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Douglas Elliman Making Strides in Support of Special Equestrians During Winter Equestrian Festival Grand Prix

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Douglas Elliman Making Strides in Support of Special Equestrians During Winter Equestrian Festival Grand Prix

WELLINGTON, Fla.— Some equestrians face a different set of hurdles. On Saturday, March 10, Douglas Elliman CEO Dottie Herman, President and COO Scott Durkin, COO of Florida Brokerage Gus Rubio, Stephen Larkin Vice President of Douglas Elliman Public Relations and Managing Broker, Wellington, Palm Beach and Jupiter Don Langdon ponied up with Grand Prix Show Jumping Champion Georgina Bloomberg and Give Back for Special Equestrians to spur donations and awareness for children and veterans with disabilities during the Douglas Elliman Winter Equestrian Festival $384,00 Grand Prix.

More than $15,000 was raised at the lavish ringside competition and galain Wellington, Florida for Give Back for Special Equestrians www.giveabuckeq.org a nonprofit 501C3 whose mission is to provide equine assisted and therapeutic horseback riding scholarships in Florida and in New York for those facing some of life’s most difficult challenges like Autism, paralysis, Spina Bifida and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Douglas Elliman’s Ms. Herman presented the winning trophy of the $384,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix to rider Daniel Coyle of Ireland aboard his mount, Cita. Afterwards Mr. Durkin, a passionate horsemen, welcomed guests and introduced Dr. Heather Kuhl, who joined Sissy DeMaria and Isabel Ernst in founding the all-volunteer charity, to begin the evening’s program.

“The Winter Equestrian Festival  event is in step with Douglas Elliman’s mission to stand in support of  friends, agents and clients in the equestrian arena as well as important charities, like Give Back for Special Equestrians within the communities we serve,” said Durkin. “We are proud to align our philanthropic efforts with such a wonderful cause.”

As part of the program Dr. Peggy Bass, a board member of Give Back for Special Equestrians and the executive director of Good Hope Equestrian Center, a therapeutic stable supported by Give Back for Special Equestrian extolled the life-changing benefits of equine assisted and therapeutic horseback riding for people with disabilities such as improving balance, posture and eye-hand coordination as well as self-esteem, self-confidence and self-control. Guests heard heartwarming stories of healing from special needs rider Natalia C. Cercone, and Christina Simmons, mother of Ethan Simmons age 5, recipients of recent Give Back for Special Equestrians scholarships.

Among those in attendance included: Georgina Bloomberg, Carlos Arruza Jr, Shai Tertner and Andrew Werner,  David Luben, Cari Anderson, Doris Neyra, Dwigh Kuhl, Alfono Goyeneche, Munisha Underhill, Kyle Olson, Tiffany Morrisey, Cheryl Ernst, and Rodrigo Pessoa.

“We are immensely grateful to Douglas Elliman, Georgina Bloomberg, Sidelines magazine, 3550 South Ocean in Palm Beach and Mandarin Oriental in Boca Raton. Thanks to their support we will be able to offer 15 annual therapeutic riding scholarships for deserving special needs horsemen.  Through their benevolence we are able to pay forward the joy we have for horses and horsemanship to offer more children and veterans living with mental, cognitive or emotional disabilities direct access to ‘horsepower’ that heals.” said Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, Founder of Give a Buck for Special Equestrians.

Give Back for Special Equestrians, formerly known as Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, is a Florida-based nonprofit 501C3, whose mission is to provide therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted scholarships for disabled children and veterans throughout Florida and New York. The all-volunteer charity founded in 2013 by Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, along with Dr. Heather Kuhl and Isabel Ernst, aims to share in the joy of horses and horsemanship with those suffering from physical, mental and emotional difficulties so they can experience the many benefits of therapeutic and equine-assisted horseback riding.

