself at him, reassuring him, “You think I’m going to tell my husband? Are you kidding me? Nobody’s going to know. You can have your cake and

eat it too. You can be the master, and we can have a fling. It’ll be great. No harm, no foul!”

I’m sure Potiphar was an imperfect boss because every boss is imperfect. I’m sure Joseph probably disagreed with his boss a lot of the time because they were both human. Nobody gets it right all of the time.

But Joseph still turned her down because of loyalty to his boss. He honored the trust that had been placed in him by his master.

God looks at that kind of loyalty and goes, “That’s the kind of person I’m going to promote.”

Don’t you want God to say the same about you?

Why does God want you to exhibit loyalty at your business and with your boss?

Why is it important for a loyal person to also be consistent?

What do you want to accomplish in your work or career? How might being loyal to your company help you accomplish

We are God’s representatives – wherever we go. Just as foreign ambassadors represent the nations that sends them, we are called to represent God’s family and His kingdom. “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

We are God’s stewards, managers of what He has entrusted to us. We tend to regard our time, talents, and material resources as our own, only making them available to others when we feel inclined to do so. However, the Scriptures teach all that we have has been given to us by God to use and manage for His honor and glory. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

that?Will you follow Jesus today?

The Bible says you can only get to heaven by trusting in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. You can’t earn your way into heaven: “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV).

If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, start by praying this prayer:

“Dear God, you have promised that if I believe in your Son, Jesus Christ, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

By: Thomas J Madden

Oh no! Planetary Lifeguard, help! My Atlantic City’s Sinking!

Resort Called One of East Coast’s (ugh) Disappearing Cities

We all know the expression “hits home.”

Well, this research I’m about to report to you, for me is a gut punch!

Coastal flooding is not only washing away sand dunes and threatening beachfront property up and down the coast, but is causing a memorable, so beloved place where I grew up, Atlantic City, NJ to be at risk of, heaven forbid, disappearing!

A study published this month in the journal Nature reports that another city near and dear to me, Miami, is in the same leaky boat. With an average elevation of about six feet, Miami has the greatest land mass at risk of flooding among 11 cities studied on the Atlantic Coast.

Atlantic City ranks fifth in terms of land mass at risk due to rising sea level and other geological factors.

The value of properties facing inundation by 2050 in Miami total from $5.5 billion to $30 billion. Atlantic City falls second on the coast in that category, with properties valued at $2.8 to $20 billion, the study reports.

Atlantic City, once known as “The World’s Playground” today is where drowning in gambling debt may be taking on a scarier new meaning.

I used to live there not far from those expensive, high-rent district Monopoly blue properties Boardwalk and Park

By: Marci Shatzaman

en used a different name at work and still used their “Mrs.” in private.

generation of working women with a new point of view. I considered myself “progressive.” So, I took my husband’s last name, but I used it professionally, too.

didn’t want to go through the rest of my life using someone else’s last name. So, I didn’t.

me legally taking back our name. The Shatzmans weren’t even sure that was their real last name, so I could make up any name like actresses do, he insisted. Marci Mann had a nice ring to it.

And the tradition based on English law that when you marry the two are one and one is him didn’t appeal to me.

my original byline at the newspaper back home in Philly after working a few years

When I remarried, everyone advised me that separate last names would create identity chaos and we’d spend hours explaining my decision. That never hap-

We’ve been married for 43 years. We just tell customer service we have different last names. We’ve never had to show

The only fallout is that some people assume Shatzman is my husband’s last name too. We get invitations or we’re registered for an event that way. He always joked about it and by now he’s got-

I thought successive generations would follow my lead. I was wrong. Not changing what used to be called a “maiden name” for women never caught on. Most people who marry automatically take their spouse’s last name. I doubt they even think about it. Even mega star Jennifer Lopez legally changed her last name when she married Ben Affleck in 2022. I get it. I always used Ms., but that title never caught on either.

