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MAY 8: Mother’s Day at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (Delray Beach)

DELRAY BEACH – On Mother’s Day, host your favorite matriarch to a splendiferous day at Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. 

Escort her through Morikami’s six distinctive gardens, named Roji-enGarden of the Drops of Dew, and explore the new art exhibit, “Beyond The Wall,” featuring powerful works by five legendary mural artists.

Treat haha (“mother” in Japanese) to an après-stroll, Pan-Asian lunch at the Cornell Café, overlooking the museum’s private lake. Moms receive a complimentary drink with lunch purchase. 

Stock up on Mother’s Day treasures at the Museum Store, and receive a special gift with purchase ($50 or more; May 8 only). Or, give her the gift of great taste with a museum membership she’ll love almost as much as you.  

Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cornell Café hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is located at 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-0233 or visit morikami.org.

Photo courtesy of Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

LGBTQ+ Church in PB Gardens to Present Lauren Daigle Tribute Concert, May 7

Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches

To Present 

LAUREN DAIGLE Tribute Night

With Jennell Eve’s 10-Piece Band

Saturday, May 7, at 7 pm

Al Fresco Concert will be Followed by Indoor Drag Show

Led by the Inimitable Lupita Hollywood

(Palm Beach Gardens, FL – April 21, 2022) Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beach Gardens (MCCPB), the largest faith-based community in Palm Beach County dedicated to serving the local LGBTQ+ community and its family members and friends, will be hosting a Lauren Daigle Tribute Night, featuring Jennell Eve and a special 10-piece band, on Saturday, May 7, starting at 7 pm

A fundraiser for MCCPB, the outdoor concert will be at 7 pm in the event field by the church, located at 4857 Northlake Boulevard in Palm Beach Gardens. Attendees should feel free to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and there will be a food truck onsite. 

The concert will offer the music of the extraordinary Lauren Daigle, a winner of two GRAMMY® Awards, seven Billboard Music Awards, and four American Music Awards. Her platinum debut album, How Can It Be, produced three number one songs (First, O’Lord, and Trust in You), while the GRAMMY-winning second album Look Up Child featured her triple-platinum smash You Say, the longest-running No. 1 song to appear on any weekly Billboard chart, as well as the platinum selling single Rescue, and gold certified singles Still Rolling Stones and Look Up Child. In addition to her music, Daigle established The Price Fund in 2018, a global foundation dedicated to helping those in need through community initiatives and outreach.

Lauren Daigle’s songs will be performed by a special 10-piece band assembled for this occasion by Jennell Eve.

Following the outdoor concert, MCCPB will present a fabulous drag show inside led by the inimitable Lupita Hollywood.

Tickets are $15 for the tribute concert and $15 for the drag show—or $25 for both if purchased in advance, $30 at the door that night. Tickets can be purchased online ( https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-night-with-mccpb-featuring-lauren-daigle-tribute-more-tickets-254952950137), in person after the Sunday services on April 24 and May 1, or at the door that night.

“MCC of the Palm Beaches is a church founded by and for God’s LGBTQ+ beloveds. All proceeds from this evening go toward continuing our ministries that show forth God’s inclusive and transformational love for everyone,” says Senior Pastor Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey. 

“Come check us out on Sunday at 10:30 via Facebook live or in person,” she adds. “We accept you just as you are! Hope to see you soon.”

About the Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches:

The Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches is the largest faith-based community in Palm Beach County dedicated to serving the local LGBTQ community and its family members and friends. According to the church’s mission statement, “MCC of the Palm Beaches is called to celebrate and share God’s inclusive and transformative love through acts of worship, compassion and social justice.” For 40 years, the Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches has been both a bulwark of strength and a source of solace and support for South Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities and their supporters.

Located since 2000 at 4857 Northlake Blvd. in Palm Beach Gardens, MCCPB offers Sunday worship live and virtually on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mccpalmbeaches) at 10:30 am. Because the church is made up of people from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds, elements of the services reflect both traditions, including scripture readings, hymns and contemporary music, prayer and a communion table that is open to everyone. For more information, please call561.775.5900.

