WESTLAKE THE MAGAZINE – July/August 2026

executive editor

NEW CITY MANAGER HOWARD BROWN ON THE JOB IN WESTLAKE

Howard Brown took over this spring as the new manager for the City of Westlake — the first directly hired by the Westlake City Council. Learn more about him in a profile story in this issue.

WESTLAKE CONTINUES TO GROW A DECADE AFTER ITS INCEPTION

This year, the City of Westlake is celebrating a decade of community growth and infrastructure expansion since its incorporation in 2016. During that time, the community’s primary developer Minto has worked with the young municipality to create a thriving new community.

CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY AT NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The vision and culture of the temporarily dubbed West Community Elementary School are beginning to take shape in the heart of Westlake. The three-story, 96,000-squarefoot school is rising near the corner of Persimmon Blvd. and Green Lane.

MORIKAMI: YOUR DOORWAY TO THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, art, history, nature, cuisine and culture come together in one of the county’s most distinctive destinations. Founded as a cultural and educational center honoring the legacy of the Yamato Colony, Morikami tells a story that is both global and deeply local.

FOUNDATION EXPANDS LOCAL PATHWAYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

As housing affordability continues to shape conversations across South Florida, the Westlake Community Foundation is expanding efforts to make homeownership more accessible for qualified buyers.

WESTLAKE

SOCIAL SCENE

Westlake FourthFest Celebrates Community’s 10th Anniversary Cresswind Women’s Club ‘Breakfast At Tiffany’s’ Fashion Show

Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior writer

Louis Hillary Park

creative director

Stephanie Rodriguez

account managers

Betty Buglio

Evie Edwards

Joetta Palumbo

Jennifer Preville

administration

Shanta Daibee

Jill Kaskel

Carol Lieberman

photography

Frank Koester

Abner Pedraza

contributors

Shannon Anastasio

Angelic Bringas

Jackson Overholt

Patrick Sherry

Sally Shorr

Fiona Slusarev

Phone: (561)

Fax: (561) 793-1470

www.westlakethemagazine.com

published by Westlake Magazine LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Westlake’s historic incorporation, which created the newest municipality in Palm Beach County and led to the remarkable growth of our community. In this issue, we look back on the past decade, reviewing the milestones that made Westlake what it is today, and also look toward the future at the Westlake of tomorrow.

Leading Westlake into the future will be newly appointed City Manager Howard Brown, who brings decades of experience to his new role. The first employee directly hired by and reporting to the Westlake City Council, we chat with Brown about his background and his vision for the community’s future.

This time next year, Westlake will have its new elementary school. Construction recently got underway. Darline Winewski, principal at nearby Acreage Pines Elementary School, was recently appointed as founding principal of the new school. In this issue, we chat with Winewski about plans for the school.

Our Palm Beach County cultural series continues in this issue with a look at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, where Japanese culture comes to life through programs, exhibits and its signature 16 acres of gardens. Finally, if you need assistance to make your dream of homeownership in Westlake a reality, a new program has arrived to help. The Westlake Affordable Housing Grant Program allocates a total of $650,000 in financial assistance, offering eligible buyers a one-time grant of up to $15,000. Learn more about the program in this issue.

Do you know someone who should be featured on the pages of Westlake The Magazine? Drop us a note through www.westlakethemagazine.com and tell us more. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy the last weeks of summer, as back-to-school season looms on the horizon.

WESTLAKE FOURTHFEST EVENT CELEBRATES COMMUNITY’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

The City of Westlake held its annual FourthFest celebration on Saturday, July 4 at the site of the future Seminole Improvement District park near Seminole Ridge High School. This year’s FourthFest marked two milestones: Westlake’s 10-year anniversary and America’s 250th birthday. The fun-filled day kicked off at 5 p.m. and included activities for children, bounce houses, food trucks and local vendors. Live musical entertainment included DJ Saber, 180 X Summer and Dancing Queen. The evening ended with a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the sky.

Men: Don’t Put Off Urology Care

An enlarged prostate can lead to a weak urine stream, straining and incomplete emptying of the bladder. Sometimes, medication is used to relax the prostate. However, new treatments are available without burning or cutting the prostate. One procedure takes care of the obstructing portion of the prostate, and it can be done in the office under local anesthesia. If surgery is necessary, the procedure can be performed with the assistance of a robot, which allows for enhanced vision, control and precision.

For prostate cancer detection, a PSA blood test and prostate exam are the standard screening tests.