Place. Owning those, you usually won as you could charge the most exorbitant rents! Now, one day you may need Planetary Lifeguard™ to come bail you out.

Yes, “romantic enchantic” Atlantic City for me is a magical place where my musician/magician dad Bill Madden conducted his orchestra in summer concerts on Garden Pier and played his violin sweetly at the elegant Traymore Hotel, now sadly demolished.

I’d stroll the boardwalk eating popcorn and cotton candy, eyeing all the pretty girls at night. And on summer days I was a lifeguard on Atlantic City Beach Patrol saving bathers from drowning. Now omg, one day my city may need saving.

I must be so saltwater farsighted as recently I created a motivating figure, a modern-day symbol like Rosie the River and Smoky the Bear called Planetary Lifeguard™ to blow the whistle on what’s causing my beloved city and other cities close to my heart to sink—climate change.

Not only are sea levels rising there, but another problem is endangering the city where I graduated from Atlantic City High School. Now they’re saying the sinking problem could be made worse in New Jersey due to groundwater withdrawal and other geological factors.

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By: Clay Jones

CARTOON Russian March Madness

Boca Raton’s Rising Star: Victoria Johnson’s Journey to American Idol

By: Charles Maxwell

Sixteen-year-old Boca Raton native Victoria Johnson is taking her talents to the big stage on Season 22 of American Idol. The teenage vocalists’ Idol debut will air on ABC this Sunday, March 24th, at 8 p.m. ET.

Boca Raton, FL – Victoria Johnson may be the age of an average high school junior, but she’s no stranger to the spotlight.

Johnson is a seasoned entertainer, with a lifelong passion for singing ingrained in her.

Johnson has traveled around Florida performing the national anthem for nearly every professional sports team in the state. “I’ve sung for the Miami Marlins, Miami Heat, and the Jacksonville Jaguars,” said Johnson. She’s even taken her talents to Georgia, performing the star-spangled banner for the Savannah Bananas Baseball team.

Johnson also competed in some of South Florida’s most elite talent competitions, including four of the last five “Future Stars” singing and dance competitions hosted by the Rotary Club of Boca Raton.

“I’ve been singing for as long as I can

remember,” said Johnson, “I’ve always known it was what I was meant to do.”

Johnson believes her experience has helped prepare her for a moment in the national spotlight, and others agree. Johnson didn’t reach out to the producers of American Idol with the hopes of auditioning; they came to her.

“I was contacted by Idol producers and asked if I’d be interested in audi-

tioning for the show,” said Johnson. “I hopped right on the train and, well, here we are.”

While accustomed to performing in front of thousands, Johnson admits that the audition process did strike a nerve.

“Nothing will ever prepare you for American Idol. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever done,” said Johnson as she chuckled. “But nerves are a good thing.

It shows that you really care about what you’re doing- you’re in the right place. It’s your body’s way of telling you ‘this is what you’re supposed to do.’”

Johnson looks forward to watching her American Idol premiere on Sunday with her family and friends, including her biggest supporter, her mom.

“She’s the one driving me everywhere, the one pushing me, the one who believes in me most,” said Johnson about her mom, Jennifer Johnson. “She’s the one who believes in me when I don’t even believe in myself.”

“I haven’t been able to tell my family anything [about the audition],” said Johnson, “I’m really excited to see their reactions.”

To see if Victoria can punch her ticket to Hollywood, tune in to American Idol this Sunday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, and continue to follow her musical journey on Instagram.

“I’ve been given an amazing opportunity,” said Johnson. “I just want to share my gift of music with as many people as possible.”

JARC Florida Hosts 38th Annual Gala at Boca West Country Club

Boca Raton, FL – JARC Florida, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization that provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, hosted its 38th Annual Gala on March 3rd at the Boca West Country Club in Boca Raton. The event raised over $650,000 for JARC FL and its essential programs and services, including the Dr. Allen & Annette Stone Adult Day Training Program, The Selma & Irving Ettenberg Foundation Community Works and ADAPT (Adults Aging in Place Together).