Jennell Eve

FAU High School – Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class

JUPITER, Fla. (April 22, 2022) – Florida Atlantic University High School – Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy recently celebrated the inaugural cohort of students’ extraordinary academic performance and research projects at the Senior Research Symposium event hosted at the Max Planck Florida Institute of Neuroscience (MPFI).

            During the event, FAU High seniors presented their research and scholarly findings in both oral and poster formats. An awards presentation portion of the symposium followed, recognizing the 23 exceptional students and their accomplishments which include: four peer-reviewed research papers published; awards of more than $10,000 in grant funding and research awards to support their research endeavors; and numerous research presentations given at university, state and national conferences. 

FAU President John Kelly and David Fitzpatrick, Ph.D., chief scientific director and CEO of MPFI, welcomed guests and kicked off the event recognizing the exceptional FAU High students and their mentors.

“Congratulations to our first graduates of FAU High School – Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy, who were selected from a pool of top-tier candidates to participate in this unique educational program,” said Kelly. “I am very proud of their many achievements and I look forward to hearing about their future successes.”

FAU High School – Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy welcomed the first cohort of students in fall 2020, and is a premier, research-focused institute that provides an early university entrance high school experience for STEM-focused juniors and seniors in high school. This unique partnership between FAU, MPFI and the Germany-based Max Planck Society, expanded on similar opportunities for FAU’s graduate and undergraduate students. This extraordinary program provides FAU High students access to the laboratories of MPFI, allowing them to participate in unparalleled education and world-class research opportunities as part of their curriculum. 

“Education and scientific training are key parts of the Max Planck model and partnering with FAU High School has given us the opportunity to expand our impact on the future generation of scientists,” said Fitzpatrick. “It has been inspiring to see the evolution of these students, who are now all well positioned to make important contributions to the world of science and beyond.”

FAU High seniors that successfully complete the program earn a high school diploma and Max Planck certificates, and at least two years of cost-free college credit, leading to unmatched research experiences and outstanding distinction through the FAU Max Planck Honors program and accelerated bachelor’s degree at FAU.

“These incredible students have worked countless hours in laboratories and field research sites to further scientific knowledge and our understanding of the world around us – and this is just the start for these world-changing minds,” Molly Adam, Ph.D., associate director of FAU High School.  

To learn more about FAU High School – Jupiter Campus in Partnership with Max Planck Academy, visit fauhigh.fau.edu/jupiter-campus.

-FAU- 

About Florida Atlantic University:

Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu 

About the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience

The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI), a not-for-profit research organization, is part of the world-renowned Max Planck Society, Germany’s most successful research organization with 86 institutes worldwide. Since its establishment in 1948, 22 Nobel laureates have emerged from the ranks of its scientists. As its first U.S. institution, MPFI provides exceptional neuroscientists from around the world with the resources and technology to answer fundamental questions about brain development and function. MPFI researchers employ a curiosity-driven approach to science to develop new technologies that make groundbreaking scientific discoveries possible. For more information, visit https://www.mpfi.org/.

Tacos & Tequila May 7 Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium and Abacoa in Jupiter

Jupiter, Fla. (April 19, 2022)-Via Productions, Inc., and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium proudly announce the first-ever, Tacos & Tequila Festival Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Abacoa in Jupiter and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. This one-day-only event will celebrate the Hispanic Culture with authentic food, music, Mariachi band, salsa band, and baseball from 11 am-10 pm.

Following Cinco de Mayo, this event will feature a day full of fun. During the day, there will be food vendors serving up the best in Spanish and Latin dishes, specialty drink areas including the Chido Zone, a baseball game, and entertainment on the Abacoa Amphitheater stage.

“We are proud to partner with Via Productions to host an event that pays homage to our neighbors who celebrate Hispanic culture within our community. Tacos and Tequila is a way to experience authentic cuisine, traditional music, and baseball.” said Mike Bauer, General Manager of Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium.

For the family, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium will host the Palm Beach Cardinals baseball game for all ages at 3 pm vs. the St. Lucie Mets. Special player autographs will be available (4:30pm-5:30pm) with Jose’ Oquendo (Puerto Rican), known as “The Secret Weapon.” He is a former player for the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals.

Gates open at 11 am, and on the Abacoa Amphitheater stage will be a DJ, music, Mariachi Band, Salsa music by Tairon Aguilera at 6 pm, and Gloria’s Miami Nights, a Gloria Estefan Tribute at 8 pm.

