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Dancing With The Martin Stars 2024 Breaks Attendance And Fundraising Records For The Martin County Healthy Start Coalition
Dancing with the Martin Stars 2024 broke all records this September for massive attendance, sky-high fundraising, and wall-shaking energy levels in support of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition.
On Saturday, September 21, nine community volunteers and their professional dancing partners took to the stage of the Lyric Theatre in Stuart and brought the audience to their feet with applause for dances like the tango, waltz, and chacha. Because the event was a sellout long before the date, another huge crowd cheered
Martin County Healthy Start Coalition COO Aubrey Campbell, Overall Champion Christian Andersen, Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich, Overall Champion Partner Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe, and Healthy Start Director of Operations Angie Aulisio celebrated the record-breaking 2024 Dancing with the Martin Stars event to benefit the
Start mission. Photo by Driven Media
Hibiscus Children’s Center Presents ‘An Evening In Paris’ To Benefit Children
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of elegance and excitement at the Hibiscus Children’s Center, “An Evening in Paris” Casino Night. This showstopping event will be held on Friday, November 15 at Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort.
This lovely evening will feature a casino, gourmet dinner and dancing to the sounds of D.J. Brian Lemen. The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, then head to the casino to roll the dice! Each guest will receive a $100 voucher for chips and additional vouchers can be purchased throughout the evening. The top three highest rollers will have the chance to win incredible prizes!
All proceeds directly benefit children living at Hibiscus Children’s Center. Children receive life-changing services including educational and literacy services, medical and dental services, and mental health counseling. Hibiscus often receives children at all hours of the day and night. These children enter the shelter hungry and scared, with little more than the clothes on their backs. The stress endured from being removed from their home is traumatic. They walk through the doors of Hibiscus and into the staff’s hearts and the healing begins. It is because of your unwavering support that Hibiscus continues to provide safe haven and life-changing services every day to vulnerable children.
Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to our generous sponsors: Merci Beaucoup – Braden & Braden Architects & Planners, Joan Damson, Michael and Nancy Del Priore,
on the dancers at a live-stream watch party at Ross Hall in the Pittenger Center on the campus of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church.
An astonishing $350,000 was raised by the dancers, sponsors and ticket sales. “We’re so grateful to all of our dancers, sponsors and supporters,” Martin County Healthy Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich said. “The funds we raise through this fun event go directly to our mission of ensuring that in Martin County, every baby is born healthy, every mother is supported, and every father is involved.”
This year’s Martin Stars lineup included Christian Anderson, dancing with local professional Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe; Casey Caplan with Brian Spector; Lorna Day with Angel R. Tamayo III; Matthew Durbin with Emily Matos; Jonathan Garich with Tanya Chaves; Stephanie Martinez with Michael Chaves; April Milner with Eliseo Ruiz; Matthew Right with Eva B. Velez and directed by Marianella Tobar; and Sue Whittington with Jang Don.
For months the dancers learned their steps and chose fabulous costumes. That was only part of the challenge, however. They also raised funds with a variety of mini events like dinners, wine tastings, and auctions to boost their fundraising totals.
The dancers’ goals were to dazzle the judges with their footwork and also raise the most money. In a fiercely competitive battle, Christian Anderson and Daisy Krakowiak-Wiebe were
Dancing With The Martin Stars on page 3
Education Foundation Of Martin County Sets Up Hurricane Fund To Benefit Affected Schools
The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC), in partnership with the Martin County School District, has established the Hurricane Milton Crisis Fund to support students, staff and their families who need urgent assistance. One hundred percent of the monies raised will benefit the parties.
In addition, the EFMC has created a fund to support Murray Middle School, which suffered a direct hit that resulted in lost buildings, including those that housed their music programs (band, chorus, and musical theatre) and agriculture program.
Those who wish to help can do so online at https://bit.ly/efmcstormfund.
“With the community’s generous contributions, we aim to raise an initial $100,000 to provide essential resources and emergency relief for families struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Lisa Rhodes, the EFMC’s executive director.
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the sole authorized organization for accepting hurricane relief donations on behalf of the Martin County School District and Murray Middle School, ensuring that every contribution directly impacts its students and staff.
About The Education Foundation Of Martin County
The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic nonprofit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.
Healthy
Hibiscus Children’s Center on page 3
Cleveland CliniC Martin HealtH news
Cleveland Clinic Is Your Destination For Cancer Care
Residents of Martin and St. Lucie counties now have the convenience of world-class cancer care close to home. For the past few years, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health has been expanding its services and growing its staff of healthcare providers to offer patients easier access to expert cancer care.
“We have an excellent cancer center, and we are continuing to build on it,” says Kelley Kozma, D.O., a medical oncologist and director of the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Health.
