Monday, April 28, 2025
Home Blog Page 10

Aging Athletes Gathered for the Wisdom Warrior Challenge

0

A free track race dedicated to the active aging 50+

Palm Beach County  – About 50 active aging participants showed up to join the Wisdom Warrior Challenge, a friendly competition of age-inclusive track races, at Duncan Middle School, 5150 117th Ct N, Palm Beach Gardens, on March 8, at 9 a.m. Participants walked, ran, and used their mobility devices like motorized wheelchairs on the track, with distances ranging from 50 meters to 1 mile.

The “Freelancers” race featured community teams and individuals, who competed to celebrate being vibrant 50+ athletes in our community. The Wisdom Warrior Challenge encourages seniors to stay active, socialize, celebrate their vitality, and challenge the myth that aging means slowing into a sedentary lifestyle. To ensure everyone could join, the Challenge, designed to focus on inclusivity, offered specific divisions for participants using assistive equipment such as canes, walkers, or wheelchairs. Everyone who participated arrived at 8:30 a.m. to stretch and prepare for taking on the track. 

One of the Freelancers, Wayne, expressed his gratitude for events like these that help seniors nurture their health and have fun. “We’re having a great time today,” said Wayne Stillerman, Freelancer of the Wisdom Warrior Challenge Duncan race. “I really appreciate everyone coming out today. I think it’s awesome to have an event that exists for everyone to participate in. It is a great exercise and I think it’s awesome!” 

Participants in the Challenge received swag bags, prizes, and a 90-day fitness program to jumpstart their health and wellness journey. Children, families, and friends cheered from the sidelines, creating an inspiring moment.  

The Wisdom Warrior Challenge is made possible through the commitment of sponsors. The founder, Linda Borgmeyer MSK, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with a master’s in kinesiology, specializing in geriatric exercise science, and the owner of Novoleo Therapy and Fitness in North Palm Beach. The nonprofit is dedicated to supporting seniors in Florida communities and helping them feel empowered. This passion is what motivated her to create the Wisdom Warrior Challenge.

The Wisdom Warrior Challenge is an event where seniors from 50 to 110 years old can come out on the track, stretch their legs, and get moving,” said founder Linda Borgmeyer MSK, OTR/L. “The whole intention is to get everybody moving again for better health.”

The Wisdom Warrior Challenge is free for all participants thanks to support from sponsors such as Healthcare Solutions, Fox Rehab, Liberty Rehab, AARP Florida, Dignity Memorial, Always Best Insurance, Visiting Angels, Trustbridge, Novoleo Therapy and Fitness, Home Suite Home, Social Savvy Seniors, Partnership for Aging, Roaming Medical, and Shoreline Insurance. 
For more information, please https://www.wisdomwarriorchallenge.org. To sign up for the “Freelancers” race, contact the Wisdom Warrior Challenge by email at [email protected] or call 561-202-7650.

American Humane Society Launches New Science and Standards Department to Advance Animal Welfare

PALM BEACH, FL – American Humane Society, the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare practices, has  announced the launch of its new Science and Standards Department.

The department, led by Dr. Tom Edling, American Humane Society’s Chief Veterinary Officer and Animal Ethicist with support from Dr. Amy Adams, Veterinary Officer, Dr. Kelsey Bruno-Bayliff, Farm Standards & Science Coordinator, and Julie Dyer, Pet Provider & Working Animals Certification Program Manager, will enhance the organization’s commitment to advancing animal welfare through scientific research, rigorous standards and education.

The new department will strengthen the effectiveness of American Humane Society’s animal welfare initiatives and help improve humane care. The Science and Standards Department will work across all American Humane Certified™ programs, managing Scientific Advisory Committees, and promoting animal welfare research and humane education.

“Science is the foundation of humane progress, and with the launch of our Science and Standards Department, American Humane Society is taking a bold step forward in advancing animal welfare,” said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of American Humane Society. “Under Dr. Tom Edling’s leadership, this new initiative will ensure that our programs remain rooted in the latest research, uphold exceptional standards of care, and continue to set the bar for humane treatment worldwide.”

