The Ponte Vedra Recorder | Page 8

16 Community News Ponte Vedra Recorder