Traditions & Trends

Are plans in motion for your big day? You are in luck! Although classic, ageless touches will never go out of style, today’s trends are definitely something to consider when planning the wedding of your dreams.

There is so much to look forward to in 2019, from dramatic, over-the-top customized dance floors to personalized embroidered linens. Unique textures will also be a big element this upcoming season. Think outside the box and let your imagination run wild. It’s your day, and everything around you should reflect that.

Instead of the same old thing, consider unique florals like dogwood for that soft bouquet feel. Use natural potted plants in place of traditional colored flowers, or perhaps long fern for your centerpieces.

Muted, but colorful candles and décor will be popular this year, along with splashes of sparkle here and there. Personalized items always make guests feel special, and they are usually very budget friendly.

The venue you choose will dictate many of your event fashion choices. Outdoor rustic has become a very popular choice. Destination weddings create lifetime memories for both you and your guests. Whether you are home or abroad, try to incorporate local customs from both sides of the family. This is sure to be a big hit with grandma, who sees her granddaughter in that beautiful white lace veil from Italy.

Many couples are opting for small, more intimate bridal parties. Even when the night is done, bride and groom keep the party train going with an after party. This is where you can really let your hair down.

We hope you choose a great blend of traditions and trends that help you capture every essence of the wedding you’ve been dreaming of!

Dogwood Bouquets  Bridal bouquet styles have been everything from a one-stem rose, to the rich and colorful norm. In 2019, we’ll see many different varieties. This year, we choose to showcase dogwood blooms, which trends show will make a huge appearance this season.

Local Culture Whether at home or abroad, one way to make a wedding feel entirely new is to embrace the culture of your heritages. Try a unique henna experience, have a Mariachi band or create a Buddha-inspired wedding ceremony. Embracing your culture is sure to create unity for family and friends.

Intimate Bridal Parties Trends are showing that a long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen will not be as popular in 2019. Many couples are leaning toward a more intimate, smaller group that includes a best man, maid of honor and a select family member or close friend.

Creative Place Cards Plain white place cards are being replaced by beautiful and personalized themed ones, which will be popping up at weddings across the nation this upcoming season. From personalized keepsakes that guests can treasure forever, to personalized gourmet cupcakes, plain paper will not be seen for miles at weddings in 2019.

 

Rustic Outdoors Although rustic, outdoor weddings have been popular in recent years, 2019 will see even more of them, as this trend grows with couples across the spectrum from first-time brides to renewing of vows and older couples alike. There is just something about bringing the wedding outdoors with that farm-style, rustic backyard feel that seems so special. We are seeing trends of glammed-up rustic as well. Stay tuned, y’all!

Living Bars The buzz is “living bars” will be the hot item planners will be recommending as a unique focal point of the wedding. Fresh, straight-from-the-garden, cut foliage will adorn many of the high-end, fancy finished bars using industrial metals and the natural foliage to create that unique touch to each venue’s living bar.

Textured Linens Many brides and their wedding planners are getting inspiration from the 2019 fashion runway for their linen selections. You will see that runners, napkins and table cloths will have a more finished, laser-cut style of linen in a variety of white and neutral tones this season.

Entertainment For years, the only two options when considering wedding entertainment was either a live band or a DJ. Well, not anymore! Couples are finding some of the most unique ways to set their party apart, such as a Mariachi band, a singing wait staff, dueling piano players and much more.

Exquisite Dance Floors The days of wood-plank dance floors are a thing of the past. Standard dance floors are quickly being replaced by granite, marble and for outdoor rustic weddings, metals and steel. Most couples never gave the dance floor a second thought. Song selection was usually the big item to concentrate on, but now dance floors are one of the first items of interest when visiting a venue. After all, it is a focal point of the room.

The After Party Not to downplay the reception, but once you move through all of the scheduled, organized events of the wedding day, wouldn’t it be great to let your hair down, throw on your favorite outfit and head out on the town? Yes, the after party is becoming a larger part of the planning process, and couples are ecstatic to get to hang with some of their favorite people, even after the reception is over.

