Late one afternoon this past January, the Carnival Man stood inside his booth on the midway of the South Florida Fairgrounds. Behind him were six basketball hoops, rows of color-coded stuffed bears, and sports-themed basketballs stacked high on each opposing side. He wore dark sunglasses and a bright blue shirt with a lanyard draped across his neck, holding an ID badge and a cross that dangled below.

The Carnival Man, who looked to be in his mid-60s, was slightly hunched over and expressionless, but seemed enthusiastic enough when calling out to the prospective players before him. “It’s five dollars, cash only, for two chances to score,” he hollered to onlookers on the walkway. “Make one basket, get a prize.”

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It’s a line he’s uttered countless times before to families with young children, rowdy teenagers, couples on a date, or random singletons at the fair. In fact, just outside and beyond the Carnival Man’s domain, other workers stood in their booths, surrounded by similar stuff animals and colorful prizes, calling out in the same way, searching for someone — anyone — to take the bait and play a game.

If these sights and sounds seem familiar to you, then perhaps, at some point you’ve been to the fair. Not just the South Florida Fair, but any other county or state fair throughout Florida or even the United States.

Fun fairs, or carnivals, have been traveling the country since the late 1800s — freak shows and all. But it wasn’t until 1912 when the South Florida Fair first opened its colorful and crowd-pleasing attractions to people of all ages and backgrounds. With each new year, the fair brings promises of adventure, carnival food, fast rides, shows, livestock displays, and a hearty dose of nostalgia.

There’s even a good chance that you’ve met or seen Carnival Man before, like I had. It was exactly one year ago, plus or minus a day or two, in this very same booth, that my husband won a red and black Tampa Bay Buccaneers basketball. Carnival Man nodded when I shared my memory. “Yup, that was me,” he said. “I’ve been working this fair for years.”

The memory was more than Carnival Man, too. It was the food stands: gyros, chicken pitas, corn dogs, fresh baked pizza, caramel apples, curly fries, nachos, fried Oreos, and more. It was the smell of deep-fried and full of flavor desserts, smoked meats and firewood. It was the flags, waving with the afternoon wind, enticing visitors to eat their way through the fair. Each smell, each flavor unlocked a memory bank of flashbacks to last year’s fair and the fairs before that. And while recollections may vary, it’s safe to assume that the scent of fair foods elicit positive thoughts and memories, perhaps from childhood or good times with friends and family.

Nostalgia plays a primary role in the enduring legacy and success of the fair. Though there are occasionally new rides or shows or experiences, the fairgrounds and attractions and even the carnival workers appear to be the same, and at the very least, evoke a familiar and comforting emotional response.

On the midway that afternoon, I noticed very few fairgoers who were staring down into their phones. Instead, I saw several couples walk hand-in-hand, friend groups laughing loudly and eating treats, kids running past kids, moms pushing strollers and dads who carried young ones on their shoulders. Everyone looked engaged. There was joy. There was togetherness. There was a spirit of adventure.

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Among the more adventuresome attractions at the fairgrounds, the big slides, miniature roller coasters, oversized ferris wheels, towering swings, gravity trains, spin rides, and rides that go upside down — the true heartbeat of the fair — twisted, swung and flung riders from the ground to the sky, and back again.

And, then, there were the animals. Baby llamas, goats, calves, ponies, and even a baby camel lounged in a miniature, heavily-shaded petting space, where South Floridians could experience, even if just for a moment, the sights, sounds and feel of farm life. Real animals soft to the touch, to feed and to connect with. It’s not something that happens too often as modern day agriculture is far removed from urban and suburban societies. And, yet, here it was — the storybook version of the farm — at the fair. Just like last year and the years before that.

In the past two to three decades, rapid technological innovation has undoubtedly disrupted human-to-human interaction. We all know this to be true. And likewise, we all know it can’t be stopped. So when places like the fair produce human moments such as togetherness, adventure, warmth and affection, we should consider it a victory for society. So, yes, let’s go back to the fair. Let’s go back again and again.

One painting shows a seaside port town, otherwise known as the Villefranche-sur-Mer, where a row of colorful homes and sailboats stretch across the canvas in vibrant pink, yellow, and orange hues. Nearby hangs two masks, in a mosaic, intended to be worn by Costa Rican natives when the Spanish invaded centuries ago. Other artworks are images of animals and nature painted or sketched on canvases, including minis, as well as on paper. And several photographs in the form of acrylic and metal hang, in a glossy shimmer, on the white, concrete wall.

No, this is not simply an art exhibition looking at various scenes in nature or artist inspirations. It’s a fundraiser for Arts For Smiles, a Palm Beach County nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of children through the arts, especially those in need both financially or in illness. It’s a cheerful, soulful, laidback of an exhibition, designed through an open call process, meant to benefit both Arts for Smiles and the local artists who show their work.

It’s the kind of exhibition that attracts friends and family and die-hard art lovers from within the community. It’s also the kind of exhibition that takes a tremendous amount of planning, months in advance, attracting local artists to submit creations that encompass all things joy. The show is called ‘The Joy of Art’ after all.

Along with creating the two-day event, the mission of Arts for Smiles is also a theme interwoven into the show itself. Arts For Smiles officially started in the early days of 2020, becoming a full nonprofit in December of 2021. Although the organization experienced setbacks due to the pandemic and Covid precautions, the last few years have been busy for Carolina King, founder of Arts for Smiles.

The organization’s core mission is to promote healing through the arts to those who need it most. Though the focus is primarily on children, Arts For Smiles also works to promote the arts in adult populations. This includes their inaugural art exhibition, The Joy of Art, appealing to both new and seasoned artists within Palm Beach County, some of whom that do not exhibit their work on a regular basis, if at all.

In order to create the show, Arts for Smiles was granted access to a complex of funky industrial buildings off Georgia Avenue, ingeniously called The Peach, an art collective with several structures on site. Over the years, this quaint but lively section of West Palm Beach has morphed into a notable art and entertainment destination, boasting an impressive lineup of galleries, popup shows, music performances, and barbecue. Look for multi-discipline artist, Craig Mcinnis, a powerhouse in the local arts community, who also has walkable studio space on site.

Among the handful of artists exhibiting in the popup exhibition, Ann Fichera, deserves a special mention. This was not only her first time applying to a show, she also won first place for the People’s Choice award during Saturday’s reception. Her watercolor paintings come to life in a way that brings a sense of joy and delight. “Ann is an incredibly sweet and talented person,” says Carolina King. “I’m so happy that our exhibition was her first show and I’m sure there will be many more in her future.”

Another artist, Charles Moses, the second place winner, showcased several oil paintings including the image of Villefranche-sur-Mer in addition to a portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. His paintings strike a delicate balance between realism and abstract interpretation, using colors and shapes and light to bring each painting to life.

When it comes to nurturing a local arts scene, having a community of supporters is just as important as the artists themselves. Establishing a personal connection becomes the building block between collectors, artists, organizations, and galleries—all critical components in the fueling of local arts. In turn, the art scene transcends its local communities and culture into something that benefits everyone—everywhere—from the tiniest corner of the neighborhood block to the big cities and decadent art shows. To be sure, most every emerging and seasoned artist started in the local arts.

