Wellington The Magazine August 2019

WELLINGTON AUGUST 2019

Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

BACK TO SCHOOL Wellington Students Get Ready

WELLINGTON YOUTH PUT THE VILLAGE OVER THE TOP

Plus

Teacher Karen Epstein Wins Top County Award Synchronized Skating Is Growing In Popularity Customer Service Team Aims To Help Residents Whit’s Frozen Custard Serves Up Smiles In A Cup

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contents 24

August 2019

Features

WLMS TEACHER KAREN EPSTEIN WINS TOP COUNTY AWARD Wellington has established itself as the home of the best and most talented, not only in the areas of equestrian sports, but also in the area of education, where the community is home to some of the best public schools and the most outstanding teachers. Among them is Wellington Landings Middle School fine arts teacher Karen Epstein. By Mike May

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SYNCHRONIZED ICE SKATING IS SOARING IN POPULARITY

34

YOUTH HELP WELLINGTON WIN LET’S MOVE CHALLENGE

39 43 47

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As the popularity of synchronized ice skating soars coast to coast, Palm Beach Skate Zone keeps pace with this growing trend by hosting teams for ages 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 12 and up, and the Theatre on Ice group for ages 6 through adult. The program is coached by Debra Fertig. By Deborah Welky What does it take to log 12,849,676 minutes of physical activity across the Village of Wellington to win the Palm Health Foundation’s 2019 Let’s Move challenge? According to Paulette Edwards, Wellington’s community services director, the key was community engagement. By Melanie Otero

ELBRIDGE GALE CLAIMS LLS TOP FUNDRAISING HONORS For years, Palm Beach County teachers, staff, students and families have supported the various campaigns of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. This past year, one Wellington elementary school claimed top fundraising honors in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. By Robin Hansel

THE ARC’S PROGRAMS SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES The Arc of Palm Beach County has been providing services for people with disabilities since 1958. The nonprofit’s dedication to encouraging independence for people with disabilities led the United Way to name it a Community Champion.

DUAL LANGUAGE ACADEMY IS THRIVING AT NEW HORIZONS The Dual Language International Spanish Academy Program at New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington educates students to become fully bilingual, biliterate and bicultural. The thriving program has been in place for 15 years. By Gina M. Capone

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Departments 14 16 18 20

WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE Blow Out Lounge & Color Bar Hosts Mother-Daughter Event Great Weather, Great Crowd For Wellington’s Fourth Of July Fun Rotary Club Of Wellington Hosts 39th Annual Installation Dinner Wellington American Legion Post 390 Hosts Officer Installation

54

TEAM WELLINGTON

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WELLINGTON TABLE

51 57 61 62 70 71

In 2018, Wellington’s Customer Service Department handled 43,000 phone calls and assisted 33,000 visitors. The team of 13 people is dedicated to serving the community and takes the relationship between government and residents very seriously. By Callie Sharkey The newly opened Whit’s Frozen Custard in the Courtyard Shops of Wellington goes far beyond making tasty treats using its unique small batch approach. The husband-and-wife proprietors, Chris and Natalie Mass, strive to bring the community together, while giving back along the way. By Melanie Kopacz

54 67

WELLINGTON PROFESSIONAL WELLINGTON REAL ESTATE WELLINGTON HEALTH WELLINGTON HOME WELLINGTON DINING GUIDE WELLINGTON CALENDAR ON THE COVER Participation from local youth helped Wellington take first place in the 2019 Let’s Move challenge sponsored by the Palm Health Foundation and featured this month.

PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

wellington the magazine | august 2019 11

WELLINGTON Bringing You The Best Of Wellington Since 2004

THE MAGAZINE

volume 16, number 8 August 2019

executive editor

Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior graphic designer Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designers

Nancy Pobiak Yolanda Cernicky

account managers

Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo

bookkeeping

Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman

photography Abner Pedraza

contributors

Matthew Auerbach Meredith Burow Gina M. Capone Denise Fleischman Robin Hansel Melanie Kopacz Mike May Melanie Otero Callie Sharkey M. Dennis Taylor Y.A. Teitelbaum Deborah Welky

Wellington The Magazine

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.WellingtonTheMagazine.com

published by

Wellington The Magazine LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2019, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

12

august 2019 | wellington the magazine

publisher’s | message

Time For Wellington Youth To Head Back To School If it’s August, it must be time for students young and old to head back to school. That’s our focus here at Wellington The Magazine this issue, as we look at some of the great things going on with our local youth.

On our cover this month, we celebrate the Village of Wellington’s recent victory in the Palm Health Foundation’s “Let’s Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge.” Wellington, with help from its youth and a wide array of community organizations, logged an astounding 12,849,676 minutes of physical activity during the month of March.

On our back-to-school theme, we profile Wellington Landings Middle School fine arts teacher Karen Epstein, who was recently awarded the William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education as the top teacher in the Career Education category for 2019. We also visit New Horizons Elementary School to learn more about its innovative Dual Language International Spanish Academy program, where students learn to become fully bilingual.

Synchronized ice skating is growing in popularity across the nation, and that includes here in South Florida, where coach Debra Fertig leads a vibrant team that practices intricate routines at the Palm Beach Skate Zone. Learn more about it in this month’s issue. We also salute the local schools that have come together to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, including Wellington’s Elbridge Gale Elementary School, which took this year’s top fundraising honor. The Arc of Palm Beach County, also featured this month, has been providing crucial services for people with disabilities since 1958, recently winning several awards.

This month’s Wellington Professional feature profiles longtime insurance expert Keith Jordano of the Jordano Insurance Group, which has recently expanded its product offerings. Our Team Wellington series continues with a look at the village’s Customer Service Department, which annually handles 43,000 phone calls and assists 33,000 visitors.

Wellington Real Estate chats with Paris Lynn Addington of Bowen Realty, while Wellington Health features Dr. Emily Harrison, who uses technology to provide a more personal approach. Wellington Home tours a picturesque, five-acre estate in the peaceful, gated equestrian community of Homeland featuring a modern, luxurious design. Finally, Wellington Table samples the sweet treats available at Whit’s Frozen Custard, which opened recently in the Courtyard Shops.

With our warm Wellington summer coming to an end, we look forward to the more temperate days of fall, and the annual return of Our Wellington, featured in September’s issue of Wellington The Magazine.

Dawn Rivera Dawn Rivera, Publisher

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wellington | social scene

Photos by Gina M. Capone

Blow Out Lounge & Color Bar Hosts Mother-Daughter Event

(Left) Salon owner Nicole Zwibel with Mom’s Club founder Aimee Weisberger Stern.

(Right) Hair stylists Gina Thielmeyer, Catherine Perez, Gladis McNamara and Xiomara Guifarro.

It was a packed salon on Wednesday, July 10 when the Blow Out Lounge & Color Bar in Wellington hosted “Beauty Bonding & Bedazzle,” an event where moms and daughters spent quality time together while getting their hair styled. Nicole Zwibel, owner of the Blow Out Lounge, was on hand to meet the mothers and daughters, as was Aimee Weisberger Stern, founder of the local Mom’s Club, who helped organize the event. For more info., visit www. theblowoutloungefl.com.

(Left to right) Mom Natalie Laudonio spends time with five-year-old Taylor and one-year-old Victoria; sisters Kaitlyn and Mackenzie Duval have fun at the event; mom Courtney and daughter Breelynn Nance; friends Madison Zwibel and Madison Mossop help out at the event; mom Amy Flechtner with three-year-old Elsie; and Laura Morse with her two-year-old daughter Piper.

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wellington | social scene

Photos by Callie Sharkey

Great Weather, Great Crowd For Wellington’s Fourth Of July Fun

(Left)Wellington Councilman John McGovern, Councilman Michael Drahos, Mayor Anne Gerwig, Vice Mayor Michael Napoleone and Councilwoman Tanya Siskind.

(Right) The talents of the Gypsy Lane Band kept the guests singing and dancing.

Wellington’s annual Fourth of July Celebration took place at Village Park on Thursday, July 4. The family friendly event included food trucks for every taste, a variety of vendors, free bingo and more. Kids and adults were able to enjoy traditional lawn games and also try out different activities, including giant hamster balls, pony rides, face painting and inflatables. The free celebration treated thousands of patrons to live music by the Gypsy Lane Band, followed by spectacular fireworks.

(Left to right) Daniel and Zane Bass head down the slide together; Marshall Alonso Herrera and Christina Rosales; Maureen Dibble puts the finishing touches on Bailee Keene; the Mejia-Rubio family celebrates the holiday; Carmen and Scott Wells with children Savannah and Samuel; and Jonathan Taylor with Spread the Flow Entertainment provides a fiery show for the crowd.

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wellington | social scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Rotary Club Of Wellington Hosts 39th Annual Installation Dinner

(Left to right) Larry Kemp presents a check for K9 Kevlar vests to PBSO Chief Deputy Mike Gauger as Deputy Ryan Soriano and K9 Rhett look on; Sean and Adriana Gross with Maureen and Don Gross; and George Kinoshita receives an award from outgoing President Tom Carreras.

The Rotary Club of Wellington held its 39th annual installation dinner on Saturday, June 22 at the Wanderers Club. At the event, Don Gross was installed as the club’s new president.

The club also presented PBSO Chief Deputy Mike Gauger and Deputy Ryan Soriano with a check for $20,000 for Kevlar protection vests for PBSO police dogs. The club also presented its prestigious Frank T. Gladney Award to Tom Wenham for his past and present service to the Village of Wellington.

