Robert David Butler, age 75, of Miami, Florida passed away on Monday, October 9, 2023. Known by “David,” he was a link to history here in Deerfield Beach as his parents, Bob and Martha Butler, owned the mid-century modern home now occupied by the Deerfield Beach Historical Society as their cultural center. David Butler was instrumental in making that happen as the only child of the couple, who had passed away.

David’s grandfather was GE Butler, the first mayor of Deerfield Beach, and his uncle was JD Butler, who built the historic Butler House across the street back in 1923. It is one of the oldest homes in the area.

The Historical Society is deeply indebted to David for allowing them to occupy the now cultural center, which has become a home to workshops, classes, art exhibitions, movie presentations and more since.

A visitation for Robert will be held Monday, October 16, 2023 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kraeer-Becker Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 217 E Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach followed by a funeral service from noon to 1 p.m.  A committal service will occur Monday, October 16, 2023 from 1 to 1:30 p.m. at Deerfield Beach Memorial Cemetery, 380 NE 6 Ave., Deerfield Beach.

By Rachel Galvin

Disney Cruise Line has unveiled their newest ship, The Disney Treasure, which will set sail on December 21, 2024 from Port Canaveral, Florida. This is the sister ship to the Disney Wish that launched in 2022. The Disney Treasure is the perfect ship for Disney lovers and families as they adventure on the high seas.

The design is based on beloved Disney characters and movies, from the Grand Hall, looking much like Agrabah from “Aladdin,” to the Plaza de Coco restaurant reminiscent of the movie “Coco” and beyond. Guests can venture 20,000 leagues under the sea at Periscope Pub, venture into the Skipper Society, inspired by The Jungle Cruise, or unite with fellow adventurers at Worlds of Marvel. They can watch classic Disney films at Wonderland and Neverland Cinemas, or catch a play based on Disney films at the Walt Disney Theatre.

Adults can kick back at the Quiet Cove with its pool and lounge or at the Senses spa while kids enjoy the Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck filled with nautical adventures inside or go outside to the Toy Story Splash Zone, or Aquamouse: The Curse of the Golden Egg, which includes animated shorts and 760 feet of winding tubes that kids can be propelled through down to the pool below. There are actually seven pools to enjoy.

If kids really want to discover and explore, they can visit Disney’s Oceaneer Club or get creative at the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab. They can go to a galaxy far, far away and explore new creatures at Star Wars: Cargo Bay, get recruited by the Marvel Super Hero Academy or enjoy royal splendor at Fairytale Hall.

The whole family can also compete at Hero Zone, a sports and recreation venue. Then, they can participate in a Family Time Game Show or other activities at the Lion King inspired Sarabi.

If you are hungry after all that adventuring, they have plenty to choose from, from Mickey & Friends Festival of Food for quick service to themed sit-down luxurious options like Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement and The Rose.

Then, settle in to luxurious accommodations, from spaces that work well for families to the luxurious concierge suites, two-story Royal Suites and the futuristic Tomorrow Tower Suite.

The ship offers seven-night itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral. They set sail next year but you can book as early as September 20 (September 12 for Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club members.

Want to know more about what the Disney Treasure has to offer? You don’t need a treasure map. Just visit disneycruise.com/treasure. Adventure awaits!

A Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue helicopter crashed into an apartment building in Pompano Beach this morning, Monday August 28. This evidently took place in the area of north Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard just southwest of the Pompano Beach Airpark at approximately 8:45 a.m. Three people were on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The crash left a gaping hole in the roof.

Later it was reported that Captain Terryson Jackson passed away. Evidently, a woman in the apartment complex, yet unnamed also passed away.

This statement was released by BSO: “With a heavy heart, we announce the untimely loss of a longtime employee, Captain Terryson Jackson, who passed away this morning, August 28, 2023, after a BSO Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services helicopter crashed in Pompano Beach. Captain Jackson proudly served the people of Broward County for 19 years. He began his fire rescue career in March 2004 in Deerfield Beach and joined the BSO family in October 2011 when the two agencies merged.

Brightline, the only provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity rail in America, has launched ticket sales for the highly anticipated Brightline Orlando connection. While final preparations are being made for grand opening, tickets between South Florida (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach) and Orlando are on sale now for late summer through early 2024. Guests can purchase tickets at gobrightline.com or by downloading the app.

An official opening date and inaugural rides will be announced after Brightline has completed required testing. Guests should sign up for Brightline emails on gobrightline.com to be the first to know when summer inaugural rides will go on sale.

“Brightline guests and the travel market have spoken loudly, and we want to respond by opening ticket sales from late summer through the beginning of next year,” said Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “While we are finalizing an official launch date, guests can now book travel for Labor Day, Halloween and holidays through the new year.”