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, for example, has been immenesly successful in the promotion of creatives, with well established events throughout the year, showcasing both amateur and professional artists, in addition to providing economic benefits, local tourism, new jobs, and new opportunities. Out further west, the Wellington Art Society also encourages and promotes the local art scene with year-round exhibitions and shows.

And, yet, more opportunity for local artists is always needed—and appreciated. Which is why ‘The Joy of Art’ exhibition came at just the right time and for all the right reasons: creative collaboration in the spirit of community togetherness.

Basking in blood-red lights and heavy fog, the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, Florida transforms in October to a place where hair-raising thrills and horrors rule the roost Thursday through Saturday nights, with haunted houses, carnival rides, scare zones, live entertainment, and roaming characters in detailed, ghoulish makeup.

This is Fright Nights, a local tradition since 2002, attracting people of all ages from across the region, promising horror and haunted house fans a heart-thumping experience. Behind the scenes, however, are countless organizers and volunteers, dedicated to making each Fright Nights better than the last—no easy feat given that the horror genre, in general, keeps growing and thriving, with fans seeking more shock value and disturbing content (if it doesn’t impale or shred, it’s dead). But even the most ardent thrill and terror seekers need a break from the gore-fest sometimes.

“Let’s go to the arcade”

It’s Friday night at Fright Nights and swaths of young adults and teenagers prowl the fair grounds, stopping for food and rides on the carnival midway before heading into this year’s haunted houses—Jed’s Chop Shop, Dead of Winter: Chapter 2, Hockley House, and Cutting Edge. Just before the scare zone entrance, an arcade, guarded by two very large skeletons, sits to the left of the haunted attractions, almost like a safe house, a refuge from the homicidal sights and sounds outside.

It’s early still, only an hour or so after opening, yet small groups of people roam the game room, tokens in hand, searching for the next claw machine to play. A few patrons carry plastic bags filled with prizes earned like plush teddy bears, avocado toast pillows and Sponge Bob Square Pants dolls. A young boy and his father play the Jurassic Park video game, while two teenage girls nearby scream and laugh as the claw machine grabs, drags, then drops a coveted plush, yellow duck inside.

The arcade, by all accounts, appears pristine. Over 80 different games line the walls and interior space, each lit up by florescent greens, pinks, blues, and purples, equipped with enchanting toys inside. Their cartoon eyes and smiles are facing out, through the glass, seemingly in search of a passerby or two or three to throw in a few tokens, or more.

In the corner of the room, at the cashier’s counter, where green dollars purchase gold tokens, one of the owners of E&T Amusements, Eli Weeks, works the computer in between answering customer questions and maybe even a few complaints. Weeks, calm and cool and clearly in his element, takes a set of keys and heads to a nearby machine for a maintenance check.

Weeks, along with his girlfriend and co-owner, Taylor Agnello, aren’t exactly your typical entrepreneurs. They’re teens—fresh out of high school and full of good-natured ambition. But this isn’t their first time as operators, on the contrary, both are highly experienced in the claw machine arcade business.

After a few years of operating candy machines in various locations throughout South Florida, Weeks and Agnello opened an entertainment and amusement company two years ago, when they were both just 16 years old.

Initially, the couple began placing claw machines inside a dozen or so different businesses. These are permanent locations. But, more recently, Weeks and Agnello figured that they could start temporary arcades, placing machines onsite, within seasonal events such as Fright Nights in the fall and the South Florida Fair in winter. This is their second year working both events.

The work is not easy, or always predictable. The pair have been documenting their entrepreneurial journey—the highs and lows— through a variety of social media channels like TikTok and Youtube, accumulating hundreds of thousands of followers, sharing inside tips, and showing the effort that goes into each and every arcade location. Videos posted to their Youtube channel reveal countless hours and manpower devoted to not only their arcade business but growing and developing as young entrepreneurs—a concept which resonates highly with their fan base.

One idea both Weeks and Agnello do not find enticing is working for someone else, or in other words, being told what to do. But for anyone involved in running a business—young or old—having a solid support system in place can make the difference between success or defeat. That’s when the role of family members comes into play. With parents and grandparents on call and often onsite at the arcades, lending a helping hand or offering advice, the couple continue to see growing success and profit margins.

But their success is also somewhat defined by their location: Florida. According to a recent study published by researchers at The Digital Project Manager, Florida is the most entrepreneurial state in the nation, with an impressive 13,238 small businesses per 100,000 residents. The study also found that Florida leads the nation in the creation of new businesses and startups, with more than 2.6 million formed over the last four years.

This includes E&T Amusements, and they’re just getting started.

In the near future, beyond temporary arcades, the pair are looking to open more permanent locations throughout South Florida, focusing on “Japanese style” arcade games (crane, cyclone and pachislot style machines) which have higher quality prizes, and conveniently, a fast-growing fan base within the United States.

But for now, you can find Weeks and Agnello, along with their claw machines, at Fright Nights. Come for the thrills, leave with prizes.

IN Palm Beach County, heading west on Southern Boulevard, it is a smooth and open air drive to Belle Glade from Wellington. Left behind are the shopping plazas, small businesses and suburbs only to be replaced by green sugarcane fields as far as the eye can see and remnants of the Everglades. In the distance, an expansive view of both sky and horizon as storms creep along the land showcasing dark bands of rain and clouds.

It is Saturday around noon and we are traveling to a more primitive part of Florida— to Chosen — a place no longer found on a map, just beyond Belle Glade, and somewhere along the outskirts of Lake Okeechobee. There are no street signs, GPS driving directions, or a city center. Chosen does not exist, and yet, at one point it did.

But details are sketchy. According to reports, an architect and builder named John Robert (JR) Leatherman, moved to West Palm Beach with his family just before the turn of the 20th century. In 1902, Leatherman built the iconic Sundy House and Cathcart House in Delray Beach, and sometime around the Florida land boom of the 1920s, he moved his family further inland, along the shore of Lake Okeechobee, located about one mile west of Belle Glade and near Torry Island.

Old Photographs, courtesy of the Historical Society of Palm Beach County, taken from within this specific area, show tent cities, packing warehouses, migrant housing, and not many people. But people did indeed arrive in the area though sparingly and few and far between. Eventually, Leatherman, also a devout Christ follower, gave the town its name, and at one point it had a church (Brethren Church), a U.S. Post Office, and even a small school. Chosen, officially established in 1921, was all set to become a small but resourceful agricultural hub and religious haven in close proximity to Pahokee and Belle Glade.

Today, when driving along these out-west roadways passing through and just beyond Belle Glade, there is a peculiar fascination to it all. Locals are outside cooking barbecue, sitting on the back of their pickups or on lawn chairs, as thick hickory smoke rises in the air. Small colorful food trucks selling tacos sit roadside and a few Mexican restaurants line the streets. Though the area is relatively poor (Belle Glade ranks the second poorest city in the state) it is quaint in its own way. It’s also quiet.

As we venture further out, to where Chosen might have been, driving on West Canal Street and toward Torry Island, traffic is nearly nonexistent. Maybe that’s the way people like it around here. Or maybe that’s just the way it is in Old Florida— places throughout the state that seem stuck in a time warp—where the hustle of urban and suburban life seemingly do not apply. And why should it? It’s the natural resources— the land and the water—that have always mattered the most.

