Wellington Youth Council Helping To Create The Next Generation Of Community Leaders

The Wellington Village Council goes to great effort in seeking input from the community on a wide array of topics. Until recently, those efforts were concentrated primarily on the adults in the community. Then, in 2019, the Wellington Youth Council was born, and it is already winning awards and creating success.

“It was part of the Florida League of Cities initiative for engaging youth,” Wellington Mayor Anne Gerwig explained. “I’d been trying to get one started in Wellington for several years.”

The idea is to get high schoolers involved in local government, and one of the challenges is that the students get busy with school and other activities and then, of course, the seniors graduate.

“You have to make sure you keep ninth and tenth graders involved, otherwise everyone graduates, and you lose your leadership,” Gerwig said.

The Wellington Youth Council program got underway in 2019 and was still in its infancy when COVID-19 arrived. Nevertheless, it has already accomplished some great things.

“What we really want to do is get ideas from the youth of the community, ideas about what they want for activities and learn the best ways to engage them in the village,” Gerwig said.

The program is run through Wellington’s Community Services Department.

“It is very important to get kids involved and working to lead their peers in active youth programs and initiatives, and the youth council is a great way to hear from our student population,” Community Services Department Assistant Director Michelle Garvey said.

The Wellington Youth Council is made up of 16 students, eight from Wellington High School and eight from Palm Beach Central High School.

The students are chosen by the student government associations and the leaders of each of the schools based upon an essay competition describing each nominees’ goals and ideas for the council.

The council has a mayor and vice mayor, and before COVID-19, the group held meetings in the Wellington council chambers. Over the past year, the meetings have been held remotely.

“Ian Williams works with the youth council,” Garvey said. “He’s such a dynamic individual, bringing energy to the team and our community, working with the kids to get involved.”

Williams is proud of what the group has accomplished in its first year, despite the difficulties created by the pandemic.

“The objective of the group is to give a voice to our youth in the community,” he said. “Wellington does an awesome job of hearing the voices of the adults, but we didn’t have a way of hearing the voices from the youth of our community. We need to hear from them about the things we can provide in the village that they are seeking. It was truly the mayor’s idea to bring a youth council to Wellington in 2019.”

While he is the program coordinator, Williams credits the students for its success.

“The council members are truly amazing,” he said. “There are some brilliant, talented individuals on it. Their efforts are why they earned the Municipal Youth Council Community Service Contest award.”

Hosted annually, this League of Cities competition showcases community service projects performed by youth councils that successfully address specific needs in their local communities.

The Wellington Youth Council won for its youth center project that was the group’s brainchild.

“They positively impacted the students in Wellington with this center, which provided a place in the Wellington Community Center where the kids can go and do homework, or gaming or just hang out with friends in a location that is comfortable and that they know is safe,” Williams said.

The youth center is currently on hiatus due to COVID-19, but there are plans for it to return once the emergency has passed.

Additionally, the group earned further recognition in the League of Cities’ Youth Council Photography Competition for an image of Wellington’s Patriot Memorial with the theme, “Why I Love Wellington.”

Both the community service award and the photography award will be presented to youth council members at an upcoming meeting of the Wellington Village Council.

“Since the inception of the youth council, we found they were truly concerned with mental health awareness,” Williams said. “The first-year group embarked on a mental health awareness program, and the second-year group set the objective of implementing it.”

They even held a dodgeball tournament, before COVID-19, as part of the program to promote mental health awareness.

“They have such creative ideas and are so up-to-date,” Williams said. “Some ideas seem out of this world, and yet are so realistic. Like using a dodgeball tournament to bring awareness to the topic of mental health. It was an amazing project with creativity and intelligence at such a relatively young age.”

Williams stressed the importance of the perspective offered by the youth council. “This year, we’ve been doing all the meetings virtually. It has been interesting, but it’s still working,” he said.

McKenzie Henry is a senior at Wellington High School. She got involved in the Wellington Youth Council after moving to the community from Broward County four years ago. In high school, she still knew few people and enjoyed the interaction and making new friends.

“When I first moved here, I didn’t have any friends, and interacting with everyone was the way of finding friends and not feeling lonely,” Henry said.

Her own experience led her to know how students can feel isolated. “I know that students can be depressed, especially now,” she said, adding that mental health awareness is all the more important during the pandemic. “Mental health is important for our generation, especially now with the quarantine and isolation, being home. Students feel less lonely with activities.”

Henry particularly enjoyed it when the group participated in a virtual murder mystery event with the youth council members playing many of the parts.

A junior at Palm Beach Central High School, Dailany Echeverria explained that she also feels that mental health awareness is of paramount importance.

“I absolutely love what I do on the council. I’m really passionate about it. I get so much from the community, and it feels so good to give back and be a part of it,” she said. “I want all students to be aware that the community cares about them and they are accepted, they belong here.”

Details and progress of the mental health awareness project will be presented at an upcoming meeting of the Wellington Village Council.

