Wellington Earns Top Honors for Budget, 20 Years Running
The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” to the Village of Wellington’s Office of Financial Management & Budget for the Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. This award is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting in the nation.
This year marks Wellington’s 20th continuous year, earning the “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.” Earning this budget award means the Village satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity’s budget serves as:
A policy document
A financial plan
An operations guide
A communications devise
Budget documents must be rated “proficient” in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.
In addition to receiving the award, Wellington’s Office of Financial Management & Budget received the “Special Performance Measures Recognition” by achieving “outstanding” ratings from all reviewers for its presentation of performance measures. This is the first year the Village has received this special recognition.
The Village gives special recognition to Budget & Reporting Director, Christine Wadleigh and Budget Analyst, Rubi Cabret for their significant contribution to the body of work that earned this esteemed honor. This accolade reflects Village staff’s commitment for meeting and exceeding the highest principles and best practices in governmental budgeting.
The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit, professional association serving nearly 18,000 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national awards program in governmental budgeting.
For information about other Wellington programs, events, activities, and updates, please visit www.wellingtonfl.gov or watch Channel 18 for the latest happenings.
National Brain Tumor Society Celebrates Brain Tumor Awareness Month With New Campaign & Activities
Month of May to feature advocacy and social media campaigns, along with fundraising and awareness events
Boston, MA – National Brain Tumor Society, the largest nonprofit dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States, announced its full slate of activities for May, which is recognized nationally as Brain Tumor Awareness Month in the United States.
“Receiving a brain tumor diagnosis is a life-altering event,” said Sally Davis, Chief Executive Officer, National Brain Tumor Society. “Both non-malignant and malignant brain tumors can have devastating effects on a person’s quality of life. Further, malignant brain tumors are often equal parts lethal cancers and neurological diseases. Yet, awareness and research funding for this vulnerable patient population is inadequate. As a leading patient advocacy organization, Brain Tumor Awareness Month is a key opportunity for NBTS to amplify the voice of the brain tumor community and build momentum toward our mission of better treatments and ultimately a cure.”
National Brain Tumor Society’s theme for Brain Tumor Awareness Month 2015 is “It’s Your Fight, It’s OUR Fight.” The organization will rally people from all over the United States to come together and raise the profile of the brain tumor community and the issues it faces. National Brain Tumor Society kicked-off its Brain Tumor Awareness Month activities with three major events:
One of the National Brain Tumor Society’s longest-running pledge walks; raised nearly $400,000 for the National Brain Tumor Society’s mission to find better treatments and ultimately a cure for brain tumors
One of the largest fundraisers in the country benefiting the brain tumor community, organized in collaboration with Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure; raised more than $2.1 million for brain tumor research
The largest brain tumor-specific advocacy event in the country – more than 200 volunteer advocates from 38 states held more than 180 meetings on Capitol Hill to speak with Congress about the needs of the brain tumor community, along with a parallel Congressional Call-In Day
Additionally, National Brain Tumor Society served as a special guest for a May 3rd community-led Twitter Chat known as #BTSM (brain tumor social media), to engage with brain tumor champions on social media and share information of Brain Tumor Awareness Month, answer questions, and detail the ways people can get involved in May.
National Brain Tumor Society led awareness activities will continue throughout the month with:
The #ItsYourFight crowd-sourced social and digital media campaign designed to create, catalog, share, and discuss resources, information, facts, and tips for those affected by brain tumors.
An advocacy campaign to encourage volunteers from the brain tumor community across the country to ask their respective governors to declare May Brain Tumor Awareness month in their state, in conjunction with the federal designation.
The Grey Soiree, an exclusive gala event for pioneers in brain tumor research and leading philanthropists. The event is being hosted by leading brain tumor research champions and advocates, Ashley and Alan Dabbiere. This event is sold out.
The “It’s Your Fight, It’s Our Fight” campaign in May is aimed at educating and engaging the brain tumor community through activities that can lead to broadened awareness for this disease and ultimately empower the informed to take action and help create the change needed to continue progress toward a cure for brain tumors.