Since the center was established in 2021, the number of medical oncologists has grown to four, and four nurse practitioners have joined the staff. Additional staff members include social workers, genetic counselors, nurse navigators, a speech therapist, palliative care physicians, palliative care nurse practitioners, and four radiation oncologists who utilize state-of-
Richard and Deb Kessler, and Ted and Pat Tiemeyer; Bon Chance – Albert M Covelli Foundation and Jo Covelli, B.D. and Jane McIntyre Foundation and Charles McIntyre, Robert Crandall and Ellyn Stevenson, RBC Wealth Management – Pam Dallas and Gordon Nearing, Frank and Patricia Noonan and Richard and Nancy Zappala; LaVie En Rose – John and Andi Brennan, Sally Batz and Henley Sandidge, Dr. Al and Pam Gardner, Elizabeth Herold, Dick and Molly Hoffman, David and Joyce Powell, and Robert Weissman Foundation; Can Can – Timothy and Maureen Cotter, Richard and Cathleen Lennon, Kate Mikkelson – Edward Jones Investments; and RE/MAX of Stuart.
Special Thanks to Mark Greene, our Call to the Heart Auctioneer.
Hibiscus Children’s Center thanks every sponsor, supporter and volunteer who is helping to make a difference for the children and give them a brighter future filled with hopes and dreams.
the-art equipment available at locations in both Martin and St. Lucie counties. Specialized colorectal, ear, nose and throat, and breast surgeons are also on staff.
State-Of-The-Art Medical And Support Services
Martin Health offers next generation sequencing – the most advanced molecular testing available – to all its patients with advanced cancer. Through next-generation sequencing, doctors can detect gene mutations, which helps gather information for a more tailored approach and more targeted treatment options.
Plans are in progress for same-day breast biopsies – a service for patients who have had an abnormal screening mammogram and need follow-up with a diagnostic mammogram. These patients would be able to get a biopsy the same day as the diagnostic mammogram.
“That is going to expedite care and get patients into definitive therapy faster,” Dr. Kozma says.
Support services such as art therapy, yoga, support groups and smoking cessation are also available. Kozma says work is being done to build an integrative oncology program
Event Cochairs Kelley DeCowski and Kate Mikkelson, along with a dedicated committee of volunteers, have been busy planning for this exciting evening. Tickets are $250 per person and sponsorship packages are available with great recognition opportunities for your business. Contact us today for more information and to purchase your tickets at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or Lori Swift at lswift@ hcc4kids.org. We look forward to seeing you at An Evening in Paris to support the Hibiscus kids!
Photo by Amy Freese
Clements, Molly Hoffman, Cochair Kate Mikkelson, Linda Schwaderer,
and Cochair Kelley Decowski. Left to right/back: Mary
Rita
Carolynn Strom, and Judie Wolfe
that offers adjuvant and alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and supplements, to complement traditional medicine services.
Collaborative Care Offers
More Benefits For Patients
As part of the Cleveland Clinic health system, Martin Health cancer care providers have the opportunity to collaborate with experts at both Cleveland Clinic’s main campus in Ohio and at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital regarding individual patients. Virtual consults are available for patients who have rare diseases for which they would like a second opinion, and any patient with a newly diagnosed cancer may have their case presented at a tumor board in Ohio or Weston in an effort to determine the best possible treatment and plan of care.
Kozma says she and her staff also are working on opening up access to more clinical trials in this area through this same collaboration with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio and Weston. Access to more trials could give patients the opportunity to enroll in studies specific to their disease, which may offer treatment benefits.
Call (877) 463-2010 to schedule an appointment or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Cancer to learn more about cancer services at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Health.
Dancing With The Martin Stars from page 1
declared the 2024 Overall Champions as Top Fundraising Team and Top Dancing Team. The First Runner-Up Dance Team was April Milner and Eliseo Ruiz; the Second Runner-Up was Casey Caplan and Brian Spector. The First Runner-Up Fundraising Team was Sue Whittington and Jang Don; the Second Runner-Up Fundraising Team was Lorna Day and Angel Tamayo. In the first ever live voting, Sue Whittington and Jang Don won the People’s Choice Award.
Faith Jacobsen, dance teacher at Exquisite Dance Company and sales manager for the AI Fitness tech company Oxefit; Craig Glavin, manager of Astra Dance Studio and a two-time winner of Dancing with the Martin Stars as a teacher and once as a coach; and Chris Thiel, a top performing realtor with RE/MAX and a former dance teacher and competitive ballroom dancer served as judges. Charles Jones of CDJ Entertainment served as emcee at the Lyric, with Dr. Ed Savage emceeing the live feed at Ross Hall.
“We’re so grateful for the entire community who support us each year,” Suffich said. “From our local celebrities who danced their hearts out onstage and raised funds offstage, to the audience that filled the Lyric to capacity, everyone brought their passion for both the event and the cause it supports.”
The Martin County Healthy Start Coalition expressed its thanks to all of its sponsors and supporters, in particular Title Sponsor Mark R. Kaiser Dermatology; Samba Sponsors Women’s Health Specialists and Rommel Wilson Memorial Fund; and Tango Sponsors Ooo La La, Muscle Vodka, and the Lichtenberger Foundation.
