WESTLAKE THE MAGAZINE – March/April 2026

CareYou Can Count On Emergency

When you or a family member is involved in a medical emergency, experience and speed are extremely important. The Emergency Department at Wellington Regional Medical Center offers both — qualified and well-trained emergency physicians and other healthcare professionals, and a streamlined evaluation and treatment process so you can get the care you need as quickly as possible. In addition to treating serious illnesses and injuries, our staff also treats minor injuries, such as cuts and bruises.

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executive editor

Joshua I. Manning

ART BOARD HOPES TO LEAVE BEAUTIFUL MARK ON COMMUNITY

Out of aluminum orange petals and metallic palm fronds, the Westlake Art in Public Places Advisory Board is hoping an art-centered identity will blossom in the community.

SPRINGFEST RETURNS MARCH 28 WITH A DAY OF SEASONAL FUN

Hop into spring on Saturday, March 28 with the City of Westlake’s annual SpringFest. The event will include crafts, Easter egg hunts, vendors, food trucks and the Easter Bunny.

BUILDING COMMUNITY: HELPING NEIGHBORS BECOME FRIENDS

Westlake has long been planned as more than a collection of homes; it was designed to be a city with an active lifestyle.

PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS ANNOUNCES EXCITING SEASON

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

WESTLAKE TODAY

In a growing community like Westlake, connection matters, and clubs play an essential role in bringing residents together. Local organizations provide opportunities to meet neighbors, build friendships and create meaningful experiences. That spirit of connection is exactly what sparked the creation of the new Italian American Club of Westlake.

WESTLAKE TABLE

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. In all, there are 73 Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant locations, two of which are now in Palm Beach County — with Wellington adding to the popular location in Palm Beach Gardens.

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior writer

Louis Hillary Park

creative director

Stephanie Rodriguez

graphic designer

Yolanda Cernicky

account managers

Betty Buglio

Evie Edwards

Joetta Palumbo

administration

Shanta Daibee

Jill Kaskel

Carol Lieberman

photography

Frank Koester

Abner Pedraza

contributors

Shannon Anastasio

Angelic Bringas

Meredith Burow

Mike May

Fiona Slusarev

It’s springtime here in Westlake, and that means that it’s time for SpringFest! Easter egg hunts, the Easter Bunny, shopping, food trucks and lots of fun will return on Saturday, March 28. Look for our preview story in this issue.

The arts are important to Westlake, and this issue, we get to know Westlake’s Art in Public Places Advisory Board, which is hoping to create an art-centered identity for the growing community. While only two public art pieces have yet been installed, there are many plans on the drawing board. Check out this artfilled feature story to learn more.

As Westlake continues to develop, we also learn in this issue how an active lifestyle is helping residents build community and become friends. In Westlake Today, we discover the new Italian American Club of Westlake, which is the brainchild of resident Robin Rosio-Quinones and will hold its first meeting on March 26.

For the culturally minded, we preview the spectacular 2026-27 season of Palm Beach Dramaworks, the region’s home for groundbreaking theater. Finally, if you’re looking for an amazing dining experience, make plans to visit Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, which recently made its long-awaited debut on State Road 7 in Wellington.

Fax: (561) 793-1470

www.westlakethemagazine.com

published by Westlake Magazine LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning

Twins Kassidy and Kristen play in the foam at last year’s SpringFest in Westlake.

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WESTLAKE ART BOARD HOPES TO LEAVE BEAUTIFUL MARK ON COMMUNITY

BY LOUIS HILLARY PARK

Out of aluminum orange petals and stylized metallic palm fronds, the Westlake Art in Public Places Advisory Board is hoping an art-centered identity will blossom in the community.

“There are so many places we could put our stamp on,” Board Chair Jennifer Estis said. “I want to see statement pieces. I want people who visit the city to be talking about the art when they leave.”

Aside from Estis, the current board includes Vice Chair Gail Blair-Lewis, Kimberly Lanza, Lauren Mondell, Carole Waldman and alternate Johana Jimenez.

According to the 2021 ordinance that created Westlake’s Art in Public Places Program, the idea is to promote public art to enhance economic development, establish Westlake as a place where public art thrives, and to promote the beauty and interest of spaces visible to the public.

The city offers options to commercial developers with construction costs over $1 million. They could spend either 0.75 percent of construction costs to create a piece of original art to adorn their property, or pay 1 percent into Westlake’s Art Acquisition Fund.

