Charles Milling and his son, Ellis, who was born last April during the pandemic shutdown. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

Is it too soon to call the coronavirus a gift?

For Charles Milling and millions of others, life slammed on its brakes a year ago. Today, Milling says the pandemic lockdown helped him rediscover his creative passion and gave him time to devote to his family and newborn son.

As the musical director at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach and the creative director of the Christian band Live Hymnal, Milling had a packed schedule.

“Pre-COVID, Live Hymnal had more gigs than we could handle,” he said. “I was working 100-plus hours a week. Work in the ministry is structured for burnout. It took a toll on my life and my health.”

Then the pandemic shutdown hit.

There were no Easter services. Live Hymnal’s gigs were canceled. The band wasn’t allowed to participate in services at St. Joseph’s.

Milling, 43, worried that the church wouldn’t be able to sustain itself without contributions from its parishioners and he’d lose his job. His wife, Julie, a teacher, was eight months’ pregnant with their first child.

“Over the following months, we were astounded at the way people rallied to make ends meet at our church,” Milling said. “Where some had to stop giving, others stepped up and gave more.”

In April, Julie went into labor and gave birth to Ellis Hyde Milling on April 19 at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach. Milling was grateful to be allowed at the delivery, but despondent when Julie contracted pneumonia and, two weeks later, he had to drop her off at the emergency room door.

He held his newborn son and turned to God.

“I didn’t know if we’d ever see each other again,” he said. “I never cried so much and prayed so hard in all my life. I couldn’t accept help from friends, and we have no family here. I was drowning in worry, dread, and had no clue how to take care of a baby. Eventually, Julie’s mom put on 65 masks, bathed in Purell and took a flight down to rescue me. I hadn’t slept for days. You have to weigh bad with bad and make the best bad decision in times like that.”

Julie was in the hospital for 10 days. She got stronger every day. Ellis was thriving.

“COVID taught me to be present,” Milling said. “COVID gave me ‘me time’ and family time. I got to focus on the parts of my life that set me on fire, and to rediscover my artistry. Like Elizabeth Gilbert says, creativity is capricious. You have to dance with it when it shows up, and the more you dance with it, the more it shows up.”

As the months went by, Milling found a new rhythm. He started getting up at 4 a.m. to practice and write. “You have to be strategic about it,” he says.

He has two rules: Don’t wait until later. “There’s always something more important that shows up. You have to put your artistry where no one can interfere with it. The other rule is never, ever listen to your inner voice in the first 10 minutes.”

It’s hard, but the rewards are worth it. “Inside that time, I find the greatest joy,” he said.

After breakfast with the family, Milling puts in eight hours at the church.

“I’ve had time to remind myself, this is why we do what we do,” Milling said. “I’m a songwriter and so much of my spirituality comes out in my music, but I was so busy, I’d lost sight of that.”

Time for reflection rejuvenated Milling’s passion for music and his goal to make a real contribution as a Christian musician. Besides producing and arranging, he’s a professional guitarist and bassist and does some vocals, drums, piano and mandolin.

There’s an occasional dip in Milling’s optimism. “My friends think I’m a downright Pollyanna,” he laughed.

“Charles is one of the most positive people I know,” said Father Marty Zlatic, St. Joseph’s rector. “His joy is in his smile, in his voice, in him. He just has a magnetic effect on people, especially kids.”

Milling believes in lagniappe — the Cajun philosophy that life gives us unexpected gifts. He says he saw those gifts materialize during the pandemic.

When St. Joe’s floundered technologically, gifted volunteers stepped up to modernize live-streaming capabilities. The great lawn became a place to hold outdoor services. Armed with plexiglass dividers, a reservation system and a setup that discouraged mingling, Zlatic and Milling succeeded in convincing the diocese that outdoor services were safe.

In his native New Orleans, Milling’s father was a helicopter pilot who played jazz piano each night to unwind after a tough day, so Milling heard jazz in the womb. He remembers devoting himself to both God and music around age 7.

“Before I ever picked up an instrument, I asked God, ‘please let me do music with my life.’ By 12, I was playing gigs every weekend.”

Milling studied humanities at NYU before transferring to Berklee College of Music, but he knew he’d found his calling when he realized “the only meaningful gigs I was playing were church music.”

His love for Christian hymns, some centuries old, has injected Live Hymnal’s music with a depth and authenticity that is missing from contemporary Christian music. The lyrics are more meaningfully themed from an Episcopalian perspective, Milling said.

The lockdown was a gift, reminding him why he started playing music, Milling said. “And more, it gave me the time to restructure my life so that I could live more into the heart space of what I do.”

Live Hymnal provides music during the outdoor services at the church on Wednesday evenings. Worship in your pod beginning at 6 p.m. Reservations needed. Call 561-732-3060. Visit www.livehymnal.com.

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

“Live From Beth El: It’s Saturday night!”

Temple Beth El of Boca Raton will virtually host its annual fundraiser, the Beth El Bash, via Zoom at 7 p.m. April 24.

And though the presentation may be virtual, the talent is the real deal: The featured musical guest is the award-winning singer, star of Broadway and movies, TV and stage, Idina Menzel.

Although Menzel has recorded six studio albums, she’s best-known for voicing Elsa in Disney’s Frozen in 2013. The signature song Let It Go is now a classic. It won an Oscar and a Grammy and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, making Menzel the first Tony Award-winning actress to reach the Top 10.

The 2020 Beth El Bash was canceled due to the coronavirus, so the temple reinvented this year’s event to honor pandemic heroes and heroines. In addition to the A-list entertainment, home-delivered sweet treats and raffles are planned. The event is open to the community.

Proceeds provide scholarships to Beth El, which are needed even more because of the pandemic.

Tickets for the Beth El Bash are $118 per person or $180 per household and available at www.tbeboca.org. Email Shayna Martinoff at smartinoff@tbeboca.org or call 561-314-2815 for more information.

Unity of Delray resumes in-person services 

With safety procedures in place, Unity of Delray, an interdenominational church, welcomes the community back to the church for in-person Sunday worship and other programming. Masks are mandatory on church grounds. The socially distanced capacity is capped at 50 people. Children’s lessons will remain online only, with video lessons available on the website.

Programs include:
• Tuesday prayer service, 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Reservations not required.
• Wednesday meditation service, 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary, with associate minister the Rev. Laurie Durgan. Reservations not needed. 
• In-person Sunday services, 9:25 and 11 a.m. Reservations required by noon Saturday at www.unityofdelraybeach.org; 561-276-5796; or email unitychurch@unityschool.com.

The 11 a.m. service will be streamed live and available at www.unityofdelraybeach.org.

Send religion news to Janis Fontaine at janisfontaine@outlook.com.

One of the easy ways to access the Ocean Ridge Natural Area is by boat. The floating docks also provide walkers easy access to a water view.
 Photo by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

At the intimate Ocean Ridge Natural Area, you’ll experience the beauty and benefits of a mangrove wetland plus the unique plants of a maritime hammock — a tropical hardwood forest — growing near the shore.

What you won’t see? Automobiles. There is absolutely no parking available. In fact, the only way to access the preserve is to walk, bike or boat.

Part of a 27-acre mitigation site, this almost 12.5-acre county-owned parcel opened as a natural area in 2006. It was created as a place not only for people to enjoy but also to comply with the law.

As the wetland trees were removed along roadways and from development sites, new trees including mangroves had to be replanted elsewhere so that the losses would be “mitigated.”

“When we first came out here, the land was covered with sand from the dredging of the Intracoastal. Its upper elevations were solid with Australian pines and all sorts of exotic vegetation. You couldn’t walk through here because there were mangrove ditches you had to cross,” says Harvey Rudolph, who oversaw the creation of this natural area as a senior environmental analyst for the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management before retiring in 2012.

You will find the entrance to the park at the end of the right of way for the part of Corrine Street that was never paved. From here, you follow the trail to a boardwalk that runs about 1,500 feet and provides the perfect introduction to mangroves — red, black and white.

BELOW: A father walks with his children on the boardwalk under the canopy of mangroves.  Photo by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

In fact, not only was the boardwalk laid out by Rudolph, but he also oversaw the planting of the 9,000 mangroves that have continued to multiply and thrive here. Much of the work in muck and mud was done by 90 volunteers.

“Ten years later, people have come back and said, ‘I planted that tree,’” says Rudolph, who also oversaw the planting of 5,000 other native trees, shrubs and grasses in this park.
The most recognizable mangroves are the reds that have prop roots with their feet in the water. Also called “walking trees,” these, like all mangroves, are important for preventing erosion.

“They protect high-energy shorelines where there’s lots of wave action. They break it and slow it down,” says Carolyn Beisner, the senior environmental analyst overseeing this area today. Mangroves also provide plenty of habitat for fish and birds.

The prolific reds grow in the deepest water with the blacks behind them followed by the whites in the shallowest areas.

Looking down at the water, you may see a lot of the cigar-shaped seeds of the red mangrove floating on their sides. When they soak up enough water, they float with pointy tips in the air.

If a seed hits a muddy spot, the heavier end facing down can put out roots; the tip can grow upward to create roots and shoots, explains Rudolph.

The mangroves also have adapted to living in the salty or brackish water by either secreting or excluding salt. If you lick the bottom of a black or white mangrove leaf, it will probably taste salty because these plants secrete salt; reds exclude it.

A manatee feeds on red mangrove leaves dangling near the water’s surface. Mary Kate Leming/The Coastal Star

“These are nature’s special adaptations for life in this kind of habitat,” says Beisner. You also may notice a sulfurous smell — the result of bacteria and fungi breaking down plant material and animal waste which then become nutrients supporting new life.

Coming to the end of the boardwalk, you probably won’t recognize the slight increases in elevation as you enter the half-acre maritime hammock, where plant roots are above sea level.

“It’s just inches, say a foot that makes a big difference in what grows. An upland can be 3 feet above high tide and you’ll have totally different plants growing at that elevation,” says Beisner, pointing to the salt-tolerant gumbo limbos, green buttonwoods, sea grapes, necklace pods and wild coffees found here.

You’ll also find cabbage palms, some embraced by strangler figs, saw palmettos, stoppers and wild limes attracting butterflies.

There is a 20-foot observation tower, but it is closed for repairs. It once had Intracoastal views but, as the hammock grew around it, the view now is mostly of native vegetation.
At the end of the path that is at sea level, you reach floating boat docks as well as more mangroves tucked away from the daily bustle of the beach community.

“This is a nice, quiet place,” says Rudolph.

If You Go
Where: Ocean Ridge Natural Area, 1 Corrine St., Ocean Ridge. The street going west off of A1A (North Ocean Boulevard) leads to the park entrance.
Open: Daily sunrise to sunset.
Parking: There is no automobile parking at this nature area. There is parking at Oceanfront Park, 6415 N. Ocean Blvd., Ocean Ridge, which is a .7-mile walk to the park (13 minutes), according to Google Maps.
Transportation: Visit by walking, biking (leaving your bike on a rack at the entrance) or boat. Tie up a small boat at floating docks dredged to about 7 feet — but, of course, this area is tidal, so take care.
More information: Visit https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/NaturalAreas/Ocean-Ridge.aspx.
Enjoy this satellite photo of the natural area on Google Maps: https://www.google.com/maps/@26.5240093,-80.0512728,668m/data=!3m1!1e3

Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley can be reached at debhartz@att.net.

The tween fiction section is part of an upgraded area for young readers made possible by a $25,000 grant. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

Three words tweens and teens love? “No adults allowed.”

“It’s important for kids to have their space,” librarian Sarah Figgie said.

Figgie is the head of children’s services at the Delray Beach Public Library. A former middle school librarian, Figgie is committed to bringing high quality materials geared toward kids to the library, and she wanted to make the new Tween Space as much a kid-magnet as possible.

“It’s tucked away in the corner, so it’s a little more private. We put up lots of inspirational posters and artwork and there are throw pillows,” Figgie said. It’s also located next to the tech lab, which has computers the kids can use.

Figgie knows the library has lots of competition for kids’ attention. “Kids have to choose to hang with us,” Figgie said. By providing books that kids want to read in a setting conducive to reading, Figgie hopes to lure them in. Sometimes that means books about new subjects, like the effects of online bullying. Other times, it’s the classic themes: love, loss, hope.

“Current issues should be reflected in literature, but some stuff will always be the same,” Figgie said. “Some books and themes are so timeless all we need to do is change the cover.”

The upgrades were made possible by a $25,000 grant from the Virginia and Harvey Kimmel Family Fund. The Kimmel family has been a valuable benefactor of the library for years, Figgie said.

“In general, our mission is to support art and education, especially in the marginalized and underserved population,” Sara Kimmel, Harvey and Virginia Kimmel’s daughter, said by phone. “A library that’s run well is a real asset to the community. It’s a no-brainer.”

Kimmel, a psychologist, also appreciates the focus on tween kids. “It was apparent how much need there was for these vulnerable kids, particularly girls, especially now when they’ve been isolated from their peers and mentors. We gave them a place to read, grow and play that is accessible to all.”

Expanding the tween book collection in the children’s department, which features fiction and nonfiction reads for 8- to 12-year-olds, was paramount, but the new space is also more kid-friendly. There are plans to add a large portable LCD monitor for group projects and gaming.

The pandemic means the area has no toys yet and that formal programming hasn’t resumed on site, but it will soon.

New members are welcome and opportunities continue to grow. Teenagers can take virtual volunteer positions — like writing book reviews to post on the library’s GoodReads page. In its efforts to bring kids together, the library has an environmental club that meets monthly for community service projects like beach cleanings.

Figgie said the library plans to start a Tween Club. It also plans to purchase tween/teen STEM kits that kids can take home to do science and technology experiments, presented as fun diversions.

As Figgie said, “We’re in the entertainment business. Then we sneak our education stuff in there.”

For more information, visit the library at 100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 561-266-0194; www.delraylibrary.org.

NOTE: Not all summer camp schedules have been set and some are tentative due to COVID. Please check thecoastalstar.com for additional information as it becomes available. Also, refer to listed websites for missing information such as pricing. If your organization offers a camp not listed, please send details to thecoastalstarcalendar@gmail.com

ARTS
Armory Art Center Summer Art Experience: 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach. Age 6-18. Art education in various media. 9 am-4:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6 (no camp 7/5). Junior Camp: Age 6-12 M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm $265/week in person, $240/week virtual; Teen Camp: Age 13-18 M-F 8:30 am-4:30 pm $315/week in person, $290/week virtual. Pre-care 7:45-8:30 am $7/day, $35/week; after-care 5-5:30 pm $7/day, $35/week; Morning & afternoon extended care combo $14/day, $70/week. 832-1776; armoryart.org/youthartcamps

Summer Art Camp: Boca Museum of Art School, 801 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Age 6-18. Explore artistic skills, expand connections to the natural world. Weekly themed camps. 9 am-noon & 1-4 pm M-F 6/21-7/30. $190/weekly per 3 hour camp. 392-2503; bocamuseum.org/artschool

CHURCH

Bible Week 2021: Vatican Express at St. Vincent Ferrer Family Life Center, 840 George Bush Blv, Delray Beach. Rising K-rising 5th grade; age 4-10. 9 am-noon 6/21-25. $50/child. 276-6892; stvincentferrer.com

Camp Keshet: Taubman Early Childhood Center at B’nai Torah Congregation, 6261 SW 18th St, Boca Raton. Age 2-6. Trained specialists lead activities designed to develop physical, social, creative skills. Sports, swimming, Shabbat, arts, crafts, yoga, cooking, more. M-F 6/14-7/9, 7/12-8/6 (closed 7/5) 9 am-3 pm (half days available for age 2-4) two 4-week sessions. Before-/after-care available at additional cost. Registration fee, deposit, & security due 6/1. $980-$5,282. 750-9665; bnaitorahecc.org/camp-keshet

Camp Mece: First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 625 NE Mizner Blvd. Age 2½ (potty trained) to 6. Arts & crafts, music, dance, computers, storytelling, dramatic play, explorations, sports, Bible time, field games, water play. 2-week minimum. Bring snack, lunch. 9 am-2 pm M-F 6/21-25, 6/28-7/2, 7/12-16 & 7/19-23. $175/week + $50 registration fee. 368-1215; meceboca.org/summer-camp

Camp Shalom: Mandel JCC, 8500 Jog Rd, Boynton Beach. Age 2 to 10th grade. 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/1-8/6 (closed 7/3) Camp Shalom $290/week. Specialty Camps $330-$660. Special Needs Camps $415. Yeladim Preschool Camp (561-732-7620) 6/1-7/31 age 2-4. M-F, 9 am-4 pm ($305-$335). $50 non-refundable registration fee. Before-/after-care available at additional fee. Payment in full is due 5/5. 259-3000; campshalom.org  

CROS Camp: Sunlight Community Church, 1325 N A St, Lake Worth or First Presbyterian Church, 235 SW 6th Ave, Boynton Beach. Grades K-8. Non-denominational Christian camp. 7:30 am-5 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $30-$40/week, $210-$280/entire summer; sibling discounts; $25 application process fee/child. 233-9009, x102; crosministries.org

First United Methodist Boca Overnight Camp: Warren Willis United Methodist Summer Camp in Leesburg. Grades 4-12. Beautiful camp on Lake Griffin divided into age-specific areas. Worship, small groups, ropes course, archery, swimming, arts/crafts, more. Accredited by American Camping Association; staffed with trained/certified college students. FUMC Boca week 7/26-31. $430. 395-1244; fumcbocaraton.org/category/summer-programs/  

Seacrest Presbyterian School: 2703 N Seacrest Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 2-8. Arts, crafts, science. 8:30 am-3:30 pm M-F 6/7-8/6. 5 Half day (8:30-11:30 am), 5 full days (8:30 am-3:30 pm) or 3 full days (M/W/F 8:30 am-3:30 pm). After-care 3:30-5:30 pm $5/hour. Call for pricing. 276-5552; seacrestchurch.com

St. Paul Lutheran School Summer Camp: 701 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Chapel, devotions, physical activities, arts and crafts, computer time, free play and field trips. Age 3 (potty trained) through grade 6 (entering in the fall). M-F 6/7-8/6. Daily and weekly fees include cost of hot lunch, am & pm snacks, field trips, materials and supplies. Half day: 7:30 am-12:30 pm; 12:30-5:30 pm; or 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Full day: 7:30 am-5:30 pm. Weekly half day: $170/child; weekly full day: $225; daily rate: $50. Sibling discounts available. Registration fee: $50 plus 2 full weeks of camp. 395-8548; cyberfalcon.com/Summer-Camp

Vacation Bible School at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 188 S Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. 8:45 am-noon 6/21-24. Free. 276-4541; stpaulsdelray.org

West Park Baptist Summer Day Camp: 4004 Lake Ida Rd, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. Sports, daily chapel, games, crafts, etiquette, life-skills training, self-defense training, swimming. Before/after care available. 8 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $125/week + $50/registration per camper. 495-2107; westpark-baptist.com

DANCE
Summer Dance Classes & Dance Intensives: Southern Dance Theatre, 1203 Knuth Rd, Boynton Beach. Super Hero Dance Camp age 3-5 ballet, tap, jazz, groovement 5:30-6:30 pm T/Th 6/29-7/29 $180. Rising Stars Dance Camp age 6-8 ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/28-7/9 $675/2 weeks. Summer Fun Dance Camp age 9-12 ballet, tap, jazz, modern, musical theater, hip hop 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/28-7/9 $675/2 weeks. Summer Intensive Program: Intensive 1, 2 & 3 for intermediate & advanced dancers by application & teacher placement only 9 am-3 pm M-F: 3-week program 6/12-7/30 $950/3 weeks; Intensive 4: by invitation only 4-8:30 pm M-F 7/19-8/6 $795/3 weeks. $20 registration fee. Family discounts available. Free before-care 8:30-9 am; after-care 3-5 pm $35/week. Registration: 736-9097; southerndancetheatre.com  

Ballet Palm Beach: 10357 Ironwood Rd, Palm Beach Gardens. Fairy Tale Ballet workshop: Dancers will learn about the great ballets plus help create their own costumes. Age 3-7 Levels Pre I-III 9:30 am-noon M-F 6/21-25 & 6/28-7/2. $185/week; Junior Ballet Intensive Beginning-Intermediate Workshop: Age 7+ Levels IV-VI 9:30 am-1 pm M-F 6/21-7/2 $485/2 weeks or $250/week; Senior Ballet Intensive - Intermediate-Advanced Workshop: Ages 11+ Levels VII-Trainee 9:30 am-4:30 pm M-F 7/5-30 $1350/4 weeks or $500/week. 630-8235; balletpalmbeach.org

GENERAL
ACCF Summer Camp at three locations: Achievement Centers for Children & Families, 555 NW 4th St, Delray Beach; Village Academy Center, 400 SW 12th Ave, Delray Beach; Pine Grove Elementary School, 400 SW 10th St, Delray Beach. Age 5-12. 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $130/week. 276-0520; achievementcentersfl.org 

American Heritage Summer Day Camp: 6200 Linton Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 3-14 Day Camp age 3-14 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Art Camp grades K-9 eight 1-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Robotics Camp grades 2-9 four 2-week sessions 6/14-8/6 8:30 am-3:15 pm $1,050/2 weeks. Science Adventure Camp grades 2-9 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 $525/week. Musical Theatre Camp grades K-9 eight one-week sessions 6/21-8/6 8:30 am-3:15 pm $525/week. Tuition includes lunch & snacks. Transportation/extended care available for a fee. Free morning care 7:45-9 am; Afternoon care 3:30-5:30 pm $75/week. 888-490-7467; ahsummerprograms.com

Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department Summer Camps: Age 5-12. Themed camps w/age-appropriate activities meet at various locations; Ezell Hester Community Center, 1901 N Seacrest Blvd 742-6550 & Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave, 742-6641. 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $575/resident; $715/non-resident. 742-6649; boynton-beach.org/camp

DeVos-Blum Family YMCA Camp: 9600 S Military Tr, Boynton Beach. Field trips, entertainment, arts & crafts, swimming, sports, games. One-week sessions 7:30 am-6 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. Registration fee $25. Traditional camp age 5-11 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $200-$300/week. Teen camp age 12-15 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $245-$345/week session. L.I.T. Camp for Teens/Leaders in Training age 12-15 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $500-$600/per session. Specialty Sports Camp age 7-12 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/21-7/30, $200-$300/week. Aqua Mania camp age 7-11 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/21-8/6 $225-$325/week. Mermaid Camp age 5-17 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2 & 7/19-23 $250-$350. Junior lifeguard camp age 12-16 M-F 9 am-2 pm 7/26-30 $200-$300/week. Youth/Teen Fitness Camp age 9-15 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/21-8/6 $200-$285/week. Preschool full-day camp age 3-5 M-F 7:30 am-6 pm 6/1-7/30 $650-$750/3-week session. Preschool part-time camp age 4-5 M-F 9 am-1 pm 6/1-11, 6/14-25, 7/6-16 & 7/19-30 $330-$390/2-week session. Sibling discount available. Virtual parent orientation 6:30 pm 6/16. 738-9622; ymcaspbc.org/summercamp

Florence Fuller Summer Camp: East Campus, 200 NE 14th St, Boca Raton & West Campus, 10130 185th St S, Boca Raton. Age 5-12. Outdoor sports, swimming, field trips, arts/crafts, nature activities, academic enrichment, computer classes and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/21-8/6. $140/week. Includes breakfast, lunch, snack. East Campus 391-7274; West Campus 482-3006; ffcdc.org

Kids Choice Sports, Dance and Fitness Camp: 6500 W Rogers Circle, Boca Raton. Gymnastics, karate, cheer, dance, circus arts, sports conditioning, arts & crafts, more. M-F 6/21-8/9. Drop off begins 8:30 am. Age 5+ ½ day (9am-noon or 12:30-3:30 pm) ¾ day 9 am-3 pm or full day 9 am-5 pm. Monthly rate (1 to 4 weeks) $454.84-$1256.24, Per week $244.54-$337.70; per day $57.54-$79.46. Extended care 7:30-8:30 am & 5-6 pm $10/day. Registration fees: $3/day to $60/annual family. 998-4225; gokidschoice.com

Gulf Stream School Summer Camp: 3600 Gulf Stream Rd. Grades Pre-K through 8. Academics, sports, technology, field trips, reading, more. Call school for brochure/schedules/costs. 276-5225; gulfstreamschool.org

Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Summer Camps: 9801 Donna Klein Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 2-16. Themes vary by age: early childhood, theater, upper, counselor in training. M-F 9 am-4 pm 6/14-7/9 (closed 7/5) & 7/12-8/6. Call for fee schedule; before- and after-care available at additional cost. 852-5090; levisjcc.org

Levis JCC Marleen Forkas Camp Kavod for Special Needs: 9801 Donna Klein Blvd, Boca Raton. Grades pre-K-12. Designed to enhance social, motor, language, other life skills to promote greater independence. All backgrounds/religious affiliations welcome; intake meeting w/Camp Director required. 2-week sessions M-F 9 am-4 pm 6/21-7/30 (closed 7/5). $850/2-week session; before- or after-care/$50-$130. 852-3269; levisjcc.org

Music, Dance & Drama Camps: Boynton Beach School of Music, Dance & Drama, 9804 S Military Tr, Ste. E2.7-9, Boynton Beach. Age 5-11. Music, dance & drama. Full day 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/21-25, 6/28-7/2, 7/26-30 & 8/2-6 $260/week. 2-week camp - Seussical The Musical 9 am-4 pm M-F 7/12-23 $598/session. 877-2435; boyntonmusicdance.com

Peter Blum Family YMCA Camp: 6631 Palmetto Cr S, Boca Raton. Traditional camp age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $200-$300/week. Teen camp age 12-15 M-F 6/21-8/6 8 am-5:30 pm $240-$340/week. Leaders in Training Camp age 13-17 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $390-$490/7-week session. Aqua Mania age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Jr. Lifeguard age 8-14 M-F 6/28-7/2 & 7/26-30 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Jr. Adventure Camp age 8-11 M-F 6/28-7/30 9 am-2 pm $240-$340/week. Chef Camp age 7-11 M-F 6/28-7/2 & 7/12-16 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Dance Camp age 7-11 M-F 7/5-16 9 am-2 pm $410-$510/session. Art Camp age 5-11 M-F 7/5-9, 7/19-23, 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Sports of All Sorts Camp age 5-11 M-F 6/21-8/6 9 am-2 pm $205-$305/week. Basketball camp age 5-11 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2, 7/12-16, 7/26-30 $205-$305/week. Karate camp age 5-11 M-F 9 am-2 pm 6/28-7/2, 7/26-30 $205-$305/week. Chase Donoff Special Needs Day Camp age 5-22 M-F 6/21-8/6 7:30 am-6 pm $200-$300/week. Fun Club extended care 7:30-9 am $25-$50/week; 2-6 pm $30-$55/week. $25 registration fee. Virtual parent orientation 6:30 pm 6/3. 395-9622; ymcaspbc.org/summercamp  

Pine Tree Summer Camps: Lynn University, 3601 N Military Tr, Boca Raton. Age 5-14. Half-day, full-day, overnight, specialty programs. Sports, arts & crafts, computer science, & more. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/21-7/9 & 7/12-30. $1160-$2,445/session includes hot lunch + instructional swim daily. Campers required to wear camp uniforms (available in LU campus store & online). After-care: until 4 pm $175; until 5:30 pm $350/session. Multiple session discounts available. 237-7310; pinetreecamp.com  

Saint Andrew’s School Day and Sports Camps: Saint Andrew’s School, 3900 Jog Rd, Boca Raton. Age 3-15. 8:40 am to 3:30 pm M-F 6/21-7/16 & 7/19-8/6 (choose 3, 4 or 7 weeks). Day Camp age 3-9 $425-$450/week; Sports & Sports Travel Camps age 6-13 $425-$450/week; Young Inventors age 5-8 6/7-11 $475-$500; Calling All Doctors Camp age 5-10 6/7-11 $475-$500; Little Veterinarian Camp age 5-10 6/14-18 $475-$500; Roblox Studio - Minecraft Camp age 7-12 6/14-18 $475-$500. Before-/after-care available at additional cost. 210-2100; saintandrews.net/summercamp  

Space of Mind Summer Camp: 102 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. Age 6-19. Campers explore their passions, discover new ones through the arts, music, movement, cooking, more. Experienced coaches create fun, personalized/exciting learning experiences for each child. Three available programs: Summer Discovery Camp and Summer Study Hall. Held 6/14-8/13. Age 5-14: Full day M-F 9 am-3 pm $80/day, $350/week. Ages 6-9: Half-day M-F 9 am-noon or Noon-3 pm $225/week; Full day M-F 9 am-3 pm $400/week. 877-407-1122; findspaceofmind.com/summer-camp

Summer Adventure Camp 2021: Beth El Early Learning Center, 9800 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton. Age 2-5. Weekly nurturing program explores adventure, sports, water & outdoor play, music & movement, arts & crafts, gardening, yoga, Hip Hop, music and more. 6 day/time options each session: 3-week session 3 days 9 am-1 pm, 9 am-3 pm, 7:30 am-6 pm $714-$1,050; 5 days 9 am-1 pm, 9 am-3 pm, 7 am-6 pm $1,130-$1,490. Session 1 6/1-18; Session 2 6/21-7/9; Session 3 7/12-7/30. Hot lunch, mid-morning/afternoon snacks included. $100/child registration fee to hold a spot. 391-9091; tbeboca.org/early-learning-center

TASC Enrichment Camp: St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 900 N Seacrest Blvd, Boynton Beach. Arts and crafts, dance fitness, social activities, Exer gaming, expressive writing, more. Breakfast, lunch, snack provided. 6/21-/6- M-F 8 am-6 pm; 7:30 am early drop-off. $30/camper. 847-4521; digitalvibez.org

Virtual Criminal Justice Summer Camp: Florida Atlantic University School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 14-17 (must be entering 9th-12th grade by fall 2020). Observe/participate in virtual crime lab, mock criminal trial, justice simulation lab and much more. Limited enrollment; first-come/first-served. 7/11-16. $500. 321-754-8112; fau.edu/sccj

MUSIC
School of Rock Summer Camps/Boca Raton: 141 NW 20th St, Ste F1 & F2, Boca Raton. Themed camps w/live performance finales. 9 am-3 pm M-F age 7-18 $380/week. Singer/Songwriter Performance Camp 6/7-11; Battle of the Bands Music Camp 6/14-18; Music Video Camp 6/21-25; Rock the Decades Camp 6/28-7/2; Radio Rewind Music Camp 7/5-9; BBQ Rocks Camp 7/12-16; Indie Palooza Camp 7/19-23. 430-2411; locations.schoolofrock.com/bocaraton

School of Rock Summer Camps/South Palm Beach: 7433 S Military Tr, Lake Worth. Themed camps w/live performance finales. 9 am-3 pm M-F age 7-18 $395/week. New Wave Camp 7/5-9; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! Camp 7/19-23; AC/DC Camp 8/2-6. 855-2646; southpalmbeach.schoolofrock.com

Youth Summer Music & Culture Camp: at Morikami Japanese Museum and Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Instruments and sheet music will be provided for participants to use in the class. Recommended companion Koto instructional book available for $35 from instructor Joseph Amato. Grades 3-12. 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/21-25. $250/week. 495-0233; morikami.org

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Digi-Camp Boca Raton: Grandview Prep School, 336 Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 6-12. Digital media technology, photography, film production, video game programming, maker camp, fabrication, engineering, coding, web building, robotics, drones. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/21-7/23. $197-$295/week. 236-0938; digicamp.com

The Science Academy Summer Camp: Morikami Park Elementary School, 6201 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach. Productive, hands-on learning environment. Early, sibling, friend registration discounts available. Grades K-8. 8 am-5 pm M-F 6/21-7/30. $230/week, 2-week minimum; $50 registration. After-care $60/week. 285-7522; thescienceacademyinc.com

South Florida Science Museum Summer Camp: 4801 Dreher Tr N, West Palm Beach. Themed weeks: engineering, space science, dinosaurs, marine biology, grossology, sports science, a variety of tech camps and more. 9 am-4 pm M-F. Science Ventures: Age 7-12 6/21-8/6 $250-$275/week. Tech Ventures: Age 7-12 6/21-25, 7/5-9, 7/19-23 & 8/2-6 $300-$325/week. Extended hours 7:30 am-5:30 pm available for a fee. 832-2026; sfsciencecenter.org

SPORTS
Evert Tennis Academy Summer Camp: 10334 Diego Dr S, Boca Raton. Age 8-18. Students who aspire to play professionally, earn a college scholarship, or simply improve their game. 5/31-8/20 (12 weeks). Boarders’ program 7 am-10 pm Sun-Sat, $1,595-$2,095/week. Non-boarders 8:45 am-3:30 pm M-F lunch included $1,095-$1,595/week. Half-day (mornings) $695/week. Multi-week discounts available. 488-2001; evertacademy.com 

Fishing Camp: meets at west side of Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton.  Age 6-13. Tie different knots, bait a hook, identify different Florida fresh and salt water fish, water safety. Fishing equipment provided. T-shirt, daily snack, prizes, rod/reel to keep included. 9 am-noon M-F 6/21-25 & 7/26-30. Per week $100/resident; $125/non-resident. Register: 347-3900; sugarsandpark.org

Lil Sluggers Baseball: Sugar Sand Park, 300 S Military Tr, Boca Raton. Age 2-5, Every Sat or Sun 7/10 through 8/29. Designed to introduce children to baseball; time slots specific to age group. $144/resident; $180/non-resident

Ocean Adventure Camp: South Inlet Park, 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 5-15. Fun/adventure through education/exploration of Florida’s waters. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/14-8/13 $325/week, $79/day. Registration: 715-0499; underbluewaters.com

Summer Golf Camp: Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course, 8111 Golf Course Rd. Age 7-17. Games, competitions, awards. Lunch/snacks included. Weekly M-F; 6/14-7/2 & 7/12-30. $272/resident; 4320/non-resident. 777-8219; bacigolf.com

Surf Adventures Camp: Atlantic Dunes, 1605 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. Fun/adventure through education/exploration of Florida’s waters. 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/7-8/13 $325/week, $79/day. 715-0499; underbluewaters.com

THEATER
Mizner Park Cultural Center Broadway Camp: 201 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. The Lion King Jr. age 7+ 6/21-7/31, M-F 9 am-4 pm $99/registration deposit, $249/week, $1494/6 week session. Sibling discounts, pre-care (8-9) and after-care (4-6) packages available. 844-672-2849; miznerparkculturalcenter.com/summer-camp

Broadway Artists Intensive: Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. Age 14-22 by audition only. 2-week immersion in acting, voice, dance; taught by all-Broadway faculty including special guest artists. Intensive 7/12-23. 10 am-5 pm. $1,100. Optional housing & meals available. 855-554-2929; thebroadwayartistsintensive.com
Broadway Artists Intensive Junior Program: Palm Beach Atlantic University, 901 S Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach. Ages 9-13. Introductory session for all areas of performing arts: ballet, jazz, tap, vocal technique, acting, improvisation. No audition necessary. 6/28-7/2 9 am-4 pm. $450 + $55 meal plan. 651-4376; thebroadwayartistsintensive.com

Delray Beach Playhouse Summer Camp: 950 NW 9th St. Age 6-16. Check audition/rehearsal schedule for times. Broadway Camp: Elf The Musical Jr. age 6-12 6/21-7/17, M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit, $249/week, $996/4 week session. Summer Fun Camp: age 6+ 6/21-8/6, M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit, $175/week, $750/7 week session. 272-1281; delraybeachplayhouse.com

Standing Ovation Performing Arts: 7429 S Military Tr, Lake Worth. Age 6-16. Weekly themes: acting, pantomime, improvisation, playwriting, crafts. Shrek age 5-17 M-F 9 am-3 pm 6/21-7/9 $675/3-week session, $225/non refundable deposit due at registration. 734-0187; standingoh.com  

Theatre Jamboree Camp: Lake Worth Playhouse, 713 Lake Ave. Different theme each week. Build props, play games, crafts, talent shows, more. Weekly camp 6/21-7/30 M-F 9 am-4 pm. $150/week. 586-6410; lakeworthplayhouse.org

Virtual Youth Summer Theater Camp: Bob Carter’s Actor’s Workshop & Repertory Company & Youth Actors Guild, 1000 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach. Virtual Theatre Camp: age 7-11, M/W/F through 7/16, Noon-2 pm, $135/6 days; Virtual Teen Summer Camp: age 12-17, T/Th through 7/15, Noon-2 pm, $90/4 days. 392-2503; bocamuseum.org/artschool

The coastal style living room features vaulted ceilings with windows and sliders opening to a lush tropical landscaped lot overlooking the Red Reef golf course.

This beautiful furnished beach house is in the prestigious Sun and Surf neighborhood of East Boca.

The house sits on an oversized lot on a quiet cul-de-sac and backs to Red Reef Executive Golf Course on State Road A1A.

The kitchen has Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, as well as Calacatta marble countertops.

Remodeled in 2017, the home has impact glass windows and doors, gorgeous hardwood floors and vaulted wood ceilings. The gourmet kitchen opens to a cozy family room with a fireplace.

VIP first- floor guest suite overlooks a tranquil garden.

There are two bedrooms downstairs and a master and two additional bedrooms upstairs. The master suite has a morning bar, super-large closets and a fabulous oversized bath with expected amenities.

The outdoor area has a summer kitchen, heated pool and spa, plus patios, terraces and a pergola off the family room.

The outdoor area is an entertainer’s dream with mature landscaping overlooking the golf course, an open, poolside pavered patio as well as a covered patio for dining from the outdoor kitchen, terraces, a summer kitchen and wrap-around heated pool with spa.

Offered at $2,799,000 by Joyce Schneider of Castles By The Beach Realty, 561-212-4403 or joyce@castlesbythebeach.com.

By Mary Hladky

Incumbents Monica Mayotte and Yvette Drucker easily defeated challengers Tuesday to win three-year terms on the Boca Raton City Council.

With all 38 precincts reporting, Mayotte bested Brian Stenberg in the race for Seat D by winning 58.4 percent of the vote. Drucker took 50.6 percent of the vote to surpass three opponents in the Seat C race.

City Council members in October appointed Drucker to temporarily replace term-limited Jeremy Rodgers after he was deployed on an overseas military assignment.

Both Mayotte and Drucker won endorsements from Mayor Scott Singer and Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke.

“I am just very proud that the Boca Raton voters have put their trust in me for another term and proud to represent them for another three years,” Mayotte said.

During the campaign, voters spoke to her about issues that they want her to address. “I look forward to bringing all these ideas forward,” she said.

“This campaign proved that truth matters and Boca Raton looks forward, not backward,” Drucker said, referring to the negative campaigning against her by her chief competitor, former City Council member and Deputy Mayor Constance Scott, who won 33.8 percent of the vote.

“I am looking forward to the next three years,” she said.

Mayotte, a former sustainability specialist with JM Family Enterprises and a strong advocate of environmental protections, campaigned on helping the city’s businesses recover economically from the coronavirus pandemic, ensuring public safety, and pursuing responsible and innovative development.

Stenberg, vice president of the Boca Raton medical office real estate management firm The Greenfield Group, stressed helping businesses recover, the importance of finding a strong replacement for City Manager Leif Ahnell who plans to retire in 2024, and finding ways to make up for the pandemic-induced decrease in commercial property values.

Drucker, a first-generation Cuban American who is the first Hispanic to serve on the City Council, prioritized helping businesses recover, and common sense but smart development.

A former human resource manager for ADP, Drucker is a longtime volunteer with many organizations, including the Boca Raton Historical Society and Junior League of Boca Raton.

Scott, who is now director of local relations at Florida Atlantic University, prioritized public safety, helping businesses recover and protecting the city from overdevelopment.

The two other candidates for Seat C were Josie Machovec, a stay-at-home mom who is best known for being one of four plaintiffs who filed a lawsuit to overturn Palm Beach County’s mask mandate. The litigation is ongoing in court. She won 10.6 percent of the vote.

Bernard Korn, a real estate broker, has twice lost elections to Singer and says he is now also running to defeat U.S. Sen. Rick Scott. He did not participate in candidate forums and received no campaign contributions. He garnered 4.9 percent of the vote.

In the final weeks of the races, Stenberg and Scott pivoted to negative campaigning.

Stenberg accused Mayotte of having the “wrong priorities,” “offending residents” and “costing taxpayer money.” Mayotte did not return fire, saying residents wanted to know candidates’ stands on the issues.

Scott claimed Drucker was unfairly chosen to replace Rodgers in a “political power grab” and is “bankrolled by special interests.”

In response, Drucker said Scott lied about her record and accused her of having ties to special interests and to former Mayor Susan Haynie, who is now awaiting trial on public corruption charges.

Voters also approved two proposed city charter amendments.

One lengthens the time a person must have lived in the city from 30 days to one year before they can qualify to run. It also disqualifies candidates from running who have a homestead exemption on property outside the city limits.

The second amendment eliminates the requirement that candidates pay a $25 qualifying fee. It instead requires candidates to submit a petition with the signatures of at least 200 city voters.

 Sarah Smith of Gulf Stream grips Keke’s bridle. ‘Horses are such beautiful creatures,’ she says. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star 

Coastal community equestrians share fondness for a top-notch lesson and show stable in Delray

By Ron Hayes

While Gray Smith was busy settling in as the new head of Gulf Stream School back in July 2019, his wife was busy looking for something she couldn’t find in town.
Sarah Smith needed a place to ride horses.

“I grew up in Overland, Kansas, and I’ve been riding since I was a little girl,” she explains. “I had Dustin, a thoroughbred gelding I showed at high-level shows. When I went off to Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, I was able to take him with me because they had an equestrian program. And then I rode in law school, too.”

Smith asked around, and learned two things. A lot of adults and children in the coastal communities ride, and most recommended Bramasole Stables at Johnson’s Folly Horse Farm.

Just off Military Trail north of Atlantic Avenue, the closest stables to Gulf Stream sit on 8 acres only 3 miles west of downtown Delray Beach, a beautifully rural spread of grass paddocks, dressage arenas and a new covered riding ring.

Now Smith is out there twice a week, riding a jumper named Keke.

“I just love the animal,” she says. “Horses are such beautiful creatures. They’re very smart, and then there’s the sport, which is one of the few where men and women compete against each other. You and the animal are competing as a team.”

The hand-painted sign above Keke’s stall.

She’s often accompanied by the couple’s sons, Ward, 8, and James, 10.

Ward Smith has been riding since he was 4 — half his life. At Bramasole, he favors an American paint named Rocky.

“I almost fell off once when my foot came out of the stirrup,” he says, “but I love riding. It’s fun. It makes me feel good.”

The owner and trainer at Bramasole is Kim Nadler-Russo, who began riding in the first grade, started competing at horse shows in the fifth grade, and has made a career of her love for the sport.

In 2003, she opened her first stables in Parkland and named it Bramasole, Italian for “under the sun.” Eight years ago, she brought the business to Johnson’s Folly Horse Farm.

“About 30 or 40 percent of our riders are from the coastal communities,” she says, “and many of those are from the Gulf Stream School.

“We show from beginners to Double-A, the highest level of competition. We’re a lesson and show barn, a more advanced farm. We don’t do trail rides. No birthday parties, no pony rides. We’re a serious barn.”

Another serious equestrian from Gulf Stream School is Sarah Ghostine, 14, of Hypoluxo Island, who came to riding when a school friend shared her love of horses.

Sarah Smith on Keke (l-r), Gracie Robinson on Sky, Sarah Ghostine on Luke The Duke, and Allison Adams on Tank, with Bramasole Stables trainer Kim Nadler-Russo. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Her mother, Debra, was not sure this was a good idea.

“I said, ‘OK, try it,’ but I was kind of hoping she’d maybe not get too into it,” she recalls. “Then Sarah said she wanted to take lessons and I had to go up to the horses and pretend I wasn’t nervous.”

That was five years ago.

“When I started, I hadn’t been into sports,” Sarah says. “I was only concentrating on academics, so I started riding for fun and came to love the animals.”

Now she’s at the stable six days a week from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Then home to homework. The family leases a Holsteiner named Luke The Duke, and for Sarah, he’s not just a horse. He’s a teammate in the sport.

“Luke loves his job,” she says. “He has such a passion to go out there and jump and have fun. Sometimes he refuses to jump. He’ll stop short right in front of the fence. There’s so much you have to think about when you’re riding. Posture, legs and sitting tall. You can have bad rides, too.”

Sarah Ghostine, 14, says Luke The Duke ‘loves his job.’

Allison Adams of Ocean Ridge was visiting her grandparents in Londonderry, Vermont, where a neighbor used a draft horse named Pete when collecting maple syrup.

“I met my first horse at 3 years old and I was in love,” Adams recalls.

At 16 she was working at a show stable back home in Pennsylvania, and a year later she got her first horse, Roy, short for Royal Ascot.

Since then, she’s had Knight Course and Willow Grove, Nugget, Frosty and Picasso.

These days, it’s Cantankerous, a gift from her husband, Bob, for their 20th anniversary.

“I call him Tank for short because he looks like a tank,” she says. “He’s huge and tall and wide. The most impressive horse I’ve ever seen in my life. To have control of a 1,500-pound animal is the most amazing feeling, the adrenaline rush of getting him to do what you want. But if you’re scared, the horse can sense it. You have to have horse sense or you’re going to get stepped on.”

Six days a week, she and Tank are together at Bramasole.

“It’s like a family here at the farm, friendly and laid-back with a top-notch riding program,” Adams says. “Kim’s a great trainer.”

A love of horses does not necessarily travel from parent to child, or vice versa. Gracie Robinson, 13, of Delray Beach, has been riding since the first grade. At Bramasole, her horse is Sky. But ask her father, Joe, if he rides and you get a poker-faced reply.

“I do not,” he says. “I’m from Brooklyn.”

They’re a special breed, equestrians. Talk to several riders, and you find that, whether they own horses or lease them, no matter their age or the breed they ride, they share a common experience.

They started out riding a horse, and wound up having a relationship with it.

“It’s different every day, and it’s a humbling sport,” Nadler-Russo explains. “One day you’re on top of the world and the next day you can’t do a basic exercise, so just because you’re in the mood to do something one day doesn’t mean the horse is. People don’t realize that both the rider and the horse have to be athletes.

“You’re dealing with two brains.”

Making sure the event will be safe, (l-r) Connie Schaefer, Peggy Paterra, Phyllis Cofrancesco and Regina Derojas are ready to take temperatures and provide hand sanitizer. Photo provided

By Amy Woods

Face masks and social distancing are not the highlights of the Boca Raton Garden Club’s new event, Spring Fling, but they are required.

Instead, the highlights are clever hand-painted terra cotta “people” pots with heads and dangling hands and legs and angel figures created from tropical palm fronds. There are also one-of-a-kind wind chimes made of natural wood, embroidered casserole carriers, jewelry bags and kitchen aprons.

“One of the ladies today was making a wreath with flowers on it,” said Patty Moum, the club’s third vice president and event co-chairwoman. “They are all things that you would put in your house for the summer.”

Spring Fling is a combination craft show and plant sale set for March 19 and 20. Attendees at the indoor/outdoor event must wear face masks and practice social distancing as well as submit to temperature checks and comply with other COVID-19 safety measures.

“We are really following all the rules,” Moum said. “In addition, we know with COVID, a lot of people are out of work or are struggling a bit, so we’ve made our prices very, very affordable.”

The angel figures created from palm fronds — the club’s signature product — usually are sold at Christmastime in gold, silver, maroon and other colors of the holiday. Now they are available in blue, green, pink and turquoise.

“Some are decorated with shells on their collar,” Moum said. “People just love them. They sell like hotcakes because they’re so beautiful.”

“We’re the only ones who make them, and we don’t tell people how we make them,” added Mary Kaub, the club’s president and event co-chairwoman. “It’s something that is unique to our club.”

They are 18 or so inches in length and run less than $20. The more that are sold, the better.

“We desperately need the money because we’ve lost a lot of fundraising this year, and as a nonprofit we have to keep our door open,” Kaub said. “It’s been quite challenging.”
Spring Fling anticipates 200 guests during its two-day run and $4,000 in proceeds.

“Meanwhile, our garden club is trying everything we can to help our club survive so we can continue to serve our community,” said Charlene Smith, publicity chairwoman. “Our mission is to educate the public about the environment, conservation, the right place right plant — there's a lot of knowledge we want to make the public aware of.”

If You Go
What: Spring Fling
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dates: March 19 and 20
Where: 4281 NW Third Ave., Boca Raton
Cost: Free
Information: 561-994-5642 or www.bocaratongardenclub.org

Steve Muschlitz, founder of Wheels from the Heart, donated a car to a woman and her children who are clients of CityHouse. Heather Cochran, a family advocate and case manager at CityHouse, accepted the gift on the family’s behalf. LEFT: Muschlitz, with his dog Enzo, hands over the keys to Cochran. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Amy Woods

The Children’s Foundation of Palm Beach County has launched an initiative titled “The Partnership,” modeled after Wall Street.

The Partnership encourages members of the community to purchase a “share” for $500, with each “share” representing a vote to select grant recipients.

In all, five grant recipients will benefit from $50,000 apiece.

Organizations vying for the monies include Boca Helping Hands, Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Junior League of Boca Raton, Place of Hope, Sweet Dream Makers, and YMCA of the Palm Beaches.

Office Depot gives $15,000 to Pace Center for Girls

A new community partnership has been formed with Pace Center for Girls in Palm Beach County by Boca Raton-based Office Depot.

The nonprofit organization addresses the social needs of girls ages 11 to 17 by providing them with opportunities to better their futures through academics, counseling and independent-living skills. In addition to the $15,000 donated to the program, local members of Office Depot’s Women of Color group will offer mentoring services.

For more information, call 561-472-1990 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/palm-beach.

Diaper Bank to become independent nonprofit

A separate board of directors with its own slate of members will govern the Junior League of Boca Raton’s successful Diaper Bank.

The Diaper Bank will transition into a standalone 501(c)(3) by January 2022 while continuing to collect diapers for distribution to families in need.

“With the success of our Diaper Bank and the ever-growing need for diapers in our community, it is our responsibility not only to recognize how far we’ve come but also to meet the need for growth we are seeing,” said Cristy Stewart-Harfmann, Junior League president. “We are excited to announce that we will be gifting this incredible project to the community, allowing for its continued expansion.”

Nias is named president of Community Foundation

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties has named Danita Nias as its new president and CEO.

Nias, who has more than 20 years of experience in fundraising, strategic planning and higher education, this month will succeed Brad Hurlburt, who is retiring after seven years.

“Our board of directors is thrilled to introduce a leader of Nias’ caliber to help guide the strategic direction of the Community Foundation,” said Julie Fisher Cummings, board chairwoman. “Nias brings a wealth of experience, expertise, enthusiasm and most importantly a passion for serving all people in our communities.”

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

Lantana Mayor Dave Stewart presented Baller with a proclamation. Photo provided

Irene Baller, who was born Feb. 3, 1917, in Poland and is a Holocaust survivor, celebrated a milestone 104th birthday with family and friends. At the celebration were Baller's daughter, son-in-law and grandson — who played the piano as everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Baller and others at the senior living facility.

(l-r) Council President Michele DeGennaro; board members Peggy Brown and Rebecca Fordham; Monsignor Stephen Bosso; and board members Anne Dunn, Rose Marie Amato, Barbara Sheridan and Eleanor Hoffmann. Photo provided

The stage was brimming with clothes, toys, diapers, cribs, infant car seats, household goods and nonperishable food collected by the Palm Beach Diocesan Council of Catholic Women. Parishioners selected recipients from the Angel Tree and purchased and colorfully wrapped hundreds of basic necessities and cheerful gifts.

Price holds a Certificate of Merit, the highest award the American Red Cross gives. Photo provided

The Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross honored Jonathan Price for saving the lives of three boaters. Price used his skills and training to rescue the trio, who capsized at Ocean Inlet Park in Ocean Ridge, where Price was on duty as lifeguard. He went to the vessel and ensured the three stayed above water until they could be brought ashore. ‘Jonathan is a true hero,’ said Jennifer Durrant, the chapter’s executive director. ‘His quick and decisive action during a crisis takes the highest level of courage. It’s our hope that his bravery inspires others to get trained in skills that save lives.’

Amar opened in January and serves Lebanese food, something Atlantic Avenue diners ‘can’t get anywhere else,’ owner Nicolas Kurban says. Photo provided

By Jan Norris

What pandemic?

A recovery is taking hold along Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, where restaurants are bustling again and new ones have opened to fill empty spaces quickly.

One reason is the season: North-easterners have flocked south to escape extreme cold and heavy snow, and used the relaxed safety rules for COVID-19 in South Florida as an excuse to get out of lockdown mentality.

Then there’s the vaccine, which has reached more than 3 million doses in Palm Beach County. With careful optimism, some of the older adults who had stayed away from crowds are venturing out once more and helping to fill the outdoor seating at restaurants on the avenue.

Elizabeth Grace, of the Buzz Agency public relations, said she saw a boisterous group of seniors partying at one restaurant in late January. Asked what they were celebrating, they said, “We got the vaccine.”

Newcomers like Lionfish and the reborn Johnnie Brown’s continue to fill seats. Taru at Sundy House brought back diners with a social hour at its bar and a Sunday brunch.

Despite delays brought about by the pandemic, the Delray Marketplace is nearing completion, and scheduled to be open by April with a variety of vendors and food choices.

Nicolas Kurban has seen the surge at his new restaurant, Amar. The Lebanese bistro opened in January in the former Scuola Vecchia, and he has hosted a variety of diners, with a full house most nights.

“We don’t take reservations for the outside tables — we’re too small. If they arrive and there’s a table, great. Otherwise, they can sit indoors, and some do, saying they’ve been vaccinated and feel comfortable doing so. Others say they’ll wait till they get the vaccine,” he said.

The new Mediterranean restaurant already has a buzz, with word-of-mouth touting its unique cuisine. “We are offering something different on the avenue, something they can’t get anywhere else,” Kurban said.

It’s what drove him to open a place with his native cuisine.

“My wife and I would go out to eat, but there was nothing new on the avenue. Dozens of Italian, some good, some mediocre. Mexican, Asian. I wanted to do something different.”

Kurban has more than 20 years of experience opening restaurants for others in the United States, mostly A-list chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Thomas Keller with their expansions into Las Vegas, California and Chicago. He also worked several years for the Wynn Resorts, opening hotels, casinos and dozens of restaurants for the successful group.

A more recent move to the Kimpton Group brought him to the East Coast, opening hotels and restaurants along the coast, into the Caribbean and on to Europe.

He was able to work remotely, so moved to Delray Beach to be near the ocean with his spouse and business partner, Susanna.

He had been looking for the right spot to open a restaurant of his own, to share his favorite foods from his father’s restaurant and his mother’s kitchen.

“My family owned famous restaurants in Lebanon. I want to share that food with South Florida,” Kurban said.

The menu has both traditional favorites and regional Lebanese dishes that may be unfamiliar to some diners.

“My menu is a little of both. You’ll find the traditional mezze — tabouli, grape leaves, hummus and baba ganouj, falafel. You’ll find the grilled kebabs, fattoush — all that, which is what people really like, because they don’t get it everywhere.

“But in addition to that, there’s also some stuff on the menu that no one is familiar with. So one dish I took from my childhood, which is sheikh mahshi, which is eggplant. So you take a baby eggplant and cook it, and eventually stuff it with ground beef, onions and pine nuts, and serve it with tomato sauce next to a rice with vermicelli. This is very home cooking.”

He offers a vegan version of the dish, made with chickpeas and spinach, as a nod to his wife and daughters — all vegans. At least 30% of the menu is vegan.
Susanna is the mastermind behind the plant-based desserts.

“My wife is an amazing baker, and makes a chocolate cake with tahini sauce and a semolina cake that is vegan. We thought of everyone. You go to a restaurant and eat vegan and get to dessert: There’s nothing for you. Half our desserts are vegan.

“They’re so good, especially the chocolate cake, if I didn’t tell you it was vegan, you’d never know,” Kurban said.

A curated wine list includes his favorite California wines, with an international eclectic group that includes a few Lebanese wines. Those are so popular with guests that he’s ordering others.

He says he’s a month or two away from adding specials, but wants to eventually offer dishes that rotate to keep the menu exciting for frequent diners.

Diners can leave it all in the chef’s hands, however, with the multicourse “Taste of Amar” menu, a chef’s tasting menu to share among a group.

Takeout and catering are also available.

Amar Mediterranean Bistro, 522 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Phone 561-865-5653; www.amardelray.com. Open for dinner at 5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays.

Also new on the avenue is a New York import, Avalon Steak and Seafood. Created by Host Restaurant Group, the parent of well-known Campagnola, Scarpetta, American Cut Steakhouse and several others in the Northeast, Avalon opened in mid-February with a complete new build-out at 110 E. Atlantic.

The restaurant meshed the former Italian restaurant Casa L’Acqua with a cigar bar. In a total redo, the coastal-themed steakhouse transformed a dining room and bar into an indoor-outdoor, bilevel space, closing in a corner entrance and moving it to the center of the dual spaces.

The bar opens to the patio with stools inside and out. The wraparound covered patio offers socially distanced tables with a unique atmosphere.

The restaurant’s design is described as “Montauk flair and Nantucket panache” — approachable but sophisticated coastal. Wraparound windows add natural light, while white-paneled walls, cool cream leatherette and modern fixtures speak comfort and entice guests to linger. Music is throwback 1970s and ’80s pop and rock at a level diners can still talk around. Service is paced with no rush.

“Dinner was made to savor,” said Curt Huegel, Host Restaurant president.

A modified menu kicked off a soft opening, but represented the planned main offerings. The starters are mostly seafood such as lump crab cocktail and a traditional shrimp cocktail with house-made sauce. The “angry lobster” is a large bowlful of cracked lobster, with house-made Sriracha, ginger and large Pullman toast points.

Popular as a vegetarian entree, a roasted cauliflower is presented as a charred half-head of the vegetable, served with tahini and an herb vinaigrette. Another unique side is the lobster kimchi fried rice.

“Lobster mac and cheese is so ’90s. We wanted to do something different, lighter,” said Antonello Paganuzzi, managing partner and director of operations. He comes from a pedigree of hospitality that includes Le Cirque and other top dining venues in New York, Las Vegas, Miami and London.

He described the lengthy and exact aging process for the Midwestern beef that becomes the prime steaks at Avalon. “No injections, nothing extra. The meat is cut to our order, and boom! Immediately into the box, aged exactly at temperature to our specification.”

A choice of dry aging or wet aging is offered with cuts such as bone-in or boneless ribeye, petite filet mignon, and the Kansas City cut New York bone-in steaks. A 36-ounce, dry-aged tomahawk, aged 30 days, is a signature cut.

Seafoods include crudo starters of hamachi and tuna.

Charred octopus tentacle is served with cannellini beans and diced pancetta, cherry tomatoes and drizzled with chimichurri.

As an entree, a Maine halibut fillet is served with tri-cauliflower, with a flavor mix of pine nuts, capers and currants, sauced with citrus brown butter.

Also unique to the menu: 28-ounce dry-aged, bone-in tuna “ribeye.” For plating, it is sliced into long “ribs” perfectly seared with end bone attached.
Salad dressings, steak sauces and bread are made in-house.

“It’s all about quality,” Paganuzzi said, “and hospitality.”

Servers go through a training and testing regimen before working on the floor.

Those details will set Avalon apart from others, Paganuzzi said.

Avalon Steak and Seafood, 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. www.avalondelray.com. Open for dinner daily.

The old ice cream and burger stand Doc’s All American closed last month after withstanding years of development around it. The diner, which operated since 1951 at the corner of Swinton and Atlantic avenues, was sold to a developer who has posted plans to open Swinton Station, a mixed-use project.

A lawyer for the developer says it is in the process of applying for a historic designation for the site. The City Commission must weigh in before that happens. The closing took commissioners by surprise. Published reports suggest there may be plans to reopen the restaurant in the future.

We were unable to reach Doc’s owners for comment.

Chez Andrea, a French restaurant that opened in Boynton Beach’s downtown a few weeks before the pandemic, has closed. An effort to pivot to takeout was unsuccessful. 

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

Struggling with the pandemic has put some people’s fitness goals on hold. If you want to get back into it, start small and expand your workout over time, owners of Slash Fitness in Delray Beach advise. Photo provided

By Joyce Reingold

Last spring Margo Willis, a seasonal resident of Delray Beach, saw pandemic closures knock out favorite parts of her fitness routine.

First to go were the chair yoga classes she and her husband, Stuart, enjoyed several times a week at their Boca Raton gym. Swimming was out when the community pool closed. They could still walk, another activity they enjoyed together. But as the pandemic delayed their return North, they faced the challenge of muggy heat.

“I was not comfortable walking, but I continued to do it because I knew I had to. There was no choice,” says Willis, a retired teacher. “The other thing is, you start to realize you really have to cut down on your portions, or somewhere you have to cut down on calories, because if you’re not exercising, how are you burning calories?”

Maintaining healthy exercise and eating habits amid what Willis describes as “a sitting culture” has been a twin challenge of the lockdowns, shutdowns and the general stress of pandemic life.

