Back And Brighter Than Ever: Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade Returns!
The parade supports Toys for Tots and Little Smiles through toy donations at designated locations on land and along the parade route.
The 31st Annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade was an unforgettable night of festive cheer and dazzling boats! Presented by the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County (MIAPBC) and Lessing’s Hospitality Group, this holiday tradition set sail on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. As
Jupiter Law Center’s 20th Annual Fundraiser Benefiting The Aicardi Syndrome Foundation Roars!
Jupiter Law Center hosted its 20th Annual Costume Party to benefit the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation, a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research and family conferences to raise awareness of Aicardi Syndrome and improve the lives of Aicardi children and their families. This year’s Roaring Twenties theme brought out gangsters, bankers, jailbirds and a bevy of beautiful flappers who danced to Zoot Suit music while enjoying Speakeasy cocktails and food at Tequesta Country Club. With the support of the firm’s friends, Jupiter Law Center topped the $700,000 mark in total donations to the foundation since its inaugural event in 2005.
Singer Spotlight on page 4
Ava Shaye Gumson (21)
many as 80 boats lit up the Intracoastal Waterway from North Palm Beach to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
Returning radio favorites, Mo and Sally from KOOL 105.5, served as the Grand Marshals, with a special guest appearance by Santa Claus. The parade was led by a traveling Zambelli fireworks display as boaters competed across a range of categories, including “Best of Parade,” “Fan Favorite,” and “Corporate,” with more than $10,000 in cash and prizes on the line. This year, the parade debuted a new award category for newcomers, “Rookie of the Year,” featuring a custom award, $250 cash, and more. A panel of judges evaluated each vessel based on the lights displayed, enthusiasm, and themed décor.
Singer Profile on page 2
Palm Beach Rowing Association Unveils
To Support New Program With Urban Youth Impact
Palm Beach Rowing Association and Urban Youth Impact to launch a free, new rowing program for inner-city youth in West Palm Beach.
The Palm Beach Rowing Association (PBRA) has completed a $1.3 million boathouse expansion designed to broaden access to rowing for inner-city youth and keep pace with the sport’s rising popularity in West Palm Beach. In cooperation with local nonprofit Urban Youth Impact (UYI), PBRA will offer a rowing program at the new boathouse for innercity middle school students. The program will introduce students to rowing and utilize educational resources to help them achieve academic success.
Developing such a program has been a longterm goal of PBRA, but it lacked the scale and resources needed to make it a reality. UYI will bring both the rowers and the academic oversight to assure that the participants focus on both academics and rowing, as well as commitment, team building, and sustained focus.
Panoramic boat parade scene (Photo courtesy of MIAPBC)
Jupiter Lighthouse (Photography by Susan Speaks McGirt)
Urban Youth Impact students
“The Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade is a great way to give back to our community while spreading holiday joy on the water,” said MIAPBC Executive Director Alyssa Freeman. “We’re celebrating our boaters in new ways this year with raffles, prizes, and waived deposits for early registrants. Exclusive perks for those who registered by Nov. 19 included entry into raffles for VIP Palm Beach International Boat Show tickets and $500 cash.”
MIAPBC collected toys by land and by sea for Toys for Tots and Little Smiles. During the first week of November, donation boxes for Little Smiles were placed throughout Palm Beach County for toy drop-offs. Donations for Little Smiles can still be made in the weeks after the parade. On the night of the parade, a “toy fleet” of boats traveled along the parade route offering easy dockside donations for Toys for Tots. Uniformed Marines and volunteers pulled right up to docks to collect donations. Last year, MIAPBC collected more than 14,000 toys.
“This parade is a beautiful reminder of what the holidays are all about: community, joy, and generosity,” said Michael Lessing, CEO of Lessing’s Hospitality Group. “We’re proud to play a role in an event that brings people together and gives back in such a meaningful way.”
The MIAPBC invited local businesses to join us as sponsors of the parade, with packages starting at $500. Package benefits varied and included business exposure through television, radio, print, digital, social media, and public relations. A sponsorship guaranteed access to MIAPBC’s exclusive VIP Viewing Party, with premium
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Under a long-term lease from the City of West Palm Beach, PBRA’s new Fred Emerson Boathouse will open in November 2025, increasing from a one-bay to a four-bay facility. This expansion will provide space for twice as many boats, electric launches, indoor weights, and rowing machines. It will also include two bathrooms and showers.
Built in 1986 on North Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, the club’s original boathouse – the James K. Green Boathouse – was established by members and friends of PBRA. Within 40 years, the club has grown to 50 master and junior members and nearly 50 nonresident members. Medals line the boathouse’s walls from members winning races in regattas all over the world, ranging from the U.S. Masters Nationals to the FISA World Masters, and the Head of the Charles.
Named in honor of PBRA’s co-founder Jim Green, the former James K. Green Boathouse outgrew its current one-bay capacity due to an increase in membership from a population surge in West Palm Beach. The newly expanded Fred Emerson Boathouse will support the growing demand for the sport, facilitate programs for inner-city youth, and lead the way for rowing to become a prominent sport in the region.
“Rowing has the power to transform lives, instilling essential life skills such as collaboration, coordination, cooperation, and commitment,” said Jim Green. “We want to pass those traits on to our youth in West Palm Beach, especially those who have never been out on the water.”
The Fred Emerson Boathouse is named in honor of Fred L. Emerson, Jr., an exceptional rower and generous supporter of the National Rowing Association (U.S. Rowing). Widely regarded as the “Father of Connecticut Rowing,” Emerson served on both the U.S. Olympic Rowing Committee and the National Women’s Olympic Rowing Committee. His donated racing shells can be found at almost every major regatta across the country.
