iTHINK Financial Credit Union Appoints Cameron Siser as Executive Director of Its Community Foundation

Cameron Sisser

iTHINK Financial Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Cameron Sisser as Executive Director of the iTHINK Community Foundation, effective August 24.

Cameron brings more than 16 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, events and communications strategy, with much of his career spent with Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. During his tenure, he helped the organization’s continued community growth and impact. In addition to his nonprofit experience, Cameron brings more than 22 years of experience in governmental and public affairs. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Florida International University and is certified in Fund Raising Management from Indiana University’s School of Philanthropy.

The iTHINK Community Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered in the state of Florida. “We are thrilled to welcome Cameron to the iTHINK Financial family and to the iTHINK Community Foundation,” said Mike Miller, President & CEO of iTHINK Financial. “His extensive experience in nonprofit fundraising, community engagement and strategy will be a tremendous asset as we continue to expand the Foundation’s impact and strengthen the communities we serve.”

A Delray Beach resident, Cameron is also an active member of his community. Outside of work, he enjoys playing golf, fishing and volunteering. In his new role, Cameron will lead the iTHINK Community Foundation’s efforts to support meaningful initiatives and strengthen the communities where iTHINK Financial members and employees live, work and thrive. “We’re excited about the experience and passion Cameron brings to this role and look forward to the difference he will make through the Foundation,” said Miller. For more information about the iTHINK Community Foundation or to learn how you can get involved in future events, call 800-873-5100.

iTHINK Financial is a member-owned financial institution that has provided financial services to families for over 56 years. To be eligible for Membership, you must work for or be retired from a Member Company, live in an approved county, worship or attend school in an approved county, or be an immediate family member of/live in the same household as an existing Member. You can begin taking advantage of their very competitive deposit rates on savings and checking by opening an account using their Membership Application or calling 800.873.5100.

Jewish Federation Aims to Set Community Record With Shabbat Across the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast on November 6

Shabbat Across Challah Cover

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County is inviting thousands of people across the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast to help set a community record on Friday, November 6, by participating in Shabbat Across the Palm Beaches & Treasure Coast, an unprecedented effort to create the community’s largest shared Shabbat experience.

Shabbat Across invites individuals, families, synagogues, organizations and anyone interested to host a gathering, attend a community experience or simply celebrate the Sabbath in a way that feels meaningful to them on the same Friday night.

Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest and celebration, is traditionally observed from Friday evening through Saturday evening as a time to pause and enjoy Jewish traditions including prayer, lighting candles and enjoying braided bread called challah.

The initiative is part of Federation’s broader movement to activate Jewish life across the Palm Beaches by creating more ways for people to connect with Jewish traditions, community and one another.  Federation encourages participants to register their plans so that every Shabbat connection can be counted as part of the community-wide effort.

“Imagine thousands of people across Jewish Palm Beach pausing on the same Friday night to celebrate the beauty of the Sabbath, each in their own way while knowing they are part of something much larger,” said Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County.

“This is an opportunity to bring our community together and demonstrate the extraordinary strength, connection, vibrancy and inclusivity of Jewish life here.”

Participating synagogues and Jewish organizations throughout the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast will offer dinners, services, informal gatherings and other Shabbat experiences on November 6, with additional opportunities planned in the weeks leading up to Shabbat Across. Programs will be updated at jewishpb.org/shabbatacross as the date nears.

 

Community members can participate in three ways:

  • Host: Set an intimate table for two or a large celebration by inviting family, friends, neighbors or someone new. From a traditional dinner to pizza by the pool, hosts are encouraged to create an experience that feels meaningful to them.
  • Attend: Join another person’s dinner or a program hosted by a synagogue or Jewish organization.
  • Shabbat Your Way: Light candles with family, share challah or wine with friends, have pizza on the beach, attend services or create a quiet moment at home. If it’s Shabbat to you, it counts.

Registered hosts can also receive a special “Shabbat Across” host gift, while supplies last, including a  challah cover and candles created in Federation’s partnership region in Israel.

Families with young children who gather with at least two other Jewish families may be eligible for a $100 PJ Library(R) Get Together Grant, while OneTable offers young adult hosts inspiration, resources and reimbursement for eligible Shabbat meal expenses.

The Shabbat Across web page offers resources to make participating easy for people at every stage of Jewish life, including those celebrating Shabbat for the first time.

