Town-Crier Newspaper March 21, 2025

INAUGURAL TASTE & TOAST EVENT

Gourmet Mushroom Farm Funds Rare Fruit Experiment

Did you know that the common banana might go extinct? The species faces a serious threat from a fungal ailment called Panama disease, which could lead to its extinction. Other familiar fruit crops could face a similar threat. But Loxahatchee farm owner Troy Schick may have the solution. Page 7

Wellington Spotlights Mental Health At Women’s ‘Tea Talk’

The Village of Wellington held its third annual Women’s History Month “Tea Talk” on Friday, March 14 at the Wellington Community Center to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in Wellington and beyond. The afternoon featured traditional tea and delightful light bites at an event that highlighted the important topic of mental health for women and teens. Page 16

Friday, March

Hmara, Sharps Win Seats In Royal Palm Beach Election

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

Jeff Hmara, who has been serving as mayor of Royal Palm Beach since the unexpected passing of former Mayor Fred Pinto last September, was elected to the position by village voters Tuesday, March 11.

Hmara garnered 1,498 votes (58.33 percent), while Vice Mayor Selena Samios took 928 votes (36.14 percent). Candidate Justin Plaza got 142 votes (5.53 percent).

Hmara claimed a one-year term to fill the unexpired portion of Pinto’s term.

“I am honored to be able to continue to serve as the mayor,” Hmara said after his election victory. “I am grateful not just for my supporters, but to all of the voters who came out to express their desires and opinions, so we can work together for the greater good of Royal Palm Beach.”

In the race for the Group 3 council seat, Sylvia Sharps narrowly claimed victory with 984

votes (40.31 percent), leading Steve Avila with 965 votes (39.53 percent) — a 19-vote margin of victory. Fred Pinto’s widow, Donielle Pinto, placed third with 492 votes (20.16 percent).

“Thank you for your trust in me, your belief in me and honoring me with your vote. I promised that I would be a representative of the people, and I will do just that,” Sharps said, inviting residents to call her if they need anything.

Hmara and Sharps were set to take the oath of office Thursday, March 20 during the village’s annual reorganizational meeting.

Hmara met with supporters after the polls closed at the Royal Palm Brewing Company. He said that it is now time to get to work.

“That is what I am doing,” he said. “We will have a new village council with two brand-new council members and a newly elected mayor. That is a substantial change, and an opportunity to continue those things that are really sound and making changes with

fresh eyes and fresh leadership.”

Hmara believes that his many years of community service gave him the edge in the election.

“I think a lot of the voters know me and [my wife] Carolyn because we spend a tremendous amount of time out in the community listening to people,” he said. “We put forward a vision that makes sense to most community members and something we can actually achieve.”

This will require working with other people and other government entities. “It is always about relationships,” Hmara added. “I know the power of trust.”

His first goal is for the new council to “come together around a strategic planning activity and come to a common vision and direction.”

“I am excited about having the new members to bring us together in a new way,” Hmara said. His priorities remain dealing with the village’s traffic woes

Wellington Council Moves Forward With Lake Worth Road Roundabout

By Charles Elmore

in that range. A five-entrance option could, for example, connect 40th Street South, which leads mostly to horse farms, directly to the circle.

“We have the [grant] application See ROUNDABOUT, page 14

ITID Board Supports ‘Day Pass’ Plan To Use Some Park Fields

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 at a meeting Tuesday, March 18 to establish a permitting procedure for anyone wishing to use the ball fields at Acreage Community Park North. It came as part of a package of changes to the district’s Parks & Recreation Policy recommended by staff.

ITID President Elizabeth Accomando, who voted with Supervisor Betty Argue and Supervisor Michael Johnson to support the change, pointed out that the “day pass” will be free and available online and will involve only the playing fields at Acreage Community Park North.

“You’ll be able to do it from your [cell] phone,” ITID Parks & Recreation Director Kenneth

In the early 1990s, when Robert Sandt first trekked through the palmetto scrub of what is now part of the western communities, he was hunting hogs and a good time with his buddies. Today, Sandt is here hunting lawbreakers as the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office captain overseeing District 15 (Acreage/Loxahatchee), District 17 (Loxahatchee Groves) and District 18 (Westlake). Based out of Royal Palm Beach, Sandt’s command includes a large swath of the western communities. He took formal command on Feb. 12, replacing Capt. Craig Turner, who was shifted to District 16 in the City of Greenacres. “One of the guys took me out [to The Acreage] and I was like, ‘Oh, my God. This is crazy.’ It was so See

Lawrence said on Wednesday.

No permit will be necessary to access the park itself, or for individual, family or small group athletic use at Acreage Community Park South or ITID’s nine other parks.

The change was requested to protect the fields from overuse and to avoid possible confrontations between park staff and non-permitted individuals or groups trying to use the facilities, ITID Executive Director Burgess Hanson said.

Acreage Community Park North underwent a 10-month, $850,000 renovation before reopening in March 2023. It has three football fields and four baseball/softball fields.

“I’m not down with a permitteduse-only facility,” said Supervisor Richard Vassalotti, who joined with Supervisor Patricia Farrell in voting against the idea. “As

I’ve said before, this is Acreage Community Park, not Acreage Permit Park, not Acreage Athletic League Park.”

The Acreage Athletic League is the longtime youth sports provider for the area that now operates under a nonprofit athletic user agreement with ITID. As such, it has priority scheduling for all fields.

Vassalotti suggested that three of the four baseball/softball fields be set aside for use by the AAL or other organized sports teams or leagues, while one is reserved for casual play, such as a father wanting to toss a baseball with his son, friends wanting to “shag flies” together or toss a football around.

Aside from excessive wear on the fields, Hanson said having un-permitted fields puts park staff in an untenable position trying to determine who is merely a dad,

See DAY PASS, page 14

Paul Coleman Wins Seat On Groves Town Council

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

In the three-way race for Seat 4 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, candidate Paul T. Coleman II was the clear choice of the voters, winning a three-year term at the election held on Tuesday, March 11. Coleman took 227 votes (64.12 percent), while Brian William Zdunowski was second with 70 votes (19.77 percent), and Steven Hoffman was third with 57 votes (16.19 percent). A resident of Loxahatchee Groves for 48 years, Coleman moved to the community as a child with his family. He currently works as a senior structural building inspector for Palm Beach County.

This was his second attempt at local office. He narrowly lost to incumbent Robert Shorr three years ago. On Tuesday, March 18, he replaced Shorr on the dais. Coleman believes that voters chose him because of his “history in the town and my years of dedication to preserve our way of life.” His top goal now that he has secured a seat on the council will be to work together to move the community forward.

“We

New PBSO Captain For Acreage, Groves & Westlake

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

wide open. There was nothing,” recalled Sandt, a New York native, of his first visit to the area all those years ago. “And I didn’t like tromping around, chasing after a hog all day long. I quickly realized this was a different lifestyle that people wanted to live, with their dune buggies and ATVs and everything else that goes with that.”

“Snapshot, fast forward,” said Sandt to The Acreage of today, where some 45,000 people live on 17,000 lots spread over 110 square miles. In the middle of that is the fast-growing planned community of Westlake. “That whole [rural] lifestyle is being squeezed. The criminals begin to see a lot more opportunities out here.”

That’s where his job with the PBSO comes in.

“My job as commander of this district is to really understand

Staff Report

On

7, the Village of Wellington partnered with the Mall at Wellington Green and Star Wine & Spirits to host the inaugural Taste & Toast event. The outdoor event near the main entrance to the mall featured more than 60 vendors on hand offering spirits, wine, food and desserts. Taste & Toast raised money for those affected locally by the October tornado. Shown above, Sharon Will, Julie Schalm and Jennifer Fortin enjoy the evening. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5

The Village of Royal Palm Beach hosted its annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday, March 15 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center with a “Disney Sing-Along” theme. Family couples danced the night away and even had a chance to sing on stage. Shown above are Mitchell and Viviana Longley with Mila and Mike McKeehan. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 18

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTO BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER

Robert Sandt in

Two New Members Take Seats On Loxahatchee Groves Council

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

On Tuesday, March 18, two new members took their seats on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council during a meeting that also featured a “State of the Town” address by Mayor Anita Kane.

At the meeting, the council accepted a report from Town Clerk Valerie Oakes summarizing the results of the Tuesday, March 11 election, in which Paul T. Coleman II won the race for Seat 4.

After the election report, Coleman took his seat on the council, as did Lisa El-Ramey, who was unopposed for Seat 2. The town then thanked former council members Robert Shorr and Laura Danowski for their six years of service. After the new council was seated, Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia made a motion to appoint Kane to serve as mayor for a second year. The motion passed 4-1 with El-Ramey opposed. A motion to keep Marge Herzog as vice mayor for another year passed unanimously.

At the start of the meeting, Kane gave a 20-minute address summarizing all the work that has been done over the past year. “I want everybody to be aware of the really great things that we’ve done,” she explained. Kane said that the town is looking for solutions to move forward.

“Over the years, we’ve faced many challenges — from signifi-

cant storm activity to the complexities of growth and development,” she said. “Through every challenge, our community has stood firm in one belief: that preserving the rural character of Loxahatchee Groves is not just a goal — it is who we are.”

She called for a new “community visioning session” in June of this year to create actionable plans for the future.

“We know what we don’t want. We don’t want unchecked growth that erodes our rural lifestyle. We don’t want decisions that compromise our unique landscapes or community traditions. But simply knowing what we don’t want is no longer enough,” Kane said.

She summarized a number of key projects that have moved forward over the past year, including getting a “rural area designation” from the state, which will protect the town’s rural lifestyle and also provide regulatory protections and financial benefits. The town has also initiated a comprehensive update to its water control plan.

“This update will be the driving force for future funding strategies, including grants, as well as costsharing partnerships with other agencies, as well as property owners,” Kane explained.

There is also a “vulnerability assessment” underway that will hopefully lead to more grants in the future.

Other initiatives include the

adoption of rural roadway standards and a comprehensive update to the town’s “Rural Vista Guidelines,” with the goal of incorporating them into the town’s uniform land development code (ULDC).

Over the past year, the town has also begun implementation of a new RV registration program, design work for trails along major roadways to enhance connectivity and safety, and a new town-wide signage program. “These efforts reinforce our commitment to improving road safety, enhancing visibility and ensuring our rural infrastructure meets the needs of our growing community,” Kane said.

Yet there is much more work to be done, as shown in the adoption of a capital improvement plan noting the town’s known infrastructure needs, which includes $80 million for complete canal bank restoration and stabilization, as well as approximately $23 million for other drainage, roads and public works needs.

“These are some big numbers, and that is why we are pushing for grants everywhere we can,” she said, noting that the town currently has applications in totaling more than $15 million, along with seven other grant submissions coming up totaling nearly $93 million.

Kane said that one key initiative over the past year has been “elevating our voice and visibility through strategic advocacy,” which includes working with a lobbyist.

“It is no longer just about seeking funding — it’s about ensuring that Loxahatchee Groves is being heard,” Kane said. “Our concerns and priorities are now recognized by legislative and regulatory agencies at both the state and local levels.”

She is also proud of the work that has been done on the town’s comprehensive plan.

“A major milestone over the past year was the adoption of our comprehensive plan, which sets the framework for how we preserve our rural character, support sustainable development, and protect natural resources,” Kane said.

Next, the town must work to streamline and update the ULDC to “align with the adopted comp plan and reflect the goals and priorities of our town,” she said.

She is also proud of work underway to create an “SR 80 rural recreational and business corridor” designed to create buffers that protect the town’s rural, agricultural and equestrian lifestyle.

A major focus of the past year has been on strengthening town operations, staff and services.

“We value the concept of ‘government lite’ — a model that emphasizes efficiency and costeffectiveness,” Kane said. “But let me be clear, ‘government lite’ does not mean understaffing. It means having the right people, the right expertise and the right contracts to get the job done well.”

This has led the town to switch to in-house building and code enforcement, a revamping of public works and improvements to emergency management operations.

“My message tonight is a call to action,” Kane said. “We have made significant progress, but there is more to be done. We cannot afford to keep stopping short of action. We cannot keep building plans only to leave them on a shelf. We cannot settle for almost.”

In concluding her message, Kane called for community-wide engagement leading to actionable plans with transparency and accountability.

“We are not a community that backs away from challenges,” she said. “We are a community that meets them head-on. Together, we will take the steps necessary to build a stronger, more resilient and sustainable Loxahatchee Groves.”

Wellington Committee Learns About Growing Danger Of ‘E-Bikes’

By Charles Elmore Town-Crier Staff Report

More than a dozen arrests in Wellington, and multiple deaths including one this month in Jupiter, are turning the spotlight on an exploding profusion of small electric vehicles, including bicycles, scooters and motorcycles, increasingly falling under the handlebar grip of young teenagers.

Wellington’s Public Safety Committee, meeting on Tuesday, March 11, learned the details of an operation to crack down on illegal street and sidewalk use of “emoto” vehicles, motorcycles that sometimes get loosely lumped in with “e-bike” in popular discourse.

“We’ve arrested 15 kids,” Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matthew DeJoy said. “The reason we went so severe is we don’t want another kid injured or dead.”

Concerns are already rising about electric bicycles, where a motor aids pedaling and can achieve speeds of 20 mph, 28 mph or more, depending on various configurations and modifications. That’s considerably faster than human feet typically can go it alone.

A sixth grader died in Jupiter this month riding such an “e-bike,” and days later, a North Naples 14-yearold died after his e-bike was hit by a car in his neighborhood, according to published reports.

