Life, Arts & Society ED 6th

Boca Raton Toy Drive Releases 2nd

Annual Christmas Ornament

Schmidt Boca History Museum hosts international dignitary

By Dale King

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum will host a visit Saturday, Dec. 3, from Loukas Tsokos, Consul General of Greece.

The Tampa-based international dignitary will speak at 2:30 p.m. about Greek American relations as well as about Greece itself, covering topics such as politics, economy, history and culture. In particular, he will discuss a new higher education initiative that Greece will be launching in 2023.

The mission of the Greek Consulate General is to build on the longstanding cooperation between Greece and the United States and further enhance the bonds of friendship between the two nations.

Since 2021, Tsokos has held the position of Minister Plenipotentiary, ConsulGeneral of Greece in Tampa. Before that, he was the Counselor, Diplomatic Advisor for the Ministry of Citizen Protection in Athens, and earlier held the position of Counselor, Directorate

for NATO and Euroatlantic Affairs, MFA in Athens.

He holds a degree in law from the University of Aix En Provence, France and is fl uent in Greek, English, French, and Spanish.

The dignitary’s visit to the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum coincides with an exhibit called “Fifty Years of Collecting.” The temporary display features artifacts and memorabilia -- everything from Floy Mitchell’s flapper dress to a circa 2000 Votomatic voting machine. These items show the breadth of the Boca Raton Historical Society’s collections acquired over the past half-century and tell a story about how Boca Raton has grown and changed since its establishment as a farming village in the 1890s.

Nowopen to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., themuseum is in historic Town Hall at 71 N. Federal Highway. For more information, call 561-395-6766 or visitwww.BocaHistory.org.

Florida Intergenerational Orchestra celebrates holidays with special concert Dec. 4

Boca Raton Historical Society, Garden Club selling

holiday ornaments.

The Boca Raton Historical Society and the Boca Raton Garden Club are currently conducting their annual sale of holiday ornaments. Mary Csar, executive director of the Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, recently revealed that the nonprofit organization’s annual commemorative holiday ornament —the 21 st in a series—celebrates the Old Inlet Bridge.

The first bridge over the Boca Raton Inlet, built in the late 1910s, was a fixed span that ran east to west south of the present span, she said.

Loukas Tsokos, Consul General of Greece in Tampa

Lorraine Marks Field conducts the orchestra.

Commemorative holiday ornament from The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

Florida Intergenerational Orchestra celebrates holidays with special concert Dec. 4

By Dale King

The holidays are here – and the Boca community is about to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

The Boca Raton-based Florida Intergenerational Orchestra holds the first concert of its season Sunday, Dec. 4, at 3 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 22094 Lyons Road in Boca Raton.

Dubbed “A Very Merry Holiday Concert,” the performance will feature holiday favorites and light classical music. On hand, naturally, will be Santa Claus, and reportedly Elvis will be in the building as well.

The event will also include an original song by Bob Field, the orchestra manager and pianist, scored for orchestra by esteemed92-year-old conductor and arranger Peter Fuchs. The tune is called “On A Wing and A Prayer,” and it will become the orchestra’s theme song.

There will also be an original Christmas composition by Christopher Maners.

Award-winning dancers will bring some fancy footwork to the special Sunday afternoon show.

The FLIOA will also be collecting toys for the four Boca Raton Rotary Clubs’ Toy Drives. Anyone can bring an unwrapped toy to the concert to be donated to underprivileged children in the community.

On display during the concert will be violins painted by local artist Yaacov Heller, using a Fiddler on the Roof theme. He will also be bringing his Ukrainian theme artwork. The orchestra will be performing the Ukrainian National Anthem along with Christmas and Hanukkah holiday favorites such as “White Christmas,” “The Christmas Waltz,” “The Dreidel Song” and “Rock of Ages.”

Another highlight will be Carter Reese performing the Two Violin Concerto by Vivaldi with Jill Arbetter, executive director of the Elmar Oliveira International Violin Competition. They will be coached for this perfor-

mance by Elmar Oliveira himself.

TheFloridaIntergenerational Orchestra of America under the direction of founder, Lorraine Marks Field, is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit and a volunteer orchestra for players who wish to share and develop their artistic talents while enjoying music-making in a friendly orchestral setting.The repertoire is carefully chosen to accommodate the ensemble’s need for music with a wide range of styles and difficulty.

The non-profit orchestra, featuring musicians ranging in age from 9 to 91, was honored by the State of Florida, Department of Elder Affairs, with the “Legacy Award” for its intergenerational concept.

For more information, e-mailstrings4all@aol.com. Check out the website atwww.flioa.org.

