More than 200 people stepped into the magical world of Harry Potter at this year’s Evening of Excellence – Bids for Kids event, which benefits Martin County students. Hosted by the Education Foundation of Martin County and presented by Morganti, this elegant gala fundraiser took place on Saturday, April 5, at Harbour Ridge Country Club.
The Harry Potter-themed event, with decorations of Potter’s wizardry strewn throughout the room, raised $185,000 to assist the Education Foundation in enriching and enhancing the quality of education in Martin County’s public schools.
“This event is the place to be for those who support Martin County’s students,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “We couldn’t present this fun-filled affair without the support of our sponsors, bidders, auction donors and attendees. We are so grateful!”
With more than 500 silent auction items, it’s known as the largest of its kind on the Treasure Coast. Guests bid on items that included gift baskets, vacation getaways, spa treatments, golf packages, jewelry, artwork, fishing charters and restaurant certificates as they enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
Volunteer auctioneer Tom Melander conducted the live portion of the Bids for Kids auction as guests enjoyed dinner. Vanessa Molina-Council of Citrus Grove Elementary School, this year’s Teacher of the Year winner, encouraged attendees to raise their paddles high during the bidding process. Joshua Perry, the 2024 Teacher of the Year winner from Crystal Lake Elementary School, and Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County, handled the call to action bidding process, which raised
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House Of Hope Receives Impact100 Martin Grant For 2025
House of Hope is the grateful recipient of a $100,000 impact grant from Impact100 Martin to help the nonprofit begin a new initiative in its efforts to provide nutritious food to the hungry.
House of Hope’s award-winning project will create a food preservation program, adding freeze dryers, food dehydrators and shrink-wrapping machines to House of Hope’s food processing capabilities.
Currently House of Hope grows fresh produce at its Growing Hope Farm in Palm City, receives bulk donations of food and prepares healthy meals and sauces in its Elizabeth Lahti Nutrition Center in Stuart. By adding food preservation equipment, House of Hope will be able to take full advantage of bulk donations, reduce food waste, increase healthy food
options for its clients and partners and significantly increase the shelf life of healthy food items.
“Our commitment to provide nutritious food has resulted in enormous dividends to the community, the clients we serve and our food bank partners,” said Rob Ranieri, House of Hope CEO. “All food produced with this new equipment will be available at no cost to the almost 3,000 low income individuals who access our four client choice food pantries in Martin County, as well as the 11,000 individuals benefiting from our food through food bank partners in Martin County and another 5,000 served by food bank partners in St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.”
House Of Hope on page 4
Molly’s House Reimagining The Mission For This Home Away From Home
Molly’s House, a beloved Treasure Coast nonprofit, is actively engaged in reimagining its mission while remaining true to its roots.
Molly’s House was established by generous community members in 1996 as a home away from home for family members undergoing treatment at Martin Health System hospitals. It grew out of an outpouring of love after the death of Molly Sharkey at just 18 years old from a rare type of leukemia.
It was Molly’s dream to have a hospitality house in her hometown, similar to a Ronald McDonald house, that would be available to any family who has a loved one being treated for care at area hospitals. Donors and supporters made that possible.
“We’ve built a beautiful legacy of families in crisis coming together at Molly’s House and helping each other on the journey through a family member’s illness,” said Molly’s House Executive Director Katie Bartlett. “But healthcare has changed over the 28 years since Molly’s House was established. We need to change as well.”
In 1996, patients with serious illnesses typically stayed in the hospital for days or even weeks. Their families,
House on page 4
Joe Keating, Tracey Miller, Patty Morris and Todd Miller
Photo by Doreen Poreba
Joe Endress, Molly’s House Board Chair, and Molly’s House Executive Director Katie Bartlett are working with community partners to address local issues as Molly’s House reimagines its mission.
The food processing equipment at Growing Hope Farm has made an impact on the amount of fresh produce that House of Hope is able to offer its clients and food bank partners.
House Of Hope from page 1
House of Hope has high expectations for the food preservation program. It means nutritious meals will be easier to store, have a longer shelf life, be easier for clients experiencing homelessness to manage and offer exceptional emergency preparedness options for clients.
Always looking for ways to increase the revenue needed to support its mission, House of Hope sees new opportunities with this program.
“We’re truly grateful to the members of Impact100 Martin for seeing the potential this project has to impact our current services,” Ranieri said, “and what it can mean for the future. We’ll be able to package food to sell to the public, which will generate revenue to support our other programs. We’ll also be pursing agreements with local restaurants and markets to sell House of Hope sauces, herbs, pickled vegetables, dried fruits, vacuum sealed fresh produce and other products made with the equipment purchased with this grant award.”
House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri gratefully received a 2025 impact grant award to fund a new initiative in bringing nutritious food to the hungry. From left to right, Impact100 Martin member Brigite Babine, Rob Ranieri, Impact100 Martin member Sue Whittington, House of Hope Development Manager Amy Belisle and Impact100 Martin President Maureen Cotter.
