DELRAY MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2026 by JES Media

MEET THE WOMEN WHO BUILT DELRAY

HE DOESN’T JUST PLAY A DOCTOR ON TV

MICHAEL JOHN BENZAIA

Check our Facebook page and delraymarket.com for information about deals, events and more!

UPCOMING EVENTS*

*Events are subject to change without notice.

Arsy-Varsy Jewelry & Decor

AT&T

AWOL Vision

Batch Gastropub

Burt & Max’s Bar and Grille

Care Dental

Chase Bank

Chico’s

Club Champion

Curated Home

Deka Lash Diamonds & Pearls

Dos Amigos Tacos

European Wax Center

Foot Solutions

Ganzo Sushi Glam Cosmetics

Harmony Studio Luxury Furniture

Hoffman’s Chocolates

Hooky Entertainment IT’SUGAR

SHOP DINE RELAX Entertain

MUSIC FEST – Wednesdays, October 2025 through April 2026, 6-8pm

YOGA ON THE GREEN – First and Last Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm

EASTER EGG HUNT – March 28, 2026, 11:00am-2:00pm

Laughing Lizards Boutique

LOFT

Lucille’s Bad to the Bone BBQ

ManCave Salon

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

Mustafa Hair Design

Natural Beauty Laser

Orangetheory Fitness

Perspire Sauna Studio

POSH Design Studio

Publix Super Markets

Restore Cryotherapy & Hyper Wellness

Revival Boutique Ruby and Jenna Salt Pilates

Sand Brazil

Shoes ‘N’ More Skillets

Soma Intimates

StretchLab

Techy

Terra Fiamma

Venetian Nail Spa

Verizon Wireless

Versona

Visual Eyes

White House Black Market

Xfinity

Yonutz!

COMING SOON

The Designery 14851 Lyons Road, Suite 121 Delray Beach, FL 33446 delraymarket.com

For on-site advertising & short-term lease opportunities contact bfriedrich@kiterealty.com

NEVER STAY IN YOUR LANE.

Rooftop bowling, pools, pickleball, wellness, and more. This is NORA House — condominium residences as stylish as they are welcoming. Step outside and you’re in the NORA District, alive with curated shopping, dining, and experiences, with names like Pastis, IGK Salon, Solidcore, and the Nora Hotel.

It’s a life above it all, in the heart of it all.

Marcus Neuroscience Institute Offers More Options for People With Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often strikes in the prime of life. As an autoimmune disorder, it can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, vision problems, bladder and bowel issues, as well as cognitive changes. As it progresses, MS can lead to varying levels of disability, including the need for an assistive device with walking.

Although MS has no cure, experts at Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health, are offering patients hope and a wide range of treatment options. “No one ever wants to be diagnosed with MS, but we now have a lot of very good treatment options that didn’t exist just a few years ago,” says neurologist Amy Laitinen, M.D. , director of multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at the Institute. “Today, we have many medication options and they are more targeted and effective at delaying disease progression and preventing new attacks.”

Dr. Laitinen joined the Institute after completing a fellowship in multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunology at Columbia University, supported by the National MS Society. She is leading the expansion of the MS program at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, a vital initiative as advancements in imaging technology are allowing for earlier and more accurate diagnoses.

Approximately 1 million people in the U.S. are living with MS, which affects the central nervous system. It occurs when the immune system

mistakenly attacks the myelin — the protective covering around nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This results in inflammation and scar tissue, also known as MS lesions or plaques.

MS can be particularly challenging to treat because it affects each person very differently, Dr. Laitinen says. Among the common symptoms are:

• Bladder and bowel changes

• Cognitive problems including difficulty with memory, attention and concentration

• Fatigue

• Muscle weakness, spasticity, stiffness and balance problems

• Numbness and tingling in the limbs

• Vision problems such as blurred or double vision, or even partial or complete vision loss in one eye

There isn’t one single test to diagnose MS. Doctors typically order a brain MRI to detect lesions, and/or a lumbar puncture, which can show positive oligoclonal bands, a marker of inflammatory activity, in the cerebrospinal fluid.

There are different types of MS. In relapsingremitting MS (RRMS), patients experience periods of new or worsening symptoms followed by partial

or complete recovery, with no disease progression between relapses. Primary-progressive MS (PPMS), on the other hand, is characterized by a gradual worsening of symptoms over time, without clear relapses or remissions. Meanwhile, secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) develops in individuals initially diagnosed with RRMS who later experience a steady progression of the disease without evidence of new relapses.

Women are three times more likely to be diagnosed with MS than men, and Hispanics and Black Americans can present with more severe disease, Dr. Laitinen says. Other risk factors include having a close relative with MS, living in an area with decreased sunlight where vitamin D levels may be lower and being between the ages of 20 and 40. Some viruses, such as the EpsteinBarr virus, have been linked to MS, although more research is necessary to confirm the connection.

Treatments include medications that help modulate the immune system like steroids and physical, occupational, vocational, speechlanguage and cognitive therapies. Today, many medications are administered via infusion, although some are given with injections and others are taken in pill form.

“MS is a complex disease and it’s important to be evaluated and treated at an experienced center,” Dr. Laitinen says. Marcus Neuroscience Institute is on the path to certification as a Center for Comprehensive Care by the National Multiple

Amy Laitinen, M.D.

Sclerosis Society, she says. The Neurology Infusion Lab located at the Institute provides advanced neurology infusion therapies.

Dr. Laitinen, who will also be heading MS clinical research trials, is very optimistic about the future for patients. “It’s an exciting time to work in neuroinflammatory disease, because the science and the treatments are moving at a rapid pace,” she says. “Patients can expect to have the same life expectancy as the general population, and 20 years after diagnosis, about two-thirds of them will likely still be walking, although some may need assistance.”

With an arsenal of innovative treatments and equipment in the hands of expert physicians, Baptist Health Brain & Spine Care is ranked In the top 10 percent of neurology and neurosurgery programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

For more information about the MS program at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, visit BaptistHealth.net/MultipleSclerosis or call 561-955-4600 to make an appointment.

14 Editor’s Letter

The Transformers have something in common with Delray Beach: They are both more than meets the eye.

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

17 Hot List

A renowned vegan chef makes his plantbased comeback, and Savor the Avenue’s sprawling table returns for another year of dining and décor. Plus, after-dark delights at Beach Club, St. Paddy’s Day revelry and more.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

20 Try This

Whether master gardener or brown thumb, all are invited to shape their plants’ futures at the Morikami’s bonsai classes.

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

22 Top 5/Calendar

Sake, sushi and swing combine at a glitzy fundraiser, and a live-to-film performance of “Dirty Dancing” feeds fans’ hungry eyes. Plus, jazz legend Christian McBride gets funky, Miami City Ballet shimmers, and the Naked Magicians still have something up their sleeves.

BY JOHN THOMASON

26 Style

Spring fashion is in full bloom with these tasseled, floral and flow-y favorites from Delray retailers.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CARINA MASK

31 Home

The two most functional rooms in the house needn’t be basic or impersonal. Convert kitchens and bathrooms into the stars of any abode with these coastal designs and globally inspired products. BY AMANDA MESA

34 Up Close

Meet an actor and radiographer juggling dual roles in television and medicine, and a Pine Crest student fighting food insecurity with his passion for lasagna. BY TYLER CHILDRESS AND JOHN THOMASON

38 Worth the Trip

From beach access to their own photo shoots, pampered pooches will feel right at home at Kimpton Vero Beach, the hotel of choice for a pup-friendly getaway. BY JOHN THOMASON

40 Delray Interview

Members of the Crossroads Club saved a seat for Dylan Morgan, who, like his father and grandfather before him, abused alcohol. Now, this sober advocate is leading the recovery organization that brought him back from the brink. BY TYLER CHILDRESS

44 The Women Who Built Delray

The pioneering women of Delray Beach did more than stand by their men. Discover the educators, healers, reporters, farmers, arts advocates and preservationists whose impact on their beloved village still reverberates.

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

77 Dining Guide

Our review-driven dining guide showcases great restaurants in Delray and beyond—including our critics’ takes on a new fine-dining destination on the Avenue and an artisanal sandwich shop that levels up lunch.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS AND CHRISTIE GALEANO - DEMOTT

87 Out & About

“Witches” pedaled their two-wheeled “broomsticks” on a whimsical charity ride, the Spady Museum honored an important Harlem Renaissance artist, locals laced up their sneakers to end hunger, and golfers hit the Seagate course to raise funds for epilepsy awareness.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

96 ConnectionCommunity

When it comes to preserving Delray’s complicated surfing legacy, wave-riding historian Tom Warnke is always on board.

BY RICH POLLACK

LAKE LIFE, LAKE ACCESS, LAKE IDA

Brennan Development and Stuart & Shelby Home Builders create a bespoke escape set on .41 acres with private deeded lake access and a dedicated boat slip. This 5,106 sqft. estate is the definition of refined lake and city living. The home features five spacious bedrooms, six luxurious baths, a private office, bar and an expansive club room —ideal for entertaining or unwinding with nature just a short stroll away. A three-car garage offers ample storage, with an exquisite backyard and outdoor kitchen that invites seamless indooroutdoor living. Every detail speaks to sophistication, privacy, and a lifestyle anchored in comfort and connection to the water with a sense of place.

$5,995,000 DESTINATION BY DESIGN

Editor-in-Chief

Christiana Lilly

Managing Editor

John Thomason

Web Editor

Tyler Childress

Editor Emeritus

Marie Speed

Senior Art Director

Lori Pierino

Production Manager

Rafael Quiñones

Graphic Designer

James Karpinen

Photographers

Aaron Bristol, Carina Mask

Contributing Writers

Christie Galeano-DeMott, Rich Pollack

Director of Advertising and Marketing

Nicole Ruth

Director of Circulation and Sales Support

Bruce Klein, Jr.

Account Executives

Karen Kintner, Jenna Russo, Skyler Ruth

Special Projects Manager

Gail Eagle

Promotional Writing

Margie Kaye

Controller

Jeanne Greenberg

Customer Services/Video Editor

David Shuff

SERVICES

First Impressions

MOST THINGS IN LIFE ARE WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

Legend has it that when Mary Elizabeth Sterling arrived in Linton—what we now know as Delray Beach—in 1896, she started bawling.

Her husband, Henry, had quit his job in Philadelphia and was following Henry Flagler and his enterprising railway to South Florida. When Mary arrived with their 5-year-old daughter, Ethel, a few months later, she was not thrilled by what she saw. Very few people lived in the area at the time, namely Bahamian and Black railway workers, and the land was dotted with tents, pine trees and lots of sand. Decades later, Ethel would recount how her mother said to her, “You poor dear. You will never see anything, hear anything or know anything here.”

More than 100 years later, Delray Beach is a far cry from what the Sterlings saw when they arrived. And while Mary was devastated by her new lot in life, it’s actually because of her that our Village by the Sea is what it is today. She was the founder of the Ladies Improvement Association in 1902, a group that would spearhead the building of sidewalks, the first town hall, library, permanent cemetery, beach pavilion and other necessities like hot lunches for schoolchildren and advocating for women’s right to vote in local elections.

In the moment, first impressions seem like a done deal. We kick and scream and bemoan our lot in life, that this is going to be forever. That’s probably what happened to Mary (I would be pissed if my husband uprooted me to a swamp), but what I can only imagine is that after some reflection and a pity party, her perspective changed. Maybe she met other women in the community, maybe she started to appreciate the wilderness around her, maybe she watched her daughter grow to love their new little town. Something clicked, and she became a force to be reckoned with. You can read more about Mary Elizabeth Sterling and other notable women who built Delray on page 44.

This issue is filled with other first impressions proven wrong. For our new Delray Interview section, Web Editor Tyler Childress interviewed the new executive director of the Crossroads Club, Dylan Morgan. He shares how he found sobriety (he’s the third generation of his family to utilize the services the club offers) to now leading an organization after the death of his mentor, Tony Allerton. Sometimes we need a hand up to find our place.

Then there’s our cover profile, Michael John Benzaia. Your first impression of him may have been on an episode of “Law & Order: SVU,” where he plays a paramedic. Little did you know he’s actually in the medical field in real life. And don’t be fooled by high schooler Parker Forman, who has fed more than 1,000 people with his homemade lasagna.

We hope you enjoy this issue of Delray magazine, and if it’s your first time here, welcome. We’re more than what we seem on first glance.

OTHER DELRAY WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW

Yvonne Lee Odom — At just 15, she was the first Black student to attend Seacrest High School in 1961, the start of integration in Delray Beach. She had been attending George Washington Carver High School, and was also the first student to integrate in South Palm Beach County. The two high schools would eventually merge to become Atlantic High School. Oh, and Odom is also the grandmother of tennis phenom Coco Gauff.

Elizabeth Shaw Sundy — Her last name makes her recognizable as the wife of Delray Beach’s first mayor, John Sundy, but she made a name for herself as a respected teacher in town. She taught high school Latin, and also taught English to Seminole and Japanese women. In return, they left vegetables and meat on the Sundys’ front porch. She was a founding member of the Ladies Improvement Association in 1902.

Linda Simon — The Simon family is considered one of the founding families of Delray Beach, and they still make an impact; granddaughter Laura Simon is the executive director of the Delray Beach DDA. Linda moved to Delray Beach with her husband in 1924 and raised four sons, who each became community leaders in their own way. She was a member of the Delray Beach Republican Women’s Club, the Delray Beach Historical Society and Delray Beach Playhouse.

Christiana Lilly

CARINA MASK

DesignerSpotlight

Sybil Archabault Design Consultant

One of the reasons California Closets has such a dedicated following is because clients know we make the experience all about them,” says Anette Jordan, VP of Operations for the South Palm Beach market. “They’ve loved our product for years after their initial purchase, and know that the value was created through the intentional design focused on improving their day-to-day lives. Our team consists of professionals with expertise that allows them to deliver the best possible solutions. One example is our designer, Sybil Archambault.”

Sybil’s journey to becoming a Design Consultant with California Closets began at an early age, when her passion for art and architecture developed into a keen eye for proportion, balance and aesthetics. For more than a decade, Sybil has collaborated with homeowners, architects, interior designers and builders to deliver solutions that are both functional

and visually compelling, reflecting their clients’ individual lifestyles. Her portfolio spans from walk-in closets with boutique-inspired displays to compact closets that maximize every inch of space. No space is too big or too small to be transformed.

California Closets embraces a client-centered approach, producing designs tailored to personal routines and preferences. Luxury finishes including textured materials, lighting, glass, leather and aluminum blend elegance with durability. Although it is exciting to work on glamorous projects, Sybil loves being able to provide optimal functionality at affordable prices.

“I am thrilled with the new palette of finishes available to offer to my clients. I look forward to the re-opening of the showroom in Boca Raton featuring a world of fantastic new designs,” Sybil shares.

HOT LIST

NEWS AND NOTES FROM DELRAY BEACH

Spring Break

We’re making the most of the last few spring breezes by dining under the stars, toasting green beer, going vegan and more.

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

Savor the Avenue

Chewy Lands in Delray

We all know Chewy as the business that sends the blue boxes that our dogs tear into for kibble like it’s Christmas morning, but did you know the online pet food retailer now offers veterinary services? Chewy launched its first veterinary clinic last year and has since expanded its paw print to Delray Beach. Boasting an experience designed by veterinarians with patients and their owners in mind, Chewy Vet Care offers a one-stop-shop for pet care, ranging from routine checkups to surgeries. Where the Delray Beach location differs, however, is that it’s the first location to employ a viewing treatment window for the utmost transparency, and the first to sell Chewy’s fresh dog food line, Get Real. Beyond the top-of-the-line veterinary service, the space is thoughtfully designed with warm lighting, soft colors, nonslip floors and pet-friendly materials to create a safe and calming environment for even the jumpiest of patients. 1911 S. Federal Highway, Suite 200, Delray Beach, chewy.com/vet-care

SAVOR THE AVENUE RETURNS

South Florida’s biggest dinner party returns for another enchanting evening of moonlit dining on March 23. Make sure you have a seat saved at the nation’s longest dining table—spanning five blocks of Atlantic Avenue—to feast on four-course meals prepared by Delray’s top restaurants. In keeping with the extravagance, tables will be decorated to the nines, with restaurants competing for the coveted Best Decor award. A portion of proceeds from the decadent evening will benefit the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County. downtowndelraybeach.com/savortheavenue

Delray Concours Returns

The Delray Beach Concours D’Elegance will rumble into Old School Square for its fifth year on April 19. The annual celebration of automotive excellence will bring more than 100 classic and rare vehicles from around the world, totaling more than $200 million in vintage cars. Guests are invited to peruse the selection of historically significant vehicles as well as enjoy live music, art displays and a grand showing from automobile enthusiasts vying for the myriad of “Best of” awards. All proceeds will benefit area nonprofits, with more than $125,000 being donated from previous events. delrayconcours.com

Savor the Avenue

A pup patient at Chewy Vet Care

Cars at the Delray Beach Concours D’Elegance

Going Vegan

Chef Rahein Jones has been crafting delicious vegan dishes long before the rise of mock meats, and now he’s brought his acclaimed plant-based pedigree to Delray Beach with the debut of True Vegan. Its menu features approachable dishes for both vegans and the vegan-curious, including lasagna made with a mushroom marinara sauce, a falafel burger and zucchini spaghetti. For a refreshing grab-andgo treat, True Vegan features a selection of smoothies like the Chocolate Protein, made with cacao, banana, almond butter, oat milk and protein powder; or the Green Goddess, loaded with spinach, kale, banana, mango and coconut water. 123 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, true-vegan.com

DELRAY GOES GREEN

St. Patrick’s Day in Delray Beach is never to be missed, and while the festival won’t be returning this year, the parade of drummers, bagpipers and first responders will still make its way down Atlantic Avenue.

Now in its 56th year, the Delray St. Patrick’s Day Parade will kick off at noon on March 14, marching from the Intracoastal Waterway west along Atlantic Avenue to Northwest Fifth Avenue. The parade is expected to feature more than 70 entries consisting of floats, schools, veterans, first responders, local groups, nonprofits, national and international pipe and drum bands, and more. stpatsdelray.com

AFTER DARK: Beach Club

The former home of Sugar Factory and the dearly missed Lionfish has a new occupant, Beach Club. And while its name may be terribly generic, its warm, coastal Mediterranean interior and menu of traditional Italian dishes and unique craft cocktails make this new arrival to Atlantic Avenue’s dining scene worth a visit. Stop in for happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. for free samples of a rotating selection of pizzas at the bar and generous drink specials, including $8 premium cocktails and $7 house wines. After dinner hours, the charming trattoria shifts gears into a full-on nightlife hotspot, complete with live music. Menu highlights include housemade pastas and pizzas and fried meatballs, paired with cocktails like the Ciao Bella, made with vodka, St-Germain, strawberry puree and lime. 307 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, beachclub.pizza

Pizza and craft cocktails from Beach Club

Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Vegan mushroom burger

CHRISTIANA LILLY

The Art of Bonsai

A BUDDING PLANT ENTHUSIAST SPENDS THE MORNING WITH THE PROS AT THE MORIKAMI

Like many people during the COVID era, I picked up some hobbies, including becoming a plant lady. My fellow plant friends trade clippings with me to propagate—dragon fruit, stick cactus, plumeria, pothos and Mexican mint, to name a few—and I’ve experimented with which plants thrive in my home and which are simply not meant to be (can anyone figure out how to keep basil alive?).