Emerson was a passionate supporter of youth rowing, start-up programs, and increasing women’s participation in the sport. He played a key role in establishing numerous initiatives across Connecticut and his generosity has positively influenced thousands of athletes – a legacy that will endure for generations.
views of the boat parade, along with entertainment, food, and drinks. This year’s top sponsors included Lessing’s Hospitality Group, WPBF 25 News, 1000 North, The Clubhouse, The Twisted Tuna, Town of Jupiter, Safe Harbor North Palm Beach Marina, Harbourside Place, Florida Blue, Freedom Boat Club, and All My Sons Moving & Storage.
Following the boat parade virtually was easy, using the free GPS app KnowWake! KnowWake maps coastal waterways for both Android and iPhone users who simply downloaded the app, created an account, and tracked the parade as it made its way to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse.
Boat registration was free and open through Tuesday, Dec. 2 through the website palmbeachboatparade.com or by calling (561) 863-0012. Boaters were required to attend the captains’ meeting at The Twisted Tuna to participate in the parade.
With the boathouse’s completion, UYI will recruit students and facilitate the program’s academic resources. Through rowing, students will develop commitment, teamwork, and focus – all the skills needed to graduate high school, earn college admission, and secure scholarships.
“Statistics show that participation in team sports like rowing significantly boosts high school and college graduation rates, as well as college admissions with scholarships,” said Chris Tress, president and CEO of Urban Youth Impact. “These are life-changing opportunities for students who come from underserved communities, and it is exactly what we’re working to create in West Palm Beach.”
The UYI program will be modeled after a long-standing initiative at RowNewYork, a program in New York City that provides free rowing and academic resources for underserved students whose annual household income is below $100,000. Like RowNewYork, student athletes will learn team-building principles through rowing. The program will be led by founding coach John Creighton who has more than 40 years of rowing experience. Creighton started rowing at the University of Pennsylvania in 1978. He has been an active member of the Milwaukee Rowing Club since 1987 and has been coaching youth rowers since 2019. Over the years, Creighton has competed in dozens of regattas, including the Henley Royal, Canadian Henley, USRowing Masters
Many joined to deck the “hulls” of the
for a night of festive
For more information About
National Championships, World Rowing Masters, and the Head of the Charles.
UYI will begin recruiting fifth grade students in November, with plans to expand the program up to eighth grade in the coming years. No rowing or athletic experience is required. Participants must commit to attend rowing practices, and student support and success activities.
of McCarthy Images and Urban Youth Impact.
REDISCOVER THE JOY OF LEARNING, CONNECTION, AND COMMUNITY
INTRODUCING OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE (OLLI) AT FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY, JUPITER!
We offer engaging, university-level courses designed especially for adults 50 and up.
•Choose from a wide variety of classes Explore fascinating topics in history, science, the arts, wellness, and more.
•Distinguished Instructors Learn from FAU’s top professors and experts in their fields.
• A Welcoming Community — Meet like-minded individuals who love learning as much as you do.
•Beautiful Facilities Enjoy lectures in our state-of-the-art 500-seat auditorium on the FAU Jupiter campus.
•No Tests. No Homework. No Stress. — Just pure learning for the love of it!
Come see why our members enjoy OLLI at FAU Jupiter where curiosity never retires.
Nauti Kitti – Ghostbusters-themed boat (Photo by Leonard Bryant Photography)
Parade boat passing the Jupiter Lighthouse (Photo by Susan Speaks McGirt Photography)
Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade
fun on the water!
the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County please visit marinepbc.org. Photos courtesy of Leonard Bryant, Sean Paul Photography, and Susan Speaks McGirt
Rowing machines inside new PBRA Boathouse
PBRA boathouse front exterior
Photos courtesy
Chris Tress, president of Urban Youth Impact
The annual event is a passion project for Jupiter Law Center’s principal attorney, Adam Gumson, and his wife Lissa, whose oldest daughter, Ava, was diagnosed as an infant with Aicardi Syndrome, a rare congenital neurological seizure disorder affecting almost only girls which inhibits the normal development of motor skills, sight and speech, causing mild to profound developmental delays. When she was diagnosed, the Gumsons were informed that Ava’s life expectancy was no more than two years. The seizures are managed through a variety of medicines and diet, but sometimes spike so fiercely that she is hospitalized and placed in a coma to shut her brain down long enough to permit the medical staff to combat the seizures. Although she is nonverbal, autistic, severely delayed and still has multiple daily seizures, she is a happy, joyful girl whose smile and laugh lights up a room, especially if Elmo is singing on the Ipad she religiously watches.
She attended The Learning Academy on the campus of the Els Center of Excellence until June 2024, enjoying the interaction with the wonderful staff and other autistic children. Now a fullfledged adult at 21, Ava continues to defy the odds and bring joy to everyone who meets her. Her battles with seizures and the Gumson family’s battle with insurance companies which improperly deny basic medicine and equipment needs are common threads that affect all Aicardi families.
What started as a small party with friends and family hosted at the Gumsons’ home in the early years has blossomed into a much larger annual event held for the last six years at Tequesta Country Club. Since only 4,000 girls worldwide are afflicted with Aicardi Syndrome, there is very little money for research, and the foundation is made up entirely of volunteers (mostly the affected families and their extended family and friends). The monies raised since 2005 help the foundation fund research grants at Baylor University and subsidize the cost for Aicardi families to attend the every-other-year Family Conference by paying for the families’ rooms and food. The conferences play a major role in providing support and information to families caring for their own Aicardi girl, and families from all over the world gather to attend lectures and exchange information with the only other people who understand what living with and caring for an Aicardi daughter entails.
