On July 25th local therapeutic riding organization, Karen’s Equine Intervention, Inc. will be hosting a Time to Ride event for families to get acquainted with horses.
There will be various riding exhibitions, time to interact with the horses, pony rides and other activities.
There will vendors for food and other items.
This is a free event for the entire family.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Nora Janssen at 561-318-8043 or email at info@equineintervention.org.
Internationally recognized Yoga teacher, author and media personality, Dashama, and a group of goddesses from around the universe will be on hand for an exclusive weekend retreat at Eau Spa from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, August 16, 2015.
Dashama
This fun-filled experience is perfect for those who do not have a week or a month to get away, but who are seeking an active escape to recharge and reignite their lives. This posh celebration includes Friday through Sunday Pranashama yoga workshops, Stand-Up Paddleboard Yoga, Thai yoga massage, acroyoga on the beach, dance, meditation and experiential memories to last a lifetime. This heavenly weekend includes an all weekend pass to the world renowned Eau Spa, and daily green juices to feed your inner deity.
RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
3 Yoga classes/workshops per day (on land and water options available)
Welcome wishing well circle and intention setting ceremony (Friday night)
Goddess Cacao Ritual and Fire Dancing Ceremony with Bon Fire on the Beach (Saturday night)
Eaummm Spa Party evening with yoga led by Pranashama Yoga Institute founder, Dashama.
Unlimited spa access for training participants at Eau Spa, named one of the top twenty spas in the United States.
Other Yoga Workshops include: Yoga Detox Flow, Inversions, Mantra Vinyasa and Journey into the Heart
Gift bag with apparel, yoga accessories, and healthy snacks provided by our sponsors.
Certificate at the end of the weekend (and up to 40 hours CEUs for Yoga Teachers)
Retreat Investment – $595 (*does not include Room Cost*)
Stand-Up Paddleboard yEAUga at Eau Spa
Set sail on an enchanting journey above the glistening sea as mermaids cheer you through an exhilarating yoga practice. Relax as the waves gently lap your board and strengthen your muscles as your body embraces the ebb and flow of the surf. Whether you are an experienced yogi looking to break out of the monotony of your practice, an amphibious explorer looking for a new way to embrace the sea or a beginner who is looking to delve into this fun and liberating exercise, then you will find the right mix of challenge and support that you seek in our personalized program. You will also learn to breathe more efficiently utilizing the ocean sounding breath, which is easily practiced with the controlled inhale and exhale of our fresh sea air.
Starting June 1 and continuing through August 30, 2015 we will float through safe and effective poses in our 75 minute group sessions lead by our certified and experienced SUP Yoga instructors every Saturday and Sunday morning, and private lessons for individuals, partners and groups will also available by appointment throughout the week.
Group classes and individual sessions are all subject to Poseidon granting us calm waters, but cancelled classes may be rescheduled for a time that he is more cooperative. We are partnering with GRATITUDE Wellness out of Boca Raton, FL -www.GratitudePaddleboards.com – for our equipment, and their commitment to fun and wellness is in complete alignment with our own. All students are provided with a state-of-the-art GRATITUDE Wellness stand-up paddleboard, professional paddles, safety jackets and grapnel anchors.
Group Class Pricing
One Class $55
Six Classes $300
Twelve Classes $570
Summer Unlimited ClassPass $1,100**
Private Lesson Pricing
One Private Pass $160
Three Private Passes $440
Six Private Passes $760
Twelve Private Passes $1,400
* Please call our oceanic fairies to arrange your session at 561-540-4960. Class are Saturday and Sundays starting June 1, 2015 from 8:30 A.M to 9:45 A.M. Our amazing pricing includes 75 minutes of instruction, GRATITUDE Wellness stand-up paddleboard, paddles, safety jackets and grapnel anchors. Our classes are limited according to our certified instructor’s advisement, and so reservations are strongly encouraged. These prices are final and not subject to any other specials, promotions or discounted gift cards or certificates.
**Summer passes are valid from June 1st through August 30th, are nontransferable and not valid with any other offer.
Who does not like cobblers? Especially when Granny Smith apples are used!
In this recipe, Granny Smith apples are layered with a buttery cobbler producing a deliciously moist apple cobbler-crumble, a wonderful dessert (or breakfast).
