Town-Crier Newspaper December 16, 2022

PALM TRAN TO MODERNIZE SHELTERS SEE STORY, PAGE 3

HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE LIGHTS UP LAKE SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 13

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Westlake Mulls How To Regulate ‘Sexually Oriented’ Businesses

Volume 43, Number 25 December 16 - December 29, 2022

Serving Palms West Since 1980

FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS

In the wake of the Tuesday, Dec. 6 meeting of the Westlake City Council, council members and staff are wrestling with the difficult issue of establishing and regulating “sexually oriented businesses” without running afoul of constitutional protections. Page 3

Reconfigured ITID Board Supports Local Bill On Incorporation Vote

Within minutes after two new members were sworn onto the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors at the Wednesday, Dec. 7 meeting, incorporation for the sprawling, semi-rural community was back on the front burner. Page 4

Boys & Girls Club Hosts ‘Gift Getting’ Event

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County held its first-ever Gift Getting Pre-Wellington Dinner Dance Event on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Wellington National Golf Club. More than $23,000 was raised as guests shopped the night away at fabulous vendor boutiques and bid on silent auction items. Page 8

RPB Hosts Winter Fest Event At Commons Park

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Village of Royal Palm Beach hosted its annual Winter Fest celebration and tree-lighting ceremony at Commons Park. The event drew a huge crowd as residents decided to get into the holiday spirit. Page 17

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Wellington hosted the 38th annual Wellington Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 11 along Forest Hill Blvd. This year’s theme was “Favorite Holiday Destinations.” Shown above, the New Horizons Elementary School float was honored as Best in Show. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Council Eyes Village Park For Possible New Aquatics Facility

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report As the Village of Wellington gets closer to building a replacement for the aging Wellington Aquatics Complex, an underutilized parcel of land at the southwestern corner of Village Park has emerged as a leading contender for a new pool site.

At a workshop meeting on Monday, Dec. 12, the Wellington Village Council reviewed seven possible sites for a new aquatics complex. The Village Park site, located near the back entrance on 120th Avenue South, got the most support when the council was asked to provide a shortlist of sites to be sent to a consulting firm that will design the new facility.

Also at the workshop, the council considered the future of the Lake Wellington Professional Centre, the 10-acre civic site near

the Mall at Wellington Green and the K-Park parcel on State Road 7.

Assistant Planning, Zoning & Building Director Michael O’Dell provided the council with an overview of the seven sites that could serve as possible locations for the pool complex.

Three of the sites — the 10-acre Wellington Green Park site, the KPark property and Greenbriar Park — were quickly dismissed by the council members as inappropriate sites for the pool.

A site on Birkdale Drive near Elbridge Gale Elementary School did generate some discussion, but that site would require a complex negotiation with the school district and could potentially create traffic difficulties in the area.

That left the Village Park site, the current site at Town Center and a site at Wellington High School See NEW POOL, page 7

Acreage Residents Plan Code Enforcement Protest Dec. 19

WINTERFEST FUN WITH VANILLA ICE

That, said Melian, is why she and a group of neighbors living in the Indian Trail Improvement District have organized a protest at 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 outside the Palm Beach County Commission offices at 301 N. Olive Ave. in West Palm Beach.

Some 200 people attended a recent informational session regarding the issue held at the Acreage branch library. Melian said she’s hoping for a good turnout Monday.

She insists that tractor-trailer rigs had been allowed for years in The Acreage, and that only changed in 2019 when the county revised the code.

County officials and developers “want to gentrify the area now that they’ve built Westlake,” Melian said. “They want more communities that are in line with that.”

Melian explained that the ability to park the rig in their yard was one of the main reasons they moved

Wellington Winterfest featuring Vanilla Ice, produced by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Wellington, was held Friday, Dec. 9 at Village Park with live music and dance performances, holiday favorites, food, refreshments, a snow-like foam party, games, pet adoptions, photo booths, visits with Santa and more. Shown above, Vanilla Ice hangs out with kids on stage. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 18

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Big-rig drivers in The Acreage have a big problem: Lots of trucks and no place to legally park them, at least according to Palm Beach County code enforcement.

Fines can run to $1,000 per day, per vehicle for parking a semi at their residence.

“We feel like we’re being ignored and pushed out of the community,” said Acreage resident Natalia Melian, whose husband, Ricardo Alonso, makes his living on the road behind the wheel of a Kenworth tractor.

It’s not only drivers of semitractors and their long trailers that are in danger of aggressive enforcement, said Melian, but also owners of dump trucks, smaller commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, swamp buggies, airboats and more who often park them in their multi-acre yards.

to The Acreage some 10 years ago. Now, with their two young children, they may have to move again, she said.

Recently elected District 6 County Commissioner Sara Baxter will not be present during the protest, her Chief of Staff Jon Carter said Wednesday. However, he said, Baxter intends to request from the commission a “zoning in progress” designation for this issue that would provide a moratorium on enforcement and fines for up to one year.

“It’s a sensitive issue,” Carter said. “We respect small businesses and understand that for many of these people, this is their livelihood.”

Unincorporated areas near Loxahatchee, Boynton Beach and Jupiter are facing similar issues, and Carter said Baxter wants to use the moratorium to study the See TRUCKERS, page 4

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Groves Council Agrees To Hire RPB Zoners Review A Lobbyist To Represent Town Public Art Proposal

Wellington Basketball Boys In Pursuit Of Another State Title

If there’s one word to describe the annual standard of play of Wellington High School’s varsity boys basketball team, it’s excellence. Under head coach Matt Colin, the expectation for the team is to win at least 20 games each year and to have a deep post-season run. Page 21 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 18 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 SPORTS..........................21 - 24 PEOPLE................................. 25 SCHOOLS.............................. 26 BUSINESS............................. 27 COLUMNS............................. 28 CLASSIFIEDS................ 29 - 30 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report After going back and forth on the issue, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council this month agreed to hire a lobbying firm to represent the town in Tallahassee during the upcoming legislative session.

Representatives of several experienced lobbying firms attended the Tuesday, Dec. 6 council meeting to make presentations: Chandler Williamson, David Ramba, Alison Dudley and Ron Book.

Representatives from the lobbying firm GrayRobinson attended remotely via Zoom.

While the council was impressed by the presentations, an initial consensus vote was 3-2 against hiring a lobbyist for this year after a disappointing season in Tallahassee last year.

However, several of the lobbyists warned against sitting out the 2023 session.

“The notion that you are in the middle of the game is a bad message,” said Book, who also lobbies on behalf of the Village of Royal Palm Beach. “You are at the start of the game. The organizational session to swear members in was a week and a half ago.”

Several of the lobbyists said that the town should go to Tallahassee with a “laser-focused” list, far shorter than in previous years.

Ramba, who also lobbies on behalf of the Indian Trail Improvement District, noted that State Rep. Rick Roth could be helpful now that he is town’s representative in Tallahassee.

Book agreed, noting that Roth is the vice chair of the Agricul-

ture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee. “You have to use what you’ve got,” he said. “If you don’t do a laser-focused agenda, you will fail.”

While the council noted that it does not have money to provide local matching funds, Book said that while matching funds are looked upon favorably, they are not required. He also said that Loxahatchee Groves could be more creative in how it puts its project requests together.

Joseph Salzverg at GrayRobinson said to keep the focus on “strong local match and shovelready projects.” He suggested two projects from different budget cycles — one with environmental and one with transportation.

“We don’t have the money See LOBBYIST, page 7

By Callie Sharkey Town-Crier Staff Report Based on an ordinance passed in 2018, the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission has a new hat to wear as the Public Art Advisory Board.

On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the board heard its first proposal sitting as the Public Art Advisory Board that involved art to be commissioned and displayed at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.

The village’s public art professional provided a presentation on the locations, artist and samples of work that is slated for display in the Cultural Center, located at 151 Civic Center Way. “There is a public art requirement for the Cultural Center,” Mario Lopez Pisani explained.

“The ordinance came into effect,

and the Cultural Center underwent expansion and improvements in 2019, with vertical construction costs of $2,467,723.

The village has allocated $30,000 as its budget, which satisfies the requirement of one percent of production costs. Currently, the center does not exhibit any works of art.”

The artwork proposed is a time lapse series by internationally renowned, New York-based photographer Xan Padron. The commissioned work would feature photographs representing the community itself.

Similar time lapse works of Padron’s are on display in Auckland, New Zealand and Venice, California, and were included in Pisani’s presentation to provide a See PUBLIC ART, page 4

Boundary Proposals For Garcia High Have Wellington Worried

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County’s first new high school since 2005 will open west of Lake Worth next fall, but there is “uproar in Wellington,” as one village official put it, about proposals that could reassign hundreds of Wellington students to a school well outside the community.

The feedback comes as county officials try to figure out how to draw the boundary map for Dr. Joaquín García High School, set to open in August on Lyons Road, north of Lantana Road in unincorporated Lake Worth.

Wellington residents have argued for keeping students at schools within municipal boundaries as much as possible, citing, for

example, the fact that the village provides grants to help boost local schools.

“All of our students have always gone to the two Wellington high schools, Wellington High School and Palm Beach Central,” Councilman John McGovern said.

“That should continue.”

Pushback from Wellington residents ranked among the two most commonly heard concerns at a Thursday, Dec. 8 meeting of the school district’s Advisory Boundary Committee, alongside parents worried their children could be reassigned to other schools from Park Vista High School.

A common refrain from parents is they have moved to communities specifically for highly rated schools, only to find children

separated from friends or sent to schools not necessarily holding the same academic track record.

School district planners say that they need to find some way to relieve overcrowding at half a dozen existing high schools, including Palm Beach Central, which serves Wellington’s eastern neighborhoods. It is operating at 109 percent of its planned capacity, officials said.

“We’ve got to relieve these six schools,” said Jason Link, manager of school enrollment and demographics for the Palm Beach County School District. “We’ve got one relief school, really, that’s a brand-new school, beautiful, modern, state of the art.”

Three possible boundary plans to redistribute students were pre-

The new Dr. Joaquín García High School, currently under construction, is set to open in August on Lyons Road, north of Lantana Road in unincorporated Lake Worth. PHOTO BY JOSHUA MANNING/TOWN-CRIER sented at the committee’s Dec. 8 meeting, but all involve considerably more than one new school’s map. Ripple effects of moving students cascade through various schools and affect nearly half of the countywide school district as

a whole, from the ocean to the county’s southern border.

Social media posts from Wellington residents have advised parents in The Isles, Grand Isles, Wellington Shores and Versailles See BOUNDARY, page 4

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

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NEWS

Westlake Mulls How To Regulate ‘Sexually Oriented’ Businesses

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report In the wake of the Tuesday, Dec. 6 meeting of the Westlake City Council, council members and staff are wrestling with the difficult issue of establishing and regulating “sexually oriented businesses” without running afoul of constitutional protections.

The city’s Planning & Zoning Department presented the first reading an ordinance that would provide definitions of sexually oriented businesses — such as adult bookstores and strip clubs — licensing and regulation for such businesses and employees, and setting distance requirements between entertainers and patrons.

It also would restrict such busi-

nesses to property zoned mixed use, and at least 1,000 feet from an another such business, existing schools, public parks, churches, residences or areas zoned residential.

“We want to regulate these businesses so that we maintain the vision for the city, which is family oriented,” City Manager Kenneth Cassel said.

It was noted that the federal courts have ruled that municipalities cannot apply an outright ban on such businesses, but City Attorney Donald Doody said such businesses can be regulated as to location, hours of operation and sales of alcohol.

“We want to be able to regulate them. Make sure we don’t have a

proliferation of such businesses,” he said.

Doody added, however, that the regulations have to be “consistent with other businesses in the city.”

“I understand that these are constitutionally protected businesses and have the freedom to operate. No one, including myself, would ever want to step on that,” Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said.

“But whatever discretion we have within the constitution and is legally allowed, we should exercise.”

O’Connor also wondered aloud whether the distance — a little more than the length of three football fields — was adequate.

However, Doody said that for Westlake to avoid legal entanglements, it is important that the coun-

Palm Tran Seeks To Modernize Shelters And Upgrade Services

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council heard a presentation on Palm Tran’s bus shelter improvement program Tuesday, Dec. 13 that also touched on ways that the countywide bus service has been working to upgrade its services as it looks toward the future.

The presentation was led by Palm Tran Executive Director Clinton Forbes, who noted at the start of his presentation that he is a Wellington resident. Forbes was joined by Yash Nagal, head of transit planning for Palm Tran.

“We provide public transportation service throughout the entire county,” Forbes said as he ran through a PowerPoint presentation about the county’s bus service.

This includes fixed-route buses, paratransit service for the elderly and disabled, and a new offering, the Go Glades micro transit service.

Go Glades was implemented in 2018. It is a door-to-door shared ride system in the Glades communities.

“This is similar to, but better than Uber and Lyft,” Forbes said.

“As part of our transit development plan, we are looking to see where in the eastern communities we can implement a system like this.”

Go Glades started with 1,000 boardings and has grown to more than 10,000 boardings a month on

the system now. It costs $2 per trip for a one-way ride, door to door.

“This is a very successful, growing mode of transportation around the country,” Forbes said. It is very expensive, so it has to be scaled appropriately to be cost effective, but it has been proven in the Glades region.”

This is one way that Palm Tran has been working on solving the problem of the first and last mile, getting riders to exactly where they want to be.

“I appreciate the emphasis you guys are placing on the first and last mile, making this a more userfriendly experience,” Councilman John McGovern said.

Forbes noted that Palm Tran’s new buses are very different than the buses people may remember from years ago. They include the new “Paradise Pass” automated fair collection system that makes it easier for riders to pay with whatever payment method or mobile device they have. There are also infotainment systems on the buses that also serve a security purpose.

For the future, Palm Tran has been exploring offering light rail service on Okeechobee Blvd., which is the agency’s most heavily traveled corridor.

“This is a long-term project that we are working to study and implement,” Forbes said.

The agency is also working toward its zero-emissions plan with a goal to convert 25 percent of its

fleet to zero-emission vehicles by 2032.

Moving to Wellington, which is home to 50 bus stops and 13 bus shelters, Forbes noted that the Mall at Wellington Green remains a top hub for Palm Tran.

This brought Forbes to the new bus shelter program, which is being led by Nagal, who explained that the old bus stop model based on bus stops provided by advertising agencies is outdated. They needed to come up with a new proposal, which put Palm Tran in control of where the shelters go and what they look like.

Nagal showed the council a new, modern shelter prototype with LED information screens, real-time bus arrival times, solar lighting, shaded seating, better signage at bus stops, and QR codes to provide immediate bus information. He called it “the bus stop of the future.”

This project will be implemented starting in 2023 and will include locations in Wellington.

“We want to coordinate closely with your staff on these bus shelters,” Forbes said.

He added that Wellington will have options when it comes to the bus stop aesthetics to create a look that better fits the community.

That idea pleased Mayor Anne Gerwig. “We want our own brand involved,” she said.

Learn more about the services available at www.palmtran.org.

cil act in a way that is consistent with how other businesses have been handled.

“You can’t pick an arbitrary distance, say two miles or three miles,” he said. “This is the regulation of a lawful business.”

More important than location, said Doody, is part of the ordinance making it a violation “for any person to sell, use, or consume

two alcoholic beverages on the premises of a sexually oriented business.”

That will dissuade businesses of this nature.

“We can regulate [alcohol sales], and we can prohibit it,” Doody pointed out. “The economic burden of not selling alcohol changes the business model…

That has been very effective. It’s

recognized by the courts. If you do that… I think you are a step ahead of other municipalities in addressing this issue.”

While agreeing that they were generally satisfied with the proposed ordinance, the council members voted 5-0 to table it until February, when city staff will present requested research See WESTLAKE, page 14

Donate Your Old Sneakers To Support Kittens And Puppies

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report They’re sitting in the back of your closet, laces tied together, so the pair won’t be separated. They haven’t been thrown out, because you just can’t bear to bring them to the trash can. But they’re there, sneakers no longer being worn for some reason or another.

Perhaps you have a collection of children’s shoes — it seems every month a new size is needed.