Driving Science-Based Animal Welfare Standards

American Humane Society’s Science and Standards Department will lead efforts to regularly review and update welfare standards across the vast animal species and programs that the organization oversees, which includes the development of resources that help ensure clarity and consistency for third party auditors. Data-driven decision-making will play a key role in driving continuous improvement in animal welfare practices and how the department evaluates efficacy. The Science and Standards Department will also oversee auditor training and outreach to promote education and engagement among professionals and the public.

American Humane Society will continue to drive scientific advancements that enhance animal welfare by supporting academic research. This new department will lead the charge in submitting grants and supporting external research in collaboration with academic institutions and other organizations that support innovation in animal industries.

Additionally, the department will oversee Scientific Advisory Committees across all American Humane Society programs, including Ecotourism, Farms, No Animals Were Harmed™, Pet Providers, Pups4Patriots™, Working Animals and Zoos and Aquariums. These committees will provide guidance on program standards, ensuring they remain aligned with the latest scientific developments and best practices in animal welfare.

“The launch of the Science and Standards Department reinforces our commitment to animal welfare across farms, zoos, and the entertainment industry,” said Dr. Tom Edling. “By integrating research, education, and expert guidance, we’re setting the standard for animal care—helping to ensure the well-being of working animals, zoo residents, and animal actors while building trust with caretakers, industry leaders, and consumers.”

Commitment to Continuous Improvement

With the creation of the Science and Standards Department, American Humane Society remains steadfast in its dedication to science-based animal welfare improvements, transparency, and accountability. Through this initiative, the organization continues to lead the way in ensuring humane treatment for all animals.


For more information, visit AmericanHumane.org.

About American Humane Society 

Located in Palm Beach and Washington D.C., American Humane Society is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. Founded in 1877, American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support our life-changing work, please visit AmericanHumane.org, and follow on FacebookX  Instagram and YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth. 

The Secret of the Everglades

SAM THE SNAIL KITE

Release Date is March 24 for Colorful New Children’s Book

Published by the City of West Palm Beach to Promote

Eco-Critical Grassy Waters Preserve

(West Palm Beach, FL – March 14, 2025) The Everglades is disappearing and so are snail kites, an endangered bird of prey native to Florida’s shrinking wetlands. The colorful new book SAM THE SNAIL KITE AND THE SECRET OF THE EVERGLADES focuses on one plucky but curious snail kite on his journey to keep the environmentally critical Everglades alive.

A collaboration of Grassy Waters educators, written by Vera de Chalambert, delightfully illustrated by Christina Eure, and designed by Sarah CravensSAM THE SNAIL KITE will be available on March 24 from the City of West Palm Beach to promote Grassy Waters Preserve, a vital wetlands area that providesdrinking water for thirsty local inhabitants of all ages.

One result of the vanishing wetlands is that snail kites are on the Endangered Species List—a scary fact that motivates Sam to “learn the secret of keeping the Everglades alive.” One after another, he asks all the interconnected plants and animals that have depended on this critical ecosystem for thousands of years if they know the answer.

The ultimate lesson learned: “Everything in the Everglades needs water to live. Without water, humans wouldn’t be able to survive either! Everyone is responsible for protecting water, and we have a part to play.”

SAM THE SNAIL KITE shares this valuable insight in a way that is easy for both children and adults to understand while reveling in its whimsical artistic imagery. Most importantly, the book shares valuable tips on how everyone—regardless of age—can contribute to saving the Everglades, such as:

·      Collect rainwater.

·      Don’t pollute.

·      Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

·      Plant native plants.

Featuring an engaging family of Everglades plants and animals-Mama Sawgrass, Uncle Gator, Sister Egret, and many others-the book also represents the role of the Seminole people and their ancestors as an integral part of the story of the Everglades or ‘Pay-Hay-Okee’, which means grassy waters. In addition to the City of West Palm Beach and Grassy Waters Preserve, the publication of SAM THE SNAIL KITE is sponsored by FPL and the Grassy Waters Conservancy. The book was created and produced by current and former staff members at the Preserve.

