Page 1 - Jupiter Spotlight - September '19

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 1

VOL. 11 NO. 9 www.seabreezepublications.com SEPTEMBER 2019

2019 Jupiter Medical Center Loggerhead Triathlon

Report and Photos by Penny Sheltz Top 10 The First Hour
The Jupiter Medical Center Loggerhead Triathlon is one of 1. Steve Jackson, Jupiter 55:15
the longest enduring triathlons in the state of Florida. Dating 2. John Reback, North Palm Beach 58:21
back to 1985, triathletes have made the trip to Jupiter year 3. Cliff Drusinsky, Jupiter 58:47
after year to enjoy the magnificent oceanside setting, the 4. Christopher Miller, Boca Raton 59:57
family-friendly atmosphere, and the competition. The event 5. Bill Ketchem, Jupiter 1:00:31
has become a “must do” on the southeast race circuit and 6. Jason Ramdeen, Boca Raton 1:01:56.39
has spawned some of the top triathletes in the United States. 7. Edson Soares, Orlando 1:02:31.82
The race course consists of a 3/8-mile ocean swim, which 8. Brian Schmidt, Jupiter 1:03:15.37
begins at sunrise, then a 13-mile bike ride and last a 3.1- 9. Linda Robb, North Palm Beach 1:03:20
mile run. More than 600 athletes participate in Loggerhead 10. Michael Reed, Palm Beach Gardens 1:03:33
Triathlon each year. More than 150 volunteers help to make
Loggerhead Triathlon a success. The Star Spangled Banner is sung to open the triathlon. 2019 JMC Loggerhead Triathlon on page 2
Touchdown! T.E.A.M. Elam

Charity Poker Tournament A Big Success At PBKC

It was a touchdown for the first annual T.E.A.M. Elam The event offered a $50 buy-
Charity Poker Tournament in the Poker Room at Palm Beach in with $20 re-buys and add-
Kennel Club (PBKC). The event that included a poker ons and $2,500 was guaranteed
tournament, NFL star appearances, great food and fun raised to the winners with the top 10
$4,500 for Teamelam.org. percent getting paid. Among
Abram Elam, a Cardinal Newman High School graduate, the celebrity guests: Pierre
heads up the charity organization. Elam played for several Garcon, Curt Maggitt, Jacoby
teams in the NFL as a safety including the Miami Dolphins, Brissett, Crevon LeBlanc, Vinny
Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Sutherland, Brandon Flowers and
Kansas City Chiefs. Nick O’Leary.
“This poker tournament was a resounding success and I PBKC hosts a variety of charity
think we scored a touchdown,” said Elam. “We look forward tournaments each year, and over
to doing this event again next year and making it even bigger $1 million has been raised for Abram Elam and 50 percent going to the top winners. Other tournaments
and better. Mark down Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020!” he added. local organizations in the last 10 held include: Butch Smith All-In For Firefighters, Tyler
“Myself and my fellow athletes have been so very fortunate years. The charities involved incur no costs and have the McClellan Foundation, Special Olympics and many more.
and we feel it is our duty to give back to the stars of the full backing by PBKC promotionally. Most events feature 50
future.” percent of the buy-ins and add-ons going back to the charity Charity Poker Tournament on page 4
Sea Turtle Released Off Juno Beach

The Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) released Vitti over 700 hours of her time in the seven years she spent at focus on threatened and
the sea turtle from its facility off Juno Beach on Thursday, LMC, helping the development and marketing departments endangered sea turtles.
Aug. 1 at 10:30 a.m. with administrative tasks, adoptions, event registration and The center features an
Vitti is a sub-adult loggerhead sea turtle patient that was more. Vitti was passionate and offered a lot of wonderful on-site hospital, research
found at Florida Power & Light’s St. Lucie site. The patient’s ideas to help the center grow. laboratory, educational
bloodwork on arrival indicated anemia and hypoglycemia. Outside of LMC, she was a highly involved volunteer in
Vitti was underweight, lethargic and in poor health due to all of her daughter’s schools as the treasurer of the PTO for Sea Turtle Released
chronic debilitation. The turtle received parenteral nutrition, several years and was a devoted and loving wife and mother. on page 6
antibiotics and iron to treat its chronic debilitation. Hospital Vitti was a well-traveled individual who loved talking about
staff monitored Vitti the sea turtle with routine blood work her trips and food from all over the world. Vitti will be truly
as it was treated. missed by all who knew her.
Vitti the sea turtle is named in memory of Bitasta “Vitti” Vitti the sea turtle was prepared for release from LMC
Chaturvedi, a devoted and beloved LMC volunteer who starting at 10 a.m. LMC docents conveyed the history of
started at the center in August 2010. Vitti generously donated the turtles’ journey and final preparations to visitors, with
a procession to the beach for
the release following.
A bou t Loggerh ead
Marinelife Center
Loggerhead Marinelife
Center (LMC) is a
nonprofit sea turtle
research, rehabilitation and
educational institution that
promotes conservation of
ocean ecosystems with a