For more information and event photos, visit https:// www.mchealthystart.org/dancing-with-the-martinstars/2024-stars-dancers/.
For more information about Martin County Healthy Start Coalition and its ongoing programs, visit www. mchealthystart.org, call (772) 463-2888 or follow the organization on Facebook.
Hibiscus Children’s Center from page 1
An Evening in Paris Committee – Left to right/front: Pam Gardner, Dana Anderwald, Doris
Debbie Owens
Zottoli,
Nelson, Joyce Powell,
Kelley Kozma, D.O.
Operated by Stuart Main Street
Holiday Happenings
Poinsettia Power Kicking Off The Holiday Season At New Venue On December 2
Poinsettia Power, the very popular annual holiday bazaar, luncheon and fashion show that benefits the Council on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program in Martin County, is moving to a new venue this year.
“Our event gets sold out quickly every year,” said longtime committee member Linda Ryan, “so we’re moving it to a larger venue – the beautiful beachside Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa. The larger venue will allow us to double our capacity, so we can accommodate more people who want to get a jump start on the holidays and support a great cause.”
Poinsettia Power will be held on Monday, December 2, beginning at 10 a.m. Nathalie Pozo, morning anchor at WPBF25, will be the emcee.
Local and regional vendors will entice guests with a variety of merchandise including jewelry, clothing, holiday wreaths, pickleball must-haves, and more at a holidaythemed bazaar. A wide variety of prizes will be drawn, and silent auction items will be available throughout the program to help raise funds for Meals on Wheels. During the delicious lunch, participants will enjoy a lively fashion show and hat parade.
“There is no better time than the holiday season to focus on the people in our community who depend on Meals on Wheels,” said Council on Aging Martin’s President and CEO Karen Ripper. “For many of our clients, the hot meal delivered to their home each day means more than nutrition. It’s a friendly smile from our volunteers and an extra check on their well-being.”
Celebrating Leadership –Chamber Recognizes Business Impact At Annual Chamber Installation And Awards
The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce welcomed 250 guests to their annual Installation and Awards Gala on September 14 presented by Ashley Capital. The backdrop of this exciting event was the beautiful Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa. Chamber President/CEO Joe Catrambone and Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, chair of the Board of Directors, emceed the evening consisting of recognitions, dinner, dancing, and casino gaming. The honorable Senator Gayle Harrell conducted the installation and oath of office for the 2024/25 Board of Directors.
Executive Board
Chair, Dan Hulen, Fifth/Third Bank Merchant Services/ Worldpay
Past Chair, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Grassam Spine & Wellness Chair-Elect, Eric Kiehn, C&W Technologies Vice Chair, Candace Lopes, Skin Serenity Spa Vice Chair, Chuck Geary, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC Treasurer, Gordon Proctor, Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA Directors
Dan Brady, Water Pointe Realty Group/SP
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Council on Aging Martin Poinsettia Power committee members are eager to share a new venue and holiday festivities to raise funds for Meals on Wheels. Back row, Marney McKee, Devon Senical, Joanna Mangan; Front row, J.C. Stern, Linda Ryan. Not pictured, Donna Haines, Francesca Morgan, Melinda Galley, Jackie Roesch-Sanchez, Beverly Mauermann
Many Meals on Wheels clients are financially stressed and can’t afford daily meal delivery. The Council on Aging raises funds throughout the year, including at the Poinsettia Power luncheon, to make it possible for them to continue to get this critically important service.
“Join us for a great kick start to your holiday festivities,” Ryan urges, “and know that you’re making the holidays, and every day, better for neighbors in need.”
Early sponsors in support of Poinsettia Power and Meals on Wheels include Holly Sponsor, Cummins-Levenstein
Honoring
Charitable Foundation; Peace Lily Red Wine Sponsor, Bob & Ralf Massey Foundation; Peace Lily Sponsors Donna Haines, Penny McCaffrey and Publix Super Market Charities; Amaryllis Valet Sponsor, Ross Earle Bonan Ensor & Carrigan, P.A.; Amaryllis Décor Sponsor, Nancy Goethel at Raymond James; and Mistletoe Sponsors Law Offices of John Mangan, P.A., N. Schoonover & Associates, Inc., Seacoast National Bank, Sandhill Cove Retirement Living and The Wawa Foundation, Inc.
For more information about Poinsettia Power, to purchase tickets at $150 each, or to become a sponsor, visit the Council on Aging Martin website www.coamartin.org.
About The Council On Aging Martin County
The Council on Aging Martin County is the community’s hub for senior resources and the county’s Lead Agency on Aging. Founded in 1974, the organization offers expertise, programming and support for older adults and their families to help seniors maintain lives of quality and purpose. Services include Day Primary Care Center, Memory Enhancement Center, Adult Day Club, Meals on Wheels, care management, caregiver support, and a robust offering of educational, cultural, fitness and wellness programs.