The American Cancer Society’s guidelines say that men should get a prostate exam and PSA test beginning at age 50 if they have no family history of prostate cancer; at age 45 if they have a family history of prostate cancer, with a relative diagnosed younger than 65; and at age 40 if they have more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at an early age.

CRESSWIND WOMEN’S CLUB HOSTS ‘BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S’ FASHION SHOW

The Cresswind Women’s Club enjoyed a fabulous member appreciation event held Saturday, May 9. Eighty members of the club gathered in the community clubhouse to enjoy a “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” themed morning, complete with a catered breakfast and a fun fashion show. The tables were beautifully decorated in coordinating colors to match the theme, and an abundance of authentic Tiffany items, generously provided by one of the members, added the finishing touches. A delicious spread of food was provided by Wellington’s Catering by Donna, and custom-made desserts were baked by “So Delish,” owned by a Cresswind resident. Two clothing retailers partnered with the club to produce an elegant fashion show featuring 12 club members rocking the runway with stylish outfits from Chico’s at the Mall at Wellington Green and Style Encore, an upscale resale store in Palm Beach Gardens. Attendees showed up dressed for the occa

sion in true Tiffany style and grace.

ASN: OPEN HOUSE 3rd THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH* RESERVE YOUR OPEN HOUSE VISIT

• Associate Of Science In Nursing (RN)

• EMT/Paramedic/LPN - To - ASN Track

DMS: OPEN HOUSE 1ST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH*

• Associate of Applied Science in Diagnostic Medical Sonography *CALL TO RESERVE

NEW MANAGER HOWARD BROWN HOPES WESTLAKE IS FINAL STOP IN HIS TRANSCONTINENTAL CAREER

BY LOUIS HILLARY PARK

Standing ankle-deep in the surf that rambles soft onto Gulf beaches, recent Pensacola High School graduate Howard Brown could look back on four generations of his family who had been in the Panhandle.

He could cast a line for redfish, Spanish mackle or sheepshead with no particular travel plans beyond the 200 miles to Tallahassee to earn a degree criminology from Florida State University in 1993. In fact, he returned to his hometown to get a master’s degree in public administration from the University of West Florida in 1995.

The longest trip he’d taken was to Homestead, when his U.S. Army National Guard unit was deployed in the wake of Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Fast forward to 2026, sitting at a Starbucks on Seminole Pratt Whitney

Road in Westlake, Brown, the city’s newly hired manager, still shakes his head at the scope of the destruction. “It wasn’t a pretty sight,” he remembered. “Just devastation.”

By 2000, Brown was working for Escambia County code enforcement and two other jobs to make ends meet after a marriage that didn’t work out. That’s when he got a call from the City of Lauderdale Lakes in Broward County. Officials there were in search of a chief of code enforcement and wanted to fly him down for an interview.

“I didn’t really think I’d get the job,” Brown said. “But I thought, ‘Fly me down there! This must be some big kinda of a job!’ I’d never been on a [commercial] airplane before.”

Brown did get the job, and that was the start of a career that would take him

from Georgia to California, then back to the Sunshine State.

“It hasn’t been a road, it’s been a trail… [and] a non-traditional one,” said Brown, 54.

Westlake City Council members unanimously selected Brown to become the municipality’s first independent manager at a meeting in March.

Afterward, Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said that Brown’s much-traveled history had not been an impediment to his selection, it had been a plus.

“Over the last 10 years, Mr. Brown has gone into cities and worked successfully with existing staff,” O’Connor said. “That’s very important.”

Especially important, because under Westlake’s charter, the City of Westlake cannot directly hire employees. Brown was brought in on a $265,000 annual

contract with a base salary of $190,000, according to Vice Mayor Greg Langowski. The remaining $75,000 is to cover such items as payroll taxes, professional memberships and meetings, vehicle reimbursement, and health, life and disability insurance.

For now, the city will remain staffed mostly by employees of Inframark, a national firm that provides staff to many municipalities. The previous manager, Kenneth Cassel, had been an Inframark employee.

“Just having a city manager who answers to the city and not to Inframark is huge,” O’Connor said.

Councilman Gary Werner, a former city manager himself, said Brown “has the kind of experience Westlake is looking for to push it to the next level.”

Brown has held interim municipal manager jobs in East Point, Georgia, and Century and Fort Meade, Florida. He also worked in Muskogee, Oklahoma (2014-16) and Bell, California (201618), before more than one kind of opportunity brought him to the newly formed Village of Indiantown in Martin County (2019-23).