The most recent conference was held in July 2025, and was the largest conference ever, with 126 families from all over the United States as well as Canada, France, Ireland, Japan and Mexico, including a whopping 40 new families.
Adam Gumson took over as president of the foundation in June of 2024 with one of the main goals being to encourage more families to engage in fundraising in their own communities because the cost of hosting conferences has risen so dramatically over the past few years. “One Family Conference costs approximately $150,000 for the food, rooms and AV equipment necessary to host a successful and well-attended four-day conference, so our party, and other families’ fundraising efforts, are absolutely essential to support the continuation of the great work that the foundation does.”
Lissa Gumson added that “There is no other place in the world we and other Aicardi families can go that everyone in the room knows what you are going through. The Family Conferences help create and develop a community of families who are all going through the same things, like what medicines and diets work best to combat seizures, what medical procedures and therapies have helped, what equipment and other technology have improved the quality of life and what other ‘hacks’ parents have instituted to make their and their daughters’ lives a bit less challenging.”
The Gumsons have become more and more active in the foundation over the years, with Adam lecturing at the conferences on various topics such as estate planning, guardianship and fundraising and Lissa handling a variety of the foundation’s administrative and banking matters. The Gumsons’ other two children, Lilly and Zane, attend the conferences and assist with childcare and speak on the sibling panel, answering questions from new families about what it is like to have a sister with Aicardi Syndrome. “Their participation has helped them feel like they are not alone since they get to see and meet other families, and especially other siblings, dealing with similar
issues, and both of them have become so much more grounded and empathetic by just being present at the conferences and being exposed to the highs and lows of living with an Aicardi sister,” Lissa Gumson stated. Adam Gumson added, “Aside from the obvious camaraderie of being in a room full of others who understand, it gives hope to a lot of new families who have recently been diagnosed and are scared about their future, just as we and every other Aicardi parent was initially.” He then relayed two comments posted on Facebook by two new families who attended their first conference in July: “The conference made a profound impact on our family. We have a hope that we didn’t think was possible and feel like we’ve been wrapped in one big hug that we didn’t even know we needed.” Another new family posted: “This group has given so much hope to my family, and we are beyond thankful to God for this community and found family.” After reading the posts, Adam Gumson stated, “No one wanted to be a part of this club but, if there is a silver lining, it is that it has introduced us to such incredible people from all over the world and taught us and our children that there is something really special about helping and supporting others on similar journeys rather than just being concerned with ourselves. It has been incredibly rewarding for our whole family to be so involved.”
To learn more about Aicardi Syndrome, the Aicardi Syndrome Foundation, Ava Shaye Gumson and/or the other Aicardi girls, log on to www.aicardisyndromefoundation.org or contact Adam Gumson at Jupiter Law Center at (561) 7444600 if you have any other questions about Aicardi Syndrome or about how you can help support the foundation.
“I see trees of green Red roses too
I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world”
– Louis Armstrong
The Singles Scene Column©
2025 Lessons In Love
Special Holiday Edition: By Kelly Leary, M.S. & Miranda Capparelli
Happy December to all of our loyal friends, clients, and couples. As the holiday glow takes over many of us, we may find ourselves reflecting on what the year has meant to our hearts: the good, the challenging, and the unforgettable. At Revolution Dating, we’ve enjoyed watching our clients evolve from SINGLE to TAKEN all year long, and we’ve learned a lot about what people truly want (and need) when it comes to courtship and romance. Once again, thank you for joining us as we celebrate the season with you, and do share this column with your single friends and family as always. We appreciate each and every one of you!
2025 has been a transformational year for relationships. Coming out of years of social uncertainty, emotional resets, and digital fatigue, upscale singles showed they are ready for something real. Humans are craving genuine connection and meaningful conversation, the kind that can’t be found in a swipe or a DM. Let’s look back at the biggest and best lessons of the year and how you can use them to make sure you guard against those pesky “holiday blues.”
Lesson One: Love Requires Courage
This year reminded us that love still favors the brave. It’s not easy to put yourself out there again, especially after heartbreak, divorce, loss, or dating exhaustion. But those who took the leap this year discovered that courage pays
off. We know this because we are celebrating a brand-new Revolution Dating engagement this weekend! The gentleman proposing had tried every online dating site as well as two other matchmakers before joining our award-winning club. Imagine if he had given up before he called us? Some of our most epic 2025 stories came from people who almost didn’t reach out to us or were unbelievably pessimistic about the current dating scene. They thought: Maybe it’s too late? or Maybe there is no one out there for me? Now, those same people are traveling with their new partners, spending their first holidays together, or slipping a shiny rock onto their finger.
The lesson? Courage is the secret ingredient to connection. Love rewards action, not hesitation.
Lesson Two: Quality Over Quantity
Online dating promised endless options, but it mainly delivered endless frustration. Ghosting, fake profiles, and superficial matches have left many singles disillusioned. That is why in 2025, more people than ever said goodbye to the apps and hello to real matchmaking. At Revolution Dating, we’ve seen a surge in successful pairings because our clients understand one thing: it’s not about having hundreds of matches, it’s about meeting the right one (at the right time) who has the same emotional readiness. Last year, on Christmas Day, one of our new grooms proposed to his beautiful bride after dating for only seven months. They were each other’s first and last date, handpicked by us. The groom almost didn’t join. Imagine if he didn’t consummate his merger with Revolution Dating?
The lesson? Love is not a numbers game. Quality connection beats quantity every single time.
