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Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2024, 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.
HONORING FOUR AMAZING CHANGEMAKERS WHO HELP OUR COMMUNITY THRIVE
For the third year in a row, Wellington The Magazine is presenting our annual Our Wellington Awards, honoring remarkable individuals who have given of themselves and helped to shape our beloved village into one of the top places to live in the country. BY MIKE MAY
EXPANDING WELLINGTON’S NATURAL PARADISE
One of Wellington’s most unique outdoor recreation destinations is going through a significant expansion. Thanks to the village’s recent purchase of the 45-acre Moncada property in western Wellington, the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat will be getting larger. BY MIKE MAY
QUICK ACTION SAVES LAUREN KNOPP’S FOAL
Keeping an eagle eye on foals in their first weeks of life is not only fun, but close monitoring can also be lifesaving, as FEI dressage rider Lauren Knopp discovered in July. BY ALICE COLLINS
Departments
WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE
In this issue, we feature our third annual Our Wellington Awards. For the 2024 edition, we profile four amazing changemakers who are doing great things for our community. They include young Bella Eberhart, a middle school student who recently won a national award for her work with food-related charities; Julie Kime, an ardent support of our local Boys & Girls Club since the 1980s; Palm Beach Central High School Principal Reginald Myers, who came out of retirement to take over a school in crisis; and Diane Gutman of Our Community Cares, who marshals an army of volunteers to help local senior citizens in need.
As we continue to salute Our Wellington, we also detail the village’s plans underway to expand the Wellington Environmental Preserve, an aweinspiring passive park on the community’s western end. If you have never been there, be sure to pay a visit soon! Also in this issue, we find out how quick action saved dressage rider Lauren Knopp’s foal Poof — with some help from the Palm Beach Equine Clinic.
Our Wellington Today feature by Village Manager Jim Barnes shows how the Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program is helping shape the leaders of tomorrow. Wellington History profiles late community visionary A.W. “Bink” Glisson. Finally, Wellington Table visits 3Natives, which serves up a menu of healthy food items with speed. We will return in October with our annual Palm Beach Brides issue. Until then, enjoy the more temperate fall weather as we look forward to an exciting season ahead.
Dawn Rivera
Dawn Rivera, Publisher
WELLINGTON TODAY
Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG), which the Village of Wellington runs in partnership with the Crowned Pearls of Wellington is a unique program that assists rising high school juniors and seniors in their pursuit of higher education. BY JIM BARNES
WELLINGTON HISTORY
Wellington’s early history is filled with fascinating characters, and none more so than A.W. “Bink” Glisson. This self-proclaimed “Florida Cracker” assembled a huge tract of land for purchase by New York City accountant Charles Oliver Wellington, and then ran day-to-day operations on the land for 40 years. BY JOSHUA MANNING
WELLINGTON TABLE
3Natives Acai and Juicery, which opened last year in Wellington’s Town Square shopping plaza, specializes in smoothies and acai bowls, but also offers coffee products and a wide array of salads, wraps, toasts, cold-pressed juices and more. BY MATTHEW AUERBACH
the
The observation tower at the Wellington Environmental Preserve at
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat. PHOTO BY FRANK KOESTER
DENISE FLEISCHMAN
WCF’S BACK TO SCHOOL TEACHER APPRECIATION EVENT A SUCCESS
The Wellington Community Foundation hosted its inaugural “Back to School Teacher Appreciation Luncheon” on Thursday, Aug. 1, honoring the dedication and hard work of local educators.
The event, held in collaboration with Chick-fil-A, welcomed teachers from New Horizons Elementary School and Elbridge Gale Elementary School, marking the beginning of a significant new tradition in community support for educators. Guests included Wellington Vice Mayor John McGovern and Councilwoman Maria Antuña, along with Community Services Department members Jenifer Brito and Ian Williams. Their participation underscored the community’s commitment to supporting its educators.
Addressing the prevalent issue of many students arriving to school without essential supplies, the Wellington Community Foundation provided each teacher with a box full of new school supplies, meticulously selected for their specific grade levels. This initiative offered much-needed support as teachers prepared for the upcoming school year.
“All too often, teachers must spend their own money to ensure that students in need have the same access to much-needed school supplies, and this year we decided to help relieve that pressure,” WCF Chair Barry Manning said.
The luncheon fostered an atmosphere of gratitude and camaraderie, where teachers enjoyed a meal, networked with peers and shared experiences, as well as catching up after summer break. The presence of the community leaders highlighted the collective commitment to education and the importance of creating a supportive environment for both educators and students.
“We chose two of the seven Wellington elementary schools this year as our test to see what the response would be from teachers for this type of event, and we could not believe the overwhelming response from the more than 86 teachers from those schools. We know there is a need, and we love getting the school supplies directly into the hands of the teachers in the classroom. Next year, we hope to expand the event to include more schools —
possibly all seven,” said Maggie Zeller, chair of the foundation’s Children’s Committee.
Along with lunch and a storage container filled with school supplies, each classroom was supplied with three bulk snack items for those days students in need show up empty handed. “It will also help offset teachers spending their own money,” WCF Vice Chair Jim Sackett said.
The foundation put together small “survival kits” for each teacher as well to show appreciation for all they do for students. It included essentials they will need to make it through the year.
The success of this inaugural event sets a promising precedent for future initiatives aimed at supporting educators. The Wellington Community Foundation looks forward to continuing this partnership and expanding its reach in the years to come. For those unable to attend, stay tuned for future opportunities to engage and support the community’s dedicated teachers.
Visit www.wellingtoncommunityfoundation. org to learn more.
(Left to right) Roxanne Stein, Elena Villanueva Perez, Barry Manning, Herta Suess and Jim Sackett; Wellington Community Foundation board members Barry Manning, Don Gross, Jim Sackett, Terri Kane, Maggie Zeller, Herta Suess, Roxanne Stein and Bob Margolis; and WCF board members Jim Sackett and Roxanne Stein with Chick-fil-A representative Gregory Arthur.
Merissa Richer, Nicole Galavage, Jim Sackett and Victoria Ondo.
Jim Sackett, Maggie Zeller, Bob Margolis, Natalie Cummings, Vice Mayor John McGovern, Roxanne Stein, Don Gross, Herta Suess, Terri Kane, Ian Williams, Councilwoman Maria Antuña, WCF Chair Barry Manning and Jenifer Brito.
(Left to right) Herta Suess, Jenifer Brito, Vice Mayor John McGovern, Barry Manning, Sara Cabrera, Maggie Zeller, Don Gross and Ian Williams; Councilwoman Maria Antuña, Luke Manfredi, Roxanne Stein, Stephanie Funk and Terri Kane; Yudermis Maranje and Lisandra Roman-Bromfield; Roxanne Stein, Anelize Core and Jim Sackett; and Jennifer Tomlinson, Terri Kane, Herta Suess and Alyssa Thibodeau.
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WRMC HONORS THE RESPONDERS WHO SAVED HECTOR FLORENTINO
Wellington Regional Medical Center recently reunited cardiac patient Hector Florentino with the Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue crew members, emergency workers and WRMC physicians who helped to save his life. WRMC hosted its “Call of the Quarter” celebration Monday, Aug. 12 to recognize the entire team that worked together to save Florentino’s life. Florentino, a Wellington resident and an equestrian, was driving on Southern Blvd. on March 12 of this year when he had sudden chest pains. He managed to pull over at the RaceTrac gas station and call 911, summoning the PBCFR team to his location. The hospital’s recognition was for the excellent job done by PBCFR when they responded to Florentino. A STEMI alert was immediately initiated, and the patient was rushed to WRMC.
