Feature Stories

Polo Is A Way Of Life For Wellington’s Bollini Family

Polo Is A Way Of Life For Wellington’s Bollini Family

Story and Photos by Julie Unger

Polo is a sport that tends to run in families — large, extended families where grandfathers, fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, uncles and cousins play, or have played, this sport of kings, where horse and rider barrel down the field with mallet in hand to score a goal.

For Wellington’s Bollini family, polo isn’t just a sport, it’s a way of life. It’s part of their culture and part of their family. It isn’t a sport they just play, it is part of who they are.

“It was something that was natural,” Juan Bollini Sr. said. “Polo, for us, I’d say, it’s in our blood.”

In Argentina, polo is a family tradition on Juan Sr.’s mother’s side. He was born in Buenos Aires and spent a lot of time on the family farm playing polo with his uncles and cousins. His professional polo career, however, started later than for most. He attended university, worked at a bank for seven years, and was invited to play polo in the Wellington area in 1985.

“Since then, I have been lucky enough to have a good relationship with the patrons, and I started playing with Rolex and the Oxley family,” he said. “Now I’m with the Ganzis.”

Juan Sr.’s wife, Cecilia, has also taken her turn with the mallet. She competed before their children — Mariana, 26; Juan Jr., 20; and Santos, 17 — were born.

“I love riding, and I love horses,” said Cecilia, who prefers to stay on the sidelines nowadays.

Mariana, who lives and works full-time in Argentina, also played polo for a while before choosing a different direction. Her brothers, however, are thriving in the sport.

Polo players are ranked on a scale from -3 to 10, with few players reaching anywhere near the coveted 10-goal status. Juan Sr., who is currently ranked with a 5-goal handicap, was once ranked at 8 goals. Juan Jr. is already ranked with a 3-goal handicap and considered a professional polo player. Santos, still in high school, isn’t far behind, with a 0-goal handicap.

Juan Jr. was introduced to the sport at a young age thanks to his family when they were living in Argentina. “We would go to the farm on the weekends and play with my cousins, my uncles and my dad,” he recalled. “That’s how I started.”

During breaks from school, Juan Jr. would come to the United States and play in youth polo tournaments. “It’s the part of the family tradition that got me into polo,” he said.

When he isn’t on the polo fields, or at the barn, Juan Jr. is studying international business and trade at Florida Atlantic University. The sport, and his father, have taught him to never give up and play as hard as he can every time he’s on the field. He is applying that same lesson to his education.

Other sports have caught Juan Jr.’s eye, such as tennis and soccer, but polo has always been his top priority.

For Santos, polo is also a way of life.

“It has always been around. It’s just the way I grew up. I love it. It’s the sport that I’ve been practicing my whole life,” he said.

Santos attends Wellington High School and is low-key about his life on the field. Only his close friends know he is an avid polo player.

Perpetuating the family tradition is one of the important aspects of polo for the Bollinis.

“It’s something that the entire family can enjoy, between the being outside, and the horses and the game,” Juan Sr. said. “Polo is such a great sport, because you can play so many different levels. There’s a level for everyone.”

It’s a sport that he can share with his family, playing with his sons and enjoying the beautiful weather that South Florida and Argentina have to offer.

“It’s something that keeps the family together,” Juan Sr. said. “You spend a lot of time in the game. You spend a lot of time in the barn. You talk about it.”

What people often don’t realize, Juan Sr. explained, is that there is a great deal of work that goes on behind the scenes, caring for the horses and working with the horses.

“It’s a passion,” he said. “It’s a way of life.”

Polo is also a sport that keeps families together. There’s a lot of traveling and time spent with other polo families. As a 30-year professional polo player, Juan Sr. is thankful to the Ganzis, who own the Grand Champions Polo Club and the Aspen Valley Polo Club. Through his association with them, he has been able to work, and play, with his sons.

Playing with their father is important to Juan Jr. and Santos.

“Playing with my family is something that few people get to experience, even though it is a family-oriented sport,” Juan Jr. said. “Playing in tournaments and playing competitively with your family, that’s something even greater. That’s something that out of all of the people who play polo, not many of them get to experience, just because of the age difference or the handicap difference. It’s something that you really value when you’re on the field with your brother, or your dad.”

Having a built-in support system is advantageous for players, including for Santos, a rare left-handed player in a sport played with the right hand.

“Playing polo with my dad, with my family, makes it easier for me, for us. Not only do we have a mentor 24/7 at home, even when we’re not on the fields, but also it makes us feel way more comfortable when we are on the field, because it’s your dad and your brother,” Santos said. “You still want to try your hardest, but you’re in a comfortable state where you can perform well.”

With Grand Champions as their home club, the Bollinis are able to play with many different players. “Being part of such a large group, you have a variety of possibilities for teams,” Cecilia said.

She offers her support from the sidelines, juggling a career as a community health worker with her equestrian family life.

“I facilitate workshops for nonprofits to help manage people with chronic conditions, and diabetes, especially the older adults and Hispanics,” Cecilia said. “We’ve been traveling for polo for all our married life, so I’m accustomed to it. It’s a part of our lifestyle.”

