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The Village of

Royal Palm Beach Recognized As One Of The 10 Best Towns In The United States To Raise A Family! Royal Palm Beach Village Council

Adam Miller Councilman

Sylvia Sharps Councilwoman

Jeff Hmara Mayor

Jan Rodusky Councilwoman

Royal Palm Beach “A Place We Call Home”

Richard Valuntas Vice Mayor

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contents March/April 2026

volume 6, number 2 MARCH/APRIL 2026

executive editor Joshua I. Manning

Features

publisher

SHARPS ENJOYS 10 SYLVIA SERVING HER COMMUNITY

Dawn Rivera

creative director

Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designer Yolanda Cernicky

account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo

COMMUNITY CARES 14 OUR CONTINUES TO EXPAND

administration

SERVICES IN RPB AREA

Shanta Daibee Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman

Helping senior citizens age in place and providing meaningful companionship is the foundation of the mission of Our Community Cares. BY PATRICK SHERRY

photography Frank Koester Abner Pedraza

BEACH DRAMAWORKS 18 PALM ANNOUNCES NEW SEASON

contributors

Palm Beach Dramaworks recently announced an exciting 2026-27 season featuring five plays that will entertain, enlighten and stimulate discussion.

Shannon Anastasio Denis Eirikis Sheryl Flatow Denise Fleischman Mike May Jackson Overholt Patrick Sherry Fiona Slusarev

BY SHERYL FLATOW

FEST BRINGS 22 WEST COUNTRY FUN TO RPB

ROYAL PALM 25 Bringing You The Best Of Royal Palm Beach

Royal Palm Beach proved once again that community spirit is alive and thriving when West Fest brought lively western flair to Royal Palm Beach Commons Park in February. BY SHANNON ANASTASIO

THE MAGAZINE

12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.royalpalmthemagazine.com

published by

Royal Palm The Magazine Inc.

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning Royal Palm The Magazine is published six times a year in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Copyright 2026, all rights reserved by Royal Palm The Magazine Inc. 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.

COOPER’S HAWK BRINGS POPULAR RESTAURANT CONCEPT TO STATE ROAD 7

from the

publisher

We hope that you are enjoying the temperate spring weather here in Royal Palm Beach. It certainly was a beautiful weekend back in February when the village hosted its annual West Fest celebration at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. Featured on our front cover and inside is just a taste of the fun available to residents and visitors at this popular local event. Also featured this month is Sylvia Sharps, who brings her unique life experiences and varied interests to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. Learn more about this fascinating local leader in our featured profile. We also check in with local nonprofit Our Community Cares, which is continuing its expansion into the Royal Palm Beach area, helping senior citizens in need of companionship and support. For the culturally minded, Palm Beach Dramaworks, the region’s home for groundbreaking theater, recently unveiled its spectacular 2026-27 season, which we preview this issue. And finally, Royal Palm Table visits Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, which made its long-awaited arrival on State Road 7 in December. Featuring a varied menu paired with an array of wine choices, be sure to check it out. Do you know someone who should be featured on the pages of Royal Palm The Magazine? Drop us a note through our web site at www.royalpalmthemagazine.com and tell us more.

Dawn Rivera

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant made its long-awaited opening on State Road 7 in Wellington in December, and it is proving to be extremely popular.

Social Scene

Dawn Rivera, Publisher

BY MIKE MAY

6 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration At RPB Cultural Center 7 Village Of Royal Palm Beach Presents Annual Daddy Daughter Dance 8 Royal Palm Beach Seniors Enjoy Festive Valentine’s Day Celebration 9 P.B. Shakespeare Festival Performs ‘Macbeth’ At RPB Veterans Park

on the cover Talia, Raelynn and Piper at West Fest. PHOTO BY SHANNON ANASTASIO

ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 5

ROYAL PALM | SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION AT RPB CULTURAL CENTER

(Left) Jannette Sharpe-Paul, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Carolyn and Mayor Jeff Hmara, CAFCI President Dennis Wright and Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps. (Right) The Ebony Chorale on stage.

CAFCI and the Village of Royal Palm Beach presented the 24th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The theme was “Mentoring the Dream: Where Do We Go from Here?” The keynote speaker was leadership coach Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, and the program included an array of cultural performances.

