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Games
STATEPOINT CROSSWORD
THEME: FILL-INTHE-BLANK
ACROSS
1. Little rascal
6. Center of activity
9. d’Ivoire lead-in
13. Tree, in Latin 14. *Common ____ or ____ of Good Feelings
15. Supreme Teutonic god 16. Large violin family member
17. *Gravely ____ or ____ at ease
18. Speak up
19. *Holiday ____ or ____ weather
21. *Butter____ or ____ tape
23. Zeppelin lead-in
24. *Batman’s ____ or ____ Cod
25. What, in Oaxaca 28. Whimper 30. Smells 35. Defender of skies
37. Like debatable point
39. *Stem to ____ or ____ parent
40. *Ill at ____ or ____ up
41. Famous fabulist
43. Brain wave
44. Opposite of digest
46. “Will be,” to Doris Day
47. *Kitchen ____ or ____ or swim
48. *Willie ____ or ____ Mandela
50. To, archaic
52. Had a meal
53. Voyeur’s glance
55. Anger management issue
57. *Passenger ____ or ____ post
60. *Grammatically ____ or ____ answer
64. Past participle of bear
65. Go wrong
67. Empower
68. Assumed name
69. Barn sound
70. Fair attractions
71. Catch one’s breath
72. Coniferous tree
73. Baker’s raiser
Quote of the Week:
his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” - 1 Peter 1:3
DOWN
1. Bursas
2. *Rowing ____ or ____
cut
3. *Willing and ____ or ____-bodied
4. Relating to mole
5. Temporarily, Latin (2 words)
6. *Rightful ____ or ____
apparent
7. Dot-com address
8. Craft wood
9. Native Egyptian, in Roman times
10. Related to ear
11. Hyperbolic tangent
12. Opposite of WSW
15. Suitors
20. Possible allergic reaction
22. Tax person’s designation, acr.
24. Shut down (2 words)
25. *Dancing ____ or ____
bee
26. Cell phone bill item
27. Art class support
29. Things to lament
31. Singer-songwriter Red-
LAST WEEK RESULT
ding
32. The press, e.g.
33. Are not
34. *Garter ____ or ____ eyes
36. Come clean, with up
38. *Tattered and ____ or ____ apart
42. Outdoor entertainment area
45. Pith helmets
49. Not paleo
51. Solar system model
54. Japan to U.S., in WW2
56. “Sesame Street” regular
57. *The North ____ or ____ dancer
58. Van Gogh’s famous botanical subject
59. Flying biter
60. *Eat ____ or ____ to pick
61. Cocoyam
62. Prompt box comments
63. Multiple choice challenge
64. *Raise the ____ or ____ none
66. Beluga yield
COMMUNITY
Atlantic High Principal Reacts to Student’s Loss in Boca Plane Crash
By: Marci Shatzman
Students returned to Atlantic High School in Delray Beach Monday after learning one of their own died in Friday morning’s horrific small plane crash in Boca Raton.
Brooke Stark, 17, and Stephen Stark, 54, of Delray Beach, and Robert Stark, 81, were identified as the passengers by Boca Raton police. The pilot was not identified. “The Cessna 310 was having trouble maintaining control. The aircraft had recently departed from Boca Raton Airport and was circling the area. A short time later, the aircraft crashed along Military Trail near the Glades Road overpass at approximately 10:13 a.m.” according to Boca PD.
Here’s Atlantic High principal Sandra Edwards’ message, according to the Palm Beach County School District.
Dear Atlantic High School Families and Staff,
It is with deep sadness that I share the news that one of our students has passed away… On behalf of our school community, I will be reaching out to the student’s family to express our heartfelt condolences and offer support.
As parents and caregivers, you may find that your child is processing this loss in different ways. For some, this may be the first time they have experienced the death of a peer or someone in their community. I encourage all of us to approach conversations about this with care, compassion, and respect.
Grief support, including school counselors and school psychologists, will be available on campus Monday for our students and staff to ensure they have the emotional support they may need to help them through this difficult time. If you believe your child would benefit from speaking with someone, please encourage them to do so.
For immediate emotional support, staff and students may also dial 2-1-1, a confidential crisis helpline that provides guidance and resources at no cost.
Please monitor your child for any signs of distress and do not hesitate to reach out if you feel they need additional support.
At Atlantic High School, we are a community that supports one another, and together, we will navigate this difficult time.
Mayor Scott Singer appeared at the press conference after the accident. Here’s his message:
“Our hearts are heavy today with this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and all affected. As every day, we are grateful for the swift action of our Boca Raton Fire Rescue and Boca Raton Police Services Department. We are grateful for their continued work and our partnerships with other public safety agencies who have also responded. Our community is caring, strong, and resilient, and we will be there to help all affected.”
Baptist Health Expands Proton Therapy Capabilities at Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida announce a significant milestone in the expansion of its proton therapy capabilities at the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute. On April 8, the Cyclotron, critical to delivering precise and targeted cancer treatment, was successfully delivered to the Institute. The Gantry, another essential component of the proton therapy system, arrived shortly after, with installation now underway.
This marks the second proton therapy system within Baptist Health Cancer Care, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to expanding access to advanced cancer care throughout South Florida. Once operational, the Lynn Cancer Institute’s Proton Therapy Center will offer patients in Boca Raton and surrounding communities’ access to one of the most innovative treatment options in radiation oncology without the
New ER Now Open in West Boca.