This year’s event featured the inaugural Lynne & Howard Halpern Award for Champions of Special Needs, which was presented to Toby and Leon Cooperman. Harriet Levine, a volunteer in JARC’s library and JARC pal, won Volunteer of the Year from the organization. She is also currently creating a newsletter with JARC clients. Lynne Halpern and Naomi & Richard Steinberg served as gala chairs while entertainer Sam Simon returned for his seventh year as the master of ceremonies. The event featured a silent auction, co-chaired by Judy Rosen and Ronni Sommer, and a raffle, which was sponsored by Elizabeth & Peter

Lynne&HowardHalpern,Toby&Leon Cooperman | Board President,Award Winners

“The 2024 Gala Dinner was a huge success. It is always a highlight of the year to come together and celebrate JARC clients, their families, our staff, generous donors and volunteers, and of course those partners that make it all possible,” said Jeffrey Zirulnick, Chief Executive Officer of JARC Florida.

Sponsors of the 38th annual event included Charmed Life Home Care,

The Pargh Foundation, Marcia & Barry Kaufman, Jeff & Jill Tompkins Ellen & Eric Gechter, The Boca Raton Observer and Debbie & Roy Weisman, Karen & John Gardner, Peter & Elizabeth Levine, Parkshore Pharmacon, Caryn J. Clayman, Lynne & Howard Halpern, and Publix Charities.

JARC’s vision is to remove barriers to independence so that each person with intellectual and developmental disabilities is better able to reach his or her potential. The nonprofit currently operates ten group homes in the Boca Raton and

Delray Beach area for adults with developmental disabilities. It also offers apartment living for those who do not require 24-hour supervision as well as vocational training in the Mel & Elaine Stein Living and Learning Center. The organization was created in the mid 1980’s in response to the needs of families with adult children with developmental disabilities.

JARC Florida, a non-sectarian organization based in Boca Raton, provides programs and services to educate and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization’s vision is to remove barriers to independence so that each person with intellectual and developmental disabilities is better able to reach his or her potential. JARC currently operates ten group homes in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach area for adults with developmental disabilities. JARC offers apartment living for those who do not require 24-hour supervision as well as vocational training in the Mel & Elaine Stein Living and Learning Center. The organization was created in the mid 1980’s in response to the needs of families with adult children with developmental disabilities. Learn more at http://jarcfl.org.

Cecilia & Jon Greenhut, Barbara Rosen

Teri & David Cutler

Sheila & Marvin Greenberg

Scott & Carin Friedman

Ronni Sommer & Judy Rosen | Auction Co-Chairs

Peter & Elizabeth Levine

Lynne Halpern, Naomi & Rich Steinberg | Gala Chairs

Lynne & Richard Stolls, Paula & David Rosenblum

Lori & Jay Eisenberg

Jerry & Sandy Kransdorf

Jeff & Jill Tompkins

Irene Reiss Marom & Sherry Brennan

FREE Family Reunion-Inspired Event in the Backyard of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

Delray Beach, FL – In the fabric of American history, threads of struggle and triumph are intricately woven, each strand contributing to the tapestry of freedom that defines the nation. From the earliest settlers seeking refuge from persecution to waves of immigrants pursuing dreams of liberty, the United States has served as a beacon of hope for those yearning to escape oppression and embrace autonomy.

Today, as we bask in the glow of our hard-won freedoms, it is essential to reflect on the journey that has brought us here and to honor the sacrifices made by those who paved the way. America’s citizens enjoy liberties that have been forged through diverse experiences of oppression, reminding us of the resilience and strength inherent in the human spirit.

In recognition of our freedom to maintain close ties with family and friends, the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum extends a warm invitation to its annual event, “A Delray Beach Family Affair,” taking place on Sunday, May 19, 2024. This vibrant gathering celebrates the rich tapestry of cultural heritage that defines Delray Beach and pays homage to the struggles and triumphs of generations past.