The Kane Center located at 900 S.E. Salerno Road in Stuart is the Council on Aging Martin County’s headquarters and is also an event venue available to the public. It serves as a special needs hurricane shelter when necessary. The Council on Aging Martin County also operates senior outreach facilities in Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, East Stuart and Indiantown. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Council on Aging receives funding from state and federal agencies and relies on philanthropic support from the community, including other agencies, private foundations and individual donors. For more information, visit www. coamartin.org.
Marshall Critchfield, Florida Power & Light
Carol Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County
Wayne Filowitz, WRPB Studios
Zack Gazza, Hobe Sound Farms
Jeff Gustafson, Coquina Cove at Martin Downs
Jeremy Harris, Growth Squad
Ryan Huff, Huff Enterprises LLC
Commissioner Stacey Heatherington, Martin County BOCC
Lt. General Frank Libutti
Jill Marasa, Ashley Capital
Michael Maine, Superintendent Martin County Schools
Brandon McAlister, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Dr. Brian Moriarty, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart
Stephen Quintyne, Coral Shores Behavioral Health
Michael Schemel, Indian River State College
Steven Shultz, Edward Jones Investments
Chris Smith, PhotoGraphics
David Snyder, Evergreen Private Care
George Stokus, Martin County Government
Newly Elected To 2024/25 Board Of Directors
Gary Guttveg, DreamWorks Companies
Trisha Hawthorne, TD Bank
Tami Karol, Tami Karol Insurance Agency
Susan King, Martin Funeral Home
While the delicious steak and lobster dinner was enjoyed by guests, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith presented the following awards.
Outgoing Board Member to Amber Woods of Treasure Coast Toyota, Volunteer of the Year to Kelly Dean of Rexel, Employer of the Year to Chris Smith of PhotoGraphics, Chairman’s Award to Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, Public Sector Business Advocate Award to former City Commissioner Troy McDonald, and Private Sector Business Advocate Award to Jill Marasa of Ashley Capital.
Stuart/Martin County Chamber’s President and CEO Joe Catrambone closed the program by granting the President’s Award to Carol Houwaart-Diez of United Way of Martin County and Eric Kiehn of C&W Technologies. Finally, Catrambone presented a chamber tradition – the “Toots Armellini” Business of the Year Award – to Owen Insurance Group. Agency owner Gary Owen accepted the award to roaring applause. Owen is a Martin County LEADERship class 31 graduate and an active chamber sponsor, a role model to new business owners and guide for residents and business owners looking to navigate the complexities of the insurance industry. He is a staunch advocate for insurance education and started a nonprofit to help citizens learn more about the insurance industry.
The Stuart/Martin County Chamber Board of Directors and staff would like to congratulate these award recipients.
Additionally, the annual Installation and Awards Gala is made possible by generous event sponsors. The chamber thanks the following sponsors for their commitment to celebrating leadership in Martin County.
Presenting Sponsor Ashley Capital; Silver Sponsors Hobe Sound Farms, Florida Power & Light, DreamWorks Companies, Carr, Riggs, Ingram CPAs and Advisors, Owen Insurance Group, and Martin Funeral Home; Bronze Sponsors Fifth Third Bank Merchant Services/WorldPay, 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Solutions, WM (Waste Management), TD Bank/Stuart, C&W Technologies, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, Serenity Stuart, Level 4 Telcom, Evergreen Private Care of Florida, 2J Data, Rexel, Just Gold Jewelers, and Comcast Business; and Copper Sponsors LaConte Engineering, Aycock Funeral Home/ Young & Prill, Recovery Insurance Adjusters, PhotoGraphics, Representative Toby Overdorf, Florida House District 85, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart, and the Business Development Board of Martin County.
taMpa general news
TGH First In Tampa Region Offering Same-Day Spinal Surgery
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is the first health system in the Tampa region to treat a range of spine diseases and conditions via minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. Patients at the academic health system’s TGH Neuroscience Institute experience same-day discharge, quicker recovery, minimal downtime and less pain.
The procedure involves the surgeon inserting the endoscope through a tiny incision about the size of a pencil tip to access an affected area, such as a herniated disc. The device is then guided to the spine to capture video that’s projected onto a monitor. The surgeon can also insert miniature tools through the endoscope to help perform procedures to treat bone spurs, chronic pain, degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, sciatic nerve compression and spinal stenosis.
According to Dr. Patrick Kim, an endoscopic spine surgeon at Tampa General, and an assistant professor in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida, there are multiple benefits to this technique, including a nearly zero percent chance of wound infection. “The end result is smaller incisions, less tissue disruption and quicker patient recovery time after surgery,” he said.
Dr. Kim is the first fellowship-trained endoscopic surgeon in the Tampa region. He received his medical degree from LSU New Orleans and completed his
Kidney Insufficiency
residency at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Subsequently, he pursued a fellowship in endoscopic spine surgery at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center. “I’ve witnessed the progression from traditional open surgery to minimally invasive spine surgery,” he said. “The endoscopic spine surgery represents the pinnacle of that progression.”