Lesson Three: Florida Is The Love Capital
Thousands of singles have moved here from across the country, bringing with them fresh energy, success, and an
openness to new adventure. We’ve seen an incredible mix of professionals, entrepreneurs, and retirees all coming into our brick-and-mortar corporate headquarters ready to make real connections. The Sunshine State isn’t just a place to live; it’s become a place to love. Consider us the new love hub with branches up and down the coast and far west. Our popularity is growing and people are hearing about our good deeds and work nationwide ... thanks to all of you.
The Lesson? This one is obvious. You are lucky to live and love in this ever-growing state.
Lesson Four: Embrace The Change
As the calendar flips, one thing becomes clear: Love favors those who heed the call to action. Individuals who actually find love are the ones who say: I am ready for love (again), and it starts today. The perfect time is the moment you decide to make a change. The couples who will ring in 2026 together are the ones who stayed on course and did not wait another week or another day. He who hesitates is lost.
The new year is a blank page—and it’s waiting for your new love story. If 2025 was about learning, growth, and rediscovering what you want, then 2026 will be about receiving it. We expect next year to be the most romantic year yet, with more engagements, more success stories, and more real relationships coming from our office. The energy is shifting, and if you’re ready to be part of it, there’s no better time than now. Don’t let another year slip away wondering what if. You have learned the lessons, so now is the time to apply them. If you find yourself struggling, ask for some coaching or a morale booster. We could all use the encouragement. Just never quit on love--no matter what has gotten in your way. Your next love is out there and waiting to
Dating on page 6
Dating from page 5
meet you too. Look how hard you have worked and know that you will never be as young and attractive as you are today. Join Revolution Dating this December, and step into 2026 with confidence, hope, and statistics on your side. We have the perfect gift waiting for you, and it is destined to last a lifetime. Allow us to help you meet the right person and create your next great chapter before the new year begins. Let the ball drop with your secret in your pocket--US.
Happy Holidays From Your Favorite Matchmakers!
XOXO, Kelly & Miranda
#TheGiftOfLove #MatchmakingRoyalty
#LeaveYourComfortZone #TellYourFriends #HolidayLove
Kelly Leary, M.S.© is CEO and Founder of Revolution Dating which she launched in 2014. Kelly has 34 years in the dating industry and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She has been written about in Modern Luxury Magazine Palm Beach and Modern Luxury Manhattan, The Palm Beach Post, The Shiny Sheet, Stuart News, The Coastal Pearl, Jupiter Magazine, and many more. Revolution Dating clients are pre-screened in person, including background checks and ID verification. Professional photos are taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is NOT online dating or blind dating. In addition to providing matchmaking services that make singles “UN-single” through their exclusive club memberships, Kelly and Miranda also provide feedback from dates when appropriate. Mock Dates are available by request. Single Coaching Sessions and Evaluations are also available by request for non-members or as an add-on to some memberships. *All inquiries are confidential *Specializing in representing jet-setting clients with a second home in the Northeast Area or Mountain Country. Do call the central hotline at 561-630-9696 (XOXO) to hold your place in the club. Why wait? Just date!
’Tis
The Season of Love-The Year In Review!
Now is the time to celebrate and reflect on the many love stories created by Revolution Dating. It’s Plus-One Party season too, so do tell your friends and family who are still single--there is HOPE in the wild world of too much tech. Revolution Dating specializes in bringing back traditional dating and chivalry by screening and representing likeminded clients. Our love connections yield happiness from the Northeast to Palm Beach for decades and is now picking up even more traction in mountain country and the Midwest. Lucky for all of you, our corporate office is here in Florida which has become the epicenter of new starts and budding new romance. Take a look at the good energy overflowing out of the Revolution Dating Corporate Headquarters of Love in PGA Commons where we have been established almost
Kelly and Miranda Won Numerous Awards in 2025! #MatchmakingRoyalty
CEO John and Dr. Christine With Their Two Beautiful Blessings! #RevolutionBabies
Very Special Engagement of Our Own! #SheSaidYes Young Professionals Find Love Here! #RepresentingAllAges
Bruce and Brenda Always Steal Our Hearts! #RevolutionCouple
Gail and Alan Got Married This Year! #GoldenMarriage
“US Special Agent” Event With a Favorite Senior Success Story! #AmericanHero
The Pet Cottage Launches $1,000,000 Fundraising Campaign To Secure A Forever Home For Pets Who’ve Lost Their Human
Local nonprofit seeks community support to purchase a permanent sanctuary property in Jupiter Farms
The Pet Cottage, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that gives people the peace of mind that their pets will always be cared for, has launched a $1,000,000 fundraising campaign to purchase a permanent home for its sanctuary and the pets who depend on it.
For over a decade, The Pet Cottage has provided homestyle care for dogs and cats who lose their humans due to death, disability, or deployment. Founded on the belief that “The Pet Cottage is not just a place—it’s a promise,” the organization offers a stable, peaceful environment where pets rediscover love, safety, belonging, purpose, companionship, and value.
Now, The Pet Cottage faces a defining moment—one that will determine the future of its forever promise to pets. The sanctuary’s current lease is ending, and the owner has chosen not to renew or sell. To move forward, the organization must raise $300,000 for a down payment that will open the door to financing and a permanent home in Jupiter Farms. This down payment is the key to a million-dollar intention—a forever sanctuary fully owned and sustained by the community that believes in it. More than half has already been raised; now the final stretch will decide when The Pet Cottage can move forward into its next chapter of love, safety, and lifelong care.
“While we don’t yet know exactly where we’ll land, we know the right home is just around the corner,” said Founder and Executive Director, Wendy Derhak. “The Pet Cottage has never been about a building—it’s about belonging. It’s about the love and security we promise to every pet who’s lost their person.”
