ROYAL PALM MAY/JUNE 2022
Bringing You The Best Of Royal Palm Beach
THE MAGAZINE
Plus
Young At Heart Provides Programs For Seniors Inspired Living Gives Seniors A Place To Thrive Pets Are The Priority At ACCESS Animal Hospital Taste-Tempting Dishes At El Rinconcito Colombiano
Royal Palm Beach Village Council Serving The Community
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
Selena Samios Councilwoman
Jeff Hmara Councilman
Fred Pinto Mayor
Jan Rodusky Councilwoman
Royal Palm Beach “A Place We Call Home”
Richard Valuntas Vice Mayor
Main Number ............................ 790-5100 Administration ........................... 790-5103 Code Enforcement.................... 790-5138 Community Development ......... 790-5128 Cultural Center ......................... 790-5196 PBC Fire-Rescue.......................790-6105* Parks & Recreation................... 790-5124 Planning & Zoning .................... 790-5131 PBC Sheriff Office .....................904-8250* Public Works..............................790-5122 *For emergencies,dial 911
Thanks for caring about the hospital that cares for you. Bethesda Hospital West With the support of Baptist Health Foundation’s Palm Beach County donors, Bethesda Hospital West provides patients a comprehensive array of medical services, including an Emergency Department that cares for adults and children. This modern hospital offers all private rooms; a 10-bed intensive care unit; advanced cardiac CT imaging; and a state-of-the-art endovascular and interventional surgical suite for minimally invasive cardiovascular procedures. At Baptist Health Foundation, philanthropy is making an important investment in Bethesda Hospital West to care for our growing community and create a healthier future for all of us.
Learn how you can support Bethesda Hospital. Visit BaptistHealth.net/Giving or call 561-737-7733, ext. 84445.
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May/June 2022
contents
volume 2, number 3 MAY/JUNE 2022
executive editor Joshua I. Manning
Features
publisher
Dawn Rivera
senior graphic designer
LEADERS 14 ELECTED SERVING THE COMMUNITY Overseeing the community is the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, an elected board made up of five public-service-minded residents who work with the village staff to make sure that the village stays one of the premier communities in Palm Beach County. BY DEBORAH WELKY
Stephanie Rodriguez
graphic designers Nancy Pobiak Yolanda Cernicky
account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Joetta Palumbo
from the
PROGRAMS FOR 21 SOCIAL RPB SENIOR CITIZENS
bookkeeping
The Young at Heart Club got its start more than three decades ago.This energetic group got started in 1990 with approximately 75 seniors and has mushroomed in size to more than 450 members. BY DEBORAH WELKY
Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman
photography Abner Pedraza
Departments
contributors
Elliot Cohen Erin Davisson Denise Fleischman Melanie Kopacz Mike May Callie Sharkey Deborah Welky
PALM BUSINESS 27 ROYAL Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach brings its unique take on senior living to the western communities. BY MIKE MAY
PALM HEALTH 31 ROYAL Your pets are the priority at
ROYAL PALM 35 Bringing You The Best Of Royal Palm Beach
THE MAGAZINE
12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.royalpalmthemagazine.com
Royal Palm The Magazine is published six times a year in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Copyright 2022, 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.
El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 offers patrons flavorful Latin food in a casual atmosphere.
PALM TODAY 39 ROYAL June offers two chances for
published by
chairman/ceo
ROYAL PALM TABLE BY MELANIE KOPACZ
In this issue of Royal Palm The Magazine, we salute the five dedicated public servants who make up the Royal Palm Beach Village Council: Mayor Fred Pinto, Vice Mayor Selena Samios, Councilman Jeff Hmara, Councilwoman Jan Rodusky and Councilman Richard Valuntas. Shown on our cover this issue, they work to make sure that Royal Palm Beach stays one of the premier communities in Palm Beach County.Also featured this issue is the Royal Palm Beach Young at Heart Club, which has been providing social programs for local senior citizens for more than 30 years. Our Royal Palm Business feature this issue is on Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach, a state-of-the-art senior living facility that opened in December 2020 along Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Health visits ACCESS Specialty Hospitals Palm Beach County, which is there to take care of your pets around the clock. Royal Palm Table samples the wonderful Colombian food available locally at El Rinconcito Colombiano #2. Finally, Royal Palm Today details two ways that village residents can have a say in the future of the community. As the long summer days arrive, be sure to get out into the community and enjoy the many parks and recreation offerings available here in Royal Palm Beach. Whether you’re looking for a summer stroll or an active athletic league, our village has exactly what you’re looking for.
Dawn Rivera
Dawn Rivera, Publisher
residents to influence the future of the community. BY ELLIOT COHEN
Royal Palm The Magazine Inc. Barry S. Manning
ACCESS Specialty Hospitals Palm Beach County on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. BY MIKE MAY
publisher
Social Scene ROYAL PALM SOCIAL SCENE 6 8 10
ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Celebrates Anniversary CAFCI Celebrates Easter Holiday With Okeeheelee Park Picnic RPB Resumes The Popular Senior Meals Program At Rec Center
on the cover
Royal Palm Beach Village Council members (L-R) Jeff Hmara, Jan Rodusky, Fred Pinto, Richard Valuntas and Selena Samios. PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 5
royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
ACCESS SPECIALTY ANIMAL HOSPITALS CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY
VIPs gather in front of the facility for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Palm Beach County held a celebration to mark its first anniversary on Saturday, April 30, which was also World Veterinary Day. The event included tours of the state-of-the-art animal hospital that is open around the clock, along with a ribbon cutting, food, music, face painting, a bounce house, vendors and more. In its first year, ACCESS has seen more than 8,000 pets.ACCESS is located at 10465 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 7748855 or visit www.accessvetsflorida.com.
