The first Wellington Garden Week will be celebrated from April 10 through April 18th.The following is an outline of the events to take place.Please let me know if you would like to cover any of these individually, or as a whole.Will you use your own photographer?Or request pictures from us?
Let me know what additional info you require.Thank you.
1)April 10 – Wellington Garden Club’s“A Garden Tour and More.”
2)April 13 – Wellington Council to proclaim “Wellington Garden Week” at its meeting
3)Dedication of Native Butterfly Zen Garden in the courtyard of Wellington Landings Middle School
4)Planting of wildflower seeds at area schools (funded by a grant from the National Garden Club)
5)Wellington Landings Middle School – “How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint”— local classroom teaching on conservation and the environment – beginning the week of April 5th
6) April 17– Great American Cleanup at Wellington Elementary School and dedication of outdoor observation garden
7) April 19 – Village of Wellington’s annual Earth Day celebration at Peaceful Waters Sanctuary.
Wellington Garden Club will display junior projects, provide info on recycling and offer tree seedlings, wildflower seeds and milkweed plants.
Meet the Artist Reception to Benefit Hugs and Kisses, Inc.
Jerry Ginsberg, Fine Art Photographer
What: Join us in the café to meet award winning photographer, Jerry Ginsberg, and enjoy his breathtaking photographs of the U.S. National Parks that have been on display in the Whole Foods Market Wellington Cafe. The evening includes a wine tasting, appetizers by Chef Chris Paul, live music, and a silent auction featuring a signed Ginsberg photograph. 100% of the proceeds will go to Hugs and Kisses, Inc., a local non-profit that assists cancer patients cover living expenses and offers scholarships to children of families dealing with cancer. Please RSVP by calling 561-904-4000.
Who: Jerry Ginsberg is an award winning fine art landscape photographer from Boca Raton.
Ginsberg’s award-winning photographs have been published in many books and magazines such as World Heritage Sights and International Biosphere Reserves, Inner Reflections, Smithsonian, American Museum of Natural History, and The Sierra Club. He is also the recipient of several Aurora Gold Awards for creativity. One of Ginsberg’s long-time projects is to photograph all 58 U.S. National Parks. Already completing 55 of these, those above the Arctic Circle and American Samoa are all that remain. To learn more about the artist please visit: www.JerryGinsberg.com
Hugs and Kisses, Inc. is a nonprofit run by mentored teenagers. Started by a mother and her teenage daughter, Hugs and Kisses, Inc. raises money for cancer patients in desperate financial need. Please visit www.hugsandkissesinc.org to learn more
When: Friday, March 26th 6:00-7:30pm $10 Suggested Donation to Hugs and Kisses, Inc.
Ginsberg’s art will be on display in the café until May 1, 2010
About Whole Foods Market® Founded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (www.wholefoodsmarket.com), a leader in the natural and organic foods industry and America’s first national certified organic grocer, was named “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store” in 2008 by Health magazine. The Whole Foods Market motto, “Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet”™ captures the company’s mission to find success in customer satisfaction and wellness, employee excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to its 53,000 Team Members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America by FORTUNE magazine for 13 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2008, the company had sales of $8 billion and currently has more than 275 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Whole Foods Market, Fresh & WildTM, and Harry’s Farmers Market® are trademarks owned by Whole Foods Market IP, LP. Wild Oats® and Capers Community MarketTM are trademarks owned by Wild Marks, Inc.
Luncheon and Business Meeting 11:30 am; Program 1:00 pm
PHOTOGRAPHING NATURE – Joanne Williams
Joanne is a widely traveled, published and accomplished freelance photographer specializing in wildlife and nature. Her work has afforded her the opportunity to travel via her own “Safari” company to many exotic areas of the world. Because Florida is her home-state, the Everglades and other wildlife “hot spots” are frequently the focus of her lens!When at home in Florida she may be seen guiding her clients through swamps, marshes and wetlands aboard her “Fotoboat” designed to view wildlife “up close and personal”.