“We encourage everyone to visit us at Grassy Waters Preserve and join the Everglades Family,” invites Mary Crider, Environmental Education Supervisor.

To purchase an advance copy of SAM THE SNAIL KITE, interested people may complete the pre-order form at https://grassywaters.org/sam-the-snail-kite/. Books will be available for pickup beginning March 24 at Grassy Waters Preserve Nature Center, 8264 Northlake Blvd., West Palm Beach, 33412.

About Grassy Waters Preserve:

Grassy Waters Preserve is a 23-square-mile wetlands ecosystem that serves as the freshwater supply for the City of West Palm Beach and the towns of South Palm Beach and Palm Beach Island. Historically, Grassy Waters was a key component of the Greater Everglades watershed and the headwaters of the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River. Although human needs have led to severe alterations to water flow through South Florida, Grassy Waters Preserve remains a pristine remnant of the once great Everglades system. A mosaic of wetlands, tree islands, and forested hammocks, Grassy Waters Preserve is home to various native wildlife. Commonly sighted species include the snail kite, wood stork, white ibis, great blue heron, white tailed deer, otter, bobcat, and alligator. In addition to meeting local demands for freshwater, Grassy Waters Preserve provides hands-on educational experiences for learners of all ages. Access to this historic wetland reconnects visitors with the natural heritage of West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit: wpb.org/grassywaters.

About the Grassy Waters Conservancy:

Grassy Waters Conservancy is the only non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization approved by the City of West Palm Beach that supports Grassy Waters Preserve. The Conservancy’s mission is to support, promote and protect Grassy Waters Preserve through environmental education and research, and nature-based experiences, while ensuring its ecological integrity and role as a regional water supply.  For more information about the Conservancy or to donate to help further its mission, please visit: https://grassywaters.org.

GET A TASTE OF NEW ORLEANS

7th ANNUAL CAJUN CRAWFISH & MUSIC FESTIVAL
ON APRIL 5 & 6 IN JUPITER

LIVE CAJUN AND ZYDECO MUSIC, AUTHENTIC CAJUN FOOD, AND MORE!

Friday, March 14, 2025 – (Jupiter, FL) – The 7th Annual Brian Marketing Group Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival sponsored by Good Greek Moving & Storage returns to Abacoa on Saturday, April 5th from 10 am – 10 pm and Sunday, April 6th from 10 am-8 pm.  This premier Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival will celebrate the culture and traditions of Louisiana through food, music, and dance!  Virginia Sinicki from The KVJ Show on 979WRMF, will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies throughout the weekend and bring her flair as a local who grew up in New Orleans.   

The streets of Abacoa will be filled with Mardi Gras-themed decorations and banners, as well as lots of purple, green, and gold.  Attendees will be transported to Bourbon Street when they arrive as the aroma of the Cajun food will be in the air. Come get a taste of “N’awlins” with authentic Cajun food featuring an expanded menu featuring a crawfish boil by Louisiana John, and lots of other dishes of crawfish etouffee,’ jambalaya, Virginia’s seafood and meat gumbo, po’ boys, muffalettas, fried shrimp and chicken, crab cakes, oysters, red beans and rice, and Little Smiles will be raising money by selling Cajun Crawfish Pasta by the famous award-winning chef Jim Lucas, a master boiler. There will also be beignets, sno balls, cider donuts and more. There will be a crawfish eating contest on Saturday.

Enjoy the Bourbon Street atmosphere with all the classic cocktails such as Hurricanes, Grenades, and a champagne hurricane. Atoll Vodka will be giving away samples throughout the festival.  

Headlining the two-day festival on the Louisiana Travel Stage is Flow Tribe at 8 pm. Flow Tribe is an American funk rock band based in New Orleans, Louisiana. Adding to the lineup performing on the Louisiana Travel stage on Saturday is The Brass Revolution, Jorge Fernandez Quartet, and VMK & The Snack Pack return to the festival as a favorite. Sunday: new to the festival is American-Cajun fiddler and singer Amanda Shaw, the Rockin’ Jake Band is known as one of the premier harmonica players in the country. His original sound is a hybrid of second line, swamp funk, blues, and zydeco, and will take the stage at 2 pm The Porch Dogs are known for their spicy accordion-driven Louisiana Cajun and zydeco and New Orleans R&B classics since 1992, and will headline Sunday at 4 pm.