(Left to right) Hospital Liaison Kami Kreaps, co-founder Dr. Marcos Unis, Purchasing Manager Vanessa Barros, co-founder Dr. Lucia Alvarez, Technician Manager Joseph Hernandez and Department Lead Internal Medicine Miosotis Aguayo Ríos; Dr. Lucia Alvarez, Mayor Fred Pinto, Medical Director Dr. Marcos Unis and Hospital Administrator Ken Spokane; Vice Mayor Selena Samios with her daughter Marya Smith; and a look at the pre-op prep room during the hospital tour.
(Left to right) Raffle winners Tom Romah and Caren Griffin with Hershey get their prize from Patricia Kozak; K9 Resorts Assistant Manager Charlotte Robinson and certificate winner Jeremy Metternich with Dennys of the WRMF KVJ Show; Stella & Chewy representative Sharon Ferraiuolo gives samples and coupons to Louise Connolly; and Kathy and Tony Wegner with Charlie.
(Left to right) Amielyah Sanders strikes a fierce tiger pose; Mayor Fred Pinto and Vice Mayor Selena Samios with Mary Lou Bedford and Maria Antuña of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce; a stuffed animal demonstrates the CT scanner; and MRI technician Jennifer Golin checks a dog’s spinal MRI.
(Left to right) Visitors enjoy a tour of the facility; Dr. Patrick Flynn performs surgery; Rebekah Kennon and Charlotte Robinson of K9 Resorts; Tom Romah and Caren Griffin with Hershey; and Deborah Brooks and Isabella with Rebekah Kennon and Charlotte Robinson of K9 Resorts.
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royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
CAFCI CELEBRATES EASTER HOLIDAY WITH OKEEHEELEE PARK PICNIC
The Caribbean Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held their annual Easter Picnic on Saturday, April 16 at the Alligator Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park.The day featured plenty of food, music, dancing, raffles, an egg hunt, dominoes and more.
(Left to right) Joy McKoy, Dennis Martin, Orel Fenton, Jackie Fenton, Horatio Fenton and Dennis Wright; Carolyn and Royal Palm Beach Councilman Jeff Hmara get some salad; Wellington Councilman John McGovern, CAFCI President Dennis Wright and Michelle McGovern; and CAFCI board members Rhonda Ferrin Davis, Genieve White, President Dennis Wright, Paul Baker, Doreen Baker, Carolyn Hmara and Hildreth Stoddard Brown.
(Left to right) Jailynn Godfrey and Kayda Agidsy with Easter eggs in their baskets; Johnny Davis and Event Committee Chair Diana Bishop; Yvonne Wright serves Charmaine Henry some fish; Cedric Brown, Ilene Armstrong, Doreen Baxter, Cindy Beckles and Henworth Ferguson play dominoes; and Phyllis Charlton dishes up pumpkin beef soup.
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royal palm | social scene
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
RPB RESUMES THE POPULAR SENIOR MEALS PROGRAM AT REC CENTER
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Village of Royal Palm Beach re-started its senior meals program Monday, March 21 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center.The program provides a hot meal at lunchtime Monday through Friday.The food is provided by Palm Beach County and distributed by a dedicated combination of village employees and volunteers.Anyone who is 60 years or older is eligible to receive a meal. For more information, call Shakeera Thomas at (561) 753-1241.
(Left to right) Volunteers Maria Gonzalez, Vinette Tracy, Barbara Patterson, Lorna Pearson, Maria LoVerso, Dolly Hughes and Seniors Program Supervisor Shakeera Thomas; Nancy Mendenhall is served lunch by volunteer Lorna Pearson; and Sandra Meeranje, Melrose King and Ferdinand Hinds are served lunch by volunteers Prudel Belle, Shakeera Thomas, Lorna Pearson, and Vinette Tracy.
(Left to right) Volunteer Barbara Patterson helps Donna Wilhelm sign up for meals; Andres Pallacio, Ina Thomas, Maria Gonzalez, Anna Espinosa and Myrtle Shields play dominoes; Laurie Gladstone and Helen Pollock fill out forms; and Donna Wilhelm checks the menu.
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SERVING THE COMMUNITY Five Elected Council Members Strive To Keep Royal Palm Beach The Unique Village It Is BY DEBORAH WELKY | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
14
The Village of Royal Palm Beach is known as a great
While there may be occasional points of differ-
place to live and work, with superior recreational
ence, the council is known for working well together
amenities, public safety, schools and other ame-
and putting residents first. While some communities
nities for residents. Overseeing the community is
see frequent changes in leadership, the current
the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, an elected
makeup of Royal Palm Beach’s council has been
board made up of five public-service-minded resi-
unchanged since 2017 and currently includes
dents who work with the village staff to make sure
Mayor Fred Pinto, Vice Mayor Selena Samios,
that Royal Palm Beach stays one of the premier
Councilman Jeff Hmara, Councilwoman Jan Ro-
communities in Palm Beach County.
dusky and Councilman Richard Valuntas.
may/june 2022 | royal palm the magazine
“The village is like a championship football team. We have the right players and coaches; we’ve won the championship. Now, how do we sustain that level of success? It’s a challenge to stay at the top of the list.” — Mayor Fred Pinto Mayor Fred Pinto is a retired U.S. gether, and we’re able to get things Army lieutenant colonel who spent 20 years working on Wall Street in the technology sector. He was first elected to the council in 2003 and was elected mayor in 2016. Pinto recalled visiting family in Florida almost monthly until he finally decided to make the move to Royal Palm Beach himself in 1999. His uncle, the late Vivian Ferrin, was a leader in the local Caribbean community and was serving on the council at the time.When Ferrin stepped down due to health problems, Pinto’s friends in the community began pressuring him to run. “It wasn’t something I was initially planning on doing,” Pinto recalled. Yet he won that election and served 13 years on the council before being elected mayor. “Royal Palm Beach is a special place,” Pinto said. “Our council works well to-
done, moving in a forward direction. I was able to bring my business acumen and business experience to the table and have been able to be influential in key business decisions that the village has made over the past several years — decisions that have put us in a very, very good position. We’re financially sound with no debt, yet we continually provide the services to our citizens that they’ve come to expect from the Village of Royal Palm Beach.” Pinto is especially proud of the fact that young families can afford to buy a home in a “Mayberry-esque” town with good schools, recreational offerings and award-winning parks. “We’re very family-centric and senior-centric,” Pinto said.“Our Commons Park is one of the greatest parks in Palm Beach County. People come from all over for events held there. It has great
playground equipment, a dog park and the First Tee Academy where young children can learn about the game of golf. That’s the nature of our village.” Pinto feels that good fiscal planning helped the village get through the pandemic, but the rising cost of housing concerns him.“It’s something we’re going to have to work at,” he said of an issue that is causing concern not just here, but across Florida and the nation. Another thing he would like to accomplish is to take the village from the top 10 percent of the safest communities in Florida to the top 5 percent.“The village is like a championship football team. We have the right players and coaches; we’ve won the championship. Now, how do we sustain that level of success? It’s a challenge to stay at the top of the list,” Pinto said.