“A Delray Beach Family Affair” is a joyous occasion reminiscent of a lively family reunion, complete with music, storytelling, and activities for children. Renowned musician Baba Lyons will enchant audiences with his soulful melodies, while splash pools, chess games, and summer treats ensure fun for the whole family. Food vendors offering cookout menus and African-inspired merchandise vendors will add to the festive atmosphere, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees.

Amidst the festivities, speakers will share insights into Florida’s history, highlighting significant milestones such as the emancipation of enslaved people, which reached the state’s citizens on May 20, 1865. These accounts serve as poignant reminders of the struggles endured and the progress achieved in the pursuit of freedom and equality.

For those eager to participate, the details are as follows:

* WHAT: “A Delray Beach Family Affair” in honor of Florida’s Emancipation (May 20, 1865)

* WHEN: Sunday, May 19, 2024; 5-8 p.m.

* COST: FREE!

* WHERE: 170 NW Fifth Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444

The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum stands as a beacon of cultural preservation and education, housed within the historic home of educator Solomon D. Spady. Established in July 2001 by the nonprofit organization EXPANDING AND PRESERVING OUR CULTURAL HERITAGE, INC., the museum serves as a repository of Delray Beach’s Black history, offering exhibits, tours, and commemorative events that celebrate the community’s heritage.

As we gather to celebrate our freedom and honor our cultural heritage, let us remember the journey that has brought us to this moment. “A Delray Beach Family Affair” invites us to come together, to learn from the past, and to embrace the diversity that enriches our nation’s identity. In unity and remembrance, we reaffirm our commitment to building a future where freedom and justice prevail for all.

Celebrating the Resilience of Military Children

(StatePoint) Life in the U.S. Armed Forces can be challenging, especially for the youngest members of the nation’s military community: the 1.6 million children of service members. From constant change and uncertainty, to being uprooted every

few years and finding their place in a new school with each new location, to their service member parent deploying suddenly for months – or even years – at a time, these realities of military life can take a toll.

“Military children go through many experiences that most children don’t go through,” said military spouse and mother Jessica McLaughlin. “Having to leave their friends and everything they know to move across the world presents a different set of challenges.”

During April, which is the Month of the Military Child, the United Service Organizations (USO) is raising awareness about the specific challenges these socalled “military brats” face, and is celebrating them to thank and support them for the invaluable role they play.

Beyond special events taking place in

April, military families can find year-round support and entertainment at many of the over 250 USO locations around the globe, where kid-friendly activities are designed to help them make friends with fellow military kids, or bond with their families. When stationed far from everything familiar, be that stateside or in distant locations overseas, these centers are a home-awayfrom-home, where military kids are surrounded by a supportive community and other military children who understand the unique challenges they face. Programs for military children, such as arts and crafts, game nights, cooking classes and scavenger hunts, are designed to offer a little fun so that they can forget, even briefly, the stress of life as a military child.

By age 9, Victoria Hegedusich has lived in California, Maine and Japan, and she’ll most likely move four or five more

times before she graduates high school, as military families, on average, move every 2.5 years. Hegedusich and her family are frequent visitors at the USO Yokosuka Center in Japan, where they make use of the free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, snacks, books and games, as well as take part in events and programs geared specifically to families and children.

“The USO is really fun. I like coming here to do the activities,” Hegedusich said, who has especially loved any events and programs that involve science. To learn more about the life of military children and discover ways you can help support them, visit https://www.uso.org.

Military children are resilient, and thanks to programming just for them, they can feel grounded and appreciated, wherever they are.

Celebrating Family and Flavor, One Recipe at a Time

(StatePoint) No matter where you live or where you’re from, food is typically at the center of every family gathering. And, oftentimes, the dishes served come from recipes passed down for generations.

