Page 7 - Boca Exposure - February '21

Boca Exposure, Page 7
The Environmental Enthusiast: A Walk To Remember

By Tina K. VaLant. Remember HERbert and I give updates (chapters) and share many
Dr. Doolittle, the man who inspirational ideas. We made a new friend, Evan Orellana
was able to converse with all at Sandoway Discovery Center in Delray. We visited and
the animals? Boca Raton’s he shared great information, as HERbert had a snack. We
Tina VaLant, who was named visited my vets, Drs. Scott and Kristy Lund for their input.
Palm Beach County “Animal I sought out Dr. Don Mykles at Colorado State University,
Friend of the Year,” doesn’t who heads the “crab lab.” He was so informative and kind
claim that ability, but she on our online interview.
does relate remarkably We adopted the mantra of “always have hope,” came
well to flora and fauna. An out with wristbands and requested merchandise (pins,
avid rescuer (known for magnets, stickers), with a portion of profits to benefit
her beloved Australian marine rescue. My TikTok account escalated from 4k
shepherds), she serves as a foster home to surrendered followers and 50k likes to over 125k followers and 1.5
pets, volunteers with numerous organizations and assists million likes in just a few weeks.
wildlife. She raises/releases ten species of native butterflies, HERbert caught the attention of German TV (got paid
for over 20 years. Recently she garnered worldwide attention 100 euros, $118), was featured on Daily Dose of Internet
with an unexpected animal adventure: reCRABilitation of (Nov. 5), and Right This Minute (Nov. 20). The Coastal
HERbert, a limbless blue land crab. For over four decades, Star newspaper also did a full-page feature (December
Tina’s award-winning company, Extraordinary Photography, issue) about us.
captures portraits, pets, weddings, and events. She will Even though blue land crabs are naturally extremely
answer questions at TinaValant.com or (561) 945-6363. elusive, HERbert’s adventures can be easily found on
Abundance awaits, tangible and intangible, when we get TikTok, Facebook on the reCRABilitation page and
outside for a walk with our canine compadres. Added benefits on YouTube (Tina VaLant). Several teachers are using
include improved health, fitness, mental clarity, socialization, HERbert’s journey for distance learning, as it’s family-
fresh air and sunshine that boost our immune systems. You friendly, fun, informational, and best of all: filled with hope.
never know what treasures you will find while out walking Will she continue to thrive, be able to molt, and
a dog. Seasonal scents, wafting from jasmine, pine or Hong Perched in one of Tina’s lemonade lids, HERbert enjoys the eventually be released? Regeneration of her limbs
Kong orchid trees travel on cool breezes. Listen for the call view of her newly emerged monarch butterflies. is possible, though not certain. On the astonishing
of an osprey, kestrel or enjoy a songbird serenade. I love to rollercoaster ride known as 2021, neither HERbert nor
walk barefoot in the cool wet grass in the mornings, gaining limbs. It was alert and the eye stalks moved; I could not just I know what the future holds. What I am sure of, is that
benefits from earthing. A rare Julia butterfly once fluttered leave him there to die alone and helpless. The first name that what Racer and I found that day on our walk has brought
along, alighting upon my shoulder. I have found injured came to mind was Herbert. There had been a commercial immeasurable value and joy to my life, and so many
animals, lost pets, pretty flowers, unique natural findings lawn crew in the area, all day. Land crabs can be very feisty others, around the world! Always have hope, keep your
(sticks, rocks, shells), and even lost jewelry; but there will and territorial. I presumed he had attached himself to the rotor eyes peeled for treasures when out walking, and just take
never be anything that compares to what I stumbled upon in when the mower stopped. The limbs were all cleanly severed, one day at a time.
late October. and already slightly calloused over. I took him home with me.
Just north Later, as Racer enjoyed his dinner, I prepared a meal for
of Delray, in Herbert: chunks of fresh pineapple, baked butternut squash Boca Raton Couple from page 1
Gulfstream, I was and soaked kibble. He was quite a voracious eater! My
house and dog Internet search revealed this was a native species, a blue gleam in their eye like they are on their honeymoon,”
sitting for friends or giant land crab, Cardisoma guanhumi. I made a TikTok Matthew Linderman, president and COO, Boca West
for a few days. about this unique finding. It went viral! (Currently 3.8 million Country Club, said.
Handsome English views). The next morning, I called two local nature centers, “We’re blessed that our minds are good. We have
cream G olden but neither could take him. The prognosis was grim. two granddaughters and a lot of granddogs,” Mr.
Retriever Racer We made a couple more TikToks. People from around the Bluefeld said. “We’re so lucky to be at Boca West and
and I had rounded world were welcomed aboard “crabtok.” Due to the shape have lots of friends here that are like extended family.”
the corner toward of her apron, “crabologists” noted Herbert was a lady crab! Lou’s family owned a kosher catering business in
home, completing Her fans insisted on keeping her name. Thousands of people Baltimore and he worked in the business all the time as
our afternoon While walking Racer, her friend’s quickly became emotionally invested in her healing journey a teen. He told Edith that if she wanted to see him, she
walk. I noticed a handsome English cream Golden of luck, perseverance and hope. To this day, months later, we would have to come work beside him in the business,
weird rock just off Retriever, Tina found something quite get so many wonderful messages, including: so she did. She began as Lou’s secretary.
the road; except it unique! “HERbert always makes my day” ... “Welcome to Their catering business, Bluefeld Caterers – The
wasn’t a rock, nor reCRABilitation” ... “HERbert the crab is the antidote to 2020” Orchid Touch, was responsible for koshering the White
was it a rock lobster (dating myself here). About the size ... “This crab is the only thing keeping me going right now” House kitchen during the announcement of the Peace
of a tennis ball, it appeared to be a crab – but without any ... “Restoring my faith in humanity: Tina and HERbert.” Accords under President Jimmy Carter. This was the
first time a kosher meal had ever been served at the
White House. They even catered President Nixon’s
Archive GAlleries Inaugural Ball and events for members of Congress.
Many of the non-Jewish socialites in Baltimore society
used Bluefeld Caterers for their affairs, even though
the food was kosher, because it was considered the

best catering in the city at that time.
“We never took deposits. Our business was built
Pays higher Prices for fine art - antiques - Jewelry on trust and on a handshake. And it was never just
another affair. We knew how much each event meant
to our customers,” Mr. Bluefeld said.
The Bluefelds have lived full time at Boca West
• Oil Paintings • sterling silver • antique jewelry Country Club since 1985, and a lot of their friends
• Oriental rugs • Objects OF art • MOdern jewelry in the community are people whose bar mitzvahs and
• Fine Furniture • sculPtures • watches weddings they catered. Both Edith and Lou have been
• POrcelain • clOcks • cOstuMe jewelry active volunteers at the club over the years.
“We’re so thankful we’re both well. More and more,
health means everything and money is nothing,” said
we also Purchase anything decorative or collectible Mr. Bluefeld. When asked about the most important
life lesson this vibrant almost 100-year-old could
pass on, he said that his father always told him that,

• servicing • in FlOrida “Name is everything” – your good name is what is
most important.
• snOwbirds • new yOrk
• new jersey

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