Foster Care In Your Community Student Scientists Complete

Discovery West, Page 1
VOL. 14 NO. 5
www.seabreezepublications.com
MAY 2015
Foster Care In Your Community
You Just Need Somewhere To Belong: An
Adoption Story
Rachel, 16, has been in foster care, separated
from her brothers and sisters and endured two failed
adoptions. But none of that matters today.
“I’m grateful for the way things are now,” she says,
casting a shy smile on the woman she now calls mom.
Rachel was adopted last month by Cheryl
Robinson, a Port St. Lucie foster parent who gave up
her foster care license in February to focus on Rachel
and her transition into adoption. Prior to that, Robinson
specialized in fostering teenage girls.
“We hated to lose her because it’s already hard to
find people who will foster teenagers, and we really
need those homes,” said Jeandel Georges, placement
supervisor for Devereux Community Based Care, Cheryl and Rachel
the nonprofit agency that oversees the child-welfare
system in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties. “But a child found a
forever family and that’s a success for everyone.”
Sitting at a dining room table with her mother, in a comfortable home decorated with
pictures and mementos of earlier travels and former foster children, Rachel quietly deflects
questions about her earlier life, preferring instead to talk about life with Cheryl and dreams
for the future.
Rachel has plans to attend college, earn a law degree and become a judge.
“I’ve dreamed of being an attorney since third grade,” said Rachel, a St. Lucie West
Centennial High School student. “But then one day an attorney came to my school and talked
about reaching for the highest stars in your field. So now I want to be a judge.”
She is also an advocate for the rights of children in foster care. Earlier last month, she and
Cheryl traveled to Tallahassee and visited with legislators to raise political awareness for
40th Anniversary Of The
GFWC Port St. Lucie
Woman’s Club
By Marisol Guntkowski
The GFWC Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club
celebrated the club’s 40th birthday anniversary at the
Holiday Inn on April 15. The club was organized on
March 18, 1975 with 22 members. Today the club
has 48 members. It is a part of General Federation
of Women’s Clubs, the largest volunteer women’s
organization.
Mayor Gregory Oravec presented a proclamation that named this day April 15 as
“GFWC Port St. Lucie Woman’s Club Inc. in the entire city of Port St. Lucie.”
St. Lucie County Commissioner Chairman Paula Lewis presented Club President
Barbara Corvino a plaque of recognizance for the service work the club has
systemic issues, including high case-manager turnover and its impact on children in foster
care.
And she is passionate about finding good foster homes for teenagers.
“A lot of these kids come with flaws because they come from a place of hurt,” Rachel
said. “They need people who are prepared to take a child who has been hurt.”
Devereux CBC is leading the charge to make that happen by kicking off a public relations
recruitment campaign this spring.
The campaign is called 25 by 25 – 25 homes by Dec. 25.
Officials hope added publicity will increase awareness in the community and drive
prospective caregivers into foster parent orientation and training classes.
More than 130 children live in group homes or in other parts of the state – some as far
away as Jacksonville – because there aren’t enough foster homes for them here, said Christina
Kaiser, community relations director for Devereux CBC.
The number of homes has been on the rise since last year, when Devereux CBC expanded
its system of care to include three child-placing agencies to recruit, train and license foster
parents. However, the number of children entering care has also been on the rise, Kaiser
said.
She hopes the campaign will help people understand the benefits of being foster parents,
especially for teens.
“Caring for these kids, watching them come out of their shells and thrive is one of the
greatest honors I’ve ever had in life,” Robinson said. “Is it rewarding? It’s so much more
than that – I’ve learned something from every one of these young ladies.”
“It’s broadened my perspective,” she said. “They’re survivors, they’re strong. And it’s a
privilege to be a part of that.”
Foster Care on page 6
Student Scientists Complete
Yearlong Research
It was a bittersweet day at the Treasure Coast Research Park last week as the Marine &
Oceanographic Society (MOA) students did their final field research day for the 2014/15
academic year. The students, a diverse and talented group of Westwood High School students
who have been chosen to participate in the program, which is housed at Florida Atlantic
University’s Oceanographic Institution, have been taking samples, doing monthly tests and
conducting research on site since September. The group of two dozen advanced placement
environmental science students has also been enjoying discussions and presentations from
world-class research scientists during lunch and learn sessions.