To celebrate family, flavor, food and their new pellet blend collection, Bear Mountain Premium BBQ Woods is hosting the “Family Full of Flavor” contest, along with Merry Graham, an award-winning celebrity home chef and grandmother, and Jennifer Plemmons, a southern influencer and grilling mom. Families can submit their favorite recipes that are baked, or prepared on the grill, in the categories of appetizers, entrees, side dishes and desserts.

“Whether it’s a formal gathering or a casual picnic, good food enjoyed with

loved ones helps us celebrate traditions and make memories,” says Graham. “We’re excited to try so many beloved family recipes with this contest and share them with others.”

Graham, Plemmons and the Bear Mountain team will review all recipes submitted between March 25 and April 19 and select three finalists. From April 22-30, anyone can visit BearMountainBBQ.com and vote for their favorite recipe once daily. Throughout the voting period, Graham and Plemmons will try out recipes and post them on their social media channels. The winner, announced May 1, will receive an all-expenses paid family reunion in the amount of a $5,000 gift card to Walmart. The two runners-up will receive a year’s supply of Bear Mountain pellets.

To kick things off, Graham offers her recipe for Smoky Parmesan Panko Chicken Thighs, a budget-friendly meal for a crowd, and a tribute to her own cherished summer family barbecues.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

10 chicken thighs, bone-in

1 cup Italian salad dressing or seasoned buttermilk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

2 large eggs 2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard or honey mustard

1 1/2 cup panko crumbs

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Bear Mountain Smoky Apple Whiskey BBQ Pellets

Packaged salad or homemade coleslaw for platter (optional)

Instructions:

Trim chicken of excess fat and scraggly skin. Leave enough to wrap the entire thigh.

Place thighs into a large mixing bowl. Pour Italian dressing over the chicken and toss a few times. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight at most.

Meanwhile, in a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic and coriander.

After marination, drain the dressing, wrap the loose skin tightly around the entire chicken thigh. It’s not necessary to rinse the chicken or pat it dry. Roll the chick-

en in flour mixture, and place on a baker’s rack to dry.

In a shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and mustard until smooth. In another shallow bowl, mix the panko crumbs, parmesan and black pepper.

Roll the floured chicken thighs into the egg mixture then press into the panko mixture to coat thoroughly. Place the coated chicken thighs on a baker’s rack to set.

Fill the hopper with Bear Mountain Smoky Apple Whisky BBQ Pellets. Set the grill or smoker to 400 degrees F.

Place chicken on the grill’s upper rack for indirect heat, and smoke for 50-60 minutes or for optimal tenderness, until the internal temperature reaches 175-185 degrees F. If desired, open the flame broiler for direct cooking and rotate during the last 10 minutes.

Take off the grill or smoker and rest for 10 minutes. Spread coleslaw on a serving platter and top with chicken, fresh herbs and lemon slices. Consider serving with biscuits, garlic mashed potatoes, peas, green beans or asparagus.

For contest instructions and rules, and to learn more about Bear Mountain BBQ’s new pellet blend collection, which includes Smoky Apple Whiskey, Maple Bourbon Pecan, Chef’s Choice, Chophouse Blend and Butcher’s Blend, and is available exclusively at Walmart, visit BearMountainBBQ. com.

MUNICIPAL

Boca City Voters Picked Drucker and Thomson

By Marci Shatzman

You’re Invited

There was a cake of course, and a lot of hugs for the winners. Boca Raton’s city council election was over a half-hour after the polls closed on Tuesday.

Palm Beach County’s Supervisor of Elections posted the winners after a short hiatus that worried supporters at Yvette Drucker’s gathering at Tap 42. But by 7:31 it was, in the words of Mayor Scott Singer, “a done deal.”

Running for a second term, Drucker easily captured 76.98% of the vote to Bernard Korn’s 23.02%. Her family came in from Miami to help her celebrate her election victory. The cake was hers.

