Serving The Needs Of Local Pet Parents New Pet Supplies Plus Store Has Opened In The Southern Palm Crossing Shopping Plaza

Story By M. Dennis Taylor  |  Photos By Abner Pedraza

A new, locally owned Pet Supplies Plus store has opened in Royal Palm Beach’s Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza, serving the needs of pet parents throughout the western communities. The store is owned and operated by local entrepreneur Jim Beauchamp.

Some of Beauchamp’s fondest memories from his childhood in Chicago involve the family pets. Growing up, it was usually cats. “My dad was a great animal lover,” he said.

Later, raising his own family of two sons and two daughters into adulthood, allergies meant that the family pets changed to dogs. Most recently was one very special Yorkie-Poo named Cooper, who passed last March at the age of 18.

After a long career working in the information technology and business development field, Beauchamp moved to South Florida in 2014 and continued his 30 years in the IT business, often working online. However, he recently decided to get involved in a field that he has long been passionate about.

“I am now 58, and I wanted to get away from tech and get closer to my passion for animals within our local community,” Beauchamp said. “I was interested in opening a neighborhood pet store with experienced personnel, pet washing and grooming, veterinary services, great brands, aggressive pricing, all high quality with a local commitment to the communities and a dedication to invest in the communities through local events and charities.”

After searching investment opportunities that catered to his interests in pets and animals, he became a franchisee of Pet Supplies Plus, the nation’s largest independent pet store with more than 560 locations.

“I like the business model of Pet Supplies Plus, and the culture of the stores. It expresses my affinity for pets with a kindness and love for animals,” explained Beauchamp, whose franchise group is named Coop Enterprise in honor of his own, much-loved pet.

Beauchamp’s store is conveniently located for all of central Palm Beach County.

“It’s on Southern Blvd., so it is right on the edge of Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, on a major road for the western communities,” he said. “The store offers ‘neighbors,’ as we call our customers, and their pets a one-stop shop for all their pet needs. It is localized, promotes convenience and features a full set of services.”

Pet Supplies Plus strives to make shopping local simple. Visitors to the store can easily find all their favorites at prices to love, whether they choose to shop in store or online using free curbside pickup, same-day delivery or register for autoship right to their door.

The store provides a hassle-free way to find better products for pets, while saving money and celebrating the fun of pet ownership. In addition, the store features amenities such as self-pet wash stations, a knowledgeable pet care team, grooming and carry-out service of heavy items to nearby cars.

“The pet wash is unique, allowing neighbors the convenience of getting a pet washed without all the hassle and supplying all the towels you’d have to wash at home,” Beauchamp said.

As a community partner, Beauchamp will team up with local animal shelters, rescue organizations and nonprofits to host year-round adoption events, fundraisers, and pet food and product drives. “We are in discussions for some exciting sponsorships coming up,” he said.

Getting involved in the community is very important for Pet Supplies Plus.

“I wanted to see how I could impact the community and put down roots in my local market while also honoring the memory of my family dog,” Beauchamp said. “Pet Supplies Plus is truly neighborhood centric and allows me to help on more of a grassroots level. I am excited to build relationships with my neighbors and provide them quality products and customer care. Because we have buying power, we provide all the brands neighbors expect, holistic to unique, at great prices, but because we are independent, we can offer smaller, boutique brands that are harder to find.”

Pet Supplies Plus offers local pet parents a wide selection of natural pet foods, goods and pet services at low prices, and focuses on a unique, rich in-store experience. Pet parents are always welcome to shop with their dogs at the store, where knowledgeable team members are on-site to answer questions, offer tips or just get on their hands and knees to play with pets who enter the store.

The knowledgeable and motivated team will help neighbors find everything they need. Each team member is extensively familiar in the areas of natural and holistic foods and are able to answer a broad range of questions about dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and fish. Store shelves are stocked with the right products, including a wide selection of natural and made-in-the-USA products.

“We didn’t cut any corners on the team,” Beauchamp said. “These are not minimum wage jobs. Everyone is trained and motivated.”