As the equipment becomes operational, House of Hope will offer training classes for individuals to learn new processes for home use, again expanding the impact. People with low incomes will have an opportunity for free training classes that can help the participants make the most of the health and food storage capacity of their own kitchens.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement that Impact100 Martin is investing half a million dollars into our community this coming year,” Ranieri said. “We’re honored to be one of the recipients, along with Banner Lake, Friends of the Everglades, Project LIFT and SafeSpace. Together with them and our other nonprofit partners, House of Hope benefits greatly from the generosity of our community as we work to improve the lives of the people we serve.”
For more information or make a donation, visit hohmartin.org or call (772) 286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing Palm Beach County and is a privately owned and managed company. Captain’s is committed to providing dependable, reliable and professional ground transportation to and from all South Florida Airports and Seaports.
To reserve your vehicle: 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890
LocaL government
Invest In Martin County
By Ruth “Ski” Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector
Our Martin County Tax Certificate sale for unpaid 2024 real property taxes will be available starting on May 14, at 8 a.m., and closing on June 1, at 1 p.m. The sale will be conducted on the tax collector’s tax certificate auction website, Lienhub.com.
Bidders can review the advertised list of unpaid real property taxes and submit bids on the website starting on May 14. These tax certificates will recover the unpaid 2024 unpaid property taxes.
The tax certificate sale is not a sale for the purchase of the property, but the purchase of a lien for the delinquent taxes, interest, costs and charges for the property described in the certificate. The sale operates on a competitive bid basis with interest bids beginning at 18 percent and progressing downward in 0.25 percent increments. The lowest bid wins the certificate.
For additional information on real property taxes, the tax certificate sale, and tax liens, please contact our office at (772) 288-5749 or visit our website at https://lienhub. com/county/martin/certsale/main.
FinanciaL Focus®
How To Cope With Market Volatility
By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones
The financial markets always go through periods of instability. And we may see more of that now, given concerns about tariffs, inflation and the economy. As an investor, how can you deal with this volatility?
Some investors try to take advantage of market ups and downs by attempting to follow the age-old advice to “buy low and sell high” – that is, they seek to buy stocks when they feel prices have bottomed out and they sell stocks when they think the market has reached a high point. In theory, this is a great idea, but in practice, it’s essentially impossible, because no one can really predict market highs and lows.
Rather than trying to anticipate highs and lows, your best strategy for coping with the price fluctuations of the financial markets is to diversify your investment portfolio by owning a mix of stocks, bonds and other types of securities. Different types of financial assets can move in different directions at any given time – so, for example, stocks may be up while bonds are down, or vice versa. If you only owned one of these types of assets, and the market for that asset class was down, your portfolio could take a bigger hit than if you owned a variety of asset types.
And you can further diversify within individual asset categories. Stocks can be domestic or international, largecompany or small-company – and these groupings can also move in different directions at the same time, depending on various market forces. As for bonds, they too don’t always move in a uniform direction, or at least with the same intensity – for instance, when interest rates rise, bond prices tend to fall, but longer-term bonds may fall more than shorter-term ones, which are closer to maturity with fewer interest payments remaining. Conversely, when rates are falling, longer-term bonds may be more attractive because they lock in higher yields for a longer
especially out-of-town families, needed a place to stay that would be close to the medical facility, warm, welcoming and affordable. Molly’s House was the perfect solution.
Patients now spend less time in the hospital but may return for outpatient procedures on a frequent and perhaps grueling schedule. “We’re finding that it’s the patients themselves who need a place to stay,” Bartlett said. “Traveling to and from a heavy schedule of cancer treatments, for example, or scheduling rides every day can add an extra layer of stress and exhaustion for patients, especially for patients from rural communities with limited access to healthcare. Staying at Molly’s House gives them the rest time they need and the emotional support of our staff and volunteers.”
www.captainsairport.com
Joe Endress, Molly’s House Board Chair, agrees. “Our board members are very aware of the emerging needs of patients and families in our greater community,” Endress said, “and we’re committed to creating new ways to serve them.”
Bartlett told the story of one recent Molly’s House guest who lived in Okeechobee and needed eight weeks of
time. Consequently, one diversification technique for bonds is to build a “ladder” containing bonds of varying maturities. Some investments, by their nature, are already somewhat diversified. A mutual fund can contain dozens, or even hundreds, of stocks, or a mixture of stocks and bonds. And different mutual funds may have different investment objectives – some focus more on growth, while others are more income-oriented – so, further diversification can be achieved by owning a mix of funds.
