Have you ever left the radio on for your pet while you’re away? You’ll be happy to hear that you’re on to something! There is plenty of scientific evidence which has revealed the healing properties of music for our beloved companion animals.
Music has been proven to have physiological effects on our pets similar to us. Depending on the tempo and arrangement, it influences heart rate, brain waves and respiratory rate. Studies have shown that low instrumental density (1 instrument as opposed to an orchestra), slow tempos and simplistic arrangements have a more calming effect on animals. 7 out of 10 dogs who have exhibited anxiety toward a multitude of stressors (other dogs, children, visitors, thunderstorms, fireworks and separation anxiety) had decreased anxiety with psychoacoustically* designed music, revealed in a study by BioAcoustic Research and Development.
The College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Georgia reports that animals’ interpretation of music may have an emotional component. Physiologic changes induced by music played for lab animals actually improve animal welfare by means of environmental enrichment, stress reduction and behavior modification.
An article in Modern Farmer Magazine claims dairy farmers see a 3% increase in milk production in addition to a positive calming effect. In fact, a 2001 study performed by University of Leicester showed the most milk is produced with the songs “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” courtesy of Simons & Garfunkel. We have even seen the possibility for animals actually being musically entertained! Horses have been known to sync their gait to match the rhythm of a musical number.
I’m sure you’re wondering, “Fran! You’re throwing a bunch of factoidal mumbo jumbo at me but how can I practically apply this stuff at home?!?”. I’m glad you asked! My recommended listening for your furry friends is “Thru A Dog’s Ear” or (if you’re a cat lover) “Thru A Cat’s Ear”. This music is edited specifically for your pet’s needs. There are albums available for a variety of stress-induced issues you may be having with your pet from thunderstorm anxiety to calming your elderly hound. Even better, they are easily accessible through your iTunes Store!
So, tell me…will you be making your pet’s day a little more manageable with this easy, non-intrusive and holistic approach?
*psychoacoustic- the study of the perception of sound
You may know someone with iron deficiency. I’m here to talk to you about different forms of iron supplementation. For one reason or another, a physician may recommend iron. There are many forms of iron and it is important to understand the difference between the amount of iron salt and amount of elemental iron one should be taking.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a doctor may recommend iron to a patient if they suffer from bleeding problems, burns, hemodialysis, intestinal diseases, stomach problems, had part of their stomach removed, or use medicines to increase their red blood cell count. And according to the Cleveland Clinic, a doctor may also recommend iron for people experiencing iron-deficiency anemia. These are people like women, those over 65 who are likely to have iron-poor diets, those on blood thinners such as aspirin, Plavix, Coumadin, or heparin, those who have kidney failure or are on dialysis, and those who have trouble absorbing iron.
If you fall into one of these categories and have been recommended iron by a physician, here is something you should know: Iron comes in a salt form. Most commonly you will find it as ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, or ferrous fumarate. Each form is able to keep a different amount of elemental iron. According to the NIH, “ferrous fumarate is 33% elemental iron by weight, whereas ferrous sulfate is 20% and ferrous gluconate is 12% elemental iron.” On the supplements facts panel, the amount of elemental iron is listed plainly. Taking iron with a bit of acid like that found in orange juice increases absorption of the iron.
Now when a doctor recommends an amount of iron, they are referring to the amount of elemental iron. The National RDA for iron for a male 19-50 years old is 8mg. For a female 19-50 years old, the RDA for iron is 18mg; it’s even higher is you’re pregnant: 27mg. Commonly, a doctor may recommend 65mg of elemental iron which is found in a lot of iron-only supplements, but in amounts greater than 45mg, iron can cause gastrointestinal upset like nausea and constipation. This is why taking a heme iron polypeptide, carbonyl iron, iron amino-acid chelate, or polysaccharide-iron complex might limit gastic upset.
You may have heard about a heme vs. nonheme argument. Heme iron is more bioavailable than non-heme iron. Good sources of heme iron are lean meats and seafood while sources of non-heme iron are nuts, beans, and vegetables, as well as fortified grain products. Heme iron absorption is less occluded than non-heme iron by other dietary elements but calcium can inhibit the absorption of both forms of iron. If you are interested in taking iron or are curious about your iron levels, talk to a doctor. There are a number of measurements he/she could take on your iron levels.
Oppositely, you may suffer from or know someone who suffers from hemochromatosis. Individuals with hemochromatosis absorb excessive amounts of iron. These individuals have a risk of iron overload and should not consider taking iron supplements.