Baptist Health has made access to emergency care even easier with a new ER in West Boca, an extension of Boca Raton Regional Hospital. From injuries to life-threatening conditions, we’ve got you covered with personalized attention and comprehensive care 24/7, 365 days a year. Plus, skip the trip to the pharmacy afterward with medication to go from Rx Now.
Mission Bay Plaza 10125 Glades Road
The Boca Raton Tribune
Founded January 15, 2010
DOUGLAS HEIZER, Publisher
Our Writers/Reporters and Columnists
KENNY SPAHN
SYNESIO LYRA
ROSA CAVALCANTI
GABRIELA BARBIERI
FAITH
By Rabbi David Steinhardt
THOMAS J. MADDEN
MARCI SHATZMAN
KARTIK KRISHNAIYER MICHAEL
Reflections on 40 Plus Years as a Rabbi
This is a meaningful moment in my life. After 42 years serving three different congregations, I will be retiring this June. For the past 31 of those years, I have had the privilege of serving as the Senior Rabbi at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.
When I was a young man considering my future, my father—a lifelong electrician—encouraged me to take a different path. After decades of physically demanding work, he hoped I wouldn’t follow in his footsteps. He nudged me toward university and professional school, not wanting me to “work with my hands” as he had.
I chose the rabbinate for many reasons, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. Still, after more than four decades in the clergy, I can tell you— it’s not an easy calling. My hands may be soft, but my heart and mind have been fully engaged, constantly working, stretching, and growing.
As I approach this next chapter, I find myself reflecting on the path behind me—on what I’ve done, what I’ve witnessed, and most of all, what I’ve learned. I’d like to share just a few of those reflections now, with more to come in the weeks ahead.
The greatest richness of this work has come from sharing life’s sacred moments with others. I’ve sat beside people in mourning and in celebration, in study and in silence. While I’ve studied sacred texts for half a century, the most profound lessons have come from these encounters—from the lives, stories, and spirits of the people I’ve walked alongside.
I’ve learned that human beings are
remarkably resilient. Time and again, I’ve witnessed people transcend loss and suffering. I’ve seen the healing that flows from love, the strength that comes from connection, and the essential role of family and community in that process.
I’ve seen the wisdom in the teaching that “sorrow shared is halved, and joy shared is doubled.” I’ve come to understand the power of belonging—to gather in prayer, to sing in harmony, to learn together, and to join in a shared mission of compassion and care.
I’ve also learned the importance of stepping outside the walls of our own sanctuaries to meet others with open hearts and open minds. It’s not easy. Most of us hold tightly to the beliefs and practices we were raised with. Few of us are truly taught how to live with difference. But how can we love our neighbor if we do not know them?
This has been one of the most important lessons of my work: the world is in desperate need of greater understanding. When we are not exposed to “the other,” we begin to fear. Fear gives way to hatred. And hatred destroys what is truly holy—the divine spark within every human being.
I am deeply grateful to all those who have been my teachers on this journey. And I’m especially grateful to my father, who taught me the value of hard work and the dignity that comes with it.
In the weeks ahead, I look forward to continuing to reflect and to share— and, most importantly, to keep learning.
Rabbi David Steinhardt is the Senior Rabbi at B’nai Torah Congregation in Boca Raton.
By: Rick Warren FAITH
How Do You Respond to Grace?
“God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us ‘not guilty’—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like.”
Romans 3:22 (TLB)
Salvation is a free gift. You can have all your sins forgiven and get a free ticket to heaven. But, while salvation is free to you, it is also costly—because somebody had to pay for it. When Jesus went to the cross, he paid the price for your sins to be forgiven.
If there were any other way for you to go to heaven, don’t you think God would have used it? If there were any other way for a holy God to let an imperfect person into a perfect place, don’t you think God would have done it rather than sacrifice his own Son? Of course he would have.
Some people claim you can go to heaven by being a good person or by believing God exists. But if that’s true, then why did Jesus have to die? He wouldn’t have submitted himself to that kind of agony if it wasn’t necessary.
The truth is, everyone is full of sin. And a perfect God couldn’t let you into his perfect home without an enormous price being paid for that sin. That’s why it’s not enough to be a good person. In fact, there is no truly good person. The Bible says that every single one of us falls short of God’s holiness. That’s why you need a Savior!
The Bible says, “God says he will accept and acquit us—declare us ‘not guilty’—if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, by coming to Christ, no matter who we are or what we have been like” (Romans 3:22 TLB).
You can come to Christ no matter who you are or what you’ve done. Isn’t that the kindest thing that’s ever been offered to you?
What are you most ashamed of doing? Jesus paid for it. You can stop beating yourself up—because Jesus allowed himself to be beaten up for it instead. You don’t have to pay for something he’s
already paid for!
Turn from your sin today, and trust that Jesus has already paid for it by being your substitute on the cross. It is finished! That’s how much Jesus loves you.
Talk It Over
In the past—or maybe even right now—how have you relied on something other than Jesus (like being a “good person” or just believing God exists) to get you into heaven?
What difference does it make to know that Jesus has paid even for the sin you’re most ashamed of doing? You can come to Christ no matter who you are or what you’ve done. What does that truth mean to you?
No matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, you’ve got a place in God’s forever family ready and waiting for you. The invitation is wide open. Just believe and receive.
