Author: Jayne Bonilla

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2017 11th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance

The annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance presented by Mercedes-Benz and AutoNation has raised nearly $10 million to date for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County. Hosted for the 11th consecutive year at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, the event took place February 10-12 and attracted more than 7,000 attendees for a weekend of philanthropy, comedy, and a stellar automobile and motorcycle display to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County.

Founded by Rita and Rick Case of Rick Case Automotive Group and under the direction of Founding Chairman James E. McDonnell IV, and Honorary Chair Mike Jackson, the Boca Raton Concours grows each year, bringing together new supporters, introducing new event components and showcasing the best in exotic and classic automobiles and motorcycles. This year’s Concours celebrated Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg as the Marques of the Year and featured an auction by The Finest Automobile Auctions.

Friday kicked off the weekend of events with the duPont Registry Live Hangar Party presented by Ulysse Nardin at the Boca Raton Airport. Guests experienced gourmet tastings from South Florida’s finest restaurants. Guests also perused a selection of exotic cars, motorcycles, extravagant boats, private jets, and premier vendors. During the event, Rita Case displayed her HondaJet; she is the first woman in the world to be certified to fly a HondaJet.

Saturday evening featured the Gala Dinner & Show presented by the Dade-Broward Hyundai and Genesis Dealers and emceed by Jeff Lennox and Vivian Gonzalez from WSVN-7 News, beginning with a cocktail reception and silent auction followed by a dinner and show featuring comedian Jeff Foxworthy as the headlining performer. The dinner began with the presentation of the coveted Automotive Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to Marc Cannon, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Communications & Public Policy for AutoNation, and Dave Zuchowski, previous CEO to Hyundai.

Sunday concluded the weekend’s festivities with the Concours d’ Elegance Automobile & Motorcycle Exhibition presented by the Rick Case Automotive Group, spanning all eras on the Boca Raton Resort & Club showfield. Guests from around the world experienced an automotive showcase featuring vehicles and motorcycles from an array of time periods. Expert panel of judges includes Chief Judge Dr. Paul Sable, Honorary Marque Judges Laura Brinkman, Executive Director/CEO of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Automobile Museum, and Mark Tomei, Vice-President of the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Club.

The awards ceremony highlighted each winner as they drove to the judge’s booth to receive their trophy. Winning entrants received their awards during a special presentation emceed by DuPont and Rothermel. Best in Show Automobile was awarded to Barbara and Al Mason’s 1928 Auburn 8-115 Speedster and Best in Show Motorcycle was awarded to Leo Schigiel’s, 1956 Ariel Square 4 with Garrard sidecar.

The 11th annual Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance was made possible with the support of its sponsors: Mercedes-Benz, AutoNation, Rick Case Automotive Group, the Dade-Broward Hyundai and Genesis Dealers, Honda Aircraft Company and HondaJet, Coral Springs Auto Mall, Lamborghini Palm Beach, Hagerty Insurance Company, Ulysse Nardin, Boca Raton Resort & Club, Comcast Spotlight, DuPont Registry, Ferrari- Maserati of Fort Lauderdale, JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Bentley Palm Beach, Rolls-Royce Motorcars Fort Lauderdale, Aston Martin Fort Lauderdale, Ed Morse Automotive Group, Robb Report, Zucker Lewis Media Group, THINK Magazine, Sun Sentinel, City & Shore Magazine, FOX/WSVN, ABC/WPLG, NBC/WTVJ, CBS/WFOR, Univision, Telemundo, Car Show Television, Entercom South Florida, Windmill Advertising Group, Pinnacle Advertising and Marketing Group, Vision Media Inc., Comerica Bank, Passport Transport, Impala Asset Management, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and others.

 

Plans are already underway for the 12th annual Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, scheduled for February 9-11, 2018. Visit www.bocaCDE.com for updates.

 

PHOTO CUTLINES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo1: Dave Zuchowski, former Hyundai CEO, and Trina Zuchowski

 

 

 

 

 

Photo3: Boys & Girls Club of Broward County Kids with Brian Quail, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

 

 

 

 

Photo9: Best in Show Automobile was awarded to Barbara and Al Mason’s 1928 Auburn 8-115 Speedster by Brian Quail, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County; Founding Chairman, James E. McDonnell, IV; and Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance Founders Rita and Rick Case.

 

 

 

 

Photo10: Bill Rothermel, Brian Quail, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County; Founding Chairman, James E. McDonnell, IV; and Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance Founders Rita & Rick Case; and Tom duPont.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo14: Brian Quail, President/CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County presenting the Automotive Lifetime Achievement Award to Marc Cannon, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Communications and Public Policy for AutoNation, and Mike Jackson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer.

 

BESTOFSHOW: Best of Show Motorcycle, 1956 Ariel Square 4 with Garrard Sidecar, Lisa and Leo Schigiel

 

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Life as a Doula – A Labor of Love

The absolute greatest three days of my life, were when each of my children were born. It’s as if I took my first breath when each of my children inhaled for the first time. Motherhood defines me and endlessly gives me my purpose for being. I loved being pregnant. While each of my pregnancies were different, with accompanying waves of worry and concern, I found comfort in my growing belly, sonograms, hearing the heartbeat and every wiggle, kick and movement that registered. I had a wonderful support system. A devoted husband, an amazing OB/GYN, and my experienced mom, all who gave me the reassurance needed throughout each nine-month journey. “Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time,” my mom would remind me. This reminder from the woman who was “knocked out” during my birth while my dad paced in the waiting room until hearing “it’s a girl!”

Fortunately times have changed when it comes to being “present” during the birthing process, for both moms and dads. I know how lucky I am having a support system while many women do not. Whether living far from family, or just wanting to chart a childbirth course different from their mother’s, women have many more  choices during their personal nine-month journey.