Furthermore, some investors achieve even greater diversification by owning alternative investments, such as real estate, commodities and cryptocurrencies, although these vehicles themselves are often more volatile than those in more traditional investment categories. While a diversified portfolio is important for every investor, your exact level of diversification – the percentages of your portfolio devoted to stocks, bonds and other securities – will depend on your individual risk tolerance, time horizon and financial goals. You may want to consult with a financial professional about creating the diversified investment mix that’s right for your needs. Ultimately, while diversification can’t guarantee profits or protect against all losses, it can help you reduce some of the risks associated with investing and better prepare you to deal with the inevitable volatility of the financial markets – two key benefits that can help you over the many years you’ll spend as an investor.
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.
chemotherapy at Stuart Oncology. Her grandson was her sole source of transportation, but he had a full-time job. “Thanks to Molly’s House,” Bartlett said, “her grandson didn’t have to quit his job to be her driver. As a guest in our house for those eight weeks, she was able to receive all of her treatments without any interruptions. Our volunteers made sure we coordinated her rides, provided her with groceries and extended the warmth and love of the entire Molly’s House community.”
The board and staff of Molly’s House will be working with their community partners throughout the spring to refine the services they offer within the beauty of the vision of a home away from home. For example, Cleveland Clinic Martin recently conducted a community health needs assessment that identified access to care as a problem, particularly for the elderly, low-and-middle-income families, veterans and families experiencing housing insecurity. Molly’s House will be working with the Cleveland Clinic Community Advisory Council as one of the community partners addressing this and other pressing needs.
For more information about Molly’s House, visit www. mollyshouse.org, follow Molly’s House on Facebook or call (772) 223-6659.
“You both have altered the trajectory of my life. I am eternally grateful.”~~A Happy Client
You have arrived and we are glad you are joining us today. This article is designed to bring Single and Taken readers up to date on our new observations and hot tips. It is important to stay current with what is trending in the singles scene--as it is a good mirror of our times. It always has been too! We would know.
Note: We welcome all readers and followers to indulge in the reality of today’s online society. Technology is not as fun as it once was--right? We recommend you share this column with your family and friends. Someone you know needs to read this article. It is our honor to share our “up to the minute” knowledge with you. Everyone needs something to look forward to and solutions. You are not alone. First on the Agenda
Ask yourself: “Am I the best version of myself?” If your answer is positive, then BRAVO. You have done your work and chosen to see the brighter side of life in all you do and say. You are successful in many ways, and you know that being a student of life is an asset (regardless of your age). We commend you for understanding that no one knows everything--not even you. If you answered on the negative side of this query, consider diving deeper and possibly working with a good therapist. The majority of our clients know who they are and value their time, money, and privacy--which is why they came to us. This is a common denominator in the club. You can’t find this on a dating site, bar, or on your sofa. So, if you are feeling good about yourself, “NOW” would be a good time to take a step in the right direction.
The majority of people reading this will agree that their best memories involve a happy and loving relationship. This may come from friends and family--but the highest and most important form of love will be from your romantic partner. Try saying the following out loud: “I am better when I am in love.” Did it resonate? If so, consider that action is necessary to cultivate your “personal” best self. We all have our own measuring stick to define our best self, and you may want to quietly sit and ask yourself where the benchmark is--for you.
On this day, we share recent quotes that nailed the moment some of our happy clients pivoted, changed the
Dating
trajectory of their life, and joined our well-established community of connection known as Revolution Dating. Caveat
Many people wonder: “Everyone is so demanding and unrealistic these days--so what gives Revolution Dating the strength to power on and prevail every day and year after year?”
Answer is: Our clients, couples and YOU. You are our inspiration. If we can be a part of the solution--in a disconnected world--then our job is more profound than setting you all up on dates. So read and enjoy. The only risk is that you may just fall in love!
Clients reveal their WHY
“My motivation for doing so was threefold: 1. The company would vet anyone they recommended; thus, I could be assured I was meeting someone honest and of good character. 2. I would be sure to meet someone in my age range. I was not looking for a ‘boy toy.’ 3. The gentlemen I would meet in the club would be of comparable financial status.”~~ A 70-plus client who is vacationing with her beau in Europe right now.
“I have been successful in every other aspect of my life... other than this. Serendipitously, this is about the time I came across Revolution Dating. It became immediately clear to me that this was going to be an authentic and real experience. I have had no problem attracting women, but they were not the right women. Kelly and Miranda guided me right to ‘the one’ and she is dynamite. We are now on a freeze together, and we are overjoyed. We feel like teenagers again.” ~~A 40plus CEO and his new girlfriend are planning a summer trip to Montana.
“I live close to Manhattan, in the mecca for young professionals, but I had zero success with dating apps and felt a sense that quality men are just not online dating. I had heard of Revolution Dating up in the Northeast and decided to take the plunge. I am glad I did. Kelly not only set me up with fantastic upscale men, but she also coached me before the dates because I was a little bitter post-online dating. Knowing this, she did not want me to carry that energy into my new dates with her. She was spot on.”
A 27-year-old CPA who is now exclusive for many months with a fabulous doctor. No doubt, he is going to put a “ring on it.”