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Disclaimer: The content of this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure disease.
I know all about the vagaries, limitations and annoyances of growing older. I hear about them all the time.
Well, last month I turned 83, and I haven’t had so much fun since I was a teen-ager.
Okay, granted: I’m healthier than anyone my age. This, I believe, can be attributed to the superior diet I created for myself decades ago, which mandates red meat at least twice a day.
But healthy or not, no other octogenarian will tell you that once you reach this age, you can use it to get away with just about anything!
Last week at Publix, for example, I ambled my way down the potato chip aisle, smiling at the prospect of storing up once again on my favorite snack of all time, Cheez Waffies (cheddar cheese sandwiched between two thin wafers).
These crispy treats from Wise Company had for some reason disappeared from all stores’ shelves for years; the previous week they had miraculously reappeared and I had bought eight bags; Went through one per night.
I arrived at the right shelf. Only two bags left! As I reached for them, a young man reached at the same time. We each got one bag. We glared at each other.
“My kids love these, grandpa,” he said, “Four kids. One bag ain’t gonna do it. If you give me that one, maybe they have some more in back.”
“Yeah, well I’m bringing these back to the home, where five bed-ridden women are waiting for them,” I lied. “You give me your bag and you can wait to see if they have more in back.
“Hey, how do you explain to a three-year old that there aren’t enough Cheez Waffies?”
“How do you explain it to a cranky 86-year old widow who drools?”
We continued staring at each other. Then I spotted Tiffany, one of the store managers, who happens to be a beautiful blonde.
Long ago, this particular Publix started using Tiffany’s looks to soften the tempers of irate male customers. She has mollified me so often she not only knows me by name, she knows where I live, how many grandchildren I have, and the names of two of my bridge partners.
Key moment: One of those critical junctures where one conjures up vivid scenes and complex scenarios, all in a nanosecond. If I called her over, would she say something like, “Okay, what did you do this time?”
But Cheez Waffies were at stake! I decided to risk it and signaled her to come join my new friend and me.
The fact that the young guy was already salivating told me my strategy was working.
“We each want more of these,” I said to Tiffany, “but there are only two bags left.”
“You know what?” the young guy said, looking at Tiffany instead of me and suddenly becoming very magnanimous. “Why don’t you take this other bag? Maybe this nice young lady has some more in back.” He handed me the bag.
“That’s very sweet of you,” Tiffany said, smiling at the young man, whose hormones had obviously gathered into avalanche mode.
I chortled.
“I’ll go see if I can find some more in back,” Tiffany said, walking away.
“Thank you,” I said to the young man. “If you’d rather, you can take the two bags and I’ll wait for her to return.”
“Oh no, no! That’s okay. You go ahead, grandpa. I’ll wait for her.”
I put the bags in my shopping cart, smiling. He had no idea he’d been played.
I went from Publix to pick up my prescription at Wal-mart.
I arrived at about 1:50; the pharmacists close down for lunch from l:30 to 2. So I stood next to the sign that read, “Wait here.” I’m not big on waiting, but decided being first in line was worth ten minutes of my time.
Then a little old lady hobbled over and stood in front of me.
“Hey!” I said.
She turned around and smirked at me. She had tiny reading glasses, big green eyes and a nasty smile.
“Yes?” she said.
“There’s a line here!” I said. “Can’t you see the sign?”
“To hell with the sign. I’m old.”
“Well, so am I!”
“I’m 92.”
“Well, I’m 89!” I lied.
“You don’t look a day over 83.”
That she happened to nail my exact age left me nonplussed. She grinned.
“Don’t mess with me, sonny boy. It’s obvious you’re still learning how to play your age.”
“There’s nothing to play! I was first in line! You’re just being rude and discourteous!”
“Of course I am. I’m 92 and I have arthritis.”
“My arthritis is worse!”
“And I have sciatica.”
“Well, I have spinal stenosis.”
She lifted one foot. “Bunions.”
I lifted my foot. “Corns,” I said.
“I have the croup!”
“I have irritable bowel syndrome!”
“I’ve had a knee replaced!”
“I had a goiter!”
She pressed her lips together, shook her head negatively, then looked past me. “We’ve attracted a crowd.”
I looked around. We were surrounded by at least two dozen people, all of whom were grinning or laughing.
“You were doing okay until you got to the irritable bowel,” she said. “And the goiter … way too much.”