(Left to right) WRMC team members gather around “Call of the Quarter” patient Hector Florentino; members of PBCFR Engine 28 and Rescue 29 with the Florentino family; Giovana and Hector Florentino, along with mother-in-law Regina Moreira, with WRMC CEO Pam Tahan; and Jose Cepeda, Michelle Castellon, patient Hector Florentino, Christina Todaro and Jessica Schneider.
(Left to right) Giovana and Hector Florentino with Chest Pain Coordinator Tammy Levasseur; Dr. Jacob Chachkes, patient Hector Florentino, Dr. Lawrence Lovitz and Dr. Adam Bromberg; patient Hector Florentino with nurses Andre Thompson and Wendy Kaye Jones; and Engine 28 Capt. Delton Clayton, paramedic Brian Petrillo, patient Hector Florentino, paramedic Brandon Wexler, paramedic Christopher Denson and EMT Christian Dick.
TAP STAGES MUSICAL ‘MEAN GIRLS’ AT WELLINGTON AMPHITHEATER
Theatre Arts Productions (TAP) staged showings of the musical “Mean Girls Jr.” from Friday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Wellington Amphitheater. Learn more about TAP at www.tapstars.org.
(Left to right) Cast members gather on stage; Theatre Arts Productions (TAP) Artistic Director Jaycie Cohen with Hannah Fisher; (front row) Cailee Carvalho, Maddy Martin and Sophia Lang, and (back row) Juliana Martin, Karla Martin and Rachael Lang; and teachers Melissa Long, Barbara Nicho and Nikay Jennings.
(Left to right) Zariyah Barr, Autumn Bennett, Clara Long, Gabriella Garcia and Sydney Tagleiri on stage; Isabella Espinal, Laila Powery, Sophie Palazzo and Chloe Tobias on stage; Autumn Bennett receives flowers from her cousin John Bennett; Cavallini Quijandri and Miranda Mari receive flowers from Atlas Savedra; and Jessica and Plinio Martinez, Musical Director Zailyn Martinez, and Vicki and Jim Deitz.
WELLINGTON HOSTS BACK TO SCHOOL PARTY AT THE AMPHITHEATER
The Village of Wellington hosted its annual Back to School Party in the Park on Friday, Aug. 2 at the Wellington Amphitheater. The event was sponsored by the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation and included plenty of games and fun for children.
(Left to right) Roseann Voils, Anthony Aguirre, Kelli Schaming and Ramon Voils of sponsor the Christopher Aguirre Memorial Foundation; Mayor Michael Napoleone, Vice Mayor John McGovern, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri greet attendees; Saira Najera with SWAT tech Dave Feder; and Knox and Lyra Hernandez get their hands on a PBSO vehicle.
(Left to right) Andres Martinez holds a battering ram with help from SWAT tech Dave Feder; Christian, Giovanni and Julius Rodriguez play Jenga; Sherry Mahoney with Hannah, Oliver, Reagan, Lacy and Sean Hennessey; Palm Beach Central High School students Isabella Ryan, Marley Jensen and Lexy Diaz dance; Addison Wendel and Kendall Bierer; and Dannielle Menendez, Dr. Mike Graves, Wilma Gonzalez, Jessica Wilhelm and Dr. Amanda Stregnall of Palms West Hospital.
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Honoring Amazing Changemakers Who Help Our Community Thrive
Step into a world where greatness knows no bounds and join us in celebrating the changemakers who help our community thrive! For the third year in a row, Wellington The Magazine is presenting our annual Our Wellington Awards, honoring remarkable individuals who have given of themselves and helped to shape our beloved village into one of the top places to live in the country. In this issue, we shine the spotlight on our 2024 award recipients. You will get to know some remarkable individuals, discovering the motivations behind their journeys, and learning more about the organizations they champion.
This year’s Our Wellington Award honorees include four amazing people who are helping to make Wellington a great place to live, work and play. We have Bella Eberhart, a middle school student who has been raising money for nonprofit organizations all of her life. She recently won a national award for her work with food-related charities. Next is Julie Kime, a fixture in the Wellington community since the 1980s. She at-
tended the grand opening of Wellington’s first Boys & Girls Club in 1987 and has been a consistent volunteer and supporter of this vital nonprofit ever since. Also honored is Palm Beach Central High School Principal Reginald Myers, who came out of retirement to take over a school in crisis last summer and has since steadied the ship, allowing his students to soar. Finally, we honor Diane Gutman, director of operations for the nonprofit Our Community Cares. In this role, she marshals an army of volunteers to help local senior citizens in need stay in their homes and thrive.
The selfless acts of these unique changemakers are sure to inspire us all! Together, let us continue to build a community that thrives on compassion, generosity and the spirit of making a difference. Hopefully, the stories of this year’s Our Wellington Award honorees will spur others to get involved, embrace a worthy cause and be a catalyst for positive change. Together, we can then transform lives and create a brighter future for Wellington.
Congratulations To Our 2024 Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Our Wellington Awards!
REGINALD MYERS
BELLA EBERHART
JULIE KIME
DIANE GUTMAN
BY MIKE MAY
EBERHART
Young Wellington Resident Bella Eberhart Enjoys Giving Back To The Community
To say that 12-year-old Wellington resident Bella Eberhart is food-motivated is an understatement — and the lives of many residents of Wellington and Palm Beach County are better for it. While Eberhart understands the importance of a good meal, she is more interested in making sure that others are well fed and well looked after, too.
For someone so young, Eberhart acts far older than her years. “Community service has always been a big priority to me, especially food charities,” she said.
As a result of her charitable mindset, Eberhart has been recognized by Hormel Foods for one of its 10 Under 20 Food Heroes Awards. On May 29, Eberhart was informed that she was being honored by Hormel for her work supporting food charities and for her outstanding contributions to her community and beyond.
Last month, Eberhart and the nine other award recipients visited Hormel Foods’ global headquarters in Austin, Minnesota, where the food giant celebrated those 10 changemakers by connecting them with industry leaders in order for them to share their stories. As a further form of encouragement, Hormel provided each of them with a financial grant of $2,500 to further support their initiatives back at home. Eberhart plans to give her grant money to the Quantum House in West Palm Beach, a caring and supportive home that lessens the burden for families whose children are receiving treatment for a serious medical condition.
For the first 12 years of her life, Eberhart’s charitable work has come in many forms. One of her first unselfish endeavors has been to use her birthday to put the spotlight on others in need. All her life, Eberhart and her parents, Stefani and Nicholas, have used Bella’s birthday to help other organizations in need of assistance. She has been giving back since her first birthday through these “Parties with a Purpose.”
Ever since she was old enough, Eberhart has always picked a charity and asked her friends to support it in her name
rather than buy a birthday gift. Eberhart often provided a list of charities that have been and remain important to her. The list includes Quantum House, Chasing a Dream Foundation, the Lord’s Place and Pet Haven Rescue, among others.
Her charitable giving took a different direction in 2023 when she coordinated the first student-run community service club at her middle school, the Greene School in West Palm Beach. There, she organized a series of successful “serve-together” opportunities for her and fellow students. She led various initiatives, which included a schoolbased food drive, sorting non-perishable items at the Palm Beach County Food Bank, gleaning fresh produce at a local farm with CROS Ministries, cooking for Quantum House families and implementing a food distribution day with Restoration Bridge International.