Tickets are $12 adults, $10 kids (ages 12 and under), a day of $14 adults, and $12 kids. Tickets are online at rogerdeanchevroletstadium.com or by calling (561) 630-1828. Tickets for the event include the baseball game.

At the amphitheater Special Preferred seating pods $200 (with chairs of four, table, and waiter/waitress service) and VIP Cabanas $400 (tented VIP table with eight seats and wait for service) are available for the day. Preferred seating is only available by calling (561) 630-1828. Sponsors include Bank of America, and Chido. 

About Roger Dean Stadium:
Opened in 1998, Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is the busiest ballpark in professional baseball. The venue is home to the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training. The Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads (Single-A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Single-A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) also make their home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium from April through September. This year-round facility can accommodate the smallest birthday party to the largest corporate outing while never forgetting that each fan is our most important product.

Calendar Listing:
11 am-10pm-Tacos & Tequila Event, A Hispanic Cultural Celebration with traditional music and food. Palm Beach Cardinals baseball game at 3 pm included in the festivities, followed by a salsa concert at 6 pm and Gloria’s Miami Nights-a Gloria Estefan Tribute at 8 pm. For more information visit, www.rogerdeanchevroletstadium.com or call (561) 630-1828.

Week of 4.17.22 in Wellington, FL

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Photos from the hottest events Around Wellington from the week of 4.17.22. Please send 3-4 photos of your social event, print-ready, with names in order from left to right to connect@khannaconnections.com to be considered for publishing.

Casey Renner, Linsey Desich, Penny Williams, and Tara Blahnik attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Angie and Daniel Payne and Jenna and Mike Zorn attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Children of the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club performing at the 34th Wellington Dinner Dance
Dr. and Mrs. Luis Javier Peña-Hernández attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
John and Julie Kime, Dr. Eduardo Jusino, and Dr. Ana Ferwerda attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Mary Strong, Kathleen Gannon-Ledsome, Julie Kime, Julie Khanna, and Maria Becker attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Chris Schmid, Joe Dymkowski, Dean Vocaturo, and Brett Winter attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
David Buchman, Dan Silverstein, Steven Shapiro, and Brian Buckstein attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Elliot Ellis and Kevin Shapiro attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Scott Wellikoff, Adam Wellikoff, and Matt Wahler attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Dan and Taryn Silverstein, event founders, attend the 4th round of The Lefty Classic
Angie Payne, Luba McDonald, and Char Ramos attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Cergile Sincere, Beth and Louis Eisenberg, and Dr. Elizabeth Bruno attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Bishop, Maria Becker, and Dr. Edward Becker attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Jennifer and Bryan Black, Dr. Richard and Julia Giroux, and Yeimi and Paul Culbert attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Larry and Alexandra Smith attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Shelly Albright, Angela Vecillio, and Linsey Desich attending the Wellington Dinner Dance benefitting the Neil S. Hirsch Boys and Girls Club

By: Tracey Benson Photography
Joe and Stacey Dymkowski attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Gil and Dennis Martinez attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Dan Silverstein, founder, and Todd Barron attending the 2022 Lefty Classic
Winning team: Robbie Swick, Kevin Steakin, Conor Martling, Dan Silverstein, and Adam Dolbow attending the 2022 Lefty Classic

Bring Us to Our Knees

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By Ryan Hayes

They perpetuate

inequity,

corruption creeps in steadily

and intrepid integrity

is often tainted chemically.

Witness the government’s conception,

a demand for near perfection

leaves us this world that we are left

with bordered by electric fences.

I see most of us will never achieve

a state of sanctity,

but always have as long as we breathe

a fate of latency,

cuz even if we wanna be seen

we gotta date to beat

and a “virtue” bringing us

to our knees is waiting

patiently.

ENGLAND’S PEDN-OLVA HOTEL:  EVERY ROOM WITH A VIEW OF SEASIDE SPLENDOR

By Mike May

Very few hotels in Great Britain offer its guests the type of experience that the Pedn-Olva Hotel provides to its patrons when they travel to St. Ives, a seaside town, located along the north coast of western Cornwall, England’s most southwesterly county.  The Pedn-Olva Hotel, a one-of-a-kind structure, is perched upon a blue-black granite peninsula-like foundation, just a few yards away from the St. Ives Bay.  The hotel is perched on what historically was called Pedn-Olva Point.  It’s also worth noting that the Pedn-Olva Hotel was actually built on the site of the old Wheal Providence copper mine, which adds to its allure and appeal.

