Town-Crier Newspaper June 30, 2023

ART SOCIETY ANNUAL INSTALLATION

RPB Zoners Support Expansion, Renovation Of Nursing Home

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday, June 27 supported the Royal Palm Beach Health & Rehabilitation Center’s plan to add 20 beds to its existing facility at 600 Business Park Way. The skilled nursing facility, also known by its original name Royal Manor, is under new management and has been going through a series of upgrades. Page 3

ALA Seeks Sponsors

For Upcoming Concert

Series At Acreage Park

The Rock Your Park concert series will be returning to the Acreage Community Park amphitheater in October with monthly shows scheduled through March 2024. Right now, organizers are looking for sponsors to support the series. Page 4

Eight Honored At CAFCI

Student Assistance

Award Ceremony

CAFCI held its 30th annual Student Assistance Award ceremony on Saturday, June 17 at the original Wellington Mall. The award ceremony featured 2016 award recipient Ijahala Pottinger as keynote speaker, with an inspiring message for this year’s recipients. At the event, CAFCI congratulated this year’s eight recipients. Page 16

Husband And Wife

Football Officials Love

‘Date Night’ At Games

Since 2006, Vince and Bonita Holmes of Wellington have had a series of unique “date nights” every Friday night in the fall.

Those “dates” have been associated with showing up at high school football games around Palm Beach County. It’s not because they have a child on a high school football team. Instead, they are part of the same East Coast Football Officials Association officiating crew. Page 21

Lakeside Landing Townhomes Move Forward In RPB

By Callie Sharkey Town-Crier Staff Report

After years of discussion, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council gave approval on Thursday, June 15 for developer D.R. Horton to move forward with its Lakeside Landing townhome community.

The 12.28-acre parcel in question is located behind the Village Royale shopping plaza at the northwest quadrant of Okeechobee and Royal Palm Beach boulevards. Lakeside Landing will repurpose mostly undeveloped land into a new multi-family housing community of 100 townhomes. The project eliminates 125,520 square feet of approved but unbuilt commercial space.

The project was first introduced in November 2019 and last appeared before the council in June 2022, when the approval process stalled due to changes requested by the council. The top issue was creating a larger buffer for homes across the canal to the west in Madison Green.

Local Communities Planning Fourth Of July Celebrations

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

Festive Fourth of July celebrations have been planned across the western communities at events in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Westlake. Each includes a day of fun entertainment capped by professional fireworks displays.

Wellington — The Village of Wellington will begin the holiday with a Patriotic Pool Party at the Wellington Aquatics Complex with fun activities and contests scheduled on the hour. The party will take place Tuesday, July 4 from noon to 5 p.m. Pool party admission is free for children ages two and under, $3 for juniors ages three to 17, $5 for adults ages 18 to 54, and $2 for seniors ages 55 and older.

After the pool party, the focus shifts to the main event at Wel-

lington’s Village Park on Pierson Road. The free, family friendly Fourth of July Celebration will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

“The village is excited to host our annual Fourth of July event, sponsored by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Heath Specialty Center,” Community Events Director Michelle Garvey said. “New this year, we are partnering with Seven Axes, so that people can try their best at ax throwing.”

The evening will feature live music from the original Whisky Six Band at 6 p.m. Whisky Six is one of South Florida’s favorite local country bands. Next up will be the Justified Loxahatchee Band at 7:40 p.m. Justified plays a variety of country, southern rock, classic rock and blues.

While the music plays, there

will be a wide array of free family fun, including ax throwing, bounce houses and inflatables, an extreme ninja obstacle course, the polar express slide, crazy games, face painting, a petting zoo and more.

Attendees can also visit one of the many vendors on site, or give the gift of life by donating blood at OneBlood’s Big Red Bus. Approximately 20 food trucks will be in attendance offering a variety of gourmet eats and sweets for purchase.

Wellington’s Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Zambelli Fireworks International, begins at 9:15 p.m. The show lasts approximately 20 minutes and can be seen for miles around. Tune-in to 88.7 FM for music designed to accompany the fireworks show. Fireworks and crowds are not

See HOLIDAY FUN, page 4

“We went back to the drawing board in July 2022, prior to coming before you to address some concerns from potential views from the west, where we had the zero [foot] buffer,” explained Doug Murray of WGI, representing the developer. “We tried working with Indian Trail, and that didn’t work out for us. We spoke with staff and made shifts to the plan. We are about three and a half years into this project.”

The first two requests, a site plan modification and plat approval, were approved by the council with staff support. With its new design, Lakeside Landing now includes 100 townhome units, instead of the originally presented 120-plus units. The next request, a parking variance, did not go as smoothly.

The applicant requested a vari-

ance in order to use tandem parking spaces for the townhomes.

“This is a common request for townhomes,” Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien said. “Staff is not in support of this variance because we believe that the argument of the applicant that the property is bound by waterways is not sufficient justification for approving the variance request.”

The Planning & Zoning Commission last month recommended approval on a divided 3-2 vote, and village staff recommended denial.

After a presentation from Murray, Councilwoman Selena Samios expressed concerns over residents parking in front of their neighbors’ homes.

Royal Palm Beach resident Steve Feiertag also addressed the council to share some of the issues he saw with the project and the many requested variances.

“I wanted to comment on the car parking and the garages. I’ve lived in Madison Green for almost 22 years. Don’t be naïve. There is a very large percentage of homeowners, very large, who don’t use their garages for parking cars. They use it for storage, so please don’t allow yourselves to be fooled,” Feiertag said. “I’m in favor of the residential building on the land request, but there are issues. Let’s discuss variances. Variances are not asking for changes to guidelines, variances are asking for changes to rules. According to your language, and planning and zoning, variances are asking for changes to requirements. When the company entered into a tentative contract to buy this land, they knew the requirements. As you vote tonight, please remember that your requirements were put together for serious reasons.”

Feiertag was also present at the

See RPB COUNCIL, page 14

NEW PRESIDENT FOR WELLINGTON ROTARY

Grant

To Allow In-Depth Survey Of Lox Groves Drainage System

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

A once-in-a-generation survey of the drainage system in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves is slated to get underway this year after the town was awarded a $350,000 grant through Resilient Florida designed to provide a more accurate look at the state of drainage infrastructure and make recommendations for improvements.

At a workshop meeting on Tuesday, June 20, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council heard a presentation on the Resilient Florida grant from Town Manager Francine Ramaglia and engineering consultant Randy Wertepny of Keshavarz & Associates.

“This is a very important moment for us, three years in the making,” Ramaglia said. “Every year, we have applied to Resilient Florida, and this year, we received

the money. We got $350,000.”

The project is part of a planning grant and will be used to update town systems that have not seen significant upgrades for more than 20 years. “This project will set us up for our future,” Ramaglia said.

The first part of the grant includes a survey of existing infrastructure, including canals, culverts, bridges and related stormwater management infrastructure throughout the town. That will be followed by a hydrological system analysis to model and evaluate the possible impacts of storm flooding and sea level rise on critical infrastructure, suggesting proposed improvements to enhance flood protection and resiliency.

The work will be led by Wertepny and the team at Keshavarz & Associates, with support from other firms.

“One of the biggest things that

we are going to get right off the bat is an assessment of all your drainage infrastructure — bridges, culverts, canals, etc. We can use that for repair and replacement programs,” Wertepny said.

In 2021 and in 2022, Keshavarz & Associates applied for funding on behalf of the town through the Resilient Florida grant program for a townwide vulnerability assessment. In 2023, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) awarded the grant funding for the assessment, according to a report provided by Wertepny.

“Upon completion of the effort, the town will be positioned to transition management of its stormwater infrastructure to a more costefficient and technology-based approach,” he noted, adding that available topographic information and methods for acquisition have

See LOX GROVES, page 14

The Wellington Rotary Club held its annual Awards Banquet and Installation Ceremony on Saturday, June 17 at the Wanderers Club with the theme “Create Hope in the World.” Outgoing President Tiffany Rodriguez presented a number of awards before turning over the gavel to incoming President Scott Armand. Shown above are President-Elect Walter Imperatore, incoming President Scott Armand and outgoing President Tiffany Rodriguez. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

Baxter Revs Up Plan For Racetrack At 20-Mile Bend, Along With An OHV Park In Indian Trail

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

Guzzling 15 gallons of nitromethane fuel in less than four seconds, a top-fuel dragster can hit 330-plus miles per hour over a straight-as-a-ruler, flat-at-as-aboard, quarter-mile track.

At a Wednesday, June 21 town hall meeting at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter told a receptive crowd of more than 250 that she is pushing full speed ahead for such a track and more on a 128-acre site near Southern Blvd./State Road 80 at 20-Mile Bend.

Indian Trail Improvement District Vice President Betty Argue, however, is saying not so fast, because it would mean moving

a proposed off-highway vehicle (OHV) park to a residential area of the district and increasing traffic on already-stressed roads.

“I don’t think an OHV park with camping belongs in a residential area,” Argue said Wednesday. “It will attract traffic from the whole southeast Florida area.”

The 200-acre OHV park in the Indian Trails Grove property in the northwest section of the district was a last-minute addition that Baxter negotiated with GL Homes as part of a land swap that allows the builder to construct a 1,000-unit adult community and 277 workforce housing units in the so-called Agricultural Reserve west of Delray Beach. In return, GL agreed to build 1,500 fewer homes and cut business and com-

mercial space by approximately 115,000 square feet on property it owns west of The Acreage. It also agreed to set aside land for and build several drainage-related projects.

“I think it’s something the board needs to look at,” Argue said. “It undermines the very reason we supported the swap in the first place.”

The ITID board was not asked for input on the OHV park, she said, and doubted the track would have much impact on the longstanding problem of people illegally riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on the area’s miles of dirt roads.

“If [Baxter] was looking for something beneficial to do, she

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The Wellington Art Society held its annual installation of officers on Sunday, June 25 at the Wellington National Golf Club. Members heard about the highlights of the past year over a buffet lunch. Outgoing President Laura Jaffe stepped down after three years, and Heather Bergstrom was installed as the new president. Shown above are Heather Bergstrom, Leslie Pfeiffer, Faye Ford, Jan Gmitter, Sue Oakes, Ayesha DeLorenzo, Laura Jaffe, Marcia Greene and Elaine Weber. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 18 PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Considering Big Blue Trace Landscape Upgrades

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

A proposal to put landscaping and median islands along Wellington’s Big Blue Trace, presented as an effort to beautify the roadway and slow down motorists, sparked a range of questions from residents at a Wednesday, June 21 community forum. Officials are seeking bids on the project to get a handle on its price, and ultimately it would need to go before the Wellington Village Council for approval, Village Manager Jim Barnes said.

The area affected would be Big Blue Trace from Paddock Drive near Wellington Elementary School to South Shore Blvd.

A primary goal is “corridor beautification,” village officials said in a presentation. That involves landscaping and irrigation. Another aspect would include pedestrian features, such as benches, trash receptacles and dog waste bags. Finally, a key goal is “traffic calming,” including separating lanes traveling in different directions with median islands.

“Since we’re doing landscape medians, we decided why not try

to slow the traffic down a little bit,” Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold said.

The idea is to encourage drivers to reduce speed because the lane gets narrower in landscaped sections with medians, he said.

In several places, that means 12foot lanes temporarily constrict to 11-foot lanes. Curbs would appear on both sides of the lane, in cases where bushes and trees stand on both sides of the road, as well as the median.

The plan involves a total of six islands along the stretch of road, Reinsvold said. Trees and larger vegetation are likely to include Verawood, Gumbo Limbo, Silver Buttonwood, Mukogee Crape Myrtle, South Florida Slash Pine and Southern Live Oak. Typical shrub plantings are expected to include Petra Croton, Red-Tipped Cocoplum, Imperial Blue Plumbago, Queen Emma Crinum Lily and Green Island Ficus.

Questions from residents included whether the plan will also include speed bumps, because if a driver is trying to make a left leaving a neighborhood, the vegetation can block some of the line of sight.

Speed bumps are not allowed on this type of “collector” road. They are approved only on local roads with speed limits of 25 mph or less, Reinsvold said. In this case, the speed limit is 40 mph.

A woman who said she regularly walks along Big Blue Trace expressed concern about landscaping blocking visibility for anyone crossing a road, and also introducing a worry that people or animals could be concealed in bushes to the side of the roadway. In addition, she wondered why the plan could not include more benches and landscaping near the elementary school, which experiences heavy vehicle and foot traffic at the start and end of school days.

Barnes said the village could look into whether there are better locations for the benches and other amenities, but he emphasized it is not a goal to support people crossing the road away from crosswalks.

“I would say we’re not going to do anything that would make it easier to do a mid-block crossing,” Barnes said.

Another resident question: Does this plan exclude creating four lanes for Big Blue Trace?

Asked how long the project would take to construct if it goes ahead, Reinsvold said five months.

Barnes said with weather delays and other likely issues, realistically it could be a bit longer than that.

A rendering of what Big Blue Trace may look like with landscaped medians and benches. Barnes said an agreement with Palm Beach County does allow for a four-lane possibility, but it depends in part on traffic counts that to his knowledge have not come close to the necessary threshold. If four lanes came about in the future, he said portions of the proposed landscaping might have to be adjusted, but it could still happen.

One resident who was not in favor of the plan said Big Blue Trace already has been worked on many times in the last 15 years, but this plan does not address issues such as bicyclists on the main road making motorists try to go around them or slow down to a crawl behind them.

Multi-use paths on both sides

of the corridor are intended to accommodate bicycles, even if not all cyclists choose to use them, officials said.

The next step in the project is to gather bids and learn more about what the project would cost.

“We’re then going to bring it to the council to see if they want to fund it,” Barnes said.

If approved, construction will likely not start before 2024, he said.

RPB Zoners Support Expansion, Renovation Of Nursing Home

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday, June 27 supported the Royal Palm Beach Health & Rehabilitation Center’s plan to add 20 beds to its existing facility at 600 Business Park Way.

The skilled nursing facility, also known by its original name Royal Manor, is under new management and has been going through a series of upgrades. Aside from the 15,291-square-foot expansion of the existing structure, increasing it to 134 beds, planned upgrades to the site include new paint, a new metal roof, doors and screen walls, and courtyard improvements.

Included in the approval were two variances. The first was for landscape waivers allowing a 20foot buffer rather than a 25-foot buffer on one side, elimination of a berm and greater spacing between canopy trees. The second was for the elimination of a required eightfoot masonry wall along the north, south and west property lines. That

is a current village requirement for industrially zoned properties adjacent to residential districts.