Despite Westlake’s fast-growing commercial corridor on and near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, only two businesses have so far elected to engage artists themselves to create unique pieces — the James Business Park at 17035 Persimmon Blvd. and Westlake Palms Plaza at 4931 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

When the plan for the James Busi-

ness Park sculpture was shared with the Westlake City Council in March 2023, they agreed that the proposal was “setting the bar incredibly high.”

Twelve feet high in fact.

Resting on a plateau and pedestal, “Orange with Three Blossoms” was designed with “intentionality,” Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor noted at the time.

“With each new piece, there’s a uniqueness,” said landscape architect Donaldson Hearing, who has been involved in many commercial and municipal art projects. “Art can tell a story the same way music can.”

Hearing explained that the business park sculpture represents a peeled orange with three blossoms and 39 anthers. The orange blossom is the state flower of Florida, and Westlake was incorporated out of the former CalleryJudge orange grove property in 2016, becoming Palm Beach County’s 39th municipality.

The $200,000 piece was designed by West Palm Beach artist Ralfonso.

O’Connor praised the effort. “I’m beyond impressed. They did an incredible job,” he said.

Hearing also shepherded the second piece to installation as part of the Westlake Palms signage. Called “Fresh Burst,” it is fabricated from quarterinch aluminum plate and finished with an acrylic polyurethane paint.

West Palm Beach environmental graphic and industrial designer Mark Fuller describes his work as representing “a vibrant new beginning that is figuratively the City of Westlake. Finished in a vibrant lime green, it is

representative of new life emerging from seed… [and] pays homage to the forward-looking spirit found in all new endeavors.”

Both projects were approved by the advisory board as constituted at the time.

“I believe art is an important element in the identity of a city,” said Lanza, an architect and graduate of the prestigious Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. “It adds to the fabric of the community.”

However, Lanza said she believes the board enters the process too late when its only option is a yes or no vote, so that it “feels like it’s too much of a rubber stamp.”

The process would benefit from more and earlier “brainstorming” among board members — which is limited by the state’s strict Sunshine Law — or at least more meetings, she said.

After its September 2022 organizational meeting, the board has convened just twice — in February 2023 and again in June 2025.

“It has been a little quiet,” said Lanza, who has worked on high-end projects in New York, Miami and the cruise industry.

Estis, who took over as chair in June 2025, said she agreed and hopes to propose a more aggressive meeting schedule to city officials.

“As it is, we don’t have to get together until a developer decides to install a piece of artwork,” she explained. “I need to understand better what the rules of the road are… [and] what else we can do.”

The board “needs to be given a little more autonomy,” agreed O’Connor, who acts as the council’s de facto liaison. “I’d love to see the board get creative and bring some projects forward.”

As of March, there was $268,000 in the Art Acquisition Fund that can be used to pay for projects recommended by the board and approved by the council.

O’Connor said he would favor projects that are artistic and practical at the same time. He offered as an example a suggestion made by Councilman Erik Gleason of colorful, imaginative bicycle racks at some school bus stops.

Estis, a Florida State University graduate who works with claims of high-net-worth clients, often including art-related items, said she and

“There are so many places we could put our stamp on. I want to see statement pieces. I want people who visit the city to be talking about the art when they leave.”

— Art In Public Places Advisory Board Chair Jennifer Estis

her husband bought into the vision of Westlake’s golf-cart lifestyle after their daughter and son-in-law purchased a home in 2020. She is now a Cresswind resident.

“We had a sense of what Westlake was going to become,” Estis said. “I was very interested in becoming part of the community from the outset… I want to leave a mark on the city. Art is going to be very important here.”

Lanza said it would be great to collaborate with artists who could add style and uniqueness to the Westlake town center project long promised by the city’s largest landowner and primary developer, Minto Communities USA. The art could come in the form of sculpture, murals or mosaics, she added.

Hearing, who has worked with Minto on numerous projects, said the timing of the town center project will be driven by market forces, but whenever it happens, aesthetics will be top of mind for the company.

Whether through a towering citrus sculpture or a future mural in town center, board members are excited about the art of the future.

Despite only two businesses so far choosing to have art created for their project, Hearing said the seeds are planted. What grows from them will define how Westlake sees itself — and how it’s remembered.

“It might not seem so important to the city at the moment,” he said. “But in 30 to 40 years, it will tell the story to the next generation.”

WESTLAKE’S SPRINGFEST RETURNS MARCH 28 WITH A DAY OF SEASONAL FUN

BY FIONA SLUSAREV

Hop into spring on Saturday, March 28 with the City of Westlake’s annual SpringFest. The event will start at 11 a.m. and include crafts, Easter egg hunts, vendors, food trucks and a visit from the Easter Bunny, together making for an unforgettable family day. The event will continue until 3 p.m.

