New Horizons Elementary in Wellington transforms learning landscape with unveiling of innovative Media Center
Photos: A Little Story Photography
Wellington, Florida – August 30, 2023 – The buzz is still in the air as the students and staff of New Horizons Elementary School celebrated the reopening of the school’s newly renovated media center on Tuesday. Guests in attendance at the celebration were treated to a beautiful performance by the students of the Flamenco Dance Club before being welcomed into the Media Center to see the improvements first hand.
This incredible project is the product of over a year of renovations, countless volunteer hours, and immeasurable support from volunteers and staff. It introduces much needed updates aimed at fostering enhanced student engagement, creativity, and adaptability. The project was made possible through a collaborative effort with the School District, staff, and PTA.. The removal of original bookcases, meticulous flooring and baseboard repairs, and a fresh coat of paint with inspiring wall murals were all part of this joint endeavor.
Principal Dana Pallaria states, “Our new Media Center represents a leap forward in creating an adaptable and engaging educational environment. We’re excited to showcase this space that truly caters to the diverse learning styles of our students.”
In attendance on Tuesday were Palm Beach County School Board Member Marcia Andrews (District 6), Village of Wellington Mayor Ann Gerwig, Village of Wellington Town Councilmen John McGovern and Michael Drahos, Village of Wellington Village Manager Jim Barnes, CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Maria Atuña (representing the Hispanic Chamber and the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce), Sergeant M. DeJoy and various representatives of the Community Policing Department of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office along with various school business partners, key volunteers, and staff.
This transformation of the Media Center reflects the school’s commitment to creating a dynamic and adaptable learning environment that caters to the evolving needs of students. This marks a significant step toward fostering dynamic and inclusive learning environments to students in their International Spanish Academy Dual Language Program, their SECME Program, their Green Schools Program, and all students in this engaging school.
“It’s a priority for my family that our kids are bilingual. The inclusion of books in both languages helps foster a love of reading. We also love the new flexible seating, engaging Lego wall, and beautiful wall murals. It’s all here to inspire our children!” said PTA President Ana Graham.
New Horizons Elementary is proud to be one of only three elementary schools in Palm Beach County to be recognized as an International Spanish Academy (ISA) Dual Language School. Students enrolled in New Horizons Elementary School’s International Spanish Academy receive instruction in two languages – English and Spanish. The goal for students participating in this program is to exit New Horizons fully bilingual, biliterate, and bicultural. Not only are students immersed in language but also culture. We Educate, Affirm and Inspire!
If you are interested in applying to be a part of this engaging school, Choice Program applications for the 2024-2025 school year will open on November 1st, 2023 and will be available on The School District of Palm Beach County website.
Wellington Garden Club (WGC) will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Wellington Community Center, at 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd. The meeting will feature a presentation at 10:00 AM by Lauren Butcher, Environmental Education Coordinator at Grassy Waters Preserve. Located in West Palm Beach, Grassy Waters is a pristine and vital remnant of the greater Everglades ecosystem. Lauren (pictured above) is excited to share her knowledge of the Everglades with WGC members and guests.
She has 14 years of experience as an environmental educator and holds a master’s degree in nonprofit management with a certificate in environmental education from FAU. She also serves as a board member and education committee co-chair for Audubon Everglades. A third-generation Floridian, Lauren is passionate about connecting people with the natural world in South Florida. She welcomes the opportunity to help people learn more about the history and ecology of this remarkable wetland wilderness – and about what we can do to conserve, protect and enjoy its waters.
The community is invited to join the club for coffee and a plant raffle beginning at 9:30 a.m. Visitors are asked to check in at the guest table. To reserve a spot, contact Carol Ralph at: caroltaylorralph@gmail.com.
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.
South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Rd., Delray Beach, FL
Celebrate Israel’s 75th Birthday with us.
Shop in the Israel-inspired Marketplace. Eat lunch. Children can enjoy the Kids Get Crafty zone creating age-appropriate crafts and listening to Storytellers. Sing, dance or simply listen to the musical entertainment. Participate in an exciting Pick-a-Prize Auction.
