Education Foundation Of Martin County Announces Teacher Of The Year Award Winners
Tonight, the Education Foundation of Martin County announced its Teacher of the Year winners during a special celebration at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School took top honors and was named the 2024-2025 Martin County Teacher of the Year. She will go on to represent Martin County in the state competition to become the Florida Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year.
Devin Carlson, partner and general manager of Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart and Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award.
The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter of Hidden Oaks, who won the middle school category, and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high school category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees competing for the top spots.
In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won the Spirit Award, which was based on its theme, costumes, props and enthusiasm.
Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom teacher. She grew up in lowincome housing with nonEnglish speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability. They both attended inner city public schools in rough neighborhoods, but her teachers made them feel valued and respected and provided their parents with guidance and resources. This experience inspired her to pursue the teaching profession.
Education Foundation on page 3
Hanley Foundation And Mark Garwood Foundation Raise $120,000 For Education Scholarships At Eighth Annual Shoot For The Moon
The Hanley Foundation and the Mark Garwood Foundation raised $120,000 during the Eighth Annual Shoot for the Moon on Friday, November 1, at the South Florida Shooting Club in Palm City. This year’s event marked a milestone as the Hanley Foundation officially partnered with the Mark Garwood Foundation to continue to provide education scholarships for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). After a warm welcome from the Garwood family and a safety briefing, more than 188 shooters took the field for the friendly competition. Participants and guests enjoyed a barbecue lunch prepared by the Martin County Sheriff’s
United Way Of Martin County Celebrates
United Way of Martin County kicked off its annual campaign with the Community Leaders’ Celebration luncheon at Sailfish Point Country Club on October 28. Nearly 200 people from this fine community came together to honor and celebrate their outstanding achievements from the past year while looking towards an even brighter future. At the luncheon, United Way thanked the many generous
organizations and dedicated individuals who raise millions of dollars every year to ensure that Martin County residents are able to provide basic needs for themselves and their families.
Derek Lowe, coordinator of Public Information and Community Relations for the Martin County School District, served as event emcee.
“I understand that this year has not been an easy one, especially after the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton ,” Lowe pointed out. “Which is why I wanted to thank United Way of Martin County for always being there when we need them most, not only by providing resources and assistance through disaster
Office Grill Team, a live auction, and an awards ceremony for individual and team winners. Nine new recipients were awarded Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarships for the 2025 academic cycle at the luncheon.
Since its inception in 2015, 76 Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarships have been awarded and more than $540,000 in financial aid provided to individuals who are actively in recovery, committed to long-term sobriety, and ready to begin or continue their education. More than 90 percent of
Community Leaders
relief programs, but most importantly, by being the guiding light to residents who may otherwise feel lost.
With the generosity of those working and volunteering at United Way, our beloved family and friends can remain hopeful that they will get back on their feet every time.”
During the luncheon, United Way United Way on page 6
Since United Way’s inception of honoring our Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces and Communities, Publix Super Markets continues to reign as the most generous workplace in Martin County.
Felix A. Williams Elementary won the School Spirit Award, sponsored by the Education Foundation of Martin County. (Photo by Paul Careccia)
Erica Garwood, State Rep. John Snyder, John Garwood Shoot For The Moon on page 4
(Left to right: Blake Davis and Dipal Mehta)
“What inspires me today is to see the same joy of learning in my classroom and the motivation in my students to reach their fullest potential,” said Molina-Council. “My students make me feel like I am where I am meant to be, especially when I see those light bulbs go off!”
Her principal, Rose Rynca, said, “Vanessa exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator in every aspect of her teaching role. She consistently develops her instructional craft and is steadfast in her belief that all students will achieve. Her ability to inspire students’ curiosity, while integrating innovative teaching methods, is truly commendable.”
Carter has worked as an intervention reading teacher as well as a creative writing and digital media teacher, and a physical education and volunteer running coach.
One of her fellow teachers, Natalie Walters, stated in her letter of recommendation, “I have worked with Alicia for two years at Hidden Oaks Middle School, and I can attest to the fact that she is a superhuman, dedicated teacher
Maine; Dr. Jennifer DiTrapani, EFMC board member; Middle school winner Alicia Carter, Physical Education, Creative Writing and Digital Media teacher at Hidden Oaks Middle School; and Christopher Forte, Hidden Oaks Middle School
and colleague, and she is driven and conscientious. Look no further; because you will not find a more suitable candidate for Martin County Teacher of the Year than Alicia Carter!”