Now add to this picture electric motorcycles, which can achieve highway speeds, yet are evidently being treated by some families as an appropriate way for students to get around on streets and sidewalks.

“They were doing 70 mph in these things,” DeJoy said. “No helmets, most of them.”

That’s not legal, he said.

“It is a criminal offense to ride an unregistered motor vehicle on sidewalks and on the roadway,” DeJoy said.

An educational program at local schools was designed to spread the word, but when that didn’t seem to get everyone’s attention, it was followed by a crackdown.

That has not stopped every case of unauthorized use of electric motorcycles, but it has decreased their appearances at local schools, DeJoy said.

The profusion of various kinds of e-vehicles in the marketplace in recent years means state and local regulations and enforcement often have trouble keeping up.

The category can include electronic bikes, scooters, skateboards and motorcycles, sometimes grouped together under the term

“micromobility.” Costs are coming down, making them more accessible to more people, said Brian Ruscher, deputy director of multimodal matters for the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency.

The lower-speed forms of ebikes are generally allowed almost everywhere — roadways, bike lanes, trails, multi-use paths and sidewalks, he said.

Safety officials recommend helmets for all, but they are legally required for riders under 16.

Still, look up “e-bikes” on search engines and prepare for a dizzying array of options generated under that heading.

“It’s very ambiguous, which I think is one of the main dangers around these vehicles,” Ruscher told the Wellington committee. Some e-bikes have strong safety features, such as brake lights and

turn signals, but others do not.

At least 130 incidents of traumatic injury have occurred in Palm Beach County in recent years associated with electric bikes and scooters, Ruscher said, citing health agency data.

U.S. emergency room visits connected to micromobility vehicles more than doubled from 34,000 in 2017 to 87,800 in 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

March is Florida Bicycle Month, so it’s a timely moment to keep this information in mind, Ruscher said.

“Very informative,” Committee Chair Michael Weil said.

The Village of Wellington maintains an e-bike web page that tries to draw distinctions between e-bikes, e-moto, and the laws and safety recommendations at issue.

To learn more about e-bikes, vis-

TaKe Action to KeepYour Colon Healthy

Are you at risk?

If you have a history of colon polyps, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colon/rectal cancer, you may be at increased risk. Diets high in red meat or processed meats, low-fiber diets, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use can also contribute to the chance of developing colon cancer.

Know the symptoms

Early colon cancer usually has no symptoms, which is why screening is very important. However, as the tumor grows, symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Change in bowel habits

• Weight loss

Who should be screened?

• Abdominal distention

• Nausea and vomiting

• Most patients should get their screening colonoscopy when they turn 45. However, because African Americans have a 20 percent higher incidence rate, initial screening is recommended at age 40.

• If you have a family history of colon cancer in first-degree relatives, it is recommended to start 10 years younger than the age of diagnosis or age 35, whichever is earlier.

• People who are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.

• For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.

it www.wellingtonfl.gov/2306/ebike-safety. Meanwhile, a report from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue officials serving Wellington noted that the number of service calls are rising during the winter season with its influx of residents, but response times are down.

For example, that meant 72 more calls for a total of 1,825 in the three months ending March 10, compared to the previous three months.

The majority of those responses were medical calls, about 72 percent, followed by alarms and vehicle accidents combining for more than 20 percent. Fires represented 23 calls, or 1.26 percent. Response times averaged six minutes, 39 seconds, about 10 seconds lower than the previous three months.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third-most-common cancer in both men and women in the United States, and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It was expected to cause more than 52,000 deaths in 2023.

New Loxahatchee Groves Town Council — (Front row) Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia and Councilman Paul Coleman; and (back row) Councilwoman Lisa El-Ramey, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog and Mayor Anita Kane. PHOTO BY JOSHUA MANNING/TOWN-CRIER

Indian Trail Board Passes Conduct Code After February Fracas

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

After a particularly intense dust-up between members of the Indian Trail Improvement Board of Supervisors on Wednesday, Feb. 19, a special meeting was called for Monday, March 10 to consider a “code of conduct” for board members. It was approved 5-0. Now the dust has settled. Maybe. “I don’t think anything is going to change,” Supervisor Richard Vassalotti said this week. “It’s not just the board members. There’re half a dozen people who like to come in and cause a ruckus.”

“I hope all the board members are respectful of one another,” Supervisor Patricia Farrell said. “Time will tell.”

“There was an effort to take away some people’s voices,” added three-term Supervisor Betty Argue, who was at the center of the exchange that led to the special meeting. “I’m not going to have my voice silenced.”

The code passed by the board is a set of general principles encouraging respectful interaction among board members and with staff and the public, whether during an ITID board meeting or at district-related functions.

Consequences for violating

the code could include a verbal reprimand, removal of that person from a board office — such as treasurer — or termination of one or more board assignments, such as ITID’s representative to various county, regional or state boards/ organizations.

Supervisors do not have the power to vote someone off the ITID board.

The code does not appear to have any real teeth,” Vassalotti said. “I feel like our hands are tied.”

However, when Farrell attempted to put some bite in the resolution, making a motion that Argue be stripped of her role as ITID

secretary, a second failed to materialize.

“I can’t predict the future,” ITID

President Elizabeth Accomando said this week, “but I like to think we’ll be accountable for our actions and words… We’re supposed to be the leaders. The way we conduct ourselves reflects on the staff and the community.”

While not part of the official code, Accomando also encouraged board members to be circumspect in posting to social media — which has become “its own monster” — and importuning others to do so.

When Farrell echoed those thoughts at a meeting Tuesday,

March 18, however, she got immediate pushback from Argue, who said, “I don’t really think what I say on my personal page or in my private groups has anything to do with the district, and this board doesn’t have any authority to be governing that or trying to.”

During the March 10 special meeting, Argue said she left the Feb. 19 session not out of anger but because she was having a “medical episode.” She later rejoined the meeting via Zoom.

Argue attempted to frame the argument in First Amendment terms regarding free speech for her and the public. “I was elected to represent the

people of this community, and I’m going to do that whether some people like it or not,” she said. “I don’t think trying to muffle the public is a good look for us. People have a First Amendment right to speak, just as I do.”

Others on the board do not see it as a First Amendment issue.

“I don’t think anyone is trying to step on anyone’s First Amendment rights,” Farrell said. “All any of us is asking is to be treated with respect.”

RPBHS Principal Reports On Plan To Enhance Student Success

By Christopher Vargas Town-Crier Staff Report

Royal Palm Beach High School has made significant strides in enhancing its academic programs, clubs and career academies, thanks to the leadership of Principal Dr. Shakeica Robinson, who assumed her role in early June 2024. Robinson, alongside students from the school’s various career academies and clubs, presented updates and a new strategic plan at the Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board meeting on Monday, March 10, highlighted the school’s ongoing efforts to elevate its educational offerings and drive future success.

“Tonight, I’m going to present and showcase some of the great things that have been happening at Royal Palm Beach High School this year,” Robinson said. “In attendance, I have our JROTC cadets. I have students from our HVAC program, our IB program and our Latinos In Action, so at the end of the presentation, they will provide you with some testimonials and share how our academies, clubs and organizations have impacted their high school career.”

Robinson started off by outlining the mission and goals that RPBHS is prioritizing. The school is taking pride in addressing the holistic needs of every student by focusing on three key objectives: “a safe, respectable, socially just environment; rigorous academics with personalized learning; and a variety of extracurricular activities.”

The school has approximately 2,320 enrolled students, representing a rich diversity of backgrounds and races. Taking into account the data pulled from the two previous school years, Robinson is focusing on raising the school’s grade from a C to a B, which RPBHS narrowly missed last year. In doing so, she is adding and replacing more advanced and accelerated classes. Dual enrollment has also started being offered at RPBHS during this current semester. Career and choice acad-

emy programs that are available to the students are the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC-R) Academy, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Medical Sciences, Navy JROTC and a STEM Academy.

Since last year, there was a significant increase in students enrolling in AICE programs. With this in mind, Robinson has formed an ideal tactic to increase the success rates.

“Last year, we were at 2,601 exams that we registered students for,” Robinson said. “This year, we are over 3,000 AICE exams that our students are registered to participate in. Our success rate has been at about 40 percent every year, so we’re definitely hoping to increase that. Our goal is to get to about 70 percent, so that we can really see those increases in our accelerated accountability cell.”

Her other plans include looking at an increase in AICE diplomas once other career programs are introduced, and an alignment of the AICE and IB programs.

After Robinson’s presentation, students representing the diverse programs and academies offered at RPBHS were given a chance to express how the programs have affected their educational journeys.

“The staff is very willing to help and accommodate in almost any manner possible to help me get my job. I work for Palm Beach County’s facility development and operations. It’s a very good course,” said Stephen Leach, representing the HVAC-R Academy. Isabella Lopez-Merlos and Sydnei Borges spoke on behalf of the IB Program. They like how it works within the larger school community.

“They also encourage you to be an individual outside of your academy,” Borges said. “We can go outside and be creative, be part of the community, get some activity in while also being integrated into the academy, and I think that’s very important because I don’t

want to be sitting in my room all day studying.”

Jada Castro and Ashley Caminero represented the program Latinos In Action, which focuses on helping students of Hispanic or Latino descent with their education and cultural appreciation.

“We give all of the Latino youth at Royal Palm Beach High School a place to feel safe, ask for help and know they are more than welcome to grow with us,” Castro said.

Adrianna Waithe spoke on behalf of the Marketing and Entrepreneurship Academy.

“The Marketing and Entrepreneurship Academy is a direct

lifeline to our DECA chapter,” she said. “DECA is one of the biggest clubs in our school, and it is an international organization that has to do with marketing, entrepreneurship, business management, finance, and hospitality and tourism.”

DECA provides a competition outlet for students with an eye toward entrepreneurship, she said.

Jaina Smith spoke on behalf of the Medical Sciences Academy.

“The Medical Sciences Academy has really helped me because I’m able to early admit, even though I am in high school for four years because you are considered

a completer after three years, and I’ve earned my CPR certification, and I hope to earn my CMAA, or my certified medical administrative assistant certification,” said Smith, who is also involved in HOSA, a group for future healthcare professionals.

Cadet Lt. Commander Ramemsha Georges was part of a delegation representing the JROTC program.

“Going into the program has really changed my life for the better,” she said. “I have become more confident. My leadership skills are to the roof. I’m a lot more confident not only in my leadership

skills, but in the people around me as well. And it has really presented me with an opportunity to be a leader not only for myself but for the people around me.”

Mayor Jeff Hmara, who serves as the liaison to the Education Advisory Board, thanked Robinson and the students for their presentations. “I want to congratulate Dr. Robinson and the school for the amazing things that they’re doing right now,” he said. “This is the kind of energy that says it’s going in the right direction, and it’s likely to be highly successful in a lot of ways that you all can’t even realize yet.”

“It’s unfortunate we had to adopt this policy at all,” Accomando added. “I hope it never happens again. But if does, we’re going to address it immediately.” RPB Election Hmara And Sharps The Winners

continued from page 1 through a coherent traffic master plan as a collaborative effort and doing more to support village schools.

Hmara is also looking forward to the upcoming expansion and refurbishment of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center.

“It has been in need of a facelift and makeover for a long time,” he

“Our Education Advisory Board has done some great things in bringing together our schools with the village,” Hmara said. “We accept responsibility for that, even if we have limited ability to influence the school district.” He aims to bring more educational initiatives and help all village schools improve their ratings.

said, adding that the expansion will allow for more senior programs, as well as programs for all residents.

Hmara noted that there are also challenges ahead.

“The penny sales tax will expire soon,” he said. “We have done a great job of creating a financially sound foundation for Royal Palm Beach. It will be a challenge moving forward without that revenue source, but we’ve gotten the majority of our capital improvement needs out of the way.”

Looking back on the election, Hmara is very pleased by the support he found across the community.

“What pleased me to no end was the visible support,” he said. “As busy as people are these days, that is pretty extraordinary.”

Sharps gathered with her supporters on election night at Duffy’s in the Crestwood Square shopping plaza. She was honored to be the top choice of voters in the threeway race.

“I believe that people see my sincerity, and they know and respect my background and what I have done,” Sharps said. “They have given me the opportunity to prove what I said I would do, which is to be a representative of the people.”

Within days of the election, Sharps has already met with village officials to begin to get herself up to speed.

“I have already been given my books to read,” she said. “First and foremost, I want to get to know my fellow representatives better and find out where their heads are at.”

She also wants to “get together with the group studying traffic issues and learn more about the recreation center project to see if it can be accelerated.”

Beyond that, Sharps wants to continue meeting with constituents and talk to the village’s volunteer committee members to find out more about what they want.

She will also be reviewing the

village budget to “determine if anything is needed by the residents that is not there, or if I have any ideas that may make the budget more effective.”

Salutatorian Sydnei Borges and valedictorian Isabella Lopez-Merlos with Principal Dr. Shakeica Robinson.

Latinos in Action President Jada Castro and Vice President Ashley Caminero with DECA President Adrianna Waithe and HOSA Treasurer Jaina Smith. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Dr. Shakeica Robinson, HVAC-R program completers Stephen Leach and Jayden Tifa with instructor Patrick Raney.

Principal Dr. Shakeica Robinson with JROTC representatives Mark Villeda, Caitlyn Johnson, Ramemsha Georges and Lee Elliott.

Leonard Johnson, Sylvia Sharps and Carleton Williams celebrate Sharps’ victory at Duffy’s in RPB.