A stormy history in pursuit of dry land

Both inland and near the coasts, South Florida is a vast swampland—wet, overgrown, mucky, and brimming with life. Though many parts are suitable for humans and development today, Mother Nature has not always made it so, despite man’s shortsighted, albeit commendable, persistence.

It was during the late 19th Century, around 1881, when the wetlands of Florida—including in and around Chosen—were being reimagined into something quite different, and much dryer. At the time, Florida Governor, William Bloxham, wanted to drain the Everglades, to reclaim dry land, and transform the ecosystem into a space ripe for crops, new construction and even a railroad. He recruited a man named Hamilton Disston to build canals for moving excess water from Lake Okeechobee and sending it out to sea. But despite Disston’s drainage attempts, the Everglades remained a soggy puzzle, though dreams of dry wetlands persisted.

In 1898, James Ingraham and Rufus Rose established the Florida East Coast Drainage and Sugar Company, and some years later, Governor Napoleon Bonaparte Broward, further pledged to drain the swamp. During his four year stint as governor, Broward created the Everglades Drainage District, and with some success, the outermost parts of the Everglades began to grow crops—tomatoes, potatoes and cabbage.

Around the same time, prominent industrialist, Henry Flagler, was busy building his railroad and East Coast empire, undoubtedly contributing to Florida’s population spike in the early part of the 20th Century. As new settlers arrived in coastal cities like Miami, Delray Beach and West Palm Beach, more people drifted inward toward the eastern rim of the Everglades in places like Belle Glade, Torry Island, Pahokee, and Chosen.

According to The Swamp by Washington Post reporter, Michael Grunwald, Flagler was approached with the glimmering prospect of an Everglades drainage proposal to make way for more railroad. But political headwinds, uncertainty over land ownership, and perhaps, even a bad omen shifted Flagler’s perspective— and ultimately his plan— building instead concrete bridges across the open sea and down toward Key West.

While attempts to drain the Everglades continued, farmers, migrant workers and families settled into areas around Lake Okeechobee as the land proved fertile and dryer. The weather was reasonable, even desirable, though occasional flooding did occur, most notably in 1924 and 1926. But all that changed on September 17, 1928, as a massive 140-mile-an-hour hurricane (San Felipe Segundo hurricane) tore the farming communities into pieces and washed away the people who lived there. According to reports, an 18 foot wall of water formed on the big lake and flooded the small lakeside towns of Palm Beach County. All told, 2,500 —mostly migrant workers—were killed in the storm that day.

Pahokee and Belle Glade survived the storm but Chosen was wiped off the map, never to return. And yet, the land, marsh, soil, and water that embodied Chosen then, still remains today. In fact, long before Leatherman made his claim to the area, another group of people inhabited the same southeast shore of Lake Okeechobee. In 1933, archaeologists with The Smithsonian, discovered ceremonial mounds in addition to native crafts and Spanish trade beads at the Chosen site. As artifacts and evidence of ancient cultures continued to surface, researchers concluded, that for nearly 5,000 years, native Americans such as the Mayami and Calusa inhabited the area, leaving remnants of a long, but not forgotten, past behind.

Our search for Chosen took us in and around Belle Glade and over to Torry Island. We stopped at the one-way, hand-cranked Point Chosen Swing Bridge, and using an old map of the area, we estimated our location to be accurate. Though there were no signs of a town called Chosen nor ceremonial Indian mounds visible to us, we knew, without a doubt, that we had found our destination and what we were searching for.

Early last month came news of a long-established restaurant possibly closing its doors for good in Lake Worth Beach, driven by an escalation in rent and city commissioners eager to ‘look at the data’ but less interested in listening to locals. Benny’s on the Beach, the iconic surf side restaurant and bar on the historic Lake Worth Pier since 1986, was all set to go after three commissioners voted against a lease renewal back in April.

Though the restaurant and city of Lake Worth Beach eventually negotiated a compromise, the intense and firey exchanges that played out revealed a breaking point in Palm Beach County as lines are now fiercely being drawn between long-time residents, wealthy developers and newcomers to the region.

Benny’s on the Beach was lucky. Other seemingly permanent fixtures in Palm Beach County have either left, been forced out or replaced by out-of-state businesses flush with cash. Worth Avenue’s oldest restaurant, Ta-boo, closed its doors last month after a rent and lease dispute with the new property owner. The iconic Square's AMC West Palm theater also closed last month as developers continue to carve out a new path for the city of West Palm Beach. The Palm Beach International Raceway will soon be converted into warehouses and the Palm Beach Improv closed its doors last month as well. The list goes on. We are at the point now where new development, density and rising rents are spiraling – nearly out of control – and many residents feel a sense of powerlessness, frustration, and at times, rage.

No one can – or will – say for certain why Florida is undergoing such rapid growth, both in population and development. Some say its taxes and climate and the increase in remote work options, prompting cross-country migration and businesses moving south. Others claim it’s a direct effect of the long-lasting lockdown mandates and school closures that became so prevalent in states like New York, California and Illinois. Regardless of the reason, Florida is now the fastest growing state in the country – and to the surprise of few – overdevelopment and affordability are altering Florida’s way of life.

To be sure, Florida is a welcoming state. But as new businesses, developers, and yes, people, settle in parts of Florida, and in this case, Palm Beach County, local businesses and residents are increasingly squeezed out in what can be called a gentrification of sorts, where fast-growing sections include soaring residential and commercial rents, higher property taxes and exorbitant fees. Add in heaping dose of inflation and the squeeze gets even tighter.

And it’s not simply a problem privy to private developers and rapid migration (though migration is the root cause). Local governments have shown a keen interest in working with overly-ambitious, and often out-of-state, business and residential developers at the beset of locals and even previously agreed-upon land zoning laws. Last month, Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-2, approving a land-swap usage proposal that allows GL Homes to build 1,000 luxury homes in the Agricultural Reserve west of Boca Raton.

In Wellington, developer and entrepreneur, Mark Bellissimo, is teaming up with big-name celebrities like Justin Timberlake and Tiger Woods to create ‘The Wellington’ which will include 600 acres of luxury villas and condos, stores, and a hotel, forever altering the Village and the Equestrian Preserve Area (EPA).

While these home additions may sound like a good idea, in reality, new construction will add to the current density crisis in Wellington, and as the term ‘luxury’ indicates, housing units are at a price point unattainable to most. And this is happening all over the county. Wealthy developers target local – and sometimes iconic - areas or establishments to revitalize, rebuild or build out, in a very big way. Even land preserves, ironically, are now up for grabs.

According to Wellington resident and owner of Iconica Polo, Maureen Brennan, Bellissimo’s development proposal is destructive for the long-standing equestrian community and will squeeze the industry – and their horses – out. “If the Equestrian Preserve Area is converted to medium or high density housing, then all the land will eventually be rezoned and the equestrian community will be forced to relocate, and with it, the wonderful and unique chapter of the Village will disappear, along with revenue.”

And yet, Bellissimo, according to recent reports, claims that Wellington needs to grow – and drastically – to meet the demands of an expanding equestrian industry and to compete with places like the World Equestrian Center in Ocala. Most residents in the area, along with Brennan, fervently disagree.

