Join the Armory Art Center for a High Tea amongst the breathtaking frescoes of the Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibition. Witness the awe and wonder of one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements, while experiencing this art from an up-close, life-sized, and never-before-seen perspective. Your ticket to the tea includes an interesting lecture by Michelangelo scholar, Dr. Emily Fenichel from Florida Atlantic University. Tickets for this Wednesday, April 12th event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. are $100 and may be purchased by contacting Carla S. Bryant at carlas.bryant@armoryart.org or 561-660-8386.
High Tea Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel Exhibit Armory Art Center, 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Wednesday, April 12, 2022 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets: $100 each To purchase: Contact Carla S. Bryant at carlas.bryant@armoryart.org or 561-660-8386.
Photos from the hottest events Around Wellington from the week of 3.20.22. 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.
Pika Construction attending polo at The International Polo Club
Pika Construction attending polo at The International Polo ClubPika Construction attending polo at The International Polo Club
Ballet Palm Beach will debut Peter Pan & Tinker Bell Thursday through Sunday, April 14-16, 2022, in the Rinker Playhouse at The Kravis Center. This original work created by Executive and Artistic Director, Colleen Smith is a spectacle of pirates, fairies, mermaids, and lost boys for the entire family. Peter Pan & Tinker Bell tells the story of Peter Pan, “the boy who never grew up,” and his feisty fairy friend, Tinker Bell, before Wendy Darling’s appearance in Peter’s life. Peter & Tink’s fantastical adventures take them through Neverland, where they encounter the often ill-behaved Lost Boys, mischievous Mermaids, Princess Tiger Lily, a crocodile of monstrous proportions, and of course, the fearsome Captain Hook and his pirates! This production is partially funded by PNC’s Art Alive! program.
“We’re excited to share this brand-new production based on the classic children’s book,” said Artistic and Executive Director, Colleen Smith. “It’s thrilling to build a ballet from the ground up with original choreography, staging, costumes, and music. We can’t wait for families to come and see it!”
Patrons will see a new face in one of the title roles of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. Jay Markov, dancing the role of Peter Pan, is new to Ballet Palm Beach, joining the company in August 2021 from Festival Ballet at Providence in Rhode Island, where he was both a company member and a teacher. Lily Loveland, dancing the role of Tinker Bell, is in her thirteenth season with Ballet Palm Beach. As part of their commitment to community outreach, the company will also perform Peter Pan and Tinker Bell for local school children on the morning of Thursday, April 14th as part of the Kravis Center’s S*T*A*R (Students & Teachers Arts Resources) Series. This series is motivated by a belief in the value of arts education and a commitment to the children of our community. The performances provide students exposure to live theatre, spark classroom discussion, enhance classroom studies and stimulate the curiosity of young minds. No student is denied admission due to economic need.
Tickets are available at balletpalmbeach.org or by calling The Kravis Center box office at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471.
Peter Pan and Tinker Bell April 14 – 7 p.m. April 15 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 16 – 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Rinker Playhouse at The Kravis Center for Performing Arts All tickets – $45
Wellington Mayor Anne GerwigHonored with 2022 Home Rule Hero Award
Mayor Anne Gerwig
The Florida League of Cities (FLC), celebrating its 100th anniversary as the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Mayor Anne Gerwig with a 2022 Home Rule Hero Award for her hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2022 Legislative Session. Mayor Gerwig worked tirelessly throughout the session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities, and advance the League’s legislative agenda.
“On behalf of the League and its legislative team, we’re very proud to present this year’s Home Rule Hero Awards to a deserving group of municipal leaders,” said FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “We had a record number of Home Rule Heroes this year, which shows the dedication and impact of local officials on behalf of their residents and businesses in protecting local decision-making. These local officials were constantly engaged and actively advocating for their communities throughout the 2022 Legislative Session. They’re heroes for Home Rule and we thank them for their efforts.”