Right now, Eberhart is in the process of founding “Be3 Powerful,” a nonprofit group that will connect individuals and families of “all ages, stages and abilities” with service opportunities in their communities.
In addition to her charitable endeavors, Eberhart is busy at school as co-president of the Junior National Honor Society and president of her school’s speech and debate team. Outside school, she’s a member of an aerospace club called Wolfpack.
When she has a spare moment, Eberhart enjoys playing tennis, volleyball and running track & field.
As for her appreciation of a good meal, one of her favorite places to go for dinner is Agliolio, an Italian restaurant in Wellington that happens to be owned and operated by her parents. “My favorite dish is chicken parmigiana,” she said.
Eberhart has already amassed more than 300 community service hours since she started logging them in middle school. As she continues to lead by example with her charitable endeavors, the lives of many area residents will be better for it.
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BY MIKE MAY
Julie Kime Has Supported The Local Boys & Girls Club Since The 1980s
Because of effort, energy and enthusiasm from people like Julie Kime, Wellington has become and remains a special place to live, work, play and raise a family. Kime, supported by her husband John, has been strongly connected to the Wellington community for decades. For Kime, it’s a bond that remains as strong and vibrant as it has ever been.
The roots of Kime’s affiliation and support for Wellington can be traced back to 1982 when she opened her Allstate insurance agency, which she operated in the community for more than 30 years. Kime, who is of Cuban heritage, was the first Hispanic female in Palm Beach County to operate an Allstate agency.
Decades ago, Kime realized that Wellington is a special place.
“Wellington is a great community, especially for families with kids because of the schools. I love Wellington and its sense of community,” Kime explained. “I enjoy the people here and especially the children.”
When it came to making a charitable contribution to Wellington, Kime was laser-focused with her support. “I felt I would make the greatest impact by choosing one charity and staying with it,” Kime noted.
She chose the fledgling Wellington’s Boys & Girls Club as the recipient of her time, money and energy. Her decision to support the club was a case of love at first sight.
“In 1987, when the little Boys & Girls Club opened for approximately 100 kids, I was invited to the grand opening,” Kime recalled. “I was really moved by the kids, the needs they have, and food insecurity.”
As a result, she joined the club’s local board of directors. That was 36 years ago, and she’s still on the board today.
“I received a national award last year for 35 years of service,” Kime said. “I’ve stayed because these are Wellington kids who need us. Neil S. Hirsch helped us 11 years ago to
build the new, larger club at which we are now serving at least 218 kids. It is a safe place for kids after they get out of school. They get a snack and a hot meal before they go home.”
Over the past three decades, Kime has been one of the strongest supporters of what is now the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. She is such a strong supporter that when you walk into the current facility on Wellington Trace, you will enter the John and Julie Kime Welcome Center. Kime’s support has now expanded to include support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, where she also serves on the corporate board of directors.
Kime’s ties have continued with her involvement in the Wellington Dinner Dance, which is one of the largest annual fundraisers for the local Boys & Girls Club. She and John have yet to miss a Wellington Dinner Dance event. In addition to attending, she has served on the event’s committee and has been a tireless solicitor of auction items. Other special events on the local Boys & Girls Club calendar that she supports include its Cinco de Mayo celebration, summer bash, Thanksgiving meal, holiday party and more.
For Kime, her giving nature has resulted in her being the recipient of many accolades, such as the Central Palm Beach County Chamber’s Business of the Year Award, the Palms West Community Foundation’s Women of the Year Stiletto Award, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches’ Leadership Award, the Women of Worth Award, an award as a Hispanic Woman of Distinction and the Portrait of a Woman Award.
Despite these honors from other groups, Kime’s heart, soul and time remain with the Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, where she can invest in an organization that mentors at-risk students and emphasizes the importance of working hard in school, being honest and the value of lifelong friendships.
Principal Reginald Myers Is Positively Impacting Lives Through Education
BY MIKE MAY
Reginald Myers is making a positive and meaningful difference in the lives of students, teachers and the entire staff at Palm Beach Central High School. As principal, he’s doing a job that he thought he would never do again, after retiring as principal at Park Vista High School in 2021.
His retirement concluded a tenure of 42 years with the School District of Palm Beach County. But sometimes, life takes us along a different path than we expected. Myers was two years into his well-deserved retirement when he received a surprise phone call. In the summer of 2023, the district asked him to come out of retirement, and step back into the realm of educational leadership.
Palm Beach Central was a school that suddenly found itself in desperate need of a strong, experienced leader just days before the new school year began. He embraced the challenge and joined the Bronco family. Since taking over the reins at Palm Beach Central, Myers has brought stability to the campus. As he reflects on his last 12 months in charge, he feels that his leadership has helped the school continue its mission of “Every Student Counts, Every Moment Matters.”
“My biggest contribution was demonstrating my shared passion for education and ensuring that teachers and staff had the support, resources and materials needed to help our students succeed,” Myers said. “When I arrived last year, I focused on building trust and establishing positive relationships with students and staff. This foundation allowed us to concentrate on our primary goals: increasing student achievement, preparing students for post-secondary paths and ensuring that every student has the tools they need for success after high school.”
His years of experience served him well. “Being a high school principal is a way of life that requires full commitment in order to be successful,” Myers explained.
Now that year one is in the books, he has some specific goals for this new school year. “Our focus will be on continuing to raise student achievement, increasing our graduation rate,
maintaining a safe learning environment and expanding opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities,” he said.
His commitment means being present during the day for classes, as well as on nights and weekends to support the school’s athletic teams, clubs and other organizations. “Over the past year, I’ve attended numerous junior varsity and varsity games for most of our athletic teams,” Myers said.
He is a passionate supporter of academics but also a huge fan of the Bronco football team, which is why he is conspicuously present at all home games. “Typically, I am near the sidelines during varsity football games,” Myers said. “However, at various times throughout the event, I am mobile, working with our security team to monitor and supervise both the inside and outside of the stadium. It is important for me to connect with the students, the fans and the community.”
Looking back, Myers never would have guessed that his life would take him to back the halls and classrooms, but this unexpected professional experience has been a blessing in disguise.
“The Palm Beach Central High School ‘family’ consists of some of the most passionate and dedicated faculty and staff that I have had the opportunity to work with,” Myers said. “They arrive at work each day prepared to give their very best to our students and their families… The student body is very spirited with students who are eager to take on leadership roles that benefit not just the school, but the larger community, as well.”
Rather than thinking about his delayed retirement, Myers stressed that his current focus is on the education, health and welfare of his students.
“My focus is on making sure that each student walking through the doors of Palm Beach Central has every opportunity to succeed and ultimately graduate,” he said. “My commitment to each student is to give them the opportunity to experience positive outcomes daily, while also acquiring the skills necessary to pursue their dreams beyond high school.”
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BY MIKE MAY
DIANE GUTMAN
Diane Gutman Organizes A Team Of Volunteers To Help Local Seniors
If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity where you will get more in return than you give, call Diane Gutman today. She is the director of operations for the nonprofit Our Community Cares, formerly Wellington Cares. Gutman oversees a group of volunteers who provide free help to senior citizens in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.