For Cecilia and her family, Wellington has always been a comfortable place to be.

“Having come here so many years, now we’re living here, it has always been a very comfortable town to come to as a foreigner,” she said. “We always felt at home.”

Part of that is knowing so many people in the wider polo community.

“The people who live here all year-round are very open and welcoming to those who come seasonally and those who choose to live here year-round,” Cecilia said.

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Feature Stories

Brandon Phillips Brings Lessons From The Polo Field To Philanthropy

Brandon Phillips Brings Lessons From The Polo Field To Philanthropy

STORY BY MELANIE OTERO • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO

Brandon Phillips approaches philanthropy the same way he does the polo field: Surround yourself with a great team, make it fun and bring your competitive spirit.

It’s a philosophy that the Wellington resident and world-renowned polo professional has followed for the past four years as the founder and honorary chair of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Polo for a Purpose event. Always believing he can do more, Phillips has helped grow the event from a luncheon that raised $60,000 in 2013 to a full day of events that raised six times that amount — $360,000 — in 2016.

He is determined that this year’s Jan. 16 event at the International Polo Club Palm Beach will best a half-million dollars and attract an even greater number of guests.

The program begins at noon with a luncheon, silent and live auctions and a cocktail reception. At 3 p.m., the grounds of the venue will open for scheduled family-friendly activities, and at 4 p.m., there will be a concert by Gipsy Sound Revolution.

One of Phillips’ first experiences that drew him to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was personal. As a survivor of stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that struck at age 14, Phillips was asked by LLS to talk to a Boca Raton boy named Bruce Steinberg who was going through recovery. Steinberg wanted to meet a professional athlete. What he found in Phillips was a lifelong friend.

The two first met at Phillips’ stable in Wellington. As Steinberg admired the horses, the survivors discovered they were like-minded in how they fought their cancer battles.

“I see so much of myself in Bruce when I was his age,” Phillips said. “We both have very positive attitudes and know that this disease is a hurdle we just need to jump. Our outlook during treatment was more about how it interfered with our sports and the good time we were having as teenagers. We never thought about dying.”

Although Phillips travels extensively as a polo professional, he always makes time for Steinberg when he’s home for the winter in Wellington. In between, the two stay connected through texts and social media.

Philips also makes sure that Steinberg is always involved in Polo for a Purpose. “We’ve made Bruce an honorary member of our team,” Phillips said. “He’s our fifth player.”

Phillips’ relationship with Steinberg and his first Polo for a Purpose event were what made him break his silence about his childhood cancer.

“It took me a while to accept this role,” he said. “After I was sick, I didn’t want to speak to anyone. When I turned 30, I decided to see what I could do to help.”

He has kept his word. In just four years, Phillips has created a wildly successful and popular charitable event in a county that is home to countless fundraisers. He is very aware that the event must be different, fun and more exciting every year to keep attendance and support growing.

“It’s no different from competitive polo,” Phillips noted. “We have to top ourselves every year.”

Phillips is quick to credit the team around him — co-chairs P.J. Rizvi, Visse Wedell and Penny Bradley, and LLS Executive Director Pam Payne — who challenge each other to make the event a memorable experience for people of any age or income bracket.

Rizvi used her connections to take the event to the next level this year by inviting Gipsy Sound Revolution — a reincarnation of the Gipsy Kings with several of the original band members — to perform after the match. And throughout the day, the co-chairs have arranged for the grounds to be filled with activities for families. A kids’ zone, ice cream trucks and face painting are just some of the activities planned.

“We really want people to enjoy themselves,” Phillips said, adding that for $40, guests can spend the day at the polo club, watch an exciting match and stay for an amazing concert.

For those wishing to make a larger contribution, there will be a gourmet luncheon with silent and live auctions before the four-on-four high-goal polo match.

Seating for the luncheon is limited and nearly sold out. The cost for the polo match and concert is $40 per person, and tailgate tents holding up to 10 people with admission to the concert cost $400.

Polo for a Purpose is just as fun for Phillips as he hopes it is for attendees. It’s a homecoming of sorts for him, and a way to give back the community that embraced him.

He started his professional polo career in Wellington at 17, and his teammates are top players who trained together in their late teens.

“We lived together, fought with each other and worked our way up from the bottom together as we were becoming professionals,” Phillips said.

Phillips sees another type of camaraderie in the stands as his team plays. The entire six-row front section of the stadium is given to children fighting cancer and their families. “To just be a kid, have fun and experience something new and exciting like polo means everything to these children,” Phillips said.

If he had his wish, cancer never would ail another child. He’s proud that the money raised from the event will go toward research for blood cancer cures and patient support in Palm Beach County.

“An important part of our funding goes toward families who have a child with cancer and can’t afford the travel and other expenses they incur as they’re going across the state or the country trying to save their son’s or daughter’s life,” Phillips said.

Saving lives through research is why LLS exists, said Payne, executive director of the Palm Beach area chapter.