Natural Touch Aisle Décor Candles or bows tied to chairs that line the aisle — pretty for way too long. Many planners are recommending turning your aisles into garden beds in 2019. This will be a big trend. Wrapping the pots in silk fabrics that coordinate with your wedding colors puts that special touch on this unique trend.

Let’s Ask A  Bridal Gown Expert
A Q&A With Lenyce Boyd,Wellington’s Own Bridal Expert

One of the highlights of planning a wedding is when the bride-to-be picks out the perfect dress to complement her big day. It is often an amazing experience that many women have dreamed about for years. However, there is some complexity involved, and we’ve all heard stories about future brides who have tried on hundreds of dresses without finding the one for them. To make the process as easy as possible, we went to Wellington’s own bridal gown expert, Lenyce Boyd of Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon, for advice.

What does a bride gain from shopping at a boutique dress shop rather than a large chain or department store?

From the customer feedback that we’ve received since we opened in 2006, they like the personal attention and the nicer, warmer feeling. We have a relationship that develops with our bride and her family because we are available to work with a bride from the time we meet her until she’s walking down the aisle, often a year later.

What does a boutique dress shop offer that other retailers do not?

In addition to the personalized service, our designers would be different than a chain’s designers. Ours have exclusivity here for us — their dresses are not available all over the place. We also offer a “day-of” concierge service where we go to the wedding, steam the bride’s gown, help her get dressed, help the men tie their bowties and make sure the parents, grandparents and everyone in the bridal party looks good. It’s an extra charge, but Palm Beach County has a lot of destination weddings, so we often get calls from bridal stores in New York, Pennsylvania, all over the place, asking us to help their customers when they come down. Brides don’t need to buy their dress here in order to hire our concierge service.

What is the average cost a bride-to-be should consider for a dress when preparing a budget for their big day?

Our dresses average from $1,300 to $3,000, or about 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the wedding. But whether a bride spends $500 or $10,000, they all get treated the same. The price fluctuates depending on the fabric, lace and beadwork, but mostly because of the designer. Some designers are more expensive than others. It’s the label, like jeans. You can pay $30 or $180 for jeans depending on the designer, but it’s still denim.

What are your recommendations when a bride-to-be begins her wedding dress search?

Try to limit the number of people you bring with you. Bring a small number, two or three of your most trusted friends and family members. Brides get overwhelmed with all the different opinions, and they don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. It can be upsetting for them. My second piece of advice would be to keep an open mind about style. Try on different styles and silhouettes. Often, a bride comes in thinking she wants a certain style, and we pull them for her. However, when she tries them on, none of them seem right. Then we throw in a wild card or two and, often, she falls in love with the dress, even though it wasn’t what she was looking for. What they think they like may be why they haven’t found the perfect dress. Once we know the venue, we can help guide them with styles as well. So, have that in mind.

What should the bride-to-be do to prepare for a day of wedding dress shopping?

In addition to limiting the number of people she brings and knowing her venue, she should know her budget and be honest with us about it. This is helpful for them and us, even if they don’t know exactly. If they say $2,000, does that include alterations, accessories, the veil, jewelry and shoes? Those are all part of the head-to-toe budget. Sometimes, when they realize that, they get nervous about money. But they can focus on the dress and come back later for the other things, when they’re doing their fittings and have decided how they’re going to wear their hair.

Do you recommend a specific day or time that would result in a better experience for their appointment?

Saturdays are busier because of everyone’s work schedules, but we try to space out our appointments. We assign about two hours for an appointment and try not to have more than two brides in at a time. That’s another reason we ask the bride to keep her party smaller — we don’t have enough space for seven people and a baby stroller. We do encourage wine and champagne here. There’s a liquor store next door, we have glasses, and we can turn up the music. We’ve heard over and over that brides have had “their best experience ever” here, and it’s because of that feeling of comfort. They’re allowed to touch the dresses and have fun. Some brides come in so nervous, and we have an inviting, warm and welcoming atmosphere. Regardless of their budget, they all get treated the same. We are just honored that they are allowing us to be a part of this special time. This business never gets old, it’s always changing. The dresses change, the brides change, the family members change.