Her photographs can be found in such publications as Birders World, Birders Digest, Ranger Rick Magazine (May 2009), The New York Times Magazine, numerous books and six covers of Florida Audubon Magazine amongst many, many others. Her award winning work is displayed in the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. She was a keynote speaker at Kennedy Space Center/Titusville at the Wildlife and Birding Festival.
Joanne’s presentation will take us on a musical safari to many exotic lands, and on an
amazing journey into our own backyard of Florida.
The public is invited.A light lunch is served. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to 561-793-6013 or561-798-9217.
Wellington, FL – March 15, 2010 The Village of Wellington has announced that the work of local sculptor Micah Gehrke has been selected for exhibit as part of its Student Art Program. Gehrke, a seventh-grader at Emerald Cove Middle School, submitted a clay sculpture titled “Wellington In Bloom” for the competition, which is coordinated by the Wellington Art Society.
For his winning effort, the young artist was recognized on February 1 at the village’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board meeting, where he was presented with a certificate of appreciation by W.A.S. President Adrianne Hetherington and Marianne Davidson, the Society’s Student Art Program Coordinator. In addition, the piece will be on display in the lobby at the Wellington Community Center, 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd, through May 5.
Since its inception in 2006, the program has presented three exhibits per year of exceptional artwork from students ranging in age from elementary through high school. The Wellington Art Society coordinates the program for the village as part of its educational mission. Any student who would like to participate in future exhibitions, or any parents or teachers who are interested in helping as volunteers, please contact the Wellington Art Society at 561-784-7561.
Founded in 1981, The Wellington Art Society is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, providing both local and regional artists the platform to share their work, learn more about their craft and serve the community through their art.
A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, its mission is to educate and encourage originality and productivity among its members and area youth through programs designed to further the advancement of cultural endeavors in the western communities.
For more information on the Society, visit their website, www.wellingtonartsociety.org, or call W.A.S. President Adrianne Hetherington at 561-784-7561.
Church ‘Spring Fair’ coming to town April 17, 2010
Join us for the “Noah’s Floating Zoo!” Event
St. Peters United Methodist Church and Child Enrichment Center pre-school is hosting its annual “Spring Fair and Fundraiser” Saturday, April 17, 2010.The event and fundraiser features a Silent Auction with goods donated from area businesses, safety demonstrations by local fire and rescue officials, food, bake sale, zoo themed games, bounce houses, rock wall, bungee trampoline, pony rides, entertainment and more.
Admission is free.Game, event wristbands and food for sale on the day of the fair to support the Child Enrichment Center’s fundraising efforts.The event is from 10am until 2pm on Saturday, April 17, 2010.The Silent Auction is from 10am-1pm (Auction item wins may be paid for and picked up at 2pm).
Local area businesses are encouraged to donate new items, gift baskets, and certificates for the school fair in return for great exposure to a large Wellington and surrounding area family audience!Donations are tax deductible.To make a donation, call Patricia Banks at 561-798-3286.All auction items must be received by Thursday, April 1, 2010 to be included in sponsor listings.
The church is located at 12200 West Forest Hill Boulevard in Wellington.
For more information about the event, call the Child Enrichment Center at St. Peters United Methodist Church (561) 798-3286.
Additional information:
The Child Enrichment Center is Gold Seal accredited Florida approved pre-school under the guidance of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church of Wellington.We are a non-profit organization made up of parents and friends of the Child Enrichment Center.Our goal is to raise funds to purchase items that will further enrich the curriculum and teachings of the school.The Spring Fair is the way the Parent Staff fellowship can give back to the program, which supports the needs of the community.
This year’s theme is “Noah’s Floating Zoo”.Activities planned include zoo themed games, face painting, sensory booths, bounce houses, rock wall, bungee trampoline, pony rides, food, bake sale, a silent auction, entertainment and more.Our event logo this year was created by one of St. Peter’s pre-school students Regan Maxwell, age 5.
Lisa Gifford – A Binks Forest Elementary teacher who leads with compassion and service within the community
By Lois Spatz
Tell me a little about yourself. Where you are from, how long have you been teaching, and a little about your family life?
This is my 24th year of teaching. I am married with two boys aged 23
and 13. I live here in Wellington. I was born in Jamaica and came to West Palm at the age of two, so I consider myself an almost native Floridian.
