Wellington Art Society to Present Scholarships at Their May Meeting
The Wellington Art Society will present scholarships to this year’s recipients of the society’s Scholarship Program at their May 12, 2021 meeting. The meeting and presentation will take place through the Wellington Art Society’s virtual Zoom link, which is distributed via e-mail to all members. A meet-and- greet will begin at 7 p.m., followed by the member spotlight and a brief meeting. The meeting will conclude with the presentation of scholarships to three deserving high school seniors. The public is invited. RSVP by e-mail to presidentofwas@gmail.com.
The students who will be receiving scholarships this year are Makena Vargo of American Heritage School, Olivia Cunningham of The King’s Academy and Sasha Bass of Dreyfoos School of the Arts (DSOA). The scholarships will be presented by WAS Scholarship Chair, Lynn Doyal. Each student will have the opportunity to share about their work and plans for the future.
The Wellington Art Society (WAS) has been supporting the advancement of arts in the Palm Beach community since 1981 with the intent to encourage young artists to pursue art careers, provide programming that expands art in public places, and to make art accessible within the community daily. The WAS Scholarship Program was established in 2001 to provide scholarships to talented young artists for art related College and University expenses and tuition costs. Over the past 2 decades WAS is proud to have awarded over $100,000 to students within our community. Past recipients of the WAS Scholarship have gone on to become educators, illustrators, authors, curators, artistic directors, professional artists and arts advocates.
To support the Scholarship Program, the WAS relies solely upon money raised from donations, membership dues, monthly raffles, artist exhibitions, annual art shows, and commissions. To make a donation, please visit www.WellingtonArtSociety.org
The Wellington Art Society is a non-profit charitable organization in its 40th year. It is open to artists of all mediums and patrons of the arts, allowing both local and regional artists to display their art work in local galleries, interact with other artists and serve the community through their art. For further information about the Wellington Art Society, please visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org.
The Arc of Palm Beach County Charts the Course to Acceptance
West Palm Beach, Fla. (April 29, 2021) – Supporters of The Arc of Palm Beach County got an extraordinary view of the Palm Beach International Boat Show. On Sunday, March 28, the nonprofit hosted brunch on the 9,000-square-foot Mansion Yacht.
As guests took in views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the three-story vessel, they enjoyed an elegant brunch, champagne, and live music. Kimberly McCarten, The Arc’s president and CEO, shared the nonprofit’s vision that all people, regardless of their abilities, should experience acceptance and inclusion.
“At The Arc, we are always open to opportunities to connect with our donors, show our appreciation for their incredible support, and encourage them to continue the hard but rewarding work of achieving acceptance for all,” said McCarten.
Monica Oberting, Bahareh Wolfs, Kimberly McCarten
Mansion Yachts, the Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, and Informa U.S. donated the use of the spectacular venue to The Arc for the event. Other generous sponsors included Melanie Jacobson, Mary Courim, and the Kelly Leadership Group.
About The Arc of Palm Beach County
The Arc is changing the conversation around disabilities by defying definitions, inspiring possibilities, and improving the lives of the people we serve, their families, and our community. Since 1958, The Arc has envisioned a community where every person feels welcome, connected, and accepted.
2021 VIRTUAL JUDY LEVIS KRUG BOCA RATON JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES THROUGH MAY AT THE LEVIS JCC SANDLER CENTER
Boca Raton, FL – The 2021 Virtual Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival (BRJFF) presented by the Adolph & Rose Levis JCC Sandler Center will continue through May 16, 2021. Film aficionados still have time to enjoy the flexibility and convenience of exploring Jewish-themed films from around the world, ranging from historical dramas to documentaries—all from the comfort and safety of their own homes. BRJFF includes insightful Q&A webinars with filmmakers, cast members, and community lecturers, as well as the opportunity to view the film up to 72 hours after its scheduled time. Since January, the Festival has featured over 50 premiere films and 24 webinars, and is considered one of the largest virtual Jewish/Israeli Film Festivals in the country.
With laugh-out-loud comedies, and dramatic and political documentaries remaining to be screened, the Festival provides audiences the chance to expand their awareness and understanding of the Jewish world.
Not-to-be-missed films screening in May include:
Kubrick by Kubrickpremieres in Palm Beach County from May 1 – May 7 features a trove of never-before-heard audio recordings and is a cinematic essay on the methods and madness of master director Stanley Kubrick.
The Invisible Linepremieres in Palm Beach County from May 2 – May 8 and reflects on the social experiment in fascism conducted by California high school history teacher Ron Jones. The test to sample the experience of the attraction and rise of the Nazis in Germany before World War II immediately spun out of control and ultimately lead to trauma and regret. This documentary serves as a teaching tool to facilitate discussion of those uncomfortable topics of history, human nature, psychology, charismatic leaders, group behavior, intolerance and hate.
Portrayalfollows Roman Lapshin across three continents and five nations as he puts together the pieces of a mysterious puzzle surrounding the troubling origins of thousands of missing pieces of artwork painted by his grandfather. The film premieres in Palm Beach County from May 8 – May 11 and includes a Q&A on May 10 at 7pm with Director Billie Mintz and Roman Lapshin.