“The general sentiment shared by non-equestrians and equestrians alike is ‘Horses Not Houses.’ In conversations online and through a petition, residents moved here for the open space and uniqueness of the village,” said Brennan. “And we are too developed already, traffic is unbearable, wildlife is negatively impacted, and right now, we need more land available for horses.”

“The equestrian community contributes nearly a half billion dollars already to the Wellington area,” she added. “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

Matthew Guerreiro, another Wellington resident against land development in the Equestrian Preserve Area, believes that repurposing the old Wellington Mall is a better option. “ Chipping away at Equestrian Preserve is a bad idea,” he said. “But the mall, located on the corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill is ripe for redevelopment, including the mixed-use model that Bellissimo is proposing.”

In other words, conserve the land and better serve the people and businesses already here, including reimagining old structures like the mall. Because growth – despite its difficulties – is good and necessary for communities and current residents. But unfettered, runaway growth is a recipe for disaster — and even despair — as costs and overcrowded neighborhoods begin to negatively impact people.

West Palm Beach IT professional, Kevin Goulding, never had a problem paying rent before. And yet, over the past few years, his monthly housing costs increased sharply, to the point where more than half his salary goes straight to the landlord. “I’m a senior technical analyst which is typically a good paying computer job,” he said. “But my rent in Palm Beach County has skyrocketed over the last 3 years, add in inflation, and my personal life has been greatly impacted.”

Goulding, whose IT job is directly connected to the local economy, has now taken on three additional side gigs to make ends meet, which includes driving for Uber Eats and working weekends at a local comic book store.

The biggest factor in rising rents is low inventory combined with the migration of wealthy renters to less expensive places like Florida, which in turn, is leading to fervent attempts to overdevelop. Palm Beach County, the third fastest growing county in the state, most certainly, has become a hotbed for relocating professionals and businesses, giving rise to not only more demand, but a rent-burdened public who have called Palm Beach County their home long before the pandemic and recent influx of people.

While some residents blame corporations and landlords for rising costs, the reality is much more complicated. So what is being done to mitigate exorbitant costs in the region? It’s complicated. At least for income earners like Goulding.

Though wealthy developers like Bellissimo cater projects to the upper class, that leaves few options for individuals or families making less than $100,000 per year, even as some developers have promised to set aside a percentage of new housing for city employees, including police, firefighters, teachers and others. The Palm Beach County Housing Authority is also working on plans to develop affordable housing to those who qualify. Nevertheless, a large segment of middle class professionals, those making less than $68,874 a year, will most certainly be cut out, as is usually the case.

Unless there’s a sudden slowdown of migration to the area, many of these problems will continue. Several frustrated residents — out of money and patience — have fled Palm Beach County all together, heading north to Stuart or Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce. While others, including Maureen Brennan in Wellington, have decided to stay and fight. Each community faces their own unique challenge, and yet, their battle cry is the same: Too much growth, development and change— at too quickly of a pace— is bad for communities.

Residents, or businesses, opposed to being squeezed out or pushed to extremes can fight back by showing up to city council meetings and organizing. Just ask the folks from Benny’s on the Beach. The owner, employees, and patrons, all showed up at multiple city council meetings and made their voices heard. As a result, elected officials had no other option but to negotiate and the iconic, long-standing restaurant will remain.

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LISTEN NOW! BEHIND THE STORY PODCAST WITH AUTHOR SUSAN NEFZGER ⬇️

Susan Nefzger, a longtime PR professional and business writer, is the author of A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly, her most recent book, and a followup to her previous guides, including A Practical Guide to Awareness: Discovering Your True Purpose and Putting Awareness Into Practice: Companion Guide to A Practical Guide to Awareness. A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly is a simple, step-by-step guide to living without fear and understanding more about the daily practice of cultivating happiness and passion in life. Nefzger will be signing books at 2 p.m. Saturday June 3 at Palm Beach Book Store.

I caught up with the author this past Tuesday to learn more about her new book and the inspiration behind it. As someone who has been connected with her on Instagram for several years, it was nice to meet up and get my very own copy of, A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly.

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Q. Why did you decide to write a book about living fearlessly?

A. The idea came to me during the summer of 2019 when I created the title and wrote the outline and table of contents. But in order to provide a why to the question, this book, A Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly, is literally my life purpose. Once I received the idea for this specific book, I was waylaid by distractions of a family matter, my mother’s illness, and then, the pandemic. Everything coalesced around the timing of the events surrounding the pandemic. Since I was living in Atlanta at the time, it was intense! The riots, the sheltering at home, and the energy of the city was volatile, to say the least. I understood I was there as an anchor for positive energy, but I can’t say the overall experience was easy. So I began writing and focused on providing beauty to everyone via my photography and poetry through social media. In stressful times, if people can be present on the beauty and good that surrounds us, it helps alleviate fear. Some people even commented on my “toxic positivity”. The answer to that is it’s not toxic if it is genuine. And this leads me full circle to the inspiration of writing and providing uplifting content to people since the mid 2000s. As the creative aspect of the writing process was beginning, I realized I have lived without fear, most of my life, not even really being aware that I was doing so. I draw on those experiences of becoming aware through self -realization, meditation, writing, and questing, which lends the authenticity to the advice as it is provided.

Q. Can you share more with us about your background and your journey to ultimately writing self-awareness books?

A. Sure! I was an English major in college and have always been a lifelong lover of reading. I also work as a public relations professional and have engaged in business writing for most of my career. The turning point, of course, was in my 50s as I was led to attend a retreat in Glastonbury, England. Without expectation, I knew I was meant to journey there. The pull was strong, as was the process, the spiritual people whom I met there, and the opening up of my creative consciousness transformed my entire life at that time. I mind mapped the outline, title, table of contents in the first exercise of the retreat, then walked out into the gardens of the Glastonbury Abbey ruins and began writing my first book, A Practical Guide to Awareness. I continued writing feverishly and in six weeks it was completed in the creative sense. Clearly, the book was meant to be and it flowed forth in an unstoppable stream. It was a time I shall never forget and my unconditional gratitude for being present to heed the call is a heartfelt emotion and it drives me daily (ever since 2015) to help others become self aware in order to discover their own gifts, so that they can also share with the world.

Q. How did you find the larger meaning for this book?

A. It found me. I didn’t find it. As part of my purpose, the idea for this book was merely waiting for me to simply open the door. When on a journey toward self -awareness, the answers and synchronicities present themselves. There are no missed opportunities. If one is open and in discovery, one will hear the call and listen. Once we becomes aware of our self, of our triggers, our fears, of what drives us as a human being, it’s clear that this level of existence is not all there is. We truly are spiritual beings in a human body. We all have a gift as individuals that is meant to be shared with the world.

Q. Tell us more about the various themes you discuss in The Practical Guide to Living Fearlessly?

A. The themes are meant to help one categorize the exercises, and in so doing, make it more of a simple process. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary or esoteric. It really is meant to address the basic tenets of a daily life, that is most tangible now. Once those are mastered, and that is up to each person as they choose their journey, it can be straightforward or difficult, and it is always an individual choice. We do have a choice, that is a key takeaway in all of my writing for people to understand. Each person must live their life as they can, in joy and in passion to live life fully. We know as children, what we love, what we find interesting and fun. Some people are fortunate enough to know what that is at a young age and commit to it. Others must find that passion as they grow. The world has changed but it’s a positive thing, and I believe that many are now focused more on being aware, being kind and finding the beauty in each day. I believe that change is a result of the pandemic. We were, and still are, certainly at a tipping point and it’s necessary to enact change. 