The new home will provide stability for the 17 pets currently living at The Pet Cottage, a welcoming hub for guardians, volunteers, and community members, and a lasting foundation for the organization’s forever promise that pets will always have a loving home.
“When you support The Pet Cottage, you become part of our Circle of Protection—a community of helpers who ensure that pets who lose their humans always have love, safety, and belonging,” Wendy added. “We can’t change every story, but we can change the story for one—and that matters.”
How The Community Can Help
• Give: Every dollar brings The Pet Cottage closer to securing its Forever Home. Donations can be made through GoFundMe, online at www.thepetcottage.org, or by mailing a check to The Pet Cottage, 17049 Thunder Road, Jupiter, FL 33478.
• Connect: Know someone with property or land that might fit the sanctuary’s needs? Contact the team at (561) 818-5025.
• Share: Spread the word through social media, community groups, or local networks to help The Pet Cottage find its Forever Home.
About The Pet Cottage
Founded in 2012, The Pet Cottage is a nonprofit sanctuary that provides homestyle care for pets who lose their humans due to death, disability, or deployment. Through our Lifelong Guardianship Program, we promise our pets will always have the home, care, and love they deserve – for life.
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Christmas Day Buffet
Thursday, December 25, 2025
First Seating: 11:30 a.m. Second Seating: 2:00 p.m. (Two Hour Dining)
$135 Adults $45 Children (5-12yr) Children (4 and under) gratis
Complimentary Valet Parking for Dining Patrons
Enjoy an elaborate Christmas buffet, an annual tradition in ONA Coastal Cuisine’s ocean view dining room with a menu carefully crafted for Christmas. Menu highlights include:
• Seafood Display
Ar tisanal Cheese, Charcuterie and Seasonal Vegetable Crudité Displays
• Sa lad Station
• Ch ef Carving Stations (Slow Roasted Herb Crusted Prime Rib and Spicy Pineapple-Glazed Ham)
• Ar ray of Seasonal Side Items
• Dessert Station including a Yule Log, Seasonal Cookies, and Fruit Display
New Year’s Eve 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
First Seating: 5:00-5:30 p.m. Second Seating: 7:00-7:30 p.m. (Two Hour Dining)
$135 Adults $45 Children (5-12yr)
Third Seating: 9:30-10:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
$155 Adults $45 Children (5-12yr)
Complimentary Glass of Champagne and Live Music
Complimentary Valet Parking for Dining Patrons
Enjoy a Three Course Prix Fixe Menu in ONA Coastal Cuisine’s ocean view dining room. Menu highlights include:
• A muse-Bouche
Tu na Tartare, Lobster Bisque
• NY Strip Steak, Veal Milanese, Pan Seared Halibut
• Ch ocolate Cheesecake, Champagne & Berry Pavlova
• Children’s Menu
SPortS
Jupiter Senior Softball News
The Jupiter Senior Softball Association held a Veterans Day tribute honoring all who have served in the military.
The pregame ceremony at Jupiter Community Park November 10 featured more than 60 players gathered before a large American flag and a presentation by Army Veteran Gary Vitaletti.
“Today, we honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” Vitaletti said. The ceremony served as a reminder to veterans that we honor their dedication and sacrifices and that they will never be forgotten.
November 11, 1919 was proclaimed as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson to commemorate the first anniversary of the cessation of fighting in World War I, Vitaletti said. In 1975 Congress codified the date and President Gerald Ford signed the public law “formally recognizing veterans to be celebrated exclusively on November 11, no matter the day of week.”
About a dozen veterans in the audience were applauded for their service when they were asked to step forward. They included veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard.
The ceremony concluded with John Cariero playing a recording of the National Anthem. Then it was “play ball” as players took to the fields for scheduled games.
The slow-pitch senior softball program is open to persons 55 and older and new players are welcome. Games are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning beginning at 8:30 a.m. For more information contact Gary Newman at (917) 623-0791 or to register online go to www.leaguelineup.com/jssa. Veterans from most military branches were recognized for their service.
John Cariero, right, and Gary Vitaletti at the Veterans Day ceremony
Jupiter Senior Softball players gathered before the flag for a Veterans Day tribute.
December with all its happy religious celebrations presents a cornucopia of choices to help celebrate “The Season.” My selections are random with hope you’ll support the arts in these parts by taking along friends and relations to enjoy relaxing times from day-to-day work. Kravis Center (561) 832-7469
Wednesday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m., the Handel & Haydn Society present The Messiah, conducted by Jonathan Cohen. Though history tells us The Messiah was first performed in Dublin, Ireland in December 1741; the truth is that Handel and his four soloists were stranded at Chester’s Park Gate Pool on the River Dee due to bad weather for two weeks in late November. The Bishop allowed a performance in Chester Cathedral.
Ballet Palm Beach perform Tchaikovsky’s tune filled ballet The Nutcracker. Opening on Friday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m., four more choices follow: Saturday, Dec. 8 at 2 and 7 p.m.; and
Rex Recommends
By Rex Hearn
Sunday at 1 and 5 p.m. A great way to introduce youngsters to this lovely art form.
On Thursday, Dec. 11, we pay tribute to “The man in black: Johnny Cash.”
Singer, Shawn Barker, gives two performances that day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Barker’s looks and demeanor are dead ringers for Mr. Cash. His lush deep voice too. Unusually, Mr. Barker stays in character all the time. Hear him in “I Walk the Line” and “Folsom Prison Blues.”
Sunday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m., the Young Singers of The Palm Beaches present “Winter Tapestry: Songs of Joy, Light and Hope.”