(Left to right) Chunky Harrigan on drums and Bernard Bain on saxophone; a choir from Crestwood Middle School sings; Rachel Ferguson sings the U.S. national anthem; and Micaela Ferguson sings the Black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

(Left to right) Jannette Sharpe-Paul welcomes attendees; Keynote Speaker Dr. L. Oliver Robinson at the podium; Kirill Montoya, Hosanna James, Lucas Schnick Baker and Haroon Almasoodi of Scout Troop 111; Move With Soul dance performs; and Erin and Tamara Wimberly enjoy the program.

(Left to right) Selena Samios and Pastor Michael Rose; Amani Peart sings “The Impossible Dream;” Jade Bartee recites the poem “The Dream Lives in Me;” magician Eric Kurit gets help from Rachel Ferguson; and Nadine White-Boyd talks about CAFCI’s Student Assistance Program.

(Left to right) Lauriston Simms, Aubin Robinson and Wayne Weeks dance; Mariachi Guadalajara performs, led by Jose Reinoso; Junior Stevens leads a dance line; and Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, Councilman Adam Miller, Mayor Jeff Hmara and Carolyn Hmara with keynote speaker Dr. L. Oliver Robinson.

6 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN ROYAL PALM | SOCIAL SCENE

VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH PRESENTS ANNUAL DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE

The Village of Royal Palm Beach held its annual Daddy Daughter Dance on Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. It was an evening for dads and daughters filled with food, games, dancing, music and crafts.

(Left to right) Jeremy and Charlee Bitzer, Rocky and Sydney Byers, Alexander and Arianna Zambito, Aaliyah and Jerome Collins, and Edwin and MacKenzie Arocho; Addy, Olivia, Faith and Steve Poyner; Michael and Mila McKeehan, Olivia and John Landess, and Savannah and Brandon Bechler; and Ryan and Amila Ortyl with Matt and Margo Debrizzi.

(Left to right) Daniel and Olivia Moncibaez on the dance floor; Paisley Bradley with London and Louis David; Brandon and Jillian Lozier; Thea, Abigail and Jared Kamfonik; Edwin and MacKenzie Arocho on the dance floor; and Gabriella and Nelson Pinel.

Royal Palm Neighbors, It’s Your Time To Shine Shine! Behind every front door and storefront, there’s a story worth telling, and we are looking for the ones who make Royal Palm Beach 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? Royal Palm The Magazine wants to share interesting stories about the people who make Royal Palm Beach a great community. Every street 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 Royal Palm Beach better just by being part of it? Send us their story, and let’s celebrate the people who make this community special.

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ROYAL PALM | SOCIAL SCENE PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

ROYAL PALM BEACH SENIORS ENJOY FESTIVE VALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION

The Royal Palm Beach Seniors Activity Group gathered for a Valentine’s Day Party on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. The event included lunch, along with music and dancing.

(Left to right) Carolyn and Mayor Jeff Hmara with Helene Codelle; NRI nursing student volunteers Elsie Excellent, Nervia Cheristin, Mikerlange Jean-Alliance, Luvia Clairvoyant, Angelina Estella and Maria Feliciano; Joyce Gropper, Jackie Kennedy, Lisa Shaul, Sonia Lavore and Linda Foutty; and Rachael Gannon and Thomas Bordonaro of iTHINK Financial with raffle prize winner Barbara Fuller.

(Left to right) Ferdinand Carrillo of Cano Health gives Ronni Kaplan her raffle prize; Margie Cruzado with Tony and Pearl Carey; singer Leah Orchid performs; DJ Ceasar Pena sang and played dance music; and senior volunteers Dolly Hughes, Hilary Varlack, Francine Bryant, Lorna Pearson, Lillie Snell, Kitty Lannaman, Ellie Rosenshein, Maria Gonzalez, Barbara Patterson and Argentina Batista.

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P.B. SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PERFORMS ‘MACBETH’ AT RPB VETERANS PARK

Shakespeare’s Macbeth took over Royal Palm Beach’s Veterans Park during Valentine’s Day weekend. Performances presented by the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival and the Village of Royal Palm Beach took place from Thursday, Feb. 12 to Sunday, Feb. 15. The play, one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, depicts how unchecked ambition and power can lead to destruction. To learn more about the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, visit www.pbshakespeare.org.

