Customer desire for bigger units led developers to reduce the number of units at Alina Residences in Boca Raton. The first phase opened this summer. Photo provided

By Christine Davis

El-Ad National Properties has filed revised plans with the city of Boca Raton for the second phase of its Alina Residences.
The luxury condo project on Southeast Mizner Boulevard was one of the most contentious in the city’s history, drawing complaints from downtown residents in 2015 that it was too massive and a symbol of overdevelopment.
The major change in the second phase is that the number of units has decreased while their size increased to meet market demand as people were forced inside by the coronavirus pandemic and many started working from home.
The project as approved was to include 384 units. Since then, the first phase was shrunk by 10 units and the second phase was pared back to 182 units in two, nine-story towers. The revised unit count in the two phases is 312.
The number of parking places in the garages also has been reduced. Landscaping changes will undergo city review as well. Originally proposed as 500 condos in four towers rising as high as 30 stories, the 9-acre project went through five major redesigns before garnering city approval in 2017.
El-Ad returned to the city in 2018 asking that the project be built in two phases, stirring more controversy until the developer and objectors reached an agreement.
The first phase broke ground in 2019 and opened this summer, with prices ranging from $1 million to $6.5 million. Among the new owners are County Commissioner and former City Council member Robert Weinroth and his wife, Pamela, who closed on their $1.06 million unit in April.
While it was not clear initially how much demand there would be for the condos, that question has been answered. The real estate market is at fever pitch, bolstered by out-of-staters flocking to Florida.
Phase 2 construction is expected to begin early next year, with completion in 2024.

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An ocean-to-lake estate on 2 acres at 1120 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan, sold in late September for $30.7 million. The buyer is a Florida limited liability company, 1120 S. Ocean LLC, managed by real estate attorney Maura Ziska of Kochman and Ziska. She also signed a 30-year mortgage on the property related to a $16.885 million loan with First Republic Bank.
Built in 1955, the renovated seven-bedroom, 13,876-square-foot house, with 193 feet of ocean and Intracoastal frontage, was homesteaded by Jack Doyle, a former Manalapan town commissioner and mayor pro tem. Known as Chateau Mer au Lac, the estate last changed hands in 2012 for $8.46 million.
Steven Presson, an agent with the Corcoran Group, represented the seller, and the property was listed for $34.85 million in February. Lawrence Moens of Lawrence A. Moens Associates represented the buyer. 

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Don Hankey, via a limited liability company, paid $29.5 million for the oceanfront mansion at 3715 S. Ocean Blvd. in Highland Beach. The sale was recorded Oct. 13 in public records. The seller, who flipped the property, is Moskow Management Trust, led by Eric Moskow of Las Vegas. The property sold for $21.6 million in March. Hankey heads the Los Angeles-based auto-services Hankey Groups and has a net worth of $5.5 billion, according to Forbes. The seller, Moskow, is a health care investor. The property hit the market in July for $30 million. The price was raised in September to $32 million. Douglas Elliman agent Senada Adzem represented the seller. Samantha Curry, also with Elliman, represented the buyer.  

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A registered historic home, the Harden-Hart House at 516 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach, is listed for sale for the first time at its current location with Cheran Marek, an agent with Douglas Elliman. It is priced at $1.55 million.
Please note the “current location,” because this home, literally, has a moving story.
First owned by John M. Hart and his wife, the 1920s-era Mediterranean-style house was originally located at 326 Pioneer Place, West Palm Beach, before it was moved by barge in 1994 down the Intracoastal to Delray Beach. At that time, it was owned by the Norton Museum, which needed the lot to expand its facility, but couldn’t demolish the house.
That’s also when the current owners, David and Andrea Harden, stepped in, bought it, moved it, and lived in it, up until now. David Harden was the Delray Beach city manager from 1990 to 2013. Here’s how the Hardens took ownership.
In 1993, the Hardens, intending to build a new home, purchased the vacant lot at 516 N. Swinton Ave. from a former Trinity Lutheran Church pastor, the Rev. Robert Klemm. But rather than building new, they decided to buy and move the Harts’ historic house to their Delray Beach lot.
They hired Orlando-based Modern Moving and Wrecking, and on Jan. 24, 1994, Modern Moving detached the house from its foundation, moved it to the Intracoastal Waterway and loaded it onto a barge, where a tugboat pushed it down the waterway to Knowles Park in Delray Beach.
On Jan. 25, it was rolled off the barge into the Knowles Park parking lot, where it awaited arrival of two historic Hillcrest-neighborhood West Palm Beach houses that the Delray Beach CRA had purchased and moved.
On Jan. 31, with the Harden-Hart House leading the way, the three historic homes moved from Knowles Park west on 10th Street to Swinton Avenue, then north on Swinton in what was called a “parade of homes.”  The two other houses are on Swinton in the first block north of Atlantic Avenue.
After the Harden-Hart house arrived at its new location, it was eventually placed on a new foundation and rewired, and the Harden family moved in, in April 1994.
And now, with the Hardens downsizing, the historic house will move onto its next chapter.
“We loved its Mediterranean appearance on the outside, and, in the interiors, we loved the cast-stone fireplace, stylized with lion heads and cherubs. We’ve loved the cove ceilings in the living and dining room, and except for the traditional-style kitchen, the whole downstairs is an open floor plan, which we liked,” David Harden said.
Added Marek, “The Hardens have lovingly cared for this one-of-a-kind home. It’s in very good condition and in a great location near Pineapple Grove.”
For more information, call Marek at 561-870-8855.

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Peter Ricci, Ed.D., director of Florida Atlantic University’s hospitality and tourism management program, was recently named South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year by the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism for his response to the coronavirus pandemic. In March 2020, he organized a free online certificate offered by FAU’s College of Business to industry professionals who were furloughed, terminated or had hours reduced, so that they could continue their educations to position themselves for new opportunities.
Ricci thought a few hundred people might sign up for the certificate, which normally costs $899, but it attracted 77,000 people in 165 countries and territories.
More than 61,000 registrants fully completed the certificate — more than double FAU’s full-time enrollment of 30,000 students.
“We were delighted to reach so many people affected by this worldwide crisis,” Ricci said. “Many workers said how grateful they were that the certificate was free at a time when their personal finances were so uncertain, and it helped boost their résumés so they could stand out to employers once the job market opened back up.”

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The Seagate, a boutique hotel at 1000 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, has teamed up with a West Palm Beach interior designer, Paige Padon, to launch Row House at The Seagate. The retail collaboration, which began in September, will run through the end of April.
Guests and locals can shop the collection of hand-selected neutral and textured décor, with pieces that range from coffee tables, credenzas and chairs to ceramics and throws. The collection will rotate regularly and will be limited in quantity.