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 Granny Smith apples, cored and sliced
DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. Mix flour, sugar, butter, and cinnamon together in a bowl using a pastry blender or fork until crumbly; reserve 3/4 cup flour mixture to use as topping.
3. Sprinkle a light layer of flour mix into the prepared baking dish; top with a layer of apples. Continue alternating layers of flour mixture with apples and ending with apples. Sprinkle top apple layer with the reserved 3/4 cup flour mixture.
4. Bake in the preheated oven until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned, 30 to 35 minutes. Allow cobbler to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Do You Have Addictions that are Keeping You Heavy or Miserable?
By Sherri Mraz, the Cookin’ Yogi
Do you often hear people saying they are addicted to something? Maybe it’s TV, sugar, the couch, or just eating too much in general.
Every one of us struggles with feeling addicted to something. Maybe it’s work, maybe it’s food, relationships, drama, carbs, sugar, alcohol, cigarettes, no exercise, too much exercise. Most of us have something that has its hooks in us.
Maybe it’s not really an addiction. That is after all a strong word. Addiction is dangerous and deadly. You are not going to die from watching too many reruns of your favorite show. Let’s call it a bit of a compulsion. Maybe it really is something that you are hurting yourself with.
When we get out of balance, too much towards any one thing we start to suffer.
Sometimes if we have great control in one area of our life, we feel like we deserve to coast in other areas.
You know like when you get home from a long day and you reward yourself with chips or something else that wasn’t in your plan.
What if you love work so much, you could do it 24 hours a day? You will probably end up a success in that department. But, if you ask your family, they may say it’s a curse.
What if you love food, going out to eat, being with friends and you don’t want to quit that, but you don’t like what it is doing to your body?
What if you learned how to channel your energy into something that does serve you? Don’t quit doing what you love. You need to feed your desires, instead of starving them. Learn how to get to the balance point.
Sometimes we try to muster up change and then end up with a feeling of frustration and deprivation. This doesn’t serve you. You want to end up feeling full and in balance.
When it comes to food, you should feel joy. Once you feel lack or deprivation it no longer works. The most important part of eating is being mindful. Making conscious choices for nutrition and not just grabbing anything.
We want to add in healthy foods and life skills rather than focus on what we can’t have. Your tastes naturally start to change and you don’t desire the junk food as much.
If you have a condition where certain foods are making it worse, that is an exception. You must take out the offenders and then you will naturally not desire them because you feel so much better.
Being mindful of where your food comes from is also very important. How has the food been grown or raised. Is it organic, humanely-raised, a whole food and fresh? The energy of the food and in the food affects the amount of energy you have.
How you eat is equally important. Slow down, chew, maybe even add in saying Grace or at least just being thankful.
Healthy eating and lifestyle changes take at least 21 days to become habits. For Whole Body Wellness, check out this six week program of mindfulness, food education and whole lifestyle training.
Sherri Mraz also known as the Cookin’ Yogi and author of, The Cookin’ Yogi’s, More Energy, Less Waist runs corporate wellness programs and works with clients privately to improve their health. Sherri helps clients to avoid Fad Diets and information overload by creating personalized step by step meal and lifestyle plans. Her approach infuses mind, body and spirit. Sherri teaches healthy cooking classes, yoga and is a public speaker. Sherri has trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in NYC and is certified through Teachers College Columbia University and by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP) and partners with Hippocrates Health Institute. Please contact her at Sherri@CookinYogi.com or visit her website at www.CookinYogi.com
July/August, 2015 – Summer Camps and More Summer Fun!
By Krista Martinelli and Shawn Thompson
Advertising Rep Shawn Thompson and Editor Krista Martinelli of AroundWellington.com. Photo by Christine Rose.
Are you in need of a fun summer camp for your kids? We have some great options from our advertisers with AroundWellington.com. Click on their sites below to see what they have to offer this summer! Tell ‘em you found it on AroundWellington!
Fun at Village Music Camp, where kids learn two new instruments (and the history of that instrument) per day
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Looking for free and cheap fun stuff to do with the kids this summer?
Here’s a great FREEBIE for the summertime – KidsBowlFree.com. Just sign up your kids and you get coupons for FREE bowling emailed to you each week.
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Lowe’s Build and Grow Clinics
From project basics to giving your child the opportunity to say, “I built it!”, our Build and Grow kid’s clinics are a great way to help build confidence! Bring the kids into any Lowe’s store and build a FREE wooden project. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.