(Left to right) The three witches in the opening scene of Act 4; Benjamin Lusk starred as the title character Macbeth; Max Fonrose as Macduff fights Benjamin Lusk as Macbeth; and John Campagnuolo and Benjamin Lusk perform in Macbeth.

(Left to right) Managing Producer Elizabeth Dashiell welcomes everyone; Artistic Director Trent Stephens addresses the audience; Joann and Garry Hiebert await the play; Michael and Susan Robb enjoy the play; and cast members John Campagnuolo, Mary Stucchi, Max Fonrose and Benjamin Lusk on stage after the show.

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Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps. PHOTO COURTESY THE VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH 10 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

SYLVIA SHARPS ENJOYS SERVING HER COMMUNITY AND HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED BY FIONA SLUSAREV

Sylvia Sharps radiates genuine warmth and compassion from the moment you meet her. Quick to laugh, and even quicker to step up when a community member is in need, Sharps has become an integral member of the Royal Palm Beach community over the past 26 years. Now a member of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, Sharps won her seat in 2025 against two other opponents and became the first Black woman to sit on the council. She received another two-year term earlier this year when the one candidate running against her dropped out. As a self-proclaimed “Peopletician,” Sharps aims to understand resident needs and be a voice for her community. “Representatives represent the people. When you sit on a dais, you need to forget about you and think about [how] the vote will have an effect on the people living in this community. If you’re there for the title or the recognition, then you shouldn’t be there,” Sharps said. Sharps is not only a voice for the Royal Palm Beach community in political circles, but she is also an advocate for individuals experiencing hardships across many communities. She is a national motivational speaker, a volunteer youth counselor, a grant writer, an author and a Baptist minister of the

Gospel. Sharps is also the founder of the Worldwide Community Alliance, a nonprofit that aids individuals and families experiencing domestic abuse. Sharps grew up in Chicago, and later Daytona Beach, as one of seven children. Born prematurely with a hole in her heart and pneumonia, doctors thought she would be lucky to live a year. A fighter from day one, Sharps grew up into a rambunctious and outgoing child. “My dad said, ‘You talk so much, you’ve got to be a preacher or a lawyer,’” she laughed. Sharps learned empathy and how to make people listen at an early age by being surrounded by multiple generations of her family, as well as foster brothers and sisters that her parents welcomed into their Daytona home. She credits her family for fostering her dreams and for teaching her perseverance. “My great-grandfather said, ‘Nothing stops a failure but a try.’ And he was right,” Sharps explained. However, her perseverance would be continuously tested throughout her life. Sharps faced severe domestic abuse at the hands of her then-husband and lost her only son, Michael, after only having him for a mere four hours in the world. After two attempts to end her own life, Sharps’ father convinced her to go to counseling. The

counselor’s words changed the trajectory of her life. Sharps recalled her counselor’s guidance. “Until you share your story and put yourself out there, you’ll never be able to deal with what you have gone through,” she recalled. And that is exactly what Sharps has courageously done ever since. She started sharing her story at church when she would preach, and, to her surprise, congregation members would approach her afterwards to talk about their own domestic abuse experiences. She became, in her own words, “a listening ear” for those who needed advice, and she began counseling students and parents at Daytona College. This is how Sharps came to find herself with 32 “kids” today, as the years of counseling and guidance have resulted in her touching the lives of so many individuals. Like any proud parent or grandparent, she is quick to pull up pictures on her phone of her “kids,” many of whom now have their own children, and regale you with stories of the challenges they faced and of the accomplishments they reached. “I love children. God knew that was where my heart was, so he opened up avenues for me to be able to realize that it’s not all about being a biological parent. It’s about being that extension of parenting that’s required for young ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 11