Senior Planner Josue Leger explained that the reduced landscape buffer was needed to allow proper access for emergency vehicles. Staff recommended approval of the landscape waivers.

Frank Baynham, of the architectural firm Redd & Associates, spoke on behalf of the applicant, noting that the original facility is nearly 40 years old, opening in 1984.

“The project site is at the end of Business Park Way, surrounded on three sides by residential,” he said.

Aside from the building expansion, which will add a rehabilitation facility, there are a number of upgrades to the site itself. Meanwhile, there have been several code changes since the time the building was first approved.

Baynham noted that there are mature trees where the berm would need to be, and they do not want to remove the trees.

“There will still be a solid screen

between us and the neighbors,” he said. “We don’t want to take out trees just to plant new trees.”

Speaking against the variances was resident Paul Knudsen of Donwoods Lane in the Counterpoint Estates neighborhood, whose home backs up to the facility.

Knudsen has lived in Counterpoint Estates since 1985, which is before the area was annexed into Royal Palm Beach. He said that he has never had a problem with the nursing home as a neighbor, yet he was concerned about the landscape waivers.

“I find each of these changes to be cost and money oriented, and not truly in the best interest of nearby residents,” Knudsen said.

When it came to elimination of the eight-foot wall, Leger said that village staff did not support that variance.

Baynham said that the facility has been there for 40 years without the wall.

“It’s a skilled nursing facility, and we want to add rehabilitation services,” he said. “It is not going

to change how the property functions. It is still a good neighbor to the residential housing around it. If it was me, and I lived next door, I would not want an eight-food concrete wall in my back yard.” Baynham said their goal is to keep the native buffer that is there. The wall is required because of the industrial zoning of the property, even though the nursing home is not an industrial use, he added, noting that the building already has double the required setbacks.

Knudsen, however, said that the wall is a necessary protection for neighbors and welcomed the commissioners to visit the area and see for themselves how close the nursing home is to some of the back yards.

Before the wall variance was approved, Commissioner Lauren McClellan noted that the only time this type of wall is required by the current village code is to separate industrial areas from residential areas. “I am of the opinion that while it is industrial zoning, the special exception use that is on

there is essentially for a residential use,” McClellan said.

Finally, the board got a look at the architectural plans for the expansion and approved the new master plan with the updated special exception use. Baynham said that in addition to the new wing, the facility is moving some things around to provide better use of the space.

Knudsen was also not happy with the site plan. “The expansion of the facility essentially moves the entire complex closer to these homes along Donwoods Lane,” he said. “There are no assurances that our quality of life and home values will not be affected by this.”

Two variances and the site plan were approved on 4-0 votes. The proposal next heads to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council for final approval.

In other business:

• The board also approved a zoning text amendment and special exception use to allow Royal Palm Brewery, located at 543 N. State Road 7, Suite 103, to have

outdoor seating at its restaurant and brewery in the Commons of Royal Palm shopping plaza. The special exception approval was required due to Royal Palm Brewery’s proximity to the Bella Terra residential neighborhood off SR 7.

• The Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant at 10140 Okeechobee Blvd. was granted architectural approval for a planned renovation.

• The Village Shoppes plaza at the northwest corner of Southern Blvd. and SR 7 was granted approval for the next phase of its ongoing retrofit. This approval was for a façade refinish involving the remaining building not included in the previous phases.

• The Sunoco gas station at 1009 N. State Road 7 in front of the Regal Cinemas was granted architectural approval to update its existing signage.

• Finally, Lilac Beauty Spa, located in the Royal Inn plaza, was given special exception approval to allow a licensed massage therapy establishment at its location at 675 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

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ALA Seeks Sponsors For Upcoming Concert Series At Park

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

The Rock Your Park concert series will be returning to the Acreage Community Park amphitheater in October with monthly shows scheduled through March 2024.

Bob Morgan, president of the Acreage Landowners’ Association, which is underwriting the series, is hoping that the upcoming shows can get more traction than a three-concert series in the spring.

“There were a lot of issues,” said Morgan, whose organization successfully promoted a six-con-

Holiday Fun Fourth Of July Plans

continued from page 1 for everyone, and Wellington has partnered with KultureCity to make village programs and events inclusive for all residents. There will be a quiet area located inside the Village Park gymnasium to provide a dedicated space for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment.

“We have a variety of activities for all ages. Besides the children’s activities outside, we also have bingo inside for the adults. Once again, we are offering our KultureCity room inside as well,” Garvey said. “I would highly recommend that families take the shuttle to the park, so they don’t have to stress about traffic and parking.” Parking at Village Park is limited. The free shuttle service leaves from the Mall at Wellington Green at the Palm Tran bus stop near Macy’s, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Learn more at www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Royal Palm Beach — The Village of Royal Palm Beach invites the entire community to spend the holiday on Tuesday, July 4 at the

Town Hall Racetrack And OTV Park

continued from page 1 could have asked GL Homes to build out the 640-acre water storage facility they’ve promised,” Argue said.

“It’s not a benefit to The Acreage whatsoever,” Bob Morgan, president of the Acreage Landowners’ Association, said this week. “It’ll just put additional traffic on roads that ITID has to maintain.”

However, Baxter said that the daily impact on local roads from the OHV park would be minor. “It won’t add to rush-hour traffic,” she said. “The [additional] traffic will be on Friday nights and on weekends.”

ITID Supervisor Elizabeth Accomando attended Baxter’s town hall meeting and spoke in support of a new racing facility at 20-Mile Bend to replace the shuttered Palm Beach International Raceway (PBIR) on the Beeline Highway, which closed last year after 58 years. “I was disappointed to see the [PBIR] track go away. We used to go all the time,” said Accomando, who is a drag racing enthusiast.

She called racing “a brotherhood” and said “it would be great” if a new track could be built as a public-private partnership with no impact on taxpayers.

cert series in 2021. Morgan cited weather, conflict with other events but mostly politics for the 2022 struggles. The ALA supported a vote on incorporation for The Acreage, a divisive issue that eventually failed in the Florida Legislature. “With that behind us — the national and local politics — the concerts are free, so there is no reason not to come,” Morgan said. “It’s a great opportunity for the community to come together.”

And not just Acreage residents, but those from all across the western communities, said event

annual Star-Spangled Spectacular event at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park (11600 Poinciana Blvd.). “We have a large crowd that participates and enjoys our activities,” Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio said. “We don’t charge anybody anything, including for the kids’ rides. All people have to pay for is what they eat and drink. My recommendation, however, is if you are coming, come early, because parking is limited inside the park.” Festivities begin at 6 a.m. with the annual Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters fishing tournament. If reeling in a big one isn’t your style, you can play in the sand during a volleyball tournament starting at 9 a.m. or hit the links during the Mayor’s Golf Tournament, held this year at the Village Golf Club. Registration for golf begins at 7 a.m., with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. and a luncheon at noon. The fishing and volleyball tournaments are both free to enter, while the golf tournament is $100 per person or $400 per foursome. There will also be a chance to show off your skills and compete for prizes and awards in a cornhole tournament at 6 p.m., which is also free to enter.

As for an OHV track that could be enjoyed by riders of ATVs, four-wheelers, three- wheelers, dirt bikes, motorcycles and trail bikes, Accomando said that the site near her Santa Rosa Groves home “is not an ideal location.”

“It will create a lot of traffic,” she said. “[But] I’m not going to be one of those not-in-my-backyard people.”

Also attending the June 21 meeting were Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Robert Shorr. Shorr encouraged the racers to stay involved and to “lean on” Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to give up acreage near the PBSO’s shooting range at 20-Mile Bend so the size of the racetrack project can be increased. As is, the planned site is 46 acres smaller than the PBIR facility, also known as Moroso.

Baxter has said that for a stateof-the-art motorsports park to be successful, it would need to have at least two tracks that could be used for various types of racing, including at least a one-eighth mile drag strip and an oval track. A road course, dirt track and garage area should be part of the plan, if possible.

Baxter said this week that Bradshaw has indicated that he has no current plans for the parcel and is open to the idea of it being used for the project.

Meanwhile, West Palm Beach resident Tyler Glock attended the town hall and expressed his frustration with Baxter’s plan, explaining that he had a group of

producer Davis Clapp, a fixture in the South Florida music community and an area resident.

“It’s for everybody out here,” he said. “We’re all one big community.”

To that end, Clapp and Morgan are scheduling the concerts beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday nights. The timing is to avoid conflicts with a similar series on Friday nights in Royal Palm Beach and Saturday nights in Wellington.

“The bands are thrilled because it gives them one more night to play, which is great for them,

The main Star-Spangled Spectacular event kicks off at 1 p.m. at Commons Park with games, arts and crafts, a free kids’ fun zone, kayaking, paddleboarding, live entertainment and much more.

Entertainment on the amphitheater stage begins with the Joey Calderaio Band at 4 p.m. and continues with an Elton John Tribute at 6 p.m. and an Earth Wind & Fire Tribute at 8 p.m. There will also be an assortment of vendors offering tasty treats and refreshing beverages to enjoy. To end the day with a bang, the village will host a patriotic fireworks display by Zambelli scheduled for 9 p.m.

“People come for our fireworks display,” Recchio said. “The fireworks are pretty large. The show runs for 31 minutes; it’s constant. We have a pretty good reputation as far as our fireworks display.”

Royal Palm Beach’s Star-Spangled Spectacular is a free, family friendly event. Learn more at www.royalpalmbeachfl.gov.

Westlake — The City of Westlake will hold its second annual Fourth of July Concert & Fireworks Show starting at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4. The day will be capped by a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Both residents of Westlake,

investors ready to put in an OHV park on the 20-Mile Bend site — a project he has been working on for several years.

Glock said that he is a drag racing fan and fully supports the idea of finding a site where a new motorsports park can be built to replace PBIR, but he does not trust GL Homes to properly build an OHV park. He also said he doubts that the 20-Mile Bend property is suitable for a drag strip because of the mucky soil — damp, rich, black earth chock full of organic material.

The muck is fine for the relatively light weights typical of an OHV track, but not for the tremendous weight of concrete and/or asphalt tracks used for drag racing and car racing, Glock explained.

“It’s the difference between building a [family] swimming pool there and putting up a pyramid,” he said. “The two are wildly different things. There’s a huge difference in the land quality required.”

Baxter said she is aware of the issue and believes local farmers may be interested in buying or even helping in the removal of the valuable topsoil. In any case, “the developer will be ultimately responsible for seeing that it’s done,” she said, noting that no tax dollars or tax breaks would be given to the builders. “The land is the tax break.”

If the GL land swap gains final approval from the Palm Beach County Commission early this fall, Baxter hopes the county can

OPINION

especially if they’re already in the area,” said Clapp, who was the longtime road manager for the Eagles tribute band the Long Run. Each of the booked acts focuses on reproducing the music of certain bands or eras.

Food trucks, vendors of various kinds and a bounce house for younger kids will begin at 5 p.m. and the shows will end by 9 p.m., recognizing that Mondays are school days, said Morgan, who emphasized that no tax dollars are being used to fund the shows. “It’s all sponsorship driven,” he explained.

as well as neighbors from the surrounding communities, are invited to the patriotic celebration.

Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor noted that there will be many food trucks and plenty of handicapped-accessible parking.

“Westlake is not an island,” he said. “We’re excited to welcome not only our residents, but people from the surrounding area as well. It’s going to be a wonderful time. We hope they come out and celebrate our nation’s freedom with us.”

Entertainment and musical groups will be performing throughout the day and take the stage at 4 p.m. Enjoy musical hits by the Deep Fried Funk Band, which headlines the musical stage entertainment produced by Mike Sipe Entertainment. Also on stage will be the South Florida country duo Juna N Joey. Westlake City Manager Kenneth Cassel said that residents enjoy the growing lineup of community events.

“We believe it’s important to do this because it drives community spirit,” he said. “It drives pride in our community, state and country.”

He noted that there will be misting stations to help keep people

be out by October with a request for proposals (RFP) to develop the raceway.

Several members of the town hall crowd suggested that a committee of racers be formed to provide input for development plans, and that Madelyn Marconi of Palm Beach Gardens head the group. Marconi, who was active in the effort to save PBIR, said she would be happy to help in whatever way she can.

“Things are moving at a pretty quick pace,” said Marconi, whose husband Corey Zaron is a racer. “I’ve already been contacted by very serious investors who are chomping at the bit.”

With the nearest tracks now hours away in Orlando and Bradenton, Marconi said that the National Hot Rod Association — one of the foremost organizations in motorsports — is “very interested in the South Florida market.”

As with Marconi, who grew up around racing, Baxter said that the motorsports park is more than just another county project for her. The commissioner’s husband, Brian, is a dirt track racer, and her three sons — 4, 7 and 13 — all are involved in some form of racing.

“It’s definitely a family sport,” said Baxter, who lives in The Acreage. “If we do this right, this is something that generation after generation will be able to use without fear of it being sold. My heart is definitely in this one.”

Troubled Youth? Don’t Blame The Children

Who Are The Victims Of A Broken System

This letter is in response to the article in the Town-Crier “ITID Board Concerned About Troubled Youth Housed in The Acreage” (June 2).

I found this very disturbing, as it is promoting an extremely negative focus on these very troubled and vulnerable children. If ITID Vice President Betty Argue would take the time to understand the situation that has led to the need for these group homes, she might realize that the problems that have caused these children to be in the system is one that we all must own. There is so much more to this story than was portrayed in the article. It is

unfair and misleading to tell only one side of the story. Everyone who condemns these homes and these children should be ashamed to call themselves decent human beings.

The need for these group homes arises from an extremely broken system within the Department of Children & Families and the Department of Juvenile Justice. It is too complex a story to tell here, but I would be only too happy to provide a deeper dive into the situation if the Town-Crier, ITID or anyone else cares to listen. We have failed many of these children, and these failures have contributed to the need for them

to be placed into the group homes. Many of them are simply victims of dysfunctional families — dysfunction that is so bad that the state has to step in and remove them from their homes. They are simply displaced. They are not all criminals. In fact, contrary to the belief expressed by Ms. Argue, the majority of them are not juvenile offenders. I have experience with this system. It is shamefully inadequate. And the children are paying the price. Do not condemn the children. They are the victims. Until you know their stories, you have no right to judge. I also do not un-

“We don’t have a budget. We’re trying to get the local business community to get behind this,” said Clapp, noting that his Discretion Entertainment production company will be taking no profits out of the concerts. “Any profits will be put back into bringing in more shows.”