National Brain Tumor Society is supported by many dedicated and generous philanthropists, including 30 major public and private organizations and foundations, whose contributions enable its research programs, public policy and advocacy initiatives, and related efforts.
About National Brain Tumor Society
National Brain Tumor Society is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the brain tumor community in the United States. We are fiercely committed to finding better treatments, and ultimately a cure, for people living with a brain tumor today and those who will be diagnosed tomorrow. This means aggressively driving strategic research and advocating for public policies that meet the critical needs of this community. National Brain Tumor Society is a Charity Navigator Four-Star Rated nonprofit. To learn more visit www.braintumor.org.
For so many, this time of year in Wellington is always a little bittersweet. It’s that time of year when all the pretty horses and all the pretty people that ride them leave our little village for the next nine months. Like a tsunami swirling through our town, swishing and stirring, hitting us hard and fast and then BOOM – it’s April and the sands of the equestrian equilibrium are suddenly swept away.
This tidal wave of all things equestrian used to mean very little to me. It really just meant there were fewer trucks, trailers and traffic on our roads, shorter lines at Publix and an easier time getting into Agliolio for dinner.
But as I sit here at the end of the 2015 winter season, strangely I am filled with the experience of emptiness mixed with sadness but mostly gratitude. Watching all the huge horse trailers heading north no longer seems so subtle. This mass exodus is not only leaving an empty space in the western corners of Wellington – it is also leaving an emptiness in my heart.
In my past, I was mistaken with an opinion of divisiveness, always feeling as if it was “us” and “them” as in “them” horse people and “us” regular families and folks. The “us” living our daily lives doing all the normal things like taking kids to school, grocery shopping, going to work. Living lives so separate from the “them” – millionaire model types riding their pretty thoroughbreds and polo ponies all day. I naively went around for years not understanding all the intricate intersections that intertwine our actual realities and create a beautifully blended wholeness to our community. Thankfully my insecurities and immaturities have slowly and graciously been replaced by education and great experiences.
Since I began writing and photographing for local newspapers and magazines in 2007, many of my assignments have sent me into the outskirts and sidelines of the equestrian entertainment world. Simply a spectator, reporter and photographer of the anomaly and beauty of equestrian sport providing pretty pictures and stories to fill up pages.
And then I met Deborah Kalas.
Meeting Deb
Wanting to become a better photographer but not having the budget to take a lot of expensive workshops, I figured the best way to get better is to meet accomplished leaders in the field so I decided to volunteer downtown West Palm Beach at the Photographic Center for Photofusion 2013. This annual event features the top photographers from all over the world who come and teach workshops for a week at the center as well as on-location throughout several South Florida areas.
I thought what is the way to most people’s hearts? Through their stomachs of course! So I took on the task of heading up hospitality which required food purchasing, staffing and of course feeding all the VIPs and master photographers. Not only did I meet amazing and talented photographers from all over the world but also met some of the nicest people in Palm Beach County that work and volunteer at the center, some who’ve remained friends to this day. And I met Deb. As in Deborah Kalas.
It turns out that Deb is not only a master of photography and a top teacher in the field of natural light technique, but also a horse show jumper. Deb has been coming to Wellington from Hampton, NY for years competing at the Winter Equestrian Festival during the winter season and teaching at Photofusion. When I first met her I told her I would do anything for her, even just carry her camera bag. She invited me to assist her on a photo shoot and I’ve been working with her ever since. The irony is West Palm Beach is where my Wellington worlds really intertwined.
Deb has been my mentor, teacher and favorite equestrian for the past two years but more than that she is my friend that I cheer for and with at the Wellington show grounds. Our friendship enriches my life, my photography and my heart and has instilled a true love of watching show jumping and dressage. Deb is also partly responsible for my new obsession of photographing all things equestrian and her encouragement has led me to really step into the equestrian community – once so foreign and detached from my own reality.