“What, now I’m being graded?”
“You’re still new at this, you pathetic bumpkin. And now I’m going to pick up my prescription.”
And with that, she walked over to the counter and asked for her prescription before I could move.
*
As I mentioned, once you reach 80 (or even younger), you can have a lot of fun with your age if you know how to use it.
Until you meet someone who’s better at it than you are.
Headaches come in different shapes and sizes and may have different anatomical triggers
The brain cannot generate pain. Head pain must come from a source outside the brain
Common sources of head pain
How head and neck positioning can help
Not all headaches are created equal. Part of being a doctor that sees patients of all shapes and sizes, we have to become familiar with the different types. Here’s a short list of the most common types:
Tension headache
Migraine headache
Sinus headache
Hypertensive headache
Cluster headache
Post-traumatic headache
Cervicogenic headache
It can be a challenge for a doctor to identify the type of headache you have because while these headaches have distinct characteristics, most of them overlap and make the clinical picture very gray. In some part, the type of headache you are having is determined by the anatomy that is generating the pain signal.
Although the pain of a headache can make it feel like your brain is going to explode, there are actually zero pain generatingtissues within the brain itself. That means that something outside of the brain is transmitting a signal to the brain that something has gone wrong. I won’t go into some some of the more serious secondary causes of headache like tumors, strokes, etc, this will be more focused on primary headache.
Headache Anatomy
1. Arteries in the brain –
For decades, scientists have studied arteries in the brain and their role in headaches. While we don’t know everything about migraines, we do know that migraine attacks tend to happen when the arteries of the brain swell and lead to inflammation of the nerves that are connected to the artery. These nerve endings are transmitted to the trigeminal ganglion causing the pain portion of the headache.
It’s for this reason that many of the drugs used to treat migraine are those that reduce the swelling of brain arteries. In fact, the target of new drug therapies are using antibodies to target the molecules that cause the arteries to open, and hopefully prevent the attacks from occurring to begin with.
2. C1, C2, C3 Nerve Roots
The top 3 nerves in your spine are highly linked to headaches following a head and neck injury. When someone suffers a whiplash injury or concussion, these upper cervical nerves can become irritated and generate pain across the back and top of the head. In some cases, this leads to a condition called occipital neuralgia where the nerves are chronically disturbed leading to unrelenting pain or numbness in the skull.
3. The Meninges
The meninges is a layer of tissue that wraps around the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. When you hear people talking about meningitis, we are referring to this outer covering becoming enflamed. One of the symptoms of meningitis can be a bad headache, and the meninges can be a cause of headache pain even without a meningitis infection.
Some anatomical studies show that small muscles in the neck can connect into the meninges which may be the problem with certain types of headaches.
4. Head and Neck Muscles
Muscles of the head and neck have been long associated with tension type headaches. While the influence of these muscles in headache were exaggerated over the years, certain muscles do play a role in head pain. Neck pain generated by muscles like the splenius capitus can generate pain that refers into the head.
With TMJ patients, the jaw muscles like the masseter, pterygoids, and temporalis muscles can become highly contracted and become potent pain generators which is one of the reasons why jaw problems are highly associated with headache.
5. Dysfunctional Neck Joints
The joints of the neck play a large role in postural feedback to the brain. These joints are also sensitive to irritation through injury and chronic malpositioning. Headaches resulting from dysfunctional neck joints are known as cervicogenic headache. These types of headaches are hard to diagnose because they are generally classified by whether a neck treatment helps, but we do know that this is more commonly seen with whiplash and head injuries.
What Do They All Have in Common?
So here’s the fun part. What is it about all of these different pieces of anatomy have in common besides the fact that they all cause headaches? Neurologically it comes down to a bundle of nerves that make up the trigeminal complex.
This particular piece of anatomy is important because it is the hub for almost all pain signals in the head and neck. Everything from the C1-C3 spinal nerves, meninges, jaw muscles, and skin of the face gets transmitted and processed by these nerves. In some cases, a chronic headache problem might possibly be a less severe form of trigeminal neuralgia.
That means if we can can change the way the trigeminal complex is working, then we can have a meaningful effect on the status of someone’s headache disorder.
How Structural Correction of the Neck Can Help
In our Wellington office, we work heavily on correcting the positioning of the top part of the neck. We talked about how C1, C2, and C3 nerves can transmit pain in regards to a headache, but they also transmit valuable information about your posture and positioning in space.