“We have a project that is targeted to the mental health awareness for our youth. This is a stressful time, and it helps them feel better,” said Echeverria, explaining that the program will give youth tips to feel better and teach them how to handle stressful situations.

The Royal Poinciana Plaza In Palm Beach Is A Shopping And Lifestyle Destination

If you are looking for some amazing high-end boutique shopping, it’s time to plan a visit to the Royal Poinciana Plaza in Palm Beach. The Royal Poinciana Plaza is an iconic destination that serves as a jewel box oasis in the heart of Palm Beach. Built in the late 1950s, it stands today as a landmarked property and one of Palm Beach’s most treasured architectural gems.

With 180,000 square feet of retail space and lush, sprawling gardens, the shopping mecca offers a unique outdoor international shopping and entertainment destination for indulgence, inspiration and retreat.

Designed by world-renowned architect John Volk, The Royal echoes some of Europe’s legendary retail destinations like the Palais Royal in Paris. The property has been carefully restored to its original mid-century glamour while remaining true to its retail roots. Its offerings include a unique mix of luxury retail, fashion, dining and entertainment, along with exceptional amenities for both local and international visitors.

Arranged around two beautiful courtyards with outdoor furniture, palm trees and gardens, The Royal provides a destination for guests to enjoy outdoor events, read the paper, sip a coffee, gather with family and friends, shop or dine.

This season, The Royal will debut nine new tenants for guests to enjoy.

Acquavella Galleries, Pace Gallery, Lévy Gorvy and Sotheby’s join existing art gallery Gavlak, making Palm Beach a bubble for art this season.

The plaza also added luxury boutiques for every style with the addition of Jimmy Choo, Badgley Mischka, Asprey London and Lingua Franca.

SoulCycle is additionally popping up for the season with SoulOutside, perfect for a safe and fun al fresco workout.

The Royal Poinciana Plaza is located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way in Palm Beach. For more information, visit www.theroyalpoincianaplaza.com or discover @theroyalpoincianaplaza on Instagram.

Palm Beach Concours Comes To Wellington With Amazing ‘Horsepower’ On Display Elegant Automobiles

A fine wine will get better with age, and the same philosophy also applies to many types of automobiles. And just as it’s fun to enjoy an aged bottle of wine, it’s also fun to see, touch, drive and, in some cases, own some of the world’s most amazing automobiles. On Sunday, Nov. 15, nearly 100 of the world’s most tried, tested and treasured cars were on display during the second annual Palm Beach Concours, held this year in Wellington.

This automobile showcase was a gathering of some of the greatest cars that the world has ever seen and driven. The list of brands includes Packard, Bentley, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Ford, Buick, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Aston-Martin, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, among others.

Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the second annual Palm Beach Concours could not return to its original Worth Avenue home in Palm Beach this year. As a result, event coordinator Sidney Vallon needed a new plan, and that turned out to be the Wellington estate of host and car lover Fred Fishback. Clearly, Fishback and Vallon agreed that the show must go on.

“We had to find a place where we had enough room for the cars, and we could follow social distancing, enforce CDC guidelines and take everybody’s temperature,” Vallon said. “And everybody had to wear a mask.”

Because of the virus restrictions, the number of attendees at this year’s Palm Beach Concours was cut dramatically to only include car owners, their spouses, sponsors, car dealers, collectors and a handful of invited guests.

The festivities began with an evening reception on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the showroom of Palm Beach Classics, which Vallon owns, in West Palm Beach. At this mixer, world-famous, hall-of-fame English racecar driver Derek Bell, MBE, hosted a question-and-answer session where he discussed his long, storied and successful career in racing, largely spent in Europe. The mixer also served as a fundraiser for the event’s charity, the Pediatric Oncology Support Team (POST).

Bell, 79, who has a home in Boca Raton, was honored for his highly successful career as a racecar driver. In fact, 50 years ago, Bell drove in the 24 Hours of Le Mans behind the wheel of the Porsche 917.

Bell also worked with actor Steve McQueen in the filming of the 1970 movie Le Mans and remains an active, licensed racecar driver.

At the 2020 Palm Beach Concours in Wellington, the oldest car was a 1917 White, which actually survived a fire during the 1929 Auto Show at the Astor Hotel in New York City. That car, which features an aluminum body, has 11,000 original miles on the odometer. According to Vallon, the car is still operational. “You can start the car, and it still runs,” he said.

The most expensive vehicle on display was probably the Porsche 917, which was driven to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans back in 1969. That car’s current price tag is no bargain. “It’s worth about $20 million,” Vallon said.

Another unique car was a 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Parkward Touring Saloon, one of only 40 ever produced.

Vallon, who practices what he preaches, showcased a few of his proud possessions at the event, which included a 1936 Mercedes-Benz 170 Cab A, a 1952 Mercedes-Benz 300 and a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gold Wing.

In keeping with the traditions of other car shows, the Palm Beach Concours had a panel of judges that examined, rated and graded the cars.