“Today, I think we’re very diverse on the council — as we are in the community. Royal Palm Beach has more than 30,000 residents, and each of us on the council represents a different group.”
— Vice Mayor Selena Samios
Vice Mayor Selena Samios was elected to the council in 2016. She grew up in Antigua in the Caribbean, attended high school and college in Miami, worked in the sports and entertainment industry in both Miami and Milwaukee,
then moved back to Florida to help her mother open a business. While in South Florida, she discovered Royal Palm Beach and fell in love with the community. She got involved through various organizations and the local chamber of commerce, and she eventually bought a house. “I liked the fact that the homes were really nice, the schools were rated well and you could get more land for your money,” Samios said. “When I started a
family, I knew I wanted to live in Royal Palm Beach.” As time went on, Samios wanted to have more of an impact on the community. “At the time, there were no women on the council,” she recalled.“I would be able to represent a whole demographic that wasn’t represented. Today, I think we’re very diverse on the council — as we are in the community. Royal Palm Beach royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 15
has more than 30,000 residents, and each of us on the council represents a different group. Together, we want to make sure that we have controlled growth. Our residents have told us they don’t want over-population and the extra traffic that comes with it. So, we don’t give variances every time a developer wants to make smaller units with higher density. Myself, I’m very environmentally conscious. I want to make sure our foliage, trees and greenery is still there.” Another thing that Samios advocates for is small business. Because of her entrepreneurial parents and grandparents, Samios knows the value that small businesses bring to a community. “If you live and work in the same community,
there’s no disconnect,” she explained. “There’s communication; there’s transparency.” She also values the local senior community.“They founded the community,” Samios said.“Right now, the average age of a resident is the mid-40s. It used to be the mid-60s. I want to continue to watch out for the interests of the residents who were originally here.” She also likes the village’s many amenities. “I love the fact that we are 12 square miles and have 22 public parks,” Samios said. “I love all the events that we do that are free for everyone to attend, and I love that we’re extremely fiscally sound.” Samios says that keeping the “family
feel” of the village is important to her. “As new communities emerge and develop, it may seem that we’re not keeping up with the times, but we are,” she said.“A testament to that is that we have residents who grew up in Royal Palm Beach and are now raising their families here. We’re internet-connected throughout the village. You can go to any place and get free wi-fi. We’re offering events that people want, making sure that our parks have equipment and options. We now have kayak rentals at several of our parks, as well as bike rentals.We’ve just expanded and added four pickleball courts.As our residents’ needs change, we are able to evolve with that. We give them the options they are looking for.”
“Being in public service is what I’ve done all my life. I enjoy being part of something bigger than me. I like to help people, solve problems and plan for the future.”
— Councilman Jeff Hmara
Councilman Jeff Hmara was elected to the council in 2012 and has been re-elected ever since. Prior to coming to the village two decades ago, he traveled the world with his wife Carolyn and their two children — first as a U.S. Army colonel, then as a senior executive for federal agencies. Moving to Royal Palm Beach, Hmara took a job as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He first got involved in the community through his local homeowners’ association, and then volunteered for a task force to determine what should be done with the village’s 150-acre former wastewater treatment plant site. 16
may/june 2022 | royal palm the magazine
“Being in public service is what I’ve done all my life,” Hmara said.“I enjoy being part of something bigger than me. I like to help people, solve problems and plan for the future.” Hmara said his key focus on the council is to make sure Royal Palm Beach is protected. “There’s a tremendous amount of growth happening all around us, and we’re going to see even more as the previously agricultural areas along Southern Blvd. are developed, especially when it comes to traffic,” he said.“What can we do here in Royal Palm Beach that will reduce the adverse effects?” By being proactive, working hand-inhand with the Transportation Planning Agency and Palm Beach County, Hmara is working to come up with solutions. “We need to look at attractive, efficient alternative choices to getting in the car,”
he said.“We need to get funding, secure rights-of-way and decide how to use land that already exists. In the next 8 to 10 years, we’re going to make a big difference here that will take us into the next 30-plus years.” Hmara believes that the greatest thing about the Village of Royal Palm Beach is its people, both residents and the village staff. “The village employs a great staff,” he said.“The energy and creativity they bring — the response is never, ‘No, you can’t do that.’ Coming from Washington, I didn’t bump into that too much.” Hmara is looking forward to the completion of the new village hall, projected to replace the current 42-year-old building in the fall of 2023. “That is going to be so cool when that is done — so user-friendly instead of user-hostile,” he said.
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He is excited about expanding the recreation center as well. A groundbreaking will take place this year and construction is expected to take 12 to 18 months.An added wing will be used mostly by senior citizens. Hmara also wants the village to continue to support education and its local schools. Interviewing high school applicants for the 10 scholarships presented
by the village each year is one of the high points of his service. “If you want to restore your faith and hope for the future, listen to these kids — they are amazing,” he said. As the Village of Royal Palm Beach refines its Art in Public Places program featuring the work of local residents, Hmara hopes to exhibit a few of his oil paintings.“I used to paint a lot,” he said.
