Lifestyles MAR 2026

Palm Beach’s Wildest

Night Raised $2.8 Million To Benefit Wildlife And Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

An African Cape porcupine named Percy rang the dinner bell to welcome 350 guests to Palm Beach’s wildest night of the season, Tropical Safari at Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. This wildlife-saving evening brought together friends and world-changers to make a difference for conservation and the zoo.

Michele Kessler, chair of the zoo’s Board of Directors, and Jonathan Clay, vice chair of the zoo’s Board of Directors, served as Tropical Safari event chairs on Jan. 30, on the lush, tropical grounds of Palm Beach Zoo. Amy Baier served as honorary chair for the event that raised $2.8 million in support of the organization’s conservation initiatives and expert animal care.

“At the heart of our zoo’s mission is a powerful belief: Each of us plays a role in saving wildlife in wild places. At

Tropical Safari, that belief becomes action,” said Kessler. “We are proud to protect what is rare and irreplaceable.”

Tropical Safari highlighted Palm Beach Zoo’s commitment to big cats as apex (top of the food chain) predators. Connecting with big cats at the zoo inspires action to protect them in the wild, which keeps entire ecosystems in balance.

“Thanks to our amazing Tropical Safari chairs and guests for your support. Your generosity helps protect tigers in Malaysia, jaguars in Belize and panthers in the Everglades while providing meaningful, memorable experiences that connect our community with wild nature,” said Margo McKnight, president and CEO of Palm Beach Zoo.

Wildest Night on page 6

Ballet Palm Beach Raises Over $500,000 During ‘Gala By The Sea’ Annual Fundraiser At The Breakers

The ballroom was awash with support during the Ballet Palm Beach (BPB) “Gala by the Sea” annual fundraiser. King Neptune greeted the 200-plus attendees to the premier fete held at The Breakers Palm Beach on Jan. 28. The gala, commemorating philanthropist and “First Lady of Ballet” Anka Palitz, raised a record amount of more than $500,000. Chairpersons Lora Drasner, Robin Fleming, Erin McGould, and Nicole Noonan organized an evening that swam with surprises, including an undersea-themed, enchanting cocktail hour, a sumptuous dinner, live auction, music from the Switzer Sound, dancing, and an original performance by Ballet Palm Beach’s professional company members.

One of the evening’s key highlights was a heartfelt dedication from Palitz’s grandson, Ryan Kriser. He spoke about her recent $1 million donation to the ballet, emphasizing how her enduring generosity profoundly affects not only those in her immediate circle but also countless aspiring artists who will now have opportunities they once only dreamed of.

“We are so humbled by the outpouring of support from everyone who attended,” said Ballet Palm Beach Founding Artistic and Executive Director Colleen Smith. “These

Ballet Palm Beach on page 6

Get A Taste Of New Orleans At The Eighth Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival

On April 11 And 12 In Jupiter

Live Cajun And Zydeco Music, Authentic Cajun Food, And More!

The Eighth Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival sponsored by Good Greek Moving & Storage returns to Abacoa on Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. This premier Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival will celebrate Louisiana’s culture and traditions through food, music, and dance! Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show on 979WRMF,

will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies throughout the weekend and will bring her personal flair as a local who grew up in New Orleans.

The streets of Abacoa will be filled with Mardi Gras-themed decorations and banners, featuring lots of purple, green, and gold. Attendees will be transported

to Bourbon Street upon arrival, as the aroma of Cajun food fills the air. Come get a taste of “N’awlins” with authentic Cajun food featuring an expanded menu featuring a crawfish boil by Louisiana John, and lots of other dishes of crawfish etouffée, jambalaya, and Virginia’s seafood and meat gumbo, po’ boys, muffalettas, fried shrimp and chicken, crab cakes, oysters, red beans and rice. There will also be beignets, cider donuts, and more. There will be a crawfish-eating contest on Saturday.

Enjoy the Bourbon Street atmosphere with all the classic cocktails such as Hurricanes, Grenades, and a Champagne Hurricane. There will be authentic Louisiana music all weekend!

Two amazing charities will be on site all weekend at The Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival. First, we have Maddie’s Fight Foundation. They are incredible at helping families dealing with childhood cancer. Second, we have our beloved Little Smiles, which helps children go through personal or medical crises. Visit their booths to learn more about these children’s charities. They will be on site, raising awareness of their cause and collecting donations.

Experience Louisiana in style, reserve a VIP stage pod with four seats near the stage with a table including cocktail service, or a private VIP Creole cottage with eight seats and a table under a tent, including cocktail service. These are available for purchase on Eventbrite.

Tickets are $5, and children ages 12 and younger are free with an adult. Sponsorship opportunities are available. General lawn seating will also be available for those who

would like to bring their own chair/blanket to enjoy the all-day entertainment. For more information, visit www. cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.

For more information, visit: www.littlesmilesfl.org. Visit: www.maddiesfight.org.

Calendar Listing

The Eighth Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival (benefiting Little Smiles and Maddie’s Fight Foundation) is Saturday, April 11, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. The event is $5, and children 12 and under are free. VIP stage pod seating and Creole cottages are available. The event will feature authentic Cajun food, an expanded menu including crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp po’ boys, and live New Orleans and Cajun zydeco music. For more information, visit cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.

Jupiter Woman Benefits From Convenient Path To Complex Breast Cancer Surgery At Tampa General Hospital

Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023, one of Doris Wooten’s physicians recommended she see Dr. Kelly Foster, a medical oncologist with the TGH Cancer Institute – Cancer Center of South Florida (CCSF) in Palm Beach Gardens.

The Jupiter resident felt an immediate bond with Dr. Foster. “She is an incredible physician—warm, compassionate and a great listener,” said Wooten. “After we met, I felt understood.”

With surgery inevitable, Wooten carefully researched her options. She confided with Foster that along with a double mastectomy, she wanted a particular type of surgery called deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap to reconstruct her breasts.

A DIEP artery refers to a blood vessel in the abdomen. A surgeon uses blood vessels and a flap of tissue—fat and skin from the lower abdomen—to reconstruct a patient’s breasts. A benefit of DIEP flap surgery is that a surgeon does not remove muscle from the abdomen. Also, patients feel that using their own tissue gives their breasts a more natural shape and feel than do implants.

The Singles Scene Column© from page 3

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Doris Wooten, CCSF patient

With limited options in Palm Beach County, Foster’s affiliation with Tampa General Hospital afforded Wooten access to the academic health system’s best possible surgical team to perform both procedures. First, surgical oncologist Dr. Abigail Beard, an assistant professor of breast surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, performed the double mastectomy. Next, the DIEP flap procedure was handled by plastic surgeon Dr. Lauren Kuykendall, an assistant professor of plastic surgery at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine.

“Both Dr. Beard and Dr. Kuykendall were phenomenal surgeons and great communicators,” said Wooten. “They explained everything clearly, including all of the pros and

cons, given how I wished to move forward.” Wooten had surgery in September 2023.

Foster’s affiliation with Tampa General ensured a smooth, coordinated path for Wooten’s surgery and treatment. The academic health system’s expansion into the Palm Beaches and on the Treasure Coast provides patients with access to complex care and the convenience of postoperative care with a local provider.

The board-certified breast surgeons at the TGH Cancer Institute and world-renowned Breast Cancer Center have extensive experience with all breast reconstruction techniques and can recommend the best approach for patients.

Tampa General is ranked among the Top 10 percent in the Nation for Cancer Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2025-26. The academic health system’s world-renowned Breast Cancer Center is one of the highest-volume programs in Florida for treating breast cancer patients who require a hospital stay.

For more information about the groundbreaking cancer care available at TGH Cancer Institute – Cancer Center of South Florida, visit CancerCenterSouthFlorida.com.

Wildest Night from page 1

Tropical Safari guests were greeted by Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, Fern, and macaws, Crackle, Perus, Jessie, Leo, Coco and Henrietta. Zoologistguided safari adventure tours provided participants with an insider look at how the zoo is saving wildlife. Jaguar Fiona; Amada, Brazilian rainbow boa; and Hino, a great horned owl, connected with guests along the way.

Tom Quick and Margo McKnight

During the festive cocktail reception, guests met African Cape porcupine, Peter, and were wowed by a flock of Chilean flamingos on the dance floor. Attendees dined on delectable cuisine, enjoyed a video highlighting the zoo’s big cat conservation initiatives narrated by James Patterson and danced into the night all in support

funds are vital for the company and enable us to support our operations, including the development of our original productions, educational outreach programming and impacting our community through the timeless art of ballet.”

For more information about the professional company or its school, Ballet Palm Beach Academy, or to support BPB’s outreach efforts call (561) 630-8235 or visit www. balletpalmbeach.org.

of the zoo’s mission of inspiring people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world.

Thomas C. Quick conducted the live auction, which included premier exclusive packages. Tropical Safari guests bid on Stan Kaminski custom artwork, entitled Waiting Game , donated by Findlay Galleries, James R. Borynack and Adolfo Zaralegui; rare vintage wine: six bottles of 1959 Château Haut-Brion donated by Michele and Howard Kessler; a spectacular dinner at the zoo donated by Table 26; the ultimate insider access animal experience at Palm Beach Zoo; a dining experience with Bret Baier donated by Amy and Bret Baier, Michele and Howard Kessler and Nosh Catering & Events; and naming a character in an upcoming book donated by James Patterson. Quick then engaged the room with a call to the heart, raising additional donations that support initiatives like Big Cat Institute, advancements in animal care and well-being at the zoo, and creating experiences that inspire nearly 400,000 guests each year.