Certain Saturdays at 10 a.m. (Visit their website for more info).
Build. Learn. Create. Designed for children ages 5-12 – FREE.
The workshops teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. This fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates’ aprons, and achievement pin.
First Saturday of every month
For more information call (561) 793-7048
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Norton Museum of Art
Palm Beach county residents get free admission to the entire museum (proof of residency) on the first Saturday of every month.
FREE Admission for Florida School Teachers and Administrators.
West Palm Beach residents receive FREE admission every Saturday.
Come check out the chickens, ducks, a goat, Red the dwarf mule, George the pig, Bubba the giant cat, and five turkeys. Enjoy the beautiful selection of flowers, trees, mulch, produce and fresh eggs. Step inside the air conditioned building and purchase a delicious smoothie!
13415 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee (561) 790-4222
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Revolutions Bowling at City Place
Kids bowl 2 free games 4 p.m. – close on Monday nights all summer
477 S Rosemary Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 203-6188
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Regal Summer Movie Express
During festival, select Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theatres will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. for 9 weeks. Royal Palm Beach Stadium 18
A 10 Week Series of fun surprise and activities with great movies! (See schedule below)
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays at 10 a.m. & noon
Series Tickets $5 for all 10 weeks!
$4 popcorn & soft drink combo
13881 Wellington Trace (561) 792-7334
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California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) Kid’s Tour
Kids can be a chef for a day! Get a tour of the restaurant, find out how the food is made and then make your own pizzas! A drink and dessert is included and costs approximately$10 per child. Call and ask for a manager 3 weeks ahead of time to schedule your group.
The Mall of Wellington (561)793-1601 (Tues., Wed. or Sun. at 9:30 a.m.)
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Wellington Amphitheater
Various free events! Listen to local musicians, see a car show, watch a movie or laugh out loud with a comedy act. Bring your own seating.
Programs like these are a great way to encourage our children to continue reading throughout the summer months!
All Palm Beach county library locations have reading programs. Kids will receive a free ticket to a Roger Dean stadium game, end of summer reading program party and a chance to win free goodie baskets!
Barnes and Noble is having a Summer Reading Program again this year and your kids have a chance to earn a FREE Book. All you have to do is download the Reading Journal and read 8 books that you record in the journal. There is a list of free books the kids can choose from when they return the completed form this summer! See your local Barnes and Noble or their website http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreadingfor details.
Local store (Wellington): (561)792-1292
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Here is some more information about other Summer Reading Programs:
Kids Eat FREE! This is your one-stop source for your favorite restaurants around town where your kids can eat free! All restaurants listed offer one free child meal (10 and under – some are 12 and under) per adult entrée purchased unless specified (drink offers vary). Since most places change their kids eat free promotions from time to time, please call ahead to make sure the offer is still good.
Shawn Thompson
If you have a favorite restaurant that offers a freebie meal not listed, please feel free to share!
Hurricane Grill & Wings 4075 State Rd. 7 (441), Lake Worth (561)318-6107
All Day – drink included
Rosalita’s Tex Mex Grill 5949 S. Congress Ave., Atlantis – corner of Lantana & Congress (561)964-5747
After 5 p.m. – drink included. Captain Cartoon, aka Dick Culpa, does FREE kids’ caricatures at Rosalita’s on Tuesday nights! Check out his website too.
Butterfields Southern Café 1145 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., RPB (561)792-8723. (Monday thru Saturday. Restaurant closes on Sundays at 3pm).
4-8 p.m. every day – no drink included
The Original Pancake House 105 South State Rd. 7, RPB (561)296-0878
Until 2 p.m. Mon. – Friday – drink included
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Shawn Thompsonis a local Wellington Mom and has two children, Aaron and Audrey. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s schools, attending their activities, working for a polo player, working for AroundWellington.com, plus taking evening walks with her family. Please e-mail her any free deals you find and would like to have included toshawn.srt@gmail.com
Krista Martinelliis the editor of AroundWellington.com, which has been in business for 9 years, and the mother of two kids, who have been around for about the same amount of time. She loves finding fun and FREE things to do with her kids for the summer Around Wellington!