Tracy Griffin, the marine science instructor at Harbor Branch Institute, said the experience
had been a really positive and inspirational experience for the students. For the students, the
hands-on opportunity to conduct research and the chance to hear from scientists working
in the field has been invaluable. “This has been an awesome opportunity for the students
and for me,” she said. “We are really grateful to Treasure Coast Education, Research and
Student Scientists on page 2
Photo by Wendy Dwyer
40th Anniversary on page 8
Students from the Marine and Oceanographic Academy gather one last time at the Treasure
Coast Research Park, culminating a year of unique research and educational opportunities
thanks to the collaborative efforts of local visionaries and educators.
Page 2, Discovery West
Happenings
Networking Breakfast
Sponsored By Airtronics
Security
By Marisol Guntkowski
This networking
breakfast is a hot breakfast
buffet held the second
Tuesday of each month
by the St. Lucie County
Chamber of Commerce
at St. Lucie Trails. It’s
one of the most popular
networking events with
average attendance of
over 75 people.
The sponsor for the 50/50 winner: Mark Rothstein
m o n t h o f A p r i l w a s with TLC Experts
A i r t r o n i c s S e c u r i t y.
Airtronics is a multitalented local company that has served
the Treasure Coast since 1995.
Airtronics Security brings you the latest and greatest in
home-security monitoring and complete security systems for
homes and businesses.
Call today! (772) 467-0097 for a free home security
system or business security system quotes.
The St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce honored Kevin
Burke with Good Rides, as “Networker of the Month” for
April. The ceremony takes place the second Tuesday of each
month at the Chamber’s Networking Breakfast. Burke was
presented with a plaque and badge from Aztec Graphix for
his continued promotion of the Chamber of Commerce and
its members. Congratulations!
Student Scientists from page 1
David and Sandra Dineley with Airtronics
Editorial copy appearing herewith is not necessarily the viewpoint of
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Development Authority (TCERDA) for this opportunity,
and we look forward to a long partnership with the research
park.”
Created in 2005 as a partnership between the St. Lucie
Board of County Commissioners and the University
of Florida, the Treasure Coast Research Park was
designed to spotlight and encourage biotechnological and
agricultural research. In addition to creating an atmosphere
conducive to research and education, the Treasure Coast
Education Research Development Authority has created
an infrastructure to encourage and support research in the
areas of food, energy and water. The collaboration with the
St. Lucie County School Board, Florida Atlantic University,
and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
research facilities on site at the Treasure Coast Research
Memorial
Day,
May 25
Park just west of Kings Highway in Fort Pierce was a natural
evolution of the mission of the facility and its leadership.
Indeed, TCERDA’s board of directors is looking forward
to the MOA students’ return in the fall, when they will
have completed and will present a report on their findings.
TCERDA CEO Ben DeVries said, “TCERDA’s goal is to
bring together the power of people, the power of ideas, and
the power of place. These young scientists working together
to understand the environmental sciences that preserve the
natural beauty of St. Lucie County’s waterways will shape
the future of the Treasure Coast.”
To learn more about the Treasure Coast Research Park
and all the opportunities for research, development and
commerce in St. Lucie County, or to schedule a meeting or
presentation about the Treasure Coast Research Park and
TCERDA’s initiatives, please call (772) 467-3107, or visit:
www.treasurecoastresearchpark.com.
Discovery West, Page 3
Dating
Single Scene Column©
Treat Your Woman Well!
By Kelly Leary, M.S.,
Founder of Revolution
Dating
Happy Mother’s Day to all
of you REVOLUTIONARY
women! As I think about
all the amazing mothers,
grandmothers, aunts, and
mothers-to-be that I know
and love, I am touched. So
many of our clients and
friends read and follow this
column, I feel compelled to
make this month wonderful
for both genders. This month,
MEN, treat the ladies in your life BETTER THEN EVER! As
they say, “If your woman is happy, you are happy!” Whether
she is your mother, wife, first date, girlfriend, or someone
you have your eye on...treat her EXTRA special this May.
I’ve interviewed several of my favorite women in the club
and they have much to say that will help you. Here are the
top 10 dating/relationship tips from the women of Revolution
Dating:
1. Women want you to open the car door for them...make
sure her tires have air, gas in the tank, windows clean. It’s the
little things! (Ruth, 65 year old Retired Business Woman).
2. It is ALWAYS flattering when you compliment us
(Rebecca, 27 year old Account Exec).
3. Buy us something very expensive and totally useless
(Sarah, 31 year old CEO).