As the fourth year of this beloved community event, Westlake residents and visitors can look forward to a day full of music, entertainment, delicious food and seasonal activities. More than 2,000 people are expected to come to this community-building festival.

Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor is excited to welcome the spring season with this family-oriented day.

“SpringFest is designed with families at the heart of it, from our thoughtfully planned egg hunts to the relaxed, festive atmosphere throughout the day,” O’Connor explained.

Last year’s event had community members out in droves, lining up for the egg hunt with colorful baskets in tow. The smell of delectable treats floated on the breeze and vendors

lined the pathway with a multitude of fun wares to explore.

This year’s festival promises even more activities and tastes to choose from, while still bringing eventgoers the same springtime joy.

This festival will have an array of vendors to choose from. Those with a sweet tooth will appreciate Bonnie’s Brittle & Bakery, Baking by Brad, City Sweets and the Chocolate Moo Bar. For those who want to refresh on a warm spring day, Squeeze My Lemons, Mix’d Up Drinks, Carmela Coffee and Rainbow Squeeze are sure to please.

If a little shopping is calling your name, J’s Mini Chic Boutique, Stella Skin Studio, Lost Oak Farms, Love at First Lynk, Chezy’s Bracelets, Phoenix Rising Jewelry and KnC & Co. are sure to catch your eye. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit with Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue and Amber’s Animal Outreach. For families looking to find summer programs, Lox Life Camps and Camp Lingua will be in attendance.

Golfers across the western communities will enjoy the apparel at Fienan

“SpringFest is all about bringing neighbors together, celebrating our families, and creating the kind of hometown moments that make Westlake special.”

— Mayor JohnPaul O’ Connor

Golf, and golf cart vendors Beachside Golf Cars, Absolute Golf Carts and Treasure Coast Golf Carts. Fitness enthusiasts will find Orangetheory, the DRIPBaR, Next LVL Mobile Infusion and Breslin Chiropractic.

Local businesses will be out and about to mingle with the community at their pop-up booths. Westlake Orthodontics, Mowtek electronic mowers, the Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court’s Office, Eyes on Southern optometrist, as well as the local AT&T and Xfinity providers, will all be out in their Easter best.

With such an array of vendors, attendees can visit with tried-and-true favorites, while discovering new local businesses.

According to O’Connor, SpringFest is one of Westlake’s most anticipated traditions.

“It’s one of those events where everyone feels included, and that’s something we’re proud of in Westlake,” O’Connor said.

Adults and children alike can take this opportunity to get to know their neighbors. Whether you have a teen interested in the food trucks and the DJ, or a youngster ready for balloon animals and some serious egg-gathering, everyone can find an exciting activity.

A spring celebration would not be complete without an egg hunt. The hunt is on starting at 11:15 a.m. for children requiring special accommodations, 11:30 a.m. for children two and under, 11:45 a.m. for children three to four, noon for children five to seven, and 12:15 p.m. for children eight to 10. Children of all ages can look forward to the hands-on crafts and a photo visit with the Easter Bunny.

Whether you’re enjoying the DJ, sampling the food or watching the littlest members of your family hunt down some eggs, the day is sure to put a smile on your face. The spring fun continues with a petting zoo where children can meet mini ponies and other adorable visitors. Face-painting, balloon twisters and crafts add to the magical atmosphere, and children should keep a close eye out for the Spring Fairy with Pixie Dust.

“SpringFest is all about bringing neighbors together, celebrating our families, and creating the kind of hometown moments that make Westlake special,” O’Connor said.

Families joining the egg hunt are encouraged to arrive ahead of time for their designated group, with their favorite basket or bag in-hand.

Admission to SpringFest is free and open to all, making it an accessible outing for families across the community. Be sure to get in all your springtime fun and neighborhood gallivanting before the event comes to a close at 3 p.m. SpringFest will be located on Ilex Way, south of Persimmon Blvd. For more info., visit www.westlakegov.com/community/ page/city-westlakes-springfest-2026.

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THE CRUCIBLE

By Arthur Miller

Directed by William Hayes

April 3-19, 2026

A masterful, riveting exploration of the 1692 Salem witch trials, this timeless and timely Tony Award-winning play is also an allegory for McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee’s modern-day witch hunts. Convinced that witches are living among them, Salem is gripped by mass hysteria, paranoia, fear, and retribution, with neighbors turning on and turning in neighbors, and religious fervor turning a blind eye to justice. Miller considered The Crucible his finest play.