(Left to right) Dr. Carmine Priore presents the Frank T. Gladney Award to Tom Wenham as Dr. Wes Boughner, Maureen Budjinski and Barry Manning look on; Marilyn Berns, Carla and Tom Neumann, and Ravi Culbertson (seated) with David Berns, Amy and Andrew Burr, and Nikki Culbertson (standing); Dr. Jonathan, Tran and baby Olivia Chung; President Don Gross with Assistant District Governor Evelyn Flores; and Marie and Dr. Carmine Priore with Tom and Regis Wenham.

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wellington | social scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Wellington American Legion Post 390 Hosts Officer Installation

(Left) Past Commander Jim Napuli, 11th District Commander John Castro and Commander Henry Tocci. (Right) Al Ziker, Dennis Masch, Larry Williams, Bill Bartels and Henry Tocci are sworn-in by John Castro as Jim Napuli and District Sergeant-at-Arms Edward Manak look on.

Wellington’s American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Post 390 held its annual officer installation ceremony Wednesday, July 10 at the Wellington Community Center. Serving as officers are Commander Henry Tocci, First Vice Commander Bill Bartels, Second Vice Commander Larry Williams, Adjutant Dennis Masch, Sergeant-at-Arms John Isola, Historian Mike Pancia, Post Service Officer Jerry Klein and Finance Officer Jorge Perez.

(Left to right) Ernie Zimmerman and Mayor Anne Gerwig; Sons of the American Legion Commander Joshua Katz with Sons of the American Legion District 11 Commander Richard Smith; Noupane Khamninh, scholarship recipient Chasidy Khamninh and Commander Henry Tocci; Commander Henry Tocci with District Service Officer Post 164 Marina Perez; and Henry Tocci, Jim Napuli and John Castro.

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Karen Epstein Wellington Landings Teacher

Wins Top County Award For Educators Story by Mike May • Photo by Abner Pedraza

Wellington has established itself as the home of the best and most talented, not only in the areas of equestrian sports, but also in the area of education, where the community is home to some of the best public schools and the most outstanding teachers. Among them is Wellington Landings Middle School fine arts teacher Karen Epstein.

In May, Epstein was named the winner of a William T. Dwyer Award for Excellence in Education, an annual award given to six educators in Palm Beach County. She was honored as the county’s top teacher in the Career Education category for 2019.

The William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education is an annual program of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation, which recognizes outstanding educators from the area’s public and private schools.

The Dwyer Awards program seeks to increase awareness of the exemplary

teaching in Palm Beach County, while supporting educators and schools with financial awards and encouraging residents to promote high standards of excellence in education.

“Teachers in Palm Beach County refer to the Dwyer Awards as the ‘Academy Awards’ of Palm Beach County,” Dwyer Award Coordinator Natalie Carron said.

Teachers were honored this year in six categories: Elementary School Education, Middle School Education, High School Education, Career Education, STEM Education, and Special Programs Education. Next year, there will be a sev-

enth category added, a Dwyer Award for Palm Beach County’s best pre-kindergarten teacher.

Epstein — who teaches courses in audio visual arts, television production and theater at Wellington Landings — just finished her 22nd year working for the Palm Beach County School District, including 15 years in the classroom, of which nine years have been at Wellington Landings.

First, a list of finalists is announced, before a gala awards ceremony. On May 15, Epstein and the five other winners were honored at the 35th annual William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education ceremony held at the Kravis Center for Performing Arts. Epstein and the other winning educators each received $3,500 and a crystal flame award for their efforts.

While Epstein was thrilled to win the prestigious award, she was equally

“Karen Epstein is so dedicated to her students, improving our community and spreading kindness,” Principal Blake Bennett said.

wellington wellington thethe magazine magazine | august | august 2019 2019 2525

Karen Epst ein Wins Top County Award For Educators

Wellington Landings Teacher impressed by the accomplishments of other nominees and finalists.

“There are some amazing teachers in Palm Beach County,” Epstein said. “I was awestruck to hear the credentials of the other teachers.”

It’s a distinct honor to win a Dwyer Award, as nearly 350 Palm Beach County teachers were nominated for the award this year. From there, usually five or six educators per category are named as finalists. The winner of each award is selected by a committee of nearly 80 local business leaders.

According to Wellington Landings Middle School Principal Blake Bennett, Epstein is a worthy Dwyer Award winner.

“Karen Epstein is so dedicated to her students, improving our community and spreading kindness. She works so hard to make sure she meets the needs of all of her students while teaching so much more than curriculum, but how to be productive citizens, while promoting a love of life-long learning,” said Bennett, who just finished her eighth year as the school’s principal. “There is nothing she can’t or won’t do. She had 86 students perform in our play this year, Willy Wonka Jr. Not many people can coordinate 86 middle school students for months to put on an absolutely phenomenal musical that is a great experience for all involved.”

Bennett appreciates Epstein’s work both in and out of the classroom.

“She also makes sure that the culture of our school is always addressed, from her production of our video announcements to her participation in our Gold Level Model Positive Behavior Support Team, and working with our Kindness

26 26 august august 2019 2019 || wellington wellington the the magazine magazine

“It’s important to have a sense of humor, a kind spirit, and be willing to listen to the students when they need someone to talk to about their issues and concerns,” Wellington Landings Middle School teacher Karen Epstein explained.

Ambassadors all over our school and community,” Bennett said of Epstein. “I could never sum up everything she does in a nutshell. She never stops working for her students and our school.”

Epstein, who graduated from Forest Hill High School, attributes her success to a willingness to listen to her students and show some compassion for them.

“I’m really more of a facilitator than a teacher,” said Epstein, herself a mother of three. “I let them find their own path. I have a mix of taught routines and class expectations. It’s important to have a sense of humor, a kind spirit, and be willing to listen to the students when they need someone to talk to about their issues and concerns.”

Epstein realized that she was a little different after being diagnosed with dys-

lexia as a teenager, which negatively impacted her interest in reading, but not her interest in learning.

“My interest in science fiction led me to science, which helped me with math and reading,” she explained.

While Epstein has had great success as a teacher, becoming a teacher was not her initial focus.

“While in college, I majored in everything at least once — journalism, astronomy, criminal justice, theater, to name a few,” Epstein explained.

In the end, she settled on a business degree, based on advice from one of her grandfathers.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach and her master’s degree in business administration from Walden University. Her teaching certification is in special education (K-12), business education (K-12) and middle grades integrated curriculum.

Wellington Landings Middle School has a track record of producing Dwyer Award-winning teachers, including Sandra Coster in 2008 and Ron Wilber in 2013.

Besides Epstein, two other Wellington teachers were finalists for this year’s Dwyer Awards: Kathy Zangen from Binks Forest Elementary School in the Elementary School Education category and Tracy Sheppard from Elbridge Gale Elementary School in the STEM Education category. They each received $500 and a certificate.

What did Epstein do with her award money? “Well, I had to pay my bills, and then I had my car professionally cleaned and detailed,” Epstein said.

Is Growing In Popularity, Even Here In Florida Story by Deborah Welky • Photos by Abner Pedraza

Steve Lomax, together with his children (10-year-old Sofia and 8-year-old Austin), have come up with a family-friendly way to beat the summer heat. They leave their home in Wellington and head to the nearest ice skating rink.

“I started coming here when my other daughter, Natalie, was taking ice skating lessons,” he recalled. “She was four at the time. Soon, I was taking them, too.

Now, it’s our family’s second home.”

Eventually, Natalie channeled her talents into soccer, but Steve, Sofia and Austin are now practicing every week for a big Theatre on Ice competition coming up on Aug. 17 in Virginia. As part of the Palm Beach Skate Zone synchronized ice skating team, they will present the production number “Arabian Nights,” a nod to Disney’s Aladdin.

“Because the production needs per28

august 2019 | wellington the magazine

formers of all ages, it’s a chance for me to compete alongside my children,” Steve explained. “It’s a good chance for us to be together. We wear costumes, we have a script, there’s music, and we skate to it. I get to play Jafar. My son is Abu, the little monkey, and my daughter is one of the gypsies.”

Although this is the family’s first trip to the bi-annual competition, Steve has been featured in local Skate Zone shows, appearing as Dark Vader, a Nutcracker and the Grinch.

As the popularity of synchronized ice skating soars coast to coast, Palm Beach

Skate Zone keeps pace with the trend by hosting teams for ages 5 to 7, 7 to 11, 12 and up, and the Theatre on Ice group for ages 6 through adult. The program is coached by Debra Fertig.

“Synchronized skating has been around since late 1950s,” Fertig said.

“The first team was formed in Ann Arbor, Mich., although, back then, it was known as precision skating. There are 8 to 20 skaters on a team, with 90 percent of them female.”

Ann Arbor’s “Hockettes” team — similar to Radio City Music Hall’s “Rockettes” — was formed to entertain spectators during intermissions of the University of Michigan Wolverines hockey team. Because the emphasis was on precision and timing, it resembled a drill team routine in its early days.

(Above) The teen synchro team includes (L-R) Sydney Showalter, Niki Kawa, Kaili Rus, Julia Reno, Layla Deleon, Valeria Valladares, Morgan Maloney, Rachel Ye, Addison Manofsky and coach Tina Bonnevier.

Today, there are about 600 synchronized skate teams in the United States alone, with talk of making it an Olympic sport.

“Synchro offers skaters the ability to compete and immerse themselves at higher levels than individualized skating,” Fertig said. “When you train as an individual, it takes a tremendous amount of time, money and dedication with very slim chances of becoming a national or international competitor.

But synchronized skating allows team members to compete at regional, sectional, national and international levels.

You’re not doing spins, you’re doing these intricate patterns on the ice. It makes it easier to rise to a higher level.”