It’s hot out. Who wants to go any further than the pool, beach or car? Those who live in south Florida during the summer months often remain in our air-conditioned homes, offices and malls. The snowbirds flee to the mountains and the equestrian’s barns are nearly empty. For those of us who don’t have the luxury of hauling out of town, we have to make the best of it.
July and August, at one time, was a quiet opportunity to catch up on the summer book list. It still is… and I’ve been flying through my audible and e-books quicker than previous years. But hey, it’s 2015. Let’s be real. If you’re reading this article, then you most likely have access to the Internet or cable television. One of the best things to happen to summer in south Florida (that doesn’t involve sunscreen) is the wide variety of mini-series, television shows, movies and “vodcasts” available via Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, Ted Talks and other on-demand formats.
So, go ahead… indulge. It’s less fattening than Ben and Jerry’s and there’s no need to feel guilty. Books are mind movies anyway. So toss it up a bit and catch a few chapters of a tried and true series or documentary.
How do you binge watch without figuring out the formula of a show? Simple. Screenwriters often employ gimmicks that tend to repeat themselves. Choose a diverse set of series as if you’re choosing a book list. Watch one or two episodes of each show per week. Intersperse the styles of entertainment and don’t watch more than two episodes in a row. Choose your entertainment wisely.
2015 will be known as the end of an era for television. Letterman, Jon Stewart and Colbert (as we knew him) bid us adieu. Mad Men gave us a phenomenal finale and PBS offered incredible documentaries like The Roosevelts. Some shows, like Revenge, were not worthy of more than 2 seasons but lingered on. Well, guess what? YOU are in control of your remote control. If two or three seasons of Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, Weeds or Game of Thrones satisfies – stop watching. It’s like putting down a book that no longer interests you. You can pick it up again next summer. Some shows, like Parks and Recreation or Grace and Frankie take a few episodes to get going.
Instead of my usual “top 5,” I have prepared a summer list of binge-watching favorites in many categories. Also included are movies that are worthy of catching up on. Be sure to get some exercise and stay hydrated. Spend some time at the gym or take an early morning run. I’ll be catching up on my “mind movies” on the elliptical machine. I may not go very far, but I’ll still…
Live… Go… Do!
Top 5 for July and August
In many cases, some shows/films may not be suitable for children. Viewer discretion is advised.
1) Popular TV Dramas:
Scandal, Mad Men, How to Get Away With Murder, House of Cards, Downton Abbey, Empire, Outlander, Game of Thrones, Transparent, Olive Kitteridge, A Young Doctor’s Notebook, The Knick, The Paradise, Boardwalk, Halt and Catch Fire, Masters of Sex, The Good Wife, The Waltons, The West Wing, House, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad and more.
2) Popular comedies/musicals/classics:
Modern Family, Friends, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, 30 Rock, Futurama, The Simpsons, Fawlty Towers, Seinfeld, Glee, Scrubs, Big Bang Theory, Parks and Recreation, Louie, How I met Your Mother, Frasier, Roseanne, The Office, Everybody Loves Raymond, All in The Family, The Honeymooners, Taxi, Cheers, I Love Lucy, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, That Girl, 40 years of SNL, Night Court, Happy Days and many more.
3) Dramas with a comedic edge (dramedies):
Better Call Saul, Weeds, Star Trek (a variety of versions that span over 5 decades), Orange Is the New Black, Nurse Jackie, M*A*S*H, Barney Miller, Maude, Sex and The City, The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd, Murphy Brown, Moonlighting, Wonder Years, Northern Exposure, Girls, Ally McBeal and more.
4) Summer themed movies: Grease, Vicki Christina Barcelona, Woodstock, Dirty Dancing, Meatballs, In the Heat of the Night, Brokeback Mountain, A Streetcar Named Desire, Body Heat, Independence Day, Caddyshack, The Seven Year Itch, (500) Days of Summer, 12 Angry Men, American Graffiti, Dog Day Afternoon, Rear Window, Do The Right Thing, Jaws and many more.
Other classics and notable film series: Star Wars (better catch up on them – in order), Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jurassic Park, Citizen Kane, Manhattan, Annie Hall, The early James Bond films as well as the ones starring Daniel Craig, The Avengers, Speed, Top Gun, Inception, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Alien, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spider-man, The various Batman films, Ferris Beuller’s Day Off, Die Hard, The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Chocolat, Ghostbusters, Back To The Future, Wizard of Oz, Gone With The Wind, Frankenstein, Young Frankenstein and my all-time favorite: Casablanca.