Walk us through a bridal dress consultation.

Very often, it’s a bride’s first time ever trying dresses on. A lot of ladies don’t know their style, or they’re not used to dressing in dresses, so there’s a lot of learning. We don’t pressure them. We invite them to go home and think about it. Usually, we end up being the first place and the last place they come. They don’t want to shop anymore. They’d rather leave here and celebrate.

How far in advance do you suggest that a bride start the search for her one special dress?

A year to nine months ahead is good. We haven’t had to make too many drastic alterations later on. We have brides who have added a sleeve or wanted to re-make a grandmother’s dress. We may have a bride who went on some crazy diet and lost 30 pounds, but it all works out. Nothing has caught us too off guard.

What else should brides know when planning a dress appointment?

We definitely want to have the bride’s appointment be the only appointment that happens that day, especially if it’s a Saturday — no bridesmaids or flower girls. We don’t want to take away from the bride. If she has found her dress and wants to take a peek at flower girl dresses, that’s fine.

Would you advise a client get hair and makeup done similar to the look they will wear the day of the wedding or focus solely on the full effect of the dress?

Usually, when they visit, they’re not that far into the planning process, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Sometimes the dress will dictate the hairstyle. We do have clips if a bride wants to pin her hair up to see if the dress looks better with her hair up or hair down.

What are some things that you recommend the bride-to-be ask during the consultation?

It is very important to make sure you realize that these sales are final. When we place your order with the factory, those workers do not care if you have changed your mind. They’ve cut your dress in the color and size you ordered, and we still have to pay for it. We had one bride order a dress six years ago, and she came in four years ago to pick it up. If we don’t hear from you for 90 days, your dress is gone — sold or donated. That bride eventually got married at the courthouse.

What are some of the options for preserving a wedding gown, and do brides still carry out this tradition?

Yes, many do. Dry cleaners can preserve a bridal gown, but we offer that service as well.

Bacio Bacio Bridal Salon is located in the –Kobosko’s Crossing shopping plaza at 9160 Forest Hill Blvd. For

info., call (561) 792-6111 or visit www.baciobacio.com.

Prenuptial Agreements Why Visiting A Lawyer Is Great Advice For Many Couples

Attorney Anthony Barbuto of the Wellington-based Barbuto Law Firm P.A. runs a general practice that handles a variety of legal issues, including family law, general civil litigation and equestrian law, both here in the United States and in Italy, where he spends part of each year.

With experience in the realm of family law, Barbuto provided important insight on the much-discussed topic of prenuptial agreements.

“The topic of prenuptial agreements is taboo in a lot of households,” he explained. “For one, prenuptial agreements are against some religious faiths, and two, there is this misconception that marrying with a prenuptial agreement implies that the bonds of marriage are weak. Often, when I consult clients for a prenuptial agreement, one of the soon-to-be spouses is not happy, especially in first-time marriages of young couples. The classic criticism is, ‘Requiring me to sign a prenuptial agreement implies that you do not trust me, which is hurtful, and if you do not trust me, we should not be getting married.’ One of my jobs as a lawyer is to educate my clients about prenuptial agreements and to get them to the point where they feel good and confident about them.”

Couples need to understand that divorce is always a reality, Barbuto said, and having a prenuptial agreement makes the process easier.

“In Florida, it is relatively easy to get divorced,” he said. “Of course, there are amicable divorces when parties go through the process with reason, respect and consideration. But for many, divorces get ugly and bring out the worst of all involved during an expensive and stressful litigation period that can last years. The latter is what prenuptial agreements are designed to avoid, whereas if a divorce occurs, there would be nothing to litigate, as the terms would have already been decided pre-marriage.”

Prenuptial agreements give the parties the opportunity to agree on how property issues will be decided.

“For example, if spouses accumulate assets during the marriage, or if spouses enter the marriage with assets, a prenuptial agreement will set forth how those assets will be distributed if a divorce occurs,” Barbuto said. “Prenuptial agreements can also address other issues, including, but not limited to, alimony entitlements and inheritance rights. What couples must understand is that prenuptial agreements are negotiable, and they do not have to be prepared in a dictator-like fashion. It is recommended that both spouses have their own lawyer, and that the lawyers work together in achieving the clients’ goals.”