4. Send flowers for Mother’s Day...especially if she is
YOUR romantic interest and she happens to be a Mom or
Grandma for example! (Kim, 41 year old Business Owner).
5. Be confident and always be truthful. Take your guard
down. What do you have to lose? (Susan, 51 year old
Financial Advisor).
6. Chivalry is everything! Once a man loses this ability,
he loses everything, including his manhood (Jennifer, 37
year old Lawyer).
7. Men chase women. It’s biblical...so chase her...pursue
her...claim the one you want and let her know how you feel.
If she is interested, she is yours. If she is not, move on. Be
the Man (Yours Truly).
8. Make sure your girl knows you are into her, but be
careful not to be too needy (give her some space). Instead,
send her flowers. Book a vacation for the two of you. Never
arrive at her house empty handed. These signals will tell her
you are into her! This is key to dating and courtship. Don’t
hate the players, hate the game! It is what it is, gentleman.
(Tina, 55 year old School Principal).
Lauri J. Goldstein, Esq.
9. Be yourself. Don’t try to be someone else. Sooner or
later, the real you is bound to come out, so aim true and follow
the other advice in this article (even if it goes against your
grain a bit). If she is a keeper, and your “truths” collide, you
will know it in your heart. (Vera, 60 year old Doctor).
10. Chivalry is NOT dead. It’s alive and well, and men
need to accept this fact, if they want a beautiful woman by
their side. (Katie, 43 year old Pharmaceutical Rep).
So guys and gals, if all of these great tips are followed
in your budding courtships or relationships this month, we
are all destined to have a happy month. Since so many of us
are Mothers, we deserve it too, so bend over backwards and
watch the world open up for you! Honor her, especially on
her special day. Don’t play games with her. Show her how
you feel and pay attention to her needs. We all have needs,
from the bedroom to the boardroom, but the needs of the
heart are the most precious.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I am giving all women who
qualify a $300 credit towards a membership at our fabulous
club. What a great time to get revolutionary...amidst a “man
training” session! Enjoy the love around you and welcome
more. I can’t wait to meet you!
Kelly XOXO
Kelly Leary© has 24 years in the dating industry and a
Master’s Degree in Psychology. She has been profiled by
ABC News, The Palm Beach Post, The Palm Beacher and
other publications. All Revolution Dating members are
prescreened first, including background checks. Professional
member photos are taken by the staff. Revolution Dating is
not online dating or blind dating. In addition to providing
matchmaking services that make singles “UN-single”
through their exclusive membership, Kelly also holds private
singles events. For more information, please call (561) 630XOXO (9696) or 772-932-HERE (4373).
Around Town Singles Scene Photos
No one does Spring
Romance quite like
Revolution Dating! The
following photos were taken
a t R e v o l u t i o n D a t i n g ’s
“Lucky In Love” Party at the
Angry Moon Cafe, on March
25th. Flirting, friendship and
fun filled this Palm Beach
Gardens hot spot as guests
enjoyed live acoustic music,
spirits, fine cuisine and minidates. Clients came from
Vero Beach to South Florida
for this upscale but relaxed Boy meets girl rises to a new level! All guests are prescreened and deemed “dateworthy!”
event. Introductions were
made by Kelly and her team as old and new friends mixed
and mingled. No one stands alone at these parties, as the
staff is trained in connecting others! People are still talking
about this mixer, and many couples that met that evening are
officially dating and will be spending Spring and Summer
2015 together! For more information on how you can start
your own “Love Movement,” and/or for our May Event
Schedule please call 561-630-XOXO (9696) or register at
www.revolutiondating.com. *Parties are not mandatory.
Many opt out for one-on-one set ups. All inquiries are
confidential.
Teamwork at its finest. Kelly and Rachel say opening words.
#THISisRevolution Dating!
WORKING
HARD FOR
THE INJURED
The Revolution Dating Senior Group is having the time of
their lives! Who would have thought?
For over 20 years, compassion for our clients and knowledge of
the law has helped thousands
receive the verdicts and settlements
772-222-2222
they were entitled to.*
Our staff is ready to help you and our team of attorneys is waiting
to put 40 years of combined legal experience to work for you.
60 is the new 40 at Revolution Dating! This couple never
imagined they would “click” so fast!
Speak directly to an attorney NOW!
24/7 Emergency Cell Line
772-214-6464
*Results may not be typical. You may not have as beneficial a result.