Who Will Remain documents the journey of Israeli actress Hadas Kalderon as she travels to Lithuania to gain a better understanding of her grandfather Avrom Sutzkever, who was described by the New York Times as the “greatest poet if the Holocaust.” The film screens May 9 – 15.
The true story of Eliahu Berkovitch, also known as Tony Nelson, is cut in the tragic cloth of life itself. The film screens May 11-13.
Tango Shalom, the Festival’s closing film screens from May 14 – May 16 and is a heart-pumping, heartwarming film that comes from the makers My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The film tests the bonds of family and community, and the bounds of tolerance and faith, all while telling the story of a Hasidic Rabbi and amateur Hora dancer as they enter a big, televised Tango competition to save his Hebrew school from bankruptcy. The filmmakers and castwill offer behind-the-scenes insights during a cast party on May 16 at 2pm.
A full program guide including dates, showtimes, trailers, a synopsis of each film, and Q&As are available on http://bocaff.org/.
Individual tickets range from $4.99-$12 and film pass packages range from $59-$299 (prices are per household); tickets and packages are available for purchase online at bocajff.org. Movie rentals can be enjoyed on various platforms by downloading the Eventive TV app which is available on Apple TV, Roku, Firestick, Chromecast among others.
About the Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival
The mission of the Judy Levis Krug Boca Raton Jewish Film Festival is to provide the newest, most stimulating and thought-provoking films that encourage audiences to expand their awareness and understanding of the Jewish world and engage in dialogue to explore the many diverse perspectives portrayed by the films presented.
About the Levis JCC Sandler Center The Levis JCC’s Phyllis & Harvey Sandler Center, which highlights renowned talent from artists and actors to authors and so much more, gives adults of all ages and faiths an opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests in continuing education, travel and social events. Learn more at levisjcc.org/culture.
About the Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center
The Adolph & Rose Levis Jewish Community Center promotes and enhances Jewish culture, heritage and values through educational, spiritual, social, wellness and recreational programs for individuals of all ages. With a preschool, summer camp, family activities, athletics, cultural arts, adult enrichment and special needs programming, as well as a Resale Boutique for bargain hunters, the Levis JCC offers something for everyone.
PLACE OF HOPE WELCOMES ABDUCTION SURVIVOR AND KIDNAPPING ACTIVIST ELIZABETH SMART AT 2021 ANGEL MOMS BRUNCH
Boca Raton, FL – The trauma and horror of being a human trafficking victim are difficult to relay, even to those who want to help. Only a person who has endured, survived and even triumphed, following such an ordeal, can truly understand. To help others grasp the enormity of what it is like to be a victim – and then a survivor – Elizabeth Smart shared her experience, as the keynote speaker of this week’s 7th Annual Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit.
The event was hosted by Place of Hope’s Angel Moms who provide a network of comprehensive care for those who are in need, like Smart once was. At the Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit, themed Southern Charm, the audience was filled with women who volunteer to help improve the lives of foster children, youth who have aged out of state care, and human trafficking survivors.
“When victims are released or rescued from their captors, their experiences are beyond words, more than unvictimized people may be able to grasp,” said Place of Hope Founding CEO Charles L. Bender III. “But there are always stories of hope among these horrific ordeals. Like Elizabeth, many of the people Place of Hope help go on to live fulfilling, productive lives. We are honored and excited to have her as a keynote speaker and an example of what hope and transformation can do.”
Smart has since become a noted activist and author, launching the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in 2011 and authoring My Story in 2013. Her successful career allows her to advocate for abduction and kidnapping victims.
“It is an honor to be here with organizations like Place of Hope that do so much to give hope to the world,” said Elizabeth Smart. “Thank you to Place of Hope for all of their work. We all need someone in our lives to make a difference.”
Smart shared the harrowing details of her kidnapping story and the importance of faith in her life. Now, as an advocate for other kidnapping victims, Smart says, “I have so much respect for the non-profits that take on this kind of work. There is so much work to be done.”
With campuses in Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Hobe Sound, Port St. Lucie and Boca Raton, Place of Hope is the largest faith-based, state-licensed children’s organization that provides family-style foster care (emergency and long-term); family outreach and intervention; maternity care; safety for domestic minor sexually trafficked victims; transitional housing and support services; adoption and foster care recruitment and support; hope and healing opportunities for children and families who have been traumatized by abuse and neglect. This year, the organization celebrates twenty years as a non-profit.