Are you ready to accept God’s offer of salvation? Here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.
“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord. I could never be good enough to get into a perfect place.
“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick. com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus. The post How Do You Respond to Grace? appeared first on Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope.
DOUGLAS HEIZER
The
Boca Raton Tribune
COLUMNIST
By: Toni King MEDICARE
MOMENTS
Meet Medicare’s ‘girlfriends’ MAGI and IRMAA
Hi Toni:
I enrolled in a $0 premium Medicare Advantage plan to begin April 1st when I turn 65. I chose to disenroll from my husband’s employer benefits because my monthly premium is $0, making it more cost-effective for us.
Now I am in shock because a Medicare premium of $670.50 was deducted from my Social Security check. I was told by the agent who enrolled me in the Advantage plan that my premium would be $0.
My husband John is 63 and wants to continue working until he is 70. He is a vice president of a local bank and has a nice salary. I may have made a mistake by enrolling in this Medicare Advantage plan and leaving his employer plan. I cannot return to his plan until January of next year. Can you please explain what I did wrong?
–Susan from Atlanta
Hello Susan:
You have been introduced to Medicare’s girlfriends: MAGI (Modified Adjusted Gross Income) which explains what your yearly income bracket is and IRMAA (Income Related Monthly Adjusted Amount) which shows what your monthly premium will be.
Besides the two girlfriends, Medicare also has two family members: the IRS and Social Security. The IRS informs Social Security that both yours and John’s income from your last filed tax return was between $400,000-$750,000 and Social Security deducts the $670.50 from your monthly Social Security check for your Medicare premium. Susan, the premium for your Medicare Advantage plan is still $0. That has not changed.
In 2025, if your yearly tax return income filed as an individual was $106,000 or less or filing a joint tax return was $212,000 or less, then Medicare Part B premium would be $185 monthly, without additional IRMAA added. Those, like you, whose income is higher than $106,000 as an individual or $212,000 as a couple, will pay a higher amount with the additional IRMAA added to your monthly premium. Social Security explains in the letter that was mailed to you how they arrived at the Part B and D pre-
miums based on your MAGI from your last filed tax return and that you will have the additional IRMAA premium added.
The IRMAA rule for Medicare went into effect regarding additional IRMAA premiums on January 1, 2011, and new Medicare Part B and D premiums for the different income brackets began being released every fall to begin January 1.
Medicare confusion begins when one approaches 65 and is bombarded by call centers and mountains of direct mail advertising. America needs to realize that the person on the other side of the call is only looking to make a sale and not always providing proper information.
Susan, had you contacted the Toni Says Medicare team, we would have advised you not to enroll in Medicare Part B, since you were covered with your husband’s employer benefits, but to enroll in Part B when John decides to retire. When John retires at 70, there will be a different process for enrolling in Medicare. (Chapter 1 of my Medicare Survival Guide Advanced edition explains the different ways to enroll in Medicare properly, based on one’s circumstances.)
When John finally retires, he will have a special situation known as a “Life-Changing Event” which can lower your IRMAA premium. A few of the life-changing events that can make your MAGI go down are:
— Married, divorced or your spouse has died
— You or your spouse have stopped working or reduced hours
— Loss of income producing property
— Loss of pension income
Use form SSA-44 (Medicare IRMAA-Life-changing event form) to advise Social Security of your change in income. Visit SSA.gov or email info@ tonisays.com for a copy of the form.
Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare and health insurance issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. The “Medicare Survival Guide Advanced” edition and her new “Confused about Medicare” video series are available at www.tonisays.com.
SOLVITUR AMBULANDO
By: Douglas G Logan
Choke
The headlines the next day all read the same. “Duke Choked”. In the semi-final game in the NCAA basketball tournament last week, the Blue Devils were cruising with a comfortable lead. All of a sudden, at the end of the game, the most talented team in the nation squandered that lead and was overtaken by Houston.
For the last three minutes of the game you could tell they were going to lose. You could see it in their faces. They were all worried.
“People choke under pressure because they worry. They worry about the situation, its consequences, and what others will think. They worry about what they will lose if they fail to succeed.”
So wrote Sian Beilock in her 2010 seminal book on the topic, “Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To”. Beilock is currently President of Dartmouth College.
The act of choking frequently has an antecedent: delay, dithering, procrastination, hesitation. Failure to mo -
bilize. This should be distinguished from a healthy trait in stressful times. A short pause to clearly asses the situation.
In the final sections of her book, Beilock suggests eight rules for helping the skilled performer succeed when the time arises:
-Find a mantra to repeat to yourself
-Make a slight change to your technique (I modulate my voice, speak slower)
-Distract yourself
-Don’t sAlow down
-Practice and rehearse under stress
-Don’t dwell
-Focus on the outcome, not the process or the mechanics
-Focus on the positive
This is Masters week in Augusta. Every year, upon turning the tournament on, my first thought is of Greg Norman and 1996. He entered the final round six strokes ahead and wound up losing by five strokes to Nick Faldo. I wonder if things would have turned out differently if he had Sian Beilock’s book beforehand.
By: Clay Jones
CARTOON Smoochy Smoochy
By: Tom Madden
Whenever Condo Carpeting Gets Overly Complex Consult his Majesty, King of Carpet Crisis Management
That’s me. I’m King of the Condo, the title of one of my books. I wrote it while I was president of one in South Palm Beach. You see, when selecting a carpet for a condo, often discord arises sometimes requiring one of my specialties, carpet crisis management. If so, here are steps I’d recommend that you consider.