At the Pedn-Olva Hotel, every room – only 30 in all — has a view of either the picturesque St. Ives’ Harbour or St. Ives Bay.  It’s a view which many people have been known to describe as eye-opening, remarkable and breathtaking.  Very few hotels, if any, in England – or all of Great Britain, for that matter – can make such a claim.  It’s no surprise that the Pedn-Olva Hotel has earned a Four Castle Inn Gold rating from the St. Austell Brewery.

In addition to 30 modern, efficiently designed rooms, the Pedn-Olva Hotel offers a first-class restaurant, an outdoor heated swimming pool, and a bar with unobstructed, panoramic views of the St. Ives Harbour, St. Ives Bay, and the Godrevy Lighthouse in the distance.  There are five categories of rooms at the Pedn-Olva:  Classic Cabins, Classic Family Cabins, Balcony Cabins, Superior Cabins, and Suites.  There are also outdoor patio decks along this hotel’s rooftop which are stunning vistas for morning coffee, lunch, a cream tea (served with Cornish clotted cream), or a place to enjoy a good book.  In keeping with this hotel’s Cornish heritage, each room has been given a name which is usually a Cornish moniker.   The special Cornish-themed titles include Carrick Gladden (room 5), Porthmeor (room 8), Carrick Du (room 29), and Pendinas (room 33).  One of the rooms is actually called the Chapel (room 22) because its interior walls were constructed from the chapel of a large ship that ran aground years ago on the rocks that protect the Cornish coastline near St. Ives.  You would be challenged to find any hotel in the world with better seaside views than what you will get from any vantage point of this property.  The most consistent scenic views at this hotel are from its harbour lounge.  In addition to a one-of-a-kind view, hotel guests get to enjoy an old Cornish granite fireplace in the hotel, which was used to warm the old Counthouse when the Wheal Providence mine was operational.

Many of the rooms at the Pedn-Olva also have balconies which give you an open-air view of the seaside scene in St. Ives.  On many days, you can see seals and dolphins at play in the sea which surrounds the hotel on three sides.  At low tide, the sea retreats so far back that the golden sands of the nearby Porthminster Beach and the St. Ives Harbour are exposed and, actually, connect with one another.  It reveals the Pedn-Olva’s true perimeter:  rocky outcrops of stone amidst a sea of golden sand.

If you want some beach time during your stay at the Pedn-Olva, the exquisite, golden sands of the Porthminster Beach are located at the base of the hotel, just a short walk down the stone staircase which has been carved out of the rocks that form the foundation of the hotel.

As a coastal village, St. Ives is a community whose residents made a living for centuries from either fishing, mining, or smuggling — or all three.  Nowadays, fishing is still a source of income for St. Ives, but tourism and the arts now fill the income void left by the departure of mining and smuggling from the local commercial scene.  For instance, the world famous Tate Gallery has a significant presence in St. Ives.  Artists also flock to St. Ives where the clarity of the air helps them get a true glimpse of their visual subject matter for their canvas creations.

View of the 10th fairway from the 13th tee at the WCGC, with St. Ives Bay in the distance.

Another appealing aspect of staying at the Pedn-Olva Hotel is the proximity of the oldest golf club in Cornwall, the West Cornwall Golf Club, located in the nearby village of Lelant.  The golf club is just a 10-minute drive from the hotel.  From the 10th and 11th fairways of the West Cornwall Golf Club, you can see the Pedn-Olva Hotel in the distance.  Pursuing a stay-and-play experience which features morning golf along the links of the West Cornwall Golf Club, an afternoon on Porthminster Beach, and a relaxing evening at the Pedn-Olva Hotel, along with a stroll around the cobblestone streets of St. Ives, is a perfect way to spend a day or two or more in western Cornwall.  Without a doubt, playing golf at West Cornwall and staying at the Pedn-Olva Hotel are two first-class experiences.