When the head and neck are in a normal position, then this information gets to the brain without a problem and all seems well. However, a structural shift like Atlas Displacement Complex creates a scrambled signal into the brain and allows pain to be the dominant message. That’s why those nerves at the top of your neck are so important. They can dampen pain signals going into the trigeminal complex and stop the headache process from starting!
Our success rate with headaches is so high, not because we’re treating each headache we see differently, but we are finding the neurological element that seems to tie them all together. In many cases, it can be as simple as the Atlas Displacement Complex.
It is election season and Florida is putting its finishing touches on the primaries. Did you know how many Floridians voted this year in the primaries? 28.1%.
An informal poll, of my own, provided a glimpse into why 71.9% of registered voters did not vote. First of all, Florida has always closed primary elections. As such, only members of a political party can vote in the party’s primary. In Florida, an estimated 3.2 million registered voters are not affiliated with a political party. That is 27% of the registered voters. Second, a majority of those I spoke to explained the reason they decided not to vote was due to them not being able to support any of the available candidates. When pressed further, what they really meant was that they did not support any of the “presidential” candidates.
While the national election gets a majority of the attention and the local elections often gets lost in the shuffle, local elections are critically important as they directly affect the community. In terms of sustainability, and green issues, there are continually items on the ballot of great significance. Expansion versus preservation is a hot topic not only within the state, but in Wellington as well. With only 28.1% of the registered voters determining the fate of these issues, it leaves a majority of the population’s voice muted.
The way to be heard is by voting. I have heard a lot of people say, “I am only one person. I am only one vote. I don’t make a difference.” While every vote does count, there is much about the entire political arena that can lead someone to feel like giving up on the entire process; the reasons could fill pages upon pages. But, putting all of those aside, there are many cases of someone being elected, or an initiative being passed, by only a handful of votes. Those that stayed home could have been the deciding factor.
While individuals elected only stay in office a relatively short time, initiatives that are passed can have a lasting impact. Most specifically, these are initiatives relating to environmental issues. What we vote to do today can forever alter the landscape of our world forever more. It takes due diligence to research the facts, which are often times murky with the paid advertisements and other means of motivating the public to vote one way or another. The time taken is worth it to formulate one’s own judgment.
In terms of being environmentally conscious, the voting process is itself not environmentally friendly. Driving to and from is one issue, along with the massive amounts of paper. For right now, though, the process will remain the same. There have been speculation of utilizing an email voting system, but there is among other things, the security issue. The same is true for online voting. One day, maybe in the near future, the system will be revolutionized making it easier for more people to stay in and vote.
Until then, there is too much to lose by not voting. It may not be perfect, but that too can change through the same process. Everyone has an opportunity to make a difference, not only nationally, but locally as well.
Do you sometimes feel a lack of energy mid-afternoon, or at the end of the day? Do you regularly have low energy days?
Many things can contribute to lack of energy such as stress, lack of sleep; even clutter can be a contributing factor.
Stress and lack of sleep send a rush of adrenaline through your body, using up energy that is needed to keep the rest of the body going. Stress and poor sleep also make the body produce the hormone cortisol, which contributes to belly fat.
A clean diet is super important for energy levels to remain constant. The very foods that you crave when your energy plummets are usually the culprits that cause the condition in the first place.
Eliminate white – Foods that contain white sugar and white flour will spike the blood sugar leading to a crash later on. Aim for whole grains, which are complex carbohydrates and have a slow release of energy, instead of the instant jolt of a simple carb.
Reduce caffeine – We live in a culture that does not encourage listening to your body. In Europe people take siestas. They are encouraged to take naps everyday. In our culture we reach for caffeine to power through the afternoon. We have the misconception that if we are tired we need more fuel. What we probably need is rest. Caffeine will give another false boost with an even bigger crash later on, also making it harder to fall asleep when it’s finally bedtime.
Eat more plants – In our culture, we also talk about our meals with animal protein as the base. “What are you making for dinner tonight, chicken, pork, steak, fish?” Switch your focus to what vegetables you can have as your base and add the meat as a condiment. Think Chinese food, small pieces added to an array of vegetables.
One simple trick to add more vegetables is to start your day with a veggie smoothie.
These three simple tips are a great reminder and way to start to spring clean your meals.
With proper nourishment you will level out your energy and your moods. Find what supports you and bring more of it into your days, eat foods for your body type and most important learn how to breathe.