“Forty percent of the drugs in the FDA pipeline approval are for blood cancers to help keep people alive, thrive and have a life like Brandon’s,” she said. “Children who have cancer look at Brandon and see an amazing athlete who was once where they are now. It’s hard to find enough words to express how grateful we are to him for his work toward a world without blood cancer.”

Phillips’ competitive spirit comes through when he reflects on his work for LLS.

“I always want to do better,” he said. “That’s the attitude I try to pass along to kids — winning is everything, it’s the only thing, especially when the game is your life. You have to think of the future and do what you have to do. It’s a test from God. You have to pass. You have to win.”

If you ask any of the kids rooting for Phillips, they’ll tell you he already has.

To learn more about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Polo for a Purpose event, call (561) 616-8682, e-mail events@poloforapurpose.org or visit www.poloforapurpose.org.  

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Feature Stories

Top Jock Tack Boxes Building Irish Roots In Wellington

Top Jock Tack Boxes Building Irish Roots In Wellington

By Taylor Renner

For any equestrian business, there is no better place to be during the winter season than Wellington. At the start of each new year, Wellington transforms into an international hub for all things equestrian. With so many opportunities to promote and expand his business within such a niche market for four months, Top Jock Tack Boxes founder Joseph Moran has decided to make Wellington his company’s seasonal home.

Originally from Galway, Ireland, Moran started Top Jock Tack Boxes in 2012. After a successful first year building tack boxes for customers across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany, Top Jock Tack Boxes expanded stateside and is currently based in New York. The company’s innovative, custom boxes have become a must-have item among top riders, such as international show jumpers Shane Sweetnam, Schuyler Riley, Jonathan and Christine McCrea, and McLain Ward, as well as top dressage rider and trainer Douglas Puterbaugh, to name a few.

Top Jock Tack Boxes brings both quality and functionality with completely customizable, luxury tack boxes built specifically for equestrian athletes. Any size, color and layout can be designed with custom interior configurations and high-definition exterior graphics, along with solid oak engraved panels to feature personalized branding options, such as an athlete’s sponsors, country, web site, stable or other details.

Durable, weatherproof and beautifully crafted, a Top Jock Tack Box makes a great first impression, is practical and, most importantly, protects the owner’s valuable equipment.

“I know a lot of Irish people who are based in Wellington, and they all tell me it’s the place to be during the winter,” Moran said. “That’s where most of the major farms go, and with the products that we sell, from an equestrian business point-of-view, it was imperative for me to be there as well.”

Moran has known about Wellington and the Winter Equestrian Festival for years.

“I saw a lot of posts from WEF through social media,” he said. “I always knew WEF was the biggest show around, and it was definitely a show that I wanted to attend. Last year was our first year at WEF. It was definitely very beneficial for Top Jock Tack Boxes. We got sales from the show and made valuable connections within the top levels of the sport. We loved the whole experience. More than anything, it was just about being there and experiencing it all.”

For Moran, being able to connect and see firsthand an inside perspective into the lives of top riders from around the globe while in Wellington helps him cater his products to fit his customers’ needs.

“Last year, I had the opportunity to tour a couple of top equestrian facilities in Wellington,” he said. “Being able to see the different farms and layouts and the quality of the facilities — it really helps me to develop my products. When I get to see their barns and talk with the riders, I learn a lot about what they’d like to see or have at their barns. There are always a lot of ideas being thrown around, and it’s so beneficial for me because I might see things I haven’t seen before and get new ideas for products.”

Growth within the local Irish equestrian community also sparked Moran’s interest in coming to Wellington. Over the past few years, top Irish riders have established home bases in Wellington, such as show jumpers Shane Sweetnam, Darragh Kenny and Richie Moloney.

“It’s nice to be able to meet up with some of the Irish people in Wellington during season,” Moran said. “There’s a huge Irish community, and they’re all willing to help in any way they can by referring us to other people and telling them to have a look at our products and explaining who we are.”

This year, Moran has even bigger plans to take advantage of his time in Wellington with Top Jock Tack Boxes, providing top-of-the-line bespoke tack boxes to equestrian enthusiasts and athletes alike.

“We’re a lot more organized and prepared this year, with it being our second year,” Moran said. “2017 will be our first full, proper year at WEF and in Wellington during the winter. From that point of view, I very much look forward to it, and I expect it to be a successful season. More people know who we are and what we do now, so I think it’s going to be an even better experience for us this year.”

To learn more about Top Jock Tack Boxes, visit www.topjocktackboxes.com or contact Moran at enquiries@topjocktackboxes.com or (845) 269-9888.

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Feature Stories

Creative Collaboration Creates Great Designs At Jeffrey Aaron

Creative Collaboration Creates Great Designs At Jeffrey Aaron

By Julie Unger

Jeffrey Aaron Inc. is the creative collaboration between general contractor Jeffrey Russell and interior design specialist Aaron Coen.

The partnership began when Jeffrey installed cabinets and did a bathroom renovation for Aaron. “I was shopping for the products and having Jeff install them. That was in 2007,” Aaron recalled.