I am delighted to introduce myself as a new sponsor of About Wellington. My family’s roots in Wellington run deep. My Grandparents, My father, my Aunt & Uncle and cousins were all residents of Wellington. My wife and I moved down to Florida from New York City in June with our mini Goldendoodle Cece. My Aunt and Uncle currently still live in Wellington so we have weekly family dinners in the area.
Professionally, I am a Medicare advisor, and my company, MedigapRX, is licensed with several carriers and operates in multiple states. Our foundational belief is that an educated consumer makes the best client. As we approach the open enrollment period, I want you to know that my services are available to help guide those who might have questions or need advice.
Come for the golf and stay for the wildlife and lakeside scenery. That’s the slogan for the refurbished Okeeheelee Golf Course in suburban West Palm Beach, Florida. Today, Okeeheelee – one of five county owned and operated public golf facilities in Palm Beach County — features three very well-maintained nine-hole courses, a well-manicured practice chipping/pitching area, a spacious driving range, and a 30,000-square-foot practice putting green. It’s truly a joy to spend the day practicing and/or playing golf at the Okeeheelee Golf Course (7715 Forest Hill Blvd., West Palm Beach, Florida; 561-964-4653; www.pbcokeeheeleegolf.com), originally designed by English-born golf course architect Roy Case.
This 27-hole golf complex, which first opened in 1995, was also the practice playground for two brothers who now make a living playing professional golf, Brooks and Chase Koepka.
If Okeeheelee was a good enough place to practice and play golf for the Koepka brothers, it certainly is good enough for all other golfers, especially now. After visiting and playing golf at Okeeheelee, there’s no guarantee that you’ll emerge as good as the Koepka brothers. But, you will have had a good time and will have received a great bang for your buck, so to speak.
As young boys, the Koepka brothers spent countless days at the Okeeheelee Golf Course practicing their chipping, pitching, putting, driving, and dreaming about playing golf for a living. Well, their dreams came true and they are still living that dream. Nowadays, getting the chance to play Okeeheelee is a dream-come-true experience for any golfer, 12 months a year.
“Growing up at Okeeheelee was a blast!” remembered Brooks. “We would get dropped off at 7:30 every morning and we would get picked up at dark. I learned how to play the game there and it will always hold a special place in my heart.”
In recent years, Okeeheelee has been refurbished, restored, and revitalized but it didn’t happen overnight. Instead, it has taken three years to get the greens, greenside bunkers and some tee boxes of all three courses – Eagle, Osprey, and Heron — back to the standards which area golfers were used to seeing on a daily basis.
According to Rich Smolen, the golf course manager at the Okeeheelee Golf Course, it’s been a gradual re-opening of each nine-hole course.
“Each nine opened in November – the Eagle in 2019, Osprey in 2020, and Heron in 2021,” said Smolen. “The greens all are Tif Eagle, collars are Tif Grand, and the approach and cut-out areas are Tif Tuff.”
The restoration of Eagle, Osprey, and Heron was anything but cosmetic. Instead, it was a major effort that involved removal, replacement, and revival. And, lots of nurturing and TLC.
“The greens and surrounds were stripped and re-grassed, bunkers renovated and drainage was installed in wet areas of the course,” added Smolen. “The Heron tees were all resurfaced with celebration Bermuda, as were a select few holes on Eagle and Osprey. Increased attention to resurfacing the tees has greatly improved turf quality.”
And, now the grounds crew at the Okeeheelee Golf Course is making sure the 27-holes stay in tip-top shape for years to come.
“Since 2021, we have implemented a more intense and sound agronomic program with regular culture practices,” added Smolen. “With increased attention to detail, weed control, turf implements, water management and mow practices, we have greatly improved turf quality and playing conditions with these steps.”
Of the 27 holes at Okeeheelee, many of them would fare well on any south Florida golf course, especially now that all 27 greens have been replaced. Three holes worth highlighting at Okeeheelee are the closing holes at each course.