It is the onset of a new perspective and appreciation for equestrian athletes, groomers, trainers, breeders and horse owners. I’ve seen firsthand how passionate and driven equestrians are in this world. And how nice! Turns out even though their days are filled with much different details than most of us that don’t ride horses for a living, their hearts hold the a lot of the same dreams and desires. We are all here to be the best at what we do while being the best people we can be. What I found has been a gift. The gift is the realization that we are so much more the same, than we are different.
And About Anne Caroline
Before Deb there is Anne Caroline (Valtin.) Our paths crossed in 2011 during the Wolverine band booster uniform fundraiser at the Palm BeachInternationalEquestrianCenter. Her work with Mark Bellissimo and One Wellington, led the way for a substantial donation that helped the Mighty Wolverine Sound booster replace the Wellington High School’s 15-year -old band uniforms. Anne Caroline has remained in what I call my heart file, ever since.
Anne Caroline is also the Executive Director of the Great Charity Challenge and for the past five years with the help of Fidelity Investments, she has orchestrated the giving away of over six million dollars to local charities such as Kids Cancer Foundation, Take Stock in Children and the Wellington PTO/PTA. Her heart of gold mixed with her insane work ethic has made her a Wellington force many admire and respect, especially me.
When I was asked to photograph the Great Charity Challenge this year, I was honored and thrilled. I got to be up close to watch many of “them” working tirelessly, generously giving so much of their time and energy to help the “our” local charities that support families and children in Palm Beach County. The experience truly opened my eyes to a new truth.
My life lesson; we are in this world together, all of us working hard to be the best at whatever we do – together. Even if it’s just for four months out of the year.
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Lois Spatz, a Chicago native, has been a Wellington resident since 2004. Her time is shared between her family, friends and career as a professional photographer, writing whenever she has the chance. Lois’s Instagram ( Loissp) states that travel and photography fill her soul and she believes love can change the world. Visit her website too – for more information on LS Photos – http://www.loisspatz.com/
My oldest of three: Sam, in Central Park. iPhone Artistry by LH Baumel
Motherhood has been time-consuming, and I would not trade it for anything in the world. My readers know, that I often refer to my children as my “greatest productions.” I am so proud of the loving, socially conscious adults they have become and can only imagine what the future holds in store for them. They are all aware that I love them unconditionally.
Now that I am in my fifties, my children are beginning to venture off on their own. Yet, I find myself saying, “There is not enough time.” Food shopping, household maintenance, running errands and personal finance management take up a great deal of my waking hours.
As Mother’s Day draws near, I have been reflecting on how I spend my time. As a result, I created a list of “If I Could” wishes. I am fortunate to say that I have experienced a taste of almost everything on the list. Simply put, I will never have the time to implement these wishes in full. But I can dream, can’t I?
If I Could
If I could, I would spend the entire day reading the New York Times, Wired magazine, Vulture.com and more. I’d explore theater reviews to help me sort out all of the shows, plays and concerts I have yet to see.
If I could, I would listen to every NPR podcast that I didn’t get to finish – the ones that completely intrigued me. The public radio term is “driveway moments,” times when you sit in your driveway waiting for the story to conclude. For me, it sometimes occurs when listening to a mesmerizing broadcast while I put on my moisturizer in the morning.
If I could, I would set aside the entire day to talk to friends who have made a difference in my life. The ones who make me laugh, the ones I’ve cried with and the ones who are always there for me. I would call them and thank them for being in my life.
If I could, I would visit (and revisit) every notable museum in the world and view the works of great masters. I’d learn about their creation process and read their biographies. I would immerse myself in trying to understand why they did what they did, and why they had an impact on society. I’d also explore new artists, the geniuses of the future. I’d find out what they’re thinking, what they’re creating and the statement they hope to make.
If I could, I’d spend months watching tutorials on Lynda.com or YouTube to become more proficient with software designed for creativity (i.e. the Adobe Cloud products). I would master skills that would allow me to take advantage of the digital age we are living in. Then, I’d simply create and share. I’d make videos, write music, books, articles, and take thought-provoking photographs. I’d also design a line of jewelry.