They’re just sitting there. Maybe they’re collecting dust. But eventually, they’ll make their way outside, into the bin, to be picked up and brought to the landfill.

But what if there’s another option for sneakers that aren’t quite good enough to donate, that have endured countless miles, protected your feet from the elements, and have given their last bit of support?

Foster pet parent and coordinator of the cattery at the Lake Worth Petco, Jessica Jerchower is coordinating another project with Good Karma Pet Rescue of South Florida: a sneaker drive.

An ongoing fundraiser program, Jerchower is collecting sneakers in any condition, no matter how ratty, tattered and broken they are.

“I’m trying to get as many people involved as I can to collect sneakers and send them in,” she said.

A Miami-based company, GotSneakers (www.gotsneakers. com), collects and either redistributes or recycles sneakers depending on their condition.

“We’ve probably sent in about 30 bags so far; we’ve been doing this for about three months,” Jerchower said.

Even sneakers that are not salvageable can be traded in.

Got Sneakers pays anywhere

Bianca is available for adoption, but you can also help her by donating your old sneakers. from 25 cents to $7 a pair for hours, are encouraged to contact sneakers, depending on the brand, Jerchower. quality and condition — but they’ll “Just going door-to-door with a take anything, and give Good Kar- little wagon, you can pick up a lot ma at least 25 cents a pair. From of shoes,” she said. heel to toe, each sneaker must be Jerchower is also looking for lolonger than 4.5 inches. cal businesses interested in putting “Any brand, any size, as long as out a box to collect shoes and to they have laces,” Jerchower said. partner with the program.

Sneakers that can’t be reused are At the end of the day, a quick given to a Florida-based renewable e-mail to Jerchower has many energy facility, where they’re bro- benefits: you clear out your clutter, ken down and used to create clean, and your old sneakers are either renewable energy. repaired, redistributed or recycled.

“Everybody has old sneakers, Someone else can get use out of sitting in their closet that they don’t them, your sneakers don’t end up wear or don’t use,” Jerchower said. in the landfill and the animals at “I liked the idea of GotSneakers Good Karma Pet Rescue receive because it’s fourfold: they’ll give additional support. the sneakers to somebody in need, “As long as people bring me it’s keeping them out of the land- sneakers, I’ll be sending bags in,” fills, they recycle them into clean Jerchower said. energy, and we can earn money for Good Karma Pet Rescue is a the rescue.” nonprofit organization that proRunners clubs, tennis clubs vides quality and loving care to and even schools are collecting homeless pets in South Florida. sneakers for Good Karma to send For more information about volto GotSneakers. unteering with Good Karma, or Scout troops who want a fun to arrange to donate sneakers, project, as well as students look- contact Jerchower at jej1123@ ing to earn community service comcast.net.

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NEWS

Lox Council Gets Update From Code Enforcement Contractor

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report Code enforcements issue were front and center at the Tuesday, Dec. 6 meeting of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council when the council met with representatives from SAFEbuilt, the town’s contractor for building and code enforcement services.

While council members generally agreed that code enforcement remains a problem in the community, there was not a consensus about how to fix the issues.

Even before SAFEbuilt’s presentation, the council almost ended its year-old agreement with the firm over a disagreement regarding easement wording in building department paperwork.

After first voting to not renew the contract, the council backtracked and approved a one-year extension with direction to town staff to remove an easement request that has appeared in some paperwork.

SAFEbuilt representative Maria Pineda, the account manager, noted that the easement language was not from her firm.

“The service we provide for the building department is reviews within the building,” she said. “Public works deals with easements. We don’t have a say on that.”

Pineda was joined by Bernard Pita, who serves as code compliance director in Loxahatchee Groves, to give the council an update, three months after a previous meeting where the council also expressed concerns.

“We have made a lot of tweaks and adjustments,” Pineda said. “I am happy to report that there has been significant progress.”

Pita said that he and his team have weekly meetings with the town manager and town attorney.

He has since reorganized code enforcement in the community and brought new people on board

to get the work done. This includes hiring a part-time administrative support person.

Pita added that there is a magistrate once a week in the town to address priorities, such as illegal tree removal. They will also be introducing a complaint affidavit.

“A lot of residents don’t understand what it is that code enforcement can do,” he said, adding that according to Florida Statues, the enforcement officers must actually observe the code violation, and a picture or video submitted by someone is not enough to take action.

Pita suggested a code workshop with the community to explain how the system works, adding that now that he has more support staff, he is expecting things to get easier.

Pineda said that there must be an adequate tracking mechanism in place to track violations as they come in. “What we are trying to achieve is to start a robust code

program with code enforcement ordinances that are going to be effective for the town,” she said.

Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia, however, was critical of the work that has been done so far.

“We are renewing your contract after a year, and we still do not have adequate code enforcement,” she said. “I don’t think the people of this town need a workshop. I think you need a workshop. The people of this town know what code is supposed to do. They are just not seeing it done.”

Maniglia asked the firm to bring in an experienced code enforcement officer with expertise in agricultural communities. She was particularly concerned with violations that she has seen in the Okeechobee Blvd. area.

“All you have to do is drive down Okeechobee. It is in plain sight, and it is open to the public.

But you are out measuring grass,” Maniglia said. “People should be

able to live a peaceful life without having a truck stop next to them.”

Councilwoman Marge Herzog asked about the possibility of weekend coverage.

“I’m not sure if that is going to be us or the town,” Pita said.

He added that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office can be brought in to help with major code violations in progress, such as someone clear-cutting their property.

Councilwoman Marianne Miles warned against overly aggressive code enforcement.

“I am not a fan of code enforcement,” she said. “I believe in environmental and health and safety issues. But pitting neighbor against neighbor because they don’t like what they’re doing on the other side of the fence — that’s not proper code enforcement.”

She also warned against selective code enforcement, noting that to pinpoint Okeechobee Blvd.

would be selective code enforcement. “Unless it is a health and safety or environmental issue, we should not be looking for problems,” Miles said. “I’m not for clear cutting, but I am also not in favor of spending money on the sheriff to get them out there.”

Mayor Robert Shorr wanted to make sure that code enforcement does not take on too many extra expenses. “You need to work within your budget and do the best you can,” he said.

When Maniglia pressed for the hiring of a veteran code enforcement officer, Pita noted that hiring nowadays is a challenge across all industries.

“It is kind of hard to hire in any discipline,” he said, noting that the code job is for part-time work.

“There are not many applicants for that type of work.”

The company agreed to provide the council with updates at least once a quarter.

Reconfigured ITID Board Supports Local Bill On Incorporation Vote

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report Within minutes after two new members were sworn onto the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors at the Wednesday, Dec. 7 meeting, incorporation for the sprawling, semi-rural community was back on the front burner.

On a 5-0 vote that included recently elected supervisors Elizabeth Accomando and Patricia Farrell, the board set as one of its legislative priorities to support a bill in Tallahassee that would allow the district to involve itself in talks regarding a referendum on the issue.

“This allows the board to speak about it with other entities,” ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said at the meeting. “It allows the district to get back into the process.”

It also would allow Hanson and other staff members to spend time on the issue.

John Rivera, a strong anti-incorporation candidate who lost to incumbent Michael Johnson in November, said Wednesday he was not surprised by how rapidly the referendum push returned to the board’s agenda once the two new supervisors were seated.

“My main opposition to incorporation has been rooted in the push by ITID,” Rivera said.

“I don’t think ITID should be involved at all. I don’t think we need more government.”

When a similar bill did not advance last year, the referendum push was turned over to a three-person committee, of which Accomando is a member. The

Boundary

New School Lines Worry Wellington

continued from page 1 neighborhoods that their students could be zoned to leave Palm Beach Central for Garcia.

The first plan presented, for example, would move 495 students from Palm Beach Central’s boundary to Garcia in the first year, and up to 650 in later years, officials said. At the same time, Palm Beach Central would take some students from crowded high schools to its east, with the goal to keep the net student population at Palm Beach Central closer to its designed capacity of 2,744 students.

Two other proposals offer slight alternatives, but much of the discussion in the boundary committee revolved around possible revisions to the first plan.

Garcia is forecast to host about 2,500 students by the 2027-28 school year. It is named after Dr. Joaquín García, a Cuban-born local businessman who was a founding member and chair of the Hispanic Education Coalition of Palm Beach County. He died in 2021.

The boundary committee plans to meet again Tuesday, Dec. 20 to study options, including possibly tweaking plans for Park Vista and Palm Beach Central, though comments among committee members did not suggest any quick or simple consensus for what to do about the Wellington students.

group is in the process of submitting a request to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation to support a referendum bill during the 2023 session of the Florida Legislature.

As part of the same 5-0 vote, the supervisors officially voiced their support for the bill.

Accomando said she’s happy to see the board back the bill, and she noted that ITID’s attorney has opined that her serving as a supervisor and as member of committee is not a conflict of interest.

Acreage Landowners’Association President Bob Morgan, who also is a member of the committee, told the supervisors that he plans to attend the Jan. 12 meeting of the legislative delegation in Jupiter to urge their support of the referendum bill. He hopes to get several of the legislators into the district for a tour prior to the meeting, he said.

“I’m hoping the local delegation will give us the right to vote on our future,” Accomando said.

Other legislative priorities adopted by the supervisors include: • A resolution that would “reiterate and reaffirm” the board’s commitment to seeing State Road 7 extended to Northlake Blvd.

Supervisors and residents have often voiced their concern about an excessive number of vehicles using roads in The Acreage as a cut-through between Southern, Okeechobee and Northlake boulevards. “It’s only going to get worse,” ITID Vice President Betty Argue said. “This is just the tip of the iceberg.”

• Seeking $1 million for improvements to the East-West The committee’s job in advising the school district and the superintendent is to think about issues such as school capacity across the county, and not only what is best from the point of view of an individual neighborhood or municipality, members reminded listeners.

“I hear everybody’s concern,” said Nancy Gribble, an Advisory Boundary Committee member.

“We’re a Palm Beach County school district. We’re not a village district. We’re not a municipality.”

One idea, raised by Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes, is exploring whether the county could give more students to Wellington High School to help relieve Palm Beach Central, though county officials note that Wellington High School is running at about 99 percent capacity now.

Barnes said a planned western-area high school in five years could eventually ease crowding at the two Wellington high schools, even if they face congestion in the short run.

“I realize this is a very tough job,” said John Webber, a member of Wellington’s Education Committee, at the Dec. 8 meeting.

“But it’s important that the village speaks up.”

Members of the public can comment at the school district’s Advisory Boundary Committee virtual meeting set for Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. Check the school district’s online meeting calendar for details.

Comments can also be sent via e-mail to public.comment@ palmbeachschools.org.

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Conveyance Canal. Some $3 million is already available through a grant, making it more likely that the legislature might fund the rest, Hanson said.

• Seeking $200,000 to study how to best use the 640 acres donated to the district for water storage in 2018 by GL Homes. It was part of a deal with ITID and the county to allow development of some 3,600 acres in the northwest portion of the district, including 3,897 homes and 350,000 square feet of commercial space. Development by GL has yet to begin.

This fall, the company proposed a land swap supported by ITID that would have cut the number of homes, but the plan has so far failed to gain approval by the Palm Beach County Commission.

• A letter of support to for $16 million in funding to complete the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area levee in the northwest section of the district. The levee project now is under the purview of the South Florida Management District and Palm Beach County.

In other business: • Accomando and Farrell were welcomed to the board, and Johnson took the oath for a second term. Johnson was re-elected president, Argue was re-elected vice president, Accomando was named treasurer, Farrell was chosen as secretary and Supervisor Keith Jordano was tabbed as assistant secretary.

Public Art

Planned For Cultural Center

continued from page 1 clear understanding of the type of work expected.

“The village aims to create an original art commission from a leading photographer in the art world,” Pisani explained. “Captivating composition can highlight striking backgrounds when he shoots and shows the diversity of individuals in a community. For this reason, we aim to highlight Royal Palm Beach and speak to the dignity inherent to this place we call home.”

Pisani said that the process involves Padron finding the perfect spot to set up his camera, which he then uses to capture members of the community at random as they stroll past the selected backdrop.

The repetitive activity of capturing

Truckers

Protest Dec. 19 In WPB

continued from page 1 problem and develop “a wholistic approach for the entire county.”

Under existing county code, residential storage/parking is allowed for one commercial vehicle — defined as registered and belonging to a resident of the property, and not exceeding 12,500 pounds and 26 feet in length. A tractor-trailer rig is often more than 60 feet long and weighs 80,000 pounds or more. Restrictions within municipalities vary.

ITID Vice President Betty Argue recently estimated that there are at least 150 big-rig drivers

New ITID Board of Supervisors — (L-R) Keith Jordano, Elizabeth Accomando, Betty Argue, Michael Johnson and Patricia Farrell.

PHOTO COURTESY INDIAN TRAIL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT • The board heard from Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Craig Turner that the county has been “getting hammered” recently by an organized group of car thieves and car burglars.

Turner said during one recent night, five car thefts and nine car burglaries were reported in The Acreage area, noting that three guns left in cars were taken during

the spree. Several of the cars were left unlocked with keys inside, he said.

He said the gang has been rotating between The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington and “grabbing whatever they can get.”

Turner urged vehicle owners to lock their cars, not leave keys in their cars or anything in plain

passersby in the community is the anchor of Padron’s work.

“His conceptual framework can be deeply profound. The inner life of the community is captured through individuals stitched together to form a whole,” Pisani said. “These ideas carry a beautiful aesthetic resonance but also, they speak to the meaning of community. As we live individually, a sense of social connection and sense of belonging is important to build a strong bond with our neighbors.”

The proposal for the purchase of a 30-inch-by-57-inch “We the People” framed time lapse photograph and a second 40-inch-by-60-inch time lapse photograph — both

by Xan Padron — received full support from the board.

In other business: • During the Local Planning Agency meeting, both requests

by Urban Design Studio regarding the Tuttle Royale project were approved. The first moves 10 tracts of land into the recently adopted mixed use social center (MXS)

A rendering of how Xan Padron’s art will look in the Cultural Center. designation, while the second in- at 151 S. State Road 7 was given cluded the rezoning of five parcels board approval to move forward from general commercial to MXS. with their request to add an ex• The Timbercreek Townhomes press, self-service section to the & Villas Association received ap- existing facility. proval to update the paint scheme • Resident Stuart Titley reat the community located at 100 quested a variance to keep the Sparrow Drive. existing tiki hut on his property • A site plan modification allow- on Waterway Road with a reing the expansion of Royal Palm duced rear setback. Titley said Auto Spa at 11503 Southern Blvd the structure was in place long was approved. This will allow the before he purchased the property existing automobile service station in 2014, and he provided letters to accommodate taller vehicles, of support from neighbors. The including larger trucks. motion to approve the variance • National Express Car Wash request passed 3-2.

living in the area, which has seen an influx of both truckers and luxury homeowners since 2019. She emphasized that as an unincorporated part of the county, ITID has no authority in terms of planning and zoning or code enforcement.

Melian went before the ITID board at their Dec. 7 meeting to ask that the board issue a letter of support for the truckers similar to the one dated Dec. 4, 2019, and signed by Argue, then the board’s president. The board seemed to agree but asked for time to review the situation before doing so.

The 2019 letter asks that two “commercial trucks” be allowed per property and appears to support the position of Melian and her group, reading in part: “The board feels strongly that

when the [Unified Land Development Code] was amended to restrict truck parking, rights were taken from every resident of the Indian Trail Improvement District… We do not want to alter our community to be more like the areas to the south and east of us… Unless a clear threat to public health, safety or welfare exists, we urge the county to take no action to enforce land use regulations or prosecute pending cases…”

The letter goes on to say that ITID seeks to work with the county to “restore the property rights of the citizens of Indian Trail” into the future or “until there is a decision regarding incorporation.”

“If we were incorporated, the village would be making these decisions [about zoning and code

BARRY S. MANNING DAWN RIVERA JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor Publisher General Manager STEPHANIE RODRIGUEZ Art & Production Manager EDITORIAL STAFF/ Erin Davisson • Denise Fleischman • Melanie Kopacz Mike May • Louis Hillary Park • Callie Sharkey • Julie Unger CONTRIBUTORS/ Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Joetta Palumbo STAFF/ Yolanda Cernicky • Shanta Daibee • Jill Kaskel • Carol Lieberman

sight that would catch a thief’s eye. He also noted that PBSO statistics show automobile accidents in the district are up by 8 percent — or 49 events — over this time last year.

