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Feature Stories

Glades Day School Provides Students With Strong Academics In A Family Atmosphere

Glades Day School Provides Students With Strong Academics In A Family Atmosphere

Glades Day School was founded in 1965 with a commitment to provide a safe family environment while inspiring all of its students to be leaders academically, athletically and spiritually.

The school offers Advanced Placement, honors and college preparatory courses, along with computer and technology programs, dual enrollment, Florida Virtual School courses, foreign language and fine arts programs, educational travel programs and an agri-science program.

Extracurricular activities include Academic Games; clubs such as drama, garden, math and robotics; journalism; student council; the yearbook committee; the National Future Farmers of America organization; the Spanish Honor Society, the National Honor Society and the National Junior Honor Society; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Being a small, independent school located in the heart of the state’s largest agricultural area, Glades Day School strives to provide an affordable college preparatory education to its diverse student body.

“Our students come with many goals and aspirations, ranging from attending an Ivy League institution to earning certification from a trade school to pursuing a career in the agriculture industry,” explained Cindy Lamoureux, spokesperson for the school. “Glades Day School approaches this challenge through its employment of the best and brightest educators, who are dedicated, compassionate and committed to the students of our community.”

Every student is considered a success story at Glades Day School, Lamoureux said.

“Once graduates take their place in the world, they are able to pursue their dreams and goals in whichever career path they choose,” she said. “A great example is Markenson Pierre, a 2004 graduate who went on to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was a four-year letterman on the football team as a defensive back. He received his bachelor’s degree from West Point in 2009. After graduating, he was commissioned in the U.S. Army as a logistics officer and served as an ammunitions platoon leader in Fort Hood, Texas, for a year and a half before deploying to Iraq. Upon his return from Iraq, he returned to Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga., and spent two years serving as company commander of an advanced individual training unit. After completing that command, he left the Army and began law school at the University of Alabama School of Law, where he is currently finishing his second of three years. His brother, currently a senior at Glades Day, plans to follow his brother’s lead to West Point.”

The school, often a family tradition, attracts a number of students from the Wellington area.

“As an outsider to the community, I was hesitant about sending my children to Glades Day School, where my wife had graduated 30 years earlier, being unsure about the education they would receive and the opportunities that would be afforded them,” said Matthew Roberts of Wellington.

They considered a number of other private schools before choosing Glades Day School.

“It wasn’t until I stopped by the school during lunch to drop off some books for my daughter that I realized we had made the right decision,” Roberts said. “I witnessed first-hand the family environment that was unlike anything I had experienced. Because of the encouragement and direction my children received at Glades Day, they were all accepted to the university of their choice — the University of Florida. Our two oldest graduated from UF with honors and are currently attending law school at the University of Florida and Emory University. Our youngest is also on track to graduate with honors and continue into grad school at the University of Florida.”

Glades Day School is located at 400 Gator Blvd. in Belle Glade. For more information, call (561) 996-6769 or visit

www.gladesdayschool.com.

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Feature Stories

American Heritage School Offers Challenging Courses To Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders

American Heritage School Offers Challenging Courses To Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders

The Boca/Delray campus of the American Heritage School was established in 1999 with a mission “to graduate students who are prepared in mind, body and spirit to meet the requirements of the colleges of their choice.”

To this end, the private school offers a challenging college preparatory curriculum, integrated technology, exceptional guidance, leadership opportunities, and superior programs in the arts and athletics.

“The students at American Heritage are uniquely prepared to be leaders of the 21st century who embody knowledge, integrity and compassion,” said Melanie Hoffman, public relations director for the school. “The energy felt throughout American Heritage’s college preparatory school is powered by the pursuit of knowledge, beginning in PK3 through grade 12.”

On the campus, every student uses an iPad. In the Lower School, advanced courses are offered in all subjects, including the Stanford University math program for accelerated math students, and 15 electives are integrated into students’ daily schedules, Hoffman said.

In the Upper School, a selection of more than 200 different courses is offered, including 95 honors courses, 22 Advanced Placement courses and 60 fine arts courses. “Students can also explore career opportunities in pre-med and pre-law through a college-level pre-professional program,” Hoffman said. “Classes are taught daily by practicing physicians, surgeons, attorneys and circuit court judges.”

The 40-acre American Heritage School Boca/Delray campus resembles a small college in size and design. Facilities include investigative science labs facilitated by doctoral research scientists, engineering and robotics labs, a mock courtroom, media centers, outdoor environmental classrooms, two black box theatres, a state-of-the-art fine arts building, an Olympic-sized pool, sports fields and quiet courtyard areas.

