160+ programs of study, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, and professional certificate programs.
40,000 students attend PBSC, the largest higher education institution in the county, with online options and five campus locations.
500 industry partners focused on fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering technology, cybersecurity, and nursing.
$1.4 billion impact on the county’s economy, which is the equivalent of supporting more than 18,100 jobs.
Now Offering New Treatment for Enlarged Prostate
Wellington Regional Medical Center is now offering Aquablation® therapy with the new HYDROS™ Robotic System, the next-generation platform to treat men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an enlarged prostate.
What is BPH?
BPH is an unfortunate reality of aging for millions of men and impacts urinary function, making it difficult to urinate and fully empty the bladder. Without timely treatment, BPH can lead to severe health issues such as permanent bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence.
What has been the treatment option for BPH?
The standard treatment option has been surgery, but this has been shown to impact sexual function and continence.
What is Aquablation therapy?
Aquablation therapy can provide BPH symptom relief while preserving sexual function and continence across prostates of all shapes and sizes. It uses ultrasound-guided, roboticassisted waterjet technology that targets which prostate tissue to remove and which to preserve.
Why is this procedure so beneficial for patients?
With Aquablation therapy, men can reclaim their lifestyles and find relief from symptoms while preserving sexual function and continence.
11 RPB ROTARY TO HONOR VILLAGE AT JUNE 14 TRIBUTE DINNER
Final plans are now being implemented by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club to celebrate the first 65 years of the Village of Royal Palm Beach on the evening of Saturday, June 14. BY MIKE MAY
14 ROYAL PALM BEACH TIMELINE
Join us as we celebrate the first 65 years of the Village of Royal Palm Beach with a year-by-year review of key events in the history of the community, starting long before the village was incorporated in 1959 and continuing until today.
19 ROOTED: WORLD-CLASS ART FOR A WORLD-CLASS VILLAGE
One of the reasons that Royal Palm Beach is such a beautiful place to live is the variety of public art in the community. The village’s latest public artwork, called “Rooted,” is a fascinating creation designed with the community in mind.
BY DENIS EIRIKIS
22 THE ENDURING LEGACY OF JESS SANTAMARIA
The history of Royal Palm Beach would be incomplete without a look at Jess R. Santamaria’s contributions to the community, starting in its formative years and continuing until today.
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
26 FROM A BOLD DREAM TO A THRIVING COMMUNITY
Honored for its family-friendly appeal and with one of the highest parkland-per-capita ratios in all of South Florida, Royal Palm Beach has cherished its “Mayberry-esque” reputation for 65 years — and it all started with an audacious dream of a new community that was, quite literally, out in the middle of nowhere.
40 A VISION FOR RPB: LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT 65 YEARS
In celebrating 65 years of excellence, Royal Palm Beach honors a long legacy of success. Key to that success is the leadership of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
The new “Rooted” sculpture in front of Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. PHOTO BY STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ
MORE LEADING DOCTORS IN MORE OF PALM BEACH COUNTY.
Primary Care - Cardiology - Dermatology - Endocrinology
Gastroenterology - Gynecology - Obesity Medicine - Orthopedic Surgery
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - Physical Therapy
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 a better health system.
From The Desk Of Ray Liggins, Royal Palm Beach Village Manager
As we mark another year of growth, your village leadership reviews our past year’s work, considers the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead, and determines our plans for the next year or two. One area we continually seek to improve is how we share information with our residents. We want to make sure that staying informed is easy and convenient. Here are several ways you can stay updated with what is happening in the village: Village Web Site — The village web site at www. royalpalmbeachfl.gov has all the village information and links. Use the keyword search bar in the middle of the page to find your desired information or click on the topic of your choice. Find your favorite park on the interactive map under the “Explore” tab. Watch a live meeting or one of the many archived meetings on the YouTube link. Review the monthly calendar, see the latest news, ask the council a question, learn how to get a permit with the “How Do I” tab or pull down the list of documents you can subscribe to. There is a plethora of information on the village web site. I challenge you to spend some time looking around, and if you think there is something we forgot and should be included or improved, please let us know.
It is posted online, on social media, e-mailed to subscribers and printed copies are available at key locations throughout the community.
Mayor’s Vector Newsletter — This is a monthly digital newsletter that comes out with each Royal Palm Beach Village Council agenda. The Mayor’s Vector highlights council action from the previous meeting, upcoming council meeting dates and issues, and provides access to digital resources, like Community Connections and the New Resident Guide. It is available online to subscribers.
Business Guide — This is an annual comprehensive digital resource for new and prospective business owners, offering tips and guidance on opening and operating a business within Royal Palm Beach.
New Resident Guide — This is an online document that offers vital community information for newcomers, including council contacts, public services, event schedules, park maps, utility information and more.
Village Voice E-Newsletters — The Village Voice provides residents with a monthly overview of upcoming events, council meetings, community reminders and other important updates. It is available digitally via the village web site, posted on social media and e-mailed to subscribers.
Community Connections Magazine — This comprehensive magazine offers detailed coverage of village events, rental facilities, PBSO and public safety updates, and general community news. It is available online, shared on social media, e-mailed to subscribers and printed copies are available at Royal Palm Beach Village Hall, the Cultural Center, the Recreation Center and Commons Park. The village will also mail a copy to any resident requesting one.
Rec Trac — Rec Trac is the village’s online Parks & Recreation platform, allowing residents to register for youth and senior programs, reserve pavilions and more.
Digital Sign Bulletins — Located at key intersections and public buildings, the digital signs display reminders for council meetings, upcoming events, holiday hours and other village notices.
Printed Flyers — Printed event flyers are available for all signature events and distributed at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center and Sporting Center. Flyers promote youth programs, senior activities, concerts and more.
WPBF 25 Collaboration — The village partners with WPBF 25, a local news outlet, to promote signature events through televised segments, interviews and digital articles. The information is also available on the station’s web site and social media channels.
Social Media Platforms — Our social media pages on Facebook, X and Instagram serve as daily sources of real-time updates about the village, including announcements, event promotions, community highlights and post-event recaps. Posting begins up to two months in advance with weekly reminders.
Hurricane Guide — This annual publication is released at the beginning of hurricane season each year in June. The guide provides crucial hurricane preparedness tips, flood zone maps, emergency contact information and disaster readiness checklists.
Stay tuned! In the near future, the village will be deploying a mobile app that will put village resources and information at your fingertips. We will look to deliver brief highlights and eventspecific notifications and reminders to residents, with messaging sent in advance and on the day of the event to boost attendance and engagement. We also have the potential to launch targeted ad campaigns through Meta Business to increase attendance at events such as West Fest, the Rock N Fall Fest, Winter Fest, Seafood Fest and Veterans Day. It can be tailored by interest, location and demographics to reach a wider audience.
If you have an idea that will seek to improve how we provide information to our residents, feel free to share your ideas with me at rliggins@royalpalmbeachfl.gov.
Village Manager
Dear Royal Palm Beach Community Members,
As president of the Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach, I am thrilled and honored to be able to salute the village we serve for the important milestone of 65 years as a community.
We will honor the Village of Royal Palm Beach at our club’s annual tribute dinner, to be held this year on Saturday, June 14 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. We invite everyone from the community to join us in this celebration! To get your tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for “RPB Rotary Tribute Dinner.”
While the Village of Royal Palm Beach dates back to 1959, the Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach was founded in 1990. For the past 35 years, we have been doing our best to put “Service Above Self,” helping and supporting the community we all love.
This has included supporting community events, providing scholarships, and helping those in need all throughout the year, and particularly during the holiday season. I am also very proud of our work sponsoring a Rotary Interact Club at Royal Palm Beach High School, passing down our “Service Above Self” motto to the next generation. Our club also regularly honors educators and first responders for their support to the Village of Royal Palm Beach.
Royal Palm Beach has come a long way in the past 65 years, and I am proud to see how my adopted hometown has grown and matured into the amazing, diverse, beautiful and friendly community it is today. I’m sure that like me, you are proud of our village. I look forward to seeing what great things the next 65 years bring for Royal Palm Beach.
Yours in service,
Lynn Balch
Lynn Balch, President Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach
RPB Rotary Club To Honor Village’s First 65 Years At June 14 Tribute Dinner
BY MIKE MAY
Final plans are now being implemented by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club to celebrate the first 65 years of the Village of Royal Palm Beach. On the evening of Saturday, June 14, the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center will be the venue to honor, recognize and celebrate the village, which was founded in 1959.
