birthday - News - The Coastal Star2024-03-29T12:35:14Zhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/birthdayGulf Stream: Town names library for longtime clerkhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/gulf-stream-town-names-library-for-longtime-clerk2021-03-03T16:09:10.000Z2021-03-03T16:09:10.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8627892661,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8627892661,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8627892661?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></strong><em>Gulf Stream Mayor Scott Morgan presents Town Clerk Rita Taylor with a plaque Feb. 12 recognizing her dedication to the town. The Town Commission surprised Taylor by naming the Town Hall library in her honor. Taylor has worked for the town for 31 years. <strong>Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
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<p><strong>By Steve Plunkett</strong></p>
<p>The one-room library inside Town Hall is now the “Rita L. Taylor Gulf Stream Library” in a show of gratitude for the town clerk’s 31 years of service.<br /> “Rita has been over those years the face of this town, and it is her relationship with the residents here that has been so significant,” Mayor Scott Morgan said as commissioners approved the naming Feb. 12.<br /> Taylor became only the second person in Gulf Stream to have something named after her. She was surprised by the gesture, which came while officials were celebrating her birthday. The town’s commission chambers are named for the late and longtime Mayor William F. Koch Jr.<br /> “I don’t know of any place that I would have rather spent 31 years,” Taylor said. “I love it here. I guess it’s too much to ask for another 31 years.”<br /> Besides being a reading room, the library is where residents and architects meet with Taylor to review building plans and where town commissioners chat with her over upcoming agenda items.<br /> Taylor, whose age was not disclosed, previously served 20 years as clerk in Ocean Ridge. Meanwhile, she was an alderwoman and volunteer clerk in Briny Breezes, where she owns a second home, from the early 1970s to the late 2000s.<br /> Taylor is Gulf Stream’s second-longest tenured employee. Police Chief Edward Allen joined Gulf Stream’s police force in 1988.<br /> Putting in decades of public service is not exactly rare in Gulf Stream. Koch was in his 46th year as mayor when he died in 2012. Town Manager William Thrasher retired in 2017 after 21 years of employment and now holds the same spot in Briny Breezes.<br /> And Commissioner Joan Orthwein was honored by the Florida League of Cities in 2020 for her 25 years as an elected official. That did not include seven years on the Architectural Review and Planning Board.<br /> “I feel that this is my second home,” Taylor said of Town Hall. “And I enjoy every minute of it — or most every minute.” Ú</p></div>Celebrations: 104th birthday celebration The Carlisle Palm Beach, Lantana — Feb. 25https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrations-104th-birthday-celebration-the-carlisle-palm-beach-l2021-03-02T21:46:46.000Z2021-03-02T21:46:46.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8622405061,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8622405061,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8622405061?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Lantana Mayor Dave Stewart presented Baller with a proclamation. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p>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. </p>
<p> </p></div>Boca Raton: Happy 90th birthday to man behind nature center’s foundinghttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-happy-90th-birthday-to-man-behind-nature-center-s-foun2021-02-03T14:55:13.000Z2021-02-03T14:55:13.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming<div><p><strong><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8510945086,RESIZE_1200x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8510945086,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8510945086?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a></strong></p>
<p><strong>By Mary Hladky</strong></p>
<p>As Gordon Gilbert’s 90th birthday on Jan. 27 drew near, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District asked for ideas on how to honor the beloved environmentalist who was instrumental in founding the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.<br />Dozens of district and city residents immediately threw their support behind creating a fitting tribute. <br />The result was a proclamation issued on Jan. 19, saying Gilbert “has devoted over 46 years to our community and has led efforts to preserve over 1,000 acres of green space.” <br />“His life and his advocacy for environmental education will transcend generations to come.”<br />That proclamation was presented to Gilbert at a gathering of family and friends at Sugar Sand Park on Jan. 23.<br />“Gordon is sort of like a north star and someone you could sail your ship by,” Commissioner Robert Rollins said as commissioners considered a tribute.<br />Mayor Scott Singer, joined by Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke and council members Monica Mayotte and Yvette Drucker at the Walk of Fame at Royal Palm Place, issued another proclamation that declared Jan. 27 as Gordon Gilbert Day in Boca Raton.<br />“As the founder and longtime director of Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, his work has led to the creation of one of the finest marine conservation sites anywhere,” Singer said. “His incredible 46 years as a city board member are only part of a life well lived as an educator, environmentalist and outstanding person.”