“We are proud of all our students and their abilities to excel, not only in academics, the arts and athletics, but also as compassionate and respectful leaders in their community,” American Heritage School Vice President Dr. Douglas Laurie said. “Our students feel at home here at American Heritage School, which gives them the confidence to set high goals for themselves and succeed.”

One of the school’s many success stories is Jesse Fox, recalled Lisa LeFevre, high school principal at American Heritage.

“Jesse came to meet with me as a 10th grader shortly after I became high school principal with ideas of what could make the student experience here better,” LeFevre said. “He also let me know his dream was to go to the University of Pennsylvania, and he was already planning his college essay for them. Throughout high school at American Heritage, Jesse took advantage of many opportunities for leadership positions, community involvement, academic competitions and club activities. This, combined with his extremely rigorous course load, helped him achieve his dream, as he was accepted early decision into UPenn. To me, the greatest success is seeing our students achieve their goals.”

Rigorous course loads are common at American Heritage School, Hoffman said. However, the school also encourages students to achieve balance in their lives. “Our students take extremely challenging course loads and are involved in the arts, athletics, clubs and community service activities,” she said. “With so much on their plates, it’s often hard for them to balance it all. We stress the teaching of time management and how to work smarter. We want to be sure, as they move into college, that they are fully prepared to take on any and all challenges, so they can continue to reach their fullest potential. Our alumni always come back and tell us how they were more than prepared for their college courses and college life.”

The American Heritage School is located at 6200 Linton Blvd., just east of Jog Road, in Delray Beach. For more information, call (561) 495-7272 or visit www.ahschool.com.

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Feature Stories

Dressage Rider Gardy Bloemers Finds The Perfect Fit In Wellington

Dressage Rider Gardy Bloemers Finds The Perfect Fit In Wellington

With both of her horses competing in Small Tour, Gardy Bloemers, a competitive dressage rider and wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch, recently wrapped up another successful season in Wellington and found the perfect balance between her professional career, riding and volunteer work.

Originally from The Netherlands, Bloemers started her career at a young age, riding ponies and trail riding on her family farm. Throughout college and her early professional career, which involved significant international travel, Bloemers had the opportunity to ride on a diverse range of horses until she settled in the United States and purchased a horse of her own.

That path led her to the sport of dressage, a passion that still holds her in its grasp years later, not only through her personal endeavors, but in her leadership roles in several dressage organizations. “Dressage becomes addictive because you can always improve,” Bloemers explained. “There is so much to achieve, and for people who tend to have Type A personalities, it’s the perfect kind of sport. It’s really fun, and I love the competitive aspects associated with showing.”

Experiencing Wellington’s one-of-a-kind winter equestrian environment for the first time in 2014, Bloemers became enthralled with the area and quickly saw what a great fit it would be for her professional and personal lifestyle. “I realized that Wellington is a perfect environment to enable me to excel in dressage and my business,” Bloemers said. “I found a groove, so I decided to increase my stay each year in Wellington to get the most out of the experience.”

During the winter season, Bloemers rises bright and early to drive to Blue Marlin Stables, located in the Little Ranches community, to ride her two horses, Crusedor and Chios KK, before her work schedule begins for the day. This winter, she successfully competed in the national show ring at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival under the watchful eye of her trainer, George Williams, president of the United States Dressage Federation.

“George, together with his team at Williams Dressage, provide a great support infrastructure with high-quality grooms and care, which enables me to balance my riding with my career,” Bloemers said. “After my lessons, I normally go to work either out of my home or out of our Palm Beach office. Of course, I do travel back and forth between Charlottesville, Va., and Wellington regularly during the season, and will flip my riding schedule to accommodate morning meetings and calls. We all need to be flexible to make this work, and I am grateful to everyone who supports me in the pursuit of this passion.”

As a wealth management advisor for Merrill Lynch, Bloemers is part of a growing team that provides wealth management resources to individuals and families in the southeast region of the United States. The close-knit team, consisting of Bloemers, her business partner, Glenn Bannan, a third financial advisor and their assistant, is always looking to grow their business and speak with those interested in their services, welcoming several new clients each year.

