Town-Crier Newspaper October 6, 2023

BINKS PTA PARTY WITH A PURPOSE

Wellington To Crack Down On Troubled Vacation Rentals

A Wellington board wants to beef up enforcement against disturbances at short-term vacation rentals, following complaints about parking, noise, and even cases involving a shooting and renters knocking on doors at night to ask if they can park in a neighbor’s driveway. Page 3

Wellington Rotary Club

Hosts Annual World Peace Day Ceremony

The Wellington Rotary Club held its 17th annual World Peace Day Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Wellington Rotary Peace Park. At the ceremony, student awards were presented to the winners of the elementary school art contest, the middle school poetry contest and the high school essay contest. A number of special awards were also presented before doves were released. Page 5

Luau Luncheon

At The Wellington Community Center

Wellington seniors enjoyed a Hawaiian-themed luau luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Wellington Community Center. The event featured Hawaiian entertainment by the Aloha Islanders and a boxed lunch from Publix. Page 8

Palm Beach Capos:

Palm

Beach County’s

Adult Football Team

If you have played your last down of high school football and you still have unfulfilled gridiron dreams, there’s an opportunity for you to get back on the field.

The steppingstone to continuing your football career is the Palm Beach Capos, which is part of the Elite American Football League (EAFL). The owner and head coach of the Capos is Royal Palm Beach resident and professional bodyguard Brent Bargerstock. Page 21

Potential Wellington Annexation Raises Some Red Flags In

Loxahatchee Groves

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

As the Village of Wellington pursues what could be its first annexation on the north side of Southern Blvd., Town of Loxahatchee Groves officials are concerned about how it could harm the rural lifestyle of residents who live on the western edge of their rural community.

At issue is approximately 250 acres of land at the northeast and northwest corners of Southern Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road known as the Sluggett property and Entrada Acres.

sion needs to vote to approve the annexation,” he said.

The Binks Forest Elementary Schol PTA held its annual Party with a Purpose on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Wellington National Golf Club with a “Denim and Diamonds” theme. The evening included a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and a ticket raffle. There were fun table games provided by Casino Party Nights Florida. Shown above are Andrew Weitzman, Julie Sikorsky, Michele Sarafian and Marcella Montesinos at the roulette table. MORE

New Childcare Center, Brewery Expansion Get RPB Approval

By Callie Sharkey Town-Crier Staff Report

At a meeting Thursday, Sept. 21, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved plans for a new daycare center in the community and gave final approval to Royal Palm Brewing Company’s expansion plans after more than a year of discussion.

Kingswood Academy is looking to open its fourth location in Palm Beach County, and its first in Royal Palm Beach. The daycare operator recently purchased the vacant former CVS Pharmacy building at 10245 Okeechobee Blvd. in the Cobblestone Village shopping plaza and was seeking the necessary architectural approvals and site plan modifications to retrofit the one-acre site with an 11,200-square-foot existing building for use as a daycare facility.

Kingswood was represented at the meeting by Jon Schmidt of the land planning firm Schmidt Nichols.

Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien explained that not all criteria at the property were up to the village code. Staff rec-

ommended adding a condition of approval that included all signage meet dimensional and setback requirements. The applicant agreed to those conditions without issue.

The child daycare center will serve up to 240 children, and a waiting list for enrollment has already begun. One highlight in the reconfiguration is the creation of a 16,000-square-foot outdoor play area.

Councilwoman Selena Samios, however, was unsure about the proximity of the play area to Okeechobee Blvd.

“My concern is what is south of the building, because then that is parallel from Okeechobee,” she said. “From a parental standpoint, I know it’s fenced in and everything, but with the amount of traffic that goes through there, I’ve seen car accidents on that corner.”

Schmidt responded that in addition to the fencing, an additional 50 to 60 feet separates the space from the road. Samios also expressed worries about the exhaust and air quality from the busy roadway.

“Actually, that was a staff concern, so we went into pretty inten-

sive air quality reviews,” Schmidt said. “There’s an air quality review station here in Royal Palm Beach on Lamstein Lane. We’re about 1.8 miles from that location, but staff was still concerned with it, so I went and bought an air quality monitor, and we’ve been monitoring those ever since.”

The data collected was included in the submission to village staff, and readings were all fairly low and show very good air quality standards, Schmidt said.

“The kids only spend an hour at a time outside, and we are committed to that and happy to add it as a condition of approval that they will continue to monitor it,” he said.

The site plan modifications to the location, along with building paint color, landscape additions and signage were approved 5-0.

Also at the meeting, Royal Palm Brewing Company breathed a sigh of relief after 546 days of working to get final approval for the company’s request for the opportunity to expand its square footage, including the permanent addition of outdoor seating, which

See RPB COUNCIL, page 4

Wellington Board OKs Designs For Bostic’s Sports Academy

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

A public-private sports academy venture backed by NFL linebacker

Jon Bostic in his native Wellington is lining up architectural approvals despite a few jocular reservations about heavy use of the colors of his college alma mater, the University of Florida.

Meeting Wednesday, Sept. 27, Wellington’s Architectural Review Board approved citrus orange and evening blue in wall and monument signs for the Wellington Sports Academy, though that required a departure from the village’s pre-sanctioned palette of colors.

The board was not willing to

throw a penalty flag amid high hopes in the village that it will turn out to be an innovative project and a hit with young athletes. It sits on 17.2 acres of Wellington Community Park land that formerly housed the Boys & Girls Club. The property has been underutilized since the Boys & Girls Club moved to a new site more than a decade ago. Signs on the building and by the road will be permitted to exceed standard dimensions by height and square footage. In another variance, the board also permitted a second monument sign at another of two entrances to the facility at 3401 South Shore Blvd.

The board approved the items

6-0, with Board Member Jeff Browning recusing himself because he said he has known one of the principals for many years.

Orange and blue will be familiar to fans of the University of Florida, where Bostic, now 32, played college ball after drawing attention at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington. He went on to a 10-year NFL career, most recently with the Washington Commanders last season.

The orange and blue colors extend to other features throughout the facility, though less so than once planned, a representative for the project said.

“I just want to make a note that

See BOSTIC, page 7

The Sluggett land, on the northwest corner, is the largest single parcel at 65 acres. Entrada Acres is a collection of 37 parcels in a grid pattern at the northeast corner.

While Wellington has discussed the annexation with many of the property owners involved, the annexation application will be village initiated, according to Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings.

“It is not something the property owners are submitting,” Stillings said. “We do have several letters of consent from a few of the property owners.”

While Wellington will need to work with Palm Beach County on issues surrounding the annexation, it does not need to specifically get approval from the Palm Beach County Commission to move forward since it will be an involuntary annexation, Stillings said.

“Our understanding is that the county charter refers to voluntary annexations only, so we do not believe that the county commis-

If all goes according to plan, the Wellington Village Council will approve the annexation in December, which will set up an annexation referendum of electors in the area to be annexed, which the village hopes to accomplish concurrent with the March municipal election. Given the small number of electors, coupled with the number of parcels that are not in residential use, Stillings said that the village will also need to show annexation consent from at least 50 percent of the area’s acreage. However, according to maps supplied by Stillings, that part of the process is already well underway.

Wellington has already garnered support from 20 of the 38 parcels (53 percent), representing 149.6 acres (64 percent) and support from 16 out of 32 total property owners (50 percent), according to the maps.

While the Sluggett property has long been considered likely for future commercial use, the village also intends to propose a future land use map designation of commercial on 12 other parcels that front on either Southern or Seminole Pratt. The interior parcels will remain residential.

“We’re in the process of drafting the feasibility study for the annexation, as required by statute,” Stillings said.

Not surprisingly, the possible annexation has raised concerns in Loxahatchee Groves, which lies immediately east of Entrada Acres.

At the Tuesday, Oct. 3 meeting

See ANNEXATION, page 7

JULIE B. FOUNDATION HOSTS ANNUAL GALA

The Julie B. Foundation hosted its 2023 gala Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. The foundation was created by Jaelyn Brown in honor of her mother, Juliet Brown, who passed away in April 2020

ITID Plans Special Meeting About GL Homes Swap

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting Tuesday, Oct. 10 to decide whether they will continue to support a GL Homes land rights swap that is scheduled to go before the Palm Beach County Commission for a final vote later this month.

The supervisors set the session after hearing plans for a controversial 200-acre ATV park at the Wednesday, Sept. 20 regular meeting. Supervisors have previously expressed concerns that the park — a last-minute addition to the plan pushed by County Commissioner Sara Baxter — would create noise issues for residents of nearby Santa Rosa Groves and

add traffic to already over-stressed ITID roads and busy Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

“We never in a million years thought we’d have to deal with an ATV park in our community,” ITID Vice President Betty Argue said prior to a presentation by GL Homes Vice President Larry Portnoy. “I fully object to it being built.”

Portnoy said that GL is doing everything possible to mitigate concerns about noise and traffic as it goes through the design process for the sake of existing residents and GL’s bottom line — noting that his company plans to build 900 homes on the Cowan property just south of the proposed ATV park.

“That property will be directly impacted by everyone who comes

to this park,” he said. “So, we share the same concerns on minimizing the impact.”

“It may not be the most appropriate place [for an ATV park]. At least our concerns are being addressed,” said Supervisor Elizabeth Accomando, who lives in nearby Santa Rosa Groves.

“I think we’re going to have something that is actually going to be an amenity, when we go to sell homes out here,” Portnoy said.

“We’re finding a lot of positives in this situation as time goes on.”

A key Palm Beach County Planning & Zoning Commission hearing was set for Thursday, Oct. 5 with the final Palm Beach County Commission vote scheduled for Oct. 24. On Monday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m., Baxter will host a town

hall at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center to discuss plans for the park and for a possible racetrack at 20-Mile Bend off State Road 80.

Meanwhile, Santa Rosa Groves (SRG) resident William Derks, who is part of the effort to stop the ATV park on the GL Homes parcel, called the entire issue a “real debacle.”

Derks, and his wife Young, gathered 17 letters opposing the park from the owners of the 99 lots in SRG. They sent them to the supervisors and the county commissioners, citing concerns over noise and destruction of wildlife habitat, possible reduced property values and the increased likelihood of rogue ATV riders using the area’s dirt roads rather than paying to ride in the park.

“My neighbors and I have endured flooding and bad roads here in exchange for peace and quiet,” Derks wrote in an opinion piece sent to local media outlets. “That is why we moved here. This park will cause continuous noise and attract more riders to SRG, which is already a big problem [with illegal riders].”

Also of major concern to supervisors is the 640 acres that GL has promised ITID for water storage but is holding in escrow until the district comes up with the $20 to $24 million it will take to build out the basics of the project, ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said.

“Drainage is our priority, our biggest need and the most expen-

from metastasized sarcoma cancer. The foundation’s mission is to bring awareness to sarcoma cancers via community education and engagement. Shown above is Jaelyn Brown with her father, Dwayne Brown. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 13

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS, PAGE 18

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

ITID Extends AAL Agreement For Six Months, Plans Workshops

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

The Acreage Athletic League is still alive and kicking footballs, soccer balls and booting the occasional grounder after a Wednesday, Sept. 20 Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors meeting to decide its fate. In question was whether the board would renew the AAL’s service provider agreement (SPA) after the organization came under scrutiny over the last year for what some have called unfair management practices. The accusations

came in the wake of a split over girls flag football that saw the creation of the Breakthru Athletic League.

ITID Vice President Betty Argue, a longtime supporter of the AAL, made a motion to extend the organization’s SPA for two years but there was no second for the motion.

ITID Parks & Recreation Director Kenny Lawrence recommended that the board “consider extending the current SPA for six months, so that the district can have several workshops and

properly look at this… I don’t want to see the community getting hurt in the middle of all this,” he said.

ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said that the wording of the SPA itself needed to be reworked to clarify language that likely led to some of the recent friction between the AAL and Supervisor Patricia Farrell, who took office last December.

“There are certain things in these SPAs that don’t make sense to require the [AAL] to do,” Hanson said. “There are some things where there could be some tighten-

Wellington Seeks To Crack Down On Troubled Vacation Rentals

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

A Wellington board wants to beef up enforcement against disturbances at short-term vacation rentals, following complaints about parking, noise, and even cases involving a shooting and renters knocking on doors at night to ask if they can park in a neighbor’s driveway.

“Unfortunately, it has been a handful of properties that spoil the barrel for the rest,” Planning, Zoning & Building Director Tim Stillings told Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board on Thursday, Sept. 28.

By a 5-1 vote, the board voted to pass on to the Wellington Village Council recommendations to revamp village regulations and give local officials greater power to act.

“I would want to make sure we were enforcing it in areas that needed enforcement,” and not against minor or incidental lapses, Committee Vice Chair John Bowers said.

Under state law, local governments cannot prohibit vacation rentals, or regulate their frequency and duration. Given those limitations, the village is renewing its exploration of ways it can strengthen enforcement against problem rentals using local rules.

A village staff report found about 250 short-term vacation rentals in Wellington, typically meaning properties that are leased for 30 days or fewer at a time. That figure does not include, for example, months-long rentals for people associated with the equestrian industry, officials said.

A small number of repeat offenders have generated the most concern. These locations number perhaps fewer than five, staff members said, though they did not offer detailed data about complaints, cases and enforcement actions.

The intent is not to be “draconian” against the occasional violation, but to be able to move against rentals causing recurring problems, Stillings explained.

Sometimes these involve weekend parties, visitors that exceed occupancy limits, or wee-hour frolics in a yard or pool that concern neighbors, he said.

The latest proposed changes would emphasize, for example, prohibitions against parking automobiles on a swale, lawn, landscape area, sidewalk or public right-of-way.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office would be a primary enforcer in those instances, though code enforcement officers could write citations as well. The property owner would be required to post a notice provided by the village to alert renters or visitors to the regulations.

The new proposals would set up a special use permit with a $600 one-time fee that the village would issue for affected rentals, and set out ways that can generate fines, suspensions or revocation. These can include a daily $125 fine or revocation for cases involving repeated violations, injuries, or drug or prostitution charges.

Existing regulations have sometimes made it difficult to issue citations promptly, leading to

warnings or lag time before property owners face consequences, officials said.

Board Member Maureen Martinez questioned if rules were too strict limiting room occupancy to two people, excluding children under three years old, in cases where rooms might have bunk beds for older children, for instance. That and other issues, such as the time period in which repeat violations trigger the possibility of more stringent enforcement action, could be subject to further discussion and tweaking as the proposals proceed to their next government stop.