If I could, I would listen to every music CD in my extensive collection. There are some I haven’t listened to in years. The music would never stop. Also, I would immerse myself in the best music streaming apps – tuned to my favorite genres. I would be open to styles I have never explored. In my home theater, I would watch a great film each night and read a selection from my booklist each day.
If I could, I would practice the piano (and guitar) until I could perform the works of remarkable composers. I would analyze each piece first in order to truly interpret the way it should be presented. If given the opportunity, I would conduct a skilled orchestra or choir with the type of vigor required to get my musicians excited about their concert program.
If I could, I would mentor every child or young adult that shows promise in an area I am proficient at. I would teach them the lessons that I have learned in their area of interest. I would take them under my wing until they could fly on their own.
If I could, I would spend the entire day exercising – because of the adrenaline rush it gives me. Besides going to the gym, I would play field hockey like I did in junior high and tennis like I did in my 20 – 40s. I would hone my skills and become the most reliable player on my team.
If I could, I would get a good night’s sleep; the type of sleep I used to get when I was tucked in at night as a child, after my mother or grandmother sang me lullabies. I would experience the nocturnal bliss I had before my bladder bore the weight of my three unborn children.
If I could, I would immerse myself in Mother Nature. I would follow my whims and travel to wherever I could enjoy a near-perfect, humidity free, 72 degrees. From a lake in the Berkshires to a Caribbean beach, I’d listen to the whistling wind, watch blue waves as they ripple to the shore or tune in to the chirping of birds as they call for their mates. I’d roll down a hill on a bed of soft grass or kayak on a lake until the sun is fully set.
If I could, I’d spend my days as an activist promoting social justice. Endorse candidates that could move society forward and urge the public to VOTE for them. I would spend every minute of my day writing letters to Congress, get involved in community organizing and encourage the acceptance and understanding of diversity. I’d work to send out the message that it’s okay to respect each other’s beliefs and priorities. I would encourage others to work together to achieve balance regarding healthcare, equal rights, equal pay, green initiatives and promote democratic ideals.
Finally… for my husband, the incredible father of my children, I would wave a magic wand that would miraculously ease the worrying that we as parents and professionals have to endure each day. If I could, I would do everything in my power to keep him smiling.
What would you do… if you could?
Red Roses. iPhone Artistry by LH Baumel
Top Five List For May
No one can do it all, especially mothers…
Perhaps you can contribute to the well being of others.
1) Do things with your kids – other than homework. I know… we have to chauffer them everywhere. But, do your best to try to sit down to dinner with them once or twice a week as a family (I consider a family to be two or more people). Try it for fifteen minutes. Turn off the television and talk about what might interest them. Dry subjects won’t work. Don’t just dive into the world peace conversation. Start with questions like, “What is your school doing to recycle?” Learn from them. Ask them about their favorite band on YouTube. Be open and objective, they may be afraid to tell you because the lyrics to songs they are listening to might shock you. Instead, discuss the musicianship, beat style and ask if they know where their favorite bands come from. Politely ask your children not to text during your short time together. Tell them that you’re silencing your phone as well.
2) Get some sleep! Unplug. Fifteen minutes before closing your eyes, relax the old fashioned way – with a book that unwinds you. Try some poetry or short stories – not horror or the Twilight Series. Then, relax every muscle in your body and GO TO SLEEP! You’ll be much more productive the next day.
3) Think of your children’s future. Register to vote (if you haven’t already). Start researching candidates for the myriad of elections to come. Focus on your priorities and compare them to those of prospective leaders. Then, start a conversation – in your home, place of worship or on the treadmill at the gym. Learn about the gridlock in Congress and see if you can oil it. How can you do that? Read on…
4) If you watch television, go to the movies or use social networking – focus on quality. If you’re scrolling facebook, read an article of public interest. In the facebook settings you can filter subjects you want to follow. Yes, I think cats are cute. But, there’s something wrong with your setup if every other post is a picture of one bathing, playing the kazoo or throwing down a bookshelf. Introspection can guide you to explore postings that include news, sports, politics and charities you have a personal interest in.
