WESTLAKE THE MAGAZINE – May/June 2026

Award-Winning Stroke Care … Close to Home

Think BE FAST

Recognizing the signs of a possible stroke and acting swiftly is crucial for minimizing brain damage and improving outcomes.

Balance: Is the person experiencing dizziness or having trouble walking?

Eye: Is the person having trouble seeing in one or both eyes?

Face Drooping: Ask the person to smile. Is one side of their face drooping?

Arm Weakness: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech Difficulty: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange?

Time to Call 911: If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately.

If you think you or someone near you is having a stroke, every second counts. CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY.

features

MARSHA MONTOYA CREATES BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE & JEWELRY

Inside sculptor Marsha Montoya’s home studio in Westlake, artwork and creativity permeate every corner, from the imposing six-foot carved-stone sculptures to the meticulously arranged tiny glass pieces waiting to be made into a mosaic.

FOURTHFEST TO CELEBRATE WESTLAKE’S TENTH ANNIVERSARY

This year’s Westlake FourthFest is not only the fifth annual holiday celebration, but it is also an exciting milestone for the community: Westlake’s 10-year anniversary. The event is set to go off with a bang on Saturday, July 4, starting at 5 p.m.

A WIDE ARRAY OF SERVICES AT DENTAL CARE AT SEMINOLE RIDGE

Dental Care at Seminole Ridge, the office of Dr. Jean Russell and Dr. Deanna Pandolfo, doesn’t just serve the Westlake community, it is part of the community itself.

AT 85, NORTON

MUSEUM LOOKS AHEAD TO SHOWING NEW ART

This year, the Norton Museum of Art celebrated its 85th anniversary with a critically acclaimed Rembrandt exhibition that drew more than 100,000 visitors. But rather than looking back, the Norton is looking ahead.

MAKE

A SPLASH THIS SUMMER AT WESTLAKE ADVENTURE PARK

The Westlake Adventure Park is the go-to, resort-style destination for residents looking to unwind, connect and enjoy the summer without ever leaving home.

ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD AT THE DANCING CRANE RESTAURANT

Inside the Dancing Crane restaurant at the Sandhill Crane Golf Club, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere and welcoming staff serving everything from comfort food to a delicious ribeye steak.

WESTLAKE SOCIAL SCENE

SpringFest Celebrates Easter With A Family-Friendly Event

Westlake Residents Paint The Town Green On St. Patrick’s Day

executive editor

Joshua I. Manning

publisher

Dawn Rivera

senior writer

Louis Hillary Park

creative director

Stephanie Rodriguez

account managers

Betty Buglio

Evie Edwards

Joetta Palumbo

Jennifer Preville

administration

Shanta Daibee

Jill Kaskel

Carol Lieberman

photography

Frank Koester

Abner Pedraza

contributors

Shannon Anastasio

Angelic Bringas

Margaret Hunt

Mike May

Scott Simmons

Fiona Slusarev

Phone: (561) 793-7606

Fax: (561) 793-1470

www.westlakethemagazine.com

published by Westlake Magazine LLC

chairman/ceo

Barry S. Manning

On our cover is Westlake resident Marsha Montoya, a noted sculpture artist who has created pieces known the world over. In our feature story on Montoya, you’ll learn about her creative process that leads to larger-than-life creations in bronze to one-of-a-kind mosaic jewelry pieces. We also preview Westlake’s FourthFest celebration on Saturday, July 4. The community’s largest annual event, FourthFest will also mark the city’s 10th anniversary. Meanwhile, if you’re seeking summer fun, look no further than the Westlake Adventure Park, where you can enjoy all that the season has to offer without ever leaving home.

Dr. Jean Russell and Dr. Deanna Pandolfo of Dental Care at Seminole Ridge, profiled this issue, offer everything from routine cleanings and checkups to orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry, all while taking an active role in supporting the Westlake community.

Next, we visit the venerable Norton Museum of Art, one of the true gems of the Palm Beaches. Finally, we visit the Dancing Crane restaurant in the Sandhill Crane Golf Club. Featuring great food with amazing golf course views, the Dancing Crane is operated by noted restaurateur Avi Sekerel.

From all of us here at Westlake The Magazine, we offer congratulations to the Class of 2026 at Seminole Ridge High School. We can’t wait to see all the amazing things you will accomplish!