Sponsors of the 7th Annual Angel Moms Brunch and Benefit include Presenting Individual Sponsor, Dr. Heidi Schaeffer, Presenting Family Sponsor, Jeannine and Leland Morris; Building Hope Leadership Society Partners: Boca West Children’s Foundation, CMAA, Mary and Bill Donnell, Michelle and Michael Hagerty, Scott and Katharine Moss, Gary Peters Family Foundation, Tiffany and Mark Berch, The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, Jennifer Houston and John Hurley, Jim Moran Foundation, Libra Foundation, Remillard Family Foundation, The Robert DeVries Family/Kellogg Foundation, The Smith Brothers Family Foundation, Stoops Family Foundation, Drs. Leighan and David Rinker and the Warren Family. Impact Sponsors: Susan and Peter Brockway, Jeannette DeOrchis, The Coulombe Family Foundation and Amy Kazma. Corporate and Family Sponsors: Holly Boswell, The Moss Family and Moss Construction, 4 Girls Foundation, The Sadusky Family, Becky and Steve Scott, Janet and Tom Kuzio, NCCI, Leighan and David Rinker Family, Craig and Nikki Stelzer and the Woods Family Foundation. Defender Sponsors: Debbie Bomford, The Boroian Family, Karen Rogers, Edith Stein, Renee Feder and Eileen Needleman. Angel Sponsors: Kathy Adkins, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Florida Coast Equipment, Lisa Wennick. The keynote speaker has been generously provided by Arthur and Shelly Adler and Chuck and Marjorie Isroff.
2021 Co-Chair Committee: Cherie Arscott, Bonnie Boroian, Susan Brockway, Mary Donnell, Renee Feder, Kelly Fleming, Amy Kazma, Janet Kuzio, Jeannine Morris, Katharine Moss, and Wendy Sadusky.
A visit to the pediatrician is a complex event. The visit includes – weighing measuring and a questionnaire on eating, peeing, pooping and sleeping. I wanted to think that I was doing everything possible to give my children the best that was available and doing all I could to see to their physical and social well-being. A pediatrician’s checkup was a measurement of those requirements. The Pediatrician recommended vitamin supplementation to fill in the gaps of picky eaters especially for iron, and vitamin D. Parents see a myriad of supplement choices. I didn’t want to try using a pill or tablet because that seemed medicinal. I didn’t want to confuse gummy candy with vitamins with the possibility of overconsumption. I heard of a powdered formula from a friend. They made tasty shakes and smoothies from the powdered formula that their kids consumed with gusto. Ease of preparation and another menu item were the keywords to get me started on the Reliv NOW for kids.
NOW is an acronym for Nourish Our World. The formula was created by Dr. Theodore Kalogris to help combat hunger. It needed to be portable, have vitamins and minerals, and sustenance with protein. The Foundation in his name continues to provide Reliv Now® for Kids to thousands of children and adults around the world; Peru, Haiti, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philippines as well as in the US. The volunteers in the feeding centers reported NOW impacting children more than the bottles of vitamins that they previously had. Girls Town girls have not missed any days of school with their feeding program. These are just a few of the examples of improved general well-being and health.
Of course, a well-rounded menu including fresh fruits and vegetables is still the gold standard. However, your grandparents’ produce contained more nutrition. According to Scientific American,”A landmark study on the topic by Donald Davis and his team of researchers from the University of Texas (UT) at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was published in December 2004 in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition. They studied U.S. Department of Agriculture nutritional data from both 1950 and 1999 for 43 different vegetables and fruits, finding ‘reliable declines’ in the amount of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and vitamin C over the past half century. Davis and his colleagues chalk up this declining nutritional content to the preponderance of agricultural practices designed to improve traits (size, growth rate, pest resistance) other than nutrition.” Other countries have reported similar studies.”
Poor soil quality via erosion, pesticides, chemical fertilizers and overuse contribute to poor nutrient quality according to various Google searches. Few of us can afford or ever seek organically grown non-GMO food. Yet it appears as though we need to seek more of these types of food.
With a daily drink of NOW, I feel assured that despite cake and ice cream parties, dismissed vegetables and secretive convenience store escapes for Arnold Palmer Half and Half, the kids are getting a good dose of nutrients necessary.
Using her Gifts for Good: An Interview with Photographer, Writer andHumanitarian Lois Spatz
Lois Spatz
Adjusting the “lens”
When you combine talent, precision, empathy, and a gift for storytelling you will comprehend how powerful these attributes can be bestowed in one particular individual, hence I present to you: Lois Spatz. I promise that you will not just be reading a typical, traditional interview article, but you will be transported by the candor and beauty of this one person. Let’s begin our interview.
AW:Why Photography? What made you want to be in this profession and dabble in this “art”?
LS: I have been obsessed with photography since I was a young girl.
But my career as a photographer actually came later in life. I began my career in publishing as a writer, after I moved to Wellington in 2003. It was literally a series of divine events that led me to the path of being a published photographer and writer and took me out of my comfort zone I’d been in for the past six years of being a full-time mom and housewife. (Lois leans back in the chair, relaxed and ready to tell her story.)
I had always taken photos of my kids, family and friends but I began picking up my camera more seriously when my oldest son Shawn started playing football for the WCFL. I would take photos of him and other players, write captions and send them to the Palm Beach Post. The editor at that time loved my photos and would publish them on an almost weekly basis. It was a few months later I got a call from that editor asking me if I would like to take over a column called “Roads West” about the happenings in the Western Communities of Palm Beach County. And so it began.
I got to write about businesses, people, places, schools or events happening in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington. I took pictures and wrote many articles. Around 2006, as the newspaper business began shrinking, I took a job with the Town-Crier and Wellington The Magazine. I continued writing and photographing the people and places in the western communities.I spent over a year there covering everything from politicians to preschools. After that, I continued writing for many local publications including the Sun Sentinel Forum and Palms West Monthly and doing some photography on the side. The work intertwined perfectly with my life as a mother and wife, allowing me freedom and flexibility while still giving me a creative outlet.
