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YMCA of the Palm Beaches Launches ‘Summer Fun(d)’ with Donation from Publix Super Markets Charities

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YMCA of the Palm Beaches Launches ‘Summer Fun(d)’ with Donation from Publix Super Markets Charities

Palm Beach County, FL (July 1, 2025)— The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has announced it has launched a special Summer Fun(d) to help the community “shine brighter this summer.” The fund will benefit local, underserved families in its Palm Beach County service area by providing financial assistance and scholarships, making it possible for individuals and families across our community to access Y programs and services. This includes swim lessons, after-school care, summer camp, or wellness classes. Support for the fund helps ensure that no one ever has to be turned away from the YMCA and its two wellness centers located at Palm Beach State University’s Lake Worth Beach and Palm Beach Gardens campuses, and its aquatic center located on Lake Worth Road.

Publix Super Markets Charities kicked off the Summer Fun(d) with a $17,000 grant to fund memberships for individuals and families in the Y’s service area. Publix Charities’ mission is to support nonprofit organizations that assist people in need within the communities in which they serve, so they have the opportunity to lead successful lives. Publix Super Markets was founded by George Jenkins, a profound advocate of giving back to a number of nonprofit organizations, a legacy that Publix Charities faithfully continues to support. 

“We deeply appreciate the generous support of Publix Super Markets Charities in fostering programs that nurture a healthy spirit, mind, and body,” said Tim Coffield, President and CEO of the YMCA of the Palm Beaches.

To learn more about the Summer Fun(d) initiative, visit ymcapalmbeaches.org and click GIVE.

Summer is a busy time at the YMCA of the Palm Beaches, as the organization hosts Summer Swim Camps, Weekends at the Y, and ongoing swimming lessons to kids and adults with all abilities. “This is an ideal time to make an investment in the futures of those who we serve in our community, particularly our children,” said Coffield.

About YMCA of the Palm Beaches
The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has served the Palm Beach County community for more than 100 years, providing essential programs, activities, and services for thousands of children, seniors, and families annually. The Y’s mission is to ensure everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, regardless of the ability to pay. For more information, call 561.968.9622 or visit ymcapalmbeaches.org. and follow on social media @ymcapalmbeaches.

Garden Club Presents Landscape Award to Wellington Homeowners

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Garden Club Presents Landscape Award to Wellington Homeowners

The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) annually supports the Unsolicited Landscape Design Award (ULDA) program to recognize well-designed and maintained landscapes in the public or private sector in each district of the state. The meaning behind the “unsolicited” title is that the nominees are not applying for the award themselves, but someone else recognizes it is a landscape of merit and worthy of consideration.

This year, Wellington Garden Club members nominated two Wellington area gardens to receive the Unsolicited Landscape Design Award in the Private Residence category. One residence is owned by David & Rhonda Perez, and the other is owned by Brian Rau. Both properties feature lush, well-maintained and well-designed landscapes featuring unique and colorful plantings that showcase the homeowners’ love of gardening.  

Candidates for this award are submitted each spring by garden club members. Applications are sent to the District X ULDA Chair for eligibility and consideration. The next step is a site visit and evaluation by garden club members who have completed National Garden Clubs Landscape Design School. The highest-scoring nominee in each category is the winner. This year both residential landscapes scored a perfect 100 as determined by a panel of three Landscape Design Consultants, and thus each was a winner in the Private Residence category.

The selection of the two winners was announced in April at the FFGC District X Spring Meeting. Soon thereafter the award was presented to the homeowners by Stormi Bivin, District X ULDA Award Chair, and Carol Ralph, WGC President 2023-25. As she presented the awards, Bivin announced, “The beauty of these gardens illustrates the motto of the Wellington Garden Club, “Gardening Makes a World of Difference”.

Wellington Garden Club, founded in 1981, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating its members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, floral design and landscape design. For more information, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org. 