Brown remarried in 2018 to an FSU grad. When she went to work at a hospital in Palm Beach County, Brown was ready to make another move.

Taking over in Indiantown just as the pandemic hit was no easy task.

“It aged me,” Brown said. “I had no gray hair before that.”

Still, amid the masks, confusion and fear of that time, Brown brought to the community some $40 million in road, water and sewer grants and loans — including $8.5 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to purchase the local investorowned utility.

“There was a lot of controversy about that,” he said. “And it’s one of the reasons I left. But you know what? Within a year, it was profitable.”

O’Connor said that Brown’s “incredible success acquiring and managing appropriations and grants” was a major factor in supporting him.

“There are a lot of parallels,” O’Connor added. “Westlake was incorporated in 2016, Indiantown in 2017.”

Councilman Erik Gleason also believes that Brown is perfect for the job.

“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen so far from this city council. I believe I can work extremely well with them. I hope to be here for a long time. I plan for this to be my last job.”

— Howard Brown

“I was impressed with [Brown’s] background, certifications and that he’d gone into cities and worked effectively with staffs that he did not hire,” Gleason said.

Councilwoman Charlotte Leonard was also in support of hiring Brown.

“It’s going to be exciting,” Leonard said. “I think he’s going to add a lot of value to the city.”

Over coffee, Brown noted the differences between the two communities.

“What Westlake has that Indiantown doesn’t is, Westlake is perfectly planned,” he said.

That plan was put in place by Minto Communities USA when it began turning a former orange grove into a community in 2015.

Brown said his first order of business will be working with the council to shape the new city hall slated to be built on 4.6 acres at the intersection of Persimmon Blvd. West and Ilex Way. The property essentially was a gift from Minto.

Westlake’s offices currently are housed in a rented building at 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Monthly council meetings and other necessary public sessions are held at the Westlake Adventure Park.

“We know the community is going to grow,” Brown said. “It’ll be a big project… [and] we need to be as strategic as possible as to what goes on that property.”

Brown said the facility needs to have “more bandwidth” than merely a place for office space and to hold meetings. He said he envisions it as more of a “life-

style center” where the community can congregate.

“We’ve got to make it happen,” he added.

To that end, the city will soon schedule one or more workshops to hear from the public, Brown said. The sessions also will allow the council to stay within Sunshine Law limitations and discuss possible uses among themselves.

Another priority, Brown said, will be to bring in a new external auditing team as soon as possible.

“Not because I think there’s anything wrong with the city’s finances, but the city has used the same firm for years,” he said. “We need fresh eyes, a fresh look.”

Brown said that a committee that includes citizens not connected to city government will be involved in creating the request for proposals (RFP) for the new firm.

Meanwhile, understanding that eventually the Seminole Improvement District (SID), which supplies most of the city’s infrastructure, will be absorbed into the municipality, Brown said, the two entities need to begin working together to lay the groundwork — including compatible resource planning systems.

Minto currently controls the threemember SID board by virtue of being Westlake’s largest landowner. It is staffed entirely by Inframark employees, including the manager, Lynne Ladner.

Brown said that he has spoken with Ladner and both are committed to making sure that the city and the district are not duplicating services and “costing taxpayers on both sides of the coin.”

Long term, Brown said that the council needs to consider a charter change that would allow the city to directly hire and fire employees.

Today, Brown and his wife are firmly established in Palm Beach Gardens, with a blended family of three children, three grandchildren and another on the way. He said he hopes, and believes, his suitcase and traveling shoes are permanently put away.

“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen so far from this city council,” he said. “I believe I can work extremely well with them. I hope to be here for a long time. I plan for this to be my last job.”

WESTLAKE CONTINUES TO GROW A DECADE AFTER ITS INCEPTION

BY FIONA SLUSAREV AND SHANNON ANASTAIO

This year, the City of Westlake is celebrating a decade of community growth and infrastructure expansion since its incorporation in 2016. During that time, the community’s primary developer Minto has worked with the young municipality to create a diversified community aimed at bringing new upscale residential neighborhoods and a rapidly growing commercial district to central Palm Beach County.

Before Minto purchased the land in 2013, the 4,000 acres were owned and farmed by Callery-Judge Groves for decades. Callery-Judge had been producing citrus crops since the 1960s, but after citrus canker and citrus greening hit, and a subsequent pivot to other areas of agricultural farming proved unfavorable, the land was sold for development.