“Being in Wellington, especially in the equestrian world, puts you at the epicenter of dressage in the United States,” Bloemers said. “It gives you the ability to see and compete against riders at the highest level. I believe this competitive edge, honed in the dressage ring, has spilled over into my own professional life. With careful planning, I am able to fit this all into my life, including making the time to actively support causes important to me both in Wellington and Virginia.”

Her philanthropic efforts are seen in Wellington through her contributions to the dressage foundation’s events throughout the community and American Equestrians Got Talent, a talent search event held during the winter equestrian season that raises money for high-performance programs in the United States. This year she also co-hosted a get-together for the Virginia Horse Center Foundation’s advisory board and board, of which she is a member of the executive committee. In addition, she was a sponsor of this year’s USDF’s Trainer’s Conference at High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee.

In March, US Equestrian announced a new national committee to aid in overseeing and supporting the development of the sport of dressage, and Bloemers is proud to be on the committee. It is responsible for the sport’s development, organization, rules, licensing changes and handling any issues that may arise. The new US Equestrian Dressage Sport Committee consists of five US Equestrian and five USDF appointments, many of whom are based in Wellington during the winter, along with athletes Chris Hickey, Katherine Bateson-Chandler and Pierre St. Jacques.

“Even though the season is over, my husband and I cannot wait to return in the fall,” Bloemers said. “Wellington is wonderfully addictive.”

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Wellington Health

Patricia Cepeda-Russell Of MPCI Treats Patients Using Their Own Culture And Diversity

Patricia Cepeda-Russell Of MPCI Treats Patients Using Their Own Culture And Diversity

Mental health counselor Patricia Cepeda-Russell has been a child advocate for more than 20 years, working in case management, placement and as a therapist. She most recently turned her talents to Multilingual Psychotherapy Centers Inc. (MPCI) as a mental health practitioner serving the western communities of Palm Beach County.

Cepeda-Russell’s specialty is Therapeutic Behavioral On Site (TBOS) for Spanish speakers, which means she works to help change unwanted behaviors, such as oppositional defiance, adjustment disorder or other mal-adaptive behaviors that impede family harmony or success in school.

“I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is based on the idea that your thoughts influence your feelings, which then influence your actions,” Cepeda-Russell explained. “A popular example is, ‘I think, I feel, I do.’ I also utilize play therapy to build rapport and trust with children, as well as a way of gleaning pertinent information about their feelings. What makes MPCI special is our diversity and ability to bring therapy to people in their own language and with consideration to their culture.”

Cepeda-Russell sees weekly changes in clients who are frustrated with their lack of language skills, who are now learning to express their feelings.

“I have teens who are changing their negative coping mechanisms due to sexual abuse, to positive ones,” she said. “I have families that are learning new parenting techniques that are helping their kids adjust to major life changes.”

Cepeda-Russell’s personal life experiences give her an edge when it comes to helping Spanish-speaking clients.

“I am first-generation American, and English is my second language,” she said. “I can understand the challenges and frustrations that my young clients are feeling, because I have been there. I am also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and know first-hand what that looks like to a teenaged girl.”

Cepeda-Russell has turned her own negative experiences into a positive, not only for her clients, but for herself. “I get the privilege of modeling assimilation, positive coping skills and hope to my clients,” she explained.

She often uses a particular source, a helpful book titled From Obstacles to Opportunities, which was published in 2013 by WestBow Press and just happens to have been written by Cepeda-Russell herself. It can be found on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format.

Multilingual Psychotherapy Centers Inc. is a community mental health/behavioral health agency that serves children, adolescent, adults and their families in Palm Beach County. Established in 1997, its mission is to improve the lives of children and families through their diversity while considering their cultural background, speaking their own language and providing the mental health services they need.

MPCI works through its office, as well as on site in homes, shelters and schools — wherever the need arises — to alleviate emotional, behavioral and mental difficulties, improve their clients’ quality of life, and prevent the need for a more restrictive placement. Together with psychotherapy, MPCI provides case management services, psychological services and psychiatric services.

Multilingual Psychotherapy Centers Inc. is located at 1639 Forum Place in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 712-8821 or visit www.mpcipbc.com.

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Wellington Home

Bright And Airy Palm Beach Polo Home Features A Spacious, Contemporary Vibe

Bright And Airy Palm Beach Polo Home Features A Spacious, Contemporary Vibe

This bright and airy five-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bath home is located in the Oak Tree Estates section of the Palm Beach Polo neighborhood. The single-story, ranch-style home has a spacious, contemporary vibe with nearly 5,000 square feet of interior space, its own pool and a two-car garage with extra space for storage. A whole house generator keeps things running smoothly no matter the weather. Palm Beach Polo features a manned security gate with amenities that include two golf courses, a clubhouse with an exercise room and pool, sidewalks, street lights and miles of winding paths perfect for running or biking.