<br />Other accolades poured forth, among them from Michele Peel, former president of the Friends of Gumbo Limbo, and Jim Miller, the current president.<br />Peel noted that while Gilbert is best known for his work on behalf of Gumbo Limbo, his impact on the Boca Raton community “is actually much deeper and longer lasting” because he advocated for acquiring land for public parks and nature preserves.<br />That is a key reason Boca Raton became known as a “city within a park.”<br />Miller also cited Gilbert’s years as a biology teacher at Boca Raton High School. He later taught environmental and marine science to third-, fifth- and seventh-graders at Spanish River Park.<br />“It always amazes me that people talk about how they took classes or took tours with Gordon, his involvement with their education,” Miller said.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8510948669,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8510948669,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8510948669?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Gumbo Limbo founder Gordon Gilbert walks with family and friends at the nature center during his 90th birthday celebration. He is accompanied by his daughter Sandi Stafford and her husband, Ronnie Stafford, left, and Friends of Gumbo Limbo board member Robyn Morigerato, right.</em></p>
<p><br />Gilbert served as a Beach and Park District commissioner from 1978 to 2008 and was reappointed in 2018 to the city’s Parks and Recreation Board for his 23rd two-year term.<br />Beach and Park District commissioners originally considered renaming Ocean Strand Park for Gilbert, an idea supported by at least 50 people who sent emails to the district or spoke up at its Jan. 4 meeting. O’Rourke was among them.<br />Commissioners backed off that idea over concerns that they were acting too quickly and that Gilbert has stronger connections to Gumbo Limbo.<br />“I was obviously disappointed,” Peel said, but she realized commissioners didn’t have much time to consider the idea ahead of Gilbert’s birthday.<br />Miller also favored the renaming but said he understood the commission’s reluctance to jump into that decision quickly.<br />There will be more opportunities to add to Gilbert’s honors, he said, including the possibility of additional recognition of his advocacy for Gumbo Limbo, where he served as the nature center’s first director.<br />A plaque honoring him already exists at Gumbo Limbo, which notes his teaching, evening tours that let people observe sea turtles nesting on the beach, and his “vision and initiative” in the acquisition of park land and nature preserves. </p></div>Town Proclamation Gulf Stream — Nov. 26https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/town-proclamation-gulf-stream-nov-262020-12-01T21:37:13.000Z2020-12-01T21:37:13.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}8237968301,RESIZE_930x{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}8237968301,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" width="710" alt="8237968301?profile=RESIZE_710x" /></a><em>Mayer holds a photo of her late husband, William Anthony Mayer, an internationally known polo player. <strong>Photo provided</strong></em></p>
<p>It was officially Marilyn Gooder Mayer Day in Gulf Stream as the town noted the beginning of the longtime resident’s centennial year. Mayer's contributions include time on the town’s beautification committee; support of St. Paul’s Day School, Gulf Stream School and Saint Andrew’s School; and service to Bethesda Hospital and numerous Bethesda Balls. She also ‘taught Gulf Stream children about philanthropy by having Youth Board Meetings, by climbing trees and conducting pancake hunts in support of Bethesda,’ read the proclamation signed by Mayor Scott Morgan. </p></div>Boca Raton: WWII veteran marks 99th birthday with call to protect future generationshttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/boca-raton-wwii-veteran-marks-99th-birthday-with-call-to-protect-2020-05-20T14:00:00.000Z2020-05-20T14:00:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954655,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954655,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960954655?profile=original" /></a>Arthur Metzger is surrounded by family and friends on a parade through Mizner Park ahead of his 99th birthday. The march, which urged residents and</em> <em>politicians to make the planet better, was Feb. 29, before the coronavirus halted such gatherings. <strong>Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Margie Plunkett</strong></p>
<p><br /> A small group armed with signs such as “Think About the Grandchildren” marched through Mizner Park in late February, singing and chanting to bring attention to how we should leave the world for those who follow. A 99-year-old World War II veteran led the rally, which coincided with his birthday March 3.<br /> Arthur Metzger, in a wheelchair powered by his son, was joined by his family and friends, all supporters of his wish to urge politicians and residents to do what’s right for coming generations.<br /> “We had little ones from 2 years old to 99 — Arthur — singing these songs and carrying the banners,” said Metzger’s wife, Carole Weller. <br /> After all was said and done, Metzger said he hoped the event, with about 50 participants, made an impact “on some of the politicians who were on the borderline.” <br /> The rally was sparked by a family discussion in Metzger’s living room of the environment and other pressing issues that ended in a challenge by Weller to her husband: “What are you going to do about it?” <br /> “He said he was going to get a sign and walk with it,” Weller recalled. “Every one of us perked up and said, ‘What? What do you mean?’ He said, ‘I think we should do something.’<br /> “He was genuinely worried about the world that we brought our children and grandchildren into,” Weller said, adding that they have a blended family of seven children, 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. “It doesn’t matter the cause — they all needed addressing.”<br /> Weller said that looking at Metzger’s past helps explain his wish to make a better world.<br /> He was born in a small town outside Nuremberg, Germany, to a well-to-do family who fled the Nazis in 1936, arriving in New York City practically penniless. Metzger was 15. He finished high school in America, began working and then enlisted in the Army. When officials there found out he wasn’t a U.S. citizen, they naturalized him.<br /> He took part in the landing at Normandy, France, during WWII and went on to fight in France and Germany until the war ended.<br /> “He was a big hero,” Weller said. <br /> Metzger recalled that during his four-year Army stint, he was promoted to lieutenant by the end of the war and was decorated for his service. His decorations and citations included the World War II victory medal, American campaign medal, European African Middle Eastern ribbon with two battle stars and the bronze star.<br /> When Metzger returned to the United States, he became a pioneer in the plastics industry, building a global company called Amco Plastics International in New York. With his background as self-made — knowing what it was like to be practically homeless and penniless — he became a very charitable man, Weller said. He was involved with a long list of issues, including his children’s education, Jewish causes and politics nationally and locally.<br /> Metzger stopped actively working at his company nine or 10 years ago, remaining as chairman of the board for another five years. The company was run by his son, Gary, until about five years ago, when it was sold.<br /> “Arthur was playing tennis, golf and bridge until he was 92,” Weller said, but failing eyesight, Parkinson’s disease and other ailments caught up with him.<br /> Nothing stopped him from leading the rally, however, and trying to make a difference.<br /> “Our hope was that people along the way would see the signs and think, ‘What are they talking about?’” Weller said.<br /> “Maybe it would dawn on them that we should be thinking about our future and what we should do about it. That was the whole idea. We felt it was successful.”</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954680,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960954680,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960954680?profile=original" /></a>Arthur Metzger kisses his great-granddaughter Ciena Parisi after the march.</em></p></div>Boynton Beach: Genealogy search reveals unexpected surprise: Three sistershttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/along-the-coast-genealogy-search-reveals-unexpected-surprise-thre2019-04-03T18:30:00.000Z2019-04-03T18:30:00.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960853496,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960853496,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960853496?profile=original" /></a><em>Susan Simpson, Beverlee Schnellenberger and Kathy Jeffers (l-r) were the talk of Howard Schnellenberger’s 85th birthday celebration at the Schnellenberger home in Boynton Beach. When Tim Schnellenberger and his wife, Anyssa, started a genealogy project last year, they discovered his mother, Beverlee, had three half-sisters she never knew existed. The third, Jan Close, did not attend the celebration. <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960853882,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960853882,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" width="450" alt="7960853882?profile=original" /></a><em>Beverlee and Jan met for the first time in February. ‘They’re so happy with me, thank God, and I’m so happy with them,’ Beverlee says of her sisters.</em> <strong><em>Photo provided</em></strong></p>
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<p><strong>By Brian Biggane</strong></p>
<p>A genealogy project Tim Schnellenberger and wife Anyssa started last year “just for fun” turned serious when they discovered his mother, Beverlee Schnellenberger, had three half-sisters she never knew existed.<br /> “It’s so exciting,” Beverlee said March 16 at a party celebrating the 85th birthday of her husband, legendary football coach Howard Schnellenberger, at their home in east Boynton Beach. “They’re so happy with me, thank God, and I’m so happy with them.”<br /> Beverlee, 81, invited about 50 guests to mark Howard’s milestone; among them was newfound sister Kathy Jeffers of Toronto, whom she had never met. Also on hand was younger sister Susan Simpson of New Jersey, who by coincidence has been visiting Palm Beach County for the last several years to compete in equestrian competitions in Wellington. The third sister, Jan Close of Chicago, didn’t make the trip.