Tampa General’s Spine Neurosurgery Program leverages a multidisciplinary team of physicians who specialize in the treatment and management of degenerative cervical and lumbar conditions, and complex spinal deformities.
How do you know if you’re a candidate for spine surgery? Kim said that 80 percent of the U.S. adult population experiences lower back pain or neck pain in their lifetime. “As a surgeon, my role is to distinguish whether surgery is a patient’s best option,” he said. Kim works closely with the TGH Neuroscience Institute’s team of chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists and pain interventionists to determine the next course of action. “First, we try as many nonsurgical treatment options as possible,” he said. “In most cases, surgery is usually a last resort.”
“So far we’ve successfully treated athletes, soldiers and even patients in their 90s,” said Kim. “Collaborating with Tampa General’s anesthesia team, we’ve been able to perform awake spine surgeries with minimal sedation,
similar to colonoscopies. This is a game-changer for patients usually deemed too sick for general anesthesia.”
Kim notes that patients with ruptured discs typically recover the same day, whereas those with more chronic illnesses recover in the span of a few days up to a week.
TGH Neuroscience Institute surgeons perform more minimally invasive spine surgeries than any other hospital in the region, including endoscopic laser spine surgeries, microdiscectomies, laminectomies, foraminotomies and lumbar fusions.
Tampa General is ranked by U.S. News & World Report 2024/25 as a high performing hospital for neurology and neurosurgery, meaning the academic health system is among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation. Additionally, the TGH Neuroscience Institute is one of the top neurology and spine programs in the U.S., according to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2023 list of “Hospitals and Health Systems with Spine and Neuroscience Programs to Know.”
Since 2020, Tampa General has been creating a framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in Palm Beach and Martin counties with the expertise and innovation of a preeminent academic health system. Patients treated by Tampa General East Coast physicians enjoy several benefits, including access to minimally invasive and complex surgeries that utilize state-of-the-art technologies. Tampa General is the primary teaching affiliate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine and is one of the largest hospitals in the nation.
For more information about the minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery offered at Tampa General, visit TGH.org/MinimallyInvasiveSpineSurgery.
tip of tHe tail
Chronic kidney insufficiency is one of the most common diseases affecting older pets, especially cats. Many causes exist for chronic kidney insufficiency, with age-related kidney deterioration being one of the more common causes. Chronic kidney insufficiency indicates that a condition called azotemia has been present for months or years. When azotemia is present, toxins have accumulated in the bloodstream, and labwork will indicate abnormalities. Approximately 70 percent of kidney function must be lost before labwork abnormalities are noted. Azotemia does not necessarily mean a pet is experiencing a reduced quality of life. The term uremia means that the patient is azotemic and also demonstrating clinical signs of kidney disease, which may be reducing their quality of life. The goal in treatment of chronic kidney insufficiency is to prevent, postpone, or resolve uremia, to ensure the pet experiences the best possible quality of life. Azotemia associated with chronic kidney insufficiency may not be reversible.
The kidneys perform several important functions:
1.) Filtering waste products, primarily urea and creatinine;
2.) Regulating electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium;
3.) Producing erythropoietin, which helps stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells;
4.) Producing renin, which helps control blood pressure;
5.) Producing and concentrating urine.
When kidney function begins to decline, waste products accumulate in the blood, electrolyte imbalances occur, anemia can develop, blood pressure problem may occur, and urine concentration decreases.
Clinical signs of chronic kidney insufficiency can be vague and may mimic other diseases. The most common symptoms usually noted are increased thirst and increased urination. Other symptoms may include decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and poor hair coat. These symptoms may be slowly progressive, and, if mild, may go unnoticed by a pet owner. Labwork may reveal abnormalities before obvious clinical signs are evident, which may allow treatment to be initiated sooner and provide the best quality of life for the pet.
Several treatment options can be utilized to help pets with chronic kidney insufficiency maintain a good quality of life. Special prescription diets are one of the best main long-term treatments to help maintain appropriate protein levels and certain electrolyte levels. These diets are available through veterinarians. Another treatment option is fluid therapy, either subcutaneous fluids or intravenous fluids. Subcutaneous fluids, which are placed under a pet’s skin, can be used at home or in the clinic to help maintain hydration; subcutaneous fluids can be utilized long-term
to help with quality of life. Some pets will benefit from subcutaneous fluids up to several times a week, while others may need fluids less often. Intravenous fluids are usually reserved for pets who need more aggressive fluid therapy. Some pets with chronic kidney insufficiency may have blood pressure issues, and these pets may benefit from blood pressure medications. Depending on the chronicity and severity of kidney insufficiency, pets can experience anemia. If this occurs, medication may be needed to help correct the anemia.