The shows scheduled for the upcoming series are: Sunday, Oct. 29 featuring the Long Run Band (Eagles); Sunday, Nov. 19 featuring Majesty of Rock (Journey/Styx); Sunday, Dec. 17 featuring Petty Camp (Tom Petty/ John Cougar Mellencamp); Sun-

cool in the hot, summer heat.

The first 1,000 guests to visit the Cool Zone tent will receive a fun FourthFest goodie bag. New this year will be a variety of market vendors for guests to enjoy and support local small businesses.

Bring the kids to play in the kid zone filled with games, bounce house, slides and other children’s activities, including the ultimate foam experience, sponsored by GameGo Foam Experience. Don’t forget to pack your appetite, as several food truck options will be available. The Zambelli fireworks show will end the evening with

day, Jan. 14 featuring Erasmith (Aerosmith); Sunday, Feb. 18 featuring Ticket to the Moon (Electric Light Orchestra/ELO); and Sunday, March 17 featuring Celebrate (Three Dog Night plus 1960s and 1970s rock).

Guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, but not tents, Morgan said. Right now, Morgan and Clapp are looking for sponsors to support the series. Sponsorships range from $500 to $1,250.

For more information, visit www.acreagelandowners.com.

a 22-minute, dazzling fireworks display that will light up the sky. The title sponsor is Minto Communities, and other sponsors include: Inframark; Universal Health Services/Wellington Regional Medical Center; Florida Power & Light; Lewis, Longman & Walker; and Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath.

Admission and parking are both free. Festivities are held on Kingfisher Blvd. across the street from the Westlake Adventure Park lodge at 5490 Kingfisher Blvd. Learn more at www.westlakegov. com.

Wellington To Recognize Tanabata With Wish Tree Displays July 1 To July 7

Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, means “evening of the seventh” and originated as a Chinese legend before making its way to Japan and becoming the inspiration behind the Japanese Tanabata Festival.

The festival traces its origins to the legend of two star-crossed lovers, the Cowherd Star (Altair) and the Weaver Star (Vega), who are separated by the Milky Way and allowed to meet just once per year — on the seventh day of the seventh month.

Tanabata is celebrated by writing wishes on colorful strips of

paper called Tanzaku and attaching them to bamboo branches, or “Wish Trees,” in hopes they come true.

Between Saturday, July 1 and Friday, July 7, the Village of Wellington invites the community to stop by the Wellington Community Center, Village Hall or Village Park to hang a Tanzaku on one of the bamboo “Wish Trees,” on display in the lobbies. Village Hall and the Wellington Community Center will be closed on Tuesday, July 4. For more information, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/tanabata.

OPINION

Don’t Remove Land From Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve

Please do not take land out of the Equestrian Preserve Area and change the equestrian goals of the founders of Wellington.

Wellington is a key hub for three international equestrian sports because of the way Wellington was set up. The equestrians from Wellington inspire youth and good horsemanship all over the world. The equestrian land and competitions in Wellington are crucial for riders to strengthen their horse’s international development and succeed. Wellington has attracted the best in horse sports, not only from the United States, but Europeans and South Americans who take advantage of the warm six-month winter season to train and show their horses. They prepare their horses over several years to be confident and fit enough to take on the best in the world. The international caliber of wins from the strategies of these riders in Wellington comes with Olympic gold medals, World Equestrian Games wins and World Cup Championship achievements. Wellington is the key to their success.

In 1995, the Village of Wellington was formally incorporated with 28,960 acres in total. Onethird of the land was designated for the 9,200-acre Equestrian Preserve

Area. The preserve is zoned for up to 10 acres per residential-built home. The idea was to work to keep enough land necessary for horses with the growth in population and land purchases. Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams played a key role in organizing the Village of Wellington and in the formation of the Equestrian Preserve Area. The land development regulations (LDRs) are the zoning guidelines that include subdivision and landscaping codes, and parking ordinances. The LDRs are the zoning codes developed for all the building projects, whether residential, commercial or, in Wellington, designated equestrian.

Ken Adams’ vision has made a difference in people’s lives, including a community with three international equestrian sports. The incorporation of the Village of Wellington and the state approval for the Equestrian Preserve Area realized the vision of Roger Wellington and continues to bring prosperity to those in the community. Please leave the preserve as is, because the equestrians in Wellington continue to inspire upand-coming youth and equestrians all over the world.

Betsy LaBelle Wellington

derstand why ITID, Ms. Argue or any other member of the board of supervisors has any right to speak out as representatives of ITID on this subject. It is not ITID business. It is yet another overstep by the ITID Board of Supervisors into a realm in which they do not have any right to be involved. I challenge anyone who wants to criticize this situation to educate yourself on this issue. You may be surprised about what you learn. And if you don’t bother to take a deeper dive and understand, please don’t complain.

Tina Evans The Acreage

A map showing Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Area.

NOMINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Our Wellington Awards 2023

Celebrating the Extraordinary Achievements of Our Wellington Neighbors!

Step into a world where greatness knows no bounds and join us in celebrating the people who make our community special! Wellington The Magazine proudly unveiled the prestigious Our Wellington Awards last year. This award marked the first of its kind, honoring six remarkable individuals who have given of themselves and helped to shape our beloved village into one of the top places to live in the country.

Again, this year, we would like you, our readers, to assist us in choosing those we will pay tribute to this year — people who have selflessly dedicated their time and talents to uplift our community.

With immense pride, Wellington The Magazine will announce these esteemed accolades, shining a spotlight on these unique individuals among us in the September 2023 “Our Wellington” issue. This year’s recipients of the Our Wellington Awards will be presented at a special luncheon where we will celebrate them all.

By nominating a Wellington resident who you think deserves this honor, you join us in celebrating these incredible members of our community, who have turned Wellington into not just a great hometown, but a vibrant tapestry of compassion and unity. Let us highlight their stories and ignite a spark within others, encouraging neighbors to lend a helping hand and make a difference in the lives of those around them.

As we embark on the second year of the Our Wellington Awards, we eagerly anticipate the upcoming 2023 edition, where we anticipate even more nominations and astounding stories of extraordinary individuals.

Wellington The Magazine will publish this special publication where readers will have a chance to get to know these remarkable individuals, discovering the motivations behind their journeys, and learn more about the organizations they champion. Their selfless acts and contributions are sure to inspire us all!

Together, let us continue to build a community that thrives on compassion, generosity and the spirit of making a difference. The goal is to get others involved, embrace a worthy cause and be a catalyst for positive change. Together, we can transform lives and create a brighter future for Wellington.

Please visit www.wellingtonthemagazine.com and look for the OUR WELLINGTON AWARDS tab and nominate your pick today!

The

Mayor Anne Gerwig with the 2023-24 Rotary officers.

Rotarian of the Year George Kinoshita with Tiffany Rodriguez.

Paul Harris Fellow awards are presented to Jim O’Neill, Maria Cruz and Jess Coburn.

Nikki and Brian Stinson.

Tiffany Rodriguez with Rookie of the Year Michael Zeman.

Service Above Self award winners Scott Armand, Larry Falk, Andrew Burr, Mickey Smith, Walter Imperatore, Maggie Zeller and Maria Cruz with Tiffany Rodriguez.

Mayor Anne Gerwig swears-in the new officers.

Dr. Gordon Johnson (left) receives the Frank Gladney Award, joined by previous Gladney winners.

(Seated) Humberto Rivera, Maria Martinez, George and Sandy Kinoshita and Rachel Stockwell; (standing) Bob Biancucci, Dwayne Brown and Brad Stockwell.

Michael and Phyllis Gauger, Mair and Scott Armand, Carolyn and Jeff Hmara, Eric Gordon and Mayor Anne Gerwig.

Rotary member spouses who come to help: Joan Imperatore, Leo Buquicchio, Sandy Kinoshita, Lizz Smith, Barbara Boughner and Dr. Maurice Cruz with Tiffany Rodriguez.

Tiffany Rodriguez presents Don Gross with a special award.

Dr. Wes Boughner receives a special gift from Tiffany Rodriguez.

Todd Miller, Tiffany Rodriguez and Barbara Boughner with the “Best Guest” award.

David and Marilyn Berns with Leslie and Randy Pfeiffer.

Joanna, Ben, Catherine and William Boynton.

Susan Odell, Joanna Boynton and Jay Broder.

Maureen and Don Gross with Mickey and Lizz Smith.

Dr. Linda and Dr. Gordon Johnson with Regis Wenham.

WELLINGTON Awards

Public Safety Committee Picks Top Cop And Top Firefighter

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington’s Top Cop and Top Firefighter for 2023 include a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office detective credited with an innovative change in how booking photos are updated, as well as the first female with Peruvian roots to work as a Palm Beach County firefighter.

PBSO Detective Tim Barbusio and Palm Beach County FireRescue Capt. Cecilia Eaton were awarded the designations with a vote of the village’s Public Safety Committee on Wednesday, June 14. They will be formally honored during a Wellington Village Council meeting in September.

“Congratulations,” Committee

Chair Mohammad Junaid Akther said after the vote. “Thanks very much for keeping us safe.”

Barbusio has served for more than 35 years, including the last three in the agency’s Wellington district, according to his nomination by Sgt. Michael Donovan. In 2022, he initiated 65 long-term financial cases, including one involving a bail-bond scam with victims across the country. He “continually carries the heaviest caseload of the detectives in his unit” with a “true passion for investigative excellence,” Donovan wrote. Earlier in his career, Barbusio helped initiate a change that affected police agencies statewide.

He discovered that booking photos were taken only when a criminal entered a correctional facility, and pushed for photos when they were exiting, sometimes decades later. The updated photos helped identify and catch repeat offenders. The other finalist was PBSO Deputy Jeff Taschner, who earned praise for traffic work. From the start of 2022 until May 2023, Taschner stopped more than 1,550 vehicles and issued 2,135 citations.

Eaton came to Wellington by way of Peru, where she grew up and worked at a volunteer fire station from age 15. She overcame traditional barriers against females spending the night in the firehouse, and in her first night there never

got to sleep because of a large movie-theater fire and extended brush fire. She found an occupation she loved. “Her story is quite extraordinary,” wrote Battalion Chief Kenneth Wooldridge in his nomination letter.

Unrest and terrorism in Peru led her family to emigrate to the United States. Eaton learned English while dealing blackjack on cruise ships. Eaton began work as a Palm Beach County firefighter in 2001, reaching the rank of captain by 2019. A wife and mother of two, she has been at the forefront of efforts to recruit promising candidates, including women.

“One thing Cecilla has done

as a company officer is to take a personal interest in caring for the elderly that we run calls on, oftentimes following up with their children or other family members to assure they receive follow-up and attention,” Wooldridge wrote.

Another finalist for top firefighter was Lt. Jason Haythorn, who has worked in Wellington for several years, drawing notice for his performance in challenging calls and disasters, as well as mentoring younger colleagues.

Meanwhile, a report to the committee reviewed crime statistics largely discussed in other village meetings, though PBSO Lt. Robert Humphrey did note something about which residents might be

curious. He said blue postal boxes recently have been removed from three Wellington locations because they were being targeted by organized gangs for mail theft. Attempts to head off the thefts proved challenging, so working with postal authorities and others, officials decided to take the boxes out.

“The boxes aren’t there, so the crime can’t be committed,” Humphrey said.

Committee Member Brad Johnson asked, “So are the boxes coming back, or not?”

“Not at this time,” Humphrey said. It might take away a convenient

See SAFETY, page 14

TARGET ZERO: PBSO & FDOT PARTNER TO PROMOTE SAFE DRIVING LOCALLY

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office partnered with the Florida Department of Transportation on Wednesday, June 21 to educate the public on the dangers of excessive speed and aggressive driving that lead to deadly crashes. The event was held along Southern Blvd. FDOT personnel were available with educational materials and to answer any questions from the public. The event was part of the Target Zero campaign to promote good driving habits, such as not texting and driving, not driving under the influence and obeying the speed limit. Learn more about Target Zero at www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/target-zero.

Wellington Ranked Among Top Communities In The Nation For Civic Engagement

Recognizing Wellington’s efforts to engage its residents, particularly its youth, in decisionmaking and strategic initiatives, the National Civic League recently named the Village of Wellington as a finalist for the prestigious 2023 All-America City Award. This remarkable achievement reaffirms Wellington’s commitment to building the civic capacity of young people and promoting a diverse and inclusive community.

New Home For Wellington AutoFest

The Wellington Rotary Club’s Wellington Family AutoFest has a new location. The monthly car show has moved from Village Park on Pierson Road to Wellington’s Town Center at 12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

Enjoy Sunday morning by the lake with cool cars, music, food, playgrounds and more. The show is open to all vehicles — cars, motorcycles, trucks and more. The judged contest is $20; show vehicles are $10.

The first day at the new location will be Sunday, July 9 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Future dates are Aug. 20, Sept. 10, Oct. 1, Nov. 12 and Dec. 13. Learn more at www. familyautofest.com.

Fourth Of July

Fishing Tourney Returns To RPB

Enjoy a free morning of angling at the 31st annual Ed Singleton Memorial Fourth of July Family Fishing Tournament at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park on Tuesday, July 4, presented by the Royal Palm Bassmasters.

Registration (on-site only) will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. All fishing must be done at the lake at Commons Park. Age groups are: Small Fry (age 6 and under), Child (ages 7 to 9), Junior (ages 10 to 12), Teen (ages 13 to 15) and Parent/Child Team (child must be age 12 or under).

Categories are Bass and Other (catfish, pan fish, gar and more, but no grass carp). Participants may only register in one category. The Bass weigh-in deadline is 11 a.m. The Other weigh-in deadline

From June 9 to June 11, Wellington assembled a dynamic team of “All-American City Representatives,” composed of students, education and government leaders, and community advocates, who traveled to Denver, Colorado, to present the inspiring story of their work to a jury of national civic leaders.

The heart of Wellington’s compelling presentation revolved around the success of three key

is 11:15 a.m. The awards presentation will take place at noon. Bass must be weighed-in alive, so take proper precautions. All Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission rules apply. There is a limit of three bass per angler. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at registration or weigh-in. Only registered participants are eligible for weigh-in. Participants must provide their own rod, reel and tackle. Live worms are available at registration.

Governor Signs

Waldron’s Acme Bill Into Law

State Rep. Katherine Waldron (D-District 93) this week announced that Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed HB 943, the Acme Improvement District and Pine Tree Water Control District Bill, into law. The bill, sponsored by Waldron, passed both the House of Representatives and State Senate unanimously.