<br /> “Everybody is so happy for us,” Susan said. “The story is amazing.” <br /> Tim Schnellenberger said he “wasn’t looking for close relatives” when he initiated the process on the website 23andMe.com last summer. <br /> “My dad is from Kentucky and my mom is from Montreal, and we don’t spend a lot of time up there to know who is who and what’s what,” he said. “So we saw where we came from and our background, and didn’t think much of it. <br /> “But there was a message there that I didn’t see, and then I got a Facebook message from Susan’s daughter, who turns out to be my cousin. She said, ‘We did 23andMe as well and have a high-percentage match; we think your mom might be related to my mom and her sisters.’” <br /> As it turned out, back in the mid-1930s Beverlee’s father had a brief affair with her mother, then moved on and never looked back. The baby was placed with a family and Beverlee was never told of her background, believing the couple that raised her were her birth parents. <br /> “My father that raised me probably thought I was his child,” Beverlee said. “We think; we don’t know.” <br /> Seven months later her biological father got married and raised a family with three girls. Both families resided in the Montreal area but never had knowledge of the other. <br /> “Our father would have been thrilled to have a fourth daughter,” Kathy said. “He adored his girls.” <br /> As weeks passed by and the evidence mounted, Tim remained skeptical. He decided to send a 23andMe kit to Beverlee’s sister Lynn in Montreal to determine whether they were actually sisters. <br /> “And two weeks later it showed less of a match with Lynn than with these people,” he said. <br /> Now it was time to tell his mother, and he chose the family’s Thanksgiving get-together at his parents’ house to do it. <br /> “I said, ‘Would you be OK if it turned out Piff, the father you grew up with, wasn’t your dad?’ She said yes. Then I said, ‘I think you have some sisters.’ So I explained the story and she said, ‘You mean I have sisters?’ I said ‘Yes.’ So she started crying. I said, ‘You’re happy about this, right?’ She said, ‘I’m so happy.’” <br /> Within moments they were on the phone calling Susan in New Jersey. “She picked up,” Tim said, “and they started talking, and haven’t stopped talking since. <br /> “They’re really awesome people,” he added. “I would have loved to have had them as a part of our family the whole time.” <br /> As the three lined up for photos at the party, it was Howard who noticed not only the physical resemblance but that they all even dressed similarly. <br /> Said Kathy, “We always thought Jan was the bossy one because she was the oldest. Now we know Beverlee is the oldest, and she’s bossy too.” <br /> Whatever hesitation there was among the sisters belonged to Kathy, who admits she’s the most conservative of the family. <br /> “I was very concerned that it was my mother’s (child), and she had given the baby away,” she said. “So I was very hesitant to do it.” The testing proved otherwise.</p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960854089,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960854089,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-center" alt="7960854089?profile=original" /></a> <em>The Schnellenbergers renew their wedding vows before chaplain Leo Armbrust ahead of their 60th anniversary in May. <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p>
<p><br /> The party guests, many of whom have been friends since Howard’s stint of founding the football program at Florida Atlantic University and at least a few who date back to his national championship season at the University of Miami, were buzzing about the sequence of events that brought the sisters together. <br /> Susan’s husband, Rick Simpson, who describes himself as a huge football fan, said he “really didn’t know what to say” when he first heard the story. <br /> “It took a while to digest,” he said. “Susan was ecstatic from the first minute, and then she and Beverlee got together and it’s like they’ve known each other for 30 years. I don’t even know how to explain it. I tell other people and they say, ‘Naw. It just doesn’t work this way.’” <br /> Simpson, who owns a recruiting business, had some fun when he told his employees the story, purposely leaving out the Schnellenbergers’ last name.<br /> “So one of the guys wants to know, and I tell him, ‘Well, he was involved with football.’ So he says, ‘What’s his last name?’ I tell him and he says, ‘You’ve gotta be kidding me.’ He was all over it. He knows more about Howard than Howard does.” <br /> In another nice touch to the evening, Leo Armbrust, who has served as chaplain to both the UM and Miami Dolphins football teams, took the opportunity to renew Howard and Beverlee’s wedding vows as they approach their 60th wedding anniversary in May. <br /> Moments after the ceremony ended, Tim Schnellenberger stepped out the front door of the house, lit a cigarette and told the story of how 23andMe had just changed the lives of himself and his parents. <br /> “This 23andMe thing is pretty amazing,” he said. “There’s really a whole new world out there.”</p></div>Celebrating 100: Prime Catch, Boynton Beach — May 21https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/celebrating-100-prime-catch-boynton-beach-may-212018-05-29T22:03:57.000Z2018-05-29T22:03:57.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960791483,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960791483,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" class="align-center" alt="7960791483?profile=original" /></a><em>Pat Barnes, of Briny Breezes, was treated to lunch — and dessert — by a group of friends for her 100th birthday. The afternoon celebration continued with 15 hands of bridge. Barnes was the big winner. A larger birthday celebration took place May 26.</em></p>
<p class="p1" style="text-align:center;"><em><b>LEFT:</b> Lu McInnes and Barnes. </em></p>