In 2014, Palm Beach County approved Minto’s development request for a planned community of 4,546 homes

and 2.2 million square feet of nonresidential development, but it would take two more years before the City of Westlake became official in 2016.

Minto hoped to blend affordable living with world-class amenities. Construction on city infrastructure began shortly thereafter. Working with the Seminole Improvement District (SID), a special district originally set up by Callery-Judge for agricultural purposes, Minto created roads and landscaping, as well as building out the water, sewer and stormwater utilities now managed by SID.

Communities, houses and amenities quickly followed, and as residents began to arrive, Minto opened the first phase of the Westlake Adventure Park in 2019.

The ER at Westlake also opened in 2019 as a satellite of Wellington Regional Medical Center, bringing crucial

emergency services to the residents of Westlake and nearby areas, along with onsite imaging and laboratory capabilities.

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue opened Station 22 in 2020, making Westlake an even safer place to call home. The Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s Office brought key government services, opening in February 2022.

In 2021, Westlake reached a milestone of 1,000 total homes sold by Minto, which was quickly surpassed in 2023 when the total record climbed to 2,000 homes sold.

Meanwhile, the city wasn’t only experiencing a tangible expansion with new construction and an increasing population, it was fostering the growth of community spirit. In March 2022, the previously developer-appointed Westlake City Council completed its transition to resident control, giving the citi-

zens of Westlake a growing stake in the community’s future.

One of the first initiatives of the resident-controlled council was the creation of community-wide events.

The first annual FourthFest was celebrated in July 2022, bringing residents together from across the community for a day of food, music and fireworks. The inaugural Winter Wonderland: Holiday Pop-Up Market gathered friends and neighbors for some holiday cheer while supporting local businesses in December 2022. A few months later, in 2023, Westlake rang in spring as a community during the first-ever Westlake SpringFest with a day of family fun. These popular community events have grown ever since.

The energy of the growing community was echoed in the construction of new businesses. Publix, a Florida staple, officially opened its doors in 2023, al-

lowing residents to easily attain groceries close to home. The eagerly awaited next phase of the $22 million Westlake Adventure Park was unveiled in March 2023, bringing resort-style amenities, like the lagoon pool and bocce courts, to all residents.

Development was booming in 2024 and 2025 with the creation of the Westlake Fitness Trail and many business openings, such as Starbucks, Chipotle, Taco Bell, 3 Natives, Tractor Supply and OrangeTheory. Xcel Padel, the largest indoor padel club in the U.S.,

brought this growing sport to Westlake in September 2025.

Looking to the future, the City of Westlake shows no signs of halting its meteoric growth. In April 2026, ground was broken on a new elementary school serving Westlake that is slated to open August 2027. Also this year, Minto started construction on the new Westlake Fieldhouse, creating yet another recreation amenity to build community in Westlake.

Longtime members of the Westlake City Council are excited for what the future holds in store for the community.

“When I joined the Westlake City Council five years ago as one of the first resident-elected council members, Westlake was transitioning from its original developer-appointed council to resident leadership. It has been rewarding to watch the city continue to grow and mature,” Vice Mayor Greg Langowski said. “I believe that Westlake’s greatest accomplishment has been laying a strong foundation for the future. Through thoughtful planning, responsible growth and strong partnerships, we have built the infrastructure needed to support a growing community while maintaining the high quality of life that our residents expect. As we celebrate our first 10 years, I am grateful to everyone who has played a role in Westlake’s success and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Councilwoman Charlotte Leonard, who joined the council in 2022, agreed.

“The fact that land that used to be filled with orange groves now is, before our eyes, being developed into a city, a community and a business hub is amazing and is one of the things I believe you get to experience very rarely in life,” Leonard said. “We have from the ground

up built homes, commercial properties and recreational facilities that our families get to enjoy daily.”

A key aim of the council is to preserve the sense of community that Westlake has become known for.

“Westlake was designed with growth in mind, but growth should never come at the expense of community,” Langowski said. “The council remains committed to thoughtful planning, maintaining high development standards, investing in infrastructure and municipal services, and creating opportunities for residents to stay connected and engaged. As our city continues to grow, preserving the character, quality of life and sense of community that attracted so many families to Westlake will remain one of our highest priorities.”

