Wellington The Magazine August 2009 by Wellington The Magazine LLC

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contents

departments WELLINGTON SOCIAL SCENE

Wellington Hosts Patriotic Holiday Celebration At Village Park

Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub Hosts Kids Cancer Golf Benefit

Binks Forest, Wanderers Club Duel To A Draw In Wellington Cup

48 WELLINGTON AT HOME Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor, lives in a 2,800-squarefoot house with a bright red side door in the heart of Sugar Pond Manor with her husband Mike Nelson. Kathy is founder and president of K. Foster Designs, and it’s clear that her home was designed by an expert. BY DEBORAH WELKY

56 WELLINGTON TABLE The Whole Foods Market in Wellington offers much more than the typical supermarket, with an emphasis on the organic, the natural and the locally produced. But many don’t realize that in addition to a wide variety of exceptional grocery items, the Whole Foods Market Café is a great place to grab a quick bite. BY KRISTINA WEBB

18 WELLINGTON WATCH 59 WELLINGTON DINING GUIDE 62 WELLINGTON CALENDAR 66 AROUND WELLINGTON ON THE COVER Show jumping judge Jenny Ross with Wild One at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington. Hair/makeup by Lisa Michele Winters PHOTO BY BILL BARBOSA/ PHOTO DESIGNS INC.

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AUGUST 2009

features 20 LEARN TO DANCE, WELLINGTON STYLE! Although dance has always been a popular recreational activity, televised competitions have further glamorized an already glamorous calling. Wellington has a terrific selection of dance studios now taking fall registration. This month, Wellington The Magazine visits four: Vantage Pointe, Dance Unlimited, Spotlight of Wellington and Dance Theatre at Wellington Green. BY DEBORAH WELKY

28 THE MANY STYLES OF HAIR SPRAY Four experts — Oneina Abellon, Nikki Bailey, Spring Canada and Samantha Kohlhorst — bring different specialties to Wellington’s Hair Spray: The Salon, owned by Margaret Panko. BY COURTNEY WATSON

35 START THE SCHOOL YEAR OFF RIGHT Getting students off to a good start at the onset of the school year can be the key to overall success, and to help your child get ready to learn, Wellington The Magazine consulted with three area experts. BY RON BUKLEY

40 FROM RIDER TO SHOW JUMPING JUDGE Life couldn’t be much better than it is right now for 28-year-old Jenny Ross of Wellington. One of the nation’s most sought-after equestrian judges, she married her boyfriend of four years just two months ago and recently returned from a two-week assignment at the prestigious Lake Placid Horse Show in New York. BY KENNETH KRAUS

44 SYLVIA SKOLLER: FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC At the tender age of nine, Sylvia Skoller already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up, and she achieved her goal of becoming a concert pianist, enjoying a career that spanned 50 years. For the past 25 years, her extraordinary talent has made her one of the most sought-after piano teachers in Wellington. BY GEORGIA JACOVIELLO WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Wellington The Magazine

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

Learning Is A Lifelong Opportunity... volume

6, number 8 | August 2009

publisher/executive editor

Joshua I. Manning associate publisher

Dawn Rivera graphic designer

Suzanne Summa circulation coordinator

Betty Buglio bookkeeping

Carol Lieberman

August is traditionally back-to-school time here at Wellington The Magazine, and to help get your favorite students back in the learning mood, we’ve consulted with some of the area’s top educators on tips for starting the school year off right. But learning is not just for the kids — it’s a lifetime opportunity. Also in this issue, we meet with representatives from four Wellington-area dance schools to explore how this popular pastime has been undergoing a renaissance with help from popular culture. We also meet musician Sylvia Skoller and learn about her lifelong love affair with the piano. It’s the lessons she learned as a little girl that have made her one of Wellington’s most sought-after piano teachers.

account managers

Michelle Deegan Nicola Jimenez photography

Bill Barbosa Bea Bolton Devin Jacoviello Gary Kane Susan Lerner copy editor

Mark Lioi contributors

Jason Budjinski Ron Bukley Denise Fleischman Georgia Jacoviello Carol Porter Courtney Watson Kristina Webb Deborah Welky Wellington The Magazine

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 791-0952 www.WellingtonTheMagazine.com

Published by Wellington The Magazine, LLC Barry S. Manning chairman/chief executive officer Maureen Budjinski

Another sought-after Wellington expert is 28-yearold Jenny Ross, among the youngest ever to judge major show jumping competitions. When not on judging duties, the newlywed can often be found on the sidelines, covering equestrian events for PhelpsSports.com. Ross presides over a side of the horse show world not usually in the spotlight, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to profile her this month. Also profiled this month are several beauty experts who make Wellington’s Hair Spray: The Salon unique. Oneina Abellon, Nikki Bailey, Spring Canada and Samantha Kohlhorst each bring different viewpoints, but always manage to put the clients first. Wellington at Home visits with Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor. Known for the interior design work she does for others, Foster herself lives in an impeccably designed Sugar Pond Manor home with her husband Mike Nelson. Wellington Table heads over to the Whole Foods Market Café to grab a quick, reasonably priced and healthy meal on the go. Following up on last month’s announcement of our new leadership team, senior Wellington The Magazine staff members met for a three-hour brainstorming session in mid-July, and I’m very impressed with the forward-thinking ideas that came out of the meeting. Among the items discussed was a year-end dining section running September through December and a special automotive program debuting in October. The sales efforts on both of these unique programs are currently underway, so call your account manager today at (561) 793-7606 to become an integral part of Wellington The Magazine’s future. Joshua Manning Publisher/Executive Editor

vice president Wellington The Magazine is published monthly in Wellington, Florida. Copyright 2009, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

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Wellington Advertiser List Advertiser Page American Heritage School ...................... 12 Ankle & Foot Centre of South Florida .....43 Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille ............. 64 Bea Bolton Photography ........................ 62 Bellini Furniture ....................................... 51 BrightStar Healthcare ..............................32 Children’s Dental Place ........................... 18 Claudia Diesti ......................................... 62 Cosmetic Plastic Surgery ......................... 25 Dance Theatre............................................5 Denny’s Kids ............................................. 6 Designer’s Touch Jewelry ........................ 25 DJ Computers ..........................................63 Dr. Richard Hays ......................................65 Eclipse Salon & Spa................................. 37 Eisenman & Eisenman, MDs ..................43 Floridian Community Bank .....................67 Generations: A Hair Salon ......................47 Ginger Lawson, Keyes Realty ................. 64 Grayhills & Mohip Dental ....................... 52 Hair Spray the Salon................................. 4 Illustrated Properties, Boardwalk Group ..13 Insurance for You ....................................63 J. Douglas Jewelers .................................. 17 JEZ Capital ............................................... 33 Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar ..........................59 La Hacienda Show Stables ......................19

Learning Express ..................................... 52 Lisa Michele Winters, Makeup Artist ...... 55 Nicole’s Village Tavern ........................... 60 O’Dell Inc. ...............................................16 Original Hawaiian Ice Company .............61 Pain & Rehab Physicians of Palm Beach ..31 Palm Beach Psychological Associates .... 37 Palms Wellington Surgical Center........... 11 Palms West Hospital .................................7 Paymaster ................................................47 Photo Designs Inc. .................................. 33 Plastic Surgery of Palm Beach.................27 Robert R. Morris, Attorney at Law........... 25 Roderick C. Moe, CPA ............................. 53 Royal Inn ....................................................3 Sadati Center for Aesthetic Dentistry........2 Sea Breeze Air Conditioning ................... 51 Shop on Impulse .....................................47 Smiles by Jiveh ................................ 55 & 68 South Florida Skin & Laser......................39 Stonewood Grill ...................................... 60 Subscription Form ...................................38 TooJays Gourmet Deli..............................61 ToothTown Pediatric Dentistry ................ 37 Treasure Consignments........................... 53 Ultima Fitness .........................................63 Van Dell Jewelers .....................................32 Vantage Pointe Dance Studios ................ 15

Visions Salon .......................................... 26 Viso LASIK Medspas .................................8 Vital Longevity Water, Susan Lerner........65 Wellington Auto Collision........................65 Wellington Nails & Spa ...........................43 Wellness Experience ................................23 SUMMER GOLD SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION #1 Education Place Bainbridge Companies Cambridge School Florida Public Utilities Hi Lites Hair Studio José Rojas, Stylist Kevin Perkins Golf Academy La Mer Nails & Spa Michael’s The Wine Bar Ncognito Fitness/Massage Royal Palm Auto Spa Royal Palm Mazda South Florida Gastroenterology Associates South Florida Science Museum Tom Neumann Insurance WellingTAN Wellington Marketplace Zen Massage

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Wellington Hosts Patriotic Holiday Celebration At Village Park The Village of Wellington presented its Family Fourth Celebration on Saturday, July 4 at Village Park on Pierson Road. The patriotic event featured bounce houses, food, bingo, contests (watermelon eating, pie eating, hula-hoop, etc.) and culminated with a fireworks display.

Leora and Eliana Zimmerman show off their red, white and blue hats. David and Mary Knapp (seated) with Regis and Tom Wenham at the American Legion Post 390 booth.

The band Rumour Hazit — Glen Evertsen, Shan Cash, Terry Harms, Peter Petrillo — entertained the crowd.

Father Steve and son Robert Kessler during the watermelon eating contest.

(Above) Kalie Galeda and Abbey Rexhepi participate in the apple pie eating contest. (Right) Master of ceremonies Leo Parry leads Taylor Einsteder, Joshua Rosenzweig and Katie Schrank in the hula-hoop contest. (Below) Colton, Cheri, Cameron and Howard Coates with Luke, Matt, Alexis and Mark Willhite.

(Above) Cara Young sings the national anthem. (Below) Aihber and Akaisha Khan get their faces painted by Jenny the Clown (a.k.a. Jennifer Snow).

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Wellington Social Scene

Photos by Denise Fleischman

Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub Hosts Max Clark/Kids Cancer Golf Benefit The Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant in Wellington hosted a golf tournament to benefit Max Clark and the Kids Cancer Foundation on Sunday, July 19 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. After the game, golfers gathered at the Gypsy’s Horse for awards and a luncheon. For more info., visit www.kidscancersf.org or www.caringbridge.org/visit/maxclark. (Left) John Monaco buys raffle tickets from Sandy Erb. (Above) David Prill buys raffle tickets from leukemia survivor Ainsley Erb while mom Sandy looks on. (Below) The winning golf foursome of Dr. Bob Lentz, A.J. Walker, Lee Baris and Nathan Brown.