Above all, she is humbled by the entire experience. “I am here now, and I will do the best job that I possibly can,” Sharps said.

Councilman Richard Valuntas, Carolyn and Mayor Jeff Hmara and Councilman Dr. Adam Miller. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Jeff Hmara celebrates with supporters at the Royal Palm Brewing Company after the election results were released.

Larry Falk, Councilwoman Maria Antuña, Barry Manning, Akash Patel of sponsor Star Wine & Spirits, Mayor Michael Napoleone, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind and Wellington Rotary President Walter Imperatore. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

The team from Lemongrass Asian Bistro offers delicious bites.

Ashley Ortega of Mission BBQ serves food to attendees.

Deva Sackl and Ashley Rose pour tequila samples. Jacob Kottler and Catie DeCosmo enjoy the evening at Taste & Toast. Barry Manning with Amit and Priti Patel of event sponsor Star Wine & Spirits.

Judy Berens of Panther Ridge displays some of the many big cats housed at the conservation center.

Karine Marques serves up some samples of whiskey and bourbon.

Sharon Will, Julie Schalm and Jennifer Fortin.

Robert Miller of Piquant Cuisine serves up Jamaican favorites.

Marie Sanches tries some of the samples

desserts from TooJay’s.

Sabor Latino owner Cesar Perez with staff members. Jennifer Picciolo, Eileen Panczyszyn

SATURDAY | MAY 3 | 3:00 PM

Get ready to experience the excitement, style, and grace of the Derby Race Day like never before at Wellington’s Premier Derby Celebration returning again to the exquisite Diamante Farms! Immerse yourself in the splendor of horse racing culture and the charm of Southern sophistication at this unforgettable event.

Slip into your most elegant attire, crown the day with your fanciest hat, and prepare to root for your top pick in an atmosphere buzzing with anticipation and festivity. This is more than an event; it’s an opportunity to make a difference. Proceeds will benefit the Wellington Community Foundation, supporting vital initiatives close to home.

Treat your palate to an exquisite culinary adventure crafted by the talented Executive Chefs. Savor delectable dishes while sipping signature beverages,including the quintessential mint juleps, as the excitement builds.

Whether you’re a racing aficionado or simply looking for a lively evening filled with good company and great entertainment, this celebration will leave you inspired and uplifted.

Mark your calendars, saddle up, and join us for an evening of elegance, gastronomy, and philanthropy. Together, let’s make this Derby Party another resounding success and continue to support the heart of our community.

Get ready for an unforgettable night of racing, revelry, and giving back—where every moment is a winner.

Local Gourmet Mushroom Farm Funds Rare Fruit Experiment

By Denis Eirikis Town-Crier Staff Report

Did you know that the common banana might go extinct? While humans currently eat about 150 Cavendish bananas a year, the species faces a serious threat from a fungal ailment called Panama disease, which could lead to its extinction. Other familiar fruit crops could face a similar threat.

Food historians may someday point to the Loxahatchee area as the source of a solution. Troy Schick, an environmental engineer by day, and Renaissance Man by night, has launched a massive experiment involving thousands of rare and unusual fruit trees. The effort is expensive, so Schick

also launched Cap Country Mushrooms, where wholesale sales of lion’s mane, blue oyster and chestnut gourmet mushrooms fund the fruit tree experiment.

“Our sources of fruit are always under attack. Citrus canker, avocado floral wilt and lychee mites are just a few of the local threats,” said Schick, who moved to the area from Broward County so that he could have five acres to run his experiments. “We are looking for the fruit trees of the future. This is a multigenerational experiment where it might take decades to find the right strains of the right crops for a sustainable future.”

A licensed professional engineer, Schick’s fruit nursery more

resembles an overgrown jungle than a neatly cultivated fruit orchard.

“We are looking for sustainable farming that doesn’t involves clear cutting, then planting clones. Our approach is natural and sustainable,” said Schick, who embraces “syntropic farming,” which is a regenerative agricultural method that mimics natural forest ecosystems to create productive and resilient food systems, emphasizing ecological succession and diverse plant communities.

Schick is animated and passionate as he discusses the advantages.

“Imagine a barrel of warm water in a cold forest. You can easily imagine how at night, the barrels of warm water would help keep adjoining plants warmer at night. The same principle is at play here with nearby plants keeping our young fruit trees warm during cold spells,” he said.

Schick is all about sustainability, environmentalism and conservation. “I think it’s criminal that the No. 1 irrigated crop in the U.S. is turf grass, especially while there is so much food insecurity,” he said.

He then pointed out how environmentally unfriendly monoculture lawns are. “I favor pollinator-friendly yards that are bee-friendly,” Schick said.

To say that Schick’s experiment is “ambitious” is an understatement.

“This is a long-term, multi-

generational; a project where I hope my kids live long enough to see the results,” he said.

Schick’s two children are currently ages two and six.

“The experiment has been running seven years, four in this location. Current trials involved thousands of specimens of about 250 different species of fruit trees,” he explained. “This isn’t about instant gratification. It takes an average of about a decade for a seed to grow into a fruit-bearing tree.”

In the middle of five acres of fruit trees and plant nurseries is a climate-controlled shipping container chilled to about fifty degrees filled with cultivated gourmet mushrooms.

“We needed to find a way to sustainably fund the fruit tree experiment and came up with gourmet mushrooms,” Schick explained. “We sell exclusively wholesale to restaurants and markets.”

Schick buys 10-pound blocks of compressed hardwood sawdust and wheat germ already impregnated with mushroom spores. Harvesting takes place early every morning, with the crop currently averaging about 300 pounds a week. The spent mushroom blocks then become compost fertilizer for the fruit trees.

Demand for specialty mushrooms is rapidly rising, as consumers look to purchase more foods that are healthy, nutritious and medicinal.

One of Cap Country’s clients is Caribbean Plants and Produce on Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves.

“These normally grow in cold forests, so it’s really cool we carry these now,” owner Kayte McDonald said. “These types of mushrooms are really getting popular. We take a shipment of blue oysters, chestnut and lion’s mane every Friday for the weekend. The quality is always excellent, fresh picked.” These gourmet mushrooms can get pricey. “While these tend to be expensive at around $16 per pound, lion’s mane, with its medicinal properties, is so popular that I’ve seen it going for $30 per pound,” McDonald said. To learn more about Schick’s Cap Country Mushrooms, visit www.capcountrymushrooms.com.

Royal Palm Beach To Hold Bike Rodeo At Commons Park March 29

By Mark Caracciolo Town-Crier Staff Report

The Village of Royal Palm Beach is hosting a Bike Rodeo event on Saturday, March 29 with events from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park to promote the use of bicycles as a means to get around the community. The Bike Rodeo is a family event free of charge and will feature three bike courses of different lengths, along with giveaways.

Last month, Mayor Jeff Hmara signed a proclamation that de-

Coleman Wins Seat

continued from page 1

El-Ramey, who also joined the council this week after being unopposed in the race for Seat 2. “I have known her to be very practical, straightforward and fair minded, which I believe will be key in moving the town forward

clared March 2025 as Royal Palm Beach Bicycle Month. The proclamation stated that its purpose was to, “encourage all residents and visitors to safely explore the convenience and benefits of bicycling as an alternative to motorized vehicle transportation throughout the village.”

The proclamation set Royal Palm Beach Bicycle Month to align with Florida Bicycle Month, the statewide observance made to bring awareness to bicycles as a way to get around and exercise. To celebrate this month about

in a positive direction,” Coleman said. He also thanked all the people who supported him in the election. “I am truly humbled by your faith and confidence in me to fulfill my mission of defending our charter and our way of life,” Coleman said. “We are a unique little town full of a lot of passionate citizens. Although we

bicycles, the village announced that on Saturday, March 29, it would host its annual biking event, the upcoming Bike Rodeo.

“We’ve all ridden bikes when we were kids, but may not think of them as a great way to get around,” said Hmara when asked about the importance of the observance. “Formally recognizing March as Florida Bicycle Month reminds us of what a great alternative biking is. It’s not only convenient, here in Royal Palm Beach, with 60 miles of interconnected pathways, but it is also a great way to get some

might not always agree on one issue or another, one thing rings true tonight: We believe in this town! I am excited for the future.

Let’s make this town the town we incorporated to be!”

Coleman noted that for a small community, Loxahatchee Groves has strong voter turnout for municipal elections.

“It makes me proud to be live

good exercise while seeing Royal Palm Beach, up close.”

The Bike Rodeo event is not just for grown-ups. The event will be family friendly as well.

“Some fun things at the Bike Rodeo may include obstacle courses for children, safety demonstrations, free helmets for children and giveaways,” said Sylvio PierreLouis, the event and facilities manager at Commons Park, when asked about some of the fun things happening at the event.

Bike Rodeo giveaways will also feature a free T-shirt for the first

amongst people who are as passionate about their small town as I am,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Loxahatchee Groves ballot question allowing the town to use the Palm Beach County Canvassing Board to serve as the town’s canvassing board for local elections was approved, with 227 YES votes (73.70 percent), and 81 NO votes (26.30 percent).

‘Night Lights & Crowned Pearls’ Set For March 22 At Wellington International

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of equestrian elegance, thrilling show jumping and delicious culinary delights at the fourth annual Night Lights & Crowned Pearls: An Equestrian Experience

– A Pink & Green Affair, hosted by the Crowned Pearls of Wellington in partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter. This signature fundraising event will take place Saturday, March 22 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the prestigious Wellington International equestrian center.

Event highlights include:

• Equestrian Show Jumping

— Watch world-class champion riders compete in an exciting show jumping competition.

Tickets On Sale For ‘Taste Of Wellington’

Tickets are on sale now for Wellington’s inaugural “Taste of Wellington” event taking place on Friday, April 25, from 6 to 9 p.m., along the Town Center Promenade (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

The event will showcase local Wellington restaurants with food tastings, accompanied by live music, drinks and entertainment. Scenic views of Lake Wellington will serve as a perfect backdrop for patrons wishing to enjoy delicious samples from Wellington restaurants.

Taste of Wellington is familyfriendly and open to all ages. Tickets are $25 per adult, and $10 per child (ages 12 and under).

Ticket purchases include two free alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and older. All other patrons receive two free soft drinks.

Tickets can be purchased in person at any Wellington facility that accepts program registration for recreation activities, including the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.), the Wellington Tennis Center (3100 Lyons Road) and Village Park (11700 Pierson Road).

Existing CivicRec account holders can purchase tickets online

• Culinary Delights — Enjoy an exquisite dinner and drink in an elegant atmosphere.

• Entertainment & Fun Indulge in a 360-degree photo booth, a live band performance and a guided announcer experience. Take a ride on the carousel and explore the various vendors from around the world showcasing unique products and services.

• Event Experience — Tour the beautiful showgrounds and immerse yourself in the festivities. The mission of the Crowned Pearls of Wellington is to make a positive impact on the communities they serve by implementing impactful programs and initiatives

that elevate the quality of life for those in need.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter remains dedicated to serving the residents of Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, The Acreage, Loxahatchee Groves, western Lake Worth and Westlake, upholding the legacy of their founders through programs that enhance the well-being and empowerment of the community.

This annual event provides critical funding to support SWAG (Students Working to Achieve Greatness) in collaboration with the Village of Wellington and Regal Scholars. Students are able to take advantage of free mentoring,

NEWS BRIEFS

through the recreation catalog at www.wellingtonfl.gov/civicrec. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ tasteofwellington to learn more about the inaugural event. Interested in participating as a restaurant or sponsor? Contact Senior Program Coordinator Heather Navarro at (561) 753-5262 or hnavarro@wellingtonfl.gov.

Wellington Earns GFOA Award

Wellington has once again been recognized for its excellence in financial management, earning the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the 24th year. This prestigious award represents a significant achievement, reflecting Wellington’s commitment to the highest principles of governmental budgeting, transparency and accountability. To receive this honor, the village had to meet nationally recognized guidelines and demonstrate proficiency in four key categories, covering policy documentation, financial planning, operational performance and overall communication effectiveness.

Receiving the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award is the highest form of recognition in

governmental budgeting, underscoring Wellington’s dedication to responsible financial stewardship. This achievement would not be possible without the hard work and expertise of Wellington’s budget team — Christine Wadleigh, Rubi Cabret and Jeff Gomez. Their work helps ensure that the village remains fiscally strong and wellprepared for the future.

Wellington is proud to be among the more than 1,700 participants in GFOA’s Budget Awards Program. Award recipients set the standard for excellence in budgeting and provide a model for local governments across North America.

The GFOA serves more than 22,500 members, advancing excellence in government finance through best practices, professional development and innovative research that benefits the communities they serve. For more information on Wellington’s budget and financial planning, visit www.wellingtonfl. gov/budget.

Rose Garden Tour April 5

The Greater Palm Beach Rose Society invites you to tour three rose gardens on Saturday, April 5 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

educational support, campus tours, engage in community service and get professional development skills through a paid professional internship.

The funds from the Night Lights & Crowned Pearls event directly benefit the programs and initiatives that further the Crowned Pearls of Wellington and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, AAUO chapter’s shared mission of community service and dedication to fostering growth and excellence.

To attend, visit www.eventbrite. com and search for “2025 Night Lights and Crowned Pearls” for ticket information and event details.

The gardens are located in Wellington and western Palm Beach County. These gardens are each distinct in design and focus on roses that will be at their peak in April. One garden features 400 rose bushes.

For more information on the Rambling Rose Garden Tour, visit the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society online at www.gpbrs.org. For more information, contact Maria Wolfe at tcacad_registrar@ yahoo.com.