L-R: WGC members Bobbi Zeigler, Carol Ralph, and Stormi Bivin with homeowner Brian Rau
L-R: WGC President 2023-25 Carol Ralph, District X ULDA Chair Stormi Bivin; homeowners David & Rhonda Perez, WGC President 2025-2027 Annette Lubsen and WGC member Alison Albury

AW in Pictures – July, 2025

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AW in Pictures – July, 2025
Group photo from the June AroundWellington Networking Mixer, which was held at Khanna House Studios on June 9th. We also had a tribute to Alan Fabricant at this meeting.
Photographer and our friend Alan Fabricant. He will be missed. See this month’s Poem by Denise Marsh. https://aroundwellington.com/everyones-friend/
State Representative Anne Gerwig, of House District 93, and her staff hosted an open house at her new office in Greenacres on Wednesday, June 18. Here is State Rep Anne Gerwig with John McGovern of the Wellington Village Council. Photo by Carol Porter.
Bengala Ngobene and his Chakalaka products, made in Wellington, FL and all with no preservatives. See this month’s “AW Spotlight” story. https://aroundwellington.com/chakalaka-all-natural-made-in-wellington/

Feeding South Florida’s Outrun Hunger 5K

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Feeding South Florida’s Outrun Hunger 5K

9/20/25 at Okeeheelee Park

THE 5TH ANNUAL BILL BONE 5K 

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THE 5TH ANNUAL BILL BONE 5K 

…RAISES MONEY AND AWARENESS FOR WOUNDED VETERANS RELIEF FUND

Featuring David Lloyd George, a new Guinness World Record Holder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Who: A lifelong Floridian, Bill Bone of Bill Bone Law Group, is delighted to produce the Bill Bone 5K Race and help sponsor this year’s 4th on Flagler Celebration. Bill Bone considers it a privilege to practice law and support all aspects of civic life in the same city and county where he was born and raised. He is a Civil Trial Lawyer with over 25 years of skill and Florida Bar Board Certified expertise handling honest injury claims against insurance companies. This Race is also supported by the City of West Palm Beach, the Downtown Development Authority, and Duffy’s Sports Grill.

What: The 5th Annual Bill Bone 5K is an Evening Race on Friday, July 4th, starting at 7:00 pm. The Race raises money for the Wounded Veterans Relief Fund and is known as a “Run to the Fun” because it finishes in Downtown West Palm Beach as part of the 4th on Flagler Celebration festivities. 

Bill Bone, Laura Hutlock, Tracey Matuszko and Catalina Orellana

New this year: the event will feature David Lloyd George (USA), a first-year quantum physics student at Duke University, who recently broke the Guinness World Records title for most muscle-ups in 24 hours (male) on April 14, 2025, after over 15 hours of strenuous upper-body labour. He completed 2,002 muscle-ups – 276 more than the previous record holder, Alejandro Soler Tarí (Spain) – in support of wounded veterans and their families.

He is the great-great-great-grandson of David Lloyd George, Prime Minister of Great Britain during World War II. David Lloyd George is from Palm Beach, Florida, where his family resides.

When: July 4 at 7 pm

Where: Start Line: Downtown West Palm Beach
Corner of S. Flagler Drive & Fern St. West Palm Beach, FL US 33401

Following the race, runners and friends are in the best spot to stay and participate in the 4th on Flagler Celebration by taking advantage of our “All You Can Eat” refreshments, which include hot dogs, watermelon, chips, cookies, and lemonade until 8:30 pm. There is also free entertainment, culminating in an epic display of fireworks and music over the Intracoastal Waterway, starting at 9:09 p.m.

Every registered runner receives an awesome race shirt, a custom-made finisher medal, hot dogs and watermelon, and a chance to win their choice of some cool raffle prizes. Additional “Refreshment Package” wrist bands will be available at registration for $5 per person. 5K awards will be given 3-deep for male and female age groups in 5-year increments to 80+.

Website: For details on participation and event details, visit https://billbone.com/bill-bone-5k/

From Bill Bone: ” I am grateful to my neighbors, Kit Pannill, Pauline Pitt, and Christian and Ann-Britt Angle, for contributing to the cause every year”, Bill Bone.