In other action, the board reaffirmed its recommendations to the council to deny or delay approval of Wellington Lifestyle Partners’ Wellington North proposal to build hundreds of homes and amenities, in part on land in the Equestrian Preserve Area.

The board reopened a public hearing to hear from 49 neighbors who were not previously given proper notice about the opportunity to be heard, but no one appeared to speak at the Sept. 28 meeting.

The Wellington Village Council is scheduled to take up the Wellington North and Wellington South projects starting on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Time is also reserved on Wednesday, Oct. 11 and Thursday, Oct. 12 if additional time is needed.

The agenda will consist of the first reading of the comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning applications only. The master plan amendment applications will not be heard at that time.

ing up… on what’s expected from both sides.”

AAL President Wendy Tirado said mistakes may have been made, but “that does not render us unreliable or dishonest.” She added that AAL’s volunteers “embody selflessness and community support.”

Tirado, who joined the AAL’s executive board in 2016 and became president of the all-volunteer organization last November when Carlos Castillo resigned, said that the AAL is “committed to transparency” and has no reservations about responding to records requests from supervisors.

“I take great pride in assuring that our organization consistently strives to provide a positive, enriching and fun environment,” she said. “Retaining our service provider agreement is not merely about maintaining the status quo but about continuing to provide an opportunity for our youth to excel.”

Farrell said she would like to see changes but also does not want to see AAL participants suffer.

“I don’t want to be hindering you guys. I want to it to be where we’re all working together… to make sure the programming in

our community is really stellar programming,” Farrell said. “The way it is right now and with this SPA, I’m just not seeing it.”

In the end, Farrell voted with the rest of the board for a six-month extension, during which time one or more workshops could be held to gauge AAL needs, community sentiment and rework the SPA agreement with the AAL and perhaps more broadly.

“This is not a vote against [the AAL],” Supervisor Keith Jordano said. “This is a vote to make it better.”

The AAL has been the district’s youth athletics program provider since 1995. Today, it offers girls and co-ed 7-on-7 flag football, tackle football, soccer, baseball, basketball and softball. Approximately 600 young athletes participate in AAL programs overall, Tirado said during an interview earlier this year.

In other business:

• The supervisors voted 5-0 to approve a three-year contract valued at $2.7 million with Juniper Landscaping of Florida LLC, piggybacking on a similar contract with the City of Weston.

In supporting the request, Lawrence wrote: “Over the years, the

district has experienced tremendous population growth and thus increased usage of all 12 parks, which include modern athletic fields for programs such as football, baseball and multipurpose usage… The current staffing level and expense to create an appropriate level of in-house maintenance standards is not feasible or realistic to meet the level of service expected.”

This is especially true at Acreage Community Park’s north and south campuses, he noted.

Hanson said he is “very pleased” with the board’s decision.

“It’s long overdue,” he said. “I’m very excited. It frees staff to take on other projects.”

Hanson cited the resurfacing of some basketball and tennis courts and repairs to the dock at Coconut Park as targets.

Juniper will handle all maintenance, upkeep and preparation of fields at Acreage Community Park and have staff on site during park hours seven days a week. The firm will also continue to do the basic grass cutting and trimming at ITID’s other parks.

• The supervisors voted 5-0 to contract with Hartley Construction See ITID PARKS, page 7

On Wednesday, Sept. 20, the Wellington Village Council presented a proclamation congratulating the Wellington Wizards Rugby Club U12 team for an undefeated season that culminated in winning the state championship.

Wellington Council Presents Spinelli Grants To Local Schools

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

There was a celebratory feel to the Wellington Village Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 20, as the council presented its annual Keely Spinelli grants to local public schools. A representative from each Wellington school was in attendance to receive their grant checks, as part

of a program named after former Binks Forest Elementary School Principal Keely Spinelli, who died in 2008. Each of 11 village public schools received grant checks for $37,000. That is a total of $407,000. Wellington is unique in Palm Beach County in contributing money to directly support local schools. The program is designed to provide ex-

tra resources to support struggling students.

“I am here tonight to share my gratitude for the Village of Wellington’s longstanding commitment to our 11 schools here in Wellington,” Palm Beach County School Superintendent Michael Burke said. “Your support on all levels is greatly appreciated and is having a big impact in our schools.” School Board Member Marcia Andrews was also in attendance to thank the village for its ongoing support.

“You are a forerunner in making it happen for all children in this village. These grants help to improve academic achievement,” Andrews said. “When I think about Keely, who I knew personally, we are all blessed to know that she loved every child in the Village of Wellington.”

She thanked Wellington’s school principals for continuing to represent Spinelli’s spirit across all of the village’s schools today.

Central Region Superintendent

Valerie Zuloaga-Haines noted that the grant money makes a huge difference in local schools. “Every one of our schools has students who need supplemental support, which is provided by this grant,” she said.

Mayor Anne Gerwig thanked the schools for partnering with the community.

“Our reputation is better because of you, and our community is better because of you,” she said.

Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone said that the village is happy to partner with its local schools, both through these grants and in other ways.

“We know that this is an investment in our future,” he said, adding that strong schools also help with the village’s property values. “We are not just throwing money at a problem. You guys have taken the time to implement a plan that will raise up those who need help.”

Councilwoman Tanya Siskind thanked the principals for all their hard work.

“Tonight, it is the principals who

are the superstars in the room. We are so grateful for everything that you do,” she said. “This money ripples throughout the entire community. Without really good schools, the community suffers.”

Councilman John McGovern said that Wellington views the grant program as part of a much larger partnership.

“This night means the world to us, but also this partnership, and the work that we do, is what really matters. It’s the kids who matter,” he said.

Gerwig said that she would like to see a similar program spread throughout Palm Beach County.

“Then every kid at every school in Palm Beach County would have that extra boost they need to make the entire county perform at that level,” she said.

Also at the meeting, the council held its second public hearing and final passage of the budget and tax rate for the new fiscal year that began Oct. 1.

Deputy Village Manager Tanya Quickel presented the budget

overview, which she said reflects a commitment to “stable budgeting for sustainability.”

The new budget totals $137.7 million, which is $9 million more than the previous year’s budget. The increases are primarily due to various inflationary pressures.

The tax rate remains unchanged at 2.47 mills, but there is a $25 per unit increase in the Acme Improvement District assessment. There is also a 10 percent increase in water and wastewater rates, as well as an increase in solid waste collection rates.

Quickel explained that municipal taxes account for only 18 percent of a Wellington resident’s entire tax bill, and for the average property owner, Wellington taxes total approximately $85 per month.

The council thanked Quickel and her financial team for all the hard work that went into the budget process. The tax rate and the overall budget were both approved 4-0 with Councilman Michael Drahos absent.

Westlake Council Moves Meetings To Adventure Park Lodge

By Louis Hillary Park

Town-Crier

Staff Report

The Westlake City Council gathered for the first time Tuesday, Oct. 3 in their new meeting space at the Westlake Adventure Park Lodge. “Welcome to the council’s new home,” Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said during the 25-minute session. “This certainly is an upgrade.”

“We still need to do some tweaking, but I think it went very well for the first time,” City Manager Ken Cassel said Wednesday.

The council has been meeting for years in a small building off

Seminole Pratt Whitney Road on land provided by Minto Communities USA, the area’s largest landowner and developer. Why the move? Simple, Cassel said. Minto wants to sell that valuable piece of commercial property next to the city’s main thoroughfare. The Lodge — located at 16610 Town Center Parkway North — is controlled by the area’s master homeowners’ association. The city is renting the meeting space for $500 to $1,000 a session, depending on how much of the expandable room is used.

“It’s nice because it’s located

more in the center of the community,” Cassel said. “It can hold 150 to 200 people… [and] it has an integrated sound and large-screen projection system that can be used to show graphics and slides.”

Cassel said he hopes the council will someday be meeting in their own space at a multi-purpose building in the new regional park that is under construction on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road south of Seminole Ridge High School. However, that’s five to 10 years away, “unless some miracle happens,” he said.

In other business:

• The council unanimously

OPINION

approved the second reading of an ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana treatment or distribution centers. “The council could come back some day and amend the law, but for now, such businesses are outright prohibited,” Cassel said. “This protects the city from any such facility just popping up.” Cassel said that the feeling was that there were facilities close enough that allowing them in Westlake was not necessary. There are medical marijuana centers located in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Greenacres, among numerous other locations in Palm Beach County.

Neighbors Strongly Oppose Plan For ATV Park

The ATV park proposal added by Commissioner Sara Baxter as part of the GL Homes land swap deal will have a very negative impact on residents in Santa Rosa Groves and adjoining communities. We urge Commissioner Baxter to consider a course correction. Seventeen letters from residents were sent to all county commissioners pleading to place this park away from our neighborhood. All other ATV parks across the nation are miles away. My neighbors and I have endured flooding and bad roads here in exchange for peace and quiet. That is why we moved here. This park will cause continuous noise and attract more riders to Santa Rosa Groves, which is already a big problem. The park plan will exclude motorcycles, but those riders will return to SRG neighborhoods on future dates

now that they have found us on the map. SRG has 100 lots, typically five to 12 acres and is attractive to horse owners and farmers, but this park will make it less attractive.

Secondly, the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) rider community wants this park returned to 20Mile Bend because the new plan does not permit motorcycles and certain other OHVs. The 20-Mile Bend OHV park plan was years in the making and feasibility studies were complete, but the operator has tragically passed away. Any new operator could utilize existing work done. The 20-Mile Bend location can promote a motocross league where participants would tour and compete, making this a very attractive site.

Insurance costs for privately owned ATV parks are very high. The racetrack at 20-Mile Bend will

cost millions more than expected due to muck that needs removal to ensure a flat raceway. But an OHV park would not require as many costs. In addition, GL Homes has no experience designing and building a safe ATV park.

Building an ATV park is not like building a library. Such a project should be supported by the whole community. But this proposal was not made known to residents until after Commissioner Baxter told the OHV community in a public meeting that it was already under construction. We strongly urge Commissioner Baxter to include and listen to the concerns of SRG residents, ITID leaders and the 20-Mile Bend OHV riders’ group, as they are the most affected stakeholders.

We kindly request that all commissioners consider adjusting

their plans by changing the ATV park location within the GL land swap deal. The county possesses alternate locations that are better suited for the intended purposes. We urge Commissioner Baxter to understand that adjusting course will be viewed by her constituents as a quality of good reasoning. The raceway is not a sure thing, but the OHV park at 20-Mile Bend has all the studies. The Palm Beach International Raceway was not profitable even though it was a much nicer raceway than can be built at 20-Mile Bend. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Raceway advocates will be disappointed, but there will be future opportunities. The OHV advocates will be delighted, and the residents of SRG will be grateful.

William Derks Loxahatchee

Not Capitulating To Developers Is In The Best Interest Of The Village Of Wellington

There is a thought process that if the Bellissimo development project (The Wellington North & South) is not approved, it will hurt the equestrian community. However, that is the exact opposite of the reality. The concern appears to be, “what if” Bellissimo evicts equestrians from the Global Dressage venue on the corner of South Shore and Pierson or lets the land go fallow if he does not receive desired high-density zoning changes. Making drastic, irreversible decisions based on fear mongering generated by developers is not in the best interest of Wellington. This application must be denied. Better options can only come forth if true equestrians are at the helm with an authentic desire to be the appropriate stewards for the equestrian community going forward.

The threat by the applicant to not allow venue enhancement/ expansion is not a justifiable reason to remove land from the

Equestrian Preserve Area because one specific person is demanding rights far outside the realm of what is allowable according to village ordinances, regulations and zoning. These requests are extremely incompatible changes in trade for the community to hand over an enormously valuable asset, which is EPA land. This landowner is inflexible and holding out for nothing more than personal gain, not community benevolence. A quid pro quo, where the applicant is requesting hundreds of millions of dollars of land use concessions in exchange for only a vague promise of new equestrian showgrounds, should never be considered when the applicant has a long history of failed promises and has failed to provide basic information regarding ownership or the proposed site plan or how it will be financed or operated.

Not knowing what a landowner will do next does not warrant re-

moving land from the EPA. Even if the current owner chooses to do nothing and does not allow dressage to compete at that location, it will be OK; dressage can relocate locally. Acting out of fear of the unknown does not support an irrational approach forcing the idea that the only solution for residents, staff or the council to solving this fabricated problem is to approve an application that simply is not the right plan for this village or the equestrian industry. Currently, show jumping is healthy, polo is healthy, and dressage could be healthier had it been allowed to flourish over the past 11 years if it weren’t restricted due to this landowner’s failure to perform required road work.

The ploy of future showgrounds expansion is still in the “hopes and dreams” category. Due diligence will reveal a very fragile situation in regard to the current potential party for the purchase of

or buildout of the showgrounds on the parcel in the Wellington South section. Please do not be distracted by the carrot on the stick.

Upholding our essence as a village should be the primary mission. Many pages of the Wellington web site refer to the village as an equestrian community. In fact, it is described as “distinctive and in many ways the heart of Wellington.” A high majority of the non-equestrian community embraces the equestrian community’s significance to Wellington and does not want to see it disappear. This application was already voted down by Equestrian Preserve Committee (7-0) and the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board (5-2). The expectation is for the Wellington Village Council to represent the village at large (defined in the charter) over the interest of self-serving developers.

Maureen Brennan Wellington

TOWN-CRIER OPINION PIECE SUBMISSION POLICY

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• The council agreed 5-0 to a request from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office to change the city’s election deadlines and dates to bring them in line with the county’s schedule.

The new dates for qualifying for Westlake’s 2024 municipal election are Nov. 7, 2023, at noon, through Nov. 14, 2023, at noon.

The new date for the municipal election is Tuesday, March 19, 2024, to coincide with Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary.

Two seats on the Westlake council will be up for election: Seat 1, currently held by Councilwoman Pilar Valle Ron, and Seat 3, cur-

RPB Council Brewery Expansion

continued from page 1 had previously been allowed during the pandemic.

“We are at almost $9,000 in what it has cost us to get to this point and, quite honestly, we are just ready for a resolution,” owner George Shetka said. “We are a nano brewery, which means we make less than 2,000 barrels of beer annually. We have a restaurant license. Microbrews make 2,000 barrels or more. We are not a microbrew.”

