Town-Crier Newspaper May 22, 2020 by Wellington The Magazine LLC

GRADUATION 2020: MEET THE HIGH SCHOOL VALEDICTORIANS AND SALUTATORIANS SEE PAGES 3 & 5 THE

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Volume 41, Number 14 May 22 - June 4, 2020

Serving Palms West Since 1980

HONORING HEALTHCARE HEROES

Local Foundation Serves As Extension Of Donors’ Generosity During The Pandemic

When the local community faced the daunting challenges of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the Wellington Community Foundation took quick action to help the most vulnerable members of the community when they needed it the most. “We recognize there is a great responsibility now more than ever to support those in need throughout Wellington, and due to the unwavering support of our donors, supporters and volunteers, we are in a position to help our most vulnerable seniors, children and veterans,” WCF Chair Tom Wenham said. Page 4

PBSO Captain: Overall Crime Down In Wellington

Meeting virtually using the Zoom software platform, the Wellington Village Council heard its annual report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, May 12. PBSO Capt. Rolando Silva and his team presented the PBSO District 8 report, noting that Wellington is safer last fiscal year than the year before. Page 4

ITID Slowly Re-Opening Acreage Park Facilities

The Indian Trail Improvement District has opened its park facilities in a limited capacity, observing the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), according to ITID Parks & Recreation Director Elizabeth Ricci. ITID has been in phase one opening for about two weeks, with limited access to passive parks, observing six-foot separation and wearing face masks, Ricci said at the May 13 meeting of the ITID Board of Supervisors. Page 7

Big Dog Ranch Seeks Support To Keep Its Mission Moving Forward

The Village of Wellington showed its support and appreciation for local healthcare workers during National Hospital Week (May 10-16). On Monday, May 11, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, Wellington Village Council members and residents joined in a vehicle parade that traveled past Wellington Regional Medical Center. Shown above, WRMC staff members appreciated the outpouring of best wishes from the community. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Long-Planned Shooting Sports Complex Opens For Limited Use By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The new Palm Beach County Shooting Sports Complex, located just east of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, is ready for limited use after years in the planning. The range opened by appointment only beginning May 18, concurrent with the county’s reopening of other facilities following closings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shooting sports complex will observe the virus safety rules still in effect, which include face masks and social distancing.

The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, which manages the range, is opening this and other FWC-managed ranges in a phased approach. Phase 2 guidelines have not been finalized. The FWC will continue to evaluate its COVID-19 response with regard to shooting ranges and plans to resume more normal operations when it’s safe to do so. The range is open with limited access to rifle and handgun ranges on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The range will operate at 50 percent capacity with a one-hour time limit per participant. Only one

person per lane is allowed. While partially open, the Palm Beach County range is still partially under construction. It is being built by the FWC in partnership with Palm Beach County. When complete, it will feature rifle and handgun ranges, sporting clays, 5-stand, skeet, and American and Olympic trap. Phase I of the project, the rifle and handgun ranges, is supported through funding from the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program. Additional support and funding are provided by Palm Beach County, the National Rifle See SHOOTING, page 18

Wellington Zoners OK Senior Facility For More Residents

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report At the Wednesday, May 13 meeting of Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, a local senior care facility received a conditional use approval to increase its residency by 50 percent from 14 to 21 patients. PZA Board Chair Stephen Levin called the virtual meeting to order using the Zoom computer software. Housekeeping measures brought the board’s minutes up to date before discussion of the congregate living facility.

At the start of the discussion, Village Attorney Laurie Cohen received approval from the applicant to hold the public hearing using Zoom. Wellington Senior Planner Damian Newell made the staff presentation to the board for New Age of Senior Care, located at 1074 Hyacinth Place. The facility currently occupies three condominiums in the four-unit building on 0.52 acres. Since 2013, New Age of Senior Care has operated as a Class 2A congregate living facility for

Alzheimer’s patients who require some assistance in their daily activities. The secure facility is protected with keypad access. The requested Class 2B designation would allow the facility to have plans drawn up to expand into the fourth condominium, creating a total of 21 permanent beds and one short-term-care bed, with internal connections throughout the facility. It will be the third 2B designation within the village. Newell reviewed the history and the location of the facility, which See ZONERS, page 4

County Discusses Strategies To Deal With COVID-19 During A Hurricane

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report With the 2020 hurricane season just days away, the Palm Beach County Commission held an extended workshop discussion Tuesday, May 19 on how to deal with the COVID-19 crisis should it be simultaneously coupled with a hurricane. County staff gave a presentation on hurricane preparedness prior to hurricane season beginning June 1. The storm season got off to an early start with Tropical Storm Arthur, which began its development near South Florida weeks ahead of the official season. Luckily, that storm stayed well off the Florida coast. Deputy County Administrator Jon Van Arnam said the presentation was to show what the county has done to improve preparation following the 185-mph Hurricane Dorian, which caused devastation in The Bahamas and brushed past Palm Beach County in September 2019 before turning north, sparing this area a major disaster. “Additionally, we will provide an overview of the preparedness strategies during this pandemic for the 2020 hurricane season,” Van Arnam said. Director of Public Safety Stephanie Sejnoha said her department has focused recently on addressing coronavirus issues, although its responsibility addresses all disasters. “This year, our efforts are focused on COVID-19, but we are working with our state partners to develop a plan to address a hurricane during this pandemic,” Sejnoha said. “Due to very warm temperatures in the tropics, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season forecast is likely to be very active and slightly above average.” She said improved staffing is among changes her department has made considering the pandemic, as well as issues that arose during Hurricane Dorian, which threatened Palm Beach County during the week of Labor Day, when many staff members were on leave. Director of Emergency Management Bill Johnson said COVID-19

has already put an unprecedented strain on disaster management, health workers, first responders and other systems. “A hurricane will exacerbate that strain,” Johnson said. “The Florida Division of Emergency Management has spearheaded a statewide effort to address COVID-19 shelter planning, and Palm Beach County has been an active member of that statewide shelter coordination team.” Strategies to address COVID-19 issues during a hurricane include an evaluation of the statewide evacuation process. “We may have to balance evacuation risk against the risk of increasing transmission,” Johnson said. “We are also developing a hurricane shelter contingency plan that will include non-congregate and congregate sheltering options for general populations, special needs and pet-friendly shelters. We are looking at creative ways of insuring physical distancing while not dramatically reducing our overall capacity.” Emergency management is working to provide shelters with screening, masks, hand sanitizer and cleaning equipment, and to develop new procedures and training for staff to employ during a possible COVID-19/hurricane crisis. “We will continue to evaluate our plan to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and our employees of Palm Beach County,” Johnson said. Commissioner Hal Valeche asked if volunteers could be employed to assist in some shelter operations, and County Administrator Verdenia Baker said volunteers do work in the shelters, but when an actual major storm rolled in, many volunteers did not come. “We also had issues with contracts, such as contract nurses, where we thought these nurses were going to show up, but they did not show up,” Baker said. Commissioner Greg Weiss asked what the recovery period would look like during a simultaneous COVID-19/hurricane See COUNTY, page 18

FEEDING THE HUNGRY

TO OUR READERS It has been nearly two months since we were last in your mailbox with a printed issue of the Town-Crier — and what a long, strange two months they have been. However, while we have not been printing our weekly newspaper, we have not gone away. We have, in fact, been placing local news on our web site every day to keep our readers informed on the COVID-19 emergency and other local news items. With lockdowns partially lifted and our office building re-opened, we are now returning to print. However, we will do so with the utmost of caution and a strong focus on the needs and safety of our staff, our readers, our advertisers and the communities we serve. As we all strive to get back to “business as usual,” the Town-Crier will be publishing every other Friday through the summer months. But that does not mean that you have to wait to get news updates. We will continue placing news items on our web site at www.gotowncrier.com on a daily basis, as well as sharing these news items on our social media channels, which can be found on Facebook and Twitter @TownCrierOnline. It’s great to be back in print. Everyone here at the Town-Crier wishes you all the best of health and safety as we discover this new normal together.

The Village of Wellington is partnering with Feeding South Florida to distribute meals at the Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. until further notice. These free food distributions are on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. With the help of local volunteers, Wellington staff distributes fresh produce and perishable food items to those in need. The site is based at the parking lot of the former Nordstrom store. Shown above, PBSO deputies Scott Poritz and Vasile Ciuperger direct traffic. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

LGES Teacher Elizabeth Grimes Wins Dwyer Award

Elizabeth Grimes works with children in the vegetable garden.

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Elizabeth Grimes of Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School has won the 2020 William T. Dwyer Award in the Early Learning category. Her achievement was announced in a virtual ceremony held on Tuesday, May 5. The William T. Dwyer Awards for Excellence in Education is an annual program of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County Foundation recognizing outstanding educators from public and private schools in Palm Beach County. Grimes was chosen for the award due to her work in a volun-

tary education inclusion program grouping disabled children with mainstream students. “Ten of the children have disabilities and ten of the children do not,” Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School Principal Richard Myerson explained. “When you go into that classroom, you wouldn’t know whether the children have a disability or not. [Grimes] has such high expectations for her students, she moves them all. They all make great progress. The goal of VPK is to get children ready for kindergarten, and all her children are ready for kindergarten.” Last summer, Grimes received a grant to build an outdoor STEAM (science, technology, engineering,

art and math) classroom for her children. “You go out there and children are planting plants, they’ve got scales and balances, 4-year-olds are building ramps and sending cars down trying to make the car go farther,” Myerson said. “They’re learning all these different concepts in play. She loves her kids, and her kids love her.” Myerson said that Grimes’ prekindergarten program does very well in meeting the state-required standards for children entering kindergarten. “There’s lots of social development going on amongst everyone,” Grimes said. “Of course, we work See GRIMES, page 18

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NEWS

Sem Ridge Valedictorian And Salutatorian: Enjoy Every Moment

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report Seminole Ridge High School made it through the unprecedented challenges of the 2020 school year, and 536 students will be graduating Tuesday, June 2 at 5 p.m. with Leyton Kounlavong leading the class as valedictorian and Robert Moore as salutatorian. The June 2 ceremony will be held virtually, streaming online and televised on the school district’s various channels. Learn more at www.palmbeachschools. org/graduation2020. In addition to the virtual ceremony, SRHS Project Graduation and the Indian Trail Improvement District will host a 2020 Senior Parade through The Acreage on Saturday, May 30, starting at 9 a.m. The route starts at Citrus Grove Park and goes down 140th Avenue North to end at Acreage Community Park. “Seminole Ridge is extremely proud of all the graduates of the Class of 2020, including our valedictorian Leyton Kounlavong and salutatorian Robert Moore,” Principal Dr. James Campbell said. “Both Leyton and Robert are prime examples that hard work pays off. They were driven to succeed throughout their high school years and earned the honor of being recognized as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.” Both students are slated to become