It was sometime during 2006 while covering an event for Town Crier, I met Krista Martinelli and her daughter Stella. Krista and I really hit it off and eventually she asked me to work with her for Around Wellington. The rest is history, 14 years later and you can actually search my name on the website aroundwellington.com and see many of my articles and photos that I’ve done for AW throughout the years.
Photographer Lois Spatz and Founder of AroundWellington.com Krista Martinelli
With many of my photographs now being published, my quest to learn more led me to taking workshops, I also watched a lot of online videos, studied other photographers and volunteered with the Palm Beach Photographic Centre. I spent time as an apprentice learning the technical aspects of photography firsthand, carrying equipment and tagging along with several talented shutterbugs. Working for Around Wellington and various other publications allowed me many opportunities to meet so many people that wanted me to take their photos “on the side” that in 2013, I decided to start my own business, LS PHOTOS & PR Services LLC.
An AroundWellington Anniversary get together. Lois Spatz is the 2nd from left in the picture.
AW:How is your photography “lens” different than other photographers?
One of Lois Spatz’ photographs from the 2021 Great Charity Challenge.
LS: Because of all the charity events I covered starting out, I found a niche and a way to give back to the community working with the non-profit sector. My first big client was Susan G. Komen South Florida where I spent almost 8 years, covering The Race for the Cure and all of their functions and fundraising events throughout each year.
Keeping my rates low while doing what I loved, was a wonderful way for me to give back, (my paternal grandmother died of breast cancer). I continued to give in this way and sometimes even volunteered my skills helping many other non-profits such as the American Cancer Foundation, Palm Health Foundation, Kids Cancer Foundation, Danny and Ron’s Rescue and (my favorite event of the year) The Great Charity Challenge.
Another thing that may set me apart is my continued efforts to be a “master of natural light” which I do believe everyone looks better in natural light.
Lois Spatz’ photo of tennis stars Venus Williams and Dick Stockton at the Wellington Tennis Center.
I view things in a way that I tend to focus more on the inner beauty of my subjects, bringing out what is on the inside rather than just focusing on what is on the outside. Which I know is totally the opposite of what we are “trained” to do. Working for so many years with so many kinds of people has really gifted me a better ability to make people feel comfortable, while showing them in their best light. And the real blessing for me is that many of my clients through the years have turned into acquaintances and friendships I truly cherish.
Lois Spatz and Mayor of Wellington Anne Gerwig
AW: Please share a few projects that you feel have moved or shaped you.
LS: The first thing that comes to my mind is my work for the past five years with Fidelity Investments Great Charity Challenge® and working with the Executive Director Anne Caroline Valtin.
The Great Charity Challenge’s Anne Caroline Valtin and Lois Spatz.
GCC (gcc.coth.com)is an annual event held during the Winter Equestrian Festival that raises over a million dollars for at least 30 local Palm Beach County charities, some of which are located in Wellington. It is the most concerted effort I’ve ever seen, meeting the direct needs of so many. My work with Anne Caroline has both inspired me and brought me to tears many times seeing what an impact it has on our community and in our world and watching her work so hard to make such a significant and impactful change in this world.
But (Lois says with a gentle smile), it’s more about the “people” and not so much the “projects” that continue to create such an impact on my life. I am blessed to meet the most kind-hearted, community-oriented, selfless people I have ever met in all of my life.
AW: How has the pandemic affected your Photography business?
LS: Because of the quarantine, I really wasn’t taking photos of people for some time and instead really focused on myself, my family and fostered more of my creativity. It gave me time to step back and really evaluate what is most important to me. It also pushed me to explore more of my “arts” side, taking photos of things I wanted to rather than what others asked from me.
Lois and Lois. Lois Spatz and Lois Frankel.
AW:What is something that very few people know about you?
LS: Being able to give back in the community is very important to me, especially working with children. I spent many years working with my son’s schools, meeting many of the school’s photography needs. This gave me the opportunity to serve while spending time with my children, volunteering my time taking photos for so many things from marching band to the high school marketing program, sporting events, curriculum fairs, proms, competitions and any photo the teachers or principals asked me to take. This also gave me the opportunity to know all of my kids’ friends and teachers and to this day it is really what I am most grateful for in my time as a photographer.
AW: Tell us about your family.
LS: I’ve been married to my husband David for 25 years and we have two amazing sons Shawn and Eaven, 24 and 20. They work hard to be successful and are happy in life and this makes me very proud. I am crazy about my dog and love to walk every morning or ride my bike through the dirt roads of Wellington.
The Spatz family at a Panthers game.
AW: I noticed from your Facebook and Instagram pages that you are a hug fan of horses. What is this obsession with horses?
LS: I was not born into nor do I live an equestrian lifestyle, so I guess it does seem unusual how obsessed I am with horses. Here is the reality: As a young girl I suffered abuse and would close my eyes and visualize myself riding Black Beauty in a mountain somewhere. It was a way for me to survive. I would also beg my aunt’s friend to draw me pictures of horses. It was a comfort watching her draw flowing manes and Friesian faces. Horses were a way of healing for me and to this day, being in the presence of horses soothes something in my soul that nothing else can.