Between 200 and 250 people are expected to gather for this special tribute dinner, which will run from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets to the event cost $100 per person and are available online at Eventbrite. To secure tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com and search for “RPB Rotary Tribute Dinner.”
According to Royal Palm Beach Rotary President Lynn Balch, this celebration comes near the end of the village’s anniversary year, but that doesn’t detract from the significance of this important civic milestone.
In addition to being a special event conducted by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary to honor and recognize the many individuals who have been at forefront of Royal Palm Beach’s history and development, the dinner is also a fundraiser for the club, which is involved in a wide array of community service projects.
According to Balch, the Rotarians decided to celebrate this special occa-
sion in Royal Palm Beach with a tribute dinner for a logical reason.
“We are good at hosting dinners,” he said. “This was the easiest way to recognize Royal Palm Beach’s 65th anniversary. And a tribute dinner is also an efficient way to host a fundraiser for the Royal Palm Beach Rotary.”
To add to the atmosphere of this tribute dinner, music will be a significant part of the evening.
The responsibility of scheduling the music is in the creative hands of Andre Blackwood, the club’s president-elect. Since Blackwood has more than 20 years of experience as a music producer, he’s truly the right person for this job.
Mayor Jeff Hmara with Event Director Dan Splain, Royal Palm Beach Rotary President Lynn Balch and President-Elect Andre Blackwood. PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary has taken on a leadership role in providing scholarships and other programs for youth in the area, and it assists the less fortunate at times throughout the year. The club has evolved into becoming a resource for the local busi-
Royal Palm Beach Rotarians visited with residents of the Capstone at Royal Palm senior living facility this past Valentine’s Day as part of the “Rotary Has Heart” program. Shown here is President Lynn Balch with Rex and Jeanette Bowman.
ROYAL PALM BEACH TIMELINE
Celebrating 65 Years Of Village History
1800s
1845 — Florida is granted statehood and Seminole Indians control the swampland that would later become Royal Palm Beach.
1850 — The Swamp and Overflowed Land Act is enacted, and the federal government gives wetlands over to the state. One of the wetlands given to the state was the Loxahatchee Wildlife Area, which includes what is now the communities of Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and Loxahatchee Groves.
1861 — The Civil War begins and some of the land is converted into the Indian River Ranch, a large cattle ranch that provided food for the Confederate army. After the war, the ranch was abandoned.
1870s and 1880s — Feather merchants come to the area to hunt egrets for their breeding plumage, which was fashionable in Europe at the time.
1950s
Early 1950s — Sam and Hattie Friedland, of the Food Fair supermarket chain, purchase 65,000 acres of wetlands, including the land covering present day Royal Palm Beach. Several years later, they sold 4,200 acres of the land to the Lefcourt Realty Corporation.
1959 — Arthur Desser of Lefcourt Realty begins plans to drain the land and develop the area. A charter from the state legislature declared that the land would be named the Village of Royal Palm Beach.
June 30, 1959 — A groundbreaking ceremony is held. Chief Billy Bowlegs of the Seminole tribe and other Seminoles are present.
1959 - 1961 — Ewing Jones and Roy Davenport serve as the first appointed mayors of Royal Palm Beach.
1960s
June 6, 1960 — Debbra Louise Persson becomes the first child to be born in the community. On that same day, Joseph Klopp becomes RPB’s first police chief.
Louise Persson, the first child born in the community, arrives on June 6, 1960.
1961 — Lefcourt Realty goes bankrupt, and Desser’s interest is bought by Friedland, who subsequently establishes Royal Palm Beach Colony. “The Colony” continues the development of the community that Desser began.
1961 — The Evangelical Covenant Church begins holding services in RPB, the first religious services in the community.
November 1961 — Edward Vent is appointed Royal Palm Beach mayor. He will serve until March 1964. At the end of his appointment, the next six mayors are also appointed, serving no longer than two years each. Those mayors were, in chronological order, Leo Schloss, Lloyd McConnell, Leon Svirsky, Ann Hunter, Charles Deitel and Dr. Joseph Gayl.
1962 — Lloyd and Edith McConnell open the first store in RPB, the Colony General Store, which features meats, dairy products, groceries, ice, beer and ice cream.
1800s
1963 — The Royal Palm Beach Country Club, designed by Mark Mahannah, opens on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. It will later be known as the Tradition Golf Course.
1965 — Herb Kaplan is installed as CEO of Royal Palm Beach Colony and president of the Indian Trail Board of Supervisors.
1966 — Royal Palm Beach Colony and other investors unveil a plan to spend $100 million to develop 55,000 acres, which includes Royal Palm Beach and what is now known as The Acreage.
first
Debbra
Seminole tribe members at the June 30, 1959 groundbreaking ceremony.
The Evangelical Covenant Church opened in 1961.
Royal Palm Beach Colony President Herb Kaplan and Chairman Irv Cowan.
The Colony General Store, the first store in Royal Palm Beach, opened in 1962.
Chief Joseph Klopp became Royal Palm Beach’s
police chief in 1960.
BASED ON TOWN-CRIER ARCHIVES AND HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
1950s 1960s
1970s
The extension of Okeechobee Blvd. to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. was finished in 1970.
1970 — The extension and paving of Okeechobee Blvd. from State Road 7 to Royal Palm Beach Blvd. is finished.
1972 — RPB Colony builds a new sales center. The center would later serve as a library before becoming the Kevin M. Harvin Center. It was torn down in 2018, and the land became part of Commons Park.
1974 — Herman Resnick becomes the first elected mayor of Royal Palm Beach. He remains in the post until March 1978.
1978 — To stimulate growth, the La Mancha Country Club opens as the centerpiece of the La Mancha neighborhood. The club would later be known as the Indian Trail Country Club, now the Village Golf Club. At the time, approximately half of the village’s 4,200 acres were developed.
1980s
August 1981 — Mayor Milford Meyer, who became mayor in March 1978, dies in a car accident. After his death, Harold Silverman takes office.
March 1982 — Sam Lamstein is elected mayor. He serves until March 1990 and focuses his time in office on developing additional parks.
August 1983 — Classes begin at Royal Palm Beach’s first school, Crestwood Middle School.
1970s
1980s 1990s 2000s
August 1985 — H.L. Johnson Elementary School opens its doors to students.
1988 — Willows Park opens with one large field, two soccer fields and five baseball fields.
December 6, 1988 — A referendum is approved annexing large sections along State Road 7.
1989 — Cypress Trails Elementary School opens.
1990s
March 1990 — Irving Shapiro is elected mayor. He serves one term in office.
Irving Shapiro served as mayor from 1990 to 1992 and put his focus on beautification projects, such as plantings.
Lodwick and Mattioli both went on to serve multiple terms as mayor.
November 1990 — U.S. Census Bureau figures state that RPB’s population rose 247 percent from 1980 to 1988, making it the nation’s fastest-growing municipality.
1992 — Tony Masilotti is elected mayor. He focuses on recreation projects, such as the Cultural Center (opening in 1993) and the Recreation Center (opening in 1994).
1997 — Royal Palm Beach High School opens.
January 1998 — Seminole Palms Park, a large Palm Beach County facility, opens on Lamstein Lane off Southern Blvd. Several years later, Calypso Bay Waterpark is added.
November 1998 — Tony Masilotti steps down as mayor after being elected to the Palm Beach County Commission. David Lodwick is appointed mayor.
March 1999 — Mayor David Lodwick narrowly defeats Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli in an election decided by just 13 votes. Lodwick went on to become the village’s longest-serving mayor, leaving office in 2010.
March 1999 — After more than a year of negotiations, the Royal Palm Beach Fire Department is merged into Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, ending 40 years of an independent fire department.
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council from 1994 to 1998 included David Lodwick, Matty Mattioli, Mayor Tony Masilotti, David Swift and Carmela Starace.
Royal Palm Beach High School under construction. The school opened in 1997.
Beverlyanne Barton was the first principal of Crestwood Middle School.
PHOTOS COURTESY THE TOWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER AND THE VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH
2000s
2000 — Work gets underway at Minto’s Madison Green residential project, the last large undeveloped parcel in central Royal Palm Beach.