WESTLAKE SPRINGFEST CELEBRATES EASTER WITH A FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT

Thousands of people were on hand when the City of Westlake held its annual SpringFest celebration on Saturday, March 28. The free family-friendly event included Easter egg hunts for various age groups; live music and entertainment; face painting and balloon twisting; food trucks and market vendors; and, of course, photos with the Easter Bunny. The event was held along Ilex Way, across from the Lodge at Westlake Adventure Park.

On Tuesday, March 17, the Westlake community came together for a St. Patrick’s Day Paint the Town Green event. Families enjoyed music from a DJ, chalk art, fun games and a drawing contest.

“I always say, time means nothing in the face of creativity.”

— Marsha Montoya

ARTIST MARSHA MONTOYA CREATES BEAUTIFUL SCULPTURE AND JEWELRY AT HER WESTLAKE HOME STUDIO

STORY BY FIONA SLUSAREV | PHOTOS BY FIONA SLUSAREV AND COURTESY MARSHA MONTOYA

Inside sculptor Marsha Montoya’s home studio in Westlake, artwork and creativity permeate every corner, from the imposing six-foot carved-stone sculptures to the meticulously arranged tiny glass pieces waiting to be made into a mosaic.

Montoya has had a lifetime of creating, showcasing, and teaching sculpture and printmaking. She is wellknown for creating the bronze memorial sculpture of Henry J. Rolfs Sr. that resides in front of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach.

Originally from New York City, Montoya said that she has been an artist in many mediums since she was just four years old.

“I never wanted to do anything else,” she noted.

In the late 1970s, Montoya received

her bachelor of fine arts degree from the Pratt Institute in New York, and went on to earn her master of fine arts degree at the Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando in Madrid. Later, she continued with her postgraduate studies at Kent State University and the British Museum in London.

During her undergraduate studies, Montoya began carving stone. She was one of only a few carvers because many of the artists found working in the medium too slow of a process. However, Montoya didn’t mind the hours needed to sculpt. She learned to hand-carve traditionally with chisels and tools, only later branching into pneumatic tools.

She has had sculptures and etchings featured in shows, embassies and museums across the Americas and Europe, and she also ran workshops before her return to the United States and subsequent move to Palm Beach.

Montoya started Montoya Art Studios with her former husband Luis Montoya in 1986. Their team was involved in every step of the sculpting process, from sourcing stone and tools for universities and municipalities, to running a foundry where other sculptors could have their work cast in bronze.

Montoya had a map covered in pins marking every place they supplied.

“I always say, time means nothing in the face of creativity,” Montoya explained.

“When I travel, I pass schools and I remember, ‘I bought their supplies and their tools and their stones,’” she said.

Montoya did a great deal of repair

work, especially in Palm Beach, and was a part of Save Outdoor Sculpture (SOS!), a national movement in the 1990s to document and conserve outdoor sculptures. She worked with the Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach on an ongoing basis for maintenance on their sculptures.

Passing on her knowledge, she also held Montoya’s Famous Sculptors Seminars in the U.S. and across Europe. She would bring accomplished clay and stone sculptors from across the world to four- and five-day seminars for other artists. During this time, Montoya also had apprentices that she educated on the business side of art, and she ran a printmaking program with etching and lithography in West Palm Beach. She switched her focus back to her personal art in the early 2000s.

“I got annoyed because I couldn’t participate,” Montoya laughed. “That’s when I transitioned back to doing my own work.”

In her own artwork, Montoya primarily focuses on carving stone and creating bronze sculptures that have no front or back. Her philosophy of never rushing the creative process has served her well. The 15-foot bronze sculpture of Rolfs took her a year to create. Starting with a maquette, a small model, of what would become the sculpture, Montoya worked with the City of West Palm Beach and the Rolfs family to create a welcoming sculpture for CityPlace.

The sculpture honors Rolfs, one of the original visionaries for what became CityPlace, initially called the Uptown/Downtown Project in the late 1980s. He and David Paladino produced a plan to turn the land into a social hub with offices, stores and homes. They also donated the five acres that became the Kravis Center.

Montoya still has the maquette of Rolfs in her studio that she had to enlarge little by little to reach its imposing size. The material of maquettes can vary between projects; sometimes she uses stone, plaster or even foam. She then uses calipers or a pantograph, which is a mechanical tool that both measures and upscales measurements, to translate the scale of her sculptures to larger sizes.