Competitive levels include synchro skills, preliminary, pre-juvenile, openjuvenile, juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior, senior, open collegiate, collegiate, open adult, open masters, masters and adult. Synchronized skating uses the same judging system as singles, wellington the magazine | august 2019

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The Palm Beach Skate Zone synchronized ice skating Theatre on Ice team practices their production number, “Arabian Nights.”

pairs and ice dancing. The discipline is primarily judged on skating skills, transitions, performance, composition, interpretation and difficulty of elements.

What makes the sport so unique is the incredible teamwork, speed and intricate formations.

Each level performs a free-skate

Young synchronized skaters Kaitlyn Wright and Danielle Chityat.

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august 2019 | wellington the magazine

program that requires elements such as circles, lines, blocks, wheels, intersections, “moves in isolation” and, at higher levels, lifts.

“Moves in isolation” are when one or more skaters separates from the rest of the group and performs freestyle moves.

For example, three skaters may separate and go into sit spins, while the rest of the team is in a circle formation. The three skaters will then join the group again and carry on with the routine.

In competitions, teams are required to perform step sequences, ranging in difficulty with each level. In the junior and senior divisions, teams are required to perform a free-skate, also known as a long program, as well as a short program. Generally, the short program is more technical in nature, where the free-skating program is longer and provides an opportunity to showcase expression, emotion and interpretation. Novice, junior and senior programs also include sequences where the whole team does moves such as bellman spirals, 170 spirals, unsupported spirals, spread eagles and more.

Fertig is particularly pleased to see that figure skating, a discipline that formerly focused on one individual, has grown to be so much more.

“The benefits of synchronized skating are that it is a team sport, so it brings together skaters and their families in practice, performing and celebrations. It brings all ages together,” she said.

There’s another benefit as well. “The

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“You often don’t think about ice skating in South Florida, but when you come to the rink, you make friends.

It’s a win-win. I want to give them a sense of belonging,” coach Debra Fertig said.

Illustrated Properties

(Top right) Steve Lomax with his children Austin and Sofia. (Below right) The Theatre on Ice group practices.

number of colleges and universities who have synchro skating teams is growing,” Fertig noted. “Skating makes you a standout on your application. If you are a synchronized figure skater, you can aspire to their team.”

Over the years, North American teams have developed more creative and innovative routines, incorporating stronger basic skating skills, new maneuvers and more sophisticated transitions, which naturally necessitated greater speed, style and agility.

Due to this growing interest, the first official international competition was held between Canadian and American teams in 1976. With the internationalization of the sport, it has evolved rapidly, with increasing emphasis on speed and skating skills, and highlight elements such as jumps, spirals, spins and lifts that originally were not permitted in competition.

“I’m all about having kids have an activity,” Fertig said. “You often don’t think about ice skating in South Florida, but when you come to the rink, you make friends. It’s a win-win. I want to give them a sense of belonging. They get together, wear the team jacket, exercise regularly and learn to be a team player.

It is similar to Rockettes on ice; we dress alike and do the same things. The challenge is to be as one — making lines, circles and blocks, as one. They learn respect, patience and skating skills.”

To learn more about the synchronized ice skating team at Palm Beach Skate Zone, call (561) 963-5900 or visit www.pbskatezone. com.

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By Melanie Otero

What does it take to log 12,849,676 minutes of physical activity across the Village of Wellington to win the Palm Health Foundation’s 2019 Let’s Move challenge?

According to Paulette Edwards, Wellington’s community services director, the key was community engagement.

“We thought through all the ways our community comes together — government, community organizations, neighborhoods, schools, parks and businesses — and engaged every age group from pre-K to seniors,” she explained.

Wellington bested 409 teams across Palm Beach County to log the most minutes of exercise during the Palm Health Foundation’s “Let’s Move: Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge” in March — the second time in two years that Wellington won. The village accounted for a whopping 40 percent of the total 32 million minutes logged.

The challenge, now in its seventh year, inspires Palm Beach County resi-

dents to complete and log 30 minutes of activity each day during the month of March.

According to Marge Sullivan, a 17year Wellington resident and the Palm Health Foundation’s vice president of communications, Let’s Move was inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s 2010 national program to decrease childhood obesity.

“We created the challenge for adults and children to improve a variety of health issues through regular physical activity, including reducing the risk for diabetes and heart disease, improving brain health, and increasing chances for healthy longevity,” Sullivan said.

Palm Health Foundation Trustee David Wisehaupt, Wellington Mayor Ann Gerwig and Assistant Village Manager Jim Barnes.

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august 2019 | wellington the magazine

Startling statistics were also the impetus. The State of Obesity’s annual report cites that Florida’s adult obesity rate is currently 28.4 percent, up from 18.4 percent in 2000, and it has the nation’s 13th highest obesity rate for youth ages 10 to 17 at 16.9 percent.

The importance of improving residents’ overall health — both mind and body — was what attracted Jill Merrell, owner of Wellington’s Ultima Fitness, to champion the village’s Let’s Move team since it began.

“We’ve always been advocates of the community and getting people active,” Merrell said. “Ultima Fitness continually evolves to better serve our community.

Let’s Move gave us the opportunity to show people how they can reach their wellness goals no matter their level of fitness. It’s so rewarding to see how people of all ages increase their energy levels and happiness through exercise.”

Merrell opened Ultima to the com-

A fully engaged community helped Wellington best 409 teams across Palm Beach County.

“Getting kids out and active and setting a pattern of behavior gets them on the right path for their entire lives,” Mayor Anne Gerwig said. munity for free the entire month of March and encouraged everyone to log their minutes. They also engaged their martial arts school youth, childcare group and mom’s club to all become

active. Merrell believes that parents and youth leaders need to set the example.

“By educating the adults, we are creating role models for children,” she said.

Mayor Anne Gerwig couldn’t agree

Healthier Together project directors Carrie Browne, Ricky Petty, Carmelle Marcelin-Chapman and Kenya Madison.

more. That’s why she and the other four Wellington Village Council members embraced Let’s Move. “Getting kids out and active and setting a pattern of behavior gets them on the right path for their entire lives,” Gerwig said.

The mayor and council members kicked off their support by participating in a Let’s Move campaign video that was designed to get youth involved. Play-

Getting community youth involved was a key component of Wellington’s success in the Let’s Move campaign.

wellington wellingtonthe themagazine magazine| august | august2019 201935 35

ing the role of rallier-in-chief, Assistant Village Manager Jim Barnes donned a sweatband, his Converse sneakers and Let’s Move t-shirt for the filming. Walking through Village Park, he and the council members pass by athletes from Wellington and Palm Beach Central high schools, showing them in action and then becoming part of a growing swarm of youth joining Barnes and the Let’s Move team.

Edwards knew that by making the youth the spotlight of the video, they would share it on social media and invite their fellow athletes and friends to join. She also knew that engaging the high school’s activity directors and the Parks & Recreation Department and other youth community groups, like the Boys & Girls Club, Wellington could be a contender for the top spot in the challenge.

It worked. Parks & Recreation accounted for nearly half of the 12.8 million minutes logged, and the Boys &

36

august 2019 | wellington the magazine

Jessica Merrell, Liz Cayson, Jill Merrell and Dr. Karen Wisdom-Chambers.

Girls Club was also a huge contributor.

Gerwig is quick to point out that the goal of Let’s Move isn’t just to log minutes. It’s to make a change in everyone’s life, particularly for youth, by instilling lifelong healthy behaviors, no matter one’s abilities. “It’s not about the level of activity, it’s the time,” she said. “And

it’s not about being a super athlete. Everyone can participate at some level.”

While Wellington’s youth were the engine that put the village over the top, Edwards cites the many other creative ways that her department encouraged all ages to participate. Neighborhood Watch captains invited members of

Brianna Silva, Marge Sullivan and Emily Gates of the third-place winners, the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

their communities to join in evening walks. Seniors taking part in the mall’s “Walkers of Wellington” logged their minutes. And nonprofit, community and faith organizations that make up the Wellington Community Roundtable also took part.

When asked how her efforts helped

Parks & Recreation accounted for nearly half of the 12.8 million minutes logged.

toward the win, Edwards stressed that she just helped bring the community together. “Wellington had all of the ingredients for success,” she said. “I put myself in the role of the chef to put them all together to bake the cake for the win!”

Let’s Move sponsors included Joe

DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center, the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County and Wisehaupt, Bray Asset Management.

Learn more about Let’s Move at www. letsmovepbc.org. To view the Wellington Let’s Move video, visit www.youtube.com/user/ MyWellingtonFl.

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Elbridge Gale Elementary School won a pasta party at Olive Garden for its successful fundraising drive.

WELLINGTON’S ELBRIDGE GALE CLAIMS

TOP FUNDRAISING HONORS

FROM LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA SOCIETY

By Robin Hansel

For years, Palm Beach County teachers, staff, students and families have supported the various campaigns of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to fighting blood cancers. This past year, one Wellington elementary school claimed top fundraising honors in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.

The LLS mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Funds raised by LLS support lifesaving blood cancer research around the world while also providing free information and support services locally to patients and their families.

Wellington’s Elbridge Gale Elementary School took the prize for top fundraising school in the region, raising $14,283. The A-rated school located on Royal Fern Drive has an enrollment of 1,070 and has long been deeply involved in the LLS mission. Drew Dawson, a current fourth-grade student at

the school, is a leukemia survivor and served as the school’s 2018-19 Honored Hero. He is one of several Elbridge Gale students affected by leukemia in recent years.