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Shop local this holiday season in downtown Delray Beach, celebrate Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27, and receive a 2021 Delray Beach commemorative ornament while enjoying promotions, entertainment and holiday decorations throughout the downtown.
To take part in the ornament giveaway from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 27, shop in downtown Delray Beach, save your receipts of at least $200, and receive a hand-painted, limited-supply 2021 Delray Beach commemorative ornament created by local artist Jen Fisher.
  The ornaments can be picked up on Nov. 27 at Downtown Development Authority booths located on the beachside at 1047 E. Atlantic Ave. between Amofta by Mahya and Sara Campbell stores, or at 310 E. Atlantic Ave., near Kokonuts Delray Beach and Tootsie’s. The ornaments will be limited to one per customer to the first 200 people.
Receipts must be dated Nov. 26 or Nov. 27, and be from a business within the DDA district. Exclusions include any food or beverage purchases, hotel accommodation receipts, and parking or transportation receipts, as well as any retailer that does not fall within the DDA district. 

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The Delray Acura, Hyundai and Genesis dealer group has partnered once again with the Marine Corps Reserve to collect unwrapped toys for the annual holiday Toys for Tots drive. Last year, the Marine Corps Reserve distributed more than 20.2 million toys, books and games to more than 7.3 million children.
The public is invited to support this 100% charity initiative and donate new unwrapped toys. Already underway, the drive will run through Dec. 11. Donation boxes are located at the Acura customer service lounge, 655 NE Sixth Ave., Delray Beach. 

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The Ocean Ridge Police Department will hold its fourth annual Christmas Toy Drop-off in the department lobby through Dec. 17.
The toys will be distributed through the Guardian ad Litem program of Palm Beach County. For more information, call Officer Debra Boyle at 561-732-8331.

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In September, Pebb Capital delivered $10,000 worth of school uniforms, backpacks, paper, pencils, binder, markers and other school supplies to Pine Grove Elementary, Carver Middle School and Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, following outreach to ascertain each school’s needs.

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The Boca Raton Historical Society announced its 2021 Walk of Recognition inductees, in honor of people and organizations that have served and enriched the Boca Raton community.
The ceremony and reception will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Addison, 2 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. The inductees include:
• George S. Brown Jr., deputy city manager of Boca Raton and a former board member of the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, who has been pivotal in developing the positive partnership between the city and Florida Atlantic University.
• Robert K. Rollins Jr., president of the Beacon Group insurance agency, who has served on Boca Raton’s Beach and Parks District board for more than 20 years, is past president for both the local Soccer Association and the Boca Raton Rotary Club, and has served on the board of directors of the FAU Foundation. • Edith Stein, co-founder of the Martin & Edith Stein Family Foundation that recently donated $5 million in support of a planned arts and innovation center in Mizner Park.
• The George Snow Scholarship Fund, which is dedicated to helping students within the community to achieve their career goals through the pursuit of higher education. Tim Snow is the fund’s president.
• Also honored at this reception will be 2020 inductees Terry Fedele, the late Jay Van Vechten, and Boca Ballet Theatre.
Tickets, which cost $85 each, can be purchased by emailing office@bocahistory.org, or by calling 561-395-6766, ext. 101.

Mary Hladky contributed to this column.

Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.

One of the most noticeable changes will be the return to white as an exterior color for most of the property. Rendering provided

By Jan Norris

A return to luxury service and sophisticated dining from a “golden era” is the theme of the extensive renovation at The Boca Raton, formerly the Boca Resort and Club.
The expansive remake of the iconic Addison Mizner-designed hotel is set in phases, with the $175 million first phase scheduled to accommodate members and their guests starting Dec. 17, even as some work continues into winter 2022.
In a statement laying out details for the renovation, Daniel Hostettler, president and CEO of The Boca Raton, described the property as an “internationally recognized landmark and a private escape for the in-the-know travelers.”
The hotel that opened in 1926 as The Cloister Inn is now owned by MSD Partners LP. The firm bought the property in 2019. Versed in luxury hotels with the Four Seasons Resort Maui and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in its portfolio in Hawaii, the group plans to continue The Boca Raton’s long-standing model as an exclusive, members-only resort.
The property encompasses five hotels along 200 waterfront acres on both sides of the Intracoastal Waterway, with numerous restaurants, a private beach, 18-hole golf course, 32-slip marina, wellness spa, tennis and pickleball courts, four swimming pools and retail shops.
Each hotel is designed to attract a different traveler. The original 294-room Cloister is family- and pet-friendly, while the 225-room tower will be adults only, with butler services included in its $45 million transformation.
Rooms rates in January 2022 start at $1,190 for a two-night stay at the Cloister.
The Yacht Club, 112 rooms with balconies overlooking the water, is expected to attract mariners, and the Beach Club’s 212 rooms are designed for couples and young families.
The 58 bungalows, with two-bedroom suites and kitchens, are typically booked by long-term visitors.
The Cloister is being redesigned from the inside out. A new driveway and entranceway are in place. All rooms, interior public spaces, restaurants and retail shops are getting an overhaul. It plans to reopen in December along with the Yacht Club.
Tower rooms also are being redesigned. The bungalows will get a décor makeover, while the Beach Club rooms will be refreshed at a later stage.
The Boca Raton properties have been repainted to their original white, except for the 27-story tower, which will retain its construction color of dusty pink.
As a major renovation, the 4-acre Harborside pool area will be reimagined. The convention facility that once stood on the east side of the mainland property has been demolished to make way for an expansive water park-like experience with clear views of the Intracoastal.
A surf-riding pool, a lazy river, a three-story water slide and four pools for adults and youngsters are among its features. A portion of it will be open as part of phase one; the remainder is expected to be completed in 2022.
Spa Palmera is to reopen in December as well.
With the closing of the convention facility, the focus for group bookings will be for smaller conferences, according to hotel officials.
A number of restaurants are opening or have already come aboard, some operating under the Major Food Group of Miami umbrella.
The Flamingo Grill, a tropical-themed chophouse, already is serving lunch and dinner with servers in pale pink jackets preparing foods such as cherries jubilee and Caesar salad tableside.
Sadelle’s, a noted New York brunch spot run by the Major Food Group, will open in November to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner until the other restaurants on the property are open. Then it will revert to breakfast and brunch only.
The Palm Court will occupy the main large space in the center of the Cloister. Lunch, light bites, charcuterie and cocktails will be served there.
A new chocolate shop is called Maison Rose. Signature gold-leaf French macaroons and handmade chocolates will be sold.
Opening next year are an Italian concept restaurant and a Japanese concept from MFG.
The star of the dining program is the MB Supper Club. Harkening to the glamorous “new golden era” campaign, the venue will be a luxury supper club that evokes the Monkey Bar popular with the early visitors to the hotel. Along with select nights of entertainment, there will be tableside presentations of classic dishes served on vintage plates from the hotel. Servers and hostesses will wear uniforms and gowns reminiscent of the 1930s supper club staff. Diners will have the option of sitting outdoors, or indoors at the bar as well as in the main room.
To staff the resort, two job fairs are being held in November in an attempt to bring in 400 workers. Addressing the workforce situation, specifically one versed in luxury service, Hostettler said he is looking for those who are enthusiastic and who can engage with guests — the methods and details of luxe service, he says, can be taught.
So far, he’s pleased that hiring has been successful, going against an industry trend of workers who sign on, but drop off shortly after.
The Boca Raton and its restaurants will be open to members and their guests only beginning Dec. 17. Membership figures have not been released, but an increase in fees from years back is expected.