Florida Gators. “We know that motivation will serve them well as they both further their education at the University of Florida,” Campbell said. When Moore was a sophomore, a teacher told him that he was, at the time, at the top of his class. That is when he decided he might try for one of the graduation honors. A member of the National Honor Society and the National Science Honor Society, Moore also played baseball his freshman and sophomore years before an injury sidelined him his junior year. Of course, he missed this year because the spring sports season was canceled. Moore lives with his parents and his two brothers, ages 19 and 13, and his sister, who is 11. He holds a grade point average of 4.0 with his weighted honors point average at 5.19. He will be studying biology at UF. “My goal is to study to be a doctor,” Moore said. One of the reasons Moore chose the Gainesville campus is because he plans to work with the football team as a video assistant, doing camera work for different drills in practice. Moore said that his advice for fellow graduating seniors is, “Don’t let not having a prom or graduation diminish what you have accomplished.” While what lies ahead for the next school year remains unknown at this time,

he advised next year’s seniors to enjoy every opportunity they are given. “Don’t take anything for granted and enjoy every moment of your senior year,” he said. Currently completing the four classes he takes through Google Meet, Moore said his current schedule is unusually light. “Pretty chilled, a lot like summer,” he said. “I watch a lot of Netflix.” Despite the challenges of this school year, Moore remains upbeat. “I am very, optimistic about having a bright future,” he said. “I am pretty driven about college and graduate school.” Friends who have known each other for a while, Kounlavong and Moore jostled back and forth as numbers one and two in the class, taking honors classes and extra college courses. When he was a sophomore, Kounlavong, who lives with his parents and has an older brother and sister, found out he was number two and strived to end as the valedictorian. “At the end of my junior year, I was number one,” he recalled. A typical current school day begins at 8 a.m. with online classes that go until about noon. “From 3 until 8 p.m., I do homework. We finished the curriculum early in the year,” said Kounlavong, who will be going to the University of Florida to study mechanical engineering. Kounlavong’s advice to fellow graduates is to, “Hit the ground running. Let

Valedictorian Leyton Kounlavong

Salutatorian Robert Moore

emotions of losing what we lost this year be what fuels you to improve. We have something to bond over.” For students who will be seniors next year, Kounlavong wishes them a better springtime. “Enjoy every moment while it lasts. We lost prom, grad bash and graduation… It makes me appreciate the things I did before the virus,” he said. “Work will be there, make memories with your friends at

school events, balance it. Be ready when the world opens back up.” Despite the current troubles, he sees bright times ahead. “I am optimistic about the future,” Kounlavong said. “However upsetting it may be now, there is nothing I can do, I can’t fight a pandemic. Campbell is proud of how the Class of 2020 has dealt with unprecedented challenges. “We wish all our graduates the best in their future endeavors,” he said.

Palm Beach Central Graduates 699 Leaders In Class Of 2020

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report An unprecedented year at Palm Beach Central High School will come to an end on Tuesday, June 2 at 8 p.m. when the Class of 2020 will graduate, not by marching at the South Florida Fairgrounds, but glued to their television, computer screen or mobile device. The ceremony will be held virtually, streaming online and televised on the school district’s various channels. Learn more at www.palmbeachschools.org/ graduation2020. “Of course, it has been an unprecedented year, and our seniors have led the way,” Principal Darren Edgecomb said. “It is due to their endurance, tenacity, intelligence and confidence that we were able to persevere.” The class will be led by valedictorian Jacob Fingeret and salutatorian Ian Mutschler. “Jacob and Ian are extremely popular, and they helped to lead the way in the Class of 2020,” Edgecomb said. “The class of 699 as a whole rose to the occasion, and these two phenomenal young men were truly leaders.” Mutschler lives with his parents and

has two sisters — an older sister attending college in Jacksonville and a 15-year-old younger sister at home. He will be attending Florida State University, where he plans to major in meteorology. Mutschler graduated with a 3.9474 grade point average (GPA) and a 5.3662 honors point average (HPA). “After my sophomore year, I saw I had a shot and thought it would be pretty cool. I wanted to go for it,” explained Mutschler about being named salutatorian. Of course, he also got some parental encouragement during his academic journey. “My mom pushed me along the way,” he said. Mutschler was a member of the National Honor Society, active in the Student Government Association and works as a lifeguard at the Wellington Aquatics Complex. One of the challenges of switching to online schooling was the “bizarre transition of trying to learn calculus over a computer screen. It is not easy. I’m more of a face-to-face person,” Mutschler said. Mutschler, however, remains optimistic about the future. “With the virus, I trust people in charge to the extent that they know what they are doing,” he said. “I’m

confident that there will be a vaccine or some kind of herd immunity. I am already seeing signs of re-opening, and that gives me hope. I think that maybe in a few months or a year, things will be back to normal.” Mutschler offered some advice to his fellow graduates. “Having a high number is great, but don’t forget your friends and the people you meet,” he said. “They are much more important than a number. It is cool to be able to speak at graduation or to have a bunch of cords, but don’t forget your friends. They are more important than your GPA — and enjoy things while they last because, as we have seen, it can all be pulled away at any time.” To the students who will be seniors next year and the year after, Mutschler suggested that they may not want to follow his exact example. “Don’t kill yourself like I did,” he said. “I’m not saying it wasn’t worth it; but focus on relationships. That is going to be what builds your character more than anything.” Fingeret has a 15-year-old brother and a sister who just turned 11. He graduates with a GPA of 4.0 and an HPA of 5.5. He

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Valedictorian Jacob Fingeret

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and water polo, and he served as treasurer of the National Honor Society and a member of the history, environmental and social studies honor societies. Along the way, he also found time to work at Wawa. The challenge Fingeret noticed most See PBCHS GRAD, page 18

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May 22 - June 4, 2020

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NEWS

Local Foundation Serves As An Extension Of Donors’ Generosity During Pandemic

positive impact on neighbors in need. For example, the foundation teamed up with Wellington Councilman Michael Napoleone and Great Charity Challenge Executive Director Anne Caroline Valtin to support their “Grab-n-Go Pantry” set up for the hundreds of frontline healthcare workers on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center, so that after their shift, they didn’t have to stop at the grocery store to get those much-needed items their families require. “With many other frontline heroes helping fight the pandemic right here in our community — including PBSO deputies and Palm Beach County firefighters — the foundation has also been

The Wellington Community Foundation teamed up with Agliolio and the Village of Wellington to feed first responders.

coordinating efforts with Wellington Community Service Director Paulette Edwards to provide much-needed meals during their extended, ever-increasing shifts,” Wenham said. In one such instance, the foundation teamed up with Agliolio Italian Bistro & Bar in Wellington to support these crucial first responders. As part of its ongoing commitment to the senior citizen participants of Wellington Cares, the foundation has worked to help ensure the successful efforts of Diane Gutman and her army of volunteers during the pandemic as they continue to care for Wellington’s most fragile residents by ordering and delivering groceries and medications, providing protec-

tive masks, teaching seniors how to use digital connections, Zoom check-ins and much more. “We have also partnered with Executive Director Martha Putnam of Friends of Foster Children to locate families in Wellington who are fostering children during this difficult time,” Wenham said. “We will be providing much-needed groceries and essential items to 23 families that include 37 children.” Friends of Foster Children is committed to replacing the negative stereotypes of the child welfare system with the positive possibilities for foster children. “We are uniquely poised to be a family success center at the heart of ‘fostering happy childhoods.’ We strive to provide comprehen-

The Wellington Community Foundation has kept up its longtime support for the senior citizens helped by Wellington Cares.

The foundation teamed up with Friends of Foster Children to provide gift cards. (Front row) WCF Director Maggie Zeller, WCF Secretary Jim Sackett and WCF Vice Chair Maria Becker; (back row) FFC Program Director Jane Richardson, FFC Executive Director Martha Putnam, WCF Chair Tom Wenham and WCF Director Mickey Smith. sive advocacy for kinship, foster themselves in need of guidance to and adoptive caregivers. In addi- the services they are eligible for. tion to the services we offer, we When we are able to partner with provide opportunities that enrich groups such as the Wellington the whole family’s life,” Putnam Community Foundation, we are said. able to put tangible help directly In Wellington, 23 families have into the hands of the families that opened their homes to foster chil- need it the most. Thanks to the dren and nine of the homes have Wellington Community Foundataken in multiple children — sib- tion, 23 families will open their ling groups of two to four children. blessing in the form of $150 gift “These families have made a card that will be able to help pay commitment to make the world a for groceries, purchase household better place, right where they live,” cleaning products or even clothes Putnam said. “Many of the fami- for foster children quickly growing lies our agency supports have been out of old ones.” impacted by COVID-19. We have To support the Wellington Comseen an increase in calls requesting munity Foundation in its efforts, additional assistance, and even or to learn more about this local calls from families that were very nonprofit, visit www.wellingtonself-sufficient before and now find communityfoundation.org.

County Questions Westlake’s Efforts To Provide Future Services

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report At a meeting of the Westlake City Council on Monday, May 11, Palm Beach County officials suggested that the remaining Westlake property designated for public use by county agencies is not sufficient to provide adequate services for the future population of the area. In a virtual meeting attended by all council members, staff and members of the public, Palm Beach County Facilities & Development Director Audrey Wolf said that the remaining area of the 4.4acre pod where the new fire station is located, as well as 4.7-acre and

6.3-acre pods nearby separated by a major road, are not sufficient for facilities that the county is expected to provide in the future, including a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation, a county fueling island, a youth services center, offices for the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser and the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, as well as similar facilities that serve other parts of the county. Wolf added that the property offered by Westlake, required as conditions of approval in previous agreements with developer Minto and scheduled for conveyance to the county soon, are smaller and

not configured in the manner that had been agreed to. Planner Donaldson Hearing, representing developer Minto, said plans for governmental facilities, including a new office for the Palm Beach County Tax Collector, would be presented at the council’s next meeting on June 8. He also explained that original acreages dedicated to the county had been compromised due to pedestrian pathways constructed along the roads. Wolf also questioned why a 50-acre parcel south of Seminole Ridge High School had been transferred to the Seminole Improvement District against county

advice, which she said could be used for county services. Wolf added that extensive coordination is needed with the City of Westlake for such development if it chooses to support more county services. Vice Mayor Katrina Long-Robinson said the level of communication should be improved between the county and Minto. City Manager Ken Cassel said he would take action to improve coordination with those entities. In other business: • The council approved the preliminary reading of an ordinance calling for the creation of an Education & Youth Advisory Board.

Long-Robinson urged passage to assure that children in Westlake can continue with their education, especially considering how nearby schools have been closed due to the COVID-19 emergency. Three members and one alternate would be appointed to the board. Long-Robinson made a motion for approval, which carried 5-0. • The council also approved the first reading of a civil rights ordinance providing for non-discrimination within the city and for all activities promoted or sponsored by the city. The ordinance was sponsored by the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council. PBCHRC Board Member Tamara

Sager noted that Westlake would be the first to approve such an ordinance virtually. Councilman John Paul O’Connor made a motion to approve the ordinance, which carried 5-0. • The council also approved a resolution for the final plat for Persimmon Blvd. through the community, which will connect with Persimmon Blvd. in The Acreage and to the State Road 7 extension. Councilwoman Kara Crump made a motion to approve the plat, which carried 5-0. • Finally, the council approved the final reading of its 10-year water plan on a motion by Councilman Patric Paul, which carried 5-0.

PBSO Captain: Overall Crime In Wellington Down 7 Percent

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report Meeting virtually using the Zoom software platform, the Wellington Village Council heard its annual report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, May 12. PBSO Capt. Rolando Silva and his team presented the PBSO District 8 report, noting that Wellington is safer last fiscal year than the year before. Responding to 80,897 calls in fiscal year 2019, some categories of the Uniform Crime Reports were up marginally, but overall, crime was down seven percent and, consequently, so were arrests. “There were eight robberies

last year in the entire village,” Silva said. “There have been six so far this year to date, but other categories are trending in the right direction.” Silva reported that automobile crashes were up seven percent in 2019. “They were commensurate with the additional traffic during equestrian season,” he explained. Silva said that crashes are historically in consistent hot spots and that policing of those areas remains robust. The PBSO has a target of less than 800 residential and auto thefts, and burglary crimes remained under that threshold — and were down from the previous year.