There were a number of categories, such as Best of Show, Best Pre-World War II American, Best Pre-World War II European, Best Post-World War II American, Best Post-World War II European, People’s Choice, Super Car, the Derek Bell Award and Best Porsche.

In all, the value of the cars on display at this unique Wellington event was in excess of $100 million — from classics to exotics to hypercars. The winner of each judged category received a Derek Bell-autographed bottle of Carbon Champagne, which was one of the primary sponsors of the Palm Beach Concours.

While walking from car to car, attendees were served champagne. There was an interesting story with every car, and every owner had a story.

Thomas and Julianna Sawicz enjoy driving their black 2018 McLaren. “It’s fast and fun,” they both agreed.

Grant Kehres, a Boca Raton-based real estate executive, showcased his 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II. It’s a car he will never sell, which he named “Grace,” as the car reminds him of the late actress Grace Kelly, the late Princess Grace of Monaco.

“You can’t get more elegant than Grace Kelly,” Kehres said. “I have hand-cleaned every nut and bolt in this car, and I will never sell her.”

Wellington residents Chris and Caryn Lapinski enjoy owning their 1934 SS (Swan Swallow) 1. “It’s a really smooth ride,” Caryn Lapinski said.

Jupiter resident Gene Tareshawty enjoys bringing his 1940 Packard to these types of events. “I enjoy spending time around old cars and old friends,” he said.

The roots of Vallon’s interest in automobiles can be traced to his childhood. He grew up along the French Riviera in Côte D’Azur, France, where he was always around beautiful cars. To this day, he admits that those childhood experiences made a huge impression on him.

Years later, as an adult, he opened his own classic car dealership and restoration shop, which is now Palm Beach Classics.

In keeping with the traditions of Wellington’s equestrian roots and the “horsepower” of automobiles, a horse jumping showcase was also assembled for the viewing pleasure of those who attended this year’s Palm Beach Concours in Wellington.

Visit www.palmbeachconcours.com to learn more about the Palm Beach Concours.

English Driving Legend  Derek Bell Visits Wellington

In many respects, longtime English racecar driver Derek Bell feels as if he’s “lucky to be alive.”

“When I was racing, the thought of dying in the race crossed my mind at the beginning of every race,” Bell recalled. “I just wanted to walk away alive at the end.”

Those are rather simplistic goals for a man who knew how to find the winner’s circle on a regular basis.

The 79-year-old Bell, who resides in Boca Raton, attributes his longevity to working with great people and great equipment. “I worked with the best racecar teams and the best brands,” said Bell, who remains lean and physically fit to drive.

As Bell reflects on his career in racing, he said that one of his most vivid memories in the sport was qualifying for the 1967 Italian Grand Prix.

“I qualified in the third row, which I felt was a little disappointing,” he remembered. “Then, on the day of the race, I had Denny Hulme (the 1967 World Champion) on one side and Jackie Stewart (a future three-time world champion) on either side of me. Looking back, that was pretty impressive.”

The roots of Bell’s career behind the wheel can be traced to his childhood. Bell was encouraged to start racing by his stepfather. He won his first-ever race while driving a Lotus in March 1964.

Bell’s career highlights are many, as he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans race on five occasions — 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986 and 1987, which makes him the most successful British driver in this race to date. He also was on the winning driving team at the 24 Hours of Daytona three times — 1986, 1987 and 1989. And Bell won the World Sportscar Championship in 1985 and 1986. It’s fair to say that Bell had a “love affair” with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as he once drove the JW Gulf Porsche 917LH to a top speed of 246 mph.

Besides making a name for himself in Hollywood, Bell played a big part in the sport being seen on the big screen. He was involved in the filming of the 1970 movie Le Mans, which starred Steve McQueen. During the filming of the movie, Bell and his family lived with the McQueen family. While the film was being made, Bell was involved in a potentially fatal incident when the car that he was driving — a Ferrari 512 — suddenly caught fire. Fortunately, Bell was able to successfully escape the burning car and only suffered minor burns.

When Bell was not driving, he enjoyed playing other sports. “I enjoyed skiing, playing squash, tennis and rugby,” Bell said. “I played a little bit of rugby in New Zealand and Australia, but I had to stop playing so I would not injure my fingers, which I needed to drive.”

Over the years, Bell has received a number of honors, including one from Queen Elizabeth II. Back in 1986, she bestowed upon him the title of MBE (Member of the British Empire) for his contributions to motor sport. So, his official name is now Derek Bell, MBE — quite an honor for a man who considers himself “lucky to be alive.”

Carrie Scharbo Brings Stylish Beauty To Equestrian Industry With William Grace
Livable Luxury

Spending summers riding horses in South Florida, Carrie Scharbo never imagined that her professional career would one day lead her back to combine her love for fashion with horses in creating an American lifestyle brand inspired by both.