Palm Beach Zoo thanks the generous sponsors, underwriters and community partners of Tropical Safari. Gift bag contents were provided by Tammy Fender Holistic

Skin Care and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. The parting gifts also contained a tiger plush and return passes to the zoo, where every visit saves wildlife. Guests delighted in a sendoff from Greenbean, the prehensile-tailed skink and Miles, the red-footed tortoise.

To learn more, please visit www.palmbeachzoo.org.

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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

For care now, contact: Nicole Lashley, BSN, RN

Tampa General Provider Network Clinical Integrator (561) 960-3099 or nlashley@tgh.org

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

Famous Entrepreneur And Yacht Owner, John Staluppi, Named Keynote Speaker For Palm Beach International Boat Show Business Luncheon

Yacht builder, car magnate, and philanthropist, Staluppi will share his story of success at the boat show’s “Charting the Course” Business Leadership Luncheon.

The Palm Beach International Boat Show (PBIBS) is excited to announce John Staluppi as the keynote speaker for this year’s “Charting the Course” Business Leadership Luncheon. An entrepreneur and businessman, Staluppi is the founder of Millennial Superyachts, known for its luxury fleet of James Bond-designed vessels. He is also the founder of Atlantic Auto Group, one of the largest privately owned dealership groups in the United States.

The ticketed event will take place at The Ben, Autograph Collection in downtown West Palm Beach on Friday, March 27 from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

The luncheon brings together leaders from the public and private sectors to connect and showcase the marine industry’s economic impact in Palm Beach County. Staluppi will share how his pursuit of the American dream led him to become a prominent leader in the automotive and marine industries.

Raised in Brooklyn, New York, by an Italian American family, Staluppi started from modest beginnings and made a name for himself through hard work and risk-taking. He began his career as a mechanic and steadily advanced to owning gas stations, and eventually dealerships. Utilizing his strong business instinct, Staluppi founded Atlantic Auto Group and transformed Honda and Hyundai into major U.S. automotive brands.

Staluppi’s passion for mechanics, high speed, and quality products extends to luxury yachts. In 1998, he founded Millennial Superyachts, a construction company that builds custom, high-performance luxury yachts. The brand quickly became known for innovation, bold design, and exceptional speed. A majority of Staluppi’s vessels have been named after James Bond films, including Octopussy , Moonraker , Casino Royale , Diamonds Are Forever , Skyfall , Spectre and The World Is Not Enough –the fastest superyacht in the world.

Staluppi is also known for his philanthropy and views charitable work as the most important part of his legacy. His family is actively involved in a range of nonprofits, including Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of

Palm Beach County, American Heart Association, Wounded Warriors, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The “Charting the Course” luncheon will benefit the Palm Beach International Boat Show Gives Back program, which funds grants to nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County, including environmental and marine education initiatives and waterfront projects in downtown West Palm Beach.

Tickets for the “Charting the Course” Business Leadership Luncheon are $115 per person and $1,000 for a table of 10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit marinepbc.org or call (561) 863-0012. For more information, visit pbboatshow.com. Photos provided by the Palm Beach International Boat Show.

The Club At Ibis Approves

$63 Million Capital Investment Plan, Launching Major Enhancements Across Community

The Club at Ibis announced that its $63 million Capital Investment Plan (CIP) has been formally approved by the membership, marking a significant milestone for one of Florida’s premier private club communities.

The approval represents a strong vote of confidence in the future of Ibis and enables the club to move forward with a comprehensive program of new amenities, upgraded facilities, and expanded member spaces designed to elevate the Ibis lifestyle for years to come.

“This plan positions Ibis to continue leading the private club industry,” said General Manager/COO Stephen J. LoGiudice. “The investments being made will strengthen long-term property values, enhance the member experience, and ensure Ibis remains among the finest club communities in the country.”

The capital investment plan will support projects that:

• Modernize and enhance key club facilities

• Expand and improve member gathering and activity spaces

• Strengthen the long-term value and competitiveness of the community

• Reinforce Ibis’s position as a premier private club destination

Planned enhancements include:

• 10,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the fitness center, including a covered outdoor fitness lawn

• 12 new pickleball courts, both covered and uncovered

• Padel courts

• A new 11,000-square-foot luxury spa featuring numerous treatment rooms and recovery-focused locker room amenities including whirlpools and saunas

• A new casual dining venue with outdoor patio seating, fire pits, and an indoor/outdoor bar

• A new community building with a business center and specialized rooms for club activities

• New bocce ball courts

• An enhanced children’s playground and dog park

• Renovation of the Tradition Course by Nicklaus Design, inspired by the classic architectural style of Seth Raynor “We thank our members for their engagement and support in shaping the future of Ibis,” Ibis Board President Michael

Friedenberg stated, “This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our club.”

“Moving to MorseLife gave me more freedom than I ever expected. It feels like I’m creating a new masterpiece every day.” – Joan R., Independent Living

Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office

Dear Taxpayer,

Many homeowners think of the homestead exemption as a way to reduce their property taxes, but it also provides important protection against increases in assessed value. Florida’s Save Our Homes Cap limits how much the assessed value of a homesteaded property may increase each year—no more than 3 percent or the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is lower. Over time, this limitation can result in meaningful tax savings.

For the 2026 tax year, the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is 2.7 percent, which means the assessed value of a homesteaded property may not increase by more than that amount.

Although the CPI is a national index, Florida law requires my office to determine property values based on conditions in the local real estate market. Each year, we establish the market value of every property in Palm Beach County as of January 1, using recent sales and other relevant market data. For properties receiving the homestead exemption, the taxable assessed value is limited by the Save Our Homes Cap.

If your property already has a homestead exemption, there is no need to reapply. Additional property tax exemptions may also be available for qualified homeowners, including those for widows and widowers, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. For more information, visit www.pbcpao. gov or contact Exemption Services at (561) 355-2866

Respectfully, Dorothy Jacks, CFA, FIAAO, AAS, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser

Business Tangible Personal Property

Tangible personal property is equipment used in a business and includes furniture, fixtures, machinery, tools, appliances, signs, leasehold improvements, supplies, leased equipment, and other assets. It is taxed at the same rate as real property. All tangible personal property must be reported. Florida law allows an exemption up to $25,000 for business tangible assets. Businesses with tangible personal property assets valued at more than $25,000 are subject to ad valorem taxes, and those with less than $25,000 in assets are exempt from ad valorem taxes.

All businesses must file an initial Tangible Personal Property Tax Return (DR-405) their first year of operation. Afterwards, all businesses are required to file a Tangible Personal Property Tax Return (e-file or Form DR-405) annually unless the value of the personal property was under $25,000 and they received a yellow postcard from our office that the requirement to file has been waived. If a business purchases additional assets that increase the total value of the assets over $25,000, they are required to file a return.

The statutory deadline to file a return without an extension is April 1. All extension requests must be received by 5 p.m. on March 31 to be considered for approval. Failure to file will result in the loss of the exemption and the assessment of penalties per Florida Statutes, Sections 193.072 and 193.073. Our office will not

waive penalties for any returns filed after April 1 without an extension, which you can fill out here PAPA – PAPA –DR-405 Extension Request.

Save time, paper, and postage by e-filing. If you need a paper form, you can download the DR-405 on our website. If you have any questions about reporting personal property, filing extensions, tangible e-filing, or the $25,000 tangible exemption, please call our office at (561) 355-2896 or email mytpp@pbcpao.gov.

Property Appraiser’s Office Annual Scholarship Awards Program

The 33rd Annual Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Scholarship program is now accepting applications. Six

college scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to graduating high school seniors who plan to attend a higher education institution full time, regardless of interest or major. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2026.

To be eligible for a scholarship award, a student must be a resident of Palm Beach County, have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, and plan to attend an accredited higher-education institution (college or community college).

In addition to receiving a scholarship, each recipient will be offered an opportunity for a paid summer internship in the property appraiser’s office.

Since 1994, the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office has awarded $188,000 in college scholarships. The program is particularly special to the property appraiser’s office because the scholarships are completely funded by employee donations.

For more information, call (561) 355-3230 or visit https:// pbcpao.gov/scholarship-awards.htm.

Samantha Fisher, M.D., F.A.A.D., sees patients of all ages at the Dermatology Associates in the Palm Beach Gardens office after more than 13 years of experience practicing medical, cosmetic dermatology and Mohs surgery for skin cancer treatment.

Dr. Fisher received her Medical and Bachelor of Science degrees with honors from the University of Florida, where she completed her postgraduate training, including serving as Chief Resident in Dermatology.

Her past professional experience includes providing Dermatology services to patients in Stuart , FL from 2013-2024, Naples, FL from 2012-2013, and as Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida Department of Dermatology in Gainesville, FL from 2011-2012.

Dr. Fisher looks forward to providing you with excellent dermatology care.

Dermatology Associates of the Palm Beaches is a group practice of board-certified dermatologists and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeons providing general dermatology, surgical dermatology, and cosmetic dermatology services. These physicians trained at some of America’s great medical institutions and conduct research into the most advanced treatments. Our physicians are also recognized leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of skin cancer.

in Palm

Gardens at

N. Military Trail, Suite A, by calling (561) 622-6976. www.greatderms.com

Financial Focus®

How Outdated Beneficiary Choices Can Derail Your Plans

By Sally Sima Stahl, Edward Jones

When you open a retirement account or buy a life insurance policy, you’re asked to name a beneficiary. It might seem like just another form to fill out, but this simple step can affect your family’s future.

Many people don’t give beneficiary designations

much thought after signing the initial paperwork. It may have been years ago, and life has moved on. But this might surprise you: These designations can override what’s in your will or living trust. That means your retirement accounts and insurance proceeds could end up going to someone you didn’t intend, creating what professionals call an accidental inheritance.