Home Rule is the ability for a city to address local problems with local solutions with minimal state interference. Home Rule Hero Award recipients are local government officials, both elected and nonelected, who consistently responded to the League’s request to reach out to members of the legislature and help give a local perspective on an issue.
“Local self-government is the keystone of American Democracy. I am committed to advocating Home Rule as a way to assert, in law, our community’s mission and vision for the future, and protect our right to maintain our quality of life,” said Mayor Gerwig.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
Florida Student Filmmakers Announced as Finalists for the 27th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films
Vanilla Ice and other surprise celebrities to present awards!
Palm Beach County, FL (March 28, 2022) – The Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission announced the finalists for the 27th Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films. Winners will be revealed, and over $20,000 in cash and prizes are to be awarded, during the red-carpet award show on May 6 at Maltz Jupiter Theatre in Jupiter, Florida. TV star/rap icon, Vanilla Ice, will present the Vanilla Ice Music Video Award, among other surprise celebrity award presenters announced closer to show time. The live show is hosted by stage and screen actor, musician, entertainer, and star of South Florida PBS’s On the Town in The Palm Beaches, Frank Licari.
Michelle Hillery, Palm Beach County’s Deputy Film Commissioner and Executive Producer of the Student Showcase of Films, stated, “This year, the Student Showcase of Films received hundreds of submissions from nearly 50 different schools across Florida. Our judging panel of 50 industry professionals had a tough assignment choosing the finalists, and at the live awards show the audience will experience firsthand the outstanding level of talent found in Florida schools!”
The placements of the winners for the Feature/Short categories, the Burt Reynolds and Sara Fuller Scholarships and all other categories, will be announced at the 27th annual red-carpet award show. The finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
Burt Reynolds & Sara Fuller Scholarship Finalists Brooke Goolsby, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee) Joshua Landry, G-Star School of the Arts (Palm Springs) Marcelo Puccini, G-Star School of the Arts (Palm Springs) Joseph White, American Heritage (Delray Beach)
High School Feature/Short Finalists Andrew Cheyne, Harrison School for the Arts (Lakeland), Madaptation Julen Herrerias, Christopher Columbus High School (Miami), The Pink Wallet Connor Wright, Harrison School for the Arts (Lakeland), A Learning Experience
College Feature/Short Finalists Megan Baer, Florida State University (Tallahassee), How to Dance with Monsters Abiesel Aleed Báez and Corey Marr, University of Central Florida, (Orlando), ¡OLLE! Domenicca Isabella Botero, Miami Dade College (Miami), Silver Waters
The Suzanne Niedland Documentary Finalists Corey Marr, University of Central Florida (Orlando), Onchantho Corey Marr, University of Central Florida (Orlando), Walter’s World Steven Nye, University of Tampa (Tampa), American Air Boss
The Vanilla Ice Music Video Finalists Isabella Chiappini, Alex Duque, and Luis Rodriguez, Cypress Bay High School (Weston), While We’re Young Corey Marr and Cecelia Hubbard, University of Central Florida, (Orlando), Depleted!