Distinguished actor, Richard Thomas, will give Hal Holbrook’s famous talk “Mark Twain Tonight” on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 18 at 2 p.m. Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain’s real name, went round America at the height of his fame, giving amusing talks, The Morgan House hotel in Lee, Mass., used the pages of their register with the author’s signature prominently displayed, as wallpaper!
Want to experience typical English pub life? Satisfy your craving by attending “The Choir of Man,” Dec. 22 to 28. Just seven shows by nine handsome guys in hair raising harmonies, pub songs, world class tap routines and poetic meditations on
gooD workS theatre haPPeningS
the power of community. It’s the ultimate feel-good show. A wildly entertaining romp. Oh, to be in England … January 1, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., The Kravis Center presents, “Salute to Vienna.”
Palm Beach Symphony
On Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dreyfus Hall of Kravis Center, Palm Beach Symphony present their second concert of their 2025-2026 season. Beloved pianist Misha Dichter joins Maestro Gerard Schwarz for a romantic evening featuring Rachmaninoff’s famous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Other works you’ll hear are “Andean Elegy” of Gabriela Frank, “a multicultural piece reflecting her Peruvian and Jewish backgrounds.” Since she wrote it in the year 2000, it has been played over 100 times. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Snow Maiden Suite opens the program. It’s a composite of his opera of the same name. The finale depicts the “Dance of the Clowns,” it shows his masterly way of infusing rhythmic vitality into orchestras. Manuel de Falla’s Three Cornered Hat ends the program. Based on Andalusian folk tales it was first heard in Madrid in 1917. Serge Diaghilev, powerful director of the Ballet Russes de Monte Carlo, was in the audience. He had de Falla expand the score to a full-scale ballet, hired Picasso to design the sets and costumes, the choreography was by Leonid Massine!
Lord’s Place Ramps Up Meal Program To Help Supplement SNAP Uncertainty, With
The Lord’s Place (TLP), with the financial support of GL Homes, is ramping up its outreach to the food insecure in response to SNAP funding uncertainty. With $15,000 in support from GL Homes, The Lord’s Place is increasing the number of meals served on a daily basis in its Café Joshua and rolling out an additional 450 meals each week through its Meal Mobile.
Seventy percent of all TLP clients are SNAP recipients. Ninety percent of clients who reside at the agency’s family campus, known as the Jack & Evelyn Alexander Place, receive SNAP benefits.
Anna and her three sons, between the ages of 11 and 15, found The Lord’s Place just over a year ago after her husband unexpectedly died and she lost everything. Anna currently attends Palm Beach State College and is working hard to fulfill her dream to become a criminal justice crime scene technician while also caring for her three growing boys. The four of them live in an apartment at the family campus. The $995/month she was receiving in SNAP benefits gave her peace of mind that she could feed her children, but “now I have to worry about my kids coming to me saying, ‘I am hungry.’ Without a car, how am I supposed to get to these food banks and ensure my kids get fed?”
The men, women, and children who receive services from TLP are already hurting as they work on their journey out of homelessness. The loss of SNAP benefits is squeezing these individuals even more.
In the last two weeks, the main campus on Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach has seen a 30% increase in clients showing up to Café Joshua for a hot meal. Although the numbers of people experiencing homelessness and looking for help from TLP have been on the rise this year, the average number of meals served each day was steady around 125. The agency is now serving closer to 165 meals a day.
According to CEO Christine Frederick, “As soon as we found out that SNAP benefits were being cut or delayed, we immediately put our wheels in motion to better serve our
$15K Support From GL Homes
clients. We have increased the amount of food we are preparing in Café Joshua and launched a meal delivery program to the residents of our housing campuses this week. Thanks to the financial support of GL Homes, we are helping ensure that our adult clients and their children continue to have healthy food options. We must first and foremost meet our clients’ essential need for food, so they then have the capacity to work on addressing their other needs to ultimately end their homelessness.”
Café Joshua serves hot meals, homemade daily by The Lord’s Place kitchen staff and apprentices, Monday to Friday in a restaurant-style setting from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is open to families and individuals in the community who are homeless or at-risk; however, clients must enroll in the program. With the additional funding from GL Homes, more meals are now being prepared and packaged for the agency’s Operation Home Ready (OHR) team to deliver to their disabled and home-bound clients, as well as those TLP staff members who are also SNAP recipients.
The Meal Mobile, operated by The Lord’s Place and fully funded by GL Homes, is a comprehensive service delivery bus for those experiencing homelessness. Since officially starting the bus’ engine in September 2023, The Lord’s Place uses the transformative vehicle to deliver meals and drive its wrap-around services directly to the most vulnerable individuals living on the streets—connecting hundreds of more individuals to services and community resources. The Meal Mobile currently travels to Belle Glade every Friday and to Riviera Beach once a month. In response to the SNAP cuts, the Meal Mobile is now delivering an additional 150 meals, three days a week until further notice, to TLP’s various housing campuses throughout Palm Beach County.
“Since the Meal Mobile’s inception, we envisioned using it for disaster relief and additional outreach to feed the food insecure. So, it’s our natural response to increase our role to help feed our neighbors as they face increased hardship. We must get food to the people who need it the most,” stated Sarah Alsofrom, GL Homes VP of community relations.
In response to the Meal Mobile delivering meals to the family campus, Anna is grateful. “It just shows there’s support out there. There are people that care. It is less stressful to know that if I run too low on the food from last month, that there’s going to be food to rely on.”
For more information on The Lord’s Place and how it is supporting the most vulnerable individuals living in Palm Beach County, visit thelordsplace.org.