people to grow up and love their lives,” Sharps reflected. She began training with Baptist pastor Dr. Verlon Benford Friar II in 1996, and she became a minister of the gospel in 1998. When she first began to preach, women were not allowed to preach from the pulpit, but Sharps persevered, preaching from the floor until women were more commonly accepted as pulpit leaders years later. Today, she is a minister at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under Rev. Leslie Camel. With her many avenues of counseling over more than 30 years, Sharps decided to form her own nonprofit, Michael’s Voice, also known as Worldwide Community Alliance, in 2018. She had previously been helping domestic violence survivors out of her own pocket and realized she could use her experience in grant writing to set up the organization. Turning her past pain into hope for others, Sharps provides counseling, financial literacy and life skills classes, and relocation assistance for domestic violence survivors and their children. “We can move people into safe places and let them know we’re there for them. If you need me two-and-ahalf years down the road, I’m still there — there’s still a network for you to fall back on,” Sharps said. Her nonprofit is a part of every step in supporting domestic violence survivors, whether that’s finding a hotel for an individual to stay in, a home to rent, money to buy food, furniture for a new place, clothes to wear, setting up home utilities or enrolling children in school. If Sharps is not on the ground herself, listening to these individuals or dropping off necessities, she is relying on her trusted network to make a real impact on these individuals’ lives. When Sharps isn’t counseling, working for the citizens of Royal Palm Beach or at church, she is still finding ways to support her community. As a motivational speaker, she hopes to inspire young people to find what they love, set goals and persevere. She has spoken at events from the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice to local students at Royal Palm Beach High School just recently. 12 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

(Clockwise from top left) Sylvia Sharps delivers gifts to seniors with the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club; Sharps attends a 9/11 observance at Mission BBQ; Sharps learns about Palm Beach State College at a chamber luncheon; and Sharps with Mayor Jeff and Carolyn Hmara and Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas at a Veterans Day observance. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

She is currently the president-elect of the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club, as well as the associate matron for the Order of the Eastern Star ladies chapter, part of the Masonic Order, in Belle Glade, and the second grand associate matron for the State of Florida. Her newest soon-to-be-published book, The Adventures of Lil’ Sylvia, chronicles her hilarious childhood adventures with her beloved dog, Poochie, by her side. Sharps also spends time with her

“better half” Lenny Johnson, enjoys Young at Heart gatherings, and channels her love for animals into the Sierra Club. “It’s not what you have that makes your legacy. It’s not the houses, the cars, the jewelry — none of that. Your legacy is what you leave with someone that they can carry through their life to share with someone else. My legacy is my ability to speak in a manner that causes children to listen,” Sharps said.

“Representatives represent the people. When you sit on a dais, you need to forget about you and think about [how] the vote will have an effect on the people living in this community.” — Sylvia Sharps

PHOTO BY FIONA SLUSAREV

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OUR COMMUNITY CARES CONTINUES TO EXPAND SERVICES IN ROYAL PALM BEACH AREA BY PATRICK SHERRY

Helping senior citizens age in place and providing meaningful companionship is the foundation of the mission of Our Community Cares. Through its volunteers, this local nonprofit is working to maintain the independence of local seniors, so they can continue to live in their chosen community. Our Community Cares is one of just a handful of South Florida organizations that offer free non-medical support services to seniors. Its goal is to keep seniors connected through providing basic assistance to improve their quality of life. Throughout Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, volunteers from 14 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

Our Community Cares are helping support the growing senior populations in both villages. Kathy Foster, the first mayor of Wellington, founded the organization in 2010. She explained how she began learning that seniors around the country did not want to give up living in their homes, even though they could no longer get around easily. She spent months researching how many seniors were “aging in place,” then started building the organization with a group of friends and supporters to help them. “They spend a lifetime working, contributing to a community, taking

care of their families,” Foster said. “In their later years, they want to enjoy the fruits of their labor, in their home, with the community that they have enjoyed and been part of.” For more than a decade, the organization was known as Wellington Cares. Originally, volunteers primarily assisted seniors in Wellington, but those at the organization quickly recognized a need for such services in other nearby communities. In 2020, the nonprofit’s board looked into expanding its assistance programs to the Village of Royal Palm Beach. Four years later, they rebranded

Dozens of Our Community Cares volunteers help participants with an array of basic living tasks.

the organization to Our Community Cares to better represent its ambition to support more seniors across Palm Beach County. “We needed to make sure that we could handle another whole community of seniors who needed assistance,” Foster said. “After careful research and outreach into the Royal Palm Beach community, looking for donors who might assist us in the additional costs, we stepped up to the plate about a year and a half ago and have been very successful.” Dozens of volunteers help over a hundred senior participants 65 and

older with basic living tasks through free transportation, minor home repairs, respite championship and social connections through regular interaction. Many of the participants involved in the program have lost the ability to do many of these activities themselves, but the organization enables them to remain independent and healthy while creating social connections. Director of Operations Diane Gutman started as a volunteer for the organization and said working with seniors helped her family have a deeper connection to the community. “I am very proud that this organi-

zation started out helping a handful of people in the Wellington community, and now we are helping so many throughout Wellington and Royal Palm Beach,” Gutman said. Those interested in volunteering go through a vetting and training process where they get to select their preferences for what type of help they would like to provide. Many of them are younger seniors or retirees looking to give back to the community. The organization emphasizes that volunteer schedules are flexible, so people can contribute as much as they are able to. Importantly, seniors can develop reROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 15

“Kindness is the foundation of a happy life. All these people step forward to help strangers, and as a result, have built friendships and a stronger community for all of us to benefit from.”