In life I believe there is no such thing as coincidences and from being a little girl who survived by dreaming of horses, I now live in what is known as the equestrian capital of the world; the irony does not escape me. My photography career has allowed me to photograph everything equestrian from show jumping, dressage, polo to portraits of incredible equestrian souls and their horses. In fact, where I live is literally a connecting road from the Wellington suburbs to the million dollar “farms” where I walk and ride my bike among riders and horses every day, allowing me even a little more healing each time.
AW: Tell me about your involvement with the Wellington Arts Society.
LS: A few years ago, a diagnosed voice disorder sent me in a different direction, and I decided I wanted to pursue photography as an art. When I first moved to Wellington, I lived down the street from one of the founders of WAS, Corinne Ingerman. I would always take photos of her for the Town Crier at different events and she would always tell me, one day you need to join us. So, in 2017 when I learned that one of my friends from the old Ishnala neighborhood was now the president, I decided to give it a try. It was through the many talented and generous artists I met there that I learned the difference between a picture and how to create an image that moves people. Interpretation of art is really more about self-expression that evokes emotion, not just taking a photo documenting a time, place or person. Before the pandemic I got to be part of WAS Art for Kids and to bring art to the children at Palms West and Kids Cancer Foundation with Carolina King. WAS continues to bring supplies and donations to the hospital for the children, and Carolina even started her own outreach program called Arts for Smiles that gives art and school supplies to children in need in Palm Beach County. I was blessed to be able to help her for some time.
The Wellington Art Society
AW: What has been the most exciting experience that you have ever photographed? Also, the most painful?
LS: One of the most exciting events ever was when the former President Barack Obama was first campaigning and speaking in Lake Worth, Florida. I was in the Press core area with Krista Martinelli and this young, African American boy beside us asked Obama, “Do you think one day I could be president?” Obama answered him saying that yes, one day he could be President and that is why he himself was working so hard to pave the way for others.
Young Damon Weaver from FL, who later interviewed President Obama at the White House, after making an impression on the President from the Press area in Lake Worth, FL.
Some of the painful memories come from times I felt insecure or that my talent was not up to par with my clients. It made me always work harder to be better though. However, in the big picture I am my harshest critic. I also feel sad when I find out someone, I took photos of has passed away, whether it was a cancer patient or someone else I met in the community.
What I realize from this is that photos are so important to the people who are left behind. A portrait allows grieving friends and family a tangible way to remember a loved one forever. I have always taken that part of it as acknowledging my photography as a gift from God that I am able to share with others.
President Obama being interviewed by young Damon Weaver.
“Gifts for Good”
At the end of the interview Lois talked about giving back to the community again and how she believed that life was about making life better for others. I left the interview that day with a renewed belief in the goodness of mankind and the motivation to be a better person. I felt like I had met someone whose “lens” was so focused that she could bring out the best in just about anyone. I look forward to reading her book in the near future and know you will too!
AW: Where can people view your photography?
LS: On my website: Loisspatz.com, my Facebook Page @loisspatzphotos, Instagram @LOISSP and search aroundwellington.com “Lois Spatz.” You will see some of my work from the very beginning, (when I used to shoot in Auto mode with half frame cameras and kit lenses.
AW: Are you working on anything special at the moment?
LS: After 16 years of photography, maybe it took a pandemic to bring more of the writer out from inside me and I’ve decided to dedicate some time to writing a book. So going forward, I am going to be more selective and pick projects that will allow me more time to write. Honestly, since I was 15 years old, I have wanted to write a book about surviving abuse and all of my challenges growing up. Now that I’ve raised children and found some success and happiness it is my dream to share my journey with the world through words and, of course, always through photos and maybe inspire or help someone who is struggling.
AW: Who is your greatest role model and how have they fed your love for photography?
LS: I am a longtime fan of the famous photog Annie Leibowitz because her photos seem to literally look into her subject’s soul. I’ve also had the privilege of meeting and working with so many talented photographers that have inspired me such as Deborah Kalas, Dannielle Judd, Lauren Lenko, Shane Shrogi and Jennifer Walker.
My greatest role model is Oprah, her strength and surviving horrific abuse to become such a spiritual successful and powerful woman speaks to my heart and her light has led the way for so many. Watching her talk show every day for so many years changed my way of thinking about what I can achieve in this lifetime.
Years ago, I was able to meet extended family in Chicago I had never known and learned that my Great, Great Grandfather was one of Chicago’s greatest original photographers – B.P. Higgins, who photographed everything from portraits to events to architecture. I also learned that my Great Aunt Sarah Higgins was one of the original masters of colorizing Black and White photography. Sarah was a brave and revolutionary photographer and pioneer of her time. My uncle Frank shared a picture with me of her in knickers, long socks and a vest (unheard of for a woman in the 1920’s) with her leg up on a stack of suitcases – she was smoking a pipe.
Learning later in life about my ancestors was the missing piece of my mystery of life’s puzzle. While it certainly explained my intense obsession with photography, it confirmed for me that the art of photography and telling a story are the very essence of who I am and are truly in my blood.
