Even after receiving COVID-19 vaccines, store manager Tom and Erin Craig, a pharmacist, wear protective masks in their Gulfstream Pharmacy whenever customers are present. The pharmacy has been in the family since 1957. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Joyce Reingold

As seasonal Gulfstream Pharmacy customers began arriving last October, Erin Craig started noticing a trend. The demand for some traditionally top-selling seasonal items was declining steeply, the pharmacist says. And it wasn’t the sunscreen.

“Usually, we’re dispensing a lot of cough drops and antihistamines and things for colds and flu, which we haven’t at all,” Craig said in mid-April. “Antibiotics have gone way down this year. From October all the way through today, very few antibiotics have been needed for chest infections and a lot of bronchial infections.”

Craig, who co-owns the pharmacy in Briny Breezes with her husband, Tom, says face masking, hand washing and social distancing seem to have suppressed the number of customers’ seasonal colds, coughs and congestion. Those precautions were meant to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C and other immune system boosters have been popular items this season. “There have been a lot of changes for sure,” Craig says.
West to the mainland, Dr. Andrew Savin emphatically confirms the Craigs’ anecdotal evidence.

“I continue to notice virtually no cases of the typical colds, sinus infections or viral bronchitis in my practice since March 2020,” says Savin, an internal medicine physician with the Bethesda Health Physician Group, which is part of Baptist Health South Florida.

“The amount of contact from person-to-person has greatly diminished the number of those cases, which in some respects has been what could be considered a medical benefit from this pandemic.”

Cases of seasonal influenza have been trending downward, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For the week ending April 3, the CDC reported “lower than usual” seasonal influenza activity. But, the CDC warns on its website, pandemic conditions may be affecting the monitoring and reporting of flu cases, and this data should not diminish the importance of flu shots.

While public health officials and medical professionals assess how the pandemic is changing the health-scape, the Craigs continue to evolve their business to meet their customers’ needs. It’s what they’ve been doing at Gulfstream Pharmacy since 1957, when Bill Strucker, Erin’s father, first opened the doors. The second-generation owners have kept them open throughout the pandemic.

Prescriptions are delivered to cars if customers prefer. The pharmacy has a well-curated stock of over-the-counter medications. It has gifts and greeting cards — and warm, friendly service with trusted guidance, which according to a 2020 Hamacher Resource Group shopper survey, are two of the top reasons why consumers choose family-owned and independent pharmacies.

“We’ve been busy — pretty much the same as we’ve always been. Some customers didn’t come back because they’re from Canada or they’re elderly and didn’t have their shots yet. But on the whole, we’ve been pretty busy throughout this whole year,” Craig says.

“I think people maybe feel safer because they’re in a smaller store with only a few people rather than in the big box stores where there are a lot of people. So, I think that helps us. And then, we have some gift items that maybe someone who doesn’t want to go to a mall, or someone who is close by, would rather come in here and just get something quickly. … I think there were different reasons for people to come in.”

In April, as seasonal residents returned to their summer homes, the Craigs remained busy with the year-round trade. Gulfstream Pharmacy will be open this summer from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday.

And while it’s too soon to know what next season will bring, Savin says it’s possible this year’s trend will continue: “I would not be surprised if some of the typical cold viruses are even eradicated, or at least attenuated, for years,” he says.

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

Participating in the celebration at Delray Medical Center were (l-r) Dr. Richard Kim, cardiologist, Dr. Brij Maini, cardiologist, and Dr. Erik Beyer, cardiothoracic surgeon. Photo provided

By Christine Davis

The Palm Beach Health Network hospitals, including Delray Medical Center, celebrated National Doctors’ Day in March, and this year’s theme was “Thank you for your extraordinary strength, courage and dedication.”

“On behalf of all our governing board members and all of our employees, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our physicians, the leaders of health care in Palm Beach County,” said Maggie Gill, chief executive officer of the Palm Beach Health Network and Delray Medical Center.

“I believe strongly in the value of saying thank you every day, but this national observance falls during a time when we are all working tirelessly to bring this pandemic to an end, all while ensuring our hospitals are safe. We pause to honor the contributions of our physicians for their dedication to the health and wellness of our community.”
 
Delray Medical Center now offers the Navio orthopedic system to help surgeons perform knee replacements using the Journey Uni knee. With no preoperative CT scan required, the surgeon collects anatomical data during the procedure to build a 3D model of the patient’s knee. This information helps the surgeon place the implant and balance the knee’s ligaments for optimal alignment.

“This technology is going to give patients less pain and swelling post-operatively than traditional total joint replacement methods,” said Maggie Gill, the medical center’s chief executive officer.

 
Neurosurgeons Frank Vrionis, M.D., and Timothy Miller, M.D., of Marcus Neuroscience Institute at Baptist Health’s Boca Raton Regional Hospital, performed their first robotic-assisted spine surgery, the hospital said in March.

The patient, a man in his 70s, underwent a minimally invasive spinal fusion to stabilize the lumbar area of his back using the Mazor X robotic guidance platform.

“Robotics allow us to perform minimally invasive surgeries with increased safety and precision, leading to less blood loss, less post-operative pain and faster recovery,” said Vrionis, the institute’s director. “With our new sophisticated robotic system, we will be able to perform more minimally invasive procedures safely and effectively. This is particularly beneficial to our aging population, because it reduces the risk of infection and shortens hospital stays.”
 
JFK Medical Center was recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for orthopedic surgery. In addition, it received the Five-Star Orthopedic Excellence Award as well as the Five-Star Joint Replacement Excellence Award for clinical excellence.
 
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Medicine, in collaboration with an international team of scientists, have determined that a family history of early cardiac events indicates a major risk factor for close relatives such as parents or siblings — especially for premature events.

Data on risks in close relatives of patients with a family history had been sparse prior to their study.

The team assembled a consecutive series of 230 patients with premature onset of heart attacks, strokes, angina or peripheral artery disease and a comparison group of apparently healthy men and women during a 24-month period.

The comparison group had no family or personal history of cardiovascular disease and had normal electrocardiograms, cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressures and glucose. Researchers defined a premature event as occurring in men 60 years or younger and in women 65 years or younger.

“Our data indicate that early cardiac events pose major and different risks in close relatives,” said Charles H. Hennekens, M.D., Dr.PH., senior author and senior academic adviser in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine. “Since families share more than genes, not surprisingly, these data are compatible with a role for both genetic and environmental factors.” 

The data, published in the International Journal of Cardiology, also suggest that first-degree relatives of patients with premature heart attacks compared with those presenting with a first episode of chronic stable angina or peripheral vascular disease have a shorter survival time.

Patients with heart attacks and chronic stable angina reported significantly higher frequencies of attacks in their first-degree relatives than patients with peripheral vascular disease.

In contrast, patients with chronic stable angina and peripheral vascular disease reported significantly higher frequencies of chronic stable angina and peripheral vascular disease, respectively, in their first-degree relatives compared to patients with heart attacks.

The League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County will present “Conversations with the League: Medicaid Expansion Florida” at 6 p.m. May 5, with guest speakers who are co-chairs of the league’s health care issue group.

They are Nancy Gau, a retired clinical laboratory director who serves on the board of the Palm Beach County Alliance for Mental Health, and Dr. Brent Schillinger, a dermatologist, past president of the Palm Beach County Medical Society, and a member of its COVID-19 Pandemic Response Task Force. He currently chairs the society’s opioid health care response team.

They will speak on the effort to expand Medicaid in Florida, give an update on how the effort failed in the 2021 legislative session and outline the next steps.
To connect with this Zoom chat, visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85845235206?pwd=VDhac2V3b0lETGVjVk5pdDhqZ3p0QT09

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

A short-fin mako, one of the fastest marine creatures, is one of two shark types featured in the Great Shark Race 2021, a contest created by the Guy Harvey Research Institute to raise awareness about threats to sharks. The tagged mako and whale sharks that log the most miles by July 14 will be declared winners. Photo provided

By Willie Howard

The Guy Harvey Research Institute at Nova Southeastern University is encouraging people to track sharks as they move around the globe wearing satellite tags as part of a push to boost public awareness of sharks.

The race is something of a tortoise-versus-hare match. The short-fin mako shark is one of the fastest marine creatures in the sea, while the mammoth whale shark is, well, not so fast.
Satellite tags mounted on the sharks’ fins enable wildlife researchers — and the public — to follow the sharks online through the research institute’s shark-tracking website, www.GHRItracking.org.

Mako and whale sharks are known to roam thousands of miles, but scientists are trying to learn more about the factors that drive their migrations.

Shark populations are threatened by human activities, including the global shark fin trade.

“For more than 20 years I have been working with researchers at NSU to learn more about sharks that are so critical for maintaining a healthy balance in our ocean ecosystems,” said Guy Harvey, the renowned marine artist who also holds a doctorate in fisheries science.

The Great Shark Race began Jan. 1 and ends July 14, which is International Shark Awareness Day. The mako and whale sharks that log the most miles will be dubbed the winners.

“This shark race event is a way to raise awareness of the plight of sharks and get community support for this needed research,” said Mahmood Shivji, director of the GHRI and the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center.

“We’ve lost upwards of 30% of the mako sharks we’ve tagged since we started,” Shivji said. “It illustrates just what these animals face in the wild. Our tracking studies have demonstrated that mako sharks in the western North Atlantic are being overfished.”

Boat cutoff switch law approved by Congress

Anyone operating a boat under 26 feet must use an engine cutoff switch that will shut down the boat if the operator falls overboard or moves too far away from the helm or tiller, a federal law that took effect April 1 says.

The law is intended to prevent runaway boats that endanger both the boat operator and others on the water.

Section 8316 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021 requires the use of an engine cutoff switch, also known as a kill switch, on boats under 26 feet powered by three horsepower or more while the boat is under way.

The ECOS — a physical lanyard type or an electronic ignition kill switch — are required equipment on newer boats under 26 feet.

Boat operators must wear the ECOS when the boat is on plane. It is not required while launching or loading a boat or when the boat is moving slowly, as in an idle-speed zone.

Wearing the ECOS also is not required on boats in which the primary helm is enclosed in a cabin, the Coast Guard says.

Don’t expect law enforcement officers to peer into your boat to determine whether you’re wearing a kill-switch lanyard.

“This is not something FWC will enforce,” said Brian Rehwinkel, boating safety outreach coordinator for the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. “We have no state law to enforce.”

Rehwinkel said the Coast Guard might enforce the ECOS law, but he expects most of the effort will be educational and instructive, meant to encourage boat operators to use ECOS devices to prevent accidents.

Fishing tournaments

June 5: The West Palm Beach Fishing Club’s KDW Classic, based at Riviera Beach Municipal Marina. Captains meeting and late registration begins at 6 p.m. June 4 at Riviera Beach marina, 200 E. 13th St. Entry fee: $200 for fishing club members and tenants of Riviera Beach Municipal Marina, Lott Brothers Marina or Palm Beach Yacht Center by May 21. Entry fee after May 21: $300 per boat. Eligible fish: kingfish, dolphin and wahoo. Enter online at www.kdwclassic.com.

June 12: Lantana Fishing Derby with weigh-in at the Old Key Lime House restaurant. Captains party set for 6-9 p.m. June 10 at the Lantana Recreation Center. The awards barbecue will begin at 11:30 a.m. June 13 at the Lantana Recreation Center. Eligible fish: kingfish, dolphin and wahoo. Entry fee: $250 for up to four anglers. Enter online at www.LantanaFishingDerby.com.

July 10: The Big Dog, Fat Cat KDW Shootout based at Sailfish Marina in Palm Beach Shores. A kickoff party is set for 7 p.m. June 23 at Sailfish Marina. The captains meeting and silent auction begin at 5:30 p.m. July 9. Fishing will be from 6:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on July 10. Eligible fish: kingfish, dolphin and wahoo. Basic entry fee is $150 per boat. Enter online at www.bigdogfatcat.org.

Tip of the month

Search around floating sargassum mats for dolphinfish (mahi mahi) as the weather warms. Troll by weed mats or stop around them to cast out jigs or small live baits such as pilchards or chunks of squid or sardines. Make splashing noises on the surface to draw fish to the boat. Minimum size: 20 inches to the fork of the tail. Daily bag limit: 10 per angler.

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

Thirty alumni from Archstone Behavioral Health joined Lantana Mayor Robert Hagerty in a beach cleanup in which they collected more than 70 pounds of trash from Lantana Beach. Archstone is celebrating its 20th year in the Lantana  community, and it couldn't think of a better way to give back than to clean up the town it loves. Archstone Behavioral Health is a treatment center specializing in addiction and mental health. ABOVE: (l-r) Neil Fronk, Sam Mazz, alumni coordinator Tyler McLain,  Eric Ladd, Domenick Campece, Dan Bridges, Matt Loguidice with his daughter. Photo provided

Capt. Geno Pratt, left, kneels alongside the 101-pound wahoo caught aboard his Geno V. The anglers trolled a bonito strip and sea witch behind a planer in 160 feet of water off the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. Pratt said the wahoo was the largest he has caught off Palm Beach County in 55 years of charter fishing. It measured 77 inches. Kneeling to the other side of the fish are angler Scott Farrell and Geno V mate Jeff Tom. Photo provided

Visitors to Red Reef Park were thrilled to be in the midst of pelicans diving for small fish near the shore in April. The pelicans, some local and some migrating through on their way north, were not bothered by the excited audience of beachgoers taking photos and videos with their phones. One lifeguard said he had not witnessed anything like this in his decade of working on the beach. Similar aerial shows were witnessed all along the South County coastline. Photo provided by Carla Azzata

Handwritten letters and phone calls have replaced door-to-door visits as Jehovah’s Witnesses primary methods of spreading their message during the pandemic. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

No twice-a-week gatherings or door-to-door witnessing? The Jehovah’s Witnesses have a whole new pandemic game plan.

No matter what God you worship, the way you did it changed a year ago when the COVID-19 death rate soared and threats of infection caused churches, mosques and synagogues to “go virtual.”

For Sarah Haupt of Boca Raton, a devout Jehovah’s Witness, Bible study on Thursday and worship on Sunday have been part of her life ever since she can remember, she says.

Now, attending meetings by Zoom has become normal, and for the mother of three children, ages 4, 2 and 4 months, not having to get everyone dressed on Sunday morning is a blessing.

Haupt said the church quickly shifted from communal gatherings at the Kingdom Hall to virtual meetings. Unlike lots of churches that have resumed at least some in-person meetings, JW remains virtual only, not just in Boca Raton but nationwide.

Keeping that regular Thursday and Sunday schedule was a comfort for Haupt personally and to her church family of about 130 “brothers and sisters,” as they’re called. “It would have left a huge gap in our spiritual lives if it just stopped,” she said.

There were “a rocky few weeks” at the beginning but even the oldest people learned Zoom. “They quickly got the hang of it,” Haupt said. “We’ve even seen an increase in attendance.”

Most churches report that attendance has been surprisingly good during the pandemic, in part because some people turn to God during periods of high stress and because those who found it difficult to attend services can stay home and watch online.

Another big adjustment as a result of the pandemic has been the shift by Jehovah’s Witnesses away from door-to-door visits. Now, almost all of Haupt’s witnessing, a primary responsibility and a fundamental obligation of all Jehovah’s Witnesses as a show of faith, is done over the telephone, usually in the early afternoon when the two youngest are napping. She found that people she reached out to on the phone wanted and needed to hear her positive message.

Jehovah’s Witness as a faith is simple: The Bible is literally its bible. The Witnesses don’t depend on any other words except the Bible’s.

They use the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, a translation of the Bible published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, in 1950 (New Testament) and 1961 (the completed Bible). “It’s all very focused on learning and education,” Haupt said. “The deep faith that comes from our strong foundation of knowledge gets you through times of stress.”

The Bible isn’t just full of psalms and parables, but of basic truths and principles to follow, “practical ways that we can live happy lives,” Haupt said, and Jesus is the supreme role model.

“We study so much,” Haupt said. She easily quotes Scripture even as she settles her baby down to sleep. “The beauty of the truth of the Bible is that it’s simple. Why would it be complicated?”

When someone is rude or mean when she tries to start a conversation, she doesn’t take it personally.

“If someone is not happy to see us, that’s fine,” Haupt said. “Jesus was rejected by his own people. I’m not going to worry because I’m following what Jesus told me to do. I’m going to focus on pleasing God.”

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

More than 100 volunteers packed more than 40,000 meals during a St. Vincent Ferrer’s Knights of Columbus event in Delray Beach in March. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

The Knights of Columbus Council 13996 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach hosted a volunteer food-packing event at the school on March 20. More than 100 people showed up to assemble more than 40,000 nonperishable meals for people in Guatemala.

The event was part of the Knights of Columbus ministry promise to “Leave No Neighbor Behind” and was held with support from Cross Catholic Outreach, which handles shipping the meals. According to outreach data, at least 1 billion people go to bed hungry each night worldwide and an estimated 16,000 children die every day from hunger-related causes.

To learn more about the Florida Knights of Columbus, visit www.floridakofc.org.

Read more about the food packing event at https://crosscatholic.org/food-packing-florida-council.

Stocking food banks

The Knights of Columbus event helped people in Guatemala, but groups are also stepping up to refill the cupboards at food banks in Palm Beach County. The Mizner Cares Committee, which is part of Mizner Country Club, collected three carloads of nonperishable food for Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish church in Delray Beach.

The committee asked for food instead of money and collected so much, other churches in the area were able to share in the bounty.

For more information on what the committee does, visit https://miznercc.org/mizner-cares-gives-back.

Also in Boca Raton, Spanish River Church held its second annual food drive to benefit Boca Helping Hands and broke its own record by collecting 8,726 pounds of food. The food drive is part of Spanish River’s “Serve the City” initiative that encourages people to volunteer in the community. This year 42 volunteers stepped up.

Boca gets shower truck

Two other Boca Raton groups — B’nai Torah Congregation and St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church — worked together and found another way to fight hunger, homelessness and the coronavirus by providing homeless people with a place to shower twice a week.

The mobile shower station is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the church at 100 NE Mizner Blvd.

Guests also receive toiletries, towels, under-garments and clothes donated by local agencies.

Photo provided

12 ordained as deacons

St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach, which has more than 100 students working toward their master’s degrees, saw 12 ordained recently.

Two of the men, Daniel Donohue and Armando León, are from Palm Beach Diocese. They were among nine seminary students ordained by His Excellency William A. Wack, CSC, Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee, at a ceremony on April 17.

The Archbishop of Miami, Thomas G. Wenski, ordained three other SVDP seminarians on April 11. César Betancourt, Agustín Estrada and Sebastián Grisales are studying for the Archdiocese of Miami.

As newly ordained deacons, these men will be assigned to parishes where they will minister in preparation to become priests in the following year.

Among other duties, they will preach, perform baptisms, witness marriages and preside over wakes and funerals.

In other news, the seminary was recently awarded a Lilly Endowment Inc. grant for phase one of the “Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative,” which will allow the seminary to continue to educate students and prepare them for ordination in an increasingly complex world.

For more information about the seminary, which has produced more than 600 priests since 1963, visit www.svdp.edu.

White sand paths wind through shoulder-high oaks, towering pines and silver saw palmettos at the Blazing Star Preserve. Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

Tucked between I-95 and the Amtrak/Tri-Rail tracks sits the 24-acre Blazing Star Preserve in Boca Raton. Regardless of its diminutive size and rather noisy location, it’s a worthwhile place to discover Florida’s scrubland.

“It’s a wonder that we live in a city yet can still visit this wild looking habitat,” says Susan Elliott, environmental program coordinator for the Boca Raton Recreation Services Department.

To understand the scrub habitat, take a seat on one of the benches at the park’s entrance. Then close your eyes and think of the noise from I-95 as waves lapping the shore.

That should help you imagine what it was like here about 125,000 years ago, when the glaciers covering Florida had melted and water levels had risen so that where you are sitting was oceanfront.

“Although it’s now about 5 miles inland, the park still has hints of its waterfront past that are kind of fun to think about,” says Elliott, pointing out the trails fashioned from sugar sand that once was a beach.

The interglacial high water created standing islands where species of plants evolved that are found nowhere else on Earth.

Reindeer moss thrives in a shady area.

Although this scrub area is no longer isolated, the endemic species you’ll find here include the Garber’s blazing star, the preserve’s namesake. Visit October through December and you’ll easily identify its bright lavender flowers supported on long stalks.

There’s also nodding pinweed and the pawpaw whose yellow fruits provide food for the resident gopher tortoises.

As you walk the 1-mile trail, you’ll notice the sparse canopy is created by sand pines standing like sculptures against the blue sky. With their zig-zaggy limbs and trunks, as well as short needles and small pine cones, they are often likened to bonsai trees.

You’ll also see proud-looking slash pines that stand tall and straight in the distance. Often used for lumber, these stately pines have longer needles and larger cones than the sand pines.

Beneath the pines, wild coffee as well as scrub oaks including myrtle, Chapman and sand live oaks grow shoulder high. Elliott easily identifies the sand live oak by its very tough leaves that curve under all around to help preserve water in this arid landscape.

On this visit, the Chapman oaks are swarming with fuzzy dark green caterpillars that one day will become oakworm moths. They use their bright red legs to closely grab onto the leaves and stems as they chew on the plants’ tender ends.

Saw palmettos also grow thickly along the trail. But be careful. Touch one and you’ll discover they are rightly named for the saw-like teeth along the stems or petioles of the fan-shaped fronds.

Honeybees enjoy the blooms of a saw palmetto.

Today, the air is filled with a slightly sweet herbal scent emanating from the palmettos’ many tiny globe-like flowers. In fact, honey made from these delicate yellow flowers is prized for its taste.

Farther along the trail, the native hog plum with its nasty thorns is another plant to avoid.

Both these well-armored plants help keep animals from marauding through the scrub as they feed and protect smaller animals such as lizards and gopher tortoises from predators.

But today, these plants are being crowded out by invasives, both native and non-native, such as love vine, schefflera (umbrella tree), carrotwood and Brazilian pepper.
In the past, wildfires spread through here every 15 to 80 years, naturally removing the invasives without damaging the native plants and animals that had adapted to the blazes.

But in the city today, using fire is not an option.

As a result, you’ll find the yellow stems of the love vine covering the scrubby oaks. This parasitic vine not only shades the plant but also puts out claw-like haustoria that pierce and then suck water and nutrients from the host.

Today the invasives are controlled manually. And as their removal opens the scrub’s sandy floor to sunlight, the oaks, pines and other scrub plants are sprouting from seeds.

As we walk, Elliott not only points out the things that endanger the scrub but also its wonders.

There are scrub mint with its lavender flowers and needles instead of leaves; reindeer moss that indicates the habitat is healthy; and rusty lyonia, named for the color of the scales on the undersides of its leaves.

Now, consider the native prickly pear cactus festooned with lush yellow blooms at this time of year. It’s amazing that it thrives in tropical South Florida, because it is known as a desert plant. But that just proves how arid the scrub actually is.

When you stop to inspect the cactus, note the pads that are food for gopher tortoises. And you may see that some are covered not only with thorns but also a white powdery substance.

“Here’s my last trick,” says Elliott as she bends down to take a bit of the white substance in her fingers and rolls it until she finds a small dark object concealed within.

This is the cochineal bug. If you popped it, the bug would give off red carminic acid that helps deter other bugs from eating it. But man has discovered it also can be used as a carmine dye. In fact, it was used to color the cloth made into the red coats worn by British soldiers.

“These smaller urban scrub remnants of the prehistoric islands help preserve important species and a bit of natural history that’s fun to share,” says Elliott.

IF YOU GO:

What: Blazing Star Preserve
Where: 1751 W. Camino Real, Boca Raton
Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset
Etc.: No pets in the park or bicycles on trails. Sand trails are not handicap accessible. No comfort facilities. There is very good informational signage on a kiosk at the trailhead.
More information: 561-393-7810

Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley can be reached at debhartz@att.net. If you have suggestions of public places we might visit for future Secret Garden columns, please share them with us.

By Arden Moore

May Day. May week and May month. This is a big month for cats who will tolerate hugs, dog moms, Chihuahuas and sea turtles and yes, don’t forget hamsters.

When it comes to pets and wildlife, special days, weeks and months seem to be in extra abundance during May.

And that’s just fine with my orange tabbies, Casey and Rusty. They look forward to May 30, which is designated International Hug Your Cat Day. Casey and Rusty welcome my picking them up and giving them full-body hugs.

But other felines, like my senior cat, Mikey, prefer a gentle cheek rub or under-the-chin scratch.

Bottom line: Know your cat and respect his degree of affection reception.

Arden Moore with Casey and Rusty. Photo provided

You can learn more about how cats think and behave from a “cat blogger” named Nigel. He was adopted by veterinarians Stephanie and Jeff Karpf, who operate the For Cats Only clinic in West Palm Beach. Each month, Nigel writes about all things feline, from the causes of skin disease to the pros and cons of pet probiotics to the true meaning of purrs. Check out his blog at https://vetforcatsonly.com/category/blog/.

A trio of proud dog moms from Boca Raton — Marta Batmasian, Andrea Kline and Constance Scott — are digging May, too. They will be recognized at the first Moms & Pups Bark & Brunch fundraiser for Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton on May 2 at the Addison. Thanks to the pandemic, this marks the first in-person fundraiser in two years for this nonprofit, 100% no-kill shelter.

Proceeds will subsidize low-cost veterinary care and surgeries to financially challenged pet owners at the rescue’s on-site veterinary clinic.

“We had six weeks to put this together and we are tying in with Mother’s Day, as we want to recognize the passionate dog moms at Tri-County,” says Bonnie Kaye, event organizer and president of Kaye Communications.

“Providing medical care for pets during this pandemic has been very trying for many and we don’t want people to have to surrender their pets for economic reasons. I have had five treasured rescues dogs — all from Tri-County.”

Batmasian, a Tri-County rescue advocate for about 20 years, says her current Tri-County alum is Tamar, a Maltese who loves chicken, broccoli, green beans and yes, yams.
“Rescue dogs comfort you,” says Batmasian. “That unconditional love from a dog child is well worth the responsibilities in providing her care.”

Kline is in her seventh year on the Tri-County board and just adopted a rescued pup named Harry from a batch of dogs from Puerto Rico transported to Tri-County to improve their chances of finding forever homes. She also has Charlie, another Tri-County alum.

“This event is important because a lot of dogs we rescue have health issues,” says Kline. “We also want to help our community, especially those impacted economically by the pandemic.”

Scott shares her home with Gigi 2, a Maltese-poodle mix.

“Every day is Mother’s Day for me because of the dogs in my life,” she says. “I’m so glad we are having this event to raise funds for its veterinary clinic.”
For more details on the Moms & Pups Bark & Brunch, visit www.tricountyanimalrescue.com.

Turtle Days observed Joy is also evident in the staff and volunteers at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. Turtles are being doubly recognized. May 23 is World Turtle Day and June 16 is World Sea Turtle Day.

The LMC offers daily tours that include its outdoor sea turtle hospital. The staff also posts info on sea turtles on its social media channels. Guided turtle walks will begin in June, possibly closer to World Sea Turtle Day, according to Lauren Eissey, public relations and engagement specialist.

A loggerhead. Photo provided

“Experienced LMC scouts will patrol our designated section of Juno Beach searching for sea turtles,” says Eissey. “Once a loggerhead sea turtle is found and begins her egg-laying process, the group is led down to the beach to witness this unforgettable experience.”

To show your support for sea turtles year-round, consider reducing your plastic use: More than 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, causing entanglements and other issues for sea turtles.

Also, abide by boat speed limits and wear polarized sunglasses to better see and steer clear of marine life beneath the water’s surface.

To learn more, visit www.marinelife.org.

Take time to celebrate with your pets! They bring out the best in us.

Days for celebrating pets, other animals

Sharing your home — and your heart — with a beloved pet is certainly to be celebrated 24/7, 365 days. But here is a rundown of pet holidays for May:
• National Pet Month
• Microchip ID Your Pet Month
• Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• Responsible Animal Guardian Month
• Pet Cancer Awareness Month
May 1: National Purebred Dog Day
May 1-7: National Pet Week
May 3: National Specially Abled Pet Day
May 4-10: Puppy Mill Action Week
May 8: National Dog Moms Day
May 9: National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day
May 10: National Hamster Day
May 14: International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
May 23: World Turtle Day
May 30: International Hug Your Cat Day

Arden Moore, founder of FourLeggedLife.com, is an animal behavior consultant, author, speaker and master certified pet first-aid instructor. She hosts Oh Behave! weekly on PetLifeRadio.com. Learn more at www.ardenmoore.com.

“Shades of Culture,” an artwork that encourages people to embrace the arts and culture, will be on view in Boca Raton’s downtown Sanborn Square through June 8. The oversize pair of aqua sunglasses, measuring 8-by-20 feet, encourages people to see art through a different lens. Those visiting it are invited to take photos and selfies to share on social media with the hastag #palmbeachculture. They are the work of the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, which has partnered with the city to display them. The “shades” will make appearances at dozens of locations across the county. Photo provided

Cassidy Miller, 13, relaxes alongside the sea turtle she sculpted on the beach. Cassidy, whose family lives in the Riviera development near Palmetto Park Road and State Road A1A, spent hours on her creation and was very proud as beachgoers gave her compliments and high-fives. Her dad, Gregory Miller, says that before he bought the home in Boca Raton he often vacationed there with his family. Miller also has a home in Ohio. He has good memories of the beach and says creating this sea turtle sculpture will be a good memory for Cassidy. Photo provided

A ladder truck sits outside the Highland Beach Fire/Rescue station. The town voted April 20 to terminate its contract with Delray Beach and start its own fire department. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

After almost 30 years of paying Delray Beach millions of dollars for fire and medical rescue services, Highland Beach is calling it quits and moving forward with plans to start its own fire department.

At a meeting on April 20, town commissioners voted unanimously to notify Delray Beach of plans to terminate its contractual agreement – with a price tag of about $5 million a year – with a required 36 month notice effective May 1.

“We know we can deliver better service to our residents and we know we can do it at a lower cost,” Mayor Doug Hillman said. “There is no reason in my opinion to stay with Delray fire.”

During the next three years Highland Beach will be working out the details of starting a fire department almost from scratch, something that apparently hasn’t been done in Palm Beach County for at least three decades.

The move bucks a local trend in which smaller communities such as Ocean Ridge, South Palm Beach and Manalapan have been paying for services from larger departments including Boynton Beach and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Although Highland Beach commissioners have said they would be amenable to renegotiating, Delray Beach commissioners signaled during a meeting last month that they don’t see that as an option.

“It doesn’t appear there is room for negotiation as far as our commission and our fire chief are concerned,” Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia said following that meeting.

While Highland Beach officials repeatedly say they are happy with the exceptional service they receive from Delray Beach, town leaders balked at the costs they say are unsustainable.

The town currently pays about 40 percent of its annual operating budget or about $5 million a year for services from Delray, a cost that expected to increase by about $300,000 each year.

The current cost per call, Hillman said, is extraordinary.

“Every time someone from Highland Beach dials 911, it cost Highland Beach $7,000 to send that truck out to service the call,” the mayor said.

While a consultant estimated that Highland Beach could save an much as $2.5 million in operating costs in five years after starting its own department, the town will also have to incur significant start-up costs between $7 and $8 million, Hillman said.

At the same time, Delray Beach will face finding ways to fill the estimated close to $6 million Highland Beach would have to pay after the three years if it stayed and also seek ways to respond to the approximately 667 calls each year within Delray Beach city limits that the Highland Beach station responds to.

Petrolia said she is confident the city can find ways to fill the gaps by moving personnel to meet area demands.

“Maybe we have to look at making our department more efficient,” she said.

Petrolia, who has been among the most vocal members of the Delray commission on this issue, said she understands Highland Beach’s concerns but does not think it’s fair for Delray Beach taxpayers to be subsidizing Highland Beach.

“Their millage rate is about half of ours,” she said.

She and Delray Beach Fire Chief Keith Tomey both said that Delray Beach does not make any money as a result of the agreement which calls for Highland Beach to pay for the cost of staffing a town-owned station with a full complement of 22.5 personnel.

During presentations to both the Highland Beach and Delray Beach commissions, Tomey pointed out that Highland Beach is considered part of the Delray Beach service area and as a result has access to all of that city’s resources should they be necessary.

He said his department provides Highland Beach with what he calls “the gold standard of medical care and fire service.”

Privately, however, some Highland Beach commissioners have argued that the town could be even more responsive to the needs of residents if it had its own department and didn’t respond to close to 670 calls in Delray.

While one ladder truck and one rescue wagon are currently assigned to the Highland Beach station, town leaders point out the consultant report includes the town having two rescue wagons, a ladder truck and an engine at the station.

With the additional apparatus, a Highland Beach department will respond to simultaneous calls quicker. Under the current arrangement, a second rescue truck usually comes from over the bridge if there are simultaneous calls in the town.

Highland Beach commissioners recognize that there is still a lot of work to be done and a lot of decisions to be made before the town is ready to launch its own department, but they say they are committed to making it work.

“The No. 1 objective and the No. 1 key point is the health and safety of our residents, not the savings,” Hillman said. “We will spend whatever we have to spend to make sure our residents get the best possible service.”

By Mary Hladky

A 23-year-old North Lauderdale woman is charged with striking and killing a New York federal judge on North Ocean Boulevard in Boca Raton and injuring a 6-year-old boy.

Nastasia Snape was driving erratically when she drove around stopped traffic and onto the sidewalk near the Spanish River Boulevard intersection, striking Sandra Feuerstein, 75, at about 10:09 a.m. on April 9, according to the arrest report. Feuerstein, who was pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center, was nominated to the federal bench in 2003 by President George W. Bush.

Snape continued northbound and struck the boy as he was crossing Ocean Boulevard in the crosswalk. The boy suffered non-life threatening injuries and was released from Delray Medical Center, according to Boca Raton police.

Snape’s vehicle crashed at the intersection of Southeast 10th Street and Southeast 6th Avenue in Delray Beach.

The first Delray Beach police officer on the scene said Snape at first appeared to be unconscious, but she then began to convulse or have seizure-like movements.

She got out of her red two-door sedan and told the officer she was OK. Once inside an ambulance, she screamed and fought with medics, stating that she was “Harry Potter.” Medics administered Ketamine, an anesthetic, to calm her, the arrest report states.

Among her possessions were containers labeled as “THC Cannabis” and the synthetic drug called “T salts,” which the arrest report states is known to cause excited delirium.

Snape, whose last name is the same as Severus Snape, a prominent character in the Harry Potter books, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving injury.

Feuerstein, who served on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, previously was a Nassau County District Court judge and a justice on the New York Supreme Court.

“Judge Feuerstein was a treasured member of our Eastern District bench,” District Court Executive Eugene Corcoran said in a statement. “Her eccentric style and warm personality lit up the courtroom. She will be missed by her colleagues and litigants alike."

Wellington residents Mark Harris and his friend Millie Moy (far right) walk his dogs, Big Buster, a goldendoodle, and Bolt, a Maltese, through Mounts Botanical Garden on a Sunday afternoon. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Canines and their humans can savor the beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden the second Sunday of each month

By Arden Moore

Yes, it is true that dogs do dig daily routines. They do like predictability. But I bet many of our canine pals are getting a bit bored by being taken for daily walks at the same time, same place and same duration.

Dogs need and deserve opportunities for new places to sniff and survey. And with spring in full bloom, let me recommend you take your dog for an adventure-filled leashed walk at the Mounts Botanical Garden in West Palm Beach.

Mark your calendar and say it out loud to help you remember: every second Sunday of the month. That is the time when this 14-acre botanical garden permits well-mannered dogs to accompany their people for walks.

Upcoming Dogs Day in the Garden dates are April 11 and May 9 (Mother’s Day). The garden is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the cost is $10 per person, $5 for kids ages 5 to 12 and no charge for garden members.