June 2001 — Royal Palm Beach unveils plans for the new Veterans Park, a $5.6 million project along Royal Palm Beach Blvd. A groundbreaking ceremony is held in the fall of 2002.
2002 — Royal Palm Beach Elementary School opens.
2003 — Royal Palm Beach constructs a new meeting facility next to Village Hall. Also, Veterans Park opens.
2005 — Royal Palm Beach buys the Tradition Golf Course. Plans are made to develop what is now Commons Park.
Oct. 1, 2006 — The Royal Palm Beach Police Department is merged into the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.
2010 — Village Engineer Ray Liggins becomes acting village manager when longtime Village Manger David Farber falls ill, taking over as permanent village manager after Farber passes away in April.
March 2010 — Matty Mattioli is elected mayor, serving until 2016.
2013 — Grocery chain Aldi breaks ground on a 650,000-square-foot distribution center in Royal Palm Beach.
March 2, 2013 — The 160-acre Royal Palm Beach Commons Park opens with a big celebration.
Outgoing Mayor Matty Mattioli turns over the gavel to incoming Mayor Fred Pinto in 2016.
the Tradition Golf Course.
nity. As of 2025, several residential components of the project have been built, but other parts have been delayed.
August 2023 — The new Royal Palm Beach Village Hall opens for business. A dedication ceremony is held in February 2024.
2024 — Plans are unveiled for the expansion of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center with work set to get underway in 2025.
2015 — Royal Palm Beach annexes the Acme Ranches property along the south side of Southern Blvd. Developer Brian Tuttle later unveils plans to create the Tuttle Royale project on the site.
March 2016 — Fred Pinto is elected mayor, serving until his untimely passing in 2024.
2019 — A newly renovated and expanded Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center opens after a year of construction.
2020 — Royal Palm Beach unveils plans to build a new Village Hall, including a complete redesign of the municipal campus.
November 2022 — Royal Palm Beach creates a new mixed-use so-
cial center (MXS) designation for Tuttle Royale, proposed as a “new downtown area” for the commu-
October 2024 — Vice Mayor Jeff Hmara is appointed mayor after the unexpected passing of Mayor Fred Pinto a month earlier. He is elected to the position in March 2025.
Royal Palm Beach Veterans Park under construction. It opened in 2003.
A completely rebuilt Royal Palm Beach Village Hall opened in 2023.
After years of planning, Royal Palm Beach Commons Park opened in 2013 at the site of what was
Royal Palm Beach Community High School
In-person Monday thru Thursday From 5:00 PM to 7:00
Rooted: World-Class Artwork
For A World-Class Village
BY DENIS EIRIKIS
“Rooted” by artist Beth Nybeck stands at the entrance to the new Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH
The Capstone recently took a group of residents to see the finished sculpture.
“I love the way the artwork came out. I enjoyed reading all the expressions. I think the sculpture is both meaningful and beautiful,” Marilyn Walsh said.
The stunning sculpture has found many fans in the community, among them resident Lasone Lambar.
“I live nearby and enjoy seeing the beautiful fountains and this sculpture all beautifully lit up,” Lambar said.
Freddy Chmura agreed. “I love living in Royal Palm Beach, and this sculpture fits in perfectly with our small town feel and sense of community,” Chmura said.
The artwork contains 52 phrases that residents used to describe “home.” We invited each member of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council to choose the “Rooted” phrase that is most meaningful for them.
Mayor Jeff Hmara, a retired U.S. Army colonel, was drawn to one particular phrase.
“My favorite phrase is: ‘Where my wandering stopped.’ When on active duty in the Army, my wife Carolyn likes to remind me that we moved every year for the first 13 years,” Hmara said. “We ‘wandered’ for most of our lives, until we settled here in Royal Palm Beach. We’ve lived here longer than anywhere else. And we definitely have put down roots. We feel like we belong here in ‘a place we call home.’”
Hmara went on to say that “Rooted” is “a symbol of who we are — grounded, growing and united — and we’re thrilled to share it with our residents and visitors alike.”
Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas said his favorite expression is, “Unbroken bonds between parents, grandparents and children.”
Recalling his first house, he said, “I
have such fond memories of my inlaws and three generations of family living under one roof.”
Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, whose leadership spearheaded the village’s Art in Public Places program, was drawn to the phase “Great neighbors.”
“I have great neighbors, and I hope many of our residents feel that they do, too,” Rodusky said. “The more we get to know our neighbors, the more we connect in our community. We care about them and watch out for them, and hopefully they are watching out for us as well. Having a connected community is essential to Royal Palm Beach’s success.”
Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps also chose the phrase “Great neighbors.” It reminded her of growing up in Central Florida, where her mother always provided treats for all the community children who came by after school.
“We looked out for each other, and there were no strangers,” Sharps said. “It was a loving environment with ‘great neighbors,’ which reminds me of home.”
Councilman Adam Miller has two favorite “Rooted” expressions. The phrase “chicken noodle soup when sick” resonates with Miller. “I have such warm childhood memories of my grandma taking care of me when I was a little boy,” he said.
Miller’s second favorite expression, “dog licks,” is harder to explain. “I love dogs. I love the expression on the sculpture that says ‘dog licks,’ even though I don’t have a dog right now,” he said.
Some of the other community phrases on the sculpture include: “sense of belonging,” “backyard cookouts,” “bike rides,” “bird watching,” “fishing,” “swaying palms,” “my safe place,” “community events,” “a place to come back to” and “sound of laughter.”
“Rooted” is located in front of Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. Be sure to visit and see what phrases call out to you.
The Village of Royal Palm Beach will hold a dedication ceremony for the new “Rooted” sculpture on Monday, June 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Artist Beth Nybeck puts the finishing touches on “Rooted” earlier this year.
PHOTO BY DENIS EIRIKIS
THE ENDURING LEGACY OF JESS SANTAMARIA A Champion For Royal Palm Beach
And All Of
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
Palm Beach County
The history of Royal Palm Beach would be incomplete without a look at Jess R. Santamaria’s contributions to the community, starting in its formative years and continuing until today. These contributions include business development, public service and community engagement.
Over the course of his career, Santamaria has played an instrumental role in shaping the village and the wider western communities, from building thousands of homes to advocating for openness in government. His enduring legacy reflects a deep commitment to community, ethical leadership and his dedication to improving the lives of those around him.
As he continues to be honored for his five decades of local leadership, Santamaria’s influence on the area will remain profound for generations to come. Throughout his life, Santamaria has used the guiding principles passed down to him by his parents.
“My father was a judge who always believed in equal justice for all, rich or poor,” he explained. “My mother was a deeply spiritual woman who sacrificed her entire life for her children, teaching us to love God and our neighbors. Their positive influence helped to make me the man I am today.”
Santamaria’s local journey began when he and his wife, Victoria, moved to Florida from Philadelphia in 1974. Armed with an MBA from the prestigious Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a degree in chemical engineering, Santamaria transitioned from his earlier
corporate career at IBM to real estate development. Alongside his wife, he began a building career that led to more than 3,000 new homes in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and The Acreage, focusing on providing high-quality, budget-friendly housing to local families.
The Santamarias expanded their portfolio to include shopping centers and the Royal Inn Hotel, contributing to the area’s economic growth. Santamaria also built the first shopping center in Royal Palm Beach, the Royal Plaza, as well as other shopping areas. He is also the longtime owner of the original Wellington Mall.
However, Santamaria’s true impact is seen in his civic and philanthropic work. His leadership extended far beyond business ventures, as he dedicated countless hours to improving the community. Santamaria played a pivotal role in the founding of Palms West Hospital and chaired its board of trustees from 1986 to 1993. His ongoing involvement with Wellington Regional Medical Center as a member of its board of governors starting in 2002 further underscores his commitment to local healthcare.
Santamaria is also a staunch advocate for education. He co-founded organizations such as My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Scholarship Foundation, which has provided crucial support to local students. This initiative reflects his belief in the power of education to change lives and a desire to create opportunities for young people in the community.
“I founded MBSK because I wanted to reward kids not just for academic achievement, but for having the core values of honesty, generosity, kindness and a sincere desire to help others,” Santamaria said. “We need to inspire our youth to be good people and care for their fellow man. Our children are our most valuable assets, and our future depends on them.”
