Page 15 - Jupiter Spotlight - June '22
P. 15

Jupiter Spotlight, Page 15
      Jupiter Senior Softball




        Gerry Elias, a co-founder                        league or a teammate                                Gerry’s dedication to Jupiter Senior Softball inspired him
      and former Commissioner of                         needed something,                                 to write a 20-year history of the league in 2009. He finished
      the Jupiter Senior Softball                        “Gerry  would  do                                 it in 2011 after researching old files and the archives of
      program, has been selected                         anything he could                                 Jupiter’s Park and Recreation Department which had started
      as the 2022 inductee into                          to  help,”  she  said.                            the softball program in 1988. His research produced a 25-year
      the Jupiter Senior Softball                        The Hall of Fame                                  memory book that Gerry presented to the JSSA of photos
      Association (JSSA) Hall of                         honors Jupiter Senior                             and statistics of teams through the years. He also donated a
      Fame.                                              Softball members                                  large American flag to the JSSA that has served as a patriotic
        Elias, 82, died February                         who have made an                                  display for the various holiday observances at the ball fields.
      11. He will be posthumously                        extraordinary impact                                Gerry was a friend to all and could be counted on to help
      enshrined in the Hall of                           on the organization.                              with anything to do with the senior softball program. The
      Fame (HOF) next January                            And those chosen                                  Jupiter Senior Softball Association, as well as all who had the
      when a brass plate with                            have proven that                                  pleasure of knowing and serving with Gerry, heartily endorse
      his name will be added to                          sportsmanship,    Gerry Elias                     his selection for the Hall of Fame. Previous honorees were
      the Hall of Fame plaque in  Gerry Elias making out the   fri endshi p and                            the late Ted Battistone, 87, the inaugural inductee when the
      the association’s display at  game lineup          competition are not mutually exclusive.           HOF was created in 2020, and Mike Richmond, 86, the 2021
      Jupiter  Community  Park.                            Gerry served as JSSA Commissioner from 1999 to 2002.   inductee.
      Gerry’s selection was by unanimous vote of the JSSA board   During that time, the softball program transitioned from     The year-round slow-pitch senior softball activity is open
      at its April meeting. Paul Storch, JSSA Commissioner, said,   a county league of traveling teams that played in various   to persons 55 and over and new players are always welcome.
      “For all that he did for senior softball, Gerry is most deserving   communities, to a permanent Jupiter Senior League based at   Games are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning
      of this honor.”                                    Jupiter Community Park. Also, under Gerry’s leadership the   beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Jupiter Community Park. For
        Gerry’s wife Mariette, said, “Gerry’s whole focus in living   administration of the senior softball program was transferred   information or to register go to www.leaguelineup.com/jssa.
      in Florida was playing softball and having fun and enjoying   from the Town of Jupiter to the newly formed Jupiter Senior
      the friendship and camaraderie of his teammates.” And if the   Softball Association and its governing board.
      Helping Smart But Scattered Kids




      By Jim Forgan, Ph.D.,                              middle of the kitchen and his book bag in the middle of the     To help your child provide scaffolding of skills which  provide
      Licensed School Psychologist                       foyer. At some point he makes himself a peanut butter and jelly   temporary supports as your child’s executive functioning skills
        Executive functioning is                         sandwich. The bread bag is left open, the lid is off the peanut   evolve. Do enough to support but not enable your child. Second,
      an umbrella term for many                          butter jar, a sticky knife slathered with peanut butter and drips   help create systems of support such as checklists, technology
      different activities of the brain                  of jelly are on the counter. When you find him gaming, there’s   reminders, following a consistent schedule, and organizing
      that orchestrate goal-directed                     a sea of crumbs on his chair and the family dog has licked his   materials. Third, sustain your child’s strengths as our strengths
      action. Executive functions                        plate clean. This boy has executive functioning difficulties.   often become our careers and passions in life. Learn more in my
      include your child’s ability                         Executive functions help modulate our attention, effort,   book The Disorganized, Impulsive Child: Solutions for Parenting
      to: focus, decide what is                          and emotion so that we can plan, organize, and respond   Kids with Executive Functioning Difficulties.
      important, set goals, use prior                    independently, consistently, and predictably. Having well     Executive functioning difficulties often co-occur with ADHD
      knowledge, initiate action,                        developed executive functions helps children regulate their   and learning disabilities. We can test your child’s executive
      manage time, self-monitor                          behavior in social settings and their output on academic   functioning and provide specific solutions to help at home and in
      performance, use self-restraint, and remain flexible.  tasks. These are smart kids who get the big picture but lack   school. Dr. Forgan is a licensed school psychologist and certified
        Imagine you have an 8-year-old son and he is a hot mess.   follow-through on many important details. Your child might   dyslexia testing specialist and can help you at (561) 625-4125
      When he arrives home from school he leaves his shoes in the   need you to act as his or her executive assistant.  or JimForgan.com.
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