(Below) John Larkin and Ed Portman examine silent auction items.

(Above) Kids Cancer Foundation President Michelle O’Boyle and Treasurer Sandy Erb flank Gypsy’s Horse owner Paul Rowan. (Below) Closest-to-the-pin winner David Prill receives his prize from Paul Rowan.

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Wellington Social Scene

Binks Forest, Wanderers Club Duel To A Draw In Wellington Cup

(Above) Ashley and Kathryn Maguire (Left) Terry Strongin tees off on Binks hole #1. (Below) Joe Maguire, Scott Davidson, John Wash and Brett Carman.

Staff and management of the Binks Forest Golf Club took on staff and management of the Wanderers Club at Wellington for the 2009 Wellington Cup in July, with Binks Forest retaining the cup after the match ended in a draw. The Wellington Cup began in 2008 as a way for staff and management from both clubs to enjoy some friendly competition. The match once again pitted Wheeler Stewart, now head golf pro at Binks Forest but former head golf pro at the old Wellington Golf & Country Club, now the Wanderers Club, against Justin Thompson, the new head golf pro at Wanderers. Participants and their families were treated to a first-class reception and formal dinner prepared by Chef Mark Adams at the newly renovated Binks Forest clubhouse.

Wheeler Stewart & Justin Thompson.

John and Toy Wash with Kathy and Terry Strongin.

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Wellington Watch

BY Mark Lioi

Residents Get Rebate As Wellington Works To Cut Budget Checks Are In The Mail — The last days of July saw the Village of Wellington in the process of mailing out refunds of a special assessment property owners paid as part of their tax bills in 2006 to help cover the cost of cleaning up hurricane damage from 2004 and 2005. Homeowners with curbside waste collection service can expect a check for $115, Wellington’s Administra-

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tive & Financial Services Director Mireya McIlveen said, while owners of units with containerized collection service such as condominiums and businesses can expect $70 per unit. The village originally wanted to credit property owners with the refund amount on the tax rolls, Village Manager Paul Schofield said, but couldn’t devise a simple way to get it done. “Rather than

take a chance on putting these refunds off, we just decided to go ahead and cut the checks,” he said. Council Working On Budget — Also in July, the Wellington Village Council approved a preliminary property tax rate of 2.807 mills with the intent of lowering the rate somewhat as the budget process moves forward. Village staff had recommended a preliminary millage rate of 2.5 mills, up 14 percent from last year’s rate of 2.34 mills. This would come close to countering the 15 percent drop for the year in the value of taxable property. Mayor Darell Bowen said setting the higher rate would allow some flexibility as the council takes the budget through the upcoming series of reviews and public hearings before final adoption in September. “The 2.8 is nothing more than a top number we can go to, and our goal is to come in at 2.5, so I want to make sure everybody understands that 2.8 is not what we are proposing,” Bowen said. “However, we need to leave whatever wiggle room we can in there just to work with between now and the time we adopt the final budget.” 18 Take Early Retirement — Helping the village government’s economic picture somewhat is the success of an early retirement offer to some municipal employees that reportedly will net the village more than half a million dollars in annual savings. By a July 17 deadline, 18 employees had accepted the offer, including a week’s pay for every year in village service and continued health insurance benefits through the end of the calendar year, and for the 2010 calendar year for the individual employee, according to Assistant Village Manager Francine Ramaglia. “That’s the best thing we could do,” she said. “It’s the insurance that helped people make the decision, because most people will stay at work longer than they wished to, only to remain insured.” Most of the employees who took the offer will leave village service in August.

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Zoners Want Neater Hedges — Wellington property owners can expect the return of a debate on the appearance of fences and hedges along the village’s thoroughfares in coming months. The village’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board recommended rejecting some proposed minor changes to rules on hedge heights in July, instead suggesting the village consider a more comprehensive revision of the ordinance on fences and hedges. The current rules, approved in 2007, followed a public outcry over another set of rules approved five years earlier that required residents along thoroughfares to install a combination of a vinyl-coated chain-link fence and an irrigated hedge. Several PZA Board members felt the current council might be more inclined to revisit the issue, including Steve Delai, who said rejecting the revisions would demonstrate the board’s concern about the appearance of the village’s rights of way. “I would recommend that we ask staff to ask the [council] to relook at this issue and try to come up with something that really addresses the way Wellington presents itself,” he said.

on a village-owned lot on Lake Worth Road it has been eyeing as the site of its new synagogue. The council unanimously approved the temple’s bid of $827,500 for the land, a 2.82-acre parcel appraised at $675,000. The Conservative congregation, which currently rents space at the original Wellington Mall, expanded last April when the Palm Springs-based B’nai Jacob merged with the Wellington congregation previously known as B’nai Avra-

ham. Temple and village officials will still go through some negotiations and due diligence before the sale can be finalized. The village has stipulated that the temple must close on the land by Sept. 1. Mark Lioi has served as news editor of the Wellington TownCrier since 2002. In that position, he monitors life in our community week in and week out.

Equestrian Partnership — The International Polo Club Palm Beach and Wellington Equestrian Partners announced in July that they would work in tandem to promote, develop and enhance Wellington as a world-class equestrian destination. IPC founder John Goodman is now an investor in the WEP partnership and a member of its operating committee, which guides WEP’s $230 million Wellington investment. WEP’s Mark Bellissimo, producer of Wellington’s horse shows, said the new partnership is a natural. “John and our partnership have always shared a common vision; however, we have not coordinated our efforts,” he said. “We are excited to be finally working collaboratively toward a common goal of making Wellington the premier equestrian lifestyle destination in the world.” Temple To Buy Village Land — Culminating an effort that began more than a year ago, Temple B’nai Jacob bid successfully WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • august 2009

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Dance, Dance, Dance! No Matter What Your Preferred Style, Local Studios Have A Class For You STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY

PHOTOS BY BILL BARBOSA/PHOTO DESIGNS INC.

Although dance has always been a popular recreational activity, televised competitions like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars have further glamorized an already glamorous calling. For children who dream big, parents who want to stay in shape and retirees with ballroom in their blood, Wellington has a terrific selection of dance studios now taking fall registration for students from toddler through adult.

(Above, left to right) Alexa Sanabria studies contemporary dance at the Dance Theatre at Wellington Green; Rian Wood moves to a country beat at Dance Unlimited; Olivia DeiCicchi explores hip-hop at Spotlight of Wellington; and Tamsyn and Danika Butler study ballet at Vantage Pointe.

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 At Vantage Pointe dance studio, Managing Director Gina Schiraldi and Artistic Director J.J. Butler have 20 years’ combined experience teaching both girls and boys to dance. Former students currently dance professionally on Broadway and Los Angeles stages. Today, many of the studio’s younger students attend local arts magnet schools the Dreyfoos School of the Arts and the Bak Middle School of the Arts. The big news is Vantage Pointe’s new studio, now open at the northwest corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7 in the Marketplace at Wycliffe. Schiraldi explained that while the studio offers many styles of dance, “our ballet is for serious training. If you want to become successful, ballet is the basis for all other forms of dance.”

Vantage Pointe focuses on the Vagonava style of classical ballet, placing students according to age and previous training. Rehearsal outfits and hairstyles become more structured as commitment increases. “Ballet is just the grounding,” Schiraldi explained. “We also offer an extensive amount of hip-hop, which the kids love. We have jazz and lyrical, contemporary and tap. Musical theater focuses on how to act onstage and become almost an actor as well as a dancer. Many students move from room to room so they take several classes on one visit.” Stressing the importance of stage presence as well as dance skills, a Vantage Pointe recital is a show in two acts. The traditional half features one dance following another. The other half is a stage show with a storyline. “We usually do Disney-based recitals,” Schiraldi

said. “One year we did The Wizard of Oz combined with The Wiz. The kids really loved it.” Vantage Pointe’s competition dancers, the studio’s most serious students, travel throughout Florida to compete against the best from other studios. Individualized dances are choreographed for them by instructors with professional experience. “I run a community program,” Schiraldi said. “I live in Wellington; my children live in Wellington, and my students will be the neighbors and classmates of my children. I love those kids, and I love watching them grow.” Vantage Pointe is located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at 4075 State Road 7. For more information, call (561) 965-9898 or visit www.vpdancestudios.com.

(Right) Vantage Pointe ballet students Danika Butler (standing), Vanessa Schiraldi (on knee) and Tamsyn Butler (sitting). (Above inset) Schiraldi stands ready to perform. WELLINGTONTHE THEMAGAZINE MAGAZINE• •AUGUST AUGUST2009 2009 WELLINGTON

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 Dance Unlimited is entering its 22nd season of dance instruction. Located on the northwest corner of Lantana Road and State Road 7, the studio offers basic ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, acrobatics, tap and clogging. “Tap is a lot of fun because there are so many different styles,” said owner Patricia Contartesi, who also organizes the annual recital. “Two years ago, we did ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’ — a really sharp and strong song. This year it was a Maroon 5 song — a real fast beat with a syncopated sound. It was a little more concentrated on the rhythm of the taps, getting the feet to move as quickly as they could and make as many sounds as they could in a really cool rhythm.”

Clogging classes are a favorite of all ages. “We introduced clogging to our studio two years ago, and it has really taken off,” Contartesi said. “It’s kind of a footstomping tap style. Most of the music is country western — very upbeat with a fast tempo. The shoe is a little different than a tap shoe, which has one tap on the toe and one on the heel. In clogging, there’s a double tap on the toe.” Not into country? Why not try acrobatics? “We‘ve always had acrobatics because it’s just so great for building up body strength and flexibility, and so much of dance is core strength, lower body strength,” Contartesi said. “We teach acrobatics in combination with hip-hop classes, and that is basically cheerleading. Cheer is so much dance now.”

