In front of the museum bearing their last name, the Cornells were honored by the Delray Beach Rotary Club, who gave their annual Service Above Self Award posthumously at a Old School Square ceremony.

Harriet and George Cornell did so much philanthropic work for Delray Beach and its residents that they were honored posthumously a decade, and half-decade, respectively, after their passing. The Delray Beach Rotary Club gave the 13th annual Service Above Self Award to the Cornells at a presentation at Old School Square.

“This is the first time we’ve given the award posthumously. The award is for exceptional contributions the Cornell’s gave to this community,” longtime Delray Beach Rotary Club member and past president Leo Phillips said.

The Cornells' generous donations have helped the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Lake Ida Dog Park, Old School Square, Delray Beach Public Library, Bethesda Hospital, Palm Beach Zoo and Florida Atlantic University among others.

Recently the Old School Square gem, the Cornell Museum, again made possible by the wonderful couple, was renamed the Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture.

“George and Harriet saw the values and vision of Old School Square. Their spirits were with us when they spoke to us at Old School Square telling us to take it (Cornell Museum) to the next level and make the iconic American Cornell Museum of Art and American Culture name change,” Old School Square executive director Joe Gillie said.

Jean Fischer, the Cornell’s care-giver attended the event and was joyous in telling stories about her “special time” with the two amazing people.

“When I got cancer, Mr. Cornell took me to all my appointments, he was soft spoken and cared. He was the best! Mrs. Cornell is the brain behind all of this… She told Mr. Cornell since they had no kids that they should put their money and name behind what’s good in the community,” Fischer said.

Harriet and George Cornell also gave upwards of $12 million to Cornell University. They also supported Rollins College in Winter Park.

Harriet Cornell passed away on Aug. 3, 1999, and George Cornell on April 2, 2003.

Past recipients of the Delray Beach Rotary Club’s Annual “Service Above Self Award” include, Clifford Ripley, Ernest Simon, Robert Miller, Dr. Fred Love, Elizabeth Wesley, George Elmore, Leo Weeks, Dr. Monroe Farmer, Frances Bourque, Alexander Simon, Spencer Pompey and Barbara Dodge Smith.

The Delray Beach Rotary Club regularly meets every Tuesday at 12 p.m. noon at Ellie’s 50’s Diner Banquet Room at 2410 N. Federal Highway in Delray Beach.

For more information call Ellie’s 50’s Diner at 561-276-1570 or Sally Dye, Delray Beach Rotary Club executive secretary at 561-649-1658 or email at sallydye1@yahoo.com

Old School Square Director Joe Gillie accepts the Cornells' award from the Delray Beach Rotary Club.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Dr. Sam Bierstock began penning political parody songs 15 years ago while finding humor in the management of the U.S. health care system, but it was during a visit with a veteran soldier at the Palm Beach International Airport, when he found his most lasting tribute.

Bierstock, a resident of the city’s northeastern quadrant near George Bush Boulevard, wrote “Before You Go” the morning after an eye-opening ordeal with a veteran working the change booth late night at P.B.I.A. Bierstock was returning home to Florida, after 1 a.m. when he rolled down his window and gave the veteran change, he was startled when the older man, a veteran said, “I took two bullets for this country and look what I’m doing now!”

Bierstock drove away, then slammed on the brakes, put the car in reverse and sped backward to the toll booth. He then thanked the man for Bierstock’s wonderful life in this country. The veteran began to cry.

Fast forwards, three years ago, this Veterans Day, Dr. Sam Bierstock, who wrote the lyrics for “Before You Go,” and piano player John Melnick, who wrote the music, were invited to perform at the U.S. Capitol with an orchestra backing them during the song. This Veteran’s Day, the duo will return Nov. 11, and join their band, Dr. Sam & The Managed Care Blues. The band will travel to the nation’s capitol to play the song at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

“I’m thrilled and looking forward to this important chance to share this song that has already touched so many veterans and their families,” Bierstock said.

The song has been downloaded more than 20-million times at the website www.beforeyougo.us.

“It’s a tremendous honor!” Melnick said.

“ I’m looking forward to it… We each have an idea where were going with this song, bringing thoughts to veterans causes. I have a thought of this becoming part of a national patriotic songs catalog. We’re going to be out at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, I don’t know what to expect. ‘Before You Go’ was originally written for World War II veterans and we’ve expanded it to all eras,” Melnick said.