— Kathy Foster

lationships and create friendships that overall improve their quality of life. “Kindness is the foundation of a happy life,” Foster said. “All these people step forward to help strangers, and as a result, have built friendships and a stronger community for all of us to benefit from.” Volunteers like Shannon Berthiaume, who is a program manager and provides services to participants in both Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, said that these small acts of kindness mean a lot to seniors in the programs. “For me, it’s just a way to give back,” Berthiaume explained. “I feel accom-

plished… I do it because it’s good.” Since its creation, Our Community Cares has provided over a million dollars in free support. With the senior population growing, the organization is always looking for volunteers to give help to participants in need. “We grow right alongside our communities,” Foster said. “The more people who’ve come to move into the area, the more need there is for our services, and the more volunteers that are needed.” Royal Palm Beach, in particular, needs more volunteers. With most current volunteers providing services

in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach can always use more people to meet the growing need. Gutman reiterated that the organization appreciates any help it can get, even if it is small. Any assistance people can give to seniors goes a long way to improving their lives. “Age does not discriminate,” Gutman said. “We’re all going to grow older, and we’re all going to need help at one time or another.” For more information about Our Community Cares services, volunteering or becoming a participant, call (561) 5688818 or visit www.ourcommunitycaresfl. org.

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PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS ANNOUNCES EXCITING 2026-27 SEASON BY SHERYL FLATOW

World premieres. Co-productions. A luminous, thoughtprovoking musical. An absurdist classic. A contemporary play that should be more widely known. These are the colors of Palm Beach Dramaworks’ exciting 2026-27 season, which features five disparate plays that together provide a microcosm of the company’s mission: a commitment to producing classic, contemporary and world premiere plays that entertain, enlighten, stimulate discussion and illuminate our shared humanity. It is a mission guided by the spirit of the original regional theater movement, which was created as an alternative to the artistic restraints and commercial necessities of Broadway; by the desire to bring quality professional theater to communities throughout the country, nurture local talent, cultivate new audiences and become integral to the cultural fabric; by the opportunity to explore and experiment and develop new, thought-provoking and unconventional 18 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

work, while also showcasing some of the great plays of the past. Palm Beach Dramaworks’ 2026-27 season opens on Oct. 9 with the world premiere of Alejandro Rodriguez’s Alba,, which is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s La Casa Alba de Bernarda Alba and was part of the 2025 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Alba is followed, on Dec. 9, with the second world premiere of the season, Jennifer Maisel’s Provenance (rights pending), which will be a co-production with the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota. This unique play, about the life of a painting, was initially seen by PBD audiences during the 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Next up, opening Feb. 12, is the romantic and deeply moving The Light in the Piazza, Piazza, written by Craig Lucas (book) and Adam Guettel (music and lyrics). Winner of numerous Tony Awards, the musical will be a co-production with the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Moving from the sublime

to the absurd, Harold Pinter’s The Birthday Party, Party, a classic comedy of menace, opens April 2. Closing out the season will be Richard Strand’s Ben Butler, Butler, which opens on May 21. This very funny comedy is inspired by an event in the life of a historical figure who will likely be unfamiliar to most audiences on the way in, but unforgettable on the way out. “The 2026-27 season really does epitomize who we are, and is also an indicator of our continuing evolution,” Producing Artistic Director William Hayes said. “For some time now, we’ve been exploring the possibility of doing coproductions with other theater companies. We’ve done a few in the recent past, but we’ve come to believe that collaboration is the wave of the future — and not simply for the financial advantages. They will be the exception, not the rule, but when you work with other respected institutions, you learn from each other, discover new ideas and

develop more resources. You make new connections, open new doors, build name recognition and expand your audience. We’re excited by the possibilities.” Also featured is a special, limited-engagement event. “Bringing in major talent to share their special gifts is another way of expanding our vision,” Hayes said, “which is one of the reasons we’re so delighted to be presenting internationally renowned artist Hershey Felder for a limited engagement.” Felder, who has been called “a world-class singular artist” by American Theatre magazine, brings his newest and most personal show, The Piano & Me, Me, to PBD on Oct. 30. Seasonal subscriptions are on sale now. Although The Piano & Me will be performed shortly after the closing of Alba,, it is not part of PBD’s subscription season. However, Alba subscribers have the opportunity to add the show at an exclusive rate. ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 19