As an award-winning television journalist, successful entrepreneur and mother of two, Scharbo founded William Grace in May 2019 based upon the belief that fashion should be both easy and effortless, a mantra that is taking the equestrian world by storm as she shares products that help people from all backgrounds sport their own unique style.

“I have always loved being around horses, and I spent several summers riding western and barrel racing a little bit growing up, but it is an expensive sport. I was not from a wealthy family, so that wasn’t something my parents could afford for me to continue to do,” Scharbo said. “As an adult, I got back into horseback riding with some girlfriends. I brought my children out to the barn, and they immediately fell in love with it. So, we jumped right into horse showing.”

Upon entering the hunter jumper horse show scene with her young son and daughter, Scharbo noticed a gap in the equestrian market for products at an in-between price point. This noticeable rift inspired Scharbo to put on her entrepreneurial hat and dive deep into the possibility of starting her own business. Further investigation led Scharbo to one conclusion: if she was to have her own business, it would be a one-stop-shop that made fashion accessible for both riders and people who just love the equestrian aesthetic, lifestyle and fashion — something for equestrians and enthusiasts of the sport.

“I was looking for something for the next chapter of my life, as my kids were getting older and becoming more independent,” she explained. “Having started a company before with partners, I was anxious to exercise my own entrepreneurial skills, and the more time we spent at horse shows and the more horse shows we went to, I was envisioning different products and elements that I could bring. I really wanted to see more of what I was personally and decided that William Grace would allow me to bring all of that to life.”

And so, the brand William Grace was born, breathing fresh air into the equestrian space with what she calls a “livable luxury” line of products, including masks, scarves and hats, handbags, jewelry and home accessories. The hand selection of each product is a process Scharbo takes great pride in. Careful consideration of quality, function and style are all determining factors that go into finding and pricing products that best serve her customers.

“I care very much about our customers and their experiences regarding the pieces that we are putting out. There is nothing more disappointing than spending your hard-earned money on something and not having it last for years to come. I want to make sure that the products are high quality and durable,” Scharbo said. “From there, I consider the aesthetic. I want these items to be fun and fashionable. I want people to feel good about what they are putting on. I test everything with friends, family and people inside William Grace, because their opinion matters. I also like to pick things seasonally. There are some classic pieces that will stay in our product line for many years to come, but I love celebrating the change of seasons, especially with jewelry and, of course, home décor.”

Scharbo is dedicated to weaving the William Grace brand into all facets of life. Due to the recent outbreak of COVID-19, Scharbo took it upon herself to implement face masks into the William Grace brand in order to support the growing demand in the industry. Along with popular lifestyle products such as jewelry, clutches and scarves, Scharbo’s addition of face masks allows equestrians to remain safe while continuing to sport their style as they compete across the country. Just this fall, William Grace became the official mask provider for the 2020 National Horse Show and has now sold more than 50,000 masks worldwide.

“William Grace translates to people inside and outside the horse world because it has such a traditional, classic, simple elegance to it, a refinement,” she said. “It is just something that I wanted to share with people, share my love of the things that bring me happiness.”

The sky’s the limit for Scharbo and her growing business, as she continues to pioneer her way into the equestrian space with products that serve all disciplines. In the future, Scharbo hopes to take the brand global, aligning herself and the William Grace name with a broader audience with one common denominator: their love for horses.

“We have so many wonderful disciplines within our sport, and horses are just a universal commonality for each,” Scharbo said. “Horses bring people together and unite people, and as a company, I want to unite people, because we are more similar than we are different. That is my goal for the brand, to bring people together, whether it is around clothing or jewelry or homeware or kitchenware or even just each other, being together is what matters most.”

Learn more about William Grace at www.william-grace.com.

Kaela Genovese Of Wellington’s La Enovesé Designs Creates Amazing, One-Of-A-Kind Jewelry Pieces
Unique Creations

One-of-a-kind pieces for a one-of-a-kind woman. Based in Wellington, La Enovesé Designs was created with the idea that every woman’s style should reflect her own personality and story.

The creations from La Enovesé Designs effortlessly incorporate into your daily style and show off a sense of luxury and beauty that is as unique as the person wearing it.

Kaela Genovese, founder and designer at La Enovesé Designs, puts careful thought and consideration into each piece that she creates, knowing that the woman who wears it will recognize the attention to detail that went into it. Whether you are looking for jewelry for that special occasion or something more casual, Genovese designs pieces that will speak to you and your sense of style.

Genovese began her career in the luxury world of jewelry on Worth Avenue in Palm Beach. There, she realized that she had a special talent for knowing exactly what her clients wanted when it came to their personal style. Her training allowed her to combine the classic styles of jewelry with the ability to forecast and apply fashion trends.

Listening to the advice of her mentors, Genovese decided to start her own business designing, creating and selling her unique jewelry pieces. La Enovesé Designs was a leap of faith, but with the support of her family and friends, her dream became a reality, and she has never looked back.