Turner also told supervisors that because of a change in state law, all “no trespassing” signs in the county will have to be replaced over the next several months.

enforcement],” newly elected Supervisor Elizabeth Accomando said Wednesday.

Accomando is a longtime proponent of holding a referendum on Acreage incorporation.

“Personally, I think if a trucker has been on the road, he comes home, he should have the right to bring his truck and park it on his property,” she said. “But as it is, Indian Trail has no stake in this.

No say.”

It is not any easy issue, Argue said. “I support the lifestyles that have historically been in this community,” she said. “But as many people as I’ve heard from [supporting the truckers], I’ve heard from about the impact on their dirt roads. It’s a lose-lose situation for the district.”

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Page 5

NEWS

PARADE BRINGS ‘FAVORITE HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS’ THEME TO WELLINGTON

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Wellington hosted the 38th annual Wellington Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 11 along Forest Hill Blvd. This year’s theme was “Favorite Holiday Destinations.” New Horizons Elementary School was honored as Best in Show. Other winners were: Decorated Vehicle - Wellington Wizards Rugby Club (first) and Palm Beach State College (second); Juvenile Float - Wellington All Stars (first) and Cub Scout Pack 125 (second); Performing Group - Dance Theatre at Wellington Green (first) and the Academy of Dance & Acrobatics (second); Adult Float - Wellington Regional Medical Center (first) and Premier Family Health (second); Band - Wellington High School (first) and Palm Beach Central High School (second); and Marching Group - Cats Gymnastics (first) and Roosevelt Middle School (second).

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The Wellington High School marching band was honored as best band.

Amara and Luke Gerwig, Jordan and Jess Chusid, Alan and Mayor Anne Gerwig with Millie and Leighton Chusid.

Nathalie, Sophia, Julia and Wellington Vice Mayor Michael Drahos.

Wellington Regional Medical Center took first place for adult float.

The Palm Beach Central High School marching band took second place for best band.

RPB Mayor Fred and Donielle Pinto.

RPB Vice Mayor Selena Samios and Marya Smith.

Supervisor Keith Jordano represented the Indian Trail Improvement District.

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council rides in the parade.

The Seminole Ridge High School marching band.

Dance Theatre at Wellington Green was first in performing groups.

Cats Gymnastics took first for marching groups.

Cub Scouts Pack 125 was second in juvenile floats.

Palm Beach State College was second in decorated vehicles.

The Royal Palm Beach High School marching band.

Premier Family Health took second for adult float.

The Wellington All Stars took first for juvenile float.

The Wellington Wizards Rugby Club was first in decorated vehicles.

The Academy of Dance & Acrobatics was honored with second in performing groups.

Santa and Mrs. Claus and friends ended the parade on the Wellington Rotary float.

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Page 7

NEWS

Western Academy Charter School Ranks Tops In County, State

By Callie Sharkey Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board celebrated its final meeting of the year by enjoying a presentation and choral performance by Western Academy Charter School at the Monday, Dec. 12 meeting.

Western Academy music teacher Kelley Hubbard brought 15 of her fourth-grade students, and one former student now in 10th grade, to sing three songs for the council.

The first was a traditional version of “Winter Wonderland,” followed by the students donning antlers and breaking into the “Reindeer Rap.” The final piece was a medley of both “Jingle Bells” and “Jingle Bell” Rock.

Western Academy Principal Tsiri Miller stepped up to share both some history of the school and an update on the future.

“We’ve been a charter school in Royal Palm Beach since 2003 — this is our 20th year. We are a notfor-profit charter school, not owned

New Pool

Village Park Site Among Contenders

continued from page 1 that was written into a lease agreement with a school district before a new park was built there two years ago.

Those three sites will be forwarded to the consultant for design concepts, however, only the Village Park site would easily give Wellington enough space to create the large, world-class facility that some council members envision.

This would include a modern competition pool, a separate recreation pool and additional aquatic amenities.

The existing pool complex was purchased with the old Wellington Club East site in the 1990s. It dates back to the early years of the community but was renovated in the late 1990s and again in 2010.

However, its basic design hasn’t changed, and it is not considered a modern pool design. The village has issues using it for both recreational programs and swim competitions.

“What is the current state of our pool today?” Vice Mayor Michael Drahos asked.

Village Manager Jim Barnes said that the existing pool will need major renovations within a few years since its mechanics and systems are close to failing.

“Regardless of what location is ultimately selected, we believe that within two years, we have to be in a pool replacement mode,” Barnes said.

Already, expensive work is being done. For example, a filter replacement that will close the pool over the holidays this month will use a new system that consultants say can be used with a new pool in the future, either at the current site or elsewhere.

Barnes said that the pool needs to be separated between a competi-

or managed by any company. We are independent, and we have our own board of directors who are very engaged. We’ve been A-rated since 2006,” Miller said. “Our enrollment is at 575 students. We have a Project CHILD program in elementary and a STEAM program in middle school.”

Western Academy is a free public charter school that follows state-adopted curricula and state standards. There is no tuition, but families must complete a lottery application to initially enroll their children in the school. The school is not only the top-ranked school in Royal Palm Beach, but the No. 1 K-8 school in all of Palm Beach County.

Miller shared a list of recognitions for the school, including being a Florida School of Excellence since 2017. This is only achieved by attaining a top 20 percent ranking in state testing. It is a High-Performing Charter School since 2011 and a 5-Star Award recipient since 2010. In addition,

Western Academy has maintained a Green School of Excellence title since 2016 and has been a Project CHILD national demo site since 2011.

“We just moved to a new facility in July. It is about 61,000 square feet with room to expand,” Miller said.

The new campus is located at the northwest corner of Southern and Crestwood boulevards.

“The goal by the 2025-26 school year is to reach 785 students, and we are doing that slowly so we can make sure and do things right,” Miller said.

To celebrate the new campus, Western Academy is planning a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.

When looking at testing scores on both the county and state level, Western Academy is the only school in the county where all third graders scored over a level one, meaning none of the students were retained in the grade. In both ELA and math, the students exceeded

both the district and state averages.

Western Academy scored higher than the district and state in every subject and every grade level for end-of-course exams in science and civics.

Students with disabilities also scored higher on exams, which has special meaning for Miller.

“I’m very passionate about ESE,” she said, describing her transfer from teaching in the classroom to becoming an ESE coordinator. “That is when my leadership journey started. I am passionate about equitable education, and we are almost 35 points higher [than the district and state].”

Despite being in the top 1 percent of all Florida charter schools, the top 1.5 percent of all middle schools and top 10 percent of all elementary schools in the state, Miller said that the results for individual students is more important.

“100 percent of our fifth graders go on to graduate high school. 100 percent of our eighth graders go on to graduate high school. It’s very

powerful. That’s what we want for our kids,” she said. “All this data, these are great scores, and we are really proud, but it’s not all that we are, and not the end-all of education. So much dedication goes in to get to these scores.”

The elementary portion of the school is part of the national Project CHILD program, which stands for “Changing How Instruction for Learning is Delivered.” There are three teachers in a cluster who work with the same subject and same students during three different grade levels.

“Teachers are teaching only their content level. It’s powerful that the students loop for three years with those teachers. There is no down time in getting to know the students. That part is very effective,” Miller said.

The middle school programs offer both a traditional student track and an accelerated STEAM academy. The middle school teachers blend traditional learning models with project-based learning and

run some of the electives based on their own passions and interests.

Also at the meeting, Central Region Superintendent Valerie Zuloaga-Haines provided highlights from other village schools. She thanked the community for supporting the district’s recent referendum. She also shared some results of the annual Superintendent’s Season Greeting Card Contest.

“Crestwood Middle School’s very own Zariah Lee won first place in the middle school division,” Zuloaga-Haines said. “I must brag a little. The central region had a full sweep. Elementary, middle and high school — first, second and third place — all from the central region.”

The board members reminded the public that the scholarship applications for high school seniors living in Royal Palm Beach opens on the village web site Friday, Dec. 16.

The next scheduled meeting of the Education Advisory Board will take place on Monday, Feb. 14.

tion pool and a pool for recreation purposes, and that the current splash pad and slides are out of date.

The existing pool would be out of service for 15 to 18 months if the same site was used as the replacement pool site, he said.

“We would only be able to keep this operational if we build somewhere else,” Barnes said.

The money necessary for the work ranges from $3.75 million to renovate the existing pool, going up to $13 million for a larger, entirely new facility with more amenities. The low-price option would buy the village a few more years, but the higher-priced proposals would create a facility lasting for the next 30 to 40 years.

“My problem with moving the pool is that I don’t think any of the other locations are ideal,” Mayor Anne Gerwig said. “When we talk about Town Center, we are really talking about someplace for the community to gather.”

Councilman Michael Napoleone said that he did not believe that there is synergy between the pool and the rest of the site.

“If we want to be future thinking, we need to have the same kind of world-class facility like we do everything else in Wellington,” he said.

Drahos agreed. “Since we are faced with this expense, we should make a decision that makes sense,” he said. “Most amount of synergy would be if we put it at Village Park where all our other athletics take place.”

The 12-acre site near the Village Park entrance off 120th Avenue South is currently used as a Public Works Department storage facility.

Councilman John McGovern suggested putting the competition pool and the recreation pool at different places. This could make the current site, the high school site or the Birkdale site work better, he suggested.

Napoleone wanted to avoid the WHS site, if possible.

“The high school is my least

favorite site,” he said. “I think it is too small, and we are cramming too much stuff on that footprint.”

Councilwoman Tanya Siskind asked, “Are two pool locations really an option?”

Barnes said that it is from a space perspective, but it would not be the preference of village staff, which would need to staff and maintain both facilities.

Gerwig reiterated that she would prefer to keep the pool where it is but would consider moving it to Village Park. “Those are the only two that in my mind are in play,” she said.

Barnes said that the consultant will return with design and cost options for the current site, the Village Park site and the high school site.

LAKE WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL CENTRE Nine years after the village bought the Lake Wellington Professional Centre, the time may be drawing near that Wellington will close the facility and repurpose the land as part of the Phase III expansion of Town Center.

Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel told the council that if the LWPC is to continue to operate, it will need approximately $500,000 in repair work. That includes $400,000 for a new roof and $75,000 to $100,000 for a new, modern phone system.

Neither expense is a surprise.

The village bought the facility in December 2013 with the understanding that the roof was past its lifespan. Replacement has been delayed through repair work, but that cannot continue much longer, Quickel said.

“Our recommendation is that we can no longer wait to replace the roof,” she said. “The telephone system is over 30 years old, and we are no longer able to get parts for that.”

The facility is home to 66 leased office clients and 63 virtual clients.

It also houses a few village offices.

When the village bought the facility for a net $4 million, it

was primarily to gain control of the land, which abuts the Town Center site and the Wellington Promenade, for future expansion.

Several council members have long been critical of having the village in the business of providing office space.

“It is government-subsidized office space, which is why the private sector can’t compete with it,” Napoleone said. “We are running a Wellington product at belowmarket rates.”

Gerwig said that she would like to see a replacement for the LWPC available before it is shut down.

“That space performs as a business incubator for this community,” she said.

Gerwig favored a public-private partnership on a different villageowned site, such as the 10-acre mall site, which she said could accommodate a cultural center, a small convention space and also office space to replace the LWPC. McGovern said that the time is right to move forward with Town Center.

“We bought this to land-bank to have that additional waterfront land,” he said. “We need to get out of the landlord-tenant business as a municipality and move forward with Phase III.” The council could not vote on the issue at the workshop meeting, but the future of the LWPC is expected to be on the council’s Tuesday, Jan. 10 agenda.

WELLINGTON GREEN PARK Next up was a discussion of Wellington Green Park and its future uses. Barnes said that its value is estimated at $5.7 million.

He asked if it should be put on the market, or if a request for proposals (RFP) should be sent out for either an outright sale or perhaps a public-private partnership.

“We should discuss what we want on it,” Gerwig said. “I don’t really like the idea of putting it out to the public with no parameters.

We are not here to just get the highest sale price for the property.”

Other council members said they would support an RFP to see if there are good ideas. “I don’t see the downside to asking,” Napoleone said.

K-PARK SITE Finally, the council briefly touched on the 66-acre K-Park site at the corner of SR 7 and Stribling Way. The village has received an unsolicited offer from Katz & Associates and American Medical Buildings for $25 million for the site for office space with some re-

tail. Barnes recommended against accepting the offer because it is well below what they believe is the market value for the property.

The last major discussion of K-Park found that the community wanted a project with a large park there, although some other uses might be included. It is currently being held by the village with an agricultural lease for row crops.

The council agreed to reject the offer and continue to hold the land for future use with a significant community benefit.

DAC To Stage ‘Grinch Holiday Ballet’ Dec. 17 At WHS

Dance Arts Conservatory will present its annual holiday show on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington High School auditorium, located at 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.

“The Grinch Holiday Ballet” is a ballet twist on the classic story, perfect for the whole family.

The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet.

His main source of aggravation comes during the holidays, when his neighbors in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang.

When the Whos decide to make their Whobilation bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realizes that there is one way to gain

peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to steal the holiday spirit and silence the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all.

Come watch and support Dance Arts Conservatory’s full-length ballet and find out if the Grinch succeeds with his devious plans.

Or will Cindy Lou Who’s holiday cheer help to change his heart?

Tickets are available online or at the door, and are $20 for adults and $12 for students. Order tickets at https://danceartsconservatory. ticketleap.com/thegrinch.

Learn more about Dance Arts Conservatory by calling (561) 296-1880 or visiting www. danceartsconservatory.com.

Dance Arts Conservatory’s holiday ballet performances are always great fun for the whole family.

NEWS BRIEFS Aquatics Complex To Close For Maintenance

The Wellington Aquatics Complex will close on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, and remain closed through Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023, for filter installation and maintenance. The complex is expected to reopen for normal hours on Thursday, Jan. 5. For more information about the Wellington Aquatics Complex, visit www.wellingtonfl. gov/aquatics.

Christmas Services At St. Michael

Two Christmas Eve services will be held at St. Michael Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wel-

lington on Saturday, Dec. 24. The services are open to the community, and all are welcome.

The first service will be held outside at 5:30 p.m. Attendees should bring a lawn chair. This has been a popular service, as the sky darkens for Christmas Eve. Glow sticks will be distributed and lit during the service. Communion will be offered through the use of all-in-one communion cups. Santa will make an appearance as part of the children’s sermon.

The second service will be held indoors and start at 7:30 p.m. Individual candles will be distributed to the participants and lit during the service. Communion will also be offered.

On Sunday, Dec. 25, one indoor service will be held at 11 a.m., which is a Lessons and Carols Service.

Indoor services are also livestreamed for those unable to attend

in person. The link is https://youtu. be/3TKKcX_xayg.

St. Michael is located at 1925 Birkdale Drive in Wellington. For more information regarding any of the services, contact the church office Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at (561) 7934999, or e-mail stmelc@bellsouth. net. Questions can also be directed to Pastor Sid Nelson at (561) 463-8900 or pastorsidnelson@ gmail.com. Learn more at www. stmichaelelc.com.

County Helps Low-Income Residents Replace AC Systems

The crisis Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Replacement Program, through

the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), is available to assist low-income Palm Beach County homeowners in need of replacing their HVAC systems. Residents may receive assistance up to $15,000 that can be used to replace a home cooling system.

Clients must be income eligible, live in Palm Beach County and be able to show that they are in a crisis situation. Completed applications must show one or more of the following: the HVAC system no longer cools; the HVAC unit is 10 years or older; proof of high energy bills; and/or proof of a life-threatening environment via a doctor’s statement.

For more info., or to apply, visit www.rentalassistancepbc.org. For help with the application, call the Palm Beach County Community Services Department Programs Call Center at 833-CSD-WILL.

Lobbyist

Lox Council

continued from page 1 for you guys,” Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia said. “We are not shovel ready, and we don’t have the 50 percent for a million-dollar project.”