Q. You write a lot about discovering your passion. Why is that so important for us as human beings?

A. It’s important to discover your passion because life is meant to be enjoyed with love and devotion for what we do and how we interact with others. We can uplift others with our self awareness and that can lead to a fulfilling life. Once the majority of humans are in a place of love instead of fear, we will tip the planet towards a new world. If we all seek joy and beauty, how much different can our world become? I discuss the difference between what fear is and how it looks in daily life, and what love is. And it’s not always what you think. That is the key to understanding and recognizing the difference and ultimately moving forward in love. But we must first change ourselves. It really is an inside job.

Q. You also talk about your mother and her illness and eventual transition. How did that experience affect or change your life perspective? 

A. My parents were both amazingly hard working and progressive people. I was close with both of them and I write about my mother in the book, but my father and I enjoyed a close friendship as well. And through my father’s passing and illness, I came to realize what the experience with my mother actually could be and what that meant. My father passed away somewhat unexpectedly and my mother provided us with a long goodbye. In the book, I characterize these moments in self awareness as “The Final Fear”. For me, that also meant realizing that my mother was going to transition and I wanted to be in the experience to share it with others in order to alleviate fear about our parents dying. I did feel afraid at first, because I would miss my mother’s beauty, wisdom and support. I strove to understand and see the beauty of the suffering she shared. Once a person can find beauty in suffering, everything changes. So the experience of her transition affected me by illustrating the miracle of birth and death and how it really is a transition and it can be so beautiful. In understanding that, to be born we will ultimately die, it takes away the fear. That was the realization for me. And with the end of my mother’s suffering, she was free and she transitioned to another life. It was, and is, a startling reality.

Q. Do you have anything else you'd like to share about your book since it's been published?

A. I’m grateful to all the people along the way, the support and the events– the path so to speak. I am especially grateful to my Conscious Writing group who allowed this to occur and to share in their wisdom. Because it really is a journey, there is no destination. It gets better and better and to be in a place of sheer joy – as true joy – is the goal each day. It is achievable, once a person understand that we are here to fulfill our own happiness and share our gifts. Once WE do that, we can impact so many others, in our family, our neighborhood, our workplace, and in the larger world. If we help or uplift one person it’s a win win! Joy spreads like water flowing, so go with the flow and embrace the ups and downs. It’s all part of the journey.

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CLICK AUDIO BELOW: ‘BEHIND THE STORY’ PODCAST: BIG DOG RANCH RESCUE

Inside the Hoffman Family Veteran Dog Training Center, located on the campus of Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee, Florida, about a half dozen dogs are lounging comfortably on cots or inside crates in a brightly-lit room where an American flag mural covers the back wall and a dry-erase whiteboard, with words and phrases tailored to service dog trainers, stands in full view.

Two dogs, both rescues, move around the room, alongside their trainers, responding to gestures, vocal commands, eye contact and positive reinforcement techniques that teach the dogs to take a specific, and potentially, life-saving action. The goal is for the dogs, once they complete a 12-16 month training program, to assist U.S. Military Veterans with disabilities such as post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, physical disabilities, and more.

At one point, Evan Fried, Director of the Veterans Training Program, is sitting in front of Trooper, a bright-eyed rescue who clearly revels in his service work. Fried suddenly puts his head into his hands, as if in mental or physical distress, and immediately Trooper moves into action, placing two steady front paws on his shoulders and nudging him with his nose, redirecting a possible tense moment. The technique, which encourages the veteran to pet and hug the dog, is meant to interrupt moments of panic or anxiousness.

Under a recent bill introduced by U.S. Senator Deborah Fischer and signed into law in 2021 by President Biden, Puppies Assisting Wounded Service Members (PAWS) for Veterans Therapy Act, the Veterans Administration is partnering with nonprofit organizations such as Big Dog Ranch Rescue where veterans can train, and eventually adopt, their aspiring service dogs. What’s more, the Veteran Service Dog Training Program at Big Dog Ranch Rescue further assists U.S. Veterans by providing all training and equipment necessary for both veteran and dog at no cost to the veteran.

In the United States, adopting a fully trained service dog can cost, on average, between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on the skillset and the dog’s ability to perform highly specialized tasks. Under the Veteran Service Dog Training Program and in collaboration with the VA, veterans not only receive a service dog at no cost, they also receive lifetime veterinary health insurance, service dog hardware, and payment for travel expenses related to acquiring the dog.

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Every dog that enters Big Dog Ranch Rescue is a rescue, including those in the Veteran Service Dog Training Program. In fact, since the organization’s founding in 2008 by President Lauree Simmons, some 50,000 dogs have been rescued, rehabilitated and placed in loving homes throughout the United States. Though BDRR started locally in Palm Beach County, it is now a worldwide rescue and dog activist organization – leading the way in global and national initiatives such as rescue missions on the Texas-Mexico border and in Ukraine in addition to playing key roles in the passage of the anticruelty law, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act, signed by President Trump in 2019.

The 33-acre ranch is located off a quiet part of Okeechobee Blvd, where state-of-the-art veterinary and quarantine buildings sit adjacent to bunk houses, a swimming pool and play area, a series of cabins created for expectant mothers to give birth to their litters in a caring environment – fittingly called Puppy Land – and of course, the Hoffman Family Veteran Dog Training Center.

But there’s more happening at the ranch. According to Sasha Baranov, Director of Marketing at Big Dog Ranch Rescue, the Loxahatchee property is expanding in size and scope. Several areas of new construction can be seen around the property, including a 17,000 square-foot boarding lodge that will have four sections. One part of the lodge will be reserved solely for veteran service dogs in the training program, while another will board dogs of active duty service members – free of charge – while they are deployed.

The remaining two sections will offer anyone who has adopted a dog through BDRR exclusive access to the facility at low cost. While the move is meant to provide comfortable and high-quality boarding options, it also works as an incentive for people to adopt through BDRR and possibly even curtail owners from surrendering their pets in certain temporary situations.

Still, as inflation and rental market woes continue, dog adoptions have been down, not only in South Florida, but also nationwide. And owners who surrender their dogs – another troubling trend – cite affordability challenges associated with caring for and feeding a dog along with rising rents and cost of living. But that’s where BDRR — and a handful of similar organizations, like the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League of the Palm Beaches — step in.

When I toured the ranch property last Thursday, I discovered the great lengths BDRR is going to for the sake of finding rescue dogs their forever home while also searching for ways to help owners or those fostering a dog with costs, such as affordable and high-quality dog boarding and veterinary care. But none of that is possible without donations.

After leaving the campus that day, it was, in fact, a healing moment for me. As the wife of a U.S. Navy Veteran, and recognizing the hard work and indisputable positive results of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, it was a true honor to witness firsthand what they’re doing, not only here locally in Palm Beach County, but in the world. I also recognized the sheer cost connected with running an operation like this. It’s naive to believe that an organization this profound can operate purely on grit and goodwill. They need a constant flow of funds to keep it going.