5) Documentaries (warning – some are these pieces are thought provoking or disturbing and may not suit a variety of tastes):
Anything produced by Kevin Burns, The Roosevelts, Being Elmo: A Puppeteers Journey, Undefeated, Room 237, Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’, Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Exit Through The Gift Shop, Hoop Dreams, Man On Wire, How To Survive A Plague, Scientology, CitizenFour, Fahrenheit 9/11, Super Size Me, Virunga, Finding Vivian Maier, Sinatra: All or Nothing At All, Paper Clips, When the Levees Broke, and Last Days In Vietnam.
One more thing… before, after or between your binge-watch, take advantage of the wonderful restaurants Wellington has to offer. Summertime comes with multi-course price fixe menus and rarely a need for a reservation. For us “Wellingtonians” this is a well-deserved perk!
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Lori Hope Baumel and her husband Eric live in Wellington and have three children.Their eldest, Sam, 28, is a media producer and conceptual artist who currently resides in (extremely hipster) Brooklyn, NY. Her younger children, Evan and Rachel, wrote the Around Wellington “Teen Talk” column in previous years. Rachel, 25, has returned from Boston, MA and is a paid intern at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach. Evan, 23, graduated from American University in Washington D.C. and is an editor and public policy writer for VersaTech, Inc. His current assignment has him writing and editing for the Dept. of Defense Health Agency. Eric, has practiced radiology in Wellington since 1991. His many talents include artist, cook, photographer and, recently, medical app developer for both the iPhone and Apple Watch. You can learn more about Lori at www.loribaumel.com or read her blog:www.grownupcamp.tumblr.com
I write with the authority of age, the wisdom of experience, the knowledge gained from a lifetime as confidante to the entire world … and the narrow-minded crankiness befitting a curmudgeon.
The following examples, admittedly, depict broad generalizations. Necessary. I want to make certain points. If you happen to disagree with me, assume you’re wrong.
On knowing when you’ve found the one right person.
I have long believed that in male-female relationships, the dumbest woman in the world knows more than the smartest man.
Face it, guys. Women come equipped with a special gene that includes guile, intuition, ESP and lascivious-intent detectors; we have no idea what is going on beyond our carnal needs. As an example, I cite my friends Al and Connie, now married for 18 years.
Al, an old friend, had gone out with Connie only twice and was besotted.
“How does she feel about you?” I asked.
“How do I know? Only went out with her twice. But I have a six-month plan.”
His elaborate plan to get Connie to the altar included parties, theatre, candlelight dinners, museum visits and family get-togethers.
Meanwhile, after two dates, Connie had taken out a subscription to “Bride” Magazine.
On taking direction.
Women do. Men don’t.
My dear old friends Brad and Cynthia almost got divorced last year because of it.
Cynthia has a poor sense of direction and knows it, so when she drives somewhere she will make phone calls to make sure she doesn’t get lost.
Brad, her husband, has an even worse sense of direction, but is the quintessential example of a guy who will never stop and ask for help.
Last summer, they went up north to spend a long weekend at Brad’s brother’s summer home. They flew up to Chicago and rented a car to drive up to Wisconsin. They ended up in Iowa.
On winning an argument.
Men cut loose. Women keep score.
Take a couple having an argument over a messy house.
The guy begins with, “I can’t even walk in the door without tripping over one of the kids’ toys! And their clothes are all over the floor! Why can’t you #@!&! keep this !&%#! house clean!” His voice rises, his complexion reddens, and his expletives grow more obscene.
The woman waits until the tirade takes a beat, then calmly says, “Excuse me, but aren’t you the one who said you were going to clean out the garage? That was, let’s see, a year ago on the first day of spring.
“And, if memory serves, in 2004, I gave up my bridge game to stay with the kids because your golfing buddies suddenly needed you to make up a foursome.
“In 2007, you said my mother was fat.”
“Okayokayokay.”
“And then there was the time I had to pick up the kids – “
“Allrightalready!”
Observation: screamers have never beaten scorekeepers; never will.
On shopping.
I don’t know how it happened in the evolutionary development of the human race, but somehow women were born with a shopping gene and men weren’t.