Premier Family Health & Wellness…Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Results
By Krista Martinelli
Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago of Premier Family Health and Wellness in Wellington. Photo: AroundWellington.
Founded in 2004, Premier Family Health and Wellness has grown to encompass every aspect of patient care with the goal of helping their patients “achieve extraordinary levels of health and well-being.” Family-owned and operated by Dr. Vincent Apicella and Dr. Mariaclara Bago, the practice has evolved over the years to include the concept of wellness in every one of their many services. Located in Wellington on 441, just North of Wellington Regional Medical Center, Premier now has five main pillars of care: Primary Care, Urgent Care, the Wellness Center, Diagnostic Care and General Dentistry. On the back side of the facility, there’s also Wellington’s “best kept secret” – the Premier Café.
The lovely and very green interior of the Premier Cafe, Wellington’s “best kept secret”
I met Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago in the café, and we immediately delved into the subject of wellness. The Premier Café, by the way, was a concept that the doctors, a married couple, brought to life after their ten-year anniversary in Spain. “We wanted to bring the outdoors indoors,” says Dr. Apicella. So, you’ll find indoor trees and greenery throughout this absolute gem of a café. “In Spain, you find that people really ‘stop and smell the roses,’ pausing throughout their day to have a café con leche and really connect with each other,” says Dr. Bago. Read their Premier Café story.
We began with discussing wellness and how it is integral to any individual’s overall care. After just a couple of years of practicing traditional medicine, Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago could clearly see that they were all-too-often recommending major lifestyle changes to their patients. Recommending things like weight loss, stopping smoking, exercise and other healthy practices became so frequent that it was imperative to “evolve the concept of traditional medicine.” In 2010, they launched their Premier Wellness Center, which gets to the root of each dysfunction through a holistic approach. The Wellness Center has evolved and expanded from a program that was initially called TLC, which included workout machines, nutrition, stress management, supplementation and meditation to a whole, integrated wellness program “where the science of medicine meets the art of wellness.”
Designed for both men and women, Premier Family Wellness offer an array of services, including health screenings, weight loss management, anti-aging services, bioidentical hormone management, pain management, medical marijuana certification, regenerative medicine, hormone balance therapy and more.
Meanwhile, Dr. Apicella focuses on Executive Wellness, helping executive clients and as he describes it, “I’m the Sherlock Holmes of their health.” Finding stress management strategies for executives and preventing the physiological effects of stress is his main focus with the program. “You’re always going to have some level of stress,” he explains. “It’s all about how you manage that stress.”
This year Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago are featured in a full-length documentary “The Blob Blob Fish: A Journey through Obesity” (produced and directed by film maker Andrew Mossop). The doctors (referred to as “Dr. A and Dr. B”) demonstrate their comprehensive care model, through the journeys of three patients, examining the benefits of drastic lifestyle changes via weight loss. One of the patients, a young man nicknamed the “Blob Fish” by his peers, temporarily accepts this nickname, using comedy to deflect his insecurities and his pain. The film follows the incredible journey of three individuals through their transformative journey to improve their health, self-esteem and overall quality of life.
“We live in an epidemic of disease,” explains Dr. Apicella. “Big pharmacy band aids the symptoms but doesn’t treat the core problem. We wanted to chronicle and show how to get at these root causes.”
Dr. Bago, Film maker Andrew Mossop and Dr. Apicella inside the Premier Cafe in Wellington. Photo: AroundWellington.
“There will always be a place for medicine,” says Dr. Bago, “but let’s also get to the root causes. Let’s empower the patient to take care of their overall health.” While many practices take a “disease-based approach” to problems like diabetes, they wanted to show through the film that these are often not genetic disorders. “You can reverse that,” says Dr. Bago.
I asked the doctors why they think so many young people in the United States are considered obese. “It’s a multi-factorial problem,” says Dr. Apicella. He pointed to a lack of education coming from parents and the school systems, easy access to low quality foods, economic issues, P.E. being removed altogether from some schools and physical activity being replaced by electronics and gaming. Dr. Bago elaborated that “it’s not all about instant gratification.” It’s about planting a seed of a healthy lifestyle and cultivating it. They also mentioned that the average person has no idea how to read a food label. They added that in this country we have lost the art of cooking slow, home meals. “Who eats dinner together anymore?” asks Dr. Bago. Sitting down and taking time to enjoy food and conversation is another (almost) lost art. In addition, the doctors point to the aggressive marketing and advertising of junk food, especially aimed at young people.
Premier Family Health has a very good reputation locally – not just for managing weight loss, but as an overall practice. At the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, they partnered with the Village of Wellington to offer free COVID testing in a drive-up format. With approximately 30,000 patients, they are one of the largest health practices in Palm Beach County. “We have a core philosophy of meeting all of your needs in one place,” says Dr. Apicella. “We offer continuity of care with no redundancy. We can see trends as they develop. And every division is a bridge back to the patient’s primary care physician.” Dr. Bago points to the fact that there’s a healthy communication among each individual’s providers. For example, if a patient needs ancillary testing done, they can get this done under one roof, instead of going to a separate diagnostics center.