“I took six years of lessons at the Armory Arts Center, alongside my daughter. I enjoyed painting with her until she got so much better than I was. But I love to paint and draw. It heightens your awareness of where you are. You develop an artist’s eye where you notice colors, shapes and shadows that other people may not see. You have a greater appreciation of the things around you.”
“I enjoy being able to help bring the arts to Royal Palm Beach. Before my service, we did not have a public art policy in the village, and as of October 2018, we now do.”
— Councilwoman Jan Rodusky
Councilwoman Jan Rodusky for the position and was appointed to ports the performing arts. “One art eljoined the council in 2016. She grew up in Akron, Ohio, and married her college sweetheart,Andrew. Looking to relocate, they decided to move to wherever the first one of them landed a job.“We had a little contest going,” Rodusky recalled. Andrew won, and the young couple moved to Philadelphia for two years, but then he was recruited to work for the South Florida Water Management District. “We moved to Florida in 1994 and bought our house in Royal Palm Beach in 1996,” Rodusky said. “We had looked at all the communities and wanted to be in a nice, quiet, family community.” With a master’s degree in public administration and a strong desire to help her local municipality, Rodusky began serving on the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Advisory Board. She did that for four years, until a vacancy opened up on the council when Pinto was elected mayor and stepped down from his council seat. Rodusky applied 18
may/june 2022 | royal palm the magazine
the seat. “I enjoy being able to help bring the arts to Royal Palm Beach,” Rodusky said. “Before my service, we did not have a public art policy in the village, and as of October 2018, we now do. As a result, new construction is required to pay one percent of total vertical construction costs of all projects on a site, and that money goes into purchasing visual art for the public. That art adds to the aesthetic value within the village. Additionally, the policy has created opportunities for artists. We now have a major sculpture at the new village hall we’re in the process of building.We have a major sculpture at the cultural center. And, once the recreation center is done, another sculpture will be over there. We have a part-time arts person working on attracting artists, and staff sends out requests for proposals (RFPs) to do that art.” In addition to the visual arts, the Art in Public Places program also sup-
ement that I’m really excited about is that we are in our second year of bringing the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival to Commons Park July 21-24,” Rodusky said.“This year they’re going to present Richard II. Our residents can see and engage in art.” The fiscal responsibility of the village is something Rodusky also takes pride in. “I love that we have maintained our safe and secure community without increasing taxes year after year,” she said. “Truly, it’s incredible that we’re now nearly 40,000 residents, and that we’re still able to maintain our tax rate without an increase. Looking toward the future, we have a beautiful opportunity to keep our values and our culture and our way of life in the middle of the growth all around us. We have opportunities to bring the community together through parks and recreation, and our events, and bring people together while maintaining our way of life.”
“It has been great raising my family here. It’s very family centered. We have so much for children, all the way to seniors. There are good programs and lots of parks, buildings and activities for people.” — Councilman Richard Valuntas Councilman Richard Valuntas and the proposed townhomes were was first elected to the council in 2010. He served until 2016, and then returned to the council in 2017. An attorney, he was born near Philadelphia but came down to Florida as a child in 1973 with his single mother and his older brother. They ended up in Hollywood near Fort Lauderdale. “Her father had retired here, and he was the only person she knew,” recalled Valuntas, who set about working and saving for college the moment he was old enough.“She was working multiple jobs and had no opportunity for further education, but I knew education was my way out.” Using scholarships and other financial assistance, he earned an undergraduate degree from Florida State University, then master’s and law degrees from FSU as well. After graduation in 1998, Valuntas returned to South Florida as a law clerk at the appellate courthouse in Palm Beach County and moved to Royal Palm Beach with his young family in 2001. Not too long after he arrived, he found himself volunteering on the Recreation Advisory Board. “I’ve always enjoyed sports, and I was always interested in government,”Valuntas said.“I found myself getting more involved when a new zoning design was going to allow for townhouses and commercial property along the front of my neighborhood, instead of the previously-planned-for single-family homes. My neighbors and I thought it was a horrible idea — it just didn’t fit.” The real estate bubble then burst,
never built. Instead, a senior living facility with much less density graces the site. Since then, Valuntas has continued his community activism. He is happy to be able to share his particular skill set with the council.“All the council members have areas they excel in,” he said. “The mayor is great with the financial stuff, Jan is good about arts and aesthetics; Selena knows marketing and promotion; and Jeff is very good about researching and has a lot of government experience with how systems work. What I bring is a practical, legal eye to look at things.” Valuntas said that one of the things he values most about Royal Palm Beach is the number of programs and resources available to residents. “It has been great raising my family here,” he said.“It’s very family centered. We have so much for children, all the way to seniors.There are good programs and lots of parks, buildings and activities for people. My younger son has played every sport Royal Palm Beach offers except tackle football. My older son was
into golf and tennis. Those are things that I definitely wasn’t exposed to as a child. It’s great for kids to be able to dip their toes into something and see if it’s something they would enjoy. And, overall, we’re a very safe community. Residents can walk and not feel threatened.” All in all, Valuntas takes off his hat to the village’s former and current leadership, both council members and staff. “They made some really good business deals that put us in a good position, especially with the sale of our water facility,” he said. “That helps us keep our millage rate low. It was a great move that occurred before my time on the council, and they deserve the credit for it. Right now, I feel the protection of our residents is paramount. I want to keep an eye on the major development at Southern Blvd. and State Road 7. There’s a ton of opportunity there, and I want to see it grow as it is supposed to grow.”
Council members Jeff Hmara, Jan Rodusky, Richard Valuntas, Selena Samios and Mayor Fred Pinto chat before a recent council meeting. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 19
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Young at Heart Club officers include (L-R) Royal Palm Beach Senior Programs Supervisor Shakeera Thomas, Hospitality Chair Dolly Hughes, Membership Chair Lee Messina, Decorating Committee Chair Mary Ann Robinson, Sunshine Chair Rhonda Ninfo, Vice President Mary Ellen Paulton, President Sandy Rubin and Secretary Francine Bryant.