“At the time I got that [pantograph], there were only three in the country. It was a great gift to be able to purchase it,” Montoya recalled.

Once the model is made and translated to its final size, a mold can be created, and that will be cast in bronze. For The Guardian, an imposing sculpture of a face, Montoya started by carving foam and finished in cold-cast bronze. Similar to the Rolfs sculpture, she finds that large pieces like this take around a year to complete.

Some sculptures remain in stone without being cast in bronze, like Seaflower. Montoya started carving a large block of stone and then brought it into her home to finish carving on top of

sandbags. She worked nine months to complete it.

“I did all the finishing work in my family room, and I had to pull the carpet out afterward. Somewhere, there’s pictures of me working on it like a maniac covered in dust,” Montoya recalled.

In addition to large-scale sculpture, Montoya also spends her days crafting intricate mosaics and jewelry. She uses natural gemstones, antique pieces and other unusual natural materials like coral.

Simply by looking at a piece of turquoise, Montoya often can tell what mine it’s from. The sources of her pieces all have an interesting backstory. She has even used pieces of her own grandmother’s necklace to make reworked jewelry.

“Jewelry, for me, is like a miniature sculpture — mini-sculptures that people can wear,” Montoya said.

Montoya’s mosaics are complex designs with bright motifs. Some are flat like the koi fish mosaic coffee table on her patio, while others are threedimensional like her sun mosaic of the solar system or her plant pot mosaics.

Always needing to create, she is constantly working on multiple sculptural, jewelry and mosaic projects at once. “It’s all about the creative process,” Montoya said.

To learn more about Marsha Montoya and her artwork, visit www.facebook. com/marshamontoyamayer, or find her on Instagram @Marsha_Montoya.

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CELEBRATE COMM TENTH ANNIVERSARY

BY FIONA SLUSAREV

This year’s Westlake FourthFest is not only the fifth annual holiday celebration, but it is also an exciting milestone for the community: Westlake’s 10-year anniversary. The event is set to go off with a bang on Saturday, July 4, starting at 5 p.m.

Since its incorporation in 2016, the City of Westlake has grown exponentially. In 2020, the population was 906 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and quickly climbed to 7,664 by 2024, with the population continuing to grow to an estimated 11,000 more recently.

The upcoming FourthFest event is

a landmark celebration, applauding the evolution of Westlake, as well as marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

eryone can enjoy. “Families, kids, new residents, longtime neighbors — if you live in Westlake or the surrounding area, this night is for you,” he said.

This family-oriented gathering will have a variety of fun activities and mouthwatering treats to choose from, and, of course, fireworks. From ongoing musical entertainment to activities for every member of the family, the evening is sure to attract Westlake residents and visitors alike. Get ready to dance along with the evening’s headliner, the tribute band Dancing Queen.

According to Westlake Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor, this is an event that ev-

Children can look forward to bounce houses, new Lego activities, obstacle courses, face painting and balloon animals. They can take time to explore the festival with neighbors and classmates, and meet new friends from across the western communities. Older siblings may especially appreciate a chance to experience something new with the rock-climbing wall.

Festivalgoers will relish the assortment of food trucks and delicious bites.

Old favorites and new options are sure to give everyone something to snack on. Take a break from the summer heat with a frozen treat or an ice-cold drink while supporting a local business.

This community-favorite tradition always draws a large crowd. Last year’s celebration saw thousands in attendance, and this year, between 4,000 to 5,000 people are expected to commemorate Independence Day at Westlake’s event.

As the City of Westlake continues to grow, so does the patronage to the festival.

“At its core, this is about celebrating America’s freedom — and doing it together,” O’Connor explained. “It’s a chance for our residents to come out, be proud of our country, and share that moment with their neighbors as one community.”

This community-building event showcases Westlake’s values of interconnection and partnership among its residents, businesses and the wider region. It’s a chance to merge fun and function as locals meet more community members, local businesses are highlighted and community spirit is fostered.

“It’s safe, it’s family-focused and it’s intentional. This isn’t just an event — it’s a reflection of who we are as a city: connected, proud and growing together,” O’Connor noted.