Royal Palm Brewing Company is located at 543 N. State Road 7, Suite 103, in the Commons at Royal Palm shopping plaza. Its proximity to a residential neighborhood is one of the items that has held up the outdoor seating approval.

Shetka presented a letter from the neighboring Bella Terra community in support of the request to keep the outdoor seating, along with details on how the business operates and earns revenue.

“Everybody will tell you that you can’t survive on distribution alone. Again, the reason we distribute is we want to keep the beer fresh. People want variety. You can only sell so much out of the tap room,” Shetka said.

When Samios inquired why more square footage wasn’t requested, he responded, “We were told ask for what you need, not what you want. It’s a smart thing to do because I could go out of control. I’m not opposed to being held in check.”

When it was time for a final decision, the requests for permanent outdoor seating and an increase in square footage passed 4-1 with Samios dissenting. A companion request to specially allow the 189 feet of outdoor seating passed unanimously.

In other business:

• The council heard a set of requests from Centerpoint Integrated Solutions LLC, regarding the expansion of the existing CarMax dealership located at 10501 Southern Blvd.

The first request for a landscape waiver was not supported by the Planning & Zoning Commission or village staff at a meeting in August, and the applicants received little support from the council either.

“Staff is not in support because staff believes that there are mul-

rently held by Councilwoman Charlotte Leonard.

• The council voted 5-0 to amend its golf cart ordinance to bring it in line with new state statutes that went into place this month.

• Councilwoman Charlotte Leonard reported that members of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County will be in Westlake on Wednesday, Oct. 11 as part of a “listening tour,” seeking like-minded professionals interested in growing their business. The session will be at the old council chambers at 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road from 6 to 8 p.m.

tiple other car dealerships with similar circumstances that have provided these landscape terminal islands, and that they argued many of the same contentions as CarMax, but ultimately decided to provide the striping and terminal islands,” O’Brien explained.

Attorney Christina Bilenki with the firm Dunay, Miskel and Backman LLP was one of the representatives for CarMax. She argued that the land was vacant for 30 years until CarMax purchased it. Mayor Fred Pinto was not impressed.

“Quite frankly, I don’t know why you went into this context about how many years it has been vacant. One of the reasons why that property was vacant so long is because we chose it to be,” Pinto said. “We had many developers wanting to rezone this land here. We said no, we want it to be used the way it’s zoned. That’s the primary reason for why it was vacant for that long.”

Despite additional presentations from CarMax representatives John Thatcher and Brian Pulsifer explaining there would be more landscaping overall, just that the vegetation would be pushed to the perimeter of the property, the council was not moved. Before the other companion request for site plan approval was officially heard, Bilenki asked the council for permission to pull the items and work with staff on alternative site plans. The council agreed to table the requests but did not set a future hearing date.

• At a brief budget hearing before the regular meeting, the council gave final approval to the village’s spending plan for the new fiscal year, keeping the property tax rate set at 1.92 mills. The rate has not changed since 2010.

• Gina Levesque, intake and compliance manager for the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics, provided a brief presentation about the goals of the department to monitor and support the 12,000-plus elected officials, public employees, advisory board members and lobbyists in the county.

• Councilman Jeff Hmara announced that the next Read for the Record event is set for Thursday, Oct. 26. The national event where thousands of volunteers read the same book to children across the country on the same day is locally hosted by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. This year’s book is With Lots of Love by Jenny Torres Sanchez.

Principals and representatives from Wellington’s 11 public schools were in attendance at the Sept. 20 council meeting to accept the annual Keely Spinelli grant awards. Each school received $37,000 to fund programs for children struggling in math and reading.

PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON ROTARY CLUB HOSTS ANNUAL WORLD PEACE DAY CEREMONY

The Wellington Rotary Club held its 17th annual World Peace Day Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Wellington Rotary Peace Park. At the ceremony, student awards were presented to the winners of the elementary school art contest, the middle school poetry contest and the high school essay contest. A number of special awards were also presented before doves were released. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

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Essay competition winner Cornelia Dang of Palm Beach Central High School with Nikki Stinson.

Teacher Cheryl Marks accepts an award on behalf of Samantha Orellana of Benoist Farms Elementary School from Caroline Pena.

Poetry award winner Shradha Nair of Wellington Landings Middle School with Caroline Pena.

Chief Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson accepts the Rotary’s Community Peace Award on behalf of Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg from Randy Pfeiffer.

Rotarians with the secondary school winners.

Rotary President Scott Armand with the elementary school winners.

Members of the Wellington High School Interact Club.

Dr. Wes Boughner releases the peace doves.

Rotary President Scott Armand accepts the Wellington Peace Proclamation from Councilwoman Tanya Siskind.

Nikki Stinson with Erica Bordonaro and overall art contest winner Victoria Marquez from Wellington Elementary School.

Essay winner Samantha Perry of Wellington High School with Caroline Pena.

Zella Davis of Binks Forest Elementary School with Nikki Stinson.

Kristen Benitez of Wellington High School, shown with Jay Broder, won the Student Motivational Award for Resolutions Today (SMART).

Dr. Nicole Crane and Stella Taglieri of Elbridge Gale Elementary School with Caroline Pena.

Sarita Thangaraj of Equestrian Trails Elementary School with Nikki Stinson.

Art teacher Lynca Diaz accepted the award for Issac Hernandez Cuadra of New Horizons Elementary School from Caroline Pena.

How do you demonstrate you’ve been a great listener?

You change. Admit mistakes. Look for ways to improve. Together.

We’ve listened. Our Wellington Equestrian & Golf Club originally applied for 497 residential units.

Across our three privately owned parcels of land, we’re entitled to 205 residential units without asking anybody for any more approvals.

Today, in our application we’ve dramatically lowered our request to just 5 incremental units. That’s right.

We’re applying for 210 residential units that are farms, custom home lots, and townhomes.

Let’s continue to work together to ensure Wellington remains the horse sport capital of the world for decades to come.

DOUGLAS E. McMAHON CEO & Managing Partner, Wellington Lifestyle Partners

Paige Bellissimo PAIGE BELLISSIMO Executive Vice President & Partner Wellington Lifestyle Partners

FLAMENCO EVENT MARKS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AT ACREAGE LIBRARY

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, attendees discovered the rhythm of flamenco in a lively dance performance by local resident Sandra Samore on Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Acreage branch library. Aside from the dancing, Samore discussed her new book, Freed by Flamenco. Find out more about Samore’s book at www.freedbyflamenco.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Annexation Lox Groves Concerns

continued from page 1 of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, the council heard a report from consultant Patricia Behn on issues surrounding the annexation.

Behn is a consultant with PB Maps and Data, but previously worked as Palm Beach County’s planning director, where she was

GL Homes ATV Park Remains An Issue

continued from page 1

sive thing to the district,” Argue said. “I would like to see GL pay to build the 640 acres. I think that is more beneficial to the residents of our community [than an ATV park].”

Hanson said the money to build the levees and other structures needed for what would be a shallow, 640-acre lake would be sought from the state legislature, federal funds, grants and perhaps a bond issue.

“The original intent was to create a water resources infrastructure that would be of regional benefit,” Hanson said. “It would help with the Lake Worth Lagoon, the Loxahatchee River and potentially with moving water into West Palm Beach’s Grassy Waters Preserve.” Supervisors also worried that once built, ITID would have little control of the use of the water under guidelines set forth under the county’s proposed agreement with GL. “It’s like we’re being totally

Amber’s Animal Outreach Halloween ‘Pawty’ Oct. 7

Amber’s Animal Outreach will host its fourth annual Halloween “Pawty” on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Animal Hospital at the Marketplace, located at 278 Professional Way in Wellington’s Binks Forest area. Come out and bring the whole family, pets, kids, friends, neighbors and more to enjoy vendors, music, food, pet contests, Halloween-themed photos printed for you to take home, raffles, a haunted house and, of course, pups up for adoption. Contests will include best look-alike, best trick and best character. Learn more about Amber’s Animal Outreach at www.aaodog.org.

OLQA To Host

Pumpkin Patch

Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church will hold its 2023 Pumpkin Patch events this month.

Opening day is Saturday, Oct. 14. The pumpkin patch is open Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekdays from 1 to 7 p.m. Hours on Tuesday, Oct. 31 are 1 to 4 p.m. Free crafts for children are available on the weekends.

Special events include Movie Night at the Patch on Saturday, Oct. 21st at dusk. Popcorn, hot

the go-to person on county annexation issues for 18 years.

“This is to give an update on what is going on with the potential annexation of the 249 acres directly to the west of Loxahatchee Groves,” Town Manager Francine Ramaglia said in her introduction of Behn.

Behn broke down the 38 parcels by current use. A total of seven are single-family residential parcels with two in equestrian use. There are 16 agricultural parcels, along

cut out of the picture,” Supervisor Keith Jordano said.

Argue said she’s tired of hearing developer promises.

“Every [developer] starts out with Indian Trail being a partner, and we’re going to get some benefit from it,” she said. “By the time we’re done, we’re left out and not getting any benefit. I’m very concerned that we’re going to end up in the same place here.”

GL Homes holds county permits to build 3,897 housing units, 300,000 square feet of commercial space and 50,000 square feet of office space on their Indian Trails Grove property northwest of The Acreage.

Under the swap, the number of units built there would be reduced to 2,612, commercial development would be limited to 200,000 square feet and office space to 33,500 square feet. Lands dedicated for agricultural and water resources are to be increased by 980 acres, and publicly dedicated land will be increased from 640 acres to more than 1,600 acres.

In return, the developer gets the right to build a 1,000-unit adult community on 477 acres of the 681-acre Hyder West property in the Ag Reserve off State Road 7

NEWS BRIEFS

dogs and drinks will be available for purchase. Bring chairs or a blanket. Trunk or Treat will be held Saturday, Oct. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Learn more about the events at www.facebook.com/olqapumpkinpatch. The church is located at 100 Crestwood Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more info., visit www. olqa.cc.

Everglades Discussion At WPB Garden Club Oct. 10

Lauren Butcher, environmental education coordinator at the Grassy Waters Preserve, will present the program “Discover the Everglades in Your Back Yard” at the Tuesday, Oct. 10, meeting of the West Palm Beach Garden Club.

The program will be held at the Mounts Botanical Garden’s Clayton E. Hutcheson Agricultural Service Center building, which is in the back of the botanical garden, in the conference room. The club gathers at 10 a.m. for complimentary refreshments, and the program begins at 10:30 a.m. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Grassy Waters is a pristine and vital remnant of the greater Everglades ecosystem that also serves as the freshwater supply for the City of West Palm Beach and the towns of Palm Beach and South Palm Beach. A 23-squaremile mosaic of marshes, cypress swamps and forested hammocks,

with two that are county owned with large drainage lakes. There are three institutional parcels, primarily churches, and eight vacant parcels, all according to the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office.

It is currently unincorporated land within the county’s rural tier, with most parcels zoned for rural residential use at one unit per five acres. Some parcels are listed as commercial low.

“The intent of the county’s

west of Boca Raton and Delray Beach. The company also would build 277 workforce housing units on 104 acres of the property.

comp plan is not to have much development in this area,” Behn said, adding that commercial use by Wellington’s standards would provide for much more intense use than the county’s rural tier standards.

As Stillings noted, Behn agreed that the county’s charter amendment only protects unincorporated areas from voluntary annexations without county approval through a supermajority vote on the county commission. “This particular an-

For Acreage residents, the changes could mean some 13,000 fewer daily vehicle trips on area roads, local officials have said.

nexation, however, is proposed as an involuntary annexation,” she said.

Behn said that to proceed with an involuntary annexation with a referendum, the village would need to file an urban services report with the county. Once the village files the preliminary annexation ordinance, then challenges can be filed to it within 30 days, she added.

If the majority of the parcels don’t have electors, then the majority of parcels must consent to annexation. “There’s a lot of boxes they need to check before they are able to finalize the annexation,”

Behn said.

She suggested that the council could take three courses of action. First, the council could decide not to take any action. Next, it could continue monitoring the situation and engaging with the county and other jurisdictions in discussions. Finally, it could provide a letter of objection focused on the protection of rural lands and rural lifestyles.

Ramaglia said that there is not currently an official application for the annexation and that everything is currently in draft form.

“We have not pursued or had any conversations with the property owners regarding annexation,” she said. “We are bringing this to the council is with respect to protecting the rural lifestyle.”

If the town was going to send a letter of objection, Vice Mayor Robert Shorr asked who it would be sent to.

Behn said that a letter of concern would go to the annexing municipality, or alternatively, to the county.

Ramaglia recommended the county. “The county is the entity with standing,” she said. “As a

neighboring community, we can’t do much more than issue an intergovernmental type of objection.”

Ramaglia added that an annexation of rural land adjacent to Loxahatchee Groves is a potential threat to the lifestyle of town residents.

“Our reason for incorporation was to protect urban encroachment on rural communities,” she said. “This being right next to us warrants the conversation on protecting the rural lifestyle.”

Ramaglia said that she expects the annexation to move forward.

“It is set for a Dec. 5 meeting,” she said. “If we wish to weigh-in with the county, we would want to do that sooner rather than later.”

Ramaglia added that the town could take action to mitigate it now with a specific focus not on the Sluggett property, but on Entrada Acres.

“If we care to state a position at this point in time, it gives the Village of Wellington and the county the ability to work on changes that might better serve both communities,” she said.

Ramaglia noted that some of the property owners spoke to the town previously, but Wellington offers greater development potential.

Shorr was very concerned about the additional commercial property being proposed.

“Even if we were to annex this area, there is no one on this board who would take property out of an agricultural residential situation and build on it,” he said.

The council’s decision was to continue monitoring the situation and have town staff draft a letter of objection to be discussed at the next council meeting. Meanwhile, Ramaglia plans to meet with several representatives of the property owners and Wellington officials on the topic.

Grassy Waters is home to a fascinating variety of native plants and wildlife. In her talk, Butcher will illuminate the history and ecology of this remarkable wetland wilderness and explain what gardeners can do to help conserve, protect and enjoy its waters.

The Hutcheson building is located at 559 N. Military Trail, west of Palm Beach International Airport. For more information, and directions, call (561) 307-3115.

Affair Of The Arts In Wellington

Nov.