Life changes quickly. You might get married, divorced or remarried. You might have children or stepchildren. A loved one might pass away. You may decide to give to your favorite charity. Any of these events could mean it’s time to update your beneficiaries.

The rules can get complicated. For example, after a divorce, some (but not all) states have laws that automatically revoke your beneficiary designations for IRAs, bank accounts and insurance policies. But no matter where you live in the U.S., the designations for 401(k) plans and pensions stay in place until you change them. In community property states, couples must split 50-50 the assets they acquired during marriage, adding another layer of complexity.

There are other considerations, too. It’s a good idea to name a primary and a contingent beneficiary. If your primary beneficiary dies before you do, the contingent beneficiary receives your assets. Without this backup plan, your carefully considered wishes could go awry. Naming minor children as direct beneficiaries isn’t

usually a good idea. Children can’t legally receive and control assets until they become adults, so a court would have to get involved and appoint a guardian for managing the money. Instead, you might set up a trust or name a custodian to oversee the funds until your children are mature enough to handle them responsibly.

For family members with special needs, you’ll want to be especially careful as about choosing your beneficiary. Some choices may jeopardize their eligibility to receive government benefits such as government disability payments or Medicaid. An estate attorney can help you make important beneficiary decisions.

One major benefit of proper beneficiary designations is that they can help your loved ones avoid probate, a timeconsuming and potentially expensive legal process.

For these reasons and others, it’s important to review your beneficiary designations regularly, especially after major life events. Contact your retirement account administrator or insurance company to update any outdated information.

A financial advisor can help you understand how your beneficiary choices fit into your financial strategy and ensure your assets go where you want them to go. It may also make sense to work with a legal professional who can help you ensure your beneficiary designations align with your plans for transferring your estate assets.

Don’t leave these important decisions to chance. Taking time now to review and update your beneficiaries can help give you a sense of security and protect the people you love.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Edward Jones, Member SIPC.

Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P., and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax advice. You should consult your qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

Contact us at (561) 748-7600, Sally Stahl, CFP, ChFC, AAMS, 1851 W. Indiantown Road, Ste. 106, Jupiter, FL 33458.

Palm Beach Dramaworks Announces 2026-27 Season

World Premiere: Alba, World Premiere And CoProduction: Provenance; Musical And Co-Production: The Light In The Piazza; Absurdist Classic: The Birthday Party; Should Become A Classic: Ben Butler; Plus Limited Special Engagement By Hershey Felder

Opening Night: Oct. 9

World premieres. Co-productions. A luminous, thoughtprovoking musical. An absurdist classic. A contemporary play that should be more widely known. These are the colors of Palm Beach Dramaworks’(PBD) 2026-27 season, which features five disparate plays that together provide a microcosm of the company’s mission: a commitment to producing classic, contemporary, and world premiere plays that entertain, enlighten, stimulate discussion, and illuminate our shared humanity.

It is a mission guided by the spirit of the original regional theatre movement, which was created as an alternative to the artistic restraints and commercial necessities of Broadway; by the desire to bring quality professional theatre to cities throughout the country, nurture local talent, cultivate new audiences, and become integral to the cultural fabric of the community; by the opportunity to explore and experiment and develop new, thought-provoking, and unconventional work, while also showcasing some of the great plays of the past.

PBD’s 2026-27 season opens on Oct. 9 with the world premiere of Alejandro Rodriguez’s Alba, which is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s La Casa de Bernarda Alba and was part of the 2025 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Alba is followed, on Dec. 9, with the second world premiere of the season, Jennifer Maisel’s Provenance (rights pending), which will be a co-production with Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota. This unique play, about the life of a painting, was initially seen by PBD audiences during the 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays. Next up, opening Feb. 12, is the romantic and deeply moving The Light in the Piazza, written by Craig Lucas (book) and Adam Guettel (music and lyrics). Winner of numerous Tony Awards, the musical will be a co-production with Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach. Moving from the sublime to the absurd, Harold Pinter’s

The Birthday Party, a classic comedy of menace, opens on April 2. Closing out the season is Richard Strand’s Ben Butler, which opens on May 21. This very funny comedy is inspired by an event in the life of a historical figure who will likely be unfamiliar to most audiences on the way in, but unforgettable on the way out.

“The 2026-27 season really does epitomize who we are, and is also an indicator of our continuing evolution,” said Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. “For some time now, we’ve been exploring the possibility of doing co-productions with other theatre companies. We’ve done a few in the recent past but we’ve come to believe that collaboration is the wave of the future – and not simply for the financial advantages. They will be the exception, not the rule, but when you work with other respected institutions, you learn from each other, discover new ideas, and develop more resources. You make new connections, open new doors, build name recognition, and expand your audience. We’re excited by the possibilities.

“Bringing in major talent to share their special gifts is another way of expanding our vision,” Hayes continued, “which is one of the reasons we’re so delighted to be presenting internationally renowned artist Hershey Felder for a limited engagement.” Felder, who has been called “a world-class singular artist” by American Theatre magazine, brings his newest and most personal show, The Piano & Me, to PBD on October 30.

Subscriptions are on sale now. Although The Piano & Me will be performed shortly after the closing of Alba, it is not part of PBD’s subscription season. However, subscribers have the opportunity to add the show to their subscription at an exclusive rate.

2026-27 Season

Alba (World Premiere) By Alejandro Rodriguez Oct. 9 to 25

Inspired by La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca, Alba follows a strong-willed Cuban matriarch trying to hold onto control of her house in the face of myriad encroaching forces, including newfangled technology, impatient debtors, and a young suitor with suspicious motives. Narrated by her grandchild and set in working-class Miami, the play seeks to make sense of the unspoken secrets that led to a tragic family event. Alba was first seen at PBD as part of the 2025 Perlberg Festival of New Plays.

Provenance (World Premiere)* By Jennifer Maisel

Dec. 9 to 27

Co-Production With Asolo Repertory Theatre

PBD as part of the 2026 Perlberg Festival of New Plays.

* Rights Pending.

The Light In The Piazza

Book by Craig Lucas

Music and Lyrics by Adam Guettel

Feb. 12 to 28

Co-Production with Riverside Theatre

In this lyrical, shimmering musical, winner of multiple Tony Awards, Margaret Johnson takes a trip to Italy in the summer of 1953 with her daughter, Clara, a beautiful, childlike young woman. Clara falls in love with Fabrizio, a handsome Florentine who wants to marry her. The protective Margaret, trying to come to terms with her own unhappy marriage, must decide whether to allow her determined, challenged daughter to follow her heart.

The Birthday Party By Harold Pinter

April 2 to 18

This classic, absurdist, comedy of menace is set in a ramshackle boarding house run by Meg and Petey. Meg decides to throw a birthday party for their only boarder, Stanley, despite his objections. When two ominous strangers arrive, the celebration is transformed into a nightmare. Linguistically dexterous and full of the playwright’s signature pauses and perplexing dialogue, the play is ambiguous, ambitious, funny, horrifying, and thoughtprovoking, with an ending that invites more questions.

Ben Butler By Richard Strand

May 21 to June 6

The laughter flows in this historical – make that hysterical – comedy set in 1861 and inspired by an event in the life of colorful and controversial Benjamin Butler, a major general in the Union Army. His principles are tested when three escaped slaves come to him at Fort Monroe, Va., seeking sanctuary. Should he obey the law and send them back, or obey his conscience and perhaps change the course of history?

(All titles subject to change.)

Hershey Felder

Special Limited Engagement

Oct. 30 to Nov. 22

Known the world over for his theatrical portrayals of great composers and musical storytelling, having premiered his now world-famous play George Gershwin Alone right here in Palm Beach 25 years ago, Hershey Felder brings his most personal work to Palm Beach Dramaworks. The Piano & Me , a new play with music, features Felder playing Felder, as well as the many characters he’s met along the way who made his art possible. He tells the story behind the story of his more than 30 years onstage, and features the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin,

Jupiter Senior Softball News

Scott Logan, a standout ball player and former Commissioner of the Jupiter Senior Softball Association (JSSA), was enshrined Jan. 26 as the organization’s 2025 Hall of Fame honoree.

A large crowd of senior softball players plus Logan’s family members attended the event at Jupiter Community Park prior to Winter League games. The JSSA Hall of Fame was created in 2020 to memorialize “those very few members who have made an extraordinary impact on the association.”

Hall of Fame Presenter Rick Tuyn, said Logan’s award is well deserved. “He is being recognized for the years he has devoted to the Jupiter Senior Softball Association, most of it behind the scenes, and for ensuring that new members felt welcome.” Tuyn, who is a JSSA board member, also lauded Logan for strengthening the Association’s relations with the Town of Jupiter.

Logan, who turned 87 on Feb. 15, served on the association’s board of directors including serving as commissioner for three years. His off-field leadership included organizing several successful donation drives that collected hundreds of pounds of supplies and more

than $1,000 in other donations to assist the nonprofit Warriors Renewal Coalition.

Logan’s Hall of Fame selection is not his first such honor. In 2021 in recognition of his many contributions to senior softball, he was inducted in the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame. And previously, in recognition of 25 years of refereeing high school and college wrestling matches, he was inducted in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.

Richard Sewell

presented Logan with a framed copy of his Hall of Fame citation, that lists Logan’s many contributions to senior softball and his community, including the following: “Scott truly exemplifies the core tenets listed in the JSSA Mission Statement.”

As the 2025 Hall of Fame honoree, Logan’s brass nameplate was added to the award plaque on display at the park. Logan, who is a retired Pennsylvania school teacher and principal, expressed his thanks for being honored by the association. He was joined at the enshrinement by his wife Ethel, daughter Amy and her husband Jeff Tomlinson, who is also a JSSA member.