New leadership team
Hostettler announced the new members of the resort’s senior executive leadership team overseeing phase one, marketing and branding, sales and staffing.  
The new team includes Erica S. Kasel as chief marketing officer, Emily Snyder as chief sales officer, and Maria Burns-Aladro as chief human resources officer.
“Our eyes are set on elevating The Boca Raton to extraordinary new heights, and we’ve curated a powerhouse lineup of well-respected leaders to steer us into the future,” Hostettler said.
In Kasel’s previous role heading up marketing at Chanel U.S., she led strategic communications, events and digital initiatives across the fashion, watch and fine-jewelry division. Most recent, Kasel was managing director at Traub, a global advisory firm, where she developed retail marketing and business strategies.
Prior to that, she relaunched Clé de Peau Beauté for Shiseido’s brand team in Tokyo as chief marketing officer and chief experience officer of Jane Smith Agency. She was also vice president of marketing at American Express Publishing, where she published Departures and launched Centurion magazines.
Snyder recently led and recruited a global sales team for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group. Burns-Aladro brings 30 years of experience into her new role as The Boca Raton’s chief human resources officer. Her most recent position at The Boca Raton was as director of human resources.
The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton. Phone 561-288-9944; www.thebocaraton.com.
Christine Davis contributed to this story.

A caravan through John Prince Park on Oct. 10 in Lake Worth Beach raised money for Gold Coast Down Syndrome. The organization used a caravan instead of its traditional walk for the second consecutive year. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Philanthropy Season Preview

By Rich Pollack

It was May of 2020 and like many other leaders of nonprofit organizations, Anne Dichele was starting to worry.
For 26 years Dichele’s organization — Gold Coast Down Syndrome — had been doing a fundraising walk that generated revenue accounting for about two-thirds of the nonprofit’s annual budget.
After more than a month of a statewide stay-at-home order, Dichele and Development Director Corinne Pike were struggling to figure out how to replace the Downright ExtraOrdinary Walk during the pandemic.
“The heart and soul of our organization is our connections, so we couldn’t imagine being socially distanced,” said Dichele, the Boynton Beach organization’s executive director. “We were trying to come up with a way to keep the connection during a pandemic when an idea just popped into my head. I just looked at her and said, ‘We’ll do a car caravan.’”
First held in October 2020, the event surpassed most expectations, bringing more than 100 decorated cars to a loud and boisterous vehicle parade through John Prince Park. Students from local schools were among those who cheered on kids and adults with Down syndrome and their families as they paraded past.
Throughout Palm Beach County, nonprofit organizations spent much of the spring and summer of 2020 wondering how they would replace the money typically received from major fundraising events.
“It was a year of Zoom events and golf tournaments,” said Chiara Clark, a member of the board of the Delray Beach Public Library and a former president of the Parents Auxiliary at Gulf Stream School. “The gifts were masks and hand sanitizers.”
Still, several organizations like Gold Coast Down Syndrome decided to think outside the Zoom boxes and come up with innovative alternatives.
“Even though we couldn’t be actually ‘together together,’ we could still be together,” Dichele said.
The George Snow Scholarship Fund pivoted from holding its longtime Ballroom Battle in front of a crowd in a hotel ballroom to one telecast from the WPTV studios on a Saturday night in 2020 and again in August 2021.
To raise money for the Festival of the Arts Boca and replace the revenue that would have been generated by a first-ever gala, Executive Director Joanna Marie Kaye tapped into her longtime public television background and held an event reminiscent of a PBS pledge drive.
At the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County, the annual LOOP for Literacy that typically brought 300 supporters together for a successful fundraiser, became LOOP Your Way with supporters collecting donations and bicycling, running or walking their own loop wherever they were and submitting photos.
Faced with not being able to gather close to 1,200 people together for the annual Brain Bowl luncheon — which raises money to support those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and related diseases, as well as their caregivers — organizers created Bark and Browse, an outdoor fundraiser that drew 400 supporters.
“It was wonderful because people were together,” said Brain Bowl Events founder and CEO Pamela Higer-Polani, adding that masks and hand sanitizer were plentiful. “Brain Bowl is about connections, and connecting people over Zoom doesn’t always make people feel warm and valued.”

Boca’s Ballroom Battle shifted to telecasts from a TV studio. The 2020 and ’21 shows each drew about 20,000 viewers and raised about $40,000 during the telecasts. Photo provided

Changes proved successful
Although each organization took a different approach to raising money, most say they raised enough money to beat previous years’ revenue or at least surpass their goals.
“There were plenty of nonprofit organizations that did better because they were able to be nimble and raise money around the new things they were doing,” said Vicki Pugh, CEO of Advancement Experts, which works with nonprofits on development and capacity building.
Pugh says communication was crucial to the success of organizations that moved in a different fundraising direction during the pandemic.
“It was really important for organizations that pivoted to keep in touch with their donors and to tell them what they were doing,” she said. “Building a new case for support was what kept nonprofits afloat.”
For many, sponsorships were critical. Another key to the monetary success was a reduction in expenses that come with a live event.
“We netted more money than we did when we did the Ballroom Battle live,” said Tim Snow, president of the George Snow Scholarship Fund.
Like many other organizations, Snow’s team wanted to stay close to an event that worked well in the past.
For almost 15 years, the Ballroom Battle has teamed community leaders with professional dancers, similar to ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, with the dancers who raised the most money being declared winners.
In previous years the event was held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, drawing about 800 guests who would make donations for dancers and participate in auctions. The event, Snow said, raised about one-fourth of the organization’s annual budget.
“We knew it was a widely successful event for us,” he said, adding that at one point organizers considered renting a drive-in theater and holding the event there.
Instead, listening to TV one Saturday morning while doing chores, Snow saw celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse promoting products and realized that television might work.
With a 7 p.m. spot on a Saturday night, the 2020 and 2021 Ballroom Battles each drew an estimated 20,000 viewers and raised about $40,000 while on the air, in addition to the money raised by the dancers prior to the broadcasts. The telecasts, which showed pre-recorded dance and other segments, also were streamed on the Snow scholarship website and available on YouTube.
“This gave us an opportunity to tell our story to a different audience,” Snow said. “We were fortunate we had an event that translated to television.”