No Fourth of July bash would be complete without fireworks. Often the

favorite moment of the evening, eventgoers can look forward to the fireworks show starting at 9 p.m. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the fireworks in comfort.

O’Connor’s personal favorite moment of FourthFest is right before the fireworks display begins. “When the whole crowd is together, music is playing, and you can feel the energy of the city. That moment never gets old,” he said.

This high-energy night always shows that summer is in full swing with everyone in their red, white and blue best. Anticipate a live performance of the national anthem, as well as exciting giveaways and prizes. O’Connor is even “working on something very special” that is yet to be announced.

This year’s FourthFest will be held just south of Seminole Ridge High School at the future Seminole Improvement District park site. The celebration is free to attend, making it accessible for people across the community. Polite pets are welcome to the festivities, but grills and personal fireworks should remain at home.

Take the opportunity to make memories with friends, family and new neighbors at this community celebration marking two great milestones.

For more information about FourthFest, including sponsorship opportunities, find its event page at www.westlakegov. com for updates.

DENTAL CARE AT SEMINOLE RIDGE OFFERS A WIDE ARRAY OF DENTISTRY SERVICES

BY FIONA SLUSAREV

Dental Care at Seminole Ridge doesn’t just serve the Westlake community, it is part of the community itself.

Dr. Jean Russell and Dr. Deanna Pandolfo have been giving Westlake residents perfect smiles for the past year-and-a-half. The practice offers everything from routine cleanings and checkups to orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Every member of the family can get the dental care they need at the practice.

“We pride ourselves on being able to provide a wide range of dental ser-

vices under one roof, so patients don’t have to bounce between offices or deal with unnecessary referrals,” Russell explained.

For those twice-yearly cleanings and check-ups, their team of dedicated hygienists are ready to serve. The team can also help with endodontic issues, such as chipped or cracked teeth, root canals and oral trauma; oral surgeries, like wisdom tooth extractions and dental implants; and restorative dentistry, including dentures and bridges.

“On any given day, we might see

someone coming in for an emergency, someone dealing with ongoing pain, or a family that started with one visit and gradually brought in everyone from kids to grandparents,” Russell said.

Russell and Pandolfo also offer the latest technologies in orthodontics to give patients a functional bite and stunning smile. Traditional braces are available, as well as Invisalign to offer treatment options. Cosmetic dentistry provides another route to make your smile stand out, with professional whitening, tooth bonding and veneers.

“We bring different strengths to the table,” Russell said of Pandolfo. “When we combine them, it allows us to create better, more thoughtful treatment plans. Her expertise in orthodontics complements my focus on creating healthy, functional bites and long-lasting restorations.”

Russell holds a doctor of dental surgery (DDS) degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., as well as a bachelor’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. He realized he wanted to become a dentist when he witnessed how his father struggled to find one who could treat his severe toothache. Every dental practitioner they went to couldn’t treat his father’s issue without referring them somewhere, and all the specialists they were referred to were financially out of reach.

“I made a promise to myself that I would become proficient in procedures like root canals and extractions so I could help people immediately — without putting them in a financial situation that might prevent them from getting the care they need,” Russell explained.

Russell wants to meet patients where they are at and provide easily accessible, top-quality care. Patients don’t need referrals, because everything is offered in the office. He even leaves room in his schedule to accommodate emergencies that might pop up.

Russell’s first priority is alleviating pain or preventing it altogether. He understands that dental pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life — from eating and sleeping, to interacting with others.

For Russell, the most rewarding thing about being a dentist is helping people in his community that he sees daily, like when he picks up his daughters from school or zips around on his golf cart. He strives to be an active part of the Westlake community, whether that means he and his team attend community events like Westlake’s FourthFest and SpringFest, or host a free dental day annually in September.

“It’s important to me that people know we’re not just here to provide a service, we’re here to be part of the

“It’s important to me that people know we’re not just here to provide a service, we’re here to be part of the community in a meaningful way. Those interactions outside the office help build relationships that make people feel more comfortable when they come in for care.”

— Dr. Jean Russell

community in a meaningful way. Those interactions outside the office help build relationships that make people feel more comfortable when they come in for care,” Russell said.

His team is also a part of the Westlake community, with many staff members residing in Westlake. Patients can come to trust the team at Dental Care at Seminole Ridge, many of whom are their neighbors.