Funds raised by more than 29,000 schools nationwide assist LLS in serving patients, as well as funding innovative research worldwide to find cures.

In 2019, the LLS Palm Beach-Treasure Coast Chapter had 155 schools participating in the Pennies for Patients Student Series program, with 106 of those schools in Palm Beach County alone.

The 155 schools collectively raised more than $235,000 to support the LLS mission.

Superintendent Dr. Donald E. Fennoy has been a huge supporter of the campaign.

Palm Beach County schools received thousands of dollars in Amazon gift certificates and engaged more than 70,000 students in hands-on, experiential activities in the 2018-19 school year. LLS would not have seen success like this without the support of Superintendent Dr. Donald E. Fennoy, who has been a huge advocate for LLS and has promoted the importance of comwellington the magazine | august 2019

39

The Renaissance Charter School at Wellington raised $2,635.

munity service as part of a well-rounded education.

Several other schools in the Wellington area also did their part for the cause. Wellington Elementary School raised $4,544, Emerald Cove Middle School raised $4,423, Binks Forest Elementary School raised $3,472 and the Renaissance Charter School at Wellington raised $2,635.

The LLS Student Series is a service learning, character education and philanthropy program where students gain the experience of helping thousands of children and adults in their fight against blood cancers like leukemia. Students see firsthand how their involvement can make a difference in helping save the lives of blood cancer patients simply by helping raise money.

Through the LLS Student Series, students and educators throughout the United States and Canada have raised more than $314 million since 1993 in support of the LLS mission.

The School District of Palm Beach

Emerald Cove Middle School raised $4,423 for LLS.

County has supported two specific Student Series programs. Collect for Cures is LLS’s service learning, character education and philanthropy program where students of all ages gain the unique experience of helping thousands of children and adults in their fight against blood cancers like leukemia by collecting money over a three-week period. There are programs available for each grade level that incorporate the philanthropic program with curriculum areas such as art, math, science, social studies and language arts.

Pennies for Patients is LLS’s year-long program specifically for elementary and middle schools. This science-based, service-learning program connects schools with local blood cancer patients, provides tangible life skills to participants and allows students to see the impact they’re making in the lives of others.

Participating schools receive a comprehensive, experiential K-8 STEM curriculum to incorporate into the fundraising campaign. The STEM curriculum cov-

ers key Common Core skills and features hands-on, experiential activities.

It also includes timesaving patterns and ready-to-use-presentations for teachers.

Elementary and middle schools receive boxes for each classroom and individual boxes for each student to take the LLS Students Series home to their families and provide an easy way to carry change back to school. Donations collected in the form of coins, paper money, checks and online donations are spent on patient and community services, research, public health and professional education.

School donation pages can be accessed at the top right corner of the LLS web site. Each year, prizes and awards are given to students, classrooms and schools to encourage excitement and participation, such as a pasta party hosted through a national partnership with Olive Garden.

For more information about local Leukemia & Lymphoma Society programs, visit www.lls.org/palm-beach-area.

(Left) Binks Forest Elementary School raised $3,472. (Center) Honored Heroes such as Emma let students know who they are supporting. (Right) Wellington Elementary School raised $4,544. august 2019 2019 || wellington wellington the the magazine magazine 40 august

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OUTSTANDING SERVICE Ralph is about to celebrate his third anniversary at Otis Elevator Company. He stuffs envelopes to help the company with its monthly billing, and the job helps Ralph buy DVDs of his favorite TV shows and movies. Working gives the 45-year-old a sense of purpose.

The Wellington-area resident has been part of The Arc of Palm Beach County’s Adult Career Transition Program since 2008. The Arc staff take Ralph to and from his job at Otis Elevator and help him complete his time sheets and stay organized.

The career program is just one of the many services that The Arc of Palm Beach County has been providing for people with disabilities since 1958. The nonprofit’s ongoing dedication to creating connections and encouraging independence for people with disabilities led the United Way to name it a Community Champion. The honor was bestowed at the Simply the Best Awards ceremony in May.

The Arc’s wide array of services address the needs of all people with disabilities, from infants to senior citizens.

Along with educational and recreational activities, the nonprofit also provides group housing and in-home or centerbased respite care to help parents find balance as they care for their child. The United Way has funded many of these programs, allowing the nonprofit to serve more than 2,800 families each year.

“The United Way of Palm Beach County is grateful to be a partner in the incredible work that The Arc is doing in our community,” said Dr. Laurie George, president and CEO of United Way of Palm Beach County. “Like the

The Arc supports Ralph by taking him to and from his job.

PHOTO COURTESY THE ARC OF PALM BEACH COUNTY

United Way, their programs were created in direct response to the community’s need for basic services so that everyone can achieve their full potential.

The Arc is a champion for individuals in our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and it was our honor to recognize them for the significant impact they are making.”

The Arc was also recognized this spring for its fiscal responsibility. In fact, Volunteer Florida and AmeriCorps founded the Financial Organization of the Year Award in honor of The Arc. Thanks to a grant from Volunteer Florida, 27 AmeriCorps workers were able to spend a year working at The Arc and learning about the nonprofit. As the AmeriCorps representatives gained experience, they noted the nonprofit’s efforts to document expenses, issue reimbursements and maintain overall financial excellence.

(L-R) Laurie George, Maria Bertuzzelli, Kristie Giles, Bob Salmore, Kimberly McCarten, Russell Greene and Kim Jones at the United Way award presentation. PHOTO BY TRACEY BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY wellington the magazine | august 2019

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“Receiving these awards from those who have entrusted us with their time and resources, reaffirms that our efforts are truly felt in every corner of our community,” CEO Kimberly McCarten said.

(L-R) Jason at therapy; Kimberly McCarten with Arc clients; and Joanne in the Artisan Program. PHOTOS COURTESY THE ARC OF PALM BEACH COUNTY Karah and Faith at Job-A-Palooza. PHOTO BY TRACEY BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY | Kerryann and Patrick in the Artisan Program. PHOTO BY JACEK PHOTOGRAPHY

“This year, there was one organization that we felt was so deserving of recognition, we created the new Financial Organization of the Year Award,” said Tracie Lambright, senior financial analyst for Volunteer Florida. “They have become an exceptional role model for other organizations, and those who are struggling in this area should reach out to them for guidance.”

The Arc of Palm Beach County Presi-

dent and CEO Kimberly McCarten said her organization was honored by these awards.

“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for our lifeworks,” McCarten said.

“Receiving these awards from those who have entrusted us with their time and resources, reaffirms that our efforts are truly felt in every corner of our community.”

McCarten added that seeing the dai-

ly accomplishments of the people they serve keeps the nonprofit’s staff motivated. The impact they have made in Ralph’s life is evident — his smile is consistent no matter how many envelopes he has to stuff. For the staff at The Arc, there is no greater reward.

To learn more about how The Arc is helping to better the community and the future for people with disabilities, visit www.arcpbc. org.

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Students learn how to read in both English and Spanish.

Students Excelling In New Horizons Dual Language Spanish Academy

By Gina M. Capone

The Dual Language International Spanish Academy Program at New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington educates students to become fully bilingual, biliterate and bicultural.

According to Principal Dana Pallaria, the dual-language program at New Horizons allows her students to reach the high standards that are necessary for becoming productive members of the community.

The dual language program at New Horizons has been in place for 15 years.

The program partners with the Department of Education in Spain. With this partnership, New Horizons has become an international academy. This means that the school receives resources by way of visiting teachers from Spain,

who come to the United States for three years to teach not only the Spanish language, but also the culture of their home country.

New Horizons was the first of three schools in Palm Beach County to receive this accreditation. For half the day, students receive education in English, while they learn in Spanish the other half.

“At New Horizons, we have approximately 675 students,” Pallaria said. “Approximately 450 students are in the International Spanish Academy in kin-

dergarten through fifth grade. It is a full-immersion program. The students learn English and Spanish in both reading and science.

There are multiple benefits to a dual-language program, she explained.

“The reason we see it as being so important is that our students have the opportunity to excel in a foreign language,” Pallaria said. “The research shows that early entry into the International Spanish Academy, or any [foreign] language, produces very high SAT scores, which gives our students the benefit of getting into college. It increases listening skills, memory skills, and they have greater cognitive development.”

(Left) The New Horizons Flamenco dancing troupe performs at the Norton Museum of Art. (Right) New Horizons teacher Edie Tetrault celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with some of her students.

wellington the magazine | august 2019

47

Aside from educational benefits, there are many other positive outcomes.

“It gives the student a multicultural appreciation, and they become bilingual at an early age,” Pallaria said. “It also opens up opportunities for careers in their future. Graduates from the International Spanish Academy in Palm Beach County will receive a diploma from Spain, as well as one in the United States, when they complete their high school education.”

The program is aimed at both English-speaking students and those who are from bilingual homes.

“We tell our families that [the programs] support their home language, it values their culture, it values other cultures, especially for our students who are English-speaking, and are in the program to learn Spanish,” Pallaria said. “The program increases their vocabulary and their ability to communicate with more people in the community.”

There are approximately 60 teachers

Dual-language teachers work closely together, carefully planning lessons and participating in professional development.

at New Horizons, and 24 are certified to teach the dual-language program. The teachers must pass a language assessment, be certified, and be able to teach reading and science in both languages.

Each teacher is responsible for two core subject areas.

Once a student enters the dual-language program in elementary school, they usually continue their dual-language education in middle school and high school.

New Horizons language coach Melissa Arcos explained a normal day in a student’s education. “Typically, a student will start their day on the English

side,” Arcos said. “They will receive instruction in reading, writing and math.

