Town-Crier Newspaper March 22, 2024

AWARD FOR ELBRIDGE

RELAY FOR LIFE AT THE FAIRGROUNDS SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 17

Wellington Council Approves $28 Million For New Aquatics Complex

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

Amid waves of rising costs, Wellington is putting on a swimming cap — sticking with a spending limit of $28 million with a key builder on a new aquatics complex.

But much of the action at a Wellington Village Council meeting

Tuesday, March 12 concerned how to get the most bang for the buck for the money associated with the proposed new home for the Wellington Aquatics Complex at Village Park near its 120th Avenue South entrance. A major debating point about the recreational half of the complex was whether to emphasize more traditional attractions, like water slides, or grant a contract to a firm that offers what it calls “NinjaCross” courses. These are designed so children at least 48

Napoleone Will Take Gavel As Wellington’s New Mayor; Runoff Set For Council Seats

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier

The

candidate got more than 35 percent of the vote. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting will not be available, but vote-by-mail ballots will go out to voters signed up for them.

According to unofficial results from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office, Napoleone took 5,806 votes or 79.96 percent of the vote in the mayoral race, to Bart Novack’s 1,455 votes or 20.04 percent of the vote.

In Seat 1, the top two votegetters were Amanda Silvestri with 2,309 votes (31.33 percent) and Bob Margolis with 1,945 votes (26.39 percent). Silvestri and Margolis will advance to the runoff. Candidate Jay Webber came in right behind Margolis with 1,884 votes (25.57 percent). He was eliminated, along with Marcella Montesinos, who took 1,231 votes (16.71 percent).

In Seat 4, the top vote getters were Maria Antuña with 2,270 votes (31.16 percent) and Shelly Albright with 2,239 votes (30.73 percent). They will advance to the runoff. Three candidates were eliminated: Carol Coleman, who took 1,389 votes (19.06 percent); Michael Partow, who took 788 votes (10.82 percent); and Karen Morris-Clarke, who took 600 votes (8.23 percent).

“Nothing has changed except the office I will work at in the village,” Napoleone said the day after his election victory. “I am excited

See WELLINGTON, page 14

designed to identify roads that the county may need to take over for future expansion.

West Palm Beach attorney J. Michael Burman called it “an attempt to do an end run around the trial court’s [preliminary] ruling” denying Minto Communities USA access to ITID roads.

In a letter sent Wednesday to all members of the Palm Beach County Commission, Burman wrote that Baxter “is attempting to start a private crusade against ITID for the benefit of SID [the Seminole Improvement District] and Minto.”

Minto is the primary developer and property owner in the City

MarBar Grill at Madison Green that evening. He spoke to the Town-Crier the next day about his election win and his goals for the future.

of Westlake, a booming enclave surrounded by the semi-rural Acreage, governed by ITID. John Carter, the Minto senior vice president in charge of the Westlake project, and Kenneth Cassel, who manages both Westlake and SID, could not be reached for comment.

The letter went on to say that ITID supports a plan to fully pave, expand and extend 60th Street North — a county road — eastwest along the M Canal from State Road 7 to Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Burman wrote that if that is done, studies commissioned by ITID show that 60th Street will be able to handle all the east-west

inches tall and adults can maneuver above and under the water and negotiate obstacles.

In the last eight years, “this is potentially the most exciting project we’ve done,” Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone said of the overall project. At the same time, he added, “We really pushed the cost down from where it had ballooned to.”

Mayor Anne Gerwig questioned whether younger children or even some older folks had the upper body strength to move above the pool on ropes, bars or rings for the NinjaCross courses. Staff members said that part would be designed for roughly ages seven and above, and it would have a beginner lane and an advanced lane. A walk-in, entry portion of the recreational pool would be designed for toddlers and children

PANTHER RIDGE

PAGE 7

Maniglia, Kane Win Lox Council Seats

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

There will be one new member and one returning member once the new Loxahatchee Groves Town Council is seated after the municipal election held Tuesday, March 19.

Seat 1 incumbent Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia held back a challenge from resident Robert Sullivan. Maniglia took 389 votes or 59.75 percent to Sullivan’s 262 votes or 40.25 percent.

In the race for Seat 3, former Councilwoman Anita Kane unseated Councilwoman Marianne Miles. Kane took 400 votes or 61.63 percent to the 249 votes or 38.37 percent garnered by Miles. Maniglia, who secured her third three-year term, said she was happy with the election results, which were fairly lopsided by Loxahatchee Groves standards. The last two contested elections

were decided by just a few percentage points.

“I think the people have been paying attention and let the town know what they want,” she said. “They want independent thinkers on the dais.”

Maniglia said she aims to move forward in a positive manner, despite what has been an acrimonious relationship among council members in recent years. “I think there will be less friction on the dais,” she said.

Maniglia’s goal is to move forward with the many projects on the town’s plate.

“My goals are to complete the paving projects and upgrade our canals,” she said. “Infrastructure needs attention. The things that have been neglected are very expensive.”

Hopefully, the town’s new rural designation from the state will help

Pinto said he stands ready to move forward with projects that the village has already begun. This includes Phase 2 of the new Royal Palm Beach Village Hall campus, which includes repurposing the old Village Meeting Hall building.

“That’s going to become a place where people can rent to have parties or celebrations,” he explained. “When we get all that completed, we’ll have another ribbon cutting. I think people will be happy. The other thing we are pushing forward with is our plans

“Every campaign, you always find new supporters, which is an interesting phenomenon, but there are many citizens who over the course of my years as mayor and as a council member have been there,” Pinto said. “It was nice seeing folks again that maybe I hadn’t heard from or talked to in a while, and getting the reassurances from folks that they would support me because they like the way the village has been run, and that the village is a tremendous place for them to live. I would have to agree with them. It is a tremendous place.”

Councilman

PHOTO

PHOTO BY ERIN DAVISSON/TOWN-CRIER

Michael Napoleone campaigns at the polls on election day.

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Area Residents OK Wellington’s Annexation Across Southern

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

Resident electors in 258 acres on the north side of Southern Blvd. near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road voted 19-0 in a referendum Tuesday, March 19 to become part of the Village of Wellington.

The vote by property owners in what is known as the Sluggett Property and Entrada Acres gives Wellington its first foothold north of Southern Blvd./State Road 80.

With the Palm Beach County Commission declining earlier this month to get involved in attempting to block the annexation, the county will have little standing to challenge any future moves by Wellington on the north side of Southern Blvd., District 6 County Commissioner Sara Baxter said this week.

That could potentially open the door to Wellington’s expansion as far west as the Arden development at 20-Mile Bend and beyond,

and as far north as the City of Westlake — assuming, of course, a majority of residents in these various unincorporated areas of the county agree.

Wellington Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone, who was elected mayor earlier this week, has said that the current annexation represents “the back door to Wellington.”

“To the extent that we have the ability to control what happens there, I’m in favor of this as long as there is a net positive to us,” he said in December when the council first discussed the annexation.

Councilman John McGovern added that Wellington needs to take notice of what he sees as a major commercial corridor evolving on the north side of Southern Blvd. “We have some interest to protect our northern border and give ourselves a stake in the conversation,” he said.

Not everyone, however, is excited about the idea of becoming

part of “greater Wellington.”

Nancy Gribble, president of the Fox Trail Property Owners’ Association, was a vocal critic of the annexation throughout the process. “Our community is very concerned about what you are doing to develop the Sluggett property, which immediately abuts our property,” she told the council.

What many expect is that eventually all the property with frontage along Southern Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road will be converted to commercial use, with the interior properties becoming medium density housing developments.

The area will officially become part of Wellington in December, but many current residents said they already feel like they are part of the village.

Garrett Warner, who with his wife Katha Gatto Warner, runs a horse farm in the annexation area, said, “Everything we do has to do

Equestrian Committee Seeks Additional Funding For Trail Improvements

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington’s equestrian advisory panel has recommended more than $3 million in improvements to the village’s bridle trails, but jockeying over details such as which projects deserve the most urgent attention continued apace through the board’s last meeting

Wednesday, March 6.

The Equestrian Preserve Committee voted 5-0 to approve an overall budget plan with recommendations to move up roadway and trail safety signs in horse country to the first year of a threeyear spending plan, as opposed to the second year.

“Roadway signage is an easy thing to implement and have the most return on your buck,” Committee Vice Chair Haakon Gangnes said.

The Wellington Village Council is expected to vote on an updated slate of recommended trail projects, perhaps in May.

Since 1999, Wellington has been home to more than 100 miles of public and private bridle trails. A village web site lists 15

riding trails maintained by the village, many with colors such as Pink and Purple in their names, with a new Orchid Trail under consideration in the latest round of proposals. Committee members also recommended a full stop at mid-block horse crossings on Pierson Road and Gracida Way, as opposed to flashing warnings. The discussion deals with budgeting for capital improvements as part of the Equestrian Trails Circulation Master Plan. Some projects have fallen down the list as they drew less enthusiastic support from committee members or others in the community. Those dropping out of favor for the moment include a Flying Cow Road Multi-Use Pathway improvement, originally estimated to cost $100,000, and a culvert crossing over the C8 Canal in Little Ranches, once pegged at $250,000.

Committee Member Dr. Kristy Lund noted that the proposed canal crossing, for example, might bring non-horse traffic such as dirt bikers into the community, while the

horse path itself is not one of the more heavily used circuits.

A different canal crossing popped into the project list near 130th Avenue South and 60th Street South, at the far south end of Wellington, connecting existing paths with the prospective Orchid Trail and potentially costing about $400,000.

That drew some questions.

Gangnes said there were other places available to cross the canal in that area and budgets are limited.

“Is that the best utilization of money?” he asked.

Committee Member Annabelle Garrett said she did not want to rush forward with new trails before she was sure that the village, as opposed to private property owners, controls the necessary land.

Another late addition to the project list is drainage and bridle trail improvement on Acme Road in Little Ranches, costing about $750,000. The idea there is to fill existing roadside swale and enhance pipe drainage. The point is to create more space for horses and

See TRAILS, page 14

with Wellington. [The area] just happens to be on the other side of Southern, but it’s Wellington.”

Up until March 5, the annexation faced a possible legal challenge from the county. Led by Baxter, commissioners voted 5-1 in December to oppose it.

Assistant County Attorney Darren Leiser told the commissioners at their March 5 meeting that the county needed to send a letter of objection to Wellington by March 15 if the county wished to dispute the annexation. It would have put the county in a position to later contest it through administrative or legal channels.

“We have not left one [such annexation] unchallenged,” Deputy County Administrator Patrick Rutter told the board.

However, in a surprising move, Baxter dropped her opposition, explaining that she wanted to let the voters in the area decide. She made a motion for staff not to send

the letter of objection. With the six other commissioners deferring to Baxter, who represents the area, it passed 7-0.

After going as far as coaching council members in the neighboring Town of Loxahatchee Groves on how they might block Wellington’s move, Baxter said she had a conversion on dais listening to numerous residents of the area plead their case for a vote.

“I have always supported the ability of voters to vote in this process,” she said, while continuing to express her concerns about increased traffic at the Southern/ Seminole Pratt intersection, the infrastructure to support aggressive commercial development there and possible undue influence of resident voters by developers.

“I don’t just represent these 30 properties. I represent the entire District 6, which includes all the properties north of this area,” Baxter told residents at the meet-

ing, some of whom were wearing t-shirts with the word “Annexation” and a checked off check box. Many of those properties are in the Indian Trail Improvement District, which provides roads, drainage and parks to thousands of acres and more than 50,000 residents north of Southern and west of State Road 7.

ITID Supervisor Betty Argue noted Wednesday that her district did not take a position on the annexation. She said, however, it is an example of why she has strongly supported Acreage incorporation.

“This is what we’re facing, being picked off a little at a time,” she said. “I call it death by a thousand cuts.”

In the end, Baxter said she ran out of time to investigate the developer influence that concerned her and that the only proper thing to do was let the resident voters decide. They did, 19-0.

WELLINGTON HONORS DEPARTING VILLAGE COUNCIL MEMBERS

be sworn-in as Wellington’s new mayor at the next council meeting. Gerwig, Napoleone and Drahos were presented was plaques to honor their service, and they were praised for their accomplishments, both from the dais by other council members during the meeting and at a gathering of village employees before the meeting. PHOTO COURTESY

TaKe Action to KeepYour Colon Healthy

Are you at risk?

If you have a history of colon polyps, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colon/rectal cancer, you may be at increased risk. Diets high in red meat or processed meats, low-fiber diets, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use can also contribute to the chance of developing colon cancer.

Know the symptoms

Early colon cancer usually has no symptoms, which is why screening is very important. However, as the tumor grows, symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Change in bowel habits

• Weight loss

Who should be screened?

• Abdominal distention

• Nausea and vomiting

• Most patients should get their screening colonoscopy when they turn 45. However, because African Americans have a 20 percent higher incidence rate, initial screening is recommended at age 40.

• If you have a family history of colon cancer in first-degree relatives, it is recommended to start 10 years younger than the age of diagnosis or age 35, whichever is earlier.

• People who are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.

• For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.