Condo boards, even at upscale residences, must first consider cost effectiveness, longevity and resilience (durability). Next is to be mindful of costs and benefits of maintenance, sound insulation, fire resistance and environmental repercussions.
But the icing on the cake, what will impress residents the most, will be beauty. How luxurious that carpet’s going to look when laid down!
Wool carpets are most suited for residential use and carpets made of nylons are best for commercial applications such as in airports, gyms and schools. Best overall is a wool/nylon blend, a carpet combining the benefits of both, making it the preferred choice for both hotels and condominiums.
Choosing the right carpet
The benefits of a blended carpet come from wool being a natural fiber, which can regulate humidity, and made without harsh chemicals is also flame retardant, strong and durable. Because nylon is a synthetic material, having it blended in helps to resist mold and mildew, making it an ideal combo for residential hallways, maybe even Presidential hallways such as at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago!
Condo boards must keep in mind, however, that some materials and products required will have been manufactured outside the United States, so recent tariffs can have an impact on both availability and cost.
At many condos, design selections will have been in the works for quite some time before the procurement stage. Also, requests for proposals now should be focused on sourcing within the U.S. as much as possible, purchasing materials upfront and negotiating protections from an onslaught of price escalations.
Condos should favor vendors and sources with better pricing and product availability, so it’s best to have multiple general contractors bid on the work.
Ingredients
There will always be some condo residents who will not find wool, or a cut
pile carpet, the best choice for hallways. They say it will look beautiful on installation but won’t hold up with humidity and wear and tear hallways always experience.
These critics will prefer a synthetic nylon, a level loop carpet, which they feel would be far better as within a short time a cut pile wool carpet will hold odors, become disgustingly stained and be difficult, if not impossible to maintain.
This dissident condo crowd will criticize the board of directors or wreckers by pointing out that blended carpets in luxury hotels don’t have long term viability. Here is the argument they’ll make:
“We are not a luxury hotel that replaces the carpet every 4 to 6 years.”
They will argue that the current condo carpet will have been in place for over 14 years by the time it’s replaced or put to rest.
Sorry, I don’t agree
While I commend critics for speaking out on carpets, I don’t necessarily agree that a carpet needs to last 14 years, especially as a good percentage of the mostly senior and retired residents may not last that long themselves.
Frankly, after six or seven years I get tired of the same old, same old, which inevitably begins to look its age just like us. But I say bravo to critics for their courage especially when offering educated points of view from relevant professional experience, as it did from a friend of mine recently.
And certainly, what they say makes sense financially, but aren’t most residents in condos on the South Florida coastline pretty well off, especially in Palm Beach County in that regard, or how else could they afford to be where they are?
The latest message from the board at my condo about the material alterations program and design package was in my opinion presented as clearly, as detailed and cogently expressed as can be.
So, those who are still objecting need to reevaluate, rethink or maybe have their heads examined because this is an excellent plan that needs to be executed and we’re wasting valuable time. So, I urge that we vote in favor and move ahead!!!
Oh well, that’s my two cents for as an author, the only carpeting I do is with words on pages. And I hope you’re carpeting your bookshelves with my books and reading my blogs at www.maddenmischief.com!
MONDAY MANNAT
By: Christopher C. Simpson
Leading In The Uncertain Middle
Beginnings captivate us. Endings bring relief or celebration. But leadership? Leadership happens in the middle – the long, unglamorous stretch where the path forward is not always clear, where crises emerge uninvited, and where the weight of responsibility presses down with relentless force.
This is where most leaders live. You are managing a team, making decisions, building something meaningful – and suddenly, you are caught in the middle of something far bigger than you expected. An economic downturn. An employee on the brink of collapse. A moral crossroads you never saw coming. The middle is unpredictable, messy, and often exhausting. And it’s right here that leaders begin to ask: What in the world is happening?!
Here is the challenge: The middle is where fear thrives. When outcomes are uncertain, the temptation is to seize control, retreat, or wait until clarity arrives. But what if clarity never comes? What if God is calling you to lead, not with certainty, but with trust?
Think about Israel’s story in Exodus. We know the dramatic beginning: Joseph, miraculously raised to power in Egypt, preserving God’s people. We know the triumphant ending: Moses, the plagues, the Red Sea splitting open to provide divine deliverance for the Israelites. But what about the middle?
For 430 years, generations were born, worked, and died in slavery – clinging to promises they never saw fulfilled: no signs, no timeline, no explanation of how their suffering fit into God’s plan. Yet, history shows us what they could not see: God was working. Behind the silence, His plan was unfolding, preparing a deliverer, setting the stage for redemption. The middle felt like chaos. But it was not chaos. It was divine providence.
That is where so many leaders stand today. We celebrate success stories and hear about defining breakthroughs. But no one talks about the slow, grueling middle – the years of unseen faithfulness, the sacrifices that feel unnoticed, the tension of not knowing if your efforts will ever pay off.
Yet this is where God is at work. Your leadership is not just about hitting targets, executing strategies, or climbing the ladder. It is about being faithfully present where God has placed you. And the astonishing truth of Scripture is that He does not wait for you to figure it all out before He moves. He’s not waiting at the finish line with crossed arms. He is in the middle. In the uncertainty. In the pressure. In the very place you are tempted to try to escape.