Clearing crimes with an arrest also met the benchmarks, but they were down because the number of crimes were down. Silva stressed that the PBSO works well with the State Attorney’s Office to prosecute criminals. “There were more traffic stops than in fiscal year 2018, and there were more verbal and written warnings, but without it being a goal, there were slightly fewer citations written,” Silva said. Wellington has a target of less than three auto crashes per 100 residents, and that benchmark was met with the policing efforts. “In Wellington, you are more likely to be injured in a crash than by a crime,” Silva said.

This includes bicycle accidents. “Despite the increased bicycle traffic, people are riding bicycles everywhere, but there have been no problems with crashes related to bicycles,” Silva reported. Silva thanked the council for approving the new license plate reader program, saying that it was directly responsible for more than two dozen arrests, and in at least one case, stopped a perpetrator with a gun who was assumed to be actively involved in ongoing crimes. Village-wide, there were 769 arrests in 2019 compared to 961 the previous year. DUI arrests were down, as well as crashes involving alcohol. “The Wild Stal-

lion 3 program is working,” said Silva, referring to a program that has stepped up DUI enforcement efforts during equestrian season. When receiving assistance on joint cases in more than one county, Silva explained that the South Florida Task Force has been very complimentary of the license plate reader program. Councilman John McGovern thanked Silva and the PBSO for the report. “Congratulations on another great report and another great year,” he said. Councilman Michael Napoleone congratulated the team for having lower crime rates. “We are lower than other communities in our peer group,” he noted.

Silva thanked the council and the residents of Wellington for their support. He said that he has observed near total compliance with COVID-19 regulations. “A lot of hard work goes into these numbers, and a lot of proactive efforts from our team,” Silva said. Mayor Anne Gerwig thanked residents for their efforts partnering with the PBSO. “I don’t want just to look good — I want to be good, and we are,” she said. Village Manager Paul Schofield reported that the next council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 with social distancing in the council chambers.

ITID Board Hears Traffic Report With Road Recommendations

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors heard a report on Wednesday, May 14 from Kim DeLaney with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) on the results of a recent mobility planning workshop that was held with Acreage residents. ITID has contracted with the TCRPC to advise the district on improving vehicular, pedestrian and other modes of travel to address increasing pressure on Acreage-area roadways and paths. DeLaney said that a three-hour community workshop held on April 30 via Zoom and Facebook Live had active resident participation. “These plans are always in pencil,” she said. “We are still early in the process, but we are closing in on core issues that Indian Trail wants to see.” DeLaney said that the district has lots of vehicles, but also pe-

destrians, as well as those riding golf carts, bikes and horses. “One of the key points was this district has a younger demographic,” she said, explaining that traffic speeds are so fast that school crossings must be overpopulated by crossing guards so kids can get across roads safely. DeLaney noted that arterial, connector and local roads have been affected primarily by outside influences, particularly the City of Westlake, which is located roughly in the middle of ITID’s service area. “Westlake is bringing significant change in land use patterns,” she said, adding that surrounding communities, both existing and planned, will have profound effects on ITID roads. Leading the issues that DeLaney drew from the workshop was to control cut-through traffic and speeding on local roads owned and maintained by ITID. The second-most important issue was how to reduce the impact of county roads on the lifestyle of

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area residents. County roads include Coconut Blvd. with a future expansion planned for five lanes, as well as the expansion of Orange Blvd. and 60th Street North along the M Canal. “Some things you have more control than others,” DeLaney said. “The county has control over laneage, but appearance is part of what ITID can do.” She added that Persimmon Blvd. is a district road, but the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency has identified it as a connecting road. DeLaney said efforts are being made to move pedestrian, equestrian and multimodal pathways off the roads, possibly separated by bioswales and/or fences to improve safety. She also noted that residents showed a desire to have more traffic calming, such as raised traffic tables, traffic islands and warning signs to slow down, but did not want speed bumps. Fourth on the list was to im-

prove safety for citizens. DeLaney explained that higher speeds increase fatalities. She suggested multimodal paths at least eight feet wide rather than sidewalks, adding that grant funding is available for such projects, as well as other safety improvements, such as raised pedestrian crossings and crossings that light up when pedestrians are present. DeLaney urged the quick approval of a draft document on proposed road improvements to be turned over to the Transportation

Planning Agency for consideration by the end of this month. In other business, the board approved the engineering report for ITID’s R-3 Road Plan, which will improve roads around public buildings, schools and parks. The approval was for the engineer’s report only and not for funding, which is anticipated to cost about $10 million to be funded through a bond issue. Supervisor Tim Sayre made a motion to approve the report, which carried 5-0. The board also approved a

change order for completion of the Acreage Community Park expansion project, which was recently taken over by a new contractor. James Orth with the engineering firm Craig A. Smith & Associates said that issues they found included sidewalks that were not ADA compliant, deficient asphalt and problems with the multipurpose field, including drainage and unsuitable base for sodding. Supervisor Jennifer Hager made a motion to approve the change order, which carried 5-0.

Senior Facility

tions to ensure ADA compliance and upgrade the fire sprinkler system. Board members provided a thorough examination of the application and asked about staffing, visiting hours and on-site parking requirements for nine vehicles, which exceeds the code requirement of eight. The owner of the facility said that their goal is to perform the necessary renovations with mini-

mal interruptions to operations and impact on current residents. “It would seem you operate a fine and valuable business,” Levin said. A motion to approve the change passed 6-0 with Board Member Dr. Carmine Priore absent. Development Review Coordinator Cory Lyn Cramer said that the board’s June meeting is expected to be back in the council chambers.

Zoners

continued from page 1 has never had a code enforcement action. “It is consistent with the Wellington Comprehensive Plan and land development regulations,” he said. The applicant is required to provide interior space modifica-

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NEWS

Royal Palm Beach High’s Valedictorian Sets New School Record

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report A virtual graduation ceremony will be held online on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the 564 members of Royal Palm Beach High School’s Class of 2020. The ceremony will be streaming online and televised on the school district’s various channels. Learn more at www. palmbeachschools.org/graduation2020. The virtual event will follow the format of traditional graduation ceremonies. Student names will be called and those watching will see the student because pictures will be displayed. The ceremony will feature speakers, including addresses from valedictorian Gare Graham and salutatorian Jemmanuel Theus. “We are very proud of the entire class, including both of these young men, who have obviously worked hard for their accomplishments,” said Principal Jesus Armas, explaining how the academic honors are determined using the honors point average, which takes into account extra classes and college courses. “Gare Graham has the highest HPA of any valedictorian in the school’s history.”

Theus, who finished with a 3.77 grade point average and 5.1 honors point average, lives with his parents, his 11-year-old brother and two sisters, ages 15 and 8. During this unique time of online learning, Theus maintains his attendance and classwork but is challenged by finding things to do. “It gets boring really quick,” said Theus, who will be going to the University of Florida to study mechanical engineering. Theus offers advice to his fellow graduates. “Never let someone tell you that you can’t. Strive toward your goals,” he said. “We are almost there. You have put in all the work; don’t let up now.” He sees much brighter times ahead. “After this passes, I feel like we will continue our normal lives,” Theus explained. Graham, who has a grown half-brother and half-sister, said that he had always tried his best but made no special effort in class strategy or tactics. “The principal got my attention when he told me that I was number one,” Graham recalled. “I was doing the best that I could, but there were classes I could take.

My grade point average is 3.96, and my honors point average is 5.36.” Before the virus changed the school year, Graham was active in the Pop Culture Association and was particularly interested in the areas involving Japanese culture. He was involved in the Math Academic Games in his sophomore and junior years and came in the top 15 in the district. For Graham, switching to online education only wasn’t as much of a stretch as it was for others. “To be honest, it wasn’t that much of a change for me. I am in the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, and I had gotten used to having online classes,” he said. A few of his teachers required online attendance. They would post assignments and be available to talk to students. Graham will be attending the University of Central Florida where he will major in psychology. He is optimistic about the future, rating his feelings at a 6 or 7 on a 10-point scale. “I rate it there because I worry that things are opening up too soon and the people are fickle in their observance of

Valedictorian Gare Graham

Salutatorian Jemmanuel Theus

recommendations,” he said. “One slip can make everything much worse.” Graham offers the advice of not letting events like the pandemic get you down. Get through the tough times so you know

when you can have good times, he said. “Don’t slack off because you are not seeing a teacher face to face,” Graham said. “You could screw up all the work you have done.”

Wellington High School’s Seniors ‘The Best Of The WHS Legacy’

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington High School Principal Cara Hayden said that the entire school is incredibly proud of the 635 members of the Class of 2020, who will graduate during a virtual ceremony set for Monday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed online and televised on the school district’s various channels. Learn more at www. palmbeachschools.org/graduation2020. Leading the way will be valedictorian Max LeGates and salutatorian Hersh Prakash. “Max and Hersh are wonderful representatives of the grace and maturity demonstrated by our senior class,” Hayden said. “Our seniors were instrumental in our transition to remote learning. Their focus and maturity helped our teachers maintain continuity in the classroom.” She added that the Class of 2020 will be celebrated for “their pivotal role in building our virtual campus. They responded to the loss of several senior traditions with maturity and kindness — and promoted the most innovative ideas.” Prakash has a 3.93 grade point average (GPA) and a 5.55 honors point average (HPA), which takes into account advanced classes and college-level coursework. He lives with his parents and his sister, who is two years older. Prakash recalled that it was while attending his sister’s graduation when he

was a sophomore that he decided to try for valedictorian or salutatorian. “I was sitting in the auditorium with maybe 4,000 people, and 600 kids who had all worked extremely hard to get through school and graduate,” Prakash remembered. “Only two students were getting that extra recognition. I saw the salutatorian give a speech and I got chills. I knew I would be salutatorian or valedictorian because I wanted to leave my mark at Wellington High School.” Last year, Prakash played soccer. He is a member of the National Honor Society and a math tutor. He also works part time as a loan processor and will soon have his real estate license. With school shifted by the pandemic, a typical day for him now begins at 8 a.m. “School is still happening, so I join the Google meets for my classes,” he said. “In the afternoon, I go for a run and study for the real estate exam. I go to sleep around 11 p.m.” Prakash will be attending the University of Florida, where he will major in business and real estate. “I am extremely optimistic about the future because the country is never going to stop,” Prakash said. “Kids, such as myself, want to see the world be a better place. I recommend trying to have a positive mindset as a whole; that way current events won’t affect us so much.” Prakash is also excited to be voting for the first time this year. “I am extremely

excited to have a voice and experience being in a voting booth,” he said. “It is one vote, but one vote matters.” LeGates lives with his parents and has two older brothers. The oldest one graduated from Roanoke College two years ago, and the middle brother just graduated from Franklin & Marshall College. LeGates starts in the fall at the University of Florida, studying environmental science. He decided to strive for valedictorian when he saw that he was ranked first after his freshman year, LeGates said. “I wanted to keep up my hard work and keep that position,” he said. “There were no defining moments because I never knew if I would stay valedictorian, but I worked harder and harder every year to keep my position.” LeGates graduates with a GPA of 4.0 and an HPA of 5.40. In the time before the virus hit, LeGates ran varsity cross country since his sophomore year and participated in the Leadership Grow program. “I was also junior and senior class treasurer and involved heavily in student government,” he added. LeGates found virtual school to be challenging. “Transitioning to online learning was quite difficult for me,” he said. “I’m not used to learning online. The hardest thing for me was trying to stay awake for first period while still laying in my bed!” Nevertheless, he made sure to keep his focus. “A typical day is very much like real school, except lonely and more boring,”

Valedictorian Max LeGates

Salutatorian Hersh Prakash

LeGates said. “But I got used to it and still tried to succeed.” He’s optimistic about the future. “I know the world is going through a tough time right now, but we are all working together, and we will come out stronger. I’m excited to start my four years at UF,” he said. “One piece of advice I have for fellow graduates is to never stop chasing after your dreams. If you work hard and keep your eyes on the prize, you can accomplish anything.” As for those who are coming up behind him, LeGates said, “My advice for future

seniors is to focus on school but to also ensure that you have a good time as well. Don’t get caught up in being the best or else you’ll lose yourself in the process.” Hayden had only positive things to say about the entire Class of 2020. “I will always be grateful to our seniors for handling an impossible situation with patience, kindness and teamwork,” she said. “I believe that through our constant open communication, we were truly #InThisTogether. These students are the best of our #WHSLegacy.”