Auto, Truck & Motorcycle Accidents • Personal Injury • Wrongful Death
1330 S. Federal Hwy. • Stuart, FL 34994 • 772-222-2222 • www.femaleinjurylawyer.com
You have heard of the Power Lunch. This is “Power Dating!”
Page 4, Discovery West
Estate Planning
Building Flexibility Into
Estate Plans
By Bruce Abernethy
One of life’s certainties
is that change is
inevitable. It is important
to understand that
changed circumstances
dramatically impact even
the most well designed
estate plan. Changes in
laws (particularly tax
laws), in finances, or in
the persons named or
included in our planning, are but some of the “life realities”
that must be anticipated.
Obviously, the best way to deal with changed circumstances
is to periodically review your estate plan with a qualified
Treasure Coast Real Estate
Update
By Jim Weix
It is amazing how lucky homeowners in Martin County
are. I am reminded of this every year at this time, when people
from St. Lucie County and south of us, begin looking for a
home in Martin County before school starts in August.
People want to come to Martin County for three main
reasons: an A+ school system, no forced school busing and
quality of life. Although some people complain that Martin
County is sometimes “no growth,” for the most part, it is
“planned growth.”
You only need to look north to St. Lucie County and
the city of Port St. Lucie to see what happens when your
growth plan resembles the ideology of a cancer cell: growth
estate-planning advisor. But what if your estate plan
becomes “locked up” due to incapacity or death? At that
point, self-directed plan modifications to deal with changed
circumstances are just not possible. Instead, we must rely
on the language that has been included (hopefully) in the
plan documents to allow appropriate reactions to changed
circumstances.
While in certain planning situations, built in flexibility
may not be warranted or desired so as to assure a certain
desired outcome – in most planning situations, flexibility
is welcomed. Among the “tools of the trade” that estate
planners often use to build in flexibility where appropriate
are: Powers of Appointment, individuals serving as “trust
protectors,” thoughtfully designed trustee succession and
removal provisions, and “disclaimer” triggered estate tax
planning structures.
With today’s historically high federal estate tax exclusion
amounts ($5,430,000 in 2015) and higher income tax rates
applicable to many trusts, it is imperative that flexibility to
allow appropriate income tax be designed into estate plans.
Proper trust design will allow trust beneficiaries to essentially
“choose” between “estate tax exposure” or “income tax
reduction.” In most cases – exposing trust assets to estate
taxation is irrelevant due to the high exclusion amounts,
meaning that, at least under current law, having the flexibility
to expose assets to estate taxation (at no real cost) may
generate significant income tax savings!
As another example of the importance of flexible
planning – imagine that a trust is set up for a child for the
child’s lifetime, with remaining assets to pass to the child’s
children at the child’s death. What if over the child’s lifetime,
circumstances change such that leaving assets to one of the
child’s children at death would not be appropriate? Perhaps
the child’s child has a substance abuse issue, creditor issues,
etc. By providing the child with a properly designed “Power
of Appointment” over the trust assets – the child is given the
right to have a “second” look” at the overall estate plan and
to divert assets that would otherwise pass to the child’s child
into a more appropriate structure. Contact our office today at
(772) 489-4901 to discuss your estate planning needs.
for the sake of growth. This
lack of a growth plan has
caused too many problems to
mention, but suffice it to say
that they run the financial and
demographic gauntlet.
Although Realtors often
talk about the “selling season”
when northerners come down
and either purchase vacation
homes or move here, Martin
County has a second “selling
season” and it is going on right now. My office, and others,
gets constant inquiries from buyers wanting to buy a home
and get settled before the next school season starts.
For sellers, this means that now is a great time to put your
home on the market. In high demand are single-family homes
suited for families with children.
Given the fact that prices seemed to have leveled off,
sitting on your home and waiting for double digit appreciation
is not likely to pay off. There is also serious talk of interest
rates rising in September. Right now would seem your best
chance to get your highest price.
The only major obstacle we are facing right now is
buyers getting mortgages. The banks seem to be looking
for reasons to deny loans, not make them. I’m not sure who
is responsible, but that issue needs to be corrected if our
economy is ever to fully recover.
Jim Weix is the owner/broker of The Real Estate
Company, Inc., located at 734 Colorado Ave., Stuart. You
can contact him at (772) 288-1900 or e-mail him at jimweix@
jimweix.com.
Real Estate
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Discovery West, Page 5
Tip Of The Tail
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common condition of canines, usually
affecting large breed dogs. Many dog owners have heard of
it, but anyone owning a large breed dog or considering a large
breed dog should be become familiar with this condition.