And here is the best news: God is
not asking for fearless, flawless faith. He delights in leaders who just keep showing up, even when they feel like they are barely holding on.
So, if you are in the middle right now – leading through uncertainty, shouldering burdens that feel beyond you – know this: You are not abandoned. That thread you are desperately clinging to? It is anchored to an unshakable God. Leadership is not about your ability to control the future. It is about trusting the One who already holds it. Hold on.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What does it mean to lead with trust rather than certainty? How have you seen God work in situations where you lacked clarity?
2. How do you recognize God’s presence in the “middle” of your leadership journey? Can you recall a season where you felt you were waiting on God?
Why does God often work behind the scenes instead of giving us immediate answers? How does the story of Israel’s 430 years of waiting in Egypt while enslaved challenge your perspective on God’s timing?
What temptations do leaders face when they feel out of control, and how can we respond faithfully? How can Scripture help you resist the urge to act out of fear rather than faith?
How can we encourage and strengthen others who are leading in the uncertain middle? What can you do to remind your team, colleagues, or family that God is present in their uncertainty?
Biblical Passages for Further Exploration
Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” A reminder that leadership is about trust, not personal control.
Exodus 3:7-8 – “Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry… And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians.’” God sees, hears, and acts—even when it feels like He is silent.
Psalm 27:13-14 – “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Encouragement for those in the middle, learning to wait with faith.
Scan the QR code to learn more:
MORE LEADING DOCTORS IN MORE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
Our newest practice, NYU Langone Medical Associates—West Palm Beach, offers gastroenterology and pain management services . With the vast array of specialties we provide throughout Palm Beach County, streamlining access to care is vital. That’s why we use a single electronic health record for each patient across all of our locations, so they and every medical professional can access their conditions, tests, images, medications, and more. NYU Langone Health is committed to bringing you exceptional care from leading doctors…with much more coming soon.
Better health starts with
CHARITY
Look Who Won Rotary’s Youth Talent Show
By Marci Shatzman
The talented students who won and the new venue were all winners at the 21st “Future Stars Performing Arts Competition” sponsored by The Rotary Club of Boca Raton.
The show on April 11 took place for the first time at the Countess de Hoernle Theatre for the Performing Arts on the campus of Spanish River High School. Formerly held in Mizner Park Amphitheater, this year’s “Future Stars” was such a big hit, the singers, dancers and the audience lined up to pose in the lobby’s step-and-repeat backdrop, said show chairman Chris Maners.
Here’s the list of winners:
High School Vocal
1st Place: Lila Fuchs
2nd Place: Sydney Atherton
3rd Place: Karley Kopacz
Director’s Choice
Zachary Kopelman
Middle School Vocal
1st Place: Samantha Schmerling
2nd Place: Lucas Knight
3rd Place: Aurielle Neu
Solo Dance
1st Place: Gaby Lopez
2nd Place: Calista Marowitz
3rd Place: Izzy Ford
Group Dance
1st Place: Precision Seniors
2nd Place: Precision Radiate
3rd Place: Precision Ignite
“I’m so very proud of our ‘Future Stars’ 2025 finalists and congratulate our winners! Thirty performers took the stage at our new venue, the Countess
de Hoernle Theatre for the Performing Arts, Boca Raton, and thrilled the audience with their vocal and dance talent,” Maners said in a statement. “I want to thank The Rotary Club of Boca Raton’s members who volunteered countless hours to create and stage the show, the School District of Palm Beach County that provided use of the theater, and our numerous individual and corporate sponsors who made the show possible through their generous donations.”
Rotarian Dr. Dennis Frisch and Sara Grant, company manager, Sol Theatre in Boca Raton, were the emcees. Judges were Dan Guin, executive and co-artistic director, Boca Ballet Theatre; Jared Hershkowitz, Broadway actor, director, producer; Lauren Henry, Broadway, TV and film actor, singer and dancer; Alejandro Sanchez-Samper, four-time time Grammy Award nominee, faculty advisor to Hoot/Wisdom Recordings, FAU’s official record label; and Ryn Deyo, manager and instructor, Dance Attack Dance Company.
How to Upgrade Your Household Shopping Routine
(StatePoint) From cleaning essentials to beauty supplies, store aisles are packed with brands competing for your loyalty. Making sense of all the labels and product features can be a challenge, that is, without proper guidance.
Helping you cut through the mass of products on shelves and narrow in on the best household essentials is Product of the Year. As the largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, winners represent the products that make consumers’ lives better or easier.
“The distinctive red seal found on the packaging of our award winners can serve as your beacon in a crowded marketplace,” says Mike Nolan, global CEO or Product of the Year Management. “Knowing a particular product was tested and loved by 40,000 other shoppers can make the task of shopping that much easier for you.”
As you stock up on household and personal items, consider these 25 Product of the Year winners, all of which stood out in their respective categories.