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NEWS

Wellington Council Plans To Resume In-Person Meetings Soon

By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report From their homes and other locations throughout Wellington and beyond, Wellington Village Council members and numerous support staff convened online via the Zoom platform for a council meeting on Tuesday, May 12. Despite some technical challenges, the village’s business was conducted remotely. While meeting via Zoom has become the norm for Wellington over the past two months, Village Manager Paul Schofield does not expect it will continue. “We are scheduling the next meeting in the village council chambers on Tuesday, May 26, with social distancing,” he said, requesting a delay of an agenda

item to appoint board and committee members until that meeting, so it could be done face to face, more or less. The council will be selecting the new appointees for the Architectural Review Board; the Construction Board of Adjustment & Appeals; the Education Committee; the Equestrian Preserve Committee; the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board; the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board; the Public Safety Committee; the Senior Advisory Committee; and the Tree Board. “This gives interested parties two additional weeks to contact us and apply,” Councilman John McGovern pointed out. Councilman Michael Napoleone agreed.

“I would not feel comfortable appointing someone I had not met or talked to before,” Napoleone said, encouraging potential board members to contact council members. “I have an appointment to the Senior Advisory Committee, so contact me.” The technology used to hold the meeting meant that a dedicated live telephone line was available for the public to make comments related to the public hearing and public forum. However, no one called in, and no cards were submitted in advance with comments. Then again, there was nothing deeply controversial on the agenda. The single public hearing was the first reading for council approval on recommended changes

to the special magistrate appointment policy and process. The ordinance eliminates term limits previously adopted and clarifies the appointment process and qualifications for special magistrates. The measure passed unanimously. The one regular agenda item, once the committee appointments were removed, was for approval of continued use of outside professional legal services with multiple firms in an amount up to $125,000 through Sept. 30, 2020. Village Attorney Laurie Cohen said that the amount has been anticipated and called for in the current budget, and that any of the amount that is not used will be returned to the general fund. According to Cohen, $200,000 had been allocated and $83,000

has been expended in outside legal fees. “In cases when we are defending, our insurance carrier provides a defense,” Cohen noted, citing the ongoing Pine Tree Water Control District case litigation, in which the court has granted a temporary injunction. The Pine Tree case is one of the cases that the current bills are related to. “I believe we will prevail in the appeal and that Pine Tree will be more inclined to settle,” Cohen said. McGovern wanted to know how the costs are being divided up with the League of Cities, which is providing a defense for a companion case. “It is apportioned when possible, and there have been significant

expert witness fees,” Cohen said. “We pay substantial insurance payments to protect us,” McGovern said. Cohen said that she will explore with the League of Cities any potential cost sharing of legal fees and report back at the next meeting. The vote to authorize the payments was unanimous. Also at the meeting, Schofield gave an update on the village response to COVID-19 and recommended residents review the information on the village’s web site at www.wellingtonfl.gov. Updates about the new testing site at Village Park, appointments, regulations and re-opening procedures on the phased plans, which are changing daily, are listed, and updated frequently.

Groves Council Nixes Non-Residents On Town’s Zoning Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report On Tuesday, May 5, a divided Loxahatchee Groves Town Council decided not to allow the appointment of one non-resident landowner to the town’s Planning & Zoning Committee When the ordinance allowing the change came up for its second and final reading, the council voted against it on a 3-2 vote. The ordinance had passed unanimously at its preliminary reading. Councilman Robert Shorr made a motion to approve the ordinance, adding that he had acquired information from the

property appraiser’s tax rolls showing that of 1,560 properties in town, 1,079 had the owners living there and 484 had owners living elsewhere. “This allows one seat on a committee of seven to represent these property owners who don’t live here, and in my opinion, it should be diverse,” Shorr said. “There should be a merger of different people from different points of view to come together and discuss different options.” Shorr reminded council members that the committee’s votes are advisory in nature. “The council makes the final decision,” he said.

Councilwoman Phillis Maniglia said putting a persuasive person on a board of lay persons could be unbalanced. “Our residents are basically lay people,” Maniglia said. “I feel this is opening up the door to a developer on our committees,” she said. Councilwoman Laura Danowski said that she felt the purpose of the advisory boards are for the presentation of ideas, pointing out that she had been shown plans and homes by property owners who have their legal residences listed elsewhere that enhanced the appearance and

value of the Loxahatchee Groves community. “We’re not handing over the keys to the town to a developer,” she said, adding that she has also seen presentations from developers that usurped the tenets of the town. Vice Mayor Marge Herzog said she saw nothing wrong with having non-resident landowners attend and participate in the meetings, but she did not feel they needed to sit on the advisory boards. Mayor Lisa El-Ramey said she was concerned that the 31 percent of landowners who do not live

in Loxahatchee Groves own 41 percent of the property. “I think that we’ve already moved forward on committees that we are allowing non-resident landowners to sit on,” El-Ramey said. “I think perhaps this year, we wait it out and see how that performance goes.” In an e-mail to the council, Roadways, Equestrian, Trails & Greenway Committee Member Paul Coleman reiterated his comments at the first reading that he objected to having a non-resident on any board. “If the council approves the revision of this ordinance to al-

low non-citizens of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to reside on any committee, let alone the P&Z committee, it is opening the flood gates, enabling developers and/or their staff to help form the fabric of our town,” Coleman wrote. Shorr’s motion failed 3-2 with Maniglia, El-Ramey and Herzog opposed. In other business, the council approved the preliminary reading of an ordinance increasing the amount of procurement allowed by the town manager, but requiring that he provide a monthly report to the council of items between $10,000 and $25,000.

Indian Trail Slowly Re-Opening Acreage-Area Park Facilities

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District has opened its park facilities in a limited capacity, observing the guidelines set out by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), according to ITID Parks & Recreation Director Elizabeth Ricci. ITID has been in phase one opening for about two weeks, with limited access to passive parks, observing six-foot separation and wearing face masks, Ricci said at the May 13 meeting of the ITID Board of Supervisors. “We are still doing no organized

sports, and phase one consists of passive parks only, which means open green space,” she said. “We are still limiting it to groups of no more than 10 people at a time. We’re encouraging people to follow CDC guidelines, wearing masks and staying six feet apart.” The Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park has re-opened by reservation for residents only. “It is open seven days a week, but by reservation only, and we’re allowing ITID residents only at this point, and it is one appointment per resident per day,” she said. “Last week, we had 22

appointments, and this week we had 26 appointments at Nicole Hornstein.” Ricci said she is unsure when ITID will be able to go into phase two operation. “Phase one is really limiting what types of activities we can do,” she said. “We don’t have a definitive date as to when phase two will re-open our parks. It will most likely include state parks and dog parks, but at this point, we’re looking to do some distance programming and also looking at different types of events we can do while still following all CDC guidelines.”

For example, among the events planned for next month are a drivein movie. “That way we can still have an event, everyone can stay in their cars and it will be a safe activity for families,” Ricci said. “We are currently working on some logistics to see what we can do.” ITID’s parks department is also working on using Instagram through ITID for virtual programming, such as do-it-yourself videos at home. The department is also assisting Seminole Ridge High School’s Project Graduation with a parade on Saturday, May 30 starting at

9 a.m. The parade, honoring the Class of 2020, will start at Citrus Grove Park and proceed down 140th Avenue North to Acreage Community Park. “All the seniors who are missing graduation this year will get to participate in the parade,” she said. “We will have a few food trucks at the park. Again, we will follow very strict CDC guidelines, with everyone wearing masks and staying six feet apart. Everything will be roped off so they will know how far apart they need to be. We are working with the PBSO on road closures for that.”

Ricci added that ITID recently received a grant for improvements at the Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park. “Upgrades at the park are walkway lighting for security purposes, interior walking paths, permanent seating areas, watering stations, handicapped mounting stations, shade structures, washdown stations, pedestrian gates and new roofs for the horse barn, and also additional trailer parking,” Ricci said, adding that the plans will be presented to the board after staff receives follow-up approval from the state.

WELLINGTON IS DISTRIBUTING FOOD EVERY TUESDAY AT WELLINGTON GREEN

The Village of Wellington is partnering with Feeding South Florida to distribute meals at the Mall at Wellington Green on Tuesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. until further notice. These free food distributions are on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. With the help of local volunteers, Wellington staff distributes fresh produce and perishable food items, provided by Feeding South Florida, to those in need. The site is based at the parking lot of the former Nordstrom store. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

PBSO Deputy Vasile Ciuperger directs traffic.

Wellington Rotarians Lizz and Mickey Smith, Maggie Zeller, and Maureen and Don Gross help fill one of the cars.

Crowned Pearls of Wellington volunteers Alma Henry Morman, Geneva Pettis-Hassell, Marcia Hayden and Penelope Rahman.

Village of Wellington employees and volunteers.

Wellington Rotary Club members volunteer at the food event.

George Kinoshita and Mark Elie fill up a trunk with fresh food.

Mayor Anne Gerwig with eggs to give out.

Terri Shevrin puts tomatoes in the car while Maggie Zeller and Maureen Gross stand ready with chicken.

found her way to a place of health and peace through meditation. Since then, she has become a certified meditation and mindfulness teacher and practitioner. Her recovery fueled her desire to help others find inner peace in their personal and professional lives. Studies have shown that meditation can provide benefits to people with depression and anxiety, mental health conditions that have increased in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly half the people in the United States feel the coronavirus crisis is harming their mental health, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s com-

munity foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. The foundation has invested more than $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information, visit www.palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

NEWS BRIEFS Additional Wellington Park Openings

After carefully reviewing the latest emergency orders from Palm Beach County and Gov. Ron DeSantis, Wellington officials recently announced the opening of the following parks and facilities, effective this week. The following facilities are open, with restrictions: the Wellington Aquatics Complex, the Wellington Tennis Center, the Wellington Dog Park at Greenbriar Park, Village Park, the Wellington Environmental Preserve (observation tower remains closed), neighborhood parks, select sports

fields, the Wellington Boat Ramp, equestrian trails, walking trails and golf courses. Hours vary by park/facility. Check Wellington’s web site for specific hours. All visitors must follow the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) social distancing guidelines, bring their own drinks, and bring their own hand sanitizer and mask. Activities allowed include walking, running and biking; singles and doubles tennis; and singles and doubles pickleball (outdoor only). Prohibited activities include playing field sports (baseball, football, soccer, lacrosse, etc.), sharing sporting equipment and gathering in groups of more than 10.

The following facilities are closed until further notice: the Village Park gymnasium, the Wellington Community Center, playgrounds (including Scott’s Place and Tiger Shark Cove) and all pavilions. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ parks for the latest information about park and facility openings.