Overall and elementary school winner Vanessa Molina-Council accepts the keys to her brand-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio from Devin Carlson, general manager and partner at Murgado Automotive Group Stuart, event sponsor.
(Photo by Lisa Rhodes)
Pankhurst has taught almost every social studies course at Jensen Beach High School. Currently a teacher of advance placement human geography and United States history, her principal, Lori Vogel, noted how Pankhurst encourages her students to think beyond books to solve problems and become leaders.
“The students in her classes benefit from her details to planning as they are prepared for the rigor of college or real-world careers,” said Vogel. “She is always willing to go the extra mile to help other teachers develop lessons that are engaging for their students, and to help our students to ensure they meet requirements necessary for graduation.”
In addition to Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart, and Alfa Romeo Stuart as the presenting sponsor, the additional top sponsors were Keiser University, Publix Super Markets Charities and Cook Shell Contractors.
Martin County Elementary School Teacher of the Year sponsored by Cook Shell Contractors – The Honorable Gayle Harrell, EFMC board member and Vanessa Molina-Council, Fourth Grade Citrus Grove Elementary teacher and overall and elementary school winner (Photo by Paul Careccia)
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.
Gina Prochilo, Josh Muir and Devin Carlson, General Manager and Partner of Murgado Automotive Group Stuart (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School nominee Ashley Kemler and Christopher Gomez (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
Treasure Coast Classical Academy teacher nominee William Price and Mary Beth Price of Treasure Coast Classical Academy (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
Superintendent Michael Maine; Dr. Tracy Record, Keiser University Department chair for Legal Studies; High School winner Samantha Pankhurst, Social Studies teacher at Jensen Beach High School; and Lori Vogel, Jensen Beach High School Principal (Photo by Paul Careccia)
Martin County Middle School Teacher of the Year sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities – Superintendent Michael
principal (Photo by Paul Careccia)
Michael Recinos, Celine Salgado, Anne-Marie Shultz and Christina Saltos with iThink Financial Credit Union (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
Julie Spircoff and Jill Burton of Sandhill Cove Retirement Living (Photo by Doreen Poreba)
Dr. Shannon Plymale-Galinis,
Dr. Thomas A. Galinis
Tip Of The Tail
Puppy “Potty” Training Tips
Like infants and toddlers, young puppies require an extensive amount of time, planning and energy-usually much more than one predicts. Potty training a puppy, one of the most trying tasks, can be difficult. You can make this process easier by understanding your puppy and the tricks that will help you train him or her.
First, you should get a crate for your puppy. A crate is a place where your dog can feel safe and secure. It’s important that they have their own space in which they can go when they need to be alone-it is their den. The crate should be big enough for them to stand up and lie down
in comfortably, but small enough so that they don’t have room to pee or poop on the floor of the crate. If you’re using a plastic crate, make sure it has ventilation holes so that your puppy doesn’t get too hot or too cold inside of it. Do not use the wire cages because they will feel exposed. When the pup wakes up, take him directly outside to the same spot each time and stand there, do not distract him or her. You can use the cue word “potty” just once so he or she associates the word with the action. Once he has gone to the bathroom, both pee and poop, reward him or her with a treat. If he or she has not done both pee and poop then put him or her back in the crate and try again in 15 minutes. Once he or she has done both then you can feed and have a play session. Keep your eyes on your pup at all times. Watch for signs of sniffing the ground, wandering off away from play area. If these signs are noticed, then take outside immediately. If less than 12 weeks of age, take him or her outside every 30 minutes until he or she begins going potty outside consistently. Then extend the time to 1 hour, then 2 hours and so on until no accidents occur. Always take him or her out about 15-20 minutes after eating or drinking, wakes up from a nap or has been playing hard and then slows down. Also have your pup go in the crate for naps throughout the day and go through the same process as in the morning each time he or she is taken out.