Adriana Irmina Marquez, (homeschooled), – The Progress Express
Animation Finalists Mild Niamkongkit and Kristen Yuan, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Gaslight Marika Tamura, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Final Deathination Alexander Tullo, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota), Barking Orders
Commercial/PSA Finalists Grayson Patrick Backman, G-Star School of the Arts (Palm Springs), Love Defined Alex Duque, Cypress Bay High School (Weston), Losing Time Thomas Pozo, Christopher Columbus High School (Miami), Be Kind to Your Mind
Environmental Awareness PSA Finalists Maddox Forman, Seminole Ridge Community High School (Loxahatchee), Fish Will Christopher Andre Otto, Key West High School (Key West), Polaroid Zeki Sert, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville), Punks for the Planet
Educational Awareness PSA Finalists Madeline Acosta, Nicholas Dawsey and Saron Bahre, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville), Educational Conscience Josh DeBardeleben, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville), Get Some Rest Grace Anne Wolfer, Paxon School for Advanced Studies (Jacksonville), Underfunding in School
Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Finalists Riley Flynn, A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach), Jeanie and Jude Were Never Going to Make It Eileen Kohner, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts (Jacksonville), France Lavalier Ayden Kostzer, West Broward High School (Pembroke Pines), The Confessional
Poster Design Finalists Yael Gonzalez, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), 2023 Poster Design Lucy Jacques, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), 2023 Poster Design Fabricio Torrico, SouthTech Academy (Boynton Beach), 2023 Poster Design
Special Recognitions Shreya Devarakonda and Daniela Portilla, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota) – By The Book
Steven Nye, University of Tampa (Tampa) – American Air Boss
Andrew Cheyne, Harrison School of the Arts (Lakeland) – Madaptation
Alexander Tullo, Ringling College of Art and Design (Sarasota) – Barking Orders
Adriana Irmina Marquez (homeschooled) – The Progress Express
The red-carpet awards show takes place Friday, May 6, 2022; pre-show festivities begin at 9:30 a.m. and the live awards show at 10:30 a.m. The event is free, and the public is encouraged to attend. Please RSVP by April 22 by emailing admin@pbfilm.com or calling 561.233.1000.
About The Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films
Student submissions are judged by industry professionals with finalists to be presented with cash awards and prizes during the red-carpet awards show. Every year, the SSOF awards show attracts more than 650 students and their families, along with celebrity presenters, industry pros, media, state and county dignitaries, performers and more. Celebrity presenters have included Burt Reynolds, Vanilla Ice, Cheri Oteri, Backstreet Boys Howie D., Thomas Ian Nicholas, Bruce Campbell, Clint Howard, Linda Blair, Montel Williams, Anthony Anderson, Ice-T, Martin Kove, Billy West, Hector David Jr., Conrad Ricamora, Zack Gottsagen and many more! The SSOF is funded by the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners through the Department of Housing & Economic Sustainability. Major sponsors include The Maltz Jupiter Theatre and the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission. Category sponsors include Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. (Environmental PSA Award), Film Florida (Sara Fuller Scholarship), Suzanne Niedland (Suzanne Niedland Documentary), Michael Chasin (Nellie & Fred Chasin Screenwriting Award) and Ralf Gschwend (Poster Design). For more information, please visit www.pbfilm.com/ssof
The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County held its 26th Annual Giraffe Awards Luncheon in honor of Women’s History Month. The Luncheon took place on Wednesday, March 24th, at the West Palm Beach Marriott. This Annual Event recognizes women in Palm Beach County who have “Stuck Their Necks Out” for other women in the community. Emmy Award-Winning TV news veteran, Toni Arpaia May, was the Event’s emcee. For more information on the Giraffe Awards and the Women’s Chamber, please visit: www.WomensChamber.biz.
AP: We moved down here from Connecticut in the 70’s. I was married to Rosemary and we had two children at that time. We originally started in Orlando and I worked on submarines. I had an uncle in Hollywood, FL. After a few years, I found out that the City of Boca Raton looking for an Assistant Purchasing Director. I met the Mayor of Boca Raton and met other Boca representatives, as well as my future boss. They put us up for 30 days in Boca. But I found that I couldn’t afford a Boca home. They were building a town in Wellington and digging a lake. I found out that a man named Bill Ylvisaker was building 11 polo fields in Wellington. I loved polo! When I drove up to visit Wellington, there were just 200 homes. I wanted a home on a golf course. We were able to get a great 3/2 home, built by William Moore, for $56,500. Our kids Dina and Paul were 3 and 1. (Michael, our 3rd child, was born in Florida). On Memorial Day 1978 we moved in. We were Catholic, but there was no Catholic church in Wellington yet. Meanwhile, the schools still had to be built. Wellington Elementary School was the first school built, complete with a band and cheerleaders.
AW: Who founded the Village of Wellington? How did it come about?
