Page 12 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - November '24

Jupiter Senior Softball Page 12, Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens

Northern Notes

Living With Sandhill Cranes in parking lots, or even walking across roads, seemingly their parents and peck food from their beaks. By the time
oblivious to danger. They often travel in small groups or they are two to three months old, they are independent
By Katie Roundtree, pairs, sometimes with their young ones in tow, adding to and can find food on their own. They are doting and
Director of Finance their unique charm. protective parents. One bird will watch out for the others
and Administration, Two subspecies of sandhill crane live in Florida at while feeding. Juveniles stay with their parent from 9
Northern Palm Beach certain times of the year. The Florida sandhill crane (Grus to 10 months after hatching. Before juveniles are old
County Improvement Canadensis pratensis), numbering 4,000 to 5,000, is a enough to breed, they may travel and feed in flocks called
District non-migratory year-round breeding resident. They are “bachelor flocks.”
Sandhill cranes, with joined every winter by 25,000 migratory greater sandhill They have been around for a very long time. The first
their long legs, necks, and cranes (Grus Canadensis tabida), the larger of the two known sandhill crane fossil was found in the Macasphalt
distinctive gray plumage, subspecies, that winter in Florida but nest in the Great shell pit in Florida. It was estimated to be about 2.5
are a sight to behold. Lakes region. million years old. They are not endangered, but due
Their striking appearance, Sandhill cranes mate for life and attract mates using to habitat loss, their populations can be of concern in
including the patch of red an elaborate dance. These cranes nest during late winter certain areas. They are attracted to open areas in urban
skin on their head, sets them apart as they stand almost 4 and early spring on mats of vegetation found in shallow settings such as golf courses, parks in subdivisions and
feet tall. You may spot them near preserves and wetlands, water such as preserves or marshes. Sandhill chicks can undeveloped land in commercial areas.
leave the nest as early as eight hours after hatching and Northern Notes on page 13
can swim if necessary. In the wild, crane chicks follow
Jupiter Senior

Softball

The Jupiter Senior Softball program, which has
had record membership increases in recent years, has
opened registration for the 2025 season and persons
of all abilities are welcome.
The slow-pitch league is open to persons 55 and
over and persons who register can play in pickup
games through the remainder of this year as well
as through 2025. “We had 243 members this year
which is a 20 percent increase over 2023,” said
Commissioner Paul Storch.
The league’s three-division format accommodates
persons of all skill levels, from recreational play, to
very competitive and everything in between. Games
are every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at
Jupiter Community Park, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
This year’s January–March Winter League that
featured five teams in three divisions also was a
record. Players are coming from as far away as Port St.
Lucie in the north as well as from the Jupiter-Tequesta
area and other North County communities.
Players most often
cite the camaraderie of
playing a game they love
with others as among
the reasons they signed
up. They include retired
Jersey City, N.J., fire
captain John Cariero, who
said, “It’s like being in the
fire service again. I have Ballet Palm Beach - Nutcracker - Seabreeze 6.75x6.pdf 1 10/18/24 11:12 AM
a whole new brotherhood
of friends.”
A Jupiter Farms
resident, Cariero joined
the softball program in Retired fire captain John
2017, upon retiring from Cariero, 61, about to make
his 25-year career in the contact
fire service and relocating
with his family to Jupiter. His stellar play in center field has
earned him the nickname “Johnny Big Glove.” He’s also
undergone two knee replacements and serves as Executive
Director of the Jupiter Senior Softball Association.
Also enthusiastic about playing senior softball
is Barry Skolnik, who turns 78 October 31. “I can’t
tell you how many friendships I’ve made and I think
it keeps me healthy,” he said. The senior softball
program is sponsored by the nonprofit Jupiter Senior
Softball Association in cooperation with Jupiter’s
Parks and Recreation Department. December 6-8
Photo credit: © Steve Caras. All rights reserved.
Registration can be made online at www.
leaguelineup.com/jssa. For more information contact Dreyfoos Hall
Gary Newman at (917) 623-0791.

For tickets visit
Pitcher Barry Skolnik, 78, is grateful for the friendships balletpalmbeach.org
he’s made.