To be counted as part of Shabbat Across, community members are encouraged to register their participation at jewishpb.org/shabbatacross. The website also includes a map of community Shabbat experiences, participating organizations, hosting resources and additional details.

Celebrate National Pumpkin Day at Berry Fresh Café

Apple Cobbler Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancake

Berry Fresh Café is celebrating National Pumpkin Day on October 26 with seasonal menu offerings that bring elevated pumpkin flavors to breakfast and brunch. Rich in vitamin A and C, fall’s favorite fruit also provides fiber and potassium benefits to regulate blood pressure and lower cholesterol.

Available for a limited time as part of the scratch café’s Fall What’s Fresh menu, the new lineup rolls out fan favorites like the Apple Cobbler Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancake Stack and Iced Pumpkin Pie Matcha Latte.

Apple Cobbler Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pancake Stack | $14.99

Fluffy pancakes layered with rich cheesecake filling, topped with Apple Bourbon compote and finished with cinnamon biscuit crumble and house-made apple cobbler-flavored whipped cream

Iced Pumpkin Pie Matcha Latte | $8.99

Matcha and pumpkin pie flavors topped with whipped cream and rich caramel drizzle

Both menu items are available at all five Berry Fresh Café locations, including Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Stuart, and Port St. Lucie.

For more information, locations and hours, visit berryfresh.cafe.

Promise Fund Hosting Free ‘Mammography Screening Days’ in Palm Beach County in October

Promise Fund

Promise Fund, a South Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer, will host free Mammography Screening Days on the following dates:

“The Promise Fund is here to make screenings accessible for everyone, especially those who might otherwise go without care,” said Lissette Lahoz, Promise Fund’s Palm Beach  County Navigator. “Early detection can make a real difference. Treatment is often easier to manage, and people are able to focus more on their health, their families, and their everyday lives.”

While Promise Fund’s program reaches women across Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties, it currently operates four co-located screening programs within partner sites in Palm Beach and Broward, and is actively working to secure funding to establish a co-located program in Martin County.

Appointments are required. To register, call 877-427-7664.

Promise Fund reaches tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties who are uninsured, under insured or have limited or no access to healthcare. The organization, founded in 2018 by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, is dedicated to increasing survivorship from cervical cancer and breast cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond.

To date, Promise Fund has reached more than 145,000 women in South Florida through education and advocacy, and has impacted the lives of over 27,000 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care and Promise Fund has helped 286 women who were diagnosed with cancer navigate getting treatment.

Le Colonial Delray Beach Hosts Black-Tie Pre-Halloween Dinner Party

Le Colonial, the acclaimed French-Vietnamese restaurant at 601 E. Atlantic Ave. in downtown Delray Beach, will host a Black Tie Pre-Halloween Dinner Party on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. Presented by TheGourmetClub.com, the evening transports guests to the glittering world of the Roaring Twenties for a festive celebration of the Halloween season.

Guests are invited to check in at 6 p.m. and mingle over a complimentary welcome cocktail or glass of bubbles in Le Lounge, the restaurant’s main bar. Seating for a three-course dinner will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Attire is black tie with Roaring Twenties glamour. Ladies are encouraged to wear shimmering gowns, and gentlemen should wear tuxedos or dark blazers with bow ties. Jackets and bow ties are required; sneakers and jeans are not permitted.

First Course (choice of one): Chicken Dumplings, Beet Salad or Crispy Vegetable Roll

Second Course (choice of one): Pan-Seared Salmon, Chicken Stir-Fry or Tofu Curry

Third Course: Pastry Chef’s Selection

Menu and event details are subject to change without notice. Guests are responsible for the cost of additional drinks and menu items beyond the welcome beverage.

Tickets: Tickets are priced from $115 to $135 per person, depending on availability, and can be purchased at Black-Tie-Halloween.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited and reserved for the first paid guests. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Rotary Club of Palm Beach: Lori Beth Long Speaks to Members on Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Palm Beach, FL — On Thursday, October 1, South Florida psychotherapist, licensed mental health counselor, corporate trainer and author Lori Beth Long spoke to members of the Rotary Club of Palm Beach during its weekly luncheon to kick off the month of October. Long shared personal and professional insights from her book, Bipolarized, which was inspired by her experience as the mother of a son living with bipolar disorder.

During her presentation, Long educated Rotary members about common signs and behaviors that may indicate someone is experiencing bipolar disorder, while emphasizing the importance of compassion, understanding and healthy communication. She discussed how families, friends and loved ones can maintain stable relationships with individuals living with bipolar disorder and, most importantly, how to love and support them in the ways they need. 