What are some of the ways you like to give back in your community?
My faith is of utmost importance in my life and I wanted to serve the church in some capacity on a regular basis. I’ve volunteered at St. Rita’s Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister for about seven years now.
Student Council is my “school life” volunteer organization. This is my third year serving as the sponsor for Student Council. The first year I took over, I loosely followed their ideas/projects. As the end of the year approached, an underwear drive was approaching. I just did not want to collect underwear. I knew that something more important/crucial was out there for us to do! I decided that I wanted to help the soldiers. I began inquiring about how we could actually go about doing it and the name Forgotten Soldiers was mentioned to me. That was the answer for us. I typed up a list and printed it out for the whole school, thinking I would get a few boxes of items to take myself to their warehouse. The response was unbelievable! Binks families are so very generous that we took multiple truckloads to Forgotten Soldiers. They told us it was their largest donation ever received in the five years they were opened!
What are some of the goals you feel you’ve accomplished for your organization’s?
We do a Thanksgiving Food Drive every November, Holiday Toy Drive every December, Haiti Relief Drive in January this year, Last year we did a Clothing Drive for the needy, and of course the Soldier Donation Drive every May as well. For a Student Council group of 33 children plus myself and Ann Jacob to help me this year, I think we do a fantastic job!
How does it make you feel when you realize your efforts have made a difference in someone else’s life?
My heart just sings with happiness when we help people. I constantly tell my students how fortunate they are and how important it is to help others who are less fortunate. I hope they learn from my example and pay it forward.
Writer’s Note: I met Lisa Gifford when my son Eaven was in the third grade at Binks Forest. Her warm smile and open heart are the first things you notice about her. Not only was she an amazing teacher, she never ceased to amaze me with how much she gave back to others.
German Self-Watering Planter Manufacturer “Lechuza” Announces Grand Opening of Outlet Store in Florida
Located inside the PLAYMOBIL FunPark in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the store features the largest selection of Lechuza self-watering planters in the United States. PLAYMOBIL and LECHUZA founder, Horst Brandstaetter from Germany will preside over the ceremonies.
Cranbury, New Jersey (Mar. 20, 2010) – German self-watering planter manufacturer LECHUZA will open the doors on its first U.S. based factory outlet store on March 27th, 2010. The 3,500 square foot store will offer a huge selection of first quality LECHUZA self-watering planters, as well as discounts on slightly irregular products and 50 % and more on discontinued items.Customers will also receive a $50 gift certificate for all purchases of $300 on regular priced items from LECHUZA and PLAYMOBIL.
The new outlet store is located inside the Palm Beach Gardens PLAYMOBIL FunPark. PLAYMOBIL manufactures toys, and like LECHUZA is a division of the German-based Brandstaetter Group. This unique combination of outlet store and FunPark gives children a chance to play with the thousands of PLAYMOBIL toys while parents shop from a vast selection of award winning LECHUZA planters. The outlet store also features a cafeteria offering shoppers a place to sit and relax while enjoying snacks, drinks and even free WiFi.
“We have had great success with the LECHUZA Factory Outlet store and PLAYMOBIL FunPark combination in Germany,” says Horst Brandstaetter, president of the Brandstaetter Group. “Kids love the FunPark’s many areas filled with toys that they can play with. While the kids are playing, parents can take a break to check out the great savings available on planters in the outlet store.”
The LECHUZA Factory Outlet Store will offer great savings on Lechuza planters with their unique self-watering system. Inside the stylish exterior is a unique interchangeable liner that holds the plant, its soil and a layer of a special media that perfectly controls the supply of water to the plant. At the bottom of this liner is the reservoir that is filled from the top of the planter via a convenient water supply shaft or by rainfall when the planter is used outdoors. A water level indicator makes it easy to see when more water is needed. These planters allow plants to take care of themselves for up to three months without human attention.
The 17,000 square foot PLAYMOBIL FunPark is located in a replica castle and features themed areas that are loaded with PLAYMOBIL toys. PLAYMOBIL is Germany’s largest toy manufacturer. Since the brand was started in 1974, the company has sold over 2.3 billion of its role-playing toys worldwide.