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About Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Established in 1911, Douglas Elliman Real Estate is the largest brokerage in the New York Metropolitan area and the fourth largest residential real estate company nationwide. With more than 7,000 agents, the company operates approximately 113 offices in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, New Jersey, Long Island, the Hamptons & North Fork, Westchester, Greenwich, South Florida,Boston, Colorado and California. Moreover, Douglas Elliman has a strategic global alliance with London-based Knight Frank Residential for business in the worldwide luxury markets spanning 60 countries and six continents. The company also controls a portfolio of real estate services including Douglas Elliman Development Marketing; Manhattan’s largest residential property manager, Douglas Elliman Property Management with over 250 buildings; and DE Commercial. For more information on Douglas Elliman as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, please visit elliman.com.

About Give Back for Special Equestrians

Give Back for Special Equestrians, formerly Give a Buck for Special Equestrians, is a Florida-based nonprofit 501©3. The all-volunteer organization founded by Sissy DeMaria-Koehne, Dr. Heather Kuhl and Isabel Ernst in Vero Beach, Florida in 2013, provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted scholarships for disabled children and veterans through its partner stables in New York and Florida. Give Back for Special Equestrians aims to share the joy of horses and horsemanship with those facing some of life’s most difficult physical, emotional and mental challenges and enable them to experience the life changing benefits of horsepower that heals. Through its Young Ambassador program, youth between the of ages 7-17 are encouraged to pay forward their blessings through active volunteerism. Young Ambassadors meet monthly during the school year and assist with a variety of fund and “friend” raising activities. For more information please visit www.giveabuckeq.org

    

 

A Class Act NY

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A Class Act NY

Lulu Lloyd, a star of School of Rock on Broadway, will give a one-night theater workshop with A Class Act NY on Thursday, April 26, at the Kravis Center. Students ages 7-24 with a passion for musical theater will have the opportunity to learn a song and dance combo from School of Rock, or take an auditioning technique workshop with Lloyd. They will also be able to participate in a Q&A with Lloyd and enjoy an autograph and photo session.

When: Thursday, April 26, 5-8:45 p.m. (Two A Class Act NY workshop sessions: School of Rock Song & Dance Combo from 5-6:30 p.m. and Auditioning Technique from 6:45-8:45 p.m.)

Where: Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach

Ages: 7 – 24.

Registration: $100 for School of Rock Song & Dance session; $95 for Auditioning workshop (take one or both!)

To register: Visit kravis.org, call 561.651.4376 or email Alison Rehm at rehm@kravis.org.

Quantum Foundation Donates $900,000 to Fund New Brain Exhibit at Science Center

Jennifer Cope
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Quantum Foundation Donates $900,000 to Fund New Brain Exhibit at Science Center

Science Center Unveils Plans for Groundbreaking Brain Exhibit
Nearly $1 million in Quantum Foundation funding allows for construction to begin this summer

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Assembling a roster of the region’s elite brain research organizations, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium’s A Journey Through the Human Brain will be the nation’s most advanced exhibit on the most complex organism in the universe, the human brain. A just-announced $900,000 gift to the Science Center from Quantum Foundation allows construction to begin on the $2.4 million, 2,500-square-foot permanent exhibit scheduled to open early in 2019.

The Science Center is realizing this world-class exhibit in partnership with FAU’s Brain Institute. In addition to Quantum Foundation, they have been joined by Max Planck Institute for Neuroscience, Scripps Research Institute of Florida, the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation and Palm Healthcare Foundation.

“We are excited to see researchers from all of these great organizations collaborating so effectively and it shows that all of them are motivated by the desire to give back to their community by communicating about their work in ways we all will understand”, said Lew Crampton, Science Center President and CEO. “This exhibit will offer an experience never seen before as visitors become immersed in understanding the basics of how their brains operate in complex ways to create senses, thoughts and emotions like joy, anger, confidence and fear. Our visitors will also learn more about how to live their own healthy brain lifestyles and how to pursue rewarding careers in neuroscience and related STEM fields.”

A Journey Through the Human Brain will take a bottom-up approach to telling the story of the human brain, from the molecular and cellular level to the integrated circuitry that creates our hopes, fears and memories.

“This exhibit specifically addresses Quantum Foundation’s priority areas and it is an honor to partner with such prestigious organizations to bring it to our local community,” said Donna Mulholland, chairman of the board of trustees for Quantum Foundation. “In addition, over the past 10 years, the Palm Beach County School District medical academies have been heavily funded by Quantum Foundation and this exhibit will highlight local health science career professionals, the work they are doing and their backgrounds, and present them as role models for students to emulate in pursuing careers in healthcare.”