“The pendulum is swinging back to a time when natural births are healthier,” says Martha Lerner, CLD. CAPPA Labor Doula. Martha, a devoted mother and certified doula, should know since she has been an integral part of this resurgence. Martha became a CAPPA Certified Doula in 2014. So, “what is a doula?” I was wondering as well. The word doula is a Greek word meaning women’s servant.

CAPPA which stands for Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association, is an international certification organization for Doulas, Childbirth Educators and Lactation Educators. Doulas fill an important role in providing emotional, physical, and evidence-based, informational support to the birthing woman and her family before, during, and after birth. CAPPA Labor Doulas are skilled support persons who act as consultants and resources, not clinicians (according to cappa.net.)

While 1994 marked the year the first doula became certified by DONA International (dona.org,) the supporting role that women have played in helping other women through their birthing process dates back to the beginning of time. Martha reminisced about being invited into the delivery room during the many births of family and friends, even before receiving her doula certification. She was a natural at giving emotional support, creating relaxation during the most difficult times, and reassuring parents of the beauty of this magical and natural moment.

Over the course of fifteen years, while Martha served as an educator in both Middle School and High School, she observed a rapidly growing disconnect between her students and their parents, many whom were seeking her advice. Martha became inspired to become a Peaceful Parenting Coach, playing a positive role in impacting our youth, empowering parents and bridging the widening emotional gap between the two. Martha believes it’s never too early to instill these principles necessary for strengthening families. While understanding her innate passion for the family unit was paramount to her personal growth, Martha also honored her keen interest in the field of pregnancy and child birthing and pursued her doula certification, interlacing her knowledge with her compassion.

“My forte happens to be in the spiritual, emotional, physical, and informational support, rather than the clinical aspect,” Martha discovered. “I  subsequently learned that I come from generations of midwives who practiced in Cuba,” she boasted. So becoming a doula made perfect sense. Especially for all those she has supported through this daunting, incomparable, unforgettable, magical and life-changing experience known as childbirth.

“My experience and struggles have pushed me to devote my life to helping families feel supported on their own journeys throughout pregnancy, birth and beyond. Doulas are simply there for you. We hold space. We are your ally, your partner, your sister, your mother, your coach and your friend all rolled up into one during that magical time of pregnancy and birth. And we are grateful and honored to be able to serve you and be a witness to your miracle.”

Martha takes great pride in a monthly Women’s Support Circle she leads. “I unite women of all ages and stages who have worked with me in some capacity and offer a safe space to talk and share their current struggles as well as successes, so they feel supported.”

Martha looks forward to her future special deliveries.  “Peaceful Parenting 101” and “The Mindset Makeover,” are original online courses she looks forward to offering, as well as authoring a book on raising Highly Sensitive Children. Martha’s broad range of talents and her career as a doula is no doubt, her labor of love.

 

martha@zenmamalove

 

www.zenmamalove.com.

 

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Irish-at-heart: Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

On March 17, across the United States, about 122 million Americans will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. That is 39 percent of the American population. Staggering as that may seem, 35 million people living in the United States claim Irish Ancestry. That’s seven times the population of Ireland. Add on to those figures the countless Irish-at-heart, kiss-me-I’m-Irish wannabes, and you’re sure to find yourself smack in the middle of a moving sea of green somewhere near your hometown. The largest and oldest parade of all time is none other than the Annual New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. You can expect between 150,000 and 250,000 participants to march up Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 86th Street, while two million spectators line the streets. Now that’s a lot of smiling Irish eyes.

Yet while we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, and wherever we celebrate it, I have to admit that I did not know much about the Patron Saint and National Apostle of Ireland that is being honored. St. Patrick was not born in Ireland but was born in Britain during the fifth century. Kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at the age of 16, St. Patrick was able to escape after six years. Returning later to Ireland as a Christian Missionary, St. Patrick was credited with bringing Christianity to the Irish and consecrating more than 350 Bishops. In the centuries following his death, which is believed to be on March 17, 1461, St. Patrick’s religious impact on Ireland and its people grew throughout the world. In fact, St. Patrick used the shamrock, or three-leaf clover, as a religious symbol. The story behind this little green plant is steeped in heritage and Irish national pride. St. Patrick used the three leaves of the shamrock to explain the holy trinity.

A deeper look into Ireland’s history of famine, disease, and political unrest reminds us that the Irish were anything but lucky. But “the luck of the Irish” evolved when the Irish remained hopeful and began creating their own luck and opportunities through their positive attitudes, work ethic, and perseverance through some of the most difficult times. As Lady Liberty became the new symbol of freedom to the 4.5 million Irish immigrants arriving at Ellis Island between 1820 and 1930, Irish traditions, customs, and beliefs kept Ireland alive in each of them. Far from their loved ones, heartwarming traditions and religious feasts honoring their Patron Saint of Ireland blossomed into international festivals celebrating Irish culture. With parades, Irish step dancing, corned beef and cabbage, Irish soda bread, music, bagpipes, and a whole lot of green, St. Patrick’s Day became ubiquitous with being Irish no matter what ones heritage is.

In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day was traditionally a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Then in 1995, the Irish government began to showcase Ireland and Irish culture to the rest of the world. Today, about one million people annually take part in Ireland’s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows.

People of all backgrounds celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in many countries far from Ireland. North America is home to the largest productions. Annually Americans exchange about eight million St. Patrick’s Day greeting cards, 83 percent will wear green, 40 pounds of green dye is used to turn the Chicago River green, 100 percent of those celebrating St. Patrick’s Day will be considered Irish. If you choose to skip the festivities this year, you may just find yourself green with envy.

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