In 2009, they worked together to completely redo a rental home in Wellington. Later, when a friend purchased a home, Aaron and Jeffrey worked together to make the home more fluid. “That was the first time I had done spatial change with Jeff,” Aaron said.

It was at that point that they knew a unique partnership was in the making. That idea was solidified when working on a complete overhaul of a 1929 Quaker farmhouse in Pennsylvania.

In 2012, they were sitting on a porch and discussed the possibility of working together. “Jeff came to me and said, ‘I can build a really good box all day long because it’s the cheapest way to do it and it’s the fastest way to get out. You can take a box, manipulate it and do something completely different that I would never even consider,’” Aaron recalled.

Aaron, a dressage rider, isn’t formally trained in design, which, as he points out, is a strength. It’s the difference between knowing how to deal with a sick horse in the middle of the night versus having read about how to do it, he explained.

“Even with fabrics, having gone to college and earning a degree in animal science, I know more about cotton than any book could tell me,” Aaron said.

Jeffrey started remodeling older homes in the northeast, then moved to Florida and continued his home remodeling business.

In July 2012, Jeffrey Aaron Inc. officially came to be.

“Our approach is ‘Do it once, do it right, do it your best,’” Aaron said.

Seeing how thrilled clients are once the job is done, Jeffrey said, makes all the effort worthwhile. They know they’ve done a great job when clients refer Jeffrey Aaron to their friends.

“It’s so hard to find a good contractor,” Jeffrey said. “They’re just overwhelmed with joy. It’s great.”

During a project, Aaron said, it is imperative to sit down with someone to figure out a design plan, “to find out people’s wants, likes and dislikes,” he said.

“That’s where you start, and then you come up with ideas. Then I’ll present them with pictures. ‘Would you go for this?’ The reason why they’re reaching out? They don’t have the vision to see the end result,” he said. “To give them something to look at to get a protocol is the best-case scenario. It’s very personal.”

Jeffrey suggests that clients stop for a moment and live in their home as-is, observe where the sun hits, and what sort of things need attention. Living in the home, taking the time to get to know the nuances of how the house works, is important.

“Let’s talk about how you live and what you do,” Jeffrey said.

Six months is a good amount of time to get to know a home, he said.

One of the goals at Jeffrey Aaron is for people to feel comfortable in the space, for them to understand the project and truly feel at home. It’s personal, and Jeffrey and Aaron want clients to feel like they can come to them for anything.

They specialize in kitchen and bathroom renovations — the things that add value to a home and can make or break a house sale — as well as remodeling and design.

Part of what makes these projects special, Aaron said, is that you’re giving the place a fresh start, and there’s always an end to the project. Knowing that the client will be happy in the end is everything. “For someone to get exactly what they want, in their budget, is totally awesome,” he said.

One of the amazing things with interior design is that similar cabinets, countertops and accessories can be used for every budget. It’s the same basic product, and same approach, regardless of what the project budget is. For example, they redid an entire kitchen’s cabinets for $7,000, and it cost less than if the cabinets were purchased new elsewhere.

Among the trends that Aaron has noticed is that different generations are going to the Internet to learn about design and are requesting “double-word” decorating. For example, now clients ask for “modern coastal.” This gives the design two goals to meet.

Jeffrey Aaron stays away from a signature design look and instead lets the client’s needs determine the look.

“Whoever calls, you need to go there and give them what they ask for,” Aaron said. “I’ll normally tell Jeff what I want, and he’ll tell me how he can make it happen.”

Jeffrey enjoys learning how the homeowners live, and then taking a customized approach to fit their needs. Making the home ergonomic, neat and personalized, is special, he said.

“The planning is the most important part,” Jeffrey said.

Considering clients’ heights, or whether they are left handed or right handed, and adjusting things accordingly, Jeffrey is able to work with the owner and make their ideas come to fruition.

In this way, Jeffrey Aaron is able to transform a house into the client’s dream home.

“We’re a one-stop shop,” Aaron said. “Our motto is ‘making your house your home.’ You go through the stages, and it becomes yours. It’s very personal. Jeff handles the building contractor end of everything. I am the middle man for making appointments with subcontractors and getting them out there… and, of course, the decorating.”

For anyone looking to have the assistance of a design company, Aaron suggests sitting down with the designers, getting to know the space and not leaving any stones unturned. Designers should know the local codes and be able to offer a wealth of knowledge, he added.

Jeffrey Aaron’s showroom is located at 3220 Fairlane Farms Road, Suites 7 and 8, in Wellington. Appointments can be made by calling (561) 676-0540 or e-mailing contact@jaimpressions.com. For more info., visit www.jaimpressions.com.

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Wellington Health

Chiropractor Dr. Randy Laurich Offers His Patients A Comprehensive Wellness Program

Chiropractor Dr. Randy Laurich Offers His Patients A Comprehensive Wellness Program

Story by Deborah Welky • Photo by Abner Pedraza

If you’ve been feeling under the weather of late and want to know why, perhaps it’s time to put your New Year’s resolutions into action with a visit to the Wellness Experience.