Source:

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer in both men and women in the United States, and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It was expected to cause more than 52,000 deaths in 2023.

To schedule an appointment with a physician, visit doctors.wellingtonregional.com.

The Village of Wellington honored Mayor Anne Gerwig, Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone and Councilman Michael Drahos during the Wellington Village Council meeting on Tuesday, March 12 for their eight years of dedicated service to the Wellington community, leaving an indelible mark on the village. While Gerwig and Drahos will leave the dais, Napoleone will

THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

Elbridge Gale Principal Receives Award From Florida TaxWatch

contest. We looked at the numbers to see who could really bring great leadership to their school.”

School performance is rated on student learning gains in reading and math over a three-year period. High-risk circumstances are factored in, and schools are ranked a second time.

“What separates our program from other programs is that it’s data driven,” FLTW Senior Research Analyst Meg Cannan explained. “No one voted for your principal. It wasn’t a popularity

“What do you think the most important thing is for your education?” Cannan asked the students present at the ceremony. “What people make this happen? Who helps us learn? Teachers! That’s right. Good teachers. And to make sure that you have good teachers, you need someone at the top who is a strong leader who helps guide your teachers and chooses good teachers for your classroom. That’s your principal.”

Pasterczyk took to the podium and thanked her staff, referring to them as the best teachers in Palm Beach County.

“I have never received this award before, and I didn’t even know it existed, as it is not anything I can be nominated for,” Pasterczyk said when asked before the ceremony. “As part of my award, Florida TaxWatch gives a two-year scholarship to a student of our selection. I met with the fifth-grade teachers, and they nominated someone who met the eligibility criteria. It was challenging to only pick one student, as we have many deserving students.”

The scholarship, presented to student De’Marcus Sparks, was

awarded courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and its director Cindy O’Connell was present, along with Palm Beach County School Superintendent Michael Burke and two members of the Palm Beach County School Board — Marcia Andrews of District 6 and Erica Whitfield of District 4.

In true educator spirit, Pasterczyk was quick to make the ceremony more about the students than herself.

“Joining us here today is his mother to help congratulate De’Marcus Sparks,” she said. “You’ve done an amazing job. You’ve impressed us all, and we couldn’t be prouder of you today.”

Sparks gave heartfelt thanks to his mother, Vizcaya Davis, and his teachers when accepting the award.

“I love my job, and I’m thankful to be the proud principal of Elbridge Gale,” Pasterczyk said. “I had the unique opportunity to hire the entire staff of superstars. Without their expertise, dedication and support, we would not be able to achieve success at such a high level. Our proficiency rates are equivalent to schools with half the number of needy students. In order to accomplish that, it takes a village.”

Pasterczyk is also a former William T. Dwyer Award winner in the special education category, and she was the Central Region Principal of the Year in 2023.

Charges Dropped Against Former Palm Beach Central Employees

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

Prosecutors have dropped charges against Palm Beach Central High School’s former principal and four other employees for failing to report alleged abuse involving a minor.

A March 15 statement from the office of State Attorney Dave Aronberg cited several factors in the decision, including that the alleged victim was “now unable to recall material aspects” of the events. The statement explained, “It has also come to light that school board reporting policy is conflicting, ambiguous and unclear regarding allegations of abuse involving only minors.” The statement noted, “While prosecutors had a good-faith basis to file the charges in July, recent developments and discoveries in the case significantly impacted our ability to successfully prosecute this case.”

Roads ITID Objects To County Proposal

continued from page 1 traffic necessary without 140th, 40th or Persimmon.

Baxter, who represents the area, has scheduled a roads-focused town hall meeting for Tuesday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Acreage branch library (15801 Orange Blvd.).

“Despite the spread of misinformation and scare tactics from others in [ITID], I am dedicated to hearing the concerns of the residents and coming up with solutions together,” Baxter wrote this week in an e-mail to constituents.

Though not invited to the March 12 special meeting at Acreage Pines Elementary School, Baxter said she was prepared to share a presentation then about the TIM but was limited to only three minutes as one of many attendees speaking during public comments.

The proposed TIM changes were scheduled to go before the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency on Thursday, March

Lox Council Maniglia

And Kane

continued from page 1 get grant money for these projects, she noted.

“I am looking forward to hopefully getting some grants from the federal government and the state to assist with these expensive, well-needed projects,” Maniglia said. She is glad to see that Kane will be re-joining the board, noting her service as chair of the town’s Finance Advisory & Audit Committee.

“We are going to be able to get things done in a more fiscally responsible manner,” Maniglia said, adding that she hopes the council will “open the committees and have citizen involvement again.”

Kane, who was appointed to fill a vacancy back in December 2018 and served on the council until March 2019, has now secured a

21 and before the seven-member Palm Beach County Commission on Thursday, March 28. A majority of the commissioners must approve the changes.

Minto has been in negotiations with county staff regarding construction of the 60th Street North extension from 140th Avenue North some two miles to Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. That street currently offers multiple access points to Persimmon Blvd. over ITID roads. Parts of 60th Street still are dirt, while Persimmon is paved to ITID’s rural/agricultural standards to SR 7. “Persimmon was not built to serve a city,” ITID Supervisor Betty Argue said Wednesday. “Our roads are not for developer traffic. 60th Street should be designed so that traffic can’t cut through onto ITID roads. But the county isn’t talking to us.”

Westlake, which incorporated in 2016, has since become one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida. However, it has no east-west traffic access, a fact that could cost Minto as much as $18 million as part of a proportional share agreement with the county if the situation is not soon remedied.

full three-year term on the dais.

“I am very pleased with the results,” she said. “The thing that I am post proud about is that the people of the Groves got the opportunity to use their voice through their votes, and voted for much-needed changes to preserve our rural community.” Kane said that concerns about the town’s future were top-most on the mind of residents.

“When I was out campaigning, what I heard was that people wanted us to stay rural, and they were worried we were headed in a different direction with the council that was seated currently,” she said.

Kane believes that the size of her majority provided a clear direction for the council. “The citizens sent a clear message that they felt that things were going in the wrong direction,” she said. Kane aims to be a public servant, representing her constituents. “We need to address each situation one at a time and honor

Then-PBCHS Principal Darren Edgecomb and four other staff members at the Wellington school were arrested July 24 of last year on charges of failure to report an alleged incident of sexual abuse.

The only major access to Westlake is north and south via Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

While understanding that “many people will not be extremely happy” with changes to the TIM, Baxter said this week there was no ulterior motive in the request. Instead, she said, it is an attempt to find a compromise that in the long run will allow better and smoother traffic flow through the area with “a minimum of hardships on the residents.”

Baxter said she relied on the guidance from the county’s professional staff in making the TIM request.

In Tuesday’s e-mail, Baxter pointed to a finding from Palm Beach County’s engineering and public works departments stating that: “Without this TIM amendment for additional roadway connectivity, traffic dispersal options in the area will be limited, likely leading to traffic congestion, driver frustration, increased crash potential and longer emergency response times.”

“As a resident [of The Acreage who] appreciates our rural area and freedoms we enjoy,” she wrote, “I am dedicated to finding a solution that preserves our rural lifestyles

the wishes of the residents of the community,” she said. “It’s about listening to and caring about what people in the community have to say.”

The incident occurred off campus in 2021 and involved a 15-year-old female student and a male student of about the same age. The employees were assigned to roles away from students. On short notice, Reginald Myers, a retired principal formerly at Park Vista High School, agreed to serve as PBCHS principal, and he has remained in the position.

and still accommodates an increasing flow of traffic.”

One of the biggest concerns expressed by residents has been the possibility that the county could turn their two-lane streets into heavily traveled four-lane roads requiring 80 feet of right-of-way — something that would eat up current swales and parts of many driveways and yards.

“Residents are rightly concerned about increased traffic near their homes, and I share this concern,” Baxter wrote. She also said this week she would not support widening 140th or 40th to more than three lanes with a 60-foot right-of-way, nor using eminent domain to seize property.

Meanwhile, 60th Street needs to be five lanes, said Baxter, and pointed out that widening and extending it is not all about giving Westlake residents easier access to the east. It also would give drivers coming west from The Acreage greater access to restaurants, shops, supermarkets, healthcare and the new Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office in Westlake, she said.

Minto and SID, which provides much of the infrastructure for the

While her focus will be on “responsible spending, responsibly made roads, drainage and infrastructure,” Kane noted that there is much to be dealt with right away, including a packed agenda for the upcoming council meeting on Tuesday, April 2. “You look around and see what needs to be handled, and you do it,” Kane said. “That is the way I comported myself in the past, and how I intend to comport myself in the future. I am extremely wellversed on town finances because of my position on the finance committee. That historical knowledge will help me make responsible decisions.”

An attorney for Edgecomb did not immediately respond to a request for comment after the charges were dropped.

School officials learned of the allegations in part through a letter sent to them by a friend of the female student several months after the alleged incident, according to court documents. At issue was whether school officials were required to report the matter to the Department of Children & Families. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office closed a criminal investigation of the incident in October 2021 without filing charges, but two years later, authorities pursued charges against school officials regarding their duty to report the incident.

community, sued ITID in 2020 seeking to connect a Westlake road to 140th near Persimmon. Circuit Court Judge Richard Oftedal issued a preliminary judgment in October rejecting the request. A final hearing is set for April 1, attorney Burman said. “The court was very clear… It affirmed that these roads are ITID roads, that ITID has sovereignty over them,” he told residents at the March 12 meeting. “The developers do not own your roads.”

Aquatics $28 Million Contract

continued from page 1 up to seven, and would feature smaller slides, a dump bucket and a castle area where younger children and other family members could hang out.

The next, connected circular portion of the recreational pool would offer basketball hoops and other features at intermediate depth, flowing into the rectangular base at the bottom that would host lap swimming, lessons and the NinjaCross lanes.

The NinjaCross lanes could feature music and a scoreboard to show the times of competitors, staff members explained.

“My concern is it’s going to be very expensive to maintain and very expensive to build,” Gerwig said. “I want to make sure we can afford to do this.”

In the end, the council voted 5-0 to push ahead with the latest plan. Specifically, the council voted for a ceiling of $27,964,904 for builder Wharton-Smith Inc. at the new complex. It would replace the current aquatics center near the Wellington Community Center on Forest Hill Blvd., which will continue to operate in the meantime.

The council also agreed to pay for architectural services from Ohlson Lavoie Corp. in the amount of $434,809. After back-and-forth discussion, the board agreed to pay for a sole source contract to WJN LLC for the purchase and installation of the NinjaCross System for $935,000. Village leaders also approved steps that will make it possible to pay for the project with a combination of general revenue and the

Besides the proposed TIM changes, Baxter plans to update attendees at her March 26 town hall meeting on issues related to the widening of Northlake Blvd., the extension of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to the Beeline Highway/State Road 710, and the extension of State Road 7 to Northlake.

village’s share of the countywide sales surtax. It all comes after estimated costs for the aquatics project rose from $22.5 million two years ago to as much as $42 million last year, fueled by higher expenses for building materials, among other factors.

Council debates continued over the aesthetics of the new facility, for example concerning preliminary mock-ups that seemed to show plenty of orange and blue that were too reminiscent of University of Florida colors for fans of Florida State University. One possible tweak has been metal panels with a wood look in parts of the entrance façade, designed to offer a warmer feel.

Councilman Michael Drahos said he wants more touches that take the edge off an institutional vibe, perhaps also gussying up metal support structures within swim areas. Drahos said he wants “something that makes it look less industrial.”

The site features 270 paved parking spots and grass overflow parking for another 150.

A 64-meter, or about 210-foot, competitive pool features a moveable bulkhead that accommodates races of different lengths, noted Sam Elsheikh, senior principal for Ohlson Lavoie Corp. That allows 10 lanes for some races going longer lengths, and up to 28 cross lanes for shorter events.

The idea is to allow competition in multiple events, from swimming to water polo, diving and synchronized swimming.

In public comments, resident Jennifer Metz said, “I encourage you all to build a new pool with the future in mind,” including things like more lanes and better timing equipment on the competitive side.

Principal Gail Pasterczyk accepts the Principal Leadership Award from Meg Cannan of Florida TaxWatch.

Vizcaya Davis with her son, scholarship winner De’Marcus Sparks. PHOTOS BY CALLIE SHARKEY/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Gail Pasterczyk presents De’Marcus Sparks with his scholarship.

School Board Member Marcia Andrews and Superintendent Michael Burke at the event.

Phillis Maniglia

Anita Kane

THOMAS M. WENHAM MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC

The Wellington Rotary Club’s Thomas M. Wenham Memorial Golf Classic was held Thursday, March 14 at the Wanderers Club. Proceeds from the tournament will support both Wellington Rotary Club projects, as well as projects from the Wellington Community Foundation. The event was renamed last year in honor of the late Thomas M. Wenham, Wellington’s first elected mayor and the first chair of the Wellington Community Foundation. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Auction winners Don and Maureen Gross and Maggie Zeller. Scott and Mary Lou Bedford with Lee Frankhouser.

Mary Lou Bedford feels lucky at the ticket auction.