If you watch news on television, try different news outlets. Fox news is popular, but extremely biased. It presents the least diverse and most sensationalized point of view. You might feel the same way about MSNB. Don’t allow yourself to be brainwashed – draw your own conclusions. Expose yourself to a news outlet you can learn from. Personally, I tune to public television and get most of my news from National Public Radio. The reporting is not dependent on pleasing their advertisers point of view. It is donor supported and there is rarely any commercial interruption.
5) This one is in three parts:
a) Hug. You know who needs one. You want one yourself. Your kids want it more than anyone, and they want it from you! Yes, even the teenagers. But, you have to initiate it. Hugging stimulates good endorphins.
b) Sing. I don’t care if it’s in the car or in the shower. Sing! Just watch your driving and don’t slip on the soap. If your kids are small, sing them a lullaby to sleep. Don’t worry about the quality of your voice. Your children will remember it as some of the most loving moments spent with you.
c) Write an old-fashioned letter or email a friend. Close relatives that you consider to be your friends count. Express yourself, be yourself, laugh at yourself – yet, be proud of yourself. You’ll sleep better and be more likely to give out hugs (see a and b).
Live… Go… Do!
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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
March Against Monsanto in Wellington, FL! Jathy Garcia, owner of Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air, explains why it is important to join in on May 16th at 9am in Wellington and have your voice be heard about GMOs in our food. As a breast cancer survivor, Jathy is especially concerned with Monsanto’s product Round-up, which has altered the way food is grown internationally. Join our event on May 16th by going to the Facebook event and clicking “going” – https://www.facebook.com/events/1617434468471306/ You can also get daily updates and information by liking our Facebook page, “March Against Monsanto Wellington Florida.” Video by Monica Kallas of SharpShooter Marketing Group.
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Hi-Tech Plumbing is considered the expert in green plumbing solutions & emergency service. They are a licensed and insured plumbing service that has been serving residential and commercial customers throughout Palm Beach County since 2000. They understand the needs of their customers and because of that, offer same day service, 24/7 emergency service with up front pricing and they guarantee your satisfaction. Hi-Tech Plumbing works hard to earn your business and goes the extra mile.
What happens when an old-fashioned treasure hunt meets high tech? Geocaching! Hikers, bikers, road-trippers, treasure seekers and techno geeks have been talking about this new twist on treasure hunting. Everyone talks about how great it is for all ages…from the little ones to seniors. Recently I traveled to Washington County, Maryland to see what all the fuss was about and I have to admit, I’ve caught the geocaching fever.
Located against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, the picturesque rolling hills of Washington County are laced with stone bridges and quaint towns. This is an area rich with colonial and Civil War history and the gateway to many historical landmarks. Antietam National Battlefield, Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park, Washington Monument State Park, and The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park are just a few of the many treasures here. Historic Hagerstown is the hub of Washington County and the perfect home base as you explore the Washington County Geocache Trail.
Terri’s Big Geocache Find
For all of you “muggles” who are unfamiliar with geocaching, let me explain. First, I should explain why I called you a muggle. Geocachers refer to non-geocachers as muggles – a term taken from Harry Potter referencing those without the magic. I arrived in Hagerstown as a muggle, I found the magic and left as a geocacher.
Geocaching is basically a game of hide and seek combined with treasure hunting. The difference is in the technology. A geocache is a waterproof container containing a log book, pen or pencil, and trinkets for trading. The geocacher who hides the cache records its coordinates. These coordinates, along with other details of the location, are posted on a listing site. Other geocachers obtain the coordinates from the site and search for the cache using GPS handheld receivers. The finding geocachers record their discoveries in the logbook and online. The cache must be returned to its exact location so that other geocachers may find it. Geocachers are free to take a trinket from the cache in exchange for leaving something of similar or higher value.
One of the simplest ways to geocache is to download the geocache app. There is a free version that provides basic information and locations for each geocache. There is also a $9.99 version that gives more details about the geocache including hints as to its location and details about the place it is located. I figured I needed all the help I could get, so I downloaded the $9.99 version.