Joanna Marie Kaye and Olivia Hollaus of Festival of the Arts Boca took a fundraiser online and made it like a PBS pledge drive, with entertainment and a pitch for donations. Photo provided

Pledge drive event for art
For the Festival of the Arts Boca, putting two weeks of events on TV wasn’t an option, but Joanna Marie Kaye’s television experience came in handy when the organization used the internet for two events.
Plans for a 15th anniversary gala in June were upended so Kaye and her team started looking at virtual galas — but none of what Kaye saw online matched the goals they were hoping to achieve.
“Then a light bulb went off and I thought why not do it like a PBS pledge drive,” she said.
Teaming up with board member Olivia Hollaus, Kaye hosted a live event on the organization’s website with individual taped musical performances from Joshua Bell and Larisa Martinez.
“You had the entertainment portion and then you had two people asking for money, explaining the mission and why it’s important,” Kaye said.
As part of the event, which was also available on YouTube, supporters could sign up for a “party in place,” which could include something like a bottle of prosecco and chocolates delivered prior to the event.
The organization also revamped its successful Festival of the Arts event, hosting online lectures and performances that would normally be live — but with a twist. This time around, the performances were free, but included requests for donations.
The performances were watched by hundreds of people in 21 countries and generated enough money, along with sponsorships, to surpass financial goals. The pledge drive event also exceeded the goals.

Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County changed LOOP for Literacy to LOOP Your Way. Supporters biked, ran or walked wherever they chose. Board President Len Gray took part in February from Lenox, Massachusetts. Photo provided

Outdoors worked well
For three other organizations, outdoor events — some reimagined and some new — proved to be successful during the pandemic.
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County discovered success by changing a longtime event — LOOP for Literacy — from a group bike ride, walk or jog in the Lake Worth area to LOOP Your Way, where supporters could do the same activities but do them wherever they were and when it was convenient.
“The key is finding the unique parts of an event that make it successful and adapting that effort to reach your goal,” said Kristin Calder, the literary coalition’s CEO.
She said changes to the loop event were welcomed by participants. “It allowed more people to participate on their own schedule.”
The event raised a record $80,000.
“It was never about are we going to do it,” Calder said. “It was about how are we going to do it.”
As part of the event, each participant was able to pick up a T-shirt, a medal and a $10 gift certificate to Park Avenue BBQ Grille and get a tour of the coalition’s office at the same time.
“Getting the shirt, the medal and the barbecue helped provide a sense of normalcy in abnormal times,” Calder said.
The coalition also continued another key event, its Grand Bee, in which teams competed online in a literary-themed trivia contest.

Brain Bowl CEO Pamela Higer-Polani and her husband, Mark Polani, with Sunshine at Bark and Browse. The fundraiser replaced a luncheon to support people living with Alzheimer’s and related diseases. Photo provided

For the team at the Brain Bowl, Bark and Browse was a way to keep a very successful event going, and it was a chance to focus on pets and the role they play in helping people with cognitive issues.
“One of our goals was to bring attention to pets that provide much-needed emotional support to families coping with the stress of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, dementia and other related neuro-cognitive disorders,” Higer-Polani said.
As part of the event, a contest took place in which individuals could pay money and vote for their favorite pets online.
The outdoor portion of the fundraiser, at Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, offered visitors more than 60 vendors selling goods and services.
A portion of the money raised from the event went to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to help with the purchase of Jess, a dog used in search-and-rescue missions, often involving dementia patients. Additional money went to the Alzheimer’s Association to support a local Brain Bus, which through its travels raises awareness in the community.
Higer-Polani says that one of the most important parts of the Brain Bowl is its ability to show caregivers and people with Alzheimer’s that they are appreciated.
“People feel validated, included and cherished,” she said.
Those same feelings were shared by people who participated in Gold Coast Down Syndrome’s caravan.
Dichele said her organization was pleased with the financial results and by the outpouring of support from people in and around the caravan — an event that was different from what worked in the past.
“We made the choice to do the caravan based 100% on who we are as a Gold Coast family,” she said. “We just couldn’t picture a successful event where people weren’t together.”

Co-Chairwomen Clara Acero and Kari Oeltjen of the Junior League of Boca Raton’s 34th annual Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon. Photo provided

By Amy Woods

“Celebrating A Renaissance of Community” will serve as the theme for the 34th annual Woman Volunteer of the Year luncheon benefiting the Junior League of Boca Raton.
The extravaganza returns to The Boca Raton, formerly the Boca Raton Resort & Club, after a hiatus in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The chairs felt like we’re sort of coming out of the dark ages,” league President Jamie Sauer said, referring to Co-Chairwomen Clara Acero and Kari Oeltjen. “It’s just really nice to be able to get together and honor the volunteers who have made so much of a difference, especially at a time like this.”
The nonprofit’s largest fundraiser begins at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 12 with a VIP reception and runs until 1:30 p.m. A total of 22 nominees will be recognized this year.
“These women are all absolutely incredible,” Sauer said. “To have been an active volunteer during the last year and a half is so admirable and amazing. We’re excited to honor them.”
The luncheon’s highlight is the Saks Fifth Avenue runway show that L’Agence fashion director Tara Rudes-Dann will headline. An after-party at Corvina Seafood Grill Royal Palm Place concludes the day.
Last year’s luncheon went virtual, featuring a look back at the hundreds of women who have been nominated over the years as well as the history of the service organization established 50 years ago.
“2020 was difficult on everybody,” Sauer said. “This is sort of like a new beginning, just to kind of come back in person and say thank you.”

Send notes to Amy Woods at flamywoods@bellsouth.net.

If You Go
What: Woman Volunteer of the Year Luncheon
When: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 12
Where: The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real
Information: 561-620-2553 or www.jlbr.org.

Dec. 3: Attendees at the fundraiser for the Florence Fuller Child Development Centers will help support the community’s at-risk children through educational programming. Time is 6 to 11 p.m. Cost is $300. Call 561-391-7274, ext. 134 or visit www.ffcdc.org. ABOVE: (l-r) Honorary chairwoman Hiromi Printz, honorary chairman David Clark and chairwomen Simone Spiegel and Peg Anderson. Photo provided

By Amy Woods

Delray Beach’s Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse has announced a $40,000 challenge from a foundation that wants to remain anonymous.
Donations to AVDA’s Purple Pajama Party, a virtual fundraiser running through Dec. 1, will be matched dollar for dollar up to $40,000 and fund support services for those who are experiencing abuse at home. The matching gift comes amid a rise in domestic violence calls to the Delray Beach Police Department.
Pam O’Brien, the nonprofit’s president and CEO, says she “is deeply grateful to the anonymous family foundation for this generous matching gift.”
For more information, call 561-265-3797 or visit www.avdaonline.org.

FAU hires executive for fundraising advancement
Christopher Delisio has joined the Florida Atlantic University staff as vice president of institutional advancement.
He brings more than 25 years of development experience, most recently as executive director of principal gifts at The Ohio State University.
Delisio, also the FAU Foundation’s new CEO, is responsible for community engagement, fundraising and cultivating gifts to FAU.
“Chris immediately stood out as the perfect fit to lead the charge here at FAU,” President John Kelly said. “He is a creative thinker with a proven track record who can be innovative but pragmatic and is highly receptive to new ideas.”
Said Delisio: “There are so many innovative and amazing things happening at FAU right now, and the nation is taking notice. To be a part of this remarkable team in an area like South Florida is incredibly exciting.”