Brightline will offer one-way SMART fares starting at $79 for adults and $39 for kids. Groups of 4+ automatically save an additional 25 percent on SMART fares. SMART service offers a comfortable business-class option onboard in hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary Starlink WiFi, multiple power and USB outlets and an array of food and beverages available for purchase.

One-way PREMIUM fares start at $149, a first class experience with added amenities including a dedicated PREMIUM lounge, priority boarding, checked luggage, and complimentary snacks and beverages throughout the journey.

Transportation and mobility options at Brightline Orlando Station will feature new Brightline+ products including shuttles, Uber rideshare and car rental options, which will cater to the unique needs of the Orlando visitor. When booked, guests receive confirmation email and instructions on how to add on extras available closer to their trip date such as parking, checked baggage, and Brightline+ mobility options.

In South Florida, Brightline offers a wide variety of options to get guests to and from the stations using Brightline+ with Uber, fixed route shuttles to the airports, neighborhood electric vehicles and event shuttles. PREMIUM booked guests also enjoy Brightline’s first and last-mile service to get to and from the station with complimentary Uber rides anywhere within a five-mile radius in South Florida.

BRIGHTLINE FOR BUSINESS

Connecting South and Central Florida by rail will enable increased productivity and flexibility while promoting a better work-life balance. Brightline offers an array of business products for companies and their employees that are seamless and transferable. Brightline for Business is offering an introductory promotion providing a limited time exclusive offer for travel between Orlando and South Florida. To learn more visit Brightline for Business.

WHAT IS THE NEW TRAIN SCHEDULE?

Service will include 16 daily round trips with hourly departures between Miami and Orlando. Regular service from Orlando to Miami will stop at all Brightline stations including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Aventura.

Additional dedicated trains will continue to serve commuters and the South Florida region between Miami and West Palm Beach with early morning departures at 5:00 a.m. from West Palm Beach and late night departures until 12:45 a.m. out of Miami.

The complete new train schedule between Miami and Orlando can be viewed by visiting gobrightline.com.

Unveiled for the first time last month, the new Brightline Orlando Station is meticulously designed and built through the lens of today’s modern traveler. The 37,350 square-foot station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new Train Station facility adjacent to Terminal C. The Train Station connects directly to the airport’s Parking Garage C, which will have more than 350 parking spaces branded for Brightline guests. The Train Station provides direct access to the other airport terminals A and B via the airport Terminal Link (automated people mover) in under five minutes.

Kelly Gordon, Samuel F. Morrison, and Belvit Jordan

In its 20^th anniversary year, Funding Arts Broward (FAB) is proud to announce that it has raised and awarded a record high of $385,450 in grants to sustain and cultivate arts programming in the region. The non-profit volunteer-based organization awarded 36 grants of $ $314,450 (ranging from $3,000 – $12,500) for 2024 for performances and programs to nonprofit organizations. FAB awarded an additional $71,000 in Education Grants to 10 organizations to foster art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. With this grant cycle, FAB’s total monetary distribution to the local arts community exceeds $4.5 million.

Last October, FAB announced its “Be the Spark,” fundraising campaign. The initiative was launched with a lead gift of $750,000 from FAB Founder Francie Bishop Good and David Horvitz and has a total of more than $1.8 million pledged. The campaign aims to raise $3 million over the next five years. Proceeds from this campaign have already significantly increased FAB’s grantmaking pool expanding grants for arts education, a new grant category and establishing an endowment at the Community Foundation of Broward.

“We are thrilled with the incredible support we’ve received over the years to cultivate the arts in Broward County; however, this year is a truly a stellar example of how our community and corporate supporters have united to make a difference,” said Ed Hashek, president of FAB. “Together through memberships and our ‘Be the Spark’ campaign, we have raised $385,450; 38% more over last year and 114% more than just five years ago for a larger selection of diverse cultural grantees. These grants go a long way toward ushering in full-house and in-person performing and visual arts productions, exhibits and presentations.”

This year’s FAB’s 2024 Visual and Performing Arts Grantees and award amounts were:

Each grant allocation was awarded for a unique upcoming program. Upcoming funded programs include ArtsUnited’s “Celebrating Diversity” featuring three concerts highlighting artists from the LGBTQ+ community, Dance NOW! Miami’s “POP,” a new choreographic work by Diego Salterini exploring allegories of coming of age, love, despair, joy for life, death and more, New City Players’ play “1,000 Miles” by South Florida playwright Vanessa Garcia, South Florida Symphony Orchestra’s Masterworks V Tchaikovsky | Bruch concert featuring soloist Huifang Chen, and Broward County Film Society’s “Get In the Picture,” an eclectic motion picture program that will engage and foster dialog among underserved members of the Broward community.