Andy Thomson returns to city

council after two years in a race to replace Deputy Mayor Monica Mayotte, who’s term limited.

That was a much bigger party at Maggiano’s with lots of kids; the Thomsons have five. And familiar faces like Boca Raton Airport Authority chair Bob Tucker and auctioneer Neil Saffer and his wife Trish.

Supporters celebrated Thomson’ win in a race against Brian Stenberg with 62.54% vs. 37.46% of the vote. A slew of union endorsements helped Thomson recapture a seat. John T. Cagno, past president of FOP Lodge 35, said theirs cited his commitment to the city’s “safety and security.”

Spring has officially sprung – and to local foodies and oenophiles, springtime brings one special attraction in particular – the Boca Bacchanal! Yes, the 21ST ANNUAL BOCA BACCHANAL takes place April 7 at the Addison – so order your tickets now, as the event often sells out early.

Boca Bacchanal is One of the area’s longest lasting and most esteemed food & wine events, with an extra special focus on the wine (Bacchanal is, after all, a tribute to Bacchus, the God of Wine.). This premier festival benefits the Boca Historical Society and the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, and again promises “an unparalleled experience of culinary excellence and exquisite wines.”

Then Sunday, April 7 brings the main event – the Grand Tasting, held at the majestic The Addison in downtown Boca Raton, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to stroll, sip, socialize, and savor unlimited by-thebite samplings from some of the area’s top restaurants and chefs, including: AlleyCat, Bazille at Nordstrom, Copperfish Kitchen, Gallaghers, Gourmetphile, J&D Cakes, KakaoZon Chocolate, Narbona, Oceans 234, Sushi by Bou, The Addison, The Capital Grille, The Boca Raton resort, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, and more.

As always, the Bacchanal kicks off

BOCA BACCHANAL 2024 is Almost Here!

By Kenny Spahn

before the Grand Tasting with the exclusive Vintner Dinners (on April 4 and 5),hosted in exquisite private homes and other premier venues across Boca Raton. Each dinner features a five-course gourmet dinner prepared by a renowned chef, teamed with exclusive wines from an internationally acclaimed vintner – both of whom will be on-site to explain and describe their respective wine and food pairing for an unforgettable and one-ofa-kind intimate experience amongst a few like-minded guests.

This year’s Vintner Dinner celebrity chefs include Patrick Duffy and Jose Hernandez of The Addison, paired with DAOU Wines from Paso Robles; Eric Baker of Alley Cat, teamed with ZD,

Frog’s Leap, and other fine wines representing Napa Valley; Chefs Dmitriy Kakuschke and Derrick Connor of The Seagate, preparing a special meal to match the Michele Chiarlo Winery from Piedmont, Italy; and Chefs Andrew Roenbeck and Peter Annewanter of The Boca Raton and Flybridge, taking guests through a culinary “Tour de France” with Taittinger, Louis Jadot, and other fine French wines.

“Boca Bacchanalis a festive weekend that not only promises an incredible and immersive culinary experience, but also serves as a tribute to the rich heritage of Boca Raton,” notes Mary Csar, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Historical Society. “Every sip and every bite will

delight the senses while supporting and honoring our community’s past, and provides the entire community with a delightful opportunity to support the heritage education programs of The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum and the Boca Raton Historical Society,”

So mark your calendars for April 7 –and raise a glass to Bacchus!

The Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting is Sunday, April 7 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm at The Addison, located at 2 East Camino Real in downtown Boca Raton. Tickets for the Grand Tasting Afternoon are $150 per person.

Exclusive Vintner Dinners are held at private homes and historic locations on Friday and Saturday evening, April 4 and 5.

To purchase tickets or for more information, visit https://www.bocabacchanal.com or www.BocaHistory.org.

Or call the BRHS at (561) 395- 6766, Ext.101. Or, stop by the Museum in person, at 71 North Federal Highway in downtown Boca.