Faulk Center brings in a new deputy director
The Faulk Center for Counseling recently welcomed its new deputy director of operations, Amy Bromhead.
Bromhead, who previously served as director of development for Alzheimer’s Community Care, will be responsible for development, fundraising and marketing strategies.
“The personal experiences I have had with someone living with mental health issues has strengthened my resolve to make sure that the mental health conversation is healthy and available,” Bromhead said. “It is a privilege to be a part of an organization that is providing such crucial services for all who might need them.”
The Boca Raton organization provides low- or no-cost mental health services to anyone in need.
For more information, call 561-483-5300 or visit https://faulkcenterforcounseling.org.

Pair of leaders join Boca Helping Hands
Boca Helping Hands has appointed Steve King as director of development.
King was born and raised in Miami and moved to Boca Raton in 1986. He was a member of Lynn University’s development office and, prior to that, had a career in private banking. He began volunteering at Boca Helping Hands in 2012.
“I found the mission of Boca Helping Hands most appealing,” he said. “Engaging with the clients was the most rewarding aspect of my volunteer experience. I look forward to making an even greater impact by creating stronger community partnerships and enhancing current programs.”
The agency also has appointed Jude Estime as controller. Born and raised in Haiti, Estime moved to the United States in 2002 and received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and his MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
“I’m excited to be working with Boca Helping Hands,” Estime said. “The work they do in the community to not only feed people but also provide job training and job-readiness coaching, along with financial assistance, is some of the most important work being done in Palm Beach County right now.”
Boca Helping Hands is a community-based nonprofit that provides assistance to meet basic human needs as well as counseling, education and job training to create self-sufficiency.
For more information, call 561-417-0913 or visit www.bocahelpinghands.org.

Thanksgiving Box Brigade underway to provide meals
Boca Helping Hands’ five locations across Palm Beach County need help from the community to provide holiday meals to underserved people.
The organization is embarking on its 17th annual Thanksgiving Box Brigade program, which provides turkeys and boxes containing all the fixings. Donors can fill their own boxes with the dinner essentials or can contribute the cost of a box — $27.15. The deadline is Nov. 15.
“We are so grateful to the community each year for their food drives and Thanksgiving box donations,” said Greg Hazle, Boca Helping Hands’ executive director. “Their generosity means that people who would not otherwise be able to sit down for a holiday meal can enjoy one with their family.”
For more information, call 561-417-0913 or visit www.bocahelpinghands.org.

Agency aims to help the health care helpers
The Center for Child Counseling has launched a training program called Healing the Healers to address the challenges and stress people in the medical field face every day.
Helpers have been on the front lines during the pandemic supporting adults and children experiencing grief and loss. The four-hour training teaches them self-care and resilience-building strategies so they are not running on empty.
“Teaching these strategies is more important than ever as we witness front-line workers experiencing alarming rates of anxiety, depression, PTSD and even suicide as a result of the pandemic,” CFCC CEO Renée Layman said. “We must make sure that those who are helping to heal others are healthy themselves.”
For more information, call 561-244-9499 or visit www.centerforchildcounseling.org.

AmeriCorps volunteers address literacy needs
The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County has started recruiting volunteers for its AmeriCorps program.
Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and available for either part- or full-time opportunities.
“Some college graduates aren’t sure what they want to do next, and participating in the Literacy AmeriCorps is a great way for them to explore options,” coalition board member Kelly Starling said.
AmeriCorps members each provide 1,700 hours of service in mentoring, tutoring and related literacy education at sites throughout the county. The needs are great as more than 22 percent of the adult population functions at the lowest level of literacy, and 47 percent of local students in grades three through 10 read below grade level.
For information, call 561-279-9103 or visit www.literacypbc.org.

Ocean Ridge resident Nick Kaleel ran the 125th edition of the race, postponed from April because of the pandemic, in 2 hours, 37 minutes and 14 seconds. That's a pace of 6 minutes per mile on the 26.2-mile course. Kaleel, 26, was a track and field and cross-country athlete in high school and college. Family, friends and spectators cheered him on. Photo provided by Hilary Swift

Knights of Columbus St. Padre Pio Council No. 17215 welcomed several new members to the organization at the first in-person gathering since the pandemic. ABOVE: (l-r) Tom Corrcione, Ron Shelton, Amato Sampson, Chris Laudato, Daniel Alesandro, Russ Chisholm, Paul Danitz, Dominic Conte, Patrick McClosky, Al Rader, Alfio Pitruzzela, Osmany Periu and Jerry Zazza. Photo provided

Candace Tamposi of Ocean Ridge and Nicholas Tamposi of Laconia, New Hampshire, joyfully announce the upcoming wedding of their daughter, Ali Tamposi, to Roman Campolo of Malibu. The couple will marry at the former vacation estate of the late Dick Clark. The bride, a former Palm Beach and Ocean Ridge resident, is a Grammy Award nominee and a BMI Songwriter of the Year. The groom, a former Cincinnati resident, is a collaborator on the new Elton John album ‘The Lockdown Sessions.’ In lieu of gifts, the couple requests donations to the Creative Waves Foundation, whose purpose is to help underserved students of music and the arts. The foundation provides scholarships, equipment and enrichment programs, and its current focus is on the First Haitian Baptist Church of Belle Glade and the church’ s Enrichment Center project for underserved migrant children. To donate, visit
www.creativewavesfoundation.org/donate. Photo provided

Saint Joseph’s Episcopal School’s parent organization had its fourth annual links event, raising more than $20,000 for the institution. Parents along with faculty and staff not only golfed but also volunteered to make the outing a philanthropic success. ABOVE: (l-r) Jeff Brand, Matt Blizzard, Doug Sabra and Greg Anthony. Photo provided

The YMCA of South Palm Beach County had a reception to mark its history as it approaches 50 years as an organization. Former President and CEO Richard Pollock and current President and CEO Jason Hagensick addressed members of the community who have been a part of the Y since 1972. Guests shared memorabilia, old photos and stories. ABOVE: Pollock (in background) speaks to the crowd as Dick Simmons and Lin Hurley have a laugh. Photo provided by Carlos Aristizabal

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County’s third annual event had the theme ‘A Night in Monte Carlo’ and secured a record-breaking $151,000. Proceeds will support the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boca Raton’s mental health and social-emotional learning programs. ABOVE: Terry and Jerry Fedele. BELOW: (l-r) Eric Roby and Pamela and Robert Weinroth, a Palm Beach County commissioner. Photos provided by Tim Stepien