SOCIAL PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS RPB Young At Heart Club Provides A Wide Array Of Activities For Local Senior Citizens STORY BY DEBORAH WELKY | PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN
The Young at Heart Club got its start in Royal Palm Beach more than three decades ago. This energetic group got started in 1990 with approximately 75 seniors and held business meetings and luncheons, got to know each other, and mushroomed in size to more than 450 members. “What I enjoy the most is the so-
cialization with everyone,” said Francine Bryant, YAH secretary since 2018. “When we look at what’s going on — a lot of people are lonely, locked at home, don’t get out — and here’s the Young at Heart Club. We have fun, and we get so much information from others. It makes you happy.” There was a membership hit due to
the pandemic, but it’s growing again. “It’s a very diverse group,” said Shakeera Thomas, a program supervisor for Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation whose specialty is the village’s senior population. “Young at Heart is open to anyone age 50 and up and, recently, we’re seeing an increase in membership among the male population.” royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 21
(Left) Alice and C.S. Stern enjoy getting into each month’s theme. (Right) Seniors take to the dance floor.
Thomas appreciates the enthusiasm of the YAH members. “They absolutely love it at all levels,” she said. “When we were able to start up our programs again post-COVID-19, I cannot begin to tell you how overwhelmed I was with phone calls.The seniors could not wait to get back to their activities.” The Young at Heart board of directors, with Thomas keeping an eye on the budget, does everything in their power to make members happy. The monthly luncheons, catered by the Gun Club Café, feature showcased entertainers, such as Elvis impersonators, 1950s singers, dance groups, comedians and more. There’s always a theme. In February, members wore red and celebrated Valentine’s Day; in March, they wore green for St. Patrick’s Day. In May, it was Cinco de Mayo with a mariachi band. And everyone’s on board because there are flyers, phone calls and announcements at meetings. “There’s a lot of socialization,”Thomas said.“Everyone is friends.” In addition to the luncheons,business breakfasts offer a more serious form of entertainment. Fire-rescue comes out and demonstrates the proper use of fire extinguishers. Health organizations give 22
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“They absolutely love it at all levels. When we were able to start up our programs again post-COVID-19, I cannot begin to tell you how overwhelmed I was with phone calls. The seniors could not wait to get back to their activities.” — Shakeera Thomas updates. The Royal Palm Beach Writing Group reads excerpts from their annual book project. Young at Heart President Sandy Rubin is about to roll out the group’s plans for upcoming trips, the most-requested YAH program of all — and a program that has been on hold for more than two years. “We weren’t going anywhere because of the pandemic, and we’re starting to come back,” Rubin said.“We’re in the process of organizing day trips, as well as some overnight trips. The membership can’t wait — it’s part of the reason they joined.” Day trips include jaunts via bus to casinos, movies, dinners and shows. Longer overnight trips are also popular. “We’ve even got a trip to Key West in the talking stages,” Rubin said. “Pre-COVID-19, we had all these trips on the agenda,” Thomas added. “But we followed the pandemic guidelines, and trips weren’t even budgeted for this fiscal year. We found performers instead.
But this fall, we’re going to be in the full swing of things.” While many seniors are ready to go, some are still holding back and staying home. “One of the biggest challenges Young at Heart is facing is just getting the membership to be comfortable enough to get out again,” Bryant said.“We dropped from 450 members to about 200.” Rubin and Thomas believe that the membership will return to pre-pandemic levels before too long. “This is top of the line for the village,” Thomas said. “They are going out of their way to bring this program back to where it was. It’s a wonderful community; the program continues to be a hit with the seniors; and the government of Royal Palm Beach has it at the top of their agenda.” Thomas gives credit to Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio and Assistant Director Mike Mikolaichik for the support they give the senior programming, such as Young at Heart.
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Shakeera Thomas (left) and Mayor Fred Pinto (center) with the many volunteers who received certificates of appreciation during the May luncheon.
“The two of them are such a great team with wanting to make sure this program is up to par,” Thomas said. “They’re listeners, and they listen to what the members want. As for me, I was honored to be asked to do this job. I’m a sucker for seniors. I love hearing their stories and comments and watching them dance and get up and have a good time. Life is short, and they’re having so much fun. It’s an amazing experience.” Aside from Rubin and Bryant, other YAH board members include Vice President Mary Ellen Paulton, Lee Messina (Membership/ Historian), Mary Ann Robinson (Decorating), Rhonda Ninfo (Sunshine) and Dolly Hughes (Hospitality). Thomas also makes sure there are plenty of things for village seniors to do outside of the club, such as chair yoga, tai chi, technology classes, oil and acrylic painting, a writing group, guest speakers, health workshops and the Silver Sneakers fitness program. There’s also a referral program to help seniors with various issues, whether they are having problems getting food, need Medicare counseling or are seeking legal advice. Some of these programs were also on hold due to the pandemic, but they are slowly returning, one by one. In 24
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the meantime, there’s always Young at Heart. “I love interacting with the people,” Rubin said.“I’m a people person, a very social person.The Young at Heart group keeps me going. It gives me a reason to get up in the morning, and I’ve made great friends. Anybody that hasn’t been with Young at Heart, I say, ‘Try to come and see what we’re all about.’” Bryant is always meeting new people and telling them about the club. “I interact with people I come across at the recreation center,” Bryant said. “I like to tell them about it. There’s a congregate meal program sponsored by Palm Beach County, and I ask them,‘Are you here for the first time?’ If so, I tell them about Young at Heart — how they
can interact with others and go on trips. I tell people at church. I enjoy it so very much that I want to share it.” Young at Heart business breakfasts are open to all members and are held the third Wednesday of every month from September through May at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center at 100 Sweet Bay Lane. Membership luncheons are held on the first Friday of every month from October through June at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, located 151 Civic Center Way. Young at Heart membership costs $90 per year and includes luncheons and most YAH programs. There is an additional fee for trips, based on cost. For more information, call Shakeera Thomas at (561) 790-5124.