“I visited the Miller Archive to see his research and discover anything I could about his work on The Crucible,” said PBD Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. “He had such conviction about writing the play, and I could see first-hand his determination and how much he struggled to get it right: I’ve never seen so many composition books and drafts of one piece. Miller was one of the greatest playwrights in American history, and being at the archive, touching these sacred documents, felt like a religious experience.”

Don & Ann Brown Theatre 201 Clematis Street

West Palm Beach, Florida 33401 PalmBeachDramaworks.org

“It’s the awful waste that strikes you most

powerfully: how easily a society wrecks itself once gripped by paranoia.”

— Financial Times (London)

BUILDING COMMUNITY IN WESTLAKE, WHERE NEIGHBORS BECOME FRIENDS

BY ANGELIC BRINGAS

Westlake has long been planned as more than a collection of homes; it was designed to be a community offering an active lifestyle. Now, after several years of growth and maturity, that vision is becoming a reality. What once felt like a developing neighborhood is increasingly taking on the qualities of a true community: familiar faces, shared traditions and the kind of friendships that form when people connect.

Westlake’s community is broad and diverse, appealing to first-time homeowners, growing families and active adults alike. And because the community is so diverse, there’s something for

everyone, whether they are looking for family-focused programming, fitness and wellness activities, or social clubs and gatherings. Westlake is no longer an idea; it is a place where residents can build their own version of home, even before they move in.

Traditions Bring People Together — Westlake offers a calendar full of events that give residents year-round reasons to gather and celebrate. From the signature Bunny Hop Egg Hunt to the Back to School Bash and Haunted Grove Fall Festival, people of all ages stay connected, meet new neighbors and strengthen their sense of belong-

ing that makes Westlake a welcome place to live.

Community building extends to programs such as yoga and Zumba classes, youth sports programming, Food Truck Fridays and toddler time, which create active opportunities for everyone to interact and build relationships. Meanwhile, social activities like Ladies’ Night, Family Game Night and Fit Fest keep the social energy alive yearround.

And it’s not only the events organized by Westlake that shape the community. Many residents have created their own activities and groups that re-

flect the neighborhood’s natural, dayto-day life.

Residents Create Their Own Community — Perhaps the strongest indicator that a neighborhood has become a community is when residents start creating their own social networks without being prompted. Two such examples are the Westlake Women’s Bunco Group and the Westlake Bike & Run Club.

The Bunco Group began in early 2022, when founding members Adriana Pink and Michelle Seeharack were looking for a way to meet other women. After meeting while pregnant, their

desire to make friends quickly evolved into a monthly gathering of 12 women, rotating homes and hosting themed nights. “We wanted to find something fun to do where we could meet other women and friends of the community,” Adriana said.

The group’s success has been rooted in its simplicity. Bunco offers a reason to gather without social pressure. Over time, the group has become more than just a monthly game night. Members now meet for workouts, shopping trips and support each other during challenging moments.

“It has been a way to know your

neighbors,” Michelle said. “When we go to events at the Westlake Adventure Park, we recognize familiar faces. It makes me feel like I belong here.”

For many, the group has become a vital part of their Westlake experience. Members describe it as a source of laughter, friendship and community support.

“I went from liking it here to loving it,” Jody Lang said. “My life now feels fuller. We will not be moving anytime soon!”

Club Built Around Fitness & Family — Founded by Robert Chae and his wife Sonia Chae, the Westlake Bike & Run

“I

Club began as a simple idea: to encourage residents and families to get outside and be active together. They began posting about the group on social media, and residents quickly joined. What started as a small running group has grown into a thriving community of more than 200 members who meet three times a week.

“It began as a simple way for us to stay active,” Robert said. “Once we posted it online, we realized there were so many families looking for a way to get outside and connect with neighbors.”

The group’s growth reflects a desire among residents to connect through shared interests, especially those that involve health, wellness and time outdoors. It also shows how social connections in Westlake form naturally, simply because people are showing up.

The club is inclusive to residents of

— Westlake Resident Jody Lang

all fitness levels, and children are en couraged to participate. “It’s quickly become a community routine,” Robert said.

Community Starts the Moment You Move In — What makes Westlake unique goes beyond events and ac tivities. Residents choose to invest in one another. From community-wide celebrations to smaller resident-led groups, Westlake is becoming a place where people aren’t just neighbors, they’re friends.

Whether through a themed game night or an evening run, residents are building a lasting community, one founded on shared experiences, mu tual support and the simple joy of con necting.

To learn more about Westlake, call (561) 475-5112 or visit www.westlakefl. com.

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

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 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 , 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 , a classic comedy of menace, opens April 2. Closing out the season will be Richard Strand’s Ben 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, 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, subscribers have the opportunity to add the show at an exclusive rate.