The bill transfers the 365-acre Marjory Stoneman Douglas Environmental Preserve and the adjacent, 45-acre Moncada property from the independent Pine Tree Water Control District to Wellington’s dependent special district, the Acme Improvement District. The change will enable increased resources and focus on developing, preserving and maintaining the natural areas for the benefit of the public. Both Acme and Pine Tree are located within the Village of Wellington. The preserve serves as a rainwater storage area but also includes miles of nature trails and learning centers. The rainwater is naturally cleansed as it flows through more than two miles of combined wetland/marsh area, littoral shelves

programs: the HYPE tutoring program, the Tom Atkins Civics 101 civic engagement program and the SWAG internship program. These initiatives showcased Wellington’s dedication to nurturing youth voices and empowering residents, including young individuals, to address crucial issues, such as diversity and inclusion, and college and career readiness.

“The recognition as a finalist for the 2023 All-America

City Award is a testament to the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication of our community,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said. “While we did not secure the top award this year, we take immense pride in the progress that we have made in building the civic capacity of our young people and fostering a more diverse and inclusive environment. Wellington remains committed to empowering our

NEWS BRIEFS

and deepwater sediment traps. Interior uplands and native landscaping provide an exhibition of natural Florida from the paved pedestrian path and boardwalk to seven designated learning areas. There is a large decorative trellis and six-story observation tower located at two of these learning areas. The preserve also includes a 3.6-mile perimeter equestrian trail that is an extension of the approximately 65-mile Wellington bridle trail system.

Waldron expressed gratitude to DeSantis for recognizing the significance of this legislation and its positive impact on the community. The law will contribute to the continued development and preservation of vital natural resources within Palm Beach County and the Village of Wellington.

Ella Bella Collection Eco-Friendly Living Workshop

Luxury soap purveyor Ella Bella Collection will host a Living Green & Creating Good Workshop at the District @ Wellington Green on Friday, July 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn the art of aromatherapy, essential oils and herbal infusions from Ella Bella owner Leila Najjar. Then customize your own organic laundry detergent and personal facial scrub from moisturizing ingredients like Dead Sea salt, beeswax, vitamin E oil and more.

The cost is $35 and includes materials. Register in-store. For more info., call (561) 779-6287 or visit www.ellabellacollection.com.

The District @ Wellington Green is located on the lower level in the H&M corridor.

Wellington Featured In Business Magazine

The Village of Wellington was recently featured in Business View Magazine

The feature, published in the April 2023 issue, is based on an interview between Village Manager Jim Barnes; Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings; and Business View Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Karen Surca as part of a series covering economic growth and best municipal practices. Business View Magazine is a global leader in multi‐platform business-to-business profiles, news and opinion with more than 877,000 executive subscribers across North America. To learn more and view the current issue, visit www.businessviewmagazine. com.

County Water System Flush To Start July 6

In order to deliver the highest quality water to customers, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities (PBCWUD) requires periodic line flushing and temporary treatment modification. These modifications to the disinfection process are routine and an industry best practice as a precautionary measure to maintain high water quality. From July 6 through July 27, PBCWUD will be using free chlorine as opposed to chloramine for water treatment. This is only temporary, and the water is safe to drink. PBCWUD follows Environmental Protection Agency regulations throughout the process.

residents and strengthening our community for a brighter future.”

The All-America City Award, presented annually, honors 10 exceptional communities that have demonstrated exemplary civic engagement. Although Wellington did not emerge as the 2023 winner, village officials were proud to celebrate being recognized as one of the finalists alongside the other remarkable communities.

The village extends its heartfelt

It is recommended that customers who are sensitive to this change keep an open container of drinking water refrigerated for a few hours, allowing the chlorine to dissipate.

Users of home dialysis machines, owners of tropical fish, and managers of stores and restaurants with fish and shellfish holding tanks are advised to seek professional guidance for removing chlorine residuals.

Anyone needing more information on this temporary change is advised to call PBCWUD at (561) 740-4600, and select option 1.

For the most up-to-date information concerning the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department visit www.pbcwater.com.

County Secures Brownfield Assessment Grant

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $500,000 to Palm Beach County through the Department of Housing & Economic Development to assist in assessing brownfield sites.

A brownfield site is a property where the redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant. Once site assessments are completed and the appropriate cleanup has been accomplished, communities experience many environmental, social or economic benefits, including an increase in property values, from this important tool.

“This funding is essential in assisting in the revitalization of communities where these sites are located, and complements the department’s Brownfields Revolving

appreciation to the All-American City Representatives for their exceptional representation of Wellington and their dedication to creating positive change.

Wellington officials are grateful for its community sponsors, the Great Charity Challenge and the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, whose generous support made the trip to Colorado and the village’s participation in the All-America City competition possible.

Loan Fund that assists developers in the remediation of contaminated properties, whether for housing or commercial use,” explained Sherry Howard, deputy director at the Department of Housing & Economic Development.

PBCWCD Water Quality Report Now Available

The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBCWUD) makes it easy for residents, visitors and businesses to learn more about the treatment process and water quality standards. The department recently published its Annual Water Quality Report, a comprehensive resource designed to help customers understand the data behind the water.

Features of the report include summarized, easy-to-read charts that explain where the utility’s drinking water comes from and how it is treated.

More than 60 million gallons per day of affordable, clean drinking water are delivered to more than 600,000 residents located within 1,300 square miles of Palm Beach County. In 2022, PBCWUD conducted more than 80,000 tests on samples from hydrants, commercial buildings and taps. These tests ensure that all federal and state water quality standards throughout the distribution system are continually met and exceeded.

The Annual Water Quality Report is a simple and clear snapshot of the department’s commitment to delivering the best water to residents. To view the water quality report, visit www.pbcwater. com/waterquality, or to request a printed copy, call the public information team at (561) 493-6066.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Specification Coordinator Kathy White, Senior Safety & Health Specialist Ryan Bally, Traffic Safety Coordinator Paula Scott, Safety Administrator Katie Kehres and Traffic & Safety Team Member Justina Peart.

Jeff Fleischman signs the Target Zero pledge.

Valery Alfaro, Mariela Gorena and Adriana Fernandez stopped for some bicycle safety information.

David Eisen goes over a survey he took with Traffic Safety Coordinator Paula Scott.

FDOT District 4 Traffic Safety Coordinator Paula Scott with PBSO Sgt. Scott Yoder and Safety Administrator Katie Kehres.

CHILDREN FROM PBSO MENTORING PROGRAM VISIT BIG DOG RANCH RESCUE

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Mentoring Program brought children to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves on Monday, June 12 for a day full of fun activities. The all-day camp/retreat allowed the kids time to work with the rescue dogs and puppies. Participants learned how to properly care for dogs by grooming, walking, washing, feeding and learning how to train them.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Prosecutor Alexcia Cox Announces Candidacy For State Attorney

Alexcia Cox, currently deputy chief assistant for the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office and a member of State Attorney Dave Aronberg’s leadership team, recently announced her candidacy for Palm Beach County State Attorney.

Cox said she is ready to bring residents together to make history next year as the first woman and African American to serve in the post. Cox made her announcement following Aronberg’s announcement earlier this month that he would not seek re-election next year after three terms in office.

“For nearly two decades, I’ve made it my mission to hold violent criminals accountable and achieve justice for victims of crime. As a mother, longtime community

advocate and prosecutor, serving Palm Beach County residents as their next state attorney would be a great honor,” Cox said. “As deputy chief assistant, I have taken on complex legal issues, served in executive leadership positions and have focused on the tough cases to keep Palm Beach County safe.

As a Palm Beach County native, Cox has deep roots in the community. For nearly her entire career, Cox has served as a prosecutor working complex cases, including first degree murders, domestic violence and major felonies.

Cox began her legal career with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office as a domestic violence prosecutor. Her capacity to lead, her tough-on-crime approach and advocacy for justice, led to her

selection as the lead prosecutor to launch the felony division of the domestic violence unit, where she eventually rose through the ranks to serve as chief of the unit.

Recognizing her executive management skills, Aronberg tapped Cox to serve as his first deputy chief assistant, where she supervises prosecutors assigned to the County Court Division (misdemeanor), Domestic Violence Unit, and the North County and South County satellite offices. She was instrumental in the creation of the office’s Conviction Review Unit. In her capacity as deputy chief assistant, Cox works closely with fellow prosecutors, law enforcement and the community to seek justice for victims of crime and ensure fairness in the judicial system.

“It’s not lost on me that we can make great history next year as we shatter a glass ceiling in our county,” Cox said. “Though most important to me is waking up every day to pursue justice for victims of crimes and ensure that those who break the law will be held accountable. Families deserve the right to live safely in their neighborhoods, and as the next state attorney, I am ready to get to work to uphold the mission of our office and build on the great work and progress achieved by our strong state attorney, Dave Aronberg.”

Cox’s hard work and professionalism can be seen through her life story. As a single mother, she put herself through college and law school, dedicated herself to

the law and made a commitment to local advocacy. Cox is an example of how hard work and perseverance can empower anyone to achieve their goals. Her advocacy in Palm Beach County extends to programs and organizations that empower women, mothers and young girls. Cox has volunteered for Hearts for Moms and the Guardians of the Glades Women’s Leadership Program. Cox also actively engages with youth groups, churches and her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Cox’s experience and commitment has been recognized through numerous awards and recognitions. With a strong academic background, she graduated cum laude from the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s

degree in interpersonal communication. While attending UCF, Cox was named 2002 recipient of the Order of Pegasus Award, which is the most prestigious and significant award a student can attain, recognizing exemplary performance in the areas of academic achievement, outstanding university involvement, leadership and community service. She received her law degree, cum laude, from the Florida State University College of Law. Learn more at www. alexciacox.com.

Cox, a Democrat, is one of two candidates who have currently filed to run for the position. The other is criminal law attorney Gregg Lerman, also a Democrat. The filing deadline is in April 2024.

Volunteer Peggy Rydberg holds a puppy while Sheriff Ric Bradshaw helps dry him off.

Kids wash one of the puppies.

Attendees gather for a group photo.

Deputy Kenneth Torrence looks on as kids have fun with bubbles.

Volunteer Taylor Dodd with Ronnie. Noah visits with the puppies.

Kids visit with Clover.

Kids give a puppy a whipped cream treat.

Deputy Kenneth Torrence with a new friend.

WELLINGTON SENIOR CITIZENS ENJOY A FUN SOCK HOP PARTY CELEBRATION

Pets Are Family, Too!

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

Rabies, a deadly viral disease, remains a concern in the United States despite significant efforts to control and prevent its spread. While widespread vaccination programs for domestic animals have significantly reduced the number of rabies cases, the disease still poses a threat to both animals and humans. The prevalence of rabies varies across different regions, with specific areas reporting higher incidence rates than others. Wildlife species, particularly bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes, are known carriers of the virus, making encounters with these animals a potential risk. Individuals must take precautions, such as avoiding contact with wild animals and ensuring their pets are up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Public health education and awareness campaigns are vital to preventing and reducing rabies transmission.

Make sure vaccinations for rabies and other serious hazards become a routine part of your pet’s complete health care program. Preventive care is a big part of our practice at COMMUNITY

ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF ROYAL PALM BEACH, and we’ll be glad to write out for you a complete schedule of all the shots your pet should have. We provide compassionate medical, surgical, and dental care for the pets that love and depend on you. Feel free to ask us, too, about a healthy diet plan for your pet. 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. Prompt medical attention is crucial if a person is bitten or scratched by an animal that may carry rabies.

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

Wellington seniors headed back to the 1950s for an old-fashioned Sock Hop on Tuesday, June 13 at the Wellington Community Center. The Whitestone Band entertained while the seniors showed off their best ’50s attire. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Pam Rada of Wellington Regional Medical Center. Sis and Fred Hotujet.

Joyce McCracken and Gloria Stapelton. Liz and Amy Bates.

Elena and Jeff Halperin.

Pat Tormey and Pat Keeler.

Bob Nappi and Sherie Scalzitti. Ramon and Alina Silvacol.

Kim, Kyle and Rick Ostroff.

The Whitestone Band performs.

Premier Family Health’s Lamarq Caldwell and Janet Mena. Jack and Paula Brownson with Lorraine and Steve Brunner.

Raffle winners Betty Murray, Jacquie Goldman and Denise Julien.

Maryann Murray, Norma Heeland and Betty Murray.

Ingrid Biegler, Elfriede Beyer and Joan Walter.

Faye Ford shows off her socks.

Shults

In response to a critical overcapacity crisis, Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control (PBCACC) is launching an initiative to encourage community members to adopt animals in need.

Throughout the month of July, all pet adoptions fees are $4.

PBCACC has been facing a significant increase in the number of abandoned, stray and surrendered animals in recent months, which has led to the unsustainable situation of having more than 400 animals in its care.

The capacity for care is stretched to the limit, prompting PBCACC to take immediate action. By reducing the adoption fee to an

Lox Groves Grant For Drainage

continued from page 1 improved significantly in the two decades since the last such study was done in 2000.

The project timeline shows the survey beginning this fall and concluding in mid-2025.

A local match of between $70,000 and $127,000 is included in the proposal, but much of that is expected to be through in-kind labor and supplies. Grants from other agencies could help cover any out-of-pocket expenses. The $350,000, while awarded by the state, comes from federal sources.

Ramaglia noted that the project could be part of an ongoing effort

RPB Council Lakeside Landing

continued from page 1 Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on the project. He added that the simplest solution to avoid so many variance requests would be to create smaller or fewer units. Mayor Fred Pinto addressed Feiertag’s concerns to assure him that the council does its best to adhere to the village’s desired aesthetic.

“You’re right when we set up our requirements and ordinances, they are not willy-nilly, but the reality of living in the real world is there are projects that will come before you, and there is a process of adjudication, where property owners have the opportunity to come and ask for some modifica-

affordable $4, the organization hopes to remove any financial barriers and encourage compassionate individuals to open their hearts and homes to these deserving animals.

“The current overcapacity crisis is a pressing issue that requires the collective efforts of our entire community,” Division Director Jan Steele said. “We urge everyone who is able to consider adopting a pet during this time. By doing so, you not only provide a second chance for these animals, but also alleviate the strain in our community.”

For those unable to adopt permanently, fostering is another valuable option that can make a

to provide alternative means of drainage for the community, making it safer from flooding during major storm events. Now that the assessment process is getting underway, the town will begin to apply for construction grants to put into effect once the study is completed, she explained.

Getting the money will be easier once the plan is in place, Wertepny added.

“This report, once completed, can be used to help get additional funds for stormwater improvements,” he said, noting that the report will be helpful in negotiating drainage improvements with other agencies, such as the South Florida Water Management District.