25-26

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and this year, the Affair of the Arts is back with a festive twist. Prepare to be enchanted by the magic of Christmas at a two-day celebration of art, food and culture held at Wellington Town Center on Saturday, Nov. 25 and Sunday, Nov. 26. Affair of the Arts will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission and parking are free.

The event will be transformed into a holiday wonderland, where talented artisans and creators from all over the country will showcase their hand-crafted treasures, perfect for gifting or treating yourself.

This is your chance to find unique, one-of-a-kind items that will make the holiday season even more special. To learn more, including applications to participate, visit www.affairoftheartsfl.com.

Bostic Design Plan Approval

continued from page 1 we have significantly decreased our use of orange and blue from our original submittal, as per staff’s request,” said Zachary Ciciera, a planner with the Jupiter-based firm Cotleur & Hearing. “We believe the current arrangement of the colors are mild, yet consistent with the theme.”

In a state where college sports loyalties extend to a range of competing schools, more than one board member joked about not being totally sure about the UF colors, but that did not turn into a deal-breaker.

“Thank you, because Wellington really needed something like this,” Board Vice Chair Maria

ITID Parks Work At Equestrian Park

continued from page 3 for changes and improvements to the Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park on Hamlin Blvd. The Hartley contract is for $476,850 and will be coupled with a $400,000 federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant that expires in December. The total cost of the project is expected to be $650,000 to $700,000, Lawrence said. Hanson said the project should take about 45 days and will require the temporary

Antuña said. “It’s always good when the kids can go somewhere, and they can have a place for a sports academy like this.”

Under an agreement that the village approved with Wellington Sports Academy LLC in 2022, the project involves a combination of private and public investment on land owned by the village. Bostic is listed as the LLC’s manager in village documents.

Plans call for removing the existing building and providing a new 112,245-square-foot indoor athletic facility that features fitness, health and wellness amenities, including a café and kitchen.

With some outdoor fields remaining around it, the indoor facility is projected to involve 23,859 square feet of general fitness space and specialty training space, 5,650 square feet of cheer and gymnastics space, 8,582 square feet of

closure of parts of the park.

According to documentation provided by Lawrence, the project scope consists of four major components. The first will include removal of all present material in the main arena and replacing it with new base and footing material.

The second component is the smaller arenas that will include footing improvements. The western arena will increase in size to meet regulation dimensions specifically for barrel racing. The footing will be more appropriate for this type of use but can accommodate other Western disciplines.

The eastern arena will have footing specific to English disciplines such as hunter/jumpers. The third component is the in-

indoor batting cages, and seven indoor basketball courts and 13 volleyball courts. If all falls into place, construction could begin in the coming months.

In other business:

• The board approved 7-0 concrete roof tile for multi-family and clubhouse buildings in the multi-use Lotis development west of State Road 7 and a mile north of Forest Hill Blvd. The panel had earlier rejected a request for asphalt shingle roofing.

• The board approved a new sign for Green Village Dental Care at Forest Hill Blvd. and Olive Drive. The sign on the building’s east side comes in addition to the normally allowed three others on the exterior, and exceeds routine square footage at 41 feet, but village staff recommended approval, and the board agreed 7-0.

stallation of LED lighting throughout the park’s arenas and parking lot, while the fourth is the installation of Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walkways throughout the park, connecting the arenas to the pavilion and parking lot. Additional wash stations will also be added, along with repairs to a shade canopy.

“We’re trying to have better footing in all the arenas,” said Hanson, a Quarter Horse enthusiast. Argue questioned whether the main arena would remain suitable for barrel racing and was assured it would be.

“The riders are here and now all we have to do is build a park like they do in Field of Dreams, and they will come,” Jordano said.

David and Sandra Samore, Gabriela Reyes and Nectario Urdineta.

Bella Wieloch and Cheryl Gaidry learn some flamenco moves from Sandra Samore. Sandra Samore leads an audience participation demonstration.

Sandra Samore signs a copy of her book Freed by Flamenco for Estela Arman.

Sandra Samone participates in a question-andanswer session with her husband, David Samore.

Sandra Samore begins her flamenco dancing demonstration.

Sandra Samore dressed in several colorful outfits.

A graphic of the proposed ATV park used during the GL Homes presentation.

LUAU LUNCHEON AT WELLINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER

Wellington seniors enjoyed a Hawaiian-themed luau luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the Wellington Community Center. The event featured Hawaiian entertainment by the Aloha Islanders and a boxed lunch from Publix. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Free Services From Alzheimer’s Brain Bus At Wellington Community Center

On Tuesday, Oct. 10 the Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus will be at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd) to provide free support services to families facing this disease.

The bus will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Village of Wellington Health Fair, and no appointment is needed.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

One in eight Florida seniors is estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s.

Trained staff will be available

at the Brain Bus to help families understand steps to get an accurate diagnosis, warning signs, caregiving tips and connect to local resources.

“Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,” said Rob Harris, Brain Bus program manager. “It’s vital that all Floridians know the warning signs of the disease so they can get an accurate diagnosis and access to treatment options as soon as possible. We are here to serve the community and hope those who need help stop by.”

Unique to Florida, the Brain Bus program is managed by the Alzheimer’s Association Florida chapters and funded in partnership with the Department of Elder Affairs

Event In Royal Palm Beach To Benefit The Farmworker Coordinating Council

and the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas. Two mobile vehicles travel the state providing dementia education and resources to at-risk and heavily impacted communities.

The Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter works in eight counties to provide education and support, advocate for the needs and rights of those facing Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, and advance critical research to develop new treatments, prevention and, ultimately, a cure.

For more information, including upcoming programs and support groups, call (800) 272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/sefl.

The Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County is hosting its 2023 Fall Fest Event on Friday, Oct. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at CJR Fine Arts & Frame, located at 514 N. State Road 7, Suite B, in Royal Palm Beach.

First Horizon and Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers are sponsoring the event. Tickets are $20 and include wine, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and the opportunity to win an art piece. At the event, 20 percent of all art sales will benefit the Farmworker Coordinating Council, and 15 percent of custom framing sales will be donated as well. All the proceeds will be used for direct programs and services to farmworker families

and others in need in Palm Beach County. For ticket info., visit www. farmworkercouncil.com.

“As a family-owned business, all of us at CJR Fine Arts are very excited to host this truly important cause. This is a great opportunity to be able to help families in need,” General Manager Richard Mauseth said. “We are very excited to have this event that will impact so many families in need in the county.”

Last year, the Farmworker Council provided more than $172,000 in rental/utility assistance, and more than 3,200 unduplicated families received food from its food pantry. “Without the support from the community, we are not able to do what we

do,” Executive Director Denise Negron said.

The Farmworker Coordinating Council of Palm Beach County is a nonprofit organization that provides social services to farmworkers and other people in need in Palm Beach County. The services are provided from offices located in Belle Glade and Lake Worth. Services include case management; emergency rental/ utility assistance; distribution of food, toiletries, diapers, clothing and household items; education; scholarships; microloans; financial literacy workshops; and more. To learn more, visit www. farmworkercouncil.com or call (561) 533-7227.

Robert and Janice Downs with Carol Testa.

Arlene Morosco of Prominence Insurance treated guests to donuts.

Mapuana sings native Hawaiian songs. Diane Colvard dances with Osmond.

Ladies try to dance the Hukilau.

Dancers Mahina, Osmond and Atzi.

Kyle Ostroff, Cecilia Torrisi and Jenifer Brito.

Cheryl Renton and Bob Kruger. Esther Gambaro and Paula Brownson in Hawaiian-themed attire. Maryann Murray, Betty Murray and Norma Heelan. Ophelia Franco, Aura Ramos and Graciella Carty.

JULIE B. FOUNDATION HOSTS GALA AT THE WANDERERS CLUB IN WELLINGTON

The Julie B. Foundation hosted its 2023 gala on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. All proceeds from the gala go toward the Julie B. Foundation “Gift a Warrior Project.” The foundation was created by Jaelyn Brown in honor of her mother, Juliet Brown, who passed away in April 2020 from metastasized sarcoma cancer. The foundation’s mission is to bring awareness to sarcoma cancers via community education and engagement. Learn more about the foundation and its mission at www.thejuliebfoundation.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Village of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, will hold a Municipal Election on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Council Groups 1, 3 and Mayor will be up for election for a term of two (2) years each. Candidates must qualify for any of these seats during the period from 8:00 a.m. November 1, 2023 to 5:00 p.m. November 9, 2023, at the office of the Village Clerk located at 1050 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Noticed by Diane DiSanto, MMC, Village Clerk A V I S O P Ú B L I C O

Con la presente se notifica que el Pueblo de Royal Palm Beach, Florida, llevará a cabo la Elección Municipal, el martes, 19 de marzo de 2024.

Los Grupos del Concejo 1, 3 y Alcalde serán elegidos por un período de dos (2) años cada uno. Los candidatos mosto calificar para cualquiera de estos puestos durante el período de las 8:00 a.m. el primero de noviembre 2023 hasta las 5:00 p.m. el 9 de noviembre 2023, en la oficina de la Secretaria de La Villa localizada en el 1050 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, Florida.

Aviso dado por Diane DiSanto, MMC, Secretaria de La Villa.

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HELP US HELP FAMILIES IN NEED AND KIDS WITH CANCER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The Knights of Columbus, M.J. Benvenuti Council #8419 a 501c{8) organization will once again begin raising funds to help families in need in the South Florida area this Holiday Season.

Established in 1993

Designed specifically To Provide Exceptional Orthodontic Patient Care

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

CALL NOW 561-793-9888

Dr. Randy Shults DDS, MA, PhD 12180 South Shore Blvd., Suite 101, Wellington www.ShultsOrthodontics.com

Last year we raised over $10,000 and helped eighteen Families in Palm Beach County. It’s difficult to describe the joy and appreciation on the faces of these families when they were presented with the various gifts by our own Santa Claus during a Family Meal provided for over 150 people on December 3, 2022. This year we have started planning for another event for December 2, 2023 with many more Families expected to attend the celebration and presentation of the gifts by Santa Claus.

Please help us help Families in Need and Kids with Cancer this upcoming Holiday Season. We sincerely appreciate any contribution that you or your organization can make for this very worthwhile cause.

Please make checks payable to the: Knights of Columbus Council #8419 and write “Families/Kids with Cancer Donation” in the memo section. All contributions, gifts, or prizes may be mailed to: The Knights of Columbus at 13645 Paddock Drive, Wellington, FL 33414 Attention Bryan Quinsey, Financial Secretary.

If you wish to pay with a credit card please call Bryan at 561-914-8278.

Walter and Joan Imperatore, Sandra and George Kinoshita, Brian and Nikki Stinson, Dwayne Brown, Floyd Rome, and Maureen and Don Gross.

Shaun and Jennifer Patterson, Joan and Walter Imperatore, and Lizz and Mickey Smith.

Dan and Allison Delia, Jill Holcomb, and Jennifer and Nigel Baker.

Jaelyn Brown, Sheriff for a Day high bidders Louis and Beth Eisenberg, Shaun Patterson and Dwayne Brown.

Melvin Sproul and Jaelyn Brown light a candle as Dwayne Brown looks on.

(Front row) Alex Curry, Lillie Thompkins and Tina McClain; and (back row) Monise Harris, Lenovia Heath, Latrondra Hayes and Latisha Heath.

Husband Dwayne Brown and daughter Jaelyn Brown beside a photo of the late Julie Brown.

Marketing Coordinator Jasmine Brown with Julie B. Foundation President Jaelyn Brown.

Rachelle Crain with Sadfeen and Asad Sadiq.

Dwayne Brown, Iris Chapman and Erika Cheeseboro.

Aniya Smith recited the poem “Light Up the World.”

Mair and Scott Armand.

Sarai Pena is awarded her movie raffle gift by Jaelyn Brown.

Mike and Ashley Clark with Melinda and Casey Lussier.

Robin Oakley, Tom Carreras, and Sandra and George Kinoshita.

PET SUPPLIES PLUS HOSTS FUNDRAISER FOR LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

On Saturday, Sept. 23, Pets Supplies Plus in Royal Palm Beach held a fundraiser for Binks Forest Elementary School. Whenever customers came in throughout the day, 10 percent of the proceeds went to the school. The event included a cat adoption from Ali Cat Rescue. Store owners Jim and Diana Beauchamp were happy to be able to support the school. They have also supported other schools and several animal rescue organizations. A face painting stand was available for children who came by.

PHOTOS BY ERIN DAVISSON/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington Preserve Wins Great Places People’s Choice Award

The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida) recently named the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat as the winner of the 10th annual Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award.

This prestigious accolade recognizes exceptional places in the Sunshine State that embody a true sense of community, cultural and historical significance, forward-thinking vision and community involvement. The award’s theme for this year, “Great Resilient Places,” honors locations with resilient planning elements.

The Wellington Environmental Preserve stood out among the finalists, which included The Bay (City of Sarasota) and Downtown

St. Augustine. This 365-acre water impoundment area features nature trails, pathways and wetland/upland areas, created through a partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Village of Wellington. It serves as a critical rainwater filtration and cleansing system before water flows into the Everglades. “As Florida continues to grow at a rapid pace, we need more communities like the Village of Wellington to think ahead and be innovative when protecting one of our state’s greatest assets, the Everglades, while providing a space of health and recreation for its residents,” APA Florida President Whit Blanton said. “Named after the staunch Everglades defender, it is fitting that such a remarkable place earned this award.”

VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON NOTICE OF ELECTION

Looking forward, Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes expressed his pride in the accomplishment.

“Wellington is honored to receive the 2023 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award. This recognition reaffirms our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of our region while providing valuable recreational spaces for our residents,” Barnes said. “We are excited to announce that great things are on the horizon for the Wellington Environmental Preserve as we begin the process of incorporating the Moncada parcel.”

In December 2021, Wellington and the Acme Improvement District acquired the Moncada parcel, a 45-acre site adjacent to the Wellington Environmental Pre-

Notice is hereby given that an election will be held in the Village of Wellington on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, for the purpose of filling the following offices:

Mayor’s Seat – Four-Year Term Village Council Seat 1 – Four-Year Term Village Council Seat 4 – Four-Year Term

The qualifying period opens at Noon, November 7, 2023 and closes at Noon, November 21, 2023.

Each candidate shall be a registered voter in the State of Florida and a resident of the Village of Wellington. All interested persons should contact Chevelle D. Addie, Village Clerk at (561) 791-4118 for further information.