Long’s presentation deeply resonated with members, sparking meaningful conversation and discussion following her remarks. Her combination of personal experience and professional expertise offered attendees a thoughtful perspective on the realities of living alongside someone with bipolar disorder and the importance of approaching mental health with greater awareness and empathy. 

“I was honored to have the opportunity to speak with Rotary Club of Palm Beach and share the story behind Bipolarized,” said Lori Beth Long, psychotherapist, author and licensed mental health counselor. “My hope is that by increasing understanding of bipolar disorder, we can help families and loved ones recognize the signs, communicate more effectively and create relationships built on compassion, stability and acceptance.”

Lori earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing and Philosphy from the University of Tampa and her Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from the University of Virginia. In addition to Bipolarized, her first full-length book, she is also the author of Borderline, a work of fiction addressing borderline personality disorder. She maintains a private practice in South Florida, where she serves a diverse range of clients. 

As a clinical hypnotherapist, Long helps clients access their subconscious minds to make positive changes, manage anxiety and depression, and overcome trauma. She is also the founder of Comprehensive Offender Rehab & Re-Entry, Inc., a nonprofit providing counseling, psychotherapy and re-entry services to individuals during incarceration and following their release, with the goal of helping reduce recidivism through access to housing, employment and support. 

Bipolarized is available on Amazon. 

The Rotary Club of Palm Beach, led by Club President Nick Amato, has a long-standing dedication to “service above self,” bringing together business, professional and community leaders to address challenges with compassion, vision and purpose. Long’s presentation reflected the club’s commitment to creating opportunities for members to learn, engage in meaningful conversations and better understand issues affecting individuals, families and the broader community. 

For more information about Lori Beth Long and her work, visit www.loribethlong.com. To purchase Bipolarized, visit www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2GFCLK9.

To learn more about the Rotary Club of Palm Beach, visit www.palmbeachrotary.org.

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The Junior League of Boca Raton Hosts “Anchored in Wellness,” A Community Conversation on Breast Cancer During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Kimberley Trombly-Burmeister, Julie Ott, Melody Cobbe, Mark Larkin

The Junior League of Boca Raton (JLBR) will host “Anchored in Wellness,” a powerful community conversation on breast cancer awareness, prevention, and early detection, at Lynn’s Women’s Institute, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, 690 Meadows Road, Boca Raton on Wednesday, October 14 from 5:30 -8:30 P.M. The event is complimentary and the community is invited.

The event is presented by the Junior League of Boca Raton, in collaboration with Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Institute at Boca Raton Regional Hospital and Florida Atlantic University Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine.

The featured speaker is Cheryl Moss-Mellman, MD, Breast Health Specialist, followed by a question-and-answer session.  Light bites will be provided.

“This engaging evening will provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about breast health, understand the importance of early detection, and gain practical knowledge to take a proactive approach to your health,” said Melody E. Cobbe, President of the Junior League of Boca Raton. “This event is designed to educate, empower, and inspire action.”

Please RSVP using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/anchored-in-wellness-breast-cancer-awareness-tickets-1999422294907?aff=oddtdtcreator

For more information about the event, contact 561-620-2553.

For more information about the Junior League of Boca Raton, contact vpmembership@jlbr.org.

Celebrate National Vodka Day at Amrit Ocean Resort and The Mall at Wellington Green on October 4

Will & Grace’s Karen Walker may have said it best (“You say potato, I say vodka”) when describing the art of cocktailing. Whether it’s happy hour elixirs or vacation-inspired mixtures, there’s plenty to opine on National Vodka Day in Palm Beach County.

LaLa Lobby Bar & Lounge and Tula

For a glamorous night out, snag a seat at LaLa Lobby Bar & Lounge or Tula and toast to good health with a creamy Lychee Green Teani ($22 regular or $11 during Harmony Hour). Handcrafted with Belvedere Organic Vodka, green matcha, and a lychee garnish, it pairs perfectly with great conversation and Amrit Ocean Resort’s idyllic ocean views.

LaLa Lobby Bar & Lounge and Tula are located at Amrit Ocean Resort at 3100 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach. For more information, call 561-694-8300 or visit amritocean.com.