The students break for lunch, and then switch to go back to learn in their Spanish class. They will receive instruction for reading, writing, science and social studies, but in Spanish.”

In this way, it is a full-immersion program. “When they are in the Spanish classroom, the student will only hear Spanish. The teacher will communicate in Spanish only,” Arcos said. “All of the resources she uses will be in Spanish, as well.”

It is important for a dual-language program to begin early in a student’s education. It is best for a student to be enrolled in kindergarten, but a first or second grader still has a window of time to participate.

“We start as early as kindergarten,” Arcos said. “But we do encourage parents, because it is such a wonderful gift to give our kids, even if they are in first or second grade, it is not too late. By the time we hit third grade, we would have

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to evaluate the student, because at that point, we are expecting the language to be established, so that we can focus now, not on acquiring the language, but learning with that language.”

Teachers in the dual-language program at New Horizons are from all over the world, including Spain, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Venezuela and Mexico.

“All of the mix of cultures represents a different aspect of learning for our students,” Arcos explained. “We are actually teaching the children to listen to it and understand it, so they will eventually start trying it. It’s not a formal language class, like this is how you write a sentence or spell. We are actually teaching the student to listen to the language and pay attention to it, slowly acquiring the understanding.”

Communication can be difficult when visiting another culture. If there are no language skills to communicate, one is forced into having to find a way to speak. “With children, we are tactful, because we don’t want to cause any kind

Second-grade students participate in a Spanish language spelling bee.

of frustration,” Arcos explained. “This is the beautiful thing about doing this at the elementary stage, where we can use videos and music, where teachers can be silly and act out what they are trying to communicate.”

The lessons are not repeated in a dual-language program. For instance, the student who receives lesson one in English, will move to lesson two in Spanish.

They are not receiving the same lesson in both languages. Learning the language this way represents a challenge for the student.

“Students must keep up with what’s happening,” Arcos said. “This is where it is extremely important that both the English and Spanish teachers commu-

nicate. This is why we refer to them as partnerships, because they need to communicate what students are struggling with when having difficulty understanding the lessons.”

For those students learning Spanish, the teacher is going to have to give more support in English, Arcos noted, while for those learning English, the Spanish teacher will have to give more support in Spanish. “Our students are also a great tool,” Arcos said. “They are strategically put together so that an English speaker can help a Spanish speaker in English, and vice versa.”

To learn more about the Dual Language International Spanish Academy, call (561) 651-0500.

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Service Is The Key To Keith Jordano’s Success As An Independent Insurance Agent Story by M. Dennis Taylor • Photo by Callie Sharkey

Being available to listen is a key to the success of Keith Jordano’s 30-plus career as an independent insurance agent. Recently, the Jordano Insurance Group, the firm he founded and leads, expanded its services to assist with home and auto insurance coverage as well.

Originally from New Orleans, Jordano moved with his insurance firm, founded in 1993, to the western communities 20 years ago.

“When I first went into the insurance business, my manager told me not to give out my cell and personal phone number,” Jordano recalled. “I told him the day I could not be accessible to my clients was the day I should not be in the business.”

This is a goal that he has kept his focus on ever since.

“I’ve made myself available for my clients when they need me. Most insurance agencies all sell the same companies’ [products] at the same price, as the providing insurance company sets the price. The difference is the service,” Jordano explained. “We are here because of our clients, mentors and family.”

He noted other areas that Jordano feels set him apart from his competition, such as “listening to the client and working with them to find their needs with a personal touch.”

The cliché about an agent who can “sell snow to an Eskimo” is the story of a terrible agent, Jordano remarked.

“To sell them the right heater or blanket is to find their needs and sell them based on that,” Jordano said. “We listen and try to place clients where they are protected at a price they can afford. We try to cover our clients with a blanket of protection.”

On April 1, 1999, Jordano resettled in the western communities after traveling all over the eastern United States.

“It may have been April Fools’ Day, but we got the last laugh,” Jordano said. “After 20 years, we are going strong and growing our footprint of products and services. We trav-

Keith Jordano is the president and CEO of the Jordano Insurance Group.

el around the United States and meet people from all walks of life, occupations, social and economic status, and we have learned how to listen to their diverse needs.”

While Jordano’s firm previously focused on varieties of life insurance and health insurance, he now offers a more comprehensive array of services.

“The Jordano Insurance Group represents home, auto and motorcycle insurance; Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans; as well as individual and group health and benefit packages,” Jordano said. “We try to get to what our clients really need and lead them to where to find it.” wellington the magazine | august 2019

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wellington | professional

“The Jordano Insurance Group represents home, auto and motorcycle insurance; Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans; as well as individual and group health and benefit packages,” Keith Jordano said. We try to get to what our clients really need and lead them to where to find it.”

Jordano stressed that the benefit of his firm is truly listening to each client’s needs.

“Whatever plan they need, we make them feel protected, safe and still have money to feed their family,” Jordano explained.

Jordano and his wife Lois have three grown children: Melissa, 36; Robin, 35; and Adam, 31. He described his hobbies as gardening, sports, charity work and community involvement.

An active member of the Rotary clubs in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, as well as the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, Jordano has served as a board member and officer in all of them, even being named small business of the year, as well as being named to the industry’s

Health Underwriters Soaring Eagle membership and leading producers roundtable.

“Living in the western communities has been one of the best moves our family has made,” Jordano said. “We have many friends, with many of them starting as clients. I’ve tried to make all my clients feel like a friend and mean it.

Our community is safe and friendly with lots to do. It is a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

The Jordano Insurance Group is available online at www.jordanogroup.com, where there is an option to reach out for a quote.

Jordano can be reached via e-mail at keith@jordanogroup.com or through his cell phone at (561) 307-2622. For specific information on life and health insurance, call (561) 333-6228. For auto and home insurance questions, call (561) 225-2659.

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Customer Service Team Is Standing By To Help Wellington Residents In Need

By Callie Sharkey

In 2018, Wellington’s Customer Service Department handled 43,000 phone calls and assisted 33,000 visitors. The team of 13 people is dedicated to serving the community and takes the relationship between local government and its residents very seriously.

“Instead of each department, we have one centralized location where we can provide the best customer service to the residents of Wellington,” Customer Service Manager Mindi Lockhart said.

“Everyone is trained so that residents are getting consistent information and not being bounced around. Resolution is our goal.”

The department covers more than

the front line of service windows, it also handles the village’s call center and the main front desk at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Operators are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and there’s a plan in place for emergency calls outside of normal business hours.

Lockhart’s teammate Elizabeth Arocho is also a customer service manager.

She finds working during the worst of times — specifically during a major storm — a vital responsibility for the department.

“During storms, we have folks here on lockdown. That means they are here before the storm starts, during the storm and after the storm. We don’t leave. We make sure the public has the ability for direct contact with a live person,”

Wellington Customer Service Department employees (L-R) Richard Wagner, Jashly Botex, Tony Musarra, James Knight, Wayne Turpin, Mindi Lockhart, Elizabeth Arocho, Susan Turturici, Nancy Glasgow, Priscilla Ocasio, Barbara Myers and Christina Fugarese.

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august 2019 | wellington the magazine

team | wellington

(L-R) Wellington Customer Service Managers Mindi Lockhart and Elizabeth Arocho with Susan Turturici; Christina Fugarese with Mindi Lockhart; and Mindi Lockhart with Tony Musarra and Susan Turturici.

Arocho said. “During Tropical Storm Isaac, we had a lot rainfall and flooding. So many residents were calling in scared and worried about their horses.

Just watching the call centers take those calls in a calm manner that helped quell our residents’ fears — that was a proud mom moment.”

The team is passionate about this important role. Customer Service Administrative Coordinator Wayne Turpin is a perfect example. After nearly five years in the department, he is still excited about his work, even during a storm.

“I volunteered for it. My family lives close by, so I might as well be here working and helping out. They normally get us in a couple of hours before a storm gets bad, so we are here through everything. In the last storm, we were here Saturday morning through Monday morning,” Turpin recalled. “There is always a liaison from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue here with us. I got a call during the last storm from a resident who lost part of a pergola, and it had punctured a gas line in the middle of the storm. We were able to get people dispatched to address the problem. PBCFR coordinated with us and got someone there to seal it off without any issues.”

Lockhart and Arocho work in tan-

dem to keep the department running smoothly. “Our main goal during a hurricane is to make sure that the public is safe, and our staff is safe. We are all in this boat and have to get through a hurricane together,” Lockhart said. “Afterward, of course, we work to get everything back to normal as fast as possible.”

The recurring theme in the Customer Service Department is teamwork.

They treat each other as a second family, but also as an additional resource when dealing with difficult situations.

“People call us for every single thing, from people who don’t know what to do with an alligator to others wanting to rent a pavilion; from what the movie is going to be this weekend to how to get a passport or driver’s license. We have to be on point and have all the information at our fingertips,” Senior Customer Service Representative Christina Fugarese said. “We get calls from everywhere and have so much to offer our residents.

We like to wow all our callers and give them wonderful, outstanding Wellington service.”

Arocho has worked for the village for more than 14 years now, in several different departments. She finds her current work very different than when she started out reading water meters in the field.

“Customer service is a bit fast-paced, and you definitely have more responsibility,” Arocho said. “I think it’s because you’re dealing with customers firsthand and making sure that the image we portray is a good one.”

The Customer Service Department team is charged with knowing what all 300 Wellington employees do, otherwise routing calls to the correct person becomes a much slower task. Training remains important to the department, and future plans include finding more ways to better serve the community.