So when I saw that the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens hosts bonsai classes, I was intrigued. Growing up in Asia and in an Asian household, bonsai is treated as plant mastery, a skill for high-level horticulturists who can keep a plant thriving while also bending it to their will. The museum and gardens host beginner, intermediate, advanced and studio classes for bonsai, ranging in session lengths. So on a Sunday morning, I joined an intermediate class to see what it was all about.

Rather than head into the main museum, I take an early left and drive down a tree-covered route to the Oki Education Center—each time I am at the gardens, I’m reminded how peaceful the park is, with the sounds of birds and the smell of earth permeating. At the parking lot, I see students lugging their plants from their cars along with bags of soil mix and their tools. I’m definitely at the right place. Once class starts inside the center, each person presents their plant to instructor Vladimir Foursa, who spins it around on a stool to inspect the branches, roots and soil.

Foursa knows a thing or two about bonsai; he has been a curator for the museum’s bonsai collection since 2010, teaching classes for more than a decade, and has been recognized by the American Bonsai Society. With each student, he boasts an encyclopedic knowledge of bonsai and works like a skilled surgeon, reaching for his sickle or clippers to prune back unnecessary branches, inspect the soil quality and the size of the pot, and also make diagnoses: “This side is too heavy.” “The soil is going to get very gummy in the next few months.” “It’s too early to repot.” “This species, you cannot take all the soil off; you’re going to kill the plant.” He also dispenses words of wisdom: You can get a sickle off Amazon, but for clippers, invest in good Japanese ones. For plants that need only partial morning sun, leave them next to a tree so they’ll be protected for part of the day.

The students nod their heads—sometimes their peers come close to learn as well, or to take clippings that have been removed from a plant—and then get to work at their tables to follow Foursa’s recommendations. I notice that the types of plants vary—there is mock lime, Florida red maple, azalea, Brazilian rain tree and more. It is then I learn that bonsai is not a type of plant, but rather an art form. Any woody plant can be a bonsai; it’s the tradition of shaping, wiring and pruning the plant that makes it a bonsai. One student unknowingly brought in a non-bonsai plant. But no matter; Foursa still gives his recommendations. “A plant is a plant,” he says.

As the students work, I overhear them chatting about other plants they have at home that are giving them trouble, and about the Lighthouse Bonsai Society’s upcoming bonsai auction on March 21 at Pompey Park. Some of them are eager to enter a plant for the first time, and others aren’t quite there yet. They’re also apprehensive to part with the expensive pots they’ve invested in (they jokingly call one student “a pot dealer” for his collection).

But as a beginner plant mom, I’m excited to think that in just a few sessions, I could share this group’s confidence and passion for botany.

Oki Education Center at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; 561/495-0233; morikami.org

Instructor Vladimir Foursa prunes a bonsai

KIDNEY STONE CARE: RELIEF + PREVENTION

The Tampa General Hospital Kidney Stone Clinic delivers comprehensive kidney stone care to the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast — backed by the power of one of Florida’s leading academic health systems.

Nearly 50% of people with one kidney stone will develop another within five years. That’s why our experienced, board-certified urologists and nephrologists work together to create personalized plans that treat current kidney stones and prevent future ones. So you get timely relief and valuable peace of mind.

David Amrose, MD TGH Advanced Kidney Care

Daniel J. Caruso, MD, MBA TGH Advanced Urology Care

For care now, contact: Nicole Lashley, BSN, RN Tampa General Provider Network Clinical Integrator (561)960-3099 or nlashley@tgh.org

Murray G. Goldberg, MD TGH Urology Group of Florida

Locations in Delray Beach, Jupiter, Lake Worth & Palm Beach Gardens

TOP 5 March/April 2026

[ 5 ] [ 4 ] [ 3 ]

“SOMETHING ROTTEN!”

WHEN: March 20-April 12

WHERE: Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach COST: $55

CONTACT: 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com

This cheeky meta-musical by composerlyricists Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick is among the most inspired stage comedies of the past 10 years. Predicated on the premise that competing against William Shakespeare in the wordsmithing game in Elizabethan England is a fool’s errand, “Something Rotten!” introduces two such fools: Nick and Nigel Bottom, who run a struggling Renaissance theatre troupe. After bitterly realizing their upcoming project, “Richard II,” is also being developed by Shakespeare, the brothers endeavor to create a new form of dramaturgical entertainment. Urged by Nostradamus’ nephew Thomas to create something called “a musical,” the brothers get to work inventing the form, while their antagonist Shakespeare, presented as a rock star in dazzling sequined costumes, conceives of “Hamlet.” Playing with historical and cultural stereotypes, this Tony-winning show’s laughs are frequent and sizable, and include myriad riffs on classic musicals.

“DIRTY DANCING LIVE IN CONCERT”

WHEN: March 12, 6 p.m.

WHERE: Old School Square Amphitheater, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach COST: $32.39-$266.25

CONTACT: events.delrayoldschoolsquare.com

The legacy of “Dirty Dancing” has long surpassed its modest intentions as an autobiographical drama based on screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein’s dancing lessons at a Catskill Mountains resort in the early 1960s. Shot for $4.5 million, the 1987 film grossed $214 million, its fame only increasing after its theatrical run. It became the first film to sell a million copies on video, and its soundtrack is as legendary as the movie—introducing not just the Oscar-winning “(I’ve Had) the Time of My Life” but “She’s Like the Wind,” “Hungry Eyes” and “Yes,” all of which charted on Billboard. As fans anticipate the movie’s 40th anniversary next year, this immersive stage production will present its soaring music and carnal choreography in three dimensions. With the movie projecting on a giant screen at Old School Square Amphitheater, a live band will perform the songs, while professional dancers will reenact the sultry movements in sync with the action. Audiences are encouraged to sway in their seats, and following the screening, the live entertainers will lead a 25-minute encore dance party.

WALTER SMITH III

WHEN: April 4, 8 p.m.

WHERE: Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach

COST: $65.50-$70.50

CONTACT: 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org

Saxophonist Walter Smith III’s first gig was evidently at a McDonald’s in his native Houston, offering patrons half notes with their quarter pounders. As Smith has told it, he remembers muddling his way through a solo on “Blue Bossa,” Kenny Dorham’s 1963 bossa nova-inspired standard, and earning claps despite its sloppiness: “I figured if I could get away with that and get applause, how could I fail?” These days, the 45-year-old tenorman has long eclipsed pity claps.

Now a chair at Berklee College of Music, Smith has released 11 albums as a leader and 16 more as a sideman for jazz greats such as Terence Blanchard and Christian Scott. His inviting style, rooted in the small-band, adventurous tradition of Sonny Rollins and John Coltrane, is on full display with TWIO, his trio project introduced in 2018 with bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Eric Harland, which is releasing its second album in March on Blue Note Records. Of TWIO’s debut, a critic from Downbeat wrote “[Smith’s] tone and melodicism are just killing with a flow of ideas that’s vast and beautiful.” The trio (or “twio”) makes a rare visit to Delray Beach that’s a must-attend for hardcore jazz heads.

Walter Smith III

“Something Rotten!”

“Dirty Dancing Live in Concert”

DELRAY AFFAIR

WHEN: April 10-12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun.

WHERE: Atlantic Avenue in Downtown Delray Beach

COST: Free

CONTACT: delrayaffair.com

Still the city’s signature arts event some 64 years after its first incarnation, the Delray Affair thrives on two central facets: its sprawl and its variety. To the former, the art fair spreads across seven city blocks, with tents lined up to the nines, stretching on seemingly into infinity. But the latter is perhaps what brings audiences back to the event year after year—the unexpected treasures of art and craft, painting and sculpture, abstract and figurative, budget-friendly and extravagant, stamp-sized and nearly room-sized. Artists from around the world and around the block alight on Atlantic Avenue for the threeday event. Like Delray itself, much of their inventory is whimsical, coastal and distinctive. Outside of the art—and the opportunity to chat with its creators about their process and inspirations—the Affair offers copious food and drink vendors, live demonstrations, workshops, interactive experiences and photo ops. For those driving to the festivities, save the hassle and take advantage of the free offsite parking and shuttle service at the Palm Beach County Administrative Complex.

“A TASTE OF ASIA”

WHEN: March 7, 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach

COST: $300

CONTACT: 561/495-0233, morikami.org Returning for its third year, this Morikami fundraiser has partnered with some of South Florida’s top Asian purveyors for a culinary journey across the continent. The gourmet food stations include fare from Kapow!, Kasumi, Nobu, Sushi by Masumura, Stage, Mizu, Ramen Lab Eatery, Chubby Cat, Lola 41 and more. The selections will be paired with a curated array of wines, sakes and artisan cocktails from Winebow Spirits and Niigata Sake Selections. Beyond the food and drink, “A Taste of Asia” offers a full night of entertainment. Kimata Yasunori, a visiting artist from Japan, will create work live throughout the evening. Fushu Daiko, one of the state’s preeminent taiko drum collectives, will perform thunderous arrangements of percussive music, and 8 Bit Wave, an ace jazz band in the swing tradition that specializes in reimagined themes from Japanese video games and anime, will perform a rousing set. Attendees can also participate in a live auction for jewelry, art and experiences, knowing their bids will help support the Morikami’s work in education, programming and more.

READ THIS

“Body Man”

The fourth novel from Al Pessin, a Delray Beach-based author of spy thrillers, is due this spring. Pessin, a former member of the White House press corps, pools his Beltway knowledge into the plot of “Body Man,” in which the aide to a senator and rising presidential candidate becomes wrapped up in a bungled assassination attempt led by an alt-right reactionary. This timely dispatch from a divided America is available for preorder, and is in stores April 21.

WATCH THIS

Boca International Jewish Film Festival

This celebration of Jewish and Israeli cinema returns to Movies of Delray (7421 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach) March 1 to 15. Titles include “Lucky Star,” a comedy about an antisemitic soldier in WWIIera France whose attempt to pose as a Jew to escape the war leads him to reassess his prejudices; “Labors of Love,” a documentary about the pioneering Jewish activist Henrietta Szold; and “Dead Language,” an enigmatic romantic drama about a disaffected married woman’s search for meaning. Visit jfilmboca2026.eventive. org.

LISTEN TO THIS

Beatles on the Beach

For the first time in its young history, this annual music festival for Beatlemaniacs is not returning to Delray Beach in 2026. But the good news is, you won’t have to travel far to attend.

The festival, returning March 12-15, will take place in and around Mizner Park Amphitheater (590 Plaza Real) in Boca Raton. On March 14, actor Morgan Freeman will introduce his latest project, the Symphonic Blues Experience, a celebration of vintage Delta blues augmented with a live orchestra.

“Live and Let Die: A Symphonic Tribute to Paul McCartney” will headline on March 15.

Delray Affair

“A Taste of Asia”

March/April 2026

Now-March 15:

“Dorothy Gillespie: Color in Motion” at Cornell Art Museum, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach; Free, with donations welcomed; 561/6542220, delrayoldschoolsquare.com/ cornell. Most known for her enamelcovered aluminum sculptures that suggest a sense of motion, this late artist created motley assemblages that resemble ribbons and double helixes, starbursts and fireworks and confetti—optically cofounding metal sculptures that appear as crinkly as paper.

March 28:

The Beach Boys at Glazer Hall, 70 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; $200-$230; 561/576-7860, glazerhall.org.

Founding Beach Boy Mike Love still leads the foundational surf-pop pioneers through and beyond its Brian Wilson-centered golden era, leading longtime member Bruce Johnston and a band of younger devotees through such defining cuts as “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” “Barbara Ann” and “Surfin’ USA.”

Now-April 4:

“Light as Air: The Buoyant Sculptures of Mariko Kusumoto” at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach; $10-$16 museum admission; 561/495-0233, morikami. org. With its kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, the fiber art of Japanese artist Kusumoto aims to fill the spectator with discovery, surprise and wonder. Her Morikami exhibition will include a unique site-specific installation that will utilize all dimensions of the gallery space.

Now-April 4:

“The Triumph of Nature: Art Nouveau” at Society of the Four Arts, 102 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach; $10; 561/655-7226, fourarts. org. Inspired by beauty, mythology and nature—in particular the sinuous curves of the local flora— Art Nouveau caught fire in Western Europe between 1890 and 1910. This major touring exhibition gathers 120 of the style’s most distinctive pieces for a comprehensive assessment of its legacy, from paintings, sculptures and ceramics to furniture, books, lamps and glassware.

March 30:

Renée Fleming at Glazer Hall, 70 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $395-$500; 561/576-7860, glazerhall.org.

The golden-voiced soprano will perform an eclectic selection of music from classical, romantic and contemporary eras, from soaring arias to modern pop. Guests are asked to don formal attire in a nod to a previous tradition at this reimagined venue: the Royal Poinciana Playhouse’s “Black Tie Mondays.”

March 7:

The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $55.50-$60.50; 561/450-6357, artsgarage.org. Despite the group’s “big band” name, this trio of guitar, drums and washboard led by finger-picking bluesman Reverend Peyton offers a stripped-down sound that transports the style back to its roots in the Mississippi Delta. Peyton and company’s 11th album, 2025’s “Honeysuckle,” is another soulful exploration of country blues at its best.

April 1:

National Geographic Live: Muhammed Muheisen: “Beauty Beyond the Frontlines” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $46; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Born and raised in Jerusalem, this Pulitzer Prize-winning war photographer endeavors to capture humanity’s hope and resilience in turbulent times. He will share highlights from his career, which includes conflicts in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, in this illustrated presentation.

April 3:

Miami City Ballet: “Jewels” at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $46-$241.50; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. This suite of three mini ballets by George Balanchine, inspired by the choreographer’s visit to jewelers Van Cleef and Arpels, includes “Emeralds” (set in a misty forest in 19th century France), “Rubies” (set in a sassy Jazz Age nightclub) and “Diamonds” (a tribute to the pageantry of Imperial Russian ballet).

The Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band

Renee Fleming

Art from “The Triumph of Nature”

“Bull Rush” sculpture from Dorothy Gillespie Art from Mariko Kusumoto

MARVIN JOSEPH

TYLER ZOLLE

March

The Naked Magicians at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $40.25-$115; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Penn & Teller meets Chippendales in this adultfriendly import from Australia, in which two buff magicians combine comedy and illusions, gradually shedding their clothes until only their top hats remain.

March

11:

Alonzo King LINES Ballet at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $40.26-$97.76; 561/832-7469, kravis.org. Alonzo King, a Kennedy Center Master of Choreography who has been leading his eponymous contemporary dance company since 1982, presents his ode to the spiritual-jazz harpist, pianist and pioneer Alice Coltrane, integrating selections from four of her albums. The program also includes “Mother Goose,” King’s tribute to Maurice Ravel.

April 9:

Fran Lebowitz at Glazer Hall, 70 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach; 7:30 p.m.; $143.50-$172.50; 561/576-7860, glazerhall.org. The humorist, gadfly and quintessential New Yorker, whose connections to figures from Martin Scorsese to Andy Warhol have propelled more than a half-century in public life, will showcase her indelible wit and general gift of gab.

March

20:

Selwyn Birchwood at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $55.50-$60.50; 561/4506357, artsgarage.org. Florida native Birchwood, a blues-rock titan with a cult following in his home state and beyond, returns in support of his sixth LP “Exorcist,” an apt name for his raucous, spiritmoving sound, which combines psych-rock, blues, funk and soul into a signature gumbo he calls “Electric Swamp Funkin’ Blues.”

April 10-26:

“Matilda the Musical” at Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach; various show times; $40-$116; 561/586-6410, lakeworthplayhouse.org. This Tonywinning musical owes its origins to a Roald Dahl novel about a titular, imaginative 5-year-old who changes the lives of those around her while overcoming obstacles. The controversial English humorist Tim Minchin reined himself in to provide the music and lyrics, resulting in a show that has won 47 international awards.

March 23-25:

“Good Witch/Bad Witch: The Broadway Witches” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $75; 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. Alli Mauzey and Dee Roscioli, Broadway triple threats who portrayed Glinda and Elphaba, respectively, in “Wicked,” join forces for a program of songs, stories and banter. Expect to hear “Wicked” tunes like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity” alongside favorites from “Frozen,” “Funny Girl” and more.

April 16-19:

“Broadway’s Jersey Boy: John Lloyd Young” at Delray Beach Playhouse, 950 N.W. Ninth St., Delray Beach; various show times; $75; 561/272-1281, delraybeachplayhouse.com. Young, star of the Frankie Valli bio-musical and film “Jersey Boys,” returns to Delray Beach for an intimate cabaret performance of selections from the show, plus favorites by Paul McCartney, Luther Vandross, Adele and the early rock ‘n’ roll and doo-wop eras, supplemented by a live band.

April 25-26:

Christian McBride & Ursa Major at Arts Garage, 94 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 8 p.m.; $108$118; 561/450-6357, artsgarage. org. A towering figure on the jazz bass for nearly four decades, 11-time Grammy winner McBride has appeared on more than 400 recordings with artists as varied as Herbie Hancock, Sting, Queen Latifah and Carly Simon. Ursa Major, one of many groups he leads, includes rising young jazz stars on keyboards, drums, saxophone and guitar.

Christian McBride & Ursa Major

Fran Lebowitz Alonzo King LINES Ballet Selwyn Birchwood

CARINA MASK

Mary Frances crossbody bag, $230, Dupatta Designs scarf, $75, JKT NYC jacket, $495, all from Unique Boutique; Walter Baker leather pants, $675, from Walter Baker; western hat, $245, from Saltwater Cowgirl Co.; earrings, $45, pin, $25, both from Voyage Boutique; 275 Central flats, $390, from Jildor Shoes

April Showers

LOCAL BOUTIQUES KEEP US READY FOR THOSE

DRIZZLY DAYS

House of Perna blouse, $248, pants, $228, and jacket, $298, all from House of Perna; cuff, $408, and earrings, $180, Mary Frances bag, $135, all from Unique Boutique; Robert Zur loafer, $340, from Wish & Shoes

Western hat, $245, from Saltwater Cowgirl Co.; Emi-Jo blouse, $99, and pants, $109, from Voyage Boutique; sunglasses, $58, Sara Campbell cashmere wrap, $208, By Paige canvas loafers, $258, all from Sara Campbell; Arcadia bucket bag, $325, from Unique Boutique

HOUSE OF PERNA BOUTIQUE: 253 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach, 561/563-8446, thehouseofperna.com

JILDOR SHOES: 3013 Yamato Road Regency Court @Woodfield Suite B-14, Boca Raton, 561/896-4886, jildorshoes.com

SARA CAMPBELL: 1051 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/359-2259, saracampbell.com

SALTWATER COWGIRL CO. saltwatercowgirlco.com

UNIQUE BOUTIQUE: 204 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, 561/272-6654, uniqueboutiquejewelry.com

VOYAGE BOUTIQUE, 400 Gulfstream Blvd., Delray Beach, 561/279-2984, voyageboutique.com

WALTER BAKER: Royal Palm Place, 340 Esplanade #55, Boca Raton, 561/617-5407, walterbaker.com

WISH & SHOES, 16850 Jog Road, #112, Delray Beach, 561/638-7700, wishandshoes.com

Julie Vos necklace, $375, earrings, $165, and ring, $185, Zina Kao crossbody bag, $175, all from Unique Boutique; loafers, $268, from Wish & Shoes; sunglasses, $58, top, $178, cashmere hoodie, $368, jeans, $168, all from Sara Campbell

STYLING/ART DIRECTOR: LORI PIERINO

Palm Beach Dramaworks –Theatre to Think About

THE CRUCIBLE

By Arthur Miller

Directed by William Hayes

April 3-19, 2026

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

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

“It’s the awful waste that strikes you most powerfully: how easily a society wrecks itself once gripped by paranoia.”