Bierstock and Melnick wrote the song in 2005.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

(Left to right) Veljko Dujin, curator of collections at the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, gets ready to inform people about the new Tokyo Shinkansen Bullet Train Station portion of the new "Japan Through the Eyes of a Child" interactive exhibit at the Yamato-kan located adjacent to the museum, as Morikami Board Member Nancy Stroud looks on before entering the bullet train.

A new permanent exhibit at the Morikami Museum features a chance for children and small groups to take a step into real life-like Japanese environments that range from a Tokyo Shinkansen Bullet Train station, Miyazu classroom, Tatami Room, a Japanese home's kitchen, a Bento Shop and even a Japanese toilet and shower. The Honorable Japan Counsul General Namiki was on hand to dedicate the "Japan Through the Eyes of a Child" interactive exhibit.

"This exhibit expands on Japan and South Florida relationships. Students can tour the exhibit and learn the customs and many aspects of Japan," Namiki said.

He also pointed out that the bullet train portion of the exhibit could provide a glimpse into the future of South Florida passenger rail transportation.

"President Obama has talked with us about 10 projects nationally and mentioned Florida as one of those candidates. It would be a bullet train from Miami to Orlando and over to Tampa," Namiki said.

The first room at the exhibit is dedicated to the Tokyo Shinkansen Bullet Train station, and students can pick up a subway phone there with Japanese instructions.

"I'm glad this exhibit targets children," Namiki said.

Photo of a Tokyo train station and an interactive Japanese phone where students can listen to instructions in Japanese.

Current Yen to dollar exchange rates at the exhibits bullet train station.

Vending station at the exhibit.

Japan Honorable Consul General Namiki addresses the crowd at the Yamato-kan at the Morikami.

Morikami Trustee members and staff get ready to cut the ribbon at the "Japan Through the Eyes of a Child" exhibit.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

The Lifelong Learning Committee began meeting in May to plan a season of weekly discussions starting with a Nov. 14 symposium featuring five panelists at the Delray Beach Public Library.

The Delray Beach Public Library Lifelong Learning Center will be hosting the “The Pursuit of Happiness and Exploration” featuring five local panelist authors and journalists from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 14. The symposium event kicks off the Lifelong Learning Center Season at the library, and will feature Ann Bocock, host of WXEL radio show the “Florida Forum;” Frank Cerabino, Palm Beach Post columnist and author the book “Shady Palms;” Marilyn Charwat, a psychotherapist, lecturer and hypnotherapist; Yanatha Desouvre, a best-selling author; and poet and Robert Watson, , a professor at Lynn University, author, and media commentator giving views on politics to local TV news outlets and CNN. Cost of the symposium is $15, which includes a continental breakfast and coffee.
The symposium will be the kickoff to Lifelong Learning weekly courses on history, music, art and worldly affairs. Library Director of Communications Bonnie Stelzer said the symposium is also a place where residents can get a taste of what Lifelong Learning has to offer and ask questions. Due to limited seating at the symposium, registration is required, brochures are available at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave., or for more information call the library at 561-266-0798 or visit www.delraylibrary.org.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

(From left to right) Florence Meshulam, Pauline Graber and Irene Fisher work on hats for children with cancer at the Diamond Club, a social group meeting at Temple Emeth for seniors 75 and older.

The requirements are members have to be age 75 and older, and they ask for voter identification cards at the Diamond Club, a support group meeting for seniors every Monday morning at Temple Emeth in Delray Beach. Resident Sandy Klein started the group some 30 years ago when she noticed her aging mother becoming very bored after moving from the northeast to Delray Beach.

“The Diamond Years are richer than the Golden Years,” Klein said.

The group has now evolved into a social gathering at the beginning of every week where participants hand iron “Cool Caps for Cancer Kids” at a craft table, clip coupons for U.S. Navy personnel and their families stationed overseas, and even express opinions and views on current events before breaking for breakfast snacks and coffee.

Irene Fischer works at the “Cool Caps” table every Monday morning, and said she enjoys her volunteer job and helping others.

“I iron designs on the hats and arrange the pattern. Then they go to the homes of children suffering from cancer,” Fischer said.

