Town-Crier Newspaper March 6, 2026

West Fest Brings

Country Fun To Royal Palm Beach Park

Royal Palm Beach’s annual West Fest celebration was held Friday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22 at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. The three-day event included live music and family fun with carnival rides, a fun zone and more, including the Mister and Miss West Fest Contest. Page 16

Polo For A Purpose Fundraiser At NPC

Polo for Life’s 11th annual Polo for a Purpose fundraiser was held at the National Polo Center in Wellington on Friday, Feb. 27 with a “Dolce Vita” theme. Page 18

Western

A girls flag football team comprised of players from the Acreage/Loxahatchee area and Westlake has earned the title of world champion. From Feb. 18 to Feb. 22, players that are part of the 9U squad from the Tru

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PANELISTS

Wellington Candidates Lay Out Positions At Town-Crier Forum

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report

At a forum hosted Monday, Feb. 23 by the Town-Crier, residents heard why each of the six candidates running for seats on the Wellington Village Council deserves their vote in the upcoming municipal election on Tuesday, March 10.

Candidates for Seat 2 and Seat 3 participated in the forum, held in a

packed Wellington Council Chambers. The candidates focused on their backgrounds and what they want to achieve if elected.

Running for Seat 2 are Johnny Meier, Elizabeth Pandich and Tatiana Yaques, while Lauren Brody, Stephen Levin and Josh Zillmer are seeking Seat 3. All six candidates answered a series of questions moderated by Joshua Manning of the Town-Crier about

village policy and community needs. The forum was sponsored by the Central Palm Beach Media Initiative.

“I have always been willing to fight for what is right, and for others unable to fight for themselves,” Brody said. “I want to represent the people, do what they want, and bring my fight right here to Wellington.”

Brody is running an uncompromising campaign to protect Wellington’s equestrian identity by slowing development and opposing any non-horse-related proposals in the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District. To achieve this, she intends to rely heavily on land-use rules and believes that any development needs to strictly follow the codes to be approved.

Aside from those priorities, Brody is a supporter of expanding parks and recreation amenities for equestrians. She also wants more senior programs in the village and believes that the council needs to assist existing businesses to help them continue to grow in the community.

To complement these policy

Tango Developers Will Scale Back, But Committed To Site

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

Ernie Cox, project manager for the planned AI hyperscale data center and warehouse project near 20-Mile Bend, said after a contentious Wednesday, Feb. 25 informational meeting that owners of the property want to be good neighbors to nearby Arden residents because neighbors they shall be.

“We are going to move forward based on the existing approvals on the property,” he said. Doing so would mean the property owner, Palm Beach Aggregates Holdings Inc., would not need further approval from the Palm Beach County Commission.

Commissioners are scheduled to hear a request to increase the

By Denis Eirikis Town-Crier Staff Report

allowable square footage at the site to 3.7 million square feet at an April 23 meeting. The current approvals, which date back to 2016, are for approximately 2.2 million square feet for warehouses and other industrial uses.

Under the Palm Beach County Unified Land Development Code, data centers are listed among the permitted uses. There is no distinction made in the current code for “AI hyperscale data centers,” which did not exist in 2016.

Arden Homeowners’ Association President Raymond Penuela said there should be.

“There’s a difference… and [the developers] know it,” he said. “It’s more of a heavy industrial use.”

Cox, founder of Jupiter-based Family Lands Remembered LLC,

said the Central Park Commerce Center — also known as “Project Tango” — is scaling back the AI data portion of the project from 1.8 million square feet to approximately 1.3 million square feet. The rest will be used for warehouses.

The five data center buildings are being moved father west on the 202-acre property, and the cooling systems for three of the buildings are being housed in separate structures to decrease excess sound, Cox said. As a further sound buffer, warehouses will be located between the data centers and the large berm that surrounds Arden, he said.

“Going forward, I think this is a better outcome that addresses

See TANGO, page 4

FDOT Plans A More Environmentally Friendly Extension Of State Road 7

By Louis Hillary Park

Staff Report

60th Street North, east along the south end of the Ibis Golf & Country Club, and then north between Ibis and the Grassy Waters Preserve to Northlake would damage the environment for wildlife and pose a risk to the city’s drinking water supply. During

loose or escapes, they often can’t find their way home. That’s when LLAFP springs into action. That’s what happened recently to Valerie Rangel.

“It was horrible. My chihuahua got loose and was missing for three gut-wrenching days,” she recalled. “LLAFP volunteers help spread the word, and I am so grateful that members physically went out searching for Keke. Three long days and nights later, I remain so grateful that a member saw our post and cornered Keke in their yard.”

Reuniting owners with pets is LLAFP’s primary mission. The group calls them “happy endings,” and it has happened about 10,000 times since Gail Ann Pennetta

Bass founded the group back in 2012.

“I started this group because of a lost dog. As an animal lover, and knowing how hard it is to find an animal among so much acreage, I decided to start this formal effort committed to reuniting pets with owners,” she said. In addition, thanks to fundraisers, members also help each other providing food, supplies and emergency medical care for pets in need.

Heather Duncan has found herself in need of this service.

“This amazing group has helped me more times than I can remember,” she said. “I rescue cats and kittens, and I rescued a kitten that

we can’t control that,” he said. “But we’re trying to work with them. We understand this is environmentally sensitive land.” West Palm Beach has long contended that extending SR 7 from

their foraging habit.

• Provide wildlife fencing on the east and south sides of the corridor and wildlife crossings to assure “wildlife connectivity,” which refers to linkage between habitat areas and opportunities for animals to cross the roadway, enhancing migration, colonization and breeding opportunities.

• Provide a wetland mitigation equivalent

Wellington Council Refuses Latest Proposal From Isla Carroll Developers

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report

Another set of changes to the Isla Carroll development project was not enough to convince the Wellington Village Council to approve it on Tuesday, Feb. 24. In another blow to developers’ plans, the council shot down a rezoning and master plan approval request to convert one of the two historic polo fields on the property into a luxury equestrian development.

For months, representatives from McCourt Partners and Discovery Land Company have gone before multiple Wellington boards to get feedback and recommendations on approval for the project, located off 120th Avenue South near the National Polo Center. Each time, most board members voted against it, leading to developers reworking the plan.

In January, the Wellington Village Council narrowly approved

the rezoning request on its first reading. However, council members who voted yes did so to see what changes, if any, could solve what they saw as fundamental problems of having a luxury, country club development with limited equestrian amenities be built in the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area. At the council’s Feb. 24 meeting, developers returned for the second reading with a reworked development proposal.

“We listened very, very carefully at the first hearing,” said Frank McCourt, founder of McCourt Partners. “As I think you’ll see, we’ve incorporated your feedback into our plan… We’ve gone above and beyond at considerable cost and expense.”

The new master plan decreased the number of residential units from 40 to 27, with four of them being larger lots to accommodate See ISLA CARROLL, page 14

Westlake Begins Negotiations With New Manager Pick Brown

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

Westlake City Council mem-

bers voted unanimously Tuesday, March 3 to begin negotiations with Howard W. Brown Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens to become Westlake’s new city manager.

Brown, who has specialized in interim city manager positions, was named a finalist for the job along with Leondrae Camel, a Wellington resident and current manager of the Glades-area community of South Bay.

In the end, Mayor JohnPaul O’Connor said that it was Brown’s series of successful interim positions, coupled with Westlake retaining most of its Inframarksupplied staff, that made the difference.

Inframark is a national firm that provides staff to many municipalities.

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

Councilman Gary Werner, a former city manager himself, said Brown “has the kind of experience

Westlake is looking for to push it to the next level.”

Vice Mayor Greg Langowski and O’Connor said they had a different choice in mind coming into the session in which the candidates were able to make a final statement. Brown’s presentation swayed them. “I think [Brown] is going to be a good fit,” O’Connor said. “He has some great ideas and seems to share our vision for the city.”

Brown is looking forward to beginning his tenure in Westlake.

“I’m honored and humbled to be selected by the mayor and city council,” Brown said Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to serving the residents, businesses and visitors in this new chapter.”

Brown has held interim municipal manager jobs in East Point, Georgia, and Century and Fort Meade, Florida. Previously, he was manager of the Village of Indiantown in Martin County (2019-23), as well as Bell, California (2016-18) and Muskogee, Oklahoma (2014-16).

A fifth-generation Floridian, Brown grew up in Pensacola and received a bachelor’s degree in

criminology from Florida State University in 1993 and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of West Florida in 1995. He served in the U.S. Army for six years.

Brown is married with three children and three grandchildren.

Longtime Westlake manager Kenneth Cassel, an Inframark employee, left in September, and City Clerk Zoie Burgess has been filling in as the interim.

“Just having a city manager who answers to the city and not to Inframark is huge,” O’Connor said. Because of Westlake’s charter, Brown cannot be hired directly as a city employee and must work under a negotiated contract. Brown said he does not expect a long negotiation. The council could call a special meeting to vote on a contract. If not, it likely will be on the council’s April meeting agenda.

Both O’Connor and Brown said they believe his experience running Indiantown — the only Florida municipality newer than Westlake — had an impact and will serve him well in his new position.

“There are a lot of parallels,”

O’Connor said. “Westlake was incorporated in 2016, Indiantown in 2017. Both are young [municipalities]. And importantly, he’s had incredible success acquiring and managing appropriations and grants.”

O’Connor has long been frustrated by the lack of external funding that Westlake has been able to garner.

Brown said that managing a small municipality such as Indiantown through the pandemic is an asset in terms of “maintaining the level of service. You learn to be creative in how you operate.”

Brown said he is ready to settle down and was impressed by the professionalism of the council members during one-on-one interviews.

“I like the diversity of thought… [and] I’m used to being a consensus builder,” he said. “I’m not taking the job to serve any one person, but to serve the council members as a whole.”

In other business:

• The council noted that the plan for city staff and Seminole Improvement District staff to share office space in SID’s new building

RPB Council Approves New Home For KCF

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report

Families experiencing childhood cancer will soon be getting a new home away from home after the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved the construction of a new, larger building for the Kids Cancer Foundation on Thursday, Feb. 19.

With the new building, the nonprofit organization’s leaders hope to continue creating a welcoming environment for all those affected by childhood cancer. The Kids Cancer Foundation, currently located in the Royal Plaza at Southern and Royal Palm Beach boulevards, provides children and families with support services during cancer treatment and beyond.

Founder and Executive Director Michelle O’Boyle has been working as a pediatric oncology nurse for 40 years. She asked the council for their support in approving the construction of a new building, so the organization can help more families.

“Our current center… has be-

come a home away from home for these families,” O’Boyle said. “A place where children can laugh, simply be children, and where parents can exhale. But we’re running out of space, and this is why we need this new building.”

O’Boyle and a group of local medical workers founded the Kids Cancer Foundation in 2001. Their mission was to help families navigate the emotional and stressful challenges of battling childhood cancer, beyond just medical care.

The organization offers several involvement and educational programs to make families feel welcomed in their time of need.

“We’re different from other organizations because we embrace the entire family,” O’Boyle said.

“We provide wraparound care that addresses the financial, emotional, educational, practical and relational realities of life during and after a cancer diagnosis.”

The new 6,697-square-foot building will be located at 100 Civic Center Way — across the street from Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. It needed a site plan

modification and architectural approval from the council.

At the meeting, the nonprofit also asked for approval of a variance application to allow a 25-foot front yard setback instead of the required 50 feet. They hope to use the extra space for a free play area.

“We’ll double our space and finally give us our own outside play space, so our kids will be able to run, play and just be kids,”

O’Boyle said.

The council approved both items unanimously. Council members praised the organization for its continued work in the community.

“I know this organization pretty well, and I also know what it feels like to be told that as an adult you have cancer,” Mayor Jeff Hmara said. “I cannot imagine what it’s like to have your child get that message. This organization is an amazing, great representation of the heart… of Royal Palm Beach.”

To learn more about the Kids Cancer Foundation, visit www. kidscancersf.org. In other business, the council decided to push the discussion

of Councilman Adam Miller’s Teacher Friendly Business Recognition Program to one of their future strategic planning meetings at the end of March.

The program would be a voluntary, no-cost initiative that would recognize local businesses that offer discounts or other benefits to educators in Royal Palm Beach. Miller proposed the program to support local teachers amid ongoing teacher shortages that he said could impact the village in the next few years.

“This program strengthens community connections, improves educator morale and highlights businesses that invest in the people who make Royal Palm Beach a great place to live — all without creating new taxes or fees,” Miller said.

Several council members raised concerns about the municipality intervening in how local businesses choose to operate. They agreed to do more research and have more in-depth discussions at a future meeting on how the program would work.

off Cheetham Hill Blvd. has been canceled. City staff will remain at the current location at 4001 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road for the foreseeable future.

O’Connor said it turned out Westlake employees would have less space than anticipated and “our interests may not always align with SID’s.”

The new building is expected to be ready for occupancy in June, SID Manager Lynn Ladner said.

• Westlake officials reported that there are already 33 vendors, nine food trucks and $6,000 in sponsorship money for the Saturday, March 28 Westlake SpringFest. The event is scheduled for Ilex Way from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Elections Are Just Days Away In Three Area Municipalities

By Joshua Manning Town-Crier Staff Report

Voters in three local municipalities will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 10. All polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves for this year’s municipal elections.

Wellington — Voters in Wellington will choose two new council members to replace Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind and Councilman John McGovern, who are stepping down due to term limits.

A three-way race for Seat 2 includes candidates Johnny Meier, Elizabeth Pandich and Tatiana Yaques, while another three-way race for Seat 3 includes candidates Lauren Brody, Stephen Levin and Joshua Zillmer. The winner of each race will claim a four-year term on the dais. The leading candidate will need to get more than 35 percent of the vote to win the seat outright and avoid a possible Tuesday, March 24 runoff election between the top two vote-getters.

Wellington voters will also decide two ballot questions, both about technicalities regarding the election process to bring Wellington’s charter in line with current Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office policy.

The first question would amend

TaKe Action to KeepYour Colon Healthy

Are you at risk?

If you have a history of colon polyps, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colon/rectal cancer, you may be at increased risk. Diets high in red meat or processed meats, low-fiber diets, lack of exercise, obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use can also contribute to the chance of developing colon cancer.

Know the symptoms

Early colon cancer usually has no symptoms, which is why screening is very important. However, as the tumor grows, symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain

• Change in bowel habits

• Weight loss

Who should be screened?