Genovese brings her passion and creativity to life by making jewelry that tells a story about the woman wearing it. La Enovesé currently has three collections: the Handcrafted Collection, the Designer Collection and the Curated Collection. Genovese sketches and hand designs, but also collaborates with single-piece manufacturers that she visits and consults with regularly. Each piece must meet her high-quality standards before being embossed with the La Enovesé Designs seal.

Each piece in the Designer Collection is custom created by Genovese just for you. There are five unique steps to her design process for the collection. First, she sketches with paper and pencil as the design begins to take shape. Once the sketch is complete, she digitizes it into a 3D model. After reviewing the 3D model, a rubber mold is created so that the jewelry can be cast. The master metal silhouette is then created. The metal casting is dipped into the selected gold, which gives the jewelry piece its shine and finish before adding the pave crystals.

Genovese’s talents extend beyond designing and hand-crafting jewelry. Through the Restore and Renew service, she can work with you to transform your heirloom vintage jewelry into modern pieces that better match you and your style.

Additionally, the Styling and Accessorizing program allows clients to have an at-home or virtual consultation with Genovese, where she helps style and accessorize your look for the next girls’ night out, gala or night on the town.

Looking for unique jewelry items? Shop La Enovesé Designs online at www.laenovesedesigns.com. Find them on Instagram @la.enovese.designs or e-mail owner Kaela Genovese at kaela@laenovesedesigns.com.

Local ‘Council Of Dads’ Takes A Unique Look  At Community Service And Charitable Giving Dedicated Dads

Wellington husband and father John Sitomer had survived his first bout with cancer, but the second was really taking a toll. He was one of a few people chosen to participate in an experimental trial, but several years in, things still looked grim.

“I didn’t know if I was going to make it or not,” Sitomer recalled. “A friend of mine brought me a book, but it was eight, maybe 10, months before I could even open it up and turn a page.”

The book was The Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler, a college professor with a young family who had already walked in Sitomer’s shoes. He battled bone cancer, worried about what would become of his children if he died, eventually assembling a group of people — the Council of Dads — to help look after them if he didn’t make it.

Each “dad” had unique knowledge or skills that Feiler knew his children would need to learn someday. He told the men that he knew they had their own lives; that he wasn’t asking them to adopt his children, but what he wanted was for them to take the thing they were proficient in and pass it on to his children.

Feiler survived, and when he did, he realized that his children could still benefit by associating with the other dads. In fact, many children could.

Sitomer took the book to heart.

“I got so nervous that I wasn’t going to make it, that I got out a pen and legal pad and started making a list of 50 or 60 names, friends I had in the community who I’ve always had tremendous respect for — an athlete, a banker, a motivational speaker — people I knew who might be able to help guide my son.”

In April 2018, Sitomer founded the local Council of Dads. He began by taking each of his first nine contacts to lunch, where he explained the group’s mission and asked them if they would be willing to pass on their skill set to children who are underprivileged and “could use this positive push.”

To his surprise, the response was 100 percent positive. “Almost every one of them started crying,” Sitomer said. “They not only said yes, but they told me they’d been waiting for a vehicle like this their entire lives. The thing that — pleasantly — surprised me the most was that those with the most skills, who had done well in their lives and were so, so busy, were absolutely open to giving back. They had just been waiting to be led to the right scenario.”

The first Council of Dads project was sports related.

“In 2018, the first thing we did was a basketball summer camp for underprivileged children with former NBA player Marcus Hubbard. For anyone who couldn’t afford it, it was free,” Sitomer said. “After that, we started a mentoring program that another of our dads, Dr. Gordon Johnson, spearheads. If a child has problems at home — disciplinary, behavioral, depression — if they need a shoulder to lean on, we’re there. Gordon heads up our mentoring program. He will take the child to dinner or meet them at the library or Panera Bread to talk things out. Especially with parental problems, we’ve been that middle ground where we’ve been able to solve a lot of family issues.”

Johnson, a pathologist and retired chief of staff at Wellington Regional Medical Center, currently sits on the boards of Wellington Regional Medical Center and the Wellington Community Foundation, as well as being a key player in the Council of Dads. Last month, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Palm Beach County Medical Society. He and his own son, Grant, are both financial planners with Merrill Lynch. Johnson saw a specific problem he wanted to address.

“I’d see these kids who are good at basketball and their ‘plan’ is to get recruited by UCLA and then play for the Boston Celtics. They didn’t know what an SAT was; they didn’t know how to apply for college; and they had no backup plan,” Johnson said.

Sitomer agreed that many underprivileged kids need tutoring, but tutoring is very expensive. So, he met with Robin Carrier, the director of college services at The King’s Academy.

“We had a series of meetings, and I don’t know how we pulled this off, but we did,” Sitomer said. “The students in TKA’s exceptional student program need community service hours to get into college, and we offered to document that in exchange for them tutoring our children in need. Now in its third year, this is probably the most exceptional program we’ve done to date. The kids are tutored in English, math, social studies, Spanish and science for two hours a night, twice a week (now via Zoom). They are even tutored for free during SAT and ACT season, something that usually costs $100 for course work. Last year, the grades of the students who accepted the free tutoring went up by more than 100 points across the board.”