Quantum Foundation is the largest Palm Beach County-based health funder with 100% of grant dollars used to support local communities. The organization is impact-focused, and its current funding strategy seeks projects that result in better engagement in health and greater access to resources for health. Since it began grantmaking 20 years ago, Quantum Foundation has given away over $125 million to more than 450 organizations. The foundation has approximately $150 million in assets.

“The exhibit will also highlight our recent work with Center for Child Counseling regarding Adverse Childhood Experiences, how they can be recognized and avoided, and local resources available to families,” continued Mulholland. “As a health-focused foundation, it addresses so many of our Foundation’s priority areas and we are delighted to play a role in funding it.”

The Stiles-Nicholson Foundation donated $750,000 to the exhibit. “We are very pleased to partner with these prestigious organizations to provide a world-class, unique and exciting exhibit A Journey Through the Human Brain,” said David Nicholson, BSc., LLD, CFA, chairman and founder of the Stiles-Nicholson Foundation. “Now more than ever, there is a critical need to stimulate interest in the STEM disciplines in the US as we are ranked No. 25 in science and No. 35 in math out of 72 countries in the developed world. As advances in neuroscience are made, the Science Center’s A Journey Through the Human Brain will adapt and transform many of those advances into stimulating updated interactive STEM exhibits for students. Even though students are only 25% of the population, they represent 100% of our future.”

A Journey Through the Human Brain will comprise an entire new west wing of the Science Center and encompass four galleries. The Introductory Gallery emphasizes the theme of the exhibit and will even feature walk-through brain mist and a 3D brain projection. An immersive “Brain Room” will show how much activity goes on in the brain every second. The “Thoughts and Emotion” gallery will show how much effort the brain goes through to lie. The “Senses Gallery” will allow visitors to explore sight, taste, smell, hearing and touch. A special “Brain Bar” will play host to experts who will be able to share their knowledge with guests and demonstrate high tech and cutting-edge Virtual Reality technologies used to visualize brain structure and function.

The neuroscience academic guidance for A Journey Through the Human Brain exhibit is being provided in part by the ASCEND program at the FAU Brain Institute. According to Dr. Randy Blakely, Executive Director of the FAU Brain Institute as well as Professor of Biomedical Science in FAU’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, “the brain is endlessly fascinating, whether exploring how it generates our hopes and dreams or what goes wrong in brain disorders. Neuroscientists are giving us an increasingly detailed picture of how the brain is built and works, and we hope through this exhibit to inspire young minds to delve even deeper into brain science.”

Visitors of all ages will learn the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle to support brain function as well as explore careers in neuroscience. A “Brain Sciences Room” will highlight advances neuroscientists in South Florida are making in unraveling aspects of brain development, signaling and plasticity and in detecting, preventing and treating disorders of the brain such as addiction, depression, autism, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, and concussion.

A total of $2.2 million has been raised toward a final goal of $2.4 million and some funding opportunities are still open for participation.

The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach and is open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. The indoor/outdoor venue features more than 100 hands-on educational exhibits, a 10,000-gallon fresh and salt water aquarium, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall, Pre-K focused “Discovery Center,” an interactive Everglades exhibit and the 18-hole Conservation Course – an outdoor putting course with science-focused education stations. For more information, call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow them on Twitter and Instagram @SFScienceCenter.

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Social Photos: FoundCare, Inc. Toasts To Your Health

Jennifer Cope
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Social Photos: FoundCare, Inc. Toasts To Your Health

 

FoundCare Inc. Supporters Celebrated À Votre Santé (To Your Health)
Cocktail benefit honored Susan and Jim Collins and Cheryl Gowdy

PALM BEACH, Fla. – About 150 supporters celebrated FoundCare, Inc. at the annual À Votre Santé (To Your Health) cocktail benefit reception on Sunday, March 11 at Club Colette in Palm Beach. Guests toasted to their health while enjoying live island music, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, all to support the Federally Qualified Health Center. Key medical and community leaders who support FoundCare’s mission attended the elegant French Caribbean-themed evening.