Lechuza is a division of the Zirndorf, Germany-based Brandstaetter Group. Parent company of PLAYMOBIL, a successful global toy manufacturer, the Brandstatter Group has over 55 years experience and expertise in processing plastics. All Lechuza planters are designed and manufactured in Germany and are currently exported and sold in over 70 countries.
Highly anticipated Flavors 2010 to attract over 600 attendees
On Friday, April 9th, at the elite Palm BeachInternationalEquestrianCenter, Wellington’s finest dining establishments will offer up their most tasty samplings. This seventh year tasting event is honored as the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s “Signature Event” and will take place from 6:30-9:30 PM.
Attendees will enjoy an evening of dining and dancing to Music Masters International 20- Piece Stage Bandwith a stunning backdrop of Equestrian Events in the arena.
Celebrity judges to date (as of press time) are:
Roxanne SteinWPTV News Channel 5
Mayor Darell BowenVillage of Wellington
Michael StonePresident, Equestrian Sport Productions
Carmine Priore IIIFlorida Power and Light (FPL)
Colonel Allen West
Aubrey West Miss Florida Gold Coast Outstanding Teen
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce is delighted to announce Alec L. Domb, Esq. and John Mercer as Chairman of the 2010 Flavors of Wellington event.Host committee to include chamber Ambassadors; Mark Bozicevic, Steve Vlahakis, Bob Wolff, Bob Salerno, Jonathan Porges and Jeremy Slusher, Denise Carpenter, Darlene Curti and Patti Heyner.
“This is our biggest social event of the season and we are proud to boast this will be our seventh year hosting this event”, says Chamber Executive Director Michela Perillo-Green. “Each year this event gets bigger and better well attended, with the Palm BeachInternationalEquestrianCenter as our hosting venue, this year will no doubt exceed all our expectations.”
Platinum Sponsor this year is FPL and the Palm BeachInternationalEquestrianCenter. Don Kiselewski Area Manager for Northern and WesternPalm BeachCounty believes in supporting community based events and states, “FPL is honored to sponsor Flavors 2010 and is proud of our continued support of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.We strongly encourage the community, our customers and chamber membership to take part in this savory event.”
Ultra Cleaners has been announced as Silver Sponsor.Valet Parking Courtesy of the Law Offices of Alexander L.Domb and Donald K.Porges CPA LLC.
Tickets are now on sale for Flavors 2010! Pre-event price is $ 25.00 and $ 30.00 at the door.VIP Reserved Tables begin at $ 250.00. Please contact the Wellington Chamber of Commerce at 561-792-6525 for further information.
Though fierce wind and rain pounded the marquee mercilessly just an hour before the event, threatening at one point to take the entire venue with it, on Friday, February 12th, 2010 a record-breaking crowd of 410 people turned out at the Museum of Polo to celebrate and welcome into the Polo Hall of Fame six legends of the sport; super-star of the 20’s and 30’s Lewis Lacey, living legend Julian Hipwood, Iglehart award winners Dave Rizzo and the late “Big Joe” Muldoon along with Horses to Remember, Red Ace and Hector Galindo’s Khaki.
Just by sheer coincidence, four of this year’s honorees in the Polo Hall of Fame make or have made their homes in Wellington; Julian Hipwood, the late Joe Muldoon, Dave Rizzo and the polo pony Khaki, owned by local polo player Hector Galindo.
The Rizzo family
Originally from England, Julian Hipwood has lived, played polo and thrilled fans in the United States for many years and has made Wellington his second home. During his playing days in the U.S. Julian attained a 9 goal rating and is remembered as one of the most popular polo stars of the 80s and 90s, winning the prestigious World Cup four times when Palm Beach Polo was at its zenith. This along with his extraordinary International success has earned him the status of a living legend. Among his championships won abroad which are too numerous to detail, Julian was captain of the English National team for twenty years winning the Coronation Cup six times, and the Cowdray Gold Cup for the British Open twice and two time winner of the Queen’s Cup and was twice a finalist in the prestigious Argentine Open, receiving a standing ovation in 1978, the only Englishman to ever receive this honor.