— Financial Times (London)

Arthur Miller Archive at the Harry Ransom Center

Julie Kleiner, Elisabeth Yancey, and Karen Stephens Jason Nuttle Photography

DESIGN INSPIRATION TO BRING HOME

Getting Personal

Out-of-the-ordinary products that give personality to the two most dynamic spaces in the home—the kitchen and bath.

CURATED BY AMANDA MESA

Carved Eye Stool from Jayson Home

A FLAIR FOR THE EXOTIC

Worldly influences take center stage in kitchens and baths that inspire escape. Layer organic textures, bohemian patterns and vibrant colors to bring home the spirit of faraway places.

1. Botanica Napkins, Set of 4 - $168, Hive, Palm Beach, hivepalmbeach.com 2. Currey & Co. Sommelier 8-Light Chandelier - $2,970, Perigold, West Palm Beach, perigold.com 3. Hale Canvas Single Bathroom Vanity - $1,998, Anthropologie, Boca Raton, anthropologie.com 4. Moravian Star Pendant$2,158, Serena & Lily, Palm Beach, serenaandlily.com 5. L’Objet Prism Martini Glasses, Set of 4 - $230, Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton, neimanmarcus.com 6. Harlow Calcite Sconce - $1,065, Restoration Hardware, West Palm Beach, restorationhardware.com 7. Dolce & Gabbana Moka Express Large Pot - Blu Mediterraneo - $140, Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton, neimanmarcus.com 8. Merola Tile Stella - $11 per square foot, Ferguson Home, Boca Raton, fergusonhome.com

GONE COASTAL

Playful yet polished, this coastal aesthetic pairs sandy neutrals with dreamy pastels and bright pops of color. Nautical lines, marine textures and beachy patterns bring laid-back luxury to kitchens, baths and beyond.

1. Nils Sconce - $600, Arhaus, Boca Raton, arhaus.com 2. Mare Wave Wallpaper - $198, Anthropologie, Boca Raton, anthropologie.com 3. Atoll Rectangular Mirror$849, Ballard Designs, ballarddesigns.com 4. Costa Nova Pasta Bowls, Set of 6 - $210, Mallorca Platter - $105, Sur La Table, Boca Raton, surlatable.com 5. Port 68 Coral Crossing Lucite Bench - $1,400, Neiman Marcus, Boca Raton, neimanmarcus.com 6. SPI Home Coral Glass End Tables - $570, Perigold, West Palm Beach, perigold. com 7. Iris Clamshell Table Lamp by Jake Arnold - $199, Crate & Barrel, Boca Raton, crateandbarrel.com 8. Ross Swivel Counter Stool - $1,998, Serena & Lily, Palm Beach, serenaandlily.com

Flipping the Script

FOR CERTIFIED RADIOLOGIC TECHNICIAN MICHAEL JOHN BENZAIA, ACTING IS THE BEST MEDICINE

It’s become a common catchphrase: “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.” In the case of Michael John Benzaia, a Delray-based actor who’s played more than a dozen medical professionals on TV and film, he doesn’t need such a disclaimer: In real life, he’s a certified radiologic technologist whose job encompasses myriad regions of the hospital.

“In radiology, we’re the connective tissue of the health care field,” he says. “We are everywhere. We’re in the OR, the ER, we do portables in the room, we’re in the morgue.”

As a TV doctor, Benzaia has been everywhere, too. Of his 27 Internet Movie Database credits dating from 2013, he’s played health care pros in 17 of them, including a nurse on “Good Trouble,” an ER resident on “How to Get Away With Murder,” an EMT on “Welcome to Chippendales” and “Life & Beth,” and a resident paramedic on “General Hospital.” He helps Jean Smart through a panic attack on “Hacks,” and he reports on a fresh victim in a “Law & Order: SVU” episode, telling Olivia Benson, “We did CPR, took a shot at Narcan, but she was already gone. The whole world is laced with fentanyl these days.”

In his roles, Benzaia can often be seen declaring somebody dead, transporting a body through a hospital or comforting the grieving. If it seems he’s being pigeonholed into a certain type, it might be that casting directors see in Benzaia the same compassionate bedside manner that his real-world patients experience. “Some people, it really irks them to be typecast,” he says. “For me, because I love the radiology field and I love medicine, I’ll play a doctor every day.”

In fact, Benzaia has played so many health care professionals that he sometimes doesn’t need to audition for the parts. “They know that once I hit the ground running, I’m not going to flub the words; I know the terminology,”

he says. “I know sterile technique—what I can touch with the gloves, what I can’t. So everything that I do on that set onscreen is going to be realistic. And if I don’t, everyone in the medical field will call me.”

Of Benzaia’s twin passions, the arts came first. Growing up in New York’s Hudson Valley, he attended musicals, often with a backstage pass, as early as age 8, thanks to an aunt’s professional affiliation with legendary Broadway composer Jerry Herman (“La Cage Aux Folles,” “Hello, Dolly!”). For “Porgy & Bess,” “I remember getting a front-row seat, because my aunt had pulled some strings,” he recalls. “And I remember touching the stage and them coming out for curtain call, and just being enamored by this live art. I was transported to these stories that were so different than my own.”

While Benzaia was cultivating his appreciation for the theatre, his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. This led Benzaia to become her chief medical advocate, learning the intricacies of radiology. She died eight years later. Benzaia, then 18, jumped into medicine with both feet, obtaining an MBA and a certification in Radiological Sciences from Nyack College and Manhattan College.

He was in his late 20s when, as he puts it, “television came knocking.” Having trained at the venerable Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, Benzaia made his TV debut on “The Mindy Project” as—surprise—a doctor. He has since worked with actors such as Robert De Niro and Viola Davis, and has been directed by Amy Schumer and Awkwafina.

It would be easy to divide Benzaia’s joint careers between the hemispheres of his brain—medicine being the left-brain science, acting the right-brain art. But he sees little distinction between the work. “I see everyone as multifaceted, no matter what field you work in,” he says. “I don’t think you stay in one section of your brain. You have to be able to flow between both.”

This is why, when he speaks at radiology conferences, he touts the yoga and breathwork techniques he developed as an actor. “We have to be aware of our vessel,” he says. “In any field, you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.”

While work often brings Benzaia to Los Angeles or New York, his home base is Andover, a gated community on the border of Delray and Boca. He loves both cities—for the nightlife, for the dining and for the people watching. Of the latter, “I’ll take little actions [I see] and use them for characters that I’m building. … If you want to be a great actor, you have to go out and watch people and be around and have experiences and take that in your tool belt, and then put that into your work.”

Benzaia says he’s more than ready to level up his career from bit parts to major roles, even if it might complicate his schedule as a “rad tech.”

“I want to throw myself fully into it,” he says. “That is the goal. I know that it’s coming for me, and when it is the time, it will fit perfectly into wherever I am with my medical career. But I will never leave one field or the other. I can’t. It’s a part of me.”

Benzaia acting opposite Jean Smart on HBO’s “Hacks”

“ Some people, it really irks them to be typecast. For me, because I love the radiology field and I love medicine, I’ll play a doctor every day.”

Michael John Benzaia

Lasagna for a Cause

PARKER FORMAN’S FOOD4NEED HAS A HEARTY APPROACH TO FIGHTING HUNGER IN HIS COMMUNITY

Parker Forman has a lot less free time than your typical high school senior. While his weekday schedule is occupied with school and his evenings and Saturdays with lacrosse practice, his Sundays are dedicated to one thing: lasagna.

Since his freshman year at Pine Crest School, Forman has spent his Sunday mornings preparing trays of lasagna for local churches to disperse to families in need. Last year, he took his small project to the next level by establishing Food4Need, a 501(c)(3) that brings in the donations necessary for Forman to keep his home pantry and refrigerator stocked while scaling the operation upward.

Forman’s Sundays start at 9 a.m. (“I still sleep in a little bit,” he says) when he goes to Walmart to pick up the ingredients for the lasagna recipe, which he originally found on Pinterest but has since made his own. By the afternoon, the lasagnas have finished cooking and cooling, and they’re ready to be distributed, with each lasagna feeding up to 10 people.

Forman says that the decision to donate lasagna as opposed to other types of food was rooted just as much in practicality as it was flavor. “I thought it would be the best food that I could mass-produce,” he says. “And it’s somewhat nutritional—it’s not the healthiest meal, but it’s not too unhealthy.”

“I can tell I’m making a difference, and I want to continue having that impact.”

“I’ve always loved cooking; that’s always been a passion of mine,” says Forman. “And I’ve always, with my family, helped out the community, whether that be a Thanksgiving food drive or a Christmas drive with local organizations.” But with Food4Need, Forman says, “I wanted to have an impact more on my own and not just do a once-every-couple-months drive. I wanted to have an impact myself.”

Before launching the nonprofit, Forman started small by delivering up to six 9x13 trays of lasagna—made with ingredients paid for out of pocket—once per week to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Delray Beach. At the time, Forman still wasn’t making quite the impact that he hoped.

“I thought what I was doing was great, but I thought I could still be doing more,” he says.

So, after teaching himself to navigate the convoluted process of establishing a nonprofit, Forman brought two of his friends onboard and expanded to Rhemi Church in Delray Beach and First Baptist Church in Pompano. “Right now we’re at three churches, making about 200 to 250 pounds of lasagna a week,” Forman says.

Since Forman first started making lasagnas in his freshman year, he has provided meals for more than 1,000 South Florida residents. And while he has plans to attend university out of state following his graduation in May, he’s leaving the nonprofit in the hands of a capable successor who plans to grow the operation further.

“I’m teaching him what I do, how I’ve done this, how I manage everything, so my hope is that when we graduate in May, he will have a team ready to take it over,” Forman says. Still, Forman aims to have a hand in guiding the nonprofit as he studies for a degree in business, with plans for entrepreneurship in some form post-graduation. But until he leaves for college, he plans to cook as many lasagnas as he can.

“I didn’t know what this was going to be four years ago; I just thought that maybe I could deliver some lasagnas and help out others,” Forman says. “But I’ve realized the impact I’m having and the amount of families that are relying on these lasagnas, and their smiles when they receive them. I can tell I’m making a difference, and I want to continue having that impact.”

food4needinc.com

Parker Forman

[ WORTH THE TRIP ] BY

JOHN THOMASON

Every Dog Has Its Day

PETS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME AT KIMPTON VERO BEACH — THEY’RE PRACTICALLY TREATED LIKE ROYALTY

Pepe was ready for his close-up.

After a couple of hours cooped up in our Mazda, the antic 7-yearold Pomeranian—so named after his resemblance to a certain animated skunk—bounded out of the SUV and past the valet stand and the glass doors leading into Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa. Like his namesake, he’s desirous of affection, but unlike Pepé le Pew, his advances are almost always returned. And so they were when he greeted the lobby staff at the beachfront resort, turning on the charm with a time-honored Pom technique: standing on his hind legs and clapping his front paws together in a calculated bid for treats and attention.

But first, the photo shoot. “Pet Polaroids,” a delightful analog throwback in a digital age, is a signature Kimpton amenity for pet owners. Palming a tiny Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 camera in “Blossom Pink” color and maneuvering his device like a fashion photographer on a challenging job, our concierge snapped a half-dozen photos of Pepe. Each compact, vertical, unusable snapshot emerged within seconds, its subject a blur of motion. It wasn’t until we held a dog biscuit aloft that our cameraman caught the glory shot of our pup, strutting like a show pooch, his eyes on the prize.

Moments later, the Polaroid would be tacked onto a pet welcome board alongside the resort’s other recent VIPs, each photo named and dated, from Fitzi and Greg and Jazz to Winston and Diva and Bambi, to two Blues and three Baileys. When the board is filled, the oldest images are archived into a laminated photo book, like the kind your grandma keeps.

There’s a reason so many spoiled-rotten dogs choose Kimpton. The brand prides itself on its pet-friendliness, first by waiving the pet fees instituted at most hotels, and second by allowing pets an unusual level of freedom throughout the property, including many indoor spaces and even its private stretch of beach.

Not all of its beastly denizens are canines.

Kimpton’s pet policy is so lenient that a guest once brought a caged tiger onto the premises to celebrate their son’s admittance to Clemson University. (Alas, don’t show up with a big cat; this decision required advance approval from corporate.)

So when it came to planning an overnight getaway with Pepe, Kimpton fit the bill and then some. Its publicity team suggested dog-friendly activities a short drive from the resort, which is centrally located on Ocean Drive, a posh thoroughfare of restaurants, bars and galleries.

One such amenity, the Vero Beach Dog Park, is

Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa

Pepe in his suite at Kimpton Vero Beach

a 5-acre sprawl along the Indian River Lagoon that caters, in its own words, to “great dogs and good people.” The enormous park is divided not only between large and small breeds; it also includes a third section, a “Quiet Area” reserved for dogs of any size that are timid, elderly, infirm or injured. Surviving entirely on donations, the park has become a community center for pet owners. With its two covered seating areas, multiple benches and filtered water—for humans as well as their animals—the park encourages visitors to socialize, and hosts special events such as professional pet portraits and even pet painting sessions.

Dogs and art also join forces at Laughing Dog Gallery, a staple in Vero Beach for 25 years. Visiting pups are not allowed in the gallery, simply because its canine quota is already at capacity in the form of its resident bullmastiffs, Dolly, Hazel and Scarlett. But it’s the perfect retailer for the dog lover on your list, thanks to its wide array of coffee table books, puzzles, calendars and artwork celebrating all things furry and four-legged. The vibrant shop also specializes in jewelry, sculptures, glassware, centerpieces and surfboards, with an emphasis on the whimsical.

Back at Kimpton, the hotel’s in-store boutique carries its own variety of dog pillows, toys and collars. Suites for dog owners—and suites constitute more than 70% of the resort’s lodging—include food bowls and a pet bed, to which Pepe took straightaway. For their owners, the digs are equally agreeable; our suite came with two baths, three TVs, a full kitchen and a balcony with views of the Atlantic.

Ocean vistas continued with the outdoor table we snagged at Cobalt, the hotel’s chef-driven restaurant, where the evening’s primordial sound of waves breaking on the beach complemented an already romantic ambiance. The palm trees framing the entrance to the beach were festooned with lights, and a crackling fire pit added warmth and atmosphere to the almostnippy November day.

The restaurant is mighty proud of its red meat, much of which is imported from DemKota Ranch in South Dakota or, in the case of its Wagyu Coulotte, from Queensland, Australia. Other cuts are sourced locally. But us vegetarians were not disappointed with the meat-free options. Its cheese board, generous enough to feed three, is an unqualified success whose jams and honeys, gherkins, spiced nuts and fruit allowed for myriad flavor profiles and combinations, all of them successful. Its roasted mushrooms, sourced from a farmer in St. Cloud, arrived in a 10-year Balsamic glaze, and paired well with the cheese. The unexpected highlight proved to be the Caesar salad, a familiar staple leveled up by Parmesan crisps, in lieu of croutons, and a zesty and perfectly balanced homemade dressing.

While we only stayed one night in Vero Beach—not enough to alight at some of the city’s cultural attractions, like the Riverside Theatre and Vero Beach Museum of Art—we picked a good one: an evening that saw the second supermoon of 2025. After hours, beaches often disappear into a blanket of darkness, but on this night, the powerful glow of the full Beaver Moon cast a nocturnal halo over the vigorously lapping waves, creating the sort of moonlight that stirs the hearts of poets. Guests at Kimpton and the surrounding hotels and condos dropped everything they were doing and positioned themselves on balconies and beachfronts and boardwalks, phones and cameras endeavoring to capture visuals that only the naked eye could do justice.

The moon was still rising when a second distant orb, this time a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket equipped with 29 Starlink satellites, ascended from Cape Canaveral. For skywatchers, the night was becoming an embarrassment of riches.

As for Pepe? After two anxious hours in the car, a veritable red carpet treatment on arrival, and a romp in the dog park, it’s safe to say he couldn’t care less. As much as we tailored the trip around his presence, our Vero Beach adventure didn’t go entirely to the dogs.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa WHERE: 3500 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach

ADDITIONAL ONSITE AMENITIES: Pool and hot tub, White Orchid Spa, fitness center, lending library, social hour with complimentary wine and popcorn from 4 to 5 p.m. daily, family-friendly game room, yoga mats in every room CONTACT: 772/231-5666, verobeachhotelandspa.com

From top, dining at Cobalt, the hotel pool, pup-friendly gifts at Laughing Dog Gallery and imported meats on the Cobalt menu

MORGAN

Dylan Morgan

DIRECTORASTHENEWEXECUTIVEOFCROSSROADSLOOKSCLUB,DYLANMORGANTOCONTINUEAND SECONDBUILDUPONALEGACYOF CHANCES

BY TYLER CHILDRESS

DDylan Morgan had a seat saved at the Crossroads Club long before he attended one of the recovery nonprofit’s 12-step meetings as an alcoholic. As a third-generation member of his family to abuse alcohol, his name was one known by Crossroads regulars who lined the seats of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings alongside his father and grandfather.

“I walked into my first meeting here, [and] I sat down in a chair, and this guy literally turns to me and goes, ‘Hey man, we’ve been saving this seat for you,’ and I’m like, ‘yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that, that’s a saying,’” says Morgan. “This guy says, ‘No, Dylan, I know you, I know all about you, we’ve been saving this seat for you. Welcome.’”

That meeting was 12 years ago, and Morgan has maintained his sobriety ever since. “Crossroads saved my life in many ways,” he says. “I got married, I had a kid. That’s all thanks to [Crossroads].”

Morgan was introduced to Crossroads as a child when he attended meetings with his father, who got sober at the club in 1995, and his grandfather, who got sober in 1970 and regularly attended Crossroads meetings through its incarnations across four different locations. It was through his father and grandfather that Morgan came to know Tony Allerton, who served as Crossroads Club’s executive director from 1982 until his death in September of last year at the age of 96. Shortly before he passed, Allerton tapped Morgan to step into the role.

“Tony kind of kept his eye on me all those years, and that’s how I fell into the position,” says Morgan. “In June [2024] he

calls me up, and he’s like, ‘Hey, let’s grab lunch, let’s talk.’ And I’m like, ‘Oh boy.’ When Tony calls you like that, you’re either in a lot of trouble or it’s good news.”

Morgan was initially hesitant to take on the job, having declined the position from two others who had offered it to him. “I was like, ‘this isn’t for me,’” he says. “But it’s hard to say no to Tony.”

Morgan agreed to serve a temporary role to assist with the transition to a new executive director, but that changed when he began immersing himself in the work.