Shoppers can also take advantage of the free Preferred Pet Club, which offers members regular coupons on products they purchase frequently, and monthly specials, resulting in big savings.

Cooper will, of course, be missed, but Beauchamp said he just bought a new aquarium for his home.

“I have kept fish for years, and I am sure I will get another dog eventually, but now it is too fresh,” Beauchamp said.

He invited area residents to visit the new Pet Supplies Plus location to find everything they need for furry, scaly and feathery friends. “It is a great experience for you and your pet,” Beauchamp said.

Pet Supplies Plus Royal Palm Beach is located a 11051 Southern Blvd., Suite 160, in Southern Palm Crossing. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call (561) 345-3151 or visit www.petsuppliesplus.com.

Fun Entertainment And Lasting Friendships The Wellington Seniors Club Provides For The Social Needs Of Older Residents

Story By M. Dennis Taylor  |  Photos by Denise Fleischman

The Wellington Seniors Club has been serving the social needs of older residents in the Village of Wellington for nearly 30 years, creating lasting friendships, fun and entertainment for a vibrant slice of the community’s population.

Eileen Kuhnel is the current president of the Wellington Seniors Club, an independent nonprofit that is open to residents of Wellington age 55 and over. “They join when they can, but then get really active when they retire,” Kuhnel said of the group’s large membership.

Kuhnel stressed that the Wellington Seniors Club was established primarily for recreational activities, and its monthly luncheons and seasonal dinners are, in normal times, among the most well-attended events held in Wellington.

Kuhnel explained that 29 years ago, back in 1992, some 25 members joined the fledgling group. Today, there are more than 650 members, enrolled and active. Currently, the membership rolls are frozen until after the start of 2022.

“Even when people get old enough and they go back home up north to be near their families, they remain members so they get the membership newsletter and can keep up with Florida friends,” she said.

While the club would love to get back to business as usual, the group has been careful during the pandemic to continue providing social events in as safe a fashion as possible.

“These events may include a drive-through box lunch special for 250 people,” Kuhnel said. “Everyone wears a mask, it’s not enclosed, and everyone maintains social distancing.”

She is very proud of the way the club and its membership has travailed the difficult times of the pandemic. “Wellington people seem to take better care of themselves and are more cautious,” Kuhnel said.

However, she is eager to get back to in-person events. “We want to move into the next planning stage,” Kuhnel said. “There are new and exciting ideas depending upon what opens up.”

Previously, the club has taken members on social trips, as well as the luncheons. Kuhnel described some of these adventures, such as airboat rides in the Everglades.

“It was exhilarating,” she said. “All the adventures involve a bus ride with about 55 of your favorite Wellington retirees. That’s because of the size of the buses and restaurants that accommodate us. Other trips are on oceangoing boats, flattops for the backcountry observing trips in the Keys, SeaWorld, the St. John’s River, the Broadway Palm Theatre with buffet dinners in Fort Myers, casino trips, and trips to all your favorite and soon-to-be-favorite area restaurants.”

The club makes it easy for local retirees to participate.

“Everything is planned in advance, there’s a trip coordinator, and your only responsibility is to remember your assigned seating so you will still be close to your friends,” Kuhnel said. “The food and beverages are planned, parking is a breeze and your car stays right in the neighborhood.”

Convenience is key when planning events for local seniors.

“Wellington gives us a designated place to park at the community center. The cars are parked there for the day, and we go off on our event,” she said. “The number of activities in the year are about nine lunches, about 12 of the stepping out programs and the two annual dances.”

Those dances include a holiday dance and a spring dance. The board of directors is traditionally installed during the holiday event.

“The camaraderie is so important,” Kuhnel said. “It’s very easy for seniors to get lonely.”

Not big on social media, the group uses phone trees and a newsletter to keep in contact with members.

Stephanie Parreco serves on the board of directors of the club as the recording secretary and vice president. She got involved six years ago when she moved down from Maryland. Parreco likes getting to know other people in her age group.