The year-round slow-pitch senior softball program is open to persons 55 and older and new players of all skills are welcome. Games are Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at Jupiter Community Park beginning at 8:30 a.m.

For more information go to www.leaguelineup.com/ jssa or contact Rick Tuyn at (248) 302-1682.

Photos by Mike Richmond

Palm Beach Dramaworks from page 12

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the award-winning company produces five shows and offers a wide variety of programs for students at the theatre and in schools. Committed to fostering the future of theatre, PBD has become a hub for playwrights in Florida and around the country to nurture their work through the Perlberg Festival of New Plays. PBD is a member of Theatre Communications Group, Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. In 2024, PBD was honored as Non-Profit of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches.

Evening performances are Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Matinee performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 p.m. Post-performance discussions follow Wednesday and Thursday matinees. There are a few differences in the schedule for Provenance due to the Christmas holiday. Please check palmbeachdramaworks.org for dates. Subscription packages are available for four or five plays. Most single tickets go on sale in July; tickets for The Light in the Piazza and Hershey Felder will go on sale separately, dates TBA. Individual tickets for all performances are $97, except for opening night of each production ($117) and previews ($77). Student tickets are available for $15 with a valid K-12 or university/ college ID, and anyone under 40 pays $40 (no additional fees) with a photo ID. Tickets for educators and active military are half price with proper ID (other restrictions apply). Group rates are also available. Tickets can be purchased through the box office, in person or by phone (561) 514-4042, Ext. 2), and online 24 hours a day at palmbeachdramaworks.org.

The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street.

Book Review

The Triumph Of Seeds: How Grains, Nuts, Kernels, Pulses, & Pips Conquered The Plant Kingdom And Shaped Human History

And The Book Of Seeds: A Life-Size Guide To Six Hundred Species From Around The World

By Nils A. Shapiro

One day, shortly after I had begun to read the paperback, The Triumph of Seeds , my wife, Linda, passed by as I was settling in my favorite chair to continue my reading. She noticed the title, looked at me rather incredulously and asked, “Are you serious? Do you really plan to use that book for one of your review columns? Will any of your readers be interested in a subject like that?!”

I hesitated a moment ... then asked her to listen to a paragraph or so from a page that I had just reached in the book. This was it, starting with the chapter heading, Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut.

But that is where it gets extraordinarily interesting. Equally incredible are the myriad and complex arrangements that plants have worked out to give their offspring the best chance for survival.

Seeds have evolved into every size, shape and color imaginable. The largest is the coconut, the smallest about 1/6 of an inch. They can travel thousands of miles across oceans and continents. Since it would not be a good idea for a seed to germinate right below or next to its mother plant and compete for the available natural resources (such as light and moisture), different plant species have developed various strategies to accomplish two specific objectives: First, to arrange for the seed to be carried to a suitable location where it can best thrive it must attract a local bird, animal, insect or even human—or depend upon its local environment. One such strategy is to place the seed inside a tasty fruit so that, for example, after a bird or animal carries it away and eats the fruit the seed will be deposited in soil in the creature’s dung. In other cases, the seed is so light and feathery that it is carried a long distance by the wind—or, in the case of the coconut, ocean waves at high tide carry it from its original beach to another island.

are found naturally in hot, sunny desert regions, others in rainforests, still others in shady temperate zones, and so on. In many cases if a seed is carried by, say, a bird to a location that is not suited to that plant seed’s natural environment it will not germinate but will, instead, lie dormant. And, as we have seen in the case of the Masada date palm that can be for hundreds or more years. In some instances, seeds of plants that thrive in forests that naturally experience periodic fires will actually require the heat from fire in order for the protective shell to open and allow the plant to germinate.

There is much more to this story and Thor Hanson is an inspiring writer. That’s why, just a few days after I read that brief paragraph to Linda, she was not surprised to see a second book delivered to our front door: an oversized, hard-cover, 650-page (very heavy) volume, more than twice the number of pages of Thor Hanson’s paperback and three times the price.

“In the late 1970s, the Peter Paul Manufacturing Company raised the suggested retail price for Almond Joy candy bars to twenty-five cents. But although this figure equaled my entire weekly allowance, I never regretted investing those wages in a confection that ad jingle summarized as ‘rich milk chocolate, coconut, and munchy nuts too!’ At the time, it never occurred to me that my future career would reach this enviable moment: the opportunity to buy my favorite candy bar as a business expense. But a fact that escaped me then is extremely relevant now; from the first crunch of the roasted almond to the chewy sweetness of the chocolate and coconut finish, savoring an Almond Joy is an entirely seed-based experience. And while it’s tempting to chalk up Almond Joys to the same logic that Benjamin Franklin used for beer—‘proof that God loves us’—there’s far more to the story. The seeds involved don’t just taste good; they demonstrate beautifully the incredible range of ways that a plant can pack lunch for its offspring.”

That did it. Linda walked away, laughing. “I get it, I get it.”

What she “got”—and what you will “get,” too—is that author Thor Hanson, a conservation biologist, Guggenheim Fellow, Switzer Environmental Fellow and winner of the John Burroughs Medal, is a master at presenting in a clear and wonderfully accessible writing style the science of one of nature’s most miraculous achievements: the strategy that plants have evolved to give their offspring the best possible chance for survival. There are numerous blackand-white drawings in the book that are interesting and helpful, as well.

The first seed-bearing plants did not appear on this planet until about 360 million years ago. Until then— for about 240 million years—plants, generally fernlike in appearance, reproduced by means of male and female spores. But seeds are a much more efficient way for plants to ensure the continuation and survival of their species—370,000 of which are estimated to exist throughout the world today—so that is the system that eventually evolved.

It is important to understand what a seed is: a package that contains an embryo (as with a human, the DNA of what will become in this case the new living plant), plus a supply of all the nutrition that the embryo will need in order to survive until it germinates (is “born”), all packed together inside a protective outer shell. The seed is a reproductive unit that develops from an ovule, usually after a fertilization depending on the type of plant.

But the mother plant’s strategy is not complete until the second stage has been satisfied. Germination takes place only after the proper conditions have been met. Plants that thrive and bloom naturally in arid desert climates require that their seeds be located in exactly such environments before they can germinate. Seeds of rainforest plants will only germinate when dropped in soil that is in a constant state of wetness with no constant blazing sun above. There are even seeds of forest plants that will lie dormant when placed in a bright sunny location but then germinate if moved into the shade, even if just under a pile of leaves.

In 2005 an archeologist took the seed of a date palm found at Masada—the site of one of the most famous historic battles described in The Bible in A.D. 72-73 when the Israelites destroyed all of their property and committed mass suicide rather than surrender to the invading Roman army—and planted the seed that had been buried under all of that for about 2,000 years! As of the writing of this book less than a decade later by Thor Hanson, the Masada seed had grown into a tree already reaching ten feet tall. Named Methusaleh, it is the world’s oldest known example of the dormancy capability of seeds.

In addition to that already ingenious plan mother plants build in another survival factor: germination cannot take place until all environmental conditions are right. Some plants

I had been motivated by the subject to order The Book of Seeds, a major reference guide that, after an informative section about the nature and history of seeds, presents large full-color photographs—alongside actual size photos— of 600 seed species from around the world together with interesting descriptions about each’s plant species, engravings of the mother tree, flowering plant, shrub, etc., plus a world map showing where it can be found, and more. It is a reference book I have already turned to many times for both pleasure and information. The book is edited by Dr. Paul Smith, Secretary General of Botanic Gardens Conservation International, a nonprofit organization that promotes plant conservation in historic gardens.

As an example, when I read in The Triumph of Seeds about the successful planting in 2005 of the 2,000-year-old date palm seed from the Masada site in Israel I immediately turned to page 172 in The Book of Seeds , saw what the seed looks like and learned even more details about it.

As I have noted before in this column it is a blessing that, in one’s retirement years, a continuing thirst for knowledge can be so rewarding when there is an open mind about subject matter. These books are wonderful examples of that.

Benzaiten Center For Creative Arts

Fire & Ice Gala At The BallenIsles Country Club

On Sunday, March 15, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Benzaiten will be hosting its 11th annual gala at the BallenIsles Country Club in Palm Beach Gardens. Since starting their fine art glass fabrication facility over 10 years ago, they have outgrown smaller venues for their gala and now need a place that can accommodate more people. “This is a great problem to have,” declares JoAnne Berkow, the founder and president of the center. Berkow is very excited about this pleasant predicament as she loves throwing fun parties, adding, “With a larger venue I can do so much more!”

From the beginning, the Benzaiten galas have always been casual affairs. For example, men don’t have to dress in a coat and tie if they don’t want to. However, Berkow does encourage everyone to use their imaginations and try to dress creatively in the theme of the gala, namely Fire & Ice. Since she’s known for throwing fun parties, attendees do take her suggestions seriously. “It only adds to the festive mood of the evening,” says Berkow.

The centerpieces will be made of glass by renowned artists Rob Stern, Chadd Lacy and Grace Chepenik, all in the Fire & Ice theme. Of course, there is always a great dance band at a Benzaiten gala, great food, and an outstanding silent auction full of beautiful fine art

glass and rare wines, such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, or Chateau d’Yquem. But best of all the speechifying is kept to an absolute minimum!

Most importantly, though, this is the Benzaiten’s main fundraiser of the year, and they are hoping to raise a lot of money for all their many philanthropic programs. Each summer the center holds classes in sand casting, glassblowing or fusing for kids from 5 to 18 years of age. Close to 1,000 kids come through the center free of charge. These are children that would otherwise never have an opportunity to work one-on-one with the center’s talented artists to experience the magic of hot and cold glass.