Guests were greeted by a steel drum and bright island décor while they nibbled on Caribbean delicacies and danced the night away to the live music of Les Nuages (The Clouds).

FoundCare, Inc., provides quality healthcare to the Palm Beach County community. To help further the mission of fulfilling unmet healthcare and social service needs of individuals and families, the organization offers pediatric and adult primary care, chronic disease management, behavioral health services, dentistry, laboratory services and X-rays, and an on-site pharmacy, all in one location. FoundCare serves every patient who comes through the doors, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.

Longtime FoundCare supporters Barnette and Ken Druskin were the chairpersons with Dr. David and Donna Dodson serving as honorary chairs for the 2018 À Votre Santé event, and committee members included Yolette Bonnet, Peter Cruise and Eric Diaz. The event honored longtime FoundCare supporters, Susan and Jim Collins and Cheryl Gowdy. “In 2017, FoundCare served approximately 15,209 patients, and so much of that incredible reach is thanks to our honorees,” said Yolette Bonnet, FoundCare, Inc. CEO. “Mr. Collins has been a member of the board of directors for more than 10 years, and he and his wife have been steadfast supporters of the organization even longer. Ms. Gowdy is known for her philanthropy and dedication to the community. She has been involved in FoundCare and this event for the better part of a decade – co-chairing it in our early years. We wouldn’t be serving the community today without the help of these honorees and countless others.”

Mr. Collins has been a member of the FoundCare board of directors for more than 10 years, and he and his wife have been steadfast supporters of the organization. “FoundCare means so much to Susan and me because it provides healthcare for people who could not otherwise afford it,” Collins said. “I had a close friend who was involved in FoundCare years ago, and as soon as I learned about their mission, I knew I had to be a part of their fine work,” Collins said.

Cheryl Gowdy was honored for her tireless commitment to FoundCare’s mission. One of its earliest supporters, she has been involved in A Votre Sante for many years. “I am touched to be an honoree for this year’s event,” Gowdy said. “I’m very surprised! I’ve always wanted to make a difference in the world, and FoundCare is making a huge difference in our community. There’s nothing more important than health, and I’m blown away by what they’re doing.”

Sponsors included Mil-Lake Health Care Center, Herme de Wyman Miro, President International Society of Palm Beach, Beth and Marc Goldberg, Dr. Peter Cruise and the FAU Public Ethics Academy, CIBC-Atlantic Trust, Sullivan Benefits, Lee and Harvey L. Poppel, Call 4 Health, Toshiba Business Solutions of Florida and Puerto Rico, Dr. Dave and Donna Dodson, Bank of America Merril Lynch, St. John Boutique, Louis and Enid Rogow, CBIZ, MD VIP, along with a number of Friends of FoundCare.

FoundCare, Inc. is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center that accepts most insurance plans, Medicaid, Medicare and self-pay on a sliding fee scale that is based on income and family size. For more information about FoundCare, please call 561-HEALTHY (561-432-5849) or visit www.foundcare.org.
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Clematis by Night: April Schedule

Maria Cardenas
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Clematis by Night: April Schedule

CLEMATIS BY NIGHT
Free Weekly Concert Series
Every Thursday; 6-9 p.m. FREE
West Palm Beach Waterfront
West Palm’s favorite Thursday night tradition proves why it has been the “hot spot to chill” for more than 20 years. During Clematis by Night, guests will enjoy live music, food and drink specials and the hottest local social scene, creating an unmatched seaside happy hour setting. For more information, please visit Wpb.org/events or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB, on Twitter @westpalmbch or on Instagram @westpalmbch.

• Thursday, April 5: Maggie Baugh (Country)| https://www.maggiebaugh.com/home
Calling all country music fans… come down to Clematis by Night to see a live performance featuring multi-instrumentalist and singer Maggie Baugh, a young, South Florida-based county music sensation. Just shy of 18-years-old, Baugh is already a Nashville Recording artist, singer/songwriter, guitar player and dynamic fiddle player. She has shared the stage with performers like Ashley Monroe, Taylor Hicks, Drew Baldridge, Josh Dorr, and Radio Romance, and even played the fiddle during live performances of “Devil Went Down to Georgia” alongside Charlie Daniels.