Loxahatchee CERT To Meet

On April 3

The Loxahatchee Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will meet on Thursday, April 3 at 7 p.m. at the Palms West Presbyterian Church at 13699 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves in the Sunday school building (the smaller building just north of the main church).

The guest speaker will be Vytas Reid, head meteorologist at WPEC Channel 12. The topic will be “South Florida Hurricanes 2025.”

The next meeting will be May 1, same place and time. The speaker will be Loxahatchee Groves Public Works Director Richard Gallant.

75 participants who register and attend. Pierre-Louis invited the entire community to visit the park for the event. “People should come out to the Bike Rodeo because it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends while participating in a community-focused event,” he said.

The Bike Rodeo is aimed to entertain the whole family, experienced bikers, and young children only beginning to bike as well.

Commons Park is located at 11600 Poinciana Blvd. Registration for the bike races will start at

8 a.m. on the day the event begins. At the event, there will be three different courses that you can register for: a three-mile beginner trail race, a four-mile intermediate trail race and a five-mile advanced trail race. The advanced trail race will start first at 9:30 a.m., followed by the intermediate trail race at 10 a.m., then the beginner trail trace at 10:30 a.m. Meanwhile, a kids’ safety course will be available from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. For more information, visit www. royalpalmbeachfl.gov/parksrec/ page/bike-rodeo-3.

The Wellington Village Council received the village annual financial report for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2024, at the Tuesday, March 11 council meeting.

CBIZ CPAs PC conducted the annual audit, issuing an unmodified opinion, the highest opinion possible. An unmodified opinion indicates that the financial statements, in all material respects, fairly present the financial position and the respective changes in the financial position of the Village of Wellington.

This year’s annual report consistently maintains Wellington’s clean, unmodified opinion. Firm CPAs Moises Ariza and Nicholas Martin discussed the annual report and commended the council and village staff for outstanding work in completing the audit.

The annual report contains the village’s audited financial statements and other financial information. It also contains information about the local economy, the structure of Wellington’s government, future financial plans and policies. Village staff thanked the council for their ongoing support and commitment to responsible fiscal management of residents’ taxes and commended them on maintaining strong financial resources to enable Wellington to remain a sustainable and resilient hometown. The annual audit, budget process and long-range financial planning are critical activities supporting Wellington’s future. The latest annual report, along with all financial reports, including the budget, external audit reports and public annual financial reports, are available at www.wellingtonfl. gov/budget.

Spring Craft Fair At The South Florida Fairgrounds

The 2025 Spring Craft

Troy Schick showing off some blue oyster mushrooms.

A box of gourmet lion’s mane, chestnut and blue oyster mushrooms.

Paul Coleman takes the oath of office from Town Clerk Valerie Oakes at the Tuesday, March 18 council meeting.

on Friday, March 7. This one-of-a-kind extravaganza

top-tier international competitors. In the

Christina Mitchell, Deanna Hutchinson and Fred Mitchell.

Armen and Elizabeth Tsouroukdissian.

Attendees enjoyed live Calypso music.

Cesar, Marlon and Michael Rodriguez.

Rockin’ Dressage Derby winners Jaimey Irwin on Flirtfaktor and Tina Irwin on Velvet Dancer.

Members of winning Team Purina: Roberta Williams, Bent Jensen, Jessie Steiner, Jordan LaPlaca, Pamela Goodrich, Betsy Steiner, Chris Hickey, Nathan Morehead, Bill Warren and Terry Gallo.

The Wright Dressage team of Emily Wright-Ciceroni, Amina Bursese, Leif Aho, Lisa Wilcox, Angela Jackson and Molly Paris.

Quadrille competition judges Cesar Torrente, Janet Foy and Lee Tubman.

Rowan O’Riley and Marybeth Casey.

Check-in volunteers Daniela Restrepo and Paula Beauchesne.

Dakota Zehler with Thelma and Reggie and Helene Carlucci with Diva dressed in a “Wizard of Oz” theme.

Dancing for Pink team members Kristy Lund, Allie Conti, Laura Ashley Killian, Heidi Jo Hauri-Gill, Jordan Lockwood and Michelle Gibson.

U.S. Paralympic Dressage Team members Roxanne Trunnell with Obi-Wan, Rebecca Hart, Fiona Howard and Kate Shoemaker.

Jennifer Williams on Jive V and Amanda Perkowski riding Sonata MF.

Marcus Orlob on JJ Glory Day during the “Harmony in Motion Freestyle.”

Sheena Byfield and her family enjoy the festival.

INTERACT YOUTH OF SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL SUPPORTS

The Wellington High School Interact Club hosted its annual Youth of Spring Arts Festival on Saturday, March 15 at the Wellington Amphitheater. The day was filled with performances by Wellington High School students, including dance, band, theater, singing, baton twirling and more. Students also had the opportunity to showcase their talents with sidewalk chalk art. Proceeds from the event will support the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.

PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER

FAMILIES ENJOY STEAM NIGHT EVENT AT LOXAHATCHEE GROVES ELEMENTARY

Wellington High School students support the Interact Club’s festival.

The Wellington High School chamber chorus performs the national anthem, directed by Bradford Chase.

Maria Grossi with Con’e watch the performances.

Audrey DellaVecchia shows off her drawing skills through sidewalk chalk art.

Coach Erica Rolf and the Wellington High School majorettes.

Students from KemKids Dance Studio perform on stage.

The drum line band performs.

Wellington High School Interact Club members, including President Emperatriz Frias and Vice President Jacob Guzik.

Textile art by Amelia Gainer and Laura Crosby.

Painted rock art by Zya Chow, Valeria Calanche and Keagan Epstein.

The Wellington High School Latinos in Action group performs on stage.

Royal Palm Beach’s Young at Heart Club held a luncheon on Friday, March 7 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center.

Marion Daniels, Marybeth Hight, Marty Rogers, Vice Mayor Selena Samios, Phyllis Silverman and Helene Bloom.

(Seated) Janet Briggs, Louise Murphy, Marie Luzzo, Sally Plant and Berit Hogan; and (standing) Sharon and Dennis Poyner, Lee Messina and MaryAnn Robinson.

Decorating committee members Dolly Hughes, Pamela Williams, and Mary and Steve Kaminski.

Lorna Dubinsky, Moreen Fand, and Michael and Kathy Compagnone.

TKM and Company perform on stage.

Dennis and Sharon Poyner.

Ed Sanders, Shakeera Thomas and Mayor Jeff Hmara.

Marcia Elliott, Claudia Lee, Primrose Graham and Jacque Moodie.

Margie Cruzado and Monique Lananna.

Maria Gonzalez, Monique Lananna and YAH President Francine Bryant.

On Wednesday, March 12, Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School gave families the opportunity to participate in STEAM night. Guest speaker Sarah Myerson, an engineer at Disney, gave a virtual presentation about her journey and influences before landing her position at Disney. Students then got to use Lego bricks and technology to create their own stop-action movies. Those in attendance were treated to pizza and drinks.

PHOTOS BY FRANK KOESTER/TOWN-CRIER

Adam and Connor Zicarelli, joined by mom Tina Zicarelli, work on their project while art teacher Paul Brandofino assists.

Disney engineer Sarah Myerson speaks virtually to the families.

Dilamar and Edwardo Barone work on their STEAM project.

Nicholas Laws, shown with Principal Richard Myerson, has the opportunity to question Sarah Myerson.

Luis Pichardo, Mateo and Josette Pichardo get creative with their STEAM project.

Noah Nascimento uses Lego bricks to create his stop-action movie.

Kendall and Kelly Conte create a stop-action movie as part of LGES STEAM family night.

Jameson Tattersfield creates his stop-action movie.

Daniel Boynton uses technology and Lego bricks during STEAM family night.

Troy McCray and Yvonne Simpkins dance.

Science Is In Full Bloom At The Cox Science Center And Aquarium

Spring is in the air, and so is the excitement at Cox Science Center and Aquarium! In the coming months, guests are invited to “spring into science” when they experience hands-on activities, jaw-dropping experiments and outdoor adventures that make learning fun.

“This time of year is always incredibly exciting for guests at the center,” Chief Operating Officer Carla Duhaney said. “Each day it is a treat to inspire curious minds of the youth through hands-on experiences and learning activities that feel like an adventure for every visit.”

Spring break camps are making a return this month. Young scien-

Roundabout Lake Worth And 120th

continued from page 1

in,” Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold said. “We can certainly withdraw it and move forward. We have the budget for it, and if that’s the will, that’s the consensus, that’s what we’ll do.”

A Local Agency Program (LAP) grant could help defray the village’s cost in the long run, but waiting for an answer there could also set back the schedule.

A contract approved 5-0 by the council assigns $257,457 to Mock Roos & Associates to provide engineering consulting services related to roadway, drainage,

Capt. Sandt New PBSO

Leader

continued from page 1 allowed security units at various enclaves, plus the PBSO, to communicate in real time and to discuss issues via e-mail. He also made sure the non-gated developments and local houses of worship felt included through one-on-one contact with deputies assigned to get to know them and keep in touch with the leaders of those communities.

“I’ve known Capt. Sandt for 30 years,” said Col. Eric Coleman, who supervises the PBSO’s 1,500 uniformed officers and detectives. “He’s a well-respected, accomplished leader.”

Sandt grew up on Long Island

tists and engineers between the ages of 5 and 12 can anticipate sessions loaded with engaging lessons, labs, crafts and outdoor activities led by science educators. Visit www.coxsciencecenter.org/ camps or call (561) 832-2026 to register.

March 24-28: Anatomy of Us All (Science Adventure Camp, ages 5-6 and 7-12). March 24-28: Robo-League: The Climb (Tech Camp, ages 7-9 and 10-12).

March 31: Seeing is Believing (Science Adventure Camp, ages 5-6 and 7-12).

April 18: Under the Weather (Science Adventure Camp, ages 5-6 and 7-12).

landscaping, irrigation and lighting improvements.

Roundabouts guide traffic around a central island, relying on yield signs around the circle as opposed to traffic lights or multiway stop signs. The idea is to move vehicles along and avoid static back-ups as much as possible.

More roundabouts could be coming to the 120th Avenue corridor. They will probably include one less than a quarter of a mile away, south of the Lake Worth Road intersection. That would manage traffic around the entrance to a new 42-home Pulte Homes development. In other business:

• The council recognized the death of longtime village planning and growth management official

with a Dutch-Irish father in the construction business, a very Italian mother, plus an “Uncle Vinnie” in the New York City Police Department. At age 18, he came to Florida for college, and a bud of interest in law enforcement flourished.

In 1991, Sandt joined the Palm Springs Police Department, moving to the PBSO in 1994, where he has served in many roles, including road patrol, special weapons and tactics (SWAT), City of South Bay commander, and as a patrol operations watch commander.

While taking on ever-increasing responsibility with the PBSO, Sandt also earn a bachelor’s degree in public administration (summa cum laude) from Barry University, completed the Command Officers Development Course at the Southern Police Institute at

May 26: Flight School (Science Adventure Camp, ages 5-6 and 7-12). Every other Saturday, Science Center Teens is offered for teens ages 14-17. This new program aims to introduce and encourage teens to explore the STEM fields. Teens will have the opportunity to work hands-on with different activities, including solar telescopes, touch tanks and animal enrichment. Students will develop their public speaking skills, make new friends and have the potential to earn community service hours. Registration is $20, and there is scholarship-based admission offered. For more information, e-mail sdeach@coxscience.org.

Bob Basehart with a moment of silence. Village Manager Jim Barnes said Basehart’s experience, technical knowledge and sense of humor helped new and old employees alike. “It’s a huge loss,” Napoleone said.

Council members also took a moment to mourn another death in the community, that of a Wellington High School student in a medical emergency that began on campus. She was not named for privacy reasons.

• Village leaders lauded the Wellington High School cheerleading team for winning a state championship in the 2025 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A Extra Large Non-Tumbling category. (See related story, page 21.)

the University of Louisville in Kentucky and graduated from the Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University.

Sandt has been married to his wife Jackie for 25 years. They reside in Palm Beach Gardens and have a daughter who recently graduated from college and a teenaged son.

Out of uniform, Sandt enjoys fishing and New York Yankees baseball.

“I strongly believe that with the exceptional staff I have here… we will achieve great things through our commitment to fostering a transparent relationship between the sheriff’s office and the community in which we serve,” Sandt writes on the District 15 web page. “Through that process, new partnerships will be forged and existing ones nurtured.”

In April, science center guests can learn more about how they can do their part in healthy living, sustainable initiatives and environmental conservation. On April 5, CSCA will be hosting its e4 Life: Green Health & Wellness Expo in partnership with the West Palm Beach Office of Sustainability. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., guests are invited to go green for the 12th annual expo featuring environmental workshops, giveaways, fun exhibitors and more. The event aims to provide lessons on sustainability, conservation and useful tips on how to live a healthier and greener lifestyle. For more info., visit www.coxsciencecenter.org/e4-life. Manufactured to showcase the

• The council recognized Carmen DiAntonio, a teacher at Panther Run Elementary School, for saving one of her students from choking on a grape with the Heimlich maneuver. “Thank you for your quick thinking,” Napoleone said. “No one knows how they’re going to react in a crisis, but you now know how you’re going to react. You reacted cool-headedly, and you saved her life.”

• The council agreed to have McGovern to serve as the council’s representative in a group that will negotiate the renewal of a contract for Village Attorney Laurie Cohen. Cohen has indicated she wishes to continue in the role.