“The future development is what will not only preserve the community, but enhance it, as a community is where you, your family and your children grow, play, shop, entertain and work,” Leonard added, noting that the growth will allow Westlake to provide residents with well-rounded services.

Priorities for Leonard over the next decade are making sure that Westlake offers residents hotel accommodations, inpatient medical facilities for acute and post-acute services, and more retail shopping.

The focus of the next decade will be on continuing to build a complete community for Westlake residents, Langowski explained.

“One of the milestones ahead is the opening of a new elementary school, which will help serve our growing population,” Langowski said. “We must also continue improving transportation infrastructure, attracting additional restaurants, neighborhood retail, professional offices, healthcare services and employment opportunities, while planning for future parks and recreational amenities. Above all, our responsibility is to ensure that city services keep pace with growth while preserving the quality of life that makes Westlake such a desirable place to live, work and raise a family.”

Learn more about the City of Westlake at www.westlakegov.com.

2026: School District and Westlake Break Ground for New Elementary

CARDINAL NEWMAN

BUILDING LIFE’S CHAMPIONS

Alabama State University

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Ave Maria University

Bentley University

Berklee College of Music

Boston College

Clark Atlanta University

Clemson University

College of Charleston

College of the Holy Cross

Colorado State University

DePaul University

Drexel University

Duquesne University

Florida A&M University

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida International University

Florida State University

Fordham University

Furman University

George Mason University

Georgia Tech

Hampden-Sydney College

High Point University

Hofstra University

Indiana University

James Madison University

Kennesaw State University

Louisiana State University

Loyola University Chicago

Manhattan University

Mercyhurst University

Miami University

Michigan State University

New College of Florida

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Ohio University

Pace University (New York City)

Penn State Uniersity

Providence College

Purdue University

Rollins College

Rutgers University

SUNY Buffalo

SUNY Maritime College

Saint Mary’s College

Salve Regina University

Samford University

Savannah College of Art and Design

Seton Hall University

Southern Methodist University

St. John’s University (New York)

Stony Brook University

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

Texas Christian University

The Ohio State University

Tulane University

University of Alabama

University of Central Florida

Univeristy of Colorado (Boulder)

University of Connecticut

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University Illinois

University of Kentucky

University of Louisville

University of Massachusetts (Boston)

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Mississippi

University of North Florida

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pittsburgh

University of San Diego

University of South Carolina

University of South Florida

University of Tampa

University of Tennessee

University of Texas

University of Wisconsin

Vanderbilt University

Villanova University

Wake Forest University

Wilkes Honors College of FAU

William & Mary

CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY AT NEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SERVING WESTLAKE

BY FIONA SLUVAREV

The vision and culture of the temporarily dubbed West Community Elementary School are beginning to take shape in the heart of Westlake.

The three-story, 96,000-square-foot school near the corner of Persimmon Blvd. and Green Lane will accommodate the increasing number of families in Westlake and alleviate overcrowding at other nearby elementary schools. It also allows a rare chance for parents and students to be actively involved in the creation of a community institution that will impact generations to come.

Building the new school is a joint effort led by the School District of Palm Beach County, with input from the Westlake City Council and Westlake’s Education Advisory Board. It also includes the building team of Zyscovich

Architects and Moss Construction.

“This school is actually being delivered over a year ahead of the original schedule. From student population projections and site planning to infrastructure coordination and permitting, a lot of people worked together to accelerate this project and ensure that our families get the school capacity they need,” Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said.

Darline Winewski, principal at Acreage Pines Elementary School for the last decade, was recently appointed as founding principal of the new school and was in attendance at the official groundbreaking ceremony on April 30. She has been working tirelessly to keep the school on track for its planned August 2027 opening.

When completed, the school will host kindergarten through fifth grade with the possibility of also including pre-k classes. The ground floor will have kindergarten and first grade; the second floor will house second and third grades; and the third floor will be fourth and fifth grades.

The floorplan of the building is based on its sister school, Saddle View Elementary School near Arden, which Zyscovich and Moss also worked on. The benefit of echoing the basic design is that Winewski can get feedback from Saddle View’s principal and add or alter things as needed.

“I’ve been able to walk that building, collaborate with that principal,” Winewski explained. “She has been a great source of information.”

The new school will also have separate rooms for music and art, as well as the media center and gym. The art room will include an indoor and outdoor workspace to inspire young artists. There will, of course, be a playground, though the exact specifics are not yet chosen.