“I started it for mom over 30 years ago. I was sitting in the temple thinking how can I entertain her and peers that were bored? Two members became four, four became eight…” Klein said.

But, Klein said the Diamond Club is in serious need of new members due to the fact most of the 100-plus members the group shared in its heyday have passed on. Now, the group hovers around 60 members and is non-sectarian.

“It’s like a cruise ship in the fact that we want to accompany every new member and their interests. This keeps them busy and serves a purpose; it’s a need we’re fulfilling for the elders,” Klein said.

For more information call Sandy Klein at 561-732-2129 or Lauryn Moret-Glass at the Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services at 561-852-3333. Temple Emeth is located at 5780 W. Atlantic Ave., call Temple Emeth at 561- 498-3536.

(From left to right) Florence Meshulam, Pauline Graber and Irene Fisher take a minute off from working on hats for kids cancer patients at the Diamond Club, a social group meeting at Temple Emeth for seniors 75 and older.

(From left to right) Feder Fay, Rose Dinoff, Myrna Schwartz and Ida Bemben clip coupons for U.S. Navy personnel stationed overseas at the Diamond Club, a social group meeting at Temple Emeth for seniors 75 and older.

Shirley Glassman (standing up) gets ready to voice her opinion at the Diamond Club current events group, which also meets every Monday morning at 10 a.m. at Temple Emeth.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

(From left to right Back Row) The new Teen Advisory Board consists of:Dosina Peterson, Jinia Deshommes, Carla Thelot, Ricky Morriseau, Rose Lamartine, (Second Row): Lichermine Val, Joseline Milleu, and (Front Row): Akeria Burgess-Moss.

Teenagers now have a stronger voice at the Delray Beach Public Library with the formation of the Teen Advisory Board. Loanis Menendez-Cuesta, reference and young adult librarian, said until now the library didn’t possess an advisory board for teens and that “we’re still looking for members.” TAB participation will help to form future teen services at the library and also conduct reviews, program committees, activities, planning and be a place where students can obtain community service hours.

“We also discuss books, magazines, teen issues and programming,” Menendez-Cuesta said.

She said TAB will also meet to share reviews of books, software, magazines, music, websites, and present ideas for a teen summer reading program.

Menendez-Cuesta said membership requirements for TAB are as follows: open to ages 13 to 17; must attend monthly meetings; willing to review publications for an online newsletter; participate in discussions; and treat others with respect.

“We had an ice cream social last week and are about to plan more teen programming,” Menendez-Cuesta said.

TAB will meet monthly from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Young Adults Teen Cyber Center located on the southeast corner of the second floor at the Delray Beach Public Library, 100 W. Atlantic Ave.

For more information call Loanis Menedez-Cuesta at 561-819-6299 or e-mail loanis.menendez@delraylibrary.org

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Boca Raton resident Landon Sessions is an FAU Sociology graduate student and the author of a new book titled “Living Bipolar.” Sessions recently sat down for an "On the Spot" profile to talk about the book, his past experiences living with bipolar disorder and his future as an author who helps others.

Can you tell me about the book “Living Bipolar?”
“I started the book about a year ago. I had to suffer for years
because I didn’t know what was wrong… It’s a combination of my story
and a how-to-manual using five principles. Each story in the book
highlights one of the principles. ‘B’ is for behavior and behavior is
vital because as a bipolar
person I must be aware of how my behavior affects the people in my
life, whether it be family, friends or work.”

Is it a solution-based book? Did you interview people with bipolar disorder?

“It’s a solution-oriented book, a one-stop shop for people with
bipolar disorder. I interviewed parents with bipolar children, four
people living with bipolar and a husband with a bipolar wife.
Education is important; the point of this book is a manual for
parents, family or friends, managing the one they love’s bipolar
disorder.”

When were you first diagnosed with bipolar disorder?

“I had a manic episode in 2000. When I was younger I regulated the
bipolar disorder with drugs and alcohol. I was living in Atlanta at
the time and had to leave there (due to problems with drugs and
alcohol). At age 21 I was diagnosed. I came to Florida Atlantic
University and started a communications degree program. I was put on
medicine for the bipolar disorder, but in order for the medicine to
work I had to quit drugs and alcohol. I’ve been sober for nine years
now.”

Are there any positives about being bipolar?

