Page 13 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - August '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 13
Experience The Thrill: 2024 Fire Truck Pull Event

In Palm Beach County To Benefit Local Nonprofit School

Get ready for an adrenaline-pumping challenge! Local “The 2024 Fire Truck Pull gives participants the Prizes will be
competitors and autism supporters are invited to the 2024 unique experience of pulling a real fire truck,” says Marc awarded to winners
Fire Truck Pull on Saturday, Aug. 31, at the Gardens Park Edenzon, the event chairperson. “It’s a day filled with in four categories: the
in Palm Beach Gardens. Registration is now open for this camaraderie, excitement and energy – all while supporting fastest team pull, the
fun event that will bring together teams from across South an important cause.” fastest team pull with
Florida to compete in a unique challenge of power and speed In a display of camaraderie, team members are calling the lowest weight, the highest fundraising team and the
while also helping raise funds for Connections Education on their friends, family and local community to support highest fundraising individual.
Center, a local nonprofit school for students with autism. their effort by donating to Connections. Participants hope The 2024 Fire Truck Pull promises to be a memorable
Teams will compete in two timed events, showcasing to raise vital funds that will directly benefit educational experience, filled with community spirit, friendly rivalry
their strength and teamwork. In the first event, teams of opportunities for the 120-plus students and adults with and the opportunity to help local individuals living with
eight members will compete to pull a real fire truck 30 feet autism who attend Connections. autism. Entertainment will be provided by Digital Vibez.
faster than other teams. The second event will put a twist “This event not only showcases physical strength Donations can be made on behalf of participating teams
on the competition, where teams will strive not only to pull but also the strength of our community’s support for or team members through the event website. This event is
the fire truck fastest but also with the lowest combined team individuals with autism,” says Debra Johnson, executive open to the public.
member weight on the rope. The top four teams in each director and principal of Connections. “Every dollar For more information about the 2024 Fire Truck Pull,
category will advance to a timed pull-off to determine the raised makes a significant difference in the lives of our including team registration and donation details, please visit
ultimate champions. students.” https://www.connectedpb.com/fire-truck-pull.

Book Review from page 12 called for the emergency removal of a child’s tonsils. At such Charlie was married more than once. Life was not always
and similar occasions, parents who literally could not afford a ideal. In his final years he was interviewed many times
of a genetic Powerball. He was a case study in how to nickel in payment instead invited the doctor for dinner or offered by the media and asked about his philosophy of life. “I
thrive—not just survive but thrive—through any span of anything he would like to take from their cupboard. haven’t given it much thought,” he would reply, except to
years, short or long. People often asked him about the Charlie had a tough childhood. His father, whom he loved add that his mother’s advice to “Do the right thing” covers
secret of longevity, and Charlie was always scrupulously dearly, was a pastor. One day, when the man was entering the a lot of situations. But among the items Charlie’s family
honest: there’s no secret, just luck. But if he knew no secrets elevator in an office building the inexperienced operator of the found when he was gone was a single sheet of notepaper on
to a long life, he knew plenty about a happy life. Through elevator accidentally raised it and Charlie’s father slipped and which he had written a list of 15 definitive rules that serve
tragedy and loss, poverty and setbacks, missteps and blown fell many floors into the empty chute and was killed. Charlie’s perfectly as a guide to a successful life.
chances, he maintained a steadiness, an evenness, and a mother was left with five children and no source of income. I will list only five here and urge you to read this book to
self-reliance that today might be called resilience. He had One of Charlie’s high school buddies owned a 1917 Model get the full terrific story … and the other 10 secrets you will
a gift for seizing joy, grabbing opportunities, and holding T Ford touring car with bicycle fenders, Chesterfield seats and want to know of Charlie’s well-lived life:
on to things that matter. And he had an unusual knack for a fold-up canopy. Several of the guys decided to set out for Savor special moments.
an even more difficult task: letting go of all the rest.” California after their graduation in May 1922, taking on farm Cry when you need to.
There were many highs and lows in a life as long as this. And work to pay their way cross country. The description of that Feel deeply.
witnessing them over more than a century through Charlie’s eyes trip includes instructions on how to drive that Model T. Take a chance.
is a remarkable experience, especially in the words of such a Charlie volunteered and served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Enjoy wonder.
gifted writer. As just a few of many, many examples: When anesthesia was discovered as a way to ease patients’
Dr. Charlie White’s medical career began in the depths of suffering, he was trained in its application and became one of
the Great Depression of the early 1930s, when making house the military’s leading anesthesiologists, training many others
calls was a typical way to treat patients. The situation sometimes under his command.