• Abdominal distention

• Nausea and vomiting

• Most patients should get their screening colonoscopy when they turn 45. However, because African Americans have a 20 percent higher incidence rate, initial screening is recommended at age 40.

• If you have a family history of colon cancer in first-degree relatives, it is recommended to start 10 years younger than the age of diagnosis or age 35, whichever is earlier.

• People who are in good health and with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular colorectal cancer screening through the age of 75.

• For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on a person’s preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.

Wellington’s charter to set the qualifying time for a two-week period in November, rather than January. Wellington has been using the November qualifying period for the past several election cycles, changing the January dates by ordinance, rather than going by the charter. The second question eliminates redundancy by designating the Palm Beach County Canvassing Board to canvass Wellington elections. This change is also a request from the Supervisor of Elections Office.

Royal Palm Beach — Voters in Royal Palm Beach will choose one of two candidates seeking the Group 1 seat on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. The candidates are incumbent Councilman Adam Miller and former Councilwoman Selena Samios. They are vying for a two-year term. Loxahatchee Groves — Voters in Loxahatchee Groves will choose from among five candidates seeking two seats on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. Three candidates — Steven Hoffman, Joe Stephens and Robert Sullivan — are competing for Seat 1, which will be for a oneyear term. Two candidates are seeking a three-year term in Seat 5 — Councilman Todd McLendon

Wingrove Promises Scholarship Money For Wellington Students

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report

About 100 students in Wellington will be awarded $10 million in scholarships to attend a new, yet-to-be-built elite private school.

Wingrove Academy, set to welcome its first class in 2028, plans to offer more ways for local students to enroll.

ElevateED, the education company working to open Wingrove, presented the Wellington Village Council with its plans to provide need-based financial aid to residents at a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 24. Developers are expected to build the school on the back portion of the K-Park site as part of a recently approved mixed-use development off State Road 7 just south of Stribling Way led by developer Related Ross. Two weeks before, the council postponed approval of a condi-

tional use permit necessary for the private school to be built on the property. After hearing concerns about the lack of specific information on how the school will include local students, ElevateED’s team returned with concrete details on their scholarship program for Wellington residents. “One of the things I think that is important to note is when somebody is admitted to the school and awarded financial aid through scholarship, we want to make sure that they have the opportunity to continue their education, not just for one year, but for as many years they’re at the school,” said Jeff Clark, representing ElevateED.

Wingrove plans to have up to 1,750 students from pre-K to grade 12 on its nearly 44-acre campus. If opened as scheduled, officials will only enroll students in grades pre-K through eight for

its first school year and introduce its first high school class in 2029. No set tuition has been released yet, but ElevateED is hoping to give those attending Wingrove a “forward-focused education” with state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to arts and athletics.

Officials from ElevateED said that they will be awarding the $10 million over the first five academic years. They expect to commit a certain amount per student that will allow them to stay at Wingrove through their graduation.

To be eligible for these scholarships, a prospective student must be a resident of Wellington at the time of application, meet the school’s admission standards and demonstrate financial need. The amount awarded will be based on demonstrated need and the tuition charged in each year. To continue to receive scholarship assistance, a

student needs to remain in good academic and disciplinary standing.

In addition to the scholarship program, ElevateED’s team agreed that the school will adopt a community use policy that allows village organizations to use certain campus facilities for civic, educational, cultural and youth-serving events.

“I’m very glad we sent you back to the drawing board to come up with a more concrete plan for the scholarship program,” Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “I’m glad we’re also finalizing the shared-use agreement, because those are two things that are big motivators for us to move forward with Wingrove.”

Before the meeting, there were concerns about whether the school would be built. However, officials from Related Ross agreed to support the purchase of the land immediately for the school, so offi-

cials from ElevateED can continue their fundraising and honor any commitments to the village.

With assurance of the school being built and ElevateED agreeing to a memorandum of understanding that Wellington residents will have equal access to all financial aid offered, the council unanimously passed a resolution approving the private school use on the property.

“I think this is a good commitment, and it shows the strength of the partnership that we’ve been looking for with Wingrove for Wellington kids,” Councilman John McGovern said.

In other business:

• The council unanimously approved an extension of Village Manager Jim Barnes’ contract to Dec. 31, 2030. The contract extension comes with a $5,000 raise and a change that would require a

council supermajority to fire the manager without cause. The manager also cannot be terminated 90 days prior to or after an election.

• Consideration of the Lotis Phase 2 project master plan was once again postponed and will be added to the council’s meeting on Tuesday, March 10.

• At the tail end of the six-hour meeting, McGovern brought up the idea of a raise for council members. Monetary compensation for council members has not changed since incorporation 30 years ago, and the village now ranks below all peer communities for council compensation. McGovern said he brought it up because he will be stepping off the council shortly and will not benefit from such a change. Napoleone said the issue will need an extended conversation, which he was not ready for due to the late hour.

Lox Groves Council Hopes To Exit PBSO Conflict With A Win

By Patrick Sherry

Town-Crier

Staff Report

A favorable end to Loxahatchee Groves’ months-long contract dispute with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) seems to be within the sights of the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council. Without having to provide back pay and continuing to save on not paying for enhanced law enforcement services, council members tentatively appear to be exiting the conflict with a win.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Attorney Jeff Kurtz gave an update on the current state of the town’s dispute with the county agency at a meeting Tuesday, March 3.

“We have not paid pursuant to the contract; they are not providing services pursuant to the contract,” Kurtz said. “I think the argument, if there was any legal action taken on their behalf, would be, in essence, both parties have agreed to terminate the contract, and it’s null and void.”

In December, council members decided to halt payments to the PBSO. According to their contract, the town is obligated to pay the agency $56,668.92 each month for an annual cost of $680,027 for deputies to provide enhanced law enforcement services to the area.

Several on the council maintain that the contract costs the town too much money. Financial issues

He explained that representatives from the PBSO are now willing to terminate their current contract.

led them to try to negotiate for a lower price tag last year. Those efforts did not lead to any significant changes, which left forgoing payment as one of their last resorts.

“We went into uncharted territory with this contract,” Councilman Todd McLendon said. “No municipality has had the backbone to do what we’ve done.”

After not being paid, officials from the PBSO responded by withdrawing certain law enforcement services from the area. This reverted Loxahatchee Groves to a similar status as unincorporated areas of the county, where deputies would only respond to life-threatening situations.

This also meant that the town would be saving thousands of dol-

lars while the dispute continued.

Mounting pressure from the agency and the public did not deter the council. At one of their meetings at the end of January, council members made several compromises to propose a new agreement where they would reinstate payments to the agency and place any savings from the dispute into a contingency account for future use. However, officials from the PBSO declined that offer.

Loxahatchee Groves’ contract with the PBSO includes a provision where the council needs to provide notice of termination by March 31 of each year. Doing so would release both parties from their obligations by October of the same year. However, the agency

now appears willing to look past that and terminate the contract ahead of schedule, while the town has unincorporated levels of law enforcement services, Kurtz said. The town could see about $566,689.20 in savings if this new agreement were to go through.

Council members already expressed support for terminating next year’s contract, which will save even more money.

Representatives from the PBSO could still choose to sue the town, but whether they will succeed is unclear, given the fact that deputies withdrew services from the area.

McLendon, who has been the biggest critic of the contract throughout the dispute, explained he was pleased because the last few months showed that the town can survive without enhanced law enforcement services.

“I’m very pleased with how it has turned out, so I’m happy to see this moving forward,” he said. The council passed a resolution 4-1, with Councilwoman Lisa El-Ramey dissenting, that acknowledged the contract for this fiscal year has been effectively terminated by both parties, and cancels the contract for the 202627 fiscal year.

“We have been paying for a premium contract… on top of what we already pay just so we can have our name on a truck or a car,” Councilman Paul Coleman said. “What we pay already gives us service.”

Indian Trail Board Ends Its Formal Agreement With The ALA

By Louis Hillary Park Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday, March 3 to sever all formal ties with the Acreage Landowners’ Association after months of contentious wrangling between the two organizations. The vote was 3-2 in favor of the disconnect. Supervisors Patricia Farrell, Richard Vassalotti and President Elizabeth Accomando voted for the separation. Supervisors Betty Argue and Michael Johnson voted against.

Accomando said she hopes this brings to a close the strife between the governing body for some 110 square miles of unincorporated Palm Beach County and the oldest

State Road

7 Design Changes

continued from page 1 restoration to offset 56.7 acres of wetland impact.

• Reduce the median size from 22 feet to 15.5 feet north of 60th Street.

• Implement “reasonable and feasible” noise abatement measures.

• Eliminate “direct outfalls” — meaning stormwater will not be piped or channeled from the roadway to Ibis lakes and the Grassy Waters Preserve — and

Tango Town Hall

Meeting

continued from page 1 the issues that have been raised,” he said.

community organization serving the area.

“We have a lot of important issues to tackle as a board,” she said. “I hope we can continue to work with the ALA on events.”

The longstanding service provider agreement between the ALA and ITID was allowed to expire in 2025 over insurance and liability concerns. It was replaced with a more limited one-year nonprofit user agreement. The latter essentially gave the ALA first rights to use district facilities without cost or direct board approval.

The change “doesn’t mean anything to us,” ALA Treasurer Lou Colantuoni said Wednesday night. “It doesn’t affect our ability to use the parks.”

add a retaining wall.

• Replace sidewalks and onstreet bike lanes with a shared-use path north of 60th Street.

• Redesign the Ibis Spillway Bridge to eliminate pilings in the water.

• Eliminate an open swale south of the M Canal to reduce the amount of land taken up for the project.

FDOT’s redesign also provides for a roundabout at the east entrance of Ibis.

Because project progress was stalled by environmental permits, court rulings and appeals throughout the 2010s and 2020s, FDOT had not held a substantive public

Cox said that the developers behind Project Tango are committed to doing whatever they reasonably can to ease the concerns of Arden residents and others who fear noise and water pollution, and the over-consumption of electrical power.

Cox expressed disappointment with the tone of the Feb. 25 meeting that was convened as an “informational town hall” by Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter, who brought about a dozen members of county staff to share their expertise. Some were shouted down.

Several hundred people — mostly in the “Say No To Project Tango” camp — attended and aggressively voiced their frustration. Many wore green and orange anti-Tango shirts and carried signs such as “Stop Tango Terrorism.”

“Unfortunately, there was a lot of yelling and screaming,” said Cox, who addressed the group.

“I’d hoped to really be able to talk with the folks. We’re trying our

Colantuoni said that while the ALA and ITID have worked together comfortably on events in past years — such as car shows and holiday festivals — supervisors who focus on that aspect of the organization fail to grasp its true role.

“We’re not in the event and car show business,” he said. “We’re meant to be the watchdogs watching over ITID and [Palm Beach County] government to protect our way of life. What they’re trying to do is silence free speech.”

Colantuoni said that the ALA frequently hosts issue-oriented meetings and events to provide information to the public on a variety of issues related to growth, development and taxation.

update meeting on the SR 7 extension in about a decade.

“Permitting has been a significant challenge,” Peterson said. “[But] we have significantly redesigned the project to address the concerns of the community.”

FDOT is “building way above standards to protect the environment,” Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter said.

“We have acute traffic congestion in the western communities,” Baxter said. “It’s extremely important for this to happen.”

The strongest opposition to the project has come from Ibis residents, who hold considerable sway with West Palm Beach officials.

best to get accurate information into everyone’s hands.

To that end, Cox said, a promotional/informational web site has been created at www.centralparkcommercecenter.com.

“People are upset, and they have every right to be,” Indian Trail Improvement District President Elizabeth Accomando said afterward. “We were promised unbiased outside experts… [and] we left with more questions than answers… Residents have a right to know what the impacts are going to be.”

The Project Tango site is not far from ITID’s borders, which encompass some 110 square miles. The district provides roads, parks and drainage to approximately 50,000 residents in the unincorporated Acreage/Loxahatchee section of the county.

Baxter, who represents the area on the county commission, reiterated her opposition to the project

“Certain members of the board don’t like being held to account,” Argue said. “They don’t like to be called out… but [ALA members] are doing their job. They’re speaking out on issues.”

Vassalotti, who asked for agenda consideration for terminating the agreement, said, “I want to see the ALA rebuild. I want the ALA to be successful. But they’re not going to be successful the way they’re going.”

Johnson, a former ITID president, urged fellow supervisors to look at the bigger picture and the historic ties between the organizations. If necessary, he said, the issue could be brought back in October when the one-year agreement was to come up for renewal.

However, Indian Trail Improvement District President Elizabeth Accomando said that she believes last August’s nine-day closure of Northlake Blvd. at the CSX railroad crossing may have opened some eyes to traffic issues that have been plaguing the area for years.

The four-mile extension, connecting with an existing leg of SR 7 north from Okeechobee Blvd., “would help eliminate traffic through our residential areas,” Accomando said. “But this isn’t just about convenience, it’s about public safety.”

The county “can’t just keep beating up on the western communities,” she added.

and stated that she would be a no vote if the project came back before the board.

Action by the commissioners beyond that in an attempt to stop the project, she said, would open the county up to significant legal action by the property owners — perhaps into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Baxter also defended the county’s decision not to order an independent noise study.

“We’re not legally allowed to do that,” she said. “If the Arden residents want to do so and share those findings with the board, they can.”

Arden HOA Vice President David Zita said the town hall did nothing to change the “hearts and minds” of residents.

“We didn’t get the answers we were looking for,” he said. “It was a collective waste of time.”

With bills to limit AI data centers moving through the state legislature’s current session, several

Johnson said he hoped the board’s consideration of canceling the agreement would be a “wakeup call” for the organization.

“I feel the ALA is an asset,” he said. “We need to put this petty [stuff] aside.”

Vassalotti, who has borne the brunt of many social media posts by people associated with the ALA, was having none of it.

“I hope we end this tonight,” he said.

Vassalotti, among others, has questioned the ALA’s viability and influence amid collapsing membership numbers and an influx of new residents, especially since the pandemic.

However, the ALA is the keeper of the Acreage Neighborhood

ITID encompasses some 110 square miles and approximately 50,000 residents west of the current SR 7 and the planned extension. Accomando is challenging Baxter in the Aug. 18 Republican primary to represent District 6 on the Palm Beach County Commission, which includes most of the county west of SR 7. Design for Phase 1 of the project — four-laning SR 7 from Okeechobee to 60th Street — is scheduled for completion in August 2027 with construction to begin in the spring of 2028 and be finished in spring of 2031, according to the FDOT web site. Design for Phase 2 — 60th

Plan, which is supposed to be used by the Palm Beach County Commission for guidance when considering zoning and development issues. ALA filed the first one in 1996 and updated it in 2008.