Chronic kidney insufficiency is a common disease in older animals; however, pets can live with a good quality of life for many years after diagnosis with proper management. Annual labwork may reveal indications of chronic kidney insufficiency well before a pet shows clinical signs. Please check with your veterinarian to see if your pet is due for his or her labwork.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Dr. Patrick Kim
good works
House Of Hope Is Serving Up Thanksgiving Dinner With All The Fixings
A Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings is a cherished American tradition. For thousands of food-insecure Martin County residents, though, the celebration is a financial impossibility without help from the community.
House of Hope is once again stepping in to help with its annual turkey drive and its goal of serving a holiday meal with all the trimmings to families in economic need. In the true spirit of the giving season, community members are invited to drop off a frozen turkey and any other food or monetary donations to any House of Hope pantry by November 15. Groups, organizations and neighborhoods are encouraged to conduct a food drive in their community to help those in need.
“Boxed and canned items are always in demand,” according to House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “Vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy – all of the things that help to make a meal festive are needed by our families. Thanks to our operations at the Growing Hope Farm, we’re also able to add fresh fruits and vegetables to our meal packages.”
In an innovative approach to getting fresh food to their clients, House of Hope developed hydroponic greenhouses as well as conventional in-ground beds and an orchard at their production farm in Palm City. “We’re growing our own,” Ranieri said, “so we can be sure our clients benefit from fresh produce along with other staples in their diet.”
The demand for food assistance remains high. “This year we have distributed over 1.1 million pounds of food through our four food pantries and the thirty food pantry partners that collect food from us regularly,” Ranieri said. “Our food bank partners are soup kitchens, shelters, smaller pantries and youth programs in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. They use House of Hope food to reach thousands more in need.”
Donations of turkeys and other foodstuffs or monetary donations can be brought to the House of Hope offices
at 2484 S.E. Bonita Street in Stuart or any of the House of Hope food pantries in Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound and Indiantown by November 15. Monetary donations can also be made online at https://www.hohmartin.org/donate.
“With the generosity of our community and the harvests from our farm,” Ranieri said, “we can make this Thanksgiving one that’s filled with the spirit of gratitude and also healthy food.”
Families or individuals in need can contact House of Hope at (772) 286-4673 to learn about eligibility and registration deadlines.
About House Of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future.
of
in need this
can
by donating turkeys or other foodstuffs at a House of Hope pantry by November 15 or by making an online donation at https://www.hohmartin.org/donate.
The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin. org or call (772) 286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
House
Hope volunteers are eager to serve holiday meals to friends and neighbors
Thanksgiving. You
help
nonprofit news
Humane Society Presents A Winning Combination For Shelter Animals
The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast’s Whiskers for Whiskey event attracted a sell-out crowd on September 25 at the Chef’s Table. By night’s end, more than $8,500 was raised to benefit the care of the shelter animals.
Bobby Knapp of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits provided details about the featured whiskey from Rabbit Hole Distillery of Kentucky. Guests enjoyed chef-prepared four-course pairings that accompanied each pour.
Gabe and Deb Miron were the lucky winners of a raffle prize that included a dinner for two at the Chef’s Table and bottle of Rabbit Hole whiskey, courtesy of Libations Mobile Catering Co.
“We are grateful to the Chef’s Table and our sponsors, Stuart Magazine and Tankersley Chiropractic, for making this evening possible,” said Sarah Fisher, the Humane Society’s communications manager. “Events like this help to provide support for our shelter animals.”
For more information about future events, contact Community Events Specialist Alyssa Bean at (772) 600-
3215 or Events@hstc1.org. Or visit the website, www.hstc1.org/ events.
About The Humane Society Of The Treasure Coast
The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC) is a nokill animal welfare organization located at 4100 S.W. Leighton Farm Avenue in Palm City, FL. Since 1955, it has been the leading advocate for animal protection and well-being in the Martin County area. A 501(c)(3) private, nonprofit organization, the HSTC is independent and locally operated and relies on donations to support its programs and services. Follow the HSTC on Facebook at https:// www.facebook.com/humanesocietyTC and Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/hstc1. For more information, visit https://www.hstc1.org or call (772) 223-8822.
Photos by Doreen Poreba
Roberto Lugo, Jon Brown and Eric Duffy
Nicholas Meola, Nancy Lawless and Lorna Day
Dawn Cullum, Cindi Hobbs and Ruth Martucci
Keaton Perry, Taylor Waits, Carra Crehan, Candace Callahan, George Olsen and April Brumley
Tabitha Lavery and Chung Wong
Gabe and Deb Miron, winners of the raffle prize
Bob and Terri Munger
Berto Vasquez, Amy Peterson, Liza and Chris Cromwell
Nonprofit News on page 9
What The Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation Of The World’s Most Familiar Bird
By Nils A. Shapiro
All you need to know is that the author is Sy Montgomery.