ALBA (World Premiere) By Alejandro Rodriguez Oct. 9-25, 2026

Inspired by La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca, Alba follows a strong-willed Cuban matriarch trying to hold onto control of her house in the face of many encroaching forces, including newfangled technology, impatient debtors and a young suitor with suspicious motives. Narrated by her grandchild and set in working-class Miami, the play seeks to make sense of the unspoken secrets that led to a tragic family event. Alba was first seen at PBD as part of the 2025 Perlberg Festival of New Plays.

PROVENANCE (World Premiere) By Jennifer Maisel Dec. 9-27, 2026 Co-Production with Asolo Repertory Theatre

The life of a sensual, unusual portrait from its beginnings in early 1900s German society, through its theft by the Nazis and its subsequent travels around the world. Canvas. Pencil. Paint. How can one piece of art tear at the hearts of generations? Provenance was first seen at PBD as part of the 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. (Rights pending.)

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA Book by Craig Lucas with music and lyrics by Adam Guettel Feb. 12-28, 2027 Co-Production with Riverside Theatre

In this lyrical, shimmering musical, winner of multiple Tony Awards, Margaret Johnson takes a trip to Italy in the summer of 1953 with her daughter, Clara, a beautiful, childlike young woman. Clara falls in love with Fabrizio, a handsome Florentine who wants to marry her. The protective Margaret, trying to come to terms with her own unhappy marriage, must decide whether to allow her determined, challenged daughter to follow her heart.

THE BIRTHDAY PARTY By Harold Pinter April 2-18, 2027

This classic, absurdist, comedy of menace is set in a ramshackle boarding house run by Meg and Petey. Meg decides to throw a birthday party for their only boarder, Stanley, despite his objections. When two ominous strangers arrive, the celebration is transformed into a nightmare. Linguistically dexterous and full of the playwright’s signature pauses and perplexing dialogue, the play is ambiguous, ambitious, funny, horrifying and thought-provoking, with an ending that invites more questions.

BEN BUTLER By Richard Strand May 21 - June 6, 2027

The laughter flows in this historical — make that hysterical — comedy set in 1861 and inspired by an event in the life of the colorful and controversial Benjamin Butler, a major general in the Union Army. His principles are tested when three escaped slaves come to him at Fort Monroe, Virginia, seeking sanctuary. Should he obey the law and send them back, or obey his conscience and perhaps change the course of history?

HERSHEY FELDER SPECIAL LIMITED ENGAGEMENT Oct. 30 - Nov. 22, 2026

Known the world over for his theatrical portrayals of great composers and musical storytelling, having premiered his now world-famous play George Gershwin Alone in Palm Beach 25 years ago, Hershey Felder brings his most personal work to Palm Beach Dramaworks. The Piano & Me, a new play with music, features Felder playing Felder, as well as the many characters he’s met along the way who made his art possible. He tells the story behind the story of his more than 30 years onstage, and features the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and others. This is the story of the joy, the heartbreak, the elation, the insanity, and above everything else, the music that drives it all.

20 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

Palm Beach Dramaworks Producing Artistic Director William Hayes and Executive Director Rudina Toro. © JASON NUTTLE PHOTOGRAPHY