• Beauty: Schwarzkopf Keratin Root Color & Thickening Spray
• Body Wash: Dial Healthy Hydration Body Wash
• Car Care: Valvoline Restore & Protect
• Cat Care: Petivity (powered by Purina) Smart Litter Box Monitor System
• Cat Food: SHEBA Gravy Indulgence
• Cough & Cold: MUCINEX InstaSoothe Cough Relief
• Dog Food: Supreme Source Premium Mix-Ins
• Dog Treat: Supreme Source Savory Jerky Cuts
• Home Solutions: TAMKO Storm-
Fighter FLEX
• Household Cleaning Essential: The Pink Stuff, The Miracle Cleaning Paste
• Pet Health: NaturVet Advanced Probiotics & Enzymes
• Surface Cleaner: Windex Fast Shine Foam
• Sustainable Kitchen: Compost Genie
• VMS: Natural Vitality CALM
For a chance to win a selection of this year’s award winning products, visit productoftheyearusa.com/sweepstakes. For more information and the complete list of this year’s forty-two winners, visit productoftheyearusa. com, and follow along on social media with #POYUSA2025 on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
While researching each product individually is useful, it’s a time-consuming task you likely don’t have the time for. Fortunately, resources exist that can expedite the process of being an informed shopper.
The Top Trending Paint Projects of the Year to Tackle at Home
(StatePoint) Need fresh ideas and practical tips to elevate your home’s interiors?
Backed by in-depth research, FrogTape brand painter’s tape’s “What’s Trending” report reveals the top projects on DIYers’ wish lists, as well as how fixer-uppers of all skill levels can bring these emerging projects to life:
1. Furniture Flips. Nearly 80% of DIYers say they’re considering upcycling old furniture with a little paint within the next year.
2. Creative Cabinets. Painting kitchen or bathroom cabinets? Use a low-adhesion, premium painter’s tape. A great choice is FrogTape Delicate Surface Painter’s Tape. Its exclusive PaintBlock Technology seals tape edges and blocks paint bleed for sharp paint lines, and was specially designed to prevent damage on freshly-painted surfaces.
3. Color Drenching. Creating a canopy of one rich, deep hue across an entire room—including walls, trim and even the ceiling—is among the year’s
most sought-after painting projects. Use drop cloths or paint tarps to protect flooring and furniture, and FrogTape Multi-Surface painter’s tape to separate areas and ensure sharp lines.
4. Touches of Texture. Homeowners are making interiors feel warm and welcoming by adding depth and dimension to walls, accent furniture and fireplaces. Another emerging technique is applying limewash paint—a mixture of crushed limestone and natural pigments—for a texturized, moody finish.
5. Nature-Inspired Murals and Faux Wallpaper. Whether it’s hand-drawn organic shapes or botanical brushstrokes, DIYers are favoring nature-inspired elements to make walls pop. Consider using painter’s tape or stencils to gain confidence in your design.
For more inspiration and tips, visit FrogTape.com.
No matter which project you undertake, the right painter’s tape can help you realize your beautiful, on-trend vision.
ENTERTAINMENT
Arts Garage Unveils ‘Veterans’ Visions: In Honor of the Brave’
Exhibition Celebrates Artists Who Are Also Veterans by Honoring Their Courage and Sacrifice Through Their Creative work
DELRAY BEACH, Fla.– Arts Garage, a Visual & Performing Arts Venue located in Delray Beach, proudly presents ‘Veterans’ Visions: In Honor of the Brave,’ a new visual arts exhibition honoring military veterans who express their lived experiences through art. The exhibition will be on view in the Marshall Family Foundation Gallery from May 2 through June 30, 2025, with special relevance during Memorial Day (May 26).
Located at 94 NE 2nd Ave, Arts Garage continues its mission of connecting the community to the world through the arts—this time by spotlighting the powerful work of artists who are also veterans. Veterans’ Visions showcases a wide array of artistic styles and mediums, all united by the voices and perspectives of those who have courageously served.
Featured artists include:
Andy Hollimon – Evening Sun Before the Storm
A self-taught 2D oil and acrylic painter, Hollimon transitioned from a military and corporate HR career to a life in the arts and education. Based in Lake Worth, FL, his richly colored works tell stories grounded in the belief that “vision is our portal to all sensory perception.”Igor Edshteyn – Triangles 4
Known artistically as Edgor, Edshteyn emigrated from Ukraine in the late 1980s. A longtime civil and envi-
ronmental engineer, he found art as a path through illness. His pieces— blending acrylic, oil, ink, and mixed media—evoke expressionism and surrealism, exploring themes of identity, mortality, and emotion.
Allan Creary – Pop Art Cubism
Featuring Marilyn
A Jamaican-born veteran and digital artist, Creary’s colorful, boundary-pushing works span traditional and emerging platforms, including blockchain and app-based art. His pieces have been featured in Black.Art.Matters., FLAVAR, and Palm Beach County’s MOSAIC initiative.
Honor Portraits – Howard Zolin: Army, Specialist E4, Motor Sergeant
Founded by Jerry Whitty and Flora Zolin, Honor Portraits, Inc. is a nonprofit offering free, professional portraits to veterans as a tribute to their service. To date, they’ve captured the stories of more than 750 veterans across the country.
“Veterans’ Visions is a moving tribute to those who have served and now use creativity as a means of reflection, healing, and connection,” said Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage. “Their art tells stories that deepen our collective understanding of courage, sacrifice, and the human experience.”
The Marshall Family Foundation Gallery at Arts Garage is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. and during performance hours.
Photos courtesy of Arts Garage attached.