This rigid routine can be a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the breed and consistency of training before he or she is officially “potty” trained. Just remember that even the most diligent owner should expect accidents and should not get upset. If you happen to catch your pup in the act, just say no potty to him or her to make them stop and take out right away to allow your pup to finish and then offer a treat. If you punish your pup you could cause them to be scared. This can lead to him or her sneaking off to go potty in the house where you cannot see them instead. Just saying no will confuse them. No potty is specific to the situation.
Having a puppy is fun but is a serious commitment. The potty training process requires, above all, patience and consistency. It will be well worth it to have a fully house trained pup!
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.
lOCal GOverNmeNT
Martin County Tax Collector
By Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector
We LOVE To Offer Choices! Make The Right Choice For You!
People come from all walks of life and have all different types of lifestyles. We try to help our constituents have a better quality of life by offering different payment options to accommodate their lifestyle, relieving their stress and lessening the financial burden. Let’s talk about property tax, since usually that is an individual’s largest bill.
The option that gives you the lowest cost is to pay your entire bill in the 4 percent discount period in one lump sum; however, some people are unable to come up with that large amount of money at one time. We have added
PAYPAL as a new payment option to online property tax payments.
The best alternative if the individual needs to make payments is the installment plan. This plan almost gives you the same cost as paying the entire bill at one time, except you are paying your taxes in advance. The firstyear installments may be a little difficult, unless you are a new property owner and choose this option for your first tax bill, but once the property is put on the installment cycle, this option really gives you almost the same value as paying one lump sum, while you make four smaller payments instead of one large lump payment.
For individuals who are self-employed or live on straight commission, we offer a partial payment plan. On this plan the taxpayer may make as many payments and any amount they can afford, as long as the entire amount is paid in full by April 1. The downside to this plan is that the individual loses all discounts.
We also offer several different payment options. The quickest and easiest is online. E-checks are $1.50. Visit our website at martintaxcollector.com. Credit cards are also offered online; however, the credit card processing company charges a 2.75 percent convenience fee, which we get no
part of. The fee charged for an international or business credit card online is 3.95 percent, which we get no part of Payment may be made by mail (postmark determines the discount period), dropped off at our drive-through window at the Palm City branch, dropped off in our convenient drop boxes at all of our four locations or in our after-hours “24/7/365” lock box at our drive-through window at the Palm City location. We opened a speedy walk-in Payment Express office at the Willoughby location in Stuart. (Look for the big blue banner.) A taxpayer may walk into any of our four convenient locations and we are ready to serve you. We are here and waiting to serve and help with whatever option you choose. Make the best choice for you!
Drop Your Property Taxes Off At The DriveThrough At The Palm City Branch Office
Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector, opens the drive-through tax collector service at the Palm City location. The window is used for individuals with handicapped parking placards, license plates, and disabled veterans. Others wishing to use the drive-through window will be limited to three transactions and payment may be made by cash or check.
“I opened our drive-through service,” stated Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, “to include property tax payments. It has been one of my goals to make life easier for the busy on-the-go residents. People have limited time and parents of young children, and the elderly don’t want to get out of the car. We’re bringing customer service to a higher level.”
United
from page 1 announced Martin County’s
Workplaces and
These are the Top 10 of the nearly 200 companies and communities whose employees and residents gave philanthropic contributions to United Way of Martin County during the previous campaign year. Since United Way’s inception of honoring its Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces and Communities, Publix Super Markets and Sailfish Point continue to reign as the most generous workplace and community in Martin County.
The following awards were presented to organizations and individuals that went above and beyond to support United Way of Martin County’s efforts by donating their time, talent and treasure.
• The Hand Raiser Award was presented to Wilmington Trust for always raising their hands to help when United Way is in need.
• The Collaborator of the Year Award was presented to Cleveland Clinic for partnering strategically with United Way on specific, critical initiatives.
• The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Kenny Marks for being a staple volunteer in our community.
our ability to honor the true game-changers in our community:
• Publix
• Comcast
• The Live United Award was presented to Zweben Law Group for their decade-long commitment to supporting United Way through their annual Bike Drive.
• The Unsung Hero Award was presented to Amy Bottegal for her significant behind-the-scenes impact on our community.
United Way also would not be able to uphold its mission without the support of its incredible sponsors. Their unwavering commitment is the driving force behind
• Betsy Herold
• FPL
• Seacoast Bank
• Pratt & Whitney
• Arati Hammond
• C&W Technologies
• FoxHaven Roofing Group
• HBK CPAs & Consultants – HBKS Wealth Advisors
• Keane Thomas & Pinnacoli
• Sandhill Cove
• SouthState
• STS Aviation Group
The goal of United Way is to increase self-sufficiency for every person in Martin County through resources and programs that promote health, education and financial security. This year, United Way invested over $1.9 million in local programs to help Martin County families get solid financial ground, students succeed in school, and seniors and veterans break transportation barriers, among other critical programs.
For more information about United Way of Martin County, visit UnitedWayMartin.org.
Since United Way’s inception of honoring our Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces and Communities, Sailfish Point continues to reign as the most generous community in Martin County. (Left to right: Kathryn (Muffin) Adamiak, Dennis Longstreet, Noreen Fisher, John Adamiak, Betsy Herold)
The Unsung Hero Award was presented to Amy Bottegal for her significant behind-the-scenes impact on our community. (Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, Amy Bottegal, Derek Lowe)
The Collaborator of the Year Award was presented to Cleveland Clinic for partnering strategically with United Way on specific, critical initiatives. (Stephanie Quirantes, Alex Greenwood, Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, Derek Lowe)
The Live United Award was presented to Zweben Law Group for their decade-long commitment to supporting United Way through their annual Bike Drive. (Tara and Gene Zweben, Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, Derek Lowe)
Number 2 Most Generous Workplace Award presented to Seacoast Bank. (Robert Barfield, Jenny Yingling, Sarah Lynch, Chuck Shaffer, Denise Anderson, Lisa Vasquez, Jared Gaylord, Leslie Warren)
Event Emcee Derek Lowe, coordinator of Public Information and Community Relations for the Martin County School District.
Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County president and CEO with Elliot Paul, United Way of Martin County board chair.
Attendees enjoying the program.
Sailfish Point homemade and custom decorated United Way cookie dessert platter.
Photos by Liz Mckinley
In Your CommunIt Y
House Of Hope Tournament Serves Up Howling Good Time
Creative costumes, spooktacular drinks, and hauntingly fun games made the 2024 Serve Some Hope Tennis & Pickleball Charity Tournament a howling success for House of Hope.
Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles teams in both tennis and pickleball took to the courts for the entire November 1 to 3 weekend. In fast-paced play, 155 participants battled for bragging rights on the Harbour Ridge Lakeside Center courts while raising more than $26,600 in donations.
“The competition was friendly but fierce,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “We’re grateful to the players and to Harbour Ridge for their efforts to raise funds that will go directly into helping our friends and neighbors in need.”
House of Hope reaches more than 26,000 people each month, empowering them to overcome hunger and hardship. Last year alone, House of Hope distributed nearly 1.2 million pounds of food, including more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce; allocated more than $102,600 in financial assistance; supported 30 area nonprofits with food and clothes closet items; and helped 8,000 individuals directly through its basic needs, enrichment, workforce development, financial assistance and nutrition education programs.
Tournament sponsors include Lichtenberger Family Charitable Fund at The Community Foundation MartinSt. Lucie, Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, Treasure Coast Legal, HBKS Wealth Advisors, FPL, Alan B. Miller Medical Center, Brigite and John Babine, Performance Health & Chiropractic Inc., Sue Whittington – Travel Advisor at Jill Venturi & Associates, Diadem Sports, Life Chiropractic Center, Maureen Holley, DMD, and South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.
“A successful tournament depends on the work of a lot of people. We want to give a special shout-out to everyone
Consider Tax-Smart Charitable Gifts
By Sally Sima Stahl
As we enter the annual season of giving, you might be thinking of charities you wish to support. But you also might be wondering how to gain some tax benefits from your gifts.
Harbour Ridge tennis pro Simone Vasconcellos and Director of Racquet Sports at Harbour Ridge Fabio Vaconcellos flank Sylvie Quenneville, Luisa Subia, Christina Acevedo, and Judy Zanchi at the 2024 House of Hope Serving Up Hope tournament. Christina and Luisa were winners of the Women’s 4.0 division and Judy and Sylvie were runners-up. at Harbour Ridge for giving us access to their beautiful location,” Ranieri.
A full recap of the winners in both the Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles Divisions for Tennis and Pickleball is available on the House of Hope website, hohmartin.org/ servehope, and a photo album of the event has been posted on facebook.com/Hohmartin/photos_albums.
Darla Cederberg and Gloretta Hall joined Rob Ranieri, House of Hope CEO, in the fun-filled Halloween costume contest that was part of this year’s Serving Hope Tennis and Pickleball Tournament. The costume contest added so much laughter to the fierce competition that the tournament will be held on Halloween weekend in 2025.
“We congratulate all the participants,” Ranieri said, “not only for their skill and determination on the courts but also for giving their tremendous energy to helping the people we serve.”
To learn more about House of Hope or to make a donation, visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin. org or call (772) 286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
fiNaNCial fOCus®
could push you into a higher tax bracket or cause you to pay larger Medicare premiums.
It used to be pretty straightforward: You wrote a check to a charity and then deducted the amount of the gift, within limits, from your taxes. But a few years ago, as part of tax law changes, the standard deduction was raised significantly, so fewer people were able to itemize deductions. Consequently, there was less financial incentive to make charitable gifts.
Of course, this didn’t entirely stop people from making them. And it’s still possible to gain some tax advantages, too. Here are a few tax-smart charitable giving strategies:
• Bunch your charitable gifts into one year . If you combine a few years’ worth of charitable gifts in a single year, you could surpass the standard deduction amount and then itemize deductions for that year. In the years following, you could revert to taking the standard deduction.
• Make qualified charitable distributions. Once you turn 73 (or 75 if you were born in 1960 or later), you must start taking withdrawals from your traditional or inherited IRA. These withdrawals—technically called required minimum distributions, or RMDs—are taxable at your personal income tax rate, so, if the amounts are large enough, they
But if you donate these RMDs directly to a qualified charity, you can avoid the taxes. And because these donations, known as qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), will reduce the balance on your IRA, you may have lower RMDs in the future.
Of course, if you need some or all your RMDs to help sustain yourself in retirement, the use of QCDs may not be of interest to you. Keep in mind, though, that you can start making QCDs at 70½, even before you must start taking RMDs. QCDs up to $105,000 can be taken in 2024.
• Consider a donor-advised fund. If you’re interested in a long-term charitable giving arrangement, you might want to consider establishing a donor-advised fund. You can put many types of assets into this fund, and then direct it to make grants periodically to the charities you’ve chosen. You get an immediate tax deduction for your contribution, and, if you donate appreciated assets, such as stocks, you’ll avoid the capital gains taxes you would have incurred if you simply sold the stocks and then gave the money to the charities. One note of caution, though—your contributions to a donor-advised fund are irrevocable, and once the assets are in the fund, you can’t use them for anything except charitable giving.
These strategies—QCDs and donor-advised funds in particular—can be complex and involve several issues of which you should be aware. So, you should consult your tax advisor before taking action. But if any of these techniques are appropriate for your situation, give them some thought—because helping a charitable group and getting tax benefits for doing so is a “win” for everyone.
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.
bOOk review
kids COrNer
My Child Is Slow To Get Going
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D. Licensed School Psychologist
Eve’s nickname is “Eeyore” one parent told me. She was feeling frustration when dealing with her child completing tasks slower than everyone else. Whether it was doing homework, completing simple household chores, or getting out the door in the morning, Eve was slow or the last one to go. It required constant reminders and mom felt like she was always nagging. She hypothesized her daughter was perhaps lazy, unmotivated, or did not understand what to do. But what really perplexed this mom was that Eve was slow regardless of if the activity was something fun or routine. It could be getting ready for a fun day at the waterpark and she was still slow.
There are many reasons why a child is completing tasks at a much slower pace than their peers. One reason is your child could have slower processing speed so even simple tasks will take them longer to complete. This can leave your child feeling overwhelmed, mentally fatigued, and discouraged. Second, your child could have a weak working memory and struggle to keep track of the tasks they are assigned and often forget what to do next. This can especially be noticed if you give your child multiple tasks at once. Third, your child may have weaker inhibition which means that they have a hard time resisting distractors. Your child could be cleaning their room and find something they misplaced and become distracted playing with this and not cleaning up. Fourth, your child might have ADHD, Predominantly Inattentive Presentation or what we used to call ADD.
Seek answers and understanding so you can do something different instead of becoming frustrated with your child and straining your relationship. A school neuropsychological evaluation will help you get to the root cause of why your child is completing tasks so slowly. Our evaluations assess all of these potential causes and provide specific and helpful recommendations to improve your child’s functioning in the home and school settings.
Call us at (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child or learn more at www.JimForgan.com.
’Twas The Bite Before Christmas
By Nils A. Shapiro
When I was trying to decide on an appropriate book to review for this December column, several features on the cover of this month’s selection attracted me: the obvious connection to the Christmas holiday, the cute twist of the “Bite” for “Night” in the title and the adorable Dalmatian with the Gingerbread Man cookie in his mouth—an irresistible draw for the doggie lover I am.
What I did not realize until I arrived home, opened the book, noted the author’s credentials and began reading this novel is that I had struck literary gold in my selection! Within the first few pages I understood why David Rosenfelt has developed a massive fan base of readers for his more than 40 already published novels , over half of them about Andy Carpenter, the same attorney who stars in ’Twas The Bite Before Christmas
In this novel, Carpenter is serving as defense attorney for a friend and excellent neighbor who, shockingly, has been arrested and charged with the murder of a highranking mobster. It turns out that his friend, to the surprise of Carpenter and everyone else in town, has been living among them as part of the government’s witness protection program after having earlier been a part of the mob but who “turned” and gave evidence at great personal risk.
With his friend and client declaring himself to be completely innocent of the new charges, Carpenter must get to the truth about the “evidence” and find the real killer. (He also takes on the responsibility of caring for his friend/client’s two dogs while he is in prison.) This won’t be an easy case: The victim was found dead in the trunk of his client’s car, and his bloodstains on the client’s clothing. It’s a well-told tale with a surprising, satisfying and credible ending.
What makes this book special is Rosenfelt’s writing style. But there are so many reasons to love this author it is difficult to know where to begin. Most importantly, his tongue-in-cheek humor will keep a grin on your face from first page to last. I kept thinking that he would make a great writer for the Saturday Night Live TV show.
Here, for example, are just a couple of examples early on when Andy Carpenter is describing how he feels about certain aspects of his family life. (I have omitted large sections of the text for lack of space here and substituted ellipses. …)
“I don’t like eggnog, and I don’t think anybody does. It’s too thick and too sweet for my taste … like drinking melted chewing gum. I just tried some again anyway and found that sucking some of this batch through a straw requires either a serious pair of lungs or a hydraulic pump; it’s not nearly good enough to justify that amount of work.
“But the reason I doubt that anyone really likes it is that it’s only popular at Christmas. Good food or drink should not require a holiday to justify consumption … I feel the same way about fruitcakes and candied yams; if you like them, eat them all year. Otherwise, I don’t want to hear about them.”
Or this passage about his son, Ricky.
“Ricky is watching a soccer game.
“He likes soccer.
“I’ve known this for a while, but it’s still jarring. I’m a good parent, so as much as I hate soccer and hate even more that he likes it, I’m not about to say anything or be critical. He has to live his own life and make his own choices, even a ridiculous one like this.
“What are you watching, Rick?”
“It’s a Premier League game. Liverpool is playing Chelsea.”
“They’re five hours ahead there. Are they playing at midnight?”
“I taped it.”
“You taped an English soccer game? Voluntarily?”
“Yup.” …
“Does it bother you that they score about once every couple of months?
“Nope.”
… “I watch along with him for a minute or so, pretending to be interested, then I leave. I could watch until someone scores, but by then Bobby’s trial might have started. …
“I can’t sugarcoat this or enter a state of denial … the simple fact is that I have a son who prefers soccer to good old American college football.
“I am raising a Communist.”
As if David Rosenfelt’s delightful writing style weren’t enough to have me join his vast base of admiring readers, how about the following: He and his wife live in Maine with 25 of the 4,000 dogs they have rescued. Do I need to say more?
Book Review on page 11
Treasure Coast Outdoors
As We Enter The Sailfish Season, Let’s Reflect On What Made Stuart Famous
By Jim Weix
The year is 1941 and Stuart, Florida experiences the largest sailfish run in Florida’s history! Early records show an excess of 5,000 sailfish were caught during the peak season with many boats catching over 20 in a day.