Councilwoman Marge Herzog asked about the funding situation for 2023 in Tallahassee.

Book said that the economy is roaring, and the state has more than $13 billion in reserves. “There is a lot of money there, and they are going to spend a lot of money,” he said.

Councilwoman Marianne Miles, who at first voted against hiring a lobbyist, did see the value in the proposition.

“We do need a lobbyist, but it’s a craps shoot,” she said. “It’s not up to you to give us the money. I don’t like craps shoots, but we have spent small amounts of money for other things.”

At that point, Herzog said that she would be willing to change her vote, since most of the money would come out of the $20,000 that Loxahatchee Groves would not spend due to the town not needing to hold a municipal election in 2023.

Miles asked the lobbyists what

they would go after for funding.

There were suggestions for water quality and erosion control projects, as well as keeping the focus on shovel-ready projects.

Vice Mayor Laura Danowski suggested focusing on infrastructure projects, including repairing the control gates at D Road and A Road, as well as culvert repairs south of Okeechobee Blvd.

In the end, both Herzog and Miles were swayed by the arguments and agreed to move forward with a contract, voting 4-1 with Maniglia dissenting.

The council then picked their top two firms through a secret ballot, with Book and Ramba tied with the most votes. An agreement will be negotiated with one of the firms by Town Manager Francine Ramaglia.

“They are both exceptional firms,” Ramaglia said after the meeting. “They both wish to serve the community.”

Ramaglia told the Town-Crier that she is actively speaking with both Book and Ramba and will make a decision based on which proposed contract is most beneficial for the town. She does not expect the final contract to exceed $25,000, which means it does not need to go back to the council for approval.

Palm Beach Symphony Releases First Recording For The Holiday Season

The Palm Beach Symphony recently announced the release of its first recording, Sounds of the Season, featuring holiday favorites from classical and popular music.

The release is available to stream and purchase on all major platforms and is produced by multi-Grammy Award and Latin Grammy Award-winning producer Carlos Fernando Lopez. It is distributed by LandL Entertainment and Sony Latin America.

On the recording, the symphony is conducted by its Music Director Gerard Schwarz, a 14-time Grammy Award nominee. Sounds of the Season adds to his extensive catalogue of more than 350 recordings on 11 labels, which includes The Gerard Schwarz Collection as a 30-CD box set.

“The Palm Beach Symphony has performed wonderful Sounds of the Season holiday concerts for broadcast by Sinclair Broadcasting’s digital and streaming platforms for the past three years, and the results have been so fantastic, we were encouraged to create a holiday CD,” Schwarz said. “The musicians have delivered a warm and welcoming soundtrack to the holidays that we know everyone will enjoy.”

The new release features Schwarz’s arrangement of Handel’s Concerto for Brass Quintet, Movements 2 and 4, as well as “Silent Night,” “We Three Kings of Orient Are” and Pachelbel’s “Canon in D Major,” arguably one of the most famous and recognizable pieces of classical music.

The recording offers many orchestral favorites, including “Glory to God” and “Hallelujah” from Handel’s Messiah, followed in the program by beloved melodies from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite No. 1, Op. 71A, which in-

clude the “Overture Miniature” and spirited dances including the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.”

In the festive spirit, the symphony cheerily delivers Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride” and the composer’s “Christmas Festival” medley of eight popular carols and “Jingle Bells.”

This first recording brings the Palm Beach Symphony to an international audience and comes during a year when concerts in the Dale A. McNulty Children’s Concert Series became available nationally on public broadcasting stations for the first time. Locally, the symphony also expanded its 2022-23 season by adding a sixth Masterworks Series concert at the Kravis Center and two concerts of Handel’s Messiah to its schedule.

“Some might consider Sounds of the Season to be the apex of this season, and I would agree that it is where all ascending lines now converge, but it is far from the peak,” Palm Beach Symphony CEO David McClymont said. “We will performing the first of five new works we have commissioned by American composers this season and plan to continue our upward trajectory in our 50th anniversary season next year.”

For more information about the Palm Beach Symphony, visit www.palmbeachsymphony.org.

Page 8

December 16 - December 29, 2022

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NEWS

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB HOSTS ‘GIFT GETTING’ EVENT AT WELLINGTON NATIONAL

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County held its first-ever Gift Getting Pre-Wellington Dinner Dance Event on Thursday, Dec. 1 at the Wellington National Golf Club. More than $23,000 was raised as guests shopped the night away at fabulous vendor boutiques and bid on silent auction items. The 35th annual Wellington Dinner Dance will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7 at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. For more info., contact Elena Corsano at (646) 209-6965 or ecorsano@bgcpbc.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Marcella Montesinos, Julie Khanna and Elizabeth Bruno.

Board Member Mickey Smith, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County CEO Jaene Miranda and Board Chair Louis Eisenberg.

Charlene Ramos, CarolAnn Marchand, Chris Ramos, Dan and Angie Payne, and Dawn and Lee Sutton.

John Lacy tries his luck on a lottery ticket auction item.

Kathleen Williams and Somali Menbriatta.

Raul and Beatrice De la Rua look over silent auction items.

Todd and Amy Fowler, Luis and Valerie Valiante, Alex and Xiomara Azcano, Julia and Richard Giroux, and Jennifer and Bryan Black of Legend Lake Estates.

Scott and Jenell Harris with Julie Khanna.

Lizz Smith looks over silent auction items.

Pilar Riadigos and Lynn Kirker show off handbags by Daniella Ortiz.

CV Shells Florida owner Carrie Wheeler with artist CarolAnn Marchand.

Jaene Miranda and Jennifer Black look over party wear from Voyage Boutique.

Julie Khanna tries on a bracelet with assistance Todd Fowler with Julia and Richard Giroux. from Kaela Genovese of La Enovesé Designs.

Jenna and Michael Zorn purchased art sets.

Stephanie and Celestino Ruiz with Elizabeth McKamey.

Natalie Napeoleon, Sharon Cohen, LaTricia Jenkins, Julie Weidner, Kimmy Manlich, Jasmine Galvez, Jeanette Buccola, Wendy Fox and Luciana Diesel.

Law Office of Byron Acosta, P.A. We are pleased to announce the opening of our new firm conveniently located in Lake Worth near the Florida Turnpike.

Byron Acosta focuses his practice on family law, personal injury and contract cases.

• • • • • •

Dissolution of Marriage Child Support Alimony Auto Accident Slip and Fall Breach of Contract

WE COVER YOU FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE

INSURANCE OFFERED:

Home • Auto • Boat • Motorcycle Business • Life & Health • Medicare Plans • Affordable Care Act Certified

Keith Jordano, LUTCF President & CEO Independent Agency

Byron Acosta, Esq., MBA Graduated Magna Cum Laude St. Thomas University College of Law, 2022 Admitted to the Florida Bar in 2022

8461 Lake Worth Road, Suite 466 Lake Worth, FL 33467 Telephone: 561-805-3580 Email: byron@lawofficebyronacosta.com

We offer free consultations online or in person!

Established in 1993 Designed specifically To Provide Exceptional Orthodontic Patient Care

561.307.2622 Dependable Professional

Jordano Insurance...Where Our Clients Are Always #1 Over 30 Years Insurance Experience Multi-Line Independent Agency

LOCAL FAMILY OWNED & TRUSTED 12751 Orange Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33412 | Cell 561.307.2622 Keith@jordanogroup.com | www.Jordanogroup.com

• Certified Orthodontic Specialist • Specialized/Individual Treatment Plans • Most Insurance Accepted • Flexible Finance Options • Free Initial Records & Consultation VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH EDUCATION ADVISORY BOARD SCHOLARSHIP PRESS RELEASE

Our goal at Shults Orthodontics is to help our patients achieve more attractive and healthier smiles with minimal discomfort and inconvenience. We are committed to serving you and your children efficiently in our comfortable family-centered practice in Wellington, Florida.

CALL NOW

Licensed Insured

Dr. Randy Shults DDS, MA, PhD

561-793-9888 12180 South Shore Blvd., Suite 101, Wellington www.ShultsOrthodontics.com

The Village Council of the Village of Royal Palm Beach is proud to announce they are awarding ten (10) $1,000.00 scholarships to high school seniors residing in the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Seniors, graduating in May, application can be downloaded from the Village website at www.royalpalmbeachFL.gov. The completed application must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 10, 2023 or may be hand-delivered to the Clerk’s Office at Village Hall located at 1050 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard in Royal Palm Beach by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023. Finalists must be available for interviews on Saturday, April 1, 2023.

The scholarship committee of the Education Advisory Board will make the final determination. Winners will be announced in May and the scholarships will be awarded at the Village Council meeting on Thursday, May 18, 2023. If you have questions, please call 790-5101.

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

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Page 10 December 16 - December 29, 2022

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Conveniently Located at the Corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace.

PRIVATE SCHOOL

NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

PRIVATE SCHOOL

United States Post Office

#1 Education Place 753-6563

Town-Crier Newspaper & Wellington The Magazine

Wellington Collegiate Academy 701-3462

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

RESTAURANT

U.S. POST OFFICE

FirstService Residential 795-7767

(GRADES 1 -12)

793-7606

PEDIATRICIAN

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Dr. Rosa Fernandez, M.D. 793-3232

Dr. Steven Miller, DDS 798-8023

ENGINEERING SERVICES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIR

Alan Gerwig & Associates, Inc. 792-9000

Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 790-6200

Cycle Fit Studio 795-3038

Wellington Mall Center Court

Raja Indian Cuisine 855-2765

CHILDREN’S PRE-SCHOOL

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

SYNAGOGUE

Children’s House of Wellington 790-3748

Dr. Michael Harris 204-3242

Children’s Pediatric Dentistry 793-7515

Temple B’nai Jacob 793-4347 www.templebnaijacob.com

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING COMPANY

GENERAL INSURANCE

BARBERSHOP

BOOT & SHOE REPAIR

MARTIAL ARTS

TITLE INSURANCE

VETERINARIAN

CHIROPRACTOR

Advanced Imaging Specialists 800-354-6868

Chris Barker Insurance 242-3603

Arturo Fashion Cuts 328-7176

Woody’s of Wellington 798-1440

Villari’s Studios of Self Defense 792-1100

South Shore Title, Inc. 798-9092

Animal Medical Clinic 798-2900

Taylor Chiropractic Center 793-5050

ENGINEERING SERVICES

MORTGAGE BROKER

SURVEYOR

EQUINE INSURANCE

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

NAIL SALON

AEROSPACE COMPONENT SALES

RJ Behar & Company 333-7201

Sunvest Mortgage Group 337-4848

JDC Development 790-4471

Marshall & Sterling Insurance 318-5604

www.therapyofwellington.com 444-7230

Andrea Rusher, LCSW

Dunamis Capital Consulting 313-0535

Glamorous Nail Spa 422-8882

AeroGear Telemetry 223-2590

COMPUTER SERVICE & REPAIR

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

CAREGIVER SERVICES

MED SPA, REJUVENATION & SEXUAL WELLNESS CENTER

CAFE

HAIR SALON

REAL ESTATE

CUSTOM BOOTS & SHOES

PC Pros of Wellington 420-0554

Barron & Kogan, CPAs 795-4448

True Angel Care Services Inc. (954) 326-8551

Calla Genics 252-5398

Solarlab Cafe 888-6959

Star Salon 561-784-9994

WELLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

MEN & LADIES ALTERATIONS

LITIGATORS

SECURITY

MAKE & TAKE ART STUDIO

Tom Wenham, Inc. 333-9843

Nutinfits 795-3278

Florida Litigators 561-463-8444

East Coast Investigation & Security

WOOD • PAPER •GLASS 561-557-9583

561-249-0897

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Spillane & Zahul, CPAs 790-1488

The Fabbri Group Concierge Properties

468-7653

La Mundial 459-1629

Leasing Information Call Chris Santamaria 793-4500

Page 10 December 16 - December 29, 2022

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The

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December 16 - December 29, 2022 Page 11

Conveniently Located at the Corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace.

PRIVATE SCHOOL

NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE PUBLISHERS

PRIVATE SCHOOL

United States Post Office

#1 Education Place 753-6563

Town-Crier Newspaper & Wellington The Magazine

Wellington Collegiate Academy 701-3462

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

RESTAURANT

U.S. POST OFFICE

FirstService Residential 795-7767

(GRADES 1 -12)

793-7606

PEDIATRICIAN

GENERAL DENTISTRY

Dr. Rosa Fernandez, M.D. 793-3232

Dr. Steven Miller, DDS 798-8023

ENGINEERING SERVICES

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BICYCLE SALES & REPAIR

Alan Gerwig & Associates, Inc. 792-9000

Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce 790-6200

Cycle Fit Studio 795-3038

Wellington Mall Center Court

Raja Indian Cuisine 855-2765

CHILDREN’S PRE-SCHOOL

ORAL & MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

SYNAGOGUE

Children’s House of Wellington 790-3748

Dr. Michael Harris 204-3242

Children’s Pediatric Dentistry 793-7515

Temple B’nai Jacob 793-4347 www.templebnaijacob.com

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING COMPANY

GENERAL INSURANCE

BARBERSHOP

BOOT & SHOE REPAIR

MARTIAL ARTS

TITLE INSURANCE

VETERINARIAN

CHIROPRACTOR

Advanced Imaging Specialists 800-354-6868

Chris Barker Insurance 242-3603

Arturo Fashion Cuts 328-7176

Woody’s of Wellington 798-1440

Villari’s Studios of Self Defense 792-1100

South Shore Title, Inc. 798-9092

Animal Medical Clinic 798-2900

Taylor Chiropractic Center 793-5050

ENGINEERING SERVICES

MORTGAGE BROKER

SURVEYOR

EQUINE INSURANCE

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

NAIL SALON

AEROSPACE COMPONENT SALES

RJ Behar & Company 333-7201

Sunvest Mortgage Group 337-4848

JDC Development 790-4471

Marshall & Sterling Insurance 318-5604

www.therapyofwellington.com 444-7230

Andrea Rusher, LCSW

Dunamis Capital Consulting 313-0535

Glamorous Nail Spa 422-8882

AeroGear Telemetry 223-2590

COMPUTER SERVICE & REPAIR

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

CAREGIVER SERVICES

MED SPA, REJUVENATION & SEXUAL WELLNESS CENTER

CAFE

HAIR SALON

REAL ESTATE

CUSTOM BOOTS & SHOES

PC Pros of Wellington 420-0554

Barron & Kogan, CPAs 795-4448

True Angel Care Services Inc. (954) 326-8551

Calla Genics 252-5398

Solarlab Cafe 888-6959

Star Salon 561-784-9994

WELLINGTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

MEN & LADIES ALTERATIONS

LITIGATORS

SECURITY

MAKE & TAKE ART STUDIO

Tom Wenham, Inc. 333-9843

Nutinfits 795-3278

Florida Litigators 561-463-8444

East Coast Investigation & Security

WOOD • PAPER •GLASS 561-557-9583

561-249-0897

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

Spillane & Zahul, CPAs 790-1488

The Fabbri Group Concierge Properties

468-7653

La Mundial 459-1629

Leasing Information Call Chris Santamaria 793-4500

Page 12

December 16 - December 29, 2022

The Town-Crier

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EYE CARE for the Entire Family

ON THE PROMENADE | 6 -9 PM

Saturday, January 14th TICKETS $40 EACH

• MACULAR DEGENERATION

Lee Friedman, M.D.

• DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Randy Katz, M.D.

• CLINICAL TRIALS

Barry Schechter, M.D., F.A.A.O.

• CATARACTS

FOR AGES 21+

Jonathan Criss, M.D.

• GLAUCOMA

Megan Rowlands, M.D., M.P.H.

• DRY EYE

CASINO GAMES

• ADULT & PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY

APPETIZERS • DRINKS*

• STRABISMUS

Steven Naids, M.D. James Walsh, O.D.

ENTERTAINMENT BUY TICKETS

2575 S. STATE ROAD 7. WELLINGTON, FL 33414

AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, VILLAGE PARK, OR ONLINE

Located across from the Mall at Wellington Green, behind Whole Foods and TooJays.