Prenuptial agreements are more common with couples who already have significant assets.

“I handle several prenuptial agreements each year, but my guess is that I probably handle more for clients who are getting married for the second time,” Barbuto said. “Getting married complicates things when assets have already been accumulated and when children are already involved, so a prenuptial agreement is not only encouraged in these scenarios, but often the spouses mutually desire one.”

For first-time spouses, the process tends to be more emotional.

“I think this is because of the stigma that prenuptial agreements have as a result of parties not fully understanding their significance,” Barbuto said. “I think if a soon-to-be spouse desires a prenuptial agreement, the best way to approach it with their significant other is by simply being truthful, and as early as possible before the anticipated wedding. Explain your concerns and your fears, and ask for understanding and cooperation.”

So, should a trip to see an attorney be part of your pre-wedding checklist?

“My recommendation for people interested in a prenuptial is to at least consult with a lawyer to discuss options,” Barbuto recommended. “All client circumstances are different. If people are already married but wish they entered into an agreement prior to the marriage, it is not too late, because a postnuptial agreement can be entered into addressing the same terms.”

Barbuto is originally from New Jersey and relocated to Wellington in 2008. He later took over the practice of Ann Porath, who practiced law in Wellington from the 1980s until her retirement.

“I have fantastic clients, and I am grateful to have them and to be able to assist them with their legal issues,” he said.

In addition, Barbuto is also an accomplished blogger. His blog — www.italianenthusiast.com — covers Italian culture and receives more than 15,000 views each month. In addition, he has approximately 100,000 followers on Facebook and about 20,000 on Instagram.

“Even though I continue working as a lawyer for my Wellington clients while in Italy, and I make myself available for them 24/7, I spend approximately two months per year in Italy visiting different hotels, towns, events, restaurants, etc. Italians often invite me to Italy to write about their culture, so I can spread awareness to my American followers,” he explained.

He is careful to make sure that his blogging interest does interfere with his obligations to his legal clients.

“Over the years, I have developed an Italian clientele, so going to Italy allows me not only to blog, but also to meet with my Italian clients that I handled legal matters for,” he said. “I handle lawsuits and equestrian matters for several Italian clients.”

Barbuto lives in Wellington with his wife, Rovena, who is originally from Albania, but grew up in Italy. They have been married three years and have two children — Leonardo, 2, and Sofia, 3 months. “I like the Wellington community and its residents,” he said. “It is the town I chose to raise my children. I think the community is safe, and I love the people.”

To contact attorney Anthony Barbuto, visit www.barbutolaw.com or call (561) 798-2907.

Palm Beach Brides 2018

Bellewood Plantation

www.bellewoodplantation.com

 

GOWN

Bacio Bacio Bridal

www.baciobacio.com

 

PHOTOGRAPHY

Dragonfly Photography

www.thedragonflyphoto.com

 

VIDEO

Key Moment Films

www.keymomentfilms.com

 

CAKE

Johnson’s Custom Cakes

www.johnsonscustomcakes.com

 

BRIDAL ACCESSORIES

Champagne & GRIT

www.champagneandgrit.com

 

FLORISTS

Vero Beach Florist

www.verobeachflorist.net

 

HAND LETTERING

Ink Letter Love

www.inkletterlove.com

Red, White & Blue Jeans Event To Honor Veterans, Local Heroes Nov. 9

November weather in Wellington is magnificent, with beautiful, breezy days and brilliant, starry skies at night. It’s also the time clothing ensembles display the colors of proud reds and patriotic whites over blue jeans as the Wellington Community Foundation gears up for its growing tradition, the annual Red, White & Blue Jeans event.

This year, the Red, White & Blue Jeans fundraiser will once again be held at the Wellington National Golf Club on Friday, Nov. 9 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

“We hold the event in November, so it is near Veterans Day,” explained Tom Wenham, chair of the Wellington Community Foundation. “It brings a lot of people together.”