I happily made a donation that very day. If the betterment of both dogs and humans are causes important to you, then perhaps you’ll find a way to contribute as well. For information about Big Dog Ranch Rescue and how to donate, click here.

On the day that Sara Baxter accomplished her impressive victory for Palm Beach County District 6, beating Michelle Oyola McGovern, a shift arrived in South Florida, one that was red – and widespread – extending down into the state's most populous county, Miami-Dade, marking a new political era in regions previously deep blue.

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The victories, not only in South Florida, but the entire state, reverberated throughout the country as many candidates here won their races by double digits including Governor Ron DeSantis with more than a 19-point lead over Charlie Crist, and Senator Marco Rubio, despite being far outspent by Democrat Representative Val Demings. But it’s places like Miami-Dade and District 6 in Palm Beach County that surprised many who follow local elections and trends as both areas have long been Democratic strongholds.

There were signs, however, that Republicans, including Baxter, would cruise to victory as Republicans in the state had close to 292,500 more registered voters than Democrats. That number, as of April 2023, is now up to 454,918.

So what changed? Here in Palm Beach County, many saw the election as a referendum on COVID mandates and policies enacted by previous county commissioners and the school board who voted to keep authoritarian policies in place even when Governor DeSantis ended all local emergency mandates. Others viewed right-leaning candidates, and specifically Baxter, as more favorable toward small business owners looking to regain momentum after regulations, enacted long before and during COVID, created economic headaches and stifled expansion.

Baxter, a real estate agent and small business owner, is all-too-familiar with the roadblocks entrepreneurs face when looking to open or expand in the region. She and her husband started an automotive repair business, Foreign Auto Specialists, in 2011, despite strong headwinds from local government. It was ‘by the grace of God’, Baxter says, that the now-thriving business even opened.

When I visited Baxter’s office at the Palm Beach County Robert Weisman Governmental Center in downtown West Palm Beach last Thursday, on a warm, breezy afternoon, I couldn’t help but notice the large, round ‘Maintain Six Feet Apart’ stickers strategically placed outside the building’s main entrance, signs of a not-too-distant past that most would like to forget.

Yet, while sitting down with Commissioner Baxter – a second generation Floridian – it’s clear that she’s focused on future goals and initiatives to create a better climate for not only small business owners, but all residents in District 6, bringing with her a different perspective, searching for ways to simplify planning and zoning processes, lowering tax rates and fees, while also avoiding overdevelopment in western communities.

Commissioner Baxter has her work cut out for her. The realities of changing long-standing county laws and ordinances won’t come easy especially when Democrats still maintain a strong position in the region. But she’s faced – and has overcome – previous challenges within Palm Beach County’s occasionally-contentious political environment, most notably, during her campaign.

Even with voter enthusiasm and momentum in her favor, Baxter experienced setbacks. When asked for more details, she first credits a deep faith in God, along with her family and loyal supporters, for her eventual victory. But fundraising, she mentions, proved especially challenging as she was drastically outspent by McGovern through every twist and turn. Baxter, who contributed heavily to her own campaign, raised $119,338 while her opponent raised $447,898, according to Yahoo News.

Indeed, the 2022 elections and surprise upsets in Florida revealed a state that is decidedly red, a trend experts think will continue for years to come. Whether areas like Miami-Dade or Palm Beach remain on course may not be as certain, as the pendulum swings, and population demographics along with voter habits, can shift elections from light blue to light red and back again. Which leads us to the 2024 political season, where even more surprise upsets and revelations, await a polarized country.

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After the interview and a quick elevator ride from the 12th floor, I left the ‘social distancing’ stickers and Palm Beach County Robert Weisman Governmental Center behind, traveling back to my home in District 6, optimistic for the next four years and grateful for the interview with Commissioner Baxter.

For more information about Commissioner Sara Baxter, please visit the district’s website.

On the day the Sprouts Farmers Market in Wellington, Fl. announced it was closing, social media lit up with speculation, blaming everything from food prices and inflation to disputes with the landlord. No one knew for certain – the Sprouts CEO hadn’t yet released a statement – but the mood online was somber. The same could be said of the mood inside the store where employees busied themselves stocking soon-to-be empty shelves and answering the probing questions of customers.

“It feels like a sad divorce,” said one cashier, as she moved products along the conveyor belt and into plastic bags. “We’ll be transferred to a new store, but none of us want to leave.” Several nearby customers looked up from their phones to listen – perhaps to catch new information or gossip – before looking back down again. For the majority of Wellington shoppers, the departure of Sprouts was simply another store to leave town. There have, in fact, been quite a few as of late.

Though the initial response appeared gloomy, especially online, one might’ve expected a stronger reaction – especially as popular stores continue to vanish. The Mall at Wellington Green lost several over the past few years including GAP, Banana Republic, JoS A Bank, Ann Taylor Loft, and Brooks Brothers – just to name a few, and in 2019, the luxury department store, Nordstrom, closed its doors as well. Sports Authority, another big box retailer, along with Toys"R"Us, filed for bankruptcy several years ago, and consequently, left large empty spaces in their wake. Recently, within the last few months in fact, The Fresh Market, Bed Bath & Beyond, and buybuy BABY have all closed their stores. That leaves us with Sprouts– and despite its wide-spread appeal – it was simply another sad casualty in retail’s economic battles, both here at home and across the country.

When Sprouts came to Wellington, in March 2019, it opened to huge crowds, offering shoppers a range of foods, vitamins, beer, and wine, emphasizing the holistic, organic, and natural. But its arrival came at an inopportune time as the COVID pandemic started not long after – forcing the chain to follow local government lockdown and mandate restrictions –which resulted in the restructuring of daily operations. While many longstanding stores such as Whole Foods or Publix could better absorb these drastic shifts, newer retailers faced an uphill battle– some of whom never recovered.

According to Sprouts Farmers Market CEO Jack Sinclair, the Wellington store in addition to several others around the country, are considered “underperforming locations” with building size a primary factor. In a statement, Sprouts said that it chose to keep these stores open as the pandemic struck, “so our communities would continue to have access to fresh, healthy groceries” but that the company "recently revisited that decision."

While the phrase “underperforming locations” is less dire than it sounds, at least in this case – since employees can keep their jobs at stores elsewhere – it stings nonetheless. In just four years, Sprouts in Wellington had grown its roots, establishing itself as a major competitor with nearby food chains — most with longstanding ties in the region — and became the preferred shopping location for many residents living in subdivisions along State Rd. 7. What’s more, the store earned a highly-coveted “neighborly” status as employees and shoppers knew one another by name, exemplifying what it means to truly be part of a neighborhood.

Then, there’s the building itself. Sitting empty for many years, Sprouts Inc, transformed half of the deserted Sports Authority (the other half is now a Retro Fitness) from a massive chunk of dead concrete to a building brimming with greenery, colorful produce, and cheerful isles where even the bread section looked alive. With just a quick glance into the glass front doors, one can instantly appreciate the warm lighting and store arrangements – sending the type of friendly vibes every town should want. The Sprouts in Wellington had indeed become a great neighbor – welcoming, dependable, loyal, and always there.

Though all is not lost, there are some rays of hope for Sprouts aficionados and store employees. Three stores – Jupiter, West Palm Beach, and Boynton – will absorb the staff so none are at risk of being unemployed. As one associate told me, she’s going to Boynton but hopes they open another location in Wellington sometime soon. “This is my home,” she said.