One thing that sets the new school in Westlake apart from Saddle View and surrounding schools is the construction of 1,200 solar panels and a net-zero energy goal. The school is designed as a High Performance/Low Energy Usage Intensity building that complies with Green Building Initiative certification standards. To further reduce energy consumption, the school will be built with airtight insulation, a smart HVAC system and plentiful natural lighting.

Half of the solar panels will line the bus loop, while the other half will be located on the south side of the building. The school will be connected to the regional grid, but the solar panels are expected to meet all the electricity needs on a normal day.

Another key feature will be the golf cart-friendly design. With the school’s central location, families have the option of walking, biking or golf-carting to drop off and pick up. There will be a dedicated golf cart parking lot and drop off/pick up line.

Winewski, a Westlake resident herself, intends on making it a point to get to school every day without a car.

“My main thing is to build relationships with the families and to make it a school where everybody feels welcome. That is the foundation for everything. If you can make people feel heard, wanted, involved and cared about, then you can build such great things from there.”

— Principal Darline Winewski

As construction progresses, community building and decision making will accelerate. In addition to the Education Advisory Board meetings, Winewski plans to hold informal sessions throughout the summer and fall to give people an opportunity to meet her and share their ideas for the school.

“As much as we can get some [resident] input and involvement, I definitely welcome that,” Winewski said. Community decisions power the project. Westlake’s Education Advisory Board, chaired by Anita Kaplan, has been meeting regularly to discuss what families feel is important to have at the new school. Collaboration makes these ideals a reality.

“Nothing is going to happen in isolation,” School Board Member Marcia Andrews said. “When we build new schools, it’s truly for our students, our community and our parents. Before we make decisions about what’s going to happen within the school, the vision, the course work — all these things — we elicit input.”

One of the reasons that Winewski was appointed as principal was for her history within Westlake. She and her family were some of the first residents in 2019, giving her a wealth of experience and understanding of what it means to be a part of the Westlake community.

From informal conversations with residents, Winewski has chosen the Coyotes as the new school’s mascot. The school colors will be white and antique gold with a little navy, to reflect Westlake sunsets.

Winewski plans to implement the House System, a strategy created

by educator Ron Clark that divides a school into smaller houses. Everyone in the school — students, teachers and faculty — are sorted into a house, or team, in order to foster a sense of belonging. Winewski had great success with this method during her time at Acreage Pines, where students earned points for their houses and learned to uplift each other.

As the builders make strides with construction, administrative work gains momentum. Winewski will tentatively gather the school’s naming committee in August, consisting of two district employees, three members of the community, two potential students and a member of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County.

“We’re going to encourage people to share their ideas, come to those Education Advisory Board meetings so that they can give their input and ideas for the school name,” Winewski noted.

Names will be presented to the Palm Beach County School Board likely in November for final approval. As the new year approaches, Winewski predicts substantial progress will be made. She plans on hiring 75 to 100 faculty members and setting up the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

For now, Winewski is focusing on maintaining her connection with the community.

“My main thing is to build relationships with the families and to make it a school where everybody feels welcome,” she said. “That is the foundation for everything. If you can make people feel heard, wanted, involved and cared about, then you can build such great things from there.”

THE MORIKAMI IS YOUR DOORWAY TO THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

BY SALLY SHORR

At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, art, history, nature, cuisine and culture come together in one of Palm Beach County’s most distinctive destinations.

This transportive cultural experiences awaits just west of Delray Beach’s palm-fringed beaches and hospitality heartbeat. At the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, serenity and verdant natural surroundings sustain an evocative link to the Land of the Rising Sun, where visitors stroll past dew-soaked gardens hedged with ancient stone lanterns, and wood bridges hover above lush koi-filled ponds. Founded as a cultural and educational center honoring the legacy of the Yamato Colony, Morikami tells a story that is both global and deeply local. In the early 1900s, a group of young Japanese farmers led by Jo Sakai established the Yamato Colony in northern Boca Raton, hoping to introduce innovative farming practices to Florida. George Morikami, a native of Miyazu, Japan, and one of the colony’s settlers, later helped transform that history into

a lasting cultural bridge between Japan and Palm Beach County.

Today, Morikami continues that legacy through its mission to present Japanese cultural experiences that educate and inspire. The campus features traditional Japanese architecture, three exhibition galleries, a theater, an authentic tea house, classrooms, a museum store, the Cornell Café, lakeside terraces and 16 acres of Japanese gardens.