“We are in the process of putting in a training for crisis management so that not only is our call staff knowledgeable about the community, but they’ll also have the knowledge of how to handle those types of calls, too,” Arocho said.

Utilities Customer Service Representative Jashly Botex noted the differences in her past three years with Wellington compared to her experience working with other municipalities, particularly regarding the web site.

“I needed special training on the online system, especially things like troubleshooting with the customers. We will help them set up an online profile or autopay, and they have all other types of questions,” Botex said. “We must have such an understanding of the site and wellington the magazine | august 2019

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also be consistent both on the phone and in person. We learn to ask the right questions, to go above and beyond, even offering same-day service.”

With a staff that ranges from two to nearly 20 years working for Wellington, all take pride in developing solid, genuine relationships with residents.

“I get very few escalated phone calls because our representatives treat the customers how they want to be treated,” Lockhart said. “It’s also because when you give good, you get good. Our employees do that because they know they are treated well here, and it’s a great place to wake up in the morning and say, ‘I get to go to work, and it’s not a bad thing, it’s a good thing.’”

Both managers agree that working for a smaller, tight-knit community allows for excellent customer service.

“My favorite thing is the relationships that you form with residents — it’s a friendship more than a customer-type feeling here,” Arocho said.

Whether handling business tax inquiries, sharing information about public meetings and events, or helping customers solve problems with their homes, the consistency and commitment of Wellington’s Customer Service Department remains strong.

This year’s Team Wellington series highlights some of the amazing professionals who make up the team at the Village of Wellington.

wellington | real estate

Bowen Realty’s Paris Lynn Addington Brings Her Clients A Lifetime Of Local Experience Story by Matthew Auerbach • Photo by Abner Pedraza

Paris Lynn Addington of Bowen Realty is well-versed in the day-to-day life of area residents. She lives here and has spent a majority of her life in Palm Beach County. However, her story began on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.

“I was an army brat, born in Paris, France,” she recalled. “My father decided to name me after that beautiful place. We left Paris when I was six months old.”

Addington’s family relocated from the City of Lights to South Florida while she was still in diapers.

“I have lived here most of my life,” Addington said. “I graduated in 1981 from John I. Leonard High School. I’ve lived in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and Loxahatchee, and I know the western communities very well. I have watched Wellington develop from the beginning, from just a few golf courses and homes to the thriving community it is today. My kids have attended school in the Wellington and Loxahatchee areas.”

She headed west for a while before returning to Palm Beach County.

“I’ve spent the last nine years in Dallas, Texas, where we have some family,” Addington said. “We moved back last year to be with our growing family and couldn’t be happier to be home again.”

Addington entered the real estate field for reasons that are both personal and professional.

“I decided to get into real estate because I genuinely love the area and the people and have family in the business,” she said. “I specialize in finding homes that people will love, and that includes either buying or renting.”

Of course, when the time comes to leave their home, Addington is sympathetic to the emotions that situation conjures up.

“I also understand that people’s homes are their pride and joy, as well as one of their biggest investments,” she said. “I

will work hard to market their home when the time comes to sell.”

Not only is Addington happy with her career choice, she’s glad to be working for a company that supports her and provides the tools necessary to enhance her performance.

“Working for Bowen Realty truly benefits all of our clients, either buying or selling,” she said. “We offer many years of experience and offices all over Palm Beach County and Port Saint Lucie. We use the latest marketing tools available and can market homes on many platforms.”

The future for buyers, sellers and renters looks bright.

“I believe that the real estate market in Palm Beach County, specifically in the western communities, will continue to grow and prosper,” Addington said.

“With so many people moving to Florida, our economy continues to expand and strengthen. After all, who doesn’t want to live in paradise?”

Addington has seen many parts of the nation, but it is Wellington and the surrounding areas that she holds most dear.

“In my opinion, the western communities are the best places to live,” she said. “It has fantastic schools, shopping, dining, world-famous equestrian facilities and everything you could possibly need. It’s great for young people just starting out. From young families to senior citizens, there is something for everyone.”

Paris Lynn Addington is based out of the Bowen Realty office at 1168 Royal Palm Blvd. For more information, call (561) 301-1289 or e-mail pladdington@hotmail.com. wellington the magazine | august 2019

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wellington | health

Dr. Emily Harrison Uses Technology To Provide A More Personal Approach Story by M. Dennis Taylor • Photo by Abner Pedraza

Originally from New Jersey, Wellington’s Dr. Emily Harrison cares for patients the way she would want her own family members to be treated. She works to get to know her patients as individuals, and to develop an understanding of the cultural, spiritual, and social factors that may be contributing to the patient’s health concerns, all with technology and a personal touch.

Moving to the Wellington area three years ago, Harrison enjoys spending time outside of work with her family, being outdoors and running in the community’s many parks. She enjoys going to equestrian events with her family and cooking healthy meals.

“My passion for preventive care inspired me to go into primary care,” Harrison explained. “I enjoy working with patients to set personal goals to improve their health.”

Harrison helped start up the first One Medical office in Washington, D.C. The firm, which now has offices nationwide, is part of a new concept in healthcare across the country that focuses on a personal approach with a designated provider for each patient. The doctor/ patient communication relationship is emphasized, and the access to the doctor is maximized while waits are kept to a minimum.

“It is almost like a concierge service, but they take insurance,” Harrison explained. “They treat patients personally, in a relaxed setting with lots of provider communication with the clients. I love that approach — with so much communication. I strive for it in my own practice.”

Harrison incorporates the patient’s entire lifestyle into treatment to get them healthy and keep them that way.

“I focus on educating my patients and setting personal goals to improve their

health,” she said. “I stress the importance of incorporating diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications to prevent and treat disease.”

Harrison makes a point to get to know each of her patients very well to facilitate the overall treatment and wellness plan.

Somewhat ironically, technology is helping in re-establishing that seemingly long-lost family doctor/patient rapport.

The medical practice has portal technology to make keeping up with medical records easy for the patient, and it has the ability for patients to communicate with the doctor using phones and computers without the need for an office visit.

“I offer telemedicine for established patients,” Harrison said of the HIPPAcompliant, secure computer video link for patients where she can interact with them and “see” the patient without the need for an office visit.

Harrison explained the benefits of the technology.

“It is sometimes difficult for patients to come in during their busy schedule and workdays, or they are too sick to get out of bed,” she said. “These visits may be used for colds or acute illnesses, as well as follow-up visits for high blood pressure or for prescription refills when appropriate.”

Harrison added that the service makes it easier to continue getting the appropriate follow-up care if the pa-

tient’s busy schedule, mobility issues or illness makes it difficult to come in.

Harrison said that she is happy to be building her practice here in Wellington and is accepting new patients.

“Wellington has so much to offer, whether experiencing an internationally recognized equestrian event, enjoying local parks or the beach, and events at the exceptional schools,” she said. “I enjoy taking care of patients of all ages and strive to keep the entire family healthy.”

Dr. Emily Harrison’s office is located on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center at 10111 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 255.

The office accepts insurance and there is no subscription fee. Call (561) 377-7131 or visit www.emilyharrisonmd.com for more information. wellington the magazine | august 2019

61

Spacious Homeland Estate Features High Ceilings And An Ultra-Modern Design This picturesque, five-acre estate is located in the peaceful, gated equestrian community of Homeland, located just minutes from Wellington’s worldrenowned equestrian venues. A total transformation was recently completed on the 7,600-square-foot home, giving the remodeled property a very modern, luxurious design.

Boasting six bedrooms and expansive bathrooms throughout, the property has a separate building for grooms’ living quarters, with more than 1,400

62 62 august august 2019 2019 || wellington wellington the the magazine magazine

square feet of living space that includes an additional four bedrooms with ultrasleek bathroom designs. Complete with a professionally designed jumper and dressage arena, no detail has been left undone. Additional equestrian amenities include eight paddocks and a 10-stall concrete block structure barn with tack and feed rooms.

The main house features an open, sunny floor plan with high, 22-foot ceilings in a 2,500-square-foot living room area surrounded by sliding glass doors

opening out to a 4,000-square-foot wooden deck, two heated salt pools and an outdoor bar/grill area. The newly rebuilt home has a new, four-zone HVAC system, electric, plumbing, metal roof, kitchen, smart home system, elevator, movie theater, entertainment area with a pool table, bar, walk-in wine room and built-in coffee machine — all in an energy-efficient space.

The home was designed by Alex Timpy, who has been designing luxury homes for decades. She has designed

wellington | home

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many homes and has even lived in and sold several in her years as a designer.

Each of the properties she is commissioned to work on gets its own unique look once complete. She breathes new life into each project she takes on. You will never see the same placement of furniture in any one arrangement, as each home has a different pattern to the layout, and Timpy arranges the furniture to adorn each room.

Although a designer, Timpy approaches each design through the lens of an owner, and she tries to incorporate what they love and showcase the features that they desire. This property is no different, as the large wood beams stretching throughout the first floor invoke the passion of the outdoors and a farm-like flair that surrounds this ultra-modern indoor style.

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wellington | home

While the aesthetic design took on a life of its own, there were also walls moved and rooms redesigned and reconfigured.

“The color palette jumped out at me immediately when I envisioned this home and its final result,” Timpy explained. “This home also screamed for a media room complete with movie theater and billiard room, as there will surely be a lot of entertaining going on here. With the wall opened up to the back and placement of surrounding glass sliding doors facing the beautiful lake, I had to definitely create an outdoor kitchen built as a chef’s dream, alongside a very modern fireplace that you can view from both sides.”