For millions of readers around the world, and I do mean millions , the name Sy Montgomery is associated with more than 35 books, many of which have climbed the bestseller lists in 25 countries around the world – most describing her exciting adventures with some of nature’s most fearsome creatures.
It is with good reason that the Boston Globe has described award-winning author Sy Montgomery as “a combination of Indiana Jones and Emily Dickinson” for the beautiful way in which she has written about such experiences as being chased by a silverback gorilla in Africa, hunted by man-eating tigers in India (National Geographic produced a TV special about that), worked in a pit with 18,000 snakes in Manitoba, swam with piranhas and dolphins in the Amazon, studied octopuses in their Gulf of Mexico habitat for her classic National Book Award finalist Soul of an Octopus, was undressed by a wild orangutan, learned the art of falconry so she could hunt as a partner with one of the world’s most feared predators … and too many more to touch on here.
So, I was more than a little surprised when I learned that Sy’s new book, published this month, is devoted to … chickens ! My first thought was, what could there possibly be to learn about these birds that all of us already know so well?
How wrong I was! And how fortunate we all are to have so knowledgeable a guide as Sy Montgomery to enrich our lives once again in making us aware of what unrealized wonder and beauty surrounds us, all too often under-appreciated.
For those not yet familiar with Montgomery’s background, I should point out that she and her authorhistorian husband, Howard Mansfield, live in New Hampshire and for decades have shared their home’s property from time to time with an assortment of animals, from their border collie dog, Thurber, to a pig that they raised from a tiny runt to 500-plus pound Volkswagensized Christopher Hogwood who wandered the town on his own getting handouts from the butcher, pet scratches from the kids and became the subject of a bestselling book by Montgomery.
But always among her favorites have been the small flock of egg-laying hens that she calls her “little ladies,” who have their own chicken coop but are allowed free run of the backyard under the protection of several of the latest team of roosters.
And one could not want a better protector than a rooster, as two episodes described by Montgomery make very clear: one in which a fox that had sneaked onto the property with chicken dinner in mind got the shock of its life facing an angry, charging rooster and did a rapid about-face … and another time, when Sy’s husband, Howard, was lying on the ground repairing a lawnmower. As she describes it:
“Just beyond the narrow space between the grass and the machine’s metal undercarriage, movement catches your eye. Scaley reptilian, yellow feet, heavily armed with long, pointed claws – and, just above the toes, curved, knife-sharp spurs – are purposefully striding toward you at face level. It feels like that scene from Jurassic Park, where the humans are hiding from the hunting velociraptor – an animal from which, in fact, your avian assailant is descended.
“You have been detected. The ominous feet hurry now, pounding the ground in a frenzy. There is no mistaking it; this is a rooster on a rampage – the bane of many an otherwise peaceful barnyard.”
What to do? The answer, shockingly, is to pick it up and cuddle it!
It is from Montgomery’s several decades of her own experience raising her “ladies,” many from chicks, plus her roosters and all that she has studied about her everchanging flocks, that she has filled the pages of this deceptively slim 96-page book with an extraordinary number of surprising facts about the birds we all –mistakenly – thought we knew.
Within the first few pages you will readily understand why more families than you might imagine throughout the
Book review
nation enjoy the company of chickens (how many “pets” offer the gift of eggs in return for their care?) and name each of the birds in their precious feathered family members for its individual personality, color or other physical feature. As she notes, some are shy, some more aggressive; some affectionate, others aloof. Just like humans.
And they are smart ! Here are just a few examples of the many surprises you will find in these pages. (Some text has been omitted for lack of space):
• “In 2023, a study reported that roosters recognize their own reflections in mirrors – common … measure of selfawareness. Previous experiments show that apes, like humans, do this.”
• “Only hours after leaving the egg they are able to walk, run and peck.” (An adult chicken can run as fast as nine miles an hour!)
• “Relationships are important to them. The average chicken can recognize more than 100 other chickens. They can remember the past and anticipate the future, and they communicate specific information through at least 24 distinct calls.” A warning signal from a rooster to his hens, for example, will alert them to whether an enemy is approaching by ground or from the air!
There is hardly a page without an eye-opening surprise:
“The disturbing fact that, on the way to the soup pot, a chicken can continue to run around after decapitation does little to bolster appreciation for the species’ more refined traits. In fact, one rooster was able to live for 18 months after his head was cut off. Farmer Lloyd Olsen, hoping to please his visiting mother-in-law, who particularly savored boiled chicken neck, failed to kill the rooster when his axe missed the bird’s carotid artery and left one ear and most of the brain stem intact. Not only did the victim survive, but he grew from two and a half pounds to eight and attained
national fame as Mike the Headless Chicken from 1945 to 1947.”
For me personally, as I turned the last page of What the Chicken Knows, one thought struck me most poignantly: Ever thoughtful and considerate of her readers, Montgomery has kept this book’s focus entirely on helping us to better understand and enjoy the fascinating and fun facts about these remarkable birds who are so much a part of our lives.