“I like to have lunch in there about once a month. The luncheons at the equestrian center are great, and the trips that didn’t go on during the pandemic were missed,” she said. “There’s the ballroom, the box lunches, the different vendors every month or so. It’s entertainment for up to 300 at each luncheon. Before COVID-19, we outgrew the facility, and they had to move us to another location.”

Mae Loglisci currently serves as the corresponding secretary. She has served on the board of directors for 11 of her 22 years in the club.

“It’s nice for fellowship with people of the same age, and a continuity of experience,” Loglisci said. “When we started meeting when I joined, there were 35 to 38 people, and now there are 650-plus. We go to many theaters, casinos and the Japanese gardens. Luncheons are now at the gym at Village Park because we outgrew the [community center] building. There are different caterers and there’s entertainment — it’s a fun, fun group.”

Sports Complex A Win-Win Unique Partnership Leads To The Creation Of A New Sports Complex At Wellington High School

A unique sports partnership is on full display on the campus of Wellington High School. Thanks to a special agreement between the Village of Wellington, the Palm Beach County School District and Wellington High School, the sports facilities at WHS have been improved, upgraded and enhanced.

While the immediate beneficiaries will be the athletic department and the student-athletes at the high school, the residents of Wellington get free access to these new facilities as well when the many Wolverine teams are not playing or practicing.

For this new sports complex to become a reality, the Palm Beach County School District provided the land and the Village of Wellington paid for the facility to be built. The price tag was $12 million. In order for the village to spend public funds on the WHS campus, the school district had to agree to share the facilities with the general public. It became a win-win for all parties involved.

In June, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility took place, which officially opened the multi-use sports complex to the general public and to the Wolverines’ athletic program.

The first phase of the new sports complex was completed last summer when the new synthetic turf football field opened at WHS. The Wolverines’ football team, soccer teams and lacrosse teams used the field for home games during the 2020-21 school year. This field has permanent markings for those three sports.

The other new sports facilities at WHS include eight tennis courts, of which four have pickleball lines, four adjoining multi-purpose fields, three basketball courts, two new batting cages, a kickback wall, a running track and a new building that has two concession stands, bathrooms and a meeting room.

According to Wellington Parks & Recreation Director Eric Juckett, many sports will be played on the massive multi-purpose fields, such as flag football, lacrosse, rugby, soccer and outdoor tournaments that are held in Wellington at various times throughout the year.

Wellington Vice Mayor John McGovern is thrilled to see this new sports complex open and being used by the public.

“It is going to be a great addition for the community,” McGovern said. “It is spectacular, and I think that it is going to be a tremendous addition to our parks and recreation inventory.”

Juckett noted that this sports complex puts Wellington on a different level when compared to other municipalities in Palm Beach County.

“We are truly excited to bring this facility to our residents,” Juckett said. “It creates at-will recreation opportunities, and it will be a direct benefit to the students and residents of the village.”

Juckett said that everybody he has spoken with about this unique recreational complex is delighted with what has been accomplished.

“I honestly have not heard anything negative,” Juckett said. “It has all been very positive and in awe of the complex that was built, along with the relationship we have with the Palm Beach County School District and, specifically, Wellington High School.”

According to Juckett, Wellington residents will have access to open play on the tennis courts and basketball courts during the Village of Wellington hours of use. The fall/spring hours are Monday through Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The summer hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Village of Wellington programming will take priority to open play by the general public.

To learn more about Village of Wellington recreation programs, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/recreation.

A Sport For A Lifetime Wellington Tennis Center Offers A Wide Array Of Programs For Children Through Seniors

The state-of-the-art Wellington Tennis Center, located on Lyons Road, offers programs for every age group, teaching this sport designed for a lifetime and offering open play and tournament play to all Wellington residents.

Director of Tennis Chuck Gill, a USPTA elite professional and a longtime Wellington resident, took over as leader of the facility earlier this year, bringing with him a lifetime of tennis expertise.

“I have been teaching tennis and running tennis operations since I left college,” Gill said. “Serendipitously, my graduation was timed with the peak of the tennis boom, and I started with a management company that operated tennis resorts and clubs. Early on, I had enough business acumen to be successful in the business of tennis. I knew that I loved the game and wanted to be involved in this business. After working at several top resorts, I landed at the Club at Ibis, where I spent the last 24 years growing the program and eventually being the director of sports, where I oversaw tennis, fitness, aquatics and spa.”