For the third year, FAB also awarded increased Education Grants dedicated to art appreciation and skill acquisition for grades K-12. Recipient organizations and amounts were:

Since its inception in 2003, FAB has awarded grants of over $4.5 million to small, mid-sized, and large professional performing and visual arts organizations. FAB is supported by membership whose dues go toward these grants that preserve and cultivate the arts in Broward County. FAB is also supported by its corporate partners, Northern Trust, PNC Bank, Pallant Insurance Agency, Casa D’Angelo, Tim Singer Realty and Twig, Trade & Tribunal, and South Florida PBS.

To learn more about FAB including how to become a member or support the arts, visit www.fundingartsbroward.org or email fundingartsbroward@gmail.com.

Photos by Michael Murphy Photography 

Michael Alexander, Vivian Rigatto at Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting 2022. Photo by Jacek Photos.

Coming next week: The Boca Raton Historical Society will be hosting the always popular Boca Bacchanal, an annual weekend celebration of fine wine and food, slated for April 28-30, including four exclusive Vintner/Distiller Dinners and the always popular Grand Tasting, offering extraordinary tasting selections of wines, champagnes and whiskey, as well as generous samplings of signature dishes by celebrated local chefs.

This year’s event includes:

Friday, April 28, 7 p.m.

An exclusive BOCA BACCHANAL Distillers Dinner showcasing five exquisite whiskeys from The Macallan, hosted by The Boca Raton, located at 501 E. Camino Real inside the MB Supper Club. The food will be prepared and served by Andrew Roenbeck, director of Culinary Operations & Resort Executive Chef, and Peter Annewanter, executive chef of MB Supper Club and Flybridge.

Saturday, April 29, 7 p.m.

VINTNER DINNERS ARE SOLD OUT

Sunday, April 30 at The Addison

+ Noon to 1 p.m. / Two Special Sipping Seminars at 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton — spotlighting The Macallan Distillery in Scotland and California’s ZD Wines. The Macallan Scotch Whiskey will be represented by Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat, and will offer sample sips of The Macallan, Macallan Harmony Intense Arabica, Macallan Double Cask (15 years), and the Macallan Rare Cask 2022.

ZD Wines will be represented by National Sales Manager Teresa D’Aurizio, who will offer tastings of the vintner’s 2021 Chardonnay, 2021 Carneros Pinot Noir, 2019 Napa Cabernet, and the 2012 Library Cabernet.

+ 1 to 4 pm / The Grand Tasting, at The Addison, 2 East Camino Real, Boca Raton

Attendees will revel in generous samplings from such vintners and distributors as ZD Wines, Silver Oak, Twomey Cellars, Domaine Carneros, DAOU, St. Supéry Estate, Coppola, Hahn, Hope Family Wine, Luca Bosio, and many more.

Plus, there will be unforgettable taste sensations from AlleyCat, Atlantic Grille at The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Bazille at Nordstrom, Big in Japan, Blis Foods, Capital Grille, Gourmetphile, KakaoZON Ecuadorian Chocolate, Lemongrass Asian Bistro, Max’s Grille, Oceans 234, Poke Company, Ramen Lab Eatery, Sicilian Oven and six curated food stations presented by The Addison.

The Grand Tasting will also include a silent auction of exotic luxury items, including The Macallan James Bond 60^th Anniversary Release Decade I with four Lalique tumblers. The bottle packaging includes an original illustration of scenes from Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965) and You Only Live Twice (1967). The timeless single malt was specifically developed to reflect both the enduring character of James Bond and the Scottish heritages shared by both 007 and The Macallan Distillery in Craigellachie, Scotland.

Another item in the silent auction will be The Macallan private tasting experience hosted by National Brand Ambassador Katie Nahat and featuring some of its most exclusive whiskies with a catered pairing—to be hosted in the home of the auction winner.

Other auction items include Holland America Cruise for two, a Salmanazar (9 liters) of Taittinger Brut La Française, Truchard Wine Tasting for 10, vacation on a solar yacht, luxurious hotel stays, and memorable restaurant experiences. 

Tickets to The Macallen Distillers Dinner are $350 per person; tickets to The Grand Tasting are $125 per person; $160 including a Sipping Seminar.  

For more information and to purchase tickets to BOCA BACCHANAL 2023, please visit www.BocaHistory.org.

Sponsors include Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), The Addison, The Boca Raton, The Seagate Hotel & Spa, Boca Magazine, Publix, Crown Wine and Spirits, The Berman Group, BRiC and CP Partners, JM Family, Privaira Private Aviation, The Buzz Agency, Boca Chamber, BLIS, Atlas Event Rental, and more.

For more information and to purchase tickets,  visit www.BocaHistory.org.