Longest drive winner Bo Schlecter with Scott Armand.

Maureen Gross, Maggie Zeller and Dr. Gordon Johnson.

Larry Falk, Tiffany Rodriguez, Maria Cruz and Scott Armand donated their tips.

Most honest score “winners” Scott Bedford, Lee Frankhouser, Craig Falk and Greg Freebold with Scott Armand (left).

Golf event winners Tony Calle, Clay Cleveland, Hugh Dollard and Tristan Nunez with Scott Armand (center).

Joe Gilbert, Barry Manning, Dr. Gordon Johnson and Steve Miller with Regis Wenham and Mike Gauger (seated). Members of the Wellington Rotary Golf Committee.

Walter and Joan Imperatore with Dwayne Brown. Scott Armand and Mary Lou Bedford with Regis Wenham.

Tom Schlechter, Mike Schlechter, Bo Schlechter and Royal Hayes.

Jose Cepeda, Sam Aquila, Dan Rubin and Galo Poveda of the Wellington Regional Medical Center team.

HEART

Convenient, specialized care for a common heart valve condition

The valves in your heart keep the blood flowing in only one direction. When a heart valve isn’t working, the blood flows in the wrong direction, making your heart work harder and reducing blood flow to your body.

Mitral and aortic valve disorders are the most common valve diseases in the U.S. Some can be congenital, such as bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse, while others are degenerative and develop with age. Other causes include aortic aneurysms, bacterial infection, rheumatic fever, chronic inflammatory diseases such as lupus and connective tissue diseases like Marfan syndrome. Some cancer treatments (radiation) can also damage the aortic and mitral valves, as well.

At first, there may be no symptoms, but as the disease progresses, symptoms that may begin to appear are:

• Shortness of breath

• Fatigue

• Swelling

• Vague chest discomfort

• Decreased energy

Diagnosis and treatment are based on conversations with the patient, a physical examination and an echocardiogram. Mitral valve repair treats:

• Mitral valve regurgitation – commonly known as a “leaky valve”

• Mitral valve stenosis – the narrowing of a valve opening

• Mitral valve prolapse – the valve flaps are too floppy or stretchy

If you have severe mitral leakage even without symptoms, it’s important to see a physician who can diagnose the problem and help determine if the valve should be watched or repaired. Medications are often enough to protect your heart in the early stages of valve disease. However, many patients eventually need to have the leaky valve repaired or replaced.

“Not every patient needs surgery, but an early diagnosis helps make the right decision together with the patient,” says Juan Pablo Umaña, MD, Chair, Division of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at Cleveland Clinic in Florida. “The heart compensates for the leakage early on, but if one waits too long, irreversible changes may occur. A timely operation can restore life expectancy to normal.”

Most patients are able to resume their previous activities within a month after surgery with few complications. Most of these procedures can be done using a minimally invasive approach, with smaller incisions and less blood loss allowing patients to get back to their routines even more quickly.

“If surgery is needed, options include repair and replacement of the mitral valve,” says Dr. Umaña. “The sooner we see a patient with operable disease the better, because it’s more likely we can repair the valve. And statistically speaking, those who undergo repair not only will have a better quality of life, but it will return their life expectancy to normal.”

Six Clouded Leopard Cubs Born At Panther Ridge In Lox Groves

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report

Clouded leopards are endangered, and there’s no pretty way to paint the picture.

With less than 3,500 to 5,000 in the wild, and maybe 200 under human care, Animal Curator Sadie Ryan at the Panther Ridge Conservation Center in Loxahatchee Groves said their numbers have been dwindling at an alarming rate.

That’s why it’s so exciting that on Jan. 24, clouded leopards Lura and Taj had two healthy babies: Bruce and Pearl.

Then, nine days later on Feb. 2, Malee and Taj welcomed four healthy cubs into the world: Ripley, Ariel, Squirt and Finnegan.

“Clouded leopards generally

give birth to one or two,” Ryan said. “In this case, the litter of four is incredibly rare, and it’s amazing that they all survived. You normally never see a litter of four clouded leopards, which is amazing.”

While Panther Ridge is their home right now, the cubs are destined to end up elsewhere.

“We are doing our part to help the Species Survival Plan Program and save them from extinction,” she said. “All six of these cats will be going to new homes to spread the genetics.”

Right now, the cubs are weaning off their bottles and are starting to eat solid food. They start with ground turkey. They’re also learning how to drink water.

For the last few months, Ryan has been bottle feeding them every three hours, one at a time. The females will grow to be 30 to 40 pounds, and the males will be 60 to 70 pounds. There are four males and two females.

As they grow up, they will get bigger, but remain looking nearly the same, keeping their cloud-like spots. Their blue eyes will change color as they grow up.

Currently, the clouded leopard cubs are cuddled together, exploring their surroundings, learning quickly and gaining strength. They play with one another, interact with toys, and make little noises to communicate.

They’re not the first pairs of cubs to be born at Panther Ridge.

Over the years, there have been 22 clouded leopard cubs, including Peach, who is just a year old.

The cubs have had different generations of parents and are not just from Malee or Lura and Taj.

“We’re trying to do our part to conserve the species,” Ryan explained.

These cubs have been sent to facilities as far away as Washington to help diversify the gene pool and try to help save the clouded leopards from becoming something that only exists in books and photographs.

Though the newest clouded leopard cubs are not part of the many tours offered at Panther Ridge, their parents are, along with caracals, cheetahs, cougars,

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH TEA TALK EVENT

SpringFest Event

In Westlake March 24

In anticipation of inclement weather, the City of Westlake’s second annual SpringFest has been rescheduled from Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, March 24 from noon to 4 p.m., directly across from the Lodge at Westlake Adventure Park (5490 Kingfisher Blvd.). The free, family-friendly event promises fun for all ages.

Activities will include egg hunts for various age groups; live music and entertainment; face painting and balloon twisting; a variety of food trucks and market vendors; and, of course, photos with the Easter Bunny.

“Celebrate the joy of spring with us at SpringFest,” Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said. “This event is a great opportunity for families, friends and neighbors to come together to experience the spirit and sense of community that defines Westlake.”

The egg hunts will begin promptly at 12:30 p.m. for ages two and under, followed at 1:15 p.m. for age three to four, 2 p.m. for ages five to seven, and 2:45 p.m. for ages eight to 10. Parents are invited (but not required) to search for eggs with their children. Bring a basket or bag to collect eggs, and plan to arrive early to secure a spot in line.

Sponsors include Palm Beach Orthopedic Institute, ER of Westlake, and Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. For more information, visit www.westlakegov.com.

Educational Forum At Wellington Library March 28

“Defend the Freedom the Read, Write & Learn,” an educational forum, will be held on Thursday, March 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Wellington branch library meeting room at 1951 Royal Fern Drive.

At this information session, attendees will learn how educational censorship and book bans impact students, teachers and schools — and what you can do about it.

The forum speakers include Dr. Deanna Albert of Educational Solutions & Resources LLC and the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida, as well as Sylvia Whiting of Whiting Associates Management Training & Consulting, 451 Avengers and Read Banned Books Corp.

According to the event organizers, the issue of educational censorship and book banning has exploded across the nation and Florida. Public school classroom libraries are being decimated as books are disappearing or placed behind a curtain or wall of brown paper. Licensed school media librarians are overwhelmed with reviewing books based on “parental rights” challenges.

To their benefit, Palm Beach County public schools have been trying to work around this problem by moving books to the “grade appropriate level” and not fully banning them, as is occurring in many other school districts. Therefore, Albert and Whiting have collaborated on their first forum addressing not only the growth of this issue with data supporting what is happening, but ways to push back.

For more information, and to pre-register, contact the organizers by phone, text or e-mail. Dr. Deanna Albert can be reached at (201) 965-1533 or deanna223albert@gmail.com. Sylvia Whiting can be reached at (857) 222-1785 or sylmax99@yahoo.com.

Pre-registration is required, so the organizers are adequately prepared with materials. Bring a school-age child and get a free “banned book.”

Strong Audit Report For Wellington

The

The Village of Wellington celebrated the outstanding contributions of women in the community and beyond at a Women’s History Month “Tea Talk” on Friday, March 15 at the Wellington Community Center. At an afternoon of traditional tea and delightful light bites, the village honored the strength, resilience and dedication of female first responders who play crucial roles in keeping the community safe. The event featured inspiring stories from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and

Report for the year ending Sept. 30, 2023, at the Tuesday, March 12 meeting.

Marcum LLP conducted the annual audit, issuing an unmodified opinion, the highest opinion possible. An unmodified opinion indicates that the financial statements, in all material respects, fairly present the financial position and the respective changes in the financial position of the Village of Wellington.

This year’s annual report consistently maintains Wellington’s clean, unmodified opinion. Moises Ariza and Martin Nicholas discussed the annual report and commended the village council and staff for outstanding work to complete the audit.

The report contains the village’s audited financial statements and other financial information. It also contains information about the local economy, the structure of Wellington’s government, and future financial plans and policies.

The latest annual report, along with all financial reports, including the budget, external audit reports and public Annual Financial Report, are available at www. wellingtonfl.gov.

Early Childhood And Afterschool

Job Fair March 27

As many as 35 employers, including childcare centers, public and private schools, government agencies and recreation centers, will recruit for more than 200 positions at the Early Childhood & Afterschool Job Fair on Wednesday, March 27, from 1 to 5 p.m., at Palm Beach State College’s Public Safety Conference Center, Room PSD 108, on the Lake Worth campus at 4200 Congress Ave. Free and open to the public, this third annual job fair is designed for job seekers looking for full-time and part-time positions as early childhood educators, teacher assistants, tutors, center directors and administrators, preschool and VPK teachers, afterschool

jaguars, leopards, ocelots, servals, fishing cats and lynx. They can all be seen Saturday, March 23 during the last Twilight Hours tour of the season. Other tours, which need to be booked in advance, include guided tours, head keeper tours, big cat experiences, small cat experiences and a walking tour with a cheetah.

To see photos and videos of the cats at Panther Ridge, find the local nonprofit on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. The Panther Ridge Conservation Center is located at 2143 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves. To schedule a tour, or learn more about the cats, call (561) 795-8914 or visit www.pantherridge.org.

Bruce and Ripley, Ariel and Pearl, and Squirt and Finnegan — rest together. PHOTOS BY

Kindergarten Round-Ups In Royal Palm Beach

Kindergarten Round-Up events are scheduled for the week of April 8 at elementary schools in the Vil-

of Royal Palm Beach.

Cypress Trails Elementary School will host its round-up on

Monday, April 8 at 8:30 a.m. or 6 p.m.

Royal Palm Beach Elementary School will host its round-up on

Tuesday, April 9 at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m.

H.L. Johnson Elementary School will host its round-up on

Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m. or

Friday, April 12 at 8:30 a.m.

and summer school counselors, substitute teachers, bus drivers and more.

“Childcare and early childhood education are rewarding fields that deserve recognition,” said Dr. Ruth Floreal, director of Early Childhood and K-12 Education programs at PBSC. “As the host of this job fair, we’re aware of the multitude of opportunities available. Whether one is new to these fields or considering a transition, we urge them to attend and explore the possibilities.”

Palm Beach State College also will exhibit as the leading educator of childcare and afterschool professionals in Palm Beach County and the county’s Training Coordinating Agency for the Florida Department of Children & Families. PBSC offers many options for training, from entrylevel and advanced certificates to associate’s and bachelor’s degrees. Plus, attendees will have the opportunity to learn about scholarships to continue their education.

For more information about the job fair, contact Luisa Brennan at brennanl@palmbeachstate.edu or (561) 868-4048, or Lucia Adrian at adrianl@palmbeachstate.edu or (561) 868-4044.

AWE Scholarship

Deadline April 2

The Alliance of Women Executives Inc. (AWE) is offering 25 scholarships to young women graduating from a Palm Beach County high school and continuing their education at Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University, Palm Beach Atlantic University or Palm Beach State College. The scholarship application may be found at www.aweinc.org/ scholarship. Requirements include a 3.0 minimum GPA, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor, a copy of the student’s transcript and an essay. The deadline is April 2 with an awards dinner on May 7 in Wellington.

The elementary school principals in Royal Palm Beach recently visited Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) classrooms around the community to read to incoming Kindergarten students. They also shared information with families and connected with directors and teachers.

Cypress Trails Elementary Principal Bruce Saulter, H.L. Johnson Elementary Principal Crystal Amado Kucharski and Royal Palm Beach Elementary Principal Tracy Ghettie invite the community to attend these scheduled Kindergarten Round-Up events. Contact your child’s future school with any questions. All incoming Kindergarten students will be receiving learning materials to use at home to be ready for this exciting step in their lives. For more information, call Cypress Trails Elementary at (561) 904-9000, H.L. Johnson Elementary at (561) 904-9300 or Royal Palm Beach Elementary at (561) 633-4400.

The Wellington Garden Club will meet Monday, April 1 at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The meeting will feature a presentation at 10 a.m. by Katherine WagnerReiss to help garden lovers understand more about scientific and common names of plants and why names matter.