Free May 28 Mindfulness Meditation Workshop

The Palm Health Foundation and Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation are presenting a

free one-hour online Mindfulness Meditation Workshop led by meditation practitioner and longtime Wellington resident Jill Merrell. The virtual event is in support of May’s Mental Health Awareness and Trauma Informed Care Month and provides to assist residents in finding calm and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The event will be a live Zoom meeting. To register, e-mail jill@ peacejoylovelife.com. It will take place Thursday, May 28 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. This event is free and open (virtually) to the public. After surviving a traumatic brain injury in 2000, Merrell

Page 8

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SCHOOL NEWS

Palms West Charter School Honored With National ‘Above And Beyond Award’

Students Marlo Lacy, Luke Ramos and CJ Ruiz with staff at WRMC.

TKA Students Show Their Gratitude To Healthcare Workers

On behalf of the eighth-grade class at the King’s Academy, student council members CJ Ruiz, Luke Ramos and Marlo Lacy recently delivered 50 Olive Garden meals to the frontline healthcare workers at Wellington Regional Medical Center. The idea began as student council members were discussing how heartbreaking the COVID-19 pandemic is and how brave the

frontline healthcare workers are for directly combating the virus. Their discussion quickly turned into a plan that included a “thank you” banner and meal delivery during a shift change at the hospital. “We wanted to give back,” Ruiz said. “It is the very least we could do for those who put their lives on the line every day to help make our community safer.”

HOOT PATROL FINDS BINKS FOREST OWLS

As part of efforts to celebrate National Charter Schools Week (NCSW) held May 10-16, Palms West Charter School in Royal Palm Beach joined a select group of 10 schools from across the nation recognized by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools as “Above and Beyond Award” honorees. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Palms West Charter School assessed the needs of students, their families and the community, and quickly mobilized. The Above and Beyond Award was earned by schools that took the extra step to serve not only their own students, but also the broader community during the coronavirus pandemic, despite all the challenges that came with transitioning to online learning. Knowing that social distancing practices are particularly affecting the elderly and those in nursing homes, the Service Learning Class at Palms West Charter School reached out to a local nursing home to offer some words of encouragement. Students sent heartfelt letters to residents, sharing how they spend their days and ideas for how they could pass time, such as coloring or reading their favorite books. These letters were written and sent to encourage, inspire and provide a moment of solace, and perhaps joy, to those

who feel trapped and lonely during this time. “Palms West Charter School has built its entire structure around educating the whole individual and helping each student understand that they are part of something bigger,” said Steve Epstein, the school’s principal. “Creating servant leaders, Palms West Charter School guides students to understand that in addition to their academics, they can become role models and leaders of today and tomorrow by serving some of our most vulnerable individuals. Our community is the classroom of all. As individuals, we are part of the whole, and each time we contribute to others, we strengthen ourselves. We are honored and humbled to be recognized as a national Above and Beyond Award winner. This shows our students that doing the right thing is always the way to go, even when they don’t know anyone else was watching.” What started out with letters to senior citizens at one local nursing home grew to include cards to the nursing staff there and is now going to be implemented at another nursing home. The National Charter Schools Week 2020 theme, “Above and Beyond,” speaks to the extraordinary work all charter schools are doing during the pandemic.

(Above and below) Some of the creative cards sent by students. “When schools nationwide transitioned to distance learning, it became clear to us that charter schools were setting a model for the rest of the nation on what it looked like to step up and care for their communities in the face of a global pandemic,” said Nina Rees, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. “There are many public schools that served their students well in the face of COVID-19, but the exceptional work of our Above and Beyond Award winners embodies compassion and caring for people outside their school community who also needed help. Their work is a model of servant leadership for the rest of the nation.”

TEACHERS FROM EQUESTRIAN TRAILS CRUISE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOODS TO VISIT STUDENTS

Binks Forest Elementary School held a Not So Distant PTA event on Friday, April 10. An owl, the school mascot, was provided to each student via e-mail, Facebook or Google Classroom. Children were free to also make and color their own owl, and they were also encouraged to write a message to their friends and teachers. Members of the PTA board, along with additional parent volunteers, drove through the neighborhoods zoned for Binks and took pictures of the owls. This Binks Hoot Patrol collected many photos, some with students, that were shared with the school community. See more photos at the Binks Forest Elementary PTA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/binksforestpta.

Equestrian Trails Elementary School teachers and staff were out in force on Friday, March 27 saying hello to their students and parents in the communities of Olympia, Village Walk and Stonehaven while practicing and keeping a safe social distance. Everyone was excited and happy to see each other. Shown above are some of the teachers and staff members taking part in the car parade.

The Armory Art Center will offer its Summer Art Experience this summer. Junior artists in grades 1 through 5 will have fun making art with the Armory’s creative weekly themes. Teens in grades 6 through 12 can choose from inspiring media choices, including drawing, painting, photography, animation, ceramics, jewelry, graffiti and more. All instructors have cleared the Palm Beach County background check. The Armory Art Center provides a safe and enriching environment for your young artist. The program runs June 1 through Aug. 7, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Armory Art Center is located at 811 Park Place in West Palm Beach. For more info., call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armoryart. org/youthartcamps.

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Casperey Stables Horse Camp is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages 7 to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts and crafts, and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures that each child receives individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks and during the summer. Each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family barbecue. To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

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May 22 - June 4, 2020

Page 9

NEWS

WELLINGTON HONORS HEALTHCARE HEROES WITH PARADE PAST HOSPITAL

Samantha Tahan, Laura Breitenbach and WRMC CEO Pam Tahan.

WRMC staff members appreciated the outpouring of best wishes from the community.

Mellissa Heath, Colleen Thielk, Stacy Morast, Brenda Atkins, Samantha Rosen, Louise Devivo, Kim Masterson, Julie Fernie, Marie Neshe and Tonja Mosley.

Mayor Anne Gerwig drives in the parade.

Councilman Michael Napoleone shows his support for healthcare workers.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office vehicles take part in the parade.

Residents young and old enjoyed showing their support.

Councilman John McGovern participated in the parade with his family.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue trucks take part in the parade.

A car heads past the WRMC entrance.

Christ Community Church takes part in the parade.

Signs showed support for healthcare workers.

Associate Administrator Diego Perilla and Director Supply Chain Operations Jim Watson.

Hospital workers wave the cars go by.

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Serving Gourmet Breakfast, Lunch & Overstuffed Deli Sandwiches

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WE ARE BACK!

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May 22 - June 4, 2020 Page 11

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Fresh Baked Cookies and Muffins Authentic Philipino foods including appetizers, soups and entrees with favorites such as Sinigang, Tinolang, Nilaga na, Crispy Pata, Leston Kawali, Binagoongan, Empanadas, Smoked Fried Bangus, Pompano, and more...

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BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER

Page 10 May 22 - June 4, 2020

The Town-Crier

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Serving Gourmet Breakfast, Lunch & Overstuffed Deli Sandwiches

Hilary’s

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

WE ARE BACK!

Let Us Cater Your Event!

restaurant In the Royal Plaza at Corner of

May 22 - June 4, 2020 Page 11

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

LUNCH 11 - 3 PM | DINNER 4 - 1O PM DINE IN | TAKE OUT | FREE DELIVERY

LET US DO THE WORK

so that you can feel like a guest at your own event!

Southern & Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

We make it Easy & Delicious From our

National Award Winning Wings and Baby Back Ribs to Nacho Bars, Salads and Brisket

EXCITING NEW ITEMS!

Order Online

we have all the options to make your party the

WWW.INDIAGRILLANDBAR.COM

TASTIEST !

OPEN FOR

BREAKFAST & LUNCH DINE-IN & TAKE-OUT

OR CALL 561-249-7168 Come In and Join Us

Visit TreesWingsAndRibs.com to see our easy-ordering catering options.

CURBSIDE TAKE-OUT AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

BEST OVERSTUFFED CORNED BEEF OR PASTRAMI SANDWICH IN THE WEST!

SUMMER HOURS: 7:00 A.M. - 3 P.M. | 7 DAYS A WEEK

561-790-7301

Located in the ROYAL PLAZA

INDIA GRILL CASH Valid towards dinner and dine in orders only. Not valid for holidays & special events. Clip coupon and present to your server. Expires 05/31/20

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

In the Royal Plaza at Corner of Southern & Royal Palm Beach Blvd.

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LUNCH 11 AM - 3 PM | DINNER 4 PM - 10 PM

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CATERING • TAKE OUT • SPECIALTY CAKES • GROCERY

OPENING HOURS: Monday – Thursday 6:30 am – 8:00 pm  Friday – Saturday 6:30 am – 9:00 pm  Sunday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Great Coffee Made to order Sandwiches Salads & Wraps

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251 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 www.kabayanfl.com IN THE ROYAL PLAZA

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., 5B, Wellington, FL

Page 12

May 22 - June 4, 2020

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May 22 - June 4, 2020

Page 13

NEWS

Big Dog Ranch Seeks Support To Keep Mission Moving Forward

There’s a big focus on animals in the western communities, and it goes far beyond the equestrian industry. There are also many animal shelters, including Big Dog Ranch Rescue, a 33-acre canine paradise in Loxahatchee Groves where dogs of all ages and breeds get a second chance at life. Big Dog Ranch Rescue has done big things for the community’s displaced, injured and abandoned animals for years. The organization takes in hundreds of owner-surrendered dogs from residents that would ultimately end up on the street or taxing the county shelter system. The organization is also known for taking in critical cases directly from county shelters, such as dogs hit by cars and other trauma cases that require costly, long-term treatments. Recently, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has begun the initial roll-out of a low-cost sterilization program for community members who could otherwise not afford these procedures, with the goal of not only aiding residents in keeping their beloved pets but also help with animal over-population. While this big-hearted organization has saved more than 40,000 dogs to date, Big Dog Ranch Rescue now needs the community’s help in this time of crisis. COVID-19 has knocked the wind out of industries and individuals from all walks of life, and that includes a huge financial dent for many local nonprofits. On March 8, all large events were canceled on the order of Gov.

Ron DeSantis. This order just so happened to strike the day before Big Dog Ranch Rescue’s largest annual fundraiser. The seventh annual Wine, Women & Shoes event was sold out with more than 700 women ready to go. Everything was already set up — including the tables and tent — and the money to stage the fundraiser was already spent. Additionally, Celebrities Chefs for Canines, scheduled for April 23, was also canceled. “These annual fundraisers are what our organization relies on to get us through the summer, pay our staff, medical supplies, pay our veterinarian and keep the lights on,” said Lauree Simmons, founder and president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue. “We took a million-dollar hit here. It has absolutely devastated our rescue efforts.” The organization was forced to cut staff by 25 percent and shut down one of its buildings to reduce the cost of utilities. Despite the financial setback, the organization is still taking in abandoned dogs. “The need to help these animals has not stopped, and many county shelters have closed intake,” Simmons added. Additionally, Big Dog Ranch Rescue has been running an on-going pet food drive to support community members who are not able to afford dog food given the current financial crisis. Meanwhile, calls are coming in daily from people asking the nonprofit to take their pets because they cannot afford to keep them. “It

Philanthropy Director Robin Friedman, President Lauree Simmons, Board Member Brittany Kephert and CEO Christopher Kraus.

Dr. Linda Gregard and vet tech Angela Wyatt prepare Beans for a neuter operation. is heartbreaking and a very scary consider starting a Facebook and uncertain position to be in,” fundraiser. Check out Big Dog Simmons said. “But we won’t Ranch Rescue’s social media page stop. We cannot stop. The animals to learn how. and the people need us.” Potential supporters are also What can you do to help? You invited to visit the organization’s can donate at www.bdrr.org. You Amazon Wishlist, which has can become a monthly donor. much-needed supplies that are Even $5 or $10 a month makes used to care for the dogs. a huge impact. You could also Donations don’t have to be new.

Jenene Caramielo and Mitchell Wentworth adopted Wylie.

Jennifer Rodriguez and Madison Sullivan with bonded pair Whiskey and Dolly.