“The best thing is that people with bipolar take on big tasks. In
writing this book or college work that can be a big positive.”

What’s your goal in life?

“I want to be an author/advocate for people with bipolar.”

When will the book hit the stands?
“Well it’s about 275 pages right now and I’m at the literary agent
phase. I hope to get it out as soon as this process allows me to do
so.”

Visit Landon Sessions blog: at www.landon_livingbipolar.blogspot
For more information on “Living Bipolar” call Landon Sessions at 561-414-9684

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

From left, Associate Pastor Reverend Aaron Janklow, Deacon Alexandra Harris and Boo Bear the dog.

First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach’s Blessing of the Pets event is Sunday, Oct. 25, and Associate Pastor Rev. Aaron Janklow will be giving blessings in the church’s courtyard at 4 p.m.

“After a short 15-minute service there will be The Blessing of the Pets. It’s about what each pet means to our lives; that’s why we bless them. We’re expecting a great turnout,” Janklow said.
Janklow said that all finned, furry and feathered pets and their owners are invited to the Blessing of the Pets.

“Our pets provide us with unconditional love and what better way to commemorate them and remember St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures then with a special blessing for our adored animals,” Janklow said.
Janklow also said a special guest will be welcomed at the hour-long event. The Special Narcotic Investigative Forces (S.N.I.F.) dogs will attend the event with their handlers.

Also an offering will be held to benefit the Deacons’ Scholarship Fund, assisting church members in their pursuit of higher education.
For more information call 561-276-6338 or visit www.firstdelray.com.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Mari McGarry and her husband David recently helped an unconscious man with in-flight nurse training on a Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to West Palm Beach.

After boarding a plane from a recent nurses conference in Baltimore, Delray Medical Center emergency room nurse Mari Hoover McGarry was already in life-saving mode as she was sitting in her seat on a Delta Airlines flight recently from Atlanta to West Palm Beach. When she heard a call from the flight cabin asking for any doctors or nurses to come to the forward portion of the plane, without hesitation McGarry and her husband David McGarry, a registered nurse at the V.A. Hospital in West Palm Beach, unbuckled their seat belts and headed forward. There they met up with a doctor and flight personnel who took them to a man suffering from syncope, a brief loss of consciousness and posture caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain.

“He was unconscious so we got him into a wheelchair and into the galley of the airplane where we administered oxygen and started an IV. He had been vomiting and had low pulse and blood pressure,” Mari McGarry said.

Ironically, the McGarry’s had in-air medical training to work from.

“In 2002 we attended a conference, the Southeast Seaboard Emergency Symposium for in-flight emergencies,” David McGarry said.

The training paid off when after a case of vomiting the man came to and regained consciousness.

“That day was a true testament as to why I’m proud to be an emergency nurse. It was incredibly rewarding to receive thanks from the flight crew and pilot, and especially from this man’s wife. I’m so thankful that my training has prepared me for this kind of situation,” Mari McGarry said.

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share:

Greenpeace and the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition are planning a local gathering from 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday October 24, at Atlantic Dunes Park, 1600 S. Ocean Blvd., to voice action and bring attention to the growing carbon footprint by humans. Palm Beach Community College speech professor Bobette Wolesensky, Barry Silver, the co-chairman for the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition and Delray Beach resident Jason Feldman, hope to gather 350 sign-waving local activists to shed light to world leaders that will attend the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark in December. Feldman said the number 350 is significant because 350 parts-per-million of carbon in the atmosphere is the goal for the group. He said, “We’re hovering around 390 ppm and it’s rising.” At 3:50 p.m. the group will join hands for 350 seconds.

“We’re asking people to make a poster, flag or banner that epitomizes hope or shame for climate change. Think riding a bus or a community garden for hope… Think polar bears being forced away from melting ice caps for shame,” Wolesensky said.

Wolensky is calling the get together a “flash mob.”

“We chose a part of the beach that isn’t as busy. It’s more about getting the word to our world leaders because if they don’t get it right the tipping points will be noticeable very soon,” Wolesensky said.

For more information call Bobette Wolesensky at 815-354-1641 or email at: bwolesensky@comcast.net or call Jason Feldman at 516-581-1245 or email at: j.d.feldman76@gmail.com

> Discuss this entry

Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0) | Share: