Mary Kate Leming's Blog – November 2018 Archive (34)

More than 250 new beds have been installed in Bethesda Hospital East. With one of them are (l-r) Dr. Daniel Goldman, the hospital’s chief medical officer; Chief Operating Officer Ela C. Lena; Jeff Lepior from manufacturer Stryker; and Roger L. Kirk, CEO of the Bethesda hospitals. Photo provided…

Ten years ago, we created our first holiday gift guide, inspired by tiny treasures.

This year, we looked to the sun, the moon, the stars and the sky for inspiration, finding presents large and small, both in size…

By Lona O'Connor

In the glory that is Palm Beach, with its towering palms, tropical palaces and purveyors of precious jewels, who could possibly be seeking more happiness?

Well, in a private dining room at Bice on Peruvian Avenue, two dozen people (who, for the record, looked perfectly content with their lives) were ready.

They were attending a monthly meeting of the Happiness Club, which offers ideas and…

The Spontaneous Christmas Pageant at St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church lets children come onstage as they wish when the pastor calls out the need for story characters. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

Imagine a children’s Christmas pageant…

Nativity comes to life 

Grace Community Church will hold its inaugural live Nativity on Dec. 14 and 15 on the church lawn. Live animals, Christmas story readings, music, kids’ crafts, hot chocolate and Christmas cookies are also planned. The church bulletin says the invitation is the same as it’s always been: “Come, all who are weary, and I will give you rest.” 

Take an hour or two to slow down and attend a…

Merrilee Lundquist, Ocean Ridge Garden Club sustainable project chairwoman, presents a plaque to Dr. Jim Weege in honor of his dedication and long-term service to sustaining the koi pond at Ocean Ridge Town Hall. Photo…

Residents at Rustic Retreat, an assisted living facility, were treated to poinsettias and doughnuts by the Boynton Beach Garden Club. Club member Cyndy DiVeto was at Home Depot by 6 a.m. on Black Friday loading up her car with 30 of the festive red holiday plants — at 99 cents each — and three hours later they were…

Living up to its name, Spanish bayonet is a tough plant with a very sharp point.

By Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

‘Don’t get poked by that Spanish bayonet,” says Jane Thompson, pointing to a plant aptly named for its spiky foliage. Her timely…

At the Juno Beach pier, Jose Villanueva shows two of the Spanish mackerel he caught using a Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow lure.

By Willie Howard

Cool weather of the late fall and winter brings schools of hard-fighting Spanish mackerel to the coast…

Boca Raton-based Ann Casper trains Lil’ Red, rescued from Hurricane Maria, to ease his anxiety. Photo provided

By Arden Moore

The holiday season is in full stride in Palm Beach County. And when it comes to bringing out the best in…

Modern Boca Mom website author Michelle Olson-Rogers, her husband, Andrew, and daughter, Avery, visit the Boca Express Train Museum. Photo provided

By Janis Fontaine

Every mom (or dad) needs a…

John Grogan, part-time Delray Beach resident and author of the bestselling Marley & Me, reads to students at Village Academy during the 2018 Delray Reads Day. This year’s book was Interrupting Chicken by author and illustrator David Ezra Stein. Tim Stepien/The Coastal…

Gulf Stream resident Frankie Stevens reads for the record with the pre-K students at the William B. Finneran Montessori Academy of Sacred Heart School.  The school teamed up with the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County to participate in an attempt to break the world…

During a celebration by orientation and preschool students at Unity School, children pose in front of the Bright Red Mayflower. (l-r) Teacher Alexus Hinton, with students Theodora Tate, Julian Tenhagen, Oliver Tonti, Annabelle Stoneking,  Skylar Yoost, Maxwell Maurer, Caroline Salom, Grace Gerttula, Anthony Rogers,…

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Fans seek autographs from Chris Evert during the 29th annual Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro-Celebrity Tennis Classic last month at Delray Beach Tennis Center. Martina Navratilova celebrates with Jon Lovitz (Saturday Night Live) after they…

St. Joseph’s Episcopal School’s parent network had its second Jaguar Classic golf tournament to raise money for upgrading and making improvements to the Boynton Beach campus.

The event brought out 80 participants to the Seagate Country Club in Delray Beach for a morning of play and then lunch.

More than $14,000 was generated.

Winners of Community Inclusion Awards named…

Sandoway Discovery Center leaders promote the Carols & Cocktails in the Garden fundraiser: (l-r) director of education Evan Orellana, naturalist Amanda Clough, Executive Director Danica Sanborn and board member Kelly Barrette. Photo provided

By…

Nearly 150 guests kicked off the Empty Bowls Delray Beach benefit scheduled for Dec. 2. All proceeds from the family-friendly event will go to the Palm Beach County Food Bank. The VIP reception celebrated event leadership, including Honorary Chairwomen Brenda Medore and Leanne Adair and Chairwoman Patty Jones, as well…

Boca Helping Hands had a special ceremony to thank past and present supporters and volunteers. The organization honored Arthur Remillard Jr., who made the Boca Helping Hands Remillard Family Resource Center possible. ‘Boca Helping Hands does such important work in the community, and it’s much more than a soup…

Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s 10th annual event featured celebrity Jeff Corwin as keynote speaker. Businesses, nonprofits and men and women who have championed a blue lifestyle of marine conservation were recognized. The Blue Friend of the Year Award went to Jacquelyn Kingston for her work in sea turtle conservation,…