He also co-founded My Brother’s/ Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust in order to assist needy families in Palm Beach County, and especially in the Glades. Over the past 20 years, Santamaria and the charitable trust, in partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, have helped almost 2,000 disadvantaged Glades-area families purchase necessities like food and clothing during the Christmas season. “Our mission statement is that ‘the strong and the fortunate have a social obligation to protect and assist the weak and less fortunate amongst us until they are able to help themselves,’” Santamaria explained.
Santamaria’s public service career culminated in his eight-year tenure representing Royal Palm Beach and all of the western communities and the Glades on the Palm Beach County Commission. His time as a commissioner was marked by his tireless efforts to ensure openness, honesty and ethical governance.
During his years with the county, Santamaria is most proud of fighting for, demanding and expecting more honesty in government.
“Palm Beach County had been la-
beled ‘Corruption County’ when I began my first term as county commissioner,” he recalled. “I was the strongest advocate for the ethics commission and the creation of the Office of the Inspector General to fight against government abuse and waste, and I was the prime witness testifying before the grand jury on the subject. As a private citizen, I was involved in seven lawsuits against governmental abuse of power, winning all seven. I’ve also always fought for protection of the environment and against overdevelopment. As a citizen, I sued to preserve hundreds of acres of open green space in Madison Green that otherwise would’ve been overdeveloped.”
Santamaria’s influence extended to numerous other civic efforts, including his involvement with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, now the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, which he chaired in 2000. He was also a founding member of the Crestwood Performing Arts League and co-founded the Citizens for Open Government, both key community organizations in the formative years of Royal Palm Beach.
His key focus in the community has been to lobby for sustainable and responsible growth, making his adopted home of Royal Palm Beach very different from where he spent his younger years.
“I grew up in Manila, Philippines, one of the largest cities in the world; and I also lived in Philadelphia, another huge city with crime and congestion problems,” Santamaria recalled. “I moved to Royal Palm Beach because it’s where I envisioned raising my family — a peaceful, family-oriented, small town. Growth is inevitable, but it’s important that it be thoughtfully planned, so that we don’t lose the quality of life that made it the place where we wanted to live when we came here.”
In 2017, the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club recognized Jess and Victoria Santamaria’s extraordinary contributions by awarding them the “citizen of the year” honor.
(Back row) Jess and Victoria Santamaria with their sons Chris and Vincent, and Vincent’s wife Lisa; and (front row) daughter Michelle, and grandchildren Sophia, Max and Elle.
They were honored together for their shared dedication to public service. In his remarks, Santamaria reflected on the honor, emphasizing that, despite his time on the county commission coming to an end, he would continue to serve the public in any way he could, particularly in the western communities.
His legacy of service also includes his commitment to protecting Palm Beach County’s unique character. Santamaria was a vocal advocate against the potential “Browardization” of the county, speaking out against efforts to merge with Miami-Dade and Broward counties for regional planning. He believed that such moves could compromise the county’s environmental protection and ability to control growth.
As a public servant, Santamaria’s approach has always been guided by a sense of integrity and a desire to make the community a better place for all. He has been honored with awards numerous times from a wide variety
of organizations. He has also received resolutions from the villages of Royal Palm Beach and Wellington in recognition of his lasting contributions to the region.
At the heart of Santamaria’s life is his family. Jess and Victoria have raised a close-knit family, including their son, Chris Santamaria, and daughter, Michelle Santamaria, who are both attorneys and work with Jess and Victoria in managing family-owned properties. Their son Vincent, married to wife Lisa, works in the Orlando area as a systems analyst for one of the area hospital chains. The family legacy continues through their three beloved grandchildren, Elle, Max and Sophia. Santamaria’s love and support of his family remain a constant source of inspiration, fueling his passion for creating a better future for the generations to come.
At the core of Jess Santamaria’s work is his belief in the power of service and the importance of community. Whether through his business ven-
tures, his role as a public servant or his philanthropic efforts, Santamaria has been a tireless advocate for the people of Palm Beach County.
“People in government must never forget that they are public servants,” he said. “You are elected to serve the people, not your own political aspirations. Honest government should be the foundation to every democracy; and honest government goes hand in hand with maintaining public trust. Roosevelt said that when there’s honest government and public trust, then prosperity, quality of life and peace are achievable. As a child, I was taught that ‘evil succeeds when good men do nothing,’ and ‘if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.’ I’ve followed those principles my entire life.”
As he is honored in this special edition marking the 65th anniversary of Royal Palm Beach, it is clear that his legacy of service, leadership and dedication will continue to inspire future generations of community leaders.
ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE
ROYAL PALM BEACH From A Bold Dream To A Thriving Community
Honored for its family-friendly appeal and with one of the highest parklandper-capita ratios in all of South Florida, the Village of Royal Palm Beach has cherished its “Mayberry-esque” reputation for 65 years — and it all started with an audacious dream of a new community that was, quite literally, out in the middle of nowhere.
Landlocked, but with “Beach” in its name, Royal Palm Beach is the only municipality in Palm Beach County with such a shoreline designation that has no corresponding shoreline. It is 10 miles west of the coast. Why? For that, we have to go back to the community’s original developers.
Once a Seminole tribe hunting ground, the area grew from a remote, mosquito-infested swamp into a thriving village of more than 40,000 residents.
In the 1950s, Philadelphia’s Food Fair supermarket magnates Sam and Hattie Friedland purchased 65,000 acres known as the Indian Trail Ranch for approximately $1.25 million in what is now Royal Palm Beach and The Acreage. It was a vast wilderness that was
destined to become one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities in the 1980s.
The original goal was to use the land to grow fruit for the supermarket chain, but it did not work out as planned. The Friedlands subsequently sold the land to Miami developer Arthur Desser, founder of the Lefcourt Realty Group. About 4,200 acres were earmarked for Desser’s Royal Palm Beach development.
It was Desser’s vision that spurred the initial development of the area. A massive drainage project ensued, and in 1959, the state legislature granted a charter naming the development “Royal Palm Beach.”
The seeming misnomer in the name was the brainchild of Desser, a multimillionaire much taken with the posh Town of Palm Beach many miles east of his fledgling development. According to a former Lefcourt engineer, Desser wanted the name “Palm Beach” to be included in the new community’s name. Obviously, there is only one Palm Beach, developed by Henry Flagler, not Arthur Desser, so it was decided that
The original entry feature welcoming visitors to Royal Palm Beach.
since Desser also liked the stately royal palms of Palm Beach, he would dub his new development “Royal Palm Beach.”
On June 30, 1959, with Seminole tribe officials on hand for the festivities and to “renounce all former claims to the land,” a groundbreaking ceremony was held. The fledgling Village of Royal Palm Beach was born and began to grow. Engineering for the village’s waterways and a basic system of roads was started. A sales/recreational center was built with a motel facility in the area now occupied by the Royal Inn, and two-bedroom, one-bath model homes were built starting at $8,250. Village government — initially in the form of a developer-appointed council — became popularly elected in 1974. Not until 1977 did the Royal Palm Beach Village Council find a permanent home at the site of the present Village Hall complex. To date, there have been 19 mayors who have served the village — some as single-term mayors; others, like Sam Lamstein (19821990), Tony Masilotti (1992-1998), David Lodwick (1998-2010), Matty Mattioli (2010-2016) and Fred Pinto
A
Palm Beach streetscape in the
(2016-2024) won approval for multiple terms. The Village Hall complex was expanded several times between the 1970s and 2020, when it was decided that a completely new building was needed — one that was larger and more hurricane safe to allow operations to continue during major storms. This completely rebuilt Village Hall opened in August 2023.
Officials from
developers Lefcourt Realty, along with the cover of an early marketing brochure. Palm Beach Blvd., and then expanding with vigor into the Willows and La Mancha neighborhoods that are east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd.
Desser’s dream of a “nouveau” Palm Beach didn’t last long. Lefcourt declared bankruptcy in 1961, and Desser’s interest was bought back by Friedland, who then established Royal Palm Beach Colony Inc. to continue village development. While the grocery store magnate had no experience in the housing market, Friedland was nonetheless a savvy businessman who put together a team of professionals who set up a comprehensive land sales, development and building enterprise. With the late Herbert Kaplan as Royal Palm Beach Colony CEO, the company and the village grew slowly from 1960 to 1967 — first in the original “Colony” section of floral-named streets east and west of the southern end of Royal
A marketing push began in 1979 to offer prospective builders vacant tracts of land west of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the present Saratoga, Madison Green and Crestwood subdivisions. A building boom from 1980 to 1988 is what made the village the fastestgrowing community in its size category in the United States — and the hammers continued until more recent years as the village neared buildout. At present, the village’s residential tracts in the central part of the community are built out, but the past 15 years has seen work being done on newer neighborhoods closer to the State Road 7 corridor, including the new mixed-use Tuttle Royale development.