For years the Benzaiten Center has worked with a wonderful Palm Beach County program called “Arts4All,” which works with teens and young adults with disabilities. They adore coming to the center and the Benzaiten staff loves working with them. All of this is done through the money they raise. This

year they are planning to extend this program from one semester to two. The center is also working with the VA Health Systems of West Palm Beach to start a program called “Fragments Reimagined” to help veterans suffering from PTSD. Art therapy is one of the proven ways to alleviate veteran’s feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation.

To help the center raise funds for these worthwhile programs, please consider attending the Fire & Ice Gala. It is affordably priced at $350 per person, and keep in mind that the center is a 501(c)(3), so a portion of the ticket price is tax deductible. To learn more contact us at: www. benzaitencenter.org.

(561) 508-7315

inspired@benzaitencenter.org

Upcoming Events You Don’t Want To Miss! Fire & Ice Gala Fundraiser

Funds raised will go to: Benzaiten’s Charitable Outreach Projects

Held off-site at BallenIsles Country Club

Sunday, March 15, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$350 per person

Seattle Glassblower, Danny White Friday, March 27, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

$25/$50 per person

Belgium/American Glassblower, John Moran

Winner of Netflix’ Blown Away, Third Season

April 16 and 17

Thursday, Meet the Artist Dinner, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

$100 per person

Friday, Artist Blow-Out, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

$25/$50 per person

Same-Day Orthopedic Surgery Gets A High-Tech Boost At Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center

Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center is advancing orthopedic care in South Florida by expanding its sameday joint replacement program with some of the most advanced robotic technology available today. Many patients undergoing knee and hip replacement procedures are now able to return home the same day as surgery, recovering comfortably while benefiting from highly personalized, precision-guided care.

A key driver behind this advancement is the hospital’s recent acquisition of two 4th-generation Mako SmartRobotics™

March Madness And The College Admissions Game Plan

By Peggy Forgan, M. Ed.,Class 101

Owner/College Advisor

Every March, basketball fans fill out brackets, cheer for underdogs, and watch powerhouse teams battle it out during March Madness. While the tournament may seem worlds away from college planning, the lessons behind it are surprisingly similar and incredibly valuable for high school students preparing for their future.

In March Madness, winning teams do not rely on talent alone. They succeed because of preparation, strategy, and adaptability. College planning works the same way. Students who start early, understand the process, and adjust their game plan over time put themselves in the best position to succeed when senior year arrives.

Think of ninth and tenth grade as the regular season. This is when students build a strong foundation by focusing on grades, exploring interests, and getting involved in meaningful extracurricular activities. Just like a team developing chemistry before the tournament, students are shaping the academic and personal story they will eventually present to colleges.

Junior year is the conference championship. The stakes are higher and expectations increase. This is when students often take more rigorous courses, prepare for the SAT or ACT, research colleges, and begin identifying schools that are a strong academic and personal fit. The decisions made during this year can significantly impact which colleges make the final bracket on a student’s list.

Senior year is the tournament itself. Applications, essays, deadlines, and decisions all move quickly, much like a fast-paced game. Students who planned ahead tend to feel calmer, more confident, and better prepared to handle the pressure. Those who wait until the last minute may feel rushed or overwhelmed and may end up with fewer strong options.

March Madness also reminds us that surprises happen and flexibility matters. A smart college list includes reach, match, and likely schools, just as a bracket includes favorites and potential upsets. Success is not about choosing the most popular option but about finding the right fit.

With the right preparation, strategy, and guidance, students can approach college planning with confidence and clarity.

To find out more about our services, contact Class 101 North Palm Beach at (561) 418-7897 or visit class101.com/northpalmbeachfl/.

systems (Mako 4), making Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center the only hospital in South Florida with dual nextgeneration Mako platforms. The technology is used for total knee, partial knee, total hip, and hip revision procedures, allowing surgeons to tailor each operation to the patient’s unique anatomy.

Mako SmartRobotics™ combines 3-D CT-based preoperative planning with AccuStop™ haptic technology, enabling surgeons to plan with greater accuracy before surgery and execute those plans with precision in the operating room. This approach helps minimize soft-tissue disruption, preserve healthy bone, and support faster recovery, key factors in allowing patients to safely go home the same day.

“With Mako SmartRobotics™, our surgeons can create a personalized surgical plan for each patient before ever entering the operating room,” said Erik Cazares, CEO of Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “During surgery, they can confirm and refine that plan in real time, helping deliver a more precise procedure with the goal of less pain and quicker recovery. Investing in two of the latest Mako systems reflects our commitment to giving patients access to the most advanced orthopedic care available.”

The hospital’s orthopedic program is further supported by a comprehensive suite of robotic and visualization technologies, including CORI™, and ROSA®. Together, these innovations enhance surgical accuracy, improve visualization, and streamline workflows.

“Offering same-day orthopedic surgery allows us to deliver high-quality care while getting patients home sooner,” said Robert J. Avino, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. “With advanced technology, experienced surgical teams, and streamlined

care, many patients can safely return home the same day with less pain, fewer disruptions to their daily lives, and excellent outcomes.”

As demand for joint replacement continues to rise nationwide, Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center remains at the forefront by pairing cutting-edge technology with a patient-centered approach. The result is a modern orthopedic program focused on precision, efficiency, and helping patients get back to the activities they love, often within weeks, not months.

To learn more about same-day robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery, request a call from our Orthopedic Patient Navigator by visiting www.palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/services/ orthopedic-care/orthopedic-patient-navigator.

• Teaches how to boat safely

• Rules of the road, safety equipment

• State & federal regulations

• Taught by Certfied Instructors

• Get your Florida Boater Education Card

A series of 3-hour seminars on topics of interest to boaters Subjects include navigation, weather, boat operations, and more For more information on seminars

Northern Notes

The

Dry Season

By Katie Roundtree, Finance Director, Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District

One uncontrollable factor affecting Northern services more than any other is the weather. Warmer temperatures in the summer months create the potential for increased rainfall, flooding, and hurricane activity. Cooler temperatures in the winter months typically mean dryer air, less rain and canals and lakes with lower water levels. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts a drier than normal pattern in South Florida with slightly warmer than average temperatures for the period from February through April 2026, which encompasses most of the area’s dry season.

The National Weather Service has forecast that La Niña conditions will likely begin to diminish through April. La Niña is the cold-water phase of the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) cycle. It is characterized by cooling of the waters in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific. This cooling of the equatorial Pacific to below normal values affects large scale weather systems across all of North America. The main

impact of La Niña in Florida is typically very dry conditions in winter and early spring. The prolonged dry weather and lack of rainfall can intensify drought conditions, leading to water shortages for both residential and agricultural use. This not only puts pressure on local water management systems but also increases the risk of spring wildfires. Extended droughts can lead to stricter water restrictions, stressed vegetation, and lasting impacts on the region’s ecosystem and economy.

A warmer and drier than normal winter and dry season decreases the likelihood and frequency of severe weather events such as tornadoes, flooding, strong winds, and hail, but does not eliminate them. Also, as we experienced in early February, a few strong cold snaps and freezes typically occur during La Niña winters, even though the average temperatures over an extended period may be warmer than usual.

As the winter months continue, we can anticipate some environmental realities outlined in NOAA’s forecast. The most significant and most visible effect is the lowering of water levels across the county. Water levels in the waterways within Northern’s jurisdiction, including neighborhood lakes, fluctuate based on rainfall in the area. During extended dry periods or droughts, the lack of rain accelerates the drop in water levels as evaporation outpaces replenishment. Persistent drought conditions can leave lakes, canals, and marshes at historically low levels, affecting water quality and availability for residents, wildlife, and agriculture. When it is raining consistently, water levels are maintained at or near maximum; when it is not, water dissipates, and levels fall.

The level of water in the lakes can also be affected by irrigation demands. Many areas have irrigation pipes in lakes that draw water to irrigate lawns and landscape. In periods of little to no rain, water is not being replaced fast enough to counteract the effects of irrigation. In those instances, lake levels will decline.

During the rainy season, we move water through waterways in accordance with SFWMD criteria. Water is allowed to rise to a certain level, then released to maintain that level and prevent flooding in the area. In the dry season, rain events are monitored to ensure that lakes and canals do not reach maximum levels, though this is less likely given the limited rainfall. When lake levels drop, Northern receives calls asking staff to pump water back into lakes; unfortunately, we cannot do this. Only rainfall can increase the amount of water in our water bodies.

Additionally, Northern was not created to pump water into areas, but to drain the lands within its jurisdiction to make it habitable for development. Our enabling legislation in 1959 even went so far as to declare water as a “common enemy.” Thankfully, public opinion of water has changed over time, and we have found ways to conserve it. There are times, though, when water is scarce, and until the rains begin again, it will remain scarce, causing lakes and canals to be low.

According to NOAA, we can look forward to more cool, clear days than rainy ones in the coming months. While we enjoy the cooler temperatures, please remember we are still in the dry season, which means low water levels across the county. We have to be patient and let nature take its course.

NPDES tip: Do not burn any trash in your yards, and don’t dump any debris into lakes and canals.

Tax Talk

Dear Friends:

This time of year, my office starts gearing up for some of our favorite community events. First up was the Jupiter Jubilee that was held on Saturday, Feb. 7. This Town of Jupiter community event has been happening since 2003.

In March we will participate in the Delray Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 14 and then on March 28 and 29, we will have a booth at the Palm Beach Pride event in Lake Worth Beach. This premier LGBTQ+ celebration culminates with an exciting parade on Sunday, March 29.