“[Tony] died in September, and I was in the midst of putting together Taste of Recovery [an annual food festival with local restaurants benefiting the Crossroads Club–Ed.], and I was falling in love,” says Morgan.

“It’s one thing in my daily meeting—I see a lot of great things happening, I see people change, I see families reunited, it’s beautiful. But seeing it on such a large scale, I’m like, man, I can’t get enough of this.”

Morgan now occupies Allerton’s same humble, unmarked office by the front door of the Crossroads Club, where hundreds on their recovery journeys pass daily. In his office is a picture on the wall of Allerton’s beaming countenance, and on the desk are pictures of Allerton and Morgan’s grandfather with their sponsor, and Morgan with his wife and daughter.

“I keep these pictures of Tony and my grandfather to remind me what brought me here, and I keep my picture of my wife and my daughter to remind me why I keep coming back,” says Morgan. “Because it’s easy to forget what life was like before.”

How has your role changed from being a member of Alcoholics Anonymous to being the executive director of Crossroads Club?

[In AA] we don’t promote. We attract. We attract by living our lives a certain way. Part of the anonymity of it is so that the principles are what’s showcased, not the personalities. … As executive director of Crossroads, I don’t have to showcase. I don’t have to be a representative of any particular group. … But from sitting in this office I get to be a representative of Crossroads, which is really cool, because that gives me the freedom to talk more about recovery in a more open way.

How has the Crossroads Club changed since you were a kid?

I’ve seen three different Crossroads Clubs [the current Crossroads location is the fourth–Ed.]. The easiest answer is, I’ve seen it grow tremendously. It used to be just a couple of rooms with a bunch of smokers and open doors. [Now] we’re 7,500 square feet of meeting spaces. We host nearly 70 meetings a week. We host 15 different types of 12-step-model programs that help all sorts of different people.

How has your view of the Crossroads Club changed since taking over as executive director?

I used to think Crossroads was just the meeting I went to. Now I see we’re so much more than that. We’re an organization that helps [with] gambling, drugs, codependency, depression; we have a smoking cessation meeting, we do everything. … We see about 600 to 700 people a day come through our doors. When you go from being in a meeting with 20 people to seeing that on a daily basis, that’s pretty wild.

What changes would you like to make to the Crossroads Club?

I don’t want to change any of the fundamentals of what Crossroads does. Crossroads, at the end of the day, is a safe haven for people to come from all backgrounds, all places, to recover, and to begin or continue the recovery journey … Community outreach is a big thing that I want to focus on. I don’t want to be the building behind the train tracks anymore. I want to really be this lighthouse that stands out.

Has the perception of recovery changed over the years?

There is still a very large stigma. There are a lot of negative feelings toward the recovery community, especially in South Palm Beach. Because being the recovery capital of the country also means we’re the relapse capital of the country. So I know there’s a lot of people, a lot of organizations, a lot of institutions that are kind of iffy about [recovery], and I really want to change that. That may not be something I can do in my tenure here, but it’s definitely something I want to start doing.

In Palm Beach County, deaths due to opioid overdose have dropped 64% since 2022. Do you see that reflected at Crossroads? It’s an answer of yes and no. We’re at the center of it. We have a Narcan station here at Crossroads just in case. We’ve had people collapse in meetings from drug overdoses. … Yes, the opioid crisis has diminished, the numbers are there, that’s true. But we don’t see a change in things, because we’re at the center of it.

How has the local recovery community changed since Delray’s heyday as the nation’s recovery capital?

There have been a lot of changes. Especially in 2015 to 2017, there were a lot of laws that changed how treatment centers and halfway houses can treat their patients and treat their tenants, and that has been a dramatic change for the recovery community. Because for years, there were some treatment centers that did not do things well. There was body-brokering

Dylan Morgan outside of the Crossroads Club in Delray Beach

CARINA MASK

“I don’t want to be the building behind the train tracks anymore. I want to really be this lighthouse that stands out.”

happening. They would just run your insurance until it was no good anymore, and then they would get you high to get you back into treatment. A lot of those places are shut down, [and] the people who were doing things like that were rightfully convicted, and now we have great treatment centers out there.

What is the role of treatment centers in a recovery journey?

Treatment is great to get you cleaned up, but the 12-step programs are where you’re going to find that long-term sobriety, if you take to it. So that’s what we provide. We provide that safe haven, that gateway between what happens after that.

Is the anonymity aspect of 12-step programs harder to maintain in the digital age?

A lot of people have a lot of different opinions on this. It’s not like this set-in-stone, clear-cut, “This is the anonymity of these 12-step programs.” It’s more that we don’t want to be representatives. … I don’t want to be an anonymous representative of Alcoholics Anonymous; I’m just another guy. I don’t want to be on a billboard and say, “Yeah, AA works,” because the fact of the matter is, I can make a mistake, I can slip up. There’s fallibility in the individual; there’s an infallibility in the overall scope of it.

What would you say to someone who is considering attending a meeting at Crossroads but is skeptical?

Come. Come and scoff at us. By all means, come and judge us. Judge us by the things we do. There’s this idea—and I suffered from this—contempt prior to investigation. It’s easy to do that. It’s easy to say, “the numbers are terrible for recovery; they don’t work.” Come try it out. Come see. We have open meetings that allow people to come and sit in, and you don’t have to make any claim on what you identify as, just come and sit and listen. You’d be amazingly surprised at the redemption stories that we have here. You might even hear your own story being told.

What is Crossroads Club’s role in the recovery journey?

I get a lot of questions of “Can I send so-and-so there to get sober?” And I’m like, no, you can send them here, and they can go to a meeting, and they can ask for help, but Crossroads doesn’t administer recovery. It just is a safe haven for people to come and experience the recovery that’s already there. We’re supposed to be a beacon of hope, but we house the beacon of hope, and that’s it. Crossroads is just a building. The heart of recovery within it is the people.

What is the legacy left behind by Tony Allerton?

Tony was an incredibly humble man. He had 43 years of sobriety when he passed away. That was 43 years of diligent, persevering, good sobriety. One of the last things he said to me before he passed away was, “Dylan, they’re going to call me a legend. Don’t let them call me a legend.” I thought that was such a humble thing to say. … I’ve come to realize the legacy that Tony left behind was second chances. It was forgiveness, humility and openmindedness, and a willingness to serve, and that’s what I’m trying to bring to crossroads to continue that legacy.

Do you feel like you have big shoes to fill?

A lot of people came up to me and said that. The first few months, yes, I was intimidated. [Then] I had an epiphany. I realized something. I’m not here to fill his shoes. The legacy that he left behind is Crossroads. Crossroads is established. I’m here to continue the trajectory that Crossroads was on, and to be more inclusive and do more community outreach. I’m not here to be the next Tony. I’m not here to fill those shoes. I’m here to ensure that Crossroads continues for another 40 years. To leave essentially a pathway so that the person who comes in after me can also continue that. … I’m here for Crossroads. And I think that whatever it is that I accomplish here, it will be enough. As long as I just keep the positive attitude, the humility and the open-mindedness like Tony used to talk about, I don’t think it can fail.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, help is available. Visit thecrossroadsclub.com.

At left, Tony Allerton, Crossroads Club’s first executive director. At right, Allerton keeps watch on the building of the club’s fourth and current location.

Nina Wilcox Putnam

The Women Who Built Delray

Meet the women who made a mark on our Village by the Sea’s early days,

leaving behind a legacy that still survives.

BY CHRISTIANA LILLY

WThe

ith Henry Flagler making his way through Florida, men in business saw the future, and the future was South Florida. But they weren’t alone—they brought along their pioneering and enterprising wives who bucked society’s expectations of a quiet woman who limited herself to the domestic sphere. “Because it was such an agricultural town, it’s kind of an all-handson-deck kind of situation,” says Kayleigh Howald, curator for the Delray Beach Historical Society. “In the late 19th century, early 20th century, [it] was really, really common for women … to really start getting involved in things outside of their homes, especially improvements or different kinds of health causes.”

Writer: Nina Wilcox Putnam (1888-1962)

In the 1920s, Delray Beach’s bohemian persona was a draw for artists from across the country, and writer Putnam was no different. Born Inez Coralie Wilcox, she was one of the highest-paid women writers of her time. She churned out copy faster than the public could consume it, including short stories, a column for the Saturday Evening Post, novels and more—“The Mummy,” released in 1932 and starring Boris Karloff, was based on one of her short stories. Her home, dubbed The Galloping Tiger Ranch, was located at the current site of Trinity Lutheran Church. In 1926, the Palm Beach Post described the place as “the scene of many gay parties among the younger set.” With her wealth, she donated $100 ($1,500 in today’s dollars) to found the Delray Beach Public Library. In an article touting her mission to sell Delray Beach to the rest of the country, she told the Miami Herald, “I am essentially a country person. I have a definite phobia about cities. I always prefer to live in a small town and on the outskirts.” The reporter described Delray Beach as “the prettiest little town in Florida.”

The Historian: Ethel Sterling Williams (1891-1987) Williams moved to Delray, then known as Linton, when she was just 5 years old, and attended school at what would become Old School Square. As a child in the pioneer era, she worked in her family’s business, running a mule wagon to deliver construction lumber and later as the manager of her father’s Casa Del Rey Hotel. In 1909, she would become a teacher at her alma mater.

“I think they just had to be incredibly tough, incredibly enterprising,” Howald says of Delray’s women pioneers.

Williams was also active in the local medical community, as her husband, Dr. William C. Williams, helped found Bethesda Memorial Hospital in Boynton Beach, the first hospital in the area open to patients of all races. She actively condemned the Ku Klux Klan, and her grandson told the Palm Beach Post in 2011 that Williams was “a renaissance woman who wielded a strong fist inside a white glove.”

But perhaps her greatest claim to fame was serving as cofounder and the first president of the Delray Beach Historical Society in 1964; in 2009, the society opened the Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center and Archives.

Ethel Sterling Williams

The Farmer: Essie Mae Griffin Massengill (1920-1993)

Born one of 14 children in Georgia, Massengill moved to Florida in 1941 and married her husband, Charles, in 1950. Together, they were sharecroppers but managed to beat the odds placed against them when they purchased their property in 1964. They were even able to triple their land to 150 acres. At this time, Delray Beach was primarily a farming community, and the Massengills ran the only Black-owned gladiola farm in the city, Everglades Flower Growers. For decades, Delray was dubbed the Gladiola Capital of the World. Until the Massengills retired in 1976, they gave free flowers to churches weekly.

The Healer: Susan Curry Williams (1870-1954)

In the pioneer days of Delray Beach, medical care was scarce, and only an emergency would prompt someone to make the daylong trek to West Palm Beach. Williams, a nurse practitioner and midwife, was the go-to for their ailments. Originally from the Bahamas, she sailed to Delray Beach in 1898 and served patients of all races. She wore a white uniform and carried a black medical bag through town and was known for her “compassion and skill,” according to the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. Before her arrival, every baby born in Delray Beach (then known as Linton) between 1895 and 1897 was delivered by another Black midwife, Mary Cohen. “You’d have to go all the way up to West Palm to have a baby in a hospital, so a lot of people just had their babies at home,” Howald explains. “She was really instrumental. Before 1905, she was delivering babies all throughout Delray.”

As more full-time physicians made their way to Delray Beach—Dr. J.R.

“Roy” Cason didn’t come to town until 1905—many still looked to Williams for her medical expertise. Her memory lives on in the Williams Cottage, which was relocated in 1997 to be next to the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. It is used for community events and exhibits.

The Teacher: Frances J. Bright (1871-1958)

Bright is remembered as the city’s first Black teacher, but considering that Dade County School #4, Colored was the first school to be built in the city in 1894, we like to think of her as the city’s very first teacher, regardless of race (the first school for white children opened a few years later). While she and her husband didn’t conceive children of their own, Bright was a “mother of many,” according to her family, providing mentorship and guidance to generations of students. The Palm Beach Post listed her salary in 1916 as $40 a month, the lowest on the roster. She taught elementary school students until she became partially blind, provided housing for girls who “came off the Glades,” and was a supporter of George Washington Carver High School, the city’s school for Black students until integration in 1970.

A woman of faith, she was known to go to bars on Saturday nights to collect offerings from men who wouldn’t make it to services the next morning, telling them, “choose Jesus, not jukejoints.”

Bright’s legacy lives on through the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club, founded the year after her death and awarding scholarships to local teens that involve them in education, culture, etiquette and spirituality, culminating in a debutante cotillion. Her portrait also hangs at the Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church.

Essie Mae Massengill, right, with her husband Charles

Frances J. Bright, left, with Mayor Catherine Strong

Susan Williams

The Yamato Pioneers:

Sada Kawashima Sakai (1887-1980) and Yetsu Oishi Kamiya (1881-1936)

These pioneers traveled not from across the country, but the world. “The stereotype of the quiet Japanese woman walking 10 paces behind her husband or staying home while the men enjoyed a social life did not fit the women of the Yamato Colony,” says Carla Stansifer, curator of Japanese art at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens. The Yamato women were picture brides; they were matched with their husbands after being chosen from a photograph. After a wedding in Japan, the newlyweds would disembark from Yokohama for the two-week voyage aboard a steamship to Seattle or Portland, then two more weeks in trains and on the road to Florida.

Sada Sakai was born in Japan in 1887 as part of a former samurai household. She married her husband and the founder of the Yamato Colony, Jo Sakai, in 1906. The 19-year-old was the first woman to live in the colony. Sada gave birth to four daughters at Yamato: Chikako, Tomoko, Yoshiko and Itsuko. Her fifth daughter, Shoko, was born during a visit home to Japan, and the couple also had a son who died in infancy. When Jo died of tuberculosis in 1923, Sada took her children back to Japan, where she died in 1980.

Yetsu Kamiya was also born into a samurai household and moved to the Yamato Colony after marrying her husband, Henry Tamemasu Kamiya, in Japan in 1909. She gave birth to six children in Yamato—Masa, Mishi, Masuko, Rokuo, Franklin and Kazuo—and tried to teach her daughters Japanese, since she was an educator. Yetsu didn’t seem to be deterred by the mosquitos, heavy rains and tough farming conditions; she lived in the colony until her death in 1936 at the age of 55.

LADIESASSOCIATIONIMPROVEMENT

Mary Elizabeth Tucker Sterling’s (1865-1918) initial views of Delray Beach weren’t great—when she arrived in 1896, she began to cry and told her 5-year-old daughter, Ethel, “You poor dear. You will never see anything, hear anything or know anything here.” The sparse landscape was a far cry from what she was accustomed to in Pennsylvania, but her misgivings turned to ambition with the founding of the Ladies’ Improvement Association in 1902. Pioneer women—including Elizabeth Shaw Sundy (yes, that Sundy)—gathered to address concerns in the burgeoning community and were responsible for founding the town’s first library; town hall; Pine Ridge Cemetery; schools with lunchrooms, which served hot lunches; and sidewalks, rock roads and beach pavilion. Not only did this make the town more comfortable to live in, but it also attracted tourists from the north.

“A lot of their husbands or fathers were also involved in the politics of the town, so I think that that was part of it; that kind of pushed them to be like, well, we want to make decisions also,” Howald says.

The association also took on civic causes, including petitioning for women’s suffrage in local elections and for electricity to be available not only at night. In 1924, the Ladies’ Improvement Association was renamed the Woman’s Club of Delray Beach, having joined the State Federation of Woman’s Clubs, a group that has continued the mission of making Delray Beach a better place for all its residents.

Sada Sakai, left, and Yetsu Kamiya, above, with their families in Yamato

The Mother of the Arts:

Frances Fontaine Bourque (1941-2025)

The existence of Old School Square can be traced back to one woman: Frances Bourque. Born in Belle Glade, she and her husband Bob moved to Delray Beach in 1970. A community activist and supporter of historic preservation, Bourque led the charge to rescue three historic school buildings (built in 1913 and 1925) that the Palm Beach County School Board had plans to close. She served on the board of the Delray Beach Historical Society from 1986 to 1991 and led a group of volunteers to conduct a feasibility study and then restore and resurrect the buildings as a vibrant community hub. This included lobbying in Tallahassee for historic preservation and funding for the project. With community support, the Cornell Museum, Vintage Gymnasium and Crest Theatre were renovated, and the Amphitheatre stage was built.

When the city unexpectedly ended its lease with Old School Square in 2021, Bourque never wavered in her advocacy, writing, “We have always been able to find a way forward. That’s the Delray way … until now. We desperately want to reset the current sad course of events. We want to work out our differences so we can resume our mission, which is and has always been serving the community.”

Bourque was also involved in the Florida Department of State Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, Historic Palm Beach County Preservation Board, Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and Preservation Action, Washington, D.C. Old School Square established a scholarship fund in Bourque’s name through the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.

The Investigator: Virginia Artrip Snyder (1920-2017)

Snyder told the Palm Beach Post, “Nobody questions a little old lady carrying binoculars.” And she knew from experience, as a renowned private investigator.

She was an investigative reporter for the Sun Sentinel and the now defunct Boca News (which fired her, believing she was too involved in community affairs instead of reporting on them), and in 1976, she became the state’s second female private investigator. Ms. magazine called her “Florida’s own Miss Marple,” and the National Enquirer dubbed her the “gumshoe grandma.”

A part of Florida Atlantic University’s inaugural graduating class in 1964, she became the first woman to own a private investigation agency in Delray Beach, starting in 1976. Among her claims to fame: helping secure the release of Luis Diaz, who served 26 years in prison for crimes against women he did not commit. (Using DNA evidence, the Innocence Project found that he was not the perpetrator.)

Snyder is credited with exonerating six men on Death Row, and she was featured on “20/20,” “Inside Report,” “Unsolved Mysteries,” “Late Night With David Letterman” and the “Today” show. Legend has it she was the inspiration for “Murder, She Wrote”—it came out a few years after she had pitched the idea to multiple networks—but CBS claimed she wasn’t.

We have our own ideas on that matter.

The Politician: Catherine Link Strong (1911-1963)

Being the city’s first woman mayor would be enough to go down in Delray Beach history, but Strong is also remembered for standing up to the city commission in favor of equality and civil rights.

Born in New York, she moved to Delray Beach in 1922; her father was a structural engineer for the Del-Ida Park subdivision. She worked as Delray

Frances Bourque, right, with her husband Bob

Virginia Snyder

Beach city clerk, tax collector and clerk of court, and in 1950, she was the first woman to be called for jury duty in Palm Beach County. She told the Palm Beach Post it was “an honor and a privilege.” She ran for commissioner in 1953, where she received the highest number of votes by a single candidate in Delray Beach—902 votes in the primary and then 1,188 in the general election. With the most votes, she was selected to serve as mayor, joining the commission alongside the city’s first woman commissioner, Alma K. Woehle (not much is known about her, unfortunately).

Strong was also a civil rights activist, named in a lawsuit against the city of Delray Beach by the NAACP to desegregate the beach. She was the only member of the commission to vote against an ordinance banning Black people from the beach and municipal pool. She also voted against a move to de-annex Black neighborhoods from the city of Delray Beach, cutting off about one-third of the population. Jet magazine called her “an outspoken white friend.”

Strong died in 1963 after a “brief illness;” the Catherine Strong Splash Park was named in her honor. The next woman to be elected mayor in Delray Beach was Rita Ellis in 2007.