The ALA recently pushed out a survey to area residents seeking input for use in updating the plan again.

“The ALA is not diminished,” Argue said. “[Members] are going to government meetings and informing the public.” ALA President Bob Morgan called the whole squabble “ridiculous.”

The ALA “is not attacking the board,” he said, “we’re letting in the sunshine.”

Street to Northlake Blvd. — is set for completion in August 2027 with construction to begin in fall 2028 and completion in fall 2031. The total cost of the project is projected to be $137.6 million. In a lengthy order issued in May 2025, Administrative Law Judge Francine Ffolkes ruled against West Palm Beach on every issue. The South Florida Water Management District then made its permit final in July 2025. The city appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, where it now sits. Meanwhile, FDOT must reapply for a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit that was revoked in 2020 due to the prolonged delays.

nationally known law firms have offered their assistance to forestall construction at the Project Tango site until such laws could take effect in July, Arden HOA Secretary Ben Brown said. Brown also is a board member of the Western Palm Beach Community Alliance, formed recently to hire lobbyists and lawyers to fight Project Tango.

“There are legal avenues available to us, especially as it relates to the expansion,” he said. For Brown and many of the 7,000 residents of the private, gated community, however, even a scaled-back data center will be too much.

“I can’t say we would ever be comfortable with any AI data center there,” he said.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH FORUM & AFRIKIN ART EXHIBITION IN

The Village of Wellington held its Black History Month Leaders Forum, along with the opening of the AfriKin Art Exhibition on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Wellington Community Center. The forum featured Black leaders sharing their insights, personal stories and strategies for advancing Black leadership in the workplace. The art exhibition, which continued until Sunday, March 1, celebrated “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” Learn more at www.afrikin.org. PHOTOS BY

DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Reidel Anthony, Councilwoman Maria Antuña, Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri, Jonathan Bostic, PBCHS Principal Reggie Myers, Mayor Michael Napoleone, PBCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Samantha Butler, Councilman John McGovern, School Board Member Marcia Andrews and

Wellington Lifestyle Partners Update: New Showgrounds Coming to Life

Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP) continues to advance construction of the new showground facilities located contiguous to and south of Wellington International. The facilities are being delivered pursuant to Condition 7 of WLP’s approval for The Wellington, its new private residential club community, and remain on schedule for completion ahead of the 2027 equestrian competition season. These new equestrian facilities will not only significantly expand the showgrounds footprint, but also help ensure that Wellington remains the world’s premier horse sport destination.

PROGRESS UPDATES

New Derby Field Completed. Performance testing completed and in compliance.

Schooling Ring for Derby Field Completed.

Main Arena Ring Grading in progress. Estimated completion March 2026.

Schooling Ring for Main Arena Completed.

Seats for Spectators

3,000 seats estimated to start summer 2026.

Four Additional Arenas

280,000 square feet of additional arenas completed.

Permanent Stabling 220 stalls with Equitan flooring to be completed by summer 2026.

Lunging Area Completed.

15 Shade Structures Estimated to start summer 2026.

Covered Arena Completed.

Scan to Learn More

Groves Council Plans To Discuss RV Rule Change At Workshop

By Patrick Sherry Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council is once again considering a major overhaul of recreational vehicle (RV) regulations on town properties. Through a new RV program, the council is hoping to simplify the permitting process and address enforcement issues. According to town documents, each year, Loxahatchee Groves experiences issues with RVs that are temporarily parked on residential properties during the equestrian season. Community Standards Director Caryn Gardner-Young presented a revised program for RVs. She said the current program costs about $90,000 to implement, but the town will only collect about $20,000 in return.

“The last discussion that we had, there was a request for staff to come back to provide a simpler process and one more efficient and effective,” Gardner-Young said. “Some of the comments that you have received in the past are, from the staff’s perspective, it’s actually costing you money in order to implement the RV program as it is today.”

The town first passed an ordinance regulating RVs in 2020, which was updated in 2024.

New changes to the program would create two categories for RVs on properties: unoccupied and occupied. To be considered unoccupied, only one RV is allowed per parcel, it can be used for vacation purposes only and no one is physically living in it regularly.

RV allowances for those considered occupied are based on acreage. These new rules would require residents to submit an affidavit and pay a fee. A sticker system will also be implemented to distinguish different RVs.

However, the council wanted more specific details on how to best enforce these new rules.

“I do commend staff. This is a lot of work, and it doesn’t seem as simple as it is being presented, but I think it will simplify stuff,”

Councilwoman Lisa El-Ramey said. “The goal is to get compliance and to help people become compliant.”

The council agreed to table the issue for a future workshop. They hope to create a concrete set of

rules and regulations to fully address compliance issues.

“We’ll take this [program revision] to our next workshop… and we will come up with some simple numbers and some not-so-simple fines or consequences,” Mayor Anita Kane said.

In other business:

• Kane reflected on the accomplishments that the council achieved over the last year in her annual State of the Town Address for Loxahatchee Groves. She praised work on projects that emphasized fiscal responsibility and accountability. This will be the last such address given by Kane, as she will be stepping down as mayor.

“Twenty years ago, people stood up and said this place matters,” Kane said, referring to the

Love Takes Center Stage At The Cantors Concert At Wellington’s Temple Beth Torah

An evening of music, meaning and community filled the sanctuary at Temple Beth Torah in Wellington as congregants and guests gathered for the Cantors Concert: Love Is All You Need on Sunday, Feb. 15. The special event showcased not only remarkable musical talent but also the deep sense of connection that defines the congregation.

Cantor Rachel Harris and her newlywed husband, Cantor Jake Harris, led an accomplished ensemble that delivered a dynamic and heartfelt performance.

The band featured Jay Singer on piano, James McCoy on electric bass, drummer Brooke Geissler and saxophonist Ross Mazer. The Temple Beth Torah Choir joined the ensemble for one of the evening’s selections, adding depth and richness to the program.

The concert opened with a lively set of Beatles favorites, setting an upbeat and familiar tone. From

LLAFP Saving Pets

continued from page 1 was in really rough shape. LLAFP rallied together and did a fundraiser for this sweet kitty and raised the money for her surgery. Also, my dog had a hematoma, and I was incredibly sick and couldn’t afford the surgery. They raised money again and paid for his surgery in full! They give me food from their pantry for my rescues all the time. I have seen them help so many animals. This group goes above and beyond for our community and our fur babies.”

The nonprofit has a budget of about $50,000 a year, and donations are always welcomed. Bass knows that many pet owners are facing financial hardships. “I think we help about 20 pet owners a month who would not otherwise be able to afford to keep their pets,” she said.

Not all lost pets are escapees.

Unscrupulous pet owners often dump pets in rural areas to fend for themselves. Bass has witnessed this firsthand.

“A pickup truck in front of us suddenly stopped and threw a puppy onto the road,” she recalled.

“We tried to get the poor dog, but he was afraid and would not let us

Youth Of Spring Arts Festival March 28

The Wellington High School Interact Club will hold its annual Youth of Spring Arts Festival at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include art, music, dance, games, food and more. Proceeds will go to the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.

Sip & Share With CROS Ministries

CROS Ministries will host a Sip & Share event on Wednesday, March 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at iThink Financial (11317 Okeechobee Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). Join the local nonprofit for refreshments and small bites while learning about the nonprofit’s mission, the impact it is making in the community and ways you can get involved. This event is open to the community and there is no cost to attend. RSVP by March 20 to Meredith Caldwell at mcaldwell@ crosministries.org or (561) 2339009, ext.103.

CROS Ministries has a 48-year legacy of trusted service and leadership in the fight against hunger in Palm Beach and Martin counties. Its mission is to provide food to people who are hungry and food insecure through community

there, the evening unfolded in curated segments, including sacred selections, a theatrical set and a collection of songs celebrating the journey of growing love.

Original compositions by Jay Singer and Cantor Jake Harris were woven throughout the program, offering personal and moving expressions of love in its many forms.

Rachel and Jake Harris brought both artistry and authenticity to the stage, their chemistry and joy was evident as they led the band through each piece. The performance resonated deeply with the audience, filling the room with warmth and inspiration. Beyond the music, the evening also served as the congregation’s annual fundraiser. Sponsor participation was strong, reflecting the community’s commitment to supporting the temple’s programs and mission. A festive dessert reception followed the concert, where

approach. He would run away, but for five days in a row, he always returned to the exact same spot where the owner dumped him. We put out a call for volunteers, and one of our wonderful members finally trapped him. That same member, after going through proper protocols, adopted the abandoned dog, who is now living his best life.”

Amy Hackney tells a story about a similar case.

“A member posted about a Doberman laying on the side of the road at State Road 80. It was alive because it lifted its head, then laid it back down,” she recalled. “I immediately went out to the location and saw the Doberman, as it was now across the highway at the edge of the sugar cane fields.”

Over a 30-day period, including two tropical storms, groups of volunteers went in shifts to try and catch the dog.

“It was a long story that has a happy ending,” Hackney said. “Sugar went into a Doberman rescue and is now in a loving forever home. It is a typical story about the LLAFP community, and the touching survival instinct of a pet that was dumped in the Glades.”

The mission of LLAFP includes finding forever homes for unwanted and unclaimed pets.

attendees mingled, congratulated the performers and continued the celebration.

The Cantors Concert proved to be more than a performance — it was a shared experience of joy, faith and togetherness. With

“I wanted to share our personal experience with Loxahatchee Lost and Found Pets, as their work has meant more to our family than I can ever fully put into words,” Missy Zepol said. “I came across a post about a small, abandoned chihuahua being fostered by members of the LLAFP group. That little dog turned out to be our Maggie.” Maggie had been found running across Southern Blvd. and was nearly struck by a semi-truck. A passerby risked their own safety to stop and save her. She was covered in fleas, had bite or puncture wounds, and at first it was believed she might be paralyzed in her back legs. She was taken in by two women from LLAFP, who fostered her and nursed her back to health over the course of several months, until Zepol adopted her.

“We officially adopted her almost three years ago, and today she is one of the sweetest, most loving little dogs you could ever meet,” Zepol said. “I will always be grateful to Loxahatchee Lost and Found Pets for the tireless, compassionate work they do, and for trusting us to give Maggie her forever home.”

LLAFP is an all-volunteer group committed to reuniting lost and found pets with their owners, assisting with providing food, sup-

NEWS BRIEFS

partnerships. Learn more at www. crosministries.org.

Women’s History Month ‘Tea Talk’ Set For March 13

The Village of Wellington invites the community to celebrate the outstanding contributions of women at the fourth annual Women’s History Month “Tea Talk.” The event will take place on Friday, March 13, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). While free to attend, registration is required and spaces are limited. Join in an afternoon of traditional tea and delightful light bites at an event that will highlight “Women in STEM.”

A curated group of speakers will share their journeys — how they chose their careers, the obstacles they overcame and the paths that led them to where they are today. Connect with other women, discover valuable resources in the community, and leave feeling refreshed, encouraged and inspired.

Speakers will include Wellington Utility Director Anjuli Panse; Dr. Edlira Maska, internal medicine residency program director at Wellington Regional Medical Center; Dr. Hayley Sacks of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Mable King of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Alpha Upsilon Omega Chapter; and Zipporah Thomas of NextEra Energy. RSVP through Eventbrite by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 12 at

wellingtonteatalk2026.eventbrite. com. Learn more about the event at www.wellingtonfl.gov/teatalk.

Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K At Okeeheelee

The Friends of the Okeeheelee Nature Center will host the third annual Gopher Tortoise Gallop 5K on Saturday, March 21. The race will start at the Micanopy Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park at 7:30 a.m., rain or shine. The 5K will run/walk through beautiful Okeeheelee Park, starting and finishing at the Micanopy Pavilion and passing by the Okeeheelee Nature Center. The 5K is a chipped, timed event and will provide awards to the top three overall (male and female) and top three in each age group. Each participant will receive a personalized bib with a timing chip, event shirt, finisher medal and swag bag, plus access to the post-race activities.

Race packets will be available for early pickup on Friday, March 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Duffy’s Sports Grill in Riverbridge Plaza. Registration and packet pickup are also available starting at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the race, along with music and entertainment.

The race ambassadors — Oakly, the Parks & Recreation Department mascot, as well as Sparky, the nature center’s gopher tortoise ambassador — will be present for a meet-and-greet. The 5K race/ walk will start promptly at 7:30 a.m. Light snacks will be available

town’s incorporation in 2006. “Tonight, we proved that promise still holds.”

• The council approved a resolution to award a construction contract to pave A Road. Town staff hopes to have paving and drainage improvements completed before the summer.

Elections Vote On

• The council also passed a resolution to renew a year-long, $90,000 agreement for consulting and lobbying services with Geoffrey B. Sluggett & Associates. The firm will continue to provide services for the town to pursue grant funding and maintain government relationships.

OPENING DAY FOR RPB YOUTH BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

Valerie Rangel’s Keke is one of the pets saved by LLAFP.

plies and helping with emergency veterinary care for those in need, primarily in the West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee and Acreage areas.

LLAFP also teaches lost and found pet procedures, microchipping and microchip scanning, including registration and updating, as well as spay and neuter programs and community TNVR support. Lastly, they help find forever homes, foster homes or local rescues for abandoned, unclaimed or unwanted pets.

The nonprofit organization welcomes donations and holds weekly fundraisers/flea markets at Downers Park (16700 E. Downers Drive) each Sunday morning through April. For more information, visit www.llafp.org, which provides links to their robust Facebook page and group.

for participants after the race. The awards ceremony will be held at 8:45 a.m.

Exhibitors, vendors, a DJ and entertainment will be present before and after the race. Following the award ceremony, race participants, friends and guests are invited to visit the Okeeheelee Nature Center for additional activities and educational opportunities at the free Gopher Tortoise Day Shell-abration from 9 a.m. until noon (10 a.m. for the general public). Additional information about the race and registration is available at www.victorysportsmgt. com/gophertortoisegallop5K. All proceeds from the event will benefit the animal ambassadors, exhibits and programs at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

Robert Sharon Chorale To Host Benefit Concert

The Robert Sharon Chorale will host a benefit concert supporting Jupiter High School’s choral program, featuring a choral ensemble performing a vibrant mix of classical and modern works on Sunday March 22 at 3 p.m. at the DeSantis Family Chapel, located at 300 Okeechobee Blvd. in West Palm Beach. General admission tickets are $20, and student admission is $5. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash only or in advance at www.robertsharonchorale.com/ event-list.