Weimaraners Henry and Tippy enjoy the play yard.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Consider donating your old sheets and towels, baby pools to keep the dogs cool, old baby mattresses for senior dogs, and gently used washers and dryers are welcome as long as they are in working order. Pickup is available. You can also become a corporate philanthropy partner. If you have a company that offers

services, call (561) 791-6465 to find out how you can help. Finally, you can volunteer your time at the ranch. With cuts in staff, volunteers are desperately needed. E-mail volunteers@bdrr.org to learn more. “It is amazing what can be accomplished when a lot of people do a little,” Simmons said.

THE ADDINGTON AT WELLINGTON GREEN HOSTS FAMILY DRIVE-THRU VISITS

The Addington at Wellington Green senior living community recently held a series of Drive-Thru Family Visit events. The event was spread out over the span of a week to ensure that visitors and family members were able to safely drive by and actually get a moment to see their loved ones, wave and show beautiful handmade signs from their vehicles. This special event allowed families a brief moment of quality time from a distance. There were about 25 drive-through visitors in total with about five visits per day. Children, grandchildren and even some great-grandchildren waved from open windows, smiling, blowing kisses and waving colorful signs of adoration for their loved ones.

Pets Are Family, Too! By Randall S. Dugal, D.V.M.

MOVING WITH PETS You’re moving and you are stressed, but at least you know what’s going on. Your pets don’t. Transport them with their favorite blanket or bed in the car, and make sure they stay in their crates or on a leash when first in their new home. If they run in an unfamiliar yard, check and double check that they can’t get through, over, or under the fence. Bring their favorite food and water dishes. If they have anxiety or even if you think they might, talk with your veterinarian about calming medication. Be sure collars have identification including your cell phone number. Consider micro-chipping them in advance. Give them lots of extra love throughout the day. During the move itself, the best way to reduce stress on a pet is to keep them in the quietest area possible. If you don’t want to leave them with a friend or a kennel for the day, at least remove them from the action. At COMMUNITY ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF ROYAL PALM BEACH we go the extra mile and exceed industry standards and protocols so your pet recovers faster, feels less pain and is safer. Our office is conveniently located 1/4 mile east of Royal Palm Beach Blvd., at 11462 Okeechobee Blvd. Please call 798-5508 for appointments or emergencies. We’re OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. P.S. After the hubbub of the actual move is over, explore your new surroundings with your pet(s).

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Page 14

May 22 - June 4, 2020

The Town-Crier

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Sewing Love For Our Neighbors Delivers Thousands Of Free, Hand-Made Masks

A group of community volunteers have come together to put their sewing skills to good use, providing more than 5,000 hand-made masks to healthcare workers, first responders and more — all for free. Sewing Love for Our Neighbors began with the idea of neighbors helping neighbors, led by founders Jana Rodriguez of Wellington, Kathy Valentine Dippolito of Lake Worth and Carolyn Hmara of Royal Palm Beach. They have since been joined by approximately 25 volunteers willing to sew and/or cut materials into kits for masks covering a wide area of Palm Beach County. The group’s mission is to make and donate face masks — sewn with love — to facilities within local communities who do not have enough to go around. The masks are made with donated supplies and will never be sold. While the volunteers understand that homemade masks will

never replace N95s, they can be worn over a healthcare-grade mask to extend its life, by those not in direct contact with patients and by those who do not have masks at all. Who will receive the masks? All masks will be provided free of charge to local facilities who have requested them — healthcare workers, first responders, organizations serving the public as essential employees and more. Further, the volunteers will donate masks in the style they have requested. Sewing Love for Our Neighbors has a long list of needs and will take them in the order in which they are received. How can you help? You can make a donation of materials, you can volunteer to make masks and you can suggest a place that needs masks. For more info., visit Sewing Love for Our Neighbors on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ groups/526612374705586.

Masks created by Sewing Love for Our Neighbors.

Wellington Rotary Raffle Raises $30,000 For Children’s Programs

The Wellington Rotary Club chose the winner of its Rotary Kids Count Raffle on Thursday, April 30. The raffle raised $30,000 for programs aimed at children. A total of 250 tickets were sold at $100 each to raise $25,000 for local children. The $5,000 prize was sponsored by the law firm of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith to make sure that all the money from ticket sales went directly to help children. Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig spoke to the club at its April 30 virtual meeting via Zoom and drew the winning ticket. June R. Smith, mother of Rotarian Mickey Smith, purchased the winning ticket. Unfortunately, she passed away a few weeks before the raffle drawing. Mickey Smith, along with his brother Paul Smith and sister Sally Perkins, agreed that their mother would have wanted the money donated back to the club to further help fund projects for kids. Accordingly, the

raffle raised a total of $30,000 for children: $25,000 from ticket sales and $5,000 from the donated prize. “I thank the Smith family for their outstanding generosity, which will go a long way toward helping local children in need,” Wellington Rotary President Don Gross said. “I also wish them condolences from our entire club at the recent loss of their family matriarch.” Over the past year, the Wellington Rotary has provided scholarships to deserving high school seniors, supported anti-bullying efforts, gave hundreds of dictionaries to third graders in the community, supported high school Interact service clubs, provided holiday gifts to kids who otherwise might not have received any and paid for basic clothing for children in need. To learn more about the Wellington Rotary, visit www.wellingtonrotary.org.

OBITUARIES

Community Mourns Robert Jefferson Wolfe Dies At Age 72 Robert Jefferson Wolfe, 72, died before returning to New Jersey in tography and sculling. He also enLongtime Loxahatchee onWolfe March 31 in West Palm Beach. 1974 to work as assistant treasurer joyed spending time with extended was known locally for his at Princeton University. family at a cabin on Garnet Lake in with the Florida Rowing In 1976, Princeton launched a the Adirondacks. Wolfe was very Groves Official Ron Jarriel work Center in Wellington. 2,000-plus-acre mixed use real supportive of his wife Barbara’s

Longtime area resident and Loxahatchee Groves official Ron Jarriel died Friday, April 10. Jarriel was married to wife Sharon Jarriel for 47 years. They chose to stay in Loxahatchee Groves and raise their family in the community. Their son, Ronnie Jarriel, is the fourth generation of Jarriels to live in the Loxahatchee Groves area. Ron Jarriel spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Vietnam War veteran. He served with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue, retiring after 31 years of service. In the Loxahatchee Groves community, Jarriel spent nine years on the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors before being elected to the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council in 2009. He served three terms, leaving the council in 2018. The Professional Firefighters & Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Local 2928, released the following statement regarding Jarriel’s death: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of retired Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue driver/operator Ron Jarriel. Jarriel began his career in the fire service in 1979 after serving our country

Ron Jarriel in the United States Marine Corps. He began at Southwest Fire District #6, which was one of the original 10 fire districts that would later consolidate to form Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. After his retirement, Jarriel continued to stay actively involved in Local 2928 and fire-related issues. He served on the Loxahatchee Water Control District board for three terms before becoming a Loxahatchee Groves councilman and vice mayor for three terms. Please keep the Jarriel family in your prayers during this difficult time.”

Wolfe and his wife Barbara have also been residents of Ringoes, N.J., since 1980. The cause of death was complications from myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a rare form of bone marrow cancer that he had battled courageously and cheerfully for 15 years. Wolfe was born on April 13, 1947 and was raised in South Orange, N.J. His parents, Albert Lewis Wolfe and Olga Maurer Wolfe, pre-deceased him. Wolfe graduated from Columbia High School in South Orange in 1965, where he was senior class president. He graduated from Princeton University in 1969 with a degree in philosophy. At Princeton, he participated in crew for two years, and sculling became one of his interests later in life. After graduation, he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and was on active duty at Fort Sam Houston in Texas from October 1969 until February 1970. Then he attended the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he met his wife and fellow student Barbara Burgess. They were married in December 1973. After graduating with an MBA in 1972, Wolfe worked for Stanford University

estate development project, the Princeton Forrestal Center. Wolfe, as a partner of the consulting firm K. S. Sweet Associates, was instrumental in leading the development of the project throughout his career. In 1993, he formed his own company, Picus Associates, which continues to this day (under new ownership) to manage the Princeton Forrestal Center on behalf of Princeton University. Wolfe enjoyed seeing the physical results of his work materialize over time, and he believed that real estate development should be concentrated in areas with appropriate infrastructure, while rural lands should be protected and the natural environment preserved. Wolfe believed in contributing his time and expertise to his community. He served on the boards of the McCarter Theater (Princeton), the Stony Brook Millstone Watershed Association and Princeton In Community Service (PICS), placing undergraduates with nonprofit internships for summer work experiences. At the time of his death, he was a member of the board of New Jersey Conservation Foundation and its treasurer. He enjoyed tennis, travel, pho-

equestrian interests and passion for dressage. They have owned a horse farm outside of Princeton since 1980. They began spending winters in Wellington in 2000, initially for equestrian activities, until Wolfe discovered sculling on Lake Wellington. With two partners, he purchased and managed the Florida Rowing Center, a winter sculling school based in Wellington, which continues today. After he retired in 2018, Barbara and Bob Wolfe became Florida residents. Wolfe is survived by his wife of 46 years Barbara (Burgess), his sister Susan Wolfe Lauffer (spouse Don Lauffer) of Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Madison, Wisconsin, his brother William A. Wolfe (spouse Elizabeth West Wolfe) of Princeton N.J., a nephew Andrew Wolfe, who lives in Paris, France, and a niece Amy Powell Burrus who lives in Muskogee, Oklahoma. He is remembered for his wonderful smile, consistently optimistic approach to life, kindness and generosity. An online video memorial service for immediate family members was held April 5. A memorial service for friends and colleagues

Robert Jefferson Wolfe will be held after the coronavirus pandemic has subsided and travel restrictions have been lifted. Charitable contributions may be made in his honor to MDS research at Columbia University, where one of his doctors oversees an MDS research program doing cutting-edge research. Make check payable to: Trustees of Columbia University and mail to Dr. Azra Raza, MDS Research Program, Columbia University Medical Center, Milstein Hospital Building, 6GN-435, 177 Fort Washington Avenue, New York, NY 10032. An alternative for charitable contributions is the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. Make check payable to: New Jersey Conservation Foundation and mail to Executive Director Michele Byers, Bamboo Brook, 170 Longview Road, Far Hills, NJ 07931.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Local Lego-Collecting Charity Launches ‘Isolation Creations’ Program To Help Kids Through Emergency

DRIVE-BY PROCESSION HONORS LOCAL SENIOR’S BIRTHDAY

The Wellington-based nonprofit Bricks Busting Boredom has launched a program called “Isolation Creations” to help local children through the current virus emergency. Founded in 2015, Bricks Busting Boredom collects new and used Lego bricks to donate to children’s hospitals, foster homes and emergency shelters. With the unprecedented impact COVID-19 has had on society, the charity is hosting a Lego-building competition called “Isolation Creations.” Bricks Busting Boredom is asking kids to send them a picture

Friends from around the community gathered Wednesday, April 29 to celebrate the 88th birthday of longtime Wellington Seniors Club volunteer Jerry Springer. A surprise procession of cars drove by his Wellington home to mark the milestone in a socially distanced celebration. Shown above, Jerry Springer and his daughter Janice Pratt watch the drive-by birthday celebration.

of their most creative Lego builds. Winners will be chosen each week. Each will win a new Lego set that will be shipped directly from Amazon to their home. The pictures or video can be sent to bricksbustingboredom@gmail.com. “Bricks Busting Boredom is proud to be able to follow our goal of fostering creativity and bringing smiles to children’s faces during trying times,” said Daniel Clein, co-founder of the charity. Bricks Busting Boredom was a Philanthropy Tank finalist in 2016 that earned $12,000 in support of the unique cause. Philanthropy

Send your best Lego creations to Bricks Busting Boredom.