<p class="p2" style="text-align:center;"><em><span class="s1"><b>Photo provided</b></span></em></p></div>Paws Up for Pets: Have a plan for beloved pets after you are gonehttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/paws-up-for-pets-have-a-plan-for-beloved-pets-after-you-are-gone2016-06-01T13:09:52.000Z2016-06-01T13:09:52.000ZThe Coastal Starhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/TheCoastalStar<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960653254,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="500" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960653254,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960653254?profile=original" /></a><em>Agnes Simon and her poodle-Pekinese mix, Benji, celebrate his 11th birthday</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>at The Carlisle Palm Beach senior living community in Lantana.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Arden Moore</strong></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"> Inside The Carlisle Palm Beach senior living community in Lantana, you expect to see activities like people playing cards, swimming laps in the pool and learning to paint with oils. But also inside generating smiles, sparking conversation and providing loyal companionship are the dogs and cats belonging to residents such as Agnes Simon.<br /> Simon feels much younger than her 83 years, and she gives much of this credit to her poodle-Pekinese mix, Benji. <br /> “I love everything about him and he is very spoiled,” she says. “He listens to everything I say and I definitely think my health is better because of him and Harmony, my black cat. If you love your dog or cat, this is the place to be, for sure.”<br /> Recently, Simon celebrated Benji’s 11th birthday by inviting residents with dogs to attend a paw-ty (that’s how it was spelled on the invitations) complete with dog-safe cookies, ice cream and, of course, party hats for the seven or so canines in attendance.<br /> Karen Delgado, director of resident programming, says that pet parades, doggy fashion shows, play dates and visits from certified therapy dogs also occur on a regular basis inside The Carlisle. Cats and dogs less than 20 pounds are welcomed four-legged residents.<br /> “Residents who have dogs have seemed to network with one other,” says Delgado. “Pets are so therapeutic. They give unconditional love and also give our seniors a reason to care for another — their pet. Some here who are alone get a lot of comfort from their pets.”<br /> It’s true. Dogs, cats and other companion animals bonded to you don’t care if you’re tall or short, young or old. They unleash love easily and consistently. <br /> One of my favorite ageless friends is Flo Frum. She helped deliver a litter of five healthy miniature schnauzer pups four months shy of her recent 92nd birthday. She lives in Oceanside, Calif., with a senior friend and together they thrive, sharing their home with the momma dog, Tyler, and one of the pups they kept, the spirited and friendly Tiny.<br /> “I’ve had dogs all my life and don’t intend to stop now that I’m 92,” declares Frum. “Tyler and Tiny give me so much love and they make me laugh and smile. That is priceless.” <br /> Seniors like Agnes and Flo recognize that the secret to longevity and maintaining good health may be just a tail wag or a purr away. <br /> Clinical studies sponsored by prestigious places such as the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins University confirm what pet lovers have always known: Companion animals boost their people emotionally, physically and mentally. Studies indicate pets have the ability to elevate our levels of serotonin, endorphins and other feel-good body chemicals. <br /> One vital way to return this unconditional love is to have a plan in place in the event your pet outlives you. Spearheading this effort on a national scale is Amy Shever, founder and director of 2nd Chance for Pets (<a href="http://www.2ndchance4pets.org">www.2ndchance4pets.org</a>), a nonprofit, all-volunteer group that provides information and solutions — including pet trusts — to help ensure pet owners have “lifetime care” in place for their pets. <br /> The group’s goal is to reduce the number of beloved pets relinquished and euthanized each year due to the death or disability of their owners.<br /> “If every responsible pet owner had a written plan in place with a named caregiver, we could save 500,000 pets a year,” says Shever. “Regardless of age, every responsible pet owner needs to have a plan of care, should their pets outlive them.”<br /> Key points in including pets in your will and estate planning include:<br /> • Choose the best plan. Your choices include a pet trust or naming care instructions for your pet in your will or estate documents.<br /> • Choose caregivers now who agree to care for your pet if you die or are not physically able. Carry an emergency pet ID card with you that contains the names and contact numbers for these designated caregivers.<br /> • Create a written plan that states exactly how you want your pet to be cared for, including the type of food, grooming and other activities.<br /> • Provide money for your pet’s care. And if your pet dies with money left in the fund, select where that money should go — say an individual or a pet charity.<br /> • Talk about it. Let trusted friends and family members know where your trust or other document is and let them know your care plans for your surviving pets. <br /> “Having these care instructions makes it so much easier for whoever is taking care of the pet if the owner is in the hospital or nursing home,” says Shever. “This makes this transition so much easier, especially on the pets. <br />“We even encourage giving copies of your pet estate plans to your veterinarian. Consider laminating a copy and keep it in a place where people can easily find it in your home.”