For those who have stayed at the Pedn-Olva Hotel on more than one occasion, they are comforted by the fact that the exterior of this magnificent hotel has changed very little over time.  If you think about it, the Pedn-Olva Hotel does have that ‘Home Sweet Home’ look to it.  Though, admittedly, the interior of this hotel has experienced a few ‘facelifts’ over the years which have been necessary in order to provide modern-day creature comforts for its guests, but it’s worth noting that such modernizations have been done without tarnishing the authentic nature of the Pedn-Olva experience which is a classic reflection of St. Ives’ nautical history and mining heritage.  At the Pedn-Olva, that’s the way it always has been, the way it is today, and the way it always will be in the future.

#     #     #

https://www.francisfrith.com/uk/st-ives/st-ives-pedn-olva-1930_83337

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwj4t669r-vgAhXVQxUIHYwUAfMQwqsBMAl6BAgDEAQ&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w74KNSzkcnQ&usg=AOvVaw1APle35kAwBs5wuadSoDjW

Flower & Foliage Workshops

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Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County

To Host Two-Session Workshop on

Botanical Photography: Flower & Foliage

May 14 & 21

(West Palm Beach, FL – April 20, 2022) Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden will be hosting a special two-session workshop on botanical photography next month.

May 14, 21

Botanical Photography: Flower and Foliage Workshop

Saturdays, 10 am to 11:30 am

$40 for members; $60 for nonmembers (includes full Garden admission)
Registration is required; class size is limited to 25 adults.

Learn how to become a better flower photographer in this two-part workshop.  Photographer Art Silverglate willteach about camera equipment and the key concepts of macro photography. Flower photography is becoming extremely popular for camera enthusiasts and learning how to choose your composition, your lens, and how to find the right light, makes this art even more fun!

Art Silvergate. KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
  • Session I: Saturday, May 14, 10 am to 11:30 am

A short classroom presentation will share basic concepts and tips on how to use macro photography to zoom in on subjects to create stunning photos.  The remainder of Session I will be in the garden, practicing the techniques.

  • Session II: Saturday, May 21: 10 am to 11:30 am

Please bring a flash drive or photo stick with your photos. This session of the workshop focuses on editing, and Art Silverglate will talk about ways to take a flower photo from drab to fab using Photoshop and Lightroom techniques.

Note:  Participants are encouraged to bring the following materials:

+ Pad, tablet, or preferred note-taking material

+ Hat for sun protection

+ Water bottle

+ Camera, tripod, cable release or switch, zoom lens

+ Macro lens or close-up attachments

To register, please visit www.mounts.org/events

Also available to visit in May 2022:

Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden

Located in the Tropical Forest Garden

Bringing the awe and wonder of Easter Island to West Palm Beach is this new permanent installation of three imposing moai statues, replicas of the iconic monolithic, human figures located on Rapa Nui, Chile. Designed by artist Dennis MacDonald with great attention to authenticity and detail, each of the statues is made of solid, reinforced, poured concrete and has been stained to create a weathered appearance. The larger moai stands 20 feet tall and wears a “hat” known as pukao, two additional pukao rest on the ground.

The Moai at Mounts Botanical Garden installation is included with Garden admission:

FREE for MBG members and children under 6; $12 for nonmember adults; $10 for seniors 65+, college students, and military with ID; $5 for children 6-17. Ticket includes full Garden admission.

+ Tickets available for purchase at the gate.

Garden hours are Tuesday-Sunday, 9 am to 4 pm.

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 16-acre tropical oasis will see an acclaimed collection of 25 unique garden areas containing more than 6,000 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 Garden is part of the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Department, in partnership with the University of Florida and the non-profit Friends of the Mounts Botanical Garden. This project is sponsored in part by The Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County. Mounts Botanical is located at 531 North Military Trail in West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit www.mounts.org.

First Sunday Morning at the Park – Wellington Family AutoFest

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Date/Time:  June 5th, 2022 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM

Where: Village of Wellington Recreational Park and Peaceful Waters Sanctuary,  11700 Pierson Road, Wellington, FL 33414

Organizer: Rotary Club of Wellington

About:

Our concept is to attract family and friends for a Sunday morning car show featuring all types of vehicles situated in a village recreational park.