Indeed, it was a home for us, too.

WHEN Carolina King visited Palms West Hospital in the spring of 2018, she didn’t expect an awakening.

It was a typical South Florida morning – hot and humid with a touch of ocean breeze – when she carried a few boxes of art supplies through the hospital’s entrance. As president of a local art society at the time and active in community outreach programs, it was up to her and others to bring arts and crafts to children inside the hospital’s pediatric unit.

After getting her visitor badge and taking a short elevator ride to the floor, King was buzzed in. Suddenly she found herself standing amongst the brightly-lit and decorative walls of the unit, and in that pivotal moment, a personal breakthrough – almost indescribable - was beginning to emerge.

“When the children first walked into the art room, some were in pain, some were in tears, they were uncomfortable,” she said. “But within five minutes or less, once they each started their art project, everything changed. There was laughter, there was joy, there were smiles- and the walls just came tumbling down.”

While working with the children that morning – both in the activity area and visiting with the immunocomprimised in their private rooms – King recognized a need that went beyond stickers and glitter or colored pencils and crayons. These were emotional needs in which art could play a role in healing. “I immediately said to myself that I have to do this all the time,” she recalled. “This was it for me, no question about it.”

But discovering a calling - and answering that call - can be challenging especially when there’s no specific path forward. The solution: Arts For Smiles.

Arts For Smiles officially started in the early days of 2020, becoming a full nonprofit in December of 2021. Within that timeline, King and fellow artists visited hospitals and organizations such as the Kid’s Cancer Foundation, bringing arts to children in various forms of need. Then COVID hit and all the visits came to a crashing halt. “When the pandemic started, we had to restructure everything which ultimately effected the beginning of our work with Arts For Smiles,” King said.

While the pandemic was in full swing, King and mission-aligned volunteers, including local photographer, Lois Spatz, discovered a need in Belle Glade – a city set in South-Central Florida within the boundaries of Palm Beach County – where an estimated 34.6 percent of people live in poverty. Since visiting with children wasn’t permitted due to stringent – even heartrending – lockdown orders at the time, King and her team put together care packages that included not only critical need items, but arts and crafts as well, delivering to organizations such Ella's Closet, Lighthouse Cafe, Boys Town of South Florida, and the Nicolas Foundation, in addition to assisting local teachers.

But, then, a shift. Within the next 6-12 months, restrictions began to ease, and the original vision set forth by King started to fully materialize. Together, with the group’s treasurer, Erica Kyle, the two hired a lawyer and formed a 501c3, making Arts For Smiles an official nonprofit complete with a Board of Directors, including King, Kyle, and local artist, Charles Moses. By this time, the organization doubled the number of care packages created and distributed and donations steadily increased.

Inspired by the uptick in monetary support and “social distancing” being a thing of the past, King and her team started working directly with children once again at places like Kid’s Cancer Foundation and local community events – offering free art classes including drawing, painting, collage, and building crafts – encouraging kids to focus on their own imagination, and subsequently, their mental health.

Over the past decade, the number of children diagnosed with a mental health disorder has skyrocketed, leading health authorities and pediatric groups to examine possible contributing causes. According to one expert, the decline in adolescent mental health directly correlates to a lack of community support and resources, as well as social media, poor sleep, peer and family conflict, and trauma. The lockdowns and school closures accelerated this trend.

The need for more community resources – especially for low income and at-risk communities – has never been greater. This is how organizations such as Arts For Smiles can make a direct impact. Through the use of artistic methods that are proven to promote healing and restoration, King’s nonprofit is one line of defense — operating as a free community resource — in the current battle for better mental health initiatives and outreach. “Art is a crucial part of life,” said King. “If we can teach children that they have so many wonderful ways of expressing themselves it will help them through the many stages of life.”

But, in many ways, providing a free service to the community comes at a cost. Arts For Smiles relies heavily on monetary support, and without the generosity of donors, many of their outreach initiatives would come to an end. “We’re a relatively new nonprofit so it takes a while to build those crucial relationships”, said King. “But we’ve had some amazing donors step up and help our cause.”

Going back to King’s original vision – that pivotal moment in the pediatric unit of Palms West Hospital – her goal is to one day find commercial space of her own to conduct free art outreach programs in addition to providing services for local artists. Though the initial mission primarily focused on children, King also recognizes a growing need for people of all ages. She is particularly motivated to work with caregivers – those who provide care for an adult family member, child, or friend – by providing a safe and creative space to better manage stress and fatigue. “This is something I would love to get into,” King said. “From personal experience, I’m aware of the physical and emotional stressors caregivers endure. Having support and freedom to creatively express emotions can help, I truly believe that.”

For more information about Carolina King and Arts For Smiles, visit their website to learn more about the organization.

At the home of Norman Gitzen, off a quiet road in Lake Worth, Florida, a surprising blend of a wood workshop, artist gallery, forging tools, and eclectic keepsakes together in a fortress made of stone, stucco and solid wood. The cathedral front entrance –complete with a lion head door knocker – opens to a winding staircase that leads up to the living quarters, where medieval-style windows overlook a lush nature preserve, invoking the spirit of a fairytale. And why wouldn’t it? Gitzen’s home is a castle, after all.

It’s a cool Thursday morning in mid-March, and Gitzen, wearing work clothes and carrying a large can of peanuts, is wandering the driveway, gently calling to his neighborhood friends. After a few rattles of the can, one squirrel climbs up a stone column covered in monster vine and bougainvillea. Sensing a stranger on site, the squirrel hesitates and flicks its tail, before eventually climbing back down the column, and up the leg of Gitzen, grabbing a peanut with its front claws, before scampering off.

Gitzen keeps the can shaking, and for me, a fellow nature enthusiast, watching wild birds and squirrels emerge from their hiding places, illustrates a simple – yet profound – trust between man and animal. I count, in fact, at least a dozen squirrels and four or five bluejays coming forward for food and – quite possibly – friendship.

“They’re climbing on me all day long,” he says. “When I’m here alone, they’re all over this table, jumping on me for these peanuts.”

Videos of him hand feeding the animals have appeared in numerous Facebook posts over the years, including a few large iguanas in the mix. But the turtles –floating in a lagoon-like pond down the drive– rarely get any screen play. Grabbing a bag of bread, Gitzen walks to the pond’s edge and crouches down to greet them—all three, in fact. “On a warm morning, the turtles will be waiting for me. But just like the squirrels,” he says, “if they know someone else is here, they’ll hide at first.”

Clearly a man in his domain – where flowers and green Areca palms grow wild— he is king of these castle grounds.

“Actually,” he corrects me, chuckling and dismissing my castle claim, “it’s more like a mini-castle.”

Gitzen, a carpenter by trade, designed and built this Spanish Mediterranean-style home (his favorite type of architecture) in the mid-90s, even going so far as to hand carve wooden corbels, making each decorative embellishment into molds, and using them as pairs on the home’s exterior and interior. Not long after, he started showing these architectural sculptures at art shows, attracting the notice of several Palm Beach galleries, inspiring Gitzen to create more abstract and nonfunctional work. This eventuality led to the creation of a 10 foot tall mermaid made of steel and bronze. The mermaid - also known as ‘The Siren’ - made a splash in local and national news, setting off a flurry of breast-weary alarm bells back in 2005. But much has changed since then, including Gitzen, and the local art scene he’s long been part of.