Lemongrass Asian Bistro

Lemongrass Asian Bistro at The Mall at Wellington Green has endless options when it comes to party-centric potions. The popular happy hour, offered daily from 3–6 p.m. at tables and 3–7 p.m. at the bar, features discounted sips like the Japanese White Peach and Pomegranate Ginger Snap. The Tropical Typhoon, made with mango vodka, lime juice, pineapple juice, and an orange slice, is a hurricane-free getaway in a glass.

Lemongrass Asian Bistro is located at The Mall at Wellington Green at 10312 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. For more information, call 561-459-1598 or visit lemongrassasianbistrowellington.com.

Arcade Time

On October 4, take a break from video game domination at Arcade Time The Mall at Wellington Green and select from a boozy quartet handcrafted for holiday imbibing. Instagrammable options include Don’t Call Me Shirley, with vodka, grenadine, and Sprite, and Pop Fizz, with a mix of vodka, triple sec, Sprite, cherry, and Pop Rocks, to a Tappers Mule with vodka, ginger beer, lime, and mint or the dessert-centric S’mores Martini loaded with Baileys, vodka, chocolate, cream, and garnished with a toasted marshmallow.

Arcade Time is located at The Mall at Wellington Green at 10312 Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington. For more information, call 561-247-8463 or visit arcadetimeusa.com.

Promise Fund Hosting Free Mammography Screening Days in Palm Beach County

Promise Fund Navigators with Mammogram Machine

Promise Fund, a South Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to increasing survivorship from breast and cervical cancer, will host free Mammography Screening Days on the following dates:

“The Promise Fund is here to make screenings accessible for everyone, especially those who might otherwise go without care,” said Lissette Lahoz, Promise Fund’s Palm Beach  County Navigator. “Early detection can make a real difference. Treatment is often easier to manage, and people are able to focus more on their health, their families, and their everyday lives.”

While Promise Fund’s program reaches women across Palm Beach, Broward, and Martin counties, it currently operates four co-located screening programs within partner sites in Palm Beach and Broward, and is actively working to secure funding to establish a co-located program in Martin County.

Appointments are required. To register, call 877-427-7664.

Promise Fund reaches tens of thousands of women in Palm Beach, Broward and Martin Counties who are uninsured, under insured or have limited or no access to healthcare. The organization, founded in 2018 by Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, is dedicated to increasing survivorship from cervical cancer and breast cancer by providing guided support and access to screenings, as well as early detection, treatment, and beyond.

 

To date, Promise Fund has reached more than 145,000 women in South Florida through education and advocacy, and has impacted the lives of over 27,000 women through access to screenings, diagnostics, and care and Promise Fund has helped 286 women who were diagnosed with cancer navigate getting treatment.

Beyond the Season: Wellington’s Growing Year-Round Appeal

Darlene Streit Realty

For many years, Wellington’s calendar has revolved around a familiar rhythm for residents and visitors alike. Winter brought the international equestrian community, full restaurants, busy roads and an energy unlike anywhere else. Spring brought a quieter pace as seasonal residents departed. That rhythm still exists, but as you’ve probably noticed, Wellington is steadily becoming much more than a winter destination.

As a real estate broker and Wellington resident, I see the change in the questions buyers ask about purchasing a property here. They still want to know about proximity to the showgrounds, but they are also asking about schools, restaurants, recreation, cultural activities and everyday quality of life. Many are no longer looking only for a seasonal residence. They are considering Wellington as a place to live throughout the year.

A Broader Definition of Wellington Living

Equestrian sport will always be central to Wellington’s identity. It gives our community an international profile, generates substantial economic activity and also creates an atmosphere that residents value, whether or not they own horses.

Yet Wellington’s appeal extends well beyond the equestrian world. Families are drawn to its established neighborhoods, beautiful parks and quality schools. Luxury buyers appreciate more space and privacy, larger properties and lots, and outdoor living. Others choose Wellington because it offers a quieter setting while keeping Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, the airport and the ocean within convenient reach.

That combination is difficult to duplicate. Wellington provides room to live, while residents stay easily connected to the cultural, recreational and business opportunities of Palm Beach County.

New Amenities for a Changing Community

Several major projects are expected to broaden that appeal. Among them is The Wellington, a planned 400-acre residential club community with 253 residences, golf, equestrian facilities, dining and hospitality. Village Landing is expected to bring restaurants, retail, offices, a hotel and gathering spaces to a walkable town-center setting.

These developments suggest something important about Wellington’s future. The community is not abandoning its identity. It is adding the amenities that can make year-round living even more enjoyable.