Wagner-Reiss is a passionate botanist and accomplished tour guide. With a certificate in botany from the prestigious New York Botanical Garden, she shares her knowledge as a volunteer tour guide at both the New York Botanical Garden and the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.

Her fascination with native plants and their scientific and common names drives her commitment to botanical education. Not only does she impart her expertise through engaging tours, but she also enriches the botanical community through her insightful blogs for the Morris Arboretum in Philadelphia. Wagner-Reiss’s dedication to the plant world is

Katherine Wagner-Reiss

The six clouded leopards —

JULIE UNGER TOWN-CRIER

Principals Bruce Saulter, Crystal Amado Kucharski and Tracy Ghettie visit All About Learning Center preschool.

the Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

The Crowned Pearls of Wellington at the Tea Talk event.

Attendees enjoy an elegant Tea Talk experience.

(Front row) Michelle Garvey and Geneeka Morris; and (back row) Paulette Williams, Debbie Liquori and Antonella Senorele.

Clouded leopard cubs Ariel (left) and Squirt and Finnegan (right) at their temporary home at Panther Ridge.

new store in Loxahatchee Groves at 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 7. The

The day was celebrated with T-shirts for the first 100 customers and free coffee for all before a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8:30 a.m.

In April 2024, Wawa will reach the 60th anniversary of opening its first store in Folsom, Pennsylvania, in 1964. The grand opening celebration gathered the community to welcome everyone on day one and celebrate the impact the new store will have on its neighbors and the community.

Wawa is proud to provide quality products, convenience, new jobs and support to the community. The event celebrated new associates and customers with simple gestures, like holding the door for one another, that together make a big difference in making Wawa’s family-like store atmosphere possible.

Festivities started at 7:45 a.m. with Wawa General Manager Valerie Damato doing the honors of counting down to the moment when the doors opened for the first time. Other festivities included Wawa’s signature Hoagies for Heroes hoagie building competition between local police and fire departments and an appearance by Wawa mascot Wally Goose.

VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON NOTICE OF RUNOFF ELECTION

Notice is hereby given that a runoff election will be held in the Village of Wellington on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, for the purpose of filling the following offices:

Village Council Seat 1 – Four-Year Term

Village Council Seat 4 – Four-Year Term

Pursuant to the Village of Wellington Charter Section 9F, If in any election no candidate receives a minimum of thirty-five (35%) percent of the votes validly cast for that office, then the two candidates for the office receiving the highest vote in the general election shall run again in election.

Contact Chevelle D. Hall, Village Clerk at (561) 791-4118 for further information.

Chevelle D. Hall, MMC Village Clerk

Dated: March 20, 2024

Publish Town-Crier Newspaper: March 22, 2024

We

Thomas Agency Owner, Wellington Resident 561-614-1122

BrightwayBillThomas.com

Sara and Jay Webber, Mayor Anne Gerwig, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Jack Webber and Nick Webber.

Sue Bierer, Sandy Wertz, Twig Morris and Chrissy Wood.

Laurie Cohen and James Seder at the check-in table.

Sackett with Chuck Edgar.

Wellington

President Carol Ralph, raffle winner Maria Antuña, Wellington Historical Society President Sue Bierer and raffle winner Margaret Tamsberg.

Mascot Wally Goose presents the Hoagies for Heroes trophy. The Wawa team takes part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Bill

The 16th

PHOTOS BY ERIN DAVISSON/TOWN-CRIER

ITID President Elizabeth Accomando with Mike Valenti of the PBSO Mounted Unit.

Miss Rodeo Florida Sweetheart Kinzi Tenan with Spicy.

Jennifer Hager, Elizabeth Accomando, Betty Argue and Keith Jordano take part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Riders

the arena during the

Jesse James (middle) with riders Hannalee Turbush, Samantha Lakeman, Abigail Turbush and Jaylynn Richards.

Ruth Haggerty with Austin, Laurie Michael with Gunner, Alan Weisberg with Luke, Brian Daly with Tonka and Mike Valenti with Vanessa, along with ITID President Elizabeth Accomando, Charles James, Jesse James, Supervisor Betty Argue and Supervisor Keith Jordano.

Mercy Orosa, Charlie Locks, Valerie Flynn, Suzanne Kosior, Jasmine Makkar and Liz Rockafellow.

Jeri Caprio and Jane Bistline of the Horses & Hounds Charitable Foundation.

Jeri Caprio and Sharon DiPietro.

10-year-old Remus Perez in his sheriff outfit.

Dr. Lindsay Butzer enjoys a pony ride at one of the vendors.

Charlotte and Juliet Izydore enjoy their snow cones.

Danica and Rowan Allman enjoy their hands on experience. Neil Saffer takes the stage during the live auction.

Evelyn Falconer, Tinka Grody and Scott Grody, Sharon DiPietro and Frank Occhigrossi.

Wellington Runoff Set

For April 2

continued from page 1 and grateful that the residents put their faith and trust in me to lead Wellington forward as their mayor over the next four years.”

Napoleone takes over the gavel after a series of controversial votes that divided the community.

“I think we have a lot of work ahead of us, and priority No. 1 is to work to bring our community back together, because we are fractured due to the recent votes,” he said, referring largely to the controversial Wellington Lifestyle Partners project. “We need to work together to uphold what makes Wellington such a special place.”

Napoleone said his priorities include “keeping our neighborhoods safe, preserving our quality of life, listening to and engaging with residents, keeping our property values high, protecting and expanding our green spaces, respecting our equestrians and continuing to improve our public facilities, which provide a benefit for all.”

It is a list that is not based on a handful of issues, but a mindset that looks out for the future of the community.

“We want to ensure that Wellington remains a great hometown for generations to come,”

RPB Pinto

Looking Ahead

continued from page 1 for the significant expansion of the recreation center.”

Pinto hopes to get that project under contract and underway soon.

Trails More Money

continued from page 3

get them away from uncomfortable proximity to vehicular traffic. Initiatives to create safer horse crossings on Gracida Street have been complicated by recent events. The council recently approved an expanded showgrounds plan, and the deal covers certain road improvements for which the developers will be responsible.

Committee Chair Glen Fleischer asked whether staff could request that the developers make Gracida a priority in their plans. Staff members advised they would not

Napoleone said. “I look forward to working as a team with the current council and new members, whoever they may be, to address the challenges that lie ahead.”

SEAT 1

The top vote-getters from Seat 1 will face-off on Tuesday, April 2 in the runoff election. Amanda Silvestri finished in first place, about 350 votes ahead of the second-place finisher, former Mayor Bob Margolis. Neither got the necessary 35 percent of the vote to avoid a runoff.

“I came close to just taking the seat. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t,” Silvestri said. “I’m willing to do the work — and work just as hard as I have to finish this strong.”

Previously known as an education activist who ran unsuccessfully for the Palm Beach County School Board in 2022, Silvestri has put her focus on development issues when it comes to the Wellington election. Both Silvestri and Margolis spoke out against the Wellington Lifestyle Partners’ project.

“I was the most outspoken about our overdevelopment issues and the removal of the equestrian preserve land, and will continue to do so,” Silvestri said. “I will not be the one who is not showing up for the voters. I will be out there working just as hard as I did, every single

Pinto remains proud of decisions made years ago that continue to serve village residents, such as partnering with Palm Beach County on water utilities and police services. That allowed for the low tax rate that Royal Palm Beach residents enjoy today.

“That helped in getting our millage rate down to 1.92 and

necessarily have much leverage there, as agreements are already in place with a 2028 deadline on various improvements in the showgrounds area. The adjustments came with tweaks in the proposed budget. For example, a study to count traffic on the trail system could receive $100,000, doubling an earlier amount.

Committee Member Dr. Rachel Eidelman asked if Wellington could make it easier to find a map of bridle trails online, as well as listing ways to contact village staff directly when parts of the trail need maintenance or safety attention.

day, and I hope the residents will come back out and vote for me.”

Margolis served on the council from 2003 to 2009, and then served as mayor from 2012 to 2016. He has put his focus on his decades of experience in Wellington.

“More than ever, the differences between me and my opponent are very stark in nature,” he said. “Experience means everything in everything that we do. If the voters agree with me on that, then the choice is clear.”

Margolis said that he has been taking calls and meeting with people since the results were announced, attempting to shore up support from those who voted for one of the two eliminated candidates.

“The next two weeks will go by very quickly,” he said. “We will stay the course and keep our focus on experience and trust. Who would you trust to have the best interests of the Village of Wellington at heart? I always have, and I always will.”

SEAT 4

The top vote-getter in Seat 4 was Maria Antuña, who came in just 31 votes ahead of second-place finisher Shelly Albright. They both finished well-ahead of the three other candidates and will advance to the runoff.

“I would have liked to win

holding there, which is the lowest rate in the county, notwithstanding a few cities of 2,000 people or less. That’s because we took these initiatives. We went to decisions about creating a vision of what we think Royal Palm Beach should be like in the next 15 to 20 years,” he said, adding that the village looks to that vision whenever key decisions must be made.

Pinto is also hopeful of the work being done with the Transportation Planning Agency to change residents’ mindset on public transportation.

Meanwhile, he will continue to assess his own future when determining his plans.

“Every year since I’ve been in office, I always assess halfway through that term what I want to do. Do I want to continue to run for another term or decide to hang it up? I’m going to make that assessment about a year from now, midway through this term, to determine where we are and what’s left to be accomplished,” Pinto said.

outright, but I understand that we are off to a runoff,” Antuña said. “I will continue to do my very best, as I did the first go-round and make it happen.”

She urged all of her supporters to return to the polls on April 2.

“Please remember to come back out and vote for Maria Antuña for village council,” she said.

Antuña said that she will not change the themes that she has focused on over the past several months.

“What I have run on is the

When Pinto joined the council in 2003, he ran for an open seat. A similar situation happened when he ran for mayor — his predecessor was stepping down. To have an opponent come out of nowhere seeking the top spot was unique, but he doesn’t want to discourage residents from taking an interest in local government.

“If you are really interested in doing this, I will sit down with you. Get to know the members on the council, and if you’ve got questions, you can always give feedback on how we do things in the village,” he said. “Perhaps work on a standing committee for the village. A seat will open, and when there is an open seat, run for the open seat. That’s what I did.”

Pinto was adamant that his time serving as a council member was crucial in his ability to serve successfully as mayor.

“I am thrilled to have the honor of still representing the residents as their mayor,” he said. “We are committed to continue maintaining the level of excellence that they’re accustomed to, and the level of excellence that we’ve achieved. We are going to maintain that and continue to work on improving as we move forward.”

overdevelopment that we are experiencing in Wellington, and our traffic issues that we have in Wellington,” Antuña said. “And, of course, our public safety with our first responders.”

Albright said that she is looking forward to the runoff election.

“I am pleased that so many people went out to vote,” she said. “I’m excited about the runoff. I think we have a lot of support.”

She plans to spend the next two weeks “rallying the troops.”

“My plan is to reach back out to

the voters and encourage them to get back out to vote. We want to make sure their voices are heard,” Albright said. Her areas of focus remain the same. “This includes keeping the taxes low and working to help seniors stay in their homes,” Albright said. “Schools and education are so important, and I really want to make sure the Keely Spinelli grant program stays in place. We must also protect our green space and make sure that WLP stays on target with their commitments.”

HCA Florida JFK Hospital Seeks Volunteers

HCA Florida JFK Hospital has provided communities throughout Palm Beach County with high-quality, advanced healthcare services for more than 50 years. The award-winning, 516-bed hospital is part of HCA Florida Healthcare, the state’s largest network of doctors, nurses and care sites, providing comprehensive healthcare services to more than three million Floridians each year. Volunteers have long been an invaluable part of healthcare, offering their time and talents to make

Jack Van Dell’s father, John, an Italian immigrant, learned to fix watches in New York before he opened a jewelry store in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1939. After a stint in the U.S. Army, Van Dell began working for his father in the family business and realized that the jewelry business was his calling. However, after a lengthy career that spanned decades, Van Dell is closing two of his three jewelry stores in Florida so he can retire. His Wellington store location will remain open. “I’ve worked hard all my life,” said Van Dell, 85. “I just felt the time was right, and I’m leaving the business in skillful hands.”

Retirement Sale Underway

— Shoppers looking for great deals on fine jewelry can visit the retirement sale when it opens to the public starting on Thursday, March 21, hosted at all three of Van Dell’s stores: Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves and the Courtyard Shops at Wellington. Expect to find one-of-a-kind deals on high-quality and unique jewelry, including engagement rings, wedding bands, anklets, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and pendants. Expect sale prices to meet a variety of budgets. “We’ll sell jewelry in the $500 range to around $30,000,” Van Dell said. One reason that Van Dell Jewelers has grown a loyal customer following over the years is its selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry

a positive difference in the lives of others. After a long hiatus, JFK Hospital is excited to welcome back this dedicated group of individuals, who will play a vital role in enhancing the patient, visitor and employee experience.

Volunteers will contribute in various ways, such as providing companionship to patients, lobby assistance, greeters, administrative tasks, offering emotional support to families and simply lending a helping hand. Their presence will bring warmth,

comfort and community.