• Thursday, April 12: Chillakaya (Reggae) | www.Islandstylechilla1.com
With a combination of island-style music and upbeat dancehall, reggae band Chillakaya will be jammin’ at this Clematis by Night. From an early age, vocalist and founder Kemwa was influenced by the culture and reggae community in his hometown, the beautiful island of Antigua. Guests will feel the rich blend of music and creative vibes through Chillakaya’s powerful words and instruments. Spring has sprung, and the sun is shining, so come on down!

• Thursday, April 19: Riverdown (Rock) | http://www.riverdown.com/
Established in 2002 and hailing from South Florida, Riverdown is an explosive and versatile live cover rock band. Boasting a constantly expanding repertoire of more than 500 songs, spanning six decades, the band includes four skilled lead singers and the ability to perform unplugged or electric. Each Riverdown show is fresh and full of surprises. The band will take Waterfront guests on a rock and roll ride, starting with a peaceful journey down “Seven Bridges Road” and ending with an electrifying trip on the “Highway to Hell.”

• Thursday, April 26: Greye (Indie/Rock) | https://greyemusic.com/
The world isn’t black and white, but many shades of Greye! Guests with all interests are invited to hear this group’s ever-growing discography, which boasts something for everyone. Since its inception in 2012, the band Greye has rocked crowds both locally and nationwide. Now, they will captivate West Palm Beach visitors and locals with a fusion of many different genres that they call “Progressive Indie.” The band draws influence and inspiration from John Butler Trio, Yes, Kansas, Ambrosia, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and even video games.

Screen on the Green: Spider-Man: Homecoming in 3D

Maria Cardenas
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Screen on the Green: Spider-Man: Homecoming in 3D

Friday, April 13, 2018
“Spider-Man: Homecoming in 3D” (PG-13)
7 – 11 p.m. FREE

7:00 PM Kids Activities on the Great Lawn
While this month’s feature film might provide an optical illusion, for which 3D glasses will be provided, Spider-Man himself will really be at April’s Screen on the Green. Families are encouraged to head to the Waterfront early to enjoy a web of entertainment, including a chance to interact with a Spider-Man character and a make-and-take creative craft by sponsor Rhythm & Hues.

8:00 PM Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13) Movie (3D glasses provided)
A young Peter Parker (Tom Holland) begins to navigate his newfound identity as the web-slinging super hero. Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, Peter returns home, where he lives with his Aunt May (Marisa Tomei), under the watchful eye of his new mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). Peter tries to fall back into his normal daily routine – distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man – but when the Vulture (Michael Keaton) emerges as a new villain, everything that Peter holds most important will be threatened.

Outdoor movie watching has never been more inviting than on the West Palm Beach Waterfront. Monthly, on the second Friday of the month, the City of West Palm Beach turns the Great Lawn into an open-air theater – movie and included views of the stars and sea are both FREE. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair and snuggle up for featured films – including newly released hits and throwback favorites. After hours, please call 561-822-2222 for information on event cancellations.

Sunday On The Waterfront: Tribute to U2

Maria Cardenas
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Sunday On The Waterfront: Tribute to U2

Sunday, April 15, 2017
4 – 7 p.m. FREE | Meyer Amphitheatre, 105 Evernia St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
U2 by UV (Tribute to U2) | http://u2byuv.com/

U2 by UV is one of the most exciting and authentic bands on the tribute scene. With a singer whose physical appearance and vocal resemblance to Bono astounds the crowd, this Palm Beach Post Sunday on the Waterfront will make guests feel like they are at a live U2 concert. The experience is unparalleled and authentic, as the band performs the Irish rock band’s hits and classics, including “With or Without you,” “One,” “Vertigo,” “Desire,” and more!

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs to this outdoor event. For more information, please visit Wpb.org/events or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB, on Twitter @westpalmbch or on Instagram @westpalmbch.

Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) Science Meets Music

Stephania Conti
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WHAT: The Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI) continues the successful 2018 “Science Meets Music” series by featuring world-renowned scientists and musicians. “Science Meets Music” aims to bring the community together for a night of virtuosic music and scientific discovery, offering guests an innovative and creative program featuring a scientific lecture accompanied by a classical music performance.

WHO: Dr. Jason Christie, Research Group Leader for Cerebellar Circuit Function at MPFI, will discuss how motor errors produce signals in the brain that affect movement, with his presentation entitled “Muscle Memory: Improving Motor Performance by Training the Brain.” This insight into the basic understanding of brain function bodes well for human health and may one day allow for new therapies that can help overcome the debilitating effects of motor impairment.

Following Dr. Christie’s presentation, enjoy a musical performance by the phenomenal pianist Dr. Sofiya Uryvayeva Martin. Dr. Martin has performed with great success around the world and earned both master’s and doctorate degrees in piano performance. In 2017, she became an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University. By popular demand, Dr. Martin is returning to the ‘Science Meets Music’ Series. Last season, she captivated guests with her beauty, talent, and artistry — a performance like no other.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Doors open at 6 PM, science and music presentation will begin at 6:15 PM

Additional presentations will be held on:
• April 18, 2018 – Dr. Manfred Gahr, Director, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology

WHERE: The Benjamin Upper School; 4875 Grandiflora Road; Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

HOW MUCH: Free admission; seating is limited, so RSVP is required

MORE INFO: RSVP at http://mpfi.org/rsvpsmm or call 561-972-9027 for more information

WHY:

“To my knowledge, there is nothing else like our Science Meets Music program – not in La Jolla, not in Silicon Valley and not in the northeast. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore similarities between the awe-inspiring attributes of both science and music while learning more about how scientists and musicians alike are breaking toward new frontiers.”

– said Dr. David Fitzpatrick, MPFI CEO and Scientific Director, when welcoming the crowd at the first SMM in the 2016 – 2017 season

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 over 80 institutes worldwide. Since its establishment in 1948, 18 Nobel laureates have emerged from the ranks of its scientists. It has produced over 15,000 publications, more than 3,000 inventions and over 90 spin-off companies, putting it on par with the best and most prestigious research institutions in the world. As its first U.S. institution, MPFI brings together exceptional neuroscientists from around the world to answer fundamental questions about brain development and function and to develop new technologies that make groundbreaking scientific discoveries possible. Their research is shared publicly with scholars, universities and other organizations around the globe, providing the necessary foundation of knowledge to develop treatments and cures for brain disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. For more information, visit www.maxplanckflorida.org.

That’s Dancing Celebrates 20 Years and Continues to Grow

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That’s Dancing Celebrates 20 Years and Continues to Grow

That’s Dancing Celebrates 20 Years and Continues to Grow

By Krista Martinelli

Sisters Andrea LaMaina and Michele Walsh started off with a small 1200-square-foot studio twenty years ago.  Today they run a booming business of dance classes with over 800 students in a 10,000-square-foot dance studio at the corner of Jog and Lantana Road in Lake Worth.  Their dream, That’s Dancing, has flourished, incorporating some of the most accomplished dance instructors around, winning many accolades and teaching all levels of students from 3 years old to adults. 

That’s Dancing in Lake Worth, FL celebrates 20 years.

This year’s gala will be their 20th dance gala, complete with five shows spanning over a weekend in June.  They will be handing out awards for those who have danced with That’s Dancing for 5, 10, and 15 years. They will be awarding one special honor to an adult who has danced with That’s Dancing for 20 years. 

While managing this many schedules and choreographing so many dances can be exhausting, the sisters look back and love seeing the progress that individual dancers have made. “It’s amazing to see the accolades from the alumni that come back to us,” says Walsh.  “It’s heartening to read the Facebook comments like ‘you affected my life in a positive way,’” says LaMaina.  “We’ve dedicated our lives to this community and put in a lot of hours here.” 

I asked what things were like when they started off in the first year.  At first it was just Andrea LaMaina with two part-time dance instructors. Enrollment was about 80 students.  The sisters moved down from New Jersey to start this new venture. LaMaina wondered, “What the heck did we do?” sometimes second-guessing her judgment on starting up a dance studio.  LaMaina, just 24 years old at the time, was in some ways ahead of the game. “We had a website when no other local dance studios did,” she recalls. 