The 2026 Garden Inspirations Tour, presented by the Wellington Garden Club, will be held on Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This exclusive self-guided walking tour of six local private gardens held every two years is a unique opportunity for garden lovers to visit gardens that are open to the public for one day only. Come and be amazed at spectacular landscapes, including a garden featuring orchids, another one that is designed with native plants, as well as butterfly gardens, and shade gardens. In several gardens, there are examples of how to incorporate whimsical garden art and hardscape to enhance the landscape.

Two gardens of special note are an equestrian estate, home to champion Clydesdale carriage horses, and a manicured formal garden reminiscent of an English garden overflowing with the magnificent beauty and heady aroma of roses, foxglove, delphinium, lavender and more.

“This is an exciting opportunity for tour attendees to gather inspiration for their own gardens as they take a leisurely stroll through the wonders of this year’s Garden Inspirations,” tour co-chair Carol Ralph explained.

Tour ticket holders will also enjoy visiting a wide variety of vendors selling orchids, native plants, succulent dish gardens and other garden-related products.

familyfriendly entertainment. General admission tickets are $40 for adults, $10 for children 4 to 11, and free for children age three and under. Ticket purchases include two free alcoholic (over age 21 only) or non-alcoholic drinks. All food samplings are included in the ticket price. Tickets and event details are available at www.wellingtonfl. gov/tasteofwellington.

WELLINGTON HOSTS ‘A DAY FOR AUTISM’ PICNIC

On Sunday, Feb. 22, the Village of Wellington hosted “A Day for Autism: Building Bridges with Law Enforcement Picnic” at

Park. Attendees enjoyed games, live performances, a petting zoo, bounce houses, food and more. Vendors also shared resources for the autism community and their families. Event organizers included the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD).

Acclaimed and award-winning

author Nick Petrie will visit the Wellington branch of the Palm Beach County Library System on Thursday, March 19 at 2 p.m. to discuss his new thriller, The Dark Time, which will be released by G.P. Putnam’s Sons on March 10. Registration is required for Petrie’s March 19 event in Wellington. To learn more, find the event page at www.pbclibrary.org. Petrie is back with another propulsive thriller in his best-

selling Peter Ash series. At the suggestion of his girlfriend, June Cassidy, Peter rides to the aid of an investigative reporter who may have stumbled on a story more explosive than even he can handle. This latest installment follows Katelyn Thorsen — known as KT to her friends and enemies — an independent journalist who receives a very specific death threat while tracking down the story of her career. If she doesn’t back away, it may quickly turn out to

be the last story of her life. Fortunately, Peter Ash has arrived in town to look for KT at his girlfriend June’s request. From the moment of his arrival, he’s thrown into a maelstrom of violence trying to protect KT and her daughter. In his 2016 debut The Drifter, Petrie introduced Peter Ash, a war veteran struggling with PTSD, who finds himself in dangerous situations and faces challenges that only a man with his unique skill set can solve. Set in Seattle and the

Pacific Northwest, The Dark Time resonates with timely urgency as it tackles political fanaticism — an issue of growing national concern. With growing appeal among readers, the story also foregrounds Peter’s relationships with girlfriend June Cassidy and best friend Lewis, adding a rich emotional dimension that deepens the highstakes action. Petrie is the author of nine novels in the Peter Ash series. Learn more at www.nickpetrie.com.

Why Tatiana Yaques?

Deep Wellington Roots

Lived in Wellington for over 20 years. Her husband is the Band Director at Palm Beach Central High School, and together they’ve raised their two daughters here.

Experience That Matters

• Attorney with 16+ years of experience

• Small business owner

• Member, Wellington Planning & Zoning Advisory Board (PZAB)

Tatiana’s Priorities

�� Protect greenspace & equestrian heritage

�� Smart, responsible growth that respects residents

✏ Strong public schools & families

�� Safe neighborhoods & fiscal responsibility

�� Support local small businesses

�� A Wellington for every stage of life

Garden Inspirations

Saturday, March 21, 2026

LEADERSHIP THAT WILL LISTEN & DELIVER

Vote for JOHNNY MEIER

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Since my campaign started, I have been out every weekend knocking on doors. It has been an incredible experience meeting so many incredible people and connecting with so many wonderful neighbors.

Since I didn’t get to meet everyone in person, I wanted to share why I’m running.

In the Air Force, I learned that discipline and accountability aren’t optional. As the owner of My Community Pharmacy, I review expenses carefully. Payroll, inventory, and overhead don’t forgive carelessness.

Serving on the Village Council requires that same seriousness.

Every vote cast on the Council has real consequences. Decisions about development shape our neighborhoods for decades. Budget choices affect your tax bill. Policies on traffic, public safety, and parks influence daily life for families across our Village.

To me, real leadership means:

• Listening and ensuring your voices guide decisions

• Always being accessible and accountable

• Protecting residents instead of protecting developers

• Asking hard questions, then making decisions based on facts

If elected, I will take the time to study the details, ask the necessary questions, and consider the long-term impact before casting a vote. I will approach growth carefully, guard taxpayer dollars responsibly, preserve Wellington’s equestrian heritage, and work to preserve the character that makes Wellington special.

When you make your choice, I would be honored to earn your support.

Sincerely,

WELLINGTON REGIONAL UNVEILS DA VINCI 5, LATEST IN ROBOTIC SURGERY

Wellington Regional Medical Center recently expanded its capabilities with robotic surgeries. On Thursday, Feb. 26, a ribbon-cutting celebration welcomed the new Da Vinci 5 by Intuitive robotic surgery machine. WRMC is the first in the western communities to utilize this new technology, although the hospital has been at the forefront of robotic surgery machines since 2018. Intuitive has been building robotic surgery machines for 30 years. The newest model allows for minimal incisions, faster operations, real-time consultation, and AI safety and efficiency analysis on soft tissue surgeries.

DINAH MIRSON, JOINED BY FERNANDO, HOSTS ART SHOW AND BOOK LAUNCH

Wellington artist Dinah Mirson released her first art book, FERNANDO Live. Laugh. Love., as part of a solo art show and reception at Wellington Village Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Mirson’s artwork is inspired by modern artists like Peter Max, Keith Haring and Romeo Britto. She focuses on using bright colors to create positive energy and fun. The subject of most of her work is her dog, Fernando, a 10-year-old retired show dog and credentialed therapy dog. Learn more about Mirson and Fernando at www. thatsfernando.com.

Forum Wellington Council

Candidates

continued from page 1 initiatives, Brody wants to create greater transparency by encouraging more community involvement in decision-making through an open-door policy and creating more opportunities for residents to voice their opinions.

Zillmer is relying heavily on his finance background to bring fiduciary-level oversight to governance. He said his background makes him the best person to protect residents’ tax dollars. An investment advisor, he plans to focus on efficient spending to ensure tax money is used properly and on reducing waste.

“Big government, in my opinion, has never been good for the people — budgeting matters,” Zillmer said. “I plan to budget, just like any other fiduciary would budget, or review a financial account.”

With Wellington potentially losing a portion of its annual revenue from state property tax reforms, Zillmer believes he is the right person to help oversee spending in the village. He wants to continue to invest in parks and recreation and infrastructure to maintain residents’ quality of life. Through his campaign priorities, he said that

Refuses Project

continued from page 1 smaller equestrian farms. Developers increased the size of the country club, which has remained a staple of the project, while reducing the size of the overall residential area. They also added a 10-stall equestrian barn, grooms’ quarters and an exercise arena that would act as an equestrian common area that residents could use. According to the development team, these changes have resulted in a $30 million project loss. One of the many reasons that Wellington boards have criticized previous iterations of the plan is because of the limited details on how developers will preserve the east polo field. Since then, developers have entered into a partner-

they will help continue to make Wellington stronger and safer for all residents. While the other two candidates are campaigning heavily on specific issues, Levin is taking a more centrist, all-encompassing approach. He supports a variety of policies, including keeping taxes low, expanding open play opportunities in the village, speeding up the permitting process and protecting the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area.

“I’ve prepared for this role, I’ve invested in leadership training, and I’ve spent years working in our community on a volunteer basis,” Levin said. “I am ready to serve with integrity, transparency and accountability. I’m ready on day one. If you believe in keeping Wellington safe, financially sound and prepared for the future, I respectfully ask for your support.”

Levin is leaning heavily on his local government experience. His background on multiple government boards and long history in the community, he said, shows his enthusiasm for wanting to serve residents’ interests. Levin said he hopes that his campaign policies will protect what makes Wellington a great community to live in.

The Seat 2 race features candidates with a range of experiences that they believe will prove invaluable to their council service.

“I understand the need to listen to all of the perspectives, and to represent all of Wellington,” Ya-

ship with the United States Polo Association (USPA). If the council approved the development, the two parties would enter into a 45year agreement, with unlimited 10-year renewals available. Their agreement would guarantee that the USPA will use and maintain the Isla Carroll East field for polo matches during the season.

Bob McMurtry, interim chief operating officer of the USPA, explained to the council that polo fields are increasingly being lost, and the proposed project will save one of them.

“If we do nothing, fields will continue to be subdivided and lost,” McMurtry said. “If this agreement is approved, the historic competition field of Isla Carroll East will be preserved in perpetuity under deed restrictions, contractual rights and professional oversight. We urge you to approve this development.”

Added to the developers’ commitment to preserve one of the

ques said. “I believe in thoughtful leadership, and that we are better when we stand together. I’m not here to divide, I am here to serve Wellington, and I’m ready to put my experience, my knowledge, and my love and commitment to Wellington to work for each and every one of you.”

Yaques is a small business owner and lawyer who practiced land use planning law up until 2019. Her top three priorities are traffic congestion, affordability and government transparency. She wants to use smart planning and zoning to make housing options at different prices available in the village. This will also promote local businesses, she said. To support this, she wants the council to provide more guidance to prospective business owners to make it easier to go through the permitting process.

Overall, Yaques praises Wellington for its strategic investments and excellent amenities. She hopes to continue to support these initiatives to keep the village one of the greatest places to live in Florida.

Pandich, an equestrian who moved to Wellington full-time in 2022, is committed to staying and leading the community with an emphasis on communication. She explained that she is not a career politician or backed by any special interest groups, but is running specifically to protect Wellington’s unique identity for all residents.

“Wellington was shaped by

polo fields is a $2.4 million contribution for public works and education. About $2.1 million would help fund two roundabouts near the development. The remaining $300,000 will go toward the Keely Spinelli grant program over six years to benefit Wellington public schools.

Even with all these changes, residents speaking at the meeting still strongly opposed putting this type of development in the equestrian preserve. Several had problems with the main attraction being the country club, and equestrian amenities seemingly being an afterthought.

“Isla Caroll, which will be operated by Discovery Land Company, is fundamentally a private country club,” said Sarah Goos, who also serves on the village’s Equestrian Preserve Committee. “Discovery’s business model is to develop exclusive clubs, collect large initiation fees and annual dues, and sell high-end homes to create a

open land, equestrian tradition, and a community that values space, character and identity over unchecked expansion,” Pandich said. “That unique foundation is why families and businesses continue to choose this village.”

Her priorities are to protect Wellington’s equestrian preserve and promote smart, sustainable development. To do so, she believes there needs to be greater public engagement to ensure residents’ opinions are heard.

“The decisions we make in the next few years will determine whether Wellington remains distinctive or becomes just another overbuilt suburb,” Pandich said.

Meier considers himself the “small business candidate” because of his history running multiple successful businesses in Wellington. He is hoping to bring that same level of value to the council.

“This village needs a business leader to help lead it — to provide transparency to our government,” he said.

As a business owner, Meier believes that he is the right person to cut waste, streamline operations and lower costs. In other areas, he supports protecting the equestrian preserve and continuing Wellington’s recreation and senior programs that add to residents’ quality of life.

“I give the residents a voice,” Meier said. “I’ll keep my promises to make sure to lower taxes; provide transparency; work on

built-in membership base.”

However, the project was not without its supporters. Several spoke at the meeting, claiming that the development will be a good addition to Wellington.

“Polo, jumping, dressage — all of these things are very expensive, and we should be very happy that someone like McCourt and Discovery, who know exactly what they’re doing, are willing to give Wellington a home for the things that they know how to do very well,” polo star Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras said.

At the end of the presentation, the applicant’s team rebutted their position that village staff recommended approval of the plan. They explained that the project is compliant with Wellington’s codes and, therefore, it should be approved.

To close, a lawyer representing the applicant indicated to the council that not approving the project could lead to a long legal battle.

“Denying this application will

conservation easements and rural land management to plan and protect our preserve forever, once and for all; cut wasteful spending; lower our budget; support our cops and our firefighters; come up with solutions for our traffic issues that we face; support our seniors and all their programs; and keep Wel-

not stop the development of the project; it will only guarantee years of litigation at an immense expense to the Wellington taxpayers over a project that complies with your own rules,” said Maria Fehretdinov, litigation counsel for the applicant. “Isla Caroll remains ready to work collaboratively with the village but is also prepared to defend its rights.”

After hearing the legal threat, Village Attorney Laurie Cohen chimed in, telling the council that the applicant has to show that the rezoning is consistent with the comprehensive plan and all procedural requirements. If they meet that burden, the village has to demonstrate that existing zoning serves a legitimate purpose and is not arbitrary, discriminatory or unreasonable.

“I’m not suggesting how you should proceed, but I want you to know that there is no absolute right to a rezoning,” Cohen said.

Several on the council continued

to have problems with the project. In particular, they did not believe that the development had an equestrian focus, and instead was mostly a luxury development and country club with equestrian-amenities tacked on. Given the problems, Councilman John McGovern asked if the applicant would be willing to go back to the other boards to rework the plan to address concerns. However, the applicant’s team said they preferred not to go through the entire process again, but were willing to go before the council with changes in a few weeks.

“I’m struggling… I’m trying to be fair,” Councilwoman Maria Antuña said. “But I don’t feel that this is in the best interest of the public. Therefore, I’m a no as I was before.”

Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind was the only member of the council who supported the project. She made a motion to approve the rezoning, which failed 4-1.

This MonTh’s WellingTon hisTory

The National Polo Museum And Hall Of Fame

Museum On Lake Worth Road Honors The Sport That First Put Wellington On The Map

Perhaps you’ve driven by the building at 9011 Lake Worth Road, which houses the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame and wondered what might be inside. Executive Director George DuPont and Director of Development Brenda Lynn DuPont would be happy to have you come in to find out.