Whether you are a retiree with extra time or want to give back to the community, volunteering can make a difference in people’s lives. Schedules are flexible. Volunteers must be 15 or older, complete an application and background check, and attend an orientation.

If you have the time and desire to be part of the JFK family as a volunteer, contact Volunteer Services Manager Christie Lee Geltz at (561) 548-1357 or christielee. geltz@hcahealthcare.com for info.

pieces. “About half of what we sell is designed and made in the store,” he said. “Every other piece is unique and different.”

Renowned Equestrian Jewelry — Van Dell Jewelers is also known worldwide for its eclectic line of equestrian jewelry. “We make more equestrian jewelry than any other jeweler in the country,” said Van Dell, who has loved horses since his father put him on one at age two.

Examples of the store’s fine equestrian jewelry include horse head and diamond ring earrings, flying mane pendants, mare and foal heart pendants, and polo mallet hoop earrings. Van Dell has also been a fixture in the local equestrian community, which drew him to Florida in the 1980s so he could play polo. He loved the area so much that he decided to open a store in Wellington. He eventually opened two more stores, in Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves, because business was booming.

Serving Generations of Customers — That dedication to exquisite craftsmanship and customer service has been a cornerstone of Van Dell Jewelers’ success. Van Dell stresses that the key is providing shoppers with exceptional customer service, fair prices and an array of high-quality jewelry. If you’ve shopped at his stores before, chances are you’ve spotted Van Dell in a dress shirt

and tie, warmly greeting customers. He described his approach this way: “Be kind to your customers. Make sure they are happy first. Treat them properly.”

In return, Van Dell has forged close friendships with customers over the years. Those customers’ children and grandchildren have also become friends. He has even sold diamond rings to their great-grandchildren. Three generations of the Van Dell family have also worked in the store and served customers.

Van Dell expressed gratitude for the enduring support from the community. He said the business is being consolidated into the Wellington store and will continue to deliver above-and-beyond customer service in the years to come. But there’s still a chance you might catch Van Dell at the store. “I’m retiring, but that doesn’t mean I won’t visit the store now and then,” he said. The retirement and consolidation sale for Van Dell Jewelers will continue until all inventory is gone at the three Van Dell Jewelers

Seat 1 candidate Amanda Silvestri (left) and Seat 4 candidate Maria Antuña (right) with County Commissioner Sara Baxter (center) after the returns came in showing that Silvestri and Antuña are both headed to runoffs.

Candidate Shelly Albright greets voters at a polling place on Tuesday.

Joseph Pierre, Newton Layton, Mayor Fred Pinto and Maureen Wallace at the RPB Recreation Center during the day on Tuesday.

Challenger Steve Avila with his family at Don Ramon restaurant in RPB. (L-R) Christian, Marly, Steve, Ramon and Kevin Avila.

DIAMANTE FARMS DRESSAGE

Join us in celebrating the timeless tradition of the Derby with an event that promises to be nothing short of extraordinary. Step into the world of equestrian elegance and Southern charm at Wellington’s Inaugural Derby Party extravaganza! Prepare to be whisked away on a journey of thrilling races, genteel revelry, and gourmet delights.

As you don your finest hats, get ready to cheer on your favorite derby horse in true Southern style. It’s not just a party; it’s a fundraiser for a cause close to our hearts - the Wellington Community Foundation. So, come out and show your support while indulging in a full delicacy of culinary delights prepared by the renowned chef, Gardo Vincken.

From the moment you arrive, you’ll be immersed in the spirit of the Derby, with mint juleps flowing and the excitement of the races palpable in the air. Whether you’re a seasoned equestrian enthusiast or just looking for a fun-filled evening, this event promises to be unforgettable.

So, mark your calendars and saddle up for an evening of glamour, gastronomy, and giving back. Let’s make this Derby Party extravaganza a roaring success while supporting our community. Get ready to gallop into a night of pure delight!

Jackson Doeren, Cole Estevez, Caleb McNally and Landon Girard.

The troop’s color guard presents the colors.

Troop 111 assistant scoutmasters Harold Williams, Ron Rice and Paul Estevez with Scoutmaster Ryan McNally.

William Hicks, Ryan Goldberger and Noah Cabrera with their NESA Eagle Scout certificates and American flags from the Elks.

William Hicks with his family. Noah Cabrera with his family.

Rhonda Ferrin-Davis received a new sign for Camp Davis.

Landon Girard leads the invocation.

Noah Cabrera, Ryan Goldberger and William Hicks received a Bald Eagle Adoption certificate from CAFCI President Dennis Wright.

Rhonda Ferrin-Davis and Mayor Fred Pinto with William Hicks, who received a scholarship from the Vivian and Adrienne Ferrin Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Noah Cabrera, Ryan Goldberger and William Hicks with Eagle Scout Jordan Davis, who delivered “Welcome to Eagle.”

Ryan McNally pins William Hicks as his parents William Hicks and Dawn Kelly look on.

Ryan McNally pins Noah Cabrera as Lori and Dennis Cabrera look on. Jennifer, Ryan and David Goldberger.

Rich Cioffoletti and Laura Jedrey at the pink pumper.

Arianna Mangual, Andres Barrio, Beverly Grove and Tracy Robinson of Cypress Trails Elementary School.

The team from Wellington Regional Medical Center.

The CAFCI team at the ACS Relay for Life.

Cancer survivors take the first lap around the course.

Speaker survivor Clarina Jean-Pierre.

Survivor Jeff and caregiver Carolyn Hmara.

Clifford Skeete with a painting for sale.

Osceola Creek Middle School teacher Chris Raos.

Caroline Driscoll and Ivan Hubbard.

Cancer survivors Lorna and Joey Johnson. Victor Cucuzza and Philip McMullin of Pet Supplies Plus.

Millicent Peccoo and Pauline Ivey.

RPBHS students Javier Rivas, Jenna Larsen, Sydney Greenaway Matthew, Dev Gentillomme, Tanieyah Mowatt and Jessi Sleek. John

show off

bracelets that raised money for the cause.

Chair Angie

BINKS FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STAGES MUSICAL ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ’

The staff and students at Binks Forest Elementary School recently staged a production of the musical The Wizard of Oz. While students got to see the show at the school, two performances were staged for the first time at the Kravis Center’s Helen K. Persson Hall, which allowed more tickets for parents and family members. Cast and crew members included: Abigail Costanzo, Abigail Rusnak, Adelynn Higbee, Aiden McCormick, Alessandro Lorini, Alina Maria Montesinos, Annabella Romero, Anthony Wohlstein, Aria de Barry, Avarey Behan, Blakey Humphreys, Braden Downing, Briella Navarro, Cecilia Cruz, Channing Burnett, Charlene Stafford, Cheyenne Morris, Chloe Sabha, Ciara Reddock, Connor George, Emma Andrews, Emma Hoffson, Eva Moises, Eva Tsvetaeva, Ezra Estrach, Gabby Tabora, Gabriela Tizol, Grayson Hejda, Hailey Tichauer, Harini Karri, Harper Reece, Hudson Chipley, Jaclyn Monohalal, Jasmyn Perez, Jaxson Suarez-Tigue, Jenny Le, Jordan Sikorsky, Kaitlyn Skolnick, Kate Starr, Kinsley McCormick, Leah Richards, Leeloo Murphy, Liliana Mattingly, Lilith Schwarz, Lily Ambrogio, Logan Sejba, Luke Hojara, Madelynn Szafaryn, Madilyn Walsh, Maisie Davis, McCall Wedgworth, Mia Zita, Natalie Brennan, Noa Bausch, Noelle Sullivan, Olivia Gonzalez, Owen Thomas, Patrick Palumbo, Ruby Fincher, Sara Sparber, Savannah Steele, Scarlett Reynolds, Selin Asli Kaya, Sofia Carballosa, Sofia Desautel, Sophia Westfall, Summer Weston and Zella Davis. The play’s directors were Niki-Ann Giliberti, Robin Peck and Claudine Ashley.

PHOTOS BY CRISTINA HOJARA PHOTOGRAPHY

LCS LION KEEPER VISITS WITH THE WOMEN OF THE WESTERN COMMUNITIES

Audrey

The Women of the Western Communities met Thursday, March 7 at the Wellington National Golf Club. The evening’s presentation was from Janice Hudson, head lion keeper at Lion Country Safari. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Deborah Clein, Donna Banno,

Valentine, Mair Armand and Janice Hudson.

Peggy

Kerrilynn Collins and Christine Vocaturo.

Lynda Chicano with Lion Country Safari Head Lion Keeper Janice Hudson.

Donna Kuebler and Lynda Chicano.

Munchkin

Lilith Schwarz and Sofia Desautel as Dorothy and Glinda.

The group meets with the Wizard of Oz.

The Wicked Witch (Alina Maria Montesinos) plots Dorothy’s demise.

Parent liaison Lisa Estrach with director Niki-Ann Giliberti, assistant director Robin Peck and music director Claudine Ashley.

Dorothy (Emma Andrews) meets the Scarecrow (Anthony Wohlstein) with Kinsley McCormick as Toto.

Mary Rowe and her daughter Sherrie Rhoads.

Israeli Children Visit Wycliffe With Tennis Racquets In Hand

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

On Thursday, March 7, the residents of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club received a first-hand report on what life is like in Israel for children. Many personal messages were delivered that day by a group of young ambassadors, with tennis racquets in hand, who are affiliated with the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC).

For many years each March, an ITEC delegation has visited Wycliffe in order to provide a first-hand report on the importance of the work of ITEC and its positive impact on the lives of Israeli children.

But because of the current conflict in Israel and Gaza, this year’s visit took on added importance and significance — for both the tennis ambassadors and the large gathering of Wycliffe residents who came to watch, listen and learn about the power and impact of the ITEC experience.

Despite the nature of life currently in Israel, ITEC’s mission continues, and the role that ITEC serves for Israeli children takes on greater importance. At each ITEC outlet, the leadership specifically caters to disadvantaged children and to children from broken homes in Israel who need a place to go after school or on weekends in order to avoid trouble on the streets.

Currently, there are 24 ITEC outlets in Israel that serve as a safe haven for Israeli children who come from many walks of life: Jews, Muslim Arabs, Christian Arabs, Bedouins, Druze, and refugees from many countries around the world, such as Nigeria, Mo-

rocco, Kenya, Ukraine and Russia.

The ITEC program truly caters to a “melting pot” of children who come from very diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. The side effects of this experience for the Israeli children are life-altering — in a positive and profound way.

The services that ITEC provides range from offering a safe and secure place to do their homework to a place to spend time playing safely with friends to a place where they can enjoy a hot meal. But the focal point of the ITEC experience, which started in 1976, is learning how to co-exist in life with people from different backgrounds while learning how to play tennis.

“Since 1976, we have impacted the lives of more than 500,000 children in Israel, which is one of the most conflicted regions in the world, especially now,” said Yoni Yair, ITEC’s U.S.-based vice president of development, who is also a product of the ITEC experience back in the late 1970s. “We serve 20,000 kids annually. We serve children from all walks of life in Israel.”

At ITEC, tennis is a means to an end.

“We like to promote racquets over rockets,” Yair said.

Under the leadership of Yair, the group of young representatives who visited Wycliffe on March 7 told their personal testimonies and life stories.

“Because of ITEC, I have lots of friends, and I have learned how to play and enjoy the game of tennis,” said Aline Masri, 10, an IsraeliMuslim from Jaffa.

“At ITEC, I am friends with children who are Jewish and

Muslim Arabs,” added Areina Datlenko, 11, a Christian who emigrated with her family to Israel from Ukraine in 2023. “I also learned how to hit a two-handed backhand. I love my two-handed backhand.”

“Because of ITEC, I have learned to always work hard, be positive, give back to others and to enjoy my great relationships with children from different backgrounds, whether they are Jews, Muslims or Christians,” said Inbar Pony, 18, who lives near Tel Aviv and is currently an Israeli soldier.

“I have been attending ITEC for 10 years.”

After their personal testimonies, all the ambassadors headed to Wycliffe’s center court to showcase their vast and eye-opening tennis talents.

Whether it was hitting crosscourt forehands, striking twohanded backhands, delivering well-struck volleys, smashing an overhead or serving an ace, these ITEC representatives demonstrated their ability to hit every shot in tennis with precision, power and panache. The crowd was thoroughly entertained and impressed.

For the group of male and female ITEC ambassadors who appeared at Wycliffe that day, each agreed that without the ITEC experience, their lives would not be where they are today — enriched by lifelong friendships with other children of different backgrounds and better off because they have learned how to play the great game of tennis.

For more information about ITEC, visit www.itecenters.org.

Wellington’s Beach Volleyball Girls Post Early Season Wins

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington High School’s girls varsity beach volleyball team is off to a solid start in the current spring season. Under the guidance of head coach Sergio Rios, the squad has a record of 5-2.

Wellington is in first place — with a 2-0 record — in its local district standings. The district includes the King’s Academy, Dr. Joaquín García High School, Palm

Beach Central High School, Trinity Christian School, Lake Worth Christian School, John I. Leonard High School and Santaluces High School.