The Wellness Experience, owned and operated by chiropractor Dr. Randy Laurich, is “home base” for people who want to feel better and improve their quality of life. What makes Laurich’s practice unique is the number of professionals that he has assembled. They work individually and as a team in an effort to provide clients with the most comprehensive wellness program available.

“We have multiple providers playing a similar role — to help achieve the best quality of life for our patients with the most overall functional improvement,” Laurich said. “Everyone in the practice does something a little bit different. We have two acupuncturists, two chiropractors, an esthetician, two massage therapists and one nutritionist. We individualize each program to help assist each person in their healing.”

The team includes Laurich and chiropractor Dr. Tori Cunnea, acupuncturists Caroline Blanke-Pena and Dr. Howard Stoller, esthetician Dawn Snow, massage therapists Ortavia Taylor and Mikaela Martling, and nutritionist Tracy Mastandrea.

“In the seventh grade, I did a paper on chiropractic and, from that point forward, I knew I wanted to pursue it,” Laurich said. “I even got my twin sister involved. Today she’s a chiropractor in Boulder, Colorado. It’s kind of in the family now.”

There are about 150 different techniques used in the field of chiropractic healing, and Laurich has studied them all. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Laurich attended college in Ohio. He graduated from the Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1998 and worked at a chiropractic office in Coral Springs before opening his own practice in Boca Raton in 2001.

By 2006, Dr. Laurich had established his multi-discipline office in Wellington, and he is looking to move to a larger facility in the near future.

Upon a first meeting with a client, Laurich assesses his or her needs and creates a unique healing program. “This is a place for people to come who want to feel better and improve their quality of life,” he said.

For those who may be a bit shy about chiropractic services, it’s good to know that the practice has evolved just as the broader field of medicine has evolved.

“It’s kind of neat, because we use a lot of computerized technology to help evaluate the spine, and it gives us an opportunity to also adjust the spine,” Laurich said. “There’s no reason to be fearful. It’s a really gentle technique using gentle force that helps the body to heal itself. The fact that we use today’s technology is important.”

The ProAdjuster and DRX Machine analyze, adjust, decompress and provide relief to the spine. Cold laser therapy uses low levels of light to stimulate healing without heating up the tissue, relieving chronic pain and inflammation that often results from sports injuries or arthritis. Acupuncture stimulates specific points on the surface of the skin, altering various biochemical and physiological conditions to the benefit of patients.

Massage therapy is employed to reduce anxiety and stress, relax muscles, rehabilitate injuries, reduce pain and promote overall health. Fitness is the goal, and the team at the Wellness Experience believes that working out should be enjoyable — for muscles, heart and mind. They can connect you with a trainer able to meet your particular fitness needs.

Everyone has heard “you are what you eat,” but if the confusing world of food labels has you wondering if there’s anything out there that’s both tasty and good for you, nutritionists at the Wellness Experience will help demystify your next trip to the grocery store.

The Wellness Experience is currently located in Kobosko’s Crossing at 9180 Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 333-5351 or visit www.wellness-experience.com.

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Wellington Home

Plenty Of Space In This Large, Mediterranean Style Olympia Home

Plenty Of Space In This Large, Mediterranean Style Olympia Home

Story by Deborah Welky • Photos courtesy Jacqueline and Paul Morris

The best of Florida can be taken in at a glance from this home in Wellington’s Olympia neighborhood. With views of both a lake and a preserve, this Mediterranean style residence sits on a quarter-acre fenced-in lot. Featuring more than 5,500 square feet of luxury, the home boasts five bedrooms with a master suite, as well as 4.5 baths, a three-car garage, a pool and a gazebo.

wellington | home

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Wellington Real Estate

Team Approach Allows Kim Jenard And Betsy Keiser To Better Serve Their Clients

Team Approach Allows Kim Jenard And Betsy Keiser To Better Serve Their Clients

Story by Matthew Auerbach • Photo by Abner Pedraza

As the song lyric goes, “It takes two to make a dream come true.” And so it is with the partnership between Engel & Völkers’ agent team of Kim Jenard and Betsy Keiser. The two women combine their strengths to fulfill the dreams of clients looking to buy or sell homes in the Wellington area.

Jenard and Keiser joined forces at the beginning of 2016. Though they work together today, their individual paths into the real estate industry couldn’t be more different.

“My family and I moved to Wellington in 1984 from the Pittsburgh area when I was a sophomore in high school,” Keiser recalled. “I graduated from Forest Hill High School — Wellington High School wasn’t built yet — and went back north to attend and graduate from Westminster College in Pennsylvania with a degree in business administration and a minor in management. I married my husband, Frank, with whom I have three daughters, after graduation.”

Originally hailing from a suburb outside of Annapolis, Md., Jenard attended college for a short time before beginning a career as a flight attendant to enjoy the unique travel benefits. “I was a flight attendant for American Airlines for 13-plus years before taking an early out in November 2001,” she said. “I have been married to my husband, Mark, since 1992. We have four wonderful children — one son and three daughters.”