Swift village growth necessitated adding many services and amenities for residents tired of driving east to meet daily needs. This included busing students out of the village for their education. Residents joined together to lobby for community schools.
(Above)
Royal
1960s. (Inset)
original
PHOTO COURTESY HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY
In 1983, Crestwood Middle School opened as the first school in the community, followed in 1985 and 1989, respectively, by H.L. Johnson and Cypress Trails elementary schools. Royal Palm Beach High School opened its doors to 1,100 students a year late in 1997 following construction delays. The 2002 school year heralded the opening of the village’s third elementary school on Okeechobee Blvd., aptly named Royal Palm Beach Elementary School. Today, the Village of Royal Palm Beach keeps an active Education Advisory Board to stay on top of local school issues and help represent the needs of local residents.
Aside from district schools, there are also several charter and private schools serving Royal Palm Beach. Among them is the Western Academy Charter School, which opened in 2003. Now, there are even local options for higher education with South University’s campus located at State Road 7 and Belvedere Road. The NRI Institute of Health Sciences and Keiser University also operate programs in the village, and Palm Beach State College has a campus situated nearby in Loxahatchee Groves.
In 1986, both Palms West Hospital and Wellington Regional Medical Center opened with 117 and 120 beds, respectively, and each have since added additional beds and services, and are continuing with expansion projects to meet local healthcare needs. With
the hospitals came a building boom of medical office complexes on the campuses of both hospitals.
Since the village’s inception, public safety has been foremost in the minds of residents and local officials. In June 1960, Joseph Klopp became the first Royal Palm Beach police chief. That first year, “Klopp the Cop” was the sole full-time officer with several auxiliary part-timers. Thirteen others followed Klopp as police chief, and in 2006, the accredited department boasted 57 sworn officers, plus dispatchers, school crossing guards, detectives, a captain and the chief based in a modern, computerized department in a building within the Village Hall complex. That all changed on Oct. 1, 2006, when the Royal Palm Beach Police Department was merged with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and became PBSO District 9 — part of one of the largest and most technologically advanced law enforcement services in the nation, as it remains today.
Royal Palm Beach residents also appreciated the security of a local fire department since a volunteer force of eight individuals was recruited in a construction trailer in January 1963. The fledgling department’s first chief was Arthur Quigley, who served until 1969. Clarence Gollwitz followed until 1972 and was replaced by Karl Combs, who held the post as chief until his retirement in 1997. The village’s first “station house” was actually a shed-like
structure behind Village Hall. Firefighting equipment consisted of a 1949 Dodge pickup truck fitted with a water tank and a portable pump. In 1976, the department moved into a building on Royal Palm Beach Blvd., which enabled it to expand manpower and equipment. At that time, the department shared the building with the police department. Firefighters were mostly volunteers until 1972, and the two full-timers on staff made about $6,000 a year. The following year, three more full-time firefighters were hired, and in 1975, Combs became the first fulltime chief at a salary of $13,500 a year. With a growing population, and thankfully few structural fires, the focus of the department expanded to include emergency medical treatment. Combs and a lieutenant were enrolled in the county’s first paramedic-rescue course and, less than a week later, answered a cardiac arrest call for a village resident who would have died had Combs not taken the course. Within the next four years, the department hired 18 additional paramedic/EMT trained firefighters. A second station opened in 1991 at the entrance to Counterpoint Estates to cut response times to residents living in the State Road 7 area. In March 1999, following a council-authorized study, a much-debated decision was made to merge the previously independent village fire department with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. Most of the original Royal Palm Beach
The Claydons, early village pioneers, in front of their home on Gardenia Drive, circa 1963.
Village founders Arthur Desser and Sam Friedland.
First Police Chief Joseph Klopp.
Lefcourt’s sales office.
The original village police force in 1960.
The first Royal Palm Beach Village Hall.
The volunteer fire department gets a new truck in 1973.
Fire Department staff made the switch to the county agency, and village leadership keeps close lines of communication with PBCFR personnel.
Village recreation needs were not overlooked. An impressive array of parks gives Royal Palm Beach one of the highest parkland-per-capita ratios in South Florida. Since 1974, residents have enjoyed ever-increasing programs and improved park/ballfield facilities. From its first tiny headquarters at Camellia Park to its present headquarters located off Sparrow Drive, the village’s recreation department now offers hundreds of programs, serving thousands of local children and adults. Under the department’s purview are more than 25 parks accounting for more than 500 acres, plus much more protected green space. There is also the 16,500-squarefoot Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, which opened in 1993, and was most recently expanded and renovated in 2019. The development of parks continued with the opening of Seminole Palms Park in 1998 and Veterans Park in 2003. The 160-acre Royal Palm Beach Commons Park opened with great fanfare in 2013 on the site of a former golf course. Plans are now underway for a major expansion and renovation of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center, which first opened in 1994.
Now that village residents had a government, schools, police and fire protection, leisure and healthcare,
there was yet another need to be met, and retailers — albeit reluctantly at first — began to recognize the buying power of area residents. Unlike the dazzling array of shopping possibilities now a mere five-minute drive away for residents, early villagers needed a license and a full tank of gas to get to commercial centers located far to the east.
Pioneer residents’ first “mart” — a general store which opened in 1962 — carried a meager list of necessities, and shoppers seeking a week’s worth of groceries drove eastward along narrow two-laned Southern Blvd. to stores in West Palm Beach. In those days, the westernmost point of Okeechobee Blvd. was the intersection with State Road 7. The treks by shoppers to eastern grocers continued until 1981, when the second phase of the Royal Plaza in the village’s southernmost sector was completed by businessman Jess Santamaria, owner of the nearby Royal Inn. Included in the plaza was Miller’s Super Value, a locally owned supermarket. Officials of food giants Winn-Dixie and Publix had rejected Santamaria’s proposals to become the village’s first supermarket, citing the village’s small size (about 3,000 residents at the time) and slow pace of growth.
By the mid-1980s, however, WinnDixie and Publix were clamoring to become the anchors of their own plazas. Winn-Dixie became the first chain supermarket to open in the Village Royale Plaza at the northwest corner of Royal
Palm Beach Blvd. and Okeechobee Blvd., and following lengthy village hearings and a controversial rezoning, Publix was granted approval to build a plaza directly across the street. The large chains tolled the death knell for smaller Miller’s Super Value, and the store abruptly closed in 1988. Today, multiple Publix stores, a Winn-Dixie, an Aldi, El Bodegón, a Super Target and a Walmart Supercenter serve the grocery needs of the community.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, more shopping centers began to mushroom in Royal Palm Beach along the State Road 7 corridor, bringing Target, Walmart, Lowe’s, Home Depot and more. Commercial office and retail centers were built in profusion along Okeechobee Blvd. east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Two nationally known developers began a permitting race to bring to Royal Palm Beach or Wellington the area’s first regional shopping mall of more than one million square feet of retail space. In 2001, the Mall at Wellington Green opened its doors. The land that could have been a Royal Palm Beach mall project opened in 2006 as Southern Palm Crossing on Southern Blvd., anchored by a Costco store.
Original developers Arthur Desser and Sam Friedland would be amazed to see how fully their vision of a brandnew community blossomed from former swamplands into the bustling and popular village it is today.
Royal Plaza under construction in 1981.
A groundbreaking ceremony for Lindsay Ewing Park.
Tom Bolinski was the first parks and recreation director.
Early model homes available in Royal Palm Beach. Lakeside Challenger Park under construction.
Miller’s Market opens in Royal Plaza.
Longtime Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio at RPB Commons Park.
Your Future In Healthcare Starts At The NRI Institute Of Health Sciences
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
The NRI Institute of Health Sciences is where your journey toward a rewarding healthcare career begins. Choosing a career in healthcare is a profound decision, one that requires dedication, knowledge and hands-on experience.