The Junior League of Boca Raton, which launched in 1971, rang in its golden occasion in style. The moment was commemorated with a coffee-table book that included the history of the service organization. A total of 27 past presidents attended, as did one of the founders. ‘The Junior League, continuously over the past 50 years, has helped identify unmet needs in our community, particularly involving women and children, and worked to bridge the gap,’ President Jamie Sauer said. ABOVE: (l-r) Anne Vegso, Betsy Eisenberg and Marina Morbeck. Photo provided

Kapow is moving to new space in Boca’s Mizner Park. The old location will host a New Orleans-themed spot. Photo provided

By Jan Norris

Kapow, the small noodle bar that became an overnight success in Mizner Park, celebrates its 10th year with a big announcement: It’s moving.
“We had been eyeing a larger spot for a while. We’ve been in expansion mode before COVID,” said Vaughan Dugan, one of the co-owners. “We were paying attention to Bluefish, and when we saw they succumbed, it was a natural fit for us.”
Bluefish had opened in the former Gary Rack’s spot on the east side of the plaza just before the pandemic hit, Dugan said. “It was unfortunately really bad timing.”
Kapow will be doubling its capacity as well as adding outdoor covered seating.
Plus, he said, it will be air-conditioned.
“As hip and cool as Kapow is, it’s hot with the doors and windows open.”
Kapow is expanding the menu as well, Dugan said.
“So one of the cons of Bluefish — pros for us — we inherited their equipment. It had a sushi bar. We’re going to have a sushi bar, a hybrid kind of omakase — not all sushi, but we will be doing sushi as well. It will be an eight-seat bar by reservation only, and a private bartender to serve along with the sushi chef,” he said.
“We’ll have three private karaoke rooms in the back. They are soundproof and also are private dining rooms. We’ll have the ability to open them up, but the guests can order from the room — it’s fully automated. The only time you have to open the door is to get the food and drinks.”
One of the reasons for expansion is to make Kapow more than a noodle and drink bar, he said, to appeal to a broader group.
“It’s a demographic we’ve been missing,” Dugan said. “So many corporate headquarters are in town and Kapow is so small. It’s not the most conducive place for team-building meetings.
“We’re 10 years old, and it’s time to grow up a little bit. We’re the place for everybody. The 18-year-old barback comes in after a shift. My parents come. We’re not trying to put on a tie, we don’t want to grow up totally.”
He and partners Rodney Mayo and Scott Frielich of Subculture Group hope to open the new Kapow by New Year’s Eve. “We’re at the mercy of our contractors,” Dugan said.
Supply chain problems have hit them, too.
As for staffing, he said, “I’d be lying if I said it’s not a problem. We were able to retain most of our staff. We’re struggling to add to our team. There’s a lot of trading going on” with personnel, with different groups offering sweeter deals for signing on.
It will be twice the problem for Dugan and his team once they move, since they’ve already worked out a new concept to go into their current space. It is Penelope, a New Orleans-themed spot.
“It will keep the same Subculture vibe,” said Dugan, who described it as “less Bourbon Street and more French. Yes, Antoine’s, or somewhere in between, but more French New Orleans.”
Dugan said the move will not mean a stoppage in service: “We’ll close here on a Friday and turn our lights off, open up across the street.”
As for Penelope, “We should be able to turn it around in 45 to 60 days tops. Kapow is so small, only 1,500 square feet. We’ll upgrade the fixtures and do cosmetic changes.”
Other expansion is planned and the company is ready. “We’re in full expansion mode,” Dugan said. “We’re looking at Lauderdale, Delray and Jupiter. We were having the best year before COVID, and an even better year now.”
Kapow, 431 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Phone 561-347-7322; www.kapownoodlebar.com.

In brief
A new restaurant quietly opened last month in the long-vacant former Patio spot in Delray: 800 Palm Trail Grille. A large outdoor seating area wraps around the dining room, where sandwiches, salads, fish and meat entrees are on the menu. Vegetarian and gluten-free items also are here. … Corvina Seafood Grill is opening in Boca Raton’s downtown area this month. Noted Washington, D.C. chef Jeff Tunks is at the helm. Locally caught seafood is touted as the star of a menu that includes meats and poultry. Corvina is at 110 Plaza Real South. …
A Mexican menu is on tap at the restaurant in the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach. It coincides with the exhibit of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Mexican Modernism, which runs through Feb. 6. …
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches is again delivering Thanksgiving pies with its Pie It Forward campaign. Order a chef-made pie (apple, pumpkin, pecan or Key lime) until Nov. 17 at https://mowpbpie.org.
South County pickup is Nov. 23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Duffy’s Sports Grill, 1750 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach. Each pie sold feeds a homebound senior for one week. Don’t need pie? Buy a virtual pie to donate to MOW instead.

Jan Norris is a food writer who can be reached at nativefla@gmail.com

Devon Silva-Frost, 2, of Boca Raton enjoys making a pumpkin selection. Delray Beach native Samantha Frost came to the patch as a child and wanted to share the experience with her son. Photo provided by Samantha Frost

By Christine Davis

Maria Morales Menendez was promoted to chief operating officer of the Delray Medical Center in September. Morales Menendez started at Delray Medical Center as an associate resident, before being promoted to the position of associate administrator.
Morales Menendez was graduated from the University of Kentucky, with a degree in biosystems engineering. She has a master’s in business administration with a health care specialization from Baylor University in Waco, Texas.   

***

Delray Medical Center is among the top 10% in the nation for neurosciences, stroke care and critical care and a recipient of the Cranial Neurosurgery Excellence Award, according to a new analysis by Healthgrades.
 Delray Medical Center was also recognized for the following clinical achievements: Five-Star recipient for Treatment of Heart Failure for 20 years in a row (2003-2022), Five-Star recipient for Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeries in 2022, Five-Star recipient for Colorectal Surgeries for five years in a row (2018-2022).
Delray Medical Center also achieved high performance marks in the categories of diabetes, heart attack, heart failure and stroke for the state of Florida in the annual U.S. News & World Report’s 2021-2022 Best Hospitals rankings for adult clinical specialties.

***

The Palm Beach Health Network, which includes Delray Medical Center, recently received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus, and Gold Plus-Honor Roll Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement Award, for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment, according to nationally recognized research-based guidelines.

***

Timothy O’Connor, M.D., a specialist in robotic and complex deformity surgery, recently joined the Boca Raton-based Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health, as the director of minimally invasive surgery and robotic spinal surgery.
O’Connor joined Marcus Neuroscience Institute from the University at Buffalo, where he completed a CAST-accredited complex spine surgery fellowship. While completing his fellowship, he was awarded the AO Discovery and Innovation Young Investigator grant by the AO Spine Foundation. He was also invited to join the AO Knowledge Forum, a group of surgeons who collaborate on solving challenges in modern spinal surgery.
He received his medical degree from the University of Florida, where he was graduated with honors for research and academic excellence.