• On its consent agenda, the council unanimously approved a $120,000 contract to Devland Site Paving and Utilities Inc. for lime sludge hauling and disposal services, based on the terms of a City of Boynton Beach contract.

Day Pass

Permit Now Required For Some ITID Fields

continued from page 1 his son and few pals, and who is there taking advantage of the open-field policy to practice a team — perhaps one not even from the Acreage/Loxahatchee area. Such situations can escalate in serious, even violent confrontations, Hanson said. “These fields are gold,” he explained, “and people from other

most brilliant designs is the 38th annual “Engineer It!” competition. On Saturday, April 12, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., students between first and 12th grade can show off their engineering skills at this annual engineering design competition historically sponsored by the Florida Engineering Society, Pratt & Whitney, Florida Power & Light and Smith Currie Oles. This year’s categories include creating the perfect egg container to protect an egg from a three-story fall, building the perfect paper airplane and constructing a boat that runs on solar energy, to name a few. Students can win $5,000 in cash and prizes awarded to winners in elementary, middle and high school

categories. For more information, visit www.coxsciencecenter.org/ event/engineer-it. The Cox Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach and features more than 80 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon aquarium, a digital planetarium and an outdoor science trail. The current traveling exhibit, Dinosaur Safari: A Walk-Through Adventure, will be on display through April 27. General admission for adults is $26, $22 for children ages 3-12, $24 for seniors ages 60 & older, and free for children under 3 years of age and CSCA members.

cities will be coming here because they’re kicked out of Palm Beach Gardens, Delray [Beach], Boca [Raton] and unincorporated Palm Beach County parks.”

All public comment, both in person and via e-mail, was opposed to the permit requirement.

The comments of ITID resident Jessica Bonville were typical.

“It is absolutely ridiculous that you think a permit is needed for kids to play at a community park that our tax money goes to already,” Bonville told the board. “Let kids be kids.”

Resident Lauren Gardner wrote in an e-mail, “In a time of [computer] screens, technology and continued development in our area, we

PUBLIC NOTICE

are in need now, more than ever, for more parks and outdoor places for young people and families to go and spend time together and enjoy sports and the outdoors.” Lawrence noted that the proposed policy is similar to that of other area municipalities. Accomando supported the idea. “It’s not that people aren’t going to be able to go and use the park,” Accomando said. “It’s just that these are pricy fields we’re trying to protect.” Farrell was unconvinced, telling staff, “If a kid just wants to go play baseball… you’re not giving me a clear path to allow that to happen… As is, I just can’t back this now.”

The Village of Royal Palm Beach will have several volunteer board/commission terms expiring in March. If you are a resident of the Village and would like to be considered by the Village Council to serve on either board/commission, please stop by the Village Clerk's office to pick up an application or download it from our web site www.royalpalmbeachfl.gov. Under Departments go to the Village Clerk section and then click on Boards and Commissions to online Volunteer Board Application. Please complete application no later than April 9, 2025 for Council consideration at its April 17, 2025 meeting. It is important to note the particular day of the week the board/commission meets to ensure that your schedule will be such that you are available on that particular day.

Seats available are: (3) on Education Advisory Board meets on the 2nd Monday of the month (4) on Planning and Zoning Commission meets on the 4th Tuesday of the month (3) on Recreation Advisory Board meets on the 3rd Monday of the month

If further information is desired, please call the Village Clerk at 561-790-5102.

On Tuesday, March 11, the Wellington Village Council recognized Carmen DiAntonio, a teacher at Panther Run Elementary School, for saving one of her students from choking by using the Heimlich maneuver. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON

The Winter Equestrian Festival Sees A Milestone For HorseGrooms Community

By Sarah Eakin

Town-Crier Staff Report

Horse grooms, historically the unsung heroes of equestrian sport, are getting increased recognition for their work, thanks in large part to a community called HorseGrooms.

Holland’s Dinette Neuteboom, herself a groom in the hunter discipline, is based in Wellington each winter. She started HorseGrooms a little over two years ago. This winter, the group hit a milestone in acquiring 1,000 members.

“Wellington in the winter is just incredible — there’s nowhere else in the world where you find such a concentration of top equestrian knowledge, expertise and experience. It’s a true hub of horsemanship, where the best in the industry come together,” said Neuteboom, who has arranged a series of weekly events this season, to share knowledge and expand communication within the community. “That’s why Wellington is the perfect place for our HorseGrooms meetups. The

wealth of living resources here — from world-class grooms to top riders, trainers and equine professionals — creates an unparalleled opportunity to learn, connect and elevate the profession.”

Grooms’ classes have been a mainstay of the Winter Equestrian Festival for some time. This season, WEF has hosted two grooms’ classes with impressive numbers of competitors being judged on turnout of their horse and equipment. A total of 35 entries from both the hunter and

jumper world competed for a cash prize of $10,000 divided between the placed contestants in last week’s class.

Efren Zebello of Serenity Show Stables came prepared with his charge Zeven, owned by Caitlin Critchlow, and the attention to detail paid off when he won the jumper section of the contest judged by professional show jumpers Erynn Ballard and Michael Murphy, and Tiffany Letallec, groom to Belgium rider Nicola Philippaerts.

“I would like to say a big thank you to every single person involved in organizing this grooms’ class,” Zebello said. “Thank you for taking the time to do that for us. That really means a lot to us.”

Abel Sanchez took his ninth grooms’ class win in the hunter segment, showing off his skillset with Louisa Attenborough’s Hoopla for Jennifer Hannan and Ocean Echo Farm. “I’ve done the grooms’ class 11 times,” Abel said. “Last time I finished fourth, and this one is my ninth win.”

HorseGrooms advocates good horsemanship practices, a particular consideration for the winter season. “Wellington is one of the most unique and challenging places when it comes to horse care,” Neuteboom said. “With its distinct climate and environment, grooms face issues they might

never encounter elsewhere — from skin irritations to hoof care, from fly prevention to wound management. That’s why we created the HorseGrooms Guide to Wellington, a practical resource available in our online shop at a low price, to help grooms navigate these challenges and ensure the best possible care for their horses in this one-of-a-kind setting.”

HorseGrooms has a worldwide following, and the fact that it became so popular, so quickly, demonstrated the need for a communal entity for grooms who are

on the frontline of equestrian sport.

“It’s amazing to hear from members that HorseGrooms is making a difference in their lives — whether through our resources, in-person events or simply the connections they’ve built with others who share their passion,” Neuteboom said. “Together, we are not just supporting one another — we are helping move the equestrian world forward, empowering grooms, and keeping horsemanship alive.” To learn more about this unique resource, visit www.horsegrooms. com.

Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament Returns For 15th Anniversary

Nearly 2,000 people are expected to attend the 15th anniversary of the Gay Polo League’s International Gay Polo Tournament April 24-26 in Wellington. The Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament will commemorate the milestone at the exclusive Patagones Polo Club with what promises to be a fun-filled celebration of competition, equality and camaraderie.

Renowned as one of the most unique and exciting social/sporting highlights of the season, the threeday whirlwind of events attracts a global cross-section of attendees and 24 players from around the world.

The weekend kicks off on Thursday, April 24 with the Polo Players Reception, an invita -

tion-only event for sponsors, players and GPL members.

On Friday, April 25, is GPL Polotini presents “Wigstock!”

This hair-raising extravaganza is always a highlight of the weekend, with revelers dressing up in their most fabulous ensembles and outré wigs. Remember, the higher the hair, the closer to heaven! DJ Citizen Jane will spin tunes throughout the evening, while guests enjoy dancing, an open bar, delectable hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. For the second year, GPL’s charity partner is the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which received more than $100,000 from last year’s event. Saturday, April 26 is when the six polo teams comprised of 24 LGBTQ+ polo players from

around the world compete in this year’s Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament. Gates open at noon, with matches at 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. While the teams compete on Patagones’ world-class field, spectators will be treated to the annual tailgate competition, with a wealth of fabulous and inventive installations, live entertainment, delicious food and cocktails.

Saturday is also a day of pageantry and celebration, including a procession on horseback of the “Flags of Nations” and performances by the South Florida Marching Band, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and Cheer Miami.

VIP ticket holders enjoy an afternoon with an elevated field-side

experience in the Cherry Knoll Farm VIP Tent for the final matches of the Lexus International Gay Polo Tournament. VIPs will enjoy reserved seating, an open bar, and lavish food including carving stations, shrimp Creole, smoked salmon, a seafood extravaganza and more.

“Celebrating 15 years of GPL’s flagship event in Wellington propels us to create and produce the best experience by far, to bring people together to enjoy the best of us,” said Chip McKenney, GPL’s founder and president.

“My initial goal was to encourage greater diversity and inclusion in

the sport of polo, and now we have polo players, fans and allies who come from all over the world to participate. GPL is changing perceptions in the LGBTQ+ commu-

nity, athletics and society at large, one chukker at a time.”

GPL is a truly international organization and has also sponsored tournaments in the United Kingdom and St. Tropez, as well as Lexington, Kentucky, and Menlo, California. In addition, the GPL travels to Argentina every year for the Argentine Open and a week of polo in Lobos. This year’s tournaments are also slated for Chantilly, France, in mid-July and Lexington in September. For more information, sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit www.gaypolo.com.

Read more by equestrian writer Sarah Eakin at www.paperhorsemedia.com.

Dinette Neuteboom, founder of HorseGrooms, uses the season in Wellington to bring grooms together. PHOTO BY ASHLEY NEUHAUS

(Left) Efren Zebello of Serentiy Show Stables and his charge Zeven won the jumper section of the recent $10,000 grooms’ class at WEF. (Right) Abel Sanchez took home his ninth grooms’ class win, showing Hoopla for Ocean Echo Farm. PHOTOS COURTESY WELLINGTON INTERNATIONAL

Garden Club Meeting To Feature Talk On Safe Solutions For Plant Diseases

The meeting will feature a presentation at 10 a.m. by Charmaine Peters of Arden Farm.

Peters is currently the farm director at Arden, an award-winning “Agrihood” off Southern Blvd. Arden Farm serves as a community resource for food education and home-grown fruits and vegetables.

Peters’ talk will focus on plant diseases in the garden and how to safely control or eliminate them. Previously, Peters spent 16 years managing a 60-acre family farm in Pennsylvania. She has been

quoted as a farm and garden expert in several national publications, including U.S. News & World Report and Martha Stewart Living Charmaine also writes monthly articles for the online publication Around Wellington. The community is invited to join club members for coffee and a plant raffle beginning at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are asked to check in at the guest table. Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, contact Carol Ralph at caroltaylorralph@gmail.com.

The Wellington Garden Club, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, floral design and landscape design, and to promoting con-

servation of natural resources, civic beautification and youth education. For more information, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.

Fifty competitors, including civilians and police officers, will participate in Palm Beach State College’s Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo March 27-29 at the Lake Worth campus.

South Florida’s only combined civilian and law enforcement motorcycle competition, the rodeo will take place at the 4.5-acre defensive driving course, which is part of the Public Safety Training Center. Two days of challenges, including a slalom drag race, practice runs and training, will be followed by a day of timed competitions and awards.

While riders must register and pay a fee to compete in the event ($110 for civilians and $85 for police), the public is invited to ob-

serve at no charge. For more info., including rider registration and the daily event schedule, visit www. palmbeachstate.edu/PBSCInvitational/motorcycle-rodeo.aspx.

The public will see the most action on the culminating day, Saturday, March 29, which begins at 8 a.m. with opening ceremonies featuring the PBSC Criminal Justice Institute Color Guard and a blessing of the bikes. At 11 a.m., the Fort Lauderdale motorcycle drill team will perform, followed by an afternoon of timed competitions and an awards presentation. Those who wish to bring their motorcycle to be blessed must be in position at the skid pad by 7:30 a.m. Lunch will be available from a food truck on site.

At the 2025 Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo, licensed riders will train and improve their ability to deal with the hazards of operating a 1000cc motorcycle. Obstacle courses will mimic hazards and roadway conditions, compelling riders to maneuver through twists and turns at slow and accelerated speeds. The 2025 Panther Prowl Motorcycle Rodeo is part of the upcoming third annual invitational,

(Front row) Jan Thibault, Rita Traeger, Diane Chiaro, Blanca Martinez and Mary-Monica Sehnal; and (back row) Yocasta Rodriguez, Yvonne Murphy, Michele Vazquez and Sharnell Jackson from Christ Fellowship.

Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Councilwoman Maria Antuña, Michelle Garvey, Mary Lou Bedford, Iliana Ulfe, Mariana Henderson, Robyn McGahee, Dr. Jamie-Lee Conner, Dr. Lauren Grodin, Mable King and Debbie Liquori.

Central Palm Beach County Chamber CEO Mary Lou Bedford served as emcee.

Alisson Sealy, Tracey Seabrook, Gary Baine, Luletha Cheatham, Mable King, Angela Perez, Marcia Hayden and Rochelle Burrell of the Crowned Pearls.

Wellington Community Events Assistant Director Michelle Garvey, Event Specialist Markus Lockhart and Event Coordinator Debbie Liquori.

Nancy Pena-Brink, Emilio Montanez, Dr. Laurin Grodin and Rebeca Mitchell.

Sophia Chou, Dannielle Shull, Isabella Shull, Billie Woodward, Rommi Mitchell and Iliana Ulfe.

Dr. Jamie-Lee Conner, Diane Conner, Laurie Brisson and Shelly Pelkey.

Melissa Chandler and Robyn McGahee with Destiny, Layla-Grace, Alani, Sasa and Mattie-May.