At the NRI Institute of Health Sciences, students are provided with the tools, support and education necessary to thrive in this ever-evolving field. The institution, founded in Royal Palm Beach, takes great pride in nurturing the aspirations of future healthcare professionals, guiding them every step of the way toward fulfilling careers.
medical assisting, ensuring that students receive comprehensive education and hands-on experience.
The Associate of Science in Nursing Degree Program is designed to prepare students for careers as professional registered nurses in various healthcare settings. The curriculum is structured around core nursing concepts that equip students to promote, main-
A healthcare professional’s journey extends beyond the classroom. It is an immersive experience that requires continuous learning and practical application. At NRI, the curriculum is thoughtfully designed to incorporate traditional learning methods with innovative and engaging teaching techniques. This approach ensures that students not only acquire essential knowledge but also develop the problem-solving and critical-thinking skills necessary for success.
The faculty at NRI is comprised of highly qualified educators who are committed to providing a personalized learning experience, facilitated by small class sizes, allowing for individual attention. The institution’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment helps students build confidence and acquire the essential skills needed for a successful healthcare career.
The NRI Institute of Health Sciences offers specialized training in nursing, diagnostic medical sonography and
tain and restore the health of patients across different life stages.
The Occupational Associate of Science Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography trains graduates to work in hospitals, radiology centers, doctor’s offices and independent imaging centers. Additionally, the Medical Assisting Program provides students with the necessary training to excel in diverse healthcare environments, offering a blend of intellectual growth and professional development.
With a strong emphasis on industry requirements, these programs ensure that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the healthcare sector.
Beyond education, NRI is dedicated to uplifting the local community
by equipping students with valuable skills that lead to promising employment opportunities. The institution’s mission is to produce competent and compassionate healthcare professionals who will contribute positively to public health and improve the quality of patient care. By maintaining high educational standards, NRI enables students to achieve both academic excellence and professional success.
Understanding that the admissions process can often feel overwhelming, NRI has streamlined its application process to ensure clarity and ease for prospective students.
Comprehensive information regarding the necessary application steps, tuition costs and frequently asked questions can be found online at www.nriinstitute.edu.
The admissions team is readily available to guide applicants through each stage of enrollment, ensuring that they have the necessary support as they embark on their educational journeys.
For individuals eager to take the first step toward a fulfilling career in healthcare, NRI stands as a trusted partner. With a strong commitment to education, personal growth and community impact, this local institution of higher learning looks forward to being an integral part of each student’s journey toward a meaningful and impactful healthcare career.
The NRI Institute of Health Sciences is conveniently located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31-32, in the original Wellington Mall. To learn more, call (561) 688-5112, e-mail at info@nriinstitute. edu or visit www.nriinstitute.edu.
Discover Comfort And Convenience At The Royal Inn Hotel In Royal Palm Beach
Located in the heart of Royal Palm Beach, the Royal Inn is a welcoming hotel that offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit the needs of every traveler. Whether you’re visiting for business, vacationing with family or attending local events, the Royal Inn provides comfort, convenience and quality service to ensure a memorable stay.
One of the standout features of the Royal Inn is its exceptional location. The hotel is conveniently situated off Southern Blvd., just 10 miles from Palm Beach International Airport, making it an ideal choice for those arriving by air. Moreover, the Royal Inn is only seven miles from the National Polo Center and six miles from the Wellington International equestrian showgrounds, two prominent destinations for equestrian sports and polo enthusiasts.
you want to unwind with a book by the poolside or take a leisurely dip, the pool area provides a tranquil retreat for all visitors.
The Royal Inn is committed to accommodating the needs of guests with disabilities by offering a selection of accessible studios and suites designed to ensure comfort and convenience. These rooms include a mobility acces-
This prime location also places guests within easy reach of popular shopping destinations, dining establishments and outdoor recreational opportunities in the vibrant Royal Palm Beach area.
The Royal Inn offers a wide range of room options to cater to different travel needs. Whether you’re a family traveling with children, a pet owner or a business traveler seeking comfort, there’s a room specifically designed to meet your requirements.
To enhance guest experience, the Royal Inn offers a variety of amenities designed to ensure comfort and relaxation. One of the standout features is the Olympic-sized swimming pool, perfect for a refreshing swim or lounging under the Florida sun. Whether
sible suite, bathroom equipped with grab bars and a roll-in shower with a shower chair and handheld showerhead, accessible pedestal sink and accessible commode with space for transfers, accessible parking spaces close to the entrance, hearing-impaired phone and fire alarm system (available upon request), and visual notification (braille) signs posted beside room doors. Accessible rooms are reserved for individuals with disabilities until all other rooms of that type are occupied.
In addition to accessible rooms, the Royal Inn ensures its common areas are equipped with thoughtful features, including a swimming pool lift for accessibility, seven handicapped parking spaces on the property, accessible
ROYAL INN
entrances, walkways, and ramps to the lobby, pool and restaurant, and accessible public restrooms for convenience.
If guests require additional assistance during their stay, the attentive staff is always available to help.
The area currently occupied by the Royal Inn holds an important historical legacy for the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Shortly after the village was incorporated 65 years ago, the area was the site of a recreational center with a motel facility that was used by the community’s first developers in the early marketing of Royal Palm Beach.
Since its opening on April 1, 1978, the Royal Inn has built a strong reputation for providing warm hospitality and reliable service to visitors from around the world. With decades of experience in accommodating guests, the hotel continues to uphold high standards of quality and comfort. So, whether you’re planning a relaxing getaway, a business trip or an exciting visit to one of Royal Palm Beach’s premier venues, the Royal Inn offers the ideal combination of comfort, accessibility and hospitality to make your stay unforgettable.
The Royal Inn is located at 675 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. at the corner with Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For inquiries, reservations or assistance, call (561) 793-3000, visit www.royalinnhotel. com or just stop by.
95%
job placement rate for nursing graduates
$10
$1.1 scholarships awarded by the Foundation, 2021-2023 ranking for outstanding services for veterans nationwide amongst two-year colleges TOP 10 of emergency responders in Palm Beach County complete their training at PBSC 85%
95% billion annual economic impact on Palm Beach County million awarded in scholarships since 2018
million secured to advance medical innovation, providing real-world training for future healthcare professionals $15
The Cornerstone Of Palm Beach County
BY DEAN GLORIOSO
What do dental care, artificial intelligence (AI) and Loxahatchee Groves have in common? If you said Palm Beach State College, you’d be right. With its steadfast mission to transform lives, Florida’s first public junior college is where innovation meets heartfelt care for the community.
Palm Beach State College has emerged as a leader in innovation, delivering curriculum and advanced training through educational technologies, virtual realities and online platforms for an array of its 160 programs, including cybersecurity, biotechnology and health sciences.
Blending hands-on instruction with AI, Palm Beach State College’s health sciences programs are training students with cutting-edge equipment and medical technology, such as simulation and imaging. The result is a college-tocareer pipeline of highly trained medical professionals for healthcare facilities throughout Palm Beach County.
At four stories and nearly 84,000 square feet, Palm Beach State’s Dental and Medical Services Technology Building joins the Frank DiMino Center for Medical Innovation at the college’s Loxahatchee Groves campus. Opening in fall 2025, the new facility is home to state-of-the-art science labs, a surgical technology suite and a fully functional dental clinic, which means real-world training for tomorrow’s dental hygienists and assistants in authentic workplace settings.
A benefit for the community, the dental program is poised to provide low-cost preventive care, including cleanings, screenings and dental health workshops. The college already participates in the Give Kids a Smile initiative, providing children from the Boys & Girls Club in Wellington with free preventive dental treatment.
Palm Beach State College President Ava L. Parker, J.D., has championed the college’s advancements for the Loxahatchee Groves, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach communities.
“Our new dental and medical building helps us modernize and expand our capacity to make healthcare available to more members of our community,” Parker explained. “As the college’s medical technology campus, our Loxahatchee Groves location allows us to do almost everything and, in turn, allows our students to earn their AA degrees here.”
Supporting these and other vital initiatives is the Foundation for Palm Beach State College, upholding a mission that drives awareness of, engagement in and philanthropic giving to the college.
With an emphasis on relationships, the foundation doesn’t approach you with an outstretched palm looking for handouts but rather a welcoming hand extended in friendship.