Gutman’s corps of volunteers provide free transportation to medical and non-medical appointments; give rides to the library, church and common destinations; and assist with grocery shopping and prescription pick-up for an expanding list of seniors who are not as mobile as they had been. But the volunteers do much more than that.
“If our seniors need an air conditioning filter replaced or a new battery in their smoke detector, our light home maintenance team of volunteers provide that service,” Gutman said. “If a senior needs somebody to speak with or requests a social visit, our volunteers provide those services. Some of our homebound seniors do not have interactions with others for an extended time. These personal phone calls and social visits make a big difference in their lives. On one occasion, a volunteer arriving to pick up a senior for an appointment found that she had fallen and couldn’t get up. That volunteer probably saved the person’s life by being there at the right time and calling emergency responders.”
Our Community Cares also provides paper products like plates, napkins, paper towels and toilet paper, also at no charge, thanks to community residents and organizations such as Women of the Western Communities, who donate to the cause.
“The average age of our participants who receive assistance is 84 years old, and the average age of our volunteers is 67,” Gutman explained. “In many respects, it’s seniors helping seniors.”
In 2023, these volunteers provided more than $140,000 in
goods and services to local seniors while driving more than 15,800 miles around the community.
Our Community Cares welcomes families who want to volunteer together, and Gutman’s own family is a perfect example. “Back in 2013, my husband and I, and our two sons, got involved as volunteers because the boys needed volunteer hours to graduate from Wellington High School, so we started volunteering with this group,” Gutman recalled. “I started as a volunteer, and since 2014, I have evolved into being the director of the group.”
Gutman encourages all residents of the western communities to become volunteers. It’s a win-win for everyone.
“All of our volunteers are truly receiving more than they are giving,” Gutman said. “Being a volunteer generates great joy for both the volunteer and the participant receiving services… You also develop great friendships with seniors and fellow volunteers. Volunteering with Our Community Cares is fulfilling, purposeful and you get more in return than you give.”
In addition to catering to the needs of seniors, the volunteers almost become family members. “Our volunteers become the eyes and ears for family members who live outside Palm Beach County,” Gutman said. “In many cases, our volunteers will call a family member if there’s a need for somebody to come visit them or take care of a pressing medical issue.”
While Our Community Cares currently focuses on Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, the nonprofit would love to replicate its services elsewhere. “However, for us to grow and expand, we need monetary donations and sponsorship,” Gutman noted.
Our Community Cares is grateful for the annual support received from a number of sponsors, such as the Quantum Foundation, the Palm Health Foundation, Comfort Care Homecare, the Wellington Community Foundation and Think Big Healthcare Solutions. Other key support-
DIANE GUTMAN
Diane Gutman Organizes A Team Of Volunteers To Help Local Seniors
ers include the Town-Crier, the villages of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. Our Community Cares also has an affiliation with Grace Chapel, which provides perishable foods such as meats, fruit, vegetables, bread and desserts, which are personally delivered to the homes of participants in need.
While Gutman runs the day-to-day operations, she’s guided and assisted by a nine-member board, which includes the organization’s founder, Kathy Foster, as well as Chair Cheryl Anders, Vice Chair Bill Maher, Treasurer Marion Frank, Secretary Marge Sullivan, and board members Leonard Baer, Allison Negri,
Petra Pitkonen and Shelley Swartz.
When Gutman is not guiding Our Community Cares, she enjoys traveling with her husband Ken, visiting her children, volunteering at church and spending time with friends. She is also one of the latest residents to start playing pickleball. “I just started a few weeks ago. I only play doubles, and it’s a lot of fun,”
said Gutman, who graduated from York College in Pennsylvania with a degree in recreational therapy.
To get involved with Our Community Cares, as a volunteer or a participant, call Gutman at (561) 568-8818. Learn more at www.ourcommunitycaresfl.org, where there is also information about providing donations.
“All of our volunteers are truly receiving more than they are giving. Being a volunteer generates great joy for both the volunteer and the participant receiving services… You also develop great friendships with seniors and fellow volunteers.”
— Diane Gutman
EXPANDING A NATURAL PARADISE
The Village Is Adding An Additional 45 Acres To The 365-Acre Wellington
Environmental Preserve Passive Park
One of Wellington’s most unique outdoor recreation destinations, a huge, passive park on the western edges of the community, is going through what is expected to be a seamless and significant expansion.
Thanks to the village’s recent purchase of the 45-acre Moncada property in western Wellington, the Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat will be getting larger, which is great news for those who currently enjoy this recreational paradise, popular with walkers,
runners, bicyclists, bird watchers and anybody who simply enjoys mingling with Mother Nature.
The existing park includes a boardwalk, butterfly garden, learning areas, an observation tower, a trellis, walking trails, equestrian trails and restrooms. The good news is that this outdoor destination for nature lovers will continue to be available free-of-charge during the current expansion and after it is completed.
The Village of Wellington has had an eye on purchasing the Moncada prop-
erty, which lies just north of the existing preserve, for many years, but it took some time to arrange both the sale agreement and the financing. The village spent $4.5 million to buy the 45acre property, but $3.4 million of that was paid for by the Florida Communities Trust Program, which means that the village paid roughly $1.1 million for the land.
In addition to being a well-designed passive park, home to an impressive array of native Florida flora and fauna, the current 365-acre Wellington Environ-
STORY BY MIKE MAY | PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER
mental Preserve, located off Flying Cow Ranch Road, serves as a complex engineering project that is critical to Wellington’s drainage infrastructure.
According to Scott Fletcher, senior maintenance technician with Wellington’s Public Works Department, there are three positive aspects to understand, as it relates to the Wellington Environmental Preserve and its expansion into the Moncada property.
“Firstly, this is part of Everglades restoration. Secondly, we will be able to expand Wellington’s current ability to
handle more water storage. And, lastly, we want to expand the current passive park, which will be a great enhancement,” Fletcher explained. “By adding the Moncada property to the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve, it makes it all complete and helps top it off.”
Having access to the Moncada land will help add roughly 30 million gallons of offline water storage to Wellington’s existing capabilities.
According to 20-year Wellington resident Garry Gruber, a senior vice presi-
dent for the West Palm Beach-based engineering firm Mock-Roos, which is the lead engineering firm and engineer of record on the Moncada expansion project, the current undertaking by the village is a win-win-win for the environment and Wellington’s ability to expand its water storage capacity, as well as expanded access to passive outdoor recreation for Wellington residents and visitors.
“The Moncada expansion embraces the goals that inspired the original Wellington Environmental Preserve, provid-
ing the village with additional rainfall storage, drainage system resiliency and water quality treatment, while offering a great opportunity to provide the general public with access to connect with nature and wildlife flourishing in its natural environment,” Gruber said.
Gruber is pleased that the Village of Wellington is making sure that the preservation of the environment is its main priority.
“The Moncada expansion project is a wonderful example of the village’s local leadership in continuing its efforts to restore the Everglades back to its natural state,” Gruber added. “The original 365acre Wellington Environmental Preserve was the final piece to the Wellington Basin B Plan. Since the early 2000s, the Basin B Plan has been the village’s framework toward restoring, protecting and preserving the greater Everglades ecosystem.”
Before the Basin B Plan, stormwater in southern Wellington drained directly into protected Everglades lands. The Basin B Plan “replumbed” the entire area, rerouting Wellington’s stormwater. The
preserve serves as critical water storage and also functions as a native Florida habitat that helps naturally cleanse the water.