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.

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.

WESTLAKE RESIDENTS

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ITALIAN AMERICAN CLUB ARRIVES IN WESTLAKE

BY SHANNON ANASTASIO

In a growing community like Westlake, connection matters. New neighborhoods are rising, families are settling in, and traditions are being planted alongside palm trees and sidewalks. While beautiful homes and modern amenities help define Westlake, it’s the people and clubs they create that truly give the community its heartbeat.

Westlake The Magazine would like to spotlight other clubs in Westlake in a future issue. If you know of a Westlake organization that deserves to be featured, we would love to hear from you. Scan the QR code below and drop us a line. Community grows when we share it — so reach out and help us celebrate the people and passions that make Westlake feel like home.

Clubs in Westlake play an essential role in bringing residents together. Whether centered around culture, service, hobbies or shared passions, local organizations provide opportunities to meet neighbors, build friendships and create meaningful experiences beyond our front doors.

That spirit of connection is exactly what sparked the creation of the new Italian American Club of Westlake.

“My grandparents worked hard so we could have a life, and I don’t want to see their customs and traditions get lost,” said Robin Rosio-Quinones, who created this new organization with her husband Robert and Jamie Jacuzzo-Coxe. “There is nothing like this in western Palm Beach County, and that’s why I started it — really in tribute to their memory so that we could teach the next generation all of the cultures, the recipes and our heritage, and keep that tradition alive.”

When Robin began reaching out to people on social media, residents began expressing interest, tagging friends, sending direct messages and sharing their enthusiasm for bringing Italian heritage and culture together in a meaningful way. Within a short time, nearly 20 interested members stepped forward, and the momentum continues to grow.

“We are holding our first meeting on

Thursday, March 26, which will be exactly a week after I get back from this year’s Italy trip,” Robin said. “I already have a list of ideas, but I really want this club to be a joint venture and have member input. Some of the ideas are an Italian chef who will come to us and do a private cooking demonstration class, some philanthropic work particularly for pregnant women, animal rescues and some other community service endeavors.”

That first meet-and-greet gathering will take place Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. at the Adventure Park Lodge. This inaugural meeting will serve as an opportunity to connect, introduce ideas and lay the foundation for what promises to become a vibrant Westlake community group.

Not Italian American but still inter-

ested? You are welcome to join, as is every Westlake resident. The Italian American Club of Westlake is being built on inclusion and passion rather than strict lineage. Membership is open to anyone who is Italian by blood, by marriage or simply by culture. It’s about celebrating traditions, family recipes passed down through generations, music, language, history and the unmistakable warmth that defines Italian heritage.

But beyond food and festivities, the club also aims to serve a larger purpose. Plans include scheduling special events and activities, supporting charitable initiatives and finding other ways to give back to the Westlake community. “I would like to see our traditions carry on, not only for my family, but to share the traditions with our community as well,” Robin said.

Westlake residents interested in joining can reach Robin Rosio-Quinones at (561) 985-8306 or join the online Facebook group by searching for “Italian American Club of Westlake.”

As the club continues to build its list,

“My grandparents worked hard so we could have a life, and I don’t want to see their customs and traditions get lost. There is nothing like this in western Palm Beach County, and that’s why I started it — really in tribute to their memory so that we could teach the next generation.”

— Robin Rosio-Quinones

organizers encourage anyone who has shown an interest to ensure that their name is included on the list by joining the group online.

Cultural clubs like this do more than preserve traditions; they create bridges between neighbors, introduce new experiences and strengthen civic pride.

For newer residents especially, joining a club can ease the transition into a developing community. It creates instant connections and provides a built-in social network. For longtime Floridians, it offers a chance to deepen roots and invest in the character of the community. In either case, involvement builds belonging.

Westlake is still writing its story. The formation of the Italian American Club of Westlake represents more than just a gathering of like-minded residents. It represents growth, initiative and the willingness of neighbors to step forward and create something meaningful together.

Clubs are the lifeblood of community culture. They provide purpose, preserve heritage and create shared memories. Whether your passion is cultural, charitable, athletic, artistic or educational, there is room in Westlake for your voice and your vision. In this way, the new Italian American Club of Westlake is just the beginning.

160+ programs of study, including associate and bachelor’s degrees, and professional certificate programs.

40,000 students attend PBSC, the largest higher education institution in the county, with online options and five campus locations.

500 industry partners focused on fields such as artificial intelligence, engineering technology, cybersecurity, and nursing.

$1.4 billion impact on the county’s economy, which is the equivalent of supporting more than 18,100 jobs.

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

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.

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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