Hannah Arnst strolls the garden with Buddy, her Siberian husky. Photo provided

Hannah Arnst, who lives in nearby Flamingo Park, treated Buddy, her Siberian husky, to a garden sniff and walk and is planning to return.

“We had a blast,” says Arnst, who is the communications manager for the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. “There was a nice, light breeze and we even met another husky on the path. Buddy seemed to really like the butterfly garden area.”

The garden’s dog event supplemented her efforts to exercise Buddy and stay safe during the pandemic.

“He needs lots of exercise and we have a large backyard for him to run around, but we would do our best to try to walk him in the evening in our neighborhood,” says Arnst. “The garden invite offers Buddy and other dogs a nice change of scenery. For us, it was a great chance to reconnect with nature, turn off our cellphones and enjoy each other’s company.”

Michelle Keba walks her dog Noelle, a 4-year-old black Lab, through the Mounts Botanical Garden. The dog Sundays will continue through September, with the next one scheduled for April 11. Photo by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Melissa Carter, the Delray Beach woman in charge of marketing at Mounts, reports that this monthly event is so popular that it will continue through September.

“We estimate that there is one dog for every three visitors coming here,” she says. “When this pandemic hit, Mounts Botanical Garden is a safe place to be. We keep the day low-key: one dog per person, no tents, no vendors. We are finding that people are happy, taking photos and having an enjoyable family day with their dogs.”

Within Mounts are 25 themed gardens with more than 2,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants.

Mark Harris, Millie Moy and their canine friends encounter Tito, a 2-year-old English bulldog, being walked by Nicole Jaeger of Boynton Beach, her mom, Loren Sheldone of Lake Worth, and grandmother Gloria Sheldone of Delray Beach. Photo by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

At best guess, Carter says, canine favorites include the Sun Garden of Extremes (full of succulents), the Herb Garden for Well Being (with an array of herbs, including Cuban oregano), the Color and Shade Island (filled with bromeliads and ferns), plus the Great Lawn near the koi-filled lake.

“There is always something new blooming here,” says Carter. “There are lots of winding paths and this is a walk that is mentally and physically beneficial to people and dogs.”

Garden rules
To make your outing safe and fun, heed these rules:
• Dogs must be on leashes no longer than 6 feet. No retractable leashes.
• One dog per person only. If you have more than one dog, bring a friend who can walk your second dog.
• Dogs must be up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Pack water and treats and spare refuse bags.
• No dogs are allowed in plant beds or in the lake.
• Mounts is at 531 N. Military Trail, north of Southern Boulevard in West Palm Beach.
• Call 561-233-1757 or see www.mounts.org.

Keep pets away from dangerous plants

With more dogs enjoying outings and more south Floridians tending to their gardens, I reached out to a leading veterinarian for safety advice. Dr. Justine Lee is double board-certified in toxicology and emergency medicine. She offers this advice for homes with cats and dogs:
“No fresh-cut flowers or bouquets of flowers in the house,” says Lee. “If you can’t confidently identify Lilium or Hemerocallis species — or what we call ‘true lilies’ — then it is a big no-no. When in doubt, take pictures of your plants and call an animal poison control to be safe.”
Some plants, if ingested by pets, can cause vomiting or diarrhea or, worse, seizures and death. In South Florida, these five plants rank as most dangerous to pets:
• Azaleas
• Oleander
• Sago palm
• Lilies
• Bulb plants
For a complete list of unsafe plants for pets, visit the ASPCA poisonous plants webpage at www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. The center’s toll-free number is 888-426-4435, and the center is staffed 24 hours a day by board-certified veterinary toxicologists.
Lee offers these five safe plants if you have cats or dogs:
• Spider plant
• Wandering Jew
• Jade plant
• Christmas cactus
• Bromeliads
“These plants are in my house,” says Lee. “Keep in mind that the majority of plants are relatively safe, but when in doubt, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for lifesaving information.”

Arden Moore, founder of FourLegged Life.com, is an animal behavior consultant, author, speaker and master certified pet first-aid instructor. She hosts “Oh Behave!” weekly on PetLifeRadio.com. See www.ardenmoore.com.

Constance Scott with Gigi 2, Marta Batmasian with Tamar (a dog gifted to her by her son), and Andrea Kline with Duncan, Harry and Charlie. Photo provided by Kaye Communications

By Amy Woods

Bark & Brunch — an inaugural event that Tri-County Animal Rescue plans to cultivate — will honor three devoted “pup moms” for their support of the no-kill shelter.

The outdoor fundraiser will be May 2 at The Addison in Boca Raton, with proceeds going to a medical fund that subsidizes veterinary services at the Lois Pope Pet Clinic.

In situations like the coronavirus pandemic, “the animals are the last to be taken care of,” said Andrea Kline, one of the honorees. “A lot of people have to abandon their animals because they can’t afford to take care of them. Somebody’s got to rescue them, and we’re there to do that.”

Kline has four adopted dogs from the shelter: Harry, a 1-year-old mutt; Charlie, an 8-year-old bichon frise/Havanese mix; Duncan, a 10-year-old Yorkshire terrier; and Lucky, a 12-year-old shih- tzu.

“I’m totally devoted to Tri-County,” Kline said of the shelter, based in west Boca Raton. “It’s important to me that we fund the medical center as well as the shelter.”

Also being honored is Constance Scott.

“I want to bring attention to Tri-County,” said Scott, who adopted Gigi 2, a 6-year-old Maltese/poodle mix, from the shelter. “They always need money. They’re always rescuing dogs from all over the country. This is a facility that has a gold heart. What an event like this does is it shines a bright light on what we’re trying to do.”

The third honoree, Marta Batmasian, said the nonprofit has suffered — as have many others — because of the global pandemic, prompting board members to develop alternative events with built-in safety guidelines in an attempt to make up for not being able to have the annual Doggie & Kittie Ball.

“It was hard work to build this clinic,” Batmasian said of the facility that debuted in July 2019. “We are trying to keep the doors open, but the budget keeps on going up.”