At Eagle, the 9th is a left-to-right dogleg par four where Clear Lake borders the hole from tee-to-green, on the right. The fairway is a spacious, undulating gateway to the green. When the wind is in the golfer’s face, it may require a long iron or a hybrid to reach the green in regulation. Here, pars are precious.
At Osprey, the 9th is a three-shot, zig-zag par five where water is a concern on every shot, until you reach the green. After a straightaway tee shot, with water along the left side of the fairway, the second shot is struck to the golfer’s left over a pond to a mound-filled landing zone in the fairway. What remains is a manageable distance to a wide, raised green. In match play, you’ll rarely lose the hole with a par.
At Heron, the 9th is an uphill par-three to a wide, deep green. Because the prevailing winds can’t always be felt on the tee box, picking the right club to go pin-seeking is not easy. Here, don’t be upset with a bogey four.
The reactions from visiting golfers indicate that the course restoration and green revival efforts at Okeeheelee deserve an A+.
“In recent years, I have played Okeeheelee on trips to south Florida and the course looked solid. Now, it’s spectacular,” said Kurt Wieneke of Indianapolis, Indiana. “The course looks great and the greens are wonderful for putting and chipping. It’s a joy to return to Okeeheelee.”
“I remember playing Okeeheelee when it first opened,” said Geoff Solomon of Boca Raton, Florida. “It was such a pleasure to have a first-class facility that was so affordable. Palm Beach County has done a great job with all of its public golf courses, but it all started with Okeeheelee and it’s great to see that it was its turn for these course enhancements.”
When you play golf at Okeeheelee, you’ll agree that the restoration and revival of this golf course have helped return the entire 27-hole complex to where it should be. And, to a standard that the Koepka brothers enjoyed, as well, not too many years ago.
The Okeeheelee Golf Course is proud to participate in the Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary Program (ACSP) for golf courses and is committed to environmental stewardship. The ACSP is an award-winning education and certification program that helps golf courses protect the environment and preserve the natural heritage of the game of golf. The ACSP helps golf courses and their golfers enhance the valuable natural areas and wildlife habitats that golf courses provide, improve efficiency, minimize potentially harmful impacts of golf operations, and serves as vital resource for golf courses.
Okeeheelee Golf Course became the 88th golf course in Florida and the 663rd in the world to earn ACSP certification when it was originally certified in November 2008. The golf course was re-certified in September 2014. Bird houses, butterfly gardens, and natural areas are some of the visible signs of designed wildlife habitats you will see throughout the Okeeheelee Golf Course. These wildlife and habitat management areas are intended to attract and preserve wildlife.
The Okeeheelee Golf Course awaits your arrival.
P.S.: Okeeheelee means “quiet waters,” a name that comes from its unique setting in the surrounding Okeeheelee Park and the beautiful views across Clear Lake which borders the golf course.
I sat down with Arden’s Community Manager Andrea Phillips and got to know a little more about this magical community and what lies inside its gates.
AW: What makes Arden unique?
AP: The agrihood aspect, the farm. How cool is it to be able to eat produce that your own farm grows?
AW: Tell us about the sense of community that you have here.
AP: It’s very family oriented. We have a lot of young families or “starter families.” I love hearing (from my office) the sounds of little kids laughing in the pool, the sounds of life.
AW: Explain what an agrihood is. Is Arden the only agrihood in the area?
AP: Arden is, for now, the only agrihood in the area, the only farm-based community. Lennar may be using Arden as a template for future communities. Arden is very nature-friendly and has an all-natural aesthetic to it. Our parks, within Arden are very woody.
AW: What kind of vegetables do the residents get from the Arden farm? Does everyone get vegetables? How often?
AP: Everyone who lives here is entitled to their farm share. From November 1st to May 31st, they get fruits and vegetables every four weeks. The share includes: tomatoes, potatoes, collard greens, onions, bananas, mangoes and many more.