Old School Square Rolls Out More Concerts in Downtown Delray Beach
Delray Beach, Florida: The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has announced three more concerts coming to Old School Square in the next two months. The concerts showcase a diverse lineup of tribute bands – covering a range of musical genres from pop and country to rock ‘n’ roll, 80s/90s hits, and more – and all take place at the Amphitheatre at Old School Square (51 N Swinton Ave) in Downtown Delray Beach.
The Upcoming Schedule Includes:
Thursday, April 17, 2025: “Homegrown: The Zac Brown Experience” – This Tampa-based tribute band delivers an authentic Zac Brown Band concert experience. Gates open at 5 p.m., opener Cliff Cody begins at 6 p.m., and headliners Homegrown take the stage at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $10 (free for kids 12 and under) in advance or $15 at the gate. VIP tickets are $50 and include access to our exclusive VIP lounge with a dedicated bar, seating near the stage, and one free drink. Tickets available at tickets.delrayoldschoolsquare.com or at the gate.
Thursday, May 15, 2025: “The Dave Matthews Tribute Band” – The only
nationally touring tribute to Dave Matthews Band since 2004, this five-piece group delivers the energy and intimacy of a true DMB live show. Gates open at 5 p.m., music starts at 6 p.m., and the headliner hits the stage at 7:30 p.m.
General admission is $10 (free for kids 12 and under) in advance or $15 at the gate. VIP tickets are $50 and include access to our exclusive VIP lounge with a dedicated bar, seating near the stage, and one free drink. Tickets available at
tickets.delrayoldschoolsquare.com or at the gate.
Friday, May 23, 2025: FREE “Bon Jovi Tribute” – The Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff of Old School Square’s FREE Sunset Concerts features the #1 nationally-touring Bon Jovi Tribute Band “Living on a Bad Name.” The concert is free and open to the public. Happy Hour in the Park from 5 to 6 p.m. Concert is 6 to 9 p.m. General admission is free. Bring your own lawn chair or you can enjoy our VIP Experience for $50. The VIP Experience includes access to our exclusive VIP lounge with a dedicated bar, seating near the stage, and one free drink. Tickets available at tickets.delrayoldschoolsquare.com in advance.
The DDA invites everyone – rain or shine – to bring lawn chairs and their dancing shoes and enjoy a night of entertainment with some of the best regional and national bands! Guests are encouraged to bring takeout from a local restaurant or purchase food and drinks from the local restaurant vendors featured onsite. There are no coolers or outside alcohol allowed. No weapons and no smoking at the venue.
OBITUARY
Honoring Fire Chief Kerry Koen: A Life of Leadership, Service, and Heart
The phone rang at 1:58 p.m., interrupting the silence. Seeing Kerry Koen’s name —former fire chief of Delray Beach and Boca Raton — I lit up as if my late mother were calling. “Chief, what’s going on?” I said, only to hear his wife, Lynn. “This is not Chief. He passed away in his sleep Friday, [April 11].”
My heart sank. It was the third loss I had learned of in 24 hours—alongside retired Boca Raton police Capt. Kevin McCoy and legendary broadcaster Wink Martindale.
Chief Koen, 80, had faced significant health challenges. Some leaders command respect, while others inspire it by how they serve, uplift, and lead with integrity. Chief Koen was the latter.
To know him was to witness dedication, not just in moments of crisis, but in the unseen, tireless efforts that build safer communities. He did not just lead; he lifted. He did not simply command; he connected. He did not just enforce fire codes; he envisioned safer cities, stronger emergency response systems, and a fire department whose impact stretched far beyond the walls of a burning building.
“He was always the same way. He was an innovator, always working to make things better, always working to make sure the public received the best care and his employees were prepared to deal with the job,” said former Delray Beach City Manager David Harden. “He was one of the innovative leaders in the fire service and we were very fortunate to have brought him to Delray Beach from Memphis.”
In the early 1990s, when KOP Mentoring Network (then Knights of Py-
thagoras) gathered school-aged boys on Saturdays, Chief Koen opened the doors of the old fire station on West Atlantic Avenue for them to meet. He believed in mentoring as much as he believed in safety.
As a reporter at a local daily newspaper, I rarely covered Chief Koen or his department.
Yet, I never passed up an opportunity to be in his presence. Upon retiring, I cherished every moment spent with him in his study. An avid reader, he shared stories, leadership wisdom, and insights that surpassed anything I could have learned in a classroom. Each time I pulled out of his driveway, I eagerly anticipated my next visit.
oned automatic fire sprinkler systems, advanced life support training, and cutting-edge equipment.
But his greatest legacy was not in policies. It was in people.
For decades, he led fire departments into a new era of innovation. It was not just about extinguishing flames—it was about igniting change. Under his leadership, firefighters anticipated emergencies, prepared meticulously, and improved safety standards. He champi-
To his firefighters, he was not just “Chief.” He was a mentor, a friend, and a protector. He believed in them, fought for them, and challenged them to be better—not just for their own careers, but for the people whose lives depended on their skill and courage. His leadership was not distant; it was personal. He took the time to know the men and women who served under him, understanding not just their roles but their dreams, their families, their struggles.
“He was the only chief I respected,” said retired Lt. Randy Straghn, who served Delray Beach for 25 years. “He was honest, you could trust him. He was fair, he was cordial, and he genuinely cared about the people. He would always ask, ‘How is the family? How are you doing?’”
He instinctively knew when morale needed a boost, when a firefighter needed encouragement, and when a community needed reassurance. His presence was a compass in crisis.