Women go into any store of any kind and as they weave their way through, they sense bargains; they smell discounts; they feel sales. Then they select carefully and economize judiciously.
Men go into a store of any kind with only one thing in mind: get what you want and get out.
Which brings me to Heidi, a beautiful young woman who lives in my condo association, and her muscular boyfriend, George.
Last month, Heidi made the mistake of asking George to go shopping. She’s still talking about it.
She gave him a short shopping list: milk, eggs, peanut butter.
He came home with seven shopping bags.
“What the hell did you buy?” she yelled, staring with horror at a receipt that read, “$122.87.”
“I thought we needed some stuff.”
“Four ribeye steaks!” Heidi shouted, yanking packages out of a bag and banging them down on the table. “Two pork roasts!” Bang! “Two pounds of ground beef!” Bang!
“Hey, everyone needs protein.”
“Potato chips! Cheetos! Magnum ice cream bars!”
“Green leafy vegetables,” George said.
Twenty minutes later, George was on his way back to Publix to return most of what he referred to as “staples.” Not only that, he’d forgotten to buy the peanut butter.
On handling today’s technology.
We live at the only time in the history of the world when the youngest generation is teaching the oldest generation how to do things. You want to know how to set up Skype on your computer? Ask any grandchild.
Nancy understands that. Shel doesn’t.
Nancy conferred with her ten-year old granddaughter before starting to use her Smart Phone and is now proficient with it.
Shel spent five minutes reading the instructions, became impatient and threw them away, and is still trying to take his first selfie.
On emperors, kings, presidents and other leaders.
For more than 10,000 years, with few exceptions, men have ruled the world. Rarely, women. Almost always, men.
How’s that workin’ out for us?
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Guys: the way I see things, we are outmatched, outwitted and out-DNA’d; women, frankly, are out of our league.
It’s a good thing we are better than they are at kicking a football, slapping a hockey puck and all those other ways we have of muscling our way through life.
Cantankerously Yours,
Wendell Abern
Wendell Abern can be reached at dendyabern@gmail.com.
Summer History Lessons at Florida’s Intriguing Historic Sites
By Terri Marshall
Summertime is here and the kids are taking a break from school. But, that doesn’t mean the learning has to stop for the season. Florida has plenty of historic sites that will bring history to life for the whole family. The kids won’t even know they are learning. As a Florida resident, you have most likely been to St. Augustine, but the history goes way beyond the nation’s oldest settlement. Here are a few great historical sites to entertain the family without leaving the state.
Indian Temple Mound Museum
Before the European settlers came to St. Augustine, Florida was home to Native American tribes. Between 800AD and 1000AD these tribes built shell mounds all around the state.
The Indian Temple Mound Museum in Fort Walton Beach is situated by one of the largest ceremonial mounds in the state. With roughly 1,000 artifacts and extensive exhibits, the museum gives visitors an inside look at the lifestyles of four southeastern American Indian groups that inhabited the Choctawhatchee Bay region for the last 12,000 years. Temple Mound also offers tours, a research library and a museum shop.
Tarpon Springs
Sea Sponges at Tarpon Springs
Located just north of Tampa along the Gulf of Mexico, Tarpon Springs is known as the sponge capital of the world. The Sponge Industry helped build a Greek community that is famous not only for its sponges for but for some of the finest Greek restaurants, markets and bakeries.
The Spongeorama’s sponge factory has the world’s largest selection of natural sea sponges and provides an introduction to the sponge docks at the onsite museum and theatre show. The kids are sure to enjoy the St. Nicholas Boat Line sponge diving tour. During the boat tour, a diver goes overboard to harvest a sponge and then gives you the opportunity to see and feel a live sponge.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the brick streets of the charming downtown are lined with art galleries, antiques stores and specialty shops housed in buildings dating from the late 1800s.
Ybor City
In 1886, Don Vicent Martinez Ybor built a cigar factory just east of downtown Tampa. He began to build a Cuban community whose flavor still permeates this Tampa neighborhood.
The Ybor Museum State Park, a one-acre urban state park housed in the former Ferlita Bakery offers a glimpse into the history of the neighborhood and its people. Museum displays include original cigar box cover labels, cigar rolling demonstrations and restored casitas which were once the homes of cigar factory workers.
Kids will be entertained with a ride on the old-fashioned streetcar complete with a clanging bell and capped driver that spans a two mile trek between Ybor City and the Channelside District.