For many visitors, the gardens are the heart of the experience. Known as Roji-en: Garden of the Drops of Dew, the gardens were designed as a living extension of the museum. Created by garden designer Hoichi Kurisu, Roji-en is composed of six distinct gardens inspired by significant historical periods and styles of Japanese garden design. Rather than serving as replicas, the gardens are conceived in the spirit of Japan’s garden masters, offering a contemplative journey through landscape, water, stone, plantings, bridges and shifting views.

That sense of movement is part of

what makes Morikami so resonant. The gardens invite visitors to slow down, pause and experience Japanese culture through nature and design. Families may come to explore the paths and koi, garden lovers may linger over the plantings and bonsai, and solo visitors may find a place for reflection. For groups, schools and cultural travelers, the museum and gardens together offer a meaningful introduction to Japanese history, art and aesthetics without leaving Palm Beach County.

Inside the museum, rotating exhibitions explore the arts and humanities of Japan through objects, images, textiles and stories. For visitors, one of the most compelling exhibitions is Threads of Silver & Gold, on view through Sept. 20. The exhibition focuses on uchikake, elaborately decorated outer robes that date to the Edo period, when highranking women wore them at court and brides in samurai families wore them for weddings. Their rich colors, raised silk weaving, padded hems and symbolic motifs, including cranes, turtles and cherry blossoms, offer a striking

look at status, ceremony, craftsmanship and good-fortune imagery in Japanese textile traditions.

Museum guests can also experience two traveling exhibitions on view now through Aug. 30.

Yōkai: Scenes of the Supernatural in Japanese Woodblock Prints explores mysterious creatures, shape-shifting animals, vengeful ghosts, demons and other supernatural figures that have inhabited Japan’s folklore, theater, literature and visual culture for centuries. The exhibition includes 90 works, including woodblock prints and printed books spanning more than 250 years, with imagery that connects historic Japanese folklore to the visual language that continues to inspire manga and anime today.

Also on view is Courage & Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience, which examines the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans during and after World War II. Through images, audio and interactive elements, the exhibition offers a 360-degree perspective on a difficult chapter of American history while honoring those who stood up for Japanese Americans as friends, neighbors and fellow citizens.

Morikami’s programming expands the experience far beyond the galleries. Visitors can take classes and workshops in Japanese cultural arts, from ikebana and bonsai to taiko drumming and tea ceremony.

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is offered through different schools of study. The Ikenobo School dates back to the 15th century and is considered the oldest and most traditional school, while Sogetsu takes a more contemporary approach centered on creativity and individuality, with the idea that ikebana can be practiced by anyone, anywhere, with almost anything. In both, students create arrangements to take home, making the class both cultural instruction and hands-on artmaking.

Bonsai classes offer another way to understand the patience and discipline embedded in Japanese aesthetics. Students learn to trim and train trees

in containers, creating the illusion of age, maturity and nature in miniature. Morikami offers both beginner and intermediate classes, allowing guests to approach bonsai as an art form, a horticultural practice and a meditative discipline.

For those drawn to music and movement, taiko classes introduce students to Japanese drumming. Taiko can refer to the drum itself, a drumming style, a drum group or drum music, and Morikami’s classes give participants the opportunity to learn the history, culture and techniques behind the instrument.

The museum’s Sunset Strolls also bring the gardens to life after hours with live taiko performances by Fushu Daiko, along with koto performances and cultural programming. On Sept. 17, the Sunset Stroll theme is Japanese Fashion & Cosplay, with a cosplay fashion show hosted by Florida Supercon, offering a lively connection between traditional Japanese culture and contemporary pop culture.

The tea house is one of Morikami’s most distinctive cultural offerings. Seishin-an, the museum’s authentic tea house, allows visitors to observe or study sado, commonly known as the Japanese tea ceremony or “the way of tea.” While tea culture in Japan developed over many centuries, the form most closely associated with today’s tea ceremony was shaped in the 16th century by the influential tea master Sen no Rikyū, who elevated the practice into an art centered on simplicity, hospitality, mindfulness and seasonal awareness. At Morikami, tea ceremony classes are offered in the Omote-Senke style, and students learn in the tea house under instructor Yoshiko Hardick. The experience is never static. The tea ceremony changes from month to month and season to season, making each gathering a reflection of time, place and intention.