Chevelle D. Addie, MMC Village Clerk

Dated: September 29, 2023

Publish Town Crier: October 6, 2023

serve. This acquisition expands the preserve and habitat to 410 acres and offers an estimated additional 30 million gallons of offline storage, providing significant regional benefits.

The Moncada acquisition represents a significant addition to a major stormwater project initiated with the 1994 Everglades Forever Act as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

To learn more about the 2023 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award and explore past winners, visit the APA Florida web site at https://florida.planning.org/ greatplaces.

Waggin’ At The Waterpark At Calypso Bay

Bring your dogs and watch as they make a splash, get a good workout and meet new friends at Waggin’ in the Waterpark on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Calypso Bay Waterpark at Seminole Palms Park, located at 151 Lamstein Lane in Royal Palm Beach.

The fee is $10 plus tax per dog (humans free); two dogs maximum per adult. The event is broken into 50-minute sessions by size of dog:

Session 1: 10 to 10:50 a.m., dogs

45 lbs. and up.

Session 2: 11 to 11:50 a.m., dogs less than 45 lbs.

Session 3: Noon to 12:50 p.m., dogs 45 lbs. and up.

Registration opens at 9 a.m. and will re-open 30 minutes prior to each session, provided there is still room in the session. All owners must sign a waiver when registering.

You may submit registration

forms and proof of vaccines by e-mail prior to the event for approval to Calypso Bay Waterpark’s Lindsay Dalton at ldalton@ pbcgov.org.

All dogs must have proof of current rabies, DHLP and Bordetella vaccinations on site in order to enter the waterpark. All dogs must wear a collar and license in the pool area. For all other rules, and to download the registration form, visit www.pbcsplash.com.

Hollans Group Insurance

For

www.hollansgroup.com email: info@hollansgroup.com

Serving

The Wellington Community Foundation, Inc. is a the residents of Wellington by supporting and improving their quality of life.

Cats Andy and Cody are siblings up for adoption.

Employees Patty Franciosi, Cherie Giannetti and Olivia Wojtowicz.

Jeannine Barr with Ali Cat Rescue.

Manon and Brad Pess with Baking by Brad.

Binks Forest PTA President Lauren Stroup with her children Elison Kate and Banks Stroup.

Rose, Allison and Brad Bailey of For the Love of Pups, a dog training business.

Store Manager Philip McMullin.

Store owners Jim and Diana Beauchamp.

How do you expand the showgrounds?

Give up your rights to develop residential real estate on the best 80 acres you own to create a pathway to double the size of the showgrounds.

That’s what we’ve done.

It’s all about location. These 80 acres are contiguous to the existing Wellington International Showgrounds.

It’s a pretty basic question. Should these 80 acres be filled with houses, or bigger and better showgrounds?

Our answer? Expanded showgrounds.

We’ve even committed to finance and build a new derby field and dressage facilities on our 80 acres.

Let’s continue to work together to ensure Wellington remains the horse sport capital of the world for decades to come.

Paige Bellissimo

DOUGLAS E. McMAHON CEO & Managing Partner, Wellington Lifestyle Partners

PAIGE BELLISSIMO

Executive Vice President & Partner Wellington Lifestyle Partners

BOY SCOUT TROOP 111 HOLDS COURT OF HONOR AT RPB CULTURAL CENTER

Boy

of

111,

Wellington Earns Certified Autism Center Designation

Wellington recently announced that it has been awarded the Certified Autism Center (CAC) designation by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).

This designation acknowledges Wellington’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and welcoming environment for community members and visitors, especially those with sensory needs or sensitivities, and individuals on the autism spectrum. To achieve this designation, Wellington has trained at least 80 percent of designated staff to effectively communicate and respond to the unique needs of these individuals and their families.

The CAC designation is awarded to organizations that have successfully completed a comprehensive training and certification process aimed at better understanding and serving autistic

and sensory-sensitive individuals. Several Wellington departments have participated in this initiative, including Parks & Recreation, Code Compliance, Customer Service, Cultural Programs & Facilities and Human Resources.

Human Resources staff have been recognized as Certified Neurodiversity Professionals (CNPs) as part of this credentialing program.

“Every day, we strive to make Wellington an inclusive, welcoming and equitable place for people.

I’m proud of the work our staff has done to be trained to better understand and serve members of our community. We are excited to continue expanding our offerings and options to serve Wellington’s diverse population,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said.

In addition to earning the CAC designation, Wellington’s commitment to inclusivity extends to various programming, events and

services tailored to sensory-sensitive individuals. Many Wellington staff members are certified through KultureCity, an organization dedicated to ensuring the inclusion of all guests, regardless of the event they are attending. At events such as the Fourth of July celebration and Fall Festival, designated “KultureCity” areas provide quieter and more secure environments for those who need them. Sensory bags filled with items to reduce sensory overload are made available at no extra cost. Furthermore, autism-friendly/sensory-friendly inflatables, specially designed for a more accessible experience, are featured during events. These inflatables are staffed by trained professionals who have undergone autism-centered training to enhance understanding and sensitivity. An ultra-quiet generator is used to accommodate those with noise sensitivities.

Clerk Announces Expanded Services At Royal Palm Office

Wellington also has accessible parks, with Scott’s Place Barrier-Free Playground being a standout example. This playground is designed to cater to the needs of both able-bodied and disabled children, featuring accessible equipment, sensory items, shades, slides, swings and wheelchair ramps.

Annually, in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, Wellington hosts the annual “A Day for Autism” event. This event is aimed at building a crucial relationship between law enforcement and the autism community, offering a variety of family-friendly activities.

To further demonstrate its support for the autism community, Wellington has officially declared April each year as “National Autism Acceptance Month.”

Want to skip the trip to downtown West Palm Beach to get married, file documents in court cases or do other business with the Office of Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller? The clerk’s office now offers more services in an expanded location at the Midwestern Communities Service Center in Royal Palm Beach. The Royal Palm Beach office now has a marriage ceremony room for couples seeking a quiet space to exchange wedding vows. The office also provides expanded services for cases in the 15th Judicial Circuit, including accepting documents and creating cases for small claims, eviction and family court cases, such as dissolution of marriage and paternity. The office also now accepts registry payments and provides child support ledger printouts.

Beginning Oct. 2, the Royal

Palm Beach office also began accepting injunctions for protection in cases of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and other abuse cases.

“Palm Beach County’s western communities continue to grow, and we are proud to grow along with them and offer more services at our expanded Royal Palm Beach office,” Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Joseph Abruzzo said.

The Royal Palm Beach office is in Suite 400 of the Midwestern Communities Service Center, located at 200 Civic Center Way, near the Palm Beach County Library System’s Royal Palm Beach branch and the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. To learn more about the services offered at the clerk’s Royal Palm Beach office, visit www.mypalmbeachclerk. com/locations.

Scout

America Troop

sponsored by CAFCI, held its annual Honor Court at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center on Tuesday, Sept. 26. A number of awards were presented, and outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Jackson Eubanks passed the leadership pole to incoming Senior Patrol Luke Estevez. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Incoming Senior Patrol Luke Estevez receives the leadership pole from outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Jackson Eubanks.

Rachel Pfister presents top camp card salesmen awards to Keenan Stack, Lucas Schnick Baker and Robert Lombardo.

Gulfstream Council Program Executive Will Roads and Chief Operating Officer Tess English present the top troop paddle from Tanah Keeta Scout Reservation to outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Jackson Eubanks.

Philmont High Adventure Crew Summer Camp recognition went to Jackson Doeren, Jackson Eubanks, Landon Gerard and Caleb McNally. Lori Cabrera and Cherie Estevez.

Certificates of appreciation for adult leadership and training went to Rachel Pfister, Irina Montoya, Patrick Kelly, Scoutmaster Ryan McNally, Bonnie Doeren, Gregory Eubanks, Chad Gerard, Marie Hogam and Dawn Kelly.

Jackson Eubanks with troop sponsor CAFCI President Dennis Wright.

Jackson Eubanks receives an engraved knife from Scoutmaster Ryan McNally.

Adult leaders receiving recognition were Lori Cabrera, Bonnie Doeren, Rachel Pfister, Cheri Estevez, Jennifer Goldberger and Rhonda Davis, shown with outgoing Senior Patrol Leader Jackson Eubanks.

WELLINGTON LAKESIDE MARKET SEASON OPEN FRIDAYS ON THE PROMENADE

Wellington’s Lakeside Market held its opening day for the new season on Friday, Sept. 22. The market is open Friday evenings on the promenade along the scenic Lake Wellington waterfront, directly behind the Wellington Community Center. The market is pet friendly. Admission and parking are free. For more information, visit www.wellingtonlakesidemarket.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

SENIORS CLUB MEMBERS ENJOY LUNCHEON WITH SINGING PERFORMANCE

M•S Morris & Shields

VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH PUBLIC NOTICE

The Village of Royal Palm Beach currently has a vacancy for one (1) alternate member on the Planning and Zoning Commission with the term expiring in March of 2025. The Commission meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. All meetings are held in the Village Meeting Hall. If you are a resident of Royal Palm Beach and would like to volunteer your service and expertise on this local government Board, visit the Village’s website at www.royalpalmbeachfl.gov and go to Commission/Board Application to submit. Applications must be received no later than November 8, 2023 for Council consideration at its November 16, 2023 meeting. If further information is desired, please call the Village Clerk at 790-5102.

By: Diane DiSanto, MMC, Village Clerk

VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH PUBLIC NOTICE

The Village of Royal Palm Beach currently has a vacancy for two (2) seats on the Education Advisory Board. The Education Advisory Board meets on the second Monday of the month eight months out of the year, with one special meeting in April of each year for scholarship interviews. All meetings are held in the Village Meeting Hall. Board Members shall meet the following qualifications at the time of their appointment and throughout the course of their service: they must be a Village resident; have a background in education and experience in the field of education; be a member of a parent teacher organization, parent teacher association, school advisory council or other similar organization associated with or sponsored by the school district or a public or charter school located within the Village; or be a parent/ legal guardian of a child currently enrolled in a Village public or charter school. Those ineligible to serve on the Board are: employees of the Palm Beach County School District; employees of an organization funded by the School District (e.g. charter school employee); or employees of a charter management organization or charter education management organization. If you would like to volunteer your service and expertise on this local government Board, visit the Village’s website at www.royalpalmbeachfl.gov and go to COMMISSION/BOARD APPLICATION to submit. Return the completed application to the Village Clerk’s office no later than 5:00 p.m. on November

for Council consideration at its November

meeting. If further information is desired, please call the Village Clerk at (561) 790-5102.

By: Diane DiSanto, MMC, Village Clerk

Michael and Phyllis Gauger with Matt and Alice Saroka.

Ian Williams, Jenifer Brito, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Councilman Michael Drahos, Eric Juckett and Heather Navarro.

Janet Scalzitti, Fred Quan, Carmi Smith, Bob Nappi, Mary Smith, Grace Lyons and Sherie Scalzitti.

The Wellington Seniors Club held a luncheon Wednesday, Sept. 20 at the Wellington Community Center. Seniors enjoyed a boxed lunch by TooJay’s. Entertainment was provided by singer Kerst J. Lehmann. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Candy Rengstl, Anne Roberts and Barbara Waardenburg.

Tristan Dawson, Mike Galin, Lucas Dawson, Manda Galin, Christine Bruno with Jaxon and Pete Bruno.

Mae Loglisci, Joan Iadaresta and Tony Alfalla.

Melissa and John Baughman with Sawyer.

Councilman Michael Drahos and Councilwoman Tanya Siskind welcome guests and thank sponsors.

Makena Mullins and her mother Chanel Mullins visit with a dinosaur. Andre Herrera makes coffee.

Easton and Braxton Gross with Lightning.

Darlene Forsythe gets serenaded by singer Kerst J. Lehmann.

BINKS FOREST PTA HOSTS PARTY FOR A PURPOSE AT WELLINGTON NATIONAL

The Binks Forest Elementary Schol PTA held its annual Party with a Purpose on Saturday, Sept. 30 at the Wellington National Golf Club with a “Denim and Diamonds” theme. The evening included a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and a ticket raffle. There were fun table games provided by Casino Party Nights Florida. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Binks Forest PTA board members Uzma Aijaz, Melissa Raineri, Mariella Thomas, Andrea Mariaca, Lauren Stroup, Principal Michella Levy, Amy Dominic, Stacie Poritz, Serena Richards, Elizabeth Kelley and Dara Lustig.

Binks Forest teachers gather for a group photo.

Andrew Weitzman, Julie Sikorsky, Michele Sarafian and Marcella Montesinos at the roulette table.

Angelina and Michael Fanesi with Louis Scavone at the blackjack table.

Dr. Tiffany McCalla Bottorff and Alan Bottorff. Raffle winners Kai and Frank Trento.

Chris Mills, Wellington National owner Doug Marty and Danny Navarrez.

Melissa and Cletus Lawler.

Summer and Alex Matthews.

Stacie and Scott Poritz.

Jan and Julie Sikorsky. Louis and Tatyana Scavone.

Teachers Lori Michaels and Brandie Soto.

Albert Espinoza, Yinelis Silvente, Delia Gonzalez and Brad Vadal.

Cyndi and Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone, Principal Michella Levy, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind and Cheryl Anders.

David Jimenez, Principal Michella Levy, Analucia Toral and Michael Ranck.

Daniel Lustig, Scott Poritz and Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone.

Palm Beach Central’s

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach Central High School varsity football team remains unbeaten this fall. After shutting out John I. Leonard High School 56-0 on Friday, Sept. 29, the Broncos moved to 5-0.

During their two most recent games, the Bronco offense has continued to score in bunches, and its defense is now beginning to get stingy. The offense has scored 93 points, and its defense has given up just seven points during the last two games.

On Friday, Oct. 6, Palm Beach Central will host one of the biggest games not only in Palm Beach County but all of Florida. That night, the undefeated Benjamin School Buccaneers (5-0) from Palm Beach Gardens will travel to Wellington. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. One of the key players to watch in this game is the Buccaneers’ senior running back Chauncey Bowens, a University of Georgia commit.