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wellington | table

Story and Photos by Melanie Kopacz

serving up smiles in a cup

The newly opened Whit’s Frozen Custard in the Courtyard Shops of Wellington goes far beyond making tasty treats. The husbandand-wife proprietors, Chris and Natalie Mass, strive to bring the community together, while giving back along the way.

“We’d been looking at different markets to expand, and Wellington as a community really matches up with our core principals,” Chris Mass explained. “One of the things I learned early on is that we’re creating more than a customer experience. We’re creating memories.”

The thriving Ohio-based franchise was started by Natalie’s childhood best friend, Lisa, and her husband Chuck Whitman in 2003. The two started franchising in 2008, with expansion to Florida in 2015. Chris and Natalie Mass

watched the progress, then decided it was time to open their own custard shop. They started in Stuart, and celebrated their Wellington grand opening on April 27, tantalizing the taste buds of customers with their different take on the frozen dessert.

“The difference between frozen custard and yogurt, first, is the amount of air, or overrun,” Chris Mass said. “Ice cream and yogurt have as much as 80 percent air in it. We have less than 20 percent, so we’re more dense.”

What also sets Whit’s apart from other frozen confection franchises is the small batch approach, using only the finest and freshest ingredients. It’s a daily process that starts about 3 hours before opening each day.

“First and foremost, we make the custard fresh every day,” Mass said. “We make three flavors in small batches. We continuously make it throughout the day, so it’s uber-fresh. We make a little bit, serve it, a little bit, serve it.”

Aside from vanilla and chocolate, Whit’s makes a flavor that changes daily.

Along with a wide array of mix-ins, this allows guests to enjoy many combinations of the custard, which is softer than ice cream and firmer than yogurt.

The Buckeye Madness cake is a top seller made with peanut butter, fudge and Reese’s cups.

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(L-R) Whit’s Frozen Custard is located in the Courtyard Shops of Wellington; Wellington proprietor Chris Mass holding a cup of the daily flavor Maple Donut; and a variety of premium sundae toppings and mixers for Whitsers.

“With less air, there’s a higher butterfat content,” Mass explained. “That’s actually a good kind of fat, so that gives it some of its creaminess. Then, we also use pasteurized, sweetened egg yolks, which makes for a richer version of other frozen desserts.”

The two biggest sellers are sundaes, as well as what they call “Whitsers.”

“Whitsers are where we add the toppings and blend it lightly to mix the toppings in it, but you still use a spoon,” Mass said. “We use the highest quality ingredients only.”

Toppings include fresh strawberries and blueberries, caramel, butterscotch, pecans and many more.

“The Whitmans, who started the franchise, gave us a book of 350-plus recipes for our daily flavors. We rotate new ones, but also make the favorites,” Director of Operations Amanda Bachman said.

The daily flavors run the gamut and include Maple Donut, Key Lime Pie, Bourbon Praline Pecan, Fluffer Nutter Cookie and many more. A calendar hangs on the wall, mapping out each flavor of the day for the month. The flavors, along with their descriptions, are posted on Facebook each day as well, so customers can plan their visits. There also are vegan options, made with coconut milk.

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Prices start at $3.75 for a 5-ounce kids’ scoop, to a 22-ounce large Whitser for $8.75. The owners also find it extremely important to give back, including incentive programs and partnerships with schools, with what they call the “Scooper Star Award.” That’s where a student who does a good deed is rewarded with a certificate for a free single scoop, or $2 toward any other menu item.

“It’s for elementary and middle school students where they get a free kids’ scoop,” Mass said. “I distribute the certificates to administrators, free of charge, and I ask them to reward children who are being kind, generous and thoughtful. When they come into the

wellington | table

(L-R) A strawberry and vanilla Whitser; Director of Operations Amanda Bachman preparing a small batch of the daily flavor Maple Donut; cones are available in chocolate, sprinkles and peanut-covered; and a cup of the Maple Donut frozen custard.

store, we make a big deal out of it. They get to tell us what they did or what their accomplishment was.”

Creating job opportunities for young people is also important.

“We hire as young as 14 to 15. We have shift leaders who are 17 and 18 years old,” Mass said. “It gives them experience in the workforce. I’ve had some go off to college and write me to tell me how it has helped to prepare them for their future.”

Mass also extends discounts to groups within the community. In July, all healthcare industry workers and their families received 10 percent off their total. In August, its chamber mem-

bers and their families. Throughout the entire summer, anyone who works for the school district gets 10 percent off their bill.

They also offer a loyalty program, where customers earn 10 percent off toward their next visit every five times they check-in. They can bank it until they have as much as 50 percent off.

“It’s based on visits, not amount spent,” Mass noted.

Whit’s also features hand-packed quarts sold in their grab-and-go freezer, as well as frozen custard cakes. There’s as many as 30 different recipes that can be custom-made starting at $25.

The most popular is the Buckeye Mad-

ness, which is made with peanut butter, fudge and Reese’s cups.

Mass and his wife have plans to eventually expand to Port St. Lucie and Jupiter. As for the new location, he is striving to make it a community gathering place for making memories for years to come.

“Our goal is not to be in Wellington for a couple of years, but decades, so families can come for generations,” he said.

Open Monday through Sunday from 1 to 10 p.m., Whit’s Frozen Custard is located at 13880 Wellington Trace in the Courtyard Shops at the corner of Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd., next to Tijuana Flats. For more info., call (561) 855-2500 or visit www.facebook.com/whitsofwellington.

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wellington | dining guide Agliolio Fresh Pasta & Wine Bar (12793 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Wellington Plaza) offers a fine dining experience at casual dining prices featuring fresh pastas and homemade sauces. For more info., call (561) 798-7770.

Aroma Indian Cuisine, located at 730 Village Blvd. in West Palm Beach, serves delicious Indian food seven days a week, including a buffet lunch and dinner. For more info., call (561) 619-6437 or visit www. aromawestpalmbeach.com.

Backstreets Neighborhood Bar & Grill is located in the Wellington Plaza at 12771 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

For more info., call (561) 795-0100.

India Grill & Bar is now open in Royal Plaza at 650 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. serving authentic north and south Indian cuisine. For info., call (561) 249-7168.

JoJo’s Raw Bar & Grill (13889 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Marketplace) features steaks, burgers, fresh fish and more, along with a bar stocked with 100 different beers. For info., call (561) 427-1997.

Kabuki has brought its affordable and delicious Japanese and Thai cuisine to Wellington. The restaurant is located at 2465 S. State Road 7, Suite 100, in Wellington. For more information, visit www.kabukiwpb. com or call (561) 323-4888.

Oli’s Fashion Cuisine & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green. For info., call (561) 7922220 or visit www.olisrestaurant.com.

Paradise Indian Cuisine serves authentic Indian food for lunch and dinner, including an all-you-caneat lunch buffet. It is located at 7667 Lake Worth Road. For more information, call (561) 812-3958 or visit www.flbiryani.com.

Stonewood Grill & Tavern in the Pointe at Wellington Green serves up exciting flavors in a casually sophisticated setting. Call (561) 784-9796 or visit www.stonewoodgrill.com for more info.

Casa Tequila, a restaurant featuring delicious Mexican cuisine, is located in the Wellington Plaza at 12795 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 11A. For more info., call (561) 557-1378 or visit www.casatequilafl.com.

Kaluz Restaurant, an upscale dining experience serving New American cuisine, recently opened in Wellington. Kaluz is located at 2025 Wellington Green Drive just off Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 784-5500 or visit www.kaluzrestaurant.com.

Catania Italian Restaurant is in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at 4115 S. State Road 7. Hours are 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, staying open until 11 p.m. on weekends. On Sundays, doors open at 2 p.m. For more info., call (561) 355-5900.

Enjoy authentic Mexican cuisine at La Fogata, featuring a full menu for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is located in Wellington’s Town Square shopping plaza at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., call (561) 422-1641 or visit www.lafogatawellington.com.

Centanni Italian Restaurant is located in the Village Walk community at 2540 Village Walk Circle.

Catering is available. Call (561) 642-8700 for info.

Experience the tastes of the world atop a burger at Lindburgers Restaurant in the Wellington Courtyard Shops at 13860 Wellington Trace. For info., call (561) 753-0555 or visit www.lindburgers.com.

Tokyo Bay Buffet, located at 165 S. State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach, raises the Asian buffet dining concept to a whole new level with a large sushi bar and a tasty hibachi grill. For info., call (561) 753-5566.

Enjoy great Mexican food in a friendly atmosphere at Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant, located 1179 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Village Royale shopping plaza, open for lunch and dinner daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more info., call (561) 798-1229.

Drop by the award-winning TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli at its new location in Wellington Green Square near Whole Foods Market for breakfast, lunch or dinner. For more info., call (561) 7849055 or visit www.toojays.com.

Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers is located at 10600 W. Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green. For more info., call (561) 333-9939 or visit www.mellowmushroom.com/wellington.

Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. Eat in or take out wings, ribs, chicken and more. Visit www.treeswings andribs.com or call (561) 791-1535 for more info.

From delicious antipasti to a fine selection of wines, Italian food lovers will feel right at home at Franco Italian Bistro at 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 103, in the Pointe at Wellington Green. For info., call (561) 615-1551 or visit www.francoitalianbistro.com.

Gabriel’s Cafe & Grille is Wellington’s oldest restaurant. Serving breakfast and lunch, Gabriel’s is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the Wellington Plaza at the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more info., call (561) 793-0675.

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Strathmore Bagels & Deli is a New York-style deli serving everything from smoked fish to corned beef.

It is located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at State Road 7 and Lake Worth Road. For info., call (561) 357-0044 or visit www.strathmorebagels.com.

Taste of India is located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd.