<br /> I urge you to “sniff” around the <a href="http://www.2ndchance4pets.org">www.2ndchance4pets.org</a> site; it has plenty of resources to help you protect your pets should they outlive you. <strong><br /><br /></strong><em>Arden Moore, founder of <a href="http://www.FourLeggedLife.com">www.FourLeggedLife.com</a>, is an animal behavior consultant, editor, author, professional speaker and master certified pet first aid instructor. Each week, she hosts the Oh Behave! show on <a href="http://www.PetLifeRadio.com">www.PetLifeRadio.com</a>. Learn more by visiting <a href="http://www.fourleggedlife.com">www.fourleggedlife.com</a>.</em></p></div>100th birthday party: Colonial Ridge Club Clubhouse, Ocean Ridge – March 17https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/100th-birthday-party-colonial-ridge-club-clubhouse-ocean-ridge-ma2015-04-01T15:11:00.000Z2015-04-01T15:11:00.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960577862,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960577862,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960577862?profile=original" /></a><em>John Sharp (seated, center left) celebrates his 100th birthday at the Colonial Ridge Club Clubhouse in Ocean Ridge on St. Patrick’s Day, Sharp’s favorite holiday. Pictured behind him are his two daughters, Pat Duignan (left) and Nora Furey (with polka dots at right). <strong>Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star</strong></em></p></div>Free gifts from local businesses during your birthday month!https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/free-stuff-from-local-businesses-on-your-birthday-in-delray-beach2014-09-02T04:24:21.000Z2014-09-02T04:24:21.000ZJan van der Baanhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/JanvanderBaan<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960425276,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960425681,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" alt="7960425681?profile=original" /></a>There is a new service that just launched in delray Beach called BirthdayComp.com. It lets you find free gifts from local businesses during your birthday month. It is free to join and you can send gifts to your friends for free too! check it out <a href="http://www.birthdaycomp.com" target="_blank">Click here!</a></p><p></p></div>Birthday Honors: Ocean Ridge Garden Club, Ocean Club - May 7https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/birthday-honors-ocean-ridge-garden-club-ocean-club-may-72014-06-04T14:39:29.000Z2014-06-04T14:39:29.000ZChris Felkerhttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/ChrisFelker<div><p style="text-align:center;"><em><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960512095,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960512095,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="203" alt="7960512095?profile=original" /></a></em><em>The Ocean Ridge Garden Club celebrated the 90th birthday of one</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>of its longtime members, Dottie Morrison, at its year-end luncheon May 7</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>at the Ocean Club of Florida in Ocean Ridge. Club president Kristine de Haseth</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>presents Morrison with an orchid as member Julia Walker looks on.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Photo provided</strong></p></div>80th Birthday Celebration: J.D. Nichols home, Manalapan – March 15https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/80th-birthday-celebration-j-d-nichols-home-manalapan-march-152014-04-02T15:46:12.000Z2014-04-02T15:46:12.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960499469,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="750" class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960499469,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="7960499469?profile=original" /></a><em>Coach Howard Schnellenberger was honored on his 80th birthday by hundreds of supporters, including football legend Joe Namath.</em></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960499691,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960499691,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="538" alt="7960499691?profile=original" /></a><em>Schnellenberger and his wife, Beverlee, share a kiss to celebrate the end of the entertainment. <strong>Tim Stepien and Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star</strong></em><br /><br /></p></div>Flossy Keesely’s Pathway to the Stars and birthday party: Mizner Park, Boca Raton - April 18 & 21https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/flossy-keesely-s-pathway-to-the-stars-and-birthday-party-mizner-p2013-05-02T19:22:07.000Z2013-05-02T19:22:07.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960442859,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960442859,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="7960442859?profile=original" /></a> <em>The Broadway Entertainers perform at Flossy Keesely’s Pathway to the Stars show April 21 at Mizner Park in Boca Raton.</em></p>