  • All types of vehicles – cars, trucks, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and golf cars; all makes and models
  • Family and group outings encouraged
  • Food and beverage available
  • Activities, recreational park, nature preserve, trails and more!
  • Spectators free
  • All profits go to charity including backpacks and school supplies for over 600 children
  • Show Vehicles
    • $20 per vehicle—judged competition
    • $10 per vehicle – general show vehicles
  • Non-Show Vehicles – premium parking area for family and group outings – only $10 per vehicle
  • Double spaces for early birds – paid admission
  • Free parking available
  • Sponsorships available
  • Vendor and exhibition space available

Follow our Facebook Page – https://www.facebook.com/Familyautofest 

Getting to know Chip McKenney of the Gay Polo League

Interview by Julie Khanna 

Chip McKenney. Photo by Jamie Saults.

AW: When and why did you move to Wellington? 

I moved to Wellington in 2016 after living in Los Angeles for 32 years. It was definitely a big change moving from the west coast to the east coast, but I decided to relocate to pursue a business opportunity and because of my passion for all things horses. As an avid horse lover, I couldn’t ask for a better location than Wellington – the Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.

Photo by Alan Fabricant.

AW: How long have you been playing polo and how did you get started? 

I started playing polo in 2006. Before polo, I was a competitive show jumper but wanted to try something new. I was looking for a different experience with horses, so I took a lesson at the Santa Barbara Polo School and fell in love with the sport. 

Photo by Alan Fabricant.

AW: Tell us what GPL is, and how and when you founded it? 

The Gay Polo League is the only LGBTQ polo organization in the world. GPL is dedicated to producing high-end LGBTQ polo events and experiences. We have a lighthearted enjoyment of our sport but are serious when it comes to making a difference and giving back to the community.  In addition to attendance at the events, we are proud to have such loyal sponsors like Lexus, Douglas Elliman and Baccarat, who not only support our mission, but work alongside us in efforts towards equality.

I founded The Gay Polo League (GPL) in 2006, the same year I took my first polo lesson. I knew polo was the perfect sport for the LGBTQ community as it is a team sport, elegant, traditional, and offers opportunity for travel and connectivity with new people around the world. I started the league by inviting a few friends to experience it. In turn, they invited their friends, and their friends and then it took off! Today GPL has a network of LGBTQ polo players in 15 countries and produces 3 international LGBTQ polo events annually. 

Photo by Alan Fabricant.

AW: What is a common response to owning a Gay Polo League? 

I am often asked, “Why a gay polo league? Why not just a polo league?”. People do not always see the value in it. GPL’s mission is to elevate the LGBTQ athletes in sports. Historically and currently, LGBTQ athletes are seldom represented in sports and sports media. This was an important motivation in creating the Gay Polo League, as means to advance past that. The reason GPL is important is because by elevating LGBTQ athletes, it brings awareness which sparks discussion. Discussion leads to understanding and understanding is essentially the backbone of acceptance. Acceptance is the foundation of inclusion and that is our ultimate goal. To make our athletes feel accepted and included in their sport and to hopefully have this carry over into other sports. 

Photo by Alan Fabricant.

AW: So, what does GPL do in between the annual Gay Polo League Tournaments? 

We produce 3 international events annually. All of our time is spent organizing, planning and promoting these events. This September, GPL will produce a tournament at the exclusive Saint Tropez Polo Club in France, which is a huge privilege for us.  We also are planning our annual December trip to Argentina to watch the Argentine Open Polo tournaments followed by 5 days of playing polo in Lobos, AR. 

AW: The equestrian market in Wellington is growing with the addition of new polo fields and accommodations. What do you foresee as the future of the equestrian market in Wellington? 

I believe Wellington will continue to be the crown jewel in International Equestrian Sports. It is astounding how many international equestrians compete in Wellington during the season. With the steady growth that we have seen over the years, I anticipate the sport will continue to bring in and enjoy more and more corporate sponsorship, television coverage and more. I believe that Wellington will continue to benefit from the economic impact that the equestrian industry brings to the village.   

AW: What do you do professionally? 

Aside from GPL, I am the owner of McKenney Media, a strategic branding agency with a primary focus on equestrian sports. My expertise in sports and entertainment branding couples perfectly with my passion for all things horses.