The Postmistress:

Annie Hubel Andrews (1848–1927)

In the early days of South Florida, Houses of Refuge were constructed to serve as safe havens for pioneers, shipwreck survivors and postal workers (affectionately known as the Barefoot Mailmen). The only House of Refuge built in Palm Beach County was the Orange Grove House of Refuge No. 3 near Delray Beach, and visitors here would have been greeted by Andrews.

She joined her husband, Stephen, to live and work at the home in 1885 and would eventually take on more responsibilities as postmistress from

1888 to 1892; the House of Refuge was also home to the Zion Post Office (the first name for Delray Beach).

The Preservationist:

Vera Rolle Farrington (1929-2025)

Delray Beach’s Black history lives on through the Spady Museum, an institution founded by Farrington. Born in 1929 in West Palm Beach to Bahamian parents, she moved to Delray Beach in 1932. Farrington was a school teacher for almost four decades, including Poinciana Jr. High School and Boca Raton High School, serving as the Dean of Girls at Boca Raton Junior High School and the Dean of Students and assistant principal back at Boca High.

After retiring in 1992, she founded an interracial girl’s club at Boca Raton Middle School called the Boca-Del Organizers, directed the African American Brain Bowl at Boca High, and served on the board of directors for the county’s Planned Parenthood. She also served on the Board of the Delray Beach Historical Society, Delray Beach Historic Preservation Trust, Storm of ’28 Memorial Coalition, and the Palm Beach County Historical Society.

Farrington founded EPOCH (Expanding and Preserving our Cultural Heritage), which led to the creation of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum at the historic 1926 home of Solomon D. Spady in 2001; her daughter, Charlene, is executive director. At the museum, visitors can take part in guided tours to learn about the Black community and history of Palm Beach County, as well as lunch-and-learn events, art exhibits, a community Kwanzaa celebration, the annual MLK Jr. Brunch, a Black History Study and Cultural Immersion project for middle and high school students, and a Youth Cultural Leadership Academy. This year, the museum is celebrating the Spady House’s centenary.

Orange Grove House of Refuge No. 3, where Annie Andrews lived and worked as a postmistress and took in shipwrecked sailors

Vera Farrington

Mayor Catherine Strong

From passions turned into thriving passions, to creative outlets and corporate callings, these women in business make a living doing what matters most to them. Get to know these successful pros—their expertise might become your next new resource!

Best of women in BUSINESS 2026

Janet Allenby, DO PRESIDENT / OWNER

ALLENBY COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY

Dr. Janet Allenby has devoted more than three decades to elevating the field of cosmetic dermatology, guiding patients toward refined, confident versions of themselves. Internationally recognized for her expertise, Dr. Allenby seamlessly blends artistry, science and innovation to deliver elegant, natural-looking results from head to toe.

At her thoughtfully designed practice, Allenby Cosmetic Dermatology, Dr. Allenby leads an all-female team whose passion, professionalism and intuitive understanding of women’s needs define the patient experience. Every detail—from consultation to treatment— is rooted in personalized care, discretion and a commitment to excellence.

“Every woman has concerns, regardless of age, and each deserves thoughtful attention,” says Dr. Allenby. “Our philosophy is to guide patients toward the most effective, meaningful solutions—helping them achieve beautiful results while honoring their individual goals and investing wisely. When a patient feels uplifted by what she sees in the mirror, that confidence radiates outward. The connection between appearance and well-being is both powerful and supported by science.”

A defining element of Dr. Allenby’s practice is her focus on women navigating hormonal changes. Through advanced technologies and specialized treatments, she helps patients restore comfort, confidence and vitality, often reclaiming aspects of life they believed were no longer possible. “Our goal is simple yet profound,” Dr. Allenby explains. “To help women feel whole, empowered and beautiful at every stage of life.”

561.806.1739

Elizabeth Bennett

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®)

INTERCOASTAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Elizabeth Bennett believes that financial success begins with knowledge and involvement. As a professional woman who has a thriving female client base, she offers advice from a personal perspective and knowledge garnered from her 35 years of expertise.

Bennett notes that frequently women are more financially conservative than men. “This pattern is a perk when working as a team on your finances. However, our conservative nature may lead to inefficient growth decisions in the long-term. Effective solutions include diversification for growth and forming a lower risk account to offset instability. These intentional options are key to feeling financially confident,” says Bennett.

“For many women, it’s a comfort to have a financial advisor with shared life experiences and understanding,” says Bennett. “Women offer an empathetic environment, ready to listen and care through any financial circumstances. We understand the challenges of running a home, partners, children, work, and saving for the future. As excellent delegators, a trusted female financial advisor is a valuable partner in financial management and forward progression.”

Women often ask their advisor if it is legal for them to keep their finances totally separate from their spouse, and understand that a variety of life circumstances may arise.

“Your spouse might be fiscally irresponsible, treading a different retirement path, or differ dramatically from your financial language. Often, previous experiences with money can make financial goals in a relationship totally different. It makes sense, in many cases, for a woman to keep her funds as her own,” Bennett concludes.

561.210.7339

Jill

Merjeski, MS, CPPS

FOUNDER AND CEO

JILL’S NEXT DOOR DOG WALKING & PET SERVICES, LLC

According to Pew Research Center, 97% of American pet owners consider their pets to be members of their family. It’s this vast majority to which Jill Merjeski tailors her myriad services.

A former college advisor, Merjeski started Jill’s Next Door Dog Walking & Pet Services in 2017 to better align with her longtime commitment to animal welfare—she has fostered some 330 felines, in addition to her two permanent rescue cats—and to step fully into her strengths as a team leader and entrepreneur. “I saw a real need for a pet care company that was professional, trustworthy and truly heartdriven,” she says. “Starting Jill’s Next Door allowed me to bring all of that together— my love for animals, my passion for service, and my natural leadership style.”

For Merjeski, these elements combine into a 29-time award-winning business that offers not only the fundamentals of pet service, such as dog walking and pet sitting, but a host of concierge options befitting both pets and their owners. These include the Pet Taxi (transporting fur babies to and from veterinary appointments), pet bathing, power walking, litter box cleaning, house checks, supply shopping, pharmacy pickups and home vacuuming.

“Our add-on concierge services came from listening to what our clients needed beyond traditional pet care,” she says. “And for the pets, it means less stress—whether it’s a safe ride to the groomer or a clean, fresh environment to come home to.”

561.544.7297 jillsnextdoor.com @jillsnextdoordogwalking

Kandice Freedman, M.Ed, Ed.D

PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE TUTOR + ADVOCATE

EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION ADVOCATE

As a public high school teacher and special-needs educator, Kandice Freedman gained daily insights into the breadth of services students required to be successful both in and out of the classroom.

A self-proclaimed vivacious, whimsical cheerleader for her students, Freedman has a knack for connecting with teens, understanding the challenges they face and the many opportunities that exist to improve their educational success. She serves as a dedicated liaison between the parent, student and the school for children in need of special services ranging from academics to behavioral issues, 504 plans, IEP meetings and tutoring.

“With a master’s degree in special education and a doctorate in education, I decided to go rogue in 2015, and for the last decade have dedicated my professional life to serving the needs of students as a private tutor, educational advocate and college advisor. For high school students, I tutor all classes, especially those that tend to keep students nervously up all night, like chemistry and calculus. I offer SAT and ACT prep, and guidance navigating the intricacies of the college admission process. I deliver a vast array of services garnered from my time spent in public schools, with a personalized, one-onone approach that is difference-making to my clients. I work as an advocate for all students and work with students in person or virtually, depending on their preference”.

“My past students still contact me to share their success stories years later. That is what makes my work so meaningful,” Freedman says.

561.866.8909 ESEAdvocate.com @kfreedZ44

MICHAEL CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Dr. Karen Diaz Meaike, DSW

FRANCHISE OWNER

BLUSHINGTON BOCA RATON

Being the first of anything is never easy. But Dr. Karen Diaz Meaike has brought a frontier spirit to the challenge of operating the first franchise location of Blushington, right here in Boca Raton.

“Preparing to open the first Blushington franchise has been both exciting and deeply purposeful,” Diaz Meaike says. “Being the first means setting a strong foundation—not just for this location, but for the future of the brand’s expansion. I’ve had the opportunity to thoughtfully shape the experience, culture, and standards of this location, ensuring it reflects both Blushington’s core values and my own commitment to exceptional service, hospitality and community engagement.”

From its 2011 origins in West Hollywood, California, the beauty brand has expanded nationwide, achieving a loyal following as a one-stop shop for blowouts, makeup and skin care under one roof. Diaz Meaike, whose background is in real estate, first fell in love with the brand as a client, and has extended her passion for its services into her new management role. “Blushington makes luxury beauty feel effortless, welcoming and consistent. The brand has always been about enhancing who you are, not changing you, and that philosophy continues to resonate deeply with me.”

With some 130 Blushington franchises planned to open by the end of the 2028, the brand is emerging as a major player in the $648 billion beauty industry. And with pioneers like Diaz Meaike inspiring the next franchisees, its future is in good hands. 561.246.5645

Find answers and inspirations behind a select group of local experts who took the time to share their insights with us.

Learn the latest from some familiar faces you’re sure to recognize, and be introduced to some new ones; all eager to shed light on what they do best.

While the scope of their services varies, their professions and passions provide us with food for thought and new resources to embark upon, page by page.

The Expert in Forging your Financial Future

Elizabeth M. Bennett, MBA Principal and Certified Financial Planner™ INTERCOASTAL WEALTH PLANNING

“The new year is a powerful catalyst for financial transformation. Now is the opportune moment to solidify the financial resolutions you intend to achieve this year,” says Certified Financial Planner Elizabeth Bennett. Perhaps your objective is simply to master the mechanics of your current wealth, or perhaps the rapid pace of time necessitates professional intervention. Whether you require a comprehensive financial plan, a robust investment portfolio or simply a defined trajectory to meet your future aspirations, your resolution demands a concerted and strategic effort. “Take command of your financial future—or engage the expertise required to guide you there,” advises Bennett.

Q What is the investment outlook and recommended strategy for 2026?

AFollowing three years of double-digit returns, it is imperative to secure gains. While continued investment in high-quality equities and fixed-income assets is warranted, it is prudent to begin strategically diversifying out of volatile positions. Reallocating a portion of the gains realized over the past three years is a proactive approach to risk management and capital preservation.

Q What process dictates the optimal allocation for my capital?

AOur approach is founded upon a comprehensive financial plan, critical for a thorough understanding of your current financial position, your specific time frame and your ultimate goals. After establishing this foundation, we can construct a fully customized portfolio to align with your individual risk tolerance and generate the necessary asset performance to lead to successful outcomes.

Q Should alternative assets, such as precious metals (gold and silver), be considered for diversification?

AA sophisticated investment portfolio benefits from including alternative assets, each tailored to distinct investment objectives—whether they prioritize absolute return, consistent income generation or uncorrelated diversification. Thoughtfully integrating alternative investments into your portfolio can meaningfully enhance long-term outcomes and provide greater certainty in achieving your financial milestones.

The Expert in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

Rafael Cabrera, MD, FACS, Founder PLASTIC SURGERY SPECIALISTS OF BOCA RATON

For more than two decades, Rafael Cabrera, MD, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon, has dedicated himself to the art and science of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, neck and eyes. Renowned for his artistry and compassion, Dr. Cabrera is a recognized expert in cosmetic elective procedures, as well as in melanoma and skin cancer reconstruction. He earned his medical degree and completed his surgical residency at New York University School of Medicine and has authored more than 20 textbook chapters and research articles.

Q What defines a good facelift?

A good facelift means you look beautifully natural without any evidence of cosmetic intervention. Strategic tightening of the muscle layer and ligaments is often necessary to get a more rejuvenated contour. Additionally, the augmentation of natural tissue, such as with one’s own fat and stem cells, will counteract facial deflation associated with aging.

Q What procedures are popular for men?

AIn an era when men now work longer, play harder, and maintain muscle mass, the synchronization of their appearance with physical vitality becomes paramount. Procedures like eye and neck lifts are popular choices to refresh and enhance their aging visage. Success, from Dr. Cabrera’s perspective, is when friends and family are unable to pinpoint why one looks so good!

The Expert in Managed Network and Technology Solutions

Richard M. Boudria, Jr., CEO BCN

Richard M. Boudria, Jr. is an experienced technology executive with more than 20 years of deep expertise in business strategy, corporate finance, capital management and organizational leadership. Skilled in scaling technology-driven service models, he excels at building strategic partnerships, driving operational growth, and navigating industry change. His leadership emphasizes innovation, customer experience and team empowerment, positioning BCN as a trusted provider in modern connectivity and communications solutions. With a strong values-driven culture and strategic vision, Boudria has guided BCN’s growth and positioned the company as a trusted partner to thousands of businesses domestically and internationally.

Q What trends are you seeing regarding connectivity and cloud adoption?

We’re seeing rapid cloud communications adoption, secure SD-WAN/SASE demand, and stronger focus on network resiliency. AI is driving automation, visibility and smarter security, pushing organizations toward simpler, scalable architectures. Our solutions modernize networks with reliability and security, enabling businesses to integrate cloud and AI technologies without added risk or complexity.

Q What is the key to your success serving the competitive technology industry?

Our success in the competitive technology industry comes from staying customer-focused, agile and relationshipdriven. We deliver modern managed network and technology solutions with rapid support and a personal touch, earning longterm trust. By listening, adapting and prioritizing service over scale, we continue to grow and stand apart in a crowded market.

Q What are the current customer challenges, and how is BCN solving them differently?

A Businesses are seeking secure, reliable connectivity that scales without complexity. We address this by delivering integrated managed network and technology solutions, cloud, voice and security supported by responsive, human service. Customers don’t just want technology; they want a partner who understands their need for growth and resilience and stays engaged beyond deployment.

888.866.7266 bcntele.com

The Expert in Non-Surgical Medical Aesthetics

Janet Allenby, DO ALLENBY COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY

As a leading, board-certified authority in aesthetic dermatology with more than 30 years of expertise, Dr. Janet Allenby is a trusted physician offering cutting-edge treatments and advanced device technologies that rejuvenate the skin, leaving patients with a youthful, radiant glow. “We’ve invested in multiple unique technologies, each designed for specific results,” she explains. “Our extensive knowledge allows us to seamlessly combine them, delivering natural, customized outcomes for every patient.”

At Allenby Cosmetic Dermatology, the focus is on achieving balance. “Looking better feels better!” is Dr. Allenby’s guiding mantra, reflecting how harmony in appearance and overall wellness influence every aspect of life.

Q What is the latest technology in laser devices?

AIn 2025, I upgraded and acquired six new devices to bring the most advanced technology to my medical, non-surgical aesthetic arena—targeting skin tightening, textural and pigment improvement, resurfacing, and lifting. Each innovation delivers powerful results with less downtime and greater comfort, elevating every patient’s experience.

Q How do you encourage patients who fear fillers?

AMany patients fear fillers, yet the true concern should be the injector’s skill and product selection. For over 30 years, our dermatology clinic has delivered natural, undetectable results without the disfiguring outcomes seen elsewhere. There is a difference between injecting and mastering the art. Patients must prioritize expertise over cost.

Q What’s new in the body contouring area of your practice?

ACoolSculpting is a proven body-contouring device offering permanent fat reduction, and its updated pricing allows us to make treatment plans more accessible. Patients can reshape the entire body with surgical-like improvements without surgery, scars, risks or downtime. In only a few visits, this life-changing technology delivers dramatic, long-lasting results.

The Expert in Capturing Clients’ Visions

Nichola DePass, Interior Designer & Owner NICHOLA FRANCESCA LLC®

Much like her early passion for creating her own line of custom jewelry and fashion, each project Nichola DePass and her fullservice design team undertakes is distinct, resonating with the clients’ dreams, their space and their experience.

For more than 22 years, Nichola has been designing high-end and high-profile residential interiors, chic commercial office spaces, boutique hotels and retail boutiques.

“I’m a very intuitive person, which has helped me throughout my career. I listen intently to clients’ goals and dreams and capture the essence of their personality to infuse into each project,” she shares.

Q Weren’t you recently included in the Décor USA book?

AYes, I was included in this year’s beautiful book celebrating design and creativity. Among the 300 attendees at the launch event, I was able to reconnect with my former boss, who shared his pride in my accomplishments as founder of my own design firm. It was a full-circle, spectacular moment.

Q What defines your signature style?

AMy work is a reflection of my clients, not a telltale reproduction of a brand. We are fearless in our creativity, working with the elements that define the people and the spaces they occupy. Anything goes, and as a result, the colors, textiles, furnishings and art choices are boundless.

Q What excites you most about a new project?

I’ve been blessed with incredible clients. Whether working with spouses on their home, a set of partners in a commercial building or owners of large corporations, the dynamic is always different, and the energy is electric. Fusing clients’ different tastes together is a challenge I embrace and find quite fulfilling.

305.414.9703 nicholafrancesca.com

The Expert in Premium Home Warranties

Ryan Schultz, CEO OMNIO™ HOME CONCIERGE

“South Florida living and home care is unique, and homes should always be protected by experts who understand the expectations and lifestyle, especially in the luxury segment,” says Ryan Schultz, who moved to Delray Beach to work for one of the country’s largest home warranty companies.

“If you’re a $15-$20 million homeowner, a dedicated estate manager handles everything for you; If you’re of more modest means, a traditional home warranty might be right for you. I personally discovered that there were no viable options for that missing middle piece of homeowners, and that was the genesis of Omnio™ Home Concierge,” Schultz explains.

Q Is Omnio more affordable than most home warranty plans?

AMany don’t realize that people spend between 1% to 4% of their home’s value every year on maintenance and repairs, so for a $1 million home, that’s $10,000 to $40,000 depending upon the age of the home. Our home warranty is designed to give you protection from $350 to $625 a month—a fraction of your annual spend.

Q What benefits does Omnio offer?

ABenefits include month-to-month contracts, no age limits on appliances, no deductibles or service fees; coverage for up to 4 HVAC systems, pool and spa, lawn sprinkler systems, home generators, outdoor kitchen, emergency lodging, title protection, consumer electronics protection, preventative maintenance that keeps appliances from breaking in the first place, and more.

Q Which appliances make the most financial sense to have coverage?

AThe most common and expensive appliances in a South Florida home include air conditioning units that can easily cost $6,000-$12,000 each. Refrigerators, such as Sub-Zero and designer brands, can cost between $12,000-$15,000 and more. With just one of these broken appliances, the plan easily pays for itself!

888.GO.OMNIO Omnio.com

The Expert in Building Luxury Homes

Jeffrey Burns, President and CEO SANDHILL BUILDERS

For the last 45 years, Jeff Burns has carved out a significant niche in high-end home building, custom residential renovations, penthouse renovations, additions, and historic property renovations. As the owner of Sandhill Builders in Delray Beach, he is known for his honesty, integrity, quality of his work, and is one of the most experienced on-site contractors in the area.

From dream to blueprint to final walk-through, Sandhill Builders is a reliable, committed partner to guide your journey—and to create a beautiful place where your family can gather, sunsets linger, and legacy takes root.

Q How do clients get started in the custom home building process?

AIt might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s a good idea to create a list of wants and items to consider, then set up an appointment with the contractor. From there, he will help guide the process, along with the architects and designers.

Q What are the biggest challenges in custom home construction?