The Lord’s Place and GL Homes Meal Mobile in Belle Glade serving meals and providing social services to people experiencing homelessness. (Photo by Downtown Photo)
The Lord’s Place CEO Christine Frederick, GL Homes President Misha Exratti, and GL Homes VP of Community Relations Sarah Alsofrom. Photo taken with The Lord’s Place and GL Homes Meal Mobile. (Photo by Tracey Benson Photography)
Glazer Hall Welcomes Nationally Renowned Executive Chef
To Lead Glazer Hall Private Events With Lessing’s Hospitality Group
Glazer Hall has partnered with Lessing’s Hospitality Group to produce elevated, high-end events for Palm Beach’s reimagined premier waterfront arts and cultural center.
Glazer Hall is delighted to welcome nationally acclaimed and Michelin-awarded chef, Daniel DiStefano, as executive chef for Glazer Hall Private Events – its new private event division. In collaboration with Lessing’s Hospitality Group, Glazer Hall Private Events will curate luxury gatherings at Glazer Hall, Palm Beach’s premier waterfront performing arts center, which is set to debut this season.
“We wanted to partner with a world-class hospitality group that will deliver five-star quality and service for Glazer Hall Private Events,” said Jill Glazer, co-founder of Glazer Hall.
Chef DiStefano will drive culinary innovation and excellence to create exceptional, one-of-a-kind events at Glazer Hall’s picturesque waterfront setting. He is an accomplished culinary leader with over 20 years of fine dining and executive experience. Chef DiStefano spent more than a decade at Eleven Madison Park, where he helped secure and maintain three Michelin Stars and contributed to the restaurant being ranked by San Pellegrino as one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2017. He was also an executive culinary director with Daniel Humm Hospitality, where he oversaw global culinary partnerships, new concept development, and the launch of acclaimed projects, including Clemente Bar, which debuted at No. 11 on San Pellegrino’s annual ranking of North America’s 50 Best Bars in 2025.
“We chose Daniel to oversee the cuisine for Glazer Hall Private Events because he brings a proven record of creativity and excellence in fine dining,” said Michael Lessing, CEO of Lessing’s Hospitality
Group. “His leadership will position Glazer Hall as the top destination in South Florida for one-of-a-kind weddings, events, and dining experiences.”
Lessing’s Hospitality Group has established a reputation for hospitality excellence across the Northeast and South Florida. Chef DiStefano’s appointment to lead Glazer Hall Private Events strengthens Lessing’s foundation and supports Glazer Hall’s mission of providing exceptional, unique, and elevated experiences in South Florida through leading innovation.
Future patrons of Glazer Hall can expect an extraordinary experience of world-class performances with breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway. While honoring the rich history of John Volk’s original design, the new venue will offer cutting-edge facilities rarely seen in such an intimate setting.
Glazer Hall’s second-floor private event space will feature breathtaking western and northern views of the Intracoastal Waterway, offering a remarkable setting for any celebration. Spanning 1,200 square feet, the space is ideal for pre-show dining, elegant receptions, corporate gatherings, or intimate celebrations. A connected, 600-square-foot, multipurpose room brings added functionality to accommodate breakout sessions, private meetings, or additional guest seating. The event space’s sophisticated, versatile design and serene waterfront ambience creates the perfect blend of luxury and functionality to make every moment memorable and unique.
To inquire about private events at Glazer Hall, visit glazerhall.org, email rentals@glazerhall.org, or call (561) 576-7860.
The Singer Oceanfront Resort Celebrates One-Year Anniversary With New Leadership, Enhanced Culinary Offerings And Festive Programming
Formerly the Hilton Singer Island, The Singer Oceanfront Resort is ushering in an exciting chapter with new team members, creative culinary offerings and festive programming following a landmark opening year. From sunset cocktails at Top Shell to weekend-long stays and celebratory events, there has never been a better time to visit The Singer.
Welcoming three hospitality veterans to the team, The Singer introduces Derek Shelly as general manager, Jonathan Casals as director of sales and Winston Guerrero as executive chef of signature restaurant Caretta Caretta. Shelly, who previously served as the general manager for Hotel Viking in Newport, Rhode Island, oversees the day-to-day operations of the hotel and ensures every aspect of the guest experience is seamless, from checkin to check-out. Alongside Shelly, Casals joins the team following previous roles at Le Meridien Dania Beach in Fort Lauderdale and The Westin Fort Lauderdale. A longtime resident of the area, Casals brings extensive local knowledge to The Singer where he oversees a collaborative team dedicated to delivering dynamic guest programming, standout celebrations and memorable gatherings.
Leading The Singer’s culinary program to new heights, executive chef Winston Guerrero steps in at Caretta Caretta, Singer Island’s only beachfront restaurant that features a menu of seafood-forward dishes and creative cocktails. Drawing inspiration from his Colombian roots and the surrounding Florida bounty, Chef Guerrero offers an inclusive menu of dishes that celebrate unique flavor combinations and locally sourced ingredients
alongside vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. From daily catch Oysters paired with a Munyon’s Paw-Paw Mignonette to homemade, gluten-free desserts, Chef Guerrero offers something for everyone in an upscale yet playful atmosphere.
Complementing Caretta Caretta’s seafood-forward menu, beachfront bar Top Shell recently debuted a new Happy Hour menu with island-inspired cocktails and small bites available Sunday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. Don’t miss new cocktails like the Singer Sangria and Cruzan Rum Punch along with delectable dishes like Caribbean Nachos, Black Garlic Hummus and a rotating selection of daily catch Oysters.