Students can come in once or twice a week to explore a style, or they can dedicate themselves to their art. “We have a lot of serious dancers who take 13 classes a week and go to the School of the Arts,” Contartesi said. “I’ve had students go on to dance with the Alvin Ailey Dance Co. in New York. One of my very first students danced with the Dayton Ballet Company in Ohio. She’s now teaching with us.” Many of Contartesi’s students are sec-

(Below) Dance Unlimited’s Ashley Amaya, Haley Ayersman, Jayda Thompson, Beth Grabasch, Rian Wood, Chelsea Costa, Carleigh Costa, Elizabeth Brody, Margaret Brody, Lauriel Rac, Chelsea Gibbins, Kyla Campbell, Ashley Tabachnick, Jessica Anastase, Kalista Curbelo and Amanda Pagano are ready for a western-themed number. (Right inset) Carleigh Costa shows off her moves.

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ond-generation kids whose parents once attended Dance Unlimited. “Our school has a very family-oriented feel,” she said. “My instructors, Danielle and Heidi and Sheila, we’ve been together for so many years. We have a lot of history.” Dance Unlimited is located at 10101 Lantana Road, behind the Hess station. For more information, (561) 641-2063 or visit www. dance-unlimited.com.

 At Spotlight of Wellington, located in Kobosko’s Crossing just east of State Road 7 on Forest Hill Blvd., owner Niki Giliberti takes pride in the diversity of her classes — everything from basic ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop and ballroom all the way up to soul yoga, cardio fusion, Zumba (Latin dance fitness), Argentine tango and belly dancing. “Hindy, one of our instructors, is the director of dance at Taverna Opa at CityPlace, and except for her workshops around the world, she teaches exclusively with me,” Giliberti said. Hindy (her stage name) introduces “pop” hip-hop to students as young as five at Spotlight of Wellington. Kenny Fowler teaches the more advanced hip-hop and this summer taught a boys-only class, a way for boys to express themselves, get some exercise and build self-confidence. “Hip-hop is a genre the kids like,” Giliberti said. “In their heart, hip-hop is really Natalie Pyram, Krystal Palocios, Brittany Scheller and Olivia DeiCicchi show their support for Spotlight of Wellington.

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Spotlight of Wellington hip-hop students Hailey Fredrickson, Alexandra Miller, Brittany Scheller, Christopher Pressoir, Krystal Palocios, Natalie Pyram, Nikolas Pressoir and Olivia DeiCicchi.

a culture. It’s different than technique classes. I’m from New York, so our hiphop is more of a city style. And Kenny, not only does he teach, but he is the choreographer for some up-and-coming hip-hop artists in South Florida. He has performed with them. He’s positive; he plays clean music; he is really skilled at what he does. He’s a role model to look up to. I’m lucky to have him. I feel like I’m creating some really cool connections with hip-hop.” In order to expose her students to as many styles and teachers as possible, Giliberti brings in various choreographers to do workshops, including one who was a finalist in the Canadian version of So You Think You Can Dance. A believer in community involvement, Giliberti worked with Emerald Cove Middle School to create a 30-girl school dance team, and her students perform at local celebrations. Spotlight of Wellington is located in Ko-

bosko’s Crossing at 9192 Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 790-7758 or visit www.spotlightofwellington.com.

 Michelle and Randy Gerlick are coowners of Dance Theatre at Wellington Green, now in its second season. The couple also has three locations in Broward County, following in the footsteps of Michelle’s parents, who operated dance studios in Florida for 25 years. The Wellington studio is in Wellington Green Square, just west of the Mall at Wellington Green. While Michelle teaches ballet, tap and jazz, her instructor Tara Goodman teaches the new and trendy style called contemporary to ages nine and up. “You need to do ballet first because contemporary is a mix of modern ballet and jazz,” Goodman explained. “It’s very organic. It began when choreographers

started taking modern [dance] and doing their own interpretations of the music. There’s not a set technique like Russian, Spanish or American ballet. In contemporary, no step is wrong. You play with shapes, pictures and movements. It’s more experimental... It’s becoming really big, but I’ve been doing it for 20 years.” Experience is a keyword at Dance Theatre at Wellington Green. Michelle worked with the NFL for four Super Bowl shows and with the NBA as a Miami Heat dancer. She was a Fly Girl for Fox’s In Living Color and also danced in the Broadway shows Annie Get Your Gun and Chorus Line when they toured Miami. “My parents’ studios were my inspiration,” she said. “When I was training, I wanted to dance professionally but didn’t want to leave South Florida. I’m an only child. My parents had a lot of success in show business and dance schools, so I grew up in it. It’s second nature. I knew what to do.”

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(Right) Dance Theatre at Wellington Green students (front row) Danielle Vullis, Alexis Blundy and Chelsea Rosenberg, and (back row) Kellyn Doyle, Alexa Sanabria, Nikki Meyer, Nicole Ruggiero and Meagan Cullins. (Below inset) Chelsea Rosenberg strikes a pose.

In fact, one of Dance Theatre’s Broward studios was a South Florida haven for Dancing with the Stars contestants and professional football players Jason Taylor and Lawrence Taylor. “Jason Taylor and Lawrence Taylor both lived in Weston, so they would rehearse at our studio for six weeks, filming the

rehearsals, then fly out to LA and tape the shows — six weeks of rehearsals before the show started,” Michelle recalled. Dance Theatre at Wellington Green is located in Wellington Green Square at 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd. For more information, call (561) 784-4401 or visit www.dancetheatre. net.

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Many Styles, One Salon STORY BY COURTNEY WATSON

PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

‘Hair Spray is friendly, and we have a real sense of community.’ Hair Spray owner Margaret Panko

(Above) Hair Spray: The Salon aesthetician Samantha Kohlhorst, stylist Oneina Abellon, owner Margaret Panko, stylist Spring Canada and stylist/colorist Nikki Bailey.

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FOUR EXPERTS BRING DIFFERENT SPECIALTIES TO WELLINGTON’S HAIR SPRAY: THE SALON Things have come full circle for Margaret Panko, who began her career in styling almost three decades ago at the Wellington salon she now owns. Panko bought the former Salon Malise two years ago and renamed it Hair Spray: The Salon. Though she can claim many accomplishments from her long career in the hairstyling field, Panko is most proud of the professionalism and diversity of talent that customers find at Hair Spray. Wellington The Magazine recently visited the salon to watch four of Panko’s experts in action, doing what they do best. “Hair Spray is friendly, and we have a real sense of community,” Panko said. “I’ve known many of the people I work with at this salon for a very long time, so there is a level of trust that has really been earned over the

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years. Everyone who works here is very talented and professional, and we have such a good time.”

‘My clients love these lashes. They are effortless and look so natural.’ Aesthetician Samantha Kohlhorst on Xtreme Lashes

(Left) Aesthetician Samantha Kohlhorst performs a wrinklecontrol collagen facial on client Rebecca Orzabel.

For aesthetician Samantha Kohlhorst, beauty is all about the eyes. As a salon industry veteran, Kohlhorst has seen many trends come and go, but with Xtreme Lashes she feels that she has found a technique for her clients that has real staying power. Xtreme Lashes are weightless, natural-looking, semi-permanent eyelashes that offer the look and feel of mascara without all the mess. Kohlhorst applies the water-resistant lashes, which are designed to lengthen and thicken the appearance of existing eyelashes, using a painless adhesive favored by cosmetic surgeons. According to Kohlhorst, client reaction to Xtreme Lashes has been nothing short of euphoric. “My clients love these lashes,” Kohlhorst said. “They are effortless and look so natural. I like this brand Xtreme Lashes

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the best because of the education the company provides, as well as the product itself. The feel of the lash is very natural, and there is a great variety of thickness and colors.” In addition to Xtreme Lashes, Kohlhorst also offers a full menu of waxing and facials. She said one of the salon’s most popular spa services is the wrinkle-control facial, a 99-percent collagen facial that evens out deep lines and wrinkles while plumping up the skin. Clients love the way this facial firms and tightens the skin, and Kohlhorst said it creates the effect of a facelift without cutting. Other popular facials Kohlhorst provides feature anti-aging, oxygen therapy and microdermabrasion treatments.

takes about three hours depending on the length and thickness of a client’s hair, is designed to gently condition and relax the hair while adding proteins that provide long-lasting results. But Abellon sees benefits to this treatment that go far deeper than beauty. “I love this treatment because it makes my clients feel so good about themselves,” Abellon said. “Having nice hair is a real confidence-booster, and I re-

ally enjoy being able to help them with that.” The stylist’s compassion benefits more than just her regular clients. After seeing a need for her services and knowing that she could help, Abellon partnered with the non-profit group Locks of Love to help children coping with hair loss from medical treatments by offering free haircuts to people willing to donate their hair to the cause.

Another terrific service offered at Hair Spray is the Brazilian keratin straightening treatment, which is the specialty of master stylist Oneina Abellon. Offering dramatic results, the method produces glossy, straight, healthy hair. It’s the perfect solution for even the most unruly of manes, and Abellon said it has been a huge hit with her clients. The straightening treatment, which

‘I really like to see people take risks with their hairstyles. I love using razor techniques and texturizing. Hair needs to move. It’s great to help clients see a style that they like, and then help make it their own.’ Stylist Spring Canada

(Left) Stylist Spring Canada works with client Lindsey Stavropoulos, giving her a textured, layered haircut with side-swept bangs. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Abellon, herself a former salon owner, believes in pursuing every possible avenue in order to become the best stylist she can be. From attending training sessions and hair shows to perfecting new techniques like keratin straightening, Abellon is always on the cutting edge. As an internationally trained color specialist, Nikki Bailey understands the importance of quality when it comes to hair care. Bailey is deeply committed to helping her clients find the perfect look to fit their busy, active lifestyles. A trained L’Oreal and Redken color expert, Bailey specializes in color correction and understands the importance of giving each client special, personalized service. Bailey said she loves making people feel beautiful and that interaction with her clients and co-workers is the best part of her job. “Working at Hair Spray has been such a great experience because everyone is so relaxed and comfortable,” Bailey said. “My clients love coming here, and it’s a wonderful atmosphere.” Bailey has always been passionate about hair and said her personal mantra when it comes to style is “hair that you can wear.” She always advises her clients that they should favor styles that flow and have moment, texture and dimension. Bailey feels that the best advice she can give to her clients, especially those who get their hair colored regularly, is to use quality products and to not try too hard. Living in Florida and dealing with intense humidity on a daily basis presents special styling challenges, she noted, and the best way to combat the environment is to be proactive with professional products. For stylist Spring Canada, one of the youngest members of Hair Spray’s styling team, getting the perfect look is all about having fun. Canada, a L’Oreal 32 AUGUST 2009 • WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE

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‘Having nice hair is a real confidencebooster, and I really enjoy being able to help my clients with that.’ Stylist Oneina Abellon

(Left) Stylist Oneina Abellon does a Marrakech Moroccan treatment for client Mireya Barria.