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit theater company founded in 2000 and located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the awardwinning company produces five shows and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the theater and in schools. Committed to fostering the future of theater, PBD has become a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the country to nurture their work through the Perlberg Festival of New Plays. PBD is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the Florida Professional Theatre Association and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Post-performance discussions follow Wednesday and Thursday matinees. There are a few differences in the schedule for Provenance due to the Christmas holiday. Check www.palmbeachdramaworks. org for dates. Subscription packages are available for four or five plays. Most single tickets go on sale in July; tickets for The Light in the Piazza and Hershey Felder will go on sale separately. Individual tickets for all performances are $97, except for opening night of each production ($117) and previews ($77). Student tickets are available for $15 with a valid K-12 or university/college ID, and anyone under 40 pays $40 (no additional fees) with a photo ID. Tickets for educators and active military are half price with proper ID (other restrictions apply). Group rates are also available. All titles are subject to change. Palm Beach Dramaworks is located at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre at 201 Clematis Street in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Tickets can be purchased through the box office, in person or by phone at (561) 514-4042, ext. 2, and online 24 hours a day at www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

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(Left to right) The band 56 Ace performs on stage; emcee Chelsea Chilcutt with Chloe Wax; contest judges included (seated left to right) Stephanie Wood, Kristina Hill and Adrienne Worthy, and (standing left to right) Chelsea Chilcutt and Krystal Zimbaldi.

(Left to right) Supreme Miss West Fest and Most Photogenic Raelynn Lee Mortimer; Josephine Lee, Emma Lee and Charlee Lee; contestant Sadie Russo; Sweetheart Miss West Fest Piper Rackley; and Mister West Fest Jacob Beardsley.

(Left to right) Entertainers Brett Ehmen and Taryn Papa with Councilwoman Jan Rodusky; Dustin Havens on a pony; Amber Meehan and Ashley Capparelli with Milo; Robin and Tom Gendreau, Paula and Donnie Beauchesne, and Sandy and Craig Classen; and Reina and Leila Echevarria got their faces painted.

(Left to right) Melissa Poirier with Murphy; Monica Ojeda, baby Kennedy, Betty Ojeda, Natalia Ojeda and Steven Rusinko; Beth and Mark Levinson with Chip; and Rory and Cade on the parachute ride.

22 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

ROYAL PALM | TODAY

WEST FEST BRINGS COUNTRY FUN TO ROYAL PALM BEACH STORY BY SHANNON ANASTASIO | PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN

Royal Palm Beach proved once again that community spirit is alive and thriving when West Fest brought lively western flair to Royal Palm Beach Commons Park in February. Over the three festive days, families, friends and visitors gathered to celebrate live country music, hometown pride and classic carnival fun under sunny South Florida skies. From the moment gates opened, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement, as children enjoyed rides while music lovers filled the great lawn. Across three days of toe-tapping entertainment, the well-received musical acts included Southern Blood and a Jason Aldean tribute on Friday; 56 Ace and Redemption Road on Saturday;

and Whiskey Six and Solstice Reign on Sunday. Early in the day on Saturday, the ever-popular Mister & Miss West Fest pageant drew cheers and heartfelt applause as proud families watched young contestants shine with the encouragement of emcee Chelsea Chilcutt. This year’s contest judges represented TalkBreastie2Me, a supportive national community dedicated to helping breast cancer survivors and women facing terminal diagnoses find strength, connection and healing. Through free retreats, wellness events and a meaningful podcast platform, the organization focuses on reducing stress and promoting emotional well-being, en-

suring every woman feels seen, supported and empowered. In attendance were Stephanie Wood, Kristina Hill, Adrienne Worthy and Krystal Zimbaldi, who thoughtfully presided over the competition. Beyond the stage, joyful moments unfolded everywhere as residents and visitors gathered to enjoy the festive atmosphere. As evening arrived, village leaders Mayor Jeff Hmara, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps and Councilman Adam Miller gathered on stage to welcome guests and celebrate the event’s success, reinforcing West Fest’s reputation as one of Royal Palm Beach’s most cherished community traditions.

(Left) Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas, Mayor Jeff Hmara, Councilwoman Sylvia Sharps and Councilman Adam Miller welcome people to West Fest. (Right) Chloe Wax, 6, gets ready to take the stage at West Fest. ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 23

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12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33, Wellington, FL 33414 or snap a photo of the filled-out form with your phone and e-mail the image to news@gotowncrier.com The Town-Crier newspaper publishes every other Friday. It usually takes about a month for new subscribers to begin receiving the newspaper via the U.S. Postal Service.