Aside from a full menu, it offers a bountiful buffet for lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends. For more info., call (561) 721-8600.

wellington | calendar Thursday, Aug. 1 • The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free 1950s concert by Happy Daze, along with food trucks, on Thursday, Aug. 1 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/calendar.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers’ Critique Workshop for adults on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 6:30 p.m. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, Aug. 2 • The West Palm Beach Antiques Festival will be held Friday, Aug. 2 through Sunday, Aug. 4 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. Visit www.wpbaf.com for more info.

• Ticket are on sale for seven performances of Disney’s Lion King Jr. at Wellington High School from Friday, Aug. 2 through Saturday, Aug. 10. Tickets can be purchased though www.tapstars. org or on Eventbrite. For more information, e-mail tapstars.info@gmail.com or call (561) 723-6154.

• The Palm Beach Zoo will host Safari Nights on Friday, Aug. 2 from 4:30 to 9 p.m. with a family luau. Come dressed in your favorite flowered shirt or outfit and see a Hawaiian-themed show. For more info., visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.

• The Kids Cancer Foundation (246 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.) will host a Kids Night Out Summer Bash on Friday, Aug. 2 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. For more information, call (561) 236-1110 or e-mail nicole@ kidscancersf.org.

Saturday, Aug. 3 • The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free rock concert by the Studio 54 Band on Saturday, Aug. 3 at 8 p.m. For more information, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov/calendar.

Monday, Aug. 5 • Wellington’s Essex Park (1250 Essex Drive) will close starting Monday, Aug. 5 for improvements.

Upgrades include a new observation deck, an additional sidewalk path, a water fountain, a picnic table, updated rubber mulch on the playground, as well as lighting improvements. Construction is expected to finish in December. For more information, contact Jonathan Reinsvold at (561) 791-4052 or visit www. wellingtonfl.gov/parks.

• St. Michael Lutheran Church invites the public to attend a book signing event with the church’s former pastor, Marjorie Weiss, on Monday, Aug. 5 at 7 p.m. at the church, located at 1915 Birkdale Drive in Wellington. Weiss’s memoir is Praying on Empty: A Female Pastor’s Story. Refreshments will be served. For more info., call (561) 793-4999.

Tuesday, Aug. 6 • More than 600 top water ski athletes, ages 6 to 90, will compete at the Ski Club of the Palm Beaches inside Okeeheelee Park from Tuesday, Aug. 6 through Saturday, Aug. 10 during the 77th Goode Water Ski National Championships. Admission for spectators is free for the event, which will begin at 8 a.m. each day. The National Championships will be held in conjunction with the 2019 America’s Cup Invitational and the 2019 Big Dawg World Slalom Tour Finals. For more info., visit www.waterskinationals.com.

Thursday, Aug. 8 • The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free Neil Diamond tribute concert by Neil Zirconia, along with food trucks, on Thursday, Aug. 8 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl. gov/calendar.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host its 10th annual Bonefish Grill Cocktails, Cuisine & Connections mixer event on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at Bonefish Grill (9897 Lake Worth Road).

For more information, call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Five Steps to a Stress-Free Life on Thursday, Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Learn practical, easy techniques to lower stress levels and lead a healthier life with a combination of therapeutic sound and holistic breath work. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, Aug. 9 • The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free screening of the movie Wonder Park on Friday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info.

Saturday, Aug. 10 • The Florida Gun & Knife Show will be at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11. For more info., visit www.flgunshows.com.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free Billy Joel tribute concert by the Turnstiles band on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 8 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/calendar.

Sunday, Aug. 11 • The Florida Bridal & Wedding Expo will be at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center on Sunday, Aug. 11 from noon to 5 p.m. For more info., visit www.flbridalshows-wp.com.

Monday, Aug. 12 • Wellington’s Parks & Recreation Department is accepting team registrations for its Men’s D Division Softball League and Coed Softball League at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road). The deadline to sign up a team is Monday, Aug. 12. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/athletics or contact Ryan Harris at (561) 791-4786 or rharris@wellingtonfl.gov.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Homework Club for ages 5 to 12 on Mondays, Aug. 12, 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. Enjoy a quiet space to study, read and complete homework. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

3.625” x 4.75”

Sunday, Aug. 4 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Shark Art for ages 5 to 12 on Sunday, Aug.

4 at 3 p.m. Celebrate shark week with colorful arts and crafts. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Monday-Friday 8:00am-8:00pm Saturday 8:00am-7:00pm, Sunday 9:00am-5:00pm wellington the magazine | august 2019 17103017_Rockys_EquineAd.indd 1

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wellington | calendar • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its Chess Club for ages 12 and up on Monday, Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. and ages 5 to 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 3 p.m. Basic game knowledge is required. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Aug. 13 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Fall into Bingo for ages 5 to 12 on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. Try your luck at bingo and win a prize or two. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. For info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

plants that call this area home. Get a voucher for two free three-gallon native plants. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free rock concert by The Flyers, along with food trucks, on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/calendar.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Scrabble for Adults on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Join other Scrabble fans and enjoy a fun evening of wordplay. Basic game knowledge is required. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Wednesday, Aug. 14 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Beads, Beads, Beads!” for ages 5 to 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 3 p.m. Create a wearable work of art. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Anime Nation for ages 12 to 17 on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. View new anime titles in Japanese with English subtitles. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Book Discussion on Turtle Moon by Alice Hoffman on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Copies are available at the research services desk.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Friday, Aug. 16 • Jurassic Quest, America’s largest and most realistic dinosaur event, will return to the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center from Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18. For more info., visit www. jurassicquest.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host West African Dance Instruction for ages 12 and up on Friday, Aug. 16 at 2 p.m. and Monday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Learn easy to follow traditional West African dance choreography in an energetic dance workshop presented by Afrique Ngozi Dance and Drum Inc. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free screening of the movie Dumbo on Friday, Aug. 16 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info.

Thursday, Aug. 15 • The Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce will host an Economic Luncheon on Education on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Marriott with keynote speaker Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Dr. Donald Fennoy. For more information, visit www. cpbchamber.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Great Native Plants for Your Garden on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. Join extension agent Laurie Albrecht and discover the beautiful

Saturday, Aug. 17 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Dog Days of Summer Story Time for all ages on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 10:15 a.m. Celebrate the Florida heat with some fun stories indoors. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The American Association of Zoo Keepers Chapter at Lion Country Safari will host its Inaugural Golf Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at Madison Green Country Club in Royal Palm Beach. For more info., call Ed Portman at (561) 6024409 or Jen Rucker at (816) 284-9785.

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august 2019 | wellington the magazine

• CycleBar in Palm Beach Gardens will host “Cycle for the Cure” on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 12:30 p.m. to benefit Susan G. Komen Florida. Registration at pbg.cyclebar.com is required with a minimum donation of $30. Space is limited. For more info., e-mail info@komenflorida.org.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a Tom Petty tribute concert by the Petty Hearts on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ calendar for more info.

Monday, Aug. 19 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Sensory Story Time for adults with special needs on Monday, Aug. 19 at 10:15 a.m. Enjoy stories, music, and songs about the ocean. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• A Quarter Auction to benefit the Savoia Family will be held Monday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at Kocomo’s Island Grill (7040 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road). For more info., visit www.facebook.com/quartersforkindnesskerrybarnes.

Tuesday, Aug. 20 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Tape Painting for ages 5 to 12 on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. Use paint and tape to create your own geometric masterpiece. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host English Exchange for adults on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Practice speaking English in a fun and informal atmosphere. Intermediate knowledge of the language is recommended. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Wednesday, Aug. 21 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Lego Bricks for ages 5 to 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. Build, imagine and play with Lego bricks. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Clay Creations for ages 12 to 17 on

wellington | calendar Wednesday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. With simple instructions make a friend out of clay. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, Aug. 22 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Meditation for Everyday Living on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Join John Bednarik and explore the power of meditation. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Star Gazing for ages 5 to 12 on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 3 p.m. View the stars through a cardboard sky. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free Neil Young tribute concert by Forever Young, along with food trucks, on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl. gov/calendar.

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Saturday, Aug. 24 • The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Kids World Family Fun Fest will be at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center on Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, offering something for all children. For more info., visit www. adayforkids.com.

Sunday, Aug. 25 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Civics Trivia Contest on Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2:30 p.m. Teams of two to six will answer civics trivia questions and compete to win prizes. Bring your friends to form a team or join others and play along.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Monday, Aug. 26 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Fantasy Football 2019 for ages 16 and up on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. Gear up for a fun-filled football season and assemble the ultimate roster at the live draft session. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Aug. 27 • A Quarter Auction to benefit the AAZK Chapter at Lion Country Safari will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at the Pirate’s Well (12041 Southern Blvd.). For more information, visit www.facebook. com/quartersforkindnesskerrybarnes.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Line Dancing on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 6:30 p.m. for beginners and experienced line dancers. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Municipal Complex. For info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Wednesday, Aug. 28 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Crystal Bead Sun Catchers on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Create a beautiful beaded sun catcher that sparkles. Materials will be provided.

Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will host its State of the Village Luncheon with Mayor Anne Gerwig on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 11:30 a.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington). For more info., call (561) 792-6525 or visit www.wellingtonchamber.com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Teen Takeover for ages 12 to 17 on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. Enjoy Wii games, board games and more. Bring a friend and make new ones. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, Aug. 29 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host its STEAM Club for ages 5 to 12 on Thursday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. Use science, design and engineering skills to learn about gravity using pom-poms.

Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• The Wellington Amphitheater will host a free 1980s rock concert by Rubixx, along with food trucks, on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/calendar.

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