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RPB Runner Takes Third Place At Thin Mint Sprint 5K

The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida recently held its annual Thin Mint Sprint event across three separate locations, where approximately 600 runners raced and helped raise more than 45,000 along with the support of sponsors, including Publix Super Markets Charities, the Duffy’s Foundation, Truly Nolen Pest Control, the Eaton Financial Group, Sleep Number and others. Money raised will be used to support the organization’s mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The Thin Mint Sprint 5K event in Palm Beach County took place on Saturday, March 7 at Okeeheelee Park. Following the 5K was the Tagalong Trot 100-yard dash,

Page 15

where kids eight and under also got to show off their speed. Richard Wandoff took first place, Matt Triggs took second place and 13-year-old Cameron Shelby of Royal Palm Beach finished third and was the only female across all three races to place as a top three overall finisher. Awards were given in 17 categories, and all participants in the 5K race received a box of Thin Mints at the finish line. The Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida serves more than 10,000 girls in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. To explore opportunities to volunteer or partner with Girl Scouts, call (866) 727-4475 or visit www.gssef.org.

Cameron Shelby accepts her award for first place overall female finisher from Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida CEO Lisa Johnson and Duffy’s Foundation Chair Geri Emmett.

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Tank (www.philanthropytank. com) is a local program that provides a select group of students the chance to develop their own charities. The students receive mentorship, education and have the opportunity to earn up to $15,000 for their cause. “Philanthropy Tank is all about empowering our next generation of philanthropists to create solutions to address problems that

affect our communities. Bricks Busting Boredom is proof of that through their innovative approach to positively engage people while they stay safe and stay home during this pandemic,” Philanthropy Tank’s Executive Director Amy Brand said. Make donations and learn more about the local nonprofit Bricks Busting Boredom by visiting www.bricksbustingboredom.org.

Local Author Burggraaf Releases New Book

Award-winning local author and retired middle school teacher Deborah Burggraaf has announced the release of her 15th book, Miss Deacon and The Tale of William. This latest book follows Burggraaf’s 14th book, Corky’s Travels, which received a Silver Medal at the Florida Authors and Publishers President Awards (FAPA) in August 2019 in the Best Cover Design category. Burggraaf worked with award-winning illustrator Matthew Lumsden on this project. Burggraaf teamed up with Steve White of Protective Hands Communications to produce this poetic memoir for teens to young adults. Set in the hills of Rhyl, Wales in the 1950s, Miss Deacon tenderly takes readers through the process of losing a loved one while providing hope and acceptance in a changed world. The central characters are Dorothy Rose Deacon, iconic nanny for the Mason family, and Wil-

liam, their eldest son. Living in a 16-bedroom castle in the rolling hills of northern Wales, Miss Deacon runs their home and raises the lads. As time goes by, William’s beloved wife Sylvia passes away, and Miss Deacon provides him with support and guidance during this difficult period of life. Miss Deacon encourages William to return to his youthful days: rekindling his longtime friendships, tilling his gardens and tinkering with his clock collection. After residing more than 50 years with the Mason family, Miss Deacon ages and becomes frail and feeble. William returns the greatest gift of all, his love and caring. Parents, educators and students can find activities for Miss Deacon and The Tale of William at www. dburgg.com. Books for purchase can be found at www.dburgg.com and www.amazon.com. The retail cost is $10.95.

Probst Earns Doctorate Of Physical Therapy

Dr. Sarah C. Probst recently completed her graduate studies and received her doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) degree from the University of St. Augustine Health Sciences. Probst performed her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida and earned her bachelor’s of science degree in health education and human behavior. She grew up in The Acreage area with her family and graduated from Seminole Ridge High School. Probst plans to relocate to the Chicago area and begin her physical therapy career there.

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The Town-Crier

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FEATURES

‘Grandma Camp’ Used To Be Fun... But Not So Much Anymore! When I was about 10 years old, my best friend Bonnie and I attended Camp Silverbrook, a Girl Scout day camp held among the towering trees, crunchy leaves, non-venomous bugs and sparkling blue waters of Wisconsin. We had visions of campfires, swimming, boating and all those good things a camp should be. Camp Silverbrook was none of those things. Camp Silverbrook (where it rained two days out of five) took a bunch of high-energy girls and confined them to little campsites where we sat on oilcloth-covered mats (aptly and boringly called “sit-upons”), sang songs we didn’t know, shuffled through the woods identifying nothing and made ugly necklaces

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER out of yarn and walnuts. No swimming, no boating and absolutely no fires. It was hugely disappointing and, to make matters worse, Bonnie was assigned to the troop where my mother was assisting. I was assigned to a troop where I didn’t know anyone, and the leaders were uninspired

strangers. I spent the whole miserable time looking over to see what my creative and fun mother had come up with for Bonnie to do. Still, each year for the “bridge week” between the end of school and the beginning of summer camp, I take the grandchildren for Grandma Camp. It’s not held in the woods; it’s held in my house, and it is widely known that, during this week, the kids will be showered with new toys, be given all the candy they want, be allowed to stay up late and be returned to their parents with a slim two days left for them to assess and repair the damage I have done. It’s fun for me; it’s fun for the kids. But recently, while my daughter strug-

gled to work from home, teach two grade levels from home and help her husband keep their little home farm going, it has been Grandma Camp several days a week. And wouldn’t you know? Once I was put in the position of both incurring and repairing the damage caused my grandchildren, I scaled it back. Instead of Pinocchio at Pleasure Island, it has been more like Debbie at Camp Silverbrook. No one gets a toy until they pick up all the old toys. Candy is distributed sparingly and judiciously. Bedtime is 9 p.m. And schoolwork is not sloughed off, but supervised to the best of my ability. To make matters worse, there are no field trips to swimming pools, movies or

fast food franchises. There are no manic shopping days at the toy store. There are no long bike rides to the park. Even cookie-baking has been put on the back burner (ha!) because grandma’s figure can’t afford to have any more baked goods lying around. You’d think that, especially with all these restrictions, things would be proceeding responsibly. No. No, things have still managed to go off the rails. Because while I was in the kitchen, explaining to 7-year-old Skippy why he could not spend hour number three on See WELKY, page 18

Life Lessons I Have Learned During 2020, The Year of Plague

We are back! I hope all of us are back; that we all made it through one of the most harrowing times we’ve faced. It has been very stressful for most of us. Most have had to hunker down in their homes, seeing almost no one for a couple of months. Some have had to go to work under almost unbearable circumstances. And, of course, some have not been able to work and know their family finances are shattered. But we have learned, or should have learned, a lot from all of this. For me, one major understanding is that I really do like people. I have occasionally described myself as a sort of hermit crab, with my wife disagreeing. She argues I am merely a crabby hermit. But enforced isolation pushed me to use the phone far more than ever. I generally called friends only occasionally. Now it has turned into a regular habit. My sister, used to hearing from me every few months, now talks with

‘I’ On CULTURE By Leonard Wechsler me at least a couple of times a week. Being on Facetime with the grandkids doesn’t allow for some of the hugs I really want. I want people, and I want at least some of them close. Standing around in the early morning hours with other fellow seniors, most of us wearing masks, so we could get rolls of toilet or paper towels, just is not the same as joking with the young ones. I was impressed, however, by the dedication of the staff at my local Publix and BJ’s, who

got in early and made certain that we, considered the most at-risk of Americans, were served. Kudos also to our mail carriers, who had a whole load of deliveries of numerous boxes every day as we ordered things shipped to the house. Yesterday, I watched my carrier balance four boxes as she staggered to my front door. Picking up the boxes afterward made me realize how heavy they were. Now we can add “or plague” to the famous line about snow and dark of night not deterring these folk from their appointed rounds. There were other things to get used to. I did more around the house. Calling a repairman in to change the battery in a ringing smoke detector was impossible. Since I am vertically challenged — I might as well use the newspeak of the day to point out that I am not tall — and hate heights, I usually ask Joe, my trusted

(and tall) handyman, to change batteries when he is here for other things. But now, I was on my own. After a brief moment of prayer, I brought out the ladder, climbed up three steps and tried not to look down. Then I managed the battery change. I was proud of myself until three days later when the alarm went off again. I went online, found out I had to unplug the whole alarm and push the button on it to release electrical current. I did so, and then replaced the alarm. OK, where do I take the test to become a master electrician? My very tolerant wife, who just manages to live with me in the best of conditions, now has to put up with me constantly. Isn’t it amazing what we learn about our life partners decades after marriage when we have to be with them pretty much 24/7? Let’s face it, honeymoons are designed for people in the throes of love, lust and passion... and they last maybe a week. Then

we start living our regular lives. Now, decades after that first bit of craziness, some of us could feel we might be living a version of the play “No Exit,” stuck in hell. Of course, for most of us, we actually do get to learn more about our partners, even after many years, and enjoy it. So, I sit around and read like crazy, because there are no new movies to see and television is often lacking. My Kindle has helped save me, along with the many actual books my wife says take up far too much room. While some people dream of going to malls, I think more of an open library. But in a time of plague, it is a small thing. We worry about our friends and family more. I remember calling almost everyone I knew right after 9/11 or getting calls from them. We all wanted to connect. Now we have been in the same boat for weeks. We have learned a lot. But is it enough?

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Page 17

BUSINESS NEWS

Wellington Regional Resumes Elective Surgeries Local Fastsigns Location

Wellington Regional Medical Center (WRMC) has now resumed certain elective surgical procedures after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that he is allowing the re-opening of elective surgeries. WRMC suspended elective surgeries on March 23 to better protect patients, visitors and staff from COVID-19. During the suspension of the surgeries, cases considered emergent were still performed at the hospital. The surgery team at Wellington Regional is working with physician offices to accommodate the scheduling of surgeries and procedures that were postponed due to COVID-19, or that may have

recently become a health priority. Patients are encouraged to contact their surgeon or physician for more information. “I want to assure the public that we are doing everything we can to protect the health and safety of patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Pam Tahan, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center. “Rooms that have contained a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient are terminally cleaned when the patient is discharged.” To give patients greater piece of mind, the hospital implemented additional safety protocols that include: screening temperature checks and health questions being

asked at entry points before anyone is allowed to enter the hospital; deep cleaning and disinfection; suspended visitation; as well as practicing appropriate social distancing. WRMC’s enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols also include the use of UV light sterilization as a further method of disinfection. At the current time, WRMC continues to restrict visitation at the hospital. Surgical patients need to be dropped off at the main entrance. Loved ones are asked to wait in the car during the surgery or return home and the hospital will contact them with updates and when the patient is ready to be picked up to return home. The

only exception to the visitation restriction is that one adult will be permitted in the hospital to support laboring or recently delivered mothers. “We know the visitation restriction can be inconvenient, but we are following the CDC and the Florida Department of Health recommendations to help reduce the potential spread of COVID-19,” Tahan said. “Our top priority is to ensure that we are providing a quality experience for patients where they can feel safe during their hospitalization.” Wellington Regional Medical Center is a 233-bed acute care hospital. For more info., visit www. wellingtonregional.com.