 

Entryway: Make a grand entrance into this foyer, then step down into the formal living room and dining area. French doors just inside the front door lead to a convenient home office, which also serves as a fifth bedroom with a full bath and closet.

 

Family Room: Off-camera, the kitchen opens into this breakfast area and comfortable family room. The space features wonderful views of the outdoors through angled clerestory windows and glass doors across the whole back of the house.

 

Living Room: A wood-burning fireplace and plenty of natural light ensures that this living room lives up to its name. The homeowners and guests alike will find it to be a convenient and comfortable place to gather.

 

Kitchen: High-end Wolf appliances are the stars of this kitchen, which also features granite countertops, double wall ovens, and a huge cook’s island with sink and stovetop. There’s plenty of storage in the kitchen, including ample cabinetry and a pantry. The open plan lets the cook look out into the family room.

 

Dining Room: This dining room is easily decked out for formal holiday gatherings. The open floor plan allows the hosts to include everyone in the party, whether they’re indoors or out. Vaulted sloped ceilings, triple French doors opening to the patio and a fireplace with plenty of vertical space give this great room its pop of pizzazz.

 

Master Bath: This master bath features the same marble flooring that extends throughout the home. A custom-made, oversized two-person Jacuzzi tub is one option, while the separate walk-in shower is another. The marble countertops extend off-camera to include two sinks and recessed lighting that keeps everything light and bright.

 

Guest Bedrooms: A split bedroom plan assures privacy in the master bedroom, while each of the four generously sized guest bedrooms has its own bathroom and ceiling fan. There is also a powder room off the living room. The guest rooms also feature toe-friendly carpet and walk-in closets, while the master bedroom has dual closets and a dressing area, as well as its large bath. A central vacuum system makes it easy to keep everything dust-free.

 

Pool Deck: The freshwater pool looks out over the action taking place on Palm Beach Polo’s 18-hole Dunes golf course. Situated on one of the neighborhood’s interior waterways, the pool deck offers spectacular, relaxing views.

 

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Wellington Table - Signature Dish

Los Agaves Offers Great Food In An Authentic Mexican Atmosphere

Los Agaves Offers Great Food In An Authentic Mexican Atmosphere

Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant is part of a family of three authentic Mexican restaurants in Palm Beach County: Los Agaves in Royal Palm Beach, Casa Tequila Mexican Cuisine in Wellington and Rancho Chico Mexican Restaurant in Jupiter.

Fernando Morales Chapman, the managing partner, said the signature dish at Los Agaves is El Patron. There are three options with El Patron, either New York skirt steak, grilled carne asada or pollo asada, along with rice and beans, and shrimp al mojo de ajo. The most popular version is with the steak.

“It’s our main dish. It’s the favorite one of everyone,” Chapman said. “It’s skirt steak with rice and beans, we get grilled shrimp with garlic, and we put onions and peppers underneath as a bed. People love it because it’s really good.”

The menu features traditional Mexican food. Salvador Gutierrez, the restaurant’s owner, created El Patron, and it has been a favorite ever since, Chapman added.

The dishes are 13 inches at the restaurant, which offers generous portions. Fajitas — there are multiple types: chicken, steak, shrimp, vegetarian and chicken with steak — are also restaurant favorites.

Los Agaves, and its sister restaurants, are all family owned and operated. Gutierrez is Chapman’s brother-in-law. Several cousins work at Los Agaves, and Chapman’s wife is another manager. Overall, there are 10 restaurants in the company chain.

The extensive menu features appetizers such as ceviche de camaron, taquitos, quesadillas, queso dip and more, and those can be followed with warm, hearty soups such as the sopa de mariscos (seafood soup) and tortilla soup.

Salads, with shrimp, chicken, tacos and more, offer a lighter meal. Seafood dishes, such as the seafood chimichanga, camarones con tocino and arroz con camarones, offer a fresh taste of the sea. Fajitas and meals such as the asada y mas, carnitas mixtas, brochetas and pork carnitas, offer hearty meals to satisfy any appetite. Burritos are available with chicken, vegetables, beef, picadillo or pork, as are chicken and meat dishes like the chicken mole, tacos al carbon, chile verde and pollo chipotle.