Conclusion
Get out of your resting state. You can’t blame society, your ex, or your fear of rejection. You are in charge of your life and no one else. Own your own destiny and design your future. That’s sovereignty. That’s power.
Understand this does not mean you can force results or argue to win the race because you are pushy. This is not hot. In fact—it’s zero hot. Instead, open your heart and your mind. Love more. Closed rigid hearts get more of the same. Call us with an open heart and the rest will be your love story...and ours. We can’t wait to collaborate with you.
Our hotlines are open seven days a week, but demand is high. Reserve your spot today!
XOXO from Women in the Know, Kelly & Miranda (The Leaders of Revolution Dating)
Successful single, divorced, and widowed clients are ready to live and love offline. Revolution Dating is a fullservice matchmaking firm specializing in screening and representing clients from the Northeast to Palm Beach for decades, with a corporate brickand-mortar office in your backyard in the exclusive PGA Commons business Matchmakers In Manhattan for Cherry Blossom Season! #SpringIntoLove
Girl Scouts Of Southeast Florida Launch 2025 Summer Camp At Camp Welaka
The countdown to summer fun is on! Registration is now open for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida’s 2025 summer camp session at Camp Welaka in Tequesta, Fla., a 640-acre preserved woodland where girls can explore nature, develop new skills and foster lasting friendships.
Open to all girls, not just current Girl Scouts, three summer programs at Camp Welaka offer a variety of outdoor adventures and leadership-building opportunities for girls from kindergarten through 12th grade. The three signature programs are:
Resident Camp is designed to build confidence and independence in an environment where the girls are empowered by their peers and camp staff to try something
summer camps
new. Campers will enjoy swimming, archery, canoeing, hiking, themed events and more. There are three sessions of Resident Camp running from June 13 through July 17 for girls entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
Day Camp offers all the excitement of camp without the overnight stay. Perfect for younger campers, this experience gives girls the chance to explore the outdoors while developing key life skills including communication, responsibility and independence. Activities include archery, slingshots, paddling, hiking, pool time and arts and crafts. Day Camp is offered June 23 through June 27 and July 21 through July 25 for girls in kindergarten through 5th grade.
Camp 2gether allows girls and a trusted adult to experience camp life together. Featuring overnight stays and traditional camp activities, Camp 2gether helps families bond and create shared memories in a fun, natural setting. Camp 2gether runs from June 6 through June 8 and is open to girls entering kindergarten through 12th grade and their accompanying adults.
“Our summer camps at Camp Welaka are designed to give every girl a safe, supportive space where she can unplug, build confidence and connect with others,” said Lisa Johnson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida. “As evidenced in our recent State Florida Girl Report, more than half of high school girls regularly feel sad or hopeless and screen time is at an all-time high, camp offers something different—real friendships, outdoor adventures and the chance to discover their strengths. You don’t have to be a Girl Scout to attend, but after a week at camp, most girls are excited to become one.”
Space is limited. To register or for more information visit https://www.gssef.org/en/members/for-girl-scouts/camp-andoutdoors/summer-camp.html.
Grape Expectations: Fifty Shades of Grape!
By Ed Wolfarth,
who moved to South Florida after retiring with his wife, Vicki, as Professor of Sports Sciences & Physical Education at both Queens College and Hofstra University. He is a nationally ranked senior tennis player and long-time USPTA Elite Teaching Professional. Ed has written many educational and tennis articles in the past.
Over the past few years, Ed has turned his hobby of wine collecting into a way of continuing his passion for writing and has written on the subject for publications. As a selfproclaimed “wine snob,” he has collaborated on many wine lists for private clubs and a few restaurants.
I often bristle at my friends or dinner companions who dismiss Chardonnay because it’s too oaky, never drink Riesling because it’s cloyingly sweet or simply wouldn’t order a glass of Merlot because of “that movie!”
Not all wine varietals are created equal. Chardonnay can and is made in many diverse Styles. Similarly, not all Riesling is cloyingly sweet. For the ABC crowd (anything but Chardonnay) let’s take a look at the various styles of Chards available in today’s market.
LiFestyLes
I like to think of Chardonnay as chicken! There’s southern fried chicken, chicken wings, chicken cacciatore, etc. You get my drift? Chicken is a blank palette. It all depends on the winemaker’s style and terroir (soil, climate & topography).
If you have ever tasted crisp, dry Chablis from Burgundy you would never compare it to an oak monster Chard from Napa. Yet both are made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Wine makers are like chemists. They have the ability and latitude to craft their wines. The way they are fermented, the time in oak barrels, and more factors are all variables that make each wine distinctive and representative of the region they come from and the specific winemaker and producer.
Here are a few Chards you may want to try from different areas. Always look for reliable producers and current vintages. Although many Chards can age, most—especially in the New World (California, all U.S. wines, Australia and New Zealand) are made for early consumption.