“That familiarity creates a different level of trust,” Russell reflected. “It feels less like a transaction and more like taking care of people we genuinely know.”

Russell also hopes this atmosphere will ease some apprehension for people who are anxious about going to the dentist. His goal is to create an environment where people feel comfortable and confident about the care they receive. He emphasizes the importance of tackling dental issues as they arise and not waiting for them to escalate.

“Avoiding the dentist often leads to bigger problems, more pain, more complex procedures and higher costs down

the line. Addressing things early is almost always simpler, more affordable and more effective,” Russell said.

Accessing care at Seminole Ridge is made as easy as possible because they accept most major insurance plans. If you are out of network or simply don’t have dental insurance, the team is happy to develop a strategy for you to get what you need. The office accepts CareCredit, a healthcare credit card, and VantageOne, an annual dental discount savings plan.

Dr. Jean Russell, Dr. Deanna Pandolfo and the team from Dental Care at Seminole Ridge are happy to step up to accommodate the needs of Westlake residents.

“The goal is simple: Make it easier for people to take care of their oral health without added stress,” Russell said.

Dental Care at Seminole Ridge is located at 4901 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Unit 1200. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit www.dentalcareatseminoleridge.com or call (561) 473-9318.

AT 85, NORTON MUSEUM LOOKS AHEAD TO SHOWING NEW ART

BY SCOTT SIMMONS

This year, the Norton Museum of Art celebrated its 85th anniversary, and it recently hosted “Art and Life in Rembrandt’s Time: Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection,” a critically acclaimed exhibition that drew more than 100,000 visitors and received international news coverage.

But rather than looking back, the Norton is looking ahead to creating new ways to educate and inspire the community with exhibitions, lectures, films, performances and community days.

As always, art comes first.

Fifteen years ago, the Norton made a commitment to showcase art by

women, offering its Recognition of Art by Women (RAW) series. Two shows in that series are now on view, “Danielle Mckinney: Shelter” and “Recognition of Art by Women: In Retrospect.”

“The Recognition of Art by Women series is central to the Norton’s mission,” said Ghislain d’Humières, the museum’s Kenneth C. Griffin Director and CEO. “Each exhibition offers an opportunity to showcase the work of exceptional women artists and to highlight their lasting impact on the field.

Danielle Mckinney’s exhibition continues this legacy, reflecting the power and diversity of artistic voices that define the RAW program.”

In a world in which works by women artists figured in only 14.9 percent of exhibitions at 31 prominent U.S. museums between 2008 and 2020, the Norton included works by women in 44 percent of its shows. Over the last five years, that trajectory has accelerated, with women artists featured in 57 percent of all Norton exhibitions.

Curated by J. Rachel Gustafson, chief curatorial officer at the Norton, “Danielle Mckinney: Shelter” showcases works that center on solitary female figures within interior settings, offering glimpses into moments of private contemplation, respite or ease.

“Mckinney’s paintings unfold like

moments suspended in time,” Gustafson said. “They invite viewers to consider the emotional and spiritual dimensions of solitude, and how stillness itself can become a site of imagination and strength. Her work captures an interior world that feels both deeply personal and profoundly human.”

The exhibition continues through Oct. 4.

The companion exhibition, “In Retrospect,” curated by Arden Sherman, the Norton’s Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, traces the breadth of practices that the RAW series has championed over the past iterations.

The nine featured artists are British painter Jenny Saville (2011), American painter Sylvia Plimack Mangold (2012), British sculptor Phyllida Barlow (2013), Swedish sculptor Krista Kristalova (2014), Nigerian painter Njideka Akunyili Crosby (2016), Austrian painter Svenja Deininger (2017), American artist Nina Chanel Abney (2019), Colombian visual artist María Berrío (2021) and Santa Clara Pueblo artist Rose B. Simpson (2024).

The exhibition continues through Sept. 27.

These shows are joined by an array of other exhibitions on display this summer at the Norton, including:

• Artists at Work — Through June 21. Through paintings, sculptures, photographs and more, this installation reveals a sliver of the who, where and how behind the art. Artists’ portrayals of themselves and others in the act of artmaking accompany depictions of dynamic studios, while examples of artists’ preparatory works illustrate their creative processes.