In a University of Florida survey of more than 3,000 people conducted between April and June 2020, 38% said they’d added weight since the stay-at-home orders were issued in March — a phenomenon pop culture has dubbed the “quarantine 15,” give or take a few pounds. Just over 34% of respondents said they’d exercised less.

A year into the pandemic, signs are everywhere that people in South County are again on the move, reclaiming favorite ways of staying fit or finding new activities to keep them within their coronavirus-safety comfort zones. Walking trails are busy and gyms are open again, many offering socially distanced workouts outdoors and on Zoom.

But busting out of a fitness slump may certainly feel more challenging while the pandemic pulses on. If you’re feeling logy and looking for motivation to get started, Delray Beach certified personal trainer Austin Brock suggests letting a simple philosophy guide your efforts: “better every day.”

“Just because you don’t think you can drink a gallon of water a day doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a sip,” he says. “Something is always better than nothing.”

Incremental improvement is the platform on which Brock and co-founder Joe Ardagna have built Slash Fitness, their studio on Southeast Sixth Avenue in Delray Beach. People of all abilities and ages progress at their own speed, one movement at a time.

“Our philosophy is to focus on getting 1% better in whatever it is you’re trying to improve,” the owners say on their website.

“I tell people all the time, start with 10 minutes and you’ll be amazed at how a 10-minute walk can turn into a 30-, 45-, 60-minute walk,” Brock says.

Here are some other strategies he says can help:

Make a plan: “Creating a plan is so important but within that plan, what’s in it is important, too. And a lot of it again seems like basic things, but if you don’t have the basics, or the foundation, it’s tough to add on that.
“So … make sure you’re scheduling in your seven to eight hours of sleep a night, make sure you’re scheduling in your … 45 to 60 minutes of activity throughout the day.
“Make sure you’re scheduling in times to eat. I think as much as we’re all glued to our computers at times now, people forget to do that.”

Buddy up: “Getting an accountability partner is such a huge thing, too. And that doesn’t have to be a gym. It doesn’t have to be a trainer. It can be your spouse. It can be your kids. It can be a family member across the country, or it can be a neighbor.
“But it’s somebody that when you are having one of those days where you’re just not feeling it, and you think, all right, I’m just going to sit this workout out, you’ve got that person on the other side of that phone, or that screen or the fence on the other side the yard, telling you, get your butt off the couch and we’re going for a walk.”

Get going: “Just start. I tell people that all the time. Just start doing something. Our bodies were meant to move. When we’re sedentary, that’s when we get inside of our own heads. I don’t feel good. I’m tired. I’m sluggish today. Oh, the weather’s not perfect. You know, I don’t have my cool new shoes yet. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. Just start doing something. And the easiest thing you can do is open up your front door and walk. And once you start doing that, you can build on that.”

The Willises have resumed all their favorite activities, but Margo says she learned during the lockdown how helpful doing activities in “small chunks” can be. She and her husband walk four laps around the shaded Cypress Swamp Boardwalk at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to notch a mile.
“Just take what you have and expand on it,” she says.

Or as Brock puts it: “If you can be a little bit better day-to-day, week-to-week, month-to-month, by the end of a year’s time, you’ll be amazed at what kind of numbers have changed in your life.”

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

By Christine Davis

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and at JFK Medical Center, Dr. Heidi Bahna and Dr. Juliet Ray are working to improve awareness about the importance of getting screened, which is the best way to detect polyps and prevent colorectal cancer, they say.

“The most common symptom of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all, and colonoscopy can find and remove polyps early, before they can grow and develop into cancer,” Bahna said.

Bahna and Ray, both board-certified surgeons trained in colon and rectal surgery, also want to make sure the community is aware of the recent change in the recommended age to get a first colonoscopy, from 50 to 45.

“We’re seeing younger and younger patients that are presenting with advanced stages of colon and rectal cancer that didn’t even meet prior screening guidelines,” Bahna said. “If we can find colon cancer in someone who is asymptomatic getting a screening colonoscopy, those patients will be cured of that cancer 90% of the time.”

In addition to screening, they advise that it is helpful to limit alcohol consumption; stop any use of tobacco; be physically active and move around on a daily basis; reduce consumption of red and processed meats, as well as charred meats; and increase fiber and water consumption.

For information about colorectal cancer screening and treatment options, visit JFK’s website at https://jfkmc.com/specialties/colorectal-cancer.

On Feb. 16, JFK Medical Center’s North Campus hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark completion of its Behavioral Health Pavilion expansion, a $26 million construction project. The pavilion, which offers psychiatric and behavioral health services, has grown from an 88-bed unit to a 124-bed unit with the addition of 12 adolescent beds and 24 adult beds. The pavilion is adjacent to JFK Medical Center, 2201 45th St., West Palm Beach.

As part of Florida Atlantic University’s new registry and repository to contribute to COVID-19 discoveries and knowledge, researchers are collecting blood and saliva samples from participants who have had positive tests. The registry is spearheaded by FAU’s Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention and its Clinical Research Unit.

“These data and specimens will provide information about the progression of the disease, treatment response, long-term effects and economic effects, among others. Currently, there are no databases outside of research collecting this type of information,” said Ximena Levy, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Clinical Research Unit, who is leading the project.
Recruitment is underway. Each participant must have a documented positive test report and be showing no symptoms of COVID-19. Appointments are required. To register, visit fau.edu/research-admin/cores/clinicalresearchunit/tested-positive-covid-19. For more information, call or text 561-235-4467 or email crudor@health.fau.edu.

In January, gynecologic oncologist Thomas Morrissey, M.D., FACOG, FACS, joined the Eugene M. & Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute as director of gynecologic oncology. He is a specialist in the surgical and chemotherapeutic treatment of ovarian, uterine, cervical and other female genital-tract cancers. Morrissey also has experience in robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery and radical surgical procedures to treat gynecologic cancers.
Previously, he was head of the division of gynecologic oncology for Cleveland Clinic Florida.
Morrissey will see patients at the Lynn Cancer Institute, Harvey & Phyllis Sandler Pavilion, 701 NW 13th St., Boca Raton.

Mamun Al Rashid, MD, and Vani Sabesan, MD, have joined Atlantis Orthopaedics.
Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon Al Rashid specializes in total hip and knee replacement and orthopedic oncology. Sabesan specializes in complex shoulder and elbow surgery.
The orthopedic practice, part of HCA Healthcare’s East Florida Division, plans to expand to additional locations in 2021, including Boynton Beach. For more information, visit AtlantisOrtho.com, or call 561-967-4400 or 561-627-8500.

Delray Medical Center announced the appointment of its new governing board members for the 2021 calendar year. They are: Deputy Police Chief Richard D. Morris of the West Palm Beach Police Department; Dr. Jeffrey H. Newman, who is the center’s medical director of cardiothoracic surgery; Shelly Petrolia, mayor of Delray Beach; and Dr. Timothy R. Williams, medical director of the South Florida Proton Therapy Institute.

Palm Beach County Medical Society installed Roger L. Duncan III, MD, as its new president. He is vice chief of anesthesia at Palms West Hospital and fellow of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.

South County members joining the society’s board of directors include Gregg Goldin, MD, a radiation oncologist at the Lynn Cancer Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital; Harish Madhav, MD, an OB-GYN in private practice in Boynton Beach; Ali Syed, a resident at FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine; and Charles Szuchan, MS, a medical student at FAU.

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

The first phase of renovations (shown in yellow) at Ocean Inlet Park Marina will include removing old fixed docks and installing floating day-use docks. Work is scheduled to begin in May. Rendering provided

By Willie Howard

The modernization of aging Ocean Inlet Park Marina is scheduled to begin in May with the removal of old concrete fixed docks, the replacement of the marina bulkhead and the addition of floating day-use docks for the public.

The owners of boats stored at the marina’s 20 slips were expected to receive notice in late February that they must remove their vessels by April 30.

The first phase of the renovations — expected to be completed in the spring of 2022 — will include removing the old concrete fixed docks that extend west toward the Intracoastal Waterway, replacing the bulkhead and adding three ADA-accessible floating day-use docks at the south end of the marina.

The floating day-use docks will undoubtedly be a welcome sight for boaters who have struggled to pick up or drop off passengers at the fixed docks during low tide.

Lifts for Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office boats will be moved to the north side of the marina as part of the phase 1 work. The crumbling sidewalk near the bulkhead on the marina’s north side also will be replaced.

A view of the old fixed docks that will be torn down as part of renovations at the county park, located just south of Boynton Inlet.
Willie Howard/The Coastal Star 

“The goal of this project is to replace the failing bulkheads and fixed docks that have been in place for over 35 years and have reached the end of their useful life,” said Bob Hamilton, director of park development for Palm Beach County’s Parks and Recreation Department.

Money for the $3 million estimated cost of the phase 1 work will come from proceeds of the county’s 1-cent sales surtax and a grant from the Florida Inland Navigation District.

Although boat owners will be vacating the marina’s slips this spring, it could be late 2023 before they can move their boats back there.

New floating-dock slips are scheduled for construction as part of the second phase of renovations. The timing of the second phase depends on funding, Hamilton said, noting that the county has applied to FIND for a $1.5 million grant that would cover about half of the phase 2 cost.

A new marina building and restrooms near the parking lot are planned for the third phase of work.

Hamilton said there are no plans to bring back the café that used to operate next to the marina building, but noted that parks officials will consider some type of food concession during the design of the third phase.

Palm Beach boat show March 25-28

The Palm Beach International Boat Show is scheduled for March 25-28 along the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach.

Face masks will be required for exhibitors, show staff and attendees. Show producer Informa said all of those people will have temperatures checked before being allowed to enter the show.

Show entrances will be on Flagler Drive at Evernia Street and at North Clematis Street.

Tickets cost $28 for adults and $18 for ages 6-15.

For details about the show and parking locations, call 954-463-6762 or visit www.pbboatshow.com.

Tip of the month

Fish for cobia during March. Drop a cobia jig near the bottom or use a dead sardine on triple hooks garnished with a flashy “duster” and a half-ounce weight over the hooks.
Fish over natural reefs or near wrecks such as the Skycliffe (just north of Boynton Inlet). Have a measuring tape and a heavy-duty landing net handy.
Cobia must be at least 33 inches to the fork of the tail to be legal to keep. Undersized fish should be released as quickly as possible. Daily bag limit: 1 cobia per angler.