Two amazing charities will be on site all weekend at The Cajun Crawfish and Music Festival. First, we have Maddie’s Fight foundation. They are incredible at helping families dealing with childhood cancer. Second, we have our beloved Little Smiles, which helps children go through personal or medical crisis. Visit their booths to learn more about these children’s charities. They will be on site creating awareness of their cause and raising money.

Experience Louisiana in style. Reserve a VIP stage pod with four seats near the stage with a table that includes cocktail service or a private VIP Creole Cottage with eight seats and a table under a tent, including cocktail service. These are available for purchase on Eventbrite.

Tickets are $5.00 and children ages 12 and younger are free with an adult. Sponsorship opportunities are available. General lawn seating will also be available for those who want to bring their chair/blanket to enjoy the all-day entertainment. For more information visit www.cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.

About Little Smiles:

This fun-filled, cultural event benefits Little Smiles. Little Smiles is a volunteer-driven, non-profit 501(c)3 children’s charity. Their mission is to help heal hearts and create little smiles by providing gifts and fun activities to children impacted by serious illness, homelessness, or tragedy. With the guidance of local professionals such as doctors, nurses, child life specialists and social workers, they strive to help kids escape their unfortunate circumstances, even if only for a brief period of time. For more information visit: www.littlesmilesfl.org.

About Maddie’s Fight Foundation:

Founded in 2017, Maddie’s Fight Foundation is a fully licensed 501 (c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to families of children with cancer and to supporting research for Osteosarcoma treatment. Visit: www.maddiesfight.org.

Calendar Listing:

The 7th Annual Cajun Crawfish & Music Festival (benefiting Little Smiles, and Maddie’s Fight Foundation) is Saturday, April 5 from 10 am – 10 pm, and Sunday, April 6 from 10 am – 8 pm at Abacoa Amphitheater in Jupiter. The event is $5, and children 12 and under are free with an adult. VIP stage pod seating and Creole Cottages are available. The event will be filled with authentic Cajun food featuring an expanded menu with crawfish boil, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp po’ boys, and live New Orleans and Cajun zydeco music, for more information visit cajuncrawfishmusicfestival.com.

Junior League of Boca Raton to Honor Title 1 Teachers

Processed with Lensa with PT2 filter

BOCA RATON, FL, March 13, 2025– The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will honor a group of  teachers nominated from Palm Beach County Title 1 schools for their work in fostering a culture of reading in their classrooms. Each teacher will receive a refreshed classroom library and will be recognized on Tuesday, April 29, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Kendra Scott, 411 Plaza Real, Boca Raton in Mizner Park. The community is invited to sign up and attend.

Speakers will include a representative from the City of Boca Ratonand one from the Literacy Coalition. Each teacher will receive 100 books for his or her classroom and will enjoy refreshments and appetizers. The event is hosted by the Junior League’s Raising Readers Committee, chaired by Christina Seamster and Christa Siciliano. Twenty percent of all jewelry purchases during the event at Kendra Scott will be donated to the Junior League and a raffle will be held.

“We are delighted to recognize the important work that teachers do in our Title 1 schools,” said Nikki Stelzer, President of the Junior League of Boca Raton. “And we’re thrilled to be able to provide additional books as a resource for each teacher’s classroom!”

Raising Readers Committee members include Nicole Arbucci, Lulis Camarena, Kristin Cardoso, Kimberly Chapman, Shayna Franco, Linda Golian-Lui, Debra Haym, Amy Phillips, and Bing Hwa Tai.

The Raising Readers Committee aims to create a culture of reading that helps improve children’s literacy development. Our objective is to inspire children to become avid readers by providing books to Title 1 schools through local book drives, utilizing the Junior League of Boca Raton’s voluntarism network, and working with key community partners.