The Palm Beach Central-

Undefeated Gridiron Run Continues

Benjamin game will feature two high-octane offenses and a pair of athletic, aggressive defenses. So far this season, the Benjamin School has averaged 39.4 points per game and is only giving up an average 6.6 points a game, while Palm Beach Central is averaging 43.6 points a game, and its defense is giving up an average of 21.2 points a game.

After playing Benjamin, Palm Beach Central will stay home and play the Forest Hill High School Falcons on Thursday, Oct. 12. That game will kick off at 6:30 p.m.

The Seminole Ridge High School Hawks fell from the ranks of the unbeaten on Friday, Sept. 29, when they were upset on homecoming by the visiting John Carroll Catholic Eagles, 21-18.

The Hawks, now 4-1, trailed by one at halftime, but rallied to take an 18-13 lead after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Hawks gave up the game-winning touchdown to the visitors. The homecoming king and queen at Seminole Ridge that night were Toby Norton and Ayda Kilic.

The Hawks will be looking to pick up their fifth win of the season on Friday, Oct. 6 when they travel to play the Boynton Beach High School Tigers (1-4). Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Then, on Friday, Oct. 13, the Hawks will host Atlantic High School at 6:30 p.m.

The Royal Palm Beach High School Wildcats and the Wellington High School Wolverines are continuing to persevere during their current seasons, which can best be labeled as rebuilding campaigns. Both squads have 1-5 records.

Royal Palm Beach’s lone win was a 21-7 victory against Sun-

coast High School back on Sept. 7, while Wellington’s only victory this season was a 16-15 win over Royal Palm Beach on Sept. 14.

On Friday, Oct. 6, Royal Palm Beach will play at home against Lake Worth High School (1-4), while Wellington will head north to Indian River County to play at Vero Beach High School (4-1).

On Thursday, Oct. 12, the Wildcats will host the Palm Beach Gardens Gators for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff.

According to Royal Palm Beach head coach Chuck Kenyon, his team must continue to rep through its offensive plays in practice so that everybody on the starting offense is on the same page.

On Thursday, Oct. 12, the Wolverines will travel to Greenacres to

See FOOTBALL, page 25

Royal Palm Beach Girls Volleyball Enjoying Its Winning Ways

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

If you believe it, you can achieve it. That’s the competitive mindset of the Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity volleyball team, which is currently having one of its finest seasons in years.

Under third-year head coach Jessica Buck, the Wildcats have compiled a 14-5 record through their first 19 games. The team’s most recent victory was against the Dreyfoos School of the Arts on Tuesday, Oct. 3. Royal Palm Beach won in four sets, 16-25, 25-18, 25-16 and 25-18.

One of the key performers this season for Royal Palm Beach has been its senior captain, Jenna Larsen, who has been leading by example both on and off the volleyball court.

“Jenna has taken a big leadership role this season, not only in practice but in games as well,” Buck said. “She encourages everyone to work hard and keep going when games get tough.”

Larsen is also her team’s leader in kills with 225.

Another great on-court leader for Royal Palm Beach is junior setter Jadyn Mainolfi, who has 382 assists so far this season.

“Jadyn has done a great job this season reading the other teams’ blockers, so we can get our hitters one on one,” Buck said. “This has made us a strong attacking team this season.”

Other team leaders for Royal Palm Beach include freshman Leslie Mentor, who leads the team with 21 blocks; junior libero Liliana Oppo has a team-leading 117 digs; and junior Skye Zwirner

has been the team’s top server with 35 aces.

Compiling a winning record has taken a commitment to excellence by every member of the 10-player squad. Winning a few matches has not been an easy task for the Wildcats, but they did it by truly playing with one another and for one another.

“We know what it’s like to face a challenge this season, especially with having five of our games this year go to five sets,” Buck said. “We have some hard games coming up, but that’s exactly what we wanted heading into districts. We are learning and growing as a team each and every match. I’m excited to see what we will bring as the season continues.”

During a two-day stretch on Sept. 29-30, Royal Palm Beach

See VOLLEYBALL, page 23

Palm Beach Capos: Palm Beach County’s Adult Football Team

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

If you have played your last down of high school football and you still have unfulfilled gridiron dreams, there’s an opportunity for you to get back on the field.

The steppingstone to continuing your football career is the Palm Beach Capos, which is part of the Elite American Football League (EAFL).

The owner and head coach of the Capos is Royal Palm Beach resident and professional bodyguard Brent Bargerstock.

“We are a true amateur football team where players pay to play the game,” said Bargerstock, 35, who played high school football at John

I. Leonard High School and Palm Beach Central High School. “We are not a semi-pro football league because we need to maintain the eligibility of potential college football players.”

The Capos, which play in the spring, conducted a tryout for the spring 2024 season on Sunday, Oct. 2 at Somerset Academy Canyons in western Boynton Beach. This coming spring will be the second season of 11-player football for the Capos. The roster will be filled with players from age 18 to the late 30s.

During the three-hour tryout, players were timed in the 40-yard dash, measured in the broad jump and observed in the shuttle run.

There was also a one-on-one drill where receivers went head-to-head against defensive backs.

“We had a great turnout with some very talented young men showing their athleticism off to our staff,” Bargerstock said.

“We’re excited to see the old faces as well, as the new faces start to grow together into family, which will translate to on-field performance. We won’t be hosting another tryout for the season, but those who missed it are encouraged to come out when we start OTAs [organized team activities]. Those dates and locations will be announced soon.”

More than 50 players showed up for the tryout.

“I hope to end up with 60 to 70 players for the spring 2024 season,” Bargerstock said. “Our players come from all over Palm Beach County.” This past spring, the Capos had a 3-7 record and played their games on Saturday nights at Wellington High School. The team’s home games next spring will be played at Somerset Academy Canyons.

According to Bargerstock, last year’s team started with 65 players and ended up with about 30 players on the roster at the season’s end.

“We lost some players to injury and some quit playing because they weren’t happy with enough See CAPOS, page 25

Quarterback Kalani Ilimaleota throws for the Palm Beach Capos. PHOTO BY STARKEY IMAGES AND SOLITARIO VISUALS

The Royal Palm Beach High School girls volleyball team celebrates after defeating Dr. Joaquin Garcia High School on Sept. 26. PHOTO BY MCKENZIE MORLEY

Palm Beach Central High School player Tony Williams.

(Left) Seminole Ridge quarterback Dylan Reid rolls out in the game against John Carroll. (Right) SRHS homecoming queen Ayda Kilic and homecoming king Toby Norton. PHOTOS BY RICHARD AREYZAGA JR.

Royal Palm Beach quarterback Landon Earl with head coach Chuck Kenyon.

PHOTO BY MCKENZIE MORLEY

TKA wide receiver Matt McPherson during the Lions’ victorious game against Gulliver Prep. PHOTO

Palm Beach Central Girls Volleyball Team Soaring With Success

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

The girls varsity volleyball program from Palm Beach Central High School is thriving this season. Under new head coach Jose Rodriguez-Soto, the team is having a banner year and is a good bet to have a deep, postseason run in the upcoming Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 7A postseason.

Rodriguez-Soto has brought a vision of what a high school varsity volleyball program should look like, and his players are committed to transforming his dream into reality.

“I have brought organization and a vision to re-shape the volleyball program at Palm Beach Central,” Rodriguez-Soto said. “The players believe in my vision and philosophy. They have been open to my new ideas.”

The volleyball players at Palm Beach Central are not the only individuals who agree with Rodriguez-Soto’s volleyball philosophy.

“Coach Jose has been a massive boost to our volleyball program. His passion for both the sport and the student-athletes has changed the culture within the program,” said Travis Abel, Palm Beach Central’s athletic director. “In terms of Xs and Os, we knew he was amazing, which is why we targeted him in the hiring process this past summer. All of this has taken place with an abbreviated preseason, so I can’t wait to see what is in store for our volleyball program going forward.”

Volleyball Strong Start For Royal Palm Beach High School

continued from page 21 competed in a local tournament where Buck feels that her team learned a great deal, which will help them for the balance of this year’s season and well into the future.

“We went 1-3 over the weekend of Sept. 29-30,” she said. “It was a great tournament. We played a team from Puerto Rico, so that was pretty neat. We played incredible competition and learned

As a result of Rodriguez-Soto’s game plan for success, the practices for the girls volleyball team have been competitive and filled with energy. On game day, Palm Beach Central has been winning the vast majority of its matches.

“Our practices have been phenomenal this season,” RodriquezSoto said. “We have a nucleus of players who are strong and talented.”

Right now, the Broncos are 15-4, and they have won 10 out of their last 12 matches. The most recent game was a five-set loss to crosstown rival Wellington High School on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Despite the disappointing loss to Wellington, Rodriguez-Soto knows his team will learn from the loss and bounce back. “That loss is part of the game,” he said. “We will calibrate and get back.”

Palm Beach Central’s roster is filled with experience and youth.

“Our roster this fall includes eight seniors and five sophomores, plus one junior and one freshman,” Rodriquez-Soto said.

As expected, the seniors are leading by example — off the court, in practice, and in games.

Palm Beach Central’s two captains are senior middle hitter Tamia Coleman and senior libero Cassady Peggs. Both are invaluable members of the team.

“Tamia is a very athletic leader who understands and believes in our team philosophy,” RodriguezSoto said. “She is an excellent player who scores points for us at the net.”

a lot as a team despite losing some games.” If the Royal Palm Beach girls varsity volleyball team can continue its winning ways for the balance of the regular season, the team will attempt to ride that momentum deep into the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 7A playoffs, which will begin in mid-October.

The ultimate goal is to reach and win the FHSAA’s Class 7A state championship game, which will be held on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. on the campus of Polk State College in Winter Haven. And, of course, if the Royal Palm Beach team believes that they can make it to that championship game, they can certainly achieve it, and possibly win it!

Palm Beach Central’s Tamia Coleman with a kill at the net.

Peggs, meanwhile, is the team’s proverbial “heart and soul.”

“Cassady is the backbone of our team,” Rodriquez-Soto said. “She does everything well for us. She is our best passer and also one of our top servers. She is also great at serve-receive. We try to keep her in the middle of the court.”

Another senior who is an important member of the team is outside hitter Reagan Lopez.

“Reagan is having an outstanding season and simply does things the right way,” Rodriquez-Soto said. “She understands what we are trying to do as a team, and she is teaching that philosophy to many of our younger players.”

During this current winning

streak, the Broncos traveled to Key West to play four matches in two days in mid-September. When all was said and done, Palm Beach Central won each match, and the squad began to grow and gel as a unit.

“The tournament in Key West has been a big part of our season,” Rodriguez-Soto said. “Our players realized that our team can compete with any team, and we can control the flow of our games. The Key West tournament experience showed how united we are as a team. We established some great team chemistry during those two days.”

Moving forward, Palm Beach Central concludes its regular sea-

son on Thursday, Oct. 12 when the Broncos travel to play the Oxbridge Academy. After that, Palm Beach Central will play in the local Class 7A, District 8 single-elimination post-season tournament.

If the Broncos win that district tournament, then they will earn an automatic bid into the FHSAA’s Class 7A state tournament. If they stumble, they will have to wait for an at-large bid based on their state ranking. Palm Beach Central is expected to be the favorite to win the district tournament.

Rodriguez-Soto likes his team’s chances for the balance of the season because his squad is prepared, confident and focused.

“For us, our success is all due

to preparation and being able to adjust in matches on the fly,”

Rodriguez-Soto said. “We have a strong group of servers, passers, blockers, players who can servereceive, and score points at the net with kills.”

The top two players in kills are Coleman and Lopez.

“We count on Tamia for points, and she likes that role for us,” Rodriguez-Soto said. “Reagan can hit the ball to any part of the court from any position.”

If the Palm Beach Central varsity girls volleyball team can continue its success for the balance of the regular season, that bodes well for the team’s journey into the FHSAA’s Class 7A playoffs.

The Palm Beach Central High School girls varsity volleyball team.

Wildcat Jenna Larsen with a back row attack. PHOTOS BY MCKENZIE MORLEY

Royal Palm Beach volleyball player Jadyn Mainolfi serves the ball.

ANNE

HOSTS CAMPAIGN KICKOFF

FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE RACE

Loxahatchee’s Donna Russo Is A Local Angel In Need Of Help

Donna Russo, a beacon of compassion and generosity, has dedicated more than a decade of her life to improving the lives of those in need through her organization, Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee. As the founder of the local nonprofit, Russo has touched the lives of hundreds of individuals and families.

In 2013, Russo came across a Facebook post about a family in distress. Sharon Veramo, diagnosed with stage III breast cancer, was struggling to make ends meet while undergoing treatment. Russo sprang into action, organizing a giant yard sale that raised $4,000 for Veramo and her family. Inspired by the impact of this effort, Russo continued her mission of helping others. She organized multiple charitable events over the next 10 years, raising funds and providing

assistance to those combating unexpected, life-altering events and illnesses.

Russo’s dedication knew no bounds. She rallied the community to come together for children like Kiki, battling brain cancer, and Dave, fighting stage IV throat cancer. Russo went above and beyond, collecting food, clothing and providing essential items for families, child daycares, local elementary schools and students with the greatest financial needs.

Now, Russo faces her own battle — she has recently been diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. This unexpected turn of events has shaken Russo and her family to the core. She now needs support from the community she has served so faithfully. Russo’s situation is made more complex by her husband’s own health battles

Parker D. Sargeant Makes Honor Roll At Oregon State

Parker D. Sargeant of Wellington, a post baccalaureate student in computer science, is among the students who made the scholastic honor roll for summer 2023 at Oregon State University.

Capos Adult Football Team

continued from page 21 playing time,” Bargerstock explained. He expects more success and more committed players in 2024. According to Bargerstock, there are a few reasons that motivate players to suit up for the Capos.

“Some players are looking to prove they are good enough for a scholarship to play college football, some players still have dreams of playing pro football, and many players simply have a passion to play football for another season,” he said. “One of last year’s players, Larry Johnson, was able to get a scholarship to Savannah State.”

In addition to coaching the football team, Bargerstock has been

Football Strong Season For TKA

continued from page 21 play John I. Leonard High School. That game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m.

The King’s Academy Lions are enjoying a memorable football season. After their opening season loss to St. Andrews School, the Lions have reeled off four straight wins against Glades Central High School, Somerset Academy Canyons, John Carroll Catholic and Gulliver Prep.

The Lions’ offense has averaged 39.5 points per game, while only allowing 12.75 points a game.