The Council of Dads also hosts an annual dinner. It was held at Walt Disney World last year. It recognizes any student in their program who has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Last year, 20 to 25 students were honored with scholar achievement awards, cash, gift certificates and more.

“We’ve got nine men and one woman in our council,” Sitomer said. “They’re upstanding members of the community. But I wanted the youth of the community — the ones we’re helping — to work with us in some of these initiatives and try to do good. We hooked up with the Wellington Wolves Basketball Association, one of the largest and most successful basketball organizations in the state, even though 20 percent of families that play are underprivileged already. We worked with In Jacob’s Shoes, a charitable organization that provides refurbished sneakers and shoes to the underprivileged.”

Sitomer asked the organization what their biggest donation of shoes, ever, had been. The answer was 2,000 pairs. “We’re going to beat that,” Sitomer said, and a year later, the children of the Council of Dads families had donated 3,563 pairs.

“Everyone was pitching in,” Sitomer recalled gleefully. “The kids asked their neighbors, friends and relatives.”

The children and their families also help the Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, especially at Thanksgiving. For the past three years, they have donated dry goods, diapers and other baby needs.

When Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas, the Council of Dads held fundraising drives to buy generators, blankets, food, tents, lighting, batteries, flashlights, medical supplies and more for Marsh Harbour in the Abaco Islands.

“I personally brought over five cargo planes filled with every kind of supply and six 40-foot containers filled with roofing supplies,” Sitomer said. “I hate to put a dollar figure on it, but it was way in excess of $1 million.”

Sitomer’s son — the very first child he set out to help — will soon be 17 years old. “I tell him not to embrace the melancholy,” Sitomer said. “How I’m here is a medical miracle, and I’m really determined to make good use of my time. My son and wife were traumatized by years of medical struggle, but we can’t look back, we’ve got to look forward.”

Every day is a blessing to him, and extra time to help others.

“Every waking day, I literally try to do good for someone else,” Sitmoer said. “I’m able to piggyback on the good works of so many other people who want to do good. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with charities, it’s that people very rarely say no to a charitable request. They just need to know what the vehicle is and what you want them to do. It’s also important that you make sure that what you’ve told them you’re going to do actually happens.”

Sitomer sometimes marvels at the company he keeps within the Council of Dads.

“No one left us, even through COVID-19 and their own struggles in their own lives,” he said. “We still have the original 10. Gordon Johnson is one of the most spectacular men I’ve ever met in my life, and I pale in comparison to my other members as well.”

Johnson, however, thinks Sitomer sells himself short.

“I just come in when John Sitomer tells me to come in,” Johnson explained.

Aside from Sitomer and Johnson, members of the Council of Dads include: Gerry Stumm, vice president of City Fire Inc.; Howard Eisenberg, director of Solution Services; Grant Johnson, wealth manager at Merrill Lynch; David Kane, senior practice director of Application Consulting; Dr. James Shecter, an emergency room doctor at the VA Medical Center; property developer Jeff Sitomer; Robin Carrier, director of college advising at TKA; and Chris Fratalia, president of the Wellington Wolves.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what our group has done to date,” Sitomer said. “Without this dedicated group, I would have no council. And when we see the end of the virus, we’re going to perfect what we’re doing and bring the Council of Dads ‘Theory of Movement’ around the United States.”

Designer’s Touch Jewelry Where Wellington Gets Its Sparkle

Designer’s Touch Jewelry is a family owned and operated jewelry store that has offered top-notch service since 1986. Whether you’re looking for custom jewelry, jewelry repair, engagement rings or “just because” gifts, this Wellington store is sure to carry something that will be a perfect fit, including men’s jewelry, women’s jewelry, and fine watches such as Michele Watches.

A longstanding creator of some of the finest jewelry in Wellington, Designer’s Touch can partner with you to create the perfect engagement ring, anniversary gift or birthday gift. If you’re searching for a custom piece to gift yourself, the jewelers are happy to help. They work one-on-one with each client to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces that offer beautiful style and lasting elegance.

Designer’s Touch knows that fine jewelry and quality jewelry repair are the cornerstones of a great jewelry store. When you’re searching for immaculate, stylish and impressive custom jewelry, check out the store, located in the plaza with Trader Joe’s.

Whether you want to browse the beautiful jewelry ready for selection throughout the showroom or stop by and chat with one of the designers to learn more about your custom options, visit Designer’s Touch at 1035 State Road 7, Suite 122 in Wellington or find them online at www.designerstouchjewelry.com.