Armed with my app I headed out to the Hagerstown City Park for my first geocache experience. The app was telling me there was a geocache in the park near a large tree and a rock. Following the navigation prompt (otherwise known as that blinking blue dot on my iPhone that tracks my location) I walked in the direction of the geocache. Sure enough there was a big evergreen tree surrounded by rocks. I looked around for places something might be hidden and found a crevice in a rock stuffed with tree bark. Moving the loose tree bark aside I reached under the rock and pulled out my first geocache!
Another Find at the historic Miller House
Inside was an assortment of small trinkets – a Lego man, plastic lips and a few unidentifiable things. The log was there and I added my geocache name and the date. There was also something special – a geocoin. These coins are purchased and placed in geocaches all over the world. Each coin has a code. If you take a coin from the geocache, you are required to record the code and place it in another geocache. This particular geocoin originated in Germany. The message attached stated it would be home when it reached Ottawa, Canada. And somehow it had found its way to Hagerstown.
Geocaching is an excellent way to get to know an area. As we searched for more geocaches along the Washington County Trail, we visited historic Miller House, Rural Heritage Museum, Antietam National Battlefield and even an old slave block located in the middle of town.
Embarking on a long road trip with the kids? Limit the number of times you have to listen to “are we there yet” by scheduling stops to search for geocaches along your route. It is also a great activity to incorporate into hikes or bike rides. There are geocaches in nature and in urban areas. Some are easy to get to and others are quite difficult – like the one at the tippy top of Mount Everest.
When expert geocacher Tim Eggleston of West Virginia found out there was a geocache on top of an old bridge pier in the middle of the Potomac River he had no choice but to climb up for the discovery. With the help of a couple of rock climbing friends, Tim engineered a way to scamper up to the top – much to the delight of onlookers passing by on the adjacent highway. Personally, I’m safer staying on the ground.
Tim Climbs Up
Washington County is the host for GeoWoodstock XIII – the annual convention for the international geocaching community – to be held Memorial Day weekend. There will be geocachers from all over the world. Attendees will have the chance to meet and talk to experts in seminars and training sessions, buy or sell geocaching products and search for geocaches in the area. There will be plenty of food, games and entertainment. GeoWoodstock XIII is open to everyone, even muggles. Check it out, find the magic and lose that muggle title.
Tim at the Top!
Can’t get away from home for a bit? No problem. I did a quick search of geocache locations around Wellington and there are plenty! One is described as “a great place to watch the rowers row, the divers dive, the swimmers swim and the sliders slide.” Think you can find it?
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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 .
Is anyone confused about their insurance? Well mostly everyone that walks in our office tells us they are very confused, they don’t understand why they are paying more for their premiums, they have a higher deductible, and the insurance companies seem to be paying for fewer services. Well let me tell you it can be very confusing if you don’t educate yourself. Most people do not realize they have a deductible, and unfortunately the deductibles are much higher than over the past 10 years. I have seen deductibles as high as $15,000, and people’s premiums are at an all-time high. Due to these high deductibles, it has forced many physicians to opt out of insurance and begin to offer cash membership plans. These memberships and cash pay plans allow the doctor to spend more time with the patient, giving higher quality care and sometimes even more affordability for the patient long-term.
In our office we verify insurance, and the doctors determine the care plan based on correcting the spinal problem. Sometimes the correction of a spinal misalignment can take up to 30 visits and sometimes the correction may take as little as 5 visits. Over the years, insurance companies would typically allot 24-30 visits per calendar year. This past year most insurance companies have decided to only allow 5 visits until they determine whether or not you need more. Granted there have always been doctors who abuse the system, but for someone on the phone to determine if a patient needs care – I think it’s crazy. I have also seen patients needing more and more referrals from their primary doctor, which does not allow for patients to make their own choices.
At the Wellness Experience of Wellington, we offer many different affordable options for patients, allowing each member to get the quality care they deserve, without all the headaches.