WOUNDED VETERANS RELIEF FUND:
100% of the proceeds benefit the Wounded Veterans’ Relief Fund, a platinum-ranked charity on GuideStar, headquartered in Palm Beach County, that provides direct services to qualified veterans. WVRF provides urgent financial assistance and critical dental care to eligible wounded and disabled veterans throughout the state of Florida.  Registered participants can choose to run, walk, or stroll the course knowing that every penny donated to the Wounded Veterans’ Relief Fund goes directly to the charity. Total donations made through the registration portal up to $5,000 will be matched by Bill Bone. 

Summer Anti-Activity

Heidi Hess
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Summer Anti-Activity

By Heidi Hess


Ella Fitzgerald said it best, “It’s summertime, and the living is easy.” At least it should be. Parent life here in ole Palm Beach County can leave you feeling frazzled, frayed… and a few other “f” words I can’t say here (my editor would kill me). 

The heat and traffic alone are enough to overwhelm even the most seasoned local. This isn’t what summer should be like. Life should be slower, more relaxed. In the summer months we should embrace flip flop life.  But if you’re like me, you still want to keep the kids busy. Well, what if I told you that doing nothing is important for you and your kids. Everything moves slower in the heat… it’s a form of self preservation. Look at the lions at Lion Country Safari (a fun mostly air-conditioned outing for the kids) or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. They aren’t moving unless it’s necessary. And neither should you. Calypso Cay in Royal Palm has two water slides, a water playground for the littles and… a lazy river… perfect for embracing our new summer anti-activity. 

Or simply set up a picnic blanket in the shade, complete with cool lemonade, yummy snacks and a good book. You can read while the kids play. They’ll come back to tell you they are bored. That’s good. This is where the magic happens. Kids, need to learn how to entertain themselves. Imaginative play (aka problem solving) comes from this. So let the kids play with rocks and sticks; they become wizards casting spells or swashbuckling pirates sword fighting. You could even join them. Which brings to mind another “f” word … fun! Have a wonderful summer with your kids! It goes fast. 

Arthritis Isn’t Just for Grown-Ups

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Arthritis Isn’t Just for Grown-Ups

Dr. Jonathan Shaw Spreads Awareness about Juvenile Arthritis

By Gianna Picard

July is recognized as Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a condition that affects children. While arthritis is often thought of as a disease of aging, many are surprised to learn that it can impact kids, sometimes as early as age two. Juvenile arthritis, especially the most common type called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), usually starts in children under 16, often between the ages of 1 and 6, but can happen at any time during childhood. It tends to affect girls more than boys, especially in forms that involve the knees. Family history matters too. Kids with relatives who have autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus may be more likely to develop JIA. This condition happens when the immune system attacks the body’s joints. It can affect children of all backgrounds around the world, though the exact rates and symptoms can vary.

In general, keeping children’s joints healthy is one of the best ways to support their growth, movement, and wellness. One of the earliest signs of juvenile arthritis is stiffness in the knees, which can make it harder for kids to play, run, or even walk comfortably. Many children don’t complain directly about discomfort. Instead, they might avoid sports, hesitate on stairs, or show signs of fatigue during physical activity. Parents, teachers, and coaches are often the first to notice that something doesn’t seem right. Recognizing these subtle signs can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes. The goal of awareness this month is to help more families, caregivers, and even healthcare providers understand what to look for and why early attention matters. With early intervention and the right support, most children can continue to lead active, healthy lives. This July, Dr. Shaw and the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute encourage everyone to learn more, speak up if something seems off, and support the children and families living with juvenile arthritis every day. 

If pain is experienced or if there are concerns about joint health, Dr. Shaw stresses the importance of seeking professional care with their Pediatrician rather than waiting; early evaluation can prevent further complications. The Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute Urgent Care now offers extended evening and weekend hours where pediatric patients are welcome, making it easier to get expert orthopedic care when it’s needed most. To learn more about Dr. Jonathan Shaw and the Palm Beach Orthopaedic Institute, please visit www.pboi.com.