(561) 792-1205

(EXISTING CIVICREC USERS)

Se Habla Español

WELLINGTONFL.GOV/ CASINONIGHT

BOCA RATON • BOYNTON BEACH www.fleyedocs.com

*Ticket price includes two drink tickets. Cash bar available.

LOXAHATCHEE CLINIC

NOW OPEN

We are proud to announce the Grand Opening of our new clinic in Loxahatchee. Join us to meet our providers, take a tour of the new clinic, and enjoy refreshments.

Tuesday, December 13th 10:00 A.M.

15689 Southern Boulevard Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470

Dr. Tara Stock has officially joined Premier Family Health!

Premier Family Health is proud to take care of all your medical needs, all in one place. Our services include:

PRIMARY CARE

RSVP TODAY BY CALLING:

X-RAYS

CHRONIC DISEASE MANAGEMENT

LABS

833.634.2565

AND MUCH MORE!

PremierFamilyHealth.com

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

Page 13

NEWS

HOLIDAY BOAT PARADE LIGHTS UP LAKE WELLINGTON WITH FESTIVE SPIRIT

Wellington’s annual Holiday Boat Parade was held Saturday, Dec. 10 on Lake Wellington. Approximately 50 decorated boats participated in the parade, which was enjoyed by an enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Wellington Promenade behind the Wellington Community Center. Parade judges were media personalities Jim Sackett and Roxanne Stein, as well as Mayor Anne Gerwig and Councilman John McGovern. Winning entries were from owners George and Becky Barin (boat with the flag) in first, owners Greg and Jackie Divine (boat with the lighthouse) in second and owner Bob Johnson (the horse boat) in third.

PHOTOS BY JOSHUA MANNING/TOWN-CRIER

Village Manager Jim and Kim Barnes with Tucker.

Parade judges Jim Sackett, Roxanne Stein, Mayor Anne Gerwig and Councilman John McGovern.

Jean and Richard Boyle with their granddaughter Aurora.

Village staffers Jeff Goldman, Peter Diaz, Michelle Garvey, Debbie Liquori, Chris O’Connor and Ryan Harris.

Crowds await the arrival of the boat parade.

The flag boat took first place.

The lighthouse boat took second place.

The horse boat took third place.

Decorated boats pass by the Wellington Promenade.

Hundreds were on hand to enjoy this popular holiday event.

Mike and Jana Wood of sponsor South Florida Marine with Ronnie Walsh (on the boat).

NM E P O -6P

The Lara family gets in the holiday spirit.

Welcome to Starr Family Dentistry in Wellington

NODAYWS 10 AM 7

GRAND OPENING

SPECIAL

FREE NAIL TRIM WITH PURCHASE

WE WASH BY APPOINTMENT CALL FOR QUOTE SELF SERVE BATH WALK IN Starting at $17.00

9 Individual Bath Suites 9 Comfort Tubs 9 Pro Dryers 9 Natural Shampoo Menu 9 Premium Conditioners 9 Tearless Face Wash 9 Ear Cleaning 9 Tooth Brushing 9 Anal Expression 9 Nail Trimming

606 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. | Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 | 561-812-3931 www.jakesbathhouse.com

A dental office designed specifically for serving the needs of the family.

Established in 1983 Wellington’s first full-time, full service dental practice.

Contact us to arrange an appointment to discreetly discuss your dental needs.

(Financial arrangements available)

(561) 798-0100 VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.Drstarrdental.com

Dr. Michael Starr Wellington’s Premier Center for Dental Health.

Become part of the family!

Conveniently located in the heart of Wellington

1200 Corporate Center Way, Suite 103 | Wellington, Florida 33414

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Honors the memory of

Deputy Sheriff Richard W. Oetinger While performing his official duties he sustained a serious physical injury. On December 6, 2000 Deputy Oetinger passed away due to medical complications related to this previous injury.

AND Deputy Sheriff Garry E. Hobbs Who died on December 9, 2000 after a long illness caused from being sprayed with a lethal level of a herbicide on June 7th, 1991 while proudly serving the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens of Palm Beach County

TO SERVE AND PROTECT WAS THEIR OATH TO HONOR THEM IS OUR DUTY

12794 W. FOREST HILL BLVD. SUITE #6, WELLINGTON, FL 33414 WWW.TEMPLEBNAIJACOB.COM | 561-793-4347 | Templebnaijacob@gmail.com

Page 14

December 16 - December 29, 2022

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NEWS

PROVIDING CRISIS SUPPORT 24/7

TBJ WOMEN HELP GRANDMA’S HOUSE

If you or someone you know is having a mental health or suicidal crisis, or is struggling with substance use …

Simply Dial 2-1-1 Or the new 9-8-8 number * The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has rebranded to “988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline”- with the new three-digit 9-8-8 number replacing its longer ten-digit 1-800-273-TALK (8255) version.

211’s highly trained and caring staff will continue to be the frontline responder for crisis calls from both 2-1-1 and the 9-8-8 number.

Members of the Women’s League of Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington delivered their Chanukah Chesed Project donations to Grandma’s Place in Royal Palm Beach on Wednesday, Dec. 14.

Grandma’s Place is an emergency shelter in Royal Palm Beach for abused and neglected children that also offers respite care. (Above) Jackie Alvares, Lenore Glickman and Jean Harriett.

(Left) Lenore Glickman and Liz Thal.

Westlake

Regulating Businesses

WWW.211PALMBEACH.ORG

continued from page 3 into how nearby municipalities, such as Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, handle such businesses. The ordinance will then be presented again for first reading.

Two readings of any proposed ordinance are required prior to a final council vote.

In other business: • The council approved a development fee schedule for the community. Since its inception in 2016, the city has been using Palm Beach County’s fee structure. The change will affect developers, landscapers

and homeowners wishing to make changes to their existing property, and groups or businesses seeking to host special events.

Generally, the fees will be lower than those set by the county and are “in the ballpark with other cities our size,” said a representative from the city’s Planning & Zoning Department.

Staff is also studying the city’s building department fee structure with an eye to creating one specifically for Westlake, Cassel said. The new development fee schedule can be found at www. westlakegov.com/resolutions.

• The council heard about plans for Westlake to partner with the Seminole Improvement District to create a park south of Seminole

Ridge High School and west of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. The park will feature a long, linear lake that will serve as a noise and security buffer against the busy road.

The park will be designed and built in stages, Cassel said, with completion “several years out.”

• The council appointed Westlake resident Ashley Merola to the alternate slot on the Education & Youth Advisory Board left vacant by the retirement of Earle Wright.

Merola is a teacher at Inlet Grove High School.

• The council approved the second reading of a change to the signage code allowing for separate names on signs where two developments share a common entrance.

“I Wish Mommy & Daddy Could Buy A NEW HOME With A BIG BACKYARD, So I Could Go Out And Play All Day”

Visit us at our Wellington location

JoAnn Abrams ATTORNEY AT LAW

Celebrating over 36 Years in the Practice of Law • ESTATES AND PROBATE • GUARDIANSHIP • WILL AND TRUST LITIGATION • ELDER LAW • MEDICAID PLANNING • POWERS OF ATTORNEY • ESTATE PLANNING

561-795-9590 EVENING HOURS BY APPOINTMENT New Location 14611 Southern Blvd. Unit 1250 Loxahatchee, Fl 33470 The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide ask for free written information about my qualifications and experience.

LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME CALL THE “REAL” REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, DONALD & MAUREEN GROSS

Donald Gross Maureen Gross 561-723-8461 561-714-0887

Service You Deserve From People You Trust

Celebrating 48 Years in Wellington!

9112 Forest Hill Blvd | In Kobosko’s Crossing (561) 793-7373

Pets Are Family, Too!

By Randall S. Dugal, D.V.M.

TRAVELING WITH CATS Traveling with a cat may sound implausible; however, there is no reason you can’t travel with your feline friend. The goal is to make the experience as stress-free as possible. Cats love familiarity and comfort, and they are not as adaptable and happy to encounter a new destination as dogs are. Cat carriers are a popular way to transport a cat, but if your cat typically only spends time in it on the way to the veterinarian, it can cause a negative reaction about being in one. Consider keeping the carrier out in the home and making it a part of the environment so your cat sees it as a safe place and associates positive experiences with it.

If you have questions the dos and don’ts about traveling with your pets, or if you have other pet care concerns, we welcome your call at COMMUNITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF ROYAL PALM BEACH. We know animals, we love animals, and we treat all animals that come to us as if they were our own. Comprehensive medical, preventive, surgical, and dental care is available for the pet that loves and trusts you at our complete pet care facility. Please call 798-5508 for appointments or emergencies pertaining to your pet’s health. We are conveniently located at 11462 Okeechobee Blvd., 1/4 mile east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Where Pets Are Our Passion! OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. P.S. Stressed cats are more prone to suffer from health issues.

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

CANCER

Do you need lung cancer screening if you quit smoking?

According to the American Cancer Society, smoking contributes to 80 and 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in women and men, respectively.

But what if you quit smoking? Quitting has some health benefits that start right away and others that can lead to improved health over many years.

The risk of having lung cancer or other smoking related illnesses decreases after you stop smoking and continues to decrease the longer you go without smoking, though your risk will never be as low as that of someone who never smoked.

So, if you’ve successfully kicked the habit and are now a former smoker, do you still need to think about having a lung cancer screening?

According to pulmonologist Ivan Romero-Legro, MD, who sees patients at Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, lung cancer screening is recommended for those meeting all the criteria for high risk including: • Smoking the equivalent of 20 or more pack-years (e.g., one pack a day for 20 years; two packs a day for 10 years) • Being 50 to 80 years old • Smoking for any portion of the past 15 years

If your doctor recommends screening, look for a program whose experts take the time to discuss its risks and benefits with you and are experienced in lung cancer evaluation and treatment.

It is important to note that: • Lung cancer screening is not recommended if your risk of lung cancer is low, because the harms of screening may outweigh its benefits.

• Screening is worthwhile only if you are healthy enough to tolerate the evaluation and treatment of any lung nodules or lung cancers that are found.

Meanwhile, tell your doctor right away if you have any of these worrisome symptoms – you may need testing to confirm or rule out the presence of lung cancer: • A new, persistent cough or coughing up blood • Unexplained shortness of breath or chest pain • Unintentional weight loss

TALK WITH AN EXPERT. To make an appointment with Dr. Romero-Legro or another Cleveland Clinic Florida pulmonologist, call 877.463.2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Access to schedule online.

Ivan Romero-Legro, MD

PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE A quick screening can detect lung cancer at its earliest stage.

Did you know lung cancer can be detected at its earliest and most treatable stage?

The team at Cleveland Clinic Florida uses low-dose CT screenings to detect lung cancer earlier. That means our experts, from pulmonologists and oncologists to thoracic surgeons, can provide patients with nonsurgical and surgical treatments sooner.

Find out if you need a lung cancer screening.

ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/LungScreening

Page 15

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

The Town-Crier

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NEWS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS HOST HOLIDAY PARTY AT ST. RITA CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Peter A. Benvenuti Knights of Columbus #8419 of St. Rita Catholic Church held its annual holiday party benefiting local residents on Friday, Dec. 2. Parishioners and friends collected money for the turkey dinner and gifts, and 19 local families with 48 children were given gift cards and gifts during a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Kelly Wiener, Elf Frank and Michelle O’Boyle with Damian, Michael, Sara and Joshua Romani, and Julie Shapiro.

Project 425, St. Rita Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus volunteers take presents into the party.

The Ramirez family got some gifts from Santa.

The Humana family spends some time with Santa.

The Kids Cancer Foundation’s Michelle O’Boyle and an elf with Zachary Ellington, Julie Shapiro, Tiffany Crawford, Kelly Wiener, Zane Ellington and Zaiden Ellington.

The Basilio family visits with Santa.

Sharyn Vowles, Grand Knight Ed Burroughs, Diane Barin and Shelly Barin Schuler.

The Galeano family is all smiles.

Ontevis Pittman, Terri Dumore, Courtney Wright, J’veon Edwards and Torina Edwards with the Grinch.

Kathalina Andres, Martene and Fabiana Jose with Maria and Camilla Jose.

Project 425’s Curt Rich, Bill Arcuri, Mike Carroll and Rick Hauge.

Jeffrey and Beverly Perham with elf Bill Blakely.

The Diaz family visits with Santa Claus.

It’s not simply about portfolio holdings and account balances.

It’s about your complete life.

You should have a wealth management partner who understands that. Who cares about your personal goals for your family, your business, your future. Who can give you comfort in making decisions that not only support your financial objectives, but that help ensure you have time to do things you enjoy with those you love.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Boynton Financial Group, Inc. is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. CFP Board owns the CFP® marks in the United States.

Investment Advisory Services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Get the financing you need to succeed.

Local bankers. Local commitment. Local decisions.

First National Bank Coastal Community Wellington’s Bank for Success Investment Real Estate Equestrian Lending Small Business Loans Commercial Loans Residential Mortgage Loans fnbccfl.com

©2022 FNBCC. Member FDIC.

Equal Housing Lender. NMLS# 696095

R. Moyle Fritz, Jr. President moyle.fritz@fnbccfl.com

Darlene Curti SVP, Branch Manager Business Development Officer darlene.curti@fnbccfl.com Daryl Lyon VP, Commercial Loan Officer daryl.lyon@fnbccfl.com

12140 S. Shore Blvd. | Wellington, FL 33414 | (561) 231-5444

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December 16 - December 29, 2022

Page 17

NEWS

ROYAL PALM BEACH HOSTS ANNUAL WINTER FEST EVENT AT COMMONS PARK

On Saturday, Dec. 3, the Village of Royal Palm Beach hosted its annual Winter Fest celebration and tree-lighting ceremony at Commons Park. The event drew a huge crowd as residents decided to get into the holiday spirit. There were at least 20 rides and bounce houses available for young children and families. A petting zoo was also on the scene, along with food trucks. The stage was filled with performances by local dance troupes and musical groups playing holiday classics. At 6:15 p.m., the Royal Palm Beach Village Council lit up the Christmas tree in the park with help from Santa Claus. After the tree was lit, a firework show capped the day.

PHOTOS BY ERIN DAVISSON/TOWN-CRIER

The lit Christmas tree at RPB Commons Park.

Program Coordinator Ashley Turnquest and Event Manager Sylvio Pierre Louis in front of the Christmas tree.

Guest got a chance to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Winter-themed attractions greet guests upon arrival.

Mayor Fred Pinto throws the switch to light the tree with help from Santa.

The Classic Christmas band performs on stage.

Councilman Jeff Hmara, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, Mayor Fred Pinto, Vice Mayor Selena Samios and Councilman Richard Valuntas get into the holiday spirit.

Local youth enjoyed decorating gingerbread houses.

Fireworks light up the night sky.

First Phase Opens At New Senior Living Community Wellington Bay

ZOM Living, one of the nation’s leading developers of multifamily housing, in partnership with Liberty Senior Living, one the nation’s leading senior living operators, has opened the first independent living phase at Wellington Bay, ZOM Living’s first senior housing community delivered under ZOM Senior Living and the first rental independent living community in the Village of Wellington.

Wellington Bay welcomed residents to the first independent living phase, which features a variety of active living residence options, ranging from single-story villas, garden flats and apartment homes.

The centerpiece of the Wellington Bay lifestyle is a two-story, 65,000-square-foot clubhouse featuring multiple fine dining options with their own menus, indoor and outdoor heated pools and hot tub, a fitness center with personal training, a full-service salon and spa, pickle ball and bocce ball courts, and much more.

To date, the community is already more than 50 percent preleased, which speaks to the strong demand and appeal for the vibrant lifestyle Wellington Bay offers to its residents.

Wellington Bay is set on a 46acre lakefront campus that caters to sophisticated and active senior residents. Liberty Senior Living, a North Carolina-based, family-owned company with almost 150 years of experience, will operate the community and provide quality programming and services to residents.