• That’s Entertainment: Japanese Prints and the Art of Leisure — Through July 5. This exhibition presents 31 Japanese woodblock prints by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864) and other leading artists of the Edo period (16151868) and focuses on portraits of celebrated Kabuki actors from major productions staged in Edo (presentday Tokyo) theaters during the 19th century.

• 60 Seconds: Polaroids from the Collection — Through Aug. 16. This exhibit

The Recognition of Art by Women (RAW) Series

Danielle Mckinney: Shelter Through Oct. 4

Recognition of Art by Women: In Retrospect

Through Sept. 27

Artists at Work

Through June 21

© ARTIST’S ESTATE

60

Seconds: Polaroids from the Collection Through Aug. 16

celebrates the photography’s signature immediacy, tracing how artists have embraced Polaroids, or instant film, for their ability to produce a unique image in mere moments.

• Galloping Steed: Celebrating the Year of the Horse in Chinese Paintings Through Aug. 23. This exhibition brings together works by Xu Beihong (1895-1953), one of the most celebrated artists of early 20th-century China, alongside rare paintings by Louis Antoine de Poirot (1735-1813), a French Jesuit artist who served at the court of the Qianlong Emperor (reigned 17351796). “Galloping Steed” is part of a multiyear exhibition series developed by the Norton Museum of Art in partnership with the Dongguan Lou Collection.

• Portrait Mode: Self-reflections from Past, Present and Future — Art by students on display through Aug. 16.

• Cursed Images: Pictures Out of Context — May 9 through Nov. 1. This exhibition features 20th-century everyday, amateur snapshots from the Peter J. Cohen Collection, one of the largest privately held archives of anonymous photographs in the United States. It highlights photographs whose subjects or object relationships evoke a subtle, inexplicable unease.

• Art & Independence: America at 250 — July 4 through Dec. 6. Works from the collection that celebrate the U.S. semiquincentennial.

• Florida Roots: Ralph Coburn — July 25 through Jan. 3. This exploration explores the work of Ralph Coburn (1923-2018), who spent most of his winters in Miami Beach and was influenced by its Art Deco architecture.

• Visible Fiction: Photography and Artifice — Sept. 19 through Feb. 21. An

exhibition that explores the theatricality of photography.

The Norton also hosts Art After Dark from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, with admission that’s free for members; $10 for adults and seniors; and $5 for students. First Friday of the month is Jazz Friday. Tours are 5 and 7 p.m. Open Studio art workshops are 6 to 9 p.m. Artist tours are at 8 p.m. the third Friday of the month. Meanwhile, check the calendars each month for the Jazz Brunch hosted in the restaurant.

The Norton Museum of Art is located at 1450 S. Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. Tickets are $18 for adults; $15 for seniors; $5 for students; and free for active military and veterans with ID, Florida educators with ID, and free Saturday admission for Palm Beach County residents from Memorial Day to Labor Day. To learn more, call (561) 832-5196 or visit www.norton.org.

Norton By The Numbers 2024-25 Season

• 121,000+ total museum visitors

• 1,300+ docent and curator-led public tours

• 470+ diverse public programs and events

• 29,000+ free admissions

• 17 original and traveling special exhibitions

• 100+ corporate, community and civic partners

• 118,500+ visitors to headlining special exhibitions

• 160+ new artworks added to the collection

• 3 artists-in-residence

• 8,750+ artworks in the museum collection

• 567 artworks on loan from other museums and collections

The Norton’s Art After Dark program runs from 5 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, with admission that’s free for members; $10 for adults and seniors; and $5 for students.

WESTLAKE RESIDENTS

The Town-Crier Newspaper is the only community newspaper regularly covering the City of Westlake, and you can get it delivered directly to your mailbox for FREE just by requesting to be placed on the mailing list.

— and at Westlake, it all comes togeth er in one place.

At the center of the community, the Westlake Adventure Park transforms into a go-to, resort-style destination for residents looking to unwind, connect and enjoy the season without ever leaving home.

Spanning 15 acres, the $22 million amenity has become a spot where summer memories are made. From early morning swims to peaceful mo-

Where the Season Comes to Life — At the heart of the park is the lagoon pool, where families gather to cool off and spend hours under the sun. The towering water slide adds a dose of excitement, while younger residents make the most of the soft-surface splash pad designed just for them. For those looking to take a slower pace, the adultsonly lap pool, shaded pavilions and private cabanas provide a more relaxed setting to recharge.