The menu offers authentic recipes that have been adapted from spicy Mexican flavors to be gentler to the American palate, Chapman said. However, all of the items on the menu can be customized to any level of desired spiciness. The only truly spicy item is the camarones a la diabla, shrimp that is sautéed in butter with mushrooms and garlic in a spicy sauce.

When looking around Los Agaves, the colorful, friendly atmosphere jumps out as unique and interesting. There are colorful, hand-carved and painted wooden chairs made in Mexico in the middle of the restaurant.  “There’s no chair that is alike,” Chapman said. “They’re all different.”

On a trip to Mexico, the owners found a street artist with hand-painted and hand-carved chairs. They placed a large order for the chairs with the Mexican artist to outfit many of the restaurants and brought them to the U.S. to decorate and add a colorful flair. “Most of our decoration is from Mexico,” Chapman said.

The wooden booths, the barstools, the chairs, the chandeliers and other accessories are brought in from Mexico. “We try to incorporate all of the real colors,” he said.

The restaurant is decorated like a traditional indoor/outdoor restaurant, with seating, a cantina and separate areas.

“The idea was to recreate that, with a United States version,” Chapman said. “It has an authentic look. It really makes you feel like you’re in Mexico. If you’ve ever been to Mexico, those little family-owned hometown restaurants, they’ll be something like this.”

The biggest difference, Chapman said, is that everything is under a roof, and, of course, there’s air conditioning.

A full bar, modeled like a Mexican cantina, offers a wide variety of drinks to accompany any of Los Agaves’ meals, or for gatherings of friends. The house margarita and classic margaritas are well-known, Chapman said.

The best way to end a meal at Los Agaves, he added, is with one of the sweet desserts such as fried ice cream, traditional flan, churros, and, Chapman’s favorite, the cheesecake chimichanga — creamy cheesecake put into a special tortilla, rolled and deep fried, then cut in the middle and topped with whipped cream. There are often requests for large flan orders for parties and special events.

Los Agaves also features a children’s menu. The restaurant offers takeout, private parties and reservations for up to 10 people. There’s a happy hour every day from 3 to 7 p.m. Every Thursday night, there’s live music.

Los Agaves Mexican Restaurant is located in the Village Royale shopping plaza at 1179 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The restaurant is open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call (561) 798-1229 or visit www.losagavesfl.com.

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Feature Stories

Consign & Design’s Nanci Smith Brings A Lifetime Of Experience

Consign & Design’s Nanci Smith Brings A Lifetime Of Experience

Nanci Smith of Consign & Design has had a lifetime of design experience. “My mother was an interior designer in Washington, D.C. Growing up, I pretty much trailed along with her to all the design stores. I just always did it for friends, and then I wanted to do it for a career,” Smith recalled. “That’s how it started.”

As an adult, Smith worked in department stores for 25 years. She saw them combining and decided that it was time to begin her own business.

“In 2001, I opened a small store, 3,900 square feet. Now its 2017, and I have one store in Wellington that’s almost 8,000 square feet, and a store in Palm Beach Gardens that’s 8,200 square feet,” she said.

When Smith started out in 2001, there weren’t many furniture stores nearby. A drive to West Palm Beach was necessary. There are now chain furniture stores nearby, but Consign & Design has established its own niche.

Smith’s store has everything needed to outfit a home. She has a complete wallpaper and fabric room, a team of painters, a license with a cabinet company, and is able to remodel kitchens.

“We can do anything from a remodel to a room arrange,” she said.

Smith attended Kent State University in Ohio and studied graphic design and marketing, which helped her create her vision.

Approximately 80 percent of her clients are local, and about 40 percent are equestrians. As Consign & Design became more popular, clients would ask Smith, and designer Cheryl Rappolt, to look at their homes and help pick their paint colors and other design options. Offering interior decorating services was a natural evolution.

“The first thing is to sit down with a customer,” Smith said. “Find out what they’re looking for. Are they looking for a change in design? Are they’re looking for something completely different than what they have up north? Do they just want a couple of rooms arranged and adjusted? Is it a small project or a large project, and what is my time frame?”

Smith creates design boards, gives clients a few different options, and then works from there. The insight she gains from the design boards helps her with designing the next room.

An ideal project, she said, is when the customer knows what they want and is willing to let the decorator take the lead. “If you hire a decorator, you should let the decorator go as much as possible,” Smith said.