Along the way, Gill has been an active tennis volunteer and served as president of the United States Professional Tennis Association, as well as serving on many United States Tennis Association boards and committees.

“Since I began playing tennis at public tennis centers and high schools as a kid, returning to lead a public tennis operation is coming full circle for me,” he said. “I have lived in Wellington for 24 years and always had tennis-playing friends in Wellington. When the position opened up, I was so impressed with the village’s commitment to tennis.”

He lauded the Wellington Village Council and the village staff for having the vision and foresight to build the current Wellington Tennis Center in 2015. Tennis was previously housed at the old Wellington Community Center before that building was razed and rebuilt.

“We have 21 beautiful clay courts with state-of-the-industry underground irrigation,” Gill said. “We also have a clubhouse, pro shop and viewing deck that allows our players to have all of the amenities of a private tennis club at a public tennis center.”

The facility opened in style on June 9, 2015 with an appearance by Venus Williams.

“We have a vibrant and growing junior program for kids of all levels and ages, a complete ladies team program, as well as an active group of men of all ages who frequent the courts,” Gill said.

Thousands of players visit the tennis center each year. “Our junior program starts children as early as age five for our Red Ball program. We have some seniors who are knocking on 90 years young,” Gill said. “Our ladies teams have soccer moms, grandmas and proudly, a few great-grandparents. That is one of the best things about tennis — it is truly the sport of a lifetime.”

The Wellington Tennis Center also hosts tournaments, league play, junior events and more, so new players are always visiting to see all that the facility has to offer.

Fees to use the facility are low when compared to similar tennis centers.

“Being a public facility, our goal is to be inclusive and have everyone able to experience tennis, so price should not be a barrier to play,” Gill said. “Daily court fees start at $12 per person, and annual permits are in the $400 to $500 range per person, and less than $700 for a family. For active players, it is the best value anywhere!”

Gill and his staff offer group and private lessons to all levels. “Cardio tennis and our INTense Hitting session are extremely popular,” he said. “We also offer a ‘love to learn, love to play’ program to help new and returning players get back into tennis and meet others of the same level. Information on all of our programs can be found online or in person at the tennis shop.”

The Wellington Tennis Center caters to players of all levels,

“If you are an avid player, there are several players who were world-class players and some who currently represent the United States in world competitions. The tennis center is also frequented by players who were former college players and played on the ATP or WTA tour,” Gill said. “Of course, our base of players and the vast majority of players are recreational level and enjoy playing socially and local league tennis. Our leagues range from the higher levels in Palm Beach County, to the entry level and everything in between.”

He is expecting a full calendar of tennis events planned over the upcoming year.

“For the first time, we will be hosting a USTA National Championship this fall for the USTA national father/daughter and mother/son tournament,” Gill said. “We will also be hosting matches for the ITF world senior championships next spring when the world’s best senior players visit South Florida. We will be hosting monthly events for juniors with USTA events, and we will be running UTR [Universal Tennis Rating] events as well. These are great opportunities for some of our residents to sample high-level competition without needing to travel around the country.”

Gill’s goal is to make every Wellington tennis player feel at home at their local facility.

“We want to welcome everyone here,” he said. “If you are a local permit holder, this should feel like your home club. If you are visiting for a tournament or event, you should feel equally welcomed. For our youngest players, this should be the place for them to have a great first experience in a sport that they will hopefully play forever. It all starts with a happy and relaxed environment with happy coaches and staff who welcome you to the center each time. If we can be that type of place, we will be successful.”

The Wellington Tennis Center is located at 3100 Lyons Road. For more information, call (561) 791-4775 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/tennis.

It’s All About Teamwork Western Communities Football League Has Been Providing High-Quality Programs For 30 Years

By Mike May

The Western Communities Football League has been providing quality sports programs to residents of the Wellington area since 1992. Youngsters ages 4 to 15 play football and participate in a cheerleading program at the football fields at Village Park in Wellington.