The term dysplasia means abnormal growth, so hip
dysplasia means abnormal growth or development of the hip
joint. Hip dysplasia occurs during a puppy’s growing phase
and essentially refers to a poor fit of “ball and socket” nature
of the hip. The normal hip consists of femoral head, which
is round like a ball and connects the femur to the pelvis; the
acetabulum, which is the socket of the pelvis; and the fibrous
joint capsule and lubricating fluid that make up the joint.
The bones (femoral head and acetabulum) are coated with
smooth cartilage so that motion is nearly frictionless and the
bones glide smoothly across each other’s surface. When a
dog has hip dysplasia, the ball and socket do not fit together
smoothly. The socket is flattened and the ball is not held
tightly in place, thus allowing for some slipping. This makes
for an unstable joint and the body’s attempts to stabilize
the joint only result in painful bony changes recognized as
arthritis.
The primary cause of hip dysplasia is genetic but
inheritance of this trait is not as simple as a dominant/
recessive relationship that we study in high school biology.
Normal dogs can breed and yield dysplastic offspring as
the condition may skip generations. Until a test based on
the actual DNA can be developed, the best we can do to
prevent this disease is to breed only dogs with normal hips,
a challenge since often dogs are not apparently dysplastic
until they have already started a breeding career.
Nutritional factors are also important in the development
of hip dysplasia. For example, it has been popular to try to
nutritionally “push” a large breed puppy to grow faster or
larger by providing extra protein, more calcium or even just
extra food. Practices such as these have been disastrous,
leading to bones and muscle growing at different rates and
creating assorted joint diseases of which hip dysplasia is
one. One study showed that when puppies of hip dysplasia
prone breeds were allowed to free feed, two-thirds went on
to develop hip dysplasia while only one-third developed hip
dysplasia when the same diet was fed in meals. Studies such
as these have led to the development of puppy foods designed
for large breed puppies, where the optimal nutritional plane
is different than for small breed puppies.
Dogs with hip dysplasia will show a variety of symptoms.
They often begin by showing stiffness and pain in the rear
legs after exercise or first thing in the morning. They may
also have difficulty climbing stairs. In milder cases dogs
will warm-up out of the stiffness with continued movement
and exercise. As the pain worsens, dogs often walk or run
awkwardly, many times they will run with a “bunny hopping”
motion. Many owners attribute the changes to normal aging
but after treatment is initiated, they are surprised to see a
more normal and pain-free form return. As the condition
gets worse, most dogs will lose muscle tone and may even
need assistance in getting up.
Management of hip dysplasia has greatly improved thanks
to the advancements in physical therapy and the introduction
of several new drugs; however, helping a dog maintain his
recommended weight may be the single most important
thing owners can do for their dogs. Along with weight
management, physical therapy and regular exercises like
leash walks that provide good range of motion and muscle
building are very important. As the disease progresses,
advanced physical therapy, such as underwater treadmill,
laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and massage therapy
can help relieve pain, improve range of motion and increase
overall quality of life.
BEFORE
AFTER
772-266-0700
772-266-0700
772-266-0700
6/20/15.
6/20/15.
Palm Beach Lunch Bunch
Jupiter’s Largest Women’s Networking Group May 21st
www.palmbeachlunchbunch.com
It’s all about networking!
Learn networking tips and have extra time to tell
us about YOU and Your Business
Vendors Welcome
Friends meeting friends ... making business happen
The monthly meeting of the Palm Beach Lunch Bunch will be at Abacoa Golf Club on May 21st
at 11:30 a.m. To reserve your seat for lunch, log on to www.palmbeachlunchbunch.com. For
questions or to reserve a vendor table, call LuAnn at (561) 741-7770.
Additionally, oral supplements, such as glucosamine and
chondroitin and omega-3 fatty acids have been widely used
to help manage hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis in both dogs
and humans. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Rimadyl
and corticosteroids, can also be very beneficial, although
due to the potency and possible overdosage of these drugs,
it is important to work closely with your veterinarian for
proper use. And finally, there are several surgical procedures
available to treat hip dysplasia depending on your dog’s age,
weight, size and the severity of the disease.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center
is dedicated to providing the best possible care for your
pets. With focuses on compassionate care in surgery,
physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative medicine,
extensive diagnostics and emergency service, Palm City
Animal Medical Center combines exceptional medical
care with a caring philosophy for pets and their owners.