Of Wellington’s five victories, four of them have been against schools in the western communities. Palm Beach Central, TKA, Seminole Ridge and Royal Palm Beach High School have all been defeated by the Wolverines this season.

According to Rios, now in his third year coaching the team, the makeup of the squad is a mixture of experienced upperclassmen and young, talented lowerclassmen. This year’s team has nine returning players and seven incoming freshmen.

Beach volleyball has only been an official Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) sport since the 2021-22 school year.

The most experienced players for Wellington include junior Brielle Dorish, junior Madeline Lee, senior Ava Rodgers and junior Grace Kouf. Rodgers was the captain of the girls indoor volleyball team last fall.

“Our two-person teams change constantly according to the opponent, but Brielle and Madeline are undefeated so far as our No. 1 team this season,” Rios said.

Wellington’s bench is filled with

“They have shown great results and team spirit,” Rios said.

Rios added that the key to the success of his squad is being able to blend his team’s natural athletic abilities with a focused mental strategy.

“During this season’s matches, we are focusing on team play and how to play smarter volleyball,” Rios explained. “Beach volleyball demands a lot of physical effort, so by playing smarter, we are able to use our energy more efficiently. And by learning to play as a team, we are able to support each other when we need it the most.”

Wellington will resume play after spring break. Its next match will be on March 27 at home against Suncoast High School.

ITEC’s visiting delegation joined by Wycliffe event organizers Harriet and Marty Ross (center).

PHOTOS BY ALAN FABRICANT

WHS Beach Volleyball Team — (Front row) Kristin Haggerty, Faith DiMaria, Madeline Lee, Jillian St Leger and Isabella Mariani; (middle row) Olivia Roque, Londyn Clark, Gabriella Marotta and Ella Safriet; and (back row) Maddie Martinez, Grace Kouf, Julianna Nunes, Ava Rodgers, Nicole Koch, Brielle Dorish and Carley Treanor.

talented players, such as sophomore Faith DiMaria, sophomore Gabriella Marotta, sophomore Nicole Koch and freshman Jillian St Leger.

PHOTOS BY TRACEY KOUF

Wellington’s Ava Rodgers with the kill.

Visiting tennis player Inbar Pony with ITEC’s Yoni Yair. Young tennis player Aline Masri on the court.

Wellington beach volleyball Carley Treanor lines up her shot. Junior Brielle Dorish is one of the top players on the

TKA Girls Softball Squad Off To A Strong Start On The Season

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

The King’s Academy girls varsity softball team is off to a brilliant start this season. After nine games, TKA’s record is an impressive 8-1. The only blemish is a 2-0 loss to the Eagles from Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on March 14. It’s a winning team with an ar-

ray of young players. This year’s squad has one junior, one sophomore, seven freshmen, three eighth graders and two sixth graders.

“My starting second baseman and backup catcher is Emma Thornton, who is a sixth grader with a bright future in the softball world,” TKA head softball coach Kim Needle said. Another big key to the success

of TKA’s softball team has been the pitching prowess of freshman Caroline Duncan.

“She started training and lifting with us in the fall and quickly became an integral part of our success,” said Needle, now in her second year as head coach. “She is always positive and committed to our goal of striving for excellence each day. Her work ethic on the mound is unparalleled.”

To date, Duncan’s pitching record is 6-1 with 51 strikeouts in 35 innings. Her earned run average is an impressive 0.393.

During those eight victories, five of them were shutouts. Along the way, TKA scored 92 runs and gave up just four. Offensively, the top three hitters for TKA are a pair of freshmen (Gracyn Needle and Lily Stone) and a sophomore (Kiersten Zimmerman). Stone is having an outstanding year swinging the bat. She is batting .565 with a .957 slugging percentage. Zimmerman is batting .520, while Needle has scored 13 runs and driven in 19.

“Lily and Kiersten are surpassing their numbers so far this season,” Needle said.

Shortstop Lily Stone throws in a shallow fly from left field.

Last year, as an eighth grader, Gracyn Needle was a first-team All-Palm Beach County selection. She batted .622 with a stateleading 54 RBIs.

Defensively, TKA is led by the play of three infielders: Abbey Daniel, who splits her time

between third base and second base; Lily Stone, who plays either shortstop or second base; and Gracyn Needle, who plays shortstop or catcher. According to their coach, those three in the infield have committed just two errors all season between them. As good as the players are performing as a group on the softball diamond, their best days are in the future.

“The strength of my team is that they are young,” said Needle, who played college softball at Nova Southeastern University, which is an NCAA Division II school. “We grow as a team. We are unified and believe in our mission to get better each practice and to glorify God every day.”

TKA’s two assistant coaches this spring are Mike Moore and Bryan Needle.

Wellington High Softball Team Begins Season With Big Wins

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

This girls softball team from Wellington High School has continued the winning ways of last year’s squad. The 2023 team (203-1) advanced to the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 7A Final Four, losing 2-1 in extra innings to Tampa’s Plant High School.

This year’s team is focused on returning to the FHSAA’s Class

7A Final Four, set for May 24-25 in Clermont, where the team hopes to win the first girls state softball title in school history. Eleven players on last year’s team are back this year. Seven are starters, including junior starting pitcher Tori Payne.

To go deep into the postseason will require strong pitching, timely hitting, smart base running and a stifling defense.

According to WHS head coach Mark Boretti, his team is consistently delivering on pitching and defense, but their run production has been somewhat sporadic.

“Our pitching and defense have been awesome,” said Boretti, now in his 15th season as the head coach of Wellington’s softball team. “We need more run support for our pitching staff.”

The ace of the staff is Payne, who was last year’s No. 2 pitcher behind Jordan White.

“Tori has been awesome inside the circle,” Boretti said. “She’s quiet and reserved off the field, but when she steps on the field, she’s a competitor. I call her bulldog.”

To date, Payne’s earned run average is 0.68.

To help stimulate the offense, Boretti is being creative with his lineup and his coaching.

“We’re bunting a little more this year than in the past in an attempt to put runners on base in order to score,” Boretti explained.

After its first 10 games, Wellington is 9-1. The only setback was a 5-2 loss to the Covenant Day School Lions from Matthews, North Carolina, on March 13. The most significant victories were a 6-2 win over reigning Class 7A state champion Spanish River High School on Feb. 28; a 2-0 win against rival Palm Beach Gardens High School on March 1; a 2-1 victory against rival Jupiter High School on March 6; and a 2-0 extra-innings win against Class 3A powerhouse Coral Springs Charter School, ranked as the 14th best overall girls softball team in Florida.

Spanish River was the team that Wellington would have faced in last spring’s Class 7A state championship game if Wellington had defeated Plant last May in the state semifinal game.

Through the first 10 games of this season, WHS has scored 61

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Mair Armand 561-635-0011

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runs and has only given up 23.

One of the keys to the success of last year’s team was its senior leadership. Boretti said that he’s looking for that same behavior — in the classroom, in practice, in the dugout and on the diamond during games — from the three seniors on this year’s team, Angelina Mangini, Kelsie Riggan and Ava Matrascia.

Despite it being spring break during the week of March 18-22, Boretti conducted practices to keep his 18 players focused on improving their hitting.

“We held batting practice three

The Wellington High School 2024 girls varsity softball team.

times during spring break,” he said. The Wellington squad will resume its regular season schedule on March 28 against Park Vista High School.

Tennis Event Will Benefit Local Children’s Nonprofit

Calling all Florida tennis lovers!

Get ready for a day of love, both on and off the court, support brave, critically ill children through the Casey Cares Foundation Love-All Tennis Tournament. The tournament will take place on Saturday, April 6 at the Wellington Tennis Center. The tournament welcomes men’s and women’s doubles teams, who must register together. Participants will receive a giveaway item and have the opportunity to win exciting prizes. The registration fee also includes drinks and light refreshments throughout the event. The proceeds will benefit Casey Cares programs and activities for critically ill children and their families. A local Casey Cares child and their family will speak at the event about their journey and how the nonprofit has helped them.

“Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to combine your love

for tennis with the joy of giving back to the community,” said Casey Baynes, founder and executive director of Casey Cares. “By participating in the Love-All Tennis Tournament, you will not only enjoy a day of tennis and fun, but also support critically ill children in our Florida community.” To learn more about Casey Cares programs and register your team for the tournament, visit www.caseycares.org.

The King’s Academy girls varsity softball team. PHOTOS BY DEREK CHIRCH

Gracyn Needle plays behind the plate.

Kiersten Zimmerman at bat for TKA.

Softball seniors (L-R) Ava Matrascia, Kelsie Riggan and Angelina Mangini. PHOTOS BY JACK BARTLETT

Twice Is Nice For Ward During Horseware Ireland Week At WEF

U.S. Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward won his second feature of the week in the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival’s Saturday Night Lights at Wellington International on Saturday, March 16.

Ward led the victory gallop aboard Contagious, the 15-yearold Rhinelander gelding owned by Beechwood Stables that also carried him to team silver at the Tokyo Olympics and most recently team gold at the Pan American Games in Chile last summer. Ward was elated with the seasoned gelding’s performance.

“Contagious has been a great partner, and I’m very grateful to Beachwood and Lise Revers for having the horse be with me for his whole career,” Ward said. “He’s getting older now, and it’s a little more work, but he’s got a huge heart.”

Only three horses jumped clear over Oscar Soberon’s challenging track. U.S. Olympic team silver medalist Lucy Davis led the way with new mount Ben 431 and was later joined by Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts aboard Derby de Riverland and Ward from final draw.

Ward’s jump-off time of 43.24 seconds handed him the win over Philippaerts with 44.19 seconds. Davis settled for third after pulling a rail in the short course.

“You can have a little rub, have four faults and be very frustrated, or if that same rail stays up, you win the Grand Prix and you’re a hero,” said Ward of his fight for top finishes at the season’s close. “It’s a fine line, but I’m grateful to the horses and to be able to keep banging heads with these riders.”

Ward is finishing the season strong as he looks ahead to Olympic qualification this spring and sits on a talented string of horses.

“Our focus is on Paris. I think Contagious is getting a bit long in

“It was a very hot night and a quick turnaround for us,” continued Ward, who jumped last in both rounds. “I only jumped three jumps in the schooling area because I didn’t want to let him bottom out. He dug in deep, and we were lucky to go last.”

the tooth for another championship, but Callas has a lot still left in her tank, so she’s certainly on the radar,” he said. “We have an exciting new horse, Ilex, that we think can do incredible things. We have a few options and a plan with each of them that leads to Paris in the best form. We hope that we can make the team and bring home another medal.”

Jumping off just before Ward, Philippaerts left everything he had in the ring and was thrilled with Derby de Riverland, an 11-yearold Selle Français gelding owned by Team Philippaerts and Pierre Cimolai.

“He is a fantastic horse,” said Philippaerts, who took over the reins halfway through 2023 after the mount was piloted by his younger brother. Thibault Philippaerts produced the horse up the ranks and won both team gold and individual silver at the 2022 European Championships for Young Riders.

“He’s very careful, and I think he improved a lot this year here in Wellington,” Nicola said. “It

helped him to develop on a higher level, and today is proof that he’s ready for some bigger rankings. You always try to win, of course, but McLain is very hard to beat. I tried to give it a go, and he jumped fantastic, but I think the best horse-rider combination won today.”

Davis acquired Ben 431 in December and has been focused on Olympic qualification goals while in Florida for the winter season.

Ben 431, a 13-year Westphalian gelding, is owned by Old Oak Group and has collected accolades from around the world with Germany’s Gerrit Nieberg, including a win in the 2022 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen.

After taking a break from international competition over the last several seasons, Davis was back under the glow of Wellington’s Saturday Night Lights and soaking up the spotlight.

“I’m just happy to be back in it,” she said. “It’s day by day with a new horse, and it started out well at a lower level. I think the beauty of making mistakes is you get to

learn and tweak and fine tune. Even though sometimes the scores aren’t always what you want in certain rounds, there’s something you can improve, and I was really pleased that tonight we finally felt like one. I’m excited for the future with this horse.” Ward also took top call in the Adequan WEF Challenge Cup

Casterman, was presented with the $500 Grooms Award by Double H Farm.

Park Place Defeats La Irenita To Capture WPL Founders Cup

Park Place won its first 26-goal World Polo League title Sunday, March 17 at the Grand Champions Polo Club. Making its WPL debut in the Founders Cup, Park Place (Andrey Borodin, Toly Ulloa, Hilario Ulloa and Cody Ellis) led from the start to defeat La Irenita (Gilberto Sayao, Tomacho Pieres, Gonzalito Pieres and Pablo MacDonough), 17-14.

Hilario Ulloa scored a team-high eight goals including five penalty conversions and was named Most Valuable Player less than 24 hours after scoring the winning goal in a 13-12 overtime win over Valiente in Gold Cup play.

“I’m very happy with this Park Place debut in the WPL,” Ulloa said. “It’s the first time I’ve played 26 goals outside of Argentina with my brother, and winning is incredible.”