Because of COVID-19, it was all quiet last fall on the gridirons at Village Park, but now tackle football and cheerleading are back, and athletic life on Village Park’s football fields is returning to normal.

Whether it’s tackle football or cheerleading, the WCFL’s goal is to teach each participant about the importance of teamwork, good sportsmanship, self-esteem and trust while promoting healthy minds and healthy bodies, making friends, demonstrating self-control and learning to follow directions while having fun.

According to WCFL President KC Jones, the mission is to promote the enjoyment and involvement of football for players, coaches, cheerleaders and parents.

There are five tackle football age divisions within the WCFL. The youngest group is Ultimate, which is for ages 5 to 7. The per person weight limit is 85.9 pounds. The next group is Prep, which is for ages 8 and 9, with a per person weight limit of 110.9 pounds. The third group is Varsity, which is for ages 11 and 12, with a per person weight limit of 125.9 pounds. The fourth group is Pro, which is for ages 12 and 13, with a per person weight limit of 145.9 pounds, but participants can play while weighing as much as 165 pounds. The oldest age group is High School Prep, which is for ages 14 and 15. There is no weight limit in that division.

WCFL practices are always held on the Village Park football fields. To get involved, the per person registration cost is $299.99.

In addition to being assigned to a team, each football player is provided a game and practice jersey, game pants with integrated pads, socks and a video of all the games.

Safety is a top priority for the league. The WCFL is a certified USA Football Heads Up league. USA Football is the national governing body for amateur American football. USA Football has worked with leaders in both medicine and sport across the country to create a full-featured program that any league or school can use to address key safety issues and ensure that every coach understands and knows how to implement each component of the program.

Last spring, the league offered a girls flag football program for the first time.

All football and cheerleading coaches undergo a background check before taking the field with a team or a squad. Coaches, WCFL board members and team parents are all volunteers.

When it comes to cheerleading, the WCFL is focused on participation. The program promotes healthy minds and healthy bodies, making friends, demonstrating self-control, learning to follow directions and, most importantly, to have fun. Regardless of age and ability, the WCFL has a cheer squad for everyone.

The WCFL cheer program does not hold tryouts; space on the squads is on a first-come, first-served basis, and is limited by the number of volunteer coaches. Cheerleaders are taught the fundamentals of cheerleading and some advanced skills. All levels of experience are welcome, from beginner to elite. The program allows youngsters to meet new people, make new friends, gain self-confidence and increase their self-esteem in a friendly environment.

Visit www.wcflfootball.com to learn more about the Western Communities Football League.

Chasing Hoop Dreams At Village Park Wellington Wolves Organization Offers Players Basketball And So Much More

By Mike May

Since 2002, young area basketball players have had the good fortune to access one of the most well-organized youth travel basketball programs in the country. It’s the Wellington Wolves Youth Basketball organization based at Village Park.

Under the leadership of Chris Fratalia, the Wellington Wolves president for the last 12 years, the league currently has 17 different youth basketball teams serving both boys and girls. The youngest players are in the third grade, and the oldest players are in the 11th grade. Each team has an average roster size of 11 players, which means the Wolves have nearly 200 players under their supervision on an annual basis.

Aside from local travel, some Wellington Wolves teams will travel across the United States to compete. For instance, earlier this summer, the Eighth Grade Boys Gold team played in a showcase event in Las Vegas. That team placed eighth out of 97 teams.

Playing for the Wolves can be an avenue for taking your game to a higher level. For instance, two of the more well-known graduates of the Wellington Wolves are current University of Illinois senior point guard Trent Frazier and current NBA superstar John Collins with the Atlanta Hawks. According to Fratalia, four eighth-grade girls playing in the league — Jade Jones, Sophia Kateris, Aubrey Beckham and Janiah Suprius — have already been offered scholarships, upon graduation from high school, to Florida Atlantic University.

The Wolves also host one of the more popular travel basketball tournaments in the country.