<p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960442885,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960442885,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="480" alt="7960442885?profile=original" /></a><em>Keesely marked her 99th birthday April 18 with a reception at her Highland Beach condominium. Among the visitors was Henrietta, Countess de Hoernle, who turned 100 last September. The Countess and Flossy have been friends since both lived in New York before moving to South Florida. Also in the crowd was Jan McArt, director of theater arts development at Lynn University and Boca Raton sculptor Yaacov Heller. The birthday celebration preceded by three days the fifth annual Flossy Keesely Pathway to the Stars program, a free variety show held at Mizner Park Amphitheater. McArt was emcee. The show was produced by Flossy Keesely’s Dream Foundation. <strong>Courtesy photos by Dale King</strong></em><br /><br /></p></div>Manalapan: One centenarian’s secret to one long life: spicy Greek foodhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/manalapan-one-centenarian-s-secret-to-one-long-life-spicy-greek-f2012-02-01T21:39:11.000Z2012-02-01T21:39:11.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p style="text-align:center;"><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960372285,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960372285,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960372285?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Centenarian Athena Scangas (left) is joined by her daughter Kathryn Diamond at the La Coquille Club as her birthday cake is lit with 100 candles. <strong>Photo by Tim Stepien</strong></em></p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>By Allen Whittemore</strong><br />“Greek food. I ate everything my mother ever made, and she was Greek.” <br />So says Athena Scangas, describing the secret to a long life as she celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 22 with a safari gala at La Coquille Club. All of the attendees wore something with a leopard print, her favorite pattern. <br />“The music was Greek, the food was Greek and amid the toasts and celebrating, everyone had a great time,” according to her daughter Kathryn, who lives here with her husband, Basil Diamond, the mayor of Manalapan, and Athena.<br />“Mom has so much energy; she danced all night until the musician had to finally stop at 10:30. Friends and family had come from as far away as Massachusetts to wish her a happy birthday.”<br />“The party was like a wedding,” said Scangas,” there were so many beautiful things on the tables.” <br />Scangas was born and reared in Lynn, Mass., in a Greek section of town and that heritage is a strong part of her life. Her mother reared Scangas and her brother singlehandedly because her father died when she was just 5.<br />“Mother really showed me how to raise a family, and how to stay focused.”<br />Scangas met her husband, Paul, from the same part of town, and together they built the West Lynn Creamery into a booming family business. Paul Scangas was later named “Massachusetts Man of the Year,” a fact Scangas still is very proud to share.<br />“We were married during the Depression and did not have a car for 13 years, so we went everywhere in the milk truck. He was such a smart businessman, but such a kind person as well.” <br />During WWII, Scangas volunteered with the Red Cross and spent four years contributing her sewing talents to the war effort. “It was so great to be a part of that time,” she remembers.<br />After the war, the Scangases went to Greece and adopted two girls from “a really nice foster home in Sparta.” Her other daughter, Joan, still lives in Massachusetts. Scangas now has three grown grandchildren and is looking forward to great-grandchildren. <br />The Scangas family began coming to Florida in the mid-1950s, initially settling in Miami. They loved going to Hialeah Park to watch the thoroughbreds run, and then go out to dinner. <br />Slowly she moved farther north, living in Boca Raton during the winter months. <br />Now she lives in Manalapan full time, coming north because Kathryn was here with her “wonderful son-in-law, Basil.”<br />At 100, she has no plans of slowing down and still loves spicy food. <br />“In fact,” Kathryn says, “we had to tone the food down for the party because she likes her food spicier than the rest of us.”<br />“She has been a wonderful mom, “ Kathryn added. “I am the luckiest person in the whole world to have a mom like this … I wouldn’t have it any other way.” </p></div>Editorial: Coastal Star begins fourth year … already?https://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/editorial-coastal-star-begins-fourth-year-already2011-11-02T21:30:12.000Z2011-11-02T21:30:12.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960354860,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-left" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960354860,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="266" alt="7960354860?profile=original" /></a>I usually approach birthdays with mixed emotions. On one hand, I’m grateful I’ve lived as long and as well as I have. On the other hand, I can’t help shaking my head in disbelief over how old I’ve become.<br />The same holds true for the third birthday of The Coastal Star. Our heads are spinning a bit that we’ve survived this long — and yet we’re excited to pop a cork to celebrate our success.<br />We know we’d done our research and had a solid business plan going into the first edition. But we embarked on our mission in the darkest economy in decades. It was an extraordinary challenge.<br />Today we are an award-winning paper, growing larger and better each month. Advertisers turn to us in ever increasing numbers. In fact, advertising revenue has increased 30 percent every year.<br />If the story were to be told about the past three years, the narrative would go something like this: middle-aged married couple take modest buyouts from major media companies, take a home equity line on their 1956 Ocean Ridge home and contact journalism friends about starting an old fashioned community newspaper. Most think we are crazy, but agree to give it a shot.