As a boy, Gitzen developed a love and fascination for log cabins and building with wood. Growing up in central New York, he’d roam nearby woods, collecting stones and working with clay, even creating forts of his own. This boyhood fascination—or more like a calling— foreshadowed his later work as a carpenter here in South Florida. According to his website, you can find Gitzen’s work in many Palm Beach homes where he designed custom bars, entertainment centers and cabinetry–combining his earlier talents and experience with his newer interest in European-style construction and design. “ I fell in love with the architecture and all the decorations, the fountains, and the beauty of Mediterranean type homes,” he says. “And that’s the feel and look I wanted for my designs —both as a builder and an artist—as well.”

It’s clear that Gitzen has carved out a unique and undeniable niche in the art scene in South Florida and around the country. At one point, on any given weekend, you could find him inside an art booth—accompanied by his architectural sculptures, jewelry, objects made of stone and hand pounded steel or bronze, and forging tools—interacting with customers and fellow art aficionados. But the last three years have changed not only the local art show circuit, but Gitzen’s desire to participate. “Booth fees are too high,” he says. “Artists get charged so much and then, sometimes, you don’t sell a thing, but you just handed over $500 to be in the show.”

While many galleries and festivals are “back to normal” after a challenging –even puzzling–last few years, there’s no doubt that the pandemic changed the art scene as well as many relationships. Most people who know Gitzen, know his personal thoughts on the issue. But when pressed to comment more, he stays mum. He does readily admit, however, that from the very start, back in early 2020, he knew something was off. But– and we both agree– that’s a conversation for another time.

These days, Gitzen is laser-focused on fundraisers. Over the years, he’s participated in fundraising events such as the Palm beach County Boys and Girls Club, raising approximately $45,000 back in the early 2000s. And more recently, Horses Healing Hearts and The Bear’s Club (founded by Jack and Barbara Nicklaus).

He plans to continue his fundraising work and creating art inside his home workshop, while staying close to Mother Nature, his biggest muse. “My yard is a jungle planted on purpose,” he says. “People need to remember how important Mother Nature is, and we are killing her. Forget the manicured lawns, forget mowing and all the poisons, enough with the chemicals, don’t go down that route.”

For more information about Norman Gitzen and his work, visit the Norman Gitzen pGallery online or stop by his home studio to see what he’s working on.

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The Farmworker was tired and beat down from the Florida heat, still roasting the open field, even in mid-December. It had been a long day, longer than the day before, and he counted in his head, hundreds of watermelon he picked from the vines. It was back-breaking work but his family needed the money and he’d do anything to help—to be their provider.

He looked up, wiped his brow and noticed another worker close by, hoisting the big green fruit into a hollowed-out school bus. The Farmworker thought about his own children back home and hoped to see them again soon.

In the distance, he saw a barbed wire fence in place for containment. But there weren’t any cattle or unruly herds in the field. There were only farmworkers and the wardens who watched around the clock. Despite the open air and blue sky above, the Farmworker wouldn’t call this freedom, not by a long shot. He and his fellow migrant companions had no way out and no foreseeable way to a better opportunity . The owner of the contracting company, Bladimir Moreno, had taken their passports and threatened them with arrest and deportation if they didn’t do as asked.

As they lay in their beds that night, inside the cramped housing unit, some of the younger workers whispered of escape. But the Farmworker just sighed and said nothing. There wouldn’t be any escape until Moreno no longer needed them and some of the workers, including himself, still had debts to pay off.

But something had happened a few days later. Two farmworkers, both also working on H-2A visas, escaped captivity by hiding in the trunk of a car. The Farmworker heard about their escape and wondered about the men’s fate. What if they were arrested? He didn’t know. But what the Farmworker also didn’t know is that the two men who escaped called the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), based out of Immokalee, Florida, and together they reported Bladimir Moreno and his co-conspirators to the police.

Though the farmworker described above is fictional, the story itself is not. Bladimir Moreno, owner and operator of Los Villatoros Harvesting LLC (a criminal labor enterprise), was arrested and later convicted of multiple crimes including federal racketeering and forced labor conspiracy that victimized Mexican H-2A farmworkers in the United States between 2015 and 2017. The two men who escaped Moreno’s forced labor operation in December of 2016, along with the help of CIW, triggered a state and country-wide investigation after they alerted local authorities.

It’s investigations like these that help uncover the horrors often experienced by agricultural workers in the United States, and according to farmworker protection organizations such as CIW, these inhumane conditions have haunted-and continue to haunt- immigrant farmworkers, contributing to the ongoing crisis of ‘modern-day slavery’ where men and women are subjected to physical and psychological abuse in the fields, sexual abuse, and human trafficking.

In 2011, CIW created the Fair Food Program, a community-driven partnership that benefits everyone in the supply chain from farmworkers, growers, commercial retailers, and consumers. Several retailers, such as Burger King, Taco Bell, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, and more have joined the Fair Food Program. But others, most notably Publix, Kroger, and Wendy’s, have stalled, and according to farmworker advocates, these food giants continue to work with farms that don’t participate in the Fair Food Program- farms where abuse reportedly continues.

In protest of these company holdouts and to build awareness, farmworkers, their families, and their consumer allies from across the country took to the streets. Beginning on March 14, CIW and fellow marchers gathered in the rural town of Pahokee, Florida and headed- on foot- to the luxe island of Palm Beach, home of Nelson Peltz, billionaire head of Trian Partners, a hedge fund with the top stake in Wendy’s.

After a five-day, 45-mile trek on foot through sunshine, rain, and the Florida heat, they arrived in Palm Beach Saturday morning for the final rally, before marching through the oceanfront town. Speakers told the impassioned crowd that “the time has come for the sun to shine” on the “modern day slavery” that persists in the farming industry all while “companies collect profits.”

The United States has a long - and at times - complicated relationship with migrants, immigrants, and immigration. Still considered the land of opportunity, where anyone can achieve the American Dream, people from all over the world—who also believe in this dream—have been arriving for centuries, creating a better life for themselves and their families. According to the Immigrant Learning Center, there are approximately 44 million immigrants in the United States.

The New American Economy reports, that as of 2019, almost half—or 48.9 percent—of all agricultural workers were foreign-born and more than one-fourth were undocumented. In crop production specifically, almost 57 percent of workers were immigrants, including 36.4 percent who were undocumented. In Florida 64.5% of the agricultural workforce are immigrants. And yet, more workers are needed.

Consumer demand for fresh fruit and vegetables has increased over the past few decades and farmers worry about finding enough workers as few Americans are willing to take on the job of picking crops. Migrants - many who arrive on an H-2A visa - are willing to work these jobs, often for little money and long hours, and for many farmworkers, the risk is worth the reward, but only to a point.

This is where the Fair Food Program comes into play. Since its inception in 2011, workers have benefited from the elimination of sexual assault, forced labor, and violence, in addition to collecting better pay. But farmworker advocates say they will continue to battle for a complete victory, because - as one speaker told the crowd on Saturday - they have “truth on their side” and that is “why we march.”

For more information about CIW and the Fair Food Program, visit Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW).

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