 

According to Walsh, their “word of mouth” advertising was good and has always been good.  After five years, they expanded to a 3,000-square-foot space. They had maxed out their space with over 300 students.  They got “super-organized” with their mother as the office manager.  And That’s Dancing moved into their current large space as they entered their sixth year of business. 

Even with rapid growth, one thing has remained the same. “We have a family atmosphere. And our faculty has very little turnover,” says LaMaina.  “We’re so lucky because we have each other,” says LaMaina about her sister. “We’re good at different things, so it works well,” says Walsh in response.

 

Some of their dance teachers began as young dancers with That’s Dancing.  For example, instructor Jessica Pearl was a dancer with That’s Dancing at age 12.  Nicole Smith began with That’s Dancing when she was 10 years old.  Both danced in the dance company Fusion Force (with That’s Dancing). Both attended college for dance education and returned to teach at That’s Dancing.

What is dance like for their youngest of students?  Even a 3-year-old can participate in creative movement explain the two sisters.  “We like to keep it fun yet structured,” says LaMaina.  They take a combination ballet/tap/creative movement class.  “We focus on their successes.  All kids learn in different ways,” says Walsh.

 

Is it becoming cool for boys to go to dance classes? According to LaMaina, ten percent of their Fusion Force dance company is boys, which is very high compared with other dance studios.  “We are seeing boys who are achieving a very high level of dance. And it’s considered cool,” she says.  Instead of the feeling of Billy Elliot, when a boy dancer was considered an anomaly, the boy dancers are taking the stage proudly and excelling at That’s Dancing. 

 

Another unique thing about That’s Dancing is that they host the So Fla Tap Fest each year, a festival created by Andrea LaMaina, who happens to love tap. “She felt a need for it in this area,” says Walsh.  The tap festival has also helped to bring dancers together from different dance studios and break down the barriers among different studios. “At the end of the day, we’re all dancers – learning, sharing and growing,” says LaMaina.  Now instead of not knowing each other at regional competitions, they are cheering for each other. 

 

“Tap has always been my thing,” says LaMaina. “It’s really being a musician.”

 

LaMaina cautions people that dance is not as glamorous as it looks. “A lot of hard work, sweat and tears go into it. There are thousands of hours of training,” she says.  I asked what the key is for success among their most accomplished dancers.  “What they have in common is their own passion and self-motivation,” says Walsh. “All of our most successful dancers have that.”  LaMaina adds that the most successful dancers have a love for dance. “It’s a need, not a want. They are true athletes.” 

 

At That’s Dancing, they currently have students who hold the national titles for Junior Mister Dance Educator’s of America and Teen Mister Dance Educator’s of America.  A lot of That’s Dancing students go on to dance on their college dance teams and major in dance at universities.

 

This year will mark their 20th dance gala, a major 3-day event with five shows, including over 800 students.  “We’re constantly planning for it,” the sisters explain. The Monday after that weekend, we feel “used up, tired and proud,” laughs Walsh.  All the preparation and the great team around us make it successful, they explain.  It’s exciting for LaMaina and Walsh to hand out the 15-year awards because that means that the dancers started with them at age 3.  The dance gala is ultimately very rewarding because it brings all the elements together, the choreography, the hard work and the persistence of some of their most dedicated dance students.

 

Because they are so busy with organizing, teaching and putting on the shows, the “twenty years has been like a blink,” says Walsh.  Both sisters want to thank their mother for continuously helping them in running the business.

To sign up for dance classes, call (561) 642-9677 or visit their website at ThatsDancing.com.  In addition to many different kinds of dance classes offered year round, they also offer dance camps and dance intensives in the summer.  Sign up and find out why That’s Dancing continues to flourish in the competitive world of dance studios. 

Introducing Sweethearts, our Dessert Critics

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Introducing Sweethearts, our Dessert Critics

Introducing “The Sweethearts”

We are pleased to have Real-Life married sweethearts Frannie and Dani, who are also Dessert Critics appropriately called ‘The Sweethearts’, add a little sweetness to Around Wellington with their playful, yummy weekly 3-5 minute dessert video reviews.  