AW: Tell us about the other amenities at Arden.
AP: The resort-style pool is amazing – it’s a hot spot here. We have basketball courts, 4 tennis courts, pickleball courts, a beautiful lake house with a café and a gym downstairs. Arden also features a winding trail system that goes throughout the whole property, with over 20 miles of trails.
AW: When was Arden built? When did residents start moving in?
AP: Ground broke in 2017 and the first residents started moving in during 2018. There are 1300 homes today with a plan of over 2300 homes after the total build out.
AW: How has the community changed over the past couple of years, if it has?
AP: It’s the first time for a lot of the people moving to Arden from up North for being in an HOA. The dynamics of the community change as new neighbors move in.
AW: What kinds of activities do you offer for residents?
AP: Our Lifestyle Director Robynn recently did a successful Back to School event. She has also done a 4th of July event, story times for kids, sip and paint events for adults and several other holiday events. Every Friday thru Sunday, food trucks come to the Lakehouse at Arden. In terms of physical activity, there are classes offered at the gym like boot camps, Hustle 360, water aerobics for both kids and adults, Zumba, youth soccer, flag football, tennis and swimming lessons.
AW: Tell us about your current farm director Charmaine Peters, who writes “Living Green” for AroundWellington.
AP: Charmaine (pictured above) is a breath of fresh air. She is a kind, welcoming, beautiful soul and a hard worker. I love the way she treats her staff. I am blessed to have her as part of my team. For her articles in AroundWellington, visit “Living Green.”
AW: Tell us about yourself. What’s your former experience? What attracted you to Arden?
AP: Since 2003 I’ve been in property management. First, I learned Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable and how to do financials. Then I got my degree in Property Management. I was Executive Director at Ibis Golf and Country Club for ten years. Then I came here to Arden.
What attracted me to Arden was that it was still developer owned. I liked the fact that it was a new, beautiful community. I really wanted to help build a community and grow with that community. I also liked the size of the community at Arden.
I had a wonderful chat with Susan Silverstein-Kaufman about her children’s book and how it came to be. I must admit, I was especially interested in the origins of her book and how she got published, as I am in a children’s book writing group. Susan was inviting, easy to talk with and full of stories. She told me that the book started out as a love letter for her grandchildren Darcy and Gemma, who are now 5 and 8 years old.
By the way, Susan Silverstein-Kaufman was a school administrator at 29 years old. She has won numerous awards for innovative programs and has pioneered inclusion workshops at the School Board Conventions. You might recognize her from CBS news, as well as many other media outlets.
AW: Where did you get the idea for the character of Louis, a boy who doesn’t listen?
SSK: In 2nd grade, there was a boy who would always try to kiss the girls. His name was Louis. Of course, he didn’t listen. In this book, the family is visiting different states for different adventures. Some of the stories are based on real life.
I would tell my grandchildren Gemma and Darcy bedtime stories about this mischievous character Louis. Often, I would research facts on the Internet before telling them the bedtime stories, facts about places to visit, historical facts.
Susan Silverstein-Kaufman with her granddaughters
AW: Is this a self-published book? Or who published it?
SSK: AuthorHouse published it. I sent the book out to three publishers, and they decided to move forward with it.
AW: As a school administrator for most of your career, what is something you have learned about dealing with difficult students?
SSK: It takes patience and listening. You must give them a path to success. It involves collaborating with the family and with staff members. I was at one of the first schools in New Jersey with an Inclusion Program. We were fortunate to have a boy with Downs Syndrome, who had the same aide from kindergarten through 12th grade. His family was persistent about having him integrate with the normal grades from K-12 and not having him pulled out to go to a special school. It worked out and was a success story. You just have to have buy-in and understanding from all of the parties involved.
AW: That’s great that 10% of net proceeds go to the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. How did you decide to do this?
SSK: I was very impressed with a program called Read to Know and I volunteered at the WIC program. I got involved and used to set up little reading centers – and every child received a free book. Down here in Florida, I contacted the Literary Coalition of Palm Beach County. They invited me to come see their programs in action. I decided to give back.