Jenard’s entry into the world of real estate was sparked by a conversation with a friend. “I decided to get into real estate after the sale of my home in 2009,” Jenard said. “A close acquaintance of mine, who represented me in the purchase of our new home, said: ‘Kim, you know everybody, you have such an outgoing personality and you’ve basically worked hand-in-hand with me on this transaction. Why don’t you get your real estate license?’ So, I did.”

Keiser came to the career of buying and selling homes through family connections. “My family has always been in new home construction in Pennsylvania and Florida, and my husband and I joined the business as well,” Keiser said. “We built between 50 and 70 homes per year in Palm Beach, St. Lucie and Lee counties. In 2006-07, we closed our business… I went into property management and obtained my CAM license. I was with First Service Residential for 7 years and managed 11 HOA and condo associations in Wellington. I have had my real estate license since 1996. In 2013, I decided to jump back into the real estate industry full time.”

Both women know they’re fortunate to have found in each other a partner who not only complements their own strengths but can also be counted on to go the extra mile to deliver the high level of service expected by Engel & Völkers clients.

“Our firm offers concierge service,” Jenard said. “We begin with a client and continue through the entire process with them and remain there for them far beyond the transaction.”

“Kim and I specialize in the equestrian and luxury markets,” Keiser added. However, no client or their needs are too big or too small.”

She noted that both have backgrounds in the customer service industry. “This is an asset because our goal is not only to represent our clients one time, but rather to develop lasting relationships so that we can assist them through the years whether they are buying, selling, renting or leasing property,” Keiser explained. “Our concierge approach helps make the process stress free.”

Both of their husbands are state licensed contractors in the custom and luxury home market, “which has helped develop and grow our knowledge of the industry and provides a great resource for us and our clientele,” Keiser said.

Jenard and Keiser enjoy working with each other and feel their approach helps their clients.

“We try to be excellent and exceed our clients’ expectations,” Jenard said. “Having two of us allows us to do this.”

The Engel & Völkers office in Wellington is located at 10620 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 40. To contact Kim Jenard, call (561) 644-9650. To reach Betsy Keiser, call (561) 644-0438.

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Feature Stories

Trent Frazier Dominates The Basketball Court At Wellington High School

Trent Frazier Dominates The Basketball Court At Wellington High School

Story by Y.A. Teitelbaum • Photos by Gene Nardi

Trent Frazier is easily recognizable on and off the basketball court. On the court, the Wellington High School guard is generally acknowledged as the most talented player in school history. The slender 6-foot-2, 170-pound varsity star is equally adept showing off his signature left-handed jumper from the corner or a dribble-drive through three defenders to get to the rim.

On Nov. 9, the lightning-fast Frazier signed his national letter of intent to play for the University of Illinois in the physical Big Ten Conference.

Frazier has been working hard to improve his game, especially his scoring. Heading into his final year, he had scored 887 points, and at his current pace will likely finish among the school’s all-time leading scorers.

As a sophomore, Wellington won the Class 8A state title 57-56 over Oviedo’s Hagerty High School in 2015 when Frazier sank the winning free throw with one second remaining. As a junior, Wellington lost in the regional final to eventual state champion Coral Springs High School in double overtime.

Frazier started his senior season in style, scoring 43 points, including the game-winner on a tip-in of a teammate’s missed free throw. His quickness with the ball and burst on his first step allows him to easily defeat defenses. How far the Wolverines advance in the playoffs in February remains to be seen. But his legacy is secure.

“Trent is a joy to be around,” said Wellington head coach Matt Colin, whose team amassed a 54-8 record over the last two seasons heading into Frazier’s senior year. “He’s a great kid; he works hard. He’s the first one in and last one out. I have to kick him out of the gym.”

Off the court, Frazier approached his senior season sporting an Odell Beckham Jr. hairstyle — the so-called burst-and-fade with the longer top dyed blonde.

“I like to dance, and because he likes to dance [after a touchdown], and I saw the hair, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s cool and interesting.’ So, I decided to do it,” Frazier explained of his summer decision. “If he changes [his hairstyle], I don’t know about that. I like this style.”

Frazier, who is the second oldest of four children, moved to Wellington from Boynton Beach about three years ago with his parents. His mother is a medical assistant at MD Now and his father is a chef at Salt7 in Delray Beach.

“The biggest thing I learned from my parents is hard work,” Frazier said. “They work really hard for us. They’ve been together a long time. It has been a blessing… Coming up, we really didn’t have a lot of money. They would work two jobs.”

Frazier smiles when talking about his slight frame and wonders why he doesn’t weigh more because of his father’s skills in the kitchen.

“Nah, I can’t cook; I’ll burn up some macaroni,” laughed Frazier, whose nickname is “TF.” “I don’t eat a lot. I need to get more food in my body. Actually I eat a lot, it’s just my body. I think I play too much basketball. It’s just weird.”

He is close to his family.