There are plenty of roosters roaming about and crowing day and night. Originally brought by the Cuban cigar workers for fighting, the roosters are now protected and are pretty much in charge of the neighborhood.
Don’t miss dinner at the Columbia Restaurant – Florida’s oldest restaurant and the gem of Ybor City. The 52,000 square foot restaurant encompasses an entire block and offers enough lavish artifacts to rival a museum. Flamenco dancers perform most nights providing an exciting Latin entertainment experience.
Key West History Museum
Key West
The free roaming roosters also live in Key West, but here the main attraction are Ernest Hemingway’s six-toed cats. Snowball, a white six-toed cat, was given to Hemingway by a ship’s captain. Today there are approximately 50 cats – half of them polydactyl (six-toed) living at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum. Many of the cats are descendants of Snowball and are given names of movie stars and characters in Hemingway’s books.
Step back in time at the Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum where storytellers in period costume bring history to life with tales of dangerous shipwrecks, pirates and treasure recoveries. Master wrecker, Asa Tift and his wrecking crew will tell you the story of how the treasures recovered from the shipwrecks provided for the livelihood of the early pioneers of Key West. The kids can help Asa watch for shipwrecks on the reefs by climbing the 65 foot lookout tower. Be sure to check out Asa’s warehouse filled with the booty from the reefs.
Florida’s Railroads
After bringing the Florida East Coast Railway to Miami in the 1890’s, Henry Flagler dreamed of continuing it another 128 miles to Key West. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the
Florida East Coast Railway
railroad was completed in 1912. Riding on the “Overseas Railroad” across 60 miles of unobstructed water was like riding on top of the ocean. The train was in service until 1935 when a devastating hurricane destroyed the engineering marvel.
Pigeon Key served as the base camp for many of the railroad workers during construction. Today the Pigeon Key Foundation has restored the historical buildings and installed a museum detailing the history behind the Overseas Railroad and the island. Tours are available and include a ferry ride to and from the island.
Pigeon Key can also be accessed by the 2.2 mile long section of the Old Seven Mile Bridge which is open to pedestrian, cycling and golf cart traffic – a great way for the little ones to work-off excess road trip energy.
More of Florida’s railroad history can be explored at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish about 40 miles south of Tampa. The museum offers the unique experience of “riding the exhibits” with regular diesel train excursions.
Thomas the Train hangs out here sometimes for a “Day Out with Thomas” that is sure to thrill the little ones.
Terri is a New York City based writer who is happiest when she’s globetrotting. She is the Special Projects Editor for TravelSquire.com, the National Chocolate Examiner, the Globetrotting Grandmom for TravelingMom.com and a contributor to several other publications. Tough life, right? You can find more of Terri’s work along with tales of her adventures on the NYC subway on her website: www.trippingwithterri.com Follow her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TrippingwithTerri and on Twitter @trippingwterri .
My quest for great BBQ has been a life-long pursuit. My childhood was spoiled by Tom’s BBQ, located in Boca Raton, where you could expect an hour or more wait, in line, at the no reservations eatery. I still dream of the lacquered ribs that would arrive to your table on a blistering hot metal platter. I could take down a whole rack at the ripe age of ten. Since the original restaurant closed, I have half-heartedly hoped to find another place that could meet the bar Tom’s set so high. The only place to come close is the world-famous Sonny Bryan’s Smokehouse in Dallas, Texas, but who wants to drive that far when the urge for some great barbeque hits?
Fear not, for I have found BBQ Mecca and it is only a few hours’ drive from Palm Beach County. With locations in the Orlando, Tampa, and North Florida, 4 Rivers Smokehouse is worth the pilgrimage. This is BBQ that haunts my dreams. I crave it and that craving makes me drive to great lengths to get it. I have tried nearly everything on the menu at the sprawling Longwood location and I can tell you, nothing disappoints. Even the endless list of sides are worthy of a trip alone.
It all started in a garage and from there, legendary BBQ was born. Founder, John Rivers, spent 20 years in the healthcare industry before retiring and focusing on the fine art of brisket. After hosting a fundraiser cookout for a local girl suffering from cancer, his BBQ business took off. From opening in 2009 to present day, 4 Rivers has been invited to the prestigious James Beard House in NYC, participated in the South Beach Wine & Food Fest and has been featured in USA Today, Food & Wine magazine, and many more.