If you have questions, or would be interested in one of our dinner talks about Chiropractic care, please email me at laurichdc@aol.com.
An Interview with Dick Stockton, World-Class Tennis Pro, founder of Blue Sky Foundation
By Krista Martinelli
Dick Stockton, world class tennis player and founder of the Blue Sky Foundation, hanging out at Brooklyn Water Bagels in Wellington.
As someone who played college tennis and continues to play USTA tennis, I remember Dick Stockton’s tennis career from my childhood years. I remember his playing some of the other tennis greats of the 70’s, including Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg. In fact, I had a poster of Bjorn Borg in my room. So I was excited to find that such an accomplished tennis pro as Dick Stockton lives in Wellington. Meanwhile, his wife, Liz, teaches tennis over at the Wellington Community Center.
I asked him about his greatest moments as a tennis player. Being a team player at all times, Stockton points out that his two greatest highlights were not really for individual tennis, but as team triumphs. In 1972, his TrinityUniversity tennis team at San Antonio, Texas won the NCAA Division I Men’s Team Championship – they were simply the best at that time. Also, being able to play for the Davis Cup is a huge highlight for Stockton. He played in the Davis Cup for five years and traveled all over the world.
Another career highlight was winning the 1977 U.S. Pro Indoor Championship, beating Jimmy Connors in a five-set nationally televised final. “Jimmy was #1 in the world at the time,” recalls Stockton. Also, at that time, the U.S. Pro Indoor was one of the top five or six most prestigious tournaments on the men’s tour.
Blue Sky Foundation
These days Stockton is still very involved in tennis, but is heading up his own non-profit organization, bringing tennis to our military troops. In 2008, he and Liz formed the Blue Sky Foundation. He had a different idea for it originally, something more along the lines of the Chris Evert Pro/Celebrity charity tennis tournament, but it never materialized. In 2012, Stockton was thinking of a way that he could thank our troops and came up with the idea of offering free tennis clinics at military bases. Check out this personal message from Dick Stockton about how the Blue Sky Foundation was created (from their website) – http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/videos/news/personal-journey-dick-stockton/vCJzCX/
In 2013, Stockton decided to do just two events during the year, as a test to see if this was a good idea. In July of 2013, they visited FortBragg, and 125 people signed up for the tennis clinics. They taught in categories of 4 to 10 years of age, 11 to 17 and 18 & over. Due to rain, they had to move the whole clinic inside a gym. They were prepared though and had everything necessary to go on with the tennis clinic. They brought a team of fifteen instructors. Overall it was a huge success! “The military troops and their kids were so appreciative of it,” says Stockton.
Later in October of 2013, they did another tennis clinic at Andrew Air Force Base in Maryland. Again about 125 showed up. This time Stockton had some other big tennis names along with him – Stan Smith and Gigi Fernandez. It was another successful day of tennis, and everyone seemed very appreciative. So after these couple of trial runs, Stockton decided to keep moving forward.
In 2014, they put on five events, which were “unbelievable experiences” according to Stockton. They had ages from 3 to 87 showing up for the tennis clinics. This year, they have eight events planned. They recently added a wounded warrior component to the program. “By far this is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” says Stockton. “These people are so special and so appreciative. We’re there to thank them, but they’ve gone and done a 180 on us, being so thankful too.”
They’ve developed a “T3” logo, which stands for “Thanking our Troops through Tennis.” The biggest sponsor of the program so far is the USO. Also, Head has provided a lot of tennis rackets and Penn has contributed a lot of tennis balls. We are continuing to seek corporate sponsors, says Stockton. In the future, he plans to go overseas with the program as well.
Wimbledon
“Out of all of the Grand Slam tournaments,” says Stockton, “I have to say that playing Wimbledon was my favorite.” It’s the ultimate competition, he explains – like the Master’s in golf, like the Kentucky Derby in horse racing. “Historically, Wimbledon is it! I get goosebumps when I walk through that gate – I still do.”