For those looking to celebrate the festive season, The Singer will debut a collection of Beach Igloos, a first-of-its-kind offering in partnership with Caymus Vineyards. Perfect for families, couples and small groups, each igloo will seat up to six people and feature shareable bites, Caymus Wine pairings, sweeping oceanfront views and seasonal décor. Locals and guests can also enjoy holiday dining at Caretta Caretta, with specialty Christmas and New Year’s menus. For holiday gatherings, The Singer is home to a one-of-a-kind beachfront pavilion and more than 10,000 square feet of event space, welcoming weddings, social groups, and corporate events for celebrations both intimate and grand.
The Singer Oceanfront Resort is located at 3700 N. Ocean Drive. For more information or to book a reservation, please visit thesingerresort.com and follow along on Instagram at @thesingerresort.
Photos courtesy of Tracey Benson Photography.
Daniel DiStefano Michael Lessing, Jill Glazer, Avie Glazer, Daniel DiStefano
The Singer Oceanfront Resort
General Manager Derek Shelly
Community Foundation For Palm Beach And Martin Counties To Host
13th Annual Founders Luncheon On Feb. 11 At Kravis Center
Event will feature USF Hunger Expert Dr. David Himmelgreen, Philanthropist Marshall Field V, and nonprofit partners working on reliable access to healthy, affordable food across our region
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties announced today that it will host its 13th Annual Founders Luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts’ Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach. Dr. David Himmelgreen, director for the University of South Florida (USF) Center for the Advancement of Food Security and Healthy Communities (CAFSHC), will be keynote speaker; Marshall Field V, a noted philanthropist, will receive the 2026 McIntosh Award for outstanding service.
The Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization that leads partnerships with donors, nonprofits and community members to address the region’s chronic and emerging issues, holds its Founders Luncheon each year to rally hundreds of donors, nonprofit partners, and community leaders around a key community issue.
This year’s event, themed “Hope for Hunger,” will spotlight local donors and nonprofit partners working to ensure reliable access to healthy, affordable food across Palm Beach and Martin counties. Co-hosts of the event are Jeffrey A. Stoops, chair of Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, and Danita R. DeHaney, president and CEO of the Community Foundation.
“Food insecurity affects families in every zip code— often quietly, but with real and lasting consequences,” said DeHaney. “Through this year’s theme, Hope for Hunger, we aim to shine a light on the incredible local organizations ensuring our neighbors have access to healthy, affordable
WINTER AT
food. Together, we can make meaningful progress toward a future where no one in Palm Beach or Martin County goes hungry.”
Himmelgreen, Ph.D., is a biomedical anthropologist and professor in the Department of Anthropology at USF. Dr. Himmelgreen’s research focuses on food insecurity and health, food-as-medicine initiatives, and nutrition education. He has conducted research in the United States, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Lesotho, and India.
Dr. Himmelgreen founded and directs the USF CAFSHC, a statewide center recognized by the Florida Board of Governors. CAFSHC’s mission is to eliminate food insecurity through research, education, and innovative strategies that increase access to affordable, nutritious foods and create healthier communities. The center works closely with community partners to design and evaluate programs that improve food security, health, and well-being. He also co-organized the USF Future of Food Think Tank and is an active member of the Florida Alliance for Food Security which is part of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“I look forward to joining the Palm Beach and Martin counties’ giving community to shed light on what true food security means,” said Dr. Himmelgreen. “It’s crucial in this moment to understand the ecosystem that sustains food access, the threats it faces, and proven ways to strengthen it, including
approaches like ‘Food Is Medicine’ programs that not only stem hunger but improve health and reduce healthcare costs.”
Marshall Field V of Hobe Sound, a longtime volunteer and advocate for the Community Foundation, has been named the 2026 McIntosh Award recipient. Named in honor of Community Foundation founders Winsome and Michael McIntosh, the award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the community through leadership, generosity, and service.
Field—a fifth-generation philanthropist from a family celebrated for its civic leadership—is known for his enduring commitment to Martin County through volunteer service and strategic philanthropy. His lifelong passion for environmental conservation, education, healthcare, and the arts continues to shape and strengthen the community.
2026 Event Sponsors include (as of 11/10/2025): Marshall Field V, The Kolter Group, R&M Hagan Family Fund, Renay and William Meyer, Julie F. and Peter D. Cummings, Timothy and Karen Burke, Mary Pat and Darren Alcus, Sherry and Tom Barrat, Storage Rentals of America, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, FPL, Findlay Galleries, Palm Health Foundation, Eileen Berman and Devin Krauss Family Foundation, Shawn M. Donnelley and Christopher M. Kelley, Bill and Fayre Mynatt, Beth Neuhoff and Steve Frank, The Everglades Foundation, Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation, Kevin and Marsha Powers, Hon. Sheree Davis Cunningham (Ret.) and Earnie Ellison Jr., The Palm Beach Post LocalIQ, Palm Beach Illustrated, and WLRN NPR.
For additional information, tickets, and sponsorship information, please visit https://founders.yourcommunityfoundation.org.
Learn more about the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties at https://yourcommunityfoundation.org.
December Special
SiSpa is pleased to offer 20% off our French Peel/Yonka treatment available throughout December 2025.
‘Tis the Season for Giving. Inquire within for Holiday Gift Certificates.
Resort Day Pass includes complimentary valet parking, use of Lagoon Pool, and access to the Resort’s private beach; including complimentary beach chair, umbrella and towels.
FRENCH PEEL / YONKA
(Including Resort Day Pass and complimentary Mimosa)
Reveal your most radiant skin with our exclusive French Deep Peel treatment designed to deeply exfoliate, hydrate and rejuvenate your complexion for a lasting, luminous glow.
80 minute
$312
Dr. David Himmelgreen