If You Go
What: Bark & Brunch
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2
Where: The Addison, 2 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton
Cost: $225
More info: 561-482-8110 or www.tricountyanimal
rescue.com

Daughters Lindsay Raphael​ and Robyn Raphael-Dynan return again to build alongside their mother and Co-Chairwoman Beverly Raphael Altman. Photo provided

By Amy Woods

While the world continues to be upended by COVID-19, Habitat for Humanity South Palm Beach County’s partner families —who had been struggling prior to the pandemic — are facing more challenges while waiting for their homes to be built.

That is why this year’s Women Build event, set for May 5-8, is presented with a “Build Your Way” theme. Forewomen will raise hammers, roofs and, most important, money to help hardworking, low-income homeowners-to-be.

The initiative has expanded to four days, up from three, and offers volunteers multiple options to contribute to the cause. They can join a crew at a construction site, receive a DIY kit with instructions at home or commit to a later date to participate. “We know it has been a gut-wrenching year for everyone, yet as we continue to work through it we have all been greatly inspired by exceptional acts of kindness and generosity given to those struggling in our community,” Co-Chairwoman Robyn Raphael-Dynan said.

“The 2021 Women Build offers yet another heart-warming opportunity for women leaders to give a hand up, not a handout, to hardworking, low-income families in our community who are in critical need of decent housing.”
For more information, call 561-819-6070, ext. 208, or visit www.habitatsouthpalmbeach.org.

Cultural Council fund supports arts organizations

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County has awarded $186,191 to local arts organizations through a new grant program that was created using a portion of the county’s allocation of federal CARES Act money.

The Palm Beach County Cultural Resiliency Fund was developed to provide direct relief to arts organizations affected by the coronavirus pandemic. A total of 15 nonprofits received money.

“As attention turned to addressing the global pandemic, many local cultural organizations lost significant income from donors, corporations and foundations as well as ticket sales,” said Dave Lawrence, the council’s president and CEO. “Thanks to the support of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council and County Administrator Verdenia Baker, the Palm Beach County Cultural Resiliency Fund supported recovery efforts throughout Palm Beach County.”

“Receiving this grant was a lifeline — it was what we needed to keep going and pay our performers,” said Elizabeth Dashiell, co-producer of the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival, one of the recipients. “Last year, we all learned that the arts are vulnerable, but they’re also vital.”

Elizabeth Smart headlines ‘No Excuse for Abuse’

The Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service’s “No Excuse for Abuse” event, the annual signature program of the agency, took place virtually featuring abduction survivor Elizabeth Smart as the keynote speaker.

Ilene Goldstein, Diann Mann and Judith Rosenberg served as event co-chairwomen, Peter and Barbara Sidel emceed, and Susan Shulman Pertnoy interviewed Smart.

“The 17th annual ‘No Excuse for Abuse’ virtual evening presented us with the unprecedented opportunity of raising awareness of the uncomfortable topic of domestic abuse with people who may not have been able to attend our event in the past,” CEO Marc Hopin said. “We adapted our signature event this year much like we have with all of the vital programs and services we provide, laser-focused on continuing to improve the lives of individuals and families facing challenges.”

Also at the event, the winners of the “No Excuse for Abuse” poster/poetry contest were announced. Submitted by Jewish students, the entries focused on the topics of bullying, teen dating abuse and emotional, verbal and physical abuse.

Retired doctor takes helm at Quantum Foundation

The Quantum Foundation has named Dr. Gerald O’Connor as its new board chairman.

O’Connor, a retired physician, will occupy the position for two years, leading Palm Beach County’s largest health care funder.

“Our board and staff are seen by the community as thought leaders in the health care space — tackling big issues facing Palm Beach County while always being there for those working on a grassroots level, since we know that is where a community’s health often happens,” O’Connor said. “I am passionate about helping people, and my experience as a physician will bring a unique perspective to the board chair position.”

“We are looking forward to having Dr. O’Connor as Quantum Foundation’s board chair,” President Eric Kelly said. “His passion for helping people and his community involvement makes him an asset to our foundation, and he is a true leader who will guide us through the upcoming years to help make health equity happen.”

Y helps South County kids be safe around water

As part of its commitment to reduce drowning rates and keep children safe in and around the water, the YMCA of South Palm Beach County will provide scholarships for swim instruction and water safety to youths from underserved communities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages 14 and younger.
“Educating children how to be safe around water is just as important as teaching them to look both ways before they cross the street,” said Libby Moon, the Y’s drowning-prevention coordinator. “The Y teaches children of all ages and backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, and this practice not only saves lives, it builds confidence.”

In addition to acquiring water-safety skills, children can increase their physical activity by learning to swim, and the group settings aim to teach them life lessons such as sportsmanship.

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

Cheryl Lindsay and Diana Maune. Photo provided

The question was never whether there would be an Old Bags Luncheon, it was how. The creative minds at the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County delivered something so special that more than 60 local businesses joined in as partners. Highlights included a spectacular silent auction of designer handbags and a sold-out luncheon. Proceeds will benefit the agency’s mental health services.

Nicole Mugavero, Kathryn Gillespie, Adkins, Saks store manager Heather Shaw, Marilyn Swillinger and Lisa Warren stand by one of the installations. Photo provided

In honor of Women’s History Month, Saks Fifth Avenue recognized Impact 100 Palm Beach County with three installations in its Boca Raton store to showcase the female-led nonprofit. ‘We are so honored to have supporters like Saks Fifth Avenue Boca Raton to help us get our message out into the community,’ said Kathy Adkins, Impact 100 president. ‘We strive to connect, engage and inspire women to improve our community by collectively funding impactful $100,000 grants to nonprofits in our area that are dedicated to addressing the challenges facing our community. The more members we have, the more grants we can give to nonprofits in southern Palm Beach County.’

Holly Mattson, Stephanie Kahlert, Debra Ghostine, Joumana Dagher, Patricia Knobel and Sandra Awaida.

Susan O’Connor, Rosie O’Connor and Ghostine. Photos provided

The 11th annual Loop for Literacy raised a record $80,000-plus to help fight illiteracy in Palm Beach County. More than 250 donors and 300 bicyclists, runners and walkers participated in the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County’s fundraiser. Participants could pedal, run or walk in the time and place of their choice.