California – In Napa, where Chards tend to be bigger, more alcoholic and on the buttery side, reliable producers to look for are: Beringer, Pahlmeyer, Lewis, Peter Michael and Silverado. My current favorite is Truchard from the Carneros region.
In Sonoma, because of its proximity to the ocean, the Chards tend to be lighter and more food-friendly. These wines are usually fermented in stainless steel vats (very few in oak barrels) and are excellent accompaniments to salads, grilled fish and most barbecue foods. Producers to try in Sonoma are: Stonestreet, Simi, Chalk Hill Kistler, and Chateau St. Jean. My current favorite from Sonoma is Hanzell.
France – The white wines made in the Burgundy region of France are always 100% Chardonnay grape. The famous, and probably most expensive, Chard, Le Montrachet, can cost upwards of $1,000 a bottle! In the northern part of Burgundy, a much cooler climate, Chardonnay from Chablis is much different in style. They are often bone dry and crisp, as opposed to the more opulent Chards from the Cote d’Or further to the south. You may have heard of Mersault, Puligny, Chassagne or Pouilly Fuisse. All Chards from the Burgundy region are highly sought after.
Years ago the Negociants of Burgundy were thought of as the big, bad guys. That is, the public perception was that they were producing wines for mass appeal with little concern for quality. That is no longer the case. Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot and Joseph Faively are meticulously producing top quality wines. Look for their names on bottles of white Burgundy. All current vintages on the shelves today are excellent.
Recently, I’ve become a big fan of Italian Chardonnay. Seek out a slightly oaked Dream from Jermann. Definitely look for Bramito from Umbria. And, if you can find it, Cantina Terlano from Alto Adige in the Piedmont region. At $25 a bottle one of the most balanced and complex Chards I’ve ever tasted.
Australia – Especially in Western Australia, some of the finest crafted Chards are being produced. Look for almost any Chardonnay from the Margaret River Valley. Cape Mentelle should be readily found. Vasse Felix is extraordinary, a great bargain, but not imported here often. Leeuwin, a bit pricey, is easily found and is regarded as Australia’s finest Chardonnay. Look for the Art Series.
New Zealand – In New Zealand, definitely seek out Kumeu River. While the oaked version may not be the quintessential summer wine, it is by far (in my humble estimation) the finest example of a Burgundian chardonnay–i.e.; Montrachet, at a fraction of the cost. It should cost about $35.
So, what have we learned? Chardonnay comes in many different styles–maybe not 50, but a lot. Climate, soil, topography (terroir) and wine-making techniques can produce completely different and distinctive wines. If you consider yourself an “ABCer”, you really need to expand your tastes and try the “other” Chardonnays. Happy drinking!
ADVANCING BRAIN HEALTH FOR EVERY BRIGHTER TOMORROW
We’re advancing brain health with the latest research and treatments. Because the right breakthrough can change everything. From strokes and MS to spine care and brain tumor surgery, world class neurological care is right here at Cleveland Clinic in Stuart and Port St. Lucie.
Four Ways To Approach Reading Problems
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist
Your child’s reading problems are real-life problems since reading is required in all school subjects. The percentage varies depending on the definition of “reading problems,” but approximately 20 percent of children have reading problems. This includes conditions like dyslexia and other reading difficulties. There are four ways to approach your child’s reading problems.
The Safari
By Nils A. Shapiro
Nils began his career as marketing director for a major book publisher. He has since edited the authors’ manuscripts’ for more than 20 published books, written more than 200 book reviews, served as publisher of several million-plus circulation national magazines, created the official yearbooks for teams in Major League Baseball, the National Football League, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League and “retired” as president of a successful telecommunications company.
When you are deep into a mystery novel and changed your mind several times about the identity of the murderer, then finally discover who it is—only to realize that the final chapters reveal even more shocking surprises—you know that you are under the spell of a master storyteller.
Having already enjoyed and favorably reviewed author Jaclyn Goldis’s two earlier novels in my columns, I looked forward to this one, which is being published this month. But when I decided to read a few more pages last evening in preparation for writing this column even I did not anticipate staying up until 2 a.m., unable to stop turning the pages until I had reached the end!
Jaclyn Goldis is a young American woman who, after seven years as a practicing attorney, decided that she was instead meant to be a writer—boy, was she right—so she fit what she could into a backpack, traveled the world for a year and settled in Tel Aviv, where she writes in beachside cafes.
Although my own reading tastes lean toward nonfiction I include fiction reviews in consideration of this column’s range of readers, and in 2023 came across this author’s debut novel, The Chateau, which so impressed me that I compared it to the best of Agatha Christie; the book proved to be very successful. A year later her second novel, The Main Character, showed Jaclyn Goldis to be a consistently genuine talent. I loved it as much as I did her first book.