Wellington’s Tanya Quickel Honored By The Florida Association Of Special Districts
Outstanding Leadership

Wellington’s Director of Administrative & Financial Services and Assistant Village Manager Tanya Quickel was recently honored by the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD) as the group’s Most Valuable Member. At the same time, Wellington’s Acme Improvement District earned the District of the Year award from the organization.

Quickel’s award is presented to an FASD member who has demonstrated commitment, contribution, leadership and support of the association over many years. Quickel’s hard work during her time with the association is evidence of that dedication.

In Wellington, Quickel’s responsibilities include the management of the annual operating budget, along with strengthening and aligning administrative and financial functions with the village’s core missions. She oversees a broad range of departments, including finance, purchasing and contracting, budget, information technology and communications, and she is frequently seen at council meetings presenting budgets and financial information.

To understand the acknowledgement Quickel recently received, it is important to understand what she does for the village’s own special district, and maybe even what the special district does.

One frequently asked question in Wellington is, “Just what is this Acme Improvement District fee on my tax bill?” Not only is it a special district operated by the village that keeps you safe from storm water, but it does it in such an exemplary manner that it won the District of the Year award for the entire state.

Acme got its start in 1953 as the Acme Drainage District with a focus on flood control. When Wellington began as a residential community in the 1970s, Acme took on more responsibilities, such as managing parks, roads and recreation programs. Essentially, it was Wellington’s pre-incorporation government.

“Acme was here first, and that’s how Wellington got started when it incorporated in 1995,” Quickel explained. “Acme still exists as a dependent district of Wellington, and it’s very important because of the stormwater management, roads and the infrastructure of the parks that it is responsible for.”

Quickel should know. Although humble about her accomplishments, she is the immediate past president of the Florida Association of Special Districts and a member since 2005. She has long served as a board member and served as treasurer for several years before becoming president. She now provides guidance as a past president.

“The stormwater management part is huge because of where we live. That is the focus for Acme, and that is a very critical part of the annual budgeting process and the infrastructure and big projects that we do every year,” she said. “These big projects go through Acme and are paid for by the assessment that taxpayers pay.”

Quickel has been with the Village of Wellington since 2013.

“I started just the end of July, so it will be seven and a half years. I lived in Wellington when I started and for many years afterward. Then my husband and I built some houses, and now I live right outside the village,” she said.

Their home includes two furry pets. “I have an English bulldog named Elvis and a Boston terrier named Blue,” said Quickel, who enjoys reading, walking and traveling when she is not putting in long hours at the village. “I also love cooking.”

Special districts are not a new concept to Quickel. Before coming to Wellington, she worked as deputy director of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District and manager of the Indian Trail Improvement District.

The way Acme works is similar to many other special districts in Florida.

“Many other municipalities have what is called the stormwater utility, which is in some ways very similar to Acme’s responsibilities for stormwater management,” Quickel said. “Sometimes other places you will see a separate assessment or charge for the stormwater utility, and Acme sort of fits that bill. It has a separate focus just like a utility is a separate focus. It has funds that we allocate the revenue and the expenditures to. This is managed very strictly, and it is very transparent, so one can see what Acme does and what it costs.”

The FASD is important to municipalities, counties and state government across the State of Florida. “The Florida Association of Special Districts is an educational organization throughout the state from the Panhandle to the Keys,” Quickel said.

There are about 150 entities involved and some 400 individual members. “The membership ranges from districts such as Acme to the South Florida Water Management District, and we also have a large number of memberships of districts for fire-rescue, districts for libraries or recreation, for hospitals, stormwater and mosquito control,” Quickel said. “These districts are a separate governmental form authorized by the Florida Legislature and established for special purpose government.”

The award earned by the Acme Improvement District is presented every year to a district for exemplary performance over the past 12 months.

“What we have seen here with Acme, in particular, is we have invested heavily in telemetry so we can remotely manage our pumps and our infrastructure,” Quickel said. “This helps us be able to operate during emergencies. We can turn pumps on and off, raise and lower water levels, check those levels and set warnings. It’s very important to our efficient operation and planning because these emergencies can come at any time, and we are alerted to take action remotely.”

Acme has been quick to introduce new, cutting-edge technology. “Another thing that we have done more recently is adopt drone technology that is helping us oversee what is going on in managing some of our very large projects. We use the drones every day to see the status of the work,” she explained.

Quickel said the FASD is an important resource for Acme.

“They are a great group of down-to-earth people with a lot of valuable knowledge and experiences. Usually, they’re a lot like Acme, very quiet, working behind the scenes, managing all kinds of things to keep a municipality, county or the state government functioning smoothly,” she said. “It really is meaningful to have their experience and expertise to help us determine things that we need to focus on or things that need to be changed or worked on.”

Quickel feels that these recent FASD awards signify the village’s commitment to safety and to important infrastructure projects, as well as effective planning and execution. “We do our work responsibly and in an effective manner,” she said.

Learn more about the Florida Association of Special Districts at www.fasd.com. Learn more about the Acme Improvement District at https://acme.wellingtonfl.gov.