What does giving to the Foundation for Palm Beach State College do for students, the college and the community? Its generosity impacts anyone who lives, works or plays in Palm Beach County. Here’s why:
1. Palm Beach State College has an annual $1.4 billion economic impact on Palm Beach County.
2. More than 85 percent of Palm Beach County’s first responders are trained at Palm Beach State College.
3. State-of-the-art medical innovation at the Frank DiMino Center at Loxahatchee Groves, the Oristano Center for Innovation in Health Sciences at Palm Beach Gardens and the college’s award-winning Center of Excellence in Medical Simulation.
4. Palm Beach State College has been recognized for its outstand-
ing services for veterans, consistently ranked in the top 10 nationwide and as high as third among two-year colleges.
5. Since 2018, the foundation has awarded $10 million in scholarships; significant, as 80 percent of the college’s graduates enter the Palm Beach County workforce.
6. The college’s nursing graduates have a 95 percent job placement rate in Palm Beach County.
7. The college has been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security since 2023.
8. Palm Beach State College boasts five campuses and three performing arts theaters across Palm Beach County: Belle Glade’s Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, Lake Worth’s Duncan Theatre and the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens.
9. Stephen Ross and Related Southeast’s newly formed nonprofit, Related Together, have demonstrated a belief in the power of education at Palm Beach State College with an $8 million investment to ensure continued student success.
10. The college’s Palm Beach Gardens campus is the exclusive home for the innovative professional golf league from TMRW Sports: TGL presented by SoFi.
What Palm Beach State College has been doing for the community for more than nine decades has been extraordinary, empowering generations of learners to be generations of leaders. That’s the cornerstone of education from the cornerstone of Palm Beach County.
To llearn more about the Foundation for Palm Beach State College, visit www. palmbeachstate.edu/foundation.
and support the optimal level of educational
for each student in an environment that fosters professional nursing skills and the application of current health education principles. Through this approach, we develop responsible, creative, and skilled healthcare professionals who make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Featured Courses
Empowering The Next Generation Of Healthcare Professionals
by SHANNON ANASTASIO
The Family Care Training Center is empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. Located in the heart of West Palm Beach, it stands as a beacon of excellence in healthcare education. Founded on the principles of professionalism, compassion and community service, the facility is committed to shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals with the foundation needed to thrive in today’s fast-evolving medical landscape.
The programs are designed for individuals who value not just career advancement, but purposeful work that makes a difference. Whether you are embarking on a new professional journey or enhancing your existing credentials, the Family Care Training Center offers a results-driven path into the healthcare field.
At the core of this approach is a belief that effective healthcare education must blend academic rigor with human values. That’s why the emphasis is on hands-on learning, small class sizes and individualized instruction.
“In the beginning of every semester, we try to identify every individual’s needs,” explained Ms. Opal, one of the lead instructors. “For example, if we have someone who never answers a question, sits in the corner, but shows up every class, you take time to get to know this individual and gain a level of trust, whereby they will feel comfortable in the classroom with the other students. You are not just a student in our classroom. You are an individual with your own needs and wants. This allows us to offer resources to our students so that they can succeed in their studies.”
This student-centered philosophy creates an environment where learning is both challenging and supportive.
Licensed instructors with decades of real-world experience provide mentorship that goes beyond the classroom. From mastering vital signs to responding to emergency situations, every student receives personalized attention tailored to their learning style and career goals.
The result is a student experience defined by growth, empowerment and success. Graduates leave with both certifications, and a strong sense of purpose, ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Many alumni go on to serve in hospitals, longterm care facilities, private practices and home health roles.
In addition to core training, the Family Care Training Center offers essential certification programs, including Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR Certification for adults, children and infants. These courses are available to healthcare professionals and members of the public alike.
“BLS and CPR are essential for every individual to learn,” Ms. Opal said. “It saves lives, and maybe your own. After every class, we express the importance of learning CPR and that everyone in your home should have this basic knowledge. They can either bring them in for a course, or you can go over what you have learned.”
The Family Care Training Center offers flexible scheduling options to accommodate working adults, parents and career changers.
“Healthcare is evolving,” Ms. Opal said. “Family Care is a starting point. We introduce individuals to the healthcare profession. At this level, you make the decision to continue or not. We have students who continued in the healthcare profession and are now nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapy
technicians, radiology technicians and much more. These are just a few of our students who came back to let us know what they have accomplished.”
Classes at the center will help people decide if healthcare is the career path they are looking for. “We welcome young people who have no idea what they want to do after graduation,” Ms. Opal said. “Entering this field is an immediate introduction to the possibilities in the healthcare field.”
The Family Care Training Center was inspired by a desire to bridge the gap between qualified instruction and compassionate care. Looking ahead, the facility aims to expand programs, increase access to training and further strengthen its role as a trusted source of healthcare education.
“Family Care is special because we understand that everyone learns differently,” Ms. Opal said. “The time that we have for each course is an incentive for everyone. We don’t expect everyone to meet this goal. Therefore, we have means for these individuals to complete the course at their own pace. No one is asked to leave who is giving the effort to learn. We have older adults coming back into the workforce, so we make the environment pleasant and comfortable for them.”
She noted that the center provides bilingual instructors to help bilingual students meet their needs.
So, whether you are preparing for your first role in healthcare or seeking to sharpen your clinical capabilities, the Family Care Training Center provides a path defined by integrity, excellence and opportunity.
To learn more about the Family Care Training Center, or to schedule a visit, call them at (561) 686-4552 or visit www. familycaretc.com.
Tree’s Wings & Ribs Celebrating 30 Years
In Royal Palm Beach
Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Tree’s Wings & Ribs has long been a comfortable and convenient place for a great meal and good times.
Home of some of the best wings around, Tree’s Wings is a family establishment at heart, filled with locals in the seats and friendly service since 1995 — and since opening, more than 31 million wings have been sold.
This iconic Royal Palm Beach hotspot is also on the national radar for serving up its delicious chicken wings, which is impressive for a restaurant that avoids the chain and franchise tags. Nevertheless, Tree’s Wings & Ribs has been invited to participate in the prestigious National Buffalo Wing Festival several times, making the trip to Buffalo, New York, and returning home with accolades.
are popular, as are the daily soup selections.
Tree’s signature “fall-off-the-bone” ribs are among the best in town, and the 100 percent Angus beef burgers always hit the spot, served up exactly as you like them. Not sure what you want? You can put together your own combo basket!
Meanwhile, if the tasty curly fries aren’t enough to get the kids through the door, and noise level is a concern, Tree’s has a unique layout with one portion of the restaurant set aside for a quieter experience. The lounge is family friendly and away from the special evening events, but it still has a full bar available to customers.
At the heart of the restaurant are its amazing wings, usually served up eight at a time with fries, but if you’re having a party, you can buy them by the hundred. There’s no shortage of flavors, with 23 sauces on the menu, from the sweet Honey Dip to the seriously hot Reaper’s Keeper.
Yet even if wings are not your thing, Tree’s has got you covered with a wide array of amazing dishes.
For appetizers, the Smoked Fish Dip, Jalapeño Poppers and Gator Bites
Meanwhile, the award-winning wings are usually served up with the extremely popular house dressing. Tree’s Wings is known for it, but exactly how to make it is a closely guarded secret recipe.
Tree’s Wings is also a great place to have a little extra fun, with bingo every Tuesday night, karaoke every Friday night and trivia every Saturday night.
Don’t want to leave your furry friend behind? The team welcomes well-behaved dogs to visit the covered outdoor seating area.
After setting foot inside, don’t forget to sign up for the free VIP program. All dine-in and takeout orders over $20 earn a chance to spin the wheel for great prizes. It is also the best way to keep up with special events and promotions. By spinning the wheel, you can win things from free appetizers to free drinks to 15 percent off.
The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., although during some events, such as karaoke night, the bar remains open later.
Delivery and takeout orders can be placed by telephone or on the web site. Tree’s Wings & Ribs is also available through Grubhub and DoorDash.
Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., just off Southern Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. For additional information, or to place an order, call (561) 791-1535 or visit them online at www.treeswingsandribs.com.