To attend the event, sign up here: Link to Register  To shop online, on April 29, use the code GIVEBACK-HIOWR.

About the Junior League of Boca Raton 
Throughout the year, JLBR members contribute more than 35,000 volunteer hours and donate more than $250,000 to support the organization’s mission of advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The Junior League currently focuses on two community issues, Child Welfare and Non-Profit Support.

To learn more about the JLBR, please contact the JLBR office at 561-620-2553 or visit www.JLBR.org. Connect on Facebook or Instagram.

Achievement Center for Children & Families Announcement!

  First Annual Partnership with City of Delray Beach on Teen Hacktivate

Delray Beach, FL (March 11, 2025)– The Achievement Centers for Children & Families (ACCF) which has served the Delray Beach and southern Palm Beach County communities since 1969,

announced that it is partnering with the City of Delray Beach on Teen Hactktivate at Northern Trust, 770 East Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach on April 26 from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.

Hacktivate Delray Beach is a new initiative that will engage local youth from ACCF’s Teen Program in solving city wide issues. During the process, each student will use data, research and civic engagement to form solutions to problems plaguing the community.

Hacktivate was started after ACCF students participated in Youth In Government Day, which gave the students the chance to learn about all of the City’s major departments. During this event, students urged elected officials and city staff to address community disparities.

During Teen Hacktivate students will be grouped into teams that will address issues such as quality education, access to healthcare and mental health services, substance abuse, climate change and sustainability and more. Each team will be facilitated by a leader from the City of Delray Beach. Students will use city-wide and national data to understand critical issues and draft conclusions. City staff members will serve as mentors and provide knowledge, insight and feedback on the student decision making process. Each student group will present their solutions and proposed policies at a culminating event.

Sponsorships for Hacktivate are available by contacting Jalesa Worthen at [email protected]

“We are excited to partner with the City of Delray Beach and bring this exciting opportunity to our students,” said Stephanie Seibel, CEO for the Achievement Centers.

About Achievement Centers for Children & Families (ACCF)
At Achievement Centers for Children & Families, children are involved in Early Learning (Toddler and Preschool), After School, Teen and Summer Camp programs that help prepare them for academic and social success and inspire them to discover their talents. Our families are served through our Family Support and Economic Stabilization services which benefit the community by stabilizing families in crisis; supporting them to serve as the foundation of their child’s growth. Family strengthening services are embedded within our four core programs of Early Learning, After School, Teen and Summer Camp. ACCF currently serves nearly 700 local children and families from three locations in Delray Beach; Nancy K. Hurd Campus, Village Academy, and Pine Grove Elementary. Achievement Centers for Children & Families is located at 555 NW Fourth St., Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 266-0003 or visit www.achievementcentersFL.org

Coming Soon: DAWN DEROW SINGS EYDIE GORMÉ

Multiple Award-Winning Vocalist

DAWN DEROW

To Present Her Critically Acclaimed

DAWN DEROW SINGS EYDIE GORMÉ

At Café Centro

Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm

(West Palm Beach, FL – March 10, 2025) A multiple award-winning vocalist is returning to Café Centro soon with an audience-wowing musical tribute:

DAWN DEROW SINGS EYDIE GORMÉ

“There is a pantheon of great American women vocalists of the 20th century that we know by simply saying their first name—Judy, Ella, Aretha, Barbra, Billie, Peggy, Patsy, Liza, Whitney, Celine,” says singer Dawn Derow. “Another name belongs on that list, but it is often forgotten: EYDIE . . . as in GORMÉ.”

In her loving tribute to one of America’s most admired yet underrated women singers from the 1950s-1970s, this highly acclaimed vocalist breathes new life into songs—“If He Walked Into My Life,” “Sabor a Mi,” ”Day By Day” and “This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” among others—that the legendary Eydie Gormé turned into standards. 

Now, after performing this show to packed houses at New York’s 54 Below and Birdland, the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cape Cod, MA, and other venues, Dawn Derow Sings Eydie Gormé comes to Café Centro, West Palm Beach’s hottest dinner-theater and cabaret venue (2409 N Dixie Hwy, West Palm Beach, FL 33407) on Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm (doors open at 6 pm).