Family programs are also forefront to Morikami’s appeal. Craft activities, cultural celebrations, seasonal programs and youth camps invite children to encounter Japanese culture in accessible ways. A child might first experience Morikami by creating a Tanabata-inspired craft,

listening to a story, attending a family program or walking through the gardens. For older children and teens, programs such as taiko and cultural workshops can turn curiosity into deeper engagement.

For visitors who want to complete the experience with cuisine, Cornell Café offers Pan-Asian-inspired dining overlooking the gardens. Menu offerings include bento boxes, teriyaki salmon, teriyaki chicken, cellophane noodles, vegetarian selections, sushi rolls, dumplings, edamame and other dishes that make the café a natural extension of the museum’s cultural mission. It is a place where a visit can become a full afternoon, moving from gallery to garden to table.

Morikami is also an important philanthropic and educational resource. Contributions and memberships help support exhibitions, educational programs, lectures, demonstrations, and the specialized training and maintenance required to preserve the Japanese gardens. Donations help ensure that visitors encounter world-class exhibitions, the gardens remain carefully conserved, children benefit from programs and communities continue to experience the beauty and connection that Morikami offers.

Morikami is both a destination and a historical reminder of the cultural depth available throughout Palm Beach County. It is a place for families, students, art lovers, garden enthusiasts, food lovers, history seekers and anyone interested in experiencing Japan through a South Florida lens. Whether visiting for a garden stroll, special exhibition, classes and workshops, or a delicious lunch at Cornell Café, Morikami offers a thoughtful and transportive experience rooted in beauty, education and cultural connection.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road in Delray Beach. The museum and gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Cornell Café is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays. For tickets, memberships, donations, upcoming exhibitions, programs and visitor information, visit www.morikami.org.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Westlake neighbors, it’s your time to shine!

Behind every front door and storefront, there’s a story worth telling, and we are looking for the ones who make Westlake more than just a place on the map. Who has a unique story to tell? Who is chasing a big dream? Who just launched something bold? Who’s the neighbor everyone should know? Westlake The Magazine wants to share interesting stories about the people who make Westlake a great community. Every street in Westlake has someone with a story worth sharing. We are looking to spotlight the faces behind our community. Who inspires you? Who deserves recognition? Who makes Westlake better just by being part of it? Send us their story, and let’s celebrate the people who make this place special.

NEW WESTLAKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EXPANDS LOCAL PATHWAYS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP

BY ANGELIC BRINGAS

As housing affordability continues to shape conversations across South Florida, the Westlake Community Foundation is expanding efforts to make homeownership more accessible for qualified buyers. The foundation recently launched the Westlake Affordable Housing Grant Program, adding another layer of support for families looking to purchase a home in one of Palm Beach County’s fastest-growing communities.

The program allocates a total of $650,000 in financial assistance, offering eligible buyers a one-time grant of

up to $15,000 toward a down payment or closing costs on a new home built in Westlake.

In total, up to 43 grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted. The initiative reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring that growth remains inclusive.

“Westlake already offers the best value for new home construction in Palm Beach County,” said John Carter, senior vice president of Minto Communities USA. “Still, we recognize that some buyers need additional support to make the dream of homeownership possible.

Through grant programs like this, we’re helping more families purchase a home in Westlake and become part of our growing community.”

To qualify, applicants must have an annual household income of $250,000 or less, purchase a newly built home in Westlake, and occupy it as their primary residence for at least five years. The program is administered by the Westlake Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to support housing affordability within the city.

While the grant program is new, it is part of a broader framework of af-

fordability initiatives that have defined Westlake’s growth strategy since its earliest phases. The program complements the City of Westlake’s existing Housing Assistance Purchase Program Yearly (HAPPY), which provides additional down payment assistance for eligible buyers, including first-time homeowners and public service professionals.

Together, the programs can be layered for added savings, further expanding access to homeownership for eligible buyers. Both programs are designed

to reduce upfront financial barriers, one of the most common challenges for new buyers.

In Westlake, these efforts align closely with how the community has been developed from the start. Conceived as the “new downtown” for central Palm Beach County, the 3,800-acre masterplanned community has the capacity for more than 6,000 homes and is approved for more than two million square feet of commercial development. Minto Communities USA, the city’s master

developer and primary homebuilder, currently offers a mix of townhomes, single-family homes and estate homes starting in the $300s.

The Affordable Housing Grant Program is now open to applicants. Applications are available at the Westlake Sales Center, located at 16610 Town Center Parkway North, off Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

For additional information about Westlake, call (561) 475-5112 or visit www. westlakefl.com.