“My little brother, he loves to cook, he bakes cakes all the time, the kid’s good,” Frazier said. “He’s got my dad’s abilities. I’m really a mama’s boy. I love my mom. I go to my mom for anything.”

Frazier’s father, Rondell, played basketball at Santaluces High School and started his son at age five. By 13, he was playing against much older competition and receiving tough love from his dad.

“I was a little harder on him, so he would go to his mom,” Rondell Frazier admitted.

But the two have a very good relationship and usually share a post-game hug on the court.

Like many athletes, Frazier enjoys following a routine, whether it’s during practice or a game. His pregame routine includes dancing with his teammates to loud music in the locker room.

“That’s fun; it gets our blood rushing,” said Frazier, who said his favorite artists are Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.

He also takes time for a prayer before going onto the court.

“Having God by my side is an extra hand. He helps me a lot. The skills and talents he gave me. I just pray before the game. It gives me a lot of strength,” Frazier said.

Once on the court, with his good luck long-sleeved white T-shirt under his jersey, Frazier shoots until he hits a three-pointer to get his “rhythm and flow going” before heading to the huddle.

“The long-sleeved T-shirt, that’s my tradition. I have to wear that,” Frazier said. “The first game when I tried it on, I had an amazing game. I’ve worn it ever since, the same one every game.”

Another routine is his pre-game meal — three double cheeseburgers and sweet tea that his father prepares for him.

“He was a very picky eater,” Rondell Frazier said.

Frazier is looking forward to going to college, although he has some trepidation because of the cold-weather climate up north. In high school, Frazier enjoys his economics class but said history is his favorite.

“I’ve got nothing warm to wear, not right now,” Frazier said. “I’ve never seen snow before. I’ll get used to it. I can’t wait to get up there.”

Frazier turned 18 on Sept. 8 and his friends took him out to dinner, where he enjoyed one of his favorite meals, a cheeseburger.

“It’s just a blessing to make it another year,” Frazier said. “Moving to Wellington was the biggest move of my life. It was pretty rough down there [in Boynton Beach], growing up and living in the projects. I didn’t go outside; I stayed inside with my family. I don’t like the violent stuff, so I stayed to myself and focused on basketball. It was a great change for me and my parents.”

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Prime Ribeye Done Right At The Grille In Wellington

Prime Ribeye Done Right At The Grille In Wellington

Story and Photos by Julie Unger

The Grille Fashion Cuisine, one of four Fashion Cuisine restaurants owned by restaurateurs Juan Gando and Dustin Parfitt, has been serving its extraordinary fine dining to the Wellington community since 2011.

Parfitt, an accomplished chef, is always looking to bring new and innovative creations to the popular restaurant located on South Shore Blvd. in the heart of Wellington.

Last year, he said, a culinary trend was to use Brussels sprouts. This year, another vegetable is in style.

“Cauliflower is kind of in this year,” Parfitt explained. “This year, we’ve tried to do some fun things with cauliflower.”

As its signature dish, the Grille is featuring the 16-ounce Prime Ribeye.

“It features a cauliflower puree, pancetta, asparagus and a red wine reduction. I feel like it best represents the Grille,” Parfitt said. “Our theme for the restaurant, when we first opened here, was to have a Wellington steakhouse. Doing a steak as the signature dish says that.”

The Prime Ribeye, Parfitt’s favorite, comes from Bush Brothers’ Creekstone Farms. Under the steak is a white cauliflower puree, with roasted cauliflower, shaved asparagus and crispy pancetta in a red wine reduction, garnished with microgreens.

This unique meal is presented on a board, showing off the colors and texture of the masterpiece.

General Manager Amer Marukic takes great pride in the steak dishes offered at the Grille. “They’re the best in town,” Marukic said.

The Grille has expanded its offerings to cater to the community, Marukic said, but this dish brings it back to its roots.

Other popular steak dishes include the Filet Mignon, Grilled New York Strip and Teriyaki Wagyu Sirloin. The Grille also offers many other top-quality meals.

“One of our best-kept secrets is our gourmet pizza. You can’t get a gourmet pizza anywhere around here like the ones we have,” Parfitt said.

Popular pizzas include the Spicy Sausage Pizza with cherry peppers, mozzarella, pomodoro, kale, onion, parmigiano and basil; the Pesto Pizza with pistachio pesto, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, roasted tomatoes and arugula; and the Wild Mushroom Pizza with arugula, fresh mozzarella, aged balsamic, parmigiano and truffle oil.

Always innovating, there are many new appetizers on the menu, including the Juan Tons, named as a play on words after co-owner Juan Gando. The dish features spiced chicken, avocado yogurt and pico de gallo. You will also want to try the Pimento Cheese Fritters with a Sriracha jam; the Tuna Cigars with ahi tuna, avocado puree and citrus soy; and the Crispy Duck Wings with a sweet and spicy glaze, pickled carrots and celery.

Salads, unique pasta dishes, seafood, steaks and other special dishes round out the menu.

The Grille isn’t just a fine eatery, Parfitt noted. It’s also a popular community hotspot. “One thing that the Grille is really well-known for in town is it is pretty much the number one club out here,” Parfitt said.