The Safari continues this streak of brilliant work in a story of family dynamics set in one of the world’s most fascinating locales, Africa’s safari country. Odelia Babel is the powerful, wealthy and—still attractive in her early sixties—the CEO of Cirq, a highly successful fashion empire. Her son, Joshua; twin son and daughter, Sam and Bailey; and Joshua’s wife, Davina, all work for Cirq, which Odelia runs with a controlling hand since its founder, her husband Aba, passed away some years earlier.
The announcement that Odelia is now engaged to marry Asher Bach, the company’s new designer—a handsome, talented man twenty-five years younger than she is but who clearly adores her—comes as a shock to the family, all of whom are now informed that the wedding ceremony will take place at Leopard Sands, the luxurious company-owned safari lodge in Africa that has long been a much-loved place of vacation adventures for the family and tourists.
The book’s narrative unfolds over 44 chapters, each titled with the name of one of the book’s main characters and its story continuing in that person’s voice
• Odelia herself, whose pre-nuptial excitement is dimmed by a series of threatening, unsigned notes and a negative tarot card reading by her best friend, Gwen.
• Joshua, her older son, second in command at Cirq. A reserved man somewhat lacking in total self-confidence,
kiDs corner
The least favorable approach is a wait and see approach. Some parents are told statements such as, “Give it more time and she’ll catch on soon,” or “Boys are just slower to read than girls.” Well-intentioned advice can actually cause your child considerable setback. Kindergarten through second grade is when children concentrate on learning to read but from third grade onward children must read to learn. Hence, mandatory third grade retention if your child does not pass the high stakes reading testing.
A second approach is for you to work with your child at home. While you might not be a professional teacher, you can teach your child to read by purchasing reading materials. One parent book is Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. You might require your child to use reading websites such as ABC Mouse, Starfall, Raz-Kids, or Nessy. These supports help many children learn to read.
Many parents hire a tutor as a third approach to reading struggles. I recommend one-to-one reading tutoring as the
Book review
very much in love with his beautiful wife, Davina, and of other men’s attraction to her.
• Davina, the ravishing top model at Cirq who, having just given birth to a daughter, Ruby, has been told by Odelia that her post-pregnancy body may no longer fit the company’s fashion image.
• Asher, the handsome young groom to be, whose design contributions to Cirq and clear adoration of Odelia seem to provide all the reasons needed to overlook the 25-year difference in the couple’s ages.
• Sam, the gay younger son whose excitement about his secret new boyfriend is offset by anger toward his mother, Odelia¸ for her refusal to help him cover serious financial debts.
• Bailey, who is Sam’s twin sister. Always concerned for him, she is a gentle soul whose ambition is to protect the wild animals beyond the lodge from poachers and other dangers.
• Gwen , Odelia’s best friend since childhood. Loyal to Odelia and entirely trusted by her, Gwen has a prison record from many years earlier that the two will never discuss with anyone else. Gwen is an expert with tarot
best way to make reading gains. There are plenty of teachers tutoring after school at libraries, homes, and businesses. Most schoolteachers who tutor use an eclectic approach to teaching reading.
Call for school neurological testing when your parental instinct is telling you your child’s struggles are more than developmental and might be dyslexia. In this approach we test for dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Our testing pinpoints exactly what is causing the struggle so you can provide targeted support rather than try and see support. If it is dyslexia, Florida gives parents money to help with tutoring costs.
Call (561) 625-4125 if you would like to discuss your concerns for dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. Learn more at www.JimForgan.com.
cards; it is she who reveals the negative reading that unnerves Odelia the weekend before the wedding.
• Markus is the safari guide who takes Leopard Sands guests on tours through wild animal territory. Odelia’s family have known him since their childhood.
• Violett, the resort’s long-time general manager, has been charged with making all the arrangements for the wedding. Although loyal for decades, her request for financial aid to help her ailing, hospitalized grandmother has been denied by Odelia. Violett has always had a special relationship with Joshua ever since he was a small child, and now he convinces Davina that Violett can be trusted to babysit their infant daughter, Ruby, when they are on safari with Markus. By telling this story through the eyes and voice of each character we soon begin to understand the feelings and motivation of each toward one another. It is a very effective technique and one that readers will use in attempting to guess the identity of the killer when Odelia is murdered the night before the wedding
Ultimately, what becomes clear is that in a world where lions, leopards, crocodiles and other wild creatures roam free, the most dangerous creature is often human.
Once again, as in her earlier novels, what stands out is the author’s extraordinary imagination and storytelling fluency, a combination so rare that I found myself stopping reading once in a while, taking a moment to savor Jaclyn Goldis’s impressive skills.