AP: The Wellingtons from England would come to the Breakers on a regular basis. They eventually got interested in the Everglades. They needed to hire an airboat to explore the Everglades. And they found the perfect guide to show them the Everglades, Bink Glisson. The Wellingtons, a father and son team, loved it. They immediately wanted to buy a chunk of land. But since it was all swamp land, they needed to form a drainage system. It was called Acme Improvement District. There were 5 Acme Improvement supervisors who kept an eye on different territories. Then Bill Ylvisaker, chairman of Gould Corporation, comes along. Ylvisaker buys land and builds 11 polo fields. Since they were asking for help, I signed up to be a field judge for polo. I trained for the polo matches and would work on Sundays for $30 for the day. For 6 years I served as a polo judge. Ylvisaker brought up all the polo players from South America. In one match in 1986, the score was 10 – 10 in double overtime. Surprising everyone, the USA team wins.
Meanwhile, I had a softball friend Jim Lowers, who had a construction contract with the school district. He realized that I could be the point person for furniture. I was hired by the School Board. We had a 10-year window to put up about 30 new schools. I was in charge of buying furniture for each new school. During this time, I became a furniture expert, getting to know all the different brands and styles. In 2005, I opened Palm Beach Contract Furniture.
Back to the story of Wellington, it was incorporated in 1996. Kathy Foster was our first Mayor. I got on the Village Council in 1998. We wanted it to be a place that was “well-heeled and well-grounded and well-grassed”.
AW: In November of 1996, Wellington was finally incorporated by a very narrow vote. Why do you think it was controversial to incorporate Wellington at that time.
AP: A lot of people thought it was good enough to leave Wellington underneath the umbrella of WPB. They thought it was perhaps too costly to form their own government. However, Wellington desperately needed roads, bridges and parks. Wellington seemed to need more government.
AW: How did the idea of 5 Village Council members come about?
AP: Wellington modelled its Village structure after Boca and other nice towns. Wellington started off with a Village Charter. There were originally 5 Acme improvement supervisors, who wanted to be elected for Wellington Village Council.
AW: What were some initiatives that you got done while serving on the Council? What years did you serve?
AP: I ran in 1996 with 25 other people. Wellington was the 39th municipality in Palm Beach County, which went into effect in March of 1996. I didn’t win the first time around, but got active on committees. I was on the public safety committee, co-chairing it with Jane Bloom. We had several options for public safety. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s department made a presentation. We were impressed and we recommended that they be our protection. Today we have the lowest crime rate in Palm Beach County. In Wellington, we have our own captain (Silva), and 25 dedicated Wellington cops. We have neighborhood captains in every part of town.
From 1998 to 2002, I served on the Village Council. The last two years I served as Vice Mayor. I developed a friendship with the seniors. I noticed that a lot of families needed 2 vehicles – with one kid at Wellington High School. I proposed a trolley system. I became captain of transportation committee. We went to Tallahassee and got a grant for a trolley. We came close and almost got a trolley system; it was a 3 to 2 vote, and we needed a 5-person vote. One of the many good things that came out of putting the spotlight on seniors was that Kathy Foster started Wellington Cares, an organization that helps senior citizens with transportation, food and other needs.
AW: What do you love about Wellington?
See Al’s video response by clicking on the below link.
AW: What does Wellington still need to improve upon?
AP: Once in a while, Wellington should send a survey to all of the people in the town regarding transportation, schools, churches, and if PBSO is working enough to keep accidents down. We know we have the lowest crime town out of 39 municipalities. A survey could be inserted into everyone’s utility bill. We could have the residents tell us whether or not we are a crime-proof town.
AW: Tell us about your family.