Throughout the summer, the space be comes a natural meeting point where neighbors reconnect, kids make new friends and everyday routines shift outdoors.

Beyond the water, the park offers a range of activities that keep residents moving and engaged. The BMX pump park, lighted basketball courts and open lawn areas provide plenty of options for those looking to stay active, while the adventure playground jungle

“Our vision has always been to build a place where residents naturally come together.”

—

Senior

Minto Communities USA

Vice President John Carter

gym continues to be a favorite for younger residents.

Summer Fun, All Planned Out — Westlake’s programming adds another layer to the experience.

Events like family game nights, food truck Fridays and the highly anticipated End of Summer Splash bring residents together in a casual, social setting. For adults, events like Sunset Sips Paint Night offer a chance to unwind, while kids can stay active through youth sports programming with i9 Sports, including summer camps and seasonal clinics in soccer and basketball. There’s also a focus on safety and skill-building, with water safety classes designed to help residents of all ages feel confident in and around the water, an important addition during the peak of summer.

A Built-In Sense of Community — What sets the Westlake Adventure

Park apart isn’t only the variety of amenities, but how they’re used. The event lawn and concert pavilion continue to host gatherings throughout the season, such as outdoor festivals, movie nights and live music, fostering a sense of community among neighbors.

Meanwhile, the Lodge serves as a multipurpose hub for organized activities and private events. Even casual afternoons can turn into impromptu gettogethers, whether families are sharing a meal from the food trucks, grilling at the barbecue stations, relaxing in the picnic areas, or catching up with neighbors over treats from the Snack Shack and Scoops Ice Cream.

“Our vision has always been to build a place where residents naturally come together,” Minto Communities USA Senior Vice President John Carter said. “In the summer especially, you really

see that come to life. The Adventure Park becomes part of people’s routine, whether they’re spending the day at the pool, attending a community event or simply connecting with neighbors.”

The Advantage of Living at Westlake — At a time of year when many are searching for ways to stay active and entertained, Westlake residents already have it built into their lifestyle. The Westlake Adventure Park offers a level of access and convenience that transforms everyday summer living, all without the need to plan a getaway.

From poolside fun to sunset gatherings, summer at Westlake comes alive through outdoor adventures, neighborly connections and community experiences.

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

ENJOY DELICIOUS FOOD IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE AT THE DANCING CRANE

BY FIONA SLUSAREV

Inside the Dancing Crane restaurant, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere and welcoming staff serving everything from comfort food to a delicious ribeye steak. Restaurateur and owner Avi Sekerel has been serving up tasty dishes to the community since 2019.

The Dancing Crane is inside the Sandhill Crane Golf Club, which is open to the public and located just off Northlake Blvd. While golfers can often be found having lunch after time on the course, you don’t need to ever set foot on the green to enjoy brunch, lunch or dinner at the restaurant. There is something to please everyone on the diverse menu.

“We do have healthy salads and sandwiches, and a great array of appetizers,” Sekerel explained. “When it comes to the main course, we cover comfort food, but also offer elaborate steaks and fish dishes.”

Open weekdays starting at 11 a.m. for lunch, and weekends at 10:30 a.m. for brunch, it’s easy to find your new favorite go-to meal. Patrons love the Beef Sliders with melted cheddar, chipotle aioli and onion rings; the Famous Jumbo Wings with sauce choices such as Buffalo, Korean BBQ or Carolina

BBQ; and an array of flatbreads as appetizers.

“Ours are the largest chicken wings that you’ll find in the area,” Sekerel said. “It’s a great value — a lot of meat and very juicy.”

Value and quality are central concepts at the Dancing Crane, where the menu is picked to give customers the best food at accessible prices. For entrees, patrons can enjoy a delicious fish dish for $30 or under. The Apricot Glazed Salmon with braised baby spinach and apricot chutney is a crowdpleaser.

Sekerel uses his training in hospitality management, as well as business and hotel administration, to cater to his clientele’s tastes. He wants his dishes to be both beautiful and attainable. “We want to keep our prices in the range of comfort,” he said.