As I noted at the opening of this review, the most fascinating surprises in this story just begin after you discover the identity of the murderer! I strongly suggest you get to know Jaclyn Goldis. The Safari is a good place to start.
tip oF tHe taiL
Ear Infections (Otitis)
Ear canal infections, or Otitis externa , are one of the most common problems we see at the Palm City Animal Medical Center. These infections are found by the doctors
during routine exams, by the grooming staff or by the pets’ families. The pets often shake their head, paw/scratch at the ears trying to clear material out of the canals and to ease the discomfort. The canals will become inflamed and sometimes even ulcerated and raw. These infections may result in the development of brown or yellow discharge producing an offensive odor. In chronic (long-term) infections, this odor may be apparent from across the room and the discharge may be extreme. The shaking or scratching can injure vessels inside the ear flap resulting in blood collecting there. It may affect only a small area, the size of a quarter, or the entire ear flap can fill up like a water balloon. This is called an aural hematoma.
The ear canals are an extension of the skin surface. Therefore, many ear problems are related to conditions that affect the skin. A variety of bacteria and a type of yeast called Malassezia pachydermatis are the most likely cause of ear infections. External parasites, mites, can
also be responsible for ear infections, but these are much more common in cats than dogs. Seasonal environmental allergies, atopy, may result in pets getting otitis during certain times of the year. Food allergies can cause otitis after they eat something they are sensitive to. These ear infections caused by allergies often occur during high pollen periods, but many allergens are present year-round either indoors or out. Pets may also become itchy and show signs of ear and skin infections after eating certain foods. Beef, dairy, and chicken products are responsible for over 90 percent of food hypersensitivities in pets.
The doctor will begin with a comprehensive physical exam and use an otoscope to look into the ear canal to visualize the entire canal and the tympanic membrane (eardrum). The canals can be so swollen and/or painful that a complete canal exam may not be possible. The doctor or technician will remove a sample of discharge, place it on a microscope slide and use special stains to help determine the presence of bacteria or yeast. This cytology of the discharge will help the doctor choose the proper therapy. In severe infections, a sample will be sent to a reference laboratory for a culture and sensitivity evaluation. This will tell the doctor what specific bacteria are present, and which medications will be the most effective at eliminating them. Treatment involves any combination of the following: topical ear ointment/drops, steroids, antibiotics or anti- yeast medications and allergy medications if needed. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed. In these very severe cases, a CT scan is the most sensitive diagnostic tool available.
Certain pets are going to be predisposed to ear infections. As previously mentioned, pets with allergies or dogs with long, floppy ears or excessively hairy ears are more prone to ear infections. Also, certain breeds including cocker spaniels, Labrador retrievers and miniature poodles have a higher incidence of ear problems. Regardless of treatment, after the infection is resolved, maintenance is required to prevent future infection. Ear canals should be cleaned thoroughly at least once weekly in most pets and at least twice weekly in predisposed pets. You need to fill the canal with a veterinary ear cleaning solution, gently massage the base of the canal and then let him shake it out. The shaking will clear out a lot of the debris. Then take a tissue or cotton ball and gently wipe out the excess solution and debris. The canal makes a 90-degree turn and forms an “L” shape, so never put a Q-tip in your pets’ ears. A Q-tip is more likely to push material toward the eardrum then to remove it.
The most import thing to remember about your pets’ ear problems is prevention. It is better to provide consistent maintenance with ear cleaning once to twice per week to avoid infections, rather than treating them after they are established.
cLeveLanD cLinic martin HeaLtH news
Cervical Disc Herniation: A Pain In The Neck That Is Treatable
Cervical (neck) disc herniation is seen in many age groups. This problem is becoming more common as people spend hours each day with their neck bent to look at computers, tablets or cell phones. Ivan Stoev, M.D., a neurosurgeon at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, answers some commonly asked questions about cervical disk herniation.
What Is A Herniated Disc?
The spinal column is made up of a series of bones called vertebrae. Between the vertebrae are flat, round cushioning pads called intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers. Each disc has a soft rubbery center made of cartilage like our ear lobe. A herniated disc ‒
The Pet Cottage Post
A Day In The Life At The Pet Cottage: Where Every Tail Tells A Story
Tucked away in Jupiter Farms is a place where pets who’ve lost their humans find love, care and a promise: they will never be alone again. The Pet Cottage is a sanctuary for pets whose people have passed away, become disabled or deployed. Once accepted into the program, these pets are promised a home for life.
Most of the 62 pets currently in their care live with Forever Guardians in the community. But some—those with medical or behavioral needs—stay at the sanctuary, including 14 dogs and one cat who live on-site.
A typical day begins well before sunrise.
“At 3:40 a.m., GiGi, a senior Jack Russell with dementia and Cushing’s disease, let me know she was ready to go out and eat,” shares the founder.
“So, up we go.”
Dashie, a pit bull mix, and Angel, a senior chihuahua, join GiGi on the early morning outing. The rest of the dogs remain sleeping in their cozy crates or small cottages on the property. After morning meditation and journaling, the founder starts her work for The Pet Cottage—writing grants and planning the day.
also called a slipped or ruptured disc ‒ occurs when pressure from the vertebrae above and below force some or all of the “rubbery cartilage” through a weakened part of the outer layer of the disc.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Herniated Disc?