ClevelaNd CliNiC marTiN healTh News
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Expands Cancer Services
Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s ongoing mission is to provide the most advanced cancer care available to the Treasure Coast community. That care is even more accessible as the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Martin Health adds caregivers and expands its services.
The precision with which the radiation is delivered allows for the treatment of tumors without overexposure to nearby healthy tissue. Because of the higher dosages, patients need fewer treatments – between one and five, compared to traditional 25 to 35 – and experience fewer side effects.
The Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center offers SRS for brain and SABR/SBRT for lung, bone, and other sites of cancer.
Fortunately, the local charter captains recognized sailfish were worth a great deal more as a living resource than they were dead on the dock. Led by captains like Curt Whiticar, the club organized a conservation initiative based on rewarding anglers for releasing sailfish. The club later designed a yellow gold and enamel release pin to be awarded to anglers releasing sailfish. The famous red release pennant soon followed and thus began the club’s promotion of conservation policies in earnest.
The Stuart Sailfish Club (SSC) maintains these same strong core values today. From the novice fisherman to the worldtraveled professional sportfishing teams the SSC has something for everyone.
Go to https:// stuartsailfishclub.net/ and find out how you can benefit.
Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler, conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Hall of Fame for helping restore thousands of acres of wetlands. Jim is a broker associate with The Keyes Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941 or by email at jimweix@jimweix.com.
Mel Lizaso, M.D., is one of three radiation oncology physicians at the cancer center. Also included on the staff are radiation therapists, physicists, dosimetrists, and nurse practitioners.
“We dedicate ourselves to providing evidence-based care that is individualized to the patient,” says Dr. Lizaso. “Our treatment plans are based on cutting edge science and compassion.”
The radiation oncology department uses leading edge technologies to offer the latest in radiation therapy, including stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR or SBRT) and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). SABR/SBRT and SRS are radiation techniques that use state-of-the-art equipment to deliver highly focused high-dose radiation.
“In the appropriately selected patient, stereotactic radiation therapy can diminish the treatment time, thereby removing the time toxicity of cancer care and improving quality of life,” says Lizaso.
A variety of radiation oncology services are available in Port St. Lucie and Stuart. New and state-of-the-art equipment allow the physicians to use such techniques as surface guidance, 4-D CT scanning, and hypofractionated therapy for more precise targeting of tumors that spares the surrounding tissues while sometimes decreasing the number of treatments required.
The radiation oncology team at Martin Health provides exceptional patient-centered cancer care. Patients are provided with a thorough overview of treatment options and informed with recommendations while being guided through every step of treatment.
“We take into account the whole patient when designing our treatment plans,” says Lizaso. “It is individualized and considers the goals and best interests of each patient.”
To make an appointment with Dr. Lizaso or another specialist at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, call (877) 463-2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Cancer to learn more.
Mel Lizaso, M.D.
October Networking Breakfast
The Halloween Networking Breakfast at Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club was a spirited success! Attendees gathered for a morning of connection, collaboration, and inspiration. Our sponsor Arati Hammond, Realtor at KW Treasure Coast Realty, and Nonprofit of the Month guest Carol Houwaart-Diez, President and CEO of the United Way of Martin County, shared valuable insights that left everyone energized and eager to engage with one another. Arati gave an insightful presentation on the annual market update and Carol spoke on the wonderful programs that the United Way has to offer. Events like these are a reminder of the power of the community and the strength we gain by learning and growing together. Thank you, Arati and Carol for being such inspiring and supportive assets to our community.
Christiana Masterson Palm City Chamber of Commerce Marketing and sales Director, Ambassador Evie Klaassen, Colorado Pawn and Jewelry, Liz Ciampi, Palm City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director
Christina McIntosh Ribbon Cutting
The Palm City Chamber of Commerce celebrated not just a ribbon-cutting, but an incredible milestone of 25 years of dedication and success with Christina McIntosh, an Independent Consultant with Pampered Chef. We look forward to many more years of delicious meals, successful ventures, and continued inspiration. Congratulations, Christina, on 25 years of success!