‘Working at Hair Spray has been such a great experience because everyone is so relaxed and comfortable.’

professional and an expert at color and the “updo,” likes employing different techniques to achieve looks that are fashion-forward and completely unique. A self-professed style maven who admires edgier Hollywood celebrities like singers Gwen Stefani and Katy Perry, Canada said she loves styles that are different and retro-inspired. “I really like to see people take risks with their hairstyles,” Canada said. “I love using razor techniques and texturizing. Hair needs to move. It’s great to help clients see a style that they like, and then help them make it their own.” In addition to offering new techniques to her clients, Canada is also a proponent of age-old advice when it comes to hair care. The stylist recommends keeping up with color by going to the salon regularly and also using quality products. Canada said she always tells clients that one of the most important things they can do to keep their hair shiny and healthy is to keep it hydrated and well conditioned, because no matter the cut or hue, healthy hair never goes out of style! Hair Spray: The Salon is located in the Town Square shopping plaza at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. and is open Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The salon is closed Sundays and will be open Mondays in season. For more information, call (561) 798-9177.

Color specialist Nikki Bailey

(Left) Colorist Nikki Bailey works with with client Melissa Varvarigos, doing a L’Oreal Richesse gloss for shine and dimension.

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Heading Back To School

 Education Experts Offer Tips For Starting The School Year Off Right STORY BY RON BUKLEY PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

Getting students off to a good start at the onset of the school year can be the key to a student’s overall success, according to area education experts. Studies show that students over the summer lose at least a third of the learning they gained the previous school year, said Kris Rambarran, owner of Club Z tutoring service in Royal Palm Beach. Rambarran calls the phenomenon “summer brain drain.”

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(Left) Linda Isaacs of Club Z tutors a student at the Wellington library. (Below) Guenter Langer tutors 12th grader Estee Backoff as Club Z Director Kris Rambarran looks on.

‘Do the parents read to their child or expose them to anything that will help their education along? Do they encourage them to go to the library to read?’ Club Z’s Kris Rambarran on how parents can help their children learn.

Parents can give their children a head start by working with them at least three weeks before school starts, Rambarran said. Daily activities such as structured bedtimes can be put in place before school actually begins so they aren’t surprised by an earlier wakeup call on the first day of school. “It breeds in them an air of seriousness that follows through once they start the actual classes, and it keeps them a little bit ahead of the pack,” he said. Jonathan Iverson, owner of College Assist in the original Wellington Mall, said the most important aspect of going back to school is getting kids back into a routine. Elementary-age kids need routine more than older students, he said. “It’s important that they go to bed by 8 p.m. and get up at 6 a.m.,” he said. “Parents need to reinforce that structure.” Academically, children should be doing

summer reading and summer math exercises available at school supply stores or local tutoring services to keep them sharp, Iverson said. “Many schools have given up on just picking up where they left off,” he said. “The first four or five weeks are spent going over the exact same stuff they had the year before. Have your kids do one or two of these worksheets a day, a math sheet, vocabulary sheet, a crossword puzzle, just to keep their minds keen.” Iverson said children, especially the younger ones, need to be assigned quiet time over the summer. If not, the transition from three months of playing to several hours of sitting still in school will be hard to endure. Score at the Top Learning Center in Wellington offers back-to-school assistance for older students. “Toward the end of

the summer, we have what is called the Jump Start programs,” explained Barry Mallis, director of the Wellington location. “They are one-week or two-week sessions, which will introduce students to an upcoming year’s course and give them perhaps a couple of weeks’ head start, and make them feel a little bit more comfortable about inserting themselves into a geometry, physics or biology course.” The service uses experienced teachers, and in most cases follows county curriculums and has a full stock of countyapproved textbooks. Before the start of the school year is also a good time to get help for students in SAT and ACT preparation, Mallis said. Helping with organizational skills is an area where the parents’ role can be important. “We find that the phone rings consistently with parents desperate to help

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their child with time management and study skills,” Mallis said. Many students use shortcuts that ultimately hurt their comprehension, such as study sheets, Mallis said. Students will skim the textbook for answers to the study sheet items, neglecting the actual content of the text. “They have no overview whatsoever of the movement of humanity, the growth of religion, the spread of agriculture,” Mallis said. “They’re just looking for keywords and fill in the answers. We try to help students break out of that habit.” Iverson said the first couple of weeks of the school year are critical to assure that a student is off to a good start. “If a student has problems, it usually starts off as little problems,” he said. “If kids have run-ins with the teacher, they usually had problems from week one. If a kid is getting bullied in class, he was probably getting bullied in week one. It’s not like suddenly six weeks in somebody started picking on him.” If a teacher is being inconsistent putting assignments online or if a child missed three homework assignments, it is probably going to continue unless it’s corrected, Iverson said. “Usually teachers don’t decide halfway through the semester ‘I’m not going to grade papers for two weeks,’ or a kid halfway through the semester is not going to decide not to do homework,” he said. Mallis said the best way for parents to assess how well their student is doing homework is through an assignment journal. “Many schools actually give them out to students at the beginning of the school year,” he said. “There are some students who look at them, especially freshmen, and really don’t know what to do with it or how to use it as a tool.” WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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(Above) Jonathan Iverson, owner of College Assist, tutors a student in math.

‘Many schools have given up on just picking up where they left off. The first four or five weeks are spent going over the exact same stuff they had the year before.’ Jonathan Iverson of College Assist

Mallis encouraged parents to actively intervene in a student’s initial day-today life at school because students often need to be held accountable. He said the best way parents can assess how well a student is doing is by insisting that they show them their completed homework assignments. “The number of students who fail a term because they don’t hand in their homework is astounding,” he said. “That’s where parents can help.”

child or expose them to anything that will help their education along?” Rambarran said. “Do they encourage them to go to the library to read?”

Rambarran said a tutor can meet with students who are not doing well to determine the causes. “That can be complicated because it has so many variables,” he said.

Iverson agreed that parental help goes a long way toward stemming problems. “Parents want teachers to bear all the responsibility,” he said. “The teacher says it’s important to study, and they don’t get that at home. Sometimes it’s hard for the teacher when they see the kid miss three assignments, they call the parent and they don’t get back to you, then at the end of nine weeks, you give the kid an F and the parent calls, freaking out. Education ultimately rests on the parents.”

Variables can include academic history, friends, the parents’ attitude toward scholastics and the time they spend with the student. “Do the parents read to their

Parents shouldn’t take their child’s word that he or she is keeping up. “If you don’t see your kid studying, there’s a good chance he’s not,” Iverson said.

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FOR further INFORMATION The Royal Palm Beach office of Club Z is one of about 500 franchises across the nation, specializing in at-home tutoring. For more info., call (561) 3336993 or visit www.clubztutoring.com.

College Assist of Wellington is located in the original Wellington Mall. For more info., call (561) 7910606 or visit www.collegeassist.org.

‘The number of students who fail a term because they don’t hand in their homework is astounding. That’s where parents can help.’ Score at the Top’s Barry Mallis

Score at the Top Learning Center is located in the Chancellor Corporate Center South, 12008 South Shore Blvd., Suite 105 in Wellington. For more info., call (561) 333-8882 or visit www. (Top) Barry Mallis, director of Score at the Top Learning Center, works with American Heritage School student Andrew Steinberg.

scoreatthetop.com.

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Jenny Ross with Wild One at Stillpoint Farm in Wellington. PHOTO BY BILL BARBOSA/ PHOTO DESIGNS INC.

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From Riding to Judging JENNY ROSS KEEPS A SHARP EYE ON THE EQUESTRIAN SHOW SCENE Life couldn’t be much better than it is right now for 28-year-old Jenny Ross of Wellington. One of the nation’s most sought-after equestrian judges, she married her boyfriend of four years just two months ago and recently returned from a two-week assignment as one of the jumper judges at the prestigious Lake Placid Horse Show in New York.

STORY BY KENNETH KRAUS

Ross has had a love for horses for much of her life. At one time, she was one of the top amateur jumper riders in the nation. She trained with ten-time AGA Rider of the Year Margie Engle, while studying English literature and psychology at the University of Miami. She competed at the Winter Equestrian Festival and shows along the east coast. But early on Ross realized that the prohibitive costs of competing at that level would not allow her to continue on the bigleague circuit, but she knew she wanted to remain close to the animals she loved. In 2005, Ross became the youngest equestrian to ever obtain the top United States Equestrian Federation rating for a ranked judge. Her “big R” status, as it is known in the industry, has propelled her to officiate at some of the best shows in the country. “My love for showing led me to the judging tower,” Ross said. “I got to know a lot of the judges and course designers during my showing days. They were very supportive of me. I was lucky enough to get an opportunity to intern during the Tampa portion of the 2003 Winter Equestrian Festival, where I was able to begin the process of becoming a judge. I haven’t looked back since.” Her recent stint at the Lake Placid Horse Show took Ross back to where her judging career first took off. “Lake Placid was the first big show I judged back in 2004, when I had my ‘small r’ license, and I’ve done that show every year since that time,”

Though only 28 years old, Wellington’s Jenny Ross has become one of the most sought-after equestrian judges. PHOTO BY KENNETH KRAUS

‘Sometimes riders can lose their temper in the show ring and become abusive. I’m glad I can help stop that kind of behavior and speak for the horses in a situation like that.’ Jenny Ross on judging show jumping competitions.