When the Wellington Environmental Preserve was first completed back in 2011, Mock-Roos was the lead engineering firm, while Gruber was the project manager for that job.
Right now, crews are transforming the Moncada property by removing all the invasive plant species so that it can become a natural extension of the current preserve.
“We are reshaping it, draining it, putting in trails, and it will blend in with the current Wellington Environmental Preserve,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher agreed that the overall goal of the project is to respect the fact that this is a natural wetlands area. It will become a piece of property that will also enhance and complement the natural environment.
What’s great about this current project is that the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve will remain open and fully operational during this con-
struction time period on the adjacent Moncada property.
According to Wellington Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold, one of the goals of this expansion is to complete the work without negatively impacting the general public’s access to the Wellington Environmental Preserve in its current state.
“The recent purchase of the adjacent Moncada property will not affect the day-to-day operations of the existing preserve,” Reinsvold said. “We have taken and will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure that impacts to the local community during construction remain minimal. Our primary focus is on maintaining the current status quo while integrating the new property into the overall plan.”
Not only is Mock-Roos working with the Village of Wellington again on this expansion of the preserve as the engineer of record, but H&J Contracting has returned as the construction company on the project. Mock-Roos’ current role is serving as the village’s representative, assisting H&J Contracting in understand-
Village of Wellington officials join project partners for a groundbreaking ceremony last spring to signify the start of the preserve’s expansion. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
ing the intent of the design and providing services to determine if the project is being constructed in accordance with the contract.
While a project like this is always subject to change, the scheduled completion date is July 8, 2025.
When all is said and done, the Village of Wellington will have seamlessly integrated the 45-acre Moncada property into the existing Wellington Environmental Preserve to create one single hydraulically connected and common passive park, which will become the new and improved 410-acre Wellington Environmental Preserve — even bigger and better than ever. And it will be accessible and available, free-of-charge, to the general public.
The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat is located at 3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road. Learn more at www.wellingtonfl.gov.
“The Moncada
expansion project is a wonderful example of
the
village’s local leadership in continuing its efforts to restore the Everglades back to its natural state.”
— Garry Gruber of Mock-Roos
WEEKLY EVENTS
MONDAYS 6:30 PM Trivia Night with Freshly Baked Pizza!
1ST THURSDAY 7 PM Open
2ND THURSDAY 7 PM Jazz
3RD THURSDAY 7 PM
FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS 8 PM
HAPPY HOUR
Crews work to prepare the Moncada land to become part of the Wellington Environmental Preserve.
Dr. Michael Mikolajczak, DO
Leah Saporito, PA-C
Dr. Michael Mikolajczak is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon who has been practicing conservative and surgical orthopedics for over 25 years in the western communities in Florida. He is blessed to be taking care of multiple generations of families. He practices comprehensive value based compassionate care. He specializes in conservative non-surgical care including the latest techniques in regenerative medicine. PRP/A2MG/STEM CELL in office procedures. He does the latest technology Reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, Anterior Approach total hip arthroplasty. Tru-Match total knee arthroplasty. Dr Mike is active in the hospital and community. He has served multiple leadership roles throughout his tenure. Dr Mike has a dedicated team who has been with him for over 20 years.
Wellington Orthopedic Institute (WOI) provides compassionate orthopedic care with boutique service to patients in Wellington and surrounding communities. The WOI team takes pride in finding the very best possible solutions for patients’ orthopedic needs.
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• Reverse Total Shoulders
• Anterior Approach
Total Hips
• Foot And Ankle Injuries
• Neck/Back Non-surgical
• Workers Compensation/ Auto
QUICK ACTION SAVES LAUREN KNOPP’S FOAL
The Team At Palm Beach Equine Clinic Was Integral To The Positive Outcome
BY ALICE COLLINS/JUMP MEDIA
Keeping an eagle eye on foals in their first weeks of life is not only fun, but close monitoring can also be lifesaving, as FEI dressage rider Lauren Knopp discovered in July. Luckily, quick action from Knopp, her home veterinarian, her reproduction veterinarian and the team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington all came together to bring about a positive outcome. Knopp noticed that something wasn’t quite right when her two-monthold Hanoverian foal-at-foot Poof started having diarrhea. She called her reproduction vet Dr. Erin Newkirk, who handles her foals’ wellness care, and asked her to look at the filly, who is by Dark Pleasure out of Knopp’s Dancier mare, Dakota.
“Dr. Newkirk came on the second day of diarrhea and did an exam,
pulled blood and gave her Bio-Sponge [an equine health supplement designed to help support healthy gastrointestinal function] and probiotic, and within a few minutes she became ataxic, meaning that her coordination and balance became really abnormal,” Knopp recalled.
That is when they contacted the experts at PBEC.
“As soon as Poof exhibited neurological symptoms, Dr. Newkirk and I got on the phone with PBEC,” Knoff said. “We immediately rushed Poof and Dakota to the clinic, where the clinician in charge of her care, Dr. Candelaria Chunco, and her team were waiting for us. Poof was diagnosed with central neurologic dysfunction of the brain due to low blood sodium.”
(Above) Lauren Knopp’s Hanoverian foal Poof has recovered from a life-threatening ordeal.
(Right inset) Dressage rider Lauren Knopp with Poof.
PHOTOS COURTESY LAUREN KNOPP
When Poof arrived at PBEC, she had a fever and neurological symptoms resulting from an electrolyte imbalance caused by 48 hours of diarrhea.
“Upon arrival, we carried out a physical exam, neurological exam, and an abdominal and thoracic ultrasound was performed,” explained Dr. Santiago Demierre, the referring veterinarian. “Poof was severely ataxic, hyperresponsive to stimuli, exhibiting compulsive behavior, and had proprioceptive deficits, unilateral circling, head tilts and tremors.”
He noted that blood work revealed severe dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance.
“Intravenous fluids were immediately started to correct imbalances, and within a few hours, Poof’s neurological signs began to improve. She was maintained on intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, Bio-Sponge and probiotic paste,” Demierre said Knopp was thrilled with the care the foal received at PBEC.
“The team at PBEC went above and
“It can make all the difference when an owner is paying attention to their horses, and the littlest details matter. Because of everyone acting so quickly, we were able to get Poof the care she needed. The moral of the story is not to wait to call your vet, because the outcome may have been different if I had waited.”
— Lauren Knopp
beyond to care for Poof. They were all extremely professional and kept me informed every step of the way. I visited a lot and was always greeted by a tech and given an update,” she said. “Aside from their quick action to get fluids into Poof and working tirelessly for six days — especially the first night — I really appreciated the care and attention my mare Dakota also received during her stay at PBEC. They always made sure she was calm and well-fed. Both Poof and Dakota are used to turnout with the option to come in and out as they please, so the staff made sure Dakota was just as comfortable as Poof during their stay.”
After almost a week of monitoring and treatment, Poof was passing normal manure, acted bright and alert, had no fever, and her normal appetite had returned. She was ready to return home.
“Even though the experience itself was immensely stressful, the team at PBEC made me feel secure knowing they were doing everything they needed to,” Knopp said. “No stone went unturned. The service was amazing, and they provided me with a detailed list of aftercare and checked in with me to make sure Poof settled in well at home.”
Knopp extended her thanks to the entire PBEC team.
“I am so grateful. It can make all the difference when an owner is paying attention to their horses, and the littlest details matter. Because of everyone acting so quickly, we were able to get Poof the care she needed. The moral of the story is not to wait to call your vet, because the outcome may have been different if I had waited,” she said.