Featuring Derow’s Music Director Ian Herman on piano, Brad Miller on bass, and Howie Gordon on drums, the concert’s director and Special Guest is multi-award-winning performer and recording artist Jeff Harnar, who will add a bit of “Steve Lawrence” to this show that was launched in 2021.

“Eydie Gormé is clearly one of the best vocalists of all time,” says Derow. “She displayed an ability to effortlessly cross multiple genres, including pop, jazz, and traditional Latin music. This versatility broadened her appeal but also allowed the singer to reach diverse audiences.”

“In this tribute show, I’m not trying to impersonate Eydie or sound like her. My goal is to shine my light on her story and career so that today’s audiences will embrace Eydie and love her as much as I do,” she adds.

Tickets for the one-night show are $150 each and include a three-course meal (alcohol not included). Bar seats are $100. For reservations, please call 561.514.4070 or visit www.cafecentrowpb.com.

What the Critics Say About

Dawn Derow Sings Eydie Gormé

“Derow has put together a wonderful, enjoyable show . . . Working carefully to choose just the right songs to reflect Gorme’s hits and Derow’s preferences, the setlist offers a solid balance of styles, genres, tempos, and moods . . .”

BroadwayWorld.com

“I can’t think of a more ideal vocalist to express the songbook of the legendary Eydie Gormé than this dynamic cabaret and concert performer.”

Stephen Hanks, Award-Winning Reviewer and Cabaret Producer

“[In this Eydie Gormé tribute show] Dawn Derow sizzles and she certainly knows how. She’s having a great time and it’s infectious.”

WomanAroundTown.com


About Dawn Derow:

Dawn Derow has earned great praise throughout the cabaret and performance community as being a versatile singer who can move effortlessly among a variety of vocal genres, from pop to opera to the Great American Songbook. A New Yorker by way of Cape Cod, Derow grew up in Eastham, MA and graduated from the Boston Conservatory with a bachelor’s degree in music: Vocal Performance & Opera Emphasis. She has performed around the world, and in prestigious New York venues such as Rose Hall at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Her notable shows include “Music 4 Two” (2012), which garnered a MAC nomination for Best CD (available on all platforms); “Revolution” (2015), co-starring Kathleen France, which won a MAC Award for Best Revue; and “LEGIT: A Classical Cabaret” (2016), earning her a Bistro Award for Outstanding Vocalist.

During the pandemic in 2020, Derow performed “A Troubadour Tribute,” collaborating with guitarist Peter Calo, a show which delighted audiences in NY, MA, and FL. In 2023, she captured her second MAC Award as Best Female Vocalist for “My Ship: Songs From 1941.” That show became her second album, released by Zoho Music in 2021, which also won her the Best Recording Friedman/LaMott MAC award in 2022. After a sold-out run of “My Ship” at the Pheasantry in London in 2023, she was invited back to that venue for a new show, “Women’s Work,” debuting in London in 2024 and then in NYC at the Cutting Room this past October.

Dawn Derow has also taken on the role of co-producer for “Dorothy Dandridge: The Musical” and originated the role of “Hedda Hopper” in a recent workshop production. Outside of cabaret, she teaches mobility classes, provides Thai massages, and works with the elderly on health and wellness. She divides her time between New York and Florida. Additional information and performance dates for Dawn Derow can be found on her website at www.DawnDerow.com.

Mounts Botanical Garden To Host 25th Annual Spring Benefit in the Garden

Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County

To Host 25th Annual Spring Benefit in the Garden

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Chaired by Mish Tworkowski and Joseph Singer, ‘The Florida Garden’ will benefit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden

A logo for a garden

Description automatically generated

(West Palm Beach, FL – March 10, 2025) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting their biggest annual fundraising event – the Mounts 25th Annual Spring Benefit – under the tropical skies of the Garden on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. The event will raise important funds to support the Garden in deepening its roots in nature’s beauty, growing its 20-acre tropical oasis and community outreach, and thriving as a premier destination of the Palm Beaches for nature enthusiasts and cultural tourism.