The Wellington Garden Club will meet on Monday, April 7 at the Wellington Community Center, located at 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.

Charmaine Peters

WELLINGTON ROTARY CLUB HOSTS THE WENHAM MEMORIAL

The Wellington Rotary Club’s Thomas M. Wenham Memorial Golf Classic was held Tuesday, March 11 at the Wanderers Club. The event included a helicopter ball drop, a golf cannon, contests, great prizes and plenty of raffle items., competition, fun and perfect Florida weather. The event was organized by Rotarian Larry Falk. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The helicopter team of Dennis Golub, Larry Falk, Tiffany Rodriguez and John Herring.

Savanah Hubbard, Lenyce Boyd, Jill Bernard, Dr. Jolene Reiter and Peggy McClelland.

The Women of the Western Communities met Thursday, March 13 at the Wellington National Golf Club. The guest speaker was former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg, and donations were collected for Meals on Wheels. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg addresses the WWC gathering.

John Herring and Larry Falk with Tom Wenham’s golf bag.

Raffle winner Collin Hughes with Wellington Rotary President Walter Imperatore.

Linda Rosbrough, Kristi Knight-Sandner and Magdelina Maxwell.

Saunders, Mark Muller and Joseph Burns.

The A-1 Industries team of John Herring, Chris Mailee and Sean Spivey.

Johnny Meier, Ronnie Katz, Jason Gray and Don Wright.

The second-place team included Croc, Chris Zeller, Maggie Zeller, Bryan Connely and Frank Dowling.

Balls were dropped by Tiffany Rodriguez.

Nick Zaharion and Jordan Gatchell of the Ida Development team, which took first place.

Lizz Smith, Donna Banno and Herta Suess.

Maggie Zeller, Maureen Gross, Allyson Samiljan and Sue Welch.

Kiara Hidalgo and Kiannely Hidalgo sing.

Steven and Holland Walker with Mia and Brian Anderson.

Kiannely Hidalgo sings with Kaitlyn Garcia. Michael Cambarare and Brian Giles sing.

Piper and Vivianna with Michael Cambarare.

Eric Poyner, Addison, Olivia, Faith and Dennis Poyner.

Dax Eazor and Amaya with William Ethredge and Laigtynn.

Mitchell and Viviana Longley with Mila and Mike McKeehan.

Emma, Elena and Paul Leffler.

Kalia and Cortney Daniels.

Joshua and Sofia Vela.

Shane and Mia Sirju.

Bella and Juan Carlos Bustamante. Charles Duval and Janelle.

Dahlia, Magnolia and James Carmes.

Jillian and Brandon Lozier.

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WHS Competitive Cheer Team Honored By Wellington Council

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

On Tuesday, March 11, the Wellington Village Council officially recognized and honored this year’s varsity competitive cheer team from Wellington High School for its list of impressive accomplishments during the current school year. During the council meeting, each member of the WHS cheer team was issued a certificate of recognition for winning this year’s Florida High School Athletic Association Class 2A state championship in the Extra Large

Non-Tumbling category on Saturday, March 1 at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland. The village saluted the team for “showcasing their hard work, teamwork and determination.”

This year’s team was led by head coach Heather Brodnicki and assistant coach Emily Mozdzierz. The members of the WHS varsity competitive cheer squad are Azaria Adams, Ajah Alves, Baileigh Anderson, Taylor Carbocci, Alondra Cavalie, Courtney Cole, Berlyn Conerly, Maggie Crum, Saybre Cyriaque, Jessica DiPietro, Mackenzie Hays, Morgan Hays, Ava Hefty, Sophia Heinen, Abbie Hill, Arianna Hunt, Jalaina Kane, Grace Lam, Kelli Martin, Andrea Moya, Lily Neama, Mackenzie Ocasio, Eliana Pamatat, Grace Poirier, Melany Quartarolli, Zoe Savage, Candace Schultz, Aubrey Smith, Riley Stewart, Kaitlyn Strathie,

Michelina Tozzi and Alissa Wroy.

The senior leaders on the team are Kaitlyn Strathie, Kelli Martin, Saybre Cyriaque, Berlyn Conerly, Mackenzie Hays and Morgan Hays.

According to Brodnicki, the state championship victory was the result of hard work, teamwork and perseverance.

“We have competed three years in a row against an extremely talented team from Lakeland High School,” she said. “Wellington High School has been state runnerup the past three years. We knew that it would be very close again, and it was! We won by 0.4 points.”

Brodnicki is now in her sixth year as the WHS varsity cheerleading coach.

“This is the second state championship for WHS cheer,” she said. “The first one was in 2017. Here’s a fun fact: our assistant coach, Em-

ily Mozdzierz, was a cheerleader on that 2017 championship team.”

While the highlight of the team’s competitive cheer calendar was winning this year’s state championship, the competitive cheerleading team from WHS also had first-place finishes at the UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) regional in Lakeland on Dec. 14, the UCA World Final in Orlando on Feb. 9 and in the FHSAA Class 2A regional in Coral Springs on Jan. 25, which qualified the team for its trip to Lakeland on March 1. Wellington also placed third in the UCA national final, which was also held in Orlando on Feb. 9.

As the end of the current school year approaches, that means Brodnicki will be looking to build a new varsity competitive cheer team for the 2025-26 school year.

“We have sadly come to the end

Israeli Tennis-Playing Troupe Visits Wycliffe

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

For the eighth year, a delegation from the Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) paid a visit to the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club on Thursday, March 13.

The purpose of the visit was to showcase how tennis is being successfully used to bridge gaps between children of different backgrounds in Israel, while promoting diversity, enhancing life skills, empowering people, improving communication and transforming lives among the different groups of people that live in Israel. Israel is populated by Jews, Muslim Arabs, Christian Arabs, Bedouins, Druze and refugees from many countries around the world, such as Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Ukraine and Russia. In a nutshell, the ITEC model works and has been working since the first ITEC facility opened in 1976.

According to Yoni Yair, ITEC’s U.S.-based senior vice president of development, the 24 ITEC facilities in Israel are making a profound and positive difference in the lives of thousands of children. The 24 ITEC facilities are intentionally placed in some of the country’s most challenged geographic loca-

tions so that the children most in need of ITEC’s services are living a short distance from the nearest ITEC facility.

“We work with 20,000 children a year in Israel, and ITEC is the largest social services program in Israel,” said Yair, who is a byproduct of the ITEC experience back in the 1970s. “Children are spending seven, eight or nine hours a day at one of the many ITEC facilities. There, the children are taught life values, they get a chance to do their homework, they are provided a hot meal, and they also learn how to play tennis alongside other Israeli children.”

What’s special about ITEC is that children of all races, nationalities and faiths are spending time at ITEC centers. According to Yair, by spending so much time together, the Israeli children from different backgrounds actually learn to like each other and develop lasting friendships.

“At ITEC, we are creating the future leaders of Israel,” Yair said. “In many respects, ITEC is the beautiful face of Israel.”

A focal point of this tennis-

themed event was the chance to watch tennis being played by the ITEC delegation on Wycliffe’s center court. The series of forehands, backhands, volleys, drop shots and overhead smashes was impressive and entertaining for the hundreds of people on hand to watch, including Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone.

One of the young and talented ITEC ambassadors was 12-yearold Miley Svidinsky. Her life has been transformed for the better because of the existence of what ITEC has to offer.

“I love being at my tennis center

in Ashkelon. We live in the south near the Gaza Strip, and the tennis center is a safe place for me. I have many friends, and the coaches are like my family. I dream to represent Israel and be a top player in the world,” Svidinsky said. A reception was held afterward inside the clubhouse of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club so that the ITEC ambassadors could meet and mingle with those in attendance, many of whom were Wycliffe residents. For more information about the ITEC program, visit www. itecenters.org.

TKA Girls Softball Team Has Big Aspirations For The Season

By Mike May

Town-Crier Staff Report

This year’s girls softball team at the King’s Academy is looking to improve upon last year’s impressive season, where the team advanced into the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 2A state tournament, only to lose to Westminster Christian School from Miami in the first round of regional play.

Led by head coach Kim Needle and her husband Bryan Needle, who serves as an assistant coach, this year’s unit is similar to last year’s team. This year’s squad is very young but talented. The current roster has two seventh graders,

six freshmen, three sophomores, one junior and just one senior.

After the team’s first 12 games, their record stands at 10-2, with the prolific offense averaging more than 14 runs per game while allowing the opposition just more than three runs a game.

The key to the offense has been the play of sophomore Gracyn Needle, freshman Lyla DiBlasi, seventh grader Emma Thornton, freshman Abbey Daniel, senior Hailey Adkins and sophomore Caroline Duncan.

“Gracyn has been seeing the ball extremely well so far this season,” Kim Needle said. “She is starting at shortstop and catches as

well. She is currently batting .722 with 10 doubles, one triple, three home runs and 31 RBIs. Two of the home runs have been grand slams. Gracyn also reached a huge milestone last week, hitting in her 100th RBI for King’s.”

Meanwhile, DiBlasi is batting .526 with six doubles, 15 RBIs and 22 runs scored, while Thornton, Daniel, Adkins and Duncan are all batting above .400 so far this season.

Duncan is also a key part of the pitching staff.

“On the mound, Caroline is the workhorse,” Needle said. “She is currently 8-2 with a 2.20 ERA and 50 strikeouts. Caroline is al-

ways working mechanically and constantly making adjustments. I do not doubt that she is getting stronger every single day and will be her absolute best when our postseason play begins.”

The two oldest players on the team — junior Kiersten Zimmerman and senior Hailey Adkins — are somewhat new to fastpitch softball. Zimmerman plays centerfield and is batting .355, while Adkins plays first base and is batting .429. Zimmerman is a converted soccer player, while Adkins is a competitive volleyball player.

“Kiersten is an exceptional athlete, while Hailey played softball

See SOFTBALL, page 23

The King’s Academy 2025 girls softball team. PHOTO BY DEREK CHIRCH

(Left) The six ITEC tennis ambassadors on the court at Wycliffe. (Right) Young ITEC ambassador Miley Svidinsky takes her swing.

Event organizers Harriet and Marty Ross (center) with the ITEC delegation visiting the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club. PHOTOS BY ALAN FABRICANT

The Wellington Village Council honors Wellington High School’s varsity competitive cheer team is on Tuesday, March 11. PHOTOS COURTESY KRISTA STRATHIE of our season and are looking forward to tryouts in the spring,” said Brodnicki, who has a combined 23 years of coaching experience in the western communities at Wellington High

Cheerleaders Kaitlyn Strathie and Taylor Carbocci (partly obscured) at the state championship. The Wellington High School competitive

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Acreage Athletic League’s Spring Baseball Season Underway

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

Youth baseball is alive and well in the Acreage Athletic League, as children are currently swinging baseball bats, catching fly balls and trying to turn double plays on Saturday mornings and afternoons at the County Pines Recreational Complex at Samuel Friedland Park, which is located at 18500 Hamlin Blvd.

While the majority of the AAL’s baseball games are played at Samuel Friedland Park, some games will also be played at Willows Park in Royal Palm Beach.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the Acreage Athletic League conducted its opening weekend of play for the spring 2025 season. In addition to the many players, coaches, parents and family members in attendance, there were a few specially invited guests on hand. They were former

Softball TKA Squad

continued from page 21 last year as a junior. She continues to learn and is extremely coachable,” Needle said.

The team’s biggest strength is the desire by every player to improve so the team can get better.

“I believe our strength this

Florida Marlins pitcher Kyle Farjad, longtime WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchor Michael Williams, and an honor guard from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

This spring, there are five age groups playing competitive recreational baseball within the AAL — 4U, 6U, 8U, 10U and 12U. At the moment, 130 youngsters aged three to 12 are enrolled in the league, which is an affiliate of Babe Ruth Baseball.

According to AAL Baseball Board Member Diana Valdes, the league has the capacity to expand to 14U and 16U, but it needs more players to register to play. Meanwhile, the team rosters are not just limited to boys. “We are co-ed,” Valdes noted. “We have girls playing on our teams, as well.”

While the AAL has been in existence since the 1990s, the league’s leadership is looking to

year is the fact that these girls are continuing to learn and grow,” Needle said. “We have had most of these girls together now for the third year, so we are not teaching something new anymore. We are fine-tuning skills that they are seeing in the game and learned last year. Also, our older girls are stepping up and being true leaders. They are constant and intentional

expand the outreach of the league.

“AAL baseball has been in place for 30 years,” Valdes said.

“We have a brand-new board of directors aimed at growing

in their message about working hard in unity for God’s glory.”

Needle explained that the team is driven by a verse from Colossians, chosen by Adkins: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

While Needle is the head coach, she relies a great deal on her husband Bryan and a new assistant

the league and earning back the children and families who have left to different leagues. We welcome all new and returning players.” The league’s regular-season

coach, Randi Lynn Rohman. “Bryan has a huge role as an assistant coach of our team,” Needle said. “He played both college and professional baseball and is amazing on the field with the team. He is the ‘details guy’ who supports the softball team by developing and implementing training and game programs, athletic skills and teamwork. Randi Lynn Rohman

schedule will conclude on Saturday, April 19, with playoffs starting the following weekend on Saturday, April 26. Families and fans can monitor

brings a wealth of knowledge from her softball career and coaching in the elite travel softball world.”

For TKA to be successful in the postseason later this spring, it will require true teamwork.