Timing and client responsibility. Clients need to make their selections in a timely manner, but it’s also important that the builder and client spend quality time together in order to avoid any major and/or minor costly changes.

Q How do I choose the right builder for my custom home renovation?

A Word of mouth. Ask around. But then, do your due diligence. References, reputation, and contacting previous clients are invaluable. At the end of the day, you want to feel comfortable and confident with your builder.

The Expert in Redefining the Dental Care Experience

Christopher Sepe, DDS SEPE DENTAL

With a skill set garnered from his prestigious training from NYU College of Dentistry and Staten Island University Hospital, Dr. Christopher Sepe has been serving the Delray Beach area since 2019.

Since taking over the practice from renowned dentist, Dr. Roy Stark upon his retirement, Sepe has grown the practice to include Stark’s former patients, the next generation of families and a newly expanded facility.

As a solo practitioner providing all aspects of general dentistry, preventive care, advanced restorative and cosmetic treatments, Sepe curated a team of dedicated specialists to join his practice. Expanding from four operatories to eight, the new enhanced space will become a convenient and comprehensive one-stop destination for all dental needs.

Q What is your approach to personalized care?

AI develop a trusted, collaborative relationship with my patients. I take the time to listen and understand their needs and then offer appropriate options for treatment. With our new expanded practice, if they require the additional services of a particular specialist, they do not need to travel for their care.

Q What makes your cosmetic procedures look so natural?

AI am fortunate to work with the best local lab. My technician is so dedicated to his craft that he will personally meet with the patients to ensure their desired esthetic is done to perfection. Their customer service and artistry are second to none.

Q What’s included in your digital dentistry offerings?

We are constantly increasing our digital technology footprint with our new 3D X-ray imaging and intra-oral scanner. This advanced technology and lab expertise allows us to integrate a full digital workflow into full-mouth reconstructions and gives us a clearer perspective of what’s actually going on in patients’ mouths— especially those seeking a more attractive smile, surgical procedures and implants.

The Expert in Nationwide Fire Watch & Emergency Risk Mitigation

Noah Navarro, President THE FAST FIRE WATCH COMPANY

With 16 years of firefighting and safety experience, Noah Navarro was well equipped to launch into his next career, building safety systems that protect people, property and critical infrastructure. After witnessing how often businesses were left vulnerable during emergencies, shutdowns or system failures, he founded The Fast Fire Watch Company to solve a nationwide problem: slow, unreliable and inconsistent fire-watch coverage.

What started as a small operation has grown into one of the country’s most trusted fire-watch providers, working with commercial clients, industrial sites, construction leaders and government agencies. “Today, our mission is simple—deliver rapid, compliant and dependable fire-watch protection anywhere it’s needed, anytime it’s required,” says Navarro.

Q What types of businesses benefit from your services?

Any business experiencing a fire-system shutdown or requiring added protection benefits from our services. We support construction sites, manufacturing facilities, retail chains, hotels, hospitals, shipyards and government operations. If a fire alarm, sprinkler system or life-safety process is compromised, we provide immediate, compliant coverage to keep the site safe and operational.

Q What makes a building or site vulnerable?

A site becomes vulnerable when fire-protection systems fail, when construction creates high-risk conditions or when hazardous materials or heavy equipment are present. Limited visibility, large open areas and high foot traffic increase the risk. Any disruption to a building’s detection or suppression system requires a professional fire-watch response.

Q At what point in a project should your services begin?

A Our services should begin the moment a fire-protection system is offline or when work creates conditions that elevate fire risk. Early engagement saves time, reduces liability and ensures continuous compliance. Most clients bring us in before system shutdowns, inspections or major construction milestones to avoid interruptions and maintain safety.

800.899.7524

fastfirewatchguards.com

private education camp guide 2026

The following section presents helpful information provided by prominent private schools and camps in Palm Beach County.

All listings include a brief synopsis of the programs’ achievements, curriculum highlights, and many more important details families look for when choosing the best fit for their children.

This comprehensive guide is designed to help you make informed decisions at a glance.

Enroll your student in day camp or sleep away camp for the summer. Summer sessions are comprised of three-week sessions. Sessions begin June 1

•Specialty programs: sports, arts, cooking, etc.

•Daily activities: boating, fishing, archery, swimming and more

•FLDOE “A” Rated School

•Rigorous Academics

•40+ Sports & Clubs

•Robust Dual Enrollment & Advanced Placement Programs

•Cambridge International School

•Industry Certifications & Individualized Student Progressions

•STEAM Certified

•Project Adam School

SPORTS LEADERSHIP ARTS & MANAGEMENT

Private Education & Summer Camp Guide

ADVENT LUTHERAN SCHOOL

Grades: K-8th

Thosfashionschoolofdesign.com

Tuition Range: $12,900 Students: 284

Student-Teach Ratio: 1:18

Denomination: Lutheran

Advent School Boca is a Christian school dedicated to raising children from Kindergarten through 8th grade with strong character while providing the academic excellence needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world. Rooted in faith and guided by purpose, we are committed to developing confident, capable, Christian leaders who are prepared for success both inside and outside the classroom. For over 50 years, Advent School Boca has proudly welcomed families from Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Deerfield, and surrounding communities, offering a nurturing environment where faith, learning, and leadership grow together.

300 E. Yamato Road, Boca Raton • 561-395-3631 • adventschoolboca.org

ATTACK PERFORMANCE ACADEMY

Grades: 5th - 12th Tuition Range: $25 - $5,000 Students: 50+ Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Denomination: Non

Attack Performance Academy (APA) is a nonprofit sports organization dedicated to empowering youth through elite volleyball, basketball, and fitness training. APA provides high-quality coaching, mentorship, and athletic development in a supportive, community-driven environment. Our programs focus on skill development, functional movement, confidence-building, and long-term athlete growth—on and off the court. We proudly offer year-round training, ensuring athletes have consistent access to structured programs regardless of season or background. Through donations and community support, APA is committed to making high-level training accessible to all and building a foundation for lifelong success.

Address varies for training locations • 561.334.4249 • attackperformanceacademy.org

Private Education & Summer Camp Guide

BOCA ICE RINK

Camp ages: 6 - 12

Students: 50-75

Camp Rate: $495 Weekly / $119 Daily - incl. Lunch

Counselor/Camper Ratio: 1:7

Boca Ice offers exciting summer camps that keep kids active, engaged, and having fun on the ice. Our camps feature a mix of ice skating, hockey instruction, games, and supervised off-ice activities in a safe and energetic environment. Designed for ages 6-12, and a variety of skill levels, our programs focus on building confidence, teamwork, and fundamental skills while having fun. Boca Ice field trips provide schools, camps, and groups with a unique on-ice experience, making them a perfect option for educational outings, end-of-year celebrations, or summer fun. Skate, Play, Party at Boca Ice!

900 Peninsula Corp Cir. • Boca Raton • 561.217.5283 • bocaice.com

BOCA RATON MUSEUM OF ART SCHOOL

Grades: 1st – 12th Tuition Range: $220 - $440 per week

Students: 1,000 Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1

Immerse your child in the world of art with the Boca Raton Museum of Art School’s Summer Sessions. Week-long classes inspire students to explore new mediums and techniques under the guidance of our award-winning instructors. Classes are grouped by age and theme, with flexible morning and afternoon schedules available to fit your summer plans. Sign up for a single session or combine them for a full day of artistic discovery.

W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton • 561.392.2503 • bocamuseum.org/art-school

FLORIDA SWIM SCHOOL

Ages: 3 months to adult Tuition Range: $116-$348 per month

Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1 (1x-3x per week)

Let us guide you through your journey of learning to swim. Florida Swim School advocates water safety through education to save lives and reduce drownings. Our Team uses a nurturing method that builds confidence in water. We are Passionate. We are a Team. We are Kind. We Are Professional. Learning to swim is a necessity, not a luxury. Join our Summer Camp located at Boca Prep International School ages 5-12. More information on our website.

Raton • 561-288-3817

DONNA KLEIN JEWISH ACADEMY

Grades: K - 12th Tuition Range: $30,940 - $35,060

Students: 780 Student-Teacher Ratio: 7:1

Denomination: Jewish

Donna Klein Jewish Academy (DKJA) is proud to be ranked among the top Jewish schools in the nation, offering a premier K-12 college preparatory education rooted in academic excellence. Through a rigorous, individualized curriculum, DKJA meets the needs of a diverse student body while fostering personal growth and academic excellence. Students engage in a wide range of extracurricular activities, from JV and Varsity sports to an extensive fine arts program that includes music, dance, drama, and visual arts. DKJA equips its students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in college and beyond.

GRANDVIEW PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Grades: Early Chilhood 3 - 12th Tuition Range: $18,500 - $31,500

Students: 400 Student-Teacher Ratio: 13:1

Virtual Classes: Yes Denomination: Non-denominational

Grandview Preparatory School is an independent private school grounded in the belief that learning is personal and shaped by relationships. At Grandview, we focus on knowing each student well and designing an experience that honors curiosity, confidence, and character. Through strong academics, flexible learning, and meaningful real world experiences on and off campus, students develop the skills, judgment, and resilience needed to navigate modern life.

336 Spanish River Blvd. NW • Boca

LEVIS JCC MARLEEN FORKAS CAMP AT THE J

Ages: 2-16 (entering 10th grade) Tuition Range: $633-$7,864

Dates: June 8 – July 31 Counselor/Camper Ratio: 1:5

The Levis JCC has been providing children of all ages with unforgettable summers since 1986. Our dedicated, caring team is committed to making the camp experience the best it can be for every child, every summer. Our full-day camp program offers exciting activities, convenient schedules and experienced staff. We provide kids the freedom to learn and grow while developing skills that prepare them for future success. With a culture built on universally accepted moral ideals as well as strong Jewish values, we incorporate respect, honor, good sportsmanship and teamwork into all that we do. Campers from all backgrounds are welcome.

PINE TREE CAMPS AT LYNN UNIVERSITY

Grades: K-9 day camp; 1–8 sleepover camp Tuition Range: $1,750–$3,550

Dates: June 1–July 31 (three-week sessions)

Enroll your child in Pine Tree Camps, offering three-week camp sessions with a hot lunch every day and up to three counselors for supervision. Pine Tree Camps provides campers with a wide variety of activities and specialty programs that focus on an area of interest, including sports, arts, cooking and more. It also provides a sleep away camp Monday–Friday, where campers enjoy campfires, talent shows and field trips. Summer camp runs from June 1–July 31, with day camp beginning at 9 a.m. each morning. Sleep away camp runs from Monday at 8 a.m. through Friday at 3:30 p.m.

PINE CREST SCHOOL BOCA RATON

Grades: PreK - 8 Tuition Range: $39,010 - $45,685

Students: 878 Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1

Virtual Classes: No Denomination: Independent

At Pine Crest, we cultivate academic excellence and develop future leaders who thrive in an ever-changing world. Our students master adaptability, collaboration and empathy while building deep global and cultural understanding. They learn that perspective is power, transforming challenges into opportunities for growth. We graduate confident, compassionate leaders who know their strengths and forge their own paths to success. They emerge ready for both personal fulfillment and professional achievement. Discover how Pine Crest can shape your child’s future.

Private Education & Summer Camp Guide

PINE CREST SCHOOL FORT LAUDERDALE

Grades: PreK - 12th Tuition Range: $39,010 - $49,670

Students: 1,825 Student-Teacher Ratio: 9:1

Virtual Classes: No Denomination: Independent

SAINT JOHN PAUL II ACADEMY

Grades: 9th - 12th Tuition Range: $18,975 - $20,000

Students: 590

Student-Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Denomination: Catholic Based

Saint John Paul II Academy, located in Boca Raton, Florida, is a Catholic coeducational college preparatory school in the Diocese of Palm Beach following the tradition of Saint John Baptist De La Salle and the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Saint John Paul II Academy provides a rigorous academic curriculum designed to prepare students for success in college and in life. Our faith-based learning community fosters excellence in all programs and enables the spiritual, academic, artistic, and physical development of each student. Dedicated faculty and staff instill the Gospel values of tolerance, concern for the poor, justice, peace, and responsibility while welcoming students of all beliefs and backgrounds.

4001 N. Military Trail • Boca Raton • 561-314-2100 • sjpii.net

SLAM BOCA RATON

Grades: 6th-12th Tuition Range: (admission through application and lottery process) Students: 1,000 Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1

SLAM Boca Raton delivers an innovative, sports-infused education for students in grades 6–12. An “A”-rated school by the Florida Department of Education, SLAM Boca is STEM-certified, a Cambridge International School, and accredited by Cognia, offering a rigorous academic experience that prepares students for college and careers. Students can participate in AP courses, dual enrollment, and sports-focused majors such as Sports Medicine, Media, and Marketing. As a Project ADAM Heart Safe School, student safety and well-being are a priority. Through partnerships, mentorships, internships, and leadership opportunities, students gain real-world experience. Applications are now open for the 2026–2027 school year. Visit www.slamboca.com, become a Panda, and follow @slambocaofficial on Instagram.

22500 Hammock Street • Boca Raton • 561-299-6969 • slamboca.com

SPACE OF MIND

Grades: K - 12th Tuition Range: $18,000 - $48,000

Students: 50 Student-Teacher Ratio: 3:1

Denomination: Non-denominational

We’re Space of Mind, a personal learning experience for everyone, designed for our modern and social world. We offer a K-12 full-time schoolhouse, afterschool programs, family & adult programs, coaching, college prep & Gap year programs, parent coaching, homeschool curriculum development, and Summer, Winter & Spring Camps. Whether you’re a child, young adult, parent, or educator, our programs are designed to enrich your lifelong learning adventure.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

Grades: PS3-8th Tuition Range: $5,755 - $15,315

Students: 430 Student-Teacher Ratio: Varies

Denomination: Lutheran

Since 1962, St. Paul has been an accredited traditional Christian school in East Boca Raton. We offer leveled reading and math groups, art, music, band, advanced technology, physical education, Spanish, as well as STEM in grades 6-8. Our nurturing Early Childhood Program is developmentally appropriate and offers flexible days and times. After care and summer camp are available. Our Parent Teacher League offers many opportunities for parents to be involved. Contact us for a tour or for more information.

A Family Fostering a Foundation for the Future!

561.395.8548 • stpaulbocaschool.com

THOS FASHION SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Grades: 8th grade - Adult Student-Teacher Ratio: 1:8

Denomination: Fashion Design and Sewing Tech School

THOS Fashion School of Design offers hands-on, technical fashion education from beginner to advanced levels in an elevated, intimate based learning environment. Our accelerated programs are built to move talent from concept to construction to real world experience. We welcome students from high school through adults of all ages; younger students may be considered based on readiness and commitment. Students develop original designs, refine technical mastery, and debut their work through reputable partnerships and live opportunities. Our mission is simple: to educate with intention, nurture exceptional talent, and prepare students to step confidently into professional fashion careers.

281 N. Federal Hwy, Boca Raton • 561.294.7280 • thosfashionschoolofdesign.com

WAVES SURF ACADEMY

Camp Type: Surf Camp Camp Rate: $350 Weekly M-F / $100 Daily Camp ages: 5-15 Camp Times: 9:00 A.M -2:30 P.M.

Camp Dates: Spring Break Mar. 16th - 20th • Summer Break Jun. 1st - Aug. 21st

Waves Surf Academy offers exciting surf camps in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach for kids ages 5-15. Activities include surfing, paddleboarding, boogie boarding, swimming, beach games, dodgeball, and more. All staff are lifeguard certified, background checked, and screened for safety. The camp runs daily M-F from 9 AM to 2:30 PM, with indoor shelter and games for weather days. Join the fun and make waves this summer!

Delray Beach & Boynton Beach • 561.843.0481 • wavessurfacademy.com

findspaceofmind.com

DINING GUIDE

YOUR RESOURCE FOR GREATER DELRAY BEACH’S FINEST RESTAURANTS

STAFF PICK

Amar Sandwich Shop

AMAR MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN & BAR APPLIES ITS TRIED - AND - TRUE APPROACH TO MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE TO LEBANESE STREET FOOD

Foodie fans of Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar’s authentic Lebanese fare have new favorites to savor from the familyowned Kurban Hospitality Group with the debut of Amar Sandwich Shop.

Located in the former space of its big sister restaurant that has since upgraded to more spacious digs around the corner, Amar Sandwich Shop serves as a fast-casual extension of the original’s lovable Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine. Frequenters of the fullservice restaurant will recognize Amar’s housemade dips and the crowd-pleasing za’atar sumac fries on the menu, which are joined by familiar grab-and-go staples like bowls, salads and wraps. While Amar Sandwich Shop certainly fits the bill of “fresh food fast,” it effortlessly separates itself from the legions of fast-casual bowl concepts popping up on every South Florida street corner with its emphasis on unique, authentic flavors.

When we visited during a weekday at lunch, we sampled a good chunk of the menu, including its chicken shawarma wrap, beef shawarma bowl, salad, falafel and man’oushe (a Lebanese flatbread). The shawarma wrap was my first and favorite selection from the spread, with its wellseasoned chicken, crunchy pickles and za’atar fries wrapped in a fresh-baked pita (also available

IF YOU GO

on a gluten-free wrap). The wrap’s garlic toom sauce won’t do your breath any favors, but its strong (and I mean strong) garlic flavor is really what made this dish a home run.

As someone who’s grown disaffected with bowl-style concepts, I was elated to see Amar change up the formula by using its creamy hummus as a base in lieu of rice or veggies. There wasn’t a single dollop of hummus that went to waste as we slathered it over the tender slices of tahini-drizzled beef. The hummus also served as a perfect condiment for the man’oushe, a crispy flatbread generously seasoned with Mediterranean spices, and the falafel, which achieved the ideal crispy-outside-soft-inside texture that I hoped it would. The falafel and man’oushe are sure to please vegetarian diners, as will the salad bowls, like the herbaceous tabbouleh with lemon olive oil dressing.

522 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561/403-2665

PARKING: Street

While I expect most diners will visit Amar Sandwich Shop for a quick takeout option to refuel on the way back from the beach or along a walk down Atlantic Avenue, Amar’s rustic interior with its deep reds and warm lights also makes for an inviting space to sit down for lunch or a light dinner. But whether you’re on the go or in the mood to linger over a beer or glass of wine, Amar Sandwich Shop offers a new way to enjoy a Delray Beach dining staple.

HOURS: Mon. – Sun., 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

PRICES: $14 – $19

WEBSITE: amarsandwichshop.com

Tyler Childress

A Mediterranean salad, shawarma wrap, and falafel and hummus bowl from Amar Sandwich Shop

TABLE 165

165 N.E. Second Ave., Delray Beach; 561/266-3629

PARKING: Lot and street parking

HOURS: Sunday & Monday 5 – 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday & Thursday 5 – 10 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.

PRICES: $14 – $48

WEBSITE: table165.com

Ora King Crudo

Encore

CHEF COTON STINE SHINES WITH HER LATEST ENDEAVOR

G

race Kelly and Kate Moss peer down at me. These iconic women seem to offer their discerning approval even before I take a bite. And (spoiler alert), after my experience at chef Coton Stine’s latest venture, I agree. I was a fan of her previous Atlantic Avenue concept, Costa by OK&M, which she quietly closed last summer, so I was excited to check out this Pineapple Grove restaurant she opened a year ago.