Then in April, our community engagement team will host a booth at the Belle Glade Black Gold Jubilee on Saturday, April 18. This annual event, which began back in 1976, draws several thousand attendees from near and far.

My team and I look forward to seeing you at one of these Palm Beach County community events!

Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County

Stop And Go: Tips For A Successful Driver’s License Road Test

(Please Note: Effective Feb. 9, 2026, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has directed that all driver’s license knowledge and driving exams administered in the State of Florida will be offered exclusively in English. In addition, and through March 31, 2026, these exams will also be offered in Spanish. Language translation services will no longer be permitted.)

White knuckles, sweaty palms, and the sudden realization that you have forgotten which side the blinker is on— welcome to the road test!

It is a rite of passage for every new driver, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Here is some expert advice on how to cruise through your skills exam without breaking a sweat. During the driving skills exam, our examiner will observe your ability to control the vehicle and how well you obey traffic laws. I asked two of our Client Service Specialists from our Central Service Center for some tips and advice for taking the driving skills exam for the first time. Here is what they had to say: Coleen Plata says that clients are often anxious about taking the exam. To help them relax, Coleen says, “I usually just joke with them. I try to make them laugh to break the ice. I talk to them and ask them personal questions about themselves.” She

continues, “Usually people are more inclined to talk about themselves. They tend to become more relaxed during the exam when they are talking about something other than the exam, and then we proceed with the exam.”

Her colleague, Madison Buera, says that teenagers are usually nervous when taking the road test. She has two techniques for helping new drivers feel more comfortable behind the wheel during the test.

“I go over all the instructions with them, and before we start any maneuver, I give them a chance to ask as many questions as they need and I give them some time to think about what they are doing before they begin,” says Madison.

She also notes that teens are the most nervous when their parents are watching near the road test course. Madison says, “I offer the parents the option to sit inside our service center and wait and that usually calms some of the teen’s nerves.”

Coleen and Madison shared these helpful tips for taking the road test:

Even though it is a closed course, treat it as if you are on the road.

Learn which way to turn the wheels when backing/ reversing, i.e. when backing out of a parking space or reversing from a three-point turn.

Avoid all distractions: no radios, phones or eating/drinking while driving.

Always use two hands on the steering wheel for better control of the vehicle.

Get comfortable with the car; know where the pedals, signals and wipers are.

Practice in big/empty areas.

Be courteous of other drivers.

Signal at every turn.

Be aware of your surroundings and stop signs. Hopefully, if you are about to embark upon your first road test, you find this information helpful. Coleen, Madison and our staff members are always ready to answer your questions and help you be successful in getting your driver’s license. It is rewarding for us to see the smiles on the faces of our new Florida drivers!

For more information for first time drivers or to make your reservation for a road test, visit www.pbctax.gov.

Say What? Lingo At The TCO

At the TCO, you will hear our staff using numerous acronyms and phrases for terms associated with our services, for example, TCO is tax collector’s office. To help you, here are some common terms you might hear the staff speaking “the lingo” during your interaction with us.

Ad Valorem: From the Latin term “according to worth,” that refers to taxes levied annually based on the value of an object. Pertains to both property tax and tangible personal property tax.

BTR/LBTR: Local business tax receipt is required to operate a business in Palm Beach County. For more information visit pbctax.gov/taxes/business-tax/.

CCR: Client Care Representative is the title of our staff that assists you over the phone and when you email our office at clientadvocate@pbctax.com.

CSS: Client Service Specialist is the title of our staff that assists you in our service centers when you transact with us. If either of these two positions sound interesting to you and you would like to join our award-winning organization, we are hiring! Visit www.pbctax.gov/resources/culture-andcareers/.

DETS: Driver Education Traffic Safety Course is a sixhour course required if you are under 18 years old prior to obtaining a driver’s license for the first time. For more information visit www.pbctax.gov/driver-license/get-yourfirst-driver-license/.

eCheck: Electronic check payment. This free, secure service uses your bank account and routing numbers to process your payment.

IPP: Installment payment plan, for real estate and tangible personal property taxes. IPP divides your taxes into four quarterly payments due in June/July, September, December and March. To enroll, visit www.pbctax.gov/taxes/ installment-payment-plan/.

ELT: When an e-titled vehicle is purchased using a loan, the lender issues an electronic lien title (ELT). For more information, visit www.pbctax.gov/motor-vehicle/titles/.

Non-Ad Valorem Tax: Assessments not determined by millage or value. The levying authority calculates the tax

using a unit of measure to assess the cost of services. For example, Solid Waste Authority fees are based on the property producing the waste.

TDT: Tourist development tax is required of anyone offering accommodation for short-term rental of six months or less. Also known as “bed tax,” and applies to all hotels, motels, accommodations, and privately-owned homes listed for short-term rental. For more information visit www.pbctax. gov/taxes/tourist-development-tax/.

These are just a few of the common acronyms and phrases we use regularly. Visit www.pbctax.gov/tpsg for more information on all of these and much more in the latest edition of our signature publication Tax Planner & Services Guide, also known as TPSG!

Check Your Postmark

If you prefer to make your payments to our office via mail, here is some important information that you need to be aware of before you send in your next payment.

Traditionally, we have all been used to the mail we drop off at the post office being postmarked that same day. But recent processing changes at the U.S. Postal Service have changed that. Dropping off your mail at the post office is no longer a guarantee it will be postmarked that same day.

Now, once you drop off your mail, it is then transported to a processing facility where the postmark is applied. Due to changes in transportation, the time it is postmarked may not be the same day you dropped the payment off, possibly causing your payment to arrive at our office late.

If you need a same day postmark, you can visit a Postal Service retail location and request a manual (local) postmark at the counter. Manual postmarks are free of charge.

So, keep in mind when sending in payments that you need to allow some extra time for the postmark to be applied to your mail, unless you opt for the manual postmark.

To ensure you don’t miss any upcoming deadlines if you plan to mail us your payment, here are some important upcoming payment deadlines:

2025 Property Tax – March 31, 2026

2026 Installment Payment Plan Payment 1 – June 30 or July 31, 2026

2026 Installment Payment Plan Payment 2 – September 30, 2026

2026 Installment Payment Plan Payment 3 – December 31, 2026

2026 Installment Payment Plan Payment 4 – March 31, 2027

Of course, to avoid all this, and not stress about the timeliness of the postmark, you can simply pay online at www.pbctax.gov/pay-online.

Colonoscopy Can Save Your Life

Colon cancer screenings are now recommended at age 45. The specialists at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital utilize state-of-the-art techniques to diagnose and treat colon conditions. Don’t delay your chance for early detection.

Scan or call 844.290.5764 to schedule your colonoscopy at a Cleveland Clinic location in Weston or Coral Springs.

Searcy Denney Firm To Be Honored For 46 Years Of Helping The Homeless

The Lord’s Place is honoring the law firm with the MARCH Award at its upcoming 2.6 mile walk and ceremony on Feb. 27.

In 1979, late Brother Joe Ranieri opened a soup kitchen on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach. Those being served were sleeping in the parking lot, so Brother Joe decided he had to raise money to create a place where the homeless could be housed. To call the community’s attention to the problem of homelessness and to solicit financial support, he slept on the steps of St. Ann’s Church and later spent weeks living in a dumpster. Jack Scarola, partner with Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley law firm, admired Ranieri’s work and joined him sleeping on St. Ann’s steps and in the dumpster. Those efforts raised more than $100,000 to finance the opening of The Lord’s Place (TLP) first family housing campus in 1983.

This humble beginning of a nonprofit organization, that is now the largest homeless agency in Palm Beach County, was also the start of the longstanding and impactful partnership between Searcy Denney and The Lord’s Place. For 46 years, Scarola and his team have been steadfast supporters of TLP and participate in the agency’s various events–from hosting Dumpster Days in front of their law firm, to being annual sponsors of the Ending Homelessness Breakfast, to spending many nights under the stars at SleepOut, to walking in last year’s inaugural March to End Homelessness. The law firm has sponsored countless number of events, and its employees have served immeasurable volunteer hours over the last four and a half decades.

“The nature of the work we do in representing the victims of other people’s carelessness and greed involves focused attention on the fragile quality of people’s lives. Living with that focus every day has produced a corporate culture of service to the community, and for more than 45 years we have found no better way to give back to this community than through the extraordinary, lifesaving and life-changing work of The Lord’s Place,” shared Scarola.

Searcy Denney is a testament to how community partnerships and “taking time to care” can assist local agencies in doing the work needed to serve those less fortunate. For these reasons, TLP is recognizing Searcy Denney as an

exceptional corporate partner that has made unparalleled contributions to the quality of life in Palm Beach County. The Lord’s Place announces it will honor Searcy Denney with this year’s annual MARCH Award (Mobilize, Advocate, Respond, and Commit to end Homelessness) on Friday, Feb. 27, at the Second Annual March to End Homelessness.

“The Lord’s Place is proud to present the MARCH Award to a partner who has been alongside the agency since its very beginning days—helping make great progress in breaking the cycle of homelessness for many of our neighbors. Thank you, Searcy Denney, for journeying with us and being part of our foundation of hope, housing, and healing that continues to guide our mission today,” stated Christine Frederick, CEO of The Lord’s Place.

Homelessness is a serious social and economic issue impacting all levels of our society. The Lord’s Place recognizes that all people deserve respect and a place to call home. The March to End Homelessness is part of The Lord’s Place’s effort to spread community and national awareness, raise the much-needed funds to provide the resources, programs, and services needed, and recognize those who are partnering in helping to break the cycle of homelessness.