Davis Cup
In 1959, Stockton saw his first Davis Cup final and was thrilled by the intensity of it. He was excited to represent the US and be a part of the Davis Cup team for a span of five years. “Back then, we had a small group of us traveling to another country. It was just five or six players, a captain and a trainer,” says Stockton. “And unlike any other tennis competition,” he says, “for that one week, we realized we’re all in this together!” It’s truly a bonding experience and a team event.
Becoming a Tennis Pro
Some kids dream of becoming a tennis pro. For Stockton though, the transition just happened quite naturally – he was at the right place at the right time. He was on the strongest university tennis team in the country, TrinityUniversity at San Antonio, Texas. “Five of our top six players turned pro,” says Stockton. “Becoming a pro, for me, just kind of happened. Even in college, I played in a lot of professional tournaments. I couldn’t accept money, if I won, because I was still in college.” In 1972, he played in Wimbledon and made it to third round. “It was my first time around, and I made $300,” he recalls. “Today it would be approximately $75,000 for making it to the same level.” Because he played on such a strong college tennis team, Stockton experienced the best of the best, even when just in the practices from two to three hours every day.
Today’s Tennis Pros
I asked Stockton who his favorite male tennis player is today. He loves Djokovic. “He seems very genuine, he’s a great player and he always gives credit where credit is due,” says Stockton. “Also when his opponent makes a great shot, he applauds him. No one else does that today.”
As for women’s tennis, Stockton says Serena Williams is clearly the best. “She’s not really being tested right now. She’s so much stronger than the other women – she’s head and shoulders above anyone else out there.”
Tennis Memories
“There are always characters in the game of tennis,” he says. “And there are always classic rivalries.” One of Stockton’s favorite, funniest tennis moments was in a match against Romanian player Ilie Năstase. “It was raining on and off all day. I turned around to serve, and there he was – waiting, holding an umbrella over his head.”
Another key player in Stockton’s tennis era was Swedish great Björn Borg. “I played him when he was just sixteen in the French Open,” says Stockton. “And he beat me.” The tricky thing about Borg’s game, according to Stockton, was that he never showed any emotion on his face. “He was very friendly…a joy to be around.” He was also the first player who ever traveled with a coach. Although he was a force to be reckoned with, he quit the game of tennis at just 26 years old. “I think he got frustrated when he lost his #1 ranking and it’s a shame that he never returned.”
Growing Up in the Bronx
Like a lot of folks Around Wellington, Dick Stockton grew up in the Bronx. He left New York at 17 and then lived in Texas for 30 years. But he has fond memories of playing stickball in the Bronx and on Long Island. On some of his tennis tours, they even modified the wooden tennis rackets and used the handle like a stickball bat, in order to play stickball in their spare time. Stockton was happy to hear that there is a local group making stickball come back to life here in our area, the Wycliffe Stiffs. As I interviewed him at Brooklyn Water Bagles (in Wellington), he gravitated toward the chocolate egg cream machine. “I thought the term egg cream had disappeared,” says Stockton, who used to love a good chocolate egg cream in his NY days. Check out this video of Stockton up at bat with the Wycliffe Stiffs, his first time back at bat since his youth. Not bad! See the video of Stockton up at bat with the Wycliffe Stiffs.
Living in Wellington
Dick and Liz Stockton have lived in Wellington for 14 years now, after moving here in 2001. “We love the location!” he says. He likes being close to the beach, but not at the beach. He likes that there are lots of seniors, yet it’s not a retirement community. And he’s pleased with the equestrian activities in town too.
“This year our Blue Sky Foundation was picked at the Great Charity Challenge,” he says. This is a wonderful annual event during equestrian season, headed up by Mark Bellissimo, where a group of organizations are randomly picked from 250 local charities. The charity organization, after being entered into the Challenge, is assigned three equestrian riders, who compete for the charity at hand. Stockton was very grateful for the contribution Blue Sky received this year.
For more information about the Blue Sky Foundation, visit their website.
Lori Hope Baumel and her husband Eric live in Wellington and have three children. 