Julian Hipwood
Although his high-goal polo days are behind him, Julian has continued to influence the sport and became a sought-after coach. In that role he guided the Coca Cola team to victory when it won the U.S. Open Championship in 2002. The dashing Hipwood and his lovely wife Patricia have been notable figures of the Palm Beach Social scene since he began playing polo here.
“Big Joe” Muldoon was not only an iconic figure of polo in Maryland, Virginia and throughout the East in the 1980’s and 1990’s, his influence stretched around the globe. Part of the early polo scene here in Wellington, he first lived in Loxahatchee, where Joe’s son, Charlie, now lives during polo season, and then from 1995 until 2003 Joe and wife Alyse made Palm Beach Polo and Country Club their home. A versatile horseman who did not get into polo until middle age, he had many polo tournament wins with his Gone Away Farms team. But his more important accomplishments were in the millions of dollars he was instrumental in raising for various charities through polo. From 1981-1989, Joe conceived, underwrote and mounted players in a dynamic series of high-goal “All-Star” international polo games featuring the best of both foreign and American high-goal players. He was president of the Potomac and Poolesville Polo Clubs where he helped to encourage and train an entire generation of polo players, including his well-known and talented polo-playing progeny Michael, “Little Joe,” Mary and Charlie.
A well-known figure in polo for over 60 years, current Wellington resident Dave Rizzo, was for over 30 of those years, the manager of the famed Meadow Brook Polo Club, and was also the manager of the Squadron A Armory and the Old Westbury Polo Club.Being an accomplished outdoor and arena player, horse trainer and club manager made it possible for him to help many new players get started in the sport of polo. He was known as a skilled horseman and well-liked sportsman in many parts of the country by a variety of players. Considered a mentor to many, he made it possible for others to experience polo and to become accomplished players and team sponsors. Dave has lived in the Wellington area for over 30 years with his late wife Marilyn.
The four-footed hero Khaki
Khaki, one of the four-footed heroes being inducted into the Hall of Fame, was owned and played by long-time Wellington resident Hector Galindo. The incredible bay mare who was played often on the local polo fields at both Palm Beach Polo and the new International Polo Club, has more than proved her greatness by winning the Best Playing Pony of the nation’s most important polo tournament in from 1995 – 2003. Loved for her quiet disposition around the barn, this gallant polo pony also had it all on the field – heart, stamina, quick acceleration, sustained speed and incredible overall athletic ability. But further, she seemed to have an innate ability to read the game.“One of the things that makes Khaki so unique is her big heart”, says Galindo. “That’s what makes her such a great mare.”Although having spent a great number of her polo playing years in Wellington, Khaki is currently a broodmare in Oklahoma.
The YWCA of Palm Beach County announces the kickoff of the second series of Community Chats for Action on Thursday, March 25, 2010 at the Historical Society Museum in the old Palm Beach County Courthouse, 300 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach.The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a tour of the Museum and will continue with the kickoff following at 6:30 p.m.
The Community Chats for Action, organized by the YWCA, along with Converge & Associates Consulting, is a candid, open, city-wide dialogue about race and ethnicity.The goal is to create greater unity in our communities, workplaces, schools, and the political arena.Endorsed by Mayor Lois Frankel and the West Palm Beach City Commission, the first series of Community Chats began last fall with more than 150 people representing a variety of races and ethnicities in attendance..Also in participating were representatives from 25 community agencies that are committed to the goal of the program.
Thereafter, six adult chat groups comprised of individual of various races and ethnicities and one youth chat group, led by a team of trained facilitators, met weekly for four weeks at various locations throughout the City.At the conclusion of the four sessions, action activities were chosen that are now being implemented.The chats proved to be personally enlightening to the individual participants, expressed Suzanne Turner, CEO of the YWCA.Given the success of the initial series, the planned round of chats will take place during the month of April and follow a similar format.
For more information about the Community Chats for Action or to make a reservation to attend the kickoff, please call 561-640-0050.
Flavors 2010