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(Left) When not judging, Jenny Ross can often be found on the sidelines covering shows. (Right) Ross with Mason Phelps Jr. of Phelps Media Group. PHOTOS BY KENNETH KRAUS

she said. “Then I started working at the Winter Equestrian Festival in 2005, and everything fell into place. I’m very grateful for how it all transpired.” Ross said her favorite aspect of judging is the opportunity it provides to be an advocate for the horses. “Sometimes riders can lose their temper in the show ring and become abusive,” she said. “I’m glad I can help stop that kind of behavior and speak for the horses in a situation like that.” By watching the best riders and trainers, either in the show ring or when monitoring the schooling area, Ross has learned much. “Watching the interaction between rider and trainer in the warm-up ring, and seeing the outcome of that work unfold in the ring is very enlightening,” she said. “When I’m the schooling supervisor, it’s like getting free lessons all day! I would never be able to afford lessons with McLain Ward, but standing by the ring, I can watch him teach his students. I can see how he gets his young horses ready, and then later watch him prepare for the grand prix. It’s interesting to compare his

strategies to those of Rodrigo Pessoa or Eric Lamaze. It’s a great bonus.” But when Ward or any other Olympic gold medallist competes in front of Ross, all get the same impartial treatment. “As a judge, you’re there to score their round fairly and follow the rules, so really I don’t care who is riding,” she said. “You try to stay emotionally detached when you’re in the booth. But sure, I get excited for the big classes. Anyone who enjoys show jumping gets excited when they get to see the great horses and riders in the main event. And, of course, I have the best seat in the house! But no matter who is in the ring, I’m going to judge them the same way.” Her rise to the top of the list of officials has been meteoric, and Ross has already judged some of the most important competitions in the country. “I got to officiate at the selection trials for the World Equestrian Games and for the Olympic Games in China,” she said. “Working at this year’s World Cup Finals was a tremendous experience and a great honor.

I was invited to go as an FEI steward [in charge of enforcing the rules], and that was simply an incredible experience, to work as an official and be able to watch the 30 greatest riders in the world, all in one place.” While thrilled with her career to date, Ross has further plans. “My goal is to get my FEI [international] judge’s license,” she said. That license would give Ross access to the world’s top international competitions, but it is reserved for only the very best. “I’ve applied, and the committee meets in August,” she said. “I think I have the necessary experience, but obtaining the FEI card is very tough to do, especially on the first try. I’ve been told by a number of people to be prepared to apply again. But I’m confident that I’ve done all I can do; now it’s just a matter of waiting for the decision.” Would Ross like to get involved in other aspects of the sport, something like horse show management? “No, I really love judging,” she said. “I’ve never had

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a job where every day I consistently look forward to going to work. Every day is a learning experience, and I’m always trying to get better. I always want to do a better job than I did the day before. It truly is an honor for me to be able to judge at a horse show.” Besides judging, Ross also writes for the equestrian industry news web site PhelpsSports.com and also works with client accounts at Phelps Media Group (PMG), the Wellington-based equestrian PR firm, as keeping the calendar full is one of the difficulties of judging. “That’s why I am so lucky to have jobs with PMG and PhelpsSports.com,” Ross explained. “And of course, the traveling can become a little much depending on where you are in your life. I don’t like to be away for very long. I’m a homebody.” Home is especially important to Ross since she tied the knot with Brett Koning, a firefighter for the City of West Palm Beach. “We have a great life together,” she said. Surprisingly, their unique jobs actually make scheduling their time together much easier. Koning works every third day for 24 hours. “Sometimes we get our weekends together and sometimes we don’t, but regardless, our schedules seem to complement each other,” Ross said. “Neither of us works the traditional nineto-five job, so we’re able to spend time together on weekdays too.” Yet Ross has found time for more, even with her schedule as a judge, correspondent and newlywed. “I recently founded my own corporation, Equability Inc., for all of my equestrian work,” she said. “Right now I’m learning the ins and outs of running a small business. Aside from that, I like running. I’d like to get back to doing 5Ks again, now that the wedding planning is all over! Or maybe get back in the saddle. Who knows, maybe the judge’s tower will lead me back into the show ring someday.” WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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For The Love Of

Music

Sylvia Skoller’s Journey From Child Prodigy To Top Piano Teacher STORY BY GEORGIA JACOVIELLO

PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

At the tender age of nine, Sylvia Skoller already knew what she wanted to be when she grew up, and her aspiration was a lofty one. With the full support of her parents Bessie and Max, Sylvia achieved her goal of becoming a concert pianist, performing her first concert when she was just 15 years old and enjoying a career that spanned 50 years. For the past 25 years, Skoller’s extraordinary talent has made her one of the most sought-after piano teachers in Wellington. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Skoller recalled how she used to “play” the windowsill in her parent’s home because they couldn’t afford a piano.

who taught at Carnegie Hall. “I always read about his students in the paper, and he was the only teacher I wanted to study with,” she said. “But at $50 a lesson, a fortune back then, I knew doing so was almost an impossibility.”

“My uncle was well off, and he had a piano, but he would never let me play it,” Skoller said. “It was during the Depression, and we just didn’t have the money for such a luxury item.”

But her parents made an appointment anyway, and brought their prodigy to the audition.

Skoller said her grandfather finally told her parents about a neighbor who sold pianos and urged them to let their daughter pursue what he could see was her dream. “With the deal worked out, I got my piano, a Tonk upright,” Skoller recalled. “I was so excited when they delivered it I was telling everyone in the neighborhood, that’s mine — that’s my piano.”

Skoller was a good sight-reader, and after she played a few intricate pieces by Beethoven and Mozart, Roeder came up to her and actually kissed her fingers, to the surprise of her parents. “He told me I was gifted, but he knew my family could not afford his fee,” Skoller recalled. “He believed in me so much that he asked my parents if they could handle two or three dollars a lesson, and that is how I began learning from my idol in his beautiful studio at Carnegie Hall.”

Shortly after beginning lessons with a local teacher, it was evident that Skoller was a quick learner and a natural, and far beyond what he could teach her. So the feisty 12-year-old set her sights on the legendary instructor Carl M. Roeder,

The first six weeks of her training were not easy ones. Roeder would not allow his young student to even touch any of the 88 keys. Skoller recalled her mentor telling her

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Sylvia Skoller prepares to play Ludwig van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, op. 13, commonly known as the Sonata Pathétique. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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she had not been taught properly and that although she was technically good, she had problems with tone production and would need to be retrained. “He explained why music is like color because there are different degrees of softness, hues, shades and tones, and to this day that is how I teach my students,” Skoller said. “The keys of the piano may be black and white, but music is not.” Skoller, who regularly performed on local radio, went on to the Julliard School of Music on a full scholarship under Roeder’s tutelage. Again her parents came to her rescue. “I was frustrated by the fact that at Julliard I played on grand pianos, and I still had my Tonk upright at home, but again, my parents could not afford the price,” she recalled. Yet it seemed that Skoller’s destiny was carved in stone, because once again a kind salesman came to the rescue, and in the end, she got her grand piano. Many years later, she passed that same walnut Knabe grand piano on to her granddaughter, who still plays it today.

‘A student can be wonderful technically, but if there is no emotion or no realization of the various degrees of color and shade, then they are just playing the piano.’ Piano teacher Sylvia Skoller

Skoller’s concert career took her to some of the most famous stages in the country, including her beloved Carnegie Hall and Symphony Hall in Boston. Although she preferred be a “prima donna” and never had an interest in teaching, she did finally take some courses in the art of teaching the piano. Skoller said it was as if her fate was sealed, since both her parents and then her new husband Sam had no intention of allowing her to travel to Europe to perform in concert.

Sylvia Skoller explains the techniques she uses to teach proper use of the piano as a musical instrument.

“There was a lot of turmoil going on in Europe, so I concertized locally but never abroad,” she said. “So eventually, I did become a teacher when my husband and I relocated to Florida, but I always kept in mind what one of my teachers, Madame Stakowski, always told me in her heavy

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Russian accent. She said that there was an art to teaching and that you do so with both the eyes and the ears.” But this teacher stressed one thing to Skoller beyond all others: to never forget she was a Julliard student. “‘Remember who you are,’ Madame Stakowski told me, ‘your students must come to you,’ and I have always taught my students in my own home on my Steinway grand piano,” she said. Passing on what she learned, Skoller also teaches her students the importance of tonality. She uses the same techniques emphasized by her teachers but sometimes in different ways. “You have to take each student as an individual,” she said. “Each student does not learn the same, they each have their own personalities, but they all learn tone production.” Sensitivity to tone is what makes a great pianist, Skoller said. “A student can be wonderful technically, but if there is no emotion or no realization of the various degrees of color and shade, then they are just playing the piano,” she explained. One thing is certain: Skoller is proof that you have to believe in yourself to achieve anything in life. With unfaltering determination, she chose to follow her heart and her fingers and not allow anything or anyone to prevent her from becoming what she wanted to be. Of course, the audiences who have enjoyed Skoller’s performances throughout her career are surely thrilled she didn’t give up easily — and so are her students.

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W ELLINGTON at Home

STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY PHOTOS BY SUSAN LERNER

Wellington Icons Hold Court At An Impeccably Designed Sugar Pond Manor Home Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor, lives in a 2,800-square-foot house with a bright red side door in the heart of Sugar Pond Manor with her husband Mike Nelson. As founder and president of K. Foster Designs, Kathy has done interior design work on some of the toniest (and poniest!) homes in Wellington. “I pride myself on understanding my client’s vision, then putting it to the best proportion and to the best of my ability,” Foster said. Foster originally decorated her home’s interior in shades of peach and gray for a previous owner. “I was the decorator but it wasn’t my style,” she noted. When Foster purchased the house in 1996, the transformation began. Taking her cue from the Mexican tile floor, Foster brought shades of terracotta and yellow up the walls and throughout the house. “One of the secrets to making a home look larger is to use the same colors throughout but in different shades and hues,” she said, pointing out how the colors morph into rose and cream in back bedrooms. Upon entering the Foster/Nelson residence, visitors might sense something is different without putting a finger on it. That’s because Kathy has reconfigured the entire floor plan. “We forgot the labels and did what works for us,” she said. For instance, there is no living room. The front entrance opens into an elegant dining room instead. An expansive

wall to the left of the table and chairs boasts an original sculpture by Colbert Collins of Wellington’s Little Ranches as well as an artful display of pen-and-ink drawings featuring places Mike and Kathy have visited together. “With second marriages, you have what you bring and what he brings,” Kathy explained. “This wall is our tribute to our lives together. We love to travel whenever we can.” To the right, a pewter bowl of faux fruit purchased in Mexico is flanked by twin elephant lamps atop a mahogany sideboard. “I love animals,” Kathy said. “I have them throughout the house.” To the right, where the dining room is traditionally located, is Kathy’s office, the nucleus of K. Foster Designs. An upright piano and comfy upholstered sofa join a darkstained ash armoire. In 2004, space for a bay window was created for Kathy’s leather-tooled French pecan desk when Hurricane Jeanne blew out the original window, part of $100,000 worth of damage the storm did to the home. A large framed print of a redhead reclining with a fan hangs over the sofa.