The quaint space, which merged a former art gallery and Italian restaurant, is a playful contrast of moody drama and glowing lightheartedness.

The cozy bar’s vintage Art Nouveau design sets the tone for speakeasy vibes, enhanced by moody lighting, a striking wall mural and plush seating. Strolling into the adjacent room, which shares space with the kitchen, presents a stark contrast. Natural light floods into this luminous area, decorated with vibrant artwork and chalky terrazzo floors.

We start the evening with Crispy Tostones ($16) and the Ora King Crudo ($18). The salmon belly appetizer is part of the raw selections, which also include ceviche and wagyu tartare. The salmon has a lovely citrusginger flavor, and the salmon roe adds a fun pop of texture with every bite. The tostones sit on a smear of avocado and are topped with a generous amount of crispy, moist pork

belly, coleslaw, white cotija cheese and pickled red onions. I wasn’t sure how to approach the dish, wondering if I should cut it or use my hands. Ultimately, it’s a messy dish, so I opted for utensils. While the flavors delivered, my only note would be that the tostones missed the mark. As a Latina who has cooked and eaten tostones most of my life and knows the pleasure of biting into a freshly fried, crispy, smashed plantain, these were very difficult to cut—perhaps they had been pre-fried and left out.

The entrées featured rich, deep flavors. The Tuscan Gnocchi ($32) showcases Chef Stine’s Le Cordon Bleu training, where the sauce is the star—a perfectly creamy, citrus-infused complement to the fluffy house-made pasta packed with spinach, tomatoes, Kalamata olives and both shiitake and king trumpet mushrooms. The Seafood Rassa ($48) is a red Thai curry made with lemongrass coconut milk, Key West pink shrimp, the local catch, sweet peppers and snow peas. I happily drenched the jasmine rice it’s served with and enjoyed every balanced, spicy bite.

The Key Lime Pie, a nod to chef Stine’s local roots, was zesty, not overly sugared, and had a cinnamon twist that I enjoyed. As our waiter played “Happy Birthday” on the piano to a table in the adjacent room (where you can catch live music on weekends), I reflected on how Chef Stine’s continued advocacy for locally sourced ingredients and her enthusiastic support for our Florida farms really shines at Table 165.

This page clockwise: Crispy Tostones, Seafood Rassa and Tuscan Gnocchi

GUIDE

DINING KEY

$ Inexpensive: under $17

$$ Moderate: $18 to $35

$$$ Expensive: $36 to $50

$$$$ Very expensive: $50+

DELRAY BEACH

50 Ocean—50 S. Ocean Blvd. Seafood. The former Upper Deck at Boston’s on the Beach is now the more upscale, seafood-oriented spot. The menu ranges from familiar to slightly more inventive, from a classic lobster bisque and crisp-tender fried clam bellies to rock shrimp pot pie and baked grouper topped with blue crab. The cinnamon-dusted beignets are puffs of amazingly delicate deep-fried air and should not under any circumstances be missed. • Lunch Mon.-Sat. Dinner nightly. Brunch Sun. 561/278-3364. $$

800 Palm Trail Grill—800 Palm Trail. American This contemporary space is serving up American fare and classic cocktails. The menu has a steak-and-

seafood-house feel to it but without any stuffiness. Instead, you’ll find dishes that entice the palate, like the loaded baked potato eggrolls and Wagyu boneless short rib. • Lunch and dinner daily, with patio dining. 561/865-5235. $$$

Akira Back—233 N.E. Second Ave. Japanese. Chef Akira Back’s Seoul restaurant earned a Michelin star a few years ago, and now he’s showcasing his talented take on Japanese cuisine at his namesake restaurant inside The Ray hotel. Born in Korea and raised in Colorado, Back blends his heritage with Japanese flavors and techniques he has mastered to deliver dishes that are unique to him. With plates made to be shared, the menu is divided into cold and hot starters followed by rolls, nigiri/sashimi, robata grill, mains and fried rice. Dinner nightly. 561/739-1708. $$$$

Amar Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar—25 S.E. Sixth Ave. Mediterranean. No longer a quaint bistro, this new version is buzzing with energy while still as charming and welcoming as ever. Dishes deliver solid, bright flavors that honor owner Nicolas Kurban’s Lebanese roots, as his family recipes take center stage alongside Mediterranean favorites that have been elevated with slight tweaks. On some evenings, there is belly dancing entertainment. Dinner nightly. 561/865-5653. $$

Angelo Elia Pizza • Bar • Tapas— 16950 Jog Road. Italian. Nothing on the menu of Angelo Elia’s modCern, small plates-oriented osteria disappoints, but particularly notable are the meaty fried baby artichokes stuffed with breadcrumbs and speck, delicate chicken-turkey meatballs in Parmesan-enhanced broth, and Cremona pizza with a sweet-salty-earthypungent mélange of pears, pancetta, Gorgonzola, sun-dried figs and mozzarella. • Dinner nightly. 561/381-0037. $$

Avalon Beach House 110 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. This steakhouse was transformed into a chic coastal haven for seafood and lively cocktails. Its menu features a variety of casual dishes like ahi tuna poke, fish tacos, double smash burger and short rib ragu. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/593-2500. $$

Bamboo Fire Cafe—149 N.E. Fourth Ave. Caribbean. The Jacobs family joyously shares its Latin and Caribbean culture through food that’s bursting with bright island aromas and flavors. Tostones, plantain fries and jerk meatballs share the menu with curry pork, oxtail and conch. A quintessential Delray gem. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/749-0973. $

Beg for More Izakaya—19 S.E. Fifth Ave. Japanese Small Plates The large sake, whisky and beer menu here pairs beautifully with the small plates full of everything except sushi. No sushi. And that’s fine. Try the takoyaki (octopus balls), the crispy salmon tacos and anything with the addictive kimchi, such as the kimchi fried rice. There are pasta, teriyaki and simmered duck with bok choy dishes—or 16 varieties of yakitori (food on skewers). You’ll be back to beg for more. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-8849. $$

Brulé Gastro-Kitchen—200 N.E. Second Ave.

Contemporary American. The regular menu of this Pineapple Grove favorite always has satisfying dishes. Its specialties include crab tortellini with black truffles, chicken meatballs with coconut broth and cashews, plus signature dessert pistachio crème brùlée. Spirits and house cocktails steeped in speakeast style are paired with an ever-changing menu. Outside tables offer the best option for conversation. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/274-2046. $$

Burt & Max’s —9089 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American . This bastion of contemporary comfort food in west Delray is approaching local landmark status, forging its own menu while borrowing a few dishes from Max’s Grille, like the hearty chopped salad and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. Other dishes are variations on the comfort food theme, including a stellar truffle-scented wild mushroom pizza. • Dinner nightly. Sunday brunch. 561/638-6380. $$

Lobster Nori Butter at Akira Back

Caffe Luna Rosa—34 S. Ocean Blvd., Delray Beach. Italian. This multiple Delray Beach-award winning restaurant has sparkling service, comfort food taken to a higher level, and a setting just steps from the Atlantic. Open since 1993, and a success since then, they dish up big flavors in a tiny space, so call for reservations. Try the calamari fritto misto, then the rigatoni pomodoro and leave room for dessert. Or come back for breakfast. • Open daily from breakfast through dinner. 561-274-9404. $$

Casa L’Acqua—9 S.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Diners can expect white tablecloths, tuxedoed staff and attentive service at this fine-dining restaurant. The wine list is Italian-focused but does offer a variety of bottles from around the world, and each dish is expertly prepared with sizable portions. The main dining room, with its vibey bar and wine cellar, is cozy, and so is its fully enclosed patio in the back. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/563-7492. $$

City Oyster—213 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This stylish mainstay of Big Time Restaurant Group serves up reasonably priced seafood that never disappoints, such as shrimp and grits with a jumbo crab cake. This is the place to see and be seen in Delray, and the food

lives up to its profile. • Lunch Mon.–Sun. Dinner nightly. Outdoor dining. 561/272-0220. $$

Chez Henry’s—16850 Jog Road. American. This casual, unpretentious restaurant in the west part of town never fails to delight diners. Expect attentive service and crisp execution of everything—from meat loaf, burgers and fried chicken to flatbreads and hefty composed salads. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/206-1896. $$

Coco Sushi Lounge & Bar—25 N.E. Second Ave., Suite 208. Asian. Local hospitality veterans Tina Wang and chef Jason Zheng continue to grow their restaurant empire with this concept. The extensive menu caters to any palate, dietary restriction or craving and features both traditional and creative dishes. Soups and salads lead into sushi selections and appetizers divided into cool and hot. Cooked and raw rolls are followed by rice, noodle, land and sea entrée options. • Dinner Mon.-Sat. Sunday brunch. 561/926-9434. $$

Cut 432—432 E. Atlantic Ave. Steakhouse. Hipper decor, a more casual vibe and an inventive take on steak-house favorites make this sleek restaurant just different enough to be interesting. Starters such as

ceviche (prepared Peruvian style) and ultrarich oysters Rockefeller are first-rate, while the wet-aged beef is appropriately tender and tasty. • Dinner nightly. 561/272-9898. $$$

DADA—52 N. Swinton Ave. Contemporary. You’ll find playful dishes that are artfully crafted and warm hospitality in this historic home. Start with its famous dates, and for a comforting dish that won’t disappoint, try the meatloaf. Its cheeky interiors are a nod to the namesake art movement, yet the home’s history is also reflected in its lived-in wood floors and stone fireplace. Dinner nightly, brunch Sundays. 561/330-3232. $$

Deck 84—840 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Burt Rapoport’s ode to laid-back tropical dining is like a day at the beach without getting sand between your toes. Though the restaurant is casual, the kitchen takes its food seriously, whether the stellar flatbreads, the thick and juicy 10-ounce special blend burger or homey seasonal cobbler. And the waterfront location just seems to make everything taste better. • Lunch Mon.–Fri. Brunch Sat.–Sun. Dinner nightly. 561/665-8484. $

Eathai—1832 S. Federal Highway. Thai. If you’re craving approachable and affordable Thai food, put

[ DINING GUIDE ]

Eathai at the top of your list. While you can expect to find curries, noodles, soups and fried rice on the menu, the dishes here aren’t the typical ones you’ll find around town. Indulge in the Thai chicken French toast or crispy duck breast with lychee curry sauce or oxtail basil fried rice to savor the true talent of owner and chef Sopanut Sopochana. • Lunch and dinner Wed.Mon. 561/270-3156. $

El Camino—15 N.E. Second Ave. Mexican. This sexy, bustling downtown spot is from the trio behind nearby Cut 432 and Park Tavern. Fresh, quality ingredients go into everything from the tangy tomatillo salsas to the world-class fish tacos clad in delicate fried skin, set off by tart pineapple salsa. Cinnamon and sugar-dusted churros are the perfect dessert. And check out the margaritas, especially the smoky blend of mezcal and blanco tequila. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/865-5350. $$

Elisabetta’s—32 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. An ornate Italian spot, with classically prepared dishes including spiedini shrimp, burrata de prosciutto bruschetta, costoletta di vitello (veal), a guanciale pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, malfadine Amatriciana and gemelli puttanesca. Portions are large and that, thankfully, goes for the homemade gelati, too. The best seating outdoors is the second-floor balcony overlooking Atlantic Avenue. • Lunch and dinner daily; weekend brunch. 561/650-6699. $$

Gabriella’s Modern Italian—40 N.E. Seventh Ave. Italian. Craveable, modern Italian American cuisine in a gorgeous space with a stunning circular bar and outdoor patio. The Parm Bar is the star of the menu but there are several noteworthy supporting players like the housemade tagliatelle, meatballs and tiramisu. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/916-3001. $$$

The Grove—187 N.E. Second Ave. Contemporary American. The Grove, which has been tucked inside the tranquil Pineapple Grove District for nearly a decade, continues to surprise diners with its vibrant dishes. The upscale but casually comfortable nook has an international wine list that spans the globe and a seasonal menu that’s succinct and well-thought-out. • Dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/266-3750. $$$$

The Hampton Social—40 N.E. Seventh Ave. American. The Hampton Social is known for its “rosé all day” tagline, but it doesn’t just slay its rosé; its food is equally as tempting. It does a standout job of incorporating its casual coastal aesthetic into not just its décor but also its menu, from its seafood-centric dishes to its droll cocktail names like the vodka-forward I Like It a Yacht. Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch. 561/404-1155. $$

Il Girasole—2275 S. Federal Highway. Northern Italian. If you want Northern Italian in a low-key

atmosphere, and nobody rushing you out the door, this is your spot. Start with something from the very good wine list. Try the yellowtail snapper, the penne Caprese and the capellini Gamberi, and leave room for the desserts. Reservations recommended. • Dinner Tues.–Sun. 561/272-3566. $$

J&J Seafood Bar & Grill—634 E. Atlantic Ave. Seafood. This local favorite on Atlantic Avenue— owned by John Hutchinson (who is also the chef) and wife Tina—serves up everything from burgers and wraps to a menu brimming with seafood options. Don’t forget to inquire about the stunning array of 10 specials—every night. • Lunch and dinner Tues.–Sat. 561/272-3390. $$

Jimmy’s Bistro—9 S. Swinton Ave. International Jimmy’s Bistro is a casual neighborhood concept serving consistently delightful dishes from a diverse menu that can transport diners to Italy with house-made pasta or Asia with its delicate dumplings and tender duck. • Dinner nightly. 561/865-5774. $$$

Joseph’s Wine Bar—200 N.E. Second Ave. Mediterranean-American. Joseph’s is an elegant, comfortable, intimate nook in Delray’s Pineapple Grove, and an ideal place for a lazy evening. This family affair— owner Joseph Boueri, wife Margaret in the kitchen, and son Elie and daughter Romy working the front of the house—has all tastes covered. Try the special cheese platter, the duck a l’orange or the rack of lamb. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-6100. $$

La Cigale—253 S.E. Fifth Ave. Mediterranean. Popular venue since 2001, with Greek and Italian dishes and more. Highlights are seafood paella, roasted half duck and grilled jumbo artichoke appetizer. Lots of favorites on the menu: calf’s liver, veal osso buco, branzino, seafood crepes. Nice outdoor seating if weather permits. • Dinner Mon.–Sat. 561/265-0600. $$

Latitudes—2809 S. Ocean Blvd. Modern American

You should come for both the sunset and the food. This oceanfront restaurant is a gem tucked inside the Delray Sands resort. From the airy, bubbly interior to the raw bar, the décor is soothing and fun. Try the lobster and crab stuffed shrimp, the miso-glazed Skuna Bay salmon, the branzino or the veal Bolognese. • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-6241. $$$

Le Colonial—601 E. Atlantic Ave. Vietnamese French. Le Colonial radiates classic elegance that is as sophisticated as it is comfortable. Created to showcase Vietnamese cuisine and its French influences, Le Colonial has a standout method of curating classic Vietnamese dishes that appeal to various palates, from meat lovers and pescatarians to vegetarians and everyone in between. The space immediately transports you back to Saigon’s tropical paradise of the 1920s. Lush birds of paradise and

Cha Gio Chay at Le Colonial

JOHN BURGER

palms line the halls that lead into intimate dining nooks throughout the 7,000-square-foot restaurant. • Lunch (on weekends) and dinner. 561/566-1800. $$$

Lefkes Estiatorio—33 S.E. Third Ave. Greek. This redesigned space, inside the former Delray Beach Market food hall, is home to Greek wines, traditional Greek classics, and a few contemporary takes on the cuisine. Make sure to save room for the baklava. If you’re looking for a lively late-night Mykonos vibe, complete with napkin throwing and pulsating tunes, Lefkes also delivers. Lunch and dinner daily. 561/908-2331. $$$

Lemongrass Bistro—420 E. Atlantic Ave. Pan-Asian Casually hip ambience, friendly service, moderate prices and a blend of sushi and nouveau pan-Asian fare make this a popular destination. The quality of its seafood and care in its preparation are what gives Lemongrass its edge. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/567-0442. (Other Palm Beach County locations: 101 Plaza Real S., Boca Raton, 561/544-8181; 1880 N. Congress Ave., Boynton Beach, 561/733-1344). $

Lulu’s—189 N.E. Second Ave. American. Lulu’s in Pineapple Grove offers a relaxed ambiance with unfussy, approachable food. The quaint café is open every day and serves an all-day menu including breakfast until 3 p.m. and a selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrées that are ideal for an executive lunch, lively tapas happy hour, casual dinner or late night snack (until 2 a.m.). • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. 561/453-2628. $

MIA Kitchen & Bar—7901 W. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Owner Joey Lograsso and chef Jason Binder have curated a balanced choreography of fascinating yet approachable dishes. The menu travels the world from Italy to Asia and showcases Binder’s formal training with elevated dishes that are exceptionally executed. It’s vibey with a great playlist, and the design, reminiscent of a cool Wynwood bar, is industrial with exposed ducts, reclaimed wood and sculptural filament chandeliers. It’s a place that amps up all your senses. • Dinner Tues.-Sun. 561/499-2200. $$$

The Office—201 E. Atlantic Ave. Contemporary American. Your office is nothing like this eclectic gastropub, unless your office sports more than two dozen craft beers on tap. Don’t miss the restaurant’s winning take on the thick, juicy Prime beef burger and simply wicked maple-frosted donuts with bacon bits and two dipping sauces. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/278-3796. $$

Papa’s Tapas—259 N.E. Second Ave. Spanish. This family-owned restaurant will make you feel welcomed, and its cuisine will satisfy your craving for Spanish tapas. Start with a few shareable plates and then enjoy a hearty paella that’s bursting with a selection of seafood, chicken or vegetables. • Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat., dinner Sun. 561/266-0599. $

Josie’s Ristorante

celebrating 33 years in business 650 E Woolbright Rd, Boynton Beach

DINING GUIDE ]

Park Tavern—32 S.E. Second Ave. Contemporary

American. Check out the high-top seating or bar stools during an excellent happy hour menu that includes deviled eggs, pork sliders, chicken wings and a happy crowd. Entrees are generous and well executed. Try the fish and chips, one of six burgers, fish tacos and more. • Dinner nightly. Brunch Sat.-Sun. 561/265-5093. $$

Rose’s Daughter—169 N.E. Second Ave. Italian

While not your traditional Italian trattoria, it is a place to find new favorites and revisit old standbys updated with delicious ingredients and high standards. Try the Monetcolored lobster risotto, or housemade pasta, pizza, bread and desserts. • Dinner Wed.-Sun. 561/271-9423. $$

Sazio—131 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. This long-lived venue on crowded Atlantic Avenue is a reason to sit down and take a breath. Then take up a fork and try the linguine with white clam sauce or the ravioli Sazio or grilled skirt steak or pretty much anything on the menu. Prices are reasonable; leftovers are popular. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/272-5540. $$

Table 165 —165 NE Second Ave. Contemporary. The quaint Pineapple Grove restaurant is a contrast of

moody drama and glowing cheeriness with its vintage Art Nouveau bar and dazzling adjacent dining room. Chef Coton Stine’s continued advocacy for locally sourced ingredients and her enthusiastic support for our Florida farms really shine here in dishes like the seafood rassa. Dinner Wed.-Mon. 561/266-3629. $$$