The restaurant transforms into a nightclub on Thursday night and throughout the weekend, Marukic said, noting that everyone knows him as “Prince Amer” — Amer means Prince in Arabic — and years ago, when Marukic held his birthday party at the restaurant, it became a nickname that stuck.

Frequently, when restaurants attempt to transition into nightclubs, they aren’t successful. However, the Grille has mastered the balance. There are bands, theme nights and special events. After Sunday polo, the Grille offers an after-party extension of the excitement of the day.

The Grille is part of the Fashion Cuisine family that includes Oli’s, the Seahorse and the White Horse Tavern. Each establishment has its own unique menu and atmosphere.

The Grille offers catering, takeout, online reservations, a private room for parties and more.

The Grille Fashion Cuisine is located at 12300 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 793-2110, e-mail thegrillefashioncuisine@gmail.com or visit www.thegrillefashioncuisine.com.

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Feature Stories

Brooke USA Ambassador Visits Nonprofit’s Project In Guatemala

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Brooke USA Ambassador Visits Nonprofit’s Project In Guatemala

Story by Sarah Harper

Photos courtesy Enrique Urdaneta Photography

At the heart of Nic Roldan’s life as a professional polo player is his love of horses. While his polo ponies live in equine luxury, Roldan is acutely aware that many horses, donkeys and mules around the world do not share such a comfortable existence.

This dichotomy is what compelled him last year to become an ambassador for Brooke USA, the American fundraising arm of Brooke, the largest international equine welfare organization dedicated to improving the lives of working equines in the poorest countries of the world, and the communities that depend on them.

Since joining Brooke USA as an ambassador, Roldan has worked to raise money and awareness about the plight of working equines around the world. Last March, he hosted Nic Roldan’s Sunset Polo & White Party, which raised more than $140,000 for Brooke USA, and the annual event will return on March 24, 2017 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington.

In September, the Wellington resident traveled to Guatemala to experience firsthand Brooke’s commitment to improving the lives of working equines. Roldan spent seven days in Guatemala visiting communities in the Zacapa and Quiche regions, seeing for himself the work that Brooke Guatemala/ESAP is conducting.

“I was blown away by the number of people who rely on their donkeys to carry their essentials, such as wood, water and other goods,” Roldan said. “It was an emotional experience to see how these people live, how proud they are and how enthused they are to learn. It was truly inspirational. It was amazing to see where the funds that Brooke USA raises are being used.”

Most of Guatemala’s large working equine population is used for transporting agricultural products, namely produce and firewood. Reaching working horses, donkeys and mules, and their owners and users, is problematic in much of Guatemala due to the mountainous terrain and remote communities. The geography makes it difficult for animals to receive the necessary healthcare to continue their jobs providing a livelihood for their impoverished owners.

Roldan’s first stop was the mountainous region of Zacapa, located seven hours from the capital of Guatemala City. The team visited two project communities, where a team from Brooke was providing an educational program to local residents on parasites, as well as hands-on practical lessons in equine welfare.

The highland areas of Zacapa are prone to drought. Roldan saw one of the ongoing efforts put in place by Brooke to combat this issue. Brooke provided bags of drought-tolerant grass seed for owners to grow forage for their working equines, even when drought conditions would not normally allow grass to grow. This is just one example of the ways in which Brooke adapts its programs to fit the needs of a specific community.

During a visit to a small mountain community, Roldan got an idea of how difficult the lives of Guatemala’s working equines can be. This community had no local water supply. Donkeys are used to walk down to the river to get water and haul it back. Roldan and Brooke USA’s team completed the hike themselves to experience a day in the life of a donkey.

“We went to visit a man who has three mules he uses to fetch wood,” Roldan recalled. “He was having trouble with one of them, so the Brooke team was helping by teaching him how to handle his mule correctly so that it could be a more useful asset. It’s great to see how they take the time to explain how to handle these working equines correctly.”

Roldan and the Brooke USA team also spent time in Quiche, a community where Brooke has had a long-term presence. This area, roughly five hours northwest of the capital, has a lush alpine landscape and a high level of poverty. In this area, working animals suffer due to poor hoof condition, lameness, high tick infestation and wounds. They met a local man, Don Roberto, who was taught to shoe the working equines of the local community by Brooke.

“Don Roberto remodeled a common pair of pliers into hoof clippers,” Roldan said. “It was great to see the work he did, and how amazing all of Brooke’s field staff are — caring, welcoming, professional. I’m very proud to be a part of this organization.”

Brooke places a great deal of emphasis on the importance of education and how it can positively affect the welfare of the animals and the livelihoods of the owners in an entire community. Brooke’s work has an intense ripple effect, helping not only working equines, but the families who depend on them and the community as a whole.

For Roldan, the trip brought home the importance of the work that Brooke does for working equines around the world and continues to motivate him as he works as a Brooke USA ambassador to raise money and awareness.

To learn more about Brooke USA, visit www.brookeusa.org.

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