Scan QR code for more information

ENTERTAINMENT The Boca Raton Tribune

Joyce Carol Oates At Fau On Still Writing After All These Years

By Marci Shatzman

Click on Amazon to see 50 novels, short stories and essays celebrated author Joyce Carol Oates has written, even recently, on such diverse subjects as Marilyn Monroe, butchering women and boxing.

So, what was she doing as the finale of the Palm Beach Book Festival in Florida Atlantic University Theatre? If you were there, it would have been obvious what keeps her going: A relentlessly inquisitive and inventive mind that just won’t quit.

“I’m curious about people, and I like to tell stories,” Oates, 85, said to start her interview with Leigh Haber, former books editor at O Magazine who ran Oprah’s Book Club. “I’m not interested in plot, more characters,” Oates told the audience later.

She likes to keep moving, literally. “For me writing depends on walking and running. It’s the first stage of thinking. I try to walk every day and I think through a scene.”

“You describe grief as something like an illness,” Haber said about Oates’ memoir on trying to cope with widowhood after a 47-year marriage. “It’s a universal experience. It’s larger than a person. You can’t just ask someone to cheer you up after three years,” she said to the only applause in the interview.

“Why are you so preoccupied by violence?” Haber asked about “Zero-Sum Stories,” the book featured at

the festival and described as “games played for lethal stakes.”

“You wouldn’t ask that about ‘War and Peace’ or Hemingway,” Oates noted about male authors who write about violence. “I write about the aftermath; how girls and women recover.”

She described “Butcher,” her latest novel coming out in May as based on a doctor who experimented on enslaved women and young Irish female immigrants. “It’s based on real life. He butchered and mangled a lot of people,” she said, explaining the book is based on “scientific misconduct” her late husband studied. (She remarried a Princeton University professor who died in 2019 and taught there herself until 2014.)

Writing “Blonde,” her novel on Marilyn Monroe’s inner life was inspired by a photograph of her at 16. “She was pretty, but not glamorous. She exuded small-town innocence like my mother did. She was terribly exploited. When she died, either by suicide or an overdose, she was so unhappy,” Oates said. “Everybody’s still making money off that image.”

Like another prolific author James Patterson before her, after her talk Oates sat at a desk as fans lined up with one of her many books on sale there to autograph. “After I read it and date it, I give it to someone else to read,” said FAU’s dean of libraries Dr. Linda Marie Golian-Lui.

The Symphonia’s 2023-2024 ‘Journey to Discovery’ Concert Season Continues

Boca Raton, FL— The Symphonia, South Florida’s premier chamber orchestra, will present its final concert of its ‘Journey to Discovery’ earth and environment themed season with ‘Seeking Haydn.’ The concert will take place on Saturday, April 13th at 7p.m. at Countess de Hoernle Theatre at Spanish River High School.

Principal Conductor Alastair Willis will guide you to the world of eighteenth-century Austria, as seen through the eyes of Joseph Haydn’s musical assistant at the Esterhazy Palace. Explore – through Willis’ dramatized perspective – what it was like living and working at the palace with Haydn for the Esterhazy family.

In addition to his role at the Symphonia, Willis is a Grammy- nominated conductor who also serves as the Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. He has guest conducted countless orchestras around the world including the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, and Hong Kong Sinfonietta. His recording of Ravel’s “L’Enfant et les Sortileges” with Nashville Symphony and Opera for Naxos was Grammy-nominated for Best Classical Album in 2009.

Season subscriptions start at $175 per person. Information on subscriptions, flex-subscriptions and programs is available at thesymphonia. org, by calling 561-376-3848, or by emailing tickets@thesymphonia.org.

Protein-Packed Assortment

4 Butcher’s Cut Filet Mignons (5 oz.)

4 Air-Chilled Boneless Chicken Breasts (5 oz.)

4 Boneless Pork Chops (6 oz.)

4 Pure

The Boca Raton Tribune

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