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Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach Executive Director Matthew Sarnelli in front of the senior living facility, which opened in December 2020.
A FOCUS ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Inspired Living Brings Its Unique Take On Senior Living To The Western Communities STORY BY MIKE MAY | PHOTOS BY ABNER PEDRAZA
If you are in your senior years and are looking for a place to live that can provide comfort and assistance with daily activities, or you are caring for a loved one suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, you may want to consider an assisted living or memory care community — and if you are living in the western communities, be sure to check out Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach. Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach
opened in December 2020, conveniently located at 11911 Southern Blvd. This state-of-the-art facility caters to seniors who want to maintain their quality of life and yet need some type of daily support. “The communities were designed and built with state-of-the-art technology, amenities and programs, with the intent to meet and exceed the needs and expectations of our residents and fami-
lies,” Inspired Living CEO Steven Benjamin said.“We’re built for one purpose, to take care of moms and dads.” Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach is a luxury senior living community designed with today’s senior in mind. Service and care plans are personally customized to each resident, providing them with a specialized life plan to help them maintain the quality of life they deserve. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 27
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The well-maintained grounds include amenities, such as shuffleboard.
“We are a resort-style senior living community that caters to residents 62 years or older,” Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach Executive Director Matthew Sarnelli said.“Our community has 104 apartments consisting of studio and one-bedroom apartments.We are licensed to care for up to 114 residents.” Inspired Living provides a service that is in high demand. “We provide the housing solution for adult children who are looking for a safe, homelike environment for their moms and dads,” Sarnelli explained. At this local facility. Sarnelli and his team of caring professionals are personally committed to providing the best possible care and services. “At Inspired Living, we are driven by a higher purpose, moved to serve moms and dads as if they are our own,” Sarnelli said. According to Sarnelli, Royal Palm Beach is an ideal location for Inspired Living to have a brick-and-mortar presence because of the expanding senior population in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and The Acreage. When residents move to an Inspired Living community, they are encouraged to transform their apartment into their own “home sweet home.” “The residents rent their apartments, and we encourage them to personalize them as much as possible with family 28
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Common areas allow plenty of opportunities for residents to socialize.
pictures, artwork, a favorite chair,” Sarnelli said.“Whatever they can to make their new home warm and inviting. We want our residents to live and not just exist.” The amenities at Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach are numerous. They include a fitness center, bocce ball, shuffleboard, a putting green, corn hole, bingo and a movie theater. At the fitness cen-
ter, residents have access to fitness classes, strength training, Zumba, yoga, tai chi and balance classes.These fun social and wellness activities allow residents to get adjusted quicker to their new living situation, which builds friendships, which, in turn, enhance their physical and cognitive health. That’s a win-win for all involved.
“The residents rent their apartments, and we encourage them to personalize them as much as possible with family pictures, artwork, a favorite chair.” — Matthew Sarnelli (Below) Residents at Inspired Living are provided with a comfortable living space personalized to their needs.
At Inspired Living, a holistic approach is utilized so residents get healthy and stay healthy. And if you need specific long-term therapy, such as physical, occupational or speech therapy, it’s provided as well. When you move to Inspired Living, you deserve to live your best life, and Sarnelli and his team are focused on providing just that. Other than care services, dining is a crucial aspect of selecting the right senior living community to call home. Inspired Living’s dining service features three chef-prepared meals daily with restaurant-style, tableside service. They offer anytime dining, which means you can elect to sit with friends during scheduled dining hours or stop in anytime of the day for a meal. The facility also has a bistro with snacks and beverages available all day, providing a refined and delicious dining experience around the clock. As a side note, Executive Chef Evelyn Vega De Garcia recently won the Inspired Living Battle of the Chefs competition held in Orlando in March. “The goal of Inspired Dining is to provide the personalized service
which residents deserve and expect by combining creative cuisine, exceptional nutrition and service excellence,” Sarnelli said. “At Inspired Living, dining is an important social experience for our residents.We also have a happy hour from time to time, which is very popular.” If a resident needs a ride to a certain location in the area, Sarnelli’s team is there to assist, thereby saving the resident a possible taxi, Uber or Lyft expense. “We provide transportation to medical appointments, shopping outings, restaurants and scenic rides to the beach,” Sarnelli said. “And if provided with enough notice, we can take a resident to other locations, as well.” Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach is open daily for private community and model tours. The community will also provide a complimentary lunch with your tour reservation. They have several special events going on each month that visitors are welcome to attend. To learn more about Inspired Living Royal Palm Beach, visit www.inspiredliving.care or call (561) 5070989 to speak with a senior living counselor.