ROYAL PALM | TABLE

COOPER’S HAWK BRINGS POPULAR RESTAURANT AND WINERY CONCEPT TO STATE ROAD 7 BY MIKE MAY

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant made its long-awaited opening in Wellington in December, and it is proving to be so popular that it’s often a challenge to get a reservation. To say that business has been steady since its opening would be an understatement. “We have been busy every single day since we first opened in early December,” senior restaurant manager Adam Mejia said. “It really gets busy late in the afternoon until closing.” The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. for lunch on weekdays, and 10 a.m. for brunch on weekends, remaining open until 9 p.m. most days, but 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

According to Mejia, reservations are recommended after 4:30 p.m., but the best time to just walk into the restaurant without a reservation is between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. When you arrive at the restaurant, there is seating for roughly 280 people. You can sit in a booth, at a table or at the bar. There is seating outside, too. In all, there are 73 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant locations throughout the United States, two of which are now located in Palm Beach County — with Wellington adding to the popular location in Palm Beach Gardens. The Cooper’s Hawk concept pairs wonderful wine choices with a wide array of ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE | March/April 2026 25

ROYAL PALM | TABLE dining favorites and seasonal specialties. The restaurant’s menu is filled with enough choices for a month’s worth of daily visits. The menu includes two soups, two surf and turf options (both served with oven-roasted vegetables and Mary’s potatoes), three appetizer salads, four chopped salads, four chicken dishes, five steaks and chops, five seafood entrees, seven burgers and sandwiches, eight house-made desserts, 10 pasta and risotto options, 10 lunch-sized entrees (served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.), 10 signature sides and 11 appetizers. Since it is a family restaurant, Cooper’s Hawk also has a kids’ menu with 10 items. For those who are calorieconscious eaters, there are nine items listed under the heading Life Balance, which means each menu item is between 300 and 700 calories. Those menu items are designed to accommodate guests who are looking to enjoy mindful portions when dining out. Meanwhile, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., there are nine items under the category of “Brunch & Bubbles.” According to Mejia, you can’t go wrong with any selection from the menu. “I have eaten everything on the menu,” he said. “It’s all delicious. Some of the most popular items include the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, the Spaghetti & House-Made Meatballs and the Cooper’s Hawk Chocolate Cake. The chocolate cake is out of this world.” New items appear on the menu every two months. According to Mejia, some of the new items on the March menu will include Grilled Snapper, Barbecue Steak Tacos and Ginger Spice Carrot Cake. Every item on the menu is specially prepared for guests. “We are a scratch kitchen here at Cooper’s Hawk,” Mejia explained. After you order your food, it shouldn’t take long for it to arrive at your table. “Our goal is no longer than 20 minutes for an entrée, and 15 minutes for an appetizer,” Mejia said. 26 March/April 2026 | ROYAL PALM THE MAGAZINE

In addition to a wide array of delicious food selections and wines in the dining room, there is a wine bar on the premises that offers wine tasting opportunities throughout the day. There are two types of wine tasting experiences. One is the Traditional Experience for $12, and the second is the Lux Experience, for $17. “The wine tasting experience is firstcome, first-served,” said Mejia, adding that the Lux version is more popular. “The Lux Experience may be more expensive, but it offers a higher quality of wine.” To add appeal to a visit to any Cooper’s Hawk location, customers are encouraged to join the Wine Club with three levels of membership. Wine Club memberships range from $19.99 to $69.49 a month, depending upon how many bottles of wine you get each a month, along with a host of other benefits that also come along with membership. All the wine is privately labeled under the Cooper’s Hawk label. Another perk of Wine Club membership is a complimentary wine tasting experience every month for you and a guest. To add convenience to the experience, Cooper’s Hawk has four open parking spaces at the front of the restaurant marked Wine Club Pick-Up. The wine bar experience — which usually lasts about 30 minutes — is always busy, and customers have a great time. At the wine bar, the wine is dispersed in 1.5-ounce portions, just enough to tantalize your taste buds. “We came here for red wine, which is good for the heart,” patron Nikki Bankston said. “It’s very good. I like the almond chocolate wine.” “The wine bar is a good opportunity for fellowship with friends and coworkers,” Dylita Maharaj added. If you are searching for a venue for a special birthday or anniversary celebration, Cooper’s Hawk may have what you need. “We have a private dining room which has room for 48 people,” Mejia noted. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant located in the Lotis development at 1387 S. State Road 7 in Wellington. To learn more, call (561) 922-9463 or visit www. chwinery.com/locations/wellington-fl.

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