The history of polo in the Wellington area began in 1965 when Gulfstream Polo, which had hosted matches since the 1920s, moved from the Town of Gulf Stream to suburban Lake Worth with approximately 300 horses and seven polo fields. By 1978, due in part to early developer Bill Ylvisaker’s foresight, Palm Beach Polo in Wellington boasted 1,000 stabled horses and 25 fields, with each field consisting of 10 acres.

Despite what many people think, according to Brenda, Wellington grew around polo, not the other way around. The sport of polo brings many people to the area during the season, January through April, including the patrons (team owners), the players, the grooms and the fans. Of course, polo is not the only equestrian draw for Wellington; dressage, hunter-jumper riders and trotters also make the area the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” It is estimated that the horse population of Wellington surges to 25,000 during the season.

The idea of a United States polo museum was conceived in 1978 over a lunchtime conversation among several polo players, including Philip Iglehart, who believed that the history and artifacts of the game should be preserved. It was decided that a location in Florida would be ideal because more polo is played here than in any other part of the country. Iglehart donated three acres of land, and another seven acres were purchased, for a total of 10 acres on which the museum, which opened in 1997, now sits. All 275 polo clubs in the U.S. are represented.

The museum features many exhibits about the history of polo, including “push and play” displays broken down by decades. Specific collections focus on women’s, junior and arena polo and cover all levels, including high-goal polo.

Housed in the museum are various major trophies, such as the United States Open Championship Cup, considered to be the “Super Bowl of Polo,” and the Westchester Cup from the first match played between the U.S. and England in 1886. Artwork on display includes bronze statues, photographs and paintings that are significant even outside the world of polo.

The Hall of Fame began in 1990 as a vehicle to honor outstanding polo players. Then, to recognize others who had made lifetime contributions to the sport, such as club owners, breeders, trainers and instructors, the Iglehart Award was created in 2001. At Brenda’s suggestion, in 2000, the Hall of Fame began to include the horses. According to most players, the horse is 70 to 80 percent of the game, so they should be honored as well. Portraits of each inducted horse are on display.

Polo has attracted many distinguished guests to Wellington, including Prince Charles (now King Charles III), who visited with the late Princess Diana in 1985, where he played in a match at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club; perhaps the large crowd came to see her rather than the prince! He returned to Wellington alone for polo in 1988, and again in 1989 to play in Vero Beach. His Highness Maharaja Sawai Padmanabh Singh of Jaipur, known as Pacho, has also played here. Celebrity fundraising tournaments like Piaget versus Cartier drew a variety of polo-playing stars, such as actor Tommy Lee Jones, who has been a fixture here for years, and, in the 1980s, Alex Cord, William Devane, Doug Sheehan and Pamela Sue Martin.

The museum is continuously evolving with new exhibits and the updating of current ones. “Every day, history is being made, so it’s an ongoing job to chronicle what’s happening today because that’s tomorrow’s history,” Brenda explained.

Stop by the museum for an interesting peek into the world of polo, which is an integral part of the Wellington community.

Learn more about the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame at www.polomuseum.org.

Project page at www.wellingtonhistoricalsociety.org/oral-histories

Twice Is Nice For The U.S. Jumping Team In CSIO4* Nations Cup

The U.S. Jumping Team — made up of Karl Cook, Callie Schott, Marilyn Little and McLain Ward — earned its second consecutive victory in the $150,000 CSIO4* Nations Cup, presented by Florida Coast Equipment, on Saturday, Feb. 28 at Wellington International.

Eight countries brought forth teams to compete in the Saturday Night Lights highlight event of Week 8 at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Over the 25-year history of the FEI Nations Cup Wellington, the U.S. has now won 11 times.

Teams from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Israel and Mexico joined the home nation in the opening round, with the top six teams returning for round two. After disappointing first attempts over tracks built by Nick Garant and Steve Stephens, Israel and Colombia did not advance. Cook aboard his Paris Olympic partner, 14-year-old Selle Français mare Caracole de la Roque; Little riding La Contessa, an 11-year-old Mecklenburg mare; and Schott on

15-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Garant were foot-perfect in the opening round. As a result, U.S. Chef d’Équipe Robert Ridland elected for Ward, his team’s anchor rider, to save his horse — 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding Jordan Molga M — for the second round. The U.S. advanced to the second round on a score of zero, matched only by Ireland after Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam and Tom Wachman jumped without faults. Scores of zero on the board once again came from Schott and Little for the home nation, while a rail fell for Cook. For the Irish squad’s return, Jordan Coyle and Cian O’Connor were clear, with Wachman posting four faults.

A familiar scenario in team jumping at Wellington International, the final decider came down to the last two rounds of the evening between Ireland and the U.S. A heartbreak rail at the final fence on course put a tally of four aside Sweetnam’s name, and placed all the pressure on Ward’s shoulders.

“It’s a position that I’ve grown

to be comfortable in and relish, to be honest, but I think I felt more pressure because it’s a new relationship with this horse,” said Ward of Jordan Molga M, the mount owned by Michael Smith that joined Ward’s string in December and made a debut under the lights at WEF on Saturday night. “I was going back and forth on whether I should jump the first round, and decided I needed to trust our preparation.”

Ward only jumped once but made it count with a clear. Ireland settled for second on a final score of four, and Canada took third on nine faults.

“The two double clears were phenomenal,” said Ridland of Little and Schott’s pivotal contributions to the team effort. “That’s the way you win Nations Cups; double-clear rounds.”

Of La Contessa, the mare that carried her to the win, Little said, “Her consistency is absolutely fabulous. It’s a blessing to have a partner you can really count on.

This was a dream about 12 months ago, so to be here — with a horse

The

like that, on a team like this with mentors, and in my hometown — it’s a dream come true.”

In her first Nations Cup on home soil, Schott echoed Little’s sentiments and gave credit to Garant, owned by Southern Arches. “It was really exciting to jump double clear and be there for the team,” she said. “I trust Garant so much

— he loves to run and jump, and if I trust him and be there for him, he’s there for me.”

Despite the rail, Cook and Caracole de la Roque, owned by Eric Navet and Signe Ostby, made a significant contribution to the winning effort after traveling from their home base in California to Florida.

“The show here has built a really great brand around Saturday Night Lights, and not only does the horse culture here in Wellington come out, but also the general public does as well. The crowd helps us as riders, and I think it makes the sport better,” he said. Learn more about WEF at www. wellingtoninternational.com.

Wellington Starts March With Let’s Move Campaign Kick-Off Party

By Monica Kallas Town-Crier Staff Report

The Let’s Move Kick-Off Party was held at the Wellington Amphitheater on Monday, March 2. Families enjoyed free activities and entertainment, along with food trucks, vendors, and music and dancing provided by Digital Vibez. People of all ages came to join in on the event. The goal of the gathering was to remind residents that it is important to exercise every day and eat healthy. Moving together and exercising in groups is also a fun way to keep a strong, healthy body and mind — no matter your age.

Children at the event had many games to play with and music to dance to on the grass and the amphitheater stage. There were also several vendors at the event, such as Trader Joe’s, and food trucks such as Kona Ice and Four Corners Café. Representatives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office also attended the event, participating in games while still keeping an eye on the safety of all people attending. One popular PBSO guest was K9 Targus, who attended with his partner, Deputy Roy Gonzalez. The event was part of Palm Beach County’s “Let’s Move:

Commit to Change Physical Activity Challenge.”

The Let’s Move Challenge, presented by Digital Vibez in partnership with the Palm Health Foundation, encourages individuals and teams to commit to exercising for at least 30 minutes every day throughout the month of March. Wellington was honored as the top team countywide last year, officially logging 43,290,360 minutes of physical activity.

Up for the challenge? Register for free at www.letsmovepbc.org.

All Wellington residents are invited to join the Village of Wellington team when they sign up.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Village of Royal Palm Beach

PUBLIC

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026

MUNICIPAL

POLLING PLACES OPEN FROM 7:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M.

Election for Group #1

Precincts and Polling Places Precincts Polling Places

6503,6504,6506

6503,6504,6506

Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center 100 Sweet Bay Lane

6501 H. L. Johnson Elementary School 1000 Crestwood Boulevard North

6507,6508 Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center 151 Civic Center Way

6510, 6516, 6525, 6526 Royal Palm Beach High School 10600 Okeechobee Boulevard 6511, 6512 Royal Palm Beach Commons Park 11600 Poinciana Boulevard

6510, 6516, 6525, 6526 Royal Palm Beach High School 10600 Okeechobee Boulevard 6511, 6512 Royal Palm Beach Commons Park 11600 Poinciana Boulevard 6505, 6513, 6515, 6517, 6519 Calypso Bay Waterpark 151 Lamstein Lane

6522, 6523, 6524

6505, 6513, 6515, 6517, 6519 Calypso Bay Waterpark

6522, 6523, 6524

Diane DiSanto, MMC

AVISO PÚBLICO Villa de Royal Palm Beach

AVISO PÚBLICO Villa de Royal Palm Beach

ELECCIONES MUNICIPALES MARTES, 10 DE MARZO, 2026

ELECCIONES

LOS LUGARES DE VOTACTIÒN ABIERTAS DESDE a las 7:00 a m hasta las 7:00 p m

Distritos

Distritos

6505,

Elecciones grupo n. 1

6503,6504,6506

LOS LUGARES DE VOTACTIÒN ABIERTAS DESDE a las 7:00 a.m hasta las 7:00 p.m. Elecciones

L. Johnson 1000 Crestwood Boulevard Norte

6507,6508 Centro Cultural Royal Palm Beach 151 Civic Center Way

6510, 6516, 6525, 6526 Escuela Secundaria Royal Palm Beach - 10600 Okeechobee Boulevard

6511, 6512 Parque Común Royal Palm Beach

11600 Poinciana Boulevard

6505, 6513, 6515, 6517, 6519 Parque Acuático Calypso Bay 151 Lamstein Lane

6522, 6523, 6524 Recinto Ferial del Sur de Florida

9067 Southern Boulevard

6509 Biblioteca Royal Palm Beach

500 Civic Center Way

6502 Salón Ciprés Royal Palm Beach 1050A Royal Palm Beach Boulevard

Diane DiSanto, MMC, Secretaria de La Villa Oficial que declara / Secretaria Municipal

Polo for Life’s 11th annual Polo for a Purpose fundraiser was held at the National Polo Center in Wellington on Friday, Feb. 27 with a “Dolce Vita” theme. Polo teams representing sponsors Mayer Ranch and Hotels at Sea played on the field, while gala attendees enjoyed an evening with great food and entertainment. Polo for Life is a nonprofit organization that provides support to families facing childhood cancer. Learn more at www.poloforlife.org.

KALLAS/TOWN-CRIER

PHOTOS BY MONICA

Top six things to look for in a senior primary care provider

Healthcare isn’t the same as one ages. Seniors have different health needs, so it makes sense to choose primary care centered on seniors. Here are some things to consider:

1. Care access. Does the doctor offer same-day appointments? If there is a concern after hours, is the care team available 24/7 over the phone?

2. More one-on-one time with the doctor. It’s important for a doctor to really get to know their patient. That takes time—time for patients to ask questions and the time for the doctor to answer them thoroughly.

3. Senior-focused. Make sure the doctor and care team see just seniors. They’ll have more up-to-date information on what it takes for seniors to feel their best.

4. Proactive approach to care. The doctor should see patients routinely to monitor their health and detect and treat any issue early.

5. Dedicated care team. Ideally, a patient's care team should include a board-certified doctor, a behavioral health specialist, a care coach and, in some cases, a clinical pharmacist. They should work together, so they see a broader view of their patient’s physical, mental and social well-being.

6. Accepts Medicare. Have the provider confirm if they accept Medicare plans. If someone has paid into Medicare their entire working life, they should reap the benefits of lowcost healthcare coverage and not pay more than they need to.

When it comes to aging well, it’s important to choose primary care that centers on seniors’ needs. This, along with a proactive approach to healthcare, helps patients thrive and continue enjoying the things they love.

This is the first time I’ve had a doctor who really listens to me George | Actual patient

Wellington Girls Softball Team Ready For State Title Defense

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

It’s not easy winning a high school state championship in any sport, and it’s probably more difficult trying to become back-to-back state champions. However, that’s the journey for Wellington High School’s girls varsity softball team this spring. Under the guidance of head coach Mark Boretti, last year’s WHS team went 23-4 and won the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 7A title, defeating Hagerty High School, 6-5. The final game took eight innings and required Jessilyn Vera crossing home plate after a sacrifice fly in a Kansas City Tiebreaker to determine the winner.

The Wolverines finished last season with a 10-game winning streak and were led by the pitching power and prowess of senior Tori Payne. Well, Payne has been lost to graduation, and this year’s squad

is off to a tough 2-3 start. But hope springs eternal for Boretti and his squad of 15 players.

Boretti knew that this season would present its own set of challenges, and he was well aware that his early season schedule would be filled with competitive hurdles.

The most recent 3-1 loss to an undefeated squad from the Oxbridge Academy on March 3 is a good example of the degree of difficulty of Wellington’s schedule this spring.

To fill the void at pitcher, Boretti is solving the issue by implementing a policy of pitching by committee.

“We have three pitchers in our rotation,” said Boretti, now in his 17th and final season as the head softball coach at WHS. “Our three pitchers are Yanaira Andrade, Grace VanDyke and lefty Cameron Vickers. During the week of March 2, we have three games, and each pitcher will get a start.”

The highlight of the season, to date, was a 6-5 victory against Seminole Ridge High School.

“We had a great comeback win again Seminole Ridge on Feb. 25,” Boretti said.

The victory was secured when junior Gabi de los Reyes slugged a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Throughout the season, Boretti is going to rely on the team’s oldest veterans to lead by example — in practice, on road trips, in the dugout and on the field during games.

“I have seven seniors on this year’s team, and I need all of them to lead the way this season,” Boretti said. “Our goal is play well enough to get into the regionals, and then anything can happen.”

For Boretti’s squad, the first of the three regional games won’t take place until May 7. The other two regional games will be May 12 and 14. The FHSAA Class 7A state final four will be contested

May 22-23 at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood. Wheth-

er or not WHS is able to earn its way back to the finals remains to be seen. It’s quite possible, but it won’t be easy.