To learn more about Palm Beach Equine Clinic, call (561) 793-1599 or visit www.equineclinic.com.
This month, we take a look at the Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program, which the Village of Wellington runs in partnership with the Crowned Pearls of Wellington. This unique program assists rising high school juniors and seniors in their pursuit of higher education.
EMPOWERING TOMORROW’S LEADERS
Wellington’s Commitment To Student Success On Display Through The SWAG Program
As the school year kicks into high gear, it’s not just classrooms that are buzzing with activity, the village’s youth programs are also revving up. Among them, the Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program stands out as a gateway to opportunity for Wellington’s high school students who face significant challenges. Since its inception in 2017, SWAG has been more than just a program; it has been a lifeline, offering mentorship, academic support and real-world experiences that shape futures. Let’s dive into how SWAG is empowering our young people to break barriers and achieve greatness, one success story at a time.
As a key part of the SWAG program, the village partners with the Crowned
Pearls of Wellington, the program’s sponsor. The Crowned Pearls is an official graduate chapter of the international Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the nation’s oldest sorority for African American women.
One of SWAG’s primary goals is to assist rising juniors and seniors in their pursuit of higher education. The program supports students’ career objectives and broadens their horizons through employment opportunities and cultural experiences. As program sponsors, the Crowned Pearls of Wellington also serve as mentors, create a life skills curriculum that includes financial management and professional development, and provide academic, intellectual and community support.
BY JIM BARNES, WELLINGTON VILLAGE MANAGER
This year’s SWAG program participants with village officials and members of the Crowned Pearls of Wellington at the 2024 graduation ceremony held Aug. 6.
Cultural outings and a paid summer internship are also integral components of the program.
The SWAG program is structured around three core elements: tutoring, internships and mentoring, with the following key objectives: demonstrating gains in academic achievement; acquiring leadership skills; boosting confidence; increasing school attendance and graduation rates; preparing students for advanced education; and enhancing community and civic responsibility.
Since the program’s inception, participation has steadily increased each year. Students are referred to the program by guidance counselors at Wellington’s two high schools. To qualify, students must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA.
SWAG participants who need academic assistance receive tutoring from the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, a nonprofit partner that includes retired educators. These educators offer weekly tutoring sessions, tailored to meet the diverse educational needs of the students. The program’s academic support includes supplemental instruction, facilitated workshops, and access to textbooks and other materials relevant to the students’ educational needs. This tutoring component strengthens subject comprehension, boosts confidence and builds
important learning skills through individualized attention.
Students in the SWAG program are also awarded paid summer internships with local community partners. These internships are assigned based on the students’ skill sets, interests and compatibility with work assignments. The internships are designed to help students transition from school to the next phase of their lives, offering real-world experience that integrates school studies with workplace demands, preparing students for the expectations of the working world. The students also get opportunities to make informed career decisions by assessing their aptitudes and interests while exploring potential career paths. This internship program serves as a valuable link between schools and the local community. The internship component benefits both the student participants and the local business partners, which include organizations in healthcare, nonprofits, commerce and local government.
The mentorship aspect of the SWAG program, designed by the Crowned Pearls of Wellington, addresses the social and emotional needs of the students, while also fostering life skills that contribute to personal development and future success. The strong bonds formed between students and mentors cultivate
leadership skills, a sense of belonging and community involvement, creating lasting connections. The broader community benefits from having strong, homegrown role models. Mentors work one-on-one with students throughout the program, offering academic support, assistance with college applications and financial aid forms, and emotional guidance.
Since its launch in 2017, more than 250 students have completed the SWAG program, with 71 students receiving internships. Impressively, 100 percent of SWAG participants have graduated from high school, and 80 percent have gone on to attend a four-year university — a significant achievement, well above the average among Wellington High School graduates. SWAG students have also been featured on local news channels and in newspaper articles.
The SWAG program is more than just a tutoring or internship placement initiative; it’s about building relationships that make a meaningful difference. The Crowned Pearls of Wellington provide gentle yet firm guidance, imparting life lessons that will stay with the students for the rest of their lives.
Wellington is proud to partner with the Crowned Pearls to make the SWAG program a resounding success. Together, we’re not just supporting our students — we’re investing in their futures, fostering a community where every young person has the opportunity to shine. As we look ahead, we remain committed to empowering our students and nurturing the next generation of leaders in Wellington.
SWAG program participants are awarded paid summer internships. Shown here are interns at work.
BINK GLISSON AND THE VISION THAT BECAME WELLINGTON
Early Pioneer Assembled 18,200 Acres Of Land For The Wellington Family
And Oversaw It For Decades
STORY BY JOSHUA MANNING | PHOTOS COURTESY THE WELLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Wellington’s early history is filled with fascinating characters, and none more so than A.W. “Bink” Glisson.
This self-proclaimed “Florida Cracker” assembled a huge tract of land for purchase by New York City accountant Charles Oliver Wellington, and then ran day-to-day operations on the land for 40 years.
One of the key members of Wellington’s pioneering generation was a selfproclaimed “Florida Cracker,” pilot, boater, veteran, artist, collector, real estate expert and land agent who oversaw a decades-long process that turned a huge parcel of land from a swamp to thriving agricultural land to the community now known as Wellington.
Arthur William “Bink” Glisson was born Aug. 2, 1914, in Welaka, Florida, just south of Palatka on the shore of the St. Johns River. However, when he was a child, his family made the move by boat to South Florida. His father gave nicknames to each of his five children, and young Arthur was called “Binky” — later shortened to “Bink.”
Glisson came of age in the wild frontier days of Florida, where he befriended bootleggers during Prohibition, pirates and the occasional crime boss. He loved to tell the story of how gangster
Al Capone once picked him up while he was hitchhiking.
Glisson grew up with a love of water, fishing and exploring the mostly uncharted and unexplored waters of the Florida peninsula. This love of water and expertise in boating led him to join the U.S. Navy during World War II, rather than waiting to be drafted. He saw a great deal of action in the Pacific during the war, serving on a landing ship tank or LST.
While on leave during the tail end of the war, Glisson met someone who indirectly became integral to the story of the community now called Wellington. Glisson’s uncle, Eugene Theodore “Cap” Knight, owned Cap’s Place. Knight opened the restaurant in the 1920s, and it is still in operation today in Broward County’s Lighthouse Point. Knight introduced Glisson to U.S. Secretary of State Edward Stettinius, and they struck up a friendship. After the
war, Stettinius hired Glisson to take care of his family’s property in Hillsboro Beach.
Unfortunately, Stettinius only lived a few more years, passing away in 1949. After his death, Glisson was tasked with finding a buyer for the Florida property. The buyer? Charles Oliver Wellington, the head of a successful accounting firm in New York City. With the sale, Mr. Wellington inherited Glisson, and they too became fast friends.
(Above) Bink Glisson was an avid collector of Old Florida memorabilia. (Right inset) Glisson as he neared his retirement in the 1990s.
In 1951, Mr. Wellington decided that he was interested in investing in Florida land, tasking Glisson with the job of seeking out possible investment properties that he could purchase. Glisson assembled a number of parcels in central Palm Beach County and was authorized to buy the entire tract of 18,200 acres. Together, they created the Acme Drainage District in 1953, now the Acme Improvement District, to oversee drainage on the vast parcel of land so it could be used for agriculture.