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Sherri Mraz, owner of Cookin’ Yogi Wellness Co. is currently offering a series of healthy eating cooking classes designed to get your family eating more plant based foods. Classes are simple enough for even the busiest families and delicious enough for the pickiest eaters. Find out more here.
Pets, the other “kids” in our lives. You know this if you’ve had pets. Prior to having children, these pets were the center of attention. Now these pets have had to take a back-seat to the new “kids” on the block. Or, maybe you’re contemplating getting a new cat or dog. When and how will you add a pet?
There are many prevailing opinions about pet ownership when it comes to children. Some shelters won’t consider you for adoption if you already have small children. The pets usually have a disadvantage over a human child. Kids are notorious for trying to ride on dogs like a horse. What baby can’t contain the urge to grab fluffy’s tail? I’ve seen kids trying to put a cat in a kitchen drawer. Children quickly learn lessons about the front end of fluffy. These incidents are minimized by rigorous parental watch and guidance. Pets may be mistreated or even ignored. It’s up to the parents to consider how they are going to deal with the extra work.
There are a couple of techniques that help ease the transition of a new pet. Pets are territorial, especially cats. We’ve had it both ways; owning the cat first and having the child first. When the animal has had the territory first, the new infant is seen as a threat. If you are introducing a new baby to your pet, try to get the smell of clothing from the occupants of the house to the pet before introducing them. Bring clothes home from the hospital to the residing pet to sniff. If you already have children, obtain a kitten or puppy, rather than a full grown animal. A kitten or puppy to tend to adapt to little kids quicker than an adult pet. The baby animal grows with the infant and adapts to the lifestyle. Look, kids and cats both like to hang out in boxes!!
An Interview with Darrell Wilde, General Manager of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club
Interview and photos by Krista Martinelli
This month we were lucky enough to spend some time with the innovative thinker and terrific team leader Darrell Wilde (DW), the General Manager of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club.
AW: When did you become GM of Wycliffe Golf & Country Club? What is special about Wycliffe?
DW: I came to Wycliffe as the General Manager on July 1st of 2015. What I love about Wycliffe is the culture of the membership here. The people are very unique. Instead of cliques, like you might see at other country clubs, they are very inclusive. They embrace me. I woke up this morning, thinking about how much I like to work here. Our members are very engaging. And you see how engaged they are by how many of them attend our events. They love our staff.
We have a great employee culture here as well, where we take care of and care about our employees. The cornerstone to a good club is a positive culture among the members and among the staff. Here at Wycliffe, we nailed them both!
AW: Tell us about your previous experience.
DW: I worked at the Breakers for 18 years. I was their Food & Beverage Director. I also was at PGA Resort & Spa as VP of Operations. Then I moved onto St. Andrew’s in Boca Raton as the Assistant GM. I personally oversaw their 22 million dollar renovation. My friend Craig Martin at St. Andrews had originally invited me to join him in club management, when I began as Assistant General Manager there. I realized that he was the best in the business, and this was a perfect opportunity to be involved in every aspect of a club. I realized that I love doing this and truly enjoyed the renovation project. Then I came to Wycliffe Golf and Country Club and realized what an amazing place this is.
AW: What else is new at Wycliffe right now? Tell us about your chef, your golf pro, and your tennis pro.
Left: General Manager of Wycliffe Darrell Wilde and Right: Chef Michael Schenk
DW: Our new chef at Wycliffe is Michael Schenk, who came to us from the Polo Club about five months ago. He emphasizes the importance of working with local food producers and using locally grown produce and fresh fish. He keeps everything fresh and changes the menu all the time. He truly enjoys the members at Wycliffe and is always out talking with people at their tables and getting their input. In fact, he is so friendly that he’s never at his desk. I never even try to call him in his office anymore because he’s simply not there – he prefers to be with the people here.
Our Director of Golf is Darryl Jack – he has been a golf pro and instructor for many years. He oversees a department of over 30 golf team members. Darryl is a member of the PGA and turned Pro in 1984. He has spent years playing in PGA tournaments,.
Darryl began playing golf as a teenager living in Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico. He is always out and about on our two golf courses at Wycliffe. He’s a real teacher at heart. He’s also a people person, always interfacing with our golfers here.