An Entirely New Dining Experience Awaits At The Clubhouse At Palm Beach Polo
Innovative Cuisine

As the equestrian season kicks into high gear, so does an entirely new experience at the Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club, including a freshly created dinner menu and a themed outdoor dinner series throughout the restaurant’s charming surroundings for all to enjoy, whether a seasonal equestrian or a year-round resident.

“It’s a beautiful location in Wellington that not only allows you a beautiful venue, but beautiful views. In our new menu, we’re focusing on new things to present to people based on what they loved in the past and what we wanted to feature,” owner Sheila Motley said.

Motley and her husband Chef Mat Allen are back open for the season and ready to jump into a new adventure, with bold innovative dishes and a variety of new wines, all soon to be unveiled.

“We’re very excited for this outdoor dinner series, because we can really do some fun new themed nights and get people out around the property they maybe haven’t seen,” Motley said. “Our beautiful pool overlooks the sunset. We have great grass pads down by the driving range and the front of the building. What everyone wants to do in Florida is be out on the beautiful balmy winter nights, and we want to make more use of that than we’ve been able to in the past. I’m looking forward to it, and I think it’ll be a way to give people something to look forward to.”

The plan is to launch the series with several themes a month, including al fresco events poolside, on the front lawn, or on the upper terrace overlooking the golf course, as well as a regular dinner service. All with social distancing in mind.

“We want to really highlight safety and people being outside. The inside of our restaurant is scaled down, even though regulations have opened up, with less tables inside,” Motley said. “I’ve made an additional private dining room, so we’ve been able to build out our terrace and offer these other outdoor dinners to supplement the opportunity for people to safely be able to go out and dine. And we still offer our to-go meals as well.”

The number of indoor tables may be scaled back, but the elegant ambiance remains throughout the property and all its rooms.

“We made some small changes to our lunch menu,” Motley said. “We kept a lot of the favorites. Our lunch business is focused on people who come in after riding or who are out on the golf course. It’s certainly a smaller group of people, so the lunch menu is fairly small, but I think it hits all the marks of what people are looking for.”

Classic American cuisine is featured, like the tuna salad sandwich with roasted fennel and lemon aioli, or the polo burger with white cheddar and tomato jam.

The roast chicken on a bed of romaine lettuce topped with feta, corn, tomato, cucumber and white balsamic vinaigrette is a favorite. For something new, try the grilled chicken sandwich with herb mayo and fresh avocado.

“It’s the flavors and styles people really look to,” Motley said “It gives them comfort, and they enjoy the experience. That’s why we love inviting people to our venue. Come enjoy great food and company, an escape for that hour of the day.”

It’s an escape with flavors that are all creations of Chef Mat Allen, who hails from England and is classically French trained. He even once worked for the Queen of England and the Royal Family at Windsor Castle. Motley, an accomplished event planner for 20 years, combined their passions, including her love of all things equestrian.

“It has been a nice place for us to base, and we’re so familiar with the equestrian community here, it’s like we’re having dinner with our friends and family every night,” she said.

Motley grew up coming to Wellington as a young girl in the mid-1980s. Her parents were horse owners.

“It was the best of all childhoods, and I still ride,” she said. “So, it’s great — all familiar faces. I see people in the day, and they ask me for a reservation at the horse show or at polo, and then they come in at night. That’s what I always loved about Wellington, even as it has grown, there’s a community feel.”

It’s the community that’s so important to them. They now live here full time with their 9-year-old son Collins. After running the Patio at Polo for three years, they couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take over the Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo last year, marking their first season there.

However, after the equestrian season abruptly ended due to the pandemic, so did the Clubhouse, until the fall. But the meals never stopped. The husband-and-wife team continued to spread their love of food to those greatest in need by partnering to help feed the homeless with the nonprofit A Different Shade of Love.

“We worked with the group at a park in West Palm Beach to support the homeless,” Motley explained. “We were delivering breakfast three times a week where different vendors were donating food. It was great. We’d make it in the morning and deliver it ourselves. We got to see the people who were affected and able to see their needs. It made a difference for us to be able to give back, especially in the beginning when everything was shut down.”

With much back open now, Motley is hopeful many equestrians will return this upcoming season.

“I don’t think anyone wants to stay in the cold weather. I’ve been lucky to take part as a judge at a few of the small horse shows that take place in the fall, and they’ve been managed expertly and run beautifully, and we’ve felt safe with the temperature check and all of the staff keeping people distanced,” she said. “I’m very hopeful that everyone can flourish in a safe environment this winter.”

And if you visit Motley at her restaurant, it will be a winter filled with a renewed excitement to bring the community back together to enjoy camaraderie, cuisine and all things equestrian.

The Clubhouse at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club is open to the public and located at 11630 Polo Club Road in Wellington. It is open Tuesday through Sunday with lunch service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner service from 5 to 11 p.m. For reservations, call (561) 660-3300 or visit www.theclubhousepbpcc.com.