Glisson would spend the next 40 years as an Acme supervisor and its executive director, overseeing the land, first for the Wellington family, then the developers interested in building on part of the site, and finally the residents of the community that took the Wellington family’s name.
Throughout the 1950s, Mr. Wellington and his family made many visits to what became known as the Flying C.O.W. Ranch (C.O.W. being Charles Oliver Wellington’s initials). Most of the land was leased to farmers for agriculture, with Glisson in charge of dayto-day operations. At one point, the Wellington family’s land could boast
that it was home to the world’s largest strawberry patch, as well as acres upon acres of flowers and other valuable crops.
In 1959, Mr. Wellington died, and ownership of the land fell to his son, Roger Wellington. However, as Florida’s population exploded and land values increased, along with a big bill for estate taxes, the decision was eventually made to sell part of the family’s large land holdings for development. Again, Glisson was crucial to the process.
Realtor Ralph McCormack, an Acme board member, put Glisson in touch with James Nall, president of the Investment Corporation of Florida (ICOF), which agreed to purchase 7,400 acres of the land for $6 million. Working with Alcoa, the Aluminum Corporation of America, a huge planned community was proposed. It was given the name Wellington, and it was approved by the Palm Beach County Commission in March 1972. To this day, it remains the largest single planned development ever approved in Palm Beach County.
Aside from his work with Wellington, Glisson was an avid collector
of Old Florida relics and a folk artist whose prolific paintings depicted Florida landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as scenes from Old Florida history. He was a proponent of preserving agricultural lands in Palm Beach County and served on several county advisory boards. When he decided to retire, there was a community celebration called “Bink Glisson Day” on Feb. 28, 1993. He is forever memorialized in the western Wellington neighborhood known as Binks Forest, along with an elementary school by the same name.
Former Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen was a personal friend of Glisson’s. They first became close working with others on a bank startup project circa 1990. While the bank was not a success, the relationship they built continued.
“We remained friends after that and had lunch frequently together,” Bowen recalled. “He was a good advisor to me, kind of like a fatherly figure. He taught me a lot about Wellington. He was more of a nuts-and-bolts guy. He taught me the whole canal system. We would tour around, and he showed me pump stations.”
Bink Glisson with Roger Wellington, son of Charles Oliver Wellington, who decided to sell some of the family’s land for development in the 1970s.
Kathy Foster, Bink Glisson and Guerry Stribling at a tree planting.
Through their conversations, Bowen learned the history of Wellington. He also heard all of Glisson’s fascinating stories from his early years. “I always loved hearing the stories, even those I had heard several times,” Bowen said. “He was just a really good guy. He was humble. He didn’t grow up with anything, and he was thankful for what he had. He was always a very giving person who supported many charities.”
Bowen assisted Glisson in a key legacy project — finding a permanent place to house his immense collection of Florida antiques and memorabilia. “He was determined to figure out someplace to put that stuff,” Bowen recalled.
After exploring options all over the county, they settled on working with the South Florida Fairgrounds.
“They were really interested in making him part of Yesteryear Village,” Bowen said. “They wanted a multipurpose building. Ultimately, he decided that was the way he wanted to go.”
That is why, nearly 25 years after Glisson’s death, his collection of Old Florida relics remains on public view at the Bink Glisson Historical Museum at Yesteryear Village.
Bowen’s work with Glisson on the project led him to support the fairgrounds. “I became involved with the fair as a result of that,” he said. “I ultimately went on that board and got involved in all kinds of different things.”
While Glisson passed away on March 14, 2000, his legacy lives on, not just in his namesake museum, but in the entire community he was instrumental in building.
“Without Bink, I don’t think there would be a Wellington,” Bowen said. “Mr. Wellington chose to buy that land, but he chose to buy it because Bink flew him over it to show it to him. They formed the Acme Improvement District, which provided the drainage to make that land usable. He also su-
“Without Bink, I don’t think there would be a Wellington. Mr. Wellington chose to buy that land, but he chose to buy it because Bink flew him over it to show it to him.”
— Darell Bowen
pervised the farming operations in the early years before it was developed.”
While the Wellington family were the investors, Glisson was the one with the vision.
“If he hadn’t been part of it, I don’t know if it ever would have been developed,” Bowen explained. “It might have remained farmland. It could have been chopped up into many different developments. Bink had the vision, and Mr. Wellington was willing to invest in it.”
Some information for this article was taken from the book “Just Call Me Bink” by Gunda P. Caldwell. Find a copy of the book to learn much more about the fascinating character who was A.W. “Bink” Glisson.
Se Habla Español
John F. Froehlich
Betty De La Rua
HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS SERVED UP FAST AT 3NATIVES
BY MATTHEW AUERBACH
3Natives Acai and Juicery, which opened last year in Wellington’s Town Square shopping plaza, specializes in smoothies and acai bowls, but also offers coffee products and a wide array of salads, wraps, toasts, coldpressed juices and more.
Everyone is looking to eat “healthy.” The definition of the word differs slightly from person to person, depending on particular tastes and favorite foods, but generally speaking, folks want to consume dishes and drinks that are fresh, clean and made from reliable sources. And if you can get them what they’ve ordered in a short amount of time, that would be even better.
That’s where 3Natives Acai and Juicery comes in.
The Calypso Bowl with Greek yogurt, granola, almond butter, banana, raspberry, blueberry, pineapple, chia seeds and hemp seeds; and the Hot & Pressed Hawaiian Wrap with chicken breast, spinach, purple cabbage, carrot, pineapple and ginger dressing. (Middle) The Chicken Caesar Wrap with chicken breast, romaine, cabbage, croutons, pico de gallo, parmesan cheese, sprouts and Caesar dressing; and the Mission Beach Bagel with tuna salad, avocado, cream cheese, tomato, cucumber and sprouts. (Bottom) The Cobb Salad with chicken breast, romaine, cabbage, cucumber, pico de gallo, hard-boiled egg, avocado, red onion, feta cheese, sprouts and balsamic vinaigrette; and the Jam Smoothie with acai, strawberry, banana, peanut butter and almond milk.
“3Natives is a Florida-born healthy restaurant chain that strives to make healthy food, fast and more convenient to enjoy,” explained Darren Jacob, franchise owner of the Wellington location, which opened in 2023. “Each member of the Wellington 3Natives team is dedicated to being knowledge about different supplements and ingredients, while serving and providing a positive environment to all customers.”
Jacob knows that these days, people are busier than ever. Whether they’re coming in for a sit-down meal or picking up something to bring back home or to the office, the quality and the timing has to be spot-on.
“More and more customers are determined to ‘go healthy’ these days, even when they grab and go,” Jacob said. “At 3Natives, we work with local suppliers to ensure that we are only using the freshest fruit and vegetables available, and our recipes are created to showcase the flavors of these sourced items. We work hard so our customers can reap the benefits.”
The menu is ample, and includes smoothies, salads, wraps, toasts, coldpressed juices and, in his own opinion, “the best acai bowls around.”
“Our most popular items are some of our classics,” Jacob said. “From our acai bowls, there’s the Chronic Bowl (acai, granola, banana, strawberry, kiwi, pineapple, coconut shavings and honey) and the Local Bowl (acai, granola, banana, strawberry, blueberry and
honey). Out of our dozen smoothies, the Chuck Norris (strawberry, banana, peanut butter, chocolate protein and almond milk) is a good pre- or postworkout out smoothie to fuel you up or help you recover, and our All Hopped Up (coffee, banana, almond butter and chocolate protein) features an in-house cold brew.”