<br />We then go looking for an advertising sales person — and the stars align again. We contact long-time friend and co-worker Chris Bellard and discover she is available and interested in working with us. Those who have worked with Chris know her personality and expertise are a perfect match for our publication. She continues to build and manage a rockin’ sales team that works to find creative solutions for our local advertisers. <br /> About that same time we contact friends and former co-workers Carolyn and Price Patton about lending a hand. From championing The Coastal Star in the community to editing and delivering papers, they too become an element of our success. <br />Then, after a year of producing the paper from our kitchen and a warehouse, office space becomes available in an old dry cleaning shop and we move into a space on A1A.<br />We begin hearing from the folks in South Palm Beach and from residents of Highland Beach and Boca Raton. So, we spread our wings and expand our reporting and distribution into those areas — creating a separate edition for our southern neighbors.<br />During this same time period, we launch a second section — Coastal Life. This allows us to maximize our press capacity during season and focus some features on “all the comforts of home,” — an area embraced by many of our advertisers.<br />We aren’t planning any further expansion this year. Thank goodness! But we are happy to announce a revamped look for the Palm Beach ArtsPaper, and in December look for an expanded, stand-alone Holiday Shopping Guide. <br />And new this month is our Health & Harmony column exploring local trends and businesses that focus on bettering our mental and physical health.<br />And we all need a little of that as we grow older, right?<br /><br />Happy Birthday, <em>Coastal Star</em>.<br /><br />Mary Kate Leming — Editor</div>Centenarian works and plays and is happy todayhttps://thecoastalstar.com/profiles/blogs/centenarian-works-and-plays-and-is-happy-today2011-09-28T19:59:42.000Z2011-09-28T19:59:42.000ZMary Kate Leminghttps://thecoastalstar.com/members/MaryKateLeming769<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960348868,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960348868,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960348868?profile=original" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Jenny Bremanis proudly shows off booties she has crocheted. <strong>Photos by Jerry Lower</strong></em></p>
<p><strong>By Ron Hayes</strong><br /> Jenny Bremanis turns 101 on Oct.1.<br /> Or maybe 103.<br /> She was certainly born on Oct. 1, 1910, in Latvia. A century later, she’s still alive and remarkably well, sharing a home with her daughter, son-in-law, son and grandson on Hypoluxo Island.<br /> She, however, insists that her actual birthdate is Oct. 1, 1908. Her father altered the ages of several family members, she claims, making everyone two years younger so her brother might avoid the draft.<br /> “I’m not so sure I can believe that,” says her son, Jake. “Nobody can prove it.”<br /> Her daughter, Biruta Ditrichs, is also doubtful. “If that happened, he must have had pull.”<br /> But who’s counting? Most of us would be happy to reach even 101 so healthy and happy.<br /> “I believe all is in God’s hands,” she says. “Nobody knows how everything started, but if you give to other people, God will give it back to you.”<br /> Her English is shaky and her accent pronounced, but Jenny’s smile speaks volumes. With her children helping a bit with translation, she tells a wonderful immigrant’s tale.<br /> She was one of seven children, born Jevgenija Emsins. In 1945, she arrived in Germany’s American zone, a war refugee with her husband, Jekabs, whom she married in 1935. He died in 1976 and she never remarried. Of their five children, one died before the war, another while they were traveling. A third, Andre, died two years ago.<br /> In 1950, she emigrated to New Brunswick, N.J., where she worked as a seamstress for Bond’s clothiers for 20 years. And that, she says, is the secret of a long life. Hard work.<br /> “I was always working! I bake rye bread, cake, sewing and working real hard all the time. I’m still working!”<br /> She’s reasonably spry for her age, moving about the house with a three-wheeled walker. From the bag dangling from the walker, she pulls out balls of yarn and crochets booties. “I make two pairs a day,” she brags. She gives them away.<br /> Her diet?<br /> “Cheerios!” With blueberries. And she’s also partial to almond cake, bear claws and bowls of hot oatmeal laced with garlic. She has never smoked.<br /> And what about alcohol?<br /> “I like cognac!” she says, with a very big smile.<br /> She has two hearing aids, uses eyedrops and supplements her diet with vitamins E and B12 and a daily aspirin.<br /> Son Jake has a theory about her longevity.<br /> “In New Jersey, her house had a basement, two floors and a walk-up attic,” he says. “She got a lot of exercise.”<br /> Failing eyesight has hindered her ability to enjoy TV soap operas, so she reads Latvian novels with the help of a magnifying glass.<br /> Ask about hobbies and the wide smile flashes again.<br /> “I like gambling!” Once a regular at Atlantic City, she now plays the slots at the Hard Rock Cafe and the Isle in Pompano. But she’s sworn off Lotto and scratch-off tickets. Her long losing streak has made her suspicious.<br /> On her birthday, about 20 friends plan to gather at La Cigale in Delray Beach. Her tiramisu will not have 103 candles. Not even 101. And she’ll drink a little wine instead of cognac.<br /> “I am happy,” she says. “No more cognac, but wine is <br />OK.” <a href="{{#staticFileLink}}7960349267,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-full" src="{{#staticFileLink}}7960349267,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="360" alt="7960349267?profile=original" /></a></p></div>