For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit www.
palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
Your Mobile
Chef
Triple Berry Trifle
By Karen Lennon
Summer break is fast
approaching along with
graduation parties and
backyard barbecues, but who
has time to make a fancy
dessert? A triple berry trifle
is a perfect summertime
treat. While I traditionally
make my triple berry trifle
with a base of homemade
zabaglione that I learned
how to make from my Italian
mother-in-law, who was
taught by her father, who
was taught by his mother when they lived in Milan, it takes
a lot of patience and a really good double boiler. However,
it’s summertime and who has time to stand over a double
boiler? This version is a beautiful and eye-catching dessert
that takes half the time, but is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Enjoy!
Triple Berry Trifle – The Easy Version
Ingredients:
1 packge strawberries (quartered)
1 package blueberries
1 package blackberries
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
¼ cup sugar (½ cup for really sweet whipped cream)
1 package instant vanilla pudding*
1 pound cake loaf, cut into ½-inch cubes
½ cup favorite liqueur (Frangelico, Gran Marnier, Chambord)
Rinse berries and place in a bowl then and add the sugar
and liqueur. Soak for at least two hours or overnight. Pour
the whipping cream and sugar into a mixing bowl then take
your electric mixer and whip it at the highest speed until
the cream is thick and can form a stiff peak. Take a clear
serving bowl and layer the bottom with pound cake cubes.
Take the pudding and cover the layer of pound cake. Take
the berries and cover the layer of pudding. Top the berries
with a layer of whipped cream. Repeat all layers one more
time. Refrigerate for at least another two hours.
*The really easy version is to use the single cups of vanilla
pudding that you can find in the refrigeration section when
you are in a pinch.
For more information
about Your Mobile Chef,
or if you are interested in
taking a cooking class at
Healthy U, you can email:
yourmobilechef@gmail.
com or call (772) 2663162.
Page 6, Discovery West
Community News
Leeandrea Jones, 2015 Youth
Of The Year Winner
By Marisol Guntkowski
Leeandrea Jones is a
senior at Lincoln Park
Academy (LPA) and has
been a member of Boys &
Girls Clubs of St. Lucie
County for five years. She
spent her first two years at
the club’s Garden Terrace
Unit, and then became a
member at the Chuck Hill
Unit. Leeandrea is a diligent
and focused student with a
unweighted GPA of 3.5, and
a weighted GPA of 4.9.
Since her junior year, Leeandrea Jones, 2015 Youth
Leeandrea has been dually of the Year winner.
enrolled at Indian River
State College and will be receiving both her high school
diploma and her Associate of Arts degree in May 2015. After
touring The Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
(FAMU), through the club’s “Excel With Exposure College
Tour” she applied and was accepted for the fall. She plans
to have a career in the medical field as a pharmacist or an
occupational therapist.
Mike Sancho with Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County;
Leeandrea Jones, 2015 Youth of the Year winner; and Isaac
Jones (Leeandrea’s father)
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Leeandrea was a varsity tennis player
for LPA, on the dance team at The Club,
and also a two-term president of the
Silver Level C.H.U. Keystone Club, a
leadership club at the Chuck Hill Unit.
She believes in “giving until it feels
good” and she does this by volunteering
with the elderly, mentoring younger club
members and hosting food drives for the
needy.
The Youth of the Year program
creates opportunities for club youth to
receive recognition at the local, state,
regional and national levels. Leeandrea Leeandrea talking at the St. Lucie Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast.
will go on to compete at the state level
in May. Each year, five Regional Youth of the Year, along with the Military Youth of the Year, will travel to Washington,
D.C., to participate in a judging process that will determine the National Youth of the Year.
For more information or to contact Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County, please dial (772) 460-9918. Donations can
be made at www.bgcofslc.org.
Caregiver
Spotlight
them. Their unconditional love makes me happy.
What is your favorite moment as a foster parent?
At 2 a.m., I was sitting in the dark, in my rocking chair,
holding a newborn infant just finishing her feeding. I was
singing Silent Night, and she was smiling at me with big
beautiful, blue eyes. That was the moment I knew that I
was meant for this.
Tell us a little about yourself – what are your
hobbies? I was born in Aurora, Colo., as the seventh
child in a family of 12 children – six boys and six girls.