Photo: Navid Matoory.
We discussed what kind of updates they did to protect their patients during the pandemic. “This was unchartered waters for everyone,” says Dr. Apicella. “Everything had to change. We re-evaluated every system and protocol. There were changes from the point of check-in to taking vital signs to how patients were seen to following up after a visit. We launched virtual waiting rooms and telemedicine. At the beginning of COVID, parts of their practice were shut down for 90 days. “And then a hundred team members ‘flipped a switch’ to accommodate for the pandemic.”
The new systems in place were efficient and safe. For example, a vital sign checking machine checks weight, oxygen levels, blood pressure – without any human contact (pictured below). “We cleaned and sanitized our air flow. We installed germicidal UVC blue lights,” says Dr. Bago. These, among many other adjustments, are evergreen systems that patients will appreciate the benefits of, even without a pandemic, according to the doctors.
A vital sign checking machine at Premier Family Health & Wellness.
While I was interviewing Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago, an interested eavesdropper from the coffee shop came over and asked if they accept new patients. Indeed, Premier Family Health accepts new patients and accepts insurance. By the way, you can visit the Wellness Center and make appointments, even if you don’t see a primary care physician at Premier Family Health. (Just to be clear, Premier Family Health, including primary care/urgent care/diagnostics, takes insurance; Premier Wellness focuses on wellness and lifestyle programs that are generally outside the coverage of health insurance).
“We are a Mom-and-Pop organization with a unique philosophy and with a focus on the well-being of our patients,” says Dr. Bago, summing up their niche in the medical world. “We are a value-based company, driven by a vision and a mission…to create an extraordinary sense of well-being,” says Dr. Apicella. “Our staff wake up with a complete understanding of why they are coming to work every day.”
Photo: Navid Matoory.
I asked them what they consider important qualities in a good doctor. “I’m evaluating doctors all the time,” says Dr. Apicella. “I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly. As doctors, they must remember that we’re here for education and guidance, not to force their will on the patients. Also, it’s important to practice what you preach.” Dr. Bago continued with, “A good bedside manner, ability to build relationships. Ability to create positive change for the betterment of the patient. I call it the love factor. You meet them where they’re at.”
One of the many programs offered in the Premier Wellness Center is detoxification. Dr. Bago explains, “Detoxification was one of the first programs we developed in our Wellness Center. I believe it to be the basis of all programs especially with weight loss and hormone therapy. Detoxing is all about cleaning the body from the inside out. Think about it as cleaning out the lint filter of your dryer machine or the filter in your AC unit or even the oil in your vehicle. The machines work much better with frequent cleansing and changing. Our bodies fundamentally need, almost require, detoxification on a regular basis. We are constantly exposed to increasing amounts of pollutants in our environments from the air, food, and water. We constantly drive our bodies and our emotions…the proverbial burning the candle from both ends. We need to be able to support our bodies with the ability to detox, cleanse and repair in order to function optimally.” Over the last decade, Premier Wellness has been creating and developing detoxification programs to help individuals with this process.
Another helpful program is Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement. Dr. Bago defines it as a therapy “to help support and balance your body with the hormones you need for optimal wellbeing and functioning.” She explains,” We specifically use and prescribe hormones that are bio-identical to the ones our bodies naturally make. Both as we age and during stressful periods in our lives, we all can have declining or unbalanced hormones that can affect our energy, mood, brain function and libido.” Dr. Apicella adds, “From the male hormone perspective, having optimal levels of hormones as we age is imperative to maintaining, and sometimes restoring, proper physiologic function. Unfortunately, there are many things that impair this process for most men. Mainly, there is a tremendous amount of misinformation circulating the internet and especially in the parking lot of the local gym, where many men get their guidance on HRT. Moreover, most physicians are not properly trained to provide the medical guidance required to guide the male patient through andropause.” The overall benefits of Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy are being able to evaluate a patient’s existing levels and individualize treatment, helping to improve one’s vitality and wellbeing.
What are some basic steps that an individual can take to get into a better wellness practice?
Dr. Apicella says, “The fundamental aspect of obtaining a higher level of wellbeing is taking personal accountability. Choices matter. Choosing to create wellness goals and the finding the consistent patterns of nutrition and exercise are the foundation of any wellness program.”
And Dr. Bago says, “Every individual has a unique story of who and where they are in the spectrum of health. Our history defines us in many ways. I believe that each person first needs a consultation to identify where they are in their wellbeing. The practice of wellness starts with them and their individual needs. Secondly, a thorough evaluation of labs and imaging is needed to determine current health status. Finally, creating a program that works for each person. Every person is bio-individual, so finding a program that a patient can understand, relate to, and comply with are some of the basic steps.”
As I chatted with the doctors, I was wondering about how they met. “We met in med school over a dead body,” they told me, laughing about it. And they’ve been great partners in marriage and business ever since. They have four children – three girls and one boy. Their kids are 12, 14, 16 and 18 years of age, making for a busy household. Mikayla, the oldest daughter, is a co-owner of the Premier Café. She helped with some of the design elements with the cafe.
Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago moved to Wellington in 2000. They loved it “because it was still small” and they realized they could grow with the community. Also, they found Wellington to be “very friendly” and a great place to raise kids. “It’s a tremendous thing to be part of this community,” says Dr. Apicella.
As for their hobbies, Dr. Apicella enjoys running, weight training, construction/ design projects and traveling. Dr. Bago enjoys traveling too, working out, competing in 5Ks, triathlons and adventure races. They are a very healthy and vibrant couple.
For more information about Premier Family Health & Wellness, visit their websites.
Each year, 4.5 million people are bit by a dog. Of these 4.5 million people, one out of five needs to go to a hospital to receive medical attention, half of these people are children. These are fairly high statistics and it’s up to us to understand why they need to be lowered.
Just take a moment to think about it. How would you feel if somebody walked into your space? I am sure that you would not feel very comfortable and possibly, anxious. With that said, imagine somebody coming up into your space and touching your face or your hair. Again, it’s something that would be unsettling. Now that you have a better understanding about space, this is how dogs feel when a perfect stranger comes up to them and starts petting them. Just because a dog is out in public does not mean that anyone can come up to them and pet them. The approaching person does not know if that dog is shy, predisposed to fear, or in the midst of being trained. For many owners, they just don’t realize that allowing strangers to pet their dog might be harmful to them and cause unnecessary anxiety.
The best way to approach a dog and its owner, if you are interested in petting that dog, is not to approach at all. However, this is not something many people will do. Therefore, for those owners who must state to a stranger not to pet their dog, here are some things you can say to those who may approach your dog:
We are working on training with him/her
My dog is reactive
My dog is scared of strangers
Please do not touch
When a dog is on a leash, they feel more vulnerable by those who approach them because they feel ambushed. Additionally, dogs have a keen sense of knowing how their owners feel. If an owner feels anxious about a stranger approaching their dog, that dog will sense the owner’s anxiety and react. The best way to handle a situation like this, is to simply turn around and go the other way or find another path to avoid that person.
It is up to the owner to make their dog feel secure and less anxious as well as ensuring that dog is safe and always feels safe. It is not up to the dog to decide for themselves. It is our job to decide for them.
If you are having issues with others approaching your dog, try the methods I stated above and don’t feel guilty about telling someone not to approach your dog. You have every right to protect your fur baby from those who do not have a right to pet your dog. However, if it is difficult for you to tell someone not to pet your dog, you can purchase collars and leashes that say “do not pet”. Sometimes these methods work and sometimes they don’t.
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Julie Schrager and her husband Jeff have lived in Wellington for 20 years with their son Jake along with their two mini schnauzers, Baron and Leo. Julie is the owner of Tail Waggers Dog Walking & Training and the host of her podcast Nothing But Julie.
The exact moment, the precise amount, the right place.
Yet, everything is fleeting: uncertainty was actually the word of a century.
The picture of an atom reflects the image of ourselves: a river is never the same.
The mechanics of poetry, all its little wheels, the pulsations that makes us “of the living”.
Fattening of dream in purpose.
Thought condensation and never silence.
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Erick Estevanell is a writer and artist in South Florida who has published poetry in the United States and overseas. “Reports from Ultramar” is a selection from his upcoming book, “Limbs of Time, in which Erick, combines past experiences with present and future events in his search for a poetic language to articulate his inner world.
Senior year is what many high school students look forward to during their 4 years. Prom, the football games, the senior picnics, and the culture of being a senior are all things we dream of as wide eyed freshmen.Being a senior myself this year, I’ll never experience what the seniors in previous years had the privilege of partaking in.
Being a member of the Class of 2021, my class has probably had the worst experience for the last 2 school years. Having many AICE and AP exams cancelled, SAT’s constantly rescheduled, and the uncertainty of the future made for a terrible end to an already chaotic junior year.
Due to COVID-19, many students have now chosen to continue their education virtually.
With SATs being canceled constantly, this hindered the college application process for many. With little to no guidance on how to apply, I was left to research the application process myself. Once schools were able to administer the SAT, however, they were in unfavorable conditions. Of course, I understand the importance of having your mask on at all times, but at times the fogging up of my glasses was becoming a nuisance.
Learning virtually was something that did not take me much time to do; however, I did feel less motivated because I didn’t have the face to face interactions with my teachers and peers anymore, something that I took for granted. Nonetheless, I decided that I would make the most of whatever form of senior year I had. Trying my absolute best when it came to participation and getting assignments done on time was my goal. It honestly gave me something to do, rather than sitting around all day.
Teen Talk Writer Azwad Ahmed
Luckily I am a member of my high school’s newspaper, and I had the amazing opportunity to photograph high school sports games with a few of my staff writers, giving me a sense of normalcy in a world that now is in constant disarray. Being a part of the newspaper allowed me to work towards something while trying to improve myself as a writer and photographer.
Although missing out on senior year is one of the biggest hardships I’ve faced in recent memory, it has been the greatest learning experience for me. I’ve learn to become independent, much more efficient, and I’ve found some hobbies, all during a pandemic. I’m not saying that missing out on my senior year was the best thing to ever happen to me, but there’s always a reason for everything.