Program highlights are:

“Syncopated Clock” with audience participation

“The Christmas Song” with Elvis “White Christmas” with Elvis Songs fromFiddleron the Roof by the chamber orchestra

“The Waltz of the Flowers” by the full orchestra

A Christmas Fantasia patapan by local composer Chris Maners

The Christmas Waltz

Premier of “On a Wing and a Prayer” by Boca Raton composer/pianist Bob Field.

Overture from “Die Fledermaus,” the operetta composed by Johann Strauss Vivaldi Concertofor two violins performed byJillArbetterand 14-year-old Carter Reese

Festival of Light, Hanukah medley sung by Cantor Bill Wood

Holiday Sing-Along

The Radetsky March

“Twas the Night Before Christmas” with special guest narrator. with Special guest narrator

Special events and guests include Intergenerational narrators for the concert, Dariel Reid and Art Goldstein; Santa marches with children; painted violins displayed; award-winning dancers; violinists for Vivaldi coaches by famed violinist Elmar Oliveira of Lynn University; coloring tables in the bake for young children and parents to enjoy and raffle prizes.

General admission is $20 or $40 for VIP tickets (first three rows). Children under 12 are admitted free. For information, call 561-922-3134orvisit www.flioa.org

The violin section features Sara Korol, left, and her daughter, Celeste Korol,who, at age 9, is the youngest member of the Intergenerational Orchestra.

Lorraine Marks Field conducts the orchestra.

Lorraine Marks Field, violinist and conductor of the orchestra, is shown with her husband, Bob Field, pianist and orchestra manager.

Lorraine Marks Field and her husband, Bob Field, are shown with the violins painted by artist Yaacov Heller.

The painted violin collection will be available for purchase at a live and silentauction event to benefit the Florida Intergenerational Orchestra Jan. 22 at Boca Grove Country Club. Chairpersons are Dr. Roger and Michele Spott. The auctioneer Neil Saffer.

Violin section of Intergenerational Orchestra

Lorraine Marks Field plays the violin while her husband, Bob Field, plays the piano. They perform together for community functions such as at the recent Woman Volunteer of the Year event in November 2022.

Boca Raton Toy Drive Releases 2nd Annual Christmas Ornament

By Dale King

The 16 th annual Rotary Club-sponsored Toy Drive will take place Sunday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sugar Sand Park at 300 S. Military Trail.

The event, first put together by Douglas Heizer and David Wilson, will have numerous free activities, food, drinks and visits with Santa Claus.

The most famous activity of the annual toy drive is a ride on the carousel, which Boca Raton’s Rotary Clubs helped construct. In appreciation of their assistance, Sugar Sand Park allows them to use the carousel once a year, so they decided to use it as an extra incentive to get people out for the toy drive, while providing some family fun entertainment. As part of the Toy Drive, donors can purchase a Rotary Christmas Ornament. The first ornament was sold last year, and both the 2021 and 2022 decorations are on sale now.

Boca Raton Historical Society, Garden Club selling holiday ornaments.

By Dale King

The Boca Raton Historical Society and the Boca Raton Garden Club are currently conducting their annual sale of holiday ornaments.

Mary Csar, executive director of theHistorical SocietyandThe Schmidt Boca Raton HistoryMuseum, recently revealed that the nonprofit organization’s annual commemorative holiday ornament —the 21 st in a series—celebrates theOld Inlet Bridge.

The first bridge over the Boca Raton Inlet, built in the late 1910s, was a fixed span that ran east to west south of the present span, she said.

In 1920, it was replaced with a wooden “bascule bridge” at the behest of Boca Raton Club owner Clarence Geist. Though picturesque, it was only one lane wide and by the 1960s had become rather derelict. In 1963, it was replaced with the current span, which stretches “diagonally” over Lake Boca Raton from northeast to southwest and north of the old bridge.

In 1998, the talented Boca Raton artistBarbara Montgomery O’Connellcreated the first ornament – one depicting old Town Hall—for the Boca Raton Historical Society. A 30-year resident of Boca Raton, the artist has donated her time and talent ever since to create the artwork on the annual ornament, always based on information and photographs from the Boca Raton Historical Society.

“We produce fewer than 150 holiday collectibles each year,” explained Csar. “So local history buffs and holiday fans should make their purchases today at the museum’s gift shop, located at 71 N. Federal Highway in downtown Boca Raton.” For more information, call 561-395-6766 or visitwww.BocaHistory.org.

In addition, the Boca Raton Garden Club is marking the holiday season by making available an ornament which this year honors the Boca Raton Orchid Society.

The solid brass, 24-karat gold-plated decorative piece is the 28 th in the series that began in 1994. The price is $20. A leaflet with more information about the ornament is included.