The patriotic evening is where veterans and local heroes, their families and members of the Wellington community come together for a night of camaraderie, revelry, patriotism, charity, gratitude, good feelings and fun.

The Wellington Community Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to benefiting community residents by supporting and improving their quality of life, particularly for children, seniors and veterans.

Wenham, along with foundation board members attorney Mickey Smith of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith and Robbin Lee, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center, are enthusiastic about the continued success of the November fundraiser, which has been growing each year.

The number of people in attendance last year was approximately 170. Although only begun two years ago, the event raised more than $55,000 last year — all of which is used to support those in the Wellington community.

Wenham explained that the 2018 edition is shaping up to be bigger, better and even more fun than its successful predecessors.

“It is cocktails, dinner and a dance. It’s red, white and blue jeans, with the emphasis on jeans,” Wenham stressed. “It is a casual event. There’s no need to get dressed up. Just a sports shirt and a red, white and blue combo. Consider it a chance to wear something patriotic and enjoy relaxing.”

Smith echoed that sentiment, highlighting the fun aspects of the event. “This event is just plain, laid-back fun,” he said. “An added bonus is the fact that all the money raised will stay right here in Wellington to help our children, seniors and veterans. It’s truly a win-win situation. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Wenham explained that the fundraiser is a double event, designed to honor and recognize Wellington’s veterans and first responders, and to raise funds to help seniors, veterans and children.

Lee said that the foundation puts its focus on community awareness.

“We give back to our neighbors,” she said. “We help those in the community. For example, we have bought school uniforms, and done other projects supporting seniors and veterans.”

Earlier this year, the foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Village of Wellington to work on charitable community projects.

“This has worked out very well,” Wenham said. “The village knows that we will get things done and done right. The village does the vetting, and we also have a good, cooperative relationship with other groups in the community.”

Wenham remarked that the formalized cooperation with the village helps the efforts to serve Wellington residents in need.

Wenham explained examples of how the MOU with the village facilitates the efforts of the foundation in helping seniors who are aging-in-place, by doing home modification programs, such as installing a new hot water heater for an elderly resident. They have put in wheelchair ramps for veterans in need and supplied 600 school uniforms to help provide required school clothing for children.

“The Red, White & Blue Jeans event is the best event of the whole year,” Lee said. “I am so looking forward to it. We have a good time doing it.”

Smith is excited about the social aspects of the evening. “After all, how many premier events can you attend in blue jeans and have the opportunity to chat with so many of your Wellington friends and neighbors?” he asked.

Wenham thanked the many volunteers and sponsors who make the event possible.

“We have assembled a super group of people from the community as volunteers,” he said. “Ticket sales are brisk with people buying tickets and tables.”

For questions about the Red, White & Blue Jeans event, or to secure your tickets, call Wenham at (561) 333-9843.   

Air Force Academy Recruits From Wellington Among The Next Generation Of Heroes

The U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is among the most difficult schools in the nation to get into. Retired Lt. Col. Rob Oswald ought to know — he has been the academy’s recruiting liaison officer for Palm Beach County for more than a decade.

“I’ve been doing this for the last 13 or 14 years, and very few get to the acceptance part. To have three from Wellington in one year is pretty miraculous, and they’re all friends,” Oswald said. “Usually I get one accepted every other year out of all the 12 schools I have assigned to me.”

The three young men are Wyatt Boswell, Mikey Garofalo and Zack Beatty.

“I give them all the credit. It takes a lot of hard work — studying and extracurricular activities, outside volunteer work — to get into the academy,” Oswald said. “In addition, they have to get a letter from their senator or congressman.”

Usually, students interested in attending the academy will reach out to Oswald.

“I start out as a mentor and, if the academy likes what they see when the candidate initially applies, they will ask me to interview them,” he explained. “I put in my recommendation, and the Air Force does their thing.”

Now that Boswell, Garofalo and Beatty are in, Oswald has taken off his evaluator hat and put on his mentor hat.