In other girls softball news:

• The Seminole Ridge softball team is off to a 3-3 start to the season. The Hawks, however, have won two straight games. Seminole Ridge senior Haven Berryhill is leading the team in batting average (.625), on-base percentage (.714) and stolen bases (10).

• The Palm Beach Central High School softball team is 1-3 after four games. Their lone win was a 19-7 victory against Olympic Heights High School on Feb. 19.

Junior Kiah Haston is leading the team in batting average (.455), hits (5) and home runs (1).

• The King’s Academy softball team is 3-1 after four games. TKA started the season with three straight wins. Junior Gracyn

Needle is leading the team in slugging percentage (1.875), on-base percentage (.889), batting average (.750), runs scored (13) and home runs (3).

• Berean Christian School is 3-0 and in pursuit of a second straight district title. Junior Julianne Severson leads the team in nine different offensive categories: slugging percentage (1.750), on-base percentage (.883), batting average (.833), runs batted in (14), runs scored (13), hits (10), doubles (4), triples (2) and home runs (1).

• The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball team did not open their season until Wednesday, March 4, when they hosted Glades Central High School. Results of that game were not available at press time.

Western Communities Flag Football Team Wins World Title

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

A girls flag football team comprised of players from the Acreage/ Loxahatchee area and Westlake has earned the title of world champion. From Feb. 18 to Feb. 22, players that are part of the 9U

squad from the Tru Skillz Academy traveled to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World to compete in the Unrivaled Sports 2026 Youth Flag Football World Championships.

During the competition, the local squad won all seven of its

games by a combined score of 142 to 12. The teams that Tru Skillz Academy played hailed from China, Florida, Maryland, New York and Massachusetts.

In the championship game, Tru Skillz Academy defeated the UUT South Tampa Mafia from Florida, 13-0. That game was streamed on ESPN+.

In all, there were 18 teams in the 9U age bracket at the tournament. The overall tournament featured more than 10,000 athletes on more than 1,000 teams. In all, seven countries were represented.

Aubriella Aughey, a wide receiver, running back and linebacker for Tru Skillz, was named the most valuable player of the 9U age group tournament. On offense, Aughey and teammate Mackenzie Barrett both caught seven touchdown receptions from quarterback Olivia Fortney. Harper Britt, Mia McVeigh and Valerie Weis added extra points for Tru Skillz in the tournament.

Defensively, Aughey had five

defensive sacks and two safeties, which are worth two points each. Aughey was also named as the Under Armour Player of the Game in the championship.

According to Justin Aughey, the team’s head coach, his squad has local players who have a shared passion for playing flag football.

“This is a true homegrown team, built from the heart. Without every girl’s effort, sacrifice and dedication, this world championship would not have been possible. Together, we earned this championship,” he said.

Other players on the team include Sky Almonte, Alessandra De Felice, Layla Dobson, Peyton Figueroa and Gigi Plotkin. The two assistant coaches are Juan Ruiz and Adam Dobson.

According to coach Aughey, the experience of playing in the tournament represented more than a chance to score touchdowns to win games.

“Our girls are learning life

lessons through the game of flag football,” he said. “They are learning how to deal with adversity, the importance of individual and team discipline, understanding the importance of hard work, and grasping the value of teamwork.”

The next big events on the calendar for this 9U team are the 10U NFL Qualifier and the AAU Junior Olympics. The Miami Dolphins NFL Regional Qualifier will be Saturday, March 14 at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale. If the team wins the Miami Regional Qualifier, the team will advance to the NFL Flag Championships, presented by Toyota. which will be at the Droplight Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield, Indiana, from July 23-26. This event will feature an NFL Experience football festival, as well as the girls and boys NFL Flag regional winners, representing all 32 NFL clubs. The AAU Junior Olympics are set for July 27 through Aug. 8 in Des Moines, Iowa.

TKA Girls Soccer Squad Captures The Class 2A State Title

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

The King’s Academy girls varsity soccer team has reached the “mountaintop,” crowned as the Class 2A state champions for the Florida High School Athletic Association.

The championship game took place on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale. In the championship finale, TKA defeated Miami’s Palmer Trinity School 5-4 in penalty kicks. The winning PK was driven into the net by defender Sophia Cueto. The championship game was competitive throughout the match. It was scoreless at halftime, re-

mained scoreless at the end of regulation time and stayed scoreless through 30 minutes of extra time. That’s when the penalty kick session started.

The day before, TKA won its state semifinal game against Lakeland Christian School by the identical 5-4 score in penalty kicks. In that match, the winning PK was delivered by Coco Joos. When Cueto slotted home her winning PK in the championship game, there was a spontaneous celebration — combined with relief and joy — by every player, coach, manager, fan, parent and teacher connected with TKA at the stadium.

Rarely does a high school soc-

cer team win a state championship without scoring any goals in regulation play or in extra time, but TKA was able to do just that because of a brilliant defense and a very talented goalkeeper in Sabrina Callejas.

The heart and soul of the defense was the starting quartet of defenders — Adeline Roach, Deionce Storey, Ava Chapman and Cueto.

“Our defense has been solid all season, and especially in the state series,” head coach Bri Mackrey said. “Addie, Deionce, Sophia and Ava were organized and stayed locked in all games.”

Callejas may well have been the difference maker in both games in Auburndale.

“Sabrina was lights out,” Mackrey said. “She made three huge early on saves in the final game to keep us in the game. She was exceptional and helped the team’s momentum.”

Callejas was also brilliant during the penalty kick phase in the semifinal and final.

“She saved five PKs in two shoot outs,” Mackrey noted.

In both matches, Mackrey had the same advice for her players just prior to the penalty kick session.

“I told them just like we did in practice,” she said. “Pick a corner

and make a solid contact. Be calm and collected.”

During the PK session in both games, Mackrey’s mindset was filled with optimism.

“I have so much confidence in my team and goalie. I knew we had the win,” Mackrey said.

As Mackrey makes coaching

plans for next year’s team, she will have a few holes to fill due to a few departing seniors. But she will always remember her starting 11 who played like champions for two days in Auburndale. They were goalkeeper Sabrina Callejas; defenders Adeline Roach, Deionce Storey, Ava Chapman and Sophia

ART FOR MEMORY

Tuesday, March 10 5:30-7:30 pm

A Signature Community Event Open to the Public

Presented by Wellington Art Society

Join us for an inspiring and interactive program that explores how Mindfulness, Creativity, and Arts Engagement strengthen brain health and overall well being.

Guest Speaker: James E. Galvin MD, MPH

Dr. Galvin will speak at the Wellington Art Society on Tuesday, March 10, to discuss factors that contribute to brain health resilience and reducing vulnerability to cognitive decline, including the appreciation of and participation in the arts.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES. To register, visit: www.wellingtonartsociety.org

Suggested Donation: $15pp* All donations are tax-deductible. For info, please contact: PresidentofWAS@gmail.com

Wellington’s March Madness Tourney Draws 100-Plus Teams

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

For the 24th consecutive year, the Wellington Wolves travel basketball organization will be hosting its annual March Madness basketball tournament. The tournament — set for March 7-8 — will be held on 16 indoor basketball courts in Palm Beach County, with many of the games being played in Wellington.

The facilities in Wellington that will be utilized are Wellington High School, Palm Beach Central High School, Polo Park Middle

School, Wellington Landings Middle School, the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club and Village Park, which has three courts. Other facilities hosting games include Keiser University, Palm Springs Middle School, L.C. Swain Middle School, Emerald Cove Middle School and others.

According to Wellington Wolves President Mike Colin, director of the tournament, this year’s March Madness will be one of the biggest tournaments in the event’s history. “This year, we have 107 teams

that have registered to play in our March Madness basketball tournament,” said Colin, who is in his first year running the tournament after taking over from longtime Wellington Wolves President Chris Fratalia. “It’s going to be awesome.”

This two-day basketball tournament has attracted teams from throughout Palm Beach County, as well as teams from across Florida, including Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Miramar, Fort Lauderdale, Port St. Lucie and Fort Myers.

Colin said the tournament will feature 79 boys teams and 28 girls teams. Of the 107 teams in the tournament, 16 will be representing the Wellington Wolves — 12 boys teams and four girls teams.

“It will be a great weekend of competitive basketball,” Colin said.

According to Colin, one of the keys to the success of the tournament is the number of volunteers stepping forward to help sell tickets, concessions and licensed tournament merchandise.

Also, the Palm Beach Capos football cheerleaders will be making an appearance at Village Park on Saturday, March 7.

The charge to attend the March Madness basketball tournament

for adults will be $20 for a daily pass or $35 for the weekend. For children age six and over, daily tickets are $10 or $15 for the weekend. Children age five and under are admitted free.

This year’s tournament will start on Saturday, March 7 with the singing of the national anthem by Emily Shecter at Village Park at 8 a.m. The first game at Village Park will tip off at 8:30 a.m. The last championship game of the tournament will be held at Village Park, starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 8.

On the first day of the tournament at Village Park, new and slightly worn shoes are being collected by In Jacob’s Shoes, a South Florida-based nonprofit group that collects shoes for needy children in South Florida. This shoe collection effort is being coordinated by the Council of Dads, which is led by Wellington resident John Sitomer, in cooperation with the Wellington Wolves.

“We have collected more than 15,000 pairs of brand-new and slightly worn shoes during the last five March Madness tournaments here in Wellington,” Sitomer said. “Every year, we receive donations from a wide cross-section of the entire Wellington community and

Wellington’s March Madness tournament will be held at Village Park and other facilities around the region.

beyond. We will be collecting shoes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7. The shoes will be refurbished and given to orphanages, senior centers and to school children in South Florida who need a new pair of shoes.”

To stage Wellington’s March Madness basketball tournament will require nearly 70 referees who are coming from Palm Beach County, Broward County and the Treasure Coast. The referees are being assigned by Erik Benz and Leon Lipsick, the co-directors of the Ref Collective.

Berean’s Elena Schartner Takes Center Stage At State Final Four

By Mike May Town-Crier Staff Report

During the Florida High School Athletic Association’s (FHSAA) Class 1A state final four for girls soccer, held in Auburndale on Feb. 20-21, there was a short pre-game ceremony prior to one of the state semifinal matches. The ceremony featured Elena Schartner, a senior at Berean Christian School, who kicked off that day’s first Class 1A state semifinal with a few opening remarks.

For Schartner, it was a first-time experience as a public speaker at a major sporting event.

“I thought I was going to be more nervous, but once I started speaking, I felt at peace and felt God guiding me through the rest of the speech,” said Schartner, one of the team’s co-captains this past season. Schartner, 18, who has a 4.1 grade point average at Berean, began by greeting the crowd and introducing herself.

“Good morning, everyone!”

said Schartner, who’s a Palm Beach Atlantic University women’s soccer commit. “For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Elena Schartner. I am a senior at Berean Christian School, and I was blessed with the opportunity to open today.”

While Schartner and her teammates were firmly focused on being competitive that day in their upcoming match against the Canterbury School from Fort Myers, Schartner’s focus was also on sportsmanship. “I want to congratulate both teams on making it this far,” Schartner said. “A state semifinal doesn’t just happen by chance. It took heart, discipline and a whole lot of sacrifice to be standing on this field today. No matter what jersey you’re wearing, you’ve earned the right to be here.”

Schartner reminded the players, especially younger ones, that while it’s important to be competitive, it’s also important to appreciate what it took for your team to reach

this part of the state tournament.

“To the younger players: cherish this. Soak it in,” Schartner said. “Sure, these moments feel big now, but one day you’ll realize they were an even bigger deal than you could’ve ever imagined. Don’t rush through it. Be present. Someday you’re going to wish you could go back.”

As a senior, Schartner knew that this was going to be her one and only state final four athletic experience before graduating this coming May.

“To my fellow seniors, feel blessed,” she said. “This year, I had to accept that high school sports don’t last forever. The bus rides, the pregame prayers, the inside jokes — they all become memories faster than you expect. If this is your last run, hold it tight and give it everything you have.”

Schartner understood the true meaning of making it to the final four of an FHSAA competition.

“I feel incredibly blessed and honored to stand here today,” she

added. “Not just because it’s a [state] semifinal, but because of the journey it took to get here. People see the games under the lights. They see the wins, the highlights, the big moments. But they don’t always see the early mornings, the late nights, the bad practices, the injuries, the tears or the challenge of balancing being a student and an athlete. They don’t see the quiet work when nobody’s watching. That dedication, those unseen moments, are what brought us all here tonight. And, praise God, we have the opportunity to work that hard for something we love. So, as we step onto this field, let’s play with gratitude. And let’s remember that being here is already a blessing, and what we choose to do with these next 80 minutes is up to us.”

Schartner concluded her remarks with a closing prayer.

Soon thereafter, the match between Berean and Canterbury began. Sadly for Schartner and her teammates, they fell to Canterbury, 4-0. Berean — which had the larg-

recalled. “It was an amazing way to start our journey. Thank you, PBSO.” Elena

est fan support in the grandstands that day from students, teachers, administrators, parents and family members — ended its season with a 16-5 record. When Berean’s girls soccer team departed for Auburndale on Thursday, Feb. 19 for its state semifinal the following day, the

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Education Place in Wellington Keep your skills sharp this summer at Education Place in Wellington, which is offering an educational and fun summer. Your elementary scholar will both enforce existing skills and learn new ones while having fun with the arts and science. Combat the summer slide in a safe and nurturing, air-conditioned environment. For more information, call (561) 7536563. Education Place is located in the original Wellington Mall at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 23.

FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center’s Summer Day Camp Gift your children a lifetime of fun, adventure and exploration this summer at the FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center’s Summer Day Camp. Campers will experience a balance of environmental education, arts, culture, sports and outdoor fun. Camp runs Monday through Friday, June 8 through July 31, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for campers ages 5 to 12 years. For more information, contact Director Wendy Bautista at (561) 656-5430 or wdiazgra@fau.edu, or visit www.pinejog.fau.edu.

Florida Rowing Center’s Summer Rowing Camp The Florida Rowing Center’s Summer Rowing Camp is now in its seventh year. The program is designed for both boys and girls who want to learn to row, as well as experienced rowers looking to improve their sculling technique and fitness. Come have fun on the water. The program rows on Lake Wellington, a freshwater, protected, 2,000-meter-long lake. Registration is limited to allow individual, personalized coaching and instruction. The summer program is open to students age 12 and up led by head coach Doug Cody. For 35 years, the Florida Rowing Center has attracted and trained elite-level competitors from North America and Europe. Register and learn more at www.floridarowingcenter.com.