After receiving the grant, Wertepny and the town turned in a detailed plan of action to the

tions so they can make a project work,” Pinto said. “You are going to have projects come before you where you have to look at what you can allow and modify that, and still have something come out that fits the motif of what we are looking to do in the village.”

A motion to approve the parking variance, made by Vice Mayor Jan Rodusky and seconded by Councilman Richard Valuntas, passed 5-0.

The next request to reduce landscape setbacks was also not supported by village staff, but with the argument that the canal serves as an additional buffer, the council approved the request without public comment.

All items requested by D.R. Horton for the modified Lakeside Landing proposal were eventually approved by the council, all unanimously. These included

significant difference. Fostering offers a lifeline to animals who might otherwise face the distressing reality of remaining in an overcrowded shelter. PBCACC welcomes individuals and families interested in fostering to e-mail accfoster@pbcgov.org to get started. PBCACC offers short-term and long-term fostering options, and all the supplies are provided for free.

“We understand that adopting a pet is a huge commitment, and it may not be feasible for everyone,” Steele said. “But fostering is a fantastic way to make an immediate impact and contribute to our cause. It allows animals to experience the

FDEP, which is currently reviewing the plan. Approval is expected this summer. The FDEP is requiring a local steering committee and outreach meetings as part of the process. “We are going to try to put together the best available committee to help guide this process,” Wertepny said.

Formal acceptance of the grant and approval of the project is expected at the council’s August meeting.

The end result will be detailed blueprints for the current system and suggestions for improvements. It includes modeling different types of storm events and predicting how the town’s critical infrastructure will respond.

“This will help solve a number of the problems that have existed for so many years in this town,”

the rights-of-way being reduced from the 60-foot requirement to 50 feet and 45 feet, a reduction in the landscape buffer at the entrance to the development, and the acceptance of fees in lieu of private recreation space and the removal of trees.

Since 1.31 acres — or 52 percent of the recreation obligation — is provided, the applicant will pay the village $518,444.62 for the rest of the recreation requirement. The expected fee to offset the preservation of specimen trees, in the form of a contribution to the village’s tree bank, is $644,981.90.

Aside from the Lakeside Landing project, the council also reviewed and approved a site plan modification and architectural approval to add nearly 14,000 square feet to the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center

love, care and stability they need while freeing up space in our facility for other vulnerable animals.”

To explore the wide array of pets available for adoption or fostering, interested individuals can browse the online gallery of adoptable pets at https://secure.co.palm-beach. fl.us/snap/home or visit the shelter in person. No appointment is needed. Adoption Center hours are Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Palm Beach County Animal Care & Control is located at 7100 Belvedere Road, just west of the turnpike. For more information, visit www.pbcgov.com/animal.

Councilwoman Marge Herzog said.

Also at the workshop, the council saw an overview of proposed capital projects for the upcoming fiscal year. There’s approximately $4 million in capital proposals, but all will not be funded with the money available. The council will need to prioritize them through the budget process.

Ramaglia suggested that the capital projects shift more to drainage issues from roads, which have dominated the town’s spending over the past several years. However, several council members said they did not want to eliminate the focus on road paving.

A suggestion was made to do canal bank repairs in-house rather than contract them out.

“We feel that we can do it

at Preservation Park (100 Sweet Bay Lane).

The approval is part of a longplanned expansion of the recreation center.

O’Brien explained that the addition will accommodate a new office, education space for a pre-K program and a new gym behind the existing gymnasium.

“This project is the vision started in 2021 based on the space and needs for the future of Royal Palm Beach,” he said.

Village Manager Ray Liggins said that the most significant change to the parking is that the connection is no longer only accessible to the soccer fields, and a restroom will be added near the pickleball courts. The latter is based on requests by both pickleball players and skate boarders who use the facility.

“We look to complete the design

There

efficiently over a period of time and save a significant amount of money,” Public Works Director Larry Peters said. However, the council felt that other than emergency situations, canal bank work should wait until after Wertepny’s project is done.

“I don’t see going crazy on canal bank restoration until Randy is done with his study in 2025,” Vice Mayor Robert Shorr said. He wanted more emphasis placed on culvert repairs and only repair canal banks as needed due to washouts.

“I like the idea of doing what we can in-house when we can,” Shorr said. “I don’t like the idea of taking three people and three pieces of equipment and tell them that for the entire year, your job is just to do this.”

and bid out, hopefully starting construction next year,” Village Engineer Chris Marsh said. “The main building will be in operation during construction.”

The goal is to open the expansion in 2026.

Pinto noted that the council is looking forward to the project, which was approved unanimously.

In other business:

• The council approved a special event permit for the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival to stage its annual performance at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, which will take place July 20 through July 23. This year’s performance will be of Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure. The gates open at 6:30 p.m. with performances starting at 8 p.m. each evening.

• The council approved an amendment to the village’s parking ordinance that requires a

Safety Mailbox Change

continued from page 7 option for someone to drop off mail, but given the theft risks, he said, it might be best to use other means of delivery, such as bringing outgoing mail to a more secure postal facility.

In other action, the panel heard reminders that while fireworks will abound on the Fourth of July, they are not allowed in the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area.

Among other committee business, Akther was re-elected as the committee’s chair, with Jacqueline Hutman also returning as vice chair.

neighbor’s permission before parking on their property for more than two hours, and there is no longer permission to park in public swales.

• The council approved the first reading of an ordinance to move the 2024 municipal elections to Tuesday, March 19, 2024, in conjunction with Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary.

• Recently hired Finance Director Shernett Lee was formally appointed village treasurer, in accordance with the village charter.

• Kamar Williams was appointed to a vacant alternate seat on the Planning & Zoning Commission for a term ending in March 2025.

• Village representative William O. Nuss will retain his spot on the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Advisory Board for another term, after his current term expires on Sept. 30.

EIGHT HONORED AT CAFCI ANNUAL STUDENT ASSISTANCE AWARD CEREMONY

CAFCI held its 30th annual Student Assistance Award ceremony on Saturday, June 17 at the original Wellington Mall. The award ceremony featured 2016 award recipient Ijahala Pottinger as keynote speaker, with an inspiring message for this year’s recipients. At the event, CAFCI congratulated this year’s eight recipients: Jada Appolon (Florida Memorial University), Ryan Rose (Drexel University), Marlena Hutchinson (University of Florida), Ethan Elliott (University of Florida), Marisha Civil (University of South Florida), Shia Rozier (North Carolina Agricultural & Technical University), Miguel Benavente (Florida Atlantic University) and Christy Pierre Louis (University of South Florida). For more information about CAFCI, visit www.cafcipbc.org.

Clinics Can Help’s Golf Classic Will Take Place In Wellington

Clinics Can Help (CCH) recently announced the date and location of the nonprofit’s 10th annual Golf Classic. Presented by the Gil Martinez Agency/State Farm, the tournament will take place on Friday, Oct. 27 at the Wanderer’s Club in Wellington and will feature exciting contests and a new morning start time.

Returning in the role of chair is CBS 12’s morning anchor, Matt Lincoln. PGA Tour champion Dana Quigley, whose personal experience after a tragic accident involving his son brought him to Clinics Can Help, will also return as honorary chair.

“We are fortunate that each year, as this event grows and evolves, that individual and community commitments remain,” Clinics

Can Help CEO Owen O’Neill said. “We are grateful for the continued support and love that golfers not only enjoy the day of golf, but meet and spend time with some of our youngest clients, seeing firsthand the impact our work has on families.”

The format for the tournament will remain a scramble with mixed, men’s and women’s divisions. Best dressed team (sun and fun golf attire), hole-in-one, closest-to-the-pin (men and women) and longest drive (men and women) contests will add to the excitement of the day and will feature incredible prizes.

Proceeds from the event support the KINDER (Kids in Need of Durable Equipment Right Now) Project, CCH’s program supporting

families of children with special needs. Many of the children are affected by serious medical conditions, and the families struggle to afford the equipment that enables them to lead more independent lives.

Sponsors to date include the Gil Martinez Agency/State Farm; the Nicholas Group; Rosenthal, Levy, Simon and Sosa, Attorneys at Law; the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb; and the Paving Lady.

Tickets for the tournament range from $325 to $1,300 for golf. Lunch-only tickets are available this year for guests not golfing for $100. Sponsorship opportunities remain and can be seen at https:// birdease.com/24362.

To learn more about the 10th annual Clinics Can Help Golf Classic

presented by the Gil Martinez Agency/State Farm, visit https:// birdease.com/24362 or call (561) 640-2995.

A vital resource in Palm Beach County and throughout southeast Florida for families in search of medical equipment, such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, nebulizers and more, CCH provides access to critical equipment for thousands of children and adults who cannot afford it.

The only organization of its kind in Florida and one of only four in the U.S. that provide a vast and diverse array of equipment, CCH makes a difference through a simple process of organized recycling. To learn more, visit www. clinicscanhelp.org or call (561) 640-2995.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Doreen Grayson, Nadine White-Boyd, students Christy Pierre Louis and Marisha Civil, Doreen Baker and Norma Smith Hill.

Committee members Leonie Escoffery, Doreen Baker, Nadine White-Boyd, Norma Smith Hill, Doreen Grayson and Lavern Blackwood.

Students Miguel Benavente, Ethan Elliott, Marlena Hutchison, Shia Rozier, Jada Appolon and Ryan Rose.

Doreen Baker, guest speaker Ijahala Pottinger and Nadine White-Boyd.

RPB Councilman Richard Valuntas, Councilwoman Selena Samios, Mayor Fred Pinto, Nadine White-Boyd, School Board Member Marcia Andrews, Councilman Jeff Hmara and Port Commissioner Deandre Poole.

Jess & Victoria Santamaria Award winner Miguel Benavente is congratulated by Chris Santamaria.

RPB Mayor Fred Pinto salutes the students.

School Board Member Marcia Andrews addresses the gathering.

Ryan Rose plays the national anthem on his cello.

Matt Lincoln, Gil Martinez and Dennis Martinez.

WELLINGTON ART SOCIETY HOLDS ITS ANNUAL INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

The Wellington Art Society held its annual installation of officers on Sunday, June 25 at the Wellington National Golf Club. Members heard about the highlights of the past year over a buffet lunch. Outgoing President Laura Jaffe stepped down after three years, and Heather Bergstrom was installed as the new president. Visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org to learn more about the Wellington Art Society. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

New board members Sue Oakes, Eileen Weber, Marcia Greene, Faye Ford, Jan Gmitter, Laura Jaffe, Heather Bergstrom, Leslie Pfeiffer and Ayesha DeLorenzo. Not shown: Susan Mosely.

Gerri Ciofalo and David Ciofalo.

Jan Gmitter, Lou Ann LaBohn, Tracy Scheihing, Victoria Albrecht, Leslie Pfeiffer, G.G. Gonzalez, Melenie Ramos and Randy Pfeiffer.

Maria Cruz and Lois Spatz.

Incoming President Heather Bergstrom with Emily, Michael and Michael Bergstrom.

G.G. Gonzalez, Heather Bergstrom and Melenie Ramos.

Carol Krenkel, Heather Bergstrom, Ava Rhodes and Nancy Fried.

Leslie Pfeiffer with raffle winners Lou Ann LaBohn and Tracy Scheihing.

Marcia Greene presents Yusuf DeLorenzo with the 50/50 raffle winnings, which he donated back.

Leslie Pfeiffer with Outstanding Volunteer Cindi Taylor. Mike McFadden, Yusuf and Ayesha DeLorenzo, and Elaine Weber.

Outgoing board members received gifts from Laura Jaffe. (L-R) Leslie Pfeiffer, Sue Oakes, Marcia Greene, Faye Ford, Elaine Weber, Heather Bergstrom and Laura Jaffe with a present the board gave her.

Incoming President Heather Bergstrom accepts the gavel from outgoing President Laura Jaffe.

Marcia Greene, Charlie Greene, Faye Ford, Cindi Taylor, Laura Jaffe, Stan Jaffe and David Taylor.

Welcome home to The Capstone at Royal Palm Senior Living!

Your neighborhood Pet Supplies Plus has everything you need for your furry, scaly and feathery friends. Our shelves are stocked with the right products, including a wide selection of natural and made in the USA products. Easily find all their favorites at prices you love, whether you shop with us in store or online using free curb side pickup or same-day delivery.

• 1 hour curbside pickup & free same-day delivery

• Widest selection of natural dog & wet cat food

• Large variety of made in the USA products

• Grooming Salon

• Self-Service Pet Wash

• VIP Pet Care Clinics

Grooming

Visiting

Low cost preventative veterinary care, hours and services vary by location. No appointment necessary. Bakery

Treat them to Drool-worthy delights from the bakery.

Beautiful Bettas, Dazzling Danios, Gorgeous Goldfish and more! Selection Varies by location.

Live Small Pets

Stop in to find your new feathery friend, cuddly companion or scaly sidekick!

VIP Petcare Wellness Center

A wide variety of wellness services including physical exams, vaccinations, heartworm preventative, and more. No appointment necessary.

Training Call store for programs currently offered.

Husband And Wife Football Officials Love ‘Date Night’ At Games

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Since 2006, Vince and Bonita

Holmes of Wellington have had a series of unique “date nights” every Friday night in the fall. Those “dates” have been associated with showing up at high school football games around Palm Beach County.

It’s not because they have a child on a high school football team, on a cheerleading squad or in the marching band. Instead, they are part of the same East Coast Football Officials Association (ECFOA) officiating crew.

Vince is the referee, which is the only game official who wears the white hat, while Bonita sits in the press box, where she works as the all-important clock operator.

Both wear black and white striped shirts.

In a nutshell, Vince is in charge of indicating when the game clock must start and stop, while Bonita is in charge of actually turning the game clock on or off throughout the game. In this role, she never takes her eyes off her husband. When Vince or any other game official crosses their arms above their head, Bonita stops the game clock.

She also stops the clock after every incomplete pass, after a score is made, after a turnover, during a time-out, while an injured player is getting medical attention, when

the ball carrier goes out of bounds and after a missed field goal attempt. Clearly, Bonita needs to pay attention to the action on the football field.

Vince and Bonita are the only husband-and-wife team that are members of the ECFOA, which provides game officials for high school football games in Palm Beach County.

Even though Bonita never played football, Vince feels his wife is one of the best clock operators in Florida because she understands the flow of a football game.

“When she’s in the press box, she’s focused, she knows the signals from the officials, she pays attention and she’s on point,” he said. “She also accurately changes the down and distance figures on every play.”