“Once they’re accepted, I try to line them up with kids currently in the academy and help them through their career,” said Oswald, who was a pilot himself. “Those three kids are pretty incredible.”

Garofalo, whose grandfather served in the Air Force, attended the academy’s prep school before entering the academy itself. “Everyone around you is a leader,” he said of the experience. “Everyone is leading each other; you can’t fall behind.”

He wants to study business, with the aim of working in acquisitions for the Air Force after graduation. In addition to their studies, recruits need to sign up for a sports team. Garofalo played for the Western Communities Football League and was highly sought after by colleges while playing for Palm Beach Central High School, so he naturally chose football.

“My mom and sister were crying,” Garofalo said of when he headed out for basic training. “As for me, because this was my second time going, I was less worried. I knew I could handle it. The first time was rough for me, mentally. I knew I had a lot of learning to do.”

Once there, Garofalo said the physical training (PT) was the worst part, but the best part is the friends you make.

“You’re all going through it together,” he explained. “You see the people next to you at their best and at their worst. In those 38 days, it brings everybody together.”

Garofalo said his day consists of school until noon, then football until around 7 p.m., then homework. “My schedule is jam-packed all day with schoolwork and football,” he said.

Boswell is another veteran of the Western Communities Football League. A recent Wellington High School graduate, he also attended the academy’s prep school.

Unlike Garofalo, Boswell chose the swim team as his sport, having enjoyed it in Wellington. “I got up at 5:45 this morning for a 6:30 practice,” he said. “I do this every other day — Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays one week, Tuesdays and Thursdays the next.”

His ultimate goal, however, is to become a fighter pilot, and perhaps a general one day.

“I was going to join the U.S. Naval Academy, but everyone told me the Air Force has more planes, so there are more options,” Boswell said. “It interested me, and I applied.”

Although his family does not have a long military history, they were very supportive of his decision.

“I had to fill out two applications and write about five essays to get in,” he said. “They have a strong selection process which, last year, meant a 12 percent acceptance rate. Having attended the prep school helped me get in.”

Although basic training at the prep school takes about 18 days, it’s six weeks at the academy.

“For me, the hardest part was being away from my family,” Boswell said. “But I knew what to expect this time and handled it pretty well.”

His day consists of classes until 3 p.m., then swimming from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m., then homework.

“Next semester, I’m going to take about 20 credit hours as a freshman, which is roughly equivalent to the number of hours a graduate student takes in regular school,” Boswell said.

The story is a bit different for Beatty, a 2018 graduate of Wellington High School who played strong safety and wide receiver on the WHS football team, was on the swim team and served as a lifeguard at the Wellington Aquatics Complex.

After his father, an active duty Air Force deployment commander in the Mideast, flew him out to Colorado for basic training at the academy, Beatty was flown back shortly thereafter on medical leave to have surgery on a torn ligament in his foot. Following six months of rehab, he’ll return for a slightly delayed academy career. His stepfather also served in the Air Force.

“I’m hoping for a 30- or 40-year career in the Air Force, becoming a four-star general, and then I’d like to go into politics,” Beatty said of his future. “Nothing has changed; it has only been reinforced. I always knew that I was going to love every aspect of the military. As a kid, I dressed as a soldier every Halloween. Going through it only solidified that. I love the camaraderie and pride in country.”

He even loved basic training — at least until he was injured.

“It was a freak accident that happened during the team sports we do for bonding. My foot just crumpled,” Beatty said. “My heart is still there. It was hard, watching all my teammates do PT and all I could do was motivate them to keep going. I didn’t want to be home. But now I know what to expect and the knowledge I have to learn, and I can help my teammates along the way. Also, some of my closest friends will be able to help me through my first year, which is the hardest.”

Although Beatty’s five younger siblings were glad to have him home, it was still hard.

“They knew how much it hurt me not to be there right now,” he said. “I’ll go back next year stronger and better, and we’re looking forward to that. I have two younger brothers, and they all look up to me. I have a sister in ninth grade, and my youngest brother, at age 7, already knows he wants to fly jets.”