“With Wellington Bay, ZOM Senior Living is supplying the growing demand for innovative senior living and is delivering a

one-of-a-kind, resident-centric experience,” said Steve Ordway, senior vice president of ZOM Senior Living. “With lovely residences, multiple dining venues and first-class amenities, Wellington Bay offers a lifestyle experience unmatched in today’s rental market. We look forward to welcoming residents to the community and continuing our partnership with Liberty Senior Living on the future phases of Wellington Bay.” Wellington Bay is the first Liberty community in Florida.

“We could not be more excited to have Wellington Bay be the first community within the Liberty portfolio to open in the State of Florida,” said Will Purvis, president of Liberty Senior Living. “While the beauty of the campus, residences, amenities and services match what is expected by those that live in and around the Wellington area; we are most proud to carry on the tradition of providing exemplary service and care and honoring our core values that so many residents and families throughout the southeast have come to experience.”

When complete, Wellington Bay will encompass up to 424 units. The first phase includes the now open 159 independent living residences and the Lisbet Health Care Center slated to open in early 2023, which will house both assisted living and a memory support area.

While planning the community, ZOM Senior Living and Liberty Senior Living focused on providing a variety of living options that prioritize the needs of residents at Wellington Bay. The luxury apartment homes vary in floor plans and

(Above) The exterior of the new Wellington Bay senior living community. (Below) The lobby of the recently opened facility.

The outdoor pool area at Wellington Bay overlooks the lake on the 46-acre campus near the Mall at Wellington Green. sizes, ranging from one-bedroom apartment homes to two-bedrooms plus a den, and feature open floor plans and upscale finishes with numerous windows to allow for an abundance of natural light. For those desiring an even more independent lifestyle, the three-story, elevated garden flats provide a more private and spacious residence with waterfront views. For those who prefer a freestanding home, residents may choose a single-story villa that includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a study, two-car garage, and a private patio.

The development spared no detail in the finishes of the Wellington Bay luxury homes and units. Home interiors feature upgraded finishes, private balconies/patios, beautifully appointed kitchens equipped with large

islands, quartzite/quartz countertops, under-mount sinks and stainless appliances, full size washers and dryers, walk-in closets, and ceramic-tiled bathrooms with zero-entry showers.

Wellington Bay residents will enjoy easy access to a wide assortment of dining, shopping and entertainment immediately adjacent to the Mall at Wellington Green.

Nearby grocery options include Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s and Publix. The area surrounding the property also offers residents a vast array of community amenities, including championship golf and country clubs, world renowned polo clubs and easy access to major transportation.

For additional information about Wellington Bay, visit www. wellingtonbayfl.com.

AMBER’S ANIMAL OUTREACH CHRISTMAS ‘PAWTY’ IN ROYAL PALM BEACH

Amber’s Animal Outreach held its annual Christmas “Pawty” on Saturday, Dec. 3 in the parking lot at Community Animal Hospital in Royal Palm Beach. The event included vendors, a dog costume contest and photos with Santa. Learn more about Amber’s Animal Outreach at www.aaodog.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Santa Troy with Sookie and Marilyn Brennan.

Jeff and Jonah Vollat with Zoey.

Costume contest winners Channing Burnett with Fiona, Mary Berger with Sprinkles, Amber Nelson, Tyler Evans with Barley and Tammy Dugal.

Volunteers Sarrah Turba and Elizabeth Bates.

Kyla Cartwight and Chewy buy raffle tickets from Zulema Grieser.

Romeo and Melissa Sandel with Santa Troy.

Kathy Nelson and Amber Nelson of Amber’s Animal Outreach.

Volunteers Chelsey Santos with Zelda, Natalie Fihe with Sookie and Sophia Cabrera with Twix, waiting to be adopted.

Mia and Tyler Jassenoff with Roo.

Page 18

December 16 - December 29, 2022

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NEWS

WELLINGTON WINTERFEST AT VILLAGE PARK CELEBRATES HOLIDAY SEASON

Wellington Winterfest featuring Vanilla Ice, produced by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and the Village of Wellington, was held Friday, Dec. 9 at Village Park with live music and dance performances, holiday favorites, food, refreshments, a snow-like foam party, games, pet adoptions, photo booths, visits with Santa and much more.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

(Front row) Sponsors Jess and Victoria Santamaria, Natasha Kosloff and Marisol Campbell; and (back row) Chris Santamaria, Michelle Santamaria, Vinnie Perrin, Rochelle Johnson, June Perrin and Thomas Campbell.

Vanilla Ice with Mayor Anne Gerwig and her granddaughter Leighton Chusid.

Diana Dodge, Loretta Baxter with her grandkids, Alaura De Wulf and Teri Sukanec of Big Ink Graphics.

Vanilla Ice arrives on stage.

Marcella and Michael Pitter.

Kristen and Elaina Caldeyro visit with Santa.

The group at the FNBCC booth.

Addison Wendel and Kendall Bierer.

Delilah Donald, Olivia Huang and Samuel Huang enjoy the “snow.”

Animal Care & Control volunteer Kim Santangelo with Beau, Pet Supplies Plus managers Phillip McMullin and Dick Cucuzza, and ACC volunteer Sean McKillop with Junior.

Hyun Lee, Luna Lee, Sol Lee and Allison Walford enjoy popcorn.

Jen Diogo, Julie Houston Trieste, Joan Sinnett, Avery Trieste and Mikey Swicerski at the HCA Palms West Hospital booth.

Tom Blake sings the national anthem.

“Living Up the Eighties” on stage.

Mayor Anne Gerwig and Commissioner Sara Baxter on stage as Leighton Chusid pets MaryJane, a dog up for adoption.

Olivia Seick, Valerie Kinsman, Thomas Kinsman and Conleigh Reckard enjoy snow cones.

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Page 21

SPORTS & REC, PAGES 21-24 • PEOPLE, PAGE 25 • SCHOOLS, PAGE 26 • BUSINESS, PAGE 27 • COLUMNS, PAGE 28 • CLASSIFIEDS, PAGES 29-30

SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Basketball Boys In Pursuit Of Another State Title

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report If there’s one word to describe the annual standard of play of Wellington High School’s varsity boys basketball team, it’s excellence.

Under head coach Matt Colin, the expectation for the team is to win at least 20 games each year and to have a deep post-season run.

In fact, for the last nine seasons in a row, the Wolverines have won at least 20 games. And during Colin’s time as head coach, the program has won seven district titles, four regional titles, advanced to three state championship games and won the state championship during the 2014-15 season.

Colin is cautiously optimistic that his current squad will conclude its season in late February at the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 7A Final Four in Lakeland.

While this year’s boys basketball team is strong, athletic and talented, the biggest hurdle it must overcome is the inexperience factor.

“Our biggest obstacle during the season is getting this young group to grow up and mature. We start two sophomores and have two sophomores that come off the bench and contribute,” Colin said. “Most of our juniors, besides Reggie Reinhardt, have no varsity

experience, so we will have some growing pains I’m sure throughout the season. I hope by February that we will be playing our best basketball.”

Wellington’s starting five this year are Manny Hernandez, Shawn Cineus, Reggie Reinhardt, Erick Perez and Jeremy Tovar.

Colin is looking for this group to lead by example. After the team’s first seven games, WHS has a 6-1 record. The only blemish was an 84-81 loss at home to William T. Dwyer High School on Dec. 6. For Wellington, that three-point defeat was a learning experience.

“It was a double-overtime loss that ended with Dwyer hitting a buzzer beater,” Colin said. “I think what we learned is we have to mature and take care of the ball to win games like that one.

We had multiple opportunities to win the game and didn’t make the stop, execute the play, or we had a turnover. The positive is we didn’t have much time to sulk over it, as we had to get ready for one of the top-ranked teams in our area — Park Vista. We showed some growth by being able to put that game away and take care of the ball. We only had eight turnovers, which is very good for high school basketball. We won 78-62.”

Every great basketball team must have a proven point guard,

and the Wolverines have one in Manny Hernandez. Colin said Hernandez is a great fit for his team.

“Manny does a great job setting his guys up and putting them in scoring position,” Colin said.

“He’s a very strong athletic guard.”

Shawn Cineus, one of the team’s co-captains, is tall, talented and a proven scorer. He is averaging 14.5 points and a team-leading 7.8 rebounds a game.

“Shawn is our biggest guy. He plays inside and outside,” Colin said. “He has great post moves and an excellent pivot. He can also step outside and shoot the three-pointer or drive past his defender and use that body to get to the rim.”

Reggie Reinhardt, the team’s other co-captain, would probably start on any boys varsity basketball team in the state. Colin is delighted that Reinhardt, who averages 15.5 points and 2.3 assists a game, is a Wolverine.

“Reggie is a tremendous combo guard,” Colin said. “He runs the shooting guard position, and, on certain substitutions, he becomes the point guard, as well. He can really shoot the ball. He’s the strongest guy on our team, and he can physically impose his will on the opponent. He does a great job of mixing up his outside shot and driving opportunities.”

Erick Perez’s biggest role is to play a suffocating defense. Colin said Perez is a true defensive specialist.

“Erick is an athletic wing and also our best defender. He usually takes on the other team’s best player,” Colin said. “He has a knack for shooting mid-range shots and can stretch the floor with his three-pointers or use that athleticism to get to the rim.”

Perez is averaging 13.2 points and 4.7 rebounds a game.

For Jeremy Tovar, his attitude is his biggest attribute, and he brings mental toughness to the team.

“Jeremy is a very crafty scorer, super tough and fearless,” Colin said. “He finds ways to get to the rim and is very shifty if cut off on his way there. He can also shoot from the outside.”

In addition to a talented starting five, Colin’s bench is deep. He won’t hesitate to insert fresh legs into any game.

In basketball, it’s always nice to have a tall player who can score.

Sean Standifer fits that description.

“Sean is one of the best shooters on the team,” Colin said. “At 6-foot-4, he has the height to shoot over defenders, and he has a quick release.”

Dakota Salvatore-Izard brings energy to the team, both in practice and in games.

Wellington’s Starting Five — (L-R) Manny Hernandez, Shawn Cineus, Reggie Reinhardt, Erick Perez and Jeremy Tovar.

PHOTO COURTESY MATT COLIN

“Dakota is a super athletic wing who can shoot,” Colin said. “He can play above the rim. He works extremely hard and never stops moving.”

When Toney Collins enters the

game, it’s noticeable. His ability to play defense makes him a valuable member of the team.

“Toney is a big-body forward who can physically dominate the See BASKETBALL, page 24

Wellington Stiffs Stickball League Opens Its 2022-23 Season

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report The 2022-23 stickball season in Wellington is now underway. On Tuesday, Dec. 6, the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League held its opening day ceremony for the new season, which was followed by two regular season games at Village Park on Pierson Road.

This is the 21st year of existence for the Wycliffe Stiffs Stickball League. In attendance to throw out the first pitch was Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig.

This year, there are four teams in the league — the Brooklyn Bums, the Bronx Clippers, the Atlantic Whalers and the Hoboken Zephyrs. The Whalers are the reigning champions of the league.

In addition to the 10-game regular season, the league’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Feb. 7. The Old Timers Ceremony & Exhibition Game will be conducted on Feb. 14. The league’s two semifinal playoff games will be on March 21, and the league’s championship game is scheduled for March 28.

The annual All-Star Game will conclude the season on April 11.

In the first of the opening day games on Dec. 6, the Brooklyn

Mayor Anne Gerwig throws out the first pitch on opening day.

Stickball player Sandy Camras takes his turn at bat.

Stu Krieger bats for the Hoboken Zephyrs.

Commissioner Emeritus Marty Ross throws out the first ball for game two.

Bums defeated the Bronx Clippers, 8-2. The Brooklyn offense was spearheaded by Mike Lipsky, Sean Siegrist and Allen Lebowitz.

Lipsky slugged three doubles in four plate appearances. Siegrist went two-for-three, scored a run and drove in two with a two-run homer. On defense, Siegrist had six catches for outs. Lebowitz went three-for-three with two triples and two RBIs. The Clippers were led

by Marty Ross, who went twofor-three, scored a run and drove in a run.

In the second game, the Atlantic Whalers played the Hoboken Zephyrs. Ross, the original commissioner of the league and now the commissioner emeritus, threw out the opening pitch. In the game, the Whalers outscored the Zephyrs, 10-2. In that contest, the Whalers slugged 12 doubles. Both

Art Spector and Sandy Camras had two doubles for the Whalers.

For the Zephyrs, Steve Klein went four-for-four and scored a run.

On Dec. 13, the Atlantic Whalers played the Brooklyn Bums, and the Hoboken Zephyrs faced the Bronx Clippers. The Whalers nipped the Bums, 3-2, while the Clippers defeated the Zephyrs, 5-4.

The league will have games

on Dec. 20, and then take a break for the holidays. Regular season games will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and continue every Tuesday, with the exception of Feb. 21, until Tuesday, March 14. All games are held at Village Park in Wellington. Most regular season games are held at 1 p.m. and 2:45 p.m., with the exception of Feb. 7 and Feb. 14. Those games are scheduled for noon and 2:15 p.m.

PHOTOS BY ALLEN LEBOWITZ

Ed Graybow bats for the Atlantic Whalers.

Palm Beach Central Caps Special And Historic Football Season

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report This fall’s Palm Beach Central High School football team will go down as the greatest football team in school history. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Kevin Thompson, the Bronco football team played like champions, and the squad deserves to be labeled as champions.

“This year, we won the Wellington Cup, repeated as district champs and won a regional championship for the first time in school history,” Thompson said.

“I give lots of credit for our success to our 26 seniors and a great group of assistant coaches. We all worked together and were on the same page.”

Palm Beach Central was the only team from Palm Beach County this season to advance to a state semifinal and was the last team in Palm Beach County to be eliminated from the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) playoffs.

While Palm Beach Central’s season came to an end at home on Friday, Dec. 2, when the Broncos lost 27-24 to the Apopka Blue Darters in the Class 4M state semifinal, it was a game where Palm Beach Central dominated much of the contest.

Unfortunately, the Broncos were unable to stop Apopka on its final possession, as the Blue Darters marched down the field for the go-ahead and game-winning

touchdown, which was scored with roughly two minutes left in the game.

Recapping the game, it was scoreless after the first quarter, and Palm Beach Central led 14-6 at halftime. The Broncos extended their lead to 21-12 after three quarters. But in the all-important fourth quarter, the Blue Darters outscored the Broncos, 15-3, to win by three points.

Thompson said that his senior leadership played a major role in the team’s success this year.

“My seniors helped me grow as a coach,” he said. “Our seniors understood the importance of everybody being team-oriented.”

Besides the season-ending loss to Apopka, the only other loss on

the season was a 35-14 loss at home to Pahokee back on Sept.

16. That loss was a pivotal learning experience for the Broncos.

“That loss taught our players about humility, and it stayed with them for the entire season,” Thompson said.

Throughout the season, the offense was prolific, and the defense was stingy. The offense averaged more than 49 points a game, while the defense allowed 15 points a game.

The statistical and team leaders on offense were quarterback Ahmad Haston, running back Tyler Young and wide receiver Javorian Wimberly. Thompson also has high praise for his offensive line, See FOOTBALL, page 24

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Palm Beach Central players on the field after their seasonending loss to Apopka in the Class 4M state semifinal Dec. 2.

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SPORTS & RECREATION

E’Zaria Adams Setting Basketball Records At Palm Beach Central

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report E’Zaria Adams, a senior at Palm Beach Central High School, has gone where no other basketball player in school history has gone before. According to Bruce Gaffney, head coach of the girls varsity basketball team, Adams is the first basketball player — girl or boy — in school history to score more than 1,000 points in her high school career. This has made her the school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball.

Of course, with every point she scores, that record gets higher and higher, and the current season has just begun.

Adams was honored on Wednesday, Dec. 7 for her scoring exploits during a pre-game ceremony prior to Palm Beach Central’s home game against crosstown rival Wellington High School. The Broncos won the match, 70-41.

In that game, Adams was the leading scorer with 32 points.

That was the Broncos’ sixth win, after opening the season with a close 67-63 loss at Palm Beach Gardens High School on Nov. 16.

The Broncos (6-2) were unable to avenge that loss to Palm Beach Gardens on Dec. 12, when they fell to the visiting Gators, 72-56.