Enjoy the Fireworks from Elisabetta’s This Year

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Enjoy the Fireworks from Elisabetta’s This Year

This July 4th Elisabetta’s Ristorante, Bar and Pizzeria is the perfect place to enjoy fireworks.

Elisabetta’s is led by Big Time Restaurant Group’s Corporate Culinary Director Lisabet Summa.  

The West Palm Beach Location is at 185 Banyan Boulevard and the rooftop bar, Bar Capri, with views of the intracoastal and Palm Beach, or the outdoor patio at Elisabetta’s, are the perfect places to enjoy 4th on Flagler’s 9 p.m. fireworks.

Elisabetta’s is also located at 32 East Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach and guests can walk down Atlantic Avenue to A1A to view the 9 p.m. fireworks.

Elisabetta’s will feature the Tricolore and Pear Salad with shaved parmigiano reggiano, walnuts, fennel and a blood orange vinaigrette ($12).

The restaurants serve dinner seven nights a week, lunch Monday-Friday, and brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays.  For more information, visit Elisabettas.com.

Tricolore and Pear Salad at Elisabetta’s

Why Exercising Your Pet is Crucial for Long-term Health

Hannah Deadman-Arnst
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Why Exercising Your Pet is Crucial for Long-term Health

By Hannah Deadman-Arnst

We’ve all heard it before: A tired dog is a happy dog. The phrase may feel overused, but it’s completely true. While giving your pet the exercise she needs might take extra time and effort, it will help ensure she lives a healthy, long life. In fact, pets who exercise regularly are less prone to injuries, obesity, and destructive behavior. Keep reading to discover why exercise is good for dogs—plus some tips to kickstart your routine!

Physical Movement is Good Mental Stimulation

Sure, exercise is good for your pup’s strength and weight management. But did you know movement is also good for their brains? Like their wolf ancestors, dogs are curious animals, and it’s natural for them to want to explore the world. Exercise enables dogs to experience different sights and smells, meet other dogs and people, and gain confidence in new places, which are just as important as the movement itself. Exercise will keep your dog alert now—and happily tuckered out later!

More Exercise Means Fewer Pounds

According to the 2022 U.S. Pet Obesity Prevalence Survey, 59% of dogs are overweight or are obese. Those extra pounds may appear harmless, but down the road, they can cause serious problems—from arthritis to heart issues and immobility. By giving your pet the daily exercise she needs, you can help promote a healthy weight—ultimately improving your pet’s joints, muscles, and heart health. And let’s be honest, we could all use a bit more movement in our lives!

Good Exercise = Good Dog

No matter what breed you have, they need an exercise routine to stay happy, healthy, and out of mischief. This is especially true for highly intelligent breeds or dogs that were originally bred to work, like Siberian huskies, standard poodles, or dachshunds. Physical movement helps your pet expel her energy, reducing boredom and anxiety and even releasing endorphins to calm the nervous system. Just be sure your routine is manageable based on your dog’s breed and specific needs—for example, a German shepherd will be able to go further than a chihuahua.

An Active Dog Can Live a Longer Life

We all want our pets to live as long as possible, and there are multiple ways to increase your dog’s longevity. Like a healthy diet, socialization, and mental stimulation, exercise plays an important role in your pet’s well-being. This summer, try pushing yourself and your pup further than you normally might. Give your pet a longer walk, try a new route, embark on a pet-friendly hike (our personal favorite!), or visit your local dog park. You’ll be glad you did.

Want more information about creating a healthy routine for your pet? Click here for more ideas.

Everyone’s Friend 

Denise Marsh
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Everyone’s Friend 

In Memory of Alan Fabricant

By Denise Marsh

Alan Fabricant

Every conversation we had ended in laughter.

Every acquaintance of yours became a friend.

Your vivid stories of adventure

entertained us all to no end.  

I was intrigued by your gentle nature.

The Lego-inspired watch you wore with pride.

Your dedication for Polo and how you

brilliantly photographed each ride.

With each photo you meticulously took,

a story was richly told with care.

Every single event counted,

and you were always prepared.

Your whimsical nature reminded us all

that life should be a series of good stories

that make us laugh and cry,

and embrace each and every glory.

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