“To make a deep postseason run, we really need to work together and understand our strengths and to implement them in game play,” Needle said. “Our girls need to put in the time and work to be their best. We cannot be successful without every single one of our players understanding their role and working toward a championship.” The final fixture on the team’s schedule is the FHSAA’s Class 2A state finals, which will be played from May 20-24 at a location to be announced.

Approximately 130 boys and girls are playing in the spring baseball season with the Acreage Athletic League.

Lily Stone in action throwing the ball.

TKA player Gracyn Needle hits for power. PHOTOS BY DEREK CHIRCH

TKA pitcher Caroline Duncan and catcher Gracyn Needle.

Senior Jade Jones Closes Amazing Basketball Career At TKA

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

For the last four years, the King’s Academy girls varsity basketball team has been one of the strongest squads both in Palm Beach County and throughout the state. Under the guidance of head coach Chris Race, the Lions have made deep postseason runs in the annual Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A state tournaments.

“We have reached the regional finals in each of the last four years. We made it to the FHSAA’s Class 3A final four twice. We also won the district championship in three of the four years,” said Race, whose win-loss record as a coach during the last four years at TKA has been 86-29.

One player who has helped lead the Lions to those 86 victories has been Jade Jones, who graduates in May and will head to the University of Houston to pursue a college degree and play for the women’s basketball team.

Actually, Jones made her debut on the varsity team as an eighth grader, but she really assumed a leadership role as a freshman. While Jones’ career stats are impressive — 1,747 points, 1,108 rebounds, 293 assists and 412 steals — her biggest attribute is her positive mental attitude.

“Jade is a super-talented, athletic player,” Race said. “She is a really good teammate who always wants all of her teammates to be successful and always makes sure they all get in the game. She has volunteered to come out of a game so that someone else can get in the game.”

According to Race, Jones is always willing to do whatever the team needs in order to win.

“Jade’s role has changed over her five seasons with me,” Race explained. “During the first couple years, she was able to play with some great teammates who would sometimes take the pressure off her a little bit. During the last two seasons, she has been the main focal point of our team. With that comes more responsibility. It means other teams are focusing on you and are trying to take you out of the game.”

As Race looks back on the recently completed season, he’s

proud of his team, which reached the elite eight round of the FHSAA’s Class 3A state tournament but lost in the regional final against Somerset Academy Canyons from Boynton Beach on Feb. 21. According to Race, the team’s overall 20-8 record was the result of his squad’s commitment to excellence in practice and in games.

“Our starting center, Brielle George, usually took the opposing team’s biggest player,” Race said.

“Sophia Kateris also got inside the paint and mixed it up with Jade and Brielle. Those three players were

a formidable trio against anyone.

Our two guards — Sofia Rathbun and Julia Vazquez — did most of the ball handling and handled most of the pressure other teams tried to put on us. Sofia also usually guarded the opposing team’s best player. Maddy Buccilli was consistently our best outside shooter.”

During the last four years, Race feels that he has also improved as a coach.

“I hope I have evolved as a coach over the years,” Race said.

“I think I have tried to incorporate more input from the girls on

certain things. During games, I sometimes let them call plays that they think will work. I have also tried to implement more of a player-led team than just me telling them what to do. It is always a work in progress and changes from year to year depending on the roster.”

As Race looks to next year, Jones will no longer be on the team, but the squad remains talented and deep.

“I think that the team will still be competitive,” Race said. “Next year, Sofia Rathbun, Maddy Buccilli, Sophia Vazquez, Cheyana George and Molly Dishington will form a good group of seniors. Ephrosyni Esopakis, Lilly-Kaye Vance and incoming freshman Anna Birmingham will play a large role as well. Anna played up on varsity during the second half of the season. We have some pretty good middle school players moving up next year, as well.” Race will utilize the summer to get next year’s team as fit and focused as possible. “We will have off-season training and skill work with strength and conditioning programs over the summer for the girls,” noted Race, whose six-year win-loss record as TKA head coach is 123-41.

Breakthru Athletic League Launches Spring Flag Football Season

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

On Saturday, March 8, the spring flag football season for the Breakthru Athletic League got

underway at Samuel Friedland Park in The Acreage. The current spring season features boys and girls flag football teams that range from ages four to 17.

According to Matt Green, the league’s communications director, the teams are separated into five different age groups: Peewee (ages 4-5), Freshman (ages 6-7), Junior

Varsity (age 8-10), Varsity (ages 11-13) and High School (ages 14-17).

“We have a total of 53 teams this season from about 380 registered

players,” Green said. “We’ve seen consistent growth, year-over-year, and it has been a great experience seeing the league grow.”

The current regular season will continue through Saturday, April 26. The league’s end-of-season super bowl tournament will be held Saturday, May 3. Each year, the Breakthru Athletic League, which is an official partner of NFL Flag Football, will be providing BA Community Athlete awards to one graduating senior boy and girl worth $500 each.

The league president is Sam Harris, who is also the head coach of the women’s flag football team at Keiser University in West Palm Beach.

According to Green, the Breakthru Athletic League is focused on

showcasing each athlete’s athletic ability and artistic skills.

“Each season, we give an endof-season gift to all our league players, which usually includes a shirt,” Green said. “This season, we are holding a contest for all players to submit their ideas and drawings for the shirt and will be choosing one to be featured.”

The Breakthru Athletic League is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the mental and physical well-being of youth in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area, Westlake, Royal Palm Beach and the surrounding communities through sports. As the official NFL Flag Football league in these communities, it offers flag football programs for children from kindergarten through high school. Learn more at www.breakthruathleticleague.com.

(L-R) Aubriella Aughey of the girls JV 49ers; Noah Boutot of the boys JV Patriots; Mason Fortney of the boys JV Buccaneers; and Cheyenne Morris of the girls JV Chargers. PHOTOS BY ALLYSON GOOLSBY/412 MEDIA

TKA girls leading basketball scorer Jade Jones.

Jade Jones dribbling during a regional semifinal victory over Windermere Prep.

Jade Jones and coach Chris Race during the regional semifinal win. PHOTOS BY DEREK CHIRCH

Wellington’s Phildensy Jean Named Boys & Girls Clubs Youth Of The Year

At the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s 11th annual Michelle Hagerty Youth of the Year dinner, seven finalists competed for a countywide title that provides a four-year university scholarship plus room and board from the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. The winner was Phildensy Jean of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington, who was named the 2025 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year. The event was record-breaking, raising $548,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

The dinner was held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion and included an event where the seven finalists gave three-minute speeches. The finalists were selected to represent their club by a preliminary competition that included a comprehensive application, three essays, three letters of recommendation and an interview in front of a panel of judges. All finalists received a new laptop from Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, suitcases and office supplies from Office Depot, and a four-year Florida college scholarship, provided by the Mary Alice

Fortin Foundation. The county winner received a four-year university scholarship plus room and board.

“The 11th annual Youth of the Year dinner was a night to be remembered, as our seven nominees captured the hearts of the audience, judges and sponsors. It was inspiring to listen to their personal stories of accomplishment and hard work. They truly embody the spirit of our clubs, and we are excited to follow their collegiate success,” said Jaene Miranda, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County.

The chairs for the

were

and

and the honorary chairs were the Hon. Danielle Moore and the Hon. Lesly Smith. Founded in 1971, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County is a not-for-profit youth development organization dedicated to promoting the educational, vocational, health, leadership and character of boys and girls in a safe, nurturing environment. For more information, visit www. bgcpbc.org or call (561) 683-3287.

Drive-Thru Ashes Event At St. Michael A Success

of ashes, several people expressed deep gratitude, especially those who

had just come from chemotherapy and couldn’t be around others. Some shared their discomfort in their own churches, while others appreciated the convenience due to their busy schedules, happy to receive ashes in this manner.

Since the church houses Sprouts school, an Alzheimer’s Community Care center, and Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups, some of the workers walked out and received ashes. The event demonstrated the church’s commitment to inclusivity and community support, providing a moment of reflection and connection for all involved.

St. Michael welcomes all of God’s children of every race, culture, age, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, physical and mental abilities,

family status and background. The church is located at 1925 Birkdale Drive in Wellington. To learn more, call (561) 793-4999.

Loxahatchee Groves-based Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the largest cage free, no-kill dog shelter, held an unprecedented fundraising weekend March 1-2, raising $4.3 million at the annual “Wine, Women & Shoes” benefit event, with surprise visits from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, along with Big Dog Ranch Rescue Board Member and host Lara Trump. The event was held at the Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach.

The annual two-day event was chaired by Susan Malzoni and cochair Lora Drasner with support from honorary chairs Denise Rizzuto and Nicola Verses, and philanthropic chair Elena Cardone and Cardone Capital, as they joined 1,400 dog lovers and fashionistas with a fashion show, luncheon, live auction and dog adoptions.

Adoptable dogs, who were the stars of the event, rocking the runway in a doggie fashion show, dressed by Surf Soleil. Additional special guests included global fashion designers Anne Fontaine, Chiara Boni, Robert Graham and Ala von Auersperg, ambassadors Peter Lamelas and Kimberly Guilfoyle, U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee and Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. “This year was a record-breaking success and boosted awareness for Big Dog Ranch Rescue,” founder Lauree Simmons said.

“It was a heartwarming display of community spirit, uniting style-lovers and animal advocates for a truly monumental cause. It was an honor to have President Trump and Elon Musk make an appearance in support of our mission, alongside passionate animal advocate Lara Trump.” Big Dog Ranch Rescue was founded in 2008 and today has saved the lives of more than 75,000 dogs. Their mission is to heal and place them with loving families, to educate people about the proper care of dogs, and the importance of spaying and neutering. To learn more about Big Dog Ranch Rescue, visit www.bdrr.org.

Pastor A.J. Striffler and Ken Klammer.

Big Dog Ranch Rescue Board Member Lara Trump with veteran John Wayne.

11th annual Michelle Hagerty Youth of the Year dinner

Olympia Bishop

Wilder Regalbuto,

Lesly Smith, Phildensy Jean and Danielle Moore.

John and Julie Kime. PHOTOS BY TRACEY BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY

Olympia Bishop and Wilder Regalbuto.

Michelle Hagerty and Jaene Miranda.

The Ash Wednesday Drive-Th-

ru Ashes event at St. Michael Lutheran Church held Wednesday, March 5 was a success, drawing more than 200 cars and walk-ups. This event, which began in 2020

Pastor A.J. Striffler and Ken Klammer give ashes as Sally Mascia hands out crosses.

due to the pandemic, was covered by WPTV Channel 5’s Christy Waite. During the anointing

Emerald Cove Pre-IT Students Promote Leadership, Literacy At Equestrian Trails

At Emerald Cove Middle School, leadership and literacy go hand in hand. During the “Students Read a Book Across America” event, Pre-IT academy students took the lead in mentoring and inspiring younger learners at Equestrian Trails Elementary School. Through engaging readaloud sessions, middle schoolers brought the magic of Dr. Seuss to life, fostering a love for reading among kindergarten and firstgrade students. Thanks to the generosity of donors, each young student received their own copy of a Dr. Seuss book, allowing them to continue their reading journey at home. Adding to the excitement, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office joined the event with their emotional support dogs, creating a warm and welcoming environment for the children. Through this collaborative effort, Emerald Cove’s Pre-IT students are proving that leadership starts with giving back and making a difference.

tary School team achieved first place at the Odyssey of the Mind Regional Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 22 in Port St. Lucie. They are now headed to the Florida

Odyssey of the Mind Competition at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando on Saturday, April 12. Odyssey of the Mind is a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) problem-solving program where students are taught skills and then must use them to solve a problem. These students made Palm Beach County shine with their knowledge, skills and presentation. The team of students and teachers worked hard and achieved an amazing accomplishment. They will join 200 teams from across the state to compete for the honor of going to the world competition in May. Learn more about the program at www.odysseyofthemind.com.

Wellington’s Talia Fradkin Inducted Into Medical Honor Society

is also an active volunteer in her local community. She is scheduled to graduate this May with her medical degree and pursue a career in diagnostic radiology.

PRATZ QUALIFIES FOR DEBATE NATIONALS

On Monday, Feb. 24, Wellington Elementary School’s fourth graders went on an Everglades adventure to the Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center. This unique field trip provided two hands-on activities for the students, teachers and chaperones.

Swamp Tromp students walked on the wild side during a hike through the cypress swamp and got wet and muddy. This hike was on a rugged trail that requires stepping over and ducking under vegetation and other obstacles. Students learned about the importance of natural resources that the Florida Everglades provides and the importance of protecting the environment.

Dip Net students entered water that was knee to hip deep and watched the marsh come alive as they discovered the amazing

The Emerald Cove Middle School SECME team recently competed in the Palm Beach County SECME Olympiad at Santaluces High School. The Olympiad is an engineering competition where the students from

Congratulations to the Wellington Elementary School fourth grade art club. Thanks to the many students, staff, family, friends and community votes, the club’s South Florida Fair hanging sculpture won the popular vote and came in first place in the elementary division, winning $200. Shown here are club members with their

and other

call

the SECME/STEM club get to test their projects against other middle schools.

Emerald Cove took home third place in the Mousetrap Car competition. Cody Kennedy led the team with a distance of 2858 cm.

Wednesday, March 12, the

winners of the 15th annual School Bus Drug Prevention Media Contest at a ceremony held at the Wellington Community Center. Crestwood Middle School swept the Middle School Division. Rebecca Dorsainval was the

grade Artist’s Choice Digital Arts Winner, Haley Swanson

the seventh grade Artist’s Choice Visual Arts Winner, Rhiley Wescott was the eighth grade Popular Choice Award Winner and teacher Trish Duebber was the middle school teacher winner. Finalists for the Popular Choice Award in the Middle School Division included sixth graders Paisley Wilcox, Katherin Diaz and Adalene Gamble.