Peter Brant, Melissa Ganzi Awards Highlight 2026 Polo Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony

The polo world celebrated its legends, highlighted by Peter M. Brant and Melissa Ganzi, at the record-setting, sold-out 37th annual Polo Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner on Friday, Feb. 13 at the Museum of Polo. More than 500 guests attended the ceremony.

Brant developed the powerhouse White Birch team and organization, which dominated highgoal polo in the United States for about 25 years beginning in 1979, winning 31 tournaments at the 26goal level or higher. This spurred other teams to build and maintain a professional organization.

Brant thanked his family, his mentors, his players and staff during his illustrious 50-year polo career. Despite his many victories, Brant said he thinks more about the horses in his career, “Not just mine, but my teammates and my opponents.”

He closed his remarks with, “I love this game.”

Melissa Ganzi, philanthropist, entrepreneur, club owner and highgoal patron, received the Iglehart Award for exceptional lifetime contributions to the sport.

Ganzi’s moving, pre-recorded acceptance speech was the emotional highlight of the night.

“Giving back to polo is import-

German dressage megastar Isabell Werth stamped her own brand of riding magic on the Zen Elite Equestrian FEI Dressage World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle, producing a mesmerizing 82.66% performance. She and Special Blend 3 were making their CDI freestyle debut during the Friday Night Stars sold-out evening showcase at the 2026 Adequan Global Dressage Festival on Friday, Feb. 20. Flipping the second and third places from the qualifying Grand Prix class, Brittany Fraser-Beaulieu landed the runner-up spot with a massive new personal best on Jill Irving’s 12-year-old Jaccardo. The gelding scored 79.25% with a high-energy, maximum throttle performance. Ecuadorian rider Julio Mendoza Loor finished third, meaning the top three athletes represented three different continents. Mendoza Loor rode his 2024 Paris Olympics mount Jewel’s Gold-

ant to me,” Ganzi said. “It has been a privilege to be a part of the sport’s past, present and future.” She accepted the award along with her husband Marc, and their children, Grant and Riley.

Billy Stevens, a terrific player in both the arena and on the grass, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Stevens, who turns 99 years old in two months, accepted his award with a video, as his wife, Ruth, and their sons, Charlie and Jimmy, attended the event.

Elisabeth “Pansy” Ireland Poe, a trailblazing pioneer who unofficially became the first woman player to obtain a handicap rating with the USPA in 1925, was inducted into the Polo Hall of Fame posthumously. Her great-niece, Nancy Ireland Stahl, accepted the award.

Equine advocate Clint Nangle was honored as the posthumous Iglehart Award recipient, and he was remembered as a caring, kind, dignified champion of the sport. Clint, a natural-born lefty who started in polo at Myopia in 1962, was always positive and passionate about doing what was good for the betterment of polo. His daughter, Dana Nangle Scott, and grandson, Sam Scott, accepted the award.

strike to 78.165%. Riders from six different nations filled the top six places in the high-scoring class.

Special Blend 3, who is still registered to former owner Helgstrand Dressage but was recently sold to Werth’s student Natalie Stickling-Morzynski, belied his inexperience in the freestyle, dancing enthusiastically to a classical compilation originally designed for Werth’s Olympic team gold medal-winning horse, Emilio. Special Blend only got the call-up to fly to Florida a few days before the show after Werth’s intended horse, DSP Quantaz, got a small swelling on one leg.

“This freestyle is really, really difficult, and I was not sure what Special would do because he’s not experienced in these kinds of atmospheres, but he was very focused,” said Werth, who was delighted to hear 2,000 spectators clapping along to her final center-

Well-respected Joe Casey Sr., the 2025 Iglehart Award recipient, attended the ceremony after missing last year because of illness. Mike Carney accepted the award for Casey Sr.

The Horses to Remember honoree of the early pre-Hartman era was Citroen, the award-winning Argentine-bred chestnut gelding purchased by Robert Lehman. His son, Robin, and granddaughter, Morgan, accepted the award.

Longpocket, Billy Mulcahy’s raw-boned and wiry Australian

line. “This crowd was so supportive and started to clap, which is something special. That end to a test is a feeling I really enjoy, and it’s how you know why you’re still in the saddle in a competition.”

Werth’s test showcased a full piaffe pirouette right after the entry halt and 22 one-time changes on a curving line between canter pirouettes. It was a masterclass in her signature fusion of extreme technical difficulty and jaw-dropping ease of execution.

“I’d like to thank the show team because it was pretty impressive here,” said the seven-time Olympian, who last competed in Wellington a decade and a half ago. “I didn’t expect that it would be like this. There’s a huge improvement in the whole environment here — the horses, the riding — which is great to see. We have to make dressage more global... I’m pretty sure that I’ll come back next year.”

Thoroughbred, was recognized as Horses to Remember, post-Hartman Award era. Numerous high-goalers, including Memo Gracida, Esteban Panelo, Piki Alberdi, Juni Crotto and Mike Azzaro, played Longpocket.

Wendy Hollander, Longpocket’s early groom and Mulcahey’s former wife, accepted the award.

The Polo Training Foundation (PTF) Player of the Year awards in the annual scholastic and collegiate awards were included for the first time.

The honorees were Zak Coleman of Texas A&M (Intercollegiate Stephen A. Orthwein Male Player of the Year), Alana Benz of UVA (Intercollegiate Daniel J. Wallace Jr. Female Player of the Year), Joe Bob Lequerica of Houston (Interscholastic Russell A. Sheldon Male Player of the Year) and Kylie Beard of Maryland (Interscholastic Lynn Thompson Female Player of the Year). The event’s success was due to generous dinner sponsors Grand Champions Polo Club and Aspen Valley Polo Club, as well as major sponsors Olexa Celine, the Robert I. Goldman Foundation and U.S. Polo Assn.

Also supporting the event were Tito’s Handmade Vodka, and spirits from longtime sponsors Robert S. Lipman and Margaret Lipman Orthwein. Premium wine and champagne were supported by new sponsor Shelby Meisler and Inlet Harbour Liquors. Special thanks to Alex Pacheco Photography, Krystal Zaskey Photography and Chukker TV for their contributions. The black-tie Hall of Fame Awards Dinner is the most important annual fundraising event for the museum, an independently run, not-for-profit organization. Learn more at www.polomuseum.org.

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Kravis Center ArtsCamp — Theater kids will find a home for boundless creativity this summer at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. ArtsCamp is an innovative, three-week summer camp that provides young artists ages 9 to 11 with a working knowledge of what it takes to bring a show from an idea to reality. Under the guidance of professional teaching artists, campers will explore acting, dance, technical theater and vocal music, culminating in an ensemble piece produced and performed by the campers. To learn more, or to register, visit www.kravis.org/artscamp or call (561) 651-4251.

Lake Worth Playhouse Arts Academy — Make it a summer of creativity at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Young performers ages 8 to 15 can star in Mary Poppins Jr. during the Summer Show Camp (June 1–26), ending with a public performance on June 27. For ages 6 to 10, the nine-week Summer Theatre Camp (June 1 to July 31) offers exciting weekly themes — from Broadway and Disney to Star Wars and Christmas in July — plus fun Friday showcases. Camps run Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach. Sibling rates are available. Call (561) 586-6410 or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org to register.

Neighborhood Kids Schools Summer Camp — This summer, children ages 0 to 8 are invited to embark on an unforgettable nine-week journey around the world, right from the Neighborhood Kids campus. Each week, campers will explore a new country through hands-on activities, music, art and interactive learning adventures designed to spark curiosity and creativity. Meaningful character lessons and engaging Bible stories are thoughtfully woven into each destination. Neighborhood Kids proudly serves families in Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens and Delray Beach and surrounding areas. Space is limited. Visit www.neighborhoodkids.net for more information and to secure your child’s spot.

Wellington Rotarians Visit Adult Day Care Center For Valentine’s Day

On Friday, Feb. 13, Wellington Rotary Club members had the joy of spending a meaningful time with the wonderful adults at Royal Palm Adult Day Care.

With the support of Certified Therapy Dog Inc. and direction from Rotarian Maggie Zeller, club members hosted a Valentine’s Day Bingo celebration filled with smiles, laughter and heartfelt connection. What made the day even more special was the participation of

Rotary family members, who joined in with the same spirit of love and service.

Seeing multiple generations come together to share kindness and companionship with individuals who have spent their lives giving so much of themselves was inspiring.

The club thanks fellow Rotarian and owner Michael Vergara for welcoming them and allowing the club to be part of this beautiful experience.

Wellington Teen Auctions Harley To Fuel Lifesaving Cancer Resources

Seventeen-year-old Wellington resident Dariyan Younessi is showing that the leaders of tomorrow are not waiting to make a difference, they’re revving up change today.

Through his student-led philanthropic initiative, Driven by the Promise, Younessi is inspiring his peers, and the broader community, to join him in raising funds for the Promise Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer in South Florida by providing guided support and access to screenings, early detection, treatment and beyond for all women, with a focus on those who are uninsured, underinsured or have limited access to healthcare.

Through a special auction partnership with Heritage Auctions,

Driven by the Promise arranged for an extraordinary piece of memorabilia — Serial No. 1 of the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR — to raise funds for the cause. One of only 131 of this race-inspired CVO model ever created, the motorcycle was donated by the Younessi family, with all proceeds from the sale of this iconic motorcycle to help ensure that more women have access to lifesaving resources.

Bidding closed on Feb. 24 as part of a live auction event held in Dallas, Texas.

“I never had the chance to meet my grandmother because she passed away from breast cancer, and I don’t want anyone else to have to experience that kind of loss,” Younessi said. “My family has been personally affected

by cancer, and Driven by the Promise was created to turn that experience into action. I believe young people don’t have to wait to lead, raise awareness and make an impact.”

Founded to engage the next generation in philanthropy and community leadership, Driven by the Promise reflects Younessi’s belief that young people can and should take an active role in addressing critical issues affecting their communities.

“What an opportunity for the Promise Fund to accelerate our mission and generate critical funds for the women we serve,” said Nancy G. Brinker, co-founder of the Promise Fund. “We are profoundly grateful to the Younessi family for their generosity and honored to channel the spirit of

Sheriff’s Foundation Announces Youth Scholarship Recipients

The Palm Beach County Sher-

iff’s Foundation (PBCSF) has announced the recipients of its 2026 Youth Scholarship Program. A total of 15 Palm Beach County high school seniors, all of whom were nominated by a sworn employee of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, will receive $2,500 scholarships for their freshman year of college. Each scholarship is renewable for up to four years of college or trade school. This is the 12th year of the program, and the foundation is committed to distributing $150,000 a year in scholarships.

Local winners this year include Trinity David of Wellington High School (Keiser University), Arielle

Hornsby of Seminole Ridge High School (Palm Beach State College), Karissa Pittard of Seminole Ridge High School (Florida State University) and Isabella Workman of Palm Beach Central High School (University of Central Florida).

Other honorees from around the county include: Arnoldo Acosta-Ruiz, Ngoc (Kristine) Diep, Sreethan Enjem, David Lherisson, Taranza McKelvin Jr., Xavier Mitchell, Evelin Nino-Lagunas, Adriana Ramirez-Delgado, Micanor Regis Jr., Amy Soria-Galvarro and Rigby Stepp. The students will receive their scholarships and be recognized at a luncheon on Sunday, March 8 at

noon at the National Polo Center in Wellington.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization that helps underprivileged children through such programs as Shop with a Cop and Youth Scholarships.

Support for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office enhances deputy safety by subsidizing new equipment that might otherwise be unattainable. In addition, the foundation has provided great support for the K-9, Domestic Violence and Gang Units, and assists PBSO employees in times of need.

For more information about the PBCSF, visit www.pbcsf.org.

this iconic machine into driving lifesaving impact for women throughout our community.”

Founded in 2018, the Promise Fund reaches tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin counties. To date, the organization has reached more than 125,000 individuals through outreach and education, impacted the lives of more than 20,000 women through screenings and diagnostic access, and helped 271 women diagnosed with cancer navigate treatment.

Through Driven by the Promise, Younessi hopes the recent auction will not only generate critical funding but also inspire other young leaders to step forward, engage in philanthropy and use their platforms for meaningful impact.

To learn more about the Promise Fund, visit www.thepromisefund. org. Learn more about Driven by the Promise at www.instagram. com/drivenbythepromise.

Rachel Ireland of Wellington has been named to the dean’s list at the College of William & Mary for the fall 2025 semester.

In order to achieve dean’s list status, a full-time degree seeking undergraduate student must take at least 12 credit hours and earn a 3.6 quality point average during the semester.

William & Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the United States.

Avery Trieste, a graduate of Wellington High School, has earned dean’s list honors at the University of Tampa for the fall 2025 semester. Trieste is a sophomore majoring in sport management. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.75 or higher to be eligible for the dean’s list.

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Wellington Conservation Center — For those exotic animal lovers interested in an exciting summer program, the Wellington Conservation Center is now taking reservations for children ages 8 to 14 for the summer months. This camp is an all-access pass to animal fun for the summer. Become a junior zookeeper, learn about conservation or even just focus on some of the animals at the farm. There are four unique programs, with each a week full of hands-on learning experiences sure to excite the interest of kids of all ages. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with before and after care available. The cost is $300 per week, per child. To register, call Cole at (203) 206-9932. Visit www.wellingtonconservationcenter. org to learn more.

Wellington Elementary School’s D.C. Trip Was A Huge Success

BINKS FOREST EL HONORS NOMINEES

ited Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas from Feb. 10 through Feb. 13. It was an amazing trip with many firsts for both the children and chaperones. They visited some new places and had some fun in the snow. Some of the places they went were: Mount Vernon, the Capitol Tour, the Holocaust Museum (Daniel’s Story), the National Law Enforcement Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Arlington National Cemetery, the People’s House (White House experience), Ford’s Theatre, the 9/11 Memorial at the Pentagon, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and many other monuments and memorials.

Highlights of the trip included the wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where four students participated in the ceremony. One of the students, Lincoln Aldrich, participated in the ceremony and also got to visit his grandfather’s grave for the first time since he passed. His grandfather served in the United States Army and was a Purple Heart recipient. It was an emotional expe-

American Heritage Announces Nine-Week Summer Programs

American Heritage Schools, a nationally ranked private, nonsectarian and co-educational college preparatory day school, recently announced that its summer programs, including Day Camp and Summer Education, will be offered in-person or online during summer 2026.

The summer programs, which American Heritage Schools has offered for more than 40 years, will run for nine weeks starting June 8 through Aug. 7. Camp and education programs are open for all families, including students who do not attend American Heritage.