To date, Adams has scored 1,067 points. Gaffney has coached her since she was a freshman at Palm Beach Central.

Without a doubt, the entire girls basketball team looks to follow the lead set by Adams, both in practice and in games.

“She is the team leader,” Gaffney said. “As she goes, so goes our team.”

Adams’ statistical production is impressive. After the team’s first eight games, Adams is averaging 24.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, five assists and two steals per contest.

Adams, who Gaffney describes as a combo guard, leads by example on the basketball court and in the classroom. She plans

to play college basketball but has yet to accept any offers. Gaffney is convinced that Adams will be a valuable member of any college basketball team.

“Leadership, work ethic, high academic achievement and a very high basketball skill set are what she will bring to any collegiate program,” Gaffney said.

On the basketball court, Adams has great range as a scorer.

“She is a very good three-point shooter, but she’s also a strong penetrator and has a nice pull-up jumper,” Gaffney said. “Basically, she scores from all levels.”

While scoring points is important, the real sign of a successful basketball player is the ability to play defense. Gaffney said Adams has worked hard at being a strong defender.

“She has shown great improvement in many areas because of her work ethic, but her defensive improvement really stands out,” Gaffney said.

E’Zaria Adams on the basketball court.

(L-R) Palm Beach Central High School Principal Darren Edgecomb, assistant coach Charles Howell, E’Zaria Adams, head coach Bruce Gaffney, assistant coach Bryan McDaniel and assistant coach PHOTOS COURTESY PBCHS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT Jacob Potter.

Wycliffe Produces Two Championship Pickleball Teams This Season

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report The residents of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club are busy playing golf, tennis and bocce ball. Now you can add pickleball to that list of athletic activities. Not only are Wycliffe residents playing pickleball, but they are winning at pickleball.

On Saturday, Dec. 10, two competitive pickleball squads from Wycliffe hosted the finals of Division 4 and Division 7 of the Palm Beach County Pickleball

League. Both squads won their respective matches.

Wycliffe Country Club 1 defeated Four Seasons, 17-6, in the Division 4 finals. The Wycliffe Country Club 2 team defeated Coral Lake in the Division 7 finals, also by a final score of 17-6.

The championship wins by the two squads from Wycliffe marked the conclusion of undefeated seasons by both teams. It was the first time that Wycliffe had won a division title within the Palm Beach County Pickleball League.

Pickleball player John D’Alberti was the MVP in Division 7.

Those championship matches marked the conclusion of the fall schedule for the league, which started back in mid-October. The league is for participants aged 55 and over.

According to Wycliffe pickleball participant Leslie Gross, all the participants and the fans in attendance enjoyed the highly competitive matches.

“It was a wild day on the pickleball courts at Wycliffe. It was such a great day. One of the best matches of the day featured

one of our doubles teams, Brett Maybrown and Alan Horowitz,” Gross said. “In one of their sets, they trailed 9-1 and rallied to win 12-10.”

Not only did Wycliffe have the championship team in Division 4 and Division 7, it also had the league MVPs for both divisions.

They were Barry Dorf (Division 4) and John D’Alberti (Division 7).

The next season for the Palm Beach County Pickleball League is expected to begin play in midJanuary.

Wycliffe pickleball players Alan Horowitz and Brett Maybrown.

Pickleball player Barry Dorf was the Division 4 MVP.

PHOTOS BY HAL ROSENBLUM

Attention Star Customers Our location on Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. in the COURTYARD PLAZA will be closing down permanently on January 1st, 2023 as Publix begins their remodeling. Please visit us at the other location next to Publix across from CVS in the Wellington Town Square Plaza.

STAR LIQUORS 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Suite 16 Wellington, Florida 33414 Please call us if you have any questions at 561-790-2432 or 561-429-3569

Page 24

December 16 - December 29, 2022

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SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Roller Hockey Association Highlights From Week #8 The Wellington Roller Hockey Association continued its season at Village Park on Sunday, Dec. 11.

Below are capsule summaries of Week 8 games.

Prep Rangers 4, Prep Stars 3 — Caleb Jacobs of the Prep Rangers

scored with three minutes left in the third period to edge the Stars 4-3. The Rangers opened up a 2-0 lead in the first period with goals

by Jacobs and Jameson Quintus.

The Stars tightened the score to 2-1 after two periods. The teams were

WRESTLING CLUB WINS IN JENSEN BEACH

The Wellington Wrestling Club competed recently at the Jensen Beach IOF (I Own Florida) series event for grades K through eight.

Tyler Gray (14U, 117 pounds) earned first place; Michael Kosza (10U, 75 pounds) placed second; Joseph Hensley-Cooper (12U, 130 pounds) placed second; Sean Kirtz (12U, heavyweight) placed second; and Jacob Pellecer (14U, 117 pounds) placed third. The Wellington Wrestling Club practices at Village Park all year round and is open to ages 5 and up.

Basketball

Wolverine Boys

continued from page 21 area around the rim and step outside and shoot,” Colin said.

Elyjah Freeman is strong, smart, tall and athletic.

“Elyjah is a 6-foot-6 wing who is also a varsity baseball player,” Colin said. “He defends at a high level and is very long. He makes it tough for teams to score on his length. He also is a very good decision maker.”

Kareem Khaliq is expected to be a regular part of the rotation when he becomes 100 percent healthy.

“Kareem is a senior point guard.

He has a great ability to score and knows how to run everything we do,” Colin said. “He has been battling injuries to start the season.

We hope to get him back by the holiday break.”

While Wellington has many players who can score, the team’s biggest strength will be its ability to defend. Through the team’s first seven games, the Wolverines are giving up an average of less than 50 points a game. If that trend continues, Wellington has an excellent chance of finishing its season in Lakeland.

The Wolverines will be looking to improve their record to 7-1 on Friday, Dec. 16 when they host rival Royal Palm Beach High School. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

tied 3-3 in the third until Jacobs completed his hat trick and put the Rangers ahead for good. Ava Taylor led the Stars with two goals.

Additional scoring came from Amanda Warszycki (two assists) and Cooper Mathwig (one goal).

Rangers’ goalie Justin Spina made 12 saves in victory, while Hayden Mathwig turned away six shots for the Stars.

Prep Rangers 6, Prep Panthers 3 — In the second Prep game, the Rangers broke open a 1-1 game

in the second period with a pair of goals, en route to a 6-3 victory over the Panthers. Jameson Quintus of the Rangers led all scorers with a hat trick (three goals). Cooper Mathwig added a goal and two assists, while Elam Jacobs (one goal) closed out the scoring for the Rangers. The Panthers’ Drew Cohen had two goals, and Ryan Youngelson added a tally. The Rangers’ Justin Spina won his second game of the day while making 17 saves between the pipes. Blake Stephan

Ryan Youngelson of the Prep Panthers drives the net with Rangers’ goalie Justin Spina on the doorstep.

Football

Broncos End Season

continued from page 21 which opened up holes for Young to run through and gave time for Haston to pass the ball to receivers like Wimberly, Nedrick Boldin and Luby Maurice Jr. Haston, who will play college football next year at the University of Massachusetts, played like a seasoned veteran throughout the season.

“I was lucky to have him as my quarterback,” Thompson said.

“He’s a very humble and smart player who has lots of integrity.”

Thompson praised Young for his team-first attitude throughout the season.

“He wanted to play as a wide receiver this year, but the team needed him to play running back,

so he did, which was a huge help,” Thompson said. “It’s not easy running between the tackles, but he did. He got better throughout the season.”

Wimberly, who will play football next fall at the University of Central Michigan, was productive as a receiver, even though he was troubled by the injury bug.

“He had a toe injury for most of the season, which hindered his play, but he’s a tough kid and fought through the struggle throughout the season,” Thompson said.

The leader of the Bronco defense was safety Justin Bostic, who also returned punts, kickoffs and played on offense from time to time.

“Having Justin on the field was like having another Ahmad on the team,” Thompson said. “Justin was the ‘quarterback’ of the defense. On the field, he was always

of the Panthers stood tall in the net and made 29 saves in defeat.

Junior Panthers 13, Junior Bruins 3 — The Junior Panthers used a six-goal first period to jump on the Bruins 6-1 and never looked back on the way to a 13-3 victory. Timothy Holmes of the Panthers led all scorers with eight goals and an assist. Tucker Allen added a hat trick (three goals, two assists). Danil Anzalone (one goal, one assist), Ryan Warszycki (two assists) and Eli Modlin (one goal)

rounded out the scoring for the Panthers. For the Bruins, Chase Park scored his first goal of the year. Matthew Taylor and Ben Schwartz each had goals, and Jace Armstrong added an assist. Goalie Blake Stephan of the Panthers rode 11 saves to victory, while Ava Taylor of the Bruins was valiant in the net, making 26 saves while facing a 39-shot barrage.

Learn more about the league at www.wellingtonrollerhockey. com.

Ryan Warszycki of the Junior Panthers shoots on Bruins’ goalie Ava Taylor. early to show up for practice. Off the field, he has great grades, is a great person and has a great personality. He will be missed. He will be attending Florida A&M next year to play football.”

As a way to honor and recognize Thompson’s work as Palm Beach Central’s head coach, he was named as the recipient of the Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year Award, which is given out annually to the top prep football coach in Palm Beach County. The award is named in honor of the legendary Sam Budnyk, the former longtime head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School. The award was presented to Thompson on Monday, Dec. 5 at this year’s Lou Groza Awards banquet, conducted by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.

Thompson is the first-ever head coach from Palm Beach Central to win the award. At that same

banquet, Palm Beach Central was a finalist for the 2022 Team of the Year in Palm Beach County. The winner of that award was Cardinal Newman, which had an 11-1 record, eventually losing in the regional final of its FHSAA bracket.

While Thompson and his coaches will be looking to fill the void left by 26 graduating seniors, the football cupboard is not bare at Palm Beach Central. Next year, Thompson and his coaching staff will be looking for big contributions from many players, such as wide receiver Tony Williams, defensive end Isaac Antoine, defensive back Mikey Gayle, wide receiver Nedrick Boldin and offensive lineman Anthony Sriboonlue, among others.

According to Thompson, offseason weightlifting for next fall’s football team will commence on Jan. 9 and spring practice will start in late April.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

RPBHS Teacher Publishes Fifth Book And Wins International Literary Prize

Local author and Royal Palm Beach High School social science teacher J.P. Linstroth recently published his fifth book, which won the International Proverse Publication Prize.

Swimming in Blue Shadows: A Collection of Short Stories and Poems (Proverse Publisher 2022) is a collection of five short stories and 10 poems on diverse subjects and styles, written over a number

of years. Each story grew out of the author’s personal experiences and represents a different phase of his life.

The subjects of the short stories are: a wild boar hunt, a failed

ROTARY SUPPORTS BACK TO BASICS

Members of the Rotary Club of Wellington recently volunteered to do holiday gift wrapping at the local nonprofit Back to Basics. Based in Wellington, Back to Basics provides holiday gifts to children in need across Palm Beach County. The program provides shoes, socks, underwear and a toy wrapped by volunteers and supplied by donations. Monetary donations are needed. To help out, e-mail info@backtobasics.org or call (561) 319-4277. Learn more at www.backtobasicsinc.org.

relationship, a Nahuatl flower seller, a bullfight and a Belizean archaeology expedition.

The poems also grew from personal experiences or center on themes of particular interest to the author, such as artificial intelligence, Afghanistan, COVID-19, Native Americans, love, depression, death, loss and youthful exuberance.

The title of the collection, a phrase from the first story in it, suggests the nearness of death in its innumerable and nebulous guises, pinpointing especially how the various protagonists face death, as if swimming in death’s blue shadows, hidden yet there.

“The stories and poems of Swimming in Blue Shadows take their themes from many of the issues preoccupying reflective people, especially those struggling to define a credible personal philosophy; fear, love, loss, depression, loneliness, the unknown, the future, death,” award-winning author Philip Chatting said. “Throughout the collection, however, and particularly in the stories and somewhat against the odds, we hear underlying hints of an optimism-sustaining faith that eventually all will be well, despite what is evident at first glance.”

Gulf Stream Council Donates $27,440 Of Popcorn To Local Heroes On Giving Tuesday, the Boy Scouts of America, Gulf Stream Council, donated $27,440 worth of popcorn to the men and women of the 873rd Quartermaster Company, 623rd Inland Cargo Transfer Company and 338th Engineer Company stationed at the Charles B. Callaway Armed Forces Reserve Center.

During the annual fall popcorn fundraiser, local scouts sell popcorn to their family, friends and members of the community to earn their own way in scouting. In addition to that, scouts will raise funds to purchase popcorn though the Heroes & Helpers campaign.

With the funds raised for Heroes & Helpers, popcorn is purchased and then donated to military men and women, first responders, doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and their families. In total, the scouts of the Gulf Stream Council were able to raise $28,741 for local heroes in 2022.

Local Gulf Stream Council staff members deliver $27,440 worth of popcorn on Giving Tuesday.

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Page 25

WILDCAT DANCERS PERFORM AT SEA WORLD

The Wildcat Dancers Dance Team from Royal Palm Beach High School, along with their dance director Michele Blecher, were the first dancers ever to be invited to perform at Sea World. Sea World normally excepts band and chorus groups, but not dancers. The executive board of entertainment viewed several dance routines performed by the Wildcat Dancers and invited the team to be the inaugural dance performers. The Wildcat Dancers performed seven dance routines in contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. Many guests stopped in their journey through the park to view the performance.

Wellington Author Publishes Religious Guide On ‘Revelation’

The Story of Revelation, a new book by Patrick J. Brannon, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co. Why is Revelation so hard to understand? Why do people have so many contradicting beliefs? Why can’t you just read it and understand the actual order of events?

The storytelling style used in the Books of Revelation is not the same one used today. When readers try to place a modern style onto the Bible’s ancient style, the result is utter confusion. The Story of Revelation takes the mystery and confusion out of the End Times Timeline.

Using an easy-to-understand, chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the Book of Revelation, the End Times will take shape before you like you have never seen. It will satisfy a desire to understand Biblical events while using the storytelling style you have always used.

Brannon’s lifelong pursuit of understanding the Book of Revelation has culminated in this volume. He graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a degree in communication and a concentration in psychology. He is the chief operating officer of a human resources solutions firm in South Florida. Professionally, he helps business owners stay on track and out of lawsuits, and personally he shares his findings on Revelation with all those who are truly searching.

When not working, writing and studying, Brannon is diligently trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up.

The Story of Revelation is a 486-page paperback with a retail price of $29 (eBook $24). It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

To buy the book, visit https://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

December 16 - December 29, 2022

Page 26

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SCHOOL NEWS

American Heritage Recognized For Philanthropy

BINKS FOREST GETS FLORIDA POWER LIBRARY AWARD

American Heritage Schools was recently recognized for its philanthropic distinctions by the South Florida Business Journal in the publication’s new “Book of Lists” rankings. American Heritage has been ranked as the No. 12 in Corporate Philanthropy in South Florida.

Last year, American Heritage proudly supported the community by contributing to more than 320 causes through $750,000 given in corporate donations and more than 625,000 hours of community service.

With more than 88 student-run clubs, as well as the schools’ pre-professional program partnerships with local hospitals and

On behalf of the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Association of Supervisors of Media, Binks Forest Elementary School was recently awarded the prestigious Florida Power Library School Award. The awards took place at the Florida Association of Media in Education’s state conference Dec. 1 in Daytona Beach.

Binks Forest was one of four schools in the state recognized for its outstanding library programs. Shown here is Principal Michella Levy with the school’s media specialist, Caroline Epstein.

nonprofit organizations, the philanthropic desire to help others locally and globally is at the heart of everything the students, families, faculty and administrators do at American Heritage. Every year, fundraising goals are surpassed, and there is no limit to what can be accomplished.

“At American Heritage Schools, compassion is one of our main pillars and is demonstrated through numerous community involvement and service initiatives that help better our campuses and the world,” said Dr. Douglas Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “In addition to this recognition for our corporate philanthropy, I am proud of our students,

CRESTWOOD STUDENT HONORED IN GREETING CARD CONTEST

Schools has become known as a leading private school for academic excellence throughout the nation, and enrollment has steadily increased to approximately 4,800 students in PK3 through 12th grades at the Broward and Palm Beach campuses.