Three Best Playing Pony awards were presented. The Argentine Association BPP was Lavinia Inocencia played by Hilario Ulloa in the first and sixth chukkers. The American Polo Horse Association BPP was Machitos Florencia played by Gonzalito Pieres. The World Polo League BPP was Irenita Japonesa, owned and played by MacDonough. Reigning U.S. Open champion

Park Place was relentless throughout the game despite La Irenita battling back in the sixth chukker. Both teams were coming off a week’s rest.

Park Place, a 23-goal team, started off with a 2-0 lead on handicap. Buoyed by a great defensive effort and quick offensive attack off the throw-ins, Park Place methodically built its cushion to 6-1 in the opening chukker.

La Irenita tried to get back into the game in the second chukker, but Park Place had an answer for nearly everything behind the Ulloa brothers. La Irenita outscored Park Place, 4-2, but Park Place maintained a three-goal cushion, 8-5.

La Irenita sent Hilario Ulloa to the penalty line three times in the third chukker, resulting in another dominant chukker by Park Place and 12-6 halftime lead.

“We started very well in the first part of the game, but we knew La Irenita was going to come with everything,” Ulloa said. “Pablo and Gonza are two first-level players, and it was obvious how they were going to approach it.”

Gonzalito Pieres and MacDonough took turns at the penalty line in the fourth chukker, con-

verting three penalties for a 4-1 chukker, closing the gap to three goals, 13-10.

After Park Place maintained a four-goal advantage in the fifth chukker, 15-11, La Irenita came roaring back in the final chukker.

La Irenita controlled most of the sixth chukker scoring three consecutive goals to close the gap to 15-14 on a great back shot from Tomacho Pieres to Gonzalito Pieres with 3:51 left.

With 2:13 left, MacDonough stole the ball only to be hooked by Ellis to regain possession. Hilario Ulloa came up with the ball in a crowd and took off in open space to score for a 16-14 lead while La Irenita players stopped and were looking for a foul to be called. Instead, La Irenita was assessed a technical on verbal appeal, and Park Place kept possession for a center hit.

With 2:00 on the clock, Ellis came up with a save on a MacDonough goal attempt. La Irenita regained possession but Ulloa stole the ball and started to work the clock. Borodin scored in the closing seconds.

In addition to Ulloa’s heroics, Toly Ulloa had four goals, Borodin

had two and Ellis added one goal. For La Irenita, Gonzalito Pieres scored a team-high eight goals, MacDonough had five and Tomacho Pieres added one. Learn more about the World Polo League season at www. gcpolo.com.

Genbu-Kai Sword Students Compete

Batto-do (sword) students from Genbu-Kai Karate in Wellington recently traveled to Santa Ana, California, to participate in the 53rd annual Goodwill Championships. While there, the students participated in karate, kobudo and batto seminars taught along with competing in the batto-do competition.

Competition was in kata (form) and tameshigiri (cutting). Sandeep Singh won second in kata and cutting, Lester Vazquez won second in kata, Taylor Matthews won first in kata and third in cutting, and Jared Lee won first in cutting. To learn more about Genbu-Kai Karate, call (561) 804-1002 or visit www.genbukaiflorida.com.

McLain Ward and Contagious ride to victory in the $215,000 Horseware Ireland CSI4* Grand Prix. PHOTO BY SPORTFOT qualifier on Thursday, March 14 on First Lady, and as a result, accepted the Martha Jolicoeur Leading International Rider Award, presented together with Michael and Wendy Smith. To cap the evening, Ward’s groom and Contagious’ caregiver, Virginie

Andrey Borodin, Toly Ulloa, Hilario Ulloa and Cody Ellis of Founders Cup champion Park Place. PHOTO BY CANDACE FERREIRA

(L-R) Sensei Keith Moore, Sandeep Singh, Lester Vazquez, Taylor Matthews and Jared Lee.

American Legion National Commander

Visits Posts In South Florida District

A rare visit to South Florida by American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer was part of his recent cross-country visits of posts throughout the United States.

Of the 19 American Legion posts in District 11, Wellington’s Post 390 provided the ceremonial services for the Southern Area Ball at the National Guard Armory and the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the South Florida National Cemetery. Post 390 also provided a live performance of “Taps” at the South Florida National Cemetery with bugler Jim Sheldrake, who recently become affiliated with Post 390 and will perform at Post 390 ceremonies when available.

Post 390 color guard participants included Post Commander John Shwiner, Laz Sed, Roberto Carballoso, David Roman, Laurence Williams Sr., Jim Napuli and Bill Bartels. Additional participants were District 11 Sergeant-at-Arms Edward Manak, Maria Brown (Post 164) and Paul Markonni (Post 271).

Cheryl Patterson

Joins Nonprofit Families First As Philanthropy Director

Wellington resident Cheryl Patterson has been named the new philanthropy director at Families First of Palm Beach County. Patterson has 12 years of experience fundraising through marketing with a proven track record of securing corporate partnerships.

As the philanthropy director, Patterson joined Families First in 2023. She is passionate and intentional about leveling playing fields and increasing access for underserved children and their families.

For 20-plus years, Patterson has developed meaningful partnerships to increase awareness and revenue. Her strong background in public relations and marketing served as the catalyst to her career as a fundraiser, achieving successful outcomes for nonprofit organizations like Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As a result of her successful outcomes, the City of Detroit presented her with the Spirit of Detroit Award. Patterson went

on to receive the City of El Paso Hometown Hero award, presented by Allstate Insurance in partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso. Patterson attended Fisk University in Nashville, where she was greatly impressed and inspired by the internationally known Jubilee Singers, who in 1871 as students toured America and Europe performing to increase awareness and funding for Fisk University.

At Fisk, she was a student leader and community organizer. Patterson was featured on 20/20’s special series called, “20 Something,” which highlighted young adults across America who were making an impact and influencing their peers.

In addition, she created a homecoming parade for Fisk attended by 5,000 people. She returned to Detroit, where she graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies.

From a family of eight, Patterson watched and worked alongside her mother, father and grandparents, as they served their community, where they leveraged their church as a community center for the less fortunate.

Patterson is a transplant from El Paso, Texas, where she resided for eight years. Since October 2022 she has called Wellington home. She resides with her daughter, Marjoni, and two grandchildren, Caleb-Miguel (12) and Allorah (7).

Kassis Brothers Named Carson Scholars

Wellington brothers Graham and Carter Kassis have both been named Carson Scholars. The Carson Scholars program recognizes students for high academic achievement, humanitarian qualities and community service.

Graham Kassis, a seventh grader at Wellington Landings Middle School, was recently named a 2024 Carson Scholar. Out of thousands of students across the nation, Graham stands out as 1 of 570 recipients of this prestigious award. His older brother, Carter Kassis, a ninth grader at Wellington High School, was also recently named a 2024 Recognized Carson Scholar. As a past scholarship recipient, Carter is being recognized for his

continued academic achievements and community service. The boys’ commitment to excellence and making a positive impact in their community truly sets them apart. Graham will receive a $1,000 scholarship toward college. Both brothers will be recognized with a medal, a trophy and attend a banquet ceremony with guest speaker James Patterson in West Palm Beach in May.

The brothers are members of Boy Scout Troop 125, where they have learned the importance of community service. They would like to thank their past and current teachers at Wellington High School, Wellington Landings Middle School and Binks Forest Elementary School.

RPB Councilman Jeff Hmara Honored By FLC With Home Rule Hero Award

Garrett

The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) recently announced a generous contribution from HSS Trustee Marina Kellen French, and her daughter Annabelle Garrett of Wellington, to endow the trauma directorship at HSS Florida in West Palm Beach, as part of its growth plans.

The announcement of the donation was made last month during a cocktail reception hosted by Palm Beach residents Nick and Barrie Somers.

As a leader of excellence in orthopedics, HSS is dedicated to bringing world-class musculoskeletal care closer to home for Florida

Home rule is the ability for a municipality to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and non-elected, who consistently responded to the league’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.

“Local government has the best understanding of local challenges and opportunities because of their proximity to the issues,” Hmara said. “It’s our responsibility to educate policymakers about the ‘ground zero’ impacts of state level decisions. It’s up to us to influence

The Florida League of Cities (FLC), the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara with a 2024 Home Rule Hero Award for his hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2024 Legislative Session. Hmara worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the home rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the league’s legislative agenda. “The dedication and effort of these local officials who tirelessly advocated for local decision-making was a difference-maker this legislative session,” FLC Chief of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook said. “On behalf of the league and its legislative team, we’re proud to recognize each of them and thank them for their service.”

residents. Since the opening of HSS Florida four years ago, it has become a premier choice for care in sports medicine, joint replacement, hand and upper extremities, physiatry, radiology, trauma and rehabilitation. Most recently, spine surgeon Dr. Zachary J. Grabel and hand and upper extremity surgeon Dr. Matthew A. Butler were welcomed to the team. Continued collaboration among colleagues across the organization to pioneer cutting-edge treatments with the use of robotics, machine learning, regenerative medicine and wearable technology allows for continued optimization

their decisions to ensure the best outcomes for those we represent.”

Hmara served formerly as chair of the FLC Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Policy Committee and continues to be an active member of this important committee. He has been president of Palm Beach County League of Cities, chair of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and is an alternate member of the Palm Beach County Transportation Planning Agency.

He continues to serve as a proactive member of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, striving to educate village residents, listening to their ideas and concerns, while always encouraging their involvement.

of patient outcomes.

“Our growth strategy underscores our commitment to providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to Floridians in new ways and in new places,” said Tara McCoy, CEO of HSS Florida. “We will utilize our knowledge and expertise to establish clinical collaborations and partner with other organizations, like the new HSS partnership at Naples Community Hospital, to extend our reach and impact across the state and southern region.” For more information about HSS Florida, visit www.hss.edu/ florida.

Cheryl Patterson

Brothers Carter and Graham Kassis.

Post 390 members take part in the color guard.

American Legion National Commander

Daniel Seehafer (right) during his visit.

The Social Studies Academic Games team from Western Pines Middle School recently took second place in Palm Beach County for the first time in school history. The students studied for months for the competition and deserve congratulations for their hard work. Team members included Nethuki and Lithika Wijegunawardana, Brianna St. Fleur, Lucas and Anna Mierzwa, Edison Frey and Sarah Clarke. Lucas Mierzwa, along with Nethuki and Lithika Wijegunawardana, went on to represent the school at the state tournament, which took place on March 2.

WESTERN PINES STUDENTS SHINE AT ACADEMIC GAMES BRONCO DEBATE TEAM SUCCESS

At the recent district tournament, four Palm Beach Central High School debaters distinguished themselves and earned the right to represent Palm Beach Central at the NCFL Speech & Debate Grand National Tournament in Chicago this May. These hardworking students are (L-R) Nikhil Gudapati, second place, Oratorical Declamation; Collin Young, first place, Oratorical Declamation; Bianca Pierre, sixth place, Oral Interpretation of Literature; and Ashley Furtado, fifth place, Oral Interpretation of Literature.

Wellington El Nominates Teachers For Dwyer Award

The William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education is an annual program run by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, recognizing outstanding educators from public and private

schools in Palm Beach County.

Wellington Elementary School has nominated the following teachers based on their exemplary teaching and their high standards of excellence in education: Erica

Bordonaro in the Elementary Education category, Kate Lane in the Exceptional Student Education category, Dr. Sheresa Fairclough of the Student Support and Advancement category, and Cathy

Eckstein in the Grow Up Great: Early Education category. These talented nominees join a highly competitive field of candidates from across the county who have been nominated for the award.

AHS Honors Presidential Scholar Candidates

American Heritage Schools, the top-ranked Private K-12 School in Florida according to Niche, recently announced that 15 students from the Class of 2024 (eight from the Broward campus and seven from the Palm Beach campus) have been nominated for the Presidential Scholars award. The U.S. Presidential Scholars program is the nation’s most prestigious recognition for distinguished graduating high school seniors.

The two campuses of American Heritage Schools account for 12 percent of all Presidential Scholar candidates in Florida. The Broward campus is the No. 1 school in Florida with the highest number of Presidential Scholar candidates.

The Palm Beach Campus is the No. 2 school in Florida with the highest number of Presidential Scholar candidates.

“Being a presidential scholar is an extraordinary academic achievement, and we are immensely proud of our students who have earned this prestigious honor,” said Dr. Doug Laurie, president of American Heritage Schools. “It reflects their dedication, intellect and commitment to excellence, and serves as a testament to their hard work and determination.”

The United States Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964 to honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors.

In 1979, the program was extended to recognize students who

demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual, creative and performing arts. In 2015, the program was again extended to recognize students who demonstrate ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.

Approximately 500 students will be named semifinalists. In April, the Commission on Presidential Scholars will review the applications and select 161 outstanding students to receive the nation’s highest scholastic honor. Students are selected based on their academic success, artistic excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals.

The students from the American Heritage Palm Beach campus who have been named candidates include: Drake Austin of Boca Raton, Jesse Brodtman of Wellington, Daniel Crum of Boca Raton, Bradley Frishman

American Heritage Schools’ Presidential Scholars award nominees.

Elliott Wildman Wins Third At Shakespeare Contest

The annual Palm Beach District English Speaking Union Shakespeare Recitation contest was held recently in downtown West Palm Beach.