Every week, Consign & Design receives a new shipment of product. Approximately 80 percent of the store’s goods are consignment, with 20 percent new. Smith focuses on gift-type items during the equestrian season and visits Atlanta annually for more items.

At Design & Consign, the approach to a project is not aggressive.

“It always starts with putting a design board together that the clients are going to be happy with,” Smith said. “We work really easy with the customer. We’re right around the corner. We can be at your house at a moment’s notice. We can bring the wallpaper and fabrics to you. You can come to us. We do anything from color consultations only to full room designs and full remodeling. It’s just a matter of how big your idea is.”

Smith enjoys installing a project without the client, so the end result, along with any extra touches that are added, is a surprise. It’s all about seeing the reaction for Smith.

Once she was working with a lawyer, redesigning his office. He warned her that he wasn’t easily impressed.

“He walked in, literally had his hands over his head and was jumping up and down calling his girlfriend about how beautiful it was,” she recalled.

Since then, she has worked on multiple offices and homes for that client.

A successful project requires good communication. Letting someone know what you really want, Smith said, is imperative and can be done through pulling pages from magazines, gathering fabrics, coming to the store to look at fabrics and wallpaper, and together coming up with a plan for the home or office.

“We’re always willing to work with the client to make sure they’re happy with their home,” she said. “If there’s anything they’re not happy with, we’re right around the corner and can switch it up.”

In her spare time, Smith has a passion for working with, and for, dogs. She and her company work with various groups, including Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Danny & Ron’s Rescue to help animals in need.

Smith has two dogs, including one that was adopted from Afghanistan. Smith saw an article about an animal rescue in that war-torn country with a picture of Bethanny, an Anatolian shepherd, who is now four years old.

In the store’s efforts to support animals, Consign & Design participates in Small Business Saturday and carries calendars from Danny and Ron’s Rescue, in addition to making donations.

Consign & Design is located at 13857 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Marketplace. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For additional information, call (561) 798-5222 or visit www. myconsignanddesign.com or www.facebook.com/ConsignDesign.

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Wellington Real Estate

Jeff Browning And Larry Moffett Of Bowen Realty Specialize In Residential Real Estate

Jeff Browning And Larry Moffett Of Bowen Realty Specialize In Residential Real Estate

Jeff Browning and Larry Moffett of Bowen Realty could not have had more different beginnings. Browning grew up in a coal mining area of West Virginia, while Moffett is a Miami native.

A graduate of the West Virginia Institute of Technology, Browning started out working on large-scale construction projects in the nuclear power industry, eventually becoming licensed as a general contractor. Moffett earned his degree in secondary education and became a teacher at Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach.

Today, they’re working as a team at Bowen Realty. What binds them together is simple: they share the same views when it comes to how business should be conducted.

“My wife and I met Larry and his wife, Cherilyn, at church years ago and quickly realized that we have the same morals and set of ethics,” Browning recalled. “We place a high priority on decency and honesty in our business dealings, as well as our personal lives. In an era where perhaps those values are becoming increasingly more difficult to find, we will not waiver. We feel if you do what’s right to the best of your ability, then it’s a win-win for everyone.”

Both men make sure to provide a transaction process that is as painless as possible.

“At Bowen Realty, we offer a family-oriented atmosphere to our agents and customers,” Moffett said. “We try to take off the pressure of buying and selling a home by being involved in every detail of the transaction.  We want to make the experience an enjoyable journey, not a dreaded, stress-filled task.”

Browning and Moffett specialize in residential real estate. Both men see it as a way to provide a service to their customers and a chance to help their neighbors.

“I enjoy the relationship with people who are trying to make one of the most important decisions of their lives,” Browning said. “The choice of a dwelling in which to raise a family and create a sanctuary is a personal, exhilarating (though sometimes anguishing) choice, and I believe my individual and professional experience in real estate and construction comes across as an advantage for those looking to purchase a home. Likewise, as an agent for a seller and having the background of building homes in this area, I have a unique knowledge and ability to help a seller create a more appealing, saleable home via minor upgrades or improvements.”

Moffett also enjoys working in residential real estate.

“Being in residential real estate allows me the opportunity to help a young married couple who are ready to start a family to find their slice of paradise in the area,” he said. “It also allows me to help those who are transitioning from the workforce to retirement to find a community that will offer things they are interested in.”

Both enjoy their relationship with Bowen Realty.