“At Inspired Living, we are driven by a higher purpose, moved to serve moms and dads as if they are our own.” — Matthew Sarnelli
royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 29
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royal palm | health
PHOTO BY ABNER PEDRAZA
EXPERT VETERINARY CARE Your Pets Are The Priority At ACCESS Specialty Hospitals Palm Beach County On Southern Blvd. BY MIKE MAY
If you live in the western communities and your pet needs specialty veterinary care or emergency services, you can find what you need close to home. At the northeast corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7, you’ll find ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Palm Beach County. ACCESS stands for Advanced Critical Care, Emergency, and Specialty Services. And just like a human hospital, this ani-
mal hospital never closes. It’s open for emergency services 24/7. Just as people, from time to time, need access to an MRI, CT scan, ultrasound, radiology treatment, cardiology care, the ICU or surgery, so do dogs and cats, which comprise the vast majority of the patients at ACCESS. If your pet needs a specialist in the area of veterinary oncology, neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology or internal medicine,
ACCESS also has experts who can provide that kind of professional expertise. The ophthalmology services at ACCESS allow it to provide unique vision assistance to dogs. “Dogs don’t read or drive cars, but we can provide some assistance with their vision,” said Mark Garrison, technician manager at the Animal Eye Specialty Clinic, which provides outside ophthalmology services for ACCESS. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 31
royal palm | health “We can equip a dog with ‘doggles.’ We call it goggles for dogs.And we have the expertise to treat cataracts, too,” Garrison added. ACCESS is owned by veterinarians and the staff shares a deep love for animals. Pets are an integral part of any family’s life, which is why the business is guided by four principles: quality, integrity, compassion and service. ACCESS is driven to exceed not just what patients expect but exceed the standards that the four owners have established for themselves.The practice is committed to finding ways to provide better care and treatment for every pet patient. When it comes to integrity, ACCESS will always provide the best possible care and do what is right for you and your pet. Meanwhile, the commitment to compassion is not driven by a marketing slogan.You can see it on the faces
and hear it in the voices of those who work there.The entire staff — from the receptionists to the most experienced, board-certified veterinarian — takes great pride in the role of helping animals heal so they can return home and lead a normal life. Services available at ACCESS are broad and far-reaching. It starts with a friendly greeting as soon as you walk through the front door.This includes accurate and timely reporting, spending time with you, explaining the proposed medical treatment, and rising before dawn to check on your pet. “We are the Mayo Clinic of veterinary medicine,” explained Co-Medical Director Marcos Unis, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA, a board-certified veterinary surgeon. “There’s a big need for specialty medicine for animals, and we provide it. We give clients all the information and let them make the final de-
cision on treatment for their pet.” According to Hospital Liaison Kami Kreaps, the majority of pets treated at ACCESS arrive based on a referral from a local veterinarian, but, again, the doors are always open if your primary veterinarian is closed or unavailable for emergency services. ACCESS has been open for just over a year, having opened its doors in April 2021. In the last 12 months, the practice has established relationships with more than 400 veterinarians from across South Florida. Capacity-wise, ACCESS can deal with many pets at the same time. It has room to house 120 pets in its more than 20,000-square-foot facility. There is a large staff of qualified professionals to take care of these companion animals: 75 surgery assistants/technicians, 16 veterinarians/specialists on staff, 15 exam rooms and four surgery suites.
ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals, located on Southern Blvd., has the latest, state-of-the-art equipment to take care of pets in need of emergency services.
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ACCESS also has its own triage area, pharmacy, lab and laundry room on site. It even has generators on standby, ready to provide power in case of a storm or anything else that might knock out the power. ACCESS also has the ability to produce its own oxygen on site. Personal service is important to the staff at ACCESS. As soon as a pet enters an exam room, a sign is put on the outside of the door with that pet’s name, so the attending veterinarian can provide personal service for the animal by name. In addition to being a hospital for sick or injured pets, ACCESS also serves as a place for area veterinarians and veterinary technicians to get educated about changes in the veterinary profession. “We have the room to host continuing education sessions for those who work in the veterinarian field,” Kreaps said. While ACCESS is committed to help-
“We are the Mayo Clinic of veterinary medicine. There’s a big need for specialty medicine for animals, and we provide it. We give clients all the information and let them make the final decision on treatment for their pet.” — Marcos Unis, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA ing your pet get well so it can go home, there are times when pets are not well enough to recover, and compassionate services are available for that as well. “We also provide end-of-life services for those sad and tragic moments in any pet’s life,” Kreaps said.
At ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals, pets are treated with a kind and gentle touch.
ACCESS Specialty Animal Hospitals Palm Beach County is located at 10465 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 7748855 or e-mail info@accessvet.com.Visit www.accessvetsflorida.com to learn more.
royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 33
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TASTY DELIGHTS FROM COLOMBIA
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El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 Offers Patrons Flavorful Latin Food In A Casual Atmosphere STORY AND PHOTOS BY MELANIE KOPACZ
It’s Colombian food as authentic as being in the coffee-growing capital of Pereira itself. The mountainous coffee-growing region of western Colombia is known for mild Arabica beans and a number of traditional flavorful foods. It’s those delectable recipes and other regional Latin dishes that can be found at El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 here in the western communities. Rinconcito Colombiano is nestled at the southeast corner of Southern Blvd. and State Road 7 in the Western Plaza shopping center with Home Depot.The tricolors of Colombia’s national flag with yellow, blue and red painted outside the restaurant proudly welcome customers as they walk in. The doors at this location opened four years ago to complement its original West Palm Beach restaurant. For many longtime customers, like Patricia Recalt and her son Giovanni, the food here feeds their soul. “We’ve shared a lot of special meals over the years. My husband, Arnaldo, who was from Cuba, passed away two years ago. We would come here for the traditional soups,” Patricia Recalt said. She and her friend, Marielena Hotusing, agreed it’s that soup and the many other Colombian dishes that they find both so comforting and appetizing. “If we can’t make it, we will come and get it here, because it’s the same thing as making it,” Recalt said.“It’s home-cooked food, and it’s delicious.” It’s delicious — and also as fresh as you can get.
(Clockwise from top left) A frothy Cappuccino made with the world-famous Colombian coffee; Pechuga De Pollo Asada features tenderly grilled chicken breast with rice and salad; Bandeja Paisa includes grilled steak, fried egg, pork belly, sausage, sweet plantains, beans, rice and half an avocado; a display of mouthwatering pastries and cheese-filled breads; the Club Sandwich is served on Cuban bread with ham, bacon, melted Swiss, lettuce, tomato and onion; the Colombian Burger is topped with bacon, pineapple, cheese, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayo and potato chips; and Colombian empanadas are made from corn meal and deep fried. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 35
Rinconcito Colombiano welcomes customers with the yellow, blue and red colors of Colombia’s flag.