Vince loves football, dating back to his days as a high school defensive back growing up in Tallahassee. It was Bonita’s idea to join him as an official on Friday nights. She loves the Friday night football atmosphere in Palm Beach County.

“For us, it’s a fun Friday night of family and football,” said Bonita, who is graduate of Glades Central High School (1984) and the University of Florida (1989). “Then we go out to dinner after the games.”

Because of the current shortage of game officials, many local high school football games are also being played on Thursday nights, which represents another “date night” opportunity for Vince and Bonita. There are also freshmen and junior varsity football games during the week, which Bonita tends to work as well. Vince does not. Instead, he dedicates more time during the season to training and recruiting more officials.

“There’s a nationwide shortage of officials, especially in Palm Beach County, which is why we can’t have every high school football game on a Friday night,” explained Vince, who graduated from Florida A&M University with a degree in criminal justice and is now a retired federal government employee. “Anybody interested in becoming a football official should check out www. ecfoa.com for details.”

Vince takes great pride in his job as a football official.

“I take my role as a game official seriously because the players deserve to have a well-officiated game, since they work hard in practice during the week,” he said.

Vince, who has officiated two high school state championship games in his career, can quickly recall some of his most satisfying moments on the sidelines.

“A few years ago, I was the referee for a playoff game between Miami Northwestern and Miami Central,” Vince said. “Northwestern won the game, but the Miami Central head coach complemented our crew for officiating a fine game. That means a great deal when you get praise from the losing coach. That has been the highlight of my career as an official.”

Other great memories for Vince and Bonita are connected with working the annual Muck Bowl

game between Glades Central High School and Pahokee High School.

“We’ve worked a number of Muck Bowls,” Vince said. “Those are great games with a great atmosphere.”

As the 2023 football season approaches, Vince is getting mentally and physically ready for the games, which start in August.

“Our officials association has started our pre-season meetings,” he said. “Meanwhile, I’m outside

walking and riding my bike so my body is ready to go in August.”

Vince and Bonita are forever in pursuit of the best game that they can have as officials.

“I was once told that the best game that you can have is the one where you walk off the field at the end and nobody knew that you were there,” Vince said. His wife nodded in agreement.

“We are looking forward to more fun Friday nights of football and family this fall,” Bonita added.

Gabby Mack Enjoying Her Life As A Collegiate Student-Athlete

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Former Wellington High School softball star Gabby Mack had an eye-opening experience in the last 12 months as a freshman at the University of Tampa.

Like all college students, Mack

had to make the academic transition from being a senior in high school to a freshman in college. Athletically, she had to make the transition from being the veteran star of her high school fast-pitch softball team to being a young freshman surrounded by older,

talented, more experienced teammates. She also had to get used to living in a dormitory and not having access to a car.

Fortunately for Mack, she successfully made the transition in all departments.

Academically for Mack, who is pursuing a degree in allied health, her grade point average was a strong 3.6. “My toughest class was chemistry, where I had a B,” Mack said.

For Mack, the biggest hurdle to overcome was getting used to life as an NCAA Division II college athlete. It can be very demanding at times.

“Being a college student and playing a sport is pretty much a full-time job,” said Mack, who played first base for Tampa’s softball team.

As a high school student at WHS under head coach Mark Boretti, Mack would play every inning of every game because she

was one of the best players on the team. On many occasions, she was the best player on the diamond after rating all the players from both high school teams. At the University of Tampa, Mack was one of many good players.

But she understood that when she enrolled at Tampa and thoroughly enjoyed the overall competitive experience. “I had awesome and hilarious teammates,” Mack said. “It was a good year for me. It was the best pitching that I had ever faced. And all the hitters are good.”

This past season, Tampa posted an impressive overall record of 44-5. For much of the season, Tampa was ranked No. 1 in the country. As expected, Tampa won its first-round regional title in the post-season. The Spartans then advanced to play fellow Sunshine State Conference rival Nova Southeastern in the all-important super regional. The regional and

super-regional games were both hosted by Tampa. Unfortunately, Tampa lost the super-regional against Nova Southeastern and was denied a trip to the NCAA Division II Women’s World Series, which was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in late May.

Of the 49 games played this past season, Mack played in just nine of them. In those nine games, Mack had 15 at bats, scored four runs, drove in two runs, drew two walks and struck out twice. One of her hits was a triple.

During the season, while Mack worked hard in practice, studied diligently in the classroom and waited patiently in the dugout, she learned more about fast-pitch softball and how to appreciate and support her teammates during practices and during games, especially if she was not playing.

As Mack makes the transition to next year, she decided to switch Gabby Mack playing first base for the University of Tampa.

See MACK, page 23

Hana Lohmann On Ballot For Top High School Player Of The Year

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Hana Lohmann, a Wellington resident and 2023 graduate of Glades Day School in Belle Glade, has been nominated for the Florida Female Athlete of the Year Award for her outstanding play on the girls varsity soccer team this past school year.

In soccer, Lohmann scored 65 goals and had 29 assists for the Gators (17-6-1). The team won its district championship and reached the Class 2A regional semifinals.

Lohmann is one of 15 statewide finalists for the title of top Florida Female Athlete of the Year. In addition to her time on the soccer pitch, she also played volleyball, ran track and field, and was a cheerleader at Glades Day School.

To vote for the Florida Female Athlete of the Year, visit https://news.scorebooklive.com/ florida/2023/06/24/vote-nowwho-is-the-2022-2023-floridas-

female-athlete-of-the-year. Voting concludes on Aug. 15.

In volleyball, Lohmann helped her team win its district championship and reached the Class 2A regional semifinals. In track and field, she was the district champion in the 100-meter hurdles and the 400-meter hurdles. She is the school record holder in the following events: the 100-meter hurdles at 18.09; the 400-meter hurdles at 1:13.30; the 300-meter hurdles at 49.35; the 4x100-meter relay at 52.78; and the triple jump at 9.94 meters.

As a graduate of Glades Day School, Lohmann will be taking her soccer skills and study habits to Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville.

“I’m extremely excited to have the opportunity to further my academic and athletic careers at Trinity Baptist College,” Lohmann said. “I can’t wait to meet the team and coaches and to start the season.”

(Left) Bonita Holmes in the press box with the timer. (Right) Vince Holmes on the field.

Gabby Mack at bat for the University of Tampa.

Hana Lohmann runs track during this past spring’s season. Hana Lohmann takes control of the ball for Glades Day School.

Talking About The State Of Softball With ESPN’s Michele Smith

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Soon after the completion of the Women’s College World Series (WCWS) in Oklahoma City in early June, where the University of Oklahoma defeated Florida State University for the NCAA Division I championship, which was broadcast on ESPN, we caught up with ESPN softball color analyst Michele Smith, a former twotime U.S. Olympic (1996 and 2000) softball gold medalist, for a quick interview on the state of the Women’s College World Series and women’s fast-pitch softball.

Question: How would you compare this year’s Women’s College World Series to previous ones?

Answer: The Women’s College World Series is always an elite event and always has been. It feels bigger these days with the

Mack WHS Softball Star

continued from page 21 schools. She withdrew from the University of Tampa and has enrolled at Florida Atlantic University so she can be closer to her Wellington home — and where she hopes to earn more playing time in softball. To make the transition to FAU, Mack entered the NCAA’s transfer portal for athletes so she could legally look for a new academic and athletic opportunity.

Tampa head softball coach Leslie Kanter understood Mack’s situation and pledged her support for the former Wolverine.

Now, Mack is happy about being an FAU Owl, but there were other schools interested in her talents.

“I have definitely chosen to go to FAU, but there have been many other schools reaching out in the transfer portal,” Mack said.

This summer, Mack is not playing softball, but she is staying physically active, and she’s gainfully employed, too.

“I’m going to the gym at Crunch Fitness,” Mack said. “I’m also working as a golf cart attendant at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.”

At Wycliffe, she is storing the

improvements made at the Hall of Fame Stadium [in Oklahoma City] and with the TV coverage. We have ABC “windows” now and just a lot more exposure. ESPN has done an amazing job giving [fast-pitch] softball exposure and amplifying our sport.

Question: How many years have you been a part of the Women’s College World Series broadcast?

Answer: I’ve been broadcasting the WCWS production for more than 20 years. In general, I have been broadcasting softball for over 25 years. It has been an honor to be a part of the sport. I love to help grow it on and off the field.

Question: When you compare women’s fast-pitch softball now to when you played at Oklahoma State University from 1986-1989, what are the biggest changes and improvements?

Answer: TV is absolutely the largest improvement to our game, as well as technology to help grow the athletes and the sport on the field of play.

Question: Where have manufacturers made the biggest improvements in softball gear for women?

Answer: Manufacturers are definitely improving the game by improving the technology — the bat, the ball and all the things that can make a difference to an athlete and help them improve their abilities.

Question: Are you part of any efforts to bring women’s fast-pitch softball to Los Angeles during the 2028 Summer Olympics?

Answer: I’m not, unfortunately. Not sure what will happen with LA 2028.

members’ golf clubs in the bag room, attaching those golf bags to golf carts when necessary, cleaning golf clubs, cleaning carts, picking up range balls and washing the golf cart towels.

As the calendar inches toward the beginning of another school year, Mack is very excited about her upcoming sophomore year at FAU — both in the classroom and on the softball diamond. It will be another eye-opening experience for this former WHS softball star.

for more than 25 years.

PBC Kids Fitness Festival, Presented By

Baptist Health, July 12 At Fairgrounds

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission will host the Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches, presented by Baptist Health, on Wednesday, July 12 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

Elementary and middle schoolaged children will learn the basics of more than a dozen traditional and non-traditional sports from the area’s leading instructors. Additionally, attendees can play games and interact with athletes and coaches.

The Kids Fitness Festival of the Palm Beaches has been produced for more than 25 years by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. This year’s Kids Fitness Festival will mark the event’s return to the fairgrounds for the first time since 2019. The expo center and concourse buildings at the fairgrounds offer 128,000 square feet of usable floor space, perfect for badminton, basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, broomball, darts, fencing, gymnastics, handball, martial arts, powerlifting, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. The facility offers ample free parking for events, with 6,000 spaces available.

Each year, the Palm Beach

County Sports Commission partners with a variety of sports organizations, associations, national governing bodies, clubs and facilities to produce this one-of-akind festival. Nearly 20 different organizations will offer introductory sports clinics that teach the necessary basic functions and fundamentals of their sport. Previous attendees have included event partners and facilities, the U.S. Tennis Association, Inner City Youth Golfers Inc., Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Okeeheelee BMX, the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), the Florida Panthers, Florida Atlantic University, the Florida Youth Lacrosse Foundation, the Miami Marlins and other special guest appearances. Community sponsors of this year’s event include Baptist Health, Charles Tumazos and ESPN West Palm.

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is a private, not-forprofit organization contracted by Palm Beach County to promote and market the county as a sports and sports tourism destination.

The commission brings sporting events and activities to the county, enhances economic impact, stimulates bed tax revenues and

Children will be able to try out more than a dozen sports.

maximizes utilization of county facilities. The commission offers a full range of event service support, corporate partnerships, sponsorships and a local membership program that supports its goals. Local, regional, national and international marketing efforts are ongoing by the commission with sports organizations and event owners. For more information on the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, visit www. palmbeachsports.com.

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 11 hospitals,

more than 23,000 employees, 4,000 physicians, and 100 outpatient centers, urgent care facilities and physician practices spanning across Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Baptist Health has internationally renowned centers of excellence in cancer, cardiovascular care, orthopedics and sports medicine, and neurosciences. In addition, it includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network, and Baptist Health Care On Demand, a virtual health platform. For more information, visit www. baptisthealth.net.

The Armory Art Center’s Summer Art Camp is back this year by popular demand, giving students ages 6 to 18 the chance to enjoy fun, educational art workshops in the heart of West Palm Beach. The Summer Art Camp fosters a safe, stress-free environment with dedicated faculty and staff members who help participants hone artistic skills and think big. Most instructors have a master’s degree in art or education and all have cleared a background check. Camps run from June 5 through July 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and include themes such as Jungle Voyage, Pop Art, Street Art and much more. Tuition starts at $295. Extended care ours are offered for an additional fee. For more information about the Armory Art Center’s camps, or to register, visit www.armoryart.org/sac.

Michele Smith has been providing softball commentary

Gabby Mack working as a golf cart attendant at the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.

Wahoos Of Wellington Swim Team Hosts Annual Awards Banquet

On Wednesday, May 31, the Wahoos of Wellington swim team traded their evening on the pool deck for an evening on stage, as the team celebrated the successes of the past year at their annual awards banquet. Held at the Wellington Community Center, the second floor ballroom was at maximum capacity as more than 200 people attended the long-awaited event. In addition to the highly anticipated awards ceremony, all swimmers were able to participate in the raffle activities where more than 20 prize packs were raffled off. This year raffle prizes included swim gear such as new practice suits, gear bags, Speedo back packs, googles, kick boards, slime baskets, sweet treats from Crumble Cookie, Beats headphones and much more. In acknowledgment of some of the raffle prizes, the Wahoos thank Speedo for its continued support of the team. In addition to the raffles, the team served-up a delicious Italian dinner while DJ Mike Collins with MBC Entertainment provided music and entertainment.

The Wahoo team consists of four sub-teams that make-up the entire roster, which are the Red Team, Bronze Team, Silver Team and the Gold Team. The Red Team is focused on novice swimmers under the age of 8. The Bronze Team consists of intermediate younger swimmers, typically under the age of 10. The Silver Team is for junior advanced swimmers between the ages of 10 and 13, while the Gold Team is for advanced senior swimmers between the ages 13 and 18 years old.

While all team members are eligible for coaches’ awards, swimmers who earn trophies are select athletes making a big impact within their teams. The coaches are evaluating each swimmer’s race performance, practice efforts, team comradery, sportsmanship, attitude and other key traits. The categories for awards included Most Improved Swimmer, All Around & Outstanding Swimmer, Rookie of the Year, the Coach’s Award and the Swimmer of the Year Award.

Coach Lina Bot of the Red Team recognized the following swimmers for their efforts of the past year: Hudson Poritz, Everley McCoy, Nils Limmer, Amora Ngobene, Liam Gilson and Victoria Maldonado. For the Bronze Team, she recognized Dylan Watren, Ember McAteer, Alp Demiray, Aleksandra Antonyan, Clark Kuntze, Selin Demiray, Caleb Jacobs, Ilari Leandro, Grant Hurley and Brixley Englert.