Al Paglia and Family
AP: I met my wife Rosemary in New Haven, CT. She went to New Rochelle for her BA degree, then she went to Ascension College in Worcester, MA. I went to New Haven College (which is now the University of New Haven), in Connecticut for my BA degree. In college between my freshman and sophomore year. I went to the Army Reserve, hoping to avoid being killed in the trenches of Vietnam, and spent 6 months in Fort Dix. We moved to Florida in 1977. Today, we have 3 children – Dina (45), Paul (44) and Michael (42). Once in Florida, I started in Orlando and worked with submarines, then I worked for the City of Boca as Assistant Director of Purchasing. When I found that I couldn’t afford a house in Boca, my boss recommended that I drive up to Forest Hill Blvd, go West to 441 and check out the new town of Wellington. I loved it and purchased a house in Wellington. I worked for the City of Boca Raton for 6 years. Then one night I was playing softball at St. Rita’s, along with our captain Dr. Lowers. He asked me a few questions about what I did for a living. He ended up helping me to get my next job as a contract manager for the Palm Beach School Board. Today I run an independent office furniture business, Boca Office Furniture. We still live in Wellington and still love the bigger town it has become with a small-town feel.
The City of Delray Beach held its annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 12. Local dignitaries, civic and other organizations, took part in the celebration like the always do. A huge crowd turned out to watch the parade make its way down Atlantic Avenue. The parade’s festivities took a brief hiatus due to Covid, but was back in full swing on March 12.
Wellington’s Egg Hunt Returns to Village Park on Saturday, April 16th
Get your baskets ready for Wellington’s Annual Egg Hunt, returning to the Village Park softball fields located at 11700 Pierson Road on Saturday, April 16th.
The event begins promptly at 10:00 AM and will be divided into four age groups: ages 2 and under, or those in need of special accommodations; ages 3 to 4; ages 5 to 7; and ages 8 to 10. At each egg hunt, two eggs will contain a pink bunny ticket, indicating a special prize. Families are encouraged to arrive early as traffic congestion may occur. Don’t forget to bring your own basket!
Special thanks to Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center, our featured sponsor, for their support of this great hometown event.
Stay up to date on events and activities coming up in Wellington by signing up for the monthly Play Wellington Newsletter at www.wellingtonfl.gov/PlayWellington.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
Wellington to Host Great American Cleanup & FREE “Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration”
Wellington will host two Earth-friendly events on Saturday, April 23, 2022, in recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day.
Great American Cleanup Each year, the Great American Cleanup, an initiative of Keep America Beautiful, inspires thousands of volunteers of all ages across America to take part in efforts to clean up and improve their local communities. Beginning at 10:00 AM. Wellington, with the assistance of staff and volunteers, will take part in the Great American Cleanup by collecting as much trash as possible in selected neighborhoods throughout Wellington.
If you are interested in participating in this event, contact Ian Williams with the Community Services Department at 561-791-4796 or iwilliams@wellingtonfl.gov.
The Great American Cleanup in the Village of Wellington is coordinated in partnership with Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful, Inc. and the Solid Waste Authority.
Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration Following the Great American Cleanup, enjoy a free day of fun and learning at Wellington’s Earth Day and Arbor Day Celebration on the Town Center Promenade (12150 Forest Hill Boulevard) from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Event Features
Earth-friendly products and demonstrations
FREE Butterfly Orchids
FREE native seedlings
FREE raffle for a Jatropha Tree in a 15-gallon container
Give-a-ways
Local vendors and community partners
Proper tree pruning demonstration
The event will also feature the F.L.O.W.E.R. Awards Ceremony (Fabulous Landscapes Of Wellington Earning Recognition), and visitors can stop by booths highlighting the Wellington Garden Club, the Wellington Art Society, and Wellington Tree Board. This year, join the Village Council at the start of the event as they plant a Cypress Tree in honor of Arbor Day.
Stay up to date on events and activities coming up in Wellington by signing up for the monthly Play Wellington Newsletter at www.wellingtonfl.gov/PlayWellington.
As another way to stay informed on the latest news and updates from the Village, residents are invited to sign up for Wellington information and updates at www.wellingtonfl.gov/Newsletter.