For existing residents, that could mean more choices close to home and less need to travel east for dining, shopping or entertainment. Within the real estate market, it may introduce Wellington to future residents who admire its privacy and natural beauty, but previously viewed it primarily as a seasonal equestrian destination.

Growing Without Losing What Matters

Growth always brings questions, particularly in a community where open space and a distinctive sense of place matter so deeply. The challenge will be in welcoming thoughtful improvements while protecting the qualities that have made Wellington special: its equestrian heritage, green space, neighborhoods and relaxed pace.

That balance is also one of Wellington’s strengths. This is a community that knows what it values.

I still look forward to the unmistakable excitement of the winter season. But I also appreciate Wellington in the quieter months, when residents enjoy its parks, outdoor spaces and sense of community at a different pace.

The rest of the country may be starting to notice Wellington, but those of us who live here already understand its appeal. Season brings the world to Wellington. Increasingly, the Wellington lifestyle is giving people compelling reasons to remain here all year.

Boca Helping Hands Needs Community’s Help Feeding 4,000 Families for Thanksgiving

Boca Helping Hands volunteers hold turkeys to be given out in 2025

Boca Helping Hands is seeking community support to provide Thanksgiving meals to local families. Its 22nd annual Thanksgiving Box Brigade program, which provides a turkey, and a box filled with everything a family needs to prepare a holiday meal, will feed approximately 24,000 people.

 

Boca Helping Hands volunteers load Thanksgiving meals into cars in 2025
Boca Helping Hands volunteers load Thanksgiving meals into cars 

Members of the community can get involved by donating the cost of a box for $29.72 at bocahelpinghands.org/thanksgiving . Boca Helping Hands primarily serves the working poor and seniors who can’t make ends meet.

One in eight people in Palm Beach County are struggling to put food on the table. Rising food costs, housing expenses, and stagnant wages have only intensified the need for food assistance programs in Palm Beach County.

 

Community members can also pick up five or more boxes from Boca Helping Hands and fill them with Thanksgiving foods. Here’s a list of what goes into each box. These boxes must be delivered to Boca Helping Hands by Monday, November 16.

 

Thanksgiving Box Brigade supporters include the Overall Sponsor, Dalfen Industrial; East Boca Sponsor, Bob and Anita Kriensky; West Boca Sponsor, Polyglass USA, Inc.; Boynton Beach Sponsor, Purity Wholesale Grocers Inc.; Delray Beach Sponsor, Vertical Bridge; Lake Worth Sponsor, Vivmark Residential; and Holiday Hero, Levine Family Foundation.

Boca Helping Hands will distribute the turkeys and Thanksgiving meal boxes to current Pantry Bag Program clients the weekend before Thanksgiving at its five drive-thru distribution locations in east Boca Raton, West Boca, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Lake Worth.

4 Boca helping Hands volunteers hold boxes with "all the fixin's" for a Thanksgiving meal
4 Boca helping Hands volunteers hold boxes with “all the fixin’s” for a Thanksgiving meal

“Thank you in advance to the community! By running food drives in their neighborhoods or at their places of work, filling Thanksgiving boxes or donating the cost of a box, it will make all the difference,” said BHH CEO Andrew Hagen. “Thanks to them, families who might not have had enough money to afford to celebrate can now share a holiday meal together.”

Although there has been strong community support for the Thanksgiving Box Brigade program, food insecurity remains a problem year-round – especially now with reductions in funding for food.

Any contributions that exceed Thanksgiving expenses will be used toward the organization’s food programs throughout the year, helping to support the 200,000 families in Palm Beach County facing food insecurity.

Le Colonial Delray Beach Debuts Violet Moon Mocktail During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Violet Moon Mocktail, Credit Duc Hoang

Le Colonial, the acclaimed French-Vietnamese restaurant located at 601 E. Atlantic Ave. in downtown Delray Beach, will commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a special mocktail that will benefit Promise Fund.

The Violet Moon Mocktail, in shades  of pink with a purpose, is available starting October 1 and featured throughout the month.  The Violet Moon, a zero proof offering, combines ube syrup, coconut purée and Q Soda ($14), with a give back to Promise Fund with each pour.

“We are so appreciative of the gracious support Le Colonial is providing to us,” said Promise Fund Executive Director Jacqueline Marsan.   “The funds raised will help us provide access to mammograms for women without health insurance.”

Le Colonial is open Sunday through Wednesday from 4–9 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 4–9:30 p.m.