After having a bye week on Friday, Sept. 29, the Lions return to the gridiron on Friday, Oct. 6, when they host St. John Paul II Academy (1-4) from Boca Raton. On Thursday, Oct. 12, TKA travels to Riviera Beach to play Suncoast High School.

The Berean Christian School Bulldogs remain winless on the current season. The Bulldogs (0-5) did break a season-long scoreless drought in their 41-6 loss at Miami Country Day School. The Bulldogs will continue their search for a victory when they host the Oxbridge Academy on Monday, Oct. 9. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.

and losing their home. Together, they face not only the physical and emotional challenges of their illnesses, but also the financial burdens that come with extensive medical care.

The expenses associated with travel, medical consultations, copays and treatments add to the complexity. Donations, no matter how big or small, can make a difference in her fight against breast cancer.

To make a donation, or to learn more about Russo’s journey, visit the Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee web site at www. helpingheartsandlives.com or Donna Russo’s GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/donnaa-helping-heart-of-gold-in-needof-help.

OBITUARY Community Mourns Well-Known Attorney And Longtime Wellington Resident Alfred J. Malefatto

Longtime Wellington resident Alfred J. Malefatto, an attorney with the firm Lewis, Longman & Walker P.A., passed away on Thursday, Sept. 21. Malefatto was a valued partner, mentor, dear friend, and beloved husband and father. His generous spirit and joyful outlook enriched the community.

Science and Technology at Forest Hill High School. He earned his law degree from the University of Florida College of Law in 1979 after earning a bachelor’s degree from New York University in 1975.

Malefatto will be deeply missed by his family, the LLW family, the Florida legal community and his innumerable friends.

A total of 3,385 students earned a B-plus (3.5) or better to make the listing.

To be on the honor roll, students must carry at least six graded hours of course work.

able to recruit cheerleaders and a small marching band to be present during games, which adds to the overall experience for both players and fans. He has also been able to generate regular news coverage from the West Palm Beach-based radio station ESPN 360, which provides live reads and updates during the days leading up to the games.

The Capos will kick off their regular season in late February and will play through early May. After that, the playoffs begin. The league champion will be crowned in June. The 2023 EAFL championship game was played between the Georgia Cobras and the South Florida Browns. The Browns won, 21-20.

Interested players who missed the tryout and still want to play for the team next spring are welcome to contact Bargerstock at (561) 839-0531 or brenton. bargerstock@icloud.com. Learn more about the team at www. palmbeachcapos.com.

Helping Hearts and Lives of Loxahatchee is a nonprofit charity founded by Donna Russo, dedicated to providing financial assistance and support to individuals and families in need. Since its inception, the organization has made a profound impact on the lives of hundreds in the Loxahatchee community through charitable events and initiatives. For more information, visit www.facebook. com/helpingheartsoflox.

Malefatto’s law career began in 1980, serving as assistant general counsel at the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, now the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, until 1983. He then went into private practice, focusing in the areas of environmental, land use and administrative law.

Malefatto served as chair of LLW’s environmental and natural resources practice group for many years, and he also held leadership positions in numerous professional organizations, including the Environmental and Land Use Law Section of the Florida Bar, the Central Palm Beach County and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

SPORTS & RECREATION

and the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches. A board member since 2011, Malefatto was chair-elect of the Urban League of Palm Beach County.

Malefatto was passionate about educating the next generation of leaders. He served as president for many years of the Friends of the Gale Academy of Environmental

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be directed to the Urban League of Palm Beach County (www.ulpbc.org/donate) or the Gale Academy of Environmental Science and Technology at Forest Hill High School. Checks should be addressed to: Friends of the Academy of Env Sci & Tech Inc., P.O. Box 21686, West Palm Beach, FL 33416 or via PayPal at www.paypal.com/paypalme/ FriendsESA.

Services for Malefatto were held on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach. To view the obituary, visit www.bethisraelchapel.com/ obituaries/Alfred-Malefatto.

LOCAL WRESTLERS COMPETE IN MICHIGAN

The Wellington Wrestling Club recently competed at the Grappler Fall Classic Preseason Nationals in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The team ended up in fifth place overall in the varsity division and had some amazing individual performances. Carter Gore took fifth place in Elite boys. Vivianna Caullett took fifth place in Elite girls. In Varsity boys, Cameron Gibson took third place, Carter Gore took sixth place, James Kosza took eighth place and Mac Andrews took eighth place. Finally, in Elementary, Uriah Caullett took seventh place.

BUSINESS NEWS

PWH Honors Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Several Informative Events

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, HCA Florida Palms West Hospital is hosting breast health and breast cancer-focused events and an open house at its Breast Center.

Board-certified breast radiologist Dr. Dianne Georgian-Smith will be leading a discussion on the advancements in breast cancer detection and treatment during a Lunch and Learn on Monday, Oct. 16 from noon to 1 p.m. at Palms West Hospital, located at 13001 Southern Blvd. Space is limited, so attendees must register at www. palmswesthospital.com under “Classes and Events.”

The HCA Florida Palms West Hospital Breast Center will open its doors for its annual open house on Tuesday, Oct. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests can tour the facility while learning about the stateof-the-art technology available for both mammography and bone density screenings while shopping with local vendors.

Pelvic floor therapist Megan Barrett will also be available to discuss the therapies she offers to women. Hors d’oeuvres and wine samples from Scout & Cellar Clean Crafted Wine will be served during this free event. The Breast Center is located at 12989

Southern Blvd., Suite 104, on the campus of HCA Florida Palms West Hospital.

Board-certified surgeon Dr. James J. Goad will be leading a discussion on breast health and cancer treatments at the Wellington Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 25 at noon. Lunch will be served during this informative discussion, and attendees are encouraged to ask questions. Annual mammograms remain the gold standard for the detection of breast cancer and can be scheduled at www.palmswesthospital. com.

West Palm Beach VA Ranks Five Stars

The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System recently announced that a five-star overall Community Living Center (CLC) Compare rating was achieved at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center campus. CLC Compare is a star rating system adapted from the Centers from Medicare and Medicaid in which a facility is rated between one and five stars and serves as a mechanism to benchmark both VA

and community facilities together. The rating is determined based upon the outcomes within three domains: unannounced survey performance, staffing, and quality measures. The West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System achieved a five-star rating across all three domains, reflecting the highest level of performance possible.

“The five-star rating is a driving force to create an exceptional experience for veterans that focuses

on continuously raising standards and delivering the highest quality care,” Executive Director Cory Price said. “The CLC is home to long-stay veterans where bonds are built and memories are made. The team ensures the comfort and safety of all residents.”

The CLC provides short-stay rehabilitation, short-stay skilled nursing care, short-stay continuing care, long-stay continuing care, hospice, palliative and respite care.

GERWIG

Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig held her campaign kickoff and fundraiser for state representative in District 93 at the Wellington National Golf Club on Tuesday, Sept. 19, with more than 100 people in attendance. Gerwig, a Republican, is challenging incumbent State Rep. Katherine Waldron (D-District 93) in next year’s election cycle. District 93 includes all of Wellington and parts of western Greenacres, Lake Worth and Boynton Beach.

Lisa Shields, Linda Grove, Chuck Grove, Anne Gerwig, Kirsten Kopp and Ken Kopp.

Former Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore with Anne and Alan Gerwig. Alan Gerwig, Sunny Hawkins, Anne Gerwig and Chad Godwin.

Alfred J. Malefatto

Palm Beach Capos running back Juan Ofarrill breaks through tacklers for a big gain.

Palm Beach Capos wide receiver William Hamilton with a jump ball catch in the end zone for a touchdown.

PHOTOS BY STARKEY IMAGES AND SOLITARIO VISUALS

TKA’s Reggie Workman scores a touchdown in the game against Gulliver

Charter For Western Academy Charter School Renewed Through 2038

Western Academy Charter School, which opened its doors on a new, 62,000-square-foot educational campus in August last year, recently announced that it has received a renewal of its charter contract for 15 years from the School District of Palm Beach County.

Receiving a 15-year charter renewal is a demonstration of the strong student outcomes produced by Western Academy over the last 20 years and the community’s

faith in its ability to continue to provide a high-quality education to students for years to come.

A charter renewal for 15 years is reserved only for the highest quality charter schools in the State of Florida. Western Academy has been a foundation in the community and the charter school of choice for parents and students for two decades. Students experience the school’s whole child, multi-sensory approach to learning, with multiple STEAM

tracks, featuring courses in computer coding, animation, 2D and 3D design, virtual simulation, gaming mechanics, engineering and robotics.

Enrollment has grown to 645 students. The school will continue to expand and bring its high-quality educational program to 785 students by 2026.

“We’re honored and humbled to receive this charter renewal. We know we provide the best educational experience for our students,

and we are proud to be able to deliver that to our community for the next 15 years and beyond,”

Western Academy Principal and CEO Tsiri Miller said.

The school continues to outperform other public schools in the region and earn recognition for positive student outcomes. Western Academy has been recognized as an A-rated school since 2006, a Florida School of Excellence since 2017, a Florida High Performing Charter School since 2011 and a

WHS Debaters Earn Awards At John I. Leonard Event

The Wellington High School speech and debate team opened its 2023-24 season with an impressive performance at John I. Leonard High School on Saturday, Sept. 23 when 18 debaters took home hardware.

First place in Dramatic Performance went to Izzy Parissos, while Stacy Joseph placed fourth in Oral Interpretation of Literature. Placing first overall in his varsity Congressional Debate chamber was Patrick McDermott, while Brandon Burt was third and Kai Cartwright took home a gavel as his varsity chamber’s best presiding officer.

Six varsity students earned gavels for their role as presiding officers in novice chambers: Alexa Charlot, Maddox Manriquez, Adrian Perez-Rodriguez, Maria Ramirez, Kelvin Smith and Ewa Tryniszewski.

In their first-ever weekend high school debate tournament, seven novice debaters earned accolades. Ava Redfield and Jordan-Anthony Scott each took second place in their chambers, while Natalia Figueroa placed third. Fourth in her chamber went to Elisa Syla. Both Trinity Smoot Ford and Zoe

Green School of Excellence since 2016.

Western Academy is among the highest scoring schools in Palm Beach County for all subjects every year, and 100 percent of the school’s students graduate from high school.

Located in the Village of Royal Palm Beach, Western Academy Charter School currently serves 645 students in grades K-8 who reside in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, western

Lake Worth and Lantana. Through a mission to equip all children with the skills necessary for success on both an educational and social level, Western Academy’s award-winning academic program addresses the whole child through a multi-sensory approach to learning. Interested families and community members are invited to learn more about Western Academy. For more information, visit www. westernacademycharter.com.

BRONCO STUDENTS WIN DEBATE AWARDS

On Saturday, Sept. 23, the Palm Beach Central High School speech and debate team traveled to John I. Leonard High School to compete against 16 other schools. The Bronco team had 52 students competing in six different events. There were more than 500 students in attendance at the all-day contest. Winners from Palm Beach Central were (L-R): Ashley Furtado, first place in Dramatic Reading; Logan Masse, fourth place in Student Congress; Lester Ibarra, third place in Student Congress; Giada Rejune, fourth place in Novice Student Congress; Elliot Miller, fourth place in Two-Person Acting; Sarah Davis, fourth place in Two-Person Acting; and Emilie Cavanaugh, third place in One-Person Acting.

Palm Beach State College To Host Inaugural Emerald Torch Awards Gala

Palm Beach State College will commemorate its 90th anniversary by honoring community heroes, including military veterans and alumni, at the inaugural Emerald Torch Awards Gala that will take place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Fire Academy Complex on PBSC’s Lake Worth campus at 4200 Congress Ave.

With the twin goals of honoring community heroes and supporting student scholarships and programs, the dinner gala, featuring

the Emerald Torch Awards presentation, will also recognize a prominent philanthropic leader with a lifetime achievement award.

“It is a great privilege to recognize the contributions of our veterans, community heroes and alumni in this celebration of Palm Beach State College’s 90-year legacy of serving hundreds of thousands of students and their families and communities,” PBSC President Ava L. Parker said. “The

Emerald Torch Awards Gala will also be an opportunity to reinforce the college’s continuing mission to empower the futures of Palm Beach County residents and help drive the county’s economic development and progress.”

All proceeds from the ticketed event will support the Foundation for Palm Beach State College and its initiatives to fund student scholarships and enhance programs of study. For more information on table sponsorships, or to purchase

tickets, visit www.palmbeachstate. edu/torchawards.

“The Foundation for Palm Beach State prides itself on building relationships that not only serve but also elevate the college’s mission for the benefit of our students and the community,” said David Rutherford, CEO of the foundation and vice president of institutional advancement at PBSC. “While the gala celebrates an incredible milestone in the life of the college, it also reminds us

that we have been truly blessed with an extraordinary opportunity to impact lives and ensure a better future through higher education.”

PBSC opened its doors on Nov. 14, 1933, as Palm Beach Junior College, Florida’s first public community college. Since that day, when the college comprised three classrooms and 41 local students, the institution has grown to become Palm Beach State College with five campuses and more than 36,000 students.

The Foundation for Palm Beach State College, founded in 1973, funds initiatives and opportunities that advance student access and achievement, and impact the economic and cultural vitality of the community.

Since 2018, the foundation has awarded more than $9 million in student scholarships. Learn more about Palm Beach State College, including programs and events, by visiting www. palmbeachstate.edu.

This October, the Mall at Wellington Green is hosting several exciting events, catering to all ages. Come shop, attend and enjoy.

The Fifth Annual Pink Party and Zumba Dance Party — Saturday, Oct. 7, 1 to 3 p.m. in the Grand Court (free). The Mall at Wellington Green will host its annual Pink Party in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Highlights will include student performances, bra decorating, face painting and airbrush tattoos, and a lively Zumba master class (a $10 donation will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk). Participants will hear inspiring stories from survivors and thrivers and learn about early breast cancer detection and prevention from Wellington Re-

gional Medical Center and the American Cancer Society.

OneBlood Blood Drive — Oct. 13, 14 and 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the East Parking Lot. The Big Red Bus will be parked in the East Parking Lot and will be accepting blood donations on these three dates. Every pint of blood donated has the potential to save three lives, and all donors will receive a Chick-fil-A gift card. For more information, visit www. oneblood.org.