Emerald Cove Pre-IT students during their visit to Equestrian Trails Elementary School.

(L-R) Students Michela Cariseo, Lea Rizzo, Bella Heydlauff, Aurora McNeary, Clara Al Hwayek, Mya Paul and Charlotte Oland. Not shown are coaches Allison Schouwink, Cindy Myers and Courtney Pech-Ngoon.

Wellington Elementary students during their visit to the Grassy Waters Preserve.

Talia Fradkin

eighth

was

aquatic insects

small wonders that

the wetlands home. During this dip-netting adventure, students made observations of invertebrates and the environment.

Zachary Greene and Stanley Chen took third place for Emerald Cove in the BrainBowl.

Emerald Cove Middle School SECME team members at the Palm Beach County SECME Olympiad.

International Polo Tour founder Tareq Salahi took part in a ribbon cutting with the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

Guests enjoyed a luxurious evening at Tareq Salahi’s home in Wellington. PHOTOS BY KONSTANDINA MARTUCCI/GUNNERMAX PRODUCTIONS

International Polo Tour Kicks Off Season In Wellington With Special Event Supporting Cancer Charity

International Polo Tour (IPT) founder and team captain Tareq Salahi recently celebrated the start of 2025’s polo season with a philanthropy-filled night of luxury, elite icons and excitement for what’s to come.

Hosted at his home in Wellington, the heart of the nation’s vibrant polo culture, attendees included national polo players, celebrities such as Ben Robinson (Chef Ben of Bravo’s Below Deck), and 200-plus guests, all of whom enjoyed a silent auction, live entertainment including a beautiful mermaid performer, a flamethrower and a drummer, and gaming tables.

Proceeds from the evening were donated to the We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) charity, an organization that helps provide

struggling families counseling, childcare, transportation to visit ill loved ones and more.

Toward the end of the evening, Salahi conducted a ceremonial ribbon cutting alongside members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, symbolizing the bright future ahead for the IPT.

“This past weekend was a lovely experience, one I wouldn’t trade for anything,” Salahi said. “I am honored that I could lead our community in starting the season on a high note, all while supporting a charity that has changed lives for those battling one of humanity’s worst illnesses. WWSC has been one of our most valuable partners over the past decade, and we are grateful we could raise more support for their work.”

WRMC Achieves Certification As A Gluten-Free Food Service Facility

The International Polo Tour also recently honored their partnership with WWSC through their collaboration with apparel brand PoloGear. “I look forward to truly getting back onto the polo field and showing the world how we got to where we are today — dedication, determination and admiration for everything polo has come to represent,” he said.

Wellington Regional Medical Center has achieved its certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service program for the second year in a row. The WRMC nutrition team met the rigorous standards and expectations for safety required to achieve this honor. The team is proud to serve delicious meals for any diet preference on a daily basis, and this designation shows their commitment to provide quality food for patients. The Gluten-Free Food Service audits and validates restaurants and food businesses that serve gluten-free food. The GFFS validation program is a program of the Gluten Intolerance Group, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the needs of the gluten-free community for more than 45 years. GIG is on a mission to make life easier for everyone living gluten-free, and WRMC is proud to be a part of this program.

The International Polo Tour, founded by Salahi, brings the love of polo to a wider audience, uniting international cultures in a celebration of both their common bonds and their diversity. From snow polo to beach polo to elephant polo, IPT provides support worldwide, including Argentina, Australia, Asia, England, South America, Italy and throughout the United States. To learn more, visit www.internationalpolotour.com.

Tango Beauty Open At Wellington Green

A new retail destination is joining the more than 160 stores located in the Mall at Wellington Green. Tango Beauty adds to the growing and robust offerings in apparel, health and beauty, and more at this lifestyle destination in Wellington.

Tango Beauty, a well-established name in the beauty industry, officially opened its new 3,781-square-foot location at the mall on Jan. 25.

Founded by Marc Zeitler more than 35 years ago, Tango Beauty has built a reputation as a leader in salon services and beauty retail, and it is the largest retail center for hair care in Florida. The store features a vast selection of premium products and bestsellers from leading and professional brands like Ahava, Ami-

ka, K18, Moroccan Oil, Olaplex, Redken and Wella. The space even houses an on-site salon with services that range from haircuts and color to keratin treatments, hair extensions and blowouts. Additionally, Tango Beauty carries its own branded makeup consisting of lipstick, lip gloss, bronzer/blush, eyebrow pencils, brow gel and mascara. Made in South Florida with paraben-free, gluten-free and cruelty-free ingredients, the collection took three years to create, according to Tango Beauty CEO Alec Zeitler. A vegan skincare line is also in development. For more information, call (561) 791-6680 or visit www.instagram. com/tangobeautywellington. The Mall at Wellington Green

is located at

WRMC will be displaying the validated Gluten Free Safe Spot logo throughout the hospital to represent the independent verification of quality, integrity and purity of businesses serving gluten-free food. Validation as a Gluten Free Safe Spot establishes trust with gluten-free patrons in the ability of a facility to provide safe, gluten-free food.

Established in 2009, GFFS has

WRMC staff members celebrate certification as a Gluten-Free Food Service program. held its food service establishments to the highest standards. Consumers recognize that locations validated as Gluten Free Safe Spots serve gluten-free food that meets the nonprofit GFFS’s rigorous standards and expectations for safety. GFFS validates participating establishments, from restaurants to college dining, senior living, hospitals and more, by visiting locations in-person to ensure they follow best practices for gluten-free food safety and ensure high-quality staff training.

“It’s exciting to award gluten-free validation to Wellington Regional Medical Center. The GFFS validation shows a strong

commitment to its mission to make health a positive and local experience. We are proud to be part of this respected provider of healthcare services efforts, as they support those who are living gluten-free,” said Cynthia Kelly, CEO of the Gluten Intolerance Group. Wellington Regional Medical Center is

Illustrated Properties Launches Sports & Entertainment Division

Illustrated Properties, a leading luxury real estate brokerage serving the Palm Beaches, recently debuted its new Sports & Entertainment Division to meet the unique needs of the firm’s high-profile clientele. Through this dedicated division, member sales associates can leverage Illustrated’s best-inclass marketing, partnerships and relationships in their representation of sports figures, celebrities and entertainment professionals. Illustrated’s Sports & Entertainment Division provides a forum for top-performing sales associates to collaborate on innovative marketing and sales strategies for this select group of luxury buyers and sellers. It also elevates the individual brands of member sales associates and maximizes business development opportunities through Illustrated’s exclusive affiliations,

such as partnerships with Forbes Global Properties, Luxury Portfolio International and Leading Real Estate Companies of the World.

To qualify as division members, Illustrated sales associates must have at least five years of real estate sales experience, or be part of a team where the team leader has five years of experience, and have brokered at least three transactions involving a professional athlete/ sports figure, celebrity or entertainment management professional. Alternatively, current or former sports or entertainment professionals who are licensed sales associates with Illustrated are eligible to become division members.

“We are fortunate to have incredible sales associates who cater to prominent luxury clients who value sophistication and discretion,” Illustrated President

Daniel Dennis said. “Our sales associates already have the proven track record with such clientele. This new division will only bolster their success through the power of collaboration.”

Michael Jalbert, CEO of Forbes Global Properties, noted that Illustrated’s team understands what high-profile clients need, and this new division is a natural extension of their expertise.

“As a valued member of our global network, Illustrated continues to set the standard for exceptional real estate representation in the Palm Beaches and beyond,” Jalbert said. “Through Forbes Global Properties’ Private Office offering, this initiative is further supported with exclusive resources and global connections tailored to the unique needs of ultra-high-networth clientele.”

Visit Tango Beauty, now open in the Mall at Wellington Green.

March Has Been An Up And Down, Loud And Quiet Month So Far

March has been a heck of a month!

They say it either comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb — or the reverse. It came in like a lamb, so now I’m trembling in my boots. The first week, I was in Wisconsin, relocating my mother to a memory care center. Everything moves slowly with mom, like those dreams you have where something is chasing you but you can’t run very fast, like you’re a stapler inside a Jell-O mold. I eventually adapted. The second week, my daughter Jen and I drove to Austin for “South by Southwest” — a music, film and art festival that also includes technology. At SXSW (as they write it), everything moves quickly

— traffic, conversation, ideas, everything.

I eventually adapted. The third week, it was back to Wisconsin to sit by mom’s side and see how she was doing before slowly and carefully moving in her furniture, slowly and carefully placing her knick-knacks on her

shelves, and slowly and carefully matching up her socks. I eventually adapted, yes, but it was getting to be a mind game.

In Wisconsin, I was awakened every morning at 6 a.m. by a nurse who came in to give mom her meds. In Texas, I was awakened every morning at 6 a.m. by a daughter who came bouncing out of her room like a bunny rabbit with, “Let’s go-o-o-o!”

In Wisconsin, I drove slowly through town, adapting the same gentle pace as the other drivers. In Texas, I was zipping through town next to cars that had no drivers

In Wisconsin, Mom and I would discuss things that happened 50 years ago

by flipping through black and white (or brown!) photographs. In Texas, Jen and I would discuss things that could happen 50 years in the future by tuning in to an online lecture given by Artificial Intelligence.

In Wisconsin, mom sorted and re-sorted several decades’ worth of my old Town-Crier columns. In Texas, my daughter and I were interviewed by Tech Deck magazine, where they focus on “rising stars and cutting-edge brands, seamlessly blending technology with culture and creativity.”

A bit of an aside here. My daughter is a brilliant engineer about to launch a “cutting-edge” data-based company, and she definitely belongs in Tech Deck. I am

a simple-minded goofball who does not. Case in point: the first thing I said into the little microphone was, “Oh, I know nothing about technology. I don’t even have a decent web site.” Fortunately, this particular interviewer seemed more interested in the mother/daughter connection and the fact that we are both entrepreneurs. Then he took our picture — because we are evidently the perfect blend of technology, culture, creativity and good looks (ha!). It was a roller coaster of a month, and it’s time to find out what the fourth week will bring. Will it really be a lion of a week? Or will it be another lamb? Whatever it is, I know this for sure — I will eventually adapt.

Newly Crowned Best Picture Winner ‘Anora’ Is A Fun, Wild Ride

There have been many movies over the years centered on hookers. Camille, Rain, Anna Christie, Klute, Irma la Douce and Pretty Woman, for example. In some cases comedies, and others tragedies.

Anora, an independent film from Sean Baker, can join the club and bring along its Oscar for Best Picture of the Year — along with ones for star Mikey Madison and a group of them for producer/writer/ director/editor Baker.

It is officially a comedy/drama, and that fits. At times it is screamingly funny, and at others very serious. Also, be warned. It is very hard R rated. Think of it as a tough, nasty version of Pretty Woman.

‘I’

On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

Anora (Madison) is a girl who we find out is a hooker, although we only see her “dating” the male lead. In this movie, she is a real working girl. There is nudity, a lot of sex and sex talk, and a huge number of swear words. The story starts in Anora’s workplace, a strip joint/brothel in Brooklyn. But she does leave it at times for more private quarters to continue her work. And that is where she meets Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), a spoiled Russian man-child who now learns there are things to do that are even more fun than video games. She is the ideal girl for him since she is Uzbek (possibly the only Uzbek character ever in a major film. It’s a land in Central Asia once dominated by the Soviet Union) and speaks Russian. He falls for her and offers her $15,000 to stay with him for a week at

his parents’ home, which is deserted since they are back in Russia. Sounds a bit like Pretty Woman, doesn’t it?

But they fly to Las Vegas for more fun, and he convinces her to get married. The fun begins when they return to New York, and his parents find out. They call on one of their henchmen, Toros (Karren Karagulian), an Armenian priest. The call comes in the middle of him doing a christening, and he takes off, one of the funniest bits in a film I’ve seen since a Mel Brooks movie. He brings two of his strong-arm men Igor (Yura Borisov) and Garnik (Vache Tovmasyan) to put pressure on the young couple.

Of course, the mess keeps going on and gets stronger as the couple prepared for pushback, including screaming, threats, throwing things, barfing, a couple of car escapades and general chaos. Everything escalates when the Russian parents arrive to make things worse and crazier. And the

ending, which is not really expected, gave a real kick to the film.

It is a strange movie in that unlike most films, it takes its time to show the world Anora lives in. Afterward, we see the destruction of much of the structure of this strange culture, as we see the young people fighting for their new dreams against their elders, who essentially want to keep traditions the same. Things eventually do slow down, as the characters begin to show more of themselves. The frenetic comedy of the middle slows, and we begin to see more subtle characteristics come through. The cast is superb. Madison won the Oscar for her glowing lead performance. She may be a dirty pearl in a filthy oyster, but she has dreams and does not plan to give in. She is realistic enough to know that there is little chance of really winning, but tough and stubborn enough to fight for it.

Borisov is also excellent. He was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar and deserves it. While presumably just a tough guy, he is more self-aware than just about anyone else in the film. The rest of the cast is fine. They are funny and bring out the different ethnicities all trying to function together in a corner of Brooklyn. Baker takes his time looking and occasionally mocking the beliefs, but he works hard to be true to the characterizations. And Madison shines all the way through.

The movie won the Oscar. Is it a great movie? No. It will never be mentioned alongside Casablanca or The Godfather. But it is a reasonably good movie, and it is free on Netflix. And Sean Baker may turn out

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