For more information about American Heritage Schools, visit www.ahschool.com. Contact the Palm Beach campus at (561) 495-7272, ext. 1, or admissions. palmbeach@ahschool.com.

PBSC Fall Commencement Ceremonies On Dec. 20 Palm Beach State College will award degrees and certificates to more than 1,600 graduates during two fall commencement ceremonies at the Palm Beach County Convention Center on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Attorney Gary Lesser, president of the Florida Bar and managing partner of West Palm Beach-based Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith PLLC, a third-generation personal injury law firm, will be the keynote speaker at the 10 a.m. ceremony for more than 900 graduates of the

associate in arts degree program.

State Rep. Kelly Skidmore, a PBSC alumna, will be the keynote speaker at the 2 p.m. ceremony for more than 700 graduates of the associate in science, bachelor of applied science and bachelor of science degree programs and the certificate programs.

Both commencement ceremonies are open to guests with tickets.

They also will be livestreamed on PBSC’s web site. For more info., visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/ graduation.

RPBHS DANCERS SHINE

THIRD GRADE BALLOON PARADE AT WES

On Friday, Nov. 18, third-grade students at Wellington Elementary School marched in a balloon float parade. The students and staff at the school lined the hallways and outside on the grounds, looking at the students’ balloon creations as they marched by. Each student selected a character of their choice to create. The balloon floats were amazing, and all of the school enjoyed the parade.

faculty and administration for their unwavering commitment to giving back both inside and outside of the classroom through partnerships with hospitals and nonprofit organizations throughout the South Florida community.”

American Heritage Schools was also ranked as the No. 1 Private School and the No. 24 Largest Employer in South Florida in the “Book of Lists” rankings.

Since its founding more than 55 years ago, American Heritage

Crestwood Middle School student Zarah Lee, a seventh grader, was recently honored as one of the winners of the seventh annual Superintendent’s Season Greeting Card Contest. Lee’s entry was chosen by Superintendent Mike Burke as the middle school winner. Shown here is Lee’s greeting card design. Her art teacher is Patricia Duebber.

On Dec. 1, the Royal Palm Beach High School Dance Department, the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team, the RPB Dancers and Elite presented their 17 diverse dance routines as part of the “RPB, We Are Family” performance. The students danced to the best of their ability and technique, masterly dancing in the areas of tap, contemporary, jazz and hip-hop. The audience was in awe as Gianna Nembhard, captain of the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team, took the stage and performed two contemporary solos, “I’m Trying” and “Waltz for Reese,” a song composed by J. Singer for master choreographer Michele Blecher. Other standout routines were: “U Gurl,” a jazz/hip-hop routine performed by the Wildcat Dancers Dance Team; “Rise Up,” a contemporary routine performed by Dance Techniques 1; “Electric Love,” where in the middle of the dance, dancers came off the stage and passed out candy; and a jazz routine performed by Dance Techniques 1, 2, 3 and 4. The show’s finale had the entire cast performing “We Are Family.”

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Page 27

BUSINESS NEWS

Nonprofit Roots And Wings Awarded $5,000 Grant From Pike & Lustig

The nonprofit Roots and Wings recently received a $5,000 donation from Pike & Lustig LLP. The grant was specifically designated for the organization’s Project UpLift program, which is dedicated to helping children with reading and reading comprehension skills.

Michael Pike, managing partner at Pike & Lustig, presented the $5,000 check at Freedom Shores Elementary School, which will provide an afterschool class of second graders, or 10 students, at the Title 1 school with afterschool tutoring.

Project UpLift employs each school’s own certified teachers, who already know their students’ unique challenges and how best to overcome them. The program allows teachers to address components not included in the school day, such as fundamental phonics, in small groups. This free program meets students at the level they are currently at, rewards small gains to build confidence, encourages incremental progress and celebrates successes.

“We are so excited about receiving this grant,” said Ted Hoskinson, founder of Roots and Wings.

“We are honored that Michael Pike and his law firm, Pike & Lustig, understand our deep commitment to improving the lives of students

Michael Pike of Pike & Lustig presents a $5,000 check to Ted Hoskinson, founder of Roots and Wings, and the team at Freedom Shores Elementary School in Boynton Beach, including Principal Michael Sabatino, Assistant Principal Kimberly Rogers and teacher Jennifer Klisiak. struggling with reading. The No. 1 predictor of a student’s success in school is the ability to pass the third grade FSA in reading. If they don’t pass, there is a 74 percent chance that student will not graduate from high school. This grant will help us change more lives.”

Project UpLift is currently operating at nine Title 1 schools. Learn more at www.rootsandwingsinc. org.

“There is nothing more critical in our local community than giving

our youth the tools they need to read, learn and excel,” Pike said.

“Our firm is honored to be able to help a class of elementary school students as well as the teachers, who work to empower them every single day.”

Pike & Lustig LLP is a full-service law firm with an emphasis on complex business litigation and personal injury in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Visit www.pikelustig.com to learn more.

Coleman Named President Of T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society

Dr. Brian Coleman, an orthopedic surgeon with HCA Florida Atlantis Orthopedics, has been installed as the president of the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, a professional organization that focuses on helping underserved populations in the community by promoting health education programs, youth mentoring programs, speakers on health issues, as well as health fair medical screenings for school children and adults.

The organization also provides scholarships for deserving students and other healthcare, education and youth development services.

“I am honored to join such an esteemed organization comprised of some of the most prominent healthcare leaders in this state,” Coleman said. “This collective has accomplished so much to address the disparity of healthcare in our minority communities here

in Palm Beach County in the last 15 years.”

Coleman said there is still much to do to elevate what he calls “the best-kept secret in Palm Beach County,” and in his position as president, he hopes to increase transparency and communication with political leaders in the state while generating significant community and corporate support for the society’s various programs.

Coleman is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, with expertise in foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, fracture repair/reconstruction and gait analysis. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society. He was recently honored by Legacy Magazine as

Minto Communities Donates Nearly $30,000 To Toys For Tots Program

Minto Communities USA, a leading home builder and developer of master-planned communities in Florida, including Westlake, has donated $29,970 to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots program. Donations were made by Minto employees and matched by the Minto Foundation.

“The Toys for Tots program is something our company and employees truly look forward to supporting each year,” said Mike Belmont, president of Minto Communities USA. “We not only pride ourselves on building great communities, but also supporting the needs of the local community wherever we put a stake in the ground.”

Minto previously invited employees to bring donated toys to its annual holiday party but shifted to monetary donations when holiday parties were put on hold during the pandemic.

“Minto’s support means so much to us each year,” said Gunnery Sgt. Robert Sempell, who coordinates the Toys for Tots program in South Florida. “We can always count on them to come

Minto Communities presents a check for $29,970 to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to support the annual Toys for Tots program. (L-R) Staff Sgt. Carlos Silva, Annabelle Brooks of Minto, 1st Lt. Esteban Cabanas and Santa Claus. through and look out for the chil- reports throughout the day. Minto dren in our community.” presented its check to the U.S. Minto is a corporate partner Marine Corps Reserves that day. of WPLG-TV, which organizes In 2021, local Marine reserves the Big Bus Toy Express each distributed 167,199 toys throughyear to benefit Toys for Tots. On out South Florida, supporting more Dec. 9, the bus visited several than 83,000 children. This year, it locations collecting checks and hopes to collect enough toys to new, unwrapped toys, doing live distribute to 100,000 children.

Rocky’s Ace Hardware Stores Invite Customers To ‘Round Up For Pets’

Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers with 47 locations in nine states, is keeping furry friends in mind this holiday season with its 12th annual “Round Up for Pets” fundraiser.

Throughout the campaign, which extends through Saturday, Dec. 24, customers are asked to round up their purchase total to the next dollar. The difference will be

donated to local animal shelters.

“Animals add a lot of joy to our lives all year long, and we wanted to do something for those who have not yet found their forever homes,” Rocky’s President Rocco Falcone said. “Our local shelters rely on community support to provide animals in transition with the love and care they desperately need.”

Participating Rocky’s locations include the Stuart, Port St. Lucie,

Wellington and Tequesta stores.

Local shelters that will benefit from this year’s round up include Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Furry Friends Adoption & Clinic.

“We are proud to continue our support for local animal shelters,” Falcone said. “We are grateful for the services they provide and look forward to another successful campaign thanks to the generosity of our customers.”

Gannon Asks Residents To Check For Unclaimed Funds

Dr. Brian Coleman one of South Florida’s top black healthcare professionals for 2022.

To learn more about the T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society, visit www.tljmedicalsociety.org.

Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne M. Gannon encourages county residents to visit the tax collector’s web site, www.pbctax. com, and check the unclaimed funds section to see if they have any unclaimed funds waiting for them.

“Some clients overpay their transactions, and once this happens, we issue a refund for the amount overpaid. If the refund goes undelivered, we continue to attempt to issue the refund,” Gannon said. “Once several unsuccessful attempts have been

made, and after we have explored all refund options, we publish a list of unclaimed funds on our web site hoping that clients will reclaim the money due to them. We hold onto these for one year, and if the funds remain unclaimed, we forward those funds to the appropriate state of last known address.”

There is currently more than $700,000 in unclaimed funds available, and information can be found at www.pbctax.com/ unclaimed-funds and at the state’s www.fltreasurehunt.gov.

When looking at the document

on a desktop, press the keys Ctrl + f (Command + f for Mac users) and it will open a search bar in the document where you can search for your name. Different web browsers will bring the search bar up in various locations. In Firefox, the search bar is in the bottom left corner. In Chrome, it is in the top right corner, and if you are searching in Safari, the search bar will be in the top right.

If you don’t find your name in the current list of unclaimed funds, you can check back again, as the list is updated throughout the year.

Beautiful Pelican Key Villa at Wellington Edge If you’ve got questions, I’ve

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Page 28

December 16 - December 29, 2022

The Town-Crier

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FEATURES

I Saw The Real Santa Claus While Visiting A Convenience Store

Listen to this, kids: I saw Santa Claus!

Not the Santa’s Helper kind, the real, honest-to-goodness Santa!

I was in historic and charming Cedarburg, Wisconsin, visiting my mother on her 94th birthday, when I pulled into a gas station — and there he was! Barely remembering to put the car into park, I leapt out yelling, “Santa! Santa! Santa!

It’s me, Debbie!” to which he replied, “Ho! Ho! Ho!” in a jovial and robust sort of way.

If that isn’t proof that he was the real Santa, I don’t know what is.

So I ran over to the gas station door and held it open for him, to which he replied, “Oh! thank you!” Just like Santa would have. When he smiled at me, I took that opportunity to say, “See? I’m nice despite

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER what you’ve heard.” He didn’t comment on that, but he didn’t “ho-ho-ho” either, so I think I’m good.

Then, even though it was none of my business, I asked, “What are you doing here, Santa?”

I mean, I wouldn’t have asked except that there is a life-size gingerbread house just a few blocks away, right in front of

city hall, and you’d think that that is where you’d see Santa, not at a Kwik Trip. But the sun had set, and the gingerbread house was closed, so, just like any six-year-old, I had to ask. What was he doing here?

“I’m here to check out the plumbing,” he said.

Did you hear that, kids? Santa Claus went to Kwik Trip to check out the plumbing! You know what that means, don’t you? That means that, somewhere in the back — in the bathroom or near the utility sink — the pipes had sprung a leak! And the manager of that gas station — even though it’s Christmastime and people are buying liquid refreshments to beat the band — the manager probably didn’t have enough money to get it fixed. And, just like you and I, when we don’t have

enough money for something we want, we write to Santa!

Now, you know that December is a very busy time for Mr. Claus, but when he got that manager’s letter, he knew that plumbing requires a lot of pipes and union connectors and S-bends and P-traps (no pun intended), so before filling up his sleigh with the wrong stuff, he thought he’d better zip down to Cedarburg to see exactly what it was that he needed. Santa is so thorough!

While Santa was back there, checking things out, I started to get worried that no one would believe me. So when he came out, I asked him if he would let the clerk take our picture, and he agreed! (That’s him in my picture box this week.) Then I waited outside so I could watch him

climb up to the roof and get into his sleigh but — wouldn’t you know it? — after the clerk took my picture with Santa, all those people who came in to buy liquid refreshments wanted their picture taken with Santa. So, I never got to see him leave. Instead, I walked all around that gas station, looking up, trying to see the reindeer. I couldn’t see any, but I heard a lot of prancing and pawing of each little hoof, so I know they were up there.

And the next time I go to Cedarburg, I’m going right back to that Kwik Trip, and I’m going to ask them if their plumbing is working OK, and when they say, “Yes. Why?” I’ll just wink at them. Santa answered their manager’s wish...

And I hope Santa answers yours, too.

Merry Christmas!

‘The Fabelmans’ Is A Strong Drama From The Mind Of Spielberg

Steven Spielberg is perhaps the best known film director in this country. Who hasn’t thrilled to Jaws, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan and so many more? His remarkable career spans over 40 years. Now he has created, with longtime writing partner Tony Kushner, a semi-biographical movie about his childhood, The Fabelmans.

It proves a fascinating, if occasionally shocking, look at the impact of a dysfunctional family on a young filmmaker.

In 1952, young Sammy Fabelman (Mateo Zoryan) and his parents, Burt (Paul Dano) and Mitzi (Michelle Williams) see Cecil B. DeMille’s The Greatest Show On Earth. It’s Sammy’s first movie, and it seems an ideal way to start a boy on films.

However, Sammy is haunted by the scene of the big train crash, which begins his fascination with how things like that work as

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler a way to control chaos, quite possibly the chaos of his family life. As Sammy grows up (now played by Gabriel LaBelle), he continues to make films, usually focusing on his sisters and friends. His father is very practical, moving his family several times for better jobs. Eventually settling in California, Sammy has to deal with life, love and some anti-Semitic bullying. But the greatest impact is dealing with his parents’ starkly different views of life.

His father is down to earth and sees Sammy’s focus on making films as a hobby, not as anything that could lead to a career. His mother is a free spirit, caught in a marriage with a man with an opposite view of how life should be lived. She encourages Sammy. In a brilliant sequence, however, Sammy accidentally films Mitzi being somewhat intimate with Benny (Seth Rogan), a family friend.

The film is sometimes heartbreaking.

All the family members are nice; no real villains there. But I felt a visceral pang watching two people who have feelings for each other, who love their children, and even the whole idea of family, but who are totally mismatched. A major reason for that is the superb cast. LaBelle is really good as the central character, showing amazing depth in his portrayal of a somewhat obsessed teen in the middle of

disaster. He handles his scenes so well that he seems impossibly young to be able to do it. Rogan, who often goes overboard in his parts, holds back enough and manages to make Benny a decent guy. Judd Hirsch as Uncle Boris steals every scene he is in.

But Dano and Williams are both brilliant. Dano has the more difficult part, a victim primarily because of his flaws.

He wants the best for everyone, but then frustrates everyone around him through his stubbornness to get his own way. It is a sensitive performance, delicately avoiding being the bad guy while clearly showing why the marriage is doomed.

But Williams is a force of nature. She is a wild bird caught in a not very gilded cage, desperate for a way out, even though, in the long run, it will damage everyone she loves at least somewhat. Williams might well win another Oscar out of this part.

She manages to dominate the screen, even when quietly speaking. And she is tragic.

This is a mosaic of wonderful scenes.

Watching Sammy create his teen films also demonstrate connections to Spielberg’s work. That adds a bit to the fun. There is a fantastic scene watching Mitzi dancing between car headlights that is magical, reminding me of some of the director’s special work over the decades. In addition to the strong performances, the visuals are also part of what makes The Fabelmans so spellbinding, specifically watching Sammy direct, knowing his DIY films are recreations of Spielberg’s early works.

They’re fun and charming to watch.

This is not only a tribute to Spielberg’s own family but a really good family drama. Is it one of Spielberg’s greats? No, it is a quiet, wonderfully well done drama that is worth seeing.

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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

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Page 30 December 16 - December 29, 2022

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Page 31

Page 32

December 16 - December 29, 2022

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