Enviro Equine Delivers Lunch To PBSO In Wellington

Enviro Equine & Pet partner athletes Marcia Kulak, Victoria Colvin and Andrew Bourns delivered lunch on Friday, May 1 to the officers and staff at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 8 substation in Wellington, where they were warmly received by Capt. Rolando Silva and his fellow officers. The group also plans to donate to local hospitals and food banks. Marcia Kulak, an Enviro Equine partner athlete, explained why she and other EE partner athletes raised money to provide lunch to Wellington’s PBSO personnel. “We all feel that Wellington gives a lot back to the equestrian community every winter during season,” Kulak said. “First responders who help us at the horse

show, hospital staff and police who look after us all season. We felt Enviro Equine has a great network of people that should join up and provide meals to acknowledge their efforts and express our appreciation of them.” Silva expressed his gratitude for the effort. “We appreciate everyone doing their part to stay safe and comply with all COVID- 19 / CDC guidelines and executive orders. This will only make our job easier, as it will free us up to focus on the crime-fighting front, which hasn’t really slowed down,” he said. “We also appreciate the people in the community expressing their support for first responders, and particularly to the healthcare professionals, who are on the front

Andrew Bourns, Marcia Kulak and Victoria Colvin with PBSO Capt. Rolando Silva. line and truly the heroes in all this. be a morale booster for the troops.” Thank you again Enviro Equine & Enviro Equine Marketing DiPet for your kind gesture in supply- rector Angela Brackett said that ing today’s lunch; it will definitely See ENVIRO, page 18

Shows Support For 2020 High School Seniors

Fastsigns of Lake Worth is doing their part to make a difference for the senior class of 2020. By providing custom signs to celebrate their accomplishments, Fastsigns has enabled teachers and parents to honor graduating seniors and make sure they feel celebrated and supported as they enter the next phase of their lives. Principal Cara Hayden at Wellington High School placed an order of 617 signs from Fastsigns and quickly organized volunteers to deliver the signs to front yards. Fastsigns also created a 100-foot banner across the entrance of Wellington High School to show their support. Community members began sharing this project, and even parents rallied behind these efforts, sharing the sign project with

other local principals in the area. Fastsigns has also produced signs for various other local schools, including Park Vista High School, Glades Day School, West Boca High School, Palm Beach Gardens High School and Santaluces High School. “We believe that the senior graduating Class of 2020 deserves a round of applause and a way to celebrate their accomplishments,” Ken Baxter said. “I’m thankful that my staff continues to be able to work and create these signs that have helped our seniors celebrate an important milestone in their lives.” To order your sign, call Fastsigns at (561) 439-4700, e-mail ken.baxter@fastsigns.com or visit www.fastsigns.com/89-lakeworth-fl.

Fastsigns of Lake Worth creates signs for high school seniors.

Tax Collector’s Office Submits Plans For New Service Center In Westlake

The Palm Beach County government agency that collects taxes and issues automobile and boat registrations, state IDs and licenses is putting a stake in the ground in the City of Westlake to better serve residents in the central portion of the county. The Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office has submitted plans to the city to build a 23,735-square-foot service center that will replace the current facility in Royal Palm Beach. The agency acquired the 4.63-acre site from Minto Communities U.S.A., which is developing the Westlake master-planned community. The Westlake parcel is located on Town Center Parkway South

adjacent to Palm Beach County Fire Station 22, which opened in January 2020 on a site donated by Minto. The Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office is constitutionally authorized to collect taxes for local government agencies authorized to levy them. As an agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the office is responsible for issuing driver’s licenses, state ID cards, and titles and registrations for cars and trucks. It is also responsible for issuing state hunting and fishing licenses. “I want to commend our tax collector, Anne Gannon, for having the foresight to secure a foothold in

the community now so her office will be prepared for the population growth we expect over the next decade or so,” said John Carter, vice president of Minto Communities. “We are excited to be moving to Westlake,” Gannon said. “The increase in population in the western communities has necessitated a broad view of how best to provide services in the community. For every new home built, there is an increase of 2.3 people that our office is required to serve. We are unable to do that in the Royal Palm Beach office. Westlake provided a gateway to better service for these communities.” The 3,800-acre Westlake community is approved for 4,500

homes and more than two million square feet of commercial space. Home sales continue to beat projections, as Minto has sold more than 560 single-family homes since opening in October 2017. A census report in July 2019 showed that the City of Westlake is the fastest-growing city in Florida. As home sales remain brisk, so does the pace of non-residential development. In addition to the fire station opening, Christ Fellowship Church has started building an 800-seat worship center off of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Construction is scheduled to begin on a new 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store soon, and Florida Power & Light has completed a

A rendering of new Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s service center planned in the City of Westlake. 400-acre solar energy center. Last year, Wellington Regional Medical Center opened a new stand-alone emergency room and, a few months later acquired

an adjoining 35 acres for a future medical campus. For more information on the community, call (888) 299-3628 or visit www.westlakefl.com.

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Page 18

The Town-Crier

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NEWS

Grimes

Dwyer Award

continued from page 1 on letters and numbers — all that fun stuff.” She said her grant, from the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, was for an outdoor program to enhance the work they were doing inside. “When we explored the idea of making ramps and inclines, we brought it outside to make it on a bigger scale, and they raced cars down it,” Grimes said. “They made a pipe maze that they got to create on their own by hang-

ing PVC pipe on a fence, and they would drop ping-pong balls through it. Their goal was to try and get the ball into a bucket at the end. Sometimes it would go in, and sometimes it didn’t.” The class also created a vegetable and fruit garden with the assistance of Moringa Farms in Loxahatchee Groves. “We planted some sunflower and other plants to attract butterflies, as we were getting into our life cycle unit before we left,” Grimes said. “I actually just noticed we have some stunning sunflowers popping up when I was passing by my classroom — and lots of caterpillars.” Grimes said she was particularly

stunned to receive the award since this was the first year in the 36 years of the Dwyer Awards that there has been a category for VPK teachers. “I was honored just to be recognized in my school to be part of this for the first year,” she said. “I am very passionate about early childhood education. Research shows that the earlier students get those interventions, the more successful they are in life.” Grimes, 37, started her career as an early childhood teacher when she was 20. She has been at Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School for the past three years. She lives in Loxahatchee Groves with her husband and three children.

PBSO Cold Case Unit Seeks Community Help Solving Homicide With Local Tie

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office cold case detectives are investigating the homicide death of Wayne Calvin Griffith, whose body was discovered in the western communities more than 25 years ago. On Oct. 25, 1993, survey workers discovered skeletal remains in the area of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7. The unidentified skeletal remains were taken to the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office and determined to be human and the manner of death to be homicide. On May 11, 2020, PBSO cold case detectives were notified by

PBCHS Grad

Class Of 2020

continued from page 3 with the switch to online schooling was the workload. “It was an interesting change,” he said. “I felt like we started doing more work. Maybe it was because the teachers gave assignments, and you didn’t have any time at school, but definitely adjusting to

Welky

Grandma Camp continued from page 16

his iPad, the Netflix movie that 5-year-old Tess was watching ended and, inexplicably, something like the “Jerry Springer Show”

the University of North Texas Center for Human Identification that the remains belonged to Wayne Calvin Griffith, based upon a DNA match between the unidentified DNA sample and family members’ reference samples in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Detectives learned that Griffith was reported missing by his family in Ashtabula, Ohio, on Oct. 1, 1993. Anyone who may have known Wayne Calvin Griffith, or has any information on his homicide, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS.

Wayne Calvin Griffith

keep your schedule and to keep up with everything was challenging.” Fingeret offered some advice to fellow seniors. “Expect the unexpected,” he said. “Not everything is going to go your way. Assess the situation and adapt to it. So long as you have air in your lungs, you are probably doing pretty good.” A typical home-schooling day for Fingeret has included a lot of learning. “I get up at 8:30 a.m. and do Google meets for my classes,” he

said. “I learn calculus that I may or may not understand. The computer doesn’t bother me much. I take college classes that were online before corona. At 3 p.m. I exercise, then do homework until 9 p.m. From 9 p.m. to midnight it is free time for family time or Netflix, then bedtime.” As for next year’s seniors, Fingeret’s advice is: “Always work as hard on schoolwork as you can but remember that friends are most important. It all ends pretty fast.”

came on. By the time I got back to the bedroom, Tessie was totally engaged, eyes glued to the set as a skimpily clad small person (yes, what used to be called a midget) completed a pole dance to thunderous applause. “Tess!” I shrieked. “What are you watching?”

“She dances all unappropriate!” Tess replied. “I love it!” There’s no way my daughter can be spared this news. It is sure to come up in polite company, maybe when Tess asks her father to install a pole in her bedroom. Right now, Camp Silverbrook is starting to look pretty good.

(Above and right) VPK teacher Elizabeth Grimes with her students.

County

“We adapt those strategies to fit the particular situation,” Van Arnam said. “One thing I can tell you, we are incredibly more prepared than we were five years ago, 10 years ago and 20 years ago when I started this. Our emergency management structure is great, and we have a lot of state support.” To get tips on planning for hurricane season, visit www.pbcgov. com/hurricane.

Storm Season

continued from page 1 situation, and Van Arnam said it would be a long process that could take months, although the county’s recovery process has improved greatly over the years, and the system is modeled to address a variety of disasters.

Shooting

New Park Opens

continued from page 1 Association, and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida. The center is being created to offer target shooting enthusiasts a place to gain skills and knowledge for safe, responsible firearms handling and target shooting. Wheelchair accessibility and accommodations are provided at the facility. To make a reservation, call (561) 512-0285 between 8 a.m. and 5

Enviro

Lunch For PBSO continued from page 17

the company is committed to the health and well-being of people and animals. “My family and I live in Wellington. Plus, many of our partner athletes and clients spend extended time here,” she said. “Our company believes that it

p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. Callers can make only one reservation per call, per person, per day. They can reserve up to two lanes, under the names of the caller and a shooting partner, per reservation. The rifle and handgun ranges will be supervised by range safety officers and volunteers. Target frames on the rifle and handgun ranges will be provided. Shooters must bring targets to attach to the center of the frames, or they can purchase targets in the concession store. The concession store will have restrooms and drinking water, eye

and ear protection, ammunition and other convenience items for sale. Rental shotguns and clay carts will be available for the sporting clays course when it opens. User fees apply to the use of the ranges. Cash and all major credit cards are accepted. Call (561) 5120285 for details. The range is accessible from Seminole Pratt Whitney Road toward the main entrance to the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area and the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp. For more info., visit www.myfwc. com/hunting/safety-education/ shooting-ranges/palm-beach.

is important to honor those on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic in this community. The added benefit is we are able to support local businesses, like Yano’s Italian Deli & Catering, who prepared the wonderful lunches today. We will work with other local restaurants to provide future lunches too.” Yano’s co-owner Perry Birnbaum was proud to help out. “My partner, Natalie Meyerowitz, and I were raised to help

others. We like to do our part and we believe in that,” Birnbaum said. “During COVID-19, Yano’s has prepared lunches for local hospitals, a firehouse, 50 senior citizens and a pediatric doctor’s office. Wellington and its citizens are important to us and we are happy to help.” Enviro Equine & Pet is a trusted source of high-quality products and services for horses and house pets alike. Learn more at www. enviroequine.com.

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JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. “We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks” 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/ owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473

HOME HEALTH AIDE AVAILABLE — Experienced Home Health Aide seeks new position. Flexible hours, full time, day or night. I am a Licensed CNA who has worked as a home health aide and also as a nanny. I have many years of experience taking care of the elderly at home. Price negotiable, references provided upon request. Call Pat at (561) 294-1423.

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Real Estate For Sale Loxahatchee Groves R E S I D E N T I A L/L A N D/FA R M S Full Service Realtor Phillis M. Maniglia, P.A. 561-460-8257 www.phillismaniglia.com SaddleTrails Realty, Inc.

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Page 20

May 22 - June 4, 2020

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Page 21

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Page 22

May 22 - June 4, 2020

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