Even after his fire service career, Chief embraced his passions. Photography was not just a hobby—it was his way of capturing life’s fleeting beauty. His sunrise shots reminded us to cherish each day.
He was also a man of deep faith — a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His service extended beyond his title, woven into daily kindness, leadership, and community involvement.
“He was efficient, transparent, and open,” said Yvonne Odom, who got to know him well when he selected eight residents in 2001 to lead an initiative honoring Alfred ‘Zack’ Straghn’s efforts in integrating the city’s beach. “He never made decisions until he ran it by the group. He practiced what he preached.”
Chief Koen leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, integrity, and unwavering compassion. He shaped generations of firefighters, strengthened communities, and touched countless lives.
A viewing will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, at North Creek Presbyterian Church in Coconut Creek, with services at 11 a.m. Interment follows at 11 a.m. on May 3 at Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis.
Fire Chief Kerry Koen did not just serve — he shaped, inspired, and protected. His flame will never be extinguished in the hearts of those who knew him.
C. Ron Allen can be reached at 561665-0151or c.ron@kopmn.org.
The Boca Raton Tribune
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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF File No. 50-2025-CP-000513-XXXA-MB Division PROBATE JAMES EARLY, Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The administration of the estate of JAMES EARLY, deceased, whose date of death was January 16, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is, 205 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative's attorney are set forth below.
All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate, on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent's estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIOD SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT'DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. Signed on this 2 ND day of APRIL, 4/2/2025 . The date of first publication of this notice is April 10, 2025
David Zachary Smith, Esq Attorney for Personal Representative Florida Bar No. 0968110 SMITH & SMITH GROUP, PLLC 10491 Ben C. Pratt/6 Mile Cypress Parkway Box 256 Fort Myers, Florida 33966 Telephone: 239-400-5205 Email: losspc@gmail.com Secondary Email: losspc@aol.com
CAROL EARLY Personal Representative 105 Talbot St., Effort, PA 18330
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned desiring to engage in business under the fictitious name of DOPE CFO CERTIFIED ADVISOR located at 2226 NW 52nd St., BOCA RATON, FL 33496, intends to register the said name with the Division of Corporations of The Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida. Dated at Boca Raton, Florida, April 17, 2025. Owner Emerald Harbor Consulting LLC
Sr. Asso., Data Reporting needed by BV Insights in Boca Raton, FL (WFH ok anywhere in the U.S.) to analyze, manipulate, & process data. Reqs: Bachelor’s or foreign equiv’t in Info. Sys. or rel., plus 2 yrs. exp. as a Sr. Asso., Asso., Intern, or rel. Exp. must include configuring online dashboard according to data visualization best practices; process data sets using IBM SPSS SW; Online reporting tools include. Qualtrics, Power BI, Tableau, and Forsta Visualization; database include. MS Access, SQL & Oracle; Prgm. languages include. Java, R. HTML, & CSS; extracting & manipulating data from reporting envir’t; ensuring accuracy & quality of client data; & Configuring media consumption platform to facilitate clients with media planning. Salary from $62K to $70K. Send resume to BV Insights at jobs@big-village.com (list job title in subject line)
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
IN RE: ESTATE OF PROBATE DIVISION ELOISE PYSER File No. 2025-CP-1460 Deceased.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
If you have been served with a copy of this notice and you have any claim or demand against the decedents’ estate, even if that claim is unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated, you must file your claim with the court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF A DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons who have claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, including unmatured, contingent, or unliquidated claims, must file their claims with the court, ON OR BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS 3 MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE PERIOD SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702, FLORIDA STATUTES, WILL BE FOREVER BARRED.
EVEN IF A CLAIM IS NOT BARRED BY THE LIMITATIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE, ALL CLAIMS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FILED WILL BE BARRED TWO YEARS AFTER DECEDENT’S DEATH.
The case number and decedent’s name are: ELOISE PYSER, File Number 2025-CP-1460.
The address of the court where this probate is pending is: Circuit Court for Palm Beach County, Florida, 205 N. Dixie Hwy. 3rd Floor, Room: 3.2300, West Palm Beach, FL, 33401.
A Personal Representative or curator has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216-732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211.
Date of death of the decedent is: 80/20/2023.
The date of first publication of this notice is: April 17, 2025.
The second week of publication is: April 24, 2025.
Personal Representative(s): Scott M. Pyser.
Attorney for the representative(s): By:_/s/Matthew T. Morrison
Matthew T. Morrison, Esquire Florida Bar No. 1005203
5121 S. Lakeland Dr, Suite 2 Lakeland, Florida 33813
Nanny – Live-in Care for three children, one of whom has Autism, in a private household and provide support to parents in satisfying children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs. Responsibilities include general supervision, assisting with daily activities, and supporting developmental needs, including actively participating in child therapy sessions and generalizing across settings. Driving children to afterschool activities, light cooking, and housekeeping. Additionally, engage with children in activities and play that stimulate their development. Impl menting therapy homework, creating and reinforcing ro tines, adapting the home environment, tailoring creative activities to individual capabilities, modeling appropriate behaviors, reinforcing and training in good social skills, hygiene care, feeding, taking children to therapy appointments. Must have 1 year experience in the job offered or 1 year of experience working with neurodiverse children. Apply by resume to Suzanne Diaz, 20899 Avenel Run, Boca Raton, FL 33428.