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(Above) The backyard gazebo and ﬁre pit are available for a cozy rendezvous when the weather cools. (Top Left) Homeowners Mike Nelson and Kathy Foster. (Right) Every inch of space both indoors and out is well-designed, with plenty of seating to accommodate guests. The guest list for Kathy and Mike’s annual New Year’s party generally tops out at 300 people. (Right inset) Terracotta garden turtles hint at a slower pace on the patio. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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(Above) A breakfast corner is decorated in French country style, but the overall home is best described as eclectic. (Right) A cruciﬁx made of clothespins has great personal meaning for Kathy. (Far right) This antique wall clock with inlay was purchased in New York when Kathy was living in New Jersey.

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“I’ve had that picture in every office I’ve ever worked in,” said Kathy, who purchased it out of the back of a truck when she first set up shop in Wellington’s Town Square shopping center in 1983. “It has been with me every day, even when I worked for the Adam Walsh Foundation and Junior Achievement. It’s sort of my alter-ego — she’s relaxed and her hair is always perfect.” Changes were also made to the master suite off the dining room. Where there once was a wide hallway connecting the entrance of the house, there is now a huge closet. “This master bedroom used to be all open, with double sinks exposed,” Kathy said. “We ripped those out and made a closet for Mike.” With warm woods and touches of dark red, the bedroom is a welcoming retreat. A semanier, once used to store seven days’ worth of lingerie in its seven little drawers, now serves as a jewelry case. A silver vanity set that belonged to Kathy’s grandmother adorns a bedside dresser,

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while a striped chair and matching ottoman sit under more utilitarian shelves that groan under the weight of Mike’s book collection. In the opposite corner is a French Louis XV desk and tasseled stool. “That’s the first good piece of furniture I bought, 40 years ago — when I was five,” she joked. “When I was first setting up house, I was on a limited income, but every four to six months, I’d buy one good piece. That’s where a lot of the bronzes came from.” There are no bronzes in this room, but there is a wonderful old clock purchased from an antique shop in New York, and the desktop displays crystal perfume bottles and a 250-year-old ivory, silver and turquoise cuff bracelet from Tibet, found in an antique shop in San Antonio. At the center of the house is the kitchen, refinished white cabinets and tumbled marble tiles now replacing the peach and gray. Sugared fruit adds sparkle to a pot hanger over the sink, and a cookbook collection is stored below. On plant shelves high above the cabinets, Oriental porcelain vases and two bronzes reside. At the corner of the counter, a dozen white roses testify to Mike’s love. (Below) Mike’s “man cave” is heavy on sports and electronics.

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“My first husband never bought me flowers,” Kathy recalled. “He considered them a waste of money. So the minute I got divorced, I had flowers in my office every week. When Mike and I got married, he took over. He’s bought me roses every Friday for the 12 years we’ve been married. It kind of guarantees him a nice weekend!” Across from the roses, a small sitting room comprised of two leather chairs and an upholstered ottoman/coffee table on an area rug takes advantage of light streaming through sliding glass doors. A space that Kathy considered “odd” became a breakfast nook, beautifully appointed in the French country style with raw pine furniture, chairs with rush seats, quirky monkey candles and green majolica tableware. Ample seating within close proximity to the kitchen includes an open-design family room featuring striped rust/orange/ gold balloon shades at the windows, a faux fireplace, flat-screen TV, comfy leather sectional, occasional chairs, tapestry pillows, more books and a redjacketed monkey plant stand topped by a bromeliad. A huge oil painting purchased in North Palm Beach came home because it reminded Kathy and Mike of a small village on the Adriatic Sea where they had once stayed.

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(Above) A new bay window transformed Kathy’s office into “a room with a view.” (Right) Kathy couldn’t live without this ivory, silver and turquoise bracelet, a splurge item purchased in San Antonio. (Far right) Kathy saved for months to buy this French Louis XV desk, her first piece of “good furniture.” It has been with her for 40 years.

Turning a corner and heading down a hallway, we are admitted via a gentle tap on the door into what Kathy calls “the Man Room.” Crammed with technical gadgets that include a top-of-the-line Apple computer with iPhone, the room also plays host to walls of sports memorabilia. Mike, who has ridden professionally for Suzuki and Husqvarna as well as raced speedboats, keeps a Buell motorcycle, a 1986 Honda Nighthawk S and a 1932 Mercedes Gazelle elsewhere, and is working on rebuilding a 1976 Porsche and a 1988 Jeep Wrangler. “Keep in mind we have a two-car garage,” Kathy noted. Heading out the side door (yes, the red one), one passes underneath a display shelf with faux plants, an Oriental bride doll and a floral painted fireboard, the kind used to keep fireplace drafts from entering the room. But it’s the simple crucifix on the wall that has all the sentimental value. “A family friend, MaryJo Benvienuti, made 20 of those out of clothespins to

give as Christmas gifts one year when she had hardly any money,” Kathy recalled. “My first husband Jerry and I had lost our five-year-old son Christian to meningitis that October, and Jerry was taking it hard. MaryJo reached out and helped him through that very difficult time. She gave us the crucifix in December, then she died the following June.” Each New Year’s Day, Kathy and Mike host an open house for 150. There’s room for everyone thanks in part to an outdoor living space that really works. A wet bar, entertainment center and grilling station take center stage for the occasion, but the screened-in patio also offers several groupings of chairs and tables amid stacked planters, potted plants and Kathy’s orchid collection. Just outside the screening is a canal-side garden complete with gazebo, fountain and goldfish pond. The gazebo replaced two trees that fell on the house during Jeanne, but the pond is another story. “I was in Arizona, helping my daughter-in-

law Lisa who was about to give birth, and Mike called to ask if I’d like a pond for Christmas,” Kathy recalled. “I said OK, expecting to come home to a six-to-eightfoot pond. Instead there’s a backhoe in the yard. Typical Mike.” The pond is further enhanced by a large resin sheep, formerly an advertising piece. Although Mike and Kathy had three dogs at the time, Mike had been lobbying hard for a fourth when they came upon it, for sale in a mattress store that was going out of business. “Mike said, ‘Well, if you won’t let me get a dog, I’m going to get this sheep!’ and I said fine, and there it is,” Kathy laughed. “We dress it up for Halloween and Christmas and put it in the front yard. I would call our style ‘eclectic’.” With sugared fruit, several monkeys and a displaced sheep, “eclectic” may be a bit of an understatement. Yet the talents of Kathy Foster make everything work together beautifully.

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Wellington Table

Prepared Foods Team Leader Melissa Pritt with Whole Foods Marketing & Community Specialist Lauren Belinsky.

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Healthy, Cost-Effective Meal Enjoy A

At The Whole

Foods Market

STORY BY KRISTINA WEBB PHOTOS BY DEVIN JACOVIELLO

The Whole Foods Market in Wellington offers much more than the typical supermarket, with an emphasis on the organic, the natural and the locally produced. But many don’t realize that in addition to a wide variety of exceptional grocery items, Whole Foods is a great place to grab a bite. With several prepared food buffets, Whole Foods offers something for every palate. The menu changes daily, with everything from international cuisine to fresh salads. When you’re in a rush, the prepared foods are a great, healthy, cost-effective alternative to fast-food chains. You can take the food to go or enjoy a leisurely meal in the Whole Foods Café. “We’re very well known for catering to people with special diets,” Whole Foods Marketing & Community Specialist Lauren Belinsky said, and it shows from the wide selection of foods available at the prepared foods buffet. Several long buffets are arranged in the prepared foods section. Most of the ingredients come from local growers, producers and sellers. “I’ve been working with Whole Foods since 2008, but I started shopping at Whole Foods in 1998,” Belinsky said. “I was so impressed when I first walked into one of the stores. I had never encountered a grocery store before that cared so much about the community.”

‘We’re very well known for catering to people with special diets.’ Lauren Belinsky of Whole Foods Market

The specialty salad bar includes unique chicken and tuna salad creations such as the Chapel Hill Tuna Salad. Shoestring carrots and a homemade dressing add the perfect crunch and tang to make your mouth water. The salad bar also features two staple items: the classic bleu cheese iceberg salad wedge and Cabbage Crunch Coleslaw. The iceberg wedge is beautifully prepared, with just enough dressing and a hearty slice of iceberg lettuce; the Cabbage Crunch Coleslaw is a fresh, light, summery take on traditional coleslaw, with cabbage, sesame seeds, almonds and a homemade dressing. (Right) A Whole Foods reusable bag along with a selection of drinks that make great meal accompaniments: 365 Brand root beer, Synergy organic kombucha drink and Steaz organic sparkling raspberry green tea. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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The international cuisine hot bar features Latin, homestyle, Continental, Asian, Indian and Italian recipes. Belinsky said one of the most popular Italian dishes is the lasagna, which is either three-cheese, meat or vegetarian depending on which fresh ingredients are available that day. The three-cheese lasagna, kept warm like all the hot dishes, tastes like it came fresh from the oven. A garlic Parmesan roll serves as a great side. The Barbecue Tipsy Pork is a great Continental choice, roasted in a homemade barbecue sauce and served with potatoes and onions. The vegetables are not overcooked, and seasoned perfectly to pair with the pork. Among the Indian items offered is a delicious basmati saffron rice. An eye-catching yellow, the rice goes well with the vegan dishes located nearby, such as the tasty mushroom tofu stroganoff. Tofu, which is extremely easy to overcook or undercook, tastes wonderful with the fresh mushrooms and homemade gravy. Each flavor perfectly complements the next; the tofu absorbs the flavors from the mushrooms and gravy to create an amazing dish. The Latin hot bar offers piping-hot tacos in either hard or soft shells, with fresh, crisp toppings like salsa, lettuce, diced tomatoes and several cheeses. There are also hamburgers available, which can be topped with a variety of cheeses, condiments and veggies. A raw salad bar offers a vast selection of fresh, seasonal vegetables. Salad toppings include croutons made in the store, jalapeños, cranberries and a selection of cheeses. Whole Foods also features a special dessert buffet to satisfy your sweet tooth with a variety of cakes and pastries. The cannoli are made with fresh fillings and topped with a fine sprinkling of powdered sugar. A traditional cheesecake comes topped with fresh cherries in a cherry glaze. The chocolate cheesecake is excellent, with a rich, creamy filling and chocolate graham cracker crust. The gelato bar offers a rich, yummy dessert option that is also healthy, because gelato is