Coming in third place was Palm Beach Central High School student Elliott Wildman, who received a check for $300.

Cathy Eckstein

Dr. Sheresa Fairclough

Erica Bordonaro

Kate Lane

First TikTok Certification Class Launches At Khanna House Studios

Khanna House Studios, in partnership with certified TikTok Learning Partner agency we.live. LIVE, hosted the first class in a groundbreaking six-part TikTok Live Engagement Series. Held March 7, this inaugural session marked the beginning of a comprehensive program designed to educate social media enthusiasts, entrepreneurs and business owners with the skills to monetize and engage audiences on TikTok effectively.

With the rapid ascension of TikTok as a paramount platform for digital marketing, the series unlocks the path to success on the platform, emphasizing strategic engagement over accidental virality. The first class educated attendees on crucial platform policies,

Certified learning partner Allie Nazario teaches the TikTok class at Khanna House Studios.

terms and conditions, and innovative strategies for maximizing their presence on TikTok, which boasts more than 100 million users and stands at the forefront of global digital culture.

“TikTok has transformed the way brands connect with the next generation of consumers,” said Lillian Khanna, host and organizer at Khanna House Studios. “Our partnership with we.live.LIVE is dedicated to equipping creators with the know-how to leverage TikTok’s unique algorithm and virality potential, ensuring they can achieve measurable success in today’s competitive digital landscape.”

Led by experts from we.live.

LIVE, a certified TikTok learning partner based in Orlando, the series offers participants handson practice sessions and expert guidance on maximizing live

engagement on TikTok, irrespective of how many followers the user has. The series is poised to become an essential resource for those looking to harness the full potential of their TikTok accounts.

Upon completing five of the six classes, participants will receive a certification of completion from we.live.LIVE, with the option for instant onboarding into the agency at no additional cost.

The remaining sessions are scheduled for March 20, April 4, April 17, May 2 and May 9 at 7 p.m. Classes are open to the general public. Individual classes are $25 or $125 for the six-course series. Given the limited space and high demand, interested parties are encouraged to register early at www.welivelive.com/live-engagement-series or contact Lillian Khanna at lillian@khannahousestudios.com for more information.

Jodi LoDolce Named New Chief Nursing Officer At JFK Hospital

HCA Florida JFK Hospital, part of HCA Florida Healthcare, recently welcomed Jodi LoDolce as chief nursing officer. LoDolce comes to JFK Hospital from HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital, where she served as chief nursing officer for the past year and a half.

LoDolce began her healthcare career 34 years ago as a registered nurse and held several leadership roles before joining HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital as the director of emergency services, eventually becoming assistant chief nursing officer. From there, she joined HCA Florida Lake Nona Hospital, where she served as the chief nursing officer for nearly three years before joining the team at St. Lucie Hospital.

“Jodi brings a wealth of experience to the team. Her exceptional

skills, passion for patient care and proven leadership make her a valuable addition to our hospital family,” said Ken West, CEO at JFK Hospital. “Together, we look forward to advancing the standard of excellence in healthcare for the communities we serve.”

LoDolce holds a MBA in healthcare management from Western Governors University, a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Capella University and a bachelor’s degree in biology from Molloy College. Serving Palm Beach County for more than 50 years. HCA Florida JFK Hospital is a 516-bed acute care hospital, specializing in emergency services, heart and vascular surgery, neurosurgery, comprehensive cancer and breast institute services, comprehensive stroke services, orthopedic and spine surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, weight loss surgery, inpatient physical rehabilitation and women’s services.

Palms West Hospital Announces $80M New Patient Tower Project

HCA Florida Palms West Hospital has received funding approval from HCA Healthcare to build a new $80 million patient tower on its campus.

The new tower will be home to the Surgical Suites at Palms West Hospital. This 36-bed post-surgical unit will provide customized care for patients who undergo robotic surgery by expert surgeons as part of the hospital’s Robotic Surgery Center of Excellence.

In addition, the tower will offer a new grand entrance, new registration and admitting area, a gift shop, a coffee shop, community education space, classrooms, an expanded food services area and cafeteria, and an enhanced materials management area. The project will also allow for additional parking on the hospital’s grounds.

“We are committed to providing the highest level of quality care and comfort available in the industry today,” said Jason L. Kimbrell, chief executive officer of Palms West Hospital. “With state-of-theart facilities and cutting-edge technology, we will launch healthcare reimagined, where our teams will deliver care in a setting inspired by a five-star hotel and take healthcare to a new level.”

The tower project is the latest investment into Palms West Hospital by HCA Healthcare. The hospital has enjoyed consistent capital investments over the last several years, which is currently

A rendering of the planned patient tower at Palms West Hospital.

undergoing a $22 million operating room expansion. In the past year, the hospital has opened a new expanded pediatric emergency room, completed an adult emergency room renovation, opened an 18-bed Level-3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), added robotic-assisted bronchoscopy, and broadened the interventional radiology suite and the cardiac catheterization lab.

“The investments we have received are a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication since the hospital opened in 1985.

It is a recognition of the amazing work done daily to care for and improve human life,” Kimbrell said. “These investments will allow us to expand our services

further and continue to provide our patients the highest quality of care.”

The groundbreaking of the tower project is expected to take place in the fall of 2024, with the project’s completion expected in 2027.

Serving Palm Beach County for nearly 40 years, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is a 206-bed full-service acute care hospital accredited by the Joint Commission. Palms West Hospital is home to the only Women’s and Children’s Center in the western communities featuring a dedicated pediatric emergency department, pediatric services, pediatric intensive care, maternity, Level III neonatal services and a breast center.

Born Beautiful Hair Loss Foundation To Present Fashion Show At Dillard’s

In honor of the millions of adults and children affected by baldness, the Born Beautiful Hair Loss Foundation and Dillard’s at the Mall at Wellington Green will present a dinner and fashion show on Sunday, March 24 from 6 to 9 p.m.

WPTV news anchor Tania Rogers will emcee the annual fundraising celebration, which will feature live entertainment, dinner and cocktails, a silent auction, and a spectacular Dillard’s spring fashion show.

Evelyn Metellus, the founder of the Born Beautiful Foundation LLC and the Hair Doctor, has been customizing medical-grade wigs for patients suffering from hair loss for more than 20 years.

Metellus, who lost her hair in a house fire at the age of eight, now vows to help those suffering from hair loss to feel confident and beautiful.

“My passion is creating unique hairpieces for those who need them, especially patients with cancer and alopecia,” Metellus said. “I love to help bring back their self-confidence.”

Cindy Neville, store manager at Dillard’s in Wellington, added, “Dillard’s is tremendously honored to co-host the Born Beautiful fashion show with Evelyn Metellus, who is serving our community in such a meaningful way, for this very special evening of philanthropy, fashion and fun.” Tickets are $250 for VIP admis-

sion and $150 for general admission. For more info., visit www. bornbeautifulhairlossfoundation. com/webinar-registration. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The Mall at Wellington Green is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 227-6900 or visit www. shopwellingtongreen.com.

Metellus is the owner and lead stylist of the Hair Doctor. Combining experience, artistry and technique, she has cultivated an illustrious career. In the past two decades, she has gained the reputation of creating the best extensions in South Florida. For more info., call (561) 434-3141 or visit www. bornbeautifulhairlossfoundation. com.

Jodi LoDolce

The

Cleaning Out The Hall Closet Forces Me To Confront The Past

It’s spring cleaning time. Need I say more?

Well, yes, I do. I need to say that I thought that the massive amount of cleaning I did during the pandemic would last a lifetime. It didn’t. Evidently, there were nooks and crannies that even prolonged boredom could not force me to enter — the hall closet, for example.

The hall closet is not a real closet. It’s small and dark and more or less ignored. When opened, its door blocks entry to one of the bedrooms, so I have eagerly dubbed it “problematic,” whether anyone intends to go into the that room or not. But recently, said door refused to close all the way, so it was time to take a look.

I thought I knew what I would find — a few jackets, a couple pairs of shoes and anything my husband Mark thinks he will wear again, and I know he won’t. Boy, was I wrong. In the first place, there were tons of jackets, as well as other “Wisconsin wear” for when I go

back home — coats, vests, hats, gloves, mufflers, even shoes with spikes on them (not the Florida kind for walking on the golf course, the Wisconsin kind for walking on ice).

And there weren’t “a couple pairs of shoes,” there was a big box of shoes. Admittedly, most of the shoes didn’t fit or were so ugly I couldn’t believe I’d ever bought them, but I know what I was thinking — “I’ll wear these when I paint the house.” Well, the house was painted three years ago, and the shoes are still here. In fact, I have enough shoes to paint every house on the block.

I can’t throw out Mark’s stuff, since he still thinks he’s going to wear it. But I

can go through the shelf where I put the grandkids’ stuff. This “stuff” is comprised of clothes that were still in the laundry when they left, a couple of spare toothbrushes, and a present or six that I bought them for no reason. (I’m the grandma! If I want to spend my Social Security money on toys, I will!) Jammed into the back corner of that shelf are two diapers and a pacifier. I fish them out, but it breaks my heart to throw those things away, even though the kids are 9 and 11 now. Tossing out a binkie was a completely unforgivable sin just a few years ago, it seems. In fact, I remember purchasing binkies from drug stores, supermarkets

and gas stations at any price if it was an emergency situation. Once, on an airplane, Mark had to hold me back from giving a woman $100 for a sucked-on binkie that had fallen to the floor once her child was asleep. There are also two little sleeping bags — once adored, now hated — because they are separately emblazoned with Spider-Man (“I have an official scout sleeping bag now, Grandma. Anyway, that one’s too short!”) and a Disney princess (“Princesses are for babies!”). So, I throw out the sleeping bags, the shoes, half the outerwear and the diapers. But not the binkie. I just can’t do it.

‘Arthur The King’ Is Not Great, But It Tugs On The Heartstrings

The new film by Simon Cellan Jones, Arthur the King, does not plow any new ground. You can figure out the plot from the trailer… maybe even from the film’s poster. But it is sweet and fun. Based on the nonfiction book by Mikael Lindnord, this plays out like a hundred earlier sports dramas. The little guy underdogs show everyone what they “really got.” Except in this case, the underdog is an actual dog. Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) is a more or less washed-up extreme athlete (these are the nuts who do absolutely crazy things for some odd reason which I, as a more or less couch potato, do not understand) who wants to build a team to take on an extreme Iron Man race through 435 miles of Dominican jungle. Yes, it’s more than a bit nuts, not to mention dangerous, but his loving wife Helena (Juliet Rylance) agrees that he can have one last chance to risk death and wreck everything.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

He puts together the usual collection of slightly offbeat characters needed to make the film interesting as team members. They include Leo (Simu Liu), Olivia (Nathalie Emmanuel) and Chik (Ali Suliman). They, of course, bicker charmingly. Well, not really. Michael screwed up an earlier competition, which infuriated Leo, who is now a social media star. The only way Michael can get funding is by convincing Leo to join his team. After admitting his earlier mess, he gets Leo to join. Olivia is the daughter of

a former racer, and Chik, a champion with a damaged knee. Adventure racing forces teams to travel by hiking, climbing, biking, rowing and any other means to cross natural terrain, and that leads to some spectacular action scenes. The best is a broken zip line scene that had me on the edge of my seat. I actually had the feeling I was there and in the middle of the disaster! Things were moving with action about as fast as anything I have ever seen, particularly thanks to great editing. It is a form of sensory overload. And then, partway through the event, a straggly, clearly abused dog jumps out of the jungle and enchants the team members with his antics. He is dubbed Arthur, because they feel he handles himself like a king, and they feed him meatballs in a very cute scene. But then they head out the next day and leave him behind. But somehow he follows and

joins them for dinner. And he follows them through thick and thin as they run, jump, swim, boat, etc. He becomes more than a mascot; he becomes in many ways the center of the team. He shouldn’t be there, and although generally very helpful, also presents problems. The jungle is a dangerous place, particularly when you are both small and not created to be a jungle critter. It should be so easy to leave him behind, but at first they can’t and later they just won’t.

Clearly, Arthur is a handicap, but the team won’t leave him. Time after time they have to fight to save his life, and that slows them down. But the film makes clear they are doing the right thing, not necessarily the thing that makes them win the competition. This shamelessly plays on our emotions. As a dog lover, I felt more horror pangs for the poor dog than for most humans in some of our horror movies.

When Arthur finally does break down and Michael rushes him for medical care, I could hear the audience gasp. In other words, it plays on our emotions the way movies should.

The cast is good. In most cases in this type of film, we only have stereotypes. Here the performers worked hard to be real characters. And that helped the real star of the movie, the dog. Once the movie slows to allow for the pup, we can see the real characters of the players come out.

Yes, it is contrived, even though somewhat based on a real story. In the book, the team was Swedish, and the race was not in the Dominican Republic, but that has little to do with the kind of feelings brought out.

Again, not a great film and very predictable. But then again, sometimes it’s fun to sniff the flowers along the way. For dog lovers, this is wonderful. And if not, it’s still a really nice ride.