Asphalt Angels Classic Car Show — Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the East Parking Lot (free). Every car lover’s dream, the Asphalt Angels Classic Car Show is coming to Wellington. The family-friendly extravaganza provides a unique opportunity to see impressive classic cars, muscle cars and other special vehicles.

Classics Horror Tour — Starting Oct. 15 at CMX Wellington for $5.99 per ticket. Watch your favorite horror movie classics throughout October at CMX Wellington. Enjoy heart-pumping flicks like Poltergeist (Oct. 15 and Oct. 18), Beetlejuice (Oct. 22 and Oct. 25) and The Shining (Oct. 29 and Oct. 31).

Kids Club Mall-O-Ween Costume Party & Magic Show

Friday, Oct. 20, 6 to 8 p.m. in the Grand Court (free). Get into the Halloween spirit at the Mall-OWeen Costume Party & Magic Show. The event will include a magic demonstration, photo ops with the Hocus Pocus witches, holiday candy and additional surprises. Costumes are encouraged.

Kids Club Mommy & Me Costume Party — Wednesday, Oct. 25 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the

District at Wellington Green (free).

This fun-filled Halloween event is perfect for children under five years old. Attendees will enjoy music, a costume parade, Halloween bingo and pumpkin crafts. Yummy treats will be served.

Trick-or-Treat — Tuesday, Oct. 31, 5 to 7 p.m. mall wide (free).

Calling all ghosts and ghouls… celebrate a spooky Halloween with the kids and enjoy free treats from participating retailers. Halloween Zumba Dance Party with Jaime — Every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the District at Wellington Green (free). The Mall at Wellington Green’s fun, dance fitness party program that combines high- and low-intensity Latin dance moves designed to burn calories and boost cardio endurance. All ages and levels are welcome.

Immersive And Interactive Unicorn World Coming To WPB In October

Unicorn World, an immersive, interactive event for all ages, gallops into West Palm Beach on Oct. 28-29. The event features a magical forest and animatronic unicorns. It will take place at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.

Created and developed by the husband-wife duo Patrick and Lauren Mines, Unicorn World is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for families to build memories to-

gether through themed activities, including an enchanted forest, arts and crafts activities, story time, and colorful, life-sized, moving and neighing unicorns.

“Seeing the joy, inspiration and creativity reflected in the faces of families when they experience the magic of Unicorn World drives us to bring this event to communities throughout the country,” said Lauren Mines, co-founder of Unicorn World. “Whether it’s tapping into

your inner child meeting life-sized unicorns at Rainbow Acres or witnessing the awe of a little one while racing motorized unicorns in the Galloping Glen, Unicorn World is sure to bring a smile to your face.”

The event also includes games and play areas, including specified areas for children under two years old. Families also can purchase add-on experiences, such as professional photos, rides, bounce

MorseLife Hospice & Palliative Care Expands Throughout The County

After helping patients and families in the MorseLife Health System community navigate the end-of-life journey, MorseLife Hospice & Palliative Care is expanding throughout Palm Beach County.

“As one of the nation’s preeminent providers of senior services for nearly 40 years, MorseLife Health System celebrates life, and that is never more evident than in our hospice and palliative care programs, which serve people of any age,” MorseLife President & CEO Keith A. Myers said. “We respect the individual and family’s wishes, treating everyone with dignity in meaningful, positive ways.”

MorseLife Hospice & Palliative Care was recognized by the Florida Legislature as the state’s only teaching hospice as Palm Beach

Hospice by MorseLife in 2018. As a teaching facility, MorseLife Hospice stays at the forefront of new ideas and the creation of best practices. Three years ago, it launched its Rest Assured program, which provides a compassionate caregiver or volunteer to be a reassuring presence during the final hours of anyone in its hospice care.

It is typical to contact hospice when a physician determines that an individual has a life prognosis of six months or less. However, a 2019 nationwide survey conducted by MorseLife found that 40 percent of respondents incorrectly believed that the sole purpose of hospice is to sedate terminally ill patients to provide pain/anxiety relief.

MorseLife Hospice & Palliative Care offers pain and symptom management, medication, special-

ized equipment, psychology, and spiritual support for the patient and family, as well as grief support and ongoing bereavement and counseling.

The 2019 survey also found that 87 percent of Americans support the use of medical marijuana as a treatment option for terminally ill patients. MorseLife is the only senior living provider in Florida authorized to make cannabinoid-based therapies available among its numerous other treatment options in a variety of care settings.

MorseLife Hospice & Palliative Care provides services wherever an individual lives: at home, in a hospital, skilled nursing or assisted living venues. For more information, call (561) 868-6573 or visit www.morselife. org/hospice.

houses, face painting and more.

“We are honored to be helping families make magical memories together in a wonderland of unicorns,” co-founder Patrick Mines said. “From the moment our attendees arrive to the moment they leave, we want to transport them to an enchanted land that sparks wonder and lets imagination run free. Our goal has been to provide an environment that fosters quality time together for all ages,

and we’re proud that the average stay at Unicorn World is more than two hours. That’s perhaps the greatest testament to the success and magic of this experience for families.”

The event will be the 17th of its kind, including previous events across the nation.

“The full embrace of this unique experience by attendees has been so rewarding to witness, and we look forward to bringing mystical

Palm Beach

Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) has been recognized as one of the nation’s best medium-sized airports by J.D. Power.

PBI ranked No. 4 in 2023 on the prestigious J.D. Power list of best mid-sized airports. J.D. Power is a self-described global leader in consumer insights, advisory services, and data and analytics.

“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized by J.D. Power,” Director of Airports Laura Beebe said. “This placement underscores our commitment to a world class, stress-free customer experience.”

J.D. Power examined food and beverage options at the airport, baggage claim and terminal facilities, among other factors. PBI is currently in the process of adding

even more restaurant and retail space as part of the Concourse B Expansion Project. The project will also result in two new passenger jet bridges, expanded restrooms, adult changing areas, a sensory area for those with sensory sensitivities, dedicated nursing stations and more.

The announcement comes two months after readers of Travel + Leisure ranked PBI among the nation’s top ten best airports.

PBI continues to experience record passenger volume with nearly 7.4 million passengers traveling through the airport in a 12-month period. The airport also experienced substantial increases in passengers over the last several months with a more than 17 per-

magic to even more cities,” Patrick Mines said. Tickets, which are $30 per person and free for children under age 2, must be purchased in advance through the Unicorn World web site and are not available at the event. To manage event flow and crowd size, time slots must be reserved. For more information about tickets, time reservations and add-on experiences, visit www.theunicornworld.com.

cent increase in July 2023 over July 2022.

Many seasonal flights are returning to the airport in the coming months, including daily direct service to Los Angeles on JetBlue starting Dec. 15. Other seasonal flights returning include service to Minneapolis, Chicago, Houston and Washington-Dulles.

PBI serves more than 7 million passengers annually and offers 200 nonstop flights daily and 13 airlines. As a part of PBI’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, PBI became an accredited GBAC STAR facility and achieved Airport Health Accreditation by Airports Council International. For more information, visit www.pbia.org.

I’m Not The ‘Worst Baker In America,’ But I Guess I’m A Bit Rusty

A few years back, my daughter nominated me for the TV show Worst Baker in America. She didn’t tell me she had done this and, when they called, I insisted I was not the worst baker in America.

Ultimately, I didn’t get on the show, but I had to submit a videotape and all kinds of identification, do a call with the casting company and answer a questionnaire that asked for my entire history, including whether or not I had ever been a porn star. (“Check out these cupcakes!”) No.

Fast forward to last week when my daughter, in a time crunch, asked me if I could bake 24 little banana breads for her daughter’s class by the next day. Of course I could! I’m a grandma!

Unfortunately, I soon realized it had

Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

been a decade or two since I last made my famous mini banana breads. I was woefully unprepared. I ran to the store to get a few missing ingredients (bananas) and fired up the oven. I have a gas oven now, so I knew to turn it down a couple of degrees. I figured 13 would be enough. I couldn’t find my big mixing bowl, but

eventually located it right in front of me on the kitchen counter, housing oranges. Here’s the thing about today’s kids — their precious little tummies have issues with everything. Even while my daughter cautioned, “And don’t forget the nuts!” I knew I had to leave some loaves nutless and prepare several different kinds of cream cheese frosting — with nuts, without nuts, with pink food coloring, without pink food coloring, and some with neither cream nor cheese for the lactose intolerant.

I popped all the different loaves into the oven. Then I remembered I hadn’t added nuts to half of them. I pulled them out, sloshed some nuts in there with a teaspoon and pushed the trays back in. A full 10 minutes before they were supposed to be

done, I smelled the little devils burning. I yanked them out again, dumped them onto the counter to cool and realized that now I had no idea which had nuts. The solution, of course, to crack each one open and glue it back shut with frosting.

I had seen a YouTube video about a young mother making a pastry bag out of a baggie simply by cutting off the corner, so I decided to try this. It took me forever to cram all that gooey frosting into the bag. I closed up the bag, gave it a squeeze and, instead of a well-controlled swirl like on YouTube, I got a swirl with a forked tail! My bag had two or three punctures!

This was where the mess initially started. Well, that and the fact that I had to slice the burnt bottoms off most of them,

flip them over and frost the bottoms so my secret was safe. I wish I was kidding! When they were all frosted (or not) and dipped in nuts (or not), I started to feel sorry for the kids who had naked loaves. That’s when I hit upon the ingenious idea of no-bake bakery. I got some loaf liners, filled them with m&ms and cinnamon imperials and voila! No cake, no frosting, only the good stuff — candy toppings. Then I started to feel sorry for the kids who had to eat my baking and filled up 24 liners with nothing but candy. And that’s what I brought to school. (The kids loved them!) When I arrived, my daughter took one look at my little containers of candy and said, “Tell me again why you shouldn’t be on Worst Baker in America?”

Not Impressed By Kenneth Branagh’s ‘A Haunting in Venice’

Kenneth Branagh’s A Haunting in Venice is the third in his series of Agatha Christie adaptations featuring himself as detective Hercule Poirot. Unfortunately, the movies seem to be weaker as he moves forward. The latest one is filled with all sorts of horror film clichés wrapped around some killings. Not horrible, just different. Cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos turns this into a “dark and stormy night” kind of pseudo horror tale that follows more than a few of those typical paths while masking a more mundane murder mystery.

The film takes place in Venice in 1947.

Crime novelist Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), an old friend of Poirot’s, asks him to join her for a Halloween party followed by a séance at a “said to be haunted” palazzo. That sounds scenic, but almost all the film was done in England and takes place indoors. The house is owned by Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly), whose daughter has

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

recently committed suicide (or maybe been murdered), and she will have noted psychic Joyce Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh) there to contact her daughter. There are, of course, many other strange folks there as well.

This is typical with the Christie novels and why they work so well on screen. But characters need to be vivid, and the ones here do not qualify. Once Hollywood did these so well. Recently, things have gone downhill. The 1974 version of “Orient Express” had Albert Finney, Richard

Widmark, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Lauren Bacall, Wendy Hiller and more. The 2017 version had Branagh, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Leslie Odom Jr., Daisy Ridley, Michelle Pfeiffer and Judi Dench. Come on. Widmark was one of the great villains, Depp just a bit of sleaze. Bergman vs. Cruz? Connery vs. Odom Jr.? And so forth. And for Murder on the Nile, there were a handful of the well-known. Here, aside from Branagh, Fey and maybe Yeoh, they are barely known and tend to fade.

As a result, the film is far more genre driven than star driven. The palazzo, seen almost entirely from the inside at night, is a great Gothic horror set. Doors slam, there are interesting passageways, a tropical bird squawks. The camera uses strange angles to ensure that the audience is off-balance.

A lot of the dialogue is meaningless. And some of the characters are not what they appear to be, but it takes a long while to

figure it out. And if the plot keeps shifting, what difference does it make? We still have the long, suspenseful waits as the camera focuses on a dripping faucet that has little to do with the story.

The characters seem to have little relevance to the actual plot. They serve as confusing and confounding issues while, in some cases, having nothing at all to do with the action. There is a former nun acting as housekeeper (Camille Cottin) who has been involved with battles against witchcraft and is also terrible at her job. There is an American bounder (Kyle Allen) who once chased the young dead girl, then gave her up because her family was not rich enough. Then there is a doctor (Jamie Dornan), greatly damaged by PTSD, and his precocious son (Jude Hill). And a couple of others.

A major problem comes from the fact that too many of the characters clearly have no reason at all for killing the young

woman earlier. And a lot of the action seems designed to let them act out their own issues. There is usually a feeling of cleansing when the villain is unmasked. But here there is none of that.

A lot of the plot seems to almost have been made up to fill time. Although ostensibly taken from Christie’s story “Hallowe’en Party,” the plot is completely different. The answer to the original question of murder turns out to be mundane, and most of the rest based on error. The acting is pretty good. I particularly like young Mr. Hill, who often seemed to be the only adult around despite his single digit age. And Fey stole a few scenes. Most of the rest, however, just blurred together.

I was disappointed. Even the big unmasking seemed anti-climactic. If you are a big Agatha Christie fan or like this general mode, I guess the film is for you, but not for many others.

Pets Are Family, Too!

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

CRATE TRAINING

Crate training offers numerous benefits for dogs and their owners. It creates a safe and cozy space where a dog can retreat, reducing anxiety and stress. Crates aid in house training by teaching dogs to hold their bladder and bowels, preventing indoor accidents. When used positively, crates become a tool for managing a dog’s behavior, allowing them to learn boundaries and providing a calm space during high-energy or overwhelming situations. A familiar crate can offer comfort during travel or visits to the veterinarian. Furthermore, they prevent destructive behaviors, safeguarding belongings and the dog’s safety. Overall, when introduced gradually and associated with positive experiences, crate training becomes a valuable asset in fostering a well-adjusted, disciplined, and content canine companion. If you are unsure if crate training is the right way to go for you and your dog, or if you have other pet care concerns, a visit to COMMUNITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF ROYAL PALM BEACH may be in order. We know animals, we love animals, and we treat all animals that come to us as if they were our own. Comprehensive medical, preventive, surgical, and dental care is available for the pet that loves and trusts you at our complete pet care facility at 11462 Okeechobee Blvd., located 1/4 mile east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Please call 798-5508 for an appointment. OPEN SEVEN DAYS

A WEEK.

P.S. In emergency situations, a dog accustomed to a crate is more manageable and less stressed.