Coach Becky Richey of the Silver Team recognized Jaden Spooner, Nikolina Dengerud, Benjamin Honzik, Uliana Antonyan, Alejandro Bahos Andrade, Gabrielle Rivarola, Levi Vilson, Sage Shach, Luca Gray and Athena Rilo for their great efforts through the year. Head coach Rich Whalen of the Gold Team recognized Ares Rilo, Lleyton Jobin, Jessica Smith, Illari Rilo, Everhart Fergus, Chloe Abinuman, Natalie Honzik, Dillon Metz, Andreas DaSilva, Emma Han, Julian Granison, Veronica Metz, Caleb DaSilva and Leorah Rotchin.

The Swimmer of the Year Award went to the very talented Ekaterina Malyshev, who had an outstanding year, which was highlighted by her achieving a Speedo Junior National Championship time standard in the breaststroke. She also qualified for the TYR Pro Series, where she was racing alongside Olympians such as Katie Ledecky, Lily King, Ryan Murphy, Kieran Smith and other top athletes from around the world.

The team was also excited to offer scholarships to graduating seniors who are headed to college: Jessica Smith was accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy, Illiari Rilo will be attending Florida Atlantic University and Lleyton Jobin will be attending St. Thomas University The team wishes them amazing success in their collegiate careers, both inside and outside of the pool.

The coaches would like to thank all athletes for a great year of swimming as they look ahead to a busy and competitive second half of 2023.

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Executive Women Of The Palm Beaches Installs New Board

The Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation recently announced its incoming board of directors for the 2023-24 season. Installed on June 20, the new slate of officers includes both longstanding and recently joined members.

The EWPBF welcomed the following leaders to serve on its board: President Katie Newitt; Vice President of Resource, Development & Membership Kae Jonsons; Vice President of Resource Development & Fundraising Charlotte Pelton; Vice President of Programs & Education Elizabeth

Houlihan; Vice President of Community Outreach Virginia Spencer; Secretary Vicki Pugh; Treasurer Alissa Dhawan; Treasurer-Elect Sheril Jalm; and General Counsel Cynthia Jackson. Continuing their service on the EWPBF board are Cecilia Hudnet, Elizabeth Hamma, Jackie Halderman, Danny Hansen and Cindy Pollack.

In recognition of its 40th anniversary, EWPBF also announced a new conversation series, geared toward addressing professional women’s challenges. This summer, the organization is hosting moderated, small-group discus-

sions, where they plan to explore executives’ most pressing issues and share how EWPBF can help shape solutions to those issues.

“EWPBF has empowered women to level up and lead for 40 years. Heading into the future, EWPBF will continue to address the important challenges faced by women leaders,” Newitt explained.

Sessions are open to all women business professionals in Palm Beach County, but space is limited. Guests are invited to one of the following sessions: Tuesday, July 18, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at

the Delray Beach Library (100 W. Atlantic Ave., Second Floor, Delray Beach), and Thursday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Hubbard Radio Offices (701 Northpoint Parkway, Suite 500, West Palm Beach). RSVP via e-mail to info@ewpb. org or call (561) 868-7070.

Empowering women to succeed and lead, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation is a nonprofit professional association that inspires integrity, equality and leadership in the workplace and community. To learn more, visit www.ewpb.org.

(L-R) Kae Jonsons, Danny Hansen, Charlotte Pelton, Vicki Pugh, Elizabeth Houlihan, Alissa Dhawan, Cindy Pollack, Katie Newitt and Jackie Halderman.

(Front) Veronica Metz, Illari Rilo, Athena Rilo, coach Rich Whalen, Ares Rilo, Lleyton Jobin, Andreas DaSilva, Dillon Metz, Ciana Han and Miranda Han; and (back) Caleb DaSilva and Ekaterina Malyshev.

Miranda Han, Illari Rilo, Ciana Han, Emma Han, Natalie Honzik and Ekaterina Malyshev.

Award winners Ares Rilo, Andreas DaSilva, Dillon Metz and Lleyton Jobin.

Nikolina Dengerud, Jensen Glenn, Eden Tiscione, Chloe Abinuman, Juliana Medina, Veronica Metz, Athena Rilo and head coach Rich Whalen.

Dryland coach Yannick Feurich, head coach Rich Whalen, coach Becky Richey and coach Lina Bot with the award winners.

Marco Bernal Welcomes Horses Healing Hearts Children For Photo Session

Marco Bernal, a world-renowned dressage champion, joined forces with Horses Healing Hearts (HHH) to host an extraordinary event for children on Monday, June 12 at his facility in Wellington.

Ron Elkman, a renowned USA Today Network photographer, immortalized the children’s interactions with the horses, creating a visual narrative that embodies the transformative power of the horse-human connection.

Horses Healing Hearts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children whose lives have been negatively impacted by addiction within their families. By connecting children with horses,

the organization provides a nurturing environment that fosters trust and promotes resilience.

Bernal, an equestrian ambassador for HHH, offered his stateof-the-art facility as the venue for this remarkable event. Nestled in the scenic beauty of Wellington, Bernal’s facility provided a serene setting that promoted tranquility and encouraged the children to connect with horses in a safe and welcoming environment.

The children of HHH engaged in activities specially designed to promote emotional healing and personal growth. Their connection and fascination with the horses were further strengthened by Ber-

nal sharing the ribbons, photos and performance awards he has earned in dressage over the last 40 years.

“We are thrilled to welcome the

HHH children to my facility for this special event,” Bernal said. “We hope to bring awareness to the healing potential of horses

and inspire others to support the remarkable work of Horses Healing Hearts in their transformative efforts, empowering the children

to discover their inner strength.” Learn more about the nonprofit at www.horseshealingheartsusa. org.

Beth Raymer Releases Debut Novel ‘Fireworks Every Night’ RPB Resident Becomes A Published Author

Chantal Celeste, a Royal Palm Beach resident and recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University, recently became a first-time author with the publishing of her poetry book Where The Concrete Meets The Sun. The poetry book details an emotional journey through moving stories and photography on love, empathy, encouragement and friendship. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.

“The words of my favorite authors allowed me to escape my reality and created a safe haven for me,” Celeste said. “I often found peace in writing in my favorite places — Okeeheelee Park, the Palm Beach County library system and in the open air on my FAU campus. This book is a reflection of the people and places that watched me grow up into the person I am today. I hope it will give hope, strength and inspiration to people no matter what stage of life they currently find themselves in.”

Published by Deerfield Beach’s TriMark Press, Where The Concrete Meets The Sun is broken up into four chapters, each featuring a variety of poetry that starts and ends with a beautiful array of photography shot by Celeste, along with engaging captions that also serve as additional poems. Photographs were captured across South Florida, New York City and Spain.

Celeste is a first-generation Dominican American. She is a recent graduate of Florida Atlantic University, where she studied psychology with an interest in women’s issues. When Celeste immigrated to the United States from

Santo Domingo at age 10, instead of trying to conform to the cultural norms, she found her refuge in reading and writing. Celeste hopes that her poetry provides words of encouragement and helps people heal from their trauma. Where The Concrete Meets The Sun is available on Amazon and can be purchased at www.amazon. com/dp/B0C6C7Y93S.

Author Beth Raymer, who grew up in Wellington, recently released her new book, Fireworks Every Night , published by Random House. The book is a comingof-age novel set in Palm Beach County.

A young woman trapped in a deeply dysfunctional family in the seedy wilds of 1990s South Florida has to make a choice — save her family or save herself — in this larger-than-life debut novel from the acclaimed author of the memoir Lay the Favorite

In Raymer’s tumultuous novel Fireworks Every Night, released on June 27, readers meet 12-yearold CC (named after her father’s beloved Canadian Club whiskey), an unforgettable protagonist who narrates her life story with dark comedy and compassion for her family, even as her parents “opt out of parenthood” as well as society. Largely inspired by Raymer’s unconventional childhood, the book feels like the love child of Carl Hiaasen and Lauren Groff.

“Florida, we got it all. Motorsports, ribs, beer. You can drive on the sand, right on up to the ocean. Fireworks every night.” That’s how CC’s father describes the appeal of their new home. The man is a born grifter, a used-car salesman who burns down his dealership in southern Ohio for enough insurance money to set up a life for himself, his wife and his two young daughters in a place he picks largely at random, because the living seems easy.

CC’s mother is 35 going on 17 — a housewife who just wants to drive a Mustang and hang out at the mall. CC’s sister goes from loving Debbie Gibson and jelly

shoes to having a full-on drug addiction and listening only to heavy metal, after enduring forms of abuse within her family. In the midst of this dysfunction, CC is trying to stay afloat and make it out — to achieve some semblance of a stable life despite the many structural and cultural challenges she faces.

With her first novel, Raymer explores the intergenerational effects of growing up with poverty, abuse, drug addiction and mental illness, but with a darkly comedic tone and an eye for the absurd.

Like her protagonist, Raymer knows what it’s like to grow up with a sibling who’s an addict, to lose a family home to foreclosure

and to experience a parent become homeless in the wake of a nervous breakdown.

Deeply funny and surprisingly poignant, Fireworks Every Night

her new novel.

memorably illuminates the hard bargains, family loyalties and grit of a woman determined to create a better life for herself than the one she was born into.

Literacy Coalition Announces New Board Members

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County recently welcomed seven new members from the financial, medical, corporate and legal sectors to its board of directors.

These literacy supporters include:

Caleb T. Bowser of Palm Beach Gardens, a second vice president and senior wealth strategist with Northern Trust Wealth Management.

Dr. Pierre C. Deltor of Royal Palm Beach, an internal medicine specialist at Scaps Medical in West Palm Beach.

Lindsay M. Reinhart of Delray Beach, an associate attorney at Searcy Denney.

Avril Scarlett of Royal Palm Beach, a financial controller at Florida Crystals Corporation.

Lauren Stuhmer of Palm Beach Gardens, a senior vice president and private banker at Citi Private Bank.

Crystal Torres of Palm Beach Gardens, an attorney at Nason Yeager.

Janel K. Williams of Lake Worth, a nurse paralegal at Lytal, Reiter, Smith, lvey & Fronrath.

The coalition also approved its slate of officers for 2023-24. They are: President Matthew Criscuolo, Vice President Dr. Regine Bataille, Vice President Chris Duke, Secretary Sharon Hill, Treasurer Nicole Rocco, Immediate Past President

Len Gray, Parliamentarian Laurie Gildan, and members at large Bernadette O’Grady and Nancy Vera.

The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County provides adult and family literacy programs, children’s literacy programs and the Literacy AmeriCorps program, all aimed at improving the quality of life in the community by promoting and achieving literacy. For more info., visit www.literacypbc. org or call (561) 279-9103.

(Above) Author Chantal Celeste. (Below) The cover of the new poetry book Where The Concrete Meets The Sun.

Avril Scarlett Dr. Pierre C. Deltor

(Left) Marco Bernal with the children and HHH representatives in front of the arena. (Right) HHH kids with Bernal in his office.

Author Beth Raymer (left) with the cover of

Cardinal Newman High School Kicks Off $10 Million Renovation

Cardinal Newman High School, a premier college preparatory Catholic high school in West Palm Beach, recently broke ground on its transformative $10 million renovation to the school’s North Academic Building. The renovation begins an exciting chapter in the school’s history as it undertakes significant enhancements

to provide students with an even more enriching learning environment.

“We deeply appreciate the generosity of the many donors who have contributed and believed in the vision to enhance Cardinal Newman’s facilities to provide students with an unrivaled learning environment,” outgoing President

Brother Thomas Zoppo said. “The incredible support and philanthropy of donors have surpassed our expectations, securing vital resources to propel the school’s mission forward.”

The newly renovated building will bring a state-of-the-art facility to students, faculty and administration and is scheduled to be com-

pleted in about a year. Throughout the renovation, CNHS remains fully operational and dedicated to delivering exceptional education to its students.

With a focus on innovation and student-centered spaces, the ambitious endeavor will create a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and academic achievement. The renovation includes a more centralized entry; a welcome center with offices for admissions, college advising and student services; stateof-the-art science facilities and laboratories; an innovation center; and classrooms for mathematics.

Centrally located in West Palm Beach, CNHS has provided a college preparatory Catholic high school for more than 60 years.

The leadership of Brother Thomas Zoppo, joined by campaign chairs Nick Coniglio and Rich Rendina, and major gifts chairs Ellen Acosta and Jim Arrigo, brought the vision to fruition. The school continues fundraising for the Shaping the Future appeal, a five-year endeavor

A rendering of the planned North Academic Building renovation.

BUSINESS NEWS

that will allow advancement to be completed in phases as funding is provided.

Founded in 1961, Cardinal Newman has a rich tradition of attracting gifted scholars, athletes and artists who will become women and men of character, faith and intellect. The school’s coeducational environment allows

students to grow and develop in a safe and communal setting. Every classroom promotes collaboration, creativity and critical thinking, and each student receives the support required to achieve his or her personal best. The campus is located at 512 Spencer Drive in West Palm Beach. Learn more at www.cardinalnewman.com.

Minto Releases New Homesites In The Woodlands Of Westlake

Minto Communities has released new homesites for its Indigo Collection of home designs at the Woodlands of Westlake, the newest single-family neighborhood available for sale in the Westlake master-planned community. The collection offers eleven floorplans that will be built on 65-foot homesites, many of which have pristine lake views. Floorplans range from two to six bedrooms, 2.5 to 4.5 bathrooms, and home sizes from 2,410 to 4,314

square feet under air. Prices start at $528,990.

Three furnished model homes from the Indigo Collection are available for in-person or virtual tours. They include the Sandhill, Kingfisher Grand and Kestrel Grand.

The gated Woodlands neighborhood debuted in April with estate homes from the Atlantic Collection available on larger 75-foot homesites. When built out, the neighborhood, located on Town

Center Parkway North, will have 164 homes.

“The introduction of our Indigo Collection allows us to present buyers at Woodlands with more home options and lower price points to consider,” said Steve Svopa, southeast division president for Minto Communities USA. “No matter which home they choose, everyone gets to enjoy the lifestyle and amenities we have created at Westlake.”

In March, Minto completed construction on phase two of the Westlake Adventure Park, a sprawling $22 million amenities center available to all owners and their guests. New additions include four full-length, lighted basketball courts, an adult lap pool and a multi-purpose building with an adjoining event lawn. Westlake is approved for 4,500 homes and more than two million square feet of commercial devel-

opment. The community offers a mix of single-family homes, estate homes and townhomes for sale starting in the $400s. Nurses, paramedics, teachers and other public servants can take advantage of the Welcome Heroes program, which gives a 3 percent discount off the base price.