Their online dessert critiques have been transformed into a Reality Food Show/Sitcom called ‘SWEETHEARTS’, now in development with 2-A-Listers attached. More info viewable at https://www.franniesheridan.com/

Enjoy ‘The Sweethearts’ in this weeks delicious rugelach video: https://youtu.be/oP-j0Qh-P8g

 

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The Argument For Rugelach

by Frannie Sheridan

Most of us would agree that snacking on various flavors of rugelach makes people happy, Jewish or not—even some animals are known to appreciate it. For example, apricot rugelach has a bizarre effect on my parrot, Poopsie; after being fed, Poopsie impersonates my Aunt Saydie so convincingly, not only does she perform a seamless rendition of Hava Nagila in my aunt’s exact voice but then Poopsie heads to a nearby restaurant and complains about the service.

        A good chocolate rugelach holds little-known romantic properties. The highly touted dessert has even been known to keep marriages together. The Rumpleschmitts of Blupenville, Idaho included the following vow in their marriage nuptials: “I, Fred, take you, Bertrina, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to share every single dessert together with you and to hold you even when you are bloated, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.” But in March 1911 when Bertrina secretly watched as her husband ordered a dozen chocolate rugelach’s at a deli and then ate them all, the betrayal was too painful to take. For months she pretended she hadn’t witnessed this act of extreme dessert treachery. But her resentment built.   

       One day she saw Fred devour a slice of chewy, warm pecan pie which she had just baked. She blurted, “How can you live with yourself, you pastry floozie?!”

       Fred was rendered speechless, partly due to the fact that he had taken such a big bite of pie that a pecan was stuck smack dab in between his two front incisors. Bertrina continued to rail against him for being the loathsome dessert adulterer that he was. And, as an act of contrition, she demanded he provide her with a weekly staple of assorted rugelach.

       She added, “And one more thing you rugelach rascal; you better bake them from scratch or you and your love handles can scratch this marriage bye-bye!”

        Happily, the Rumpleschmitts marriage became evermore solid as did their bottoms. They also opened a hybrid ‘wedding chapel and bakery’ which promotes their baked goods vow. 

        Rugelach has a colorful history. And even a so-called “bad” rugelach has practical application. If enough lard is included in the ingredients, a stale one can be efficaciously implemented as a doorstopper, paper weight or even as a form of artillery–say if your neighbor’s dog repeatedly uses your lawn as a latrine. (*the author will not be held responsible for legal bills)

        This versatile dessert has given us much to chew on, but shockingly rugelach has a bad name in certain parts of the world. Mrs. Pearl Buttonschnapps-stein grew up in a remote village in Alaska. The population relied on an aircraft to carry goods from the big city. For the first ten years of her life it was inoperable. Her family was forced to subsist on raisin rugelach which they had bought vats of before relocating from Florida, as it was on sale at Costo. Driven insane by raisins, her mother molded the rugelach into the shape of a chicken and occasionally if they put on a Frank Sinatra record, spaghetti and meatballs.

       Today, the trauma of her childhood has not dissipated. If Mrs. Buttonschnapps gets a whiff of rugelach she has a flashback and hallucinates that the person nearest to her is a chicken and automatically pours bar-b-que sauce on them (she always carries a flask in her purse) then attempts to bite them.

        Still, rugelach maintains a generally good name. We offer a variety of choices below:

Sugar-Free Rugelach: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/9814/sugar-free-rugelach/

Gluten-Free Rugelach https://www.amazon.com/Katz-Gluten-Free-Cinnamon-Certified/dp/B00B9GFJFU/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1522338879&sr=8-3&keywords=gluten+free+rugelach

Rugelach-Free Rugelach is available for those who prefer a highball, but that’s another story.

In the meantime, please watch this VERY short video clip (above) of my darling husband Dani and I who are dessert critics (we call ourselves SWEETHEARTS for obvious reasons) as we over-eat rugelach at fabulous Starz Bakery located at The Palm Beach Gardens Green Market. Please Comment. All comments are read and brought to our therapist. Thank you for helping with our “pastry healing.”

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