As always, Oswald was there. “I spoke to Zack after he hurt his ankle, tried to cheer him up a little bit,” he said. “He has a pretty positive attitude, but I know how devastating that was. He had been looking forward to going through with Wyatt and Mikey.”

When he returns to the academy, Beatty will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in one of 20 fields open to him. Right now, he’s torn between biology and aeronautical engineering. He will also choose a sport, most likely the combat shooting team or the parachuting team.

“I got hurt playing flag football, so I’ll stay away from that next year,” he said. “People don’t realize that the Air Force Academy is one of the top three hardest institutions to get into. You need a great grade point average, but you also need to be able to run a 6.5-minute mile and do 90 sit-ups and push-ups. But you form lifelong relationships with everyone there and know that, no matter what, you have each other’s backs.”

For teens interested in attending the Air Force Academy, Oswald is always available with information. “Go to your computer, type in your zip code, and it will tell you who your local rep is,” he said. “Then call or send an e-mail. Some do it in eighth grade, some in their senior year. I have six I’m trying to help out for the next season.”  

Air Force Veteran Al Ziker Loves His Retirement In Wellington

In 1992, the 1,100-mile trip from veteran Al Ziker’s former home in Pittsburgh, Pa., to a spot west of I-95 in South Florida called Wellington was easy, especially for a man who had served his country as an Air Force navigator and made hundreds of flights from his base to a specific, ever-changing dot somewhere high above the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

“My wife and I wanted to move to Florida, and we had friends in Wellington, so we looked here and chose a house we liked,” Ziker recalled.

In Wellington, the couple found a hometown they loved, and a great place for their son and daughter and their families to visit. Today, they have four grandchildren, the youngest of whom is 20.

A 1956 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Ziker joined the military shortly after he earned his degree and served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, in postings around the United States, Europe and the Pacific.

After leaving the Air Force in 1976, Ziker lived in Philadelphia for 15 years, before making the move to Wellington.

“I worked in a home center [in Pennsylvania] and worked for Home Depot when I moved down here,” Ziker said.

In retirement, he is the president of his homeowners’ association and a property manager. “In my spare time, I still do a bit of woodworking,” Ziker added.

He is also very active in the local American Legion post, Wellington’s Chris Reyka Memorial Post 390, where he has served as post commander.

During the two decades Ziker served in the Air Force, he began his training at Lackland Air Force Base near Houston. His postings were in Massachusetts for seven years, then Mississippi for three years, Ohio and Germany for a few years each, and California for 18 months, with two tours in Okinawa, a year in Thailand and a shorter time in Goose Bay, Labrador.

That speck over the ocean mentioned earlier refers to Ziker’s job navigating his refueling plane to the rendezvous point so another military plane running on empty could be assured of finding a filling station with a full-service fill-up.

His crew serviced fighters, bombers and even the famous SR-71 Blackbirds, a mach-3-capable aircraft in operation for 32 years beginning in 1966 — the most sophisticated plane in America’s arsenal in its time.

“We had a four-man crew: a pilot, co-pilot, navigator and a boom operator who controlled the boom to put it into the fighter or the bomber, whoever we were refueling,” Ziker explained. “The pilot and co-pilot kept the plane moving smoothly in a straight line. I got us to the right spot.”

Ziker explained that it could be exciting with no computer-assisted equipment. “It was all manual controls. Just like refueling your car, you put the boom in the receptacle on the fighter or bomber,” he said. “It has something like a pop-up valve, it pushes it open and the fuel starts going in.”

Ziker said that the navigator makes sure a refueling plane is at the exact right place at the time a fighter or bomber, with only minutes of fuel left, arrives there needing to be resupplied, high above the open ocean.

“We had some emergencies, but nothing life-threatening,” Ziker said. “We had a boom that got jammed. It was extended the full length and didn’t want to retract.”

It was an experience that took some worrying minutes to resolve and get the boom stowed properly.

Now, in more relaxed times, Ziker reflected on what he likes most about his adopted hometown.

“What I like best about Wellington per se: the beauty, they try to really keep it up here really nice and they are pretty strict about keeping the beauty of the neighborhoods,” he said.