made with skim milk and is lower in fat than ice cream. The Whole Foods Market in Wellington gets its gelato mix locally from the Gelato Grotto in West Palm Beach. The pistachio gelato is especially rich and creamy, with a sweet, nutty flavor. Cold drinks are on display in the prepared foods section. Cans of Whole Foods’ 365 sodas are a great accompaniment to a meal. Organic sodas, teas, juices and energy drinks are also available. The Steaz brand line of organic sodas are amazingly refreshing, especially during the hot summer months. Whole Foods Café offers both outdoor and indoor seating for those who want to eat in. The outdoor seating is welcoming on sunny days, and inside there are tables and large booths, with artwork on the walls. “We promote local artists,” Belinsky said. “We are always looking for new people who agree with our core values and have a wonderful talent to share.” The containers and dishes at the hot bars for both eating in and takeout are completely biodegradable and manufactured from mostly recycled materials, such as palm, sugar cane and bamboo fibers. The price at the prepared food bar is $7.99 per pound, but Whole Foods is offering a special “happy hour” discount through the summer months: only $5.99 per pound Monday through Friday from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to closing. The Whole Foods Market is located at 2635 S. State Road 7 in Wellington and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call (561) 904-4000 or visit www. wholefoodsmarket.com. (Far left, top to bottom) The cold drinks section features many great choices to accompany your meal; the salad bar has many items to choose from to build the perfect salad; hot soups are made fresh daily and kept at the perfect temperature; threecheese lasagna accompanied by a garlic parmesan roll, cucumber dill salad and Barbecue Tipsy Pork; and the dessert bar offers several fantastic options, including cannoli, chocolate cake and cheesecake.

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Wellington Dining Guide Enjoy the ocean’s freshest, most succulent seafood and mouthwatering cuts of beef at Wellington’s hottest new culinary gem, Bacalao Tapas & Seafood Grille. One nibble and you’ll be hooked! Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. For the full menu, visit www.bacalaoseafoodgrille.com or call (561) 753-2836 for more info. Backstreets Neighborhood Bar & Grill serves the ﬁnest seafood, steaks, salads, burgers and pizzas as well as daily specials. Stop by on Sunday for a 14-ounce prime rib dinner. Backstreets is located in the Wellington Plaza and is open for lunch and dinner. Call (561) 795-0100 for info. Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant is located on Forest Hill Blvd. near the Mall at Wellington Green. Specializing in family-style Italian cuisine, Buca di Beppo is known for its large portions designed to serve several people. If you’ve got a large party, reserve the Pope’s Room; for a unique experience, reserve the table in the kitchen. For more info., call (561) 7903287 or visit www.bucadibeppo.com. Café Las Palmas, located at 7750 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach, has an international menu with a focus on Cuban and Colombian cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner, and features live music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. For more info., call (561) 697-1786. Campagnolo Italian Restaurant offers a taste of New York’s Little Italy in Wellington. In the Marketplace at Wycliffe, Campagnolo serves family-style Italian cuisine with huge portions meant to share. For an appetizer, try the stuffed artichokes or mussel soup. For an entree, try the Chicken Campagnolo, veal pizzaiola or penne con broccoli rabe. Located at 4115 State Road 7, it is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. For more info., call (561) 434-9427. Centanni Café & Restaurant in Royal Palm Beach serves up delicious Italian dishes cooked to order. It is located at the corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. near Kmart. Call (561) 792-7677 for info. The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach has added a hip new element to its 60-year tradition of offering the ﬁnest steaks and ribs with the Polo Steakhouse. For “ladies that lunch” there is a lighter menu, and now the hotel proudly introduces the Palm Court Al Fresco with lounge seating and billowing curtains in a lush garden setting. Open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Located at 155 Hammon Ave., Palm Beach, call (561) 655-5430 for more info. Executive Chef David Palmateer, previously of Café Chardonnay, recently opened deVine Bistro & Bar with his wife Sara. The restaurant’s atmosphere is chic yet comfy, and the gourmet menu focuses on hand-selected and all-natural ingredients. DeVine Bistro & Bar is located in the Plaza at Wellington Green at 2465 State Road 7, Suite 300. For more info., call (561) 204-5432. Field of Greens, located at 10140 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Pointe at Wellington Green, serves some of the freshest and healthiest food in town. It is a quick, contemporary restaurant specializing in salads and sandwiches. Enjoy customized salads with homemade dressings, as well as signature salads and wraps. For more info., call (561) 795-4345. Gabriel’s Cafe & Grille is Wellington’s oldest restaurant. Serving breakfast and lunch, Gabriel’s is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in the Wellington Plaza at WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Wellington Dining Guide Social Scene the intersection of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For more info., call (561) 793-0675. Drop by the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant and relax in a warm, traditional Irish setting complete with oak-barrel tables and a full bar with many types of beer flowing from the tap. Regular live entertainment is offered. The Gypsy’s Horse is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Call (561) 333-3700 for more info. Ironwood Grille, located in the PGA National Resort & Spa, is now open to the public, providing an amazing new contemporary American dining experience. The heart of the menu is a tempting list of steaks and fresh seafood. Guests will find room for private dining and a wine room featuring a floor-to-ceiling collection of 2,000 bottles. For reservations, call (561) 227-2681 or visit www.ironwoodgrille.com. Kontiki Wine & Raw Bar is located in the Courtyard Shops of Wellington at the corner of Wellington Trace and Greenview Shores Blvd. Steaks and seafood are featured, prepared with a Euro-Asian fusion flair. Enjoy the full sushi bar and a glass or bottle of wine from a large and varied list. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. For info., call (561) 296-0404. La Fogata Restaurant serves delicious Mexican cuisine. The restaurant, located in the Wellington Town Square at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd., features a tequila bar. Call (561) 422-1641 for info. Family owned and operated, Mamma Mia’s Trattoria has served South Florida since 1983. Huge portions; open for lunch and dinner; featuring New York style brick oven pizza; specializing in fresh seafood, oakwood-grilled lamb chops, slow-roasted ossobuco and frutti di mare. Mamma Mia’s is located at 8855 Hypoluxo Road at Lyons Road. Call (561) 963-9565 for more info. Max & Erma’s restaurant is now open in Royal Palm Beach serving gourmet hamburgers, steaks, chicken, pasta, salads and sandwiches. Call-ahead seating and carryout available. Max & Erma’s is located at 11111 Southern Blvd. in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza. For more info., call (561) 383-8878 or visit www.maxandermas.com. Fondue becomes a memorable four-course dining experience at The Melting Pot, where patrons can dip into something different and discover all the ingredients for a unique dining experience. The Melting Pot, located at 3044 S. Military Trail in Lake Worth, features a relaxed atmosphere, private tables, attentive service, fine wines and signature fondue dinners. It’s a little different, and a lot of fun. For more info., call (561) 967-1009. Nature’s Table Café is located in the Wellington Marketplace and offers a wholesome menu featuring hearty soups, specialty salads, gourmet wraps, signature sandwiches and fruit yogurt shakes. Free Wi-Fi access is available, as well as online ordering. For more info., visit www.ntcwellington.com or call (561) 383-8343. Continental cuisine, steaks and seafood are on order at Nicole’s Village Tavern, located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. Upcoming changes will add popular Italian dishes to the menu. For more info., call (561) 793-3456 or visit www.nicoles villagetavern.com. The Original Hawaiian Ice Co. brings a taste of the tropics to Wellington with over 100 refreshing treats