Mounts is delighted to announce this year’s Benefit will once again be co-chaired by the renowned fine jewelry designer, Mish Tworkowski, who has garnered a discerning international following for his statement-making designs, and his partner in business and life, Joseph Singer, who serves as Vice President of the Board of Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden.

“It is an honor to co-chair this year’s Annual Spring Benefit for Mounts Botanical Garden as I am often inspired by the natural and horticultural world in my jewelry designs,” says Mish. “Joseph and I are passionate about the important role botanical gardens and horticulture play in our personal lives, the life of our communities, as well as the overall well-being of the planet. Gardens delight, educate, inspire, and shelter us both emotionally and physically. As we move further into the 21st Century, their importance will continue to grow both as a sanctuary and a classroom.”

Added Joseph: “We love visiting Mounts and working with the entire staff that supports this incredible institution. We cannot say enough about how lucky we are to have such an outstanding and beautiful horticultural gem so close to home.”

“As the non-profit who manages the Garden’s operations, beautification, programming, and strategic development, we are thrilled to be kicking off a ground-breaking journey,” says Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden James E. May. “By sponsoring and attending this year’s Spring Benefit, your contribution will strengthen Mounts Botanical Garden’s roots as we embark on a transformative 10-year Master Plan that will guide our expansion, amplify our mission, broaden our reach, and further elevate the visitor experience, to ensure that Mounts is an indispensable force for education, conservation, and cultural vitality.”

This year’s enchanting Spring Benefit—themed The Florida Garden—will feature an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and wonderful silent auction that will delight both the inveterate gardener as well as the non-green thumb lovers of beauty, as well as entertainment by Bamboo, two enigmatic entities who dwell harmoniously within the bamboo growing around them moving seamlessly on stilts camouflaging with the Garden’s environment.

VIP Tickets to attend the Mounts Spring Benefit 2025 are $500 each, and Supporter Tickets are $300. For ticket and sponsorship details, please visit https://SPRINGBENEFIT25.givesmart.com.

Spring Benefit sponsors so far include:

  • Heliconia: Randy & Rebeca Doane
  • Plumeria: Christina Kramer
  • Jasmine: Christine Aylward, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Barish, Susan Burke, Gay Cinque, Jane Dommerich, Heather & Patrick Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kirchhoff, Melanie & Robert Lawson, Lorraine Odasso, Sandy Smith and Raymond Tellman, Sarah Ross Soter, Sunny Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Zimmerman
  • Media Sponsor: Legends Radio 100.3

About Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County:

With a mission to inspire and educate through nature, Mounts Botanical Garden is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden. Visitors to this 20-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 7,000 species of tropical and sub-tropical plants, including Florida natives, exotic and tropical fruit trees, herbs, palms, roses, cactus, bromeliads and much more. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.

Garden Club Meeting to Feature Talk on Safe Solutions for Plant Diseases

0
Charmaine Peters

Wellington Garden Club (WGC) will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025 at the Wellington Community Center, at 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd. The meeting will feature a presentation at 10:00 AM by Charmaine Peters, Farm Director at Arden Farm.

Charmaine Peters is currently the Farm Director at Arden, an award-winning Agrihood in Loxahatchee, Florida.  Arden Farm serves as a community resource for food education and home-grown fruits and vegetables.  Her talk will focus on plant diseases in the garden and how to safely control or eliminate them.

Previously, Peters spent 16 years managing a 60-acre family farm in Pennsylvania. She has been quoted as a farm and garden expert in several national publications, including US News and World Report and Martha Stewart Living. Charmaine also writes monthly articles for AroundWellington.com, an online publication serving Wellington and surrounding areas.

The community is invited to join club members for coffee and a plant raffle beginning at 9:30 a.m.  Visitors are asked to check in at the guest table. Seating is limited. To reserve a spot, contact Carol Ralph at: [email protected].