Frederick added, “Through the remarkable generosity of corporate partners—like Searcy Denney—and individuals, like Jack Scarola, what started as a very modest, storefront soup kitchen has now grown into a comprehensive and highly effective network of programs and housing campuses and serving close to 2,200 homeless men, women, and children this past year.”

The significance of the event is to educate participants and change the lives of those who are homeless. By marching through downtown streets of West Palm Beach, The Lord’s Place wants to raise awareness of the estimated 3,000 men, women, and children without a home on any given night in Palm Beach County. In the United States, many Americans are forced to choose between basic necessities like purchasing food, paying rent, or going to the doctor. The fact is more than 770,000 Americans are homeless on a typical night.

“Homelessness is often unseen or pushed aside, but let this be a day to stand strong and march to break the cycle of homelessness for our most vulnerable neighbors living in Palm Beach County. Carry your sign high and show that you believe everyone deserves a roof over their head,” commented Frederick.

The 2.6-mile walk starts and ends at Centennial Square in downtown West Palm Beach and is open to everyone in the community. Attendees can choose to march beginning at 2:30 p.m., or come for the program at the end of the march. Participants can help raise money for this event by creating a team and challenging their friends and co-workers to help end homelessness. The goal is to have 200 people march and attend the program and to raise a minimum of $350,000. Funds raised will be matched by The Honorable Ann Brown, in honor of her daughter Cathy Brown.

Since Brother Joe opened the first housing campus, TLP has been finding solutions and providing services to take more people off the streets and into homes. All are invited to join this profound movement advocating for those who are homeless and raising crucial funds to support them.

According to Scarola, “Our undeniable connection with all our neighbors means that every individual and every family we help improves the quality of all our lives. We encourage the members of our community and all businesses to consider marching with us to support the mission to end homelessness one individual and family at a time.”

Visit TLPMarch.org for more information.

CELEBRATE the CULTURE & TRADITIONS of LOUISIANA through FOOD, MUSIC & DANCE! SAT & SUN APRIL 11 & 12 SAT: 10PM-10PM SUN: 10PM-8PM

Commissioner’s Update

Where History, Land, And Legacy Converge: Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park

By Commissioner Maria G. Marino

At first glance, Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park appears serene, with quiet trails winding along a peaceful river and shaded by Florida’s natural beauty. But beneath this calm landscape lies more than 5,000 years of human history, making it one of the most extraordinary historic sites in Palm Beach County and throughout Florida. This land tells a story that stretches from the earliest Indigenous inhabitants of the Archaic Period to one of the most consequential battles of the Second Seminole War. It is a rare place where environment, culture, and military history intersect, and that convergence makes it profoundly important to protect and share with future generations.

Long before the Battles of the Loxahatchee in 1838, this land was the ancestral homeland of Indigenous peoples who lived in harmony with the river and surrounding ecosystems for millennia. It was not simply occupied, it was stewarded. These communities cared for, respected, and sustained the land, passing down knowledge and traditions over countless generations. Honoring that legacy today means listening, learning, and preserving. Preservation is not just about protecting acreage; it is about recognizing heritage, honoring legacy, and ensuring these stories are told with dignity, truth, and respect. Our responsibility is to protect this land with the same care shown by those who came before us.

The Battles of the Loxahatchee represent a defining chapter in Florida’s history and stand as one of the most significant engagements of the Second Seminole War. In recognition of its historical importance, the Loxahatchee Battlefield was listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service, and the Loxahatchee River was federally designated

a “Wild and Scenic River” in 1985 an honor held by only two rivers in Florida. Remembering what happened here remains important even 188 years later, as history shapes who we are today. When people can see, hear, and experience history through reenactments and living history programs, it comes alive beyond textbooks, revealing the human stories behind the events. Commemorating the Battles of the Loxahatchee helps us understand where we have been, how far we have come, and why preserving these lessons for future generations remains essential.

There was a time when this land was nearly lost. Once overgrown agricultural fields, it was slated for development before Palm Beach County acquired it in 1977. Today, it stands as a protected historic treasure. That transformation reflects the county’s long-standing commitment to thoughtful stewardship and the belief that growth should never come at the expense of history, environment, or identity. Some places, quite simply, are too important to lose.

This commitment is reflected in plans for a future Education Center at Riverbend Park/Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park. Anticipated to receive $7.07 million in funding from the voter approved sales surtax in October 2026, the project has been envisioned for many years. Designed through a competitive process involving historians, tribal partners, preservationists, and the community, the center will be carefully located to protect the historic landscape. Additional funding is still needed, and partnerships with organizations such as the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists will help bring the vision to life.

When people stand here a hundred years from now, the hope is that they feel connected to the land, to those who came

before them, and to the enduring story of Palm Beach County and Florida itself. May they see a community that understood the power of history, chose to protect it, and carried that responsibility forward with care, truth, and purpose. Battlefield tours are offered on Saturdays at 10 a.m. from October through May. These free, all ages tours do not require reservations.

Explore the historic battlefield with a Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationist docent and learn about the Second Seminole War battles that occurred at this site. Tours focus on the landscape, significant events, and the people connected to this important period in Florida’s past.

For more information, please visit: https://discover.pbc.gov/parks/Riverbend/ PublicPrograms.aspx https://loxahatcheebattlefield.com/

A New Era of Care

Introducing the Tim and Jayne Donahue Patient Care Tower Jupiter Medical Center is thrilled to announce the grand unveiling of our state-of-the- art five-story, 92-bed Tim and Jayne Donahue Patient Care Tower. This innovative expansion further elevates the award-winning care we are renowned for, ensuring an unparalleled patient experience. The tower represents a bold vision focused on patient-centered care, featuring floors dedicated to Oncology, Orthopedics, and Cardiac Care, each meticulously designed to meet the unique needs of our patients. Modern simulation labs offer training opportunities for clinicians, empowering them to remain at the forefront of excellence. We invite you to discover how we are transforming health and wellness in our community

The Golf Learning Center

Free Up Your Backswing

By Tom F. Stickney, Director of Operations

One of the worst things about getting older is the loss of flexibility and speed that comes along with it as it pertains to the golf swing. It seems that players do fine for the most part for most of their career but in time the swing speed stalls and the body has trouble working the way it used to. When I spend years with students, I see this on the lesson tee and it sets in slowly over time. Now you can go to the gym and work on strengthening you body as well as working on your flexibility but as we all know this takes time is there anything we can do instantly that will help us to create more speed and work around our flexibility issues?

Let’s look at one simple checkpoint I always audit whenever players complain of a lack of distance or speed in order to “free up” their backswing. And as we know allowing the club to stay in the air longer will help you produce more clubhead speed in the end regardless of your flexibility.

Look at this player’s backswing and you will notice a restricted hip turn to the top, a flexed rear knee, a more rounded backswing, and a club that doesn’t quite reach parallel at the top. This is the swing for a player with great flexibility and speed and someone whom is younger normally. The problem here for the older golfer is that the over-flexed rear knee and the more rounded backswing places this player in a flatter and more level condition at the top. While this is great for control, it doesn’t bode well for a player who needs more distance as the body isn’t in a position to maximize the backswing length it could produce with one simple change. So, if you are looking for control and accuracy, focus on tightening up the backswing via the flex of the rear knee and you will trend more towards this position at the top.

Now, let’s look at the swing of a player whom is looking for more speed, has lost flexibility, and needs a

touch of help to maximize their swing length to the top. The secret? Look at the rear knee’s flex, here you can see that it has straightened up slightly in route to the top. I did not say locked-out, but it is just lightly lengthening so the backswing becomes more vertical, the arms can reach the top in a higher position, and the club swings into a parallel condition to the top. All of these changes were the reactions of a straightening of the rear knee to the top and they are all good ones if you are looking for more speed from your driver.

Therefore, the secret to the backswing is the rear knee’s position if it’s flexed too much it will restrict motion and if it straightens slightly, it will promote more hip turn, shoulder turn, and allow the arms to work on a more vertical plane to the top. Do this and you will find the ball further down the fairway than ever before!

Complete Kidney Care Close To Home

By Jennifer Williamson, Cleveland Clinic in Florida

Your kidneys are the unsung heroes of your body, working tirelessly to filter waste, balance fluids and regulate blood pressure. When kidney function changes, your overall health can be affected. Cleveland Clinic in Florida provides comprehensive kidney care for people at every stage of kidney health, whether you’re addressing early concerns or managing advanced disease and transplant needs.

Kidney Disease Is More Common Than You Think

More than 1 in 7 adults in the United States, or about 35 million people, are estimated to have chronic kidney disease. Most do not know they have it because early kidney disease is often silent. In fact, 9 out of 10 adults with chronic kidney disease are not aware of it.

The condition is more common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease. It also occurs more often in older adults and those with a family history of kidney disease. Symptoms such as swelling, fatigue or changes in urine can develop later, but they are not always reliable signals. This is why regular checkups matter. Experts Who Focus On Kidney Health

At Cleveland Clinic in Florida, our kidney doctors, called nephrologists, help patients catch kidney problems early. We review your history, listen to your concerns and use advanced tests to check how well your kidneys are working. This helps us guide care for a wide range of kidney issues, including high blood pressure, kidney

Complete Kidney Care on page 23

10th Annual SWA Run AWAY 5K

Benefitting Resource Depot Returns Saturday, April 11

Trail Run To Be Held At Solid Waste Authority Greenway Trail System In West Palm Beach

What: The 2026 SWA Run AWAY 5K returns to West Palm Beach on Saturday, April 11, celebrating the 10th anniversary of this one-of-a-kind community event. The 5K takes place on the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) Greenway Trail System and benefits Resource Depot, a nonprofit creative reuse center that works to inspire creativity, conservation and community engagement through reuse of waste. True to its name, the SWA Run Away 5K takes participants “away” into nature, winding through cabbage palms, cypress hammocks, marshes and lush pine flatwoods, with scenic glimpses of Grassy Waters Preserve and the Renewable Energy Park. The race celebrates the harmony of industry and nature, while bringing awareness to recycling and solid waste issues.