“Bowen Realty is a totally independent agency, giving agents the ability and authority to make decisions quickly for the best interests of their customers,” Browning said. “Our agents also have a great support system with all of our managers having many years of experience listing and selling real estate. There are many advantages to this organization for both clients and agents.”

Moffett and Browning use those advantages to help their clients.

“Remember, no two real estate transactions are ever the same,” Moffett said. “There will always be a speed bump along the way, and you need an agent who will be there to guide you through the process. That is the experience we provide at Bowen Realty.”

Jeff Browning is based out of the Bowen Realty office at 12769 W. Forest Hill Blvd. To contact him, call (561) 719-2332. Larry Moffett is based out of the Bowen Realty office at 1168 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. To contact him, call (561) 889-9010.

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Feature Stories

Disability Hasn’t Stopped Accomplished Bowler And Rider Heather Pampena

Disability Hasn’t Stopped Accomplished Bowler And Rider Heather Pampena

Almost every Saturday morning from July through November for the last 20 years or so, Heather Pampena patiently practices and competes with the Wellington Strikers bowling team. Pampena was born with a chromosome disorder, but that hasn’t stopped the 33-year-old left-hander.

“She is a courteous athlete, always ready for her turn, and very helpful to the other bowlers, keeping them focused and advising them when it’s their turn,” Strikers coach Ed Conforti said.

Throughout her career, Pampena has won first-place blue ribbons at the Palm Beach County and Special Olympics area games held in Broward County. Several years ago, Pampena had the honor of representing Palm Beach County at the Special Olympics Florida State Games. Her current goal is to participate in the games held in Orlando in December.

“We have athletes with various skill levels, some use ramps, and Heather is always there to help them set up,” Conforti said. “She bowls totally unassisted. She is a delight to watch, and you can’t beat the feeling when she lets it roll and the pins all happen to topple over.”

Though she continues to be an active bowler, Pampena is already a member of the team’s unofficial hall of fame, according to Conforti.

“Bowling is a fun sport; athletes develop social behavior and respect. They care for equipment, know how to be prepared, learn to take turns and learn bowling etiquette,” said Conforti, who admires that Pampena always cheers and supports her teammates during the highs and lows of the game.

Using a purple bowling ball, Pampena has amassed a large box of medals. “Physically, it is so good for her,” said her mother, Gloria.

Pampena also excels at other sports, particularly horseback riding.

Ruth Menor, founder of the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center, began working with Pampena back when the nonprofit was located in a small field in Lake Worth. Pampena followed Menor to the current 15-acre facility in Loxahatchee Groves, which now boasts a large covered arena and 24-stall barn that serves people of all ages with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

“Heather loves the competition, but I think that she loves the experience of being on a team as much or more than being a competitor,” Menor said.  “She is always there to cheer on her teammates.”

After a recent lesson, Pampena made sure she said thank you to the volunteers who helped her that day, as well as her horse. “She loves the horses, loves being around the horses,” said her mother. “She rides once a week, but she would ride more if she could. If she could be out here all the time she would. I like the confidence that it gives her.”

Pampena was the 2013 Rider of the Year at Vinceremos, and she has won gold medals in several major competitions, including at the Special Olympics.

“She has to work really hard because sometimes she becomes anxious, especially in competition,” Menor said. “We are so proud of her accomplishments, but more proud that she has become a compassionate, caring adult that helps others with disabilities.”

Pampena is a morning person and works three days a week at Royal Palm Beach Elementary School.

“Heather has grown up to be able to volunteer at a school helping with other children with special needs,” Menor said.  “She loves the riding and the horses, but most of all she loves sharing the experience with her horse, the volunteers, coaches as well as the other team members.”

Pampena also attends a weekly book club and a weekly dance club. She used to participate in a cycling club, but that conflicted with her riding. When her schedule allows, Pampena is on the sidelines cheering on her friends while they cycle.

“She’s very busy, and she loves to be with her friends,” her mother said. “She’s dedicated, loyal and devoted. And she likes to win.”

Pampena, who has two brothers and two sisters, grew up in Wellington and attended Wellington Landings Middle School and Wellington High School. Her favorite TV show is Cops, with anything on the Food Network a close second. If she’s eating spaghetti, then it’s a good day, according to her mother.

“Heather is sweet and concerned about others,” Menor said. “She likes to be the caretaker. She is always checking in with her friends and accomplishing these interactions with limited verbal communication. She, however, is able to get her message across clearly.”
 “She’s the boss,” added her mother, smiling. “Everybody just does what she says.”