American Heritage Schools’ summer camp programs, offered at both the Broward and Palm Beach campuses, are designed for children ages 3 to 13. American Heritage provides day camp and specialty camps, including robotics, art, science, musical theater, video production and sports camps. Specialty camps vary by campus. Each camper will enjoy age-appropriate activities supervised by highly qualified staff. To expand the number of rec-

reational activities available to campers ages 8-13, age-appropriate field trips are scheduled. Bus transportation is provided and operated by American Heritage, and all drivers are properly licensed and screened. All field trips are supervised by off-campus directors, as well as an appropriate number of counselors. Before starting camp, campers will receive a schedule of activities. For more information, or to sign up, visit https://ahsummerprograms.com.

American Heritage Schools’ Summer Education offers an extensive course catalog of more than 120 enrichment and reinforcement courses (three-week sessions or weekly seminars), specifically designed with student interest and engagement in mind. Most of the classes are offered live online and/or in person at one of American Heritage Schools’ two campuses. The Broward Campus is located in Plantation, and the Palm Beach Campus is located in Delray Beach.

American Heritage Schools’ course offerings are often viewed

as the gold standard in college-preparatory education, and the summer programs continue that standard.

High school course offerings include advanced test prep, honors and AP-level research work, as well as unique pre-professional programs for those interested in future careers in medicine, law or business entrepreneurship.

American Heritage Schools’ Summer Programs also offer a wide variety of enrichment and reinforcement programs for Junior High School (grades 6-8) and Lower School (PK3 to grade 5) students, as well as one-on-one tutoring options for those looking to enhance their skills and build confidence. For more information, or to sign up, visit https:// ahsummerprograms.com/pages/ summer-institute.

Summer Day Camp prices vary per program and start at $710 per 3-week session. Summer Edu cation three-week courses start at $1,420 per session. Summer Education weekly seminars start at $1,650 per session.

Sunshine Slices Win First Place, Advancing To State Competition

A team of seven talented Palm Beach County middle school students from various local schools known as the Sunshine Slices has earned top honors at the Palms Regional Division of the Odyssey of the Mind competition held Feb. 27 at Treasure Coast High School, securing first place for Problem 3, “The Epic Quest.” This win secures advancement to the state competition in Orlando on April 4. The team coaches are Allison Schouwink and Veronica Oland. The community team is sponsored by Dedicated Systems Inc. Odyssey of the Mind is an international organization that fosters problem solving and out-of-thebox thinking in science, technology, engineering, arts and math. Competing against teams from across the region, the Sunshine Slices impressed judges with their originality, problem-solving skills

compete for the opportunity to advance to the world competition in Iowa in May.

Community members are en couraged to cheer on the Sunshine Slices as they take this exciting next step and continue represent

Lisbet At Wellington Bay Hosts ‘Mini-Walk’ To End Alzheimer’s

Lisbet at Wellington Bay was filled with music, movement and a sea of purple on Friday, Feb. 20 as residents and staff gathered early to participate in a vibrant “mini-walk” to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease.

The event served as a powerful show of solidarity for those affected by the disease, blending a professional commitment to memory care with a warm, celebratory community spirit.

Clad in signature purple T-shirts, residents arrived with high energy to support the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association. To kick off the festivities, Wellness Director Melissa Clark kept the crowd’s spirits high, leading a lively dance session to pop classics, including a spirited routine to Katrina and the Waves’ “Walking on Sunshine.”

The event featured a poignant tribute involving colored flowers, each representing a different connection to the cause. Nina Sharpe, Walk to End Alzheimer’s manager for Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, explained the profound significance behind the tradition.

“Part of our ceremony at the

walk is talking about where people are in the journey and the colors represent where you are in that journey,” Sharpe said. “Orange is to support the walk. Blue is for someone who currently has Alzheimer’s and is living with the disease. Yellow is for the caregivers — all the amazing people and staff and family who really do a lot to care for everyone. Purple means you’re walking for someone who has passed away, unfortunately, from Alzheimer’s.”

For the leadership at Lisbet, the walk is an extension of the daily dedication found within their specialized memory care neighborhood. Gita Anderson, executive director of Lisbet, emphasized the community’s philosophy on dignified care.

“Lisbet is designed not just to provide care but to foster an environment of love, dignity and respect for our residents who are living with memory care challenges,” Anderson said. “We recognize that each individual has a unique story filled with experience and memories. Our goal is to spark joy and engagement while helping to preserve connections to the past

Residents take part in the “mini-walk” to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s.

through personalized activities like art therapy and music sessions.”

The morning’s success serves as a precursor to even larger efforts.

Wellington Bay residents and staff are already looking forward to participating in the official, large-scale Alzheimer’s Walk scheduled for later this year in November.

“It was a special morning for

our residents, families and team members, and we’re grateful for your support in sharing the spirit and energy of the event,” said Dana Ray, business development director at Wellington Bay. “The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is so close to many hearts.”

To learn more about Wellington Bay, visit www.wellingtonbayfl. com.

Minto Unveils Two New Model Homes At Westlake

Minto Communities USA has unveiled two new designer model homes at its flagship master-planned community, Westlake. The single-family Sycamore and Hibiscus designs officially opened to the public on Saturday, Feb. 28, during the 2026 Westlake Showcase of Homes. The Showcase of Homes runs through March 8, inviting visitors to tour all 13 furnished model homes throughout the community. Tours begin at the Westlake Sales Center, located at 16610 Town Center Parkway North, and are available Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m.

Guests can also vote on their favorite design features during the event for a chance to win a seven-day Margaritaville at Sea cruise for two aboard the Islander.

The newly debuted Sycamore and Hibiscus models highlight open-concept living spaces, designer-selected finishes, expansive kitchens and seamless indoor-outdoor living areas — reflecting

the modern Florida lifestyle that has made Westlake one of the fastest-growing communities in the region.

“The debut of the Sycamore and Hibiscus at our Showcase of Homes represents an exciting new chapter for Westlake as the community continues to grow,” said Steve Svopa, division president of operations for Minto Communities USA. “These homes showcase the thoughtful design, lifestyle-focused features and lasting value that have fueled Westlake’s strong demand from buyers.” Both models feature Minto’s two newest exterior elevations, the Contemporary and the Modern Farmhouse, now available exclusively in The Oaks, Westlake’s newest neighborhood, which debuted in December 2025. These fresh designs highlight modern architecture, enhanced curb appeal and thoughtful layouts that are already resonating with homeowners.

The first phase of The Oaks includes 266 single-family homes,

The Westlake Hammocks Sycamore model is one of the home designs available. with pricing beginning in the mid $400s. The Sycamore and Hibiscus are part of Minto’s popular Cypress Collection, which offer a variety of thoughtfully designed single-family floor plans. Homes in the Cypress Collection are built on 50-foot lots and range from 1,644 to 4,008 square feet under air. Westlake continues to attract buyers seeking new-construction homes in a vibrant, family-friendly

setting. The community has the capacity for more than 6,000 homes and is approved for more than two million square feet of commercial development. A limited number of single-family estate homes and townhomes remain available from the high $300s. For more information on Westlake, visit www.westlakefl.com. To register for the Westlake Showcase of Homes, visit https://go.mintousa.com/westlake-showcase.html.

First Bank Holds A Ribbon Cutting For New Wellington Branch

First Bank held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 19 to celebrate its new Wellington branch at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the Town Square shopping plaza.

The event brought together local leaders and community members to mark the branch’s new role in strengthening Wellington’s business district and community life.

“We’re excited to welcome First Bank to Wellington and appreciate its commitment to serving our residents and small businesses,” Wellington Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “First Bank’s

The Royal Palm Brewing Company earned three medals at the 2026 Best Florida Beer Championships for its Dark Mexican Honey Lager, Spruce Willis Spruce Tip IPA and Oktoberfest Märzen. The brewery’s Oktoberfest has now won “Best Florida Beer” honors twice. The statewide competition features blind judging by certified beer professionals. Royal Palm Brewing is also in contention for Brewery of the Year in the under-250-barrel production category. The locally owned brewery continues to gain recognition for its range of award-winning craft beers. The awards will be presented at the 2026 Brewer’s Ball on Sunday, March 8 in Tampa. Learn more about the Royal Palm Brewing Company at www. royalpalmbrewing.com.

• Supporting Wellington High School’s Interact club promoting community service and leadership skills

• Providing scholarships to deserving high school seniors

• Offering foreign exchange opportunities to local students

• Distributing hundreds of dictionaries annually to third graders in the community

• Providing holiday gifts to kids who otherwise might not have received any

• Supporting programs for at risk teenagers that provide vital counseling and vocational training

• Donating funds for basic clothing for kids in need

• Promoting peace through art, poetry and essay contests for kindergarten to high schools students

• Providing holiday meals to homeless families

I Own An Undeveloped Lot... But Only For The Club Benefits

On a whim, I bought an undeveloped lot in Bella Vista, Arkansas. I bought it because it was only $7,000, because my daughter owned the adjoining undeveloped lot, and because owning it gave me all the rights and privileges of a Bella Vista Club member which, if you make full use of all their free pools, golf courses, nature trails and exercise centers, easily zeroes out the seven grand. Plus, you get a significant discount at their three restaurants. Plus, I’m lucky in real estate. In two short years, the value of the property has gone up 33 percent. Not that I’m selling — the French Dip at the BV Club is too good. In fact, I bought my daughter’s property from her so I could have a larger lot in

case I ever do want to build a house there.

The only downside to this little venture is that I don’t live in Arkansas. So, when I visit, I have to race from pool to pool, golf course to golf course, etc., in order to get the full benefit of my membership. I usually have the grandkids in tow, so

the day starts with my annihilating the tots on the mini-golf course (I’ve found my sport!), continues with a bucket of (free!) balls on the driving range, followed by a swim in the indoor pool. Then we have dinner at the club while I wait for my blood pressure to go down.

I remember telling you about my 11-year-old granddaughter’s propensity for naming inanimate objects like potatoes. Well, she’s a downright embarrassment on the driving range. She’ll line up three golf balls (“Kevin, Bob and Jimmy”) and mercilessly whack away at them with no time wasted on aiming.

“Tess, just try to get near the flag.”

“I’ve got this.” Another swing and a

miss. She hollers, “That’s on you, Beyonce!” People quickly look up from their shots, eyeballs searching the area for the record-breaking artist, but to no avail. Tess was referring to her golf club.

“OK, Tess, that’s it. Let’s go.”

“Wait! I have to get Timmy!” She runs back and pulls her tee out of the ground.

Sigh. At the pool, it’s my 13-year-old grandson, Orion, making a spectacle of us.

Because this club is fancy-schmancy, they have things like rubber mats all around the perimeter so nobody slips. They have a dryer built into the wall so you don’t have to deal with a wet bathing suit. And

they have a pile of free pool noodles and flotation boards so you don’t have to carry all that with you every time you come. It was Orion who figured out that, by poking pool noodles through the handle cut-outs

‘A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms’ Is A Wonderful Short Series

I seldom review a television show

after it has already run, but A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms falls into a separate category. As some know, I was a huge Game of Thrones fan. That series ran for a decade with 72 episodes. Then there was that sequel, House of the Dragons, which I hated. Why? Because there were no heroes to identify with. In the original show, we fell in love with cute Arya, stalwart Jon, and, of course Daenerys, mother of dragons. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is different. There were only six episodes in the season, which contained a whole story. And since it is on HBO Max, you can still see all of it.

‘I’

On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

It’s a different kind of story, a smallscale buddy movie. No dragons at all. No fights for empire. It is the story of Dunk (Peter Claffey), also known as Sir Duncan the Tall, and a young boy, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), because he is totally bald, who turns out to be Aegon Targaryen, of that family. There are a few hints from the start that neither is exactly who they say they are. Dunk, it turns out, claims to be a “hedge knight,” one without lands or power, but it turns out he was never knighted. And Egg, far smarter than the big guy, has family issues galore. The best thing is that it’s simple. Dunk wants to be a knight so he can test himself by jousting. Just once. Nothing to really do with dynasties directly. He’s

sort of a clown. Not really bright, but very good-hearted and filled with self-doubt. He just wants to go to a local tournament to fight. No huge number of characters from a lot of different families, or even the same family with complicated names.

There are a lot of characters who pop up and then disappear which, in the long run, is very good. Who needs to remember if someone is related to someone else unless there’s a point to it? And the tone is much lighter than the earlier shows. Not necessarily less tough. The fifth episode is more or less one big nasty fight where Dunk really gets beaten up. A lot of it is also from his point of view, and it is gory. So, for those who miss the big battle scenes, you get a smaller, nastier one.

Also, there are real moral questions raised about status, about privilege, about ethics. But it is done in a way that keeps within the bounds of the main story. The

casual violence, the mistreatment of the poor, particularly women, is dealt with simply and powerfully. But the center of the series is the relationship between the hulking, not very bright man and the brilliant young boy. At the end, when there are real questions about their future, we can see that choices must be made, and some of them are not all that different from the kind of problems we face today.

What also carries the series is the fine acting. Claffey is excellent as the good-hearted, oafish Dunk. He is the center of the series and is like a rock all the others bounce off. The kid, Dexter Sol Ansell, is a real find. He manages to be interesting and warm and charming, but also a bit opaque as we realize he has his own agenda. When someone is this good as young age, we can relish great promise for the future. I also liked Daniel Ings, the

one Baratheon present. He was blustery and fun. Tanzyn Crawford as Tanselle, an actress and painter, had a few really excellent scenes as well. The entire cast was strong, and that made the entire thing work better.

The final episode was the highest rated post Game of Thrones episode. It did so well it even outdrew The Pitt, one of the major hits of HBO Max. It has been renewed for at least one more season, and the stories will focus on our two heroes. Seasons will be shorter, and that will tighten up the plots. Because the focus is more on the people, it is likely we’ll see less court formality and more simple pleasures.

If you like Game of Thrones, this short series should delight you. If you’ve just heard about that series, try this one before dipping your toes into the far longer series.

Antonio Mendez, MD, is no longer with Conviva Wellington as of February 28, 2026. Current patients will automatically be transferred to another provider at the center. If you are a patient and you choose not to continue care at Conviva Wellington, you can obtain your medical records by calling 561-793-1713

St. Jude’s Novena

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and preserved throughout the world now and forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St.Jude, worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude, help of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day by the 8th day, your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you, St Jude for granting my petition. L.B.

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