The cafeteria-style restaurant is open and airy with communal tables and a sweet shop showing off jaw-droppingly high-layer cakes and unique cupcakes, such as chicken and waffles (with fried chicken baked into the cupcake) and a cupcake of urban legend proportions, the Mountain Dew Dorito cupcake (yes, you heard me right).
But back to the BBQ. It is a meat Mecca, and the buffet of meat you pass by in the line will beckon you to try them all. The ribs are the main highlight for me. I am still trying to decipher how they get them so delicious. They melt in your mouth and hit you with a powerful punch of sweet and smoky. Pure heaven. Brisket is next on my list. Probably the best in Florida if not farther reaching. 4 Rivers also boasts a “brontosaurus rib” a huge beef rib perfectly smoked. It’s way too much for one mere mortal to eat, but I am happy to polish it off in two days’ time. Burnt Ends, the cult classic, reign supreme here. Come early or you will find they are sold out. All your food is lovingly piled high on butcher paper and handed to you before you pay at the end of the line. Just the way it should be.
The Chicken n Waffles cupcake at 4 Rivers.
The sides at 4 Rivers deserve their own paragraph. I am in love with several of them. First of all, the beans are chocked full of brisket bits. Need I say more? I can eat them for breakfast…or lunch…or dinner on their own. The cheese grits leave me speechless. I absolutely hate grits, but I do love these. They bake them like polenta, so you end up getting a square of grits that is a cross between a cake and a cheesy pudding. The Mac & Cheese is my kids’ favorite. Don’t forget the biscuits either. They come with each meal and are the size of a softball.
Now these are some leftovers to sink your teeth into!
If you love BBQ as much as I do, then a two and a half hour drive to Orlando is no big deal to get the real thing. The next time you are visiting Mickey Mouse, make sure to stop by 4 Rivers Smokehouse and tank up on some of the best barbeque I’ve ever had. Be sure to take some home with you or you will regret it the next day. With John Rivers’ plans to expand the brand all across Florida, we can only hope we will get our own 4 River soon in Palm Beach County too.
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In her previous life, Sarah, a Palm Beach County Native, spent ten years working in various high-end eating establishments around South Florida. She is currently a fiction thesis candidate in the MFA program at Florida International University where she also teaches creative writing and rhetoric. If that is not enough, Sarah is also the owner of Cakes by Sarah, a local custom cake shop. Sarah lives in Lake Worth with her husband and two beautiful boys. “Food, fiction, and family are my life.”
Regular pool entrance fee applies. Games and activities scheduled on the hour. Call (561) 791-4770 for more information.
FREE Family Fourth Celebration!
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road
Enjoy live entertainment by The Studio 54 Band in addition to:
Traditional Games (Pie eating, Watermelon eating, Tug-o-War, Sack Races, Egg Toss, Hula Hoop contests and more!)
Bounce Houses
Petting Zoo
Face Painting
Pony Rides
Free Bingo sponsored by Humana, Inc.
Food Trucks, Vendors & More!
Free shuttle transportation service will be available from The Mall at Wellington Green at the Palm Tran bus stop beginning at 6 pm, and will run until the conclusion of the fireworks show!
Fireworks Extravaganza!
by Zambelli Fireworks International
9:15 pm
Village Park, 11700 Pierson Road
Visible from Village Park and surrounding areas, this spectacular display will be sure to please the entire family! Music will also be broadcast at Village Park to add an extra level of flare to these fabulous fireworks!
*All events, dates and times are subject to change. Call (561) 791-4005 for more information
Lori Hope Baumel and her husband Eric live in Wellington and have three children. Their eldest, Sam, 28, is a media producer and conceptual artist who currently resides in (extremely hipster) Brooklyn, NY. Her younger children, Evan and Rachel, wrote the Around Wellington “Teen Talk” column in previous years. Rachel, 25, has returned from Boston, MA and is a paid intern at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach. Evan, 23, graduated from American University in Washington D.C. and is an editor and public policy writer for VersaTech, Inc. His current assignment has him writing and editing for the Dept. of Defense Health Agency. Eric, has practiced radiology in Wellington since 1991. His many talents include artist, cook, photographer and, recently, medical app developer for both the iPhone and Apple Watch. You can learn more about Lori at 