Not once in these pages does this author mention that she herself is a vegetarian, nor does she devote a single sentence to the suffering of these sentient creatures from the cruelty of the factory-like poultry industry. It was not her purpose in writing this book.
Sparing us such a balanced narrative is her gift to this book’s readers despite what I know to be her own deep feelings on the subject, having read and reviewed half a dozen of her earlier books.
As a senior now, I realize that if this book had been written decades ago it might have been a life-changing experience in one sense for me. Perhaps it’s not too late. I hear those plantbased burgers and other meat substitutes are pretty good … and I would feel so good about myself.
I strongly suggest you lay your hands on a copy of this book as soon as possible … even if you have to scramble to get it!
finanCial foCus®
Donor-Advised Funds: A Smart Way To Give
By Sally Sima Stahl
You can find several ways to make charitable gifts but if you’re looking for a method that can provide multiple tax benefits, along with an efficient platform for giving year after year, you might want to consider a donor-advised fund.
Once you open a donoradvised fund (DAF), you can contribute many types of assets, including cash, publicly traded stocks, bonds, CDs or non-cash items
such as closely held business interests, art or collectibles. You can then decide how to invest the money, possibly following a strategy suggested by the DAF sponsor organization you’ve selected. The next step involves choosing which charities to support, how often to provide support (such as once a year) and how much to give each time. You’re essentially free to direct the money to any charities you like, provided they’re IRS-approved charitable organizations.
Now, let’s look at the possible tax advantages offered by a DAF:
• Immediate tax deduction – A few years ago, changes in tax laws resulted in a vastly increased standard deduction, which, in turn, led to far fewer people itemizing on their tax returns and having less incentive, at least from a tax standpoint, to contribute to charities. But if you don’t typically give enough each year to itemize deductions, you could combine several years’ worth of giving into
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one contribution to a DAF and take a larger deduction in that tax year. And you can claim that deduction, even though the DAF may distribute funds to charities over several years.
• Tax-free growth of earnings – Once you contribute an asset to a DAF, any earnings growth is not taxable to you, the DAF or the charitable groups that receive grants from the DAF.
• Avoidance of capital gains taxes – When you donate appreciated stocks or other investments – or for that matter, virtually any appreciated asset – to a DAF, you can avoid paying the capital gains taxes that would otherwise be due if you were to simply sell the asset and then donate the proceeds to charitable organizations. Plus, by receiving the appreciated asset, rather than the proceeds from a sale, the charitable groups can gain more from your contribution. And you can also take a tax deduction for your donation.
While these potential tax benefits can certainly make a DAF an attractive method of charitable giving, you should be aware of some potential tradeoffs. Once you contribute assets to a DAF, that gift is irrevocable, and you can’t access the money for any reason other than charitable giving. Also, your investment options are limited to what’s available in the DAF program you’ve chosen. And DAFs can incur administrative costs in addition to the fees charged on the underlying investments.
You may want to consult with your financial professional about other potential benefits and tradeoffs of DAFs and whether a DAF can help you with your charitable giving goals. Also, different DAF sponsors offer different features, so you will want to do some comparisons. And because DAFs can have such significant implications for your tax situation, you should consult with your tax professional before taking action.
If a DAF is appropriate for your situation, though, consider it carefully — it might be a good way to support your charitable giving efforts for years to come.
This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member SIPC.
Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.
Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Sima Stahl, CFP® , AAMS , 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.
Understanding Moody Teenagers
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
“My teen son has a hard time showing emotions, has a hard time to make friendships, has a hard time to feel happy and contented, has a hard time to do activities that he considers useless or are mentally or physically demanding. Help me figure out what is wrong with him!”
kids Corner
It’s not uncommon for teenagers to be moody since they are a ball of changing hormones, have variable sleep patterns, and are vying for independence. All this occurs while your teen is dealing with the pressures of school, social media, and exposure to drugs and porn. As the mom wrote, her teen was withdrawn and his behavior had changed within the past few months. Prior to this he was a happier person and a decent student.
Our testing revealed this teen was depressed. Mom had wondered if he was depressed but thought looking down at him from the 30,000-foot view he had a good life. He had an intact family, a cell phone, nice place to live, and he was doing well in school. She thought, “What is there to be depressed about?” Testing revealed he had very strong feelings of inadequacy and was struggling with his identity. He believed he was not in control of his outcomes so, “Why should he try?”
It took mom a while to get dad to recognize the struggle but after our results review meeting he understood additional support was needed. Dad actually initiated the conversation with his teen by saying, “I feel that our relationship is strained. It may not bother you but it bothers me and if you would, I’d like you to meet with a counselor. I will as well because I need some help knowing how to help you and our family.” The teen agreed to dad’s request. School neuropsychological testing was the process which provided answers. Call (561) 625-4125 if you are concerned about your child and would like understanding. Testing is completed in one day and we test children through young adults for autism, dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Our website is JimForgan.com.