For meat-lovers, there is a weekly Prime Rib Night on Fridays, where freshly prepared steaks are available at a more affordable price. A portion of this freshly roasted prime rib also goes to their bestselling French Dip sandwich, which includes shaved prime rib, horseradish aioli and melted provolone on ciabatta with a rich au-jus dipping

sauce. All their beef is aged in-house for 21 days to achieve peak flavor.

Vegetarians, or those looking to get in their greens, will appreciate the various salad offerings that are not only flavorful but also filling. The Baked Goat Cheese Tuscan Salad is popular, and it is Sekerel’s top choice of the salads. It features a sizeable portion of mixed greens, roasted red peppers, kalamata olives and asiago with balsamic dressing and goat cheese crostini, coming together to make a flavorful meal.

“The salads are very popular, and we have a huge diversity of them,” Sekerel said.

Dessert cannot be missed, with freshly made treats brought over from Sekerel’s bakery in Boca Raton. With options like Banana-Chocolate Pudding, Tiramisu and Carrot Cake, customers with a sweet tooth will leave satisfied.

“There are not any additives or chemicals. It’s a natural bakery, using top ingredients,” he said.

On the weekends, brunch offers a mix of lunch favorites and selection of omelet and egg creations. Try the Crème Brulee French Toast for a sweet start to the day, or the Bake Shop Fresh Quiche as an indulgent treat.

Restaurateur Avi Sekerel has been serving up tasty dishes at the Dancing Crane since 2019.

If the sheer variety of food isn’t enough to make your mouth water, the fully stocked bar and stellar happy hour are sure to delight. All day, every day, they serve two-hour bottomless mimosas for $18. Espresso martinis have been very popular as of late, with house-made white chocolate liqueur. Sekerel added that the Bloody Mary is almost a meal in itself with plentiful garnishes of celery, olives and candied bacon.

Happy hour is daily from 3 to 6 p.m. with a bevy of bites and sips to partake in. The Dancing Crane’s beloved sliders come in three iterations for only $3 each: Carolina Brisket BBQ, Buffalo Chicken and Beef & Cheddar. Well liquor drinks are all half price, and a glass of house wine is a reasonable $5.

Happy hour is also a social hotspot with regulars coming every day. “It’s a very loyal group of happy hour visitors,” Sekerel said.

As a true community hub, people from across the area flock to the Dancing Crane, whether they are golfers coming in from the green, parents on their way back from picking up kids from school, or couples on a night out. Even the littlest members of the family are included with their own menu, complete with crayons, containing the classic crowd-pleasers.

“As a neighborhood restaurant, we

basically know almost everybody who comes in here,” Sekerel reflected.

That neighborhood has expanded over the years, with the growth of Westlake, the Acreage/Loxahatchee area, Ibis and, most recently, Avenir. Another opportunity for the community to gather is the popular Trivia Nights on Thursdays. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and usually draws quite the crowd, so Sekerel recommends making a reservation.

Every Friday, in addition to Prime Rib Night, the restaurant has live music on the patio from 6 to 9 p.m. They also do seasonal events, like an Easter Brunch and a Mother’s Day Brunch, which often include a fixed price and buffet-style food options.

Patrons can sign up for the VIP program that earns one point for every dollar spent. Continuing the celebration, the Dancing Crane has begun a birthday special. Once during their birthday month, the guest of honor can have a free dinner and dessert when they come in with a table of four or more.

“We would like to become the place where people come to celebrate their birthdays,” Sekerel said. “We want to make people feel comfortable that

they can come here and have large parties. We can have tables all the way up to 18 people.”

If 18 seats isn’t enough to accommodate your gathering, the patio can entertain a group of 60 people with a view of the golf course.

The dining room on the second floor is another great option to host rehearsal dinners, large birthdays and baby showers.

The Dancing Crane caters to the community with its diverse menu, as well as providing a space for events that bring people together. After a major tornado hit Avenir and the Acreage/ Loxahatchee area, the restaurant even held some free breakfasts for those who were affected.

“It’s definitely the neighborhood [restaurant],” Sekerel said.

If you want to take the flavor of the Dancing Crane home with you, customers can order takeout or delivery. For nearby residents, delivery is offered through Toast.

The Dancing Crane is open to the public and located at 9500 Sandhill Crane Drive in Palm Beach Gardens. To contact them, call (561) 630-1172. To see the menu, place an order or make reservations, visit www.thedancingcrane.com.