On the commercial side, Publix recently opened its new grocery store at Westlake Plaza. A separate developer is currently building

the Shoppes of Westlake Landings, another retail complex. Two large-scale warehouse/distribution facilities have been approved and are awaiting construction. Meanwhile, Christ Fellowship Church opened its 800-seat worship center in early March. The Westlake Sales Center is located at 16610 Town Center Parkway North. For more information, call (888) 299-3628 or visit www.westlakefl.com.

Maintenance And Repairs Can Extend The Life Of Household Tools

There’s a special level of frustration a homeowner feels when they fire up their lawnmower, only to have it sputter and die. But the solution is not necessarily a new mower.

The experts at Rocky’s Ace Hardware, one of the country’s largest family-owned Ace Hardware dealers, said that it pays to check into local repair options before lugging common household tools to the dump.

“There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace small-engine

tools like lawnmowers and chainsaws,” Rocky’s Ace Hardware President Rocco Falcone said.

“This includes the age of the item, its overall quality and whether it’s still under warranty, as well as the complexity of the problem and the cost to repair versus replace.”

Falcone stressed the importance of ongoing maintenance to prolong the life of small-engine tools. Getting regular tune-ups and following recommendations for the care and cleaning of tools is essential. “This includes washing the equipment; changing spark plugs,

air and fuel filters; and cleaning the carburetor,” he said. “Some basic repairs can be done by anyone who is relatively handy, and others are best left to professionals. Our in-store experts can provide guidance. Also, check your warranty to make sure you aren’t voiding it by attempting repairs on your own.”

Smaller tools and household items can also benefit from some TLC. “For example, if you invest in good quality knives and scissors, it’s worth keeping them sharp and well maintained,” Falcone said. “Most of our Rocky’s stores

offer blade sharpening, often while you shop. We also perform screen and glass repair in many of our locations, as well as glass and acrylic sheet cutting.”

The professionals at each neighborhood Rocky’s Ace Hardware, such as the location at 13837 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Marketplace, are available to provide expert advice for homeowners looking to repair or replace tools. For more information about repair services by location, visit www.rockys.com/services/ repair-services.

Faculty members celebrate the renovation at Cardinal Newman High School.

The Sandhill model is one of the new designs available in the Woodlands of Westlake.

Motré Co. Celebrates Launch With Ribbon Cutting In Royal Palm Beach

Motré Co., a project management and development services consulting firm, celebrated its official launch with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 15 in Royal Palm Beach.

This event, held in partnership with the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County, marked a significant milestone for Motré Co., as it established its presence in the local business community.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together community leaders, distinguished guests and the Motré Co. team. It served as a platform to showcase the firm’s areas of expertise and its commitment to excellence, diversity and community engagement.

The occasion highlighted Motré Co.’s dedication to providing exceptional services and fostering

positive relationships within the community. Founded by longtime Royal Palm Beach resident Tinu Peña, a former candidate for Royal Palm Beach Village Council and

the Florida State House. Peña is a civil engineer with expertise in project management. With more than 18 years of industry experience and degrees from Palm Beach

Wellington Regional Among Nation’s Top Performing Hospitals For Treating Heart Attack Patients

Wellington Regional Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award for 2023. WRMC is one of only 262 hospitals nationwide to receive the honor.

The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that Wellington Regional has reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

To receive the platinum performance achievement award, Wellington Regional demonstrated sustained achievement in the Chest Pain – MI Registry for two consecutive years (2021 and 2022) and performed at the highest level for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process using data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recom-

mendations

and overall quality of care provided to heart attack patients.

“It is an honor to award Wellington Regional Medical Center with the platinum performance award for their valuable national leadership and dedication to meeting comprehensive performance measures in patient care,” said Dr. Michael C. Kontos, chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steering Subcommittee. “The receipt of this award indicates that Wellington Regional Medical Center remains committed to providing top quality, guideline-driven care for heart attack patients. Their success ensures patients are receiving the highest quality cardiovascular care.”

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that more than 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot in a coronary artery partially or completely blocks blood flow to the heart muscle. Treatment guidelines include administering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling

and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.

The Chest Pain – MI Registry empowers healthcare provider teams to consistently treat heart attack patients according to the most current, science-based guidelines and establishes a national standard for understanding and improving the quality, safety and outcomes of care provided for patients with coronary artery disease, specifically high-risk heart attack patients.

Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 235-bed acute care hospital accredited by the Joint Commission, celebrating more than 30 years of treating residents in Wellington and the surrounding area. To learn more about the hospital, visit www.wellingtonregional.com.

The American College of Cardiology envisions a world where innovation and knowledge optimize cardiovascular care and outcomes. As the professional home for the entire cardiovascular care team, the mission of the college and its more than 56,000 members is to transform cardiovascular care and to improve heart health. To learn more, visit www.acc.org.

State College, Florida Atlantic University and Boston University, Peña aims to lead a client-centered and community-focused firm. The ribbon cutting event in

Royal Palm Beach marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Motré Co., reinforcing its commitment to making a difference in the local business community. As

the firm looks ahead to new opportunities and growth, its dedication to excellence and community engagement remains unwavering. To learn more, visit www.motre.co.

The Mall at Wellington Green Announces New Store Openings

Five new retail and specialty destinations are joining the more than 160 stores at the Mall at Wellington Green. Cutie, Envy, Leader Learning Center, MYM Colombian and Pera add to the growing and robust offerings in fashion apparel, health, beauty and more at the lifestyle destination in Wellington.

Cutie — Since opening on April 1, Cutie has become an infallible resource for cool and adorable playthings. The 2,306-square-foot space is chock full of products from iconic brands like Disney, Hello Kitty, Mario Bros. and Star Wars that parents and their children love. In addition to games and toys, Cutie also offers a compendium of pop culture collectibles from popular anime series like Demon Slayer, My Hero Academia, Chainsaw Man and more. For information, call (832) 298-4897.

Envy — At first glance, Envy resembles posh boutiques typically found in urban centers like Miami and Los Angeles. Since opening on April 15, the 7,641-square-foot store features curated apparel that caters to style hounds who like turning heads. For men, there are wardrobe-filling separates from discerning brands like Psycho Bunny. For ladies, perennially perfect silhouettes from Blanco By Nature hold court alongside

au courant accessories like Goorin Bros. headwear and designer-inspired handbags. For information, call (954) 868-0100.

Leader Learning Center

Developing important life skills in children and young adults preparing to become tomorrow’s leaders is key at Leader Learning Center. At this sprawling, 1,499-squarefoot facility that launched on May 1, kids in grades K-12 are taught in small groups to spawn problem solving and participation on an individual basis. Courses cover topics ranging from communication to time management. For information, call (561) 858-3588 or visit www.leaderlearning.us.

MYM Colombian — Channel your inner Shakira and shake your hips over to MYM Colombian. Launched on May 3, the 964-square-foot boutique showcases dozens of chic, body-conscious denim styles designed to maximize the body’s natural contour and minimize flaws. A variety of shapewear styles are also available. For information, call (561) 480-3822.

Pera — On April 29, the Mall at Wellington Green welcomed Pera, whose vibrant and lustrous Turkish mosaic lamps have become a popular draw. The 2,784-square-foot store also specializes in artisan ceramics, home accents and décor, jewelry, apparel and distinctive

gifts. For information, call (561) 752-6423 or visit www.perastores. com.

Mall hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For additional information, call (561) 227-6900 or visit www. shopwellingtongreen.com.

Pera is one of five stores to open recently in the Mall at Wellington Green.

Joseph Sanches, Tinu Peña and Brian Oliver.

(L-R) Sandra Hamerstein, Tracy Thomas, Brian Oliver, Miguel Peña, Tinu Peña, Denise Albritton, Bruce Lewis and Joseph Sanches.

Tracy Thomas, Tinu Peña, Tessie Watts and Denise Albritton.

‘Grandma Camp’ Is An Exciting Ritual, But Changes Are Coming

Each year, I clear my calendar for the month of June because that is the month of Grandma Camp.

Grandma Camp is an extremely flexible flurry of days designed to handle drop-off, pickup, food and entertainment for one grandson, age 10, or one granddaughter, age 8, when the other one is at scout camp, dive camp, play dates or other activities. Its motto is “No Sibling Left Behind!”

With my background in early childhood education and special event planning, a deep-rooted fear of any child feeling “less than” and absolutely no desire for financial reimbursement, I am the perfect person for this job, if I do say so myself.

I start planning Grandma Camp while

the kids are still in school, researching pool hours, child-friendly museums, movies, water parks, amusement parks, puppet shows, kids’ theater and anything special going on at the mall. For the kids, I set aside $10 bills.

“Tess,” I say, on day one. “Orion is at

scout camp for the next 10 days. We are going to go places and do things, but I don’t want you constantly nagging me to buy stuff. So, I am going to give you $10 each day, and that is your budget for the day. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”

“Does food count?”

“No, I will pay for your food.”

“What about snacks?”

“I will pay for snacks that we share.”

“What if I don’t spend it all? Does the remainder carry over to the next day?

“For crying out loud! Do you work for the FDIC or what!?” I take a moment to calm myself. “Yes, it carries over.”

By the time her brother returned, I estimated that the 10 days spent with Tess

cost me $549, not counting her $10 a day.

The next week, I watched Orion while Tess was away at camp.

“Orion, do you want to go to the movies?”

“Naw.”

“What about miniature golf?”

“Naw.”

“Should we go to that game shop and get you some new magic cards?”

“Would they come out of my $10 a day?”

“I was thinking they could be a part of your birthday gift.”

“OK, let’s go.”

Ten days later, Tess returned sunburned and happy. Over the course of her absence,

I’d spent a total of $58.50 on Orion. He also went home with $90 in his pocket. If anyone works for the FDIC, it’s him. When I returned the children to their parents at the end of June, I told my daughter, “You know, Jen, 10 years ago when you asked me to help take care of your babies, I never expected to get in this deep. But I’m so glad I did. Every day has been a joy.”

I started to get misty-eyed. “I’m glad I bought a second home here. I’m glad I established a shop here. In short, I’m glad to be here with you guys.” Jen took a step forward and put her arms around me. “Mom,” she said, matter-of-factly. “I just took a job in Arkansas. We’re moving.”

New ‘Flash’ Movie Is Interesting, Although Far From Perfect

The DC Universe has finally given us

The Flash, a movie worthy of being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Of course, there have actually been others. The first Wonder Woman was very good, and Aquaman pretty decent. But most of the DC content is, frankly, boring. Let’s face it, Superman is boring. A lot of plotting has to be done to try to defeat him. And Batman was interesting in some old movies, but not since Christopher Nolan worked on him. Yet the new movie is interesting, although far from perfect.

Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) is a schlub despite being the Flash. We see him save a group of babies, as well as a nurse from a collapsing building, followed by helping to take down some other bad guys, helping Batman (Ben Affleck) and, eventually, in a too-tiny cameo, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot). That makes him a bit late for work, where he is abused by both his boss and so-called friends.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

He’s miserable because his father Henry (Ron Livingstone) is up for yet another hearing on his wrongful conviction for murdering his mother Nora (Maribel Verdú). Barry, after being brushed off by Batman, decides to go back in time to save his mother. That creates all sorts of issues. Yes, by making a small change, his mother lives. But Barry discovers he is in a different universe, where he exists as an 18-yearold version of himself (also played by Miller). But the world is being threatened

by evil General Zod (Michael Shannon) to get a “renegade from Krypton,” as well as to basically kill everyone. The first Barry knows who came from Krypton, of course, although his younger version does not.

But the only superhero in this reality is Batman. So the two Barrys find Bruce Wayne, only to discover that Batman, now played by Michael Keaton, is different — far older and far more cynical. And, while working a rescue, they find out that the “renegade” is not Superman, but his cousin Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle), a very tough version of Supergirl.

From there, things get even more complicated and messy. What saves the film are, first of all, really good performances. Miller, although problematic in real life, is brilliant as both Barrys. They are, although looking alike, clearly differentiated characters. The original Barry has been through so much more and has

been so badly damaged. Yet he also has had experience as a superhero and has learned to take chances and face danger really well. The younger Barry has to learn these things, and the experience will create massive changes.

Keaton proves again why many people think he was the best Batman throughout all the movies. His character is layered, thoughtful, more willing to stand up to problems than we normally see. Verdú is absolutely wonderful. Although her role is fairly small, she is the heart that is the center of the film. It is clear why Barry’s life was shattered when she was gone. There is a heartbreaking scene near the end between Nora Allen and a young man she does not realize is her son that could match anything in all of the superhero movies. Calle is appropriate fierce as Supergirl, and Shannon demonstrates why he is such a good villain. There is too much discussion about

dimensions and going back in time and its impact, and that slows the plot. Too much time is spent trying to define it. There is even a charming moment when the multiverse is compared to a plate of spaghetti, with constant contacts and points of intersection. It might be the best explanation I’ve yet heard.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the better film, so if you must make a choice, take that one. But this movie does hold its own. It demonstrates, also, why human actors are so valuable. No matter how charming Spider-Man’s mother in the cartoon film is, she cannot match the heart that Verdú brings, and that makes the damage to Barry so clearly real. I liked the movie. And it was not just for the special effects or a place somewhere in the multiverse. This film has heart, smallscale, family impact heart, and that raises it above many similar films. Not a great film, but a very nice one.

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

day, your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St Jude for granting my petition.

B.B.

Family Gutters is looking to hire supportive staff with extensive experience in management, and that meet the following criteria:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License (Class E) with clean driving record (no tickets or accidents in the last 3 years).

• Experience in managing a team of 20 with different positions.

• Must be able to conduct interviews and on board new hires.

• Bi-lingual preferred, fluency in Spoken English and Spanish.

• Sales/Customer Service experience.

• Clean Criminal Record.

• Compliance with OSHA Worker’s Comp Certification.

• Ability to cultivate Supplier Relationships.

• Experience in Manufacturing and Sales of Gutter Supplies and Materials recommended, in addition to Machinery Maintenance.

• Ability and disposition to travel for work, out of state up to 2x a month.

• Training in safe procedure in inspection operation of medium voltage submersible switches insulated in oil.

• Knowledge of basic modules of Gusto-payroll software systems.

• Technical degree or 2-year college degree required.

EMAIL YOUR RESUME TO: employment.familygutters@gmail.com

Person with good verbal/written communication skills and the motivation to provide good customer service. Flexible schedule needed. Experience preferred, but we will train the right motivated person. Royal Palm/Wellington/Acreage residents will save on gas and travel time.

Responsible for cleaning guest rooms in a timely and thorough manner. Experience and fluency in English is preferred. Must be able to work weekends and/or holidays.