Also new to Wycliffe is my right-hand man Rob Martin. He is the Clubhouse Manager, overseeing Food & Beverage, training staff, developing service, creating our new beer and wine lists, and managing other aspects of the club too. Our nickname for him is 100% Rob because he always gives 100%. He loves club management, and his uncle is Craig Martin (one of my mentors and the best in the business). I worked with Rob Martin previously at PGA Resort.
I have to also mention our terrific Director of Tennis, even though he has been here since 2006. We are lucky at Wycliffe to have a National Champion, Kam Kuchta, as our Tennis Director. Kam has enhanced the Wycliffe Tennis Program with Pro exhibitions, fun Pro-Am tournaments and other new creative events like Masters’ Tennis.
Kam is a phenomenal teacher and player. He won the 2014 USPTA National Clay Court Championship for the Men’s 45 Singles. Kam is also the current USTA Florida State Champion, Men’s 45 with his recent win on May 17, 2014 held at Mirasol Country Club.
AW: How do you maintain the quality here? (I have tasted the food, played golf and played tennis here – everything is high-quality).
DW: Quality is one of those things you can feel when it’s right or feel when it’s wrong. We are constantly challenging ourselves in everything we do here. We always ask, “How can we make it more exciting?” And “What’s the best quality we can produce here?” You don’t always have to spend a lot to create quality. You find it in how a server speaks to the people at a table, anticipating their needs.
Christine Bostley, Food & Beverage Operations/Catering and Sales at Wycliffe, along with GM Darrell Wilde.
I have found that people want to be asked to do better every day. I walk this property every day and look at every single thing with scrutiny. I don’t do it to find fault. I’m just always looking to make it better.
Let’s make sure there’s curb appeal. Let’s plant color where we can. Color and composition are very important. When people walk into a space, “Do they feel comfortable?” On my first day here, I stopped by the entrance to the Clubhouse in a golf cart and just watched people enter for over an hour. I watched their faces. I wanted to see if people feel comfortable as they enter.
So we are going to be renovating the entrance area of the clubhouse in the near future. The design will be improved and there will be staff upstairs greeting people, instead of hidden away in the downstairs area.
Some of the design elements of the new lobby. Darrell Wilde is overseeing the upgrade, one of his favorite parts of the job.
AW: What do you want people to think of when they think of Wycliffe? What should it be known for?
AW: Tell us about how Wycliffe gives back to the community through charity programs.
DW: This is the most charitable club I’ve ever seen. It’s really amazing here. Last week the members came through with their Wycliffe charities with such gusto. There are nine main charities that we support here and Wycliffe charities is our signature charity. The response to our charity events is indicative of the people who live here. They’re givers.
AW: Tell us about the amenities / facilities here.
DW: If you don’t live in Wycliffe, you should. There are people in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s here, having equally fun times. If you’re a competitive tennis player, you can always find a good game, every day. If you’re a golfer, you’ll love our two award-winning golf courses.
Last night we had a special event with a wonderful turnout. We had approximately 600 people come to this event, and every seat was sold out. We had a talented violinist play for about 40 minutes, followed by an excellent stand-up comedian. We had dinner at the Grille inside Wycliffe, which was chicken and ribs, very popular. There were some nice fish options on the menu too. Some people came to the show before dinner, and some attended the show after dinner. This is the kind of turnout we get here, terrific!
When you live at a country club, your whole life becomes centered around wellness, sports and entertainment. We offer the best in all of those categories. This past year we were named one of America’s Healthiest Clubs. We offer wellness programs and facilities for members and staff. We have a state-of-the-art gym with aerobics classes, pilates classes and other classes. We have sixteen clay tennis courts. We have two golf courses. Wycliffe has a beautiful pool. So when people are here, they never want to leave. I know we’re doing something right!
Clubhouse Manager and Darrell’s “right hand man” Rob Martin with Wycliffe residents Marty and Harriet Ross.
AW: What’s the best thing about Wycliffe? About being the General Manager of Wycliffe?
DW: We’re all in, 100% on the things we do here. All of our department managers are involved in promoting wellness. When we have an event, we have consistently great turnouts. Recently Boardroom Magazine nominated us for the Distinguished Club Award. Meanwhile, they recognized our elected President Irwin Tepper as Club President of the Year. This is a big distinction in the club industry. They pick twenty Presidents out of 400, and then select the number one President.
As for being General Manager, it’s really how great our members are. Everyone is so friendly here, including members and staff. My full-time focus is on today’s needs and tomorrow’s future plans. This is what I love doing.
AW: Tell us about the food and beverage at Wycliffe.