“Everything is freshly made daily. We even have our own private butcher,” Rinconcito Colombiano’s General Manager Gladys Restrepo said.“We’re always busy because of the natural food and fresh ingredients.” Fresh ingredients, like in Colombia’s national dish, Bandeja Paisa, from the Antioquia region. The hearty meal includes grilled
steak, fried egg, pork belly, sausage, sweet plantains, beans and rice, as well as a half an avocado. It and other platters range around $13. The menu also includes flavorful seafood dishes and several chicken options, like Pechuga De Pollo Asada. The marinated and tenderly grilled chicken breast comes with rice and salad. Tasty and very filling empanadas are
enough for a meal in itself. While other areas of South America make the pockets with dough, Colombian empanadas are made from corn meal and deep fried, making for a soft-yet-crunchy bite into the full chunks of lean beef and potato mixture steaming hot inside. Aside from beef filling, you can get them with either chicken or cheese, and they are $1.59 each. Sandwiches include the Colombian Burger topped with bacon, pineapple, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and oozing with ketchup, mustard and mayo, with a topping of potato chips and served with a side of fries. The restaurant’s walls feature the typical street art in the city of Pereira, where Restrepo hails from, with a brightly painted mural of the mountainous landscape as a traditional bus travels along the Andes mountainside. A trellis hangs above with greenery.TVs fill the corners set to stations from the home country. The restaurant is often filled with
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people from all ethnicities and ages enjoying the food and conversation. The cozy dining room features a mixture of tables of four to some booths and high tops.There’s seating for 55, as well as an outdoor patio. Or sit up at the bar and grab one of the traditional coffees, like cafe con leche, or a frothy cappuccino. There are also a number of fresh juices, like passion fruit with milk. Several imported libations are also available with a running special of a bucket of beer or Cubetazo at $19 for five. A number of bakery items will tease your tastebuds, including cheese-filled breads like Pandebono. About a dozen delectable pastries are on display for the choosing. There are also gourmet desserts, like creamy rice pudding and more. If it’s a meal to start out the day, breakfast is served every day until noon with a number of popular dishes. The Tamal Paisa, a breakfast tamale, is a favorite for many. A corn cake stuffed with chicken, pork, potatoes, peas and carrots, it is
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Murals of typical Colombian street art adorn the walls featuring the country’s famous mountainside.
then wrapped in banana leaves with a side of rice or corn cake. Latin music fills the background as people enjoy the cultural culinary delights. For many, it truly is a taste of home. “Our staff is like family,” Restrepo said, adding that the nationally recognized Colombian food at Rinconcito Colombiano comes from many family recipes. She wants all who eat there to feel
the same love in those recipes, too. El Rinconcito Colombiano #2 is located at 9900 Southern Blvd. in the shopping plaza at the southeast corner of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. near Home Depot. The restaurant is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with breakfast served from 7 a.m. to noon. For more information or takeout, call (561) 304-8650 or (561) 469-1689.
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royal palm | today
HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH June Offers Two Chances For Residents To Influence The Future Of The Community BY ELLIOT COHEN
How will you help shape the future of Royal Palm Beach? Within the last year, a survey by the consulting firm Deloitte found that among various layers of government, the most trusted is local government. In fact, the survey found that the more local the government, the more trusted it is among its citizens. Trust is often built upon one essential pillar. That pillar is the degree upon which a government allows its citizens to participate in the governing process. For leaders in the Village of Royal Palm
Beach, participation by the public is not only welcomed, but it is also essential. Annual Citizen Summit Set for June 9 — For approximately a decade, Royal Palm Beach has opened the doors of governing and invited the public to play a critical role in charting the future course of the community.This June, the process renews again as the village holds its annual Citizen Summit. The Citizen Summit 2023 will be held June 9, 2022, at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center, located at 151
Civic Center Way. For two hours, beginning at 6 p.m., a two-way dialogue between village leadership and the public will take place during which both information and ideas about the future of Royal Palm Beach will be exchanged. The summit is a formal process where the village invites residents to go over some of the strategies and plans that have been put in place for the coming year and beyond. But it is also a chance to adjust those strategies based on feedback from the public. royal palm the magazine | may/june 2022 39
The goal of the summit is to get input from residents about where they see the village today, what they would like to see in five to 10 years, and what they want to get done in the next one or two years. Among the initiatives that have come from previous summits were development at Commons Park as well as
making senior housing a village priority. This year, the village’s Strategic Plan priorities include balancing the 2023 budget without having to raise property tax rates, moving forward with the State Road 7 vision and planning to the point where the village has a clear direction on actions it will take to economically
redevelop the corridor, and completing the redesign of the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center expansion, as well as allocating additional funding for the project. While those are the village’s priorities, what are the most important issues you believe should be on the agenda? During the Citizen Summit, members of the public will be asked to provide their input on the village’s five-year vision and offer their own ideas on what action items should be prioritized in 2023. Everyone will have the opportunity to write down ideas on large sheets of paper to be shared with the group. The only rules: everyone’s ideas are important, and treat everyone with respect, even if you disagree. State Road 7 Public Hearing Set for June 8 — Another opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of the village will be at the upcoming public input sessions focused on the future of State Road 7.
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royal palm | today This past year, Royal Palm Beach has been working with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) on developing a plan to revitalize the corridor. One of the essential goals of the project is to solicit community input on, and develop strategies for, sustainable redevelopment from just south of Southern Blvd. to just north of Okeechobee Blvd. Held just one day before the Citizen Summit, the first of two planned public workshops on State Road 7 will be on June 8 at the Cultural Center. Beginning at 6 p.m., the workshop will solicit input from the community on appropriate and desired redevelopment patterns and provide insight on what other places are doing to revitalize similar areas. Eventually, the TCRPC will develop design concepts, illustrations and renderings depicting potential redevelopment scenarios up and down SR 7. It will make recommendations for changing the development rules and zoning
At the Citizen Summit, residents will be able to give their input directly to village leaders.
along the corridor to enable the desired redevelopment. Finally, the project will include working with village staff to create redevelopment incentive programs that encourage investment in the area. These two days in June are critical to the future of Royal Palm Beach. The
best results always come from the best plans.And when it comes to the growth of Royal Palm Beach, the best results for its citizens come from the best input by its citizens. Don’t waste an opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of the village.
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