By Joyce Reingold

When the pandemic sent office workers home in March 2020, beds, couches and kitchen tables became makeshift workstations. Coronavirus safety supplanted ergonomic concerns. And as temporary turned to “we’re still at it,” necks, backs and shoulders started to feel the strain.
Many months on, doctors, physical therapists, fitness experts and others are helping the work-from-home crowd address the accumulated aches and pains from what’s being called pandemic posture.
“Stiffness in the back, neck and shoulders,” says Dr. Joanna Drowos, an osteopathic physician at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at FAU Medicine in Boca Raton, ticking off some of her patients’ most common issues.
“I have seen some carpal tunnel, from not having your keyboard in the appropriate position and spending more time typing. I’ve seen more headaches. And even some low back soreness. I had a patient the other day tell me that when she’s working at home, she doesn’t have a chair where her feet touch the floor.” Drowos, who is also associate dean for faculty affairs at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and an associate professor of family medicine, offers patients osteopathic manipulative therapy, “which is designed to treat somatic dysfunction in the body, where people will have a little bit of pain usually related to just sort of being out of alignment,” she says.
“People can have a lot of different reasons for having discomfort, but when you’re in a situation where your work habits have changed so much … it’s become very difficult for people to take care of themselves just because of the work environment.”
A study published in the March 2021 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine identified some of those changes. Researchers found respondents worked longer days — an average of more than 48 minutes — while based at home. They also participated in more meetings — an almost 13% increase per person since work from home began.
“These intense and extended hours at the workstation without proper breaks might be directly linked to increased musculoskeletal discomfort and other negative physical health effects,” the study’s authors wrote.
That’s why ergonomics tops the list when Drowos talks to patients about preventing body stress and strain, whether working from home, in the office, or a mix of the two.
“The biggest thing to be mindful of is your workstation,” she says. “Make sure that when you’re seated and working, that you have an appropriate chair, your desk is at the appropriate height, you’re not hunched over, you have support for your back, and your wrists are in a comfortable position.”
Look around your workstation. Does it meet these Occupational Health and Safety Administration guidelines?
• Top of monitor at or just below eye level
• Head and neck balanced and in line with torso
• Shoulders relaxed
• Elbows close to body and supported
• Lower back supported
• Wrists and arms in line with forearms
• Adequate room for keyboard and mouse
• Feet flat on the floor
Once you’re well-situated, remember that stopping for activity is also important.
“Remember that our bodies are meant to move,” says Austin Brock, a certified fitness trainer and co-owner of Slash Fitness in Delray Beach. “I recommend that my clients never sit at their desks or in front of a screen for more than 30 minutes at a time. Get up, walk around and stretch.”
Brock regularly addresses technology-induced body issues in his line of work.
“Activities that consume most of our time these days are anteriorly focused, meaning that they cause us to roll our shoulders forward and extend our neck out away from our body,” he says.
“This is generally seen when we use our computer, tablet or phone, but it is also replicated when we drive and even when we eat. Mimic any of those movements right now, even without the equipment, and you’ll see what I mean.”
To avoid succumbing to pandemic posture, Brock recommends a combination of strengthening exercises and stretching movements.
“By doing so, the muscles in our core, our backs/shoulders and our glutes, our bodies are able to hold themselves in a more upright position. Corrective bodyweight exercises can be done almost anywhere and require little to no equipment.” 
Brock recommends consulting a certified fitness trainer to get the right exercise plan and minimize the risk of injury.
And even when you’re stuck in front of a screen, there are simple ways to stay limber.
“You can do some gentle neck rolling and neck stretches, assuming you don’t have any underlying injury. Our clinic offers chair yoga and meditation that’s all virtual,” Drowos says.
“Even though it’s virtual and you have to do it on the screen, you can at least have some relaxation and move your body in a way that’s healing.”
The classes are free to the public, but registration is required. You can learn more here: www.faumedicine.org/integrative-health/programs/index.php.
“I think the pandemic has gone on longer than any of us imagined,” she says. “When we first went home, it was sort of like, prepare for two weeks or three weeks and we’ll be back. So, I think just the recognition that the world is different, and work looks different. … Give yourself a great workstation and then make sure that you get up.”

Joyce Reingold writes about health and healthy living. Send column ideas to joyce.reingold@yahoo.com.

Two panels of Madeleine Fugate’s coronavirus memorial quilt will be on display at St. Paul’s in Delray Beach.
Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

On Nov. 7, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church will honor the lives lost to the coronavirus with a special Mass featuring Fauré’s Requiem sung by the chancel choir and chamber orchestra under the direction of music director David Macfarlane. The service begins at 3 p.m. at the church, 188 S. Swinton Ave. in Delray Beach.
Two panels of the coronavirus memorial quilt, created and compiled by ninth-grader Madeleine Fugate, will be displayed at the church during this event. Admission is free. A collection will be taken.
Upcoming concerts include “Strings and Keys,” featuring the Delray String Quartet on Nov. 21, and “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” for Christmas on Dec. 12. Visit www.musicstpauls.org or call 561-278-6003.

Open house
Saint John Paul II Academy will hold an open house from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 7 at 4001 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton. Middle and high school students who want to “live by the spirit of faith” are invited. Call 561-314-2128 or visit www.sjpii.net.

Yoga Mass
Yoga Mass is “three parts yoga, one part Mass,” says Father Benjamin Thomas of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, half joking. He leads the monthly service uniting body and mind at 4 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month.
In October, yoga Mass resumed on the beach at Red Reef Park because of ongoing construction at the church. The event starts with 20 minutes of yoga, followed by Mass.
For information about the Nov. 20 location, call the church at 561-395-8285, or visit www.stgregorysepiscopal.org or www.frbenjaminthomas.com.

Hanukkah under the stars
Hanukkah is early this year, beginning at sundown the Sunday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Community leaders and Rabbi Shmuel Biston will co-host an outdoor celebration of Hanukkah at Mizner Park Amphitheater, 590 Plaza Real in Boca Raton, from 5-9 p.m. Details are coming soon. Check the Chabad of East Delray website at www.jewisheastdelray.com.

Church bazaars
• Holly House Gift Shoppe — 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, and beginning 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Nov. 27 through Dec. 19, at 33 Gleason St., Delray Beach. Handcrafted gifts made by Holly House Ladies, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach. Crocheted baby blankets, designer and costume jewelry, tree ornaments, vintage Santas, shell designs, unique trees and wreaths, aprons, quilted place mats and runners. Visit www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/274048967908139/ to see the latest products.
• The Ecw Fall Bazaar — 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 13 in Harris Hall, St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Treasures include jewelry, collectibles, glassware, decorative items, tableware, kitchen items, toys, holiday décor and artwork. Email Rebecca Sorensen at rsorens51@gmail.com for additional information or to volunteer. 561-395-8285; www.stgregorysepiscopal.org

Interfaith Café in 2022?
The Interfaith Café, a group that met monthly in Delray Beach pre-pandemic, hopes to resume in-person meetings in January. The group “is a vehicle to get to know people of various faiths and cultural traditions while enjoying tea/coffee and a sweet,” said Linda Prior, an organizer.
“We have free monthly meetings when a speaker introduces a topic, then we break into smaller groups for lively conversation. We are interested in partnering with other interfaith/community outreach organizations.”
New members and guests are always welcome. Email InterfaithCafe@gmail.com for more information.