AW: What, if anything, could be improved upon?
DW: Quality is a continual process. We need to make sure the Club stays fresh. Every year we freshen in different ways. We train more, decorate more, add more social programming, improve upon the golf, improve upon the tennis and continue to improve. We need to keep evolving.
What do you think about the Wycliffe Stiffs stickball league, still going strong?
Stickball at Wycliffe has turned into one of our favorite activities and is played by many of our members. Marty Ross has brought this sport to Wycliffe and heads up the league. Our men play it with great enthusiasm, and it’s a real point of differentiation and pride for Wycliffe. It’s amazing how they re-connect and enjoy some of their favorite childhood things together – like egg creams. The camaraderie is terrific! (Editor’s note: In a related article, check out the news about our Wycliffe Stiffs stickball video, which is being screened at the Palm Beach International Film Festival on April 9th and 12th. Originally sponsored by Rise & Sean Siegrist of Re/MAX and Brooklyn Water Bagels, this video was created by Monica Kallas and produced by AroundWellington.com).
AW: Tell us about your family.
DW: I’ve been married for 28 years to Michelle. My son Max is 23 and he is an independent film maker, living in New Orleans. My daughter Gabrielle is 21 and she’s going to FAU.
AW: Any hobbies?
DW: Fishing. And I’m obsessed with flowers. I grow roses and love gardening. I love cooking too. I’m a “frustrated chef.” But I enjoy it!
***
For more information about Wycliffe Golf & Country Club, visit their website – WycliffeCC.com or call (561) 964-9200. You can like Wycliffe on Facebook too.
John Marshall, Environmentalist, Activist and Founder of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades Dies
John Marshall, environmentalist, activist and founder of the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation for the Everglades died March 28, 2016, after a long illness. He was 75 years old.
John Marshall founded the Florida Environmental Institute and the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation in 1998. The foundation was created to continue the work of his uncle Arthur R. Marshall, renowned environmentalist and namesake of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is only one of twelve refuges in the United States named after a person. John and wife Nancy, as co-founders of the organization, devoted themselves to fulfilling Arthur Marshall’s dream and were actively involved on a daily basis for 17 years as chairman and president respectively.
After his uncle passed, Marshall dedicated his life to the preservation and restoration of the Florida Everglades and its eco-system. He was responsible for planting thousands of trees at the refuge and other bio-sensitive areas, and delivering science-based education and public outreach programs to educate children throughout Palm Beach County to become stewards of the environment.
Marshall’s commitment to the environment included chairing the Environmental Action Committee for the South Florida Water Management District; he was a member of the Everglades Coalition, a spokesman for the Florida Environmental Institute and a vice president of the Friends of the Refuge.
Marshall was named 2001 “Conservationist of the Year” by the Audubon Society of the Everglades and the Florida Wildlife Federation. He was also the recipient of the 2003 “Conservationist of the Year Award” from the Flagler chapter of Daughters of American Revolution and in 2004, received the Environmental Education Award from the Florida Association of Environmental Professionals. Most recently, Marshall received a Commendation from the Everglades Foundation for his “Leadership and Service in Protecting America’s Everglades.” Other community involvement included serving on the board of trustees of the Commandery of The Palm Beaches and the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Knights Hospitaller.
A career military officer, John Marshall saw active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 1963-1971, serving in Viet Nam where he received 19 air medals for 275 air combat missions. He served as a U.S. Marine Corp Reserve Officer from 1971-1993 and received a Meritorious Assignment to the Office of Secretary of Defense, Test & Evaluation in 1992 and 1993. He retired as Colonel in 1993 having accomplished many significant achievements and awards. He later served as a U.S. civil servant system engineer until his retirement in 1997.
Marshall was a passionate gator fan and graduated the University of Florida with a B.S. geology in 1963. He graduated Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL in 1966 and Radar Intercept Officer School in Brunswick GA in 1967. He continued his studies at the Navy Top Gun Fighter Weapons School in Miramar CA, 1970 and was a NASA Fellow in Biological Applications in Remote Sensing from 1970-1972. He received a M.S. in system engineering from the University of West Florida in 1972.
Born in Miami, Florida, he is survived by his wife Nancy George Marshall, West Palm Beach; sister, Jeanne Anne Moore, Dana Point, CA and step brothers Randall Marshall, Orange City, FL and William Marshall, Dregs, Idaho.
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the John & Nancy Marshall Everglades Education Fund, established at the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