My father died when I was 6. I admire my mother more
than anyone in the world. I am fortunate that she is 96
years old and still with us. I like to write. I enjoy writing
a daily journal for our foster children about the events of
their week. We share those journals and snapshots with
their moms and dads at the weekly visits so they don’t
miss their children’s milestone events.
Devereux Community Based Care is proud of its foster
parents and plans to give them the spotlight during the
next several months, as we roll out our 25 by 25 campaign
to recruit and license 25 foster homes by Dec. 25.
This week, the spotlight is on Ann Luecke, president
of the St. Lucie County Foster Parent Association. She
and her husband, Tim, have been foster parents for six
years. Together, they have welcomed 21 foster children
into their home.
Why did you become a foster parent? I thoroughly
love being with and taking care of little, tiny kids. When
people asked me what I would do if I won the lottery, I
always said that I would quit my job and become a foster
parent. I looked forward to retiring and volunteering with
kids. I enjoy getting down on the floor and playing with
Tim and Ann Luecke
Foster Care from page 1
Anyone interested in learning more about foster care
– including faith communities interested in helping to
recruit – are welcome to attend one of the free community
breakfasts.
Rachel will be there to tell her story and to advocate
for more homes.
“This is important to us – to kids in foster care, kids
who need homes,” she said. “You need somewhere to
belong.”
Call (772) 528-0362 or e-mail: christina.kaiser@
devereuxcbc.org for more information or to register for
a breakfast.
Discovery West, Page 7
Treasure Coast Outdoors
By Jim Weix
Cobia fishing on the
Treasure Coast sometimes
requires a joint effort with
bull sharks. It also can make
for some exciting fishing.
After an unproductive day
of trolling earlier in the week,
I thought it might be time to
introduce Wisconsin native,
Gary Squire, to the world of
what I call “bull shark rodeo
fishing.” In short, it involves
attracting bull sharks to your boat, in the hopes of catching
the cobia that sometimes follow them.
We anchored on what is known locally as “The Sand Pile.”
It is just northeast of the St. Lucie Inlet. Each year, migrating
bull sharks and cobia gather here. Another popular spot is
Bull Shark Reef, just southeast of the Inlet.
When someone has never done this before, I enjoy putting
on a show. I lower a dead, bloody bonito over the side of the
boat. Then, while chumming the water, I do things like chant
“Come to me my little pretties.”
It is good for a laugh. I also enjoy the look on an angler’s
face, when a bull shark suddenly appears next to the boat. If
you have never stood next to a shark, with a head as large as
a garbage can, it can be a little unnerving.
An inherit problem with this type of fishing, is that a
hooked cobia can be grabbed by a bull shark. Some anglers
complain that other anglers are losing as many cobia to bull
sharks, as they are boating. In my boat, the rule is that any
cobia, lost to a bull shark, is considered part of the bag limit.
In our case, either my singing or my chumming worked
too well. We soon had about a dozen bull sharks circling the
boat. I took the bonito out of the water and we decided to
wait until they had left.
We were eating lunch, when suddenly a 25-pound dolphin
showed up next to the boat. Gary tossed a jig at it and it
immediately grabbed it.
For whatever reason, the hooked dolphin didn’t make a
screaming run. Perhaps because of the bull sharks, it just sat
there. Getting the fish, before the bull sharks did, was going
to be a challenge.
I reached over with the gaff hook, while Gary slowly
backed up. I looked down to see several bull sharks slowly
rising beneath the dolphin and made a sort of “Hail Mary”
attempt to gaff it.
I got lucky and began to pull the dolphin from the water.
At the same moment, a bull shark decided it didn’t want to
lose an easy meal. We both began pulling at the dolphin.
I finally
boated the
dolphin, but not
before the bull
shark managed
to bite off an
appetizer.
Both the bull
shark and Gary
had dolphin for
A school of bull sharks joined Gary Squire dinner that day.
G a r y ’s o n l y
and Jim Weix for fishing.
Do Not Leave The Hospital/
Rehab Without Home Care
Arrangements
grooming, transferring
from wheelchair, help
with ambulating, help with
toileting, etc.
A gentleman called one
day who said his wife was
in the hospital. For the
entire time she was gone,
the husband did not make
meals for himself, as he
was not comfortable with
cooking. His wife always
made the meals. We were so pleased that he thought to call
us to get help for himself. We referred a caregiver who is a
good cook and she helped him with a menu, shopping list
and started preparing meals for him in his wife’s absence. He
was so pleased to have good meals prepared and appreciated
the help immensely. His wife was also relieved that he was
eating properly. When his wife returned home, everything
Gary Squire, of Wisconsin, managed to get most of his dolphin
away from a school of bull sharks.
comment about the whole thing was “This sure isn’t like
bluegill fishing in Wisconsin.”
Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. He is the owner
of The Real Estate Company, Inc. He can be reached at
(772) 288-1900 or by e-mail: jimweix@jimweix.com.
Senior Matters
By Jan Robson
Almost all elderly (and sometimes not so elderly) patients
coming back home from the hospital or rehab need home
care. Sometimes a family member is available to perform
care-giving duties. If you are faced with this situation, make
a list of family members or friends that you can call on. If
the list is not very long, make sure you make arrangements
before leaving the facility to come back home. Most likely the
case manager at the facility will discuss choosing a Medicare
agency to help with therapy needs. However, it might be
necessary to consider a private pay agency (like ours) to help
with you or your spouse’s care or ADLs (activities of daily
living), such as assisting with bathing/showering, dressing,
was already in motion for the caregiver to stay on and help
with the meals and the additional care she needed until she
recovered.
Depending upon the situation, a caregiver may be needed
for a very limited time. This gives the patient time to heal and
recover without the worry of the spouse, and the spouse does
not have to suffer unnecessarily when an emergency occurs.
It is wise to take it easy and let a professional help during
those times. For most, a home health aide/certified nurse
assistant is a perfect solution. The service can be started or
stopped at any time, which is a nice safety net when others
are not available to help.
Jan Robson is the owner of Champion Home Health
Care, a nurse registry, covering Martin and North Palm
Beach counties. For assistance, please free to call her office
at 772-287-5432 or peruse Champion’s Web site at: http://
www.championhomestuart.com/. Jan or one of her friendly
staff will be happy to answer any of your questions.
Ken Guntkowski
Investment Advisor Representative
Professional,
Friendly Service
Ameritas®
Ameritas Investment Corp.
Member FINRA/SIPC
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Page 8, Discovery West
Business News
Port St. Lucie Business
Women Encourages
Applicants For Community
Action Grants
Every year the Port St. Lucie Business Women awards
thousands of dollars in grants from money raised in the
organization’s annual spring luncheon and fashion show.
Now through May 29, the Community Action and Grants
Committee is seeking applications from organizations with
501(c)(3) status for grants that fulfill its criteria. Decisions
will be announced in late June. In keeping with the mission
of the Port St. Lucie Business Women, all projects chosen
must have a primary focus on programs benefiting women
and/or children.
Funds will be granted for programs benefiting women and/
or children in St. Lucie County. Grant funds are to be used
for program materials and not capital projects or salaries.
The programs must be completed by Dec. 31. The chosen
agencies will be requested to present the outcomes of their
programs to the members of the Port St. Lucie Business
Women.
The Community Action and Grants Committee will
carefully review the projects and make recommendations,
presenting their recommendations to the membership for
ratification.
For more information or to request a grant application,
contact committee chair Terri A. Larrivee at tlarrivee@coasl.
com.
Past recipients include: CASTLE; Children’s Home
Society of Florida; Council on Aging of St. Lucie Inc.; Early
Learning Coalition of St. Lucie County; HPS – Helping
People Succeed Inc.; P.A.C.E. Center for Girls; SafeSpace
Inc.; Treasure Coast Food Bank; United Way of St. Lucie
County; and WPSL Christmas Kids.
The Port St. Lucie Business Women is a professional
organization dedicated to promoting the interests of
businesswomen and serving our community in an effective
way. For more information visit www.pslbw.com. “Like” us
on Facebook for updates about our event, programs and
community involvement.
Publix Donates To Helping People Succeed
40th Anniversary from page 1
accomplished. District 10 Director Mary Evelyn Mitchell installed the new officers for the
next year. The anniversary
celebration committee under
the leadership of Chairman
Peggy Silletto, presented a
memorable party.
Congratulations to The
GFWC Port St. Lucie
Woman’s Club.
Helping People Succeed President/CEO Suzy Hutcheson,
center, received a $10,000 donation from Publix at its Miami
offices. Making the presentation were Publix executives,
rear left, Northern Regional Director Richard Rhoads,
Making Change President and CEO Larry McCurry, Miami
Division Vice President Kevin Murphy and Director of
Merchandising for Miami Division Garry Correll. More
than 4,500 families and children will benefit from this
funding support in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee
counties.