Neck pain, headache, pain radiating down the arm or in the shoulder, and numbness or weakness in the fingers are all signs. How Is A Herniated Disc Diagnosed?
Your physician can order a variety of tests to determine the cause of neck or shoulder pain, such as X-rays or MRI or CT scans, sometimes with dye
pet matters
By 7 a.m., it’s light enough to begin the full morning routine. Elvis, a large shepherd mix, is let out into his favorite park. Peanut, Sugar Baby and Tuffy are next, bounding with energy. Poppy and Auggie, a bonded pair of cocker spaniels awaiting placement, follow soon after.
is injected into the spinal canal. Another test is an electromyelogram, which involves placing small needles into muscles and measuring their response. How Is A Herniated Disc Treated?
Some improve on their own. Physical therapy, steroidal medication and traction can help improve them too, as can spinal injections known as epidurals or nerve blocks. For more serious cases, surgery to decompress the nerve root and remove a small part of the disc gives pain relief. For extreme neck and arm pain, we can remove the entire disc, replace it with a bone graft or artificial disc. Most patients can resume normal activities 6 to 8 weeks after surgery.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Stoev or another Cleveland Clinic neurosurgeon, call (877) 463-2010 or visit clevelandclinicflorida.org/neuro to learn more.
Poop is scooped, tails are wagged and fresh air is enjoyed before everyone heads back inside. Nine of the dogs eat the same food, while a few are on special diets. Medications are handed out, and the feeding routine stretches across the main house and the two additional cottages that house bonded pairs like Mister and Beary, and Dottie and BJ. By 8:30 a.m., staff and volunteers begin arriving. Chloe, the volunteer coordinator, joins the morning pack walk—Angel in her stroller and the rest on leashes. A Facebook Live posting captures the fun for followers. Back inside, crates are cleaned and dogs are rotated depending on needs.
Sophie, a shy Maltipoo, eats breakfast in the guest room. “She was traumatized and isn’t comfortable with the other dogs, or many people—except me,” the founder says. Throughout the morning, volunteers help with cleaning, organizing donations, giving baths and, of course, showering the dogs with affection. The part-time assistant handles data tracking and veterinary records from one of the cottages, keeping dogs company while she works.
By mid-morning, the founder is in the office thanking donors, writing grants and preparing for board meetings. Some days include vet visits—The Pet Cottage pays for all medical care for the life of each pet. In the afternoons, meetand-greets are held with prospective guardians, with guidance from Franzi, their professional dog trainer.
By 4 p.m., it’s dinnertime. Dogs are fed, medications are given and evening routines begin. The day winds down with playtime, last walks and cuddles.
By 8:30 p.m., the house is quiet. Everyone is fed, safe and resting.
“It’s a full, beautiful day,” the founder reflects. “Busy— and so satisfying. I love my life.”
Join Our Pack
To schedule a visit call (561) 818-5025. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube @thepetcottage. Learn more or donate at thepetcottage.org.
Wendy Derhak, Founder and Executive Director The Pet Cottage – Forever Promise. Forever Home.
Ivan Stoev, M.D.
GiGi
Dashie and Wendy
Elvis and Tuffy
Elvis looking out the window Angel in her stroller
Women In Business - Find Your Seat: Roundtable Follow Up
Our Find Your Seat: Roundtable Follow Up Event was truly something special. We gathered around tables, not a stage, for an evening of meaningful conversation and connection. The roundtable format created a welcoming space for honest dialogue, reflection, and support. Instead of listening from afar, attendees leaned in sharing stories, asking questions, and encouraging one another in a setting that felt as empowering as it was personal. We’re incredibly
Board Member Meghan Shirey, Boys and Girls Club of Martin County; Christiana Masterson, Palm City Chamber of Commerce Marketing and Sales Director; Lindsay Parkin, Young Professionals of Martin County; President Rebecca Beckett, HJ Sims; Board Member Angela Kacprowicz, Guaranteed Garage Doors and Repair; Glexi Garcia, St. Lucie Economic Development Council
grateful to our five powerhouse panelists Jill Marasa, Honorable Judge Jennifer Waters, Arati Hammond, Mindi Fetterman, and Rebecca Beckett for guiding each table’s
conversation with wisdom, authenticity, and care. Their leadership helped spark thoughtful discussions that went far beyond business as usual.
Haus Of Halcyon Beauty Parlor Ribbon Cutting
We had the pleasure of hosting Haus of Halcyon Beauty Parlor for a special ribbon cutting following our March breakfast, celebrating their place in our growing business community. While Haus of Halcyon
has already been making waves with their personalized, high-end beauty services, this moment marked their official welcome from the Chamber and a chance to highlight the confidence and creativity they bring to the
area. The team at Haus of Halcyon is passionate about helping women look and feel their best, and it shows in every detail of their work.