The club can be reached via email at bocasgarden@gmail.com or by calling 561-395-9376 and leaving a message.

The Garden Club was established 69 years ago with the purpose of beautifying local parks and improving the city’s landscapes. The club also carries on its founder’s legacy of supporting continuing education through monthly general meeting programs, horticulture lectures, field trips and floral design classes.

The club also provides service to the city through garden therapy, the Community Gardens, conservation, junior gardening and scholarships. The club ac-

Secure either or both the 2021 and 2022 ornaments now using this link: https://www.bocaratontoydrive.com/ Both ornaments depict the Sugar Sand Park Carousel.

All six Boca Raton Rotary Clubs work together to put on annual Toy Drive to gather donations to benefit area children. The entire event is put together through volunteer work, so more volunteers are always welcome at any time before, during and after the toy drive. Some of the various volunteer opportunities include tasks such as set-up, graphic design, toy pick-up, organization and break-down.

THE TEAM OF ROTARY CLUBS OF BOCA RATON – DISTRICT 6930

Involved in the annual Toy Drive includes: Boca Raton: https://rotaryclubbocaraton.com/ Boca Raton Downtown: https://www.rotarydowntownbocaraton.org/ Boca Raton Sunrise: https://portal.clubrunner. ca/9366/ Boca Raton West: https://www.rotarybocaratonwest.org/

tively participates in fundraising through plant sales, annual club ornaments and commemorative bricks, as well as its Holiday House craft event and bake sale.

The Boca Raton Orchid Society was started in 1989 with just 27 members. Since then, it has grown tremendously and now has a membership of more than 140. South Florida’s subtropical climate is perfect for growing an astounding variety of warm to intermediate temperature orchids in Palm Beach County.

Each year, its members enjoy several fun-filled orchid events, including an awards meeting in December and the highlight event, the Annual Valentine’s Day Show & Sale scheduled for Feb. 11-12, 2023.

The Boca Raton Toy Drive Christmas Ornament is on sale now! Secure your 2022 ornament now using this link https://www.bocaratontoydrive.com/ About the Toy Drive

The Annual Toy Drive never fails to bring the community together for the common good as an annual family event. Families come out to enjoy free carousel rides, food, and Santa, all while bringing toys and donations for this Rotary event. All six Rotary Clubs have partnered together over the years to host a successful Toy Drive.

You can purchase either the 2021 or 2022 ornaments, or both. Prices and shipping costs are available online.

The Boca Raton Garden Club’s ornament honoring the Boca Raton Orchid Society.

Rendering of the Old Inlet Bridge

Expert Orthopedic Care Close to Home Isn’t Just for Athletes

If you’re suffering from an orthopedic problem — whether it’s a bad back, a sore knee or shoulder, a sports injury or arthritis — even a short drive can make the pain worse. Thanks to two convenient Baptist Health Orthopedic Care locations in Palm Beach County, you have easy access to the experts who have the experience, technology and facilities to treat your problem quickly.

“Seeing a professional sooner rather than later can often prevent more complex problems down the road,” says orthopedic surgeon Anthony Miniaci, M.D., deputy chief medical executive of Baptist Health Orthopedic Care. “Most orthopedic issues don’t require surgery, but whether yours does or doesn’t, it’s our goal to get you back to a pain-free lifestyle.”

The team at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care includes orthopedic surgeons specialized in joint replacement, foot and ankle, trauma and sports medicine, primary care sports medicine physicians and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists. With a wide range of expertise, the team can handle everything from the most common injuries to the most complex.

With increasing life expectancy, an accident or injury resulting in an orthopedic problem is almost inevitable at some point. Among the most common orthopedic concerns are sprains and strains, muscle and tendon

tears, fractures and other traumatic injuries, and arthritis. In addition, back pain causes more visits to physicians than any other orthopedic problem. Some conditions are caused by repetitive motion and wear and tear on the body, while others could be the result of a congenital, or birth problem.

With the most advanced imaging and other diagnostic tests, doctors at Baptist Health Orthopedic Care can quickly pinpoint the issue and address it. Nonsurgical and minimally invasive options are explored first, but when surgery is indicated, each patient receives an individualized treatment plan. Services also include regenerative medicine, such as stem cell treatment, pain-relieving injections and physical therapy.

“We have a dedicated team that is known for caring for some of the country’s most famous professional and collegiate athletes,” Dr. Miniaci says. “But you don’t need to be a pro to receive the same care. We are here to help diagnose your problem and promote quick healing.”

Miniaci, M.D. Deputy Chief Medical Executive

For more information or to request an appointment, visit BaptistHealth.net/Ortho or call 833-556-6764

Anthony