Christina McIntosh, Independent Consultant with Pampered Chef
Harmony Hope Ribbon Cutting
Harmony Hope Stables is the first PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Center located in Martin County’s Palm City, situated on 5 beautiful acres. Harmony Hope Stables combines music activities and equine assisted learning in a therapeutic environment to give children a safe place to explore their emotions, cope with anxieties, and simply be themselves. Programs are especially helpful for kids with autism, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, a history of abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. The Palm City Chamber of Commerce was thrilled to host a ribbon cutting on Monday, November 4. Those in attendance got the opportunity to meet two beautiful horses and 5 super fun and friendly goats. Palm City is lucky to offer such special services local to our community.
Find out more on https://hhstables.org/
Palm City Chamber of Commerce Executive
Director Liz Ciampi and Palm City Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Sales
Director Christiana Masterson Palm
Christina McIntosh, Independent Consultant Pampered Chef, Ambassador Mandi Roe
Ambassador Mandi Roe and Tyson Waters, Fox McCluskey Busch Robison
Board Member Carolyn Leibowitz, Cruise Planners; Ambassador Mandi Roe; Susan Maxwell Team Remax of Stuart; Christina McIntosh, Independent Consultant Pampered Chef; Ambassador Cher Fisher, Kiwanis Club; Ambassador Lesley Vestrich, Council on Aging
Arati Hammond, Keller Williams Treasure Coast
Carol Houwaart-Diez, United Way
November Dish With The Commish
The Palm City Chamber of Commerce, along with Martin County District 5 Commissioner Ed Ciampi, recently had the honor of hosting Dr. Bromberg of Volunteers in Medicine (VIM). This life-changing organization provides free healthcare to uninsured adults in Martin County, ensuring that those who keep our community running have access to the care they need.
Dr. Bromberg and his dedicated team are doing incredible work, offering vital medical services to individuals aged 18-64 who meet income eligibility requirements. Their commitment ensures that no one in our community must choose between basic needs and their health. This collaborative effort between local leadership and VIM highlights the power of community-driven solutions to address healthcare disparities.
We applaud the tireless work of Dr. Bromberg and his team and encourage others to learn about and support this invaluable resource. Volunteers in Medicine reminds us all, that when we work together, we can create a healthier, more inclusive community for all.
Volunteers in Medicine
Dr. Jordan Bromberg and Martin County Commissioner Ed Ciampi
Veterans Memorial 5K
166 runners participated in our 5th annual Veterans Memorial Bridge 5K, on November 9th, 2024. Special thanks to Representative John Snyder for delivering the opening remarks and leading participants in the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Chad Fair led the opening prayer, reminding everyone of the importance of service and gratitude. Representative Toby Overdorf concluded the event with closing statements, reinforcing the significance of community engagement and support for our veterans.
This year’s overall male winner was Uriel Monjaras, who finished with an impressive time of 21:59.1. The overall female winner was Kay Trager crossing the finish line with a time of 22:22.6. Congratulations to both winners for their outstanding performances!
All participants received a complimentary ticket to the Stuart Airshow. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds from the 5K will be donated to Southeast Florida Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to honoring veterans by flying them to Washington, D.C., to visit the memorials built in their honor.
Thank you to all the participants, volunteers, and sponsors who made this event possible. We look forward to continuing this tradition of honoring our veterans and supporting those who have served our country.
Palm City Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Sales Director Christiana Masterson; Amy Ondrovic, First Southern Bank; Ambassador Mandi Roe; Susan Maxwell Team at Remax of Stuart; Dawn Smith, First Southern Bank; and Treasurer and Board Member Rebecca Beckett, HJ Sims
Volunteers in Medicine Dr. Jordan Bromberg, Katie Makemson, Mary Fields, and Commissioner Ed Ciampi
First Place Female Kay Trager
First Place Male Uriel Monjaras
Uriel Monjaras, Kay Trager, Liz Ciampi
Representative John Snyder and Commissioner Ed Ciampi
Liz Ciampi Executive Director of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce and Palm City Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Missi Campbell
Pal m City Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors Mandi Roe and Lesley Vestrich
Representative John Snyder
Ambassador Evie Klaassen and Board Member Steve Klaassen
Representative Toby Overdorf
All veteran participants
Veterans Memorial Bridge Run Group Sandhill Cove
Veterans Memorial Bridge Run Group Palm City Chamber
Sponsors