AW: What age range were you aiming for with this book?
SSK:I was aiming for 8- to 12-year-olds, thinking that they would be the most engaged.
AW: According to you, what’s the moral of the story?
SSK:Of course, it’s “Mother Knows Best.” Also, as a side benefit, the young audiences get a little bit of geography with fun facts.
AW: Yes, you give a lot of fun facts about tourist attractions within the book. Do you find that young children pick up on those facts and remember them?
SSK:Yes. I tested the story on my grandkids. They would ask me, “Bubby, where’s Louis going to go next?” They loved learning about new places. We did a lot of reading via Facetime. And I would play with them via Facetime, buying some of the same toys. I must have at least ten Barbie dolls.
AW: What’s your hope for this book?
SSK: I hope it’s something that will bring families together.
For centuries, herbs and spices have been kitchen staples — transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences. Herbs have also been popular additions to gardens, with approximately 33% of U.S. households growing herbs like rosemary, thyme, or dill in their backyard each year. You might be surprised to know that you can also grow a variety of spices in your home too!
You don’t even need a backyard or gardening experience to grow spices at home. Here are five spices you can easily plant indoors for year-round flavor.
Coriander
Coriander is the dry seed from the cilantro herb. These seeds are used whole, usually toasted, or ground as a spice in European, Asian, Latin, and Indian cuisine. It has a citrus flavor and floral aroma, perfect for dishes like curry. It can be grown indoors as it prefers cool weather and does not need full sun. After soaking the seeds overnight, sow them in a container about 3 to 4 inches apart, then water them thoroughly when the soil is dry. Make sure the soil is moist and not soaked. Coriander can take three weeks to sprout and 40 to 45 days to mature. Harvest the seeds and dry them on a paper towel or coffee filter for a week. When seeds are dry, roast the seeds in a pan on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Lightly press them; if they crack, they are ready to spice up your dish now. You can also grind them to use Coriander powder in other recipes or store it in a tightly sealed container to use at another time.
Mustard
Mustard is one of the world’s most widely grown and used spices. Whether ground or whole, it offers various health benefits and a unique zing to your dishes. The plant is bright yellow with seeds that have a mild, earthy aroma and a hot, sharp flavor that strengthens when wet. Mustard is a cool-season plant that can be grown indoors any time of the year. Start with six seeds in every container and expect them to sprout in one or two days under the right conditions. Move them into a bigger container when the seedlings are about 3 inches tall and wait for about 40 days. When ready for harvest, snip the stock carefully and rub the seed pods off. Use a colander as you harvest the seeds to separate them from unwanted leaves or stems. Grind the seeds until powdered. You can use this powder right away, or mix it with water, wine, vinegar, or champagne, then refrigerate it to make it more like a spread for your next sandwich or burger. Keep this refrigerated to use for up to 2 weeks, or pop it in the freezer to extend its use for a full year.
Paprika
True to its reputation, Paprika can spice up any dish. It comes from dried and ground sweet bell peppers or chili peppers. Its hot, sweet, and smoky flavor depends on the pepper used, and its color can vary in shades of red. It brings spicy flavor, vibrant color, and a boost of Vitamin C to dishes. Peppers are sun-loving vegetables, so pick a sunny spot with about 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. Scatter the seeds over the moist soil and lightly cover them with more potting mix. The seedlings should appear within two weeks; if the sprout is leggy, which means it has long, thin stalks, it needs more sunlight. Once it has around five to eight leaves and roots poking at the drainage holes, it’s time to transplant them into bigger pots. Wait for 80 days then only harvest the ripest peppers for a richer flavor. Remove the green top and the seeds, slice the peppers, and let them completely dry. When ready, grind, and use to top off your next barbecue or save for later.