A VISION FOR ROYAL PALM BEACH Looking Forward To The Next 65 Years
BY SHANNON ANASTASIO
In celebrating 65 years of excellence, Royal Palm Beach honors a legacy built on families, civic engagement, and a commitment to maintaining a strong and vibrant community. Key to that success is the leadership of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. These elected officials shape the future of the community through their decisions, advocacy and vision. We asked council members to reflect on what’s ahead for Royal Palm Beach — near-term goals, long-term visions and the issues they’re personally focused on. Here’s what they had to share:
Mayor Jeff Hmara
What are some of the things you’d like to see happen in the near future?
I’d like to see continued progress in several key areas: improving traffic flow and expanding transportation choices, deepening the village’s engagement with our local schools, enhancing recreation opportunities, supporting small business growth, and maintaining a strong, resilient financial foundation.
We’re working closely with Palm Beach County on a Countywide Transportation Master Plan to ensure that Royal Palm Beach remains accessible and safe for everyone. At the same time, we’ve launched “Bringing Home Straight A’s to RPB” — a new initiative focused on lifting academic performance in our local schools and enhancing student civic engagement.
Another exciting development is the expansion of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center, which will double in size to accommodate more youth programs, senior activities and wellness services that strengthen our sense of community. We are also working on a small business roundtable to hear directly from local entrepreneurs about
their needs and explore ways the village can support job creation and economic vitality.
Equally important is our continued commitment to sound financial management. We’re updating our longrange financial outlook to ensure that we can maintain the high-quality services our residents rely on — public safety, parks, programs and events.
How is the village working to remain a desirable place to live?
We’re committed to preserving the hometown, family-oriented character while keeping it vibrant. That starts with listening to our residents and keeping them connected to village decisions. Over the past 13 years, we’ve hosted our annual Citizen Summit to gather resident input that directly shapes our strategic plan. These priorities are reflected in our investments — great parks, youth sports and signature events that build community spirit. We’re continually enhancing our public spaces, such as the new Crestwood Park North and the expanded recreation center. We are also committed to completing the Tuttle Royale Town Center, which will offer a walkable,
mixed-use neighborhood that serves both young families and seniors.
What is your vision for the village 30 years in the future?
Thirty years from now, I envision Royal Palm Beach as a model of sustainable, family-focused living — still rooted in green space and community spirit, but even more walkable, connected and resilient. I see modern infrastructure, diverse transportation options, cutting-edge technology, great local schools and a thriving local economy.
What are some issues that you are personally focused on?
I’m especially focused on long-term planning for transportation and economic vitality, and strengthening support for our local schools. As vice chair of a countywide executive committee, I’m helping guide regional transportation planning. On the economic side, we’ve started planning the redevelopment of the aging State Road 7 corridor and initiated talks with the private sector. And with our “Straight A’s” initiative, we’re working to enhance educational outcomes and civic awareness. Finally, I’m committed to helping small
businesses thrive through direct dialogue and strategic support.
Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas
What are some of the things you’d like to see happen in the near future?
I would like to see a traffic light installed at Southern Blvd. and the entrance to the Cypress Key development. It’s something residents have requested for years, and with the development now complete, a new traffic study may finally justify it. I would also like to see the renovation of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center completed.
How is the village working to remain a desirable place to live?
The village is investing in our infrastructure and personnel. Our employees are the face of the village, and they are a key reason why Royal Palm Beach is such a wonderful place to live. We also maintain top-notch facilities, parks and public buildings for residents to enjoy. In addition to daily accessibility, we hold a strategic planning session and our Citizen Summit each year to engage directly with residents and shape our goals based on their input.
What is your vision for the village 30 years in the future?
I hope Royal Palm Beach continues to be “A Place We Call Home.” I want to see adequate, affordable housing so that my children can buy homes in the community where they grew up. I envision all our schools being A-rated, and
I hope I’ll have grandchildren attending them. I also hope we’ll have solved many of our traffic issues, and that the village continues to offer high-quality facilities and family-friendly activities — all managed in a fiscally responsible way.”
What are some issues that you are personally focused on?
I’ve always been passionate about education. I’m the first in my family to graduate from college, thanks to Florida’s public schools and universities. I’ve donated to local schools, participated in career days and served on the Royal Palm Beach High School Advisory Council. I’ve also supported Mayor Hmara’s initiatives to improve education.
Traffic safety is another priority. I’ve advocated for the Cypress Key traffic light for more than a decade and served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization to represent our village. As a board-certified criminal appellate lawyer, I’ve seen firsthand how important traffic safety is.
Councilwoman Jan Rodusky
What are some of the things you’d like to see happen in the near future?
The village already hosts four major annual events, and I’ve proposed several new ideas to help neighbors connect not just across the street, but across town. I’d love to see more opportunities for community integration and connection.
How is the village working to remain a desirable place to live?
We’re maintaining effective and efficient essential services. We have strong partnerships with police and fire-rescue, and we work hard to keep the community clean, well-landscaped and beautiful. We also continue to offer exceptional services and facilities for all residents to enjoy.
What is your vision for the village 30 years in the future?
I see a close-knit community where neighbors truly care for one another, where participation in local events is strong, and where residents play an active role in shaping Royal Palm Beach for future generations.
What are some issues that you are personally focused on?
I’m focused on advocating for laws and policies that truly serve our residents, especially when state-level legislation overrides local control. Protecting our community’s voice is critical. I’m also passionate about the arts. Once our new recreation center is completed, I’ll continue advocating for more arts classes, events and activities for residents of all ages.
Councilman Adam Miller
What are some of the things you’d like to see happen in the near future?
I would like it to remain a wonderful place to live, which is the reason why I joined the council. I thought the village had been running very well, and after
Jeff Hmara Mayor Richard Valuntas Vice Mayor
Jan Rodusky Councilwoman
Adam Miller Councilman
Sylvia Sharps Councilwoman
serving on the Planning & Zoning Commission for six years, I decided if there was an open seat, I would go for it. I have been living in Royal Palm Beach for 22 years, and I want to keep it a great place to live.
How is the village working to remain a desirable place to live?
One way is making sure that our businesses and our residents follow our codes so that everyone gets to enjoy living here. I want to give credit to our village manager and the entire staff for working together to keep it a beautiful community. Also, we are blessed with 24 beautiful parks that our residents get to enjoy. I don’t know any other municipality in our area that offers as many recreation areas per capita for residents.
What is your vision for the village 30 years in the future?
I would like the village to have the same quality of life that we have today, with residents who still love living in Royal Palm Beach. However, I would look forward to new technologies, whatever they may be, used to make
our lives easier and more efficient. For example, new technologies to make traffic more manageable.
What are some issues that you are personally focused on?
I am very interested in solutions for our traffic problems, and I would like to support educators in our community through recognition and other strategies, so we attract the best teachers to work here in Royal Palm Beach.
Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps
What are some of the things you’d like to see happen in the near future?
I would like to make sure that the older plazas in our community are kept up and maintained to the high standards of Royal Palm Beach. I am also concerned about the high cost of housing in our community. I am looking to work with Realtors and landlords to meet and discuss the high costs of rent and what we can do to keep this an affordable community for families. The completion of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center expansion is also very important, and something I look
forward to seeing over the next year. How is the village working to remain a desirable place to live?
We are, of course, working to maintain our hometown atmosphere and keeping the village a hometown community. This includes the cleanliness of the streets and sidewalks throughout the village, listening to our residents, and adding more programs for the youth, elderly and veterans in our village.
What is your vision for the village 30 years in the future?
I think the key is modernization without changing our family traditions. I also hope that there is significant traffic relief with alternative methods of commuting from Royal Palm Beach throughout Palm Beach County.
What are some issues that you are personally focused on?
I am focused on maintaining our low millage rate and also making sure that our youth become more engaged with our village and the council. They are our future, for our village to continue the progress that we have enjoyed.
(L-R) Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps, Mayor Jeff Hmara, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky and Councilman Adam Miller.
PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH
The evolution of MRI
The evolution of MRI
What a weight-bearing MRI reveals vs. a Supine MRI
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Conventional
G-scan Brio Reveals What Supine MRI Misses
G-scan Brio Reveals What Supine MRI Misses
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The
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G-scan Brio: Adds Weight To Your Diagnosis
G-scan Brio: Adds Weight To Your Diagnosis
G-scan Brio offers a revolutionary MRI approach that increases diagnostic accuracy and confidence for musculoskeletal applications.
G-scan Brio offers a revolutionary MRI approach that increases diagnostic accuracy and confidence for musculoskeletal applications.