Willie Howard is a freelance writer and licensed boat captain. Email tiowillie@bellsouth.net.

By Janis Fontaine

Using an idea borrowed from television, a group of local business leaders and entrepreneurs introduced the Philanthropy Tank six years ago. The program energizes the next generation of “change makers” by challenging high school students to develop and implement sustainable public service projects in Palm Beach County.

The students pitch their ideas to solve community problems in an effort to win $15,000 in grant money to implement them. Hundreds of students in grades 8 through 12 applied to make presentations (virtually this year) in front of a panel of mentors who make the final decisions.

Seven teen group finalists have been chosen for the March 30 finals, including Sarik Shah of Ocean Ridge and Ashwin Parthasarathy of Boynton Beach, both high-achieving juniors at American Heritage High School Boca/Delray.

They had heard about the digital divide — the chasm between students who have access to computers and the internet and those who don’t — but when the coronavirus hit, it highlighted the problem for the friends. “I’m a tennis player, Sarik said, “and it’s like asking a kid to play tennis without a racket. He could play, but barely.”

Sarik and Ashwin did their research and learned that at least 50,000 student households in Palm Beach County didn’t have computers.

“I knew there was a need, but it was double or triple what I thought, partly because there might be several kids in that house who are sharing a computer,” Sarik said.

The digital divide denies students access to an education, and “education is everyone’s right,” he said.

Sarik’s partner, Ashwin, agrees: “Education allows students to secure better jobs and ensure a better path for their future, so I strongly believe no student should be denied the right to reach their full potential due to lack of computer access.”

Sarik and Ashwin propose to change that by collecting used computers and getting them into the hands of people who need them. “Many gently used computers often go to waste after they are no longer being used. We recognized the opportunity to refurbish these computers and redistribute them to students in working condition,” Ashwin wrote in their pitch for Digital Edge.

They’ve collected about a dozen computers and have reached out to businesses for used computers and assistance with repairs. “Minor problems I can fix,” Sarik said.

The idea to present Digital Edge to the Philanthropy Tank “just clicked,” Sarik said. “I had friends who had participated in the past and we already had the idea for Digital Edge.”
Despite their demanding school schedules, the duo decided to commit to the Philanthropy Tank.

“These students’ passion for making a difference in their community in very personal ways is incredibly inspiring,” Amy Brand, CEO for the Philanthropy Tank, said in an email.

“The founders, staff, and the mentors who volunteer to guide these students are looking forward to watching each finalist’s upcoming presentation on March 30.”

So far, the Philanthropy Tank has infused more than $600,000 into 45 student projects, which have helped more than 300,000 local citizens. More than 500 students have benefited from participating.

Sarik and Ashwin’s goal is to donate 150 computers by the end of their first year and then increase the total by 50 in each of the following years.

Now, they are practicing their presentation, fine-tuning their pitch so they can move Digital Edge forward.

But Sarik says he already learned an important lesson: “We take way too much for granted.”

Register to watch the live-streamed event at www.eventbrite.com; search for Philanthropy Tank Palm Beach. If you have a gently used computer to donate, contact Sarik or Ashwin at DigitalEdgeFL@gmail.com.

Mutual Attraction by Karen Coleman shows a ruby-throated hummingbird feeding on a coral honeysuckle.

By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

Both nature enthusiasts and art lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach through April 30. That’s when the foundation — known for celebrating the architectural, botanical and cultural heritage of Palm Beach — is hosting “Wildly Exquisite: Florida’s Native Plants.”

“It’s an art show that features 34 botanical works depicting native Florida plants that are often cultivated in gardens,” says artist Carol Woodin, who helped curate the show and is the director of exhibitions for the American Society of Botanical Artists.

But this indoor event is only the beginning.

Once you’ve seen the realistic and detailed artworks demonstrating the intricacies and nuances that make Florida’s native flora so attractive, you can step outside into Pan’s Garden, which is owned by the foundation.

Here, in Florida’s first all-native botanical garden, you can see how more than a dozen of the show’s subjects put down their roots in nature.

“The exhibition is a useful tool to get people engaged with native plants and to understand their importance,” says the foundation’s director of horticulture, Susan Lerner, who oversees Pan’s Garden.

To help, she has carefully labeled the plants shown in the art that also appear in the garden.

During judging of 86 entries for the show, Woodin instructed the four judges, including Lerner, to look for works that provided botanical accuracy, were pleasing to view and whose artists showed proficiency of technique strong enough to make accuracy possible.

“Artists need to take into consideration elements of both traditional artwork and science. Botanical art is a melding of the two,” says Woodin.

For example, Karen Coleman’s entry called Mutual Attraction depicts the tubular red flowers of the honeysuckle plant that will nurture a hovering hummingbird preparing to sip their nectar.

Outside in Pan’s Garden, that same honeysuckle drapes over a wall — adding color, life and, yes, hummingbirds to the curated space.

Another Florida native, the Southern Magnolia, in a classic botanical illustration by Charlotte Ricker.

Other artworks provide an in-depth look at their plant subjects. Consider the Southern Magnolia, by artist Charlotte Ricker. She not only skillfully reproduces the plant’s lush white flowers but also the progression of those flowers from bud to ripened fruit. You’ll even see the green beetle that is the magnolia’s main pollinator.

“All those details that the botanical artist selects to portray must be accurate,” says Woodin. “You can’t fudge things.”
That’s why you’ll come away from a study like this really knowing something about the magnolia, which also grows in Pan’s Garden.

Just remember that although all the plants depicted in this show are Florida natives, many also grow in other areas of the country and the world. And not all of these plants are native to South Florida.

Consider Ashe’s Magnolia, for example. Its pink-tinged white flowers have been boldly reproduced for the show in etching techniques by Monika deVries Gohlke.

Listed as endangered by the state of Florida, this magnolia is native to only a few steep-sided ravines and bluffs in Florida’s Panhandle, according to informational notes written by Lerner.

Although it can be grown in gardens from seeds provided by permitted nurseries, you won’t find it in Pan’s Garden. However, its unique beauty deserves a place in this show.
By viewing these plants up close in the artwork, away from the green background of other plants you have in a garden, you may come to understand that natives tend to be smaller and less showy than the exotics from China and Africa. But they are no less beautiful, their details worthy of appreciation.

“I hope they inspire you to plant natives in your garden,” says Lerner.

IF YOU GO
What: “Wildly Exquisite: Florida’s Native Plants” botanical art show plus Pan’s Garden.
Where: Art show at Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach, 311 Peruvian Ave.; Pan’s Garden is adjacent at 386 Hibiscus Ave., Palm Beach.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Art show runs through April 30; Pan’s Garden open year-round.
Admission: Both the botanical art show and Pan’s Garden are complimentary.
Parking: On-street only.
More information: For Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and Pan’s Garden, visit https://www.palmbeachpreservation.org/ or call 561-832-0731; for Pan’s Garden, request ext. 113.
To learn more about the American Society of Botanical Artists, visit https://www.asba-art.org/
For your visit: The “Wildly Exquisite” catalog, including 34 color plates of the show’s artworks, costs $20 at the show, with proceeds benefiting the Preservation Foundation and the ASBA. Or it can be ordered for $29.95 including US shipping and handling.
A free pamphlet with information about the art works — but with no color plates — is available to viewers at the show. Works in the show are for sale.

Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley can be reached at debhartz@att.net.

Dozens of students, including kindergartner Sarah Lash, were marked with ashes on Ash Wednesday at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, using ingenuity in the form of 9-inch cotton-tipped applicators. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

Happy Passover! And Happy Easter!

Because both are tied to the lunar calendar, Easter, the most important Christian holiday, will always coincide with Passover, the first festival of Judaism, but the spring timing isn’t all they share.

Jews have been celebrating Passover — which commemorates their escape from slavery in Egypt — since the exodus itself, scholars say, which was around the 13th century B.C.
Centuries later, Jesus would be crucified during the Passover day of preparation, what Christians call Good Friday. The night before, Jesus hosted the Last Supper, a Jewish seder.
It is called Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday now, and Christians revere the day as the origin of Christianity’s most important sacrament: the Eucharist of which Holy Communion is part.

Maundy Thursday services will be held on April 1 this year, with Easter on April 4.

At St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach, the annual seder that brings Christians and Jews together to celebrate has been canceled because of the coronavirus for the second straight year, but the interfaith spirit of goodwill remains. The church hopes the seder can return next year.

For some Christians, Easter is a one-day holiday. But the season really begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year was Feb. 17, and lasts about six weeks.

On Ash Wednesday, the ashes from the burning of palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday, which have been crushed into a fine powder and blessed by the priest, are applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross.

The minister prays, “Turn away from sin and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15), or “Remember that you are dust, and unto dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19), the older, more traditional invocation. The ashes are also a plea to God for mercy and compassion, pardon and forgiveness.

In this no-touch pandemic world, Pastor Dave Franklin at Advent Church in Boca Raton said about 35 drivers came to the church drive-thru to be marked with ashes.

At St. Joseph’s Episcopal, the Ash Wednesday service was live-streamed to classrooms, then kids were taken one class at a time to the church, where they were marked with ashes. Nine-inch cotton-tipped applicators were used, which was fun, funny and a break from the isolation of the pandemic.

Rabbi Josh Broide at Boca Raton Community Synagogue says his congregation is eager to celebrate Passover, which is March 27 to April 4, but many still feel vulnerable to the virus. Involving the children in the retelling of the Exodus story and the Resurrection story is important to both faiths.

“Families look forward to getting together, and it’s important to engage the children,” Broide said. “It’s also a time to reflect and see what matters. Politics are divisive, the economy is erratic. Do we really need to fight with each other?”

St. Joseph’s and most other churches and synagogues are finalizing Easter and Passover plans and, as with Ash Wednesday, celebrations may require creativity. Some will be virtual only and some usual activities will be canceled as they were last year during lockdowns. But in-person services have resumed in places, and Broide and Franklin feel positive about the future.

“We have a tight community and that helps,” Franklin said. “It’s been a blessing to have virtual church because it allows us to stay connected, to engage with people online who don’t feel comfortable coming to in-person worship, and it’s especially important at Easter.”

Holidays can make people feel more isolated, Broide said. “I get a lot of calls from lonely people and I tell them to stay strong. I believe we can see the beginning of the end,” he said. “Call it cautious optimism.”

Or faith.

Janis Fontaine writes about people of faith, their congregations, causes and community events. janisfontaine@outlook.com.