Cumin
Growing cumin seeds indoors will need some patience as its growing cycle is about 120 days. Whole cumin seeds are often used in Indian recipes, while ground cumin is more common in Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes. It has a warm, earthy flavor and tangy, musky aroma. Cumin grows best in warm climates and needs full sunlight for 6 to 8 hours daily. After soaking the seeds for 8 hours, sow them in well-drained soil. Seeds should germinate in approximately 7 to 14 days. It’s time to harvest when the seed clusters turn brown and dry out. Cut the stalks and place them in a paper bag. Tie and hang them upside down; the seeds should fall naturally into the bag within 10 days. Roast the harvested seeds in a pan, on medium heat, while stirring for 1 to 2 minutes before grinding them. Cumin is great to use right away in soups and vegetable dishes. It’s best to make this in small batches to help retain the flavor for a month.
Turmeric
Turmeric (pictured above), a relative of ginger, is known for its vibrant golden-orange color and pleasantly earthy, bitter taste. This medicinal herb is often used for treating pain and inflammation. For cooking, this ground-dried spice adds color and kick to your dish, even to cakes and desserts. Its excellent benefits are worth the 9 to 10-month wait before harvest. Start by soaking the turmeric rhizome for 24 hours, then pre-sprout it in a moist, sterile potting mix. Cover the container to keep it humid and maintain moisture as needed. Using a heat mat can help in maintaining a more constant temperature. Sprouts should appear within a month; then you can transplant them into deeper containers. It’s time to harvest when the leaves turn yellow and dry out. Carefully dig the entire plant and remove the soil. To replant, cut the stalk off and replant the rhizome you set aside. To make the spice, clean and peel the rhizome, then slice them thinly to dry them faster. Once brittle, they are ready to be pulverized. Turmeric is great for tea and marinating foods. It keeps for up to two weeks in the fridge and 6 months in the freezer.
Homegrown and home-ground spices are the freshest way to bring the heat to your kitchen and keep a little to use later. With patience, they can flourish in the smallest spaces and transform the cozy corners of your home into a living spice rack in a pot. This journey of nurturing seeds to harvesting the fruits of your labor will make your dish even more memorable.
A pup cup, also called puppachino, is simply whipped cream in a small cup. Some food establishments (especially those with a drive thru lane) have pup cups available for dogs. You won’t find them on the menu, though.
Oliver, our 2-year old yellow Labrador retriever, loves pup cups. Thanks to him, I’ve involuntarily learned the best local places for the treat.
We’ve got two spots for the best pup cups in town: Chick-fil-A and Starbucks. Here’s why.
Chick-fil-A is always delighted to add a pup cup on our order when we visit the drive thru. Even if I’ve placed my order ahead of time with their mobile app, they’re glad to add on the request when I get in line. His pup cup is always served with a smile. There is no additional charge to add a pup cup to your order at local Chick-fil-A restaurants.
Starbucks, who refers to the complimentary treat as a puppachino, is equally happy to make your dog’s day with a tasty treat. During one visit with Oliver, they even upgraded his cup to a larger size once they saw he was a big dog. He wouldn’t have known the difference, but that extra little touch made an impression on me.
Other fast food establishments, such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s, offer vanilla soft serve ice cream. I’ve never met a dog that will refuse one of these cold treats, but since there is more fat and sugar in ice cream than the whipped cream alternative, ice cream treats may lead to upset tummies. Also, check ingredients to make sure the ice cream doesn’t contain xylitol which is toxic to dogs.
While Oliver would prefer a pup cup every single day of the week, we only allow him to indulge in the treat once a week. With dogs and ‘people’ food, everything should be in moderation. Even at that frequency, Oliver knows when we’re in line for a pup cup. He starts drooling as soon as we enter the drive thru line and gobbles his pup cup or puppachino up quickly. He doesn’t understand the art of savoring the snack. He also doesn’t understand the art of keeping a car clean. So, if you plan to take your dog to get a pup cup, it’s a good idea to have a towel on hand.
If you decide to let your dog enjoy a pup cup, we hope he or she likes it as much as Oliver does!