When: Saturday, April 11; Race start: 7:30 a.m. (rain or shine!)

Where: SWA Palmetto Trailhead Parking Area (southern entrance to SWA Greenway Trail System at the bend where 45th Street becomes North Jog Road), West Palm Beach, FL 33412

stones, inherited kidney disorders and chronic kidney disease.

Management depends on the stage and the needs of each patient. Treatment may include medication adjustments, nutrition support, lifestyle guidance and close monitoring of kidney function. When kidney disease becomes advanced, we help patients plan for next steps, including evaluation for transplant when appropriate.

Advanced Care You Can Count On

For patients who need dialysis or transplant care, Cleveland Clinic provides coordinated support. Our nephrology and transplant teams work together to help patients prepare for

Registration: $35 (plus sign-up fee) – includes race bib, t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and finish line video. Price increases after March 7, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Youth 10 and under: $15 (plus sign-up fee) – includes bib, t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and participation award.

Sleep-in virtual option: $25 (plus sign-up fee) –includes race t-shirt and bib.

Group and team registration available –Gather a group of six or more and enjoy a $5 discount on each registration fee. (Does not apply to youth registration). Plus, groups will receive a special shoutout at the race!

To register or learn more, visit: resourcedepot.org/swarun-away-5k.

Learn more about Resource Depot at https://www. resourcedepot.org/.

Here To Support Lifelong Kidney Health

Many steps can protect kidney health, such as drinking enough water, managing blood pressure and staying active. With regular checkups and expert care, many people can slow kidney disease and maintain strong kidney function. Cleveland Clinic in Florida is here to guide that process with clear information and compassionate care. Visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Kidney to learn more about kidney care at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.

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Come see for yourself. Visit us to discover why so many have chosen a no-maintenance retirement lifestyle with predictable costs and the confidence of a community that values your future.

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The Pet Cottage Post

Forever Guardianship, Forever Love: Three Hearts Healing Together

By Wendy Derhak, Founder/Executive Director

When you walk into Gail’s home, it doesn’t take long to meet the real hosts of the house. Smokey may be watching cautiously from a distance, while Simba is already at your feet—curious, friendly, and hopeful you brought a snack. Together, these two handsome boys have filled Gail’s home with warmth, rhythm, and quiet companionship.

Gail has been a Forever Guardian with The Pet Cottage since 2016, welcoming Smokey and Simba after they lost their person to a serious head injury. At the time, Gail herself was navigating deep loss. Her husband had passed away in 2012, and she was still learning how to move forward alone.

“I kept saying no,” Gail remembers. “I can barely take care of myself right now. I can’t take care of a pet.”

Having grown up on a farm where animals lived outdoors, the idea of indoor cats—and the responsibility that came with them—felt overwhelming. But when two bonded cats urgently needed a home, Gail agreed to try.

Three grieving hearts found themselves under one roof. In the beginning, Smokey and Simba stayed hidden beneath the bed, coming out only for food and water. Slowly, trust grew. Smokey, whom Gail believes may be a Russian Blue, is intelligent and cautious—and remarkably skilled at opening cabinets and doors. Simba, a 17-pound orange tabby with a mischievous streak, is bold and affectionate, greeting visitors and inspecting grocery bags with enthusiasm. “The boys love each other,” Gail says. “You’ll often find them cuddling, with Simba licking Smokey’s face.”

Then, during one energetic chase through the house, Smokey broke his hip. Gail was frightened and overwhelmed—but she was not alone. The Pet Cottage coordinated immediate

veterinary care and covered the cost of surgery. Smokey endured weeks of crate rest and careful rehabilitation.

“I was so busy taking care of them,” Gail shares, “that I started looking outside myself and feeling less sad and lonely.”

Caring for them began to heal her.

Over the years, new challenges have come. Simba was diagnosed with diabetes and now requires insulin injections twice daily. Smokey has battled sensitivities that once left bald patches from over-grooming. Through every appointment and adjustment, The Pet Cottage has remained a steady presence—coordinating care, providing medical support, and walking alongside Gail.

Today, their life together is rooted in reassurance. Smokey perches nearby while Gail reads her Bible each morning. Simba curls beside her at day’s end. When she pulls into the driveway after work, both boys are waiting in the window.

“They are such an important part of my life,” Gail says. “I know the Lord put them in my life as a comfort.”

This is Forever Guardianship. It is a lifelong promise— ensuring pets who lose their person receive stability, medical care, and a loving home for the rest of their lives. And sometimes, in that promise, healing flows both ways.

Feb. 11, The Pet Cottage purchased our sanctuary property. Because of you, our community, we now have ownership of the place our resident pets call home. What was once simply the home base for our daily work is now a permanent foundation for our mission. Together, we have secured stability for the pets in our care today and for those who will need us in the future. We invite you to celebrate

this extraordinary achievement with us at our Open House and Housewarming Celebration on April 11.

We love growing our pack. Please consider making a donation to support pets like Smokey and Simba—or open your home and heart as a Forever Guardian yourself. For more information, visit thepetcottage.org or call (561) 818-5025.

Understanding Your Child: Anxiety, Dyslexia, Or Both?

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., Licensed School Psychologist

As a parent, noticing your child’s strengths and challenges can be both rewarding and worrisome. A mom explained, “My fourthgrade daughter adapts easily to needs of others, is kind, patient and displays good teamwork, is an outside of the box thinker, and is organized on tasks. My concern is she is very anxious a lot. She also avoids reading and writing tasks. Does she have anxiety or dyslexia?”

These qualities are remarkable and speak to this young girl’s resilience and creativity but it’s natural for you to

wonder: is this anxiety, dyslexia, or both? Anxiety can manifest in many ways. Children may worry excessively about doing tasks “perfectly,” avoid challenging activities, or experience physical symptoms like stomachaches before school, in school when it’s learning time, or during homework. Anxiety doesn’t diminish intelligence or creativity, and it can even accompany highly capable children who care deeply about performance and others’ feelings.

Dyslexia, on the other hand, specifically affects reading, spelling, and writing skills. Children with dyslexia may avoid reading or writing tasks because they are frustrating and require extra mental effort. They often understand concepts orally and think creatively, but struggle with decoding words or expressing their creative ideas on paper.

Twenty-five percent of children with dyslexia also have anxiety. A child with dyslexia may develop anxiety related to reading or writing tasks, creating a cycle of

Medicare Corner With Kathy O

Medicare Season Is Over— Or Is It? What You Need To Know Right Now

Many people believe that once the Annual Enrollment Period ends in December, their Medicare decisions are locked in for the year. The truth is—not necessarily.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and did not make a change during the annual enrollment period, or you are unhappy with the change you made, you still have options. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs through March 31. During this time, Advantage plan members can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to original Medicare (with or without a Part D prescription drug plan).

Additionally, if you are 65 or older and covered under employer health insurance, you may choose to enroll in Medicare at any time—whether you retire or continue working. Medicare education is not just a fall discussion; it is a year-round process. Are Those “Too Good To Be True” Medicare Commercials Really True?

Lately, many television ads and phone solicitations promise extra benefits such as money for groceries, utility bill assistance, or prepaid “flex cards.” These advertisements are designed to generate calls, but the benefits promoted often apply only to a limited group of individuals.

In most cases, the plans offering the richest additional benefits are available to people who are “dual eligible”— meaning they are enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage for individuals and families with limited income and resources. To qualify in Florida, you must meet specific income and asset guidelines. Applications and eligibility information are available through the Florida Department of Children and Families at https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com.

Medicaid coverage may be full or partial, depending on your eligibility. If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may still be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), also known as “Extra Help,” which assists with prescription drug costs. What If I Don’t Qualify?

Even if you do not qualify for Medicaid or LIS, you still have options. Medicare Advantage members have until March 31 to make changes, and there are also various special enrollment periods throughout the year that may allow adjustments based on life events or circumstances.

Perhaps most importantly, it is wise to work with a dedicated local Medicare agent who understands your

avoidance and worry. Determining which is present, or if both contribute, is essential to providing the right support for your child.

Early identification and support are key. For anxiety, strategies such as predictable routines, mindfulness, and gentle encouragement can help children feel safer and more confident. For dyslexia, evidence-based interventions, multisensory reading programs, and accommodations at school can reduce frustration and build skills. I always encourage parents to also focus on your child’s strengths to boost confidence and help your child thrive alongside any challenges.

Reach out if you notice ongoing anxiety or reading difficulty. A school neuropsychological evaluation will provide answers. Call (561) 625-4125 to discuss your child and dyslexia, learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. Learn more at www.JimForgan.com.

specific needs and can provide consistent guidance. Relying on random call center representatives can lead to confusion and enrollment in plans that may not truly fit your situation.

Medicare decisions impact both your health and your finances. If you have questions or concerns about your coverage, now is a good time to review your options. The Medicare season may seem over—but for many beneficiaries, important opportunities are still available.

I specialize in supplements, Advantage Plans, Prescription Drug Plans and those Dual Plans and I am happy to help you review your coverage. I represent United Healthcare, Humana and more carriers.

If you have Medicare Topic suggestions, email me at czak82@aol.com.

I speak Medicare: Supplement, Drug Plan and Advantage Plan.

For your free Medicare Plan review please call me. Kathy Olejniczak, Agent, (561) 835-5413 or cell/text, (561) 212-7640