Wellington Garden Club, founded in 1981, is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, floral design, and landscape design; and to promoting conservation of natural resources, civic beautification and youth education. For more information: www.wellingtongardenclub.org.

Boca Teen Twins to Collect Thousands of Pounds of Cereal for Boca Helping Hands During Annual Cereal Drive

0

Boca Raton, FL (March 17, 2025) —Cereal4All, which runs an annual cereal drive organized by twin brothers Jett and Luke Justin, hopes to collect more than 4,000 pounds during its annual cereal drive this Spring and donate it to Boca Helping Hands (BHH).

This donation means that Boca Helping Hands will be able to provide clients with approximately 40,000 bowls of cereal. The Justins, 17-year-old twin brothers and Boca Raton residents, are 11th graders at American Heritage School in Delray Beach. 

Cereal4All teams up with students, schools, and businesses across the country to provide breakfast food to families in need and to get more young people actively engaged in the fight against hunger. The organization focuses on the special connection young people have with cereal to help them think about the hunger struggles of others in a more relatable, personal way.

Cereal4All has expanded nationally, partnering with over 80 schools, 70 food banks, and students in 16 states—plus Toronto and the Bahamas with their Oatmeal Airlift flights (personally flown by Jett and Luke). Their efforts have provided the equivalent of over 500,000 bowls of cereal to people in need—more than $200,000 worth of breakfast food, or 50,000 boxes—and have guided students across the country to their first volunteer experiences at food banks.

As of now, 20 Palm Beach County schools will be participating in this year’s Spring Cereal4All Drive. To further incentivize participation, there will be a drawing for participating schools, featuring prizes such as gift cards and tickets to local attractions, including Top Golf, Xtreme Action Park, Palm Beach Zoo, Lion Country Safari, Rapids Water Park, First Watch, and Yard House.

Besides their successful partnerships with schools and food banks, Cereal4All has also partnered with Whole Foods, Wawa, Target, and First Watch Restaurants. Target donated gift cards for participating schools to buy school supplies, and Publix will provide cereal parties for K-5 schools’ top-donating classrooms. In addition, First Watch has partnered with Cereal4All by donating breakfast food for a recent “Oatmeal Airlift” that Jett and Luke piloted to different islands in the Bahamas.

“We created Cereal4All to fight hunger around America’s breakfast tables because millions of American families suffer from food insecurity, which means they can’t always afford enough meals for everyone in their homes,” Luke Justin said. “Those families depend on food banks to help ease their hunger issues. Since breakfast food is one of the least donated items to food banks, pantry bags of meals distributed to families in need are often missing breakfast food.”

“My brother and I learned about the breakfast food shortage in 2016 while volunteering in the warehouse at Boca Helping Hands, and it had a big effect on us because, like most young people, we love cereal,” Jett Justin said. “Cereal is about breakfast, but it’s also about happiness, so we were bothered by the reality that millions of families and kids might not have daily access to breakfast and that moment of happiness in their day.”

Jett and Luke were recently recognized for their nonprofit work by U.S. Congressman Jared Moskowitz in the House of Representatives. They also received a commendation from the Mayor of Boca Raton, Scott Singer, for their work on Cereal4All.

To donate to the cereal drive, contact Suzan Javizian at [email protected] or call 561-417-0913.

About Boca Helping Hands


Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical, and financial assistance to help individuals and families improve their quality of life and build financial stability. Through its various programs, BHH assists nearly 35,000 people annually.

Boca Helping Hands is a partner agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way. Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County by focusing on programs and priorities that promote education, health, and financial stability.

Boca Helping Hands holds accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, has a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and has been a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity for 17 consecutive years. Boca Helping Hands is located at 1500 NW 1st Court, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, please visit BocaHelpingHands.org.

About Cereal4All

Cereal4all is a youth-run 501(c)3 nonprofit fighting hunger around America’s breakfast tables that works with schools and businesses to organize cereal drives to ensure food banks can offer breakfast to disadvantaged children and families. Through the organization’s cereal drives and other community projects, they raise awareness about hunger issues, promote volunteerism at an early age, and help feed households struggling to secure a meal in the morning.