Roots and Wings bracelets are part of the nonprofit’s incentives to encourage kids to read more books. They come in 21 colors. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

A little reading goes a long way.
Experts say that increasing a child’s reading time by just six minutes a day can make a significant difference in meeting grade-level benchmarks.
Helping your child fall in love with reading will reap lifelong benefits. And reading well, even if your kid never falls in love with it, makes life easier in so many ways, from deciphering recipes to understanding cellphone contracts.
So how do we encourage youngsters to read?
Some might enjoy the socializing that comes with book clubs, while others might be motivated by earning free ice cream.
Here are a few ways to increase the reading fun:

The Boca Raton Public Library offers many programs for kids, including these book clubs:
• Booktastic Book Club for early readers meets from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. November’s book is Dragons and Marshmallows, by Asia Citro. Kids pick up a free copy of the book at the Youth Services desk once enrolled. Books are donated by the Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library.
• The Tween Book Jam will discuss Echo Mountain, by Lauren Wolk, from 6 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Downtown Library, 400 NW Second Ave.
• The Teen Book Club meets from 6-7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Downtown Library for a discussion of Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo.

Delray Beach Public Library (100 W. Atlantic Ave.) hosts two clubs. Keep in mind, anyone entering the library must wear a mask. • The Teen Book Club meets at 5 p.m. Nov. 16 as part of its schedule of the first and third Tuesday of the month. Designed for ages 13-17, November’s book is A Song Below Water, by Bethany C. Morrow. Copies are available for free at the library.
• The Readers are Leaders Book Club for grades 4-6 (ages 9-12) meets at 3:45 p.m. the last Monday of the month. In October, the club read Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust, a graphic novel by Loïc Dauvillier. Check www.delraylibrary.org for the Nov. 29 book or call 561-266-0194.

The Boynton Beach City Library (115 N. Federal Highway) hosts the Brown Bag Book Club from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Nov. 24 for ages 9-12. In observance of National Native American Heritage Month, kids will read a beautifully illustrated Oglala Lakota legend. They can pick up free copies of the book at the library.
• The Boynton library also hosts a chess club from 4-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Teen Game Day from 4-6 p.m. Thursdays. Call 561-742-6390 or visit www.boyntonlibrary.org.

The Highland Beach Library (3618 S. Ocean Blvd.), in an abundance of caution, has not resumed its children’s programs. It may be the first of the year before it does, but check the library’s website at https://highlandbeach.us/departments/library or call 561-278-5455.

Roots and Wings launches reading incentive program
In September, Roots and Wings, a nonprofit in Delray Beach that is dedicated to fighting illiteracy and promoting excellence in public education, began offering a special deal for students attending Delray Beach, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton schools. To encourage them to read, five area businesses came up with treats for young readers each time they complete reading three books of their choice.
To get their rewards, students record their book titles on their bookmarks and have each entry signed by the classroom teacher and stamped by the school. They can bring the completed bookmark to the business of their choice to collect the reward and a Roots and Wings wristband. Rewards include:
• A free scoop of custard from Whit’s Frozen Custard, 3551 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton or 200 NE Second Avenue in Delray Beach, for every three books read.
• $5 to open a custodial savings account at iThink Financial at locations in Delray Beach, Boca Raton and Boynton Beach.
• A 12-ounce smoothie from Tropical Smoothie Café, 512 E. Woolbright Road in Boynton Beach.
• A free round (18 holes) of mini-golf for kids younger than 12 (with an adult) at Putt’n Around, 350 NE Fifth Ave., Delray Beach.
• A free one-hour pass to the Silverball Museum, 19 NE Third Ave., Delray Beach.
For more information about Roots and Wings, visit https://rootsandwingsinc.org or call 561-404-0455.

By Janis Fontaine

Looking back over the last 18 months and the holidays of 2020, there’s a lot we could criticize, complain and cry about.
But the clergy who serve our community remind us that God loves a grateful heart and they, as leaders, are the first to sing his praises. Let’s join our hearts and voices with theirs and be thankful for what these last difficult months have taught us.
Four clergy leaders share what they’re grateful for as we close out 2021:
The Rev. Martin W. Zlatic, rector, Saint Joseph’s Episcopal Church, Boynton Beach:
I’m grateful God has brought us through this and for the commitment of a skeleton crew of people who kept the church going.
I’m grateful to members of the medical community, especially Barbara MacKenzie, our parish nurse, and Lyn Pope, an expert in industrial sanitation, who helped us keep things healthy. We didn’t have one incident.
I’m almost grateful for COVID because it enabled so many individuals to examine their priorities. That’s just one blessing coming out of this.
Father Benjamin Thomas of St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, Boca Raton:
I’m thankful that COVID held up a mirror to show us ourselves. We learned about our own deepest yearnings, and we were able to reassess our routines and habits. We stopped doing things by rote and thought about why we do them.
I’m thankful that I’ve been able to reach so many people via Zoom that I never would have reached. A couple who lives on a boat in Puget Sound became regular participants in my Zoom courses, and I think I’ve had viewers from 43 states and 18 countries. The teaching aspect that I love transmits very well on Zoom and I’m grateful for that.
Rabbi Shmuel Biston, Chabad of East Delray:
I’m grateful that people are returning to the synagogue, and that we are attracting new people. We had 75 people at a recent young professionals’ event. Our services for the High Holidays were standing room only. And that people know that it’s OK to bring their children with them to synagogue, and that they feel welcomed. The sounds of children will never bother me.
I’m grateful for jokes and laughter and my sense of humor, which are a big part of my services. Humor lets me keep a positive perspective and not take myself too seriously.
I’m grateful for my wife, who is pregnant with our second child, and the community members who have stepped up to help her and have taken ownership as members.
Pastor Andy Hagen, Advent Life Ministries:
I am deeply thankful to have been a witness of the goodness of believers who took care of each other and prayed for each other and loved each other through the last two years of trauma.
I am thankful for the courage and commitment of teachers and staff that serve over 450 children in our schools and those that care for the 40 residents at our senior living center.
The moment that touched me most recently was when a volunteer for our food distribution in Lantana approached me with a $100 bill and said, “Give this to a family and just tell them this is from someone that cares.” It was my privilege to watch the anxious face of one mother light up with joy and thanksgiving when I gave her the bill.
In the end, the best way to give thanks is to give to those in need without expecting thanksgiving in return. This Thanksgiving I recommend that we go and do likewise.

Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. Contact her at fontaine423@outlook.com.