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Feature Stories

Deeridge Farms Showcases Top Hunters At Inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend

Deeridge Farms Showcases Top Hunters At Inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend

Following the success of the inaugural Wellington Masters CSI3*-W in 2016 and this year’s Palm Beach Masters CSI3*-W, Deeridge Farms and the organizers of the CP Palm Beach Masters, presented by Sovaro, created an entirely new event for 2017.

While the 2017 Palm Beach Masters featured exciting world-class show jumpers from around the world in one of seven qualifying events for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Finals, the Deeridge Derby Weekend brought to center stage the outstanding hunter horses and riders that also call Wellington home each winter.

Deeridge Farms is a 300-acre oasis of serenity and beauty in the heart of Wellington owned by Jeremy and Margaret Jacobs, who have been its stewards since 1980. Following the two consecutive World Cup qualifying events, Deeridge Farms proved itself an ideal setting to host prestigious equestrian competitions.

The inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend, presented by the National Horse Show Association of America, for the benefit of the USHJA Foundation, took place March 1-5 and celebrated the nation’s best hunter horses and riders.

The hunter horses and riders competed head-to-head for big prize money on a beautiful, custom-designed grass competition field against the backdrop of Deeridge Farms — the perfect setting to highlight the grace and beauty of the sport. No detail was overlooked, including the popular VIP experience in the Taylor Harris Club, with a sumptuous array of food and beverages in a double-decker ringside tent.

“We were so happy to have the opportunity to host an international hunter derby as well as a pony derby this year at the inaugural Deeridge Derby Weekend,” Katie Jacobs-Robinson said. “We hope everyone enjoyed the new event and had a great time competing.”

The Deeridge Derby Weekend kicked off with lower-level young jumper competition on Wednesday and Thursday. Hunter derby competition heated up on Friday, leading up to the weekend’s feature class: the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by the World Equestrian Center, which consisted of two rounds spanning Saturday and Sunday.

Meagan Murray-Tenuta and Editorial claimed first-place honors in round one of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday. It was stiff competition throughout the duration of the class with 40 horse-and-rider combinations seeking the top spots in the round one standings. Murray-Tenuta, who hails from Zion, Ill., left the ring having earned the highest score between the two judging panels aboard Editorial, owned by Rebecca Price.

The lakeside hunter derby field welcomed back the top 24 horses on Sunday to show off their style and handiness in the second round of competition. While Murray-Tenuta and Editorial led the rankings after the first round, it was Wellington native Kristy Herrera who reigned supreme, crowned the winner of the highly anticipated class aboard Candid, owned by her longtime trainer and mentor, Jennifer Alfano.

While Herrera qualified for the handy phase on both of her entries, Candid and Miss Lucy, it was with Candid that she had the most success. The duo was sitting in second place going into Sunday afternoon’s round, just narrowly missing the first-place spot. “Sheldon,” as he is called back in the barn, has far less experience than Miss Lucy, but that didn’t stop Herrera from riding him to victory.

“Candid was amazing today. This was only his second derby, and he stepped up like a champion. He was so awesome,” Herrera said.

“I want to thank Katie [Jacobs-Robinson] and the Jacobs family, because having hunters go on this beautiful field and having a venue like this to showcase our horses is amazing,” Alfano added.

The Deeridge Farms setting left the riders and spectators with a positive feeling as the show came to a close on Sunday.

“I’m really thankful to have another venue here,” Herrera said. “I show at the Winter Equestrian Festival most of the time when I’m in Wellington, so it’s a nice break to come here. This is a beautiful course they’ve built, and we are lucky to be able to show here.”

Second-place winner Kelli Cruciotti agreed. “It was beautiful,” she said. “The venue — you can’t get anything better. A huge thank you to the Jacobs and Robinson families. I have to say, it is one of the best venues we’ve been at all year.”

Third-place winner Havens Schatt shared similar sentiments. “The venue is incredible, and we are so appreciative as hunter riders to be able to be showcased in a place like this,” she said. “We feel very important, just like these grand prix riders do.”

Jacobs-Robinson thanked all of the horse and rider pairs for making the first Deeridge Derby Weekend a success.

“Thank you so much for coming. It really meant a lot to me to look out and see so many old and new friends,” she said. “You guys really brought a great competition, and it made it really special. We would love to host another Deeridge Derby Weekend in 2018.”

For more information on the Deeridge Derby Weekend, visit www.deeridge.com.

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