Ziker continued that the neighborhoods look good because the homeowners’ associations have a lot of documents to follow to keep them looking nice. “You can’t paint your house purple, you can’t raise dogs or cats or cows or goats in the front yard,” he said. “The village does a good job of trying to keep the village neat.

Ziker feels the equestrian community also contributes to the overall beauty of the community. He considers them a very important part of the Wellington lifestyle.

“Plus, the equestrians are nice,” he said. “They come in here, they bring a lot of money with them. If it wasn’t for them, Wellington wouldn’t be where it is today.”

Firefighter Bob Dawson Counts On Support Of His ‘Two Families’

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Capt. Bob Dawson is a station officer. He is the captain charged with running the station, the engines and the rescue vehicles.

“I was a volunteer firefighter in Pennsylvania and got into it again when I moved to Florida,” recalled Dawson, 56, who works out of Station 25 on Wellington Trace.

Dawson is also a devoted family man — in more ways than one.

“I am married, for 32 years, to my lovely wife Debbie. We have two boys, Ryan who is still in high school and Rob who is older,” said Dawson about his home family. “Rob is about to become a father in late November of his own two boys. His wife is going to have identical twin sons.”

He and his wife were proud to soon become grandparents, then they found out it was to be twins. “So, we are happy about being grandparents,” he said.

Dawson is also satisfied with his chosen career.

“I think the most satisfying aspect of being a firefighter is making a difference in someone’s life to help them out — whether it’s in their time of need or just a problem they’re having,” Dawson said. “We, as firefighters, may not consider it an emergency, [but] to someone who’s calling 9-1-1 at that time, for them, it is an emergency.”

Battalion Chief Sam Eaton said that Dawson has more than 22 years of service with PBCFR, has helped with the Hazardous Incident Management Team and provided assistance in the recovery from Hurricane Irma in the Florida Keys.

For his service, the Wellington Public Safety Committee recently named Dawson this year’s Wellington Top Firefighter.

“The things I am most proud of in this career, and there’s a lot to be proud of, are some of the things I’m involved with, like the South Florida Region 7 Incident Management Team and the Emergency Operations team,” Dawson said.

The Incident Management Team is the group that comes in and supports emergencies like hurricanes.

“Such as three years ago, when part of the team went to the Bahamas to help in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin, and last year, the team went to the Keys during the Hurricane Irma recovery,” Dawson said.

When in this role, Dawson has a very specific job to do.

“I’m the logistics section chief,” Dawson said. “My job is finding them stuff. I’m the guy who finds them things they need for the deployment.”

During the Irma campaign, Dawson was on medical leave recovering from knee surgery. Yet he came in and worked with his team. “I stayed back supporting the team, finding items they needed,” he said.

As part of the Palm Beach County Emergency Operations Team, Dawson is on hand locally whenever the need arises. “Whenever the Emergency Operations Center is activated, I report at Southern Blvd. and Military Trail,” he said.

In addition to actively volunteering in his church, Dawson volunteered in scouting when his oldest son was growing up. Now his younger son is into sports.

“There comes a time when your son gets too old, and you can’t coach your own son anymore,” he said. “But being from Pittsburgh, I’m a die-hard Steelers fan.”

Dawson’s hobbies are hunting and fishing with his sons. “My sons love camping, and anytime we take someone who has never been camping before, their maiden voyage, so to speak, is always to Lion Country Safari,” he said, referring to the KOA Campground adjacent to the world-famous drive-through wildlife park and attraction off Southern Blvd.

The campground has all the requirements of a camping facility, but it is close to home should a first-time camping group need some support from their home family.

Dawson explained that to be successful in the career of firefighting, you need to have two families.

“You have to have the support of your home family, as well as your fire-rescue family,” he said, stressing that no one can do the job alone. “They are both important.”

Spending time at the station adds a level of familiarity not found in other lines of work.

“We spend one-third of our lives with our fire-rescue family,” said Dawson, who added that he knows the members of his fire-rescue family every bit as well as he knows the biological members of his own family. “I know their likes, their dislikes and their quirks, and I know I can count on their support.”