Taki Omakase—632 E. Atlantic Ave. Japanese. Taki Omakase, a shining example of omakase done right, is pricy but worth it, so long as you love eating raw fish. Every night is different, because it prides itself on importing fish, meat and seasonal ingredients from Japan that arrive daily. So, if you do pine for the delicacies of the sea, buckle in and get ready for the talented chefs at Taki Omakase to guide you through a culinary journey unlike anything else. Dinner nightly, lunch hour Fri.-Sun. 561/759-7362. $$$$

Terra Fiamma—9169 W. Atlantic Ave. Italian. The pleasures of simple, well-prepared Italian-American cuisine are front and center here. Enjoy the delicate, pillow-y veal meatballs in Marsala sauce; lusty chicken Allessandro with mushrooms, spinach and artichoke hearts; and a finely crafted tiramisu that’s as satisfying as it is familiar. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/495-5570. $$

Tramonti—119 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. In a world where restaurants chase trends with the relentlessness of Casanova in full Viagra heat, Tramonti stands out as a classic outpost of authentic Italian cookery. Not trendy hardly means stodgy, however, as evidenced by expertly crafted, robustly flavorful dishes like the signature spiedini di mozzarella Romana, spaghetti al cartoccio and braciole Napoletana. Torta della nonna is a triumph of the highly refined simplicity that lies at the heart of true Italian cuisine. • Lunch Mon.–Sat. Dinner nightly. 561/272-1944. $$$

Vic & Angelo’s—290 E. Atlantic Ave. Italian. People watching is a staple ingredient here, a complement to the Italian fare. The wine menu is robust, mainly grounded in Italy but with choices from around the world. Thin-crust pizzas are family-friendly, but you won’t want to share the Quattro Formaggi Tortellini filled with al dente pear and topped with truffle cream. If you have room for dessert, the classic sweets include cannoli and a tiramisu. • Dinner nightly, brunch weekends. 561/278-9570. $$

LAKE WORTH BEACH

Paradiso Ristorante—625 Lucerne Ave. Italian. A Tomasz Rut mural dominates the main dining room,

and there is also a pasticceria and bar for gelato and espresso. Chef Angelo Romano offers a modern Italian menu. The Mediterranean salt-crusted branzino is definitely a must-try. Plus, the wine list is a veritable tome. • Lunch and dinner daily. 561/547-2500. $$$

PALM BEACH

Bice—313 Worth Ave. Italian. This venerable restaurant offers a marvelous array of risottos and fresh pastas and classic dishes like veal chop Milanese, pounded chicken breast and roasted rack of lamb. The wine list features great vintages. • Lunch and dinner daily. Outdoor dining. 561/835-1600. $$$

Buccan—350 S. County Road. Contemporary American. Casual elegance of Palm Beach meets modern culinary Miami at this hot restaurant by chef Clay Conley. The design offers both intimate and energetic dining areas, while the menu is by turn familiar (wood-grilled burgers) and more adventurous (truffled steak tartare with crispy egg yolk, squid ink orrechiette). • Dinner nightly. 561/833-3450. $$

Café Boulud—The Brazilian Court, 301 Australian Ave. French with American flair. This hotel restaurant gives Palm Beach a taste of Daniel Boulud’s worldclass cuisine inspired by his four muses. The chef oversees a menu encompassing classics, simple fare, seasonal offerings and dishes from around the world. Dining is in the courtyard (not available during summer), the elegant lounge or the sophisticated dining room. • Dinner nightly. 561/655-6060. $$$

Café L’europe—331 S. County Road. Current international. A Palm Beach standard, the café has long been known for its peerless beauty, the piano player, the chilled martinis and the delicious Champagne and caviar bar. Try one of its sophisticated classics like Wiener schnitzel with herbed spaetzle, grilled veal chop and flavorful pastas. • Lunch Tues.–Fri. Dinner nightly (closed Mon. during summer). 561/655-4020. $$$

Echo—230A Sunrise Ave. Asian. The cuisine reverberates with the tastes of China, Thailand, Japan and Vietnam. The Chinese hot and sour soup is unlike any other, and the sake list is tops. This offsite property of The Breakers is managed with the same flawlessness as the resort. • Dinner nightly (during season). 561/802-4222. $$$

BOCA NURSING SERVICES, INC

Rose Glamoclija, RN, is the founder and administrator of Boca Nursing Services for over three decades. The concierge private nursing care is made available in the comfort of your home, hospital room, facilities stay and while residing at assisted living or rehabilitation facilities. With compassion, and concern for every person they serve in the surrounding areas in four counties. Rose provides guidance and resources for families needing in-home support nursing care.

342 E. Palmetto Rd. 255 Sunrise Ave. Ste 200 Boca Raton Palm Beach 561-347-7566 561-833-3430 bocanursing.com bocanursing.com

INTERCOASTAL WEALTH PLANNING, LLC

Intercoastal Wealth Planning is a financial planning firm that focuses on guiding clients through challenging markets, understanding their risk and other Life transitions. Working with clients who are accumulating wealth as well as business owners who need to understand how to turn their life‘s work into their retirement income stream. We have a new location at 6751 North Federal Highway, Suite 400, Boca Raton. Call us for an appointment at 561.210.7339.

6751 N. Federal Highway, Suite 400, Boca Raton, FL 33487

561.210.7339 intercoastalwealth.com

With 30+ years on Wall Street managing $300M in private client assets, I know how real estate drives portfolio

and Opportunity Zones. Developers and professional athletes rely on my strategic guidance. Let me help you maximize real estate within your overall investment strategy.

OUT & ABOUT

RESTORING FLORIDA’S ECOSYSTEMS ONE SHRUB AT A TIME

The Delray Beach-based Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC) launched its latest initiative, Reviving Urban Nature, which plans to restore and improve biodiversity in urban ecosystems around the state. As part of the initiative, the IRC partnered with the City of Boca Raton’s Office of Sustainability to restore a scrub habitat at Gopher Tortoise Preserve, with more than 60 volunteers planting 700 scrub plants in the area. The scrub will provide habitats for the endangered gopher tortoise and other native species. Pictured: IRC volunteers at Gopher Tortoise Preserve.

ACCF

KIDS FALL IN LOVE WITH LITERACY

The Achievement Centers for Children & Families in Delray Beach invited the public to take part in its Fall in Love With Literacy campaign, where they could read to children to foster their love of stories and books.

Delray magazine editor Christiana Lilly visited preschool children at the center and read “The Sour Grape,” “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” and “Listening Time.” Pictured: Christiana Lilly reading to ACCF kids, photos courtesy ACCF.

OLD SCHOOL SQUARE BRANDING GETS A NEW LOOK

The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority and City of Delray Beach unveiled the new branding and logos for Old School Square, featuring the designs of local artist Patricia Torras. She was selected from a pool of 30 local artists as part of the arts campus’s “Legacy Through Art” initiative. The debut served a dual celebration, as the arts campus began celebrations for its centennial this year. Pictured: Patricia Torras in front of Old School Square.

Local nonprofit powerhouse the Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation donated a $365,000 grant to the Achievement Centers for Children & Families to benefit its Early Learning Program (ELP). The ELP services more than 100 Delray Beach children at the Nancy K. Hurd Campus, providing thousands of hours of instruction and more than 47,000 meals per year. With its low student-to-teacher ratio, the ELP provides tailored instruction to underserved children to ensure they are kindergarten-ready.

Pictured: Center rear: Carl Angus DeSantis Foundation Executive Director Jeff Perlman and Foundation Assistant Angela Giachetti with ELP students and teachers.

CARL ANGUS DESANTIS FOUNDATION PRESENTS GRANT TO THE ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

COCO GAUFF STOPS BY THE CORNELL Pioneering Delray Beach resident Yvonne Odom and her granddaughter, tennis superstar Coco Gauff, were presented with portraits of themselves created by local artist Harold Caudio during a visit to Cornell Art Museum. The works were created by Caudio as part of the museum’s “Pop Culture” exhibition. Pictured: Yvonne Odom, Harold Caudio and Coco Gauff with Caudio’s portraits.

MARINER’S WITCHES RIDE

WHERE: Downtown Delray Beach

WHAT: Delray’s coven of cackling witches took flight for the 14th year to raise funds for the Achievement Centers for Children and Families (ACCF). The witches mounted their custom brooms (bikes) and took off from City Hall, flying down Atlantic Avenue before arriving at Old School Square for a performance by the ACCF Platinum Steppers and a ceremony to award Best Costume, Best Witch Cackle, Best Decorated Broom and Best Group Theme. A slew of activities were hosted ahead of the ride, including the “Not Your Basic Witch” hat decorating event hosted by Amanda Perna and the annual Witches Brew hosted at Tim Finnegans Irish Pub. The Mariner’s Witches Ride, supported by title sponsor Mariner Wealth Management, raised $60,000 to benefit the ACCF’s various programs aimed at supporting children and working families. Other sponsors included BETR Project, the Crocker Family, Delray Dermatology and Cosmetic Center, Schumacher Auto Group and more.

Campbell’s Soup witches

‘80s Wicked and Wild witches

Shrooms and Brooms witches

Celestial Sisters witches: Kachi Montalvo, Megan Hanley, Tori Ross, Lauren Kennedy, Leslie Murrell, Rachel Cooke

Kelli Freeman, Catherine Dubois, Jeanne Ilvento, Bobbi Armstrong, Pat Schoaf, Leanna Marinello

Witches riding through Downtown Delray Beach

Best Group Theme winners, The Spell Sisters

ACCF Platinum Steppers

Best Cackle winner Sandra Alvarez

Witches of All Heart

Delray Dermatology and Cosmetic Center witches

A Key Lime witch wins Best Broom

“PRESERVING OUR STORIES: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DOX THRASH” RECEPTION

WHERE: Spady Cultural Heritage Museum

WHAT: The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum has had a blockbuster year leading up to its 100th anniversary, with exhibits, events and celebrations to raise funds for another century of preserving and sharing Black history. The museum recently welcomed Ron Rumford, an expert on pioneering Harlem Renaissance artist Dox Thrash, for an evening reception where guests learned more about the enigmatic artist and viewed his rare “Still Life of Flowers” oil painting, donated by the Kimmel Family Foundation and a member of Thrash’s family. Proceeds benefited the museum’s “The House Still Stands” 100th Anniversary campaign as well as the museum’s various programs.

Nancy Chanin, Pam Halberg

Khaulah Nuruddin and Ron Rumford in front of audience

Virginia Kimmel, Roberta Townsend, Harvey Kimmel

Khaulah Nuruddin and Sharon Blake unveil “Still Life of Flowers”

Chuck Halberg, Charlene Farrington

Price Patton, Larry Rosensweig

HUSTLE TO END HUNGER 5K RUN/WALK

WHERE: John Prince Park

WHAT: Supporters of hunger relief nonprofit CROS Ministries got their steps in at the Hustle to End Hunger 5K Run/Walk at John Prince Park in Lake Worth Beach. More than 300 attendees joined in walking and running, raising more than $45,000 to benefit CROS Ministries’ programs, including its food pantry in Delray Beach. “Behind every meal and bag of food CROS provides is a person, a family and a story of resilience,” said CROS Ministries CEO Ruth Mageria. “Our annual Hustle to End Hunger helps ensure we continue to make a lasting impact in the lives of our brothers, sisters and neighbors.” Sponsors included the Genetics Institute of America, Lake Worth United Church of Christ, Valley Bank, Publix Super Markets Charities and more.

Nancy Rimkunas and Bill Kopp

Robynne Ryals, Jack Lansing, Ruth Mageria, Ken Treadwell, Nancy Edwards

Jack Hansen and Finn Kasher, first- and third-place finishers for males ages 15-19 Chase and Bonnie Roberts

Participants in the 100-yard Lil Hustle race to the finish line.

Lake Worth United Church of Christ Pastor Jason Fairbanks

CONSTRUCTION & REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT GOLF TOURNAMENT

WHERE: The Seagate Golf Club

WHAT: More than 130 members of Florida’s construction and real estate industries hit the links at The Seagate Golf Club to raise funds for Epilepsy Alliance Florida (EAF). Returning for its fifth year and chaired by EAF board member Adam Adache and his wife, Monica, the tournament raised more than $130,000 to benefit the EAF’s programs that support the more than 500,000 Floridians affected by epilepsy. Guests enjoyed an 18-hole scramblestyle tournament, hand-rolled cigars, raffle drawings, a dinner reception and an auction. Sponsors included Level Realty, Kaufman Lynn Construction, Custom Rod & Reel and more.

Golfers line up in their carts

Mishel Mako, Derek Wolfhope, Garret Southern, Neil Carson, Chris Long

Tom Coyle, Dan Coyle

Front: Joseph Biordi; Rear: Todd Perrodin, Giania Gonzalez, Sunshine Scharf

Ginger Martin, Amy Mahaney, Sharon Thompson, Pam Griffin

Mary Kay Wilson, Barry Craft, Dan Deitchman, Smith Rivas

Fernando Benito, Adam Duncan

Didler Fabelo

Ryan Egozi

Adam and Monica Adache

Adam Adache, Brayan Braverman, Monica Adache

John Jungle, Lamar Fisher, Paul Fisher, Scott Gooding

WILD ABOUT WILDLIFE CHAMPAGNE LUNCHEON

WHERE: Table 26 Palm Beach

WHAT: The National Wildlife Refuge Association’s Wild About Wildlife initiative raised more than $31,000 to further its mission of preserving wildlife and inspiring others to become environmental stewards. “Palm Beach showed up with heart,” said Wild About Wildlife Founder Nancy Marshall. “This support helps bring conservation home, connecting local families and students to national wildlife refuges, green spaces and hands-on programs that protect South Florida’s natural heritage.” Proceeds from the event will go toward developing habitat gardens, ranger camp for high school students, and floating wetlands to improve water quality.

Gray Payne, Lisa Swift, Richard Day

Margo McKnight, Amy Kight

Adrienne Coffin, Dean Dimke

Maureen Conte, Deborah Pollack

Michaela Kennedy, Daryl Houston, Kathleen Breland

Dianne Bernstein, Natalie Balaguer, Desirée Sorenson-Groves, Nancy Marshall

Tom Warnke

• Executive director and a founding member of the Surfing Florida Museum

• Director Emeritus of Eastern Surfing Association

• Founder of the Surfrider Foundation’s Palm Beach County Chapter

THEN: Tom Warnke was surfing the waves off of Delray Beach even before anyone in the area really knew what a surfboard was. Warnke, whose family moved from Milwaukee to Boynton Beach when he was 8 years old, remembers catching waves when he was still in elementary school on inflatable mats that could be rented for just 25 cents. It was 1964 when he first stepped on a surfboard. “I was hooked as a surfer the first time I surfed,” he says. “I felt so independent. It’s just you and the ocean.” Warnke’s love of surfing and his fierce determination to defend it from stigma have led to a lifetime dedicated to the sport, mostly as a volunteer. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Warnke was a juvenile court counselor and later worked in sales and marketing. Simultaneously, he judged surfing contests throughout the east coast for about 40 years and was director and chairman of the board of the Eastern Surfing Association.

NOW: These days, Warnke spends much of his time working on his two passions: promoting surfing and sharing the history of Delray Beach. As the archive coordinator and historian for the Delray Beach Historical Society, he researches documents and photos and is also the guide on three regularly scheduled walking tours. “Delray was a great place to be a kid,” he says. His other major focus is on reopening the Surfing Florida Museum, a nonprofit he has helped get off the ground—and has shepherded— since 2014. “Tom’s dedication to the museum is simply an extension of his genuine desire to tell the story to others,” says longtime surfer and former Delray Beach Mayor Cary Glickstein. “I’ve never known another person with such an encyclopedic appreciation of Florida’s surfing history.” The museum, which contains a collection of historic surfboards, photographs, oral histories and more, has had a nomadic existence over the years, moving several times. Since COVID, the archives have been in storage, but in late January reopened in a new location in West Palm Beach. Warnke says that one of the goals of the museum is to ensure the image of surfers from the early days—when Florida cities actually banned surfing until a Supreme Court ruling in 1970—remains a part of the past. “Ever since the 1960s I’ve wanted to protect the image of surfers,” he says.

“Surfing is very personal, and it touches you for days and days. When you surf in the ocean, it changes your perspective— you feel privileged to have been out there and to have experienced it.”

— Tom Warnke CARINA MASK

DELRAY MAGAZINE MARCH/APRIL 2026

UPCOMING EVENTS*

SHOP DINE RELAX Entertain

NEVER STAY IN YOUR LANE.

Marcus Neuroscience Institute Offers More Options for People With Multiple Sclerosis.

CONTENTS

14 Editor’s Letter

17 Hot List

20 Try This

22 Top 5/Calendar

26 Style

31 Home

34 Up Close

38 Worth the Trip

40 Delray Interview

44 The Women Who Built Delray

77 Dining Guide

87 Out & About

96

ConnectionCommunity

LAKE LIFE, LAKE ACCESS, LAKE IDA

SERVICES

DIRECTORY

First Impressions

MOST THINGS IN LIFE ARE WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

OTHER DELRAY WOMEN YOU SHOULD KNOW

DesignerSpotlight

HOT LIST

NEWS AND NOTES FROM DELRAY BEACH

Spring Break

Chewy Lands in Delray

SAVOR THE AVENUE RETURNS

Delray Concours Returns

Going Vegan

DELRAY GOES GREEN

AFTER DARK: Beach Club

The Art of Bonsai

A BUDDING PLANT ENTHUSIAST SPENDS THE MORNING WITH THE PROS AT THE MORIKAMI

KIDNEY STONE CARE: RELIEF + PREVENTION

TOP 5 March/April 2026

“SOMETHING ROTTEN!”

“DIRTY DANCING LIVE IN CONCERT”

WALTER SMITH III

DELRAY AFFAIR

“A TASTE OF ASIA”

READ THIS

WATCH THIS

Boca International Jewish Film Festival

LISTEN TO THIS

Beatles on the Beach

March/April 2026

Now-March 15:

Now-April 4:

Now-April 4:

March

March

March

April Showers

DRIZZLY DAYS

Palm Beach Dramaworks –Theatre to Think About

THE CRUCIBLE

Getting Personal

A FLAIR FOR THE EXOTIC

GONE COASTAL

Flipping the Script

FOR CERTIFIED RADIOLOGIC TECHNICIAN MICHAEL JOHN BENZAIA, ACTING IS THE BEST MEDICINE

Lasagna for a Cause

PARKER FORMAN’S FOOD4NEED HAS A HEARTY APPROACH TO FIGHTING HUNGER IN HIS COMMUNITY

[ WORTH THE TRIP ] BY

Every Dog Has Its Day

PETS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME AT KIMPTON VERO BEACH — THEY’RE PRACTICALLY TREATED LIKE ROYALTY

MORGAN

DIRECTORASTHENEWEXECUTIVEOFCROSSROADSLOOKSCLUB,DYLANMORGANTOCONTINUEAND SECONDBUILDUPONALEGACYOF CHANCES

The Women Who Built Delray

WThe

The Farmer: Essie Mae Griffin Massengill (1920-1993)

The Healer: Susan Curry Williams (1870-1954)

The Teacher: Frances J. Bright (1871-1958)

The Yamato Pioneers:

LADIESASSOCIATIONIMPROVEMENT