If you’re looking for something to seriously chew, 3Natives also has you covered.
“Our Chicken Caesar Wrap (chicken breast, romaine, cabbage, croutons, pico de gallo, Parmesan cheese, sprouts and Caesar dressing) or Thai Chicken Wrap (chicken breast, romaine, cabbage, carrot, pineapple, sprout and ginger dressing) is guaranteed to satisfy,” Jacob said.
From the salads, he recommends the Cobb with chicken breast, romaine, cabbage, cucumber, pico de gallo, hard-boiled egg, avocado, red onion, feta cheese, sprouts and balsamic vinaigrette.
“Everyone loves our Protein Toast, which is an elevated Avocado Toast,” Jacob said. “For breakfast, I would recommend the Breakfast Burrito, hot and pressed with chicken breast, hardboiled egg, pico, corn salsa, Kerry Gold cheese, cayenne pepper and avocado ranch dressing.”
The diverse menu is basically consistent at the various 3Natives locations across South Florida, but the Wellington location does offer a few items that aren’t available in most other stores.
“The Wellington location is one of the few stores that also offers espressobased beverages, such as lattes and cappuccinos, using locally roasted coffee, and we also are one of the only stores that offers fresh-pressed wheatgrass,” Jacob said.
3Natives knows that many local residents are already into living a healthier existence and are aware of the kinds of foods they’re looking for.
(Top)
The Buffalo Chicken Wrap, with the Kado’s Kolada Smoothie and the Chronic Acai Bowl.
The Estes Bowl
Acai, granola, peanut butter, strawberry, green apple, chocolatecovered almonds and honey.
(Top row) The Hot & Pressed Breakfast Burrito with chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, pico, corn salsa, Kerry Gold cheese, cayenne pepper and avocado ranch dressing; and the California Bagel with avocado, cream cheese, tomato, cucumber and sprouts. (Second row) The Hot & Pressed Tuna Melt with multigrain bread, tuna salad, spinach, tomato and Kerry Gold cheese; the Avocado Toast with avocado, mango, cayenne pepper and sprouts; and the Chicken Salad Wrap with chicken salad, romaine, cabbage, carrot, red pepper, cucumber, pico de gallo, sprouts and balsamic dressing. (Third row) The Buffalo Chicken Salad with chicken breast, romaine, carrot, cucumber, sprouts and Buffalo blue cheese dressing; the JB Bowl with acai, granola, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, pineapple, strawberry, coconut shavings and hemp seeds; the V.O.T. Bowl with acai, granola, raspberry, mango, kiwi, hemp seeds and coconut shavings; and the Tuna Salad with tuna salad, romaine, cabbage, carrot, red pepper, cucumber, pico de gallo, sprouts and balsamic dressing. (Bottom row) A variety of juices and shots, including the Lean N’ Green with kale, pineapple, pear and lime, the Beet with beet, orange, apple and carrot, the Turmeric Shot with turmeric and lemon, the Ginger Shot, and Blue Lemonade with lemon, raw sugar, blue spirulina and water; and a variety of smoothies, including the Berry Natural with acai, strawberry, banana, blueberry, raspberry and coconut water; Spin My Avocado with avocado, strawberry, banana, pineapple, spinach, honey and almond milk; All Hopped Up with coffee, banana, almond butter and chocolate protein; and the Sunrise with Greek yogurt, banana, pineapple, mango, vanilla protein and almond milk.
They’re also committed to helping those who are new to the lifestyle.
“We only use fresh fruits and vegetables, our chicken is raised without antibiotics, and we try to make everything in-house whenever possible,” Jacob said. “Our smoothies and acai bowls are perfect options for parents looking to introduce more healthy food options to their children.”
The name 3Natives refers to the three native Floridians who started the organization, which has since expanded to dozens of locations, mostly in Florida, but also in four other states.
“They were high school friends who were born and raised in Tequesta around the sun and the surf,” Jacob said of the founders. “The menu was inspired by their healthy and active lifestyle. It was fresh juices to start their day, followed by simple and fresh food options.”
He has wanted to bring the 3Natives concept to Wellington for years.
“After opening my first location
in West Palm Beach back in 2020, I knew my next location must be in Wellington,” Jacob said. “There is a different vibe and energy in Wellington. You have a beautiful mix of people: locals, equestrians, students, tourists and industry leaders.”
3Natives in Wellington is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. It is located in Wellington’s Town Square shopping plaza at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 8. For more info., call (561) 360-2385 or visit www.3natives.com
The Strawnana Smoothie Strawberry, banana and almond milk.
ANNOUNCING The Keyes Family of Companies - Keyes, Platinum Properties, and Illustrated Properties - are now the EXCLUSIVE members of the Forbes Global Properties network for all of Southeast Florida - Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County.
This network provides substantial value and access to the wealthiest individuals in the world in an environment that already draws attention. With Luxury Portfolio International & Forbes Global Properties, no other broker in South Florida has the level of reach that Keyes offers the affluent consumer.
• Exceptional Global Brand representing quality, innovation, influence, and success
• Connection to 150 million unique visitors on Forbes’ digital platforms
• Unsurpassed Listing Exposure
• Residential listings priced $2,000,000+ will syndicate automatically to ForbesGlobalProperties.com.
Andrew Burr, Broker Associate
Andrew Burr Group At Keyes Company
9 AM
Wellington Village Park 11700 Pierson Rd.
Participate in the Wellington Rotary Ruck
March & Food Drive, a unique, one-of-a-kind event benefiting youth programs, veterans, and scholarships. Food donations benefit the Village of Wellington’s Annual Holiday Food Drive.
□ Register for the 2K or 5K course (walk or run)
• Individual or 4-person Ruck Team
• Participate with backpack filled with unopened, non-perishable food items
• Trophies and medallions awarded
□ Sponsor — options from $500 to $5,000
□ Open to all ages. Come out and have fun — Food trucks, music, root for your friend or favorite team.
□ US Marine Corps Birthday Celebration
□ Can’t make it?........Donate!
Spectators are also encouraged to donate food for Wellington’s Food Drive!
Questions— wellrotary1@gmail.com
Note—Pets not allowed in park
AN EVENT SPONSORED BY SCAN TO REGISTER, DONATE, MORE INFO:
Who are we?
Join Our team Join Our team
We are looking to grow our amazing team of professionals.
Boynton Financial Group, Inc. is a premier financial services practice located in Wellington, Florida. Since 1997, we have committed ourselves to fostering long-term, multi-generational relationships built on loyalty, trust, and confidence. Our highly collaborative team has an unwavering commitment to quality, details, and follow-up. With this attentive and clientcentric approach, we provide exceptional service, going above and beyond to exceed our client expectations.
Why are we advertising?
We desire to grow locally, if possible! While industry experience is helpful, we believe the character of a person, their natural curiosity, eagerness to help, organizational skills, flexibility, and willingness to learn is paramount. Accordingly, we will consider someone re-entering the workforce or changing careers.
What roles are we considering? Our team works in-person, in-office.
• Registered Client Service Associate / Paraplanner
• Executive Assistant to Managing Partners
For Information:
Inquiries & resumes to: BFGTeam@RaymondJames.com
Job Description details: www.linkedin.com/company/boyntonfinancialgroup/jobs
We look forward to hearing from you!