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featuring Hawaiian shaved ice, gourmet Italian ice, smoothies, hot Kona coffee brewed-to-order and much more. Catering is available for any function. Original Hawaiian Ice is located in Wellington Town Square at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. and is open seven days a week. Call (561) 693-2822 for more info. The Players Club Restaurant & Bar (13410 South Shore Blvd., Wellington) features gourmet cuisine along with a popular piano bar, outside dining, two outside smoking bars, live entertainment and catered events. Call (561) 795-0080 for more information. Got a craving? Master Chef Shingo at Shingo’s Authentic Japanese Restaurant can satisfy that craving with so many sashimi and sushi varieties, you could never taste them all! Try them a la carte or in combo platters. The restaurant also features many other Japanese specialties. Shingo’s is located in the Woods Walk Plaza at the corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 963-5050. Stonewood Grill & Tavern in the Pointe at Wellington Green serves up exciting ﬂavors in a casually sophisticated setting. The gourmet American fare features delicious entrees with the perfect wines to accompany. Call (561) 784-9796 or visit www.stonewoodgrill. com for more info. A family tradition since 1905, Strathmore Bagels is located in the Marketplace at Wycliffe at the corner of State Road 7 and Lake Worth Road. For more info., call (561) 357-0044. Too Bizaare Café wine, sushi bar and gallery in Jupiter has a varied menu and wine list. There are a variety of tapas, and the sushi bar features various sushi and sashimi as well as classic and hand rolls. Specialty dishes include pastas, seafood and chicken dishes. Too Bizaare Café is located at 287 E. Indiantown Road. For more info., call (561) 745-1032 or visit www.toobizaare.com. Drop by the award-winning TooJay’s Original Gourmet Deli in the Mall at Wellington Green for breakfast, lunch or dinner. TooJay’s is reminiscent of your favorite New York delicatessen. Specialties include signature overstuffed sandwiches, chicken noodle soup and traditional deli classics. For more information, call (561) 784-9055 or visit www.toojays. com. Trees Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Plaza. Eat in or pick up your order of signature wings, ribs, chicken and more. Tree’s also delivers mouthwatering menu items, and caters events and parties. Visit www. treeswingsandribs.com or call (561) 791-1535 for more info. Tub Tim Thai Restaurant in the Marketplace at Wycliffe features authentic Thai cuisine and decor. Thai dishes made with fresh seafood, juicy duck and authentic ingredients are prepared for you to enjoy. For more information, call (561) 641-5550 or visit Tub Tim Thai Restaurant at 4095 State Road 7 at Lake Worth Road. Zensai Asian Grill & Sushi Bar features Thai, Japanese and Chinese cuisine, offering something for everyone. Sushi is made fresh to order daily in an upscale, soothing atmosphere. The restaurant is located at 10233 Okeechobee Blvd. in the Super Target shopping center. Call (561) 795-8882 or visit www. zensairestaurant.com for more info. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Wellington Calendar TUESDAY, AUG. 4 • The National Poetry Slam will be held at various Palm Beach County locations Tuesday through Saturday, Aug. 4-8. The National Poetry Slam is the largest team performance poetry event in the world. Running since 1990, 80 teams of between three and five poets compete. The week will see daily contests at venues along Clematis Street and will culminate in a grand finale at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Visit www.nationalpoetryslam.com for more info. • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Mamma Mia! Tuesday through Sunday, Aug. 4-9. Broadway’s ultimate feel-good tale of love, laughter and friendship features 22 of ABBA’s timeless hits. For more info., call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org. THURSDAY, AUG. 6 • The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will hold a Member Mixer on Thursday, Aug. 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Romeo’s Italian Restaurant (13889 Wellington Trace). RSVP to (561) 7926525. FRIDAY, AUG. 7 • The Lake Worth High School Class of 1979 will hold its 30-Year Reunion Weekend Friday through Sunday Aug. 7-9 with a variety of events. For info., call Candy Radder at (561) 313-5489. SATURDAY, AUG. 8 • W4CY Radio, in conjunction with Wild Orchids Café, will host the inaugural Royal Palm Music Festival on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Aug. 8, well-known artists from all over the state will perform. Wild Orchids will offer reserved tables that will include the festival and food for $25. Those not planning on eating are encouraged to bring their own chairs and enjoy the sounds of the day. A $5 or more donation is suggested for those not choosing the reserved seating. For more info., call Peter Wein at (561) 827-4223 or visit www.royalpalmfestival.com. • Christ Fellowship Church (corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd.) will hold “Community Heroes Night” on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. Police and firefighters will be on hand to make citizens aware of all the resources that local law enforcement and firefighters use. There will also be interactive scenarios and presentations. Call (561) 799-7603, ext. 1520 for more info. MONDAY, AUG. 10 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” on Mondays at 9:30 a.m. for ages under nine months and 11:15 a.m. for ages 10 to 18 months. Your baby will love the rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Bookmaking, Encore!” on Monday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. for ages nine and up. If you missed the June or July classes, come learn how to create books in different styles. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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TUESDAY, AUG. 11 • The Ski Club of the Palm Beaches will host the 2009 Goode Water Ski National Championships Aug. 11-15. It marks the 11th year the event will be hosted by the club and held at Okeeheelee Park. The 67th Goode Water Ski National Championships is presented by Speedo. More than 800 of the nation’s top water ski athletes from across the United States will compete for national titles. For more info., visit www.usawaterski.org. • A Free Home-Schooling Workshop will be held at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) on Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday, Aug. 14 from 9 to 11 a.m. Host Nancy Moral will discuss home education laws, methods of instruction, community resources and high school/college transition for home schoolers. Limited seating is available. Call (561) 790-5149 for more info. • The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 12 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers’ Critique Workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. for adults. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism and comments to improve your fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere with Florida Writers’ Association member Mark Adduci. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. THURSDAY, AUG. 13 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Fantasss...tic Snakes” on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 3 p.m. for ages five and up. Meet some of Green Cay Nature Center’s resident snakes. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host an After-Hours Networking Mixer on Thursday, Aug. 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Generations: A Hair Salon (10240 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For info., call Catherine Engel at (561) 790-6200. • Def Leppard, Poison and Cheap Trick will perform on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. at Cruzan Amphitheatre (601-7 Sansbury’s Way). Call (561) 795-8883 or visit www.livenation.com for info. FRIDAY, AUG. 14 • The Dave Matthews Band and Robert Earl Keen will perform Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. at the Cruzan Amphitheatre (6017 Sansbury’s Way). Reserved and lawn seating is available. Call (561) 795-8883 or visit www.live nation.com for more info. SATURDAY, AUG. 15 • The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will host Family Fun Day on Saturday, Aug. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Family Fun Day will be held as part of the organization’s 14th Annual Business Expo. The event is free and open to the general public. For info., contact Tinu Peña at (561) 340-7504 or tpena@ motreco.com, or Everett Wheatley at (561) 6351188 or everettwheatley@yahoo.com. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Wellington Calendar • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Meet the Author: John Henry Fleming” on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on his book Fearsome Creatures of Florida. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • Buckler’s Craft Fair will return to the Americraft Expo Center (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15 and 16. Browse through unique one-of-a-kind gifts, custom home décor, jewelry, furniture, crafts and more. General admission is $7. Call (386) 860-0092 or visit www. bpcraftfairs.com for more info. SUNDAY, AUG. 16 • Little Smiles and Swamp Grass Willy’s will hold a Texas Hold ’Em Charity Tournament on Sunday, Aug. 16 at Swamp Grass Willy’s (9910 Alt. A1A, Palm Beach Gardens). Registration is at 2 p.m. with play beginning at 3 p.m. The suggested donation for the tournament is $100, which will beneﬁt Little Smiles, an organization that endeavors to brighten the lives of sick and at-risk children in hospitals, hospices of shelters Call (561) 383-7274 for more info. MONDAY, AUG. 17 • The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a membership luncheon on Monday, Aug. 17 at 11:45 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The topic will be a “Forum on America’s Healthcare Reform.” To RSVP, call Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. The Society for Philosophical Inquiry initiated the concept for this discussion led by Marji Chapman. Pre-register by calling (561) 790-6070. THURSDAY, AUG. 20 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “$Dollar$ Origami” on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 3 p.m. for ages eight and up. Learn how to fold play money into animals and objects. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Open Mike Night” on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Join your neighbors and perform poetry, short prose, an essay, dance, play an instrument or sing for an audience of all ages. Pick up a copy of the rules when you pre-register by calling (561) 790-6070. SATURDAY, AUG. 22 • The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will hold “Palms 101: Not Another Queen Palm Workshop” on Saturday, Aug 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members. Call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org for info. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Christine Kling” on Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on her novel Wrecker’s Key. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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MONDAY, AUG. 24 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Meet the Author: Liz Balmaseda” on Monday, Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on Sweet Mary, the powerful debut novel by this Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist in which a woman’s hunger for justice becomes a journey of self-discovery. A book signing will follow. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. TUESDAY, AUG. 25 • The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 for more info. WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Stories of Eric Carle” on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. for ages two to four. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. • The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will hold a Member Luncheon at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at the Binks Forest Golf Club. RSVP to (561) 792-6525. • Enjoy the beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The narrated tour will be led by Garden Director Allen Sistrunk. RSVP to (561) 233-1757. Additional information can be found online at www.mounts.org. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold its “Poetry Discussion Series” on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Engage in a provocative discussion of several published poems written by various poets. Copies are available at the information desk. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register. THURSDAY, AUG. 27 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature a “Paper-Bag Puppets” class on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. for ages six and up. Design your own paper-bag puppet based on a fairytale character. Scissors will be used. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. FRIDAY, AUG. 28 • The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host the Second Annual Wild West Poker Tournament on Friday, Aug. 28, 6:30 p.m. at the Binks Forest Golf Club. A $50 buy-in includes a dinner buffet. For more info., call Catherine Engel at (561) 790-6200. SATURDAY, AUG. 29 • The Wellington Travel Basketball Association will host its Fundraising Golf Classic at the Binks Forest Golf Club on Saturday, Aug. 29 beginning at 7:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast, followed with a putting contest and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will be followed by an afternoon buffet lunch and prize ceremony. Entry fees are $150 per person. For $15, non-golfers can attend the luncheon and bid on the silent auction items and enter to win rafﬂe prizes. For more info., visit www.wellingtontravelbasketball.org or call Chris Fratalia at (561) 252-9530. WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE • AUGUST 2009

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Around Wellington

New American Legion Post Installs Officers — American

Artist Visits B&G Club — Wellington artist Corinne Ingerman, shown here assisting youngsters, was a special guest at the Wellington Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday, July 21. Ingerman, who is affiliated with the Wellington Art Society, met with youngsters to give them pointers on their art projects. The Boys & Girls Club is located at 3401 South Shore Blvd. For more info., call (561) 790-0343. Photo by Carol Porter

Legion Post 390 in Wellington held its first official installation of officers on Thursday, July 16 at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station 30. Former Wellington mayor Tom Wenham was installed as the new commander. David Knapp, the founding commander, will oversee all of (Above) Tom Wenham receives the South Florida as Southern gavel from David Knapp. Area commander. (Top) Post 390 officers and members Photos by Denise Fleischman

gather for a group photo.

(Above) Event coordinator Kevin McLellan (center) with Pierre Garcon of the Indianapolis Colts (left) and Scotty Begovich of the Miss Geico speedboat race team. (Top right) Volunteers Kim McKee and Jeanne Thompson. (Below right) Joe Clerford of Royal Palm Beach with Pierre Garcon.

Tyler’s Day Raises $4,000 — The inaugural Tyler’s Day fundraiser held June 27 at Palm Beach Central High School proved to be a fun-filled day for adults and youngsters alike. In addition to the sports celebrities, basketball games and live entertainment, the event served to benefit the Tyler McLellan Foundation, raising $4,000. The foundation is designed to help lowerincome families cover the cost of items not paid for by registration or school, such as cleats and camp fees. For more info., visit www.tylermclellanfoundation.org. Photos by Kristina Webb 66 AUGUST AUGUST 2009 2009 •• WELLINGTON WELLINGTON THE THE MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

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