The event is called March Madness and is planned for the second weekend of March next year. For this event, teams come from all over the state and nation. According to Fratalia, he and his staff have been recognized for conducting one of the best-run tournaments in the country. This tournament is so well known that a girls basketball team from Maine made the trek to Wellington to compete.

The traditional basketball seasons for the Wolves are the end of November until early June for third through eighth graders. For high-school-age players, the season runs from early March until the end of July.

One of more dynamic aspects of the Wellington Wolves is its Council of Dads program, under the tutelage of John Sitomer. The program started about two years ago before being put on hold during the pandemic. According to Sitomer, he hopes the Council of Dads program will be reinstated this fall.

The Council of Dads is a hands-on, in-person, one-on-one academic program that provides academic assistance, guidance and tutoring to athletes who play for the Wolves and need some assistance in the classroom with their studies. “With the Council of Dads, we sharpen the academic skills of our players, while the coaches help sharpen their basketball skills,” Sitomer said. “We want our players to be known as true student-athletes and not just as basketball players.”

Sitomer and his board members on the Council of Dads have been working with students from the King’s Academy, who provide the one-on-one academic assistance.

“We have a tremendous arrangement with TKA,” Sitomer said. “During pre-COVID times, the students, mostly juniors and seniors from TKA, met twice a week with many of our players. Our athletes have become better students, and the TKA students get community service hours. It’s a win-win.”

Last season, the student instructors from TKA used online resources to connect with the athletes from the Wellington Wolves.

“A Zoom connection is helpful, but there’s nothing like a personal presence for a tutor,” Sitomer said. “We hope to return to in-person learning this fall.”

Visit www.wellingtonwolves.com to learn more about the Wellington Wolves.

Taking Soccer To The Next Level Wellington Wave Program Offers Training And Tournaments For Competitive Players

By Mike May

If you have a goal of playing soccer at a high level, then Wellington has an outlet for you to reach your goal. It’s the Wellington Soccer Club, the Village of Wellington’s recognized provider for travel soccer.

The WSC is dedicated to technical and tactical player development, united team dynamics and teaching the solid game fundamentals necessary for every player to reach his or her greatest potential. All teams are trained by appropriately licensed, professional club coaches to properly adapt the training program provided to them by Director of Coaching Patrick Zoete.

The teams practice and play home games at Wellington’s Village Park.

“The Wellington youth program must be synonymous with attractive, inspired, intelligent and daring soccer,” Zoete said.

According to Zoete, excellence on the soccer field is the direct result of player development during practice and training sessions.

Throughout the year, Zoete and his coaching staff focus on improving the technical and tactical abilities of every player, individual player development in a team concept, encouraging the specific talent and creativity of each player, and enhancing the individual ability of players in a game and team setting.

As players move up from one age group to another, the coaching philosophy of every level has a written curriculum that is specific to the development of the player. Every coach’s long-term goal is to prepare the player to successfully recognize and solve the challenges of the game of soccer on his or her own.

The WSC, whose teams are known as the Wellington Wave, cater to children from age groups Under 8 to Under 19. The travel/competitive soccer season starts on Aug. 1 every year and concludes on May 31 of the following year.

In addition to the coaching that players receive in a team setting, individual coaching sessions can be arranged with two of the league’s licensed coaches, Zoete and Marcone Oliveira. These private coaching sessions can be booked at doc@wellingtonsoccer.com.

The expert coaching staff can also provide specific training on how to be an outstanding goalkeeper.

While player and skill development are at the core of the league’s overall mission, this organization also places player safety on the same level. In today’s COVID-19 world, the club has drafted a list of safety guidelines that it expects its coaches, players and parents to follow. At the top of the list is the mandatory requirement that coaches wear masks during all practices and games, since it is their responsibility to ensure the health and safety of players in attendance.

As for players who enjoy group celebrations, hugs, high fives and handshakes, for now, are a thing of the past. Players are told to not share equipment, water or snacks, and they are instructed to place their kits bags and equipment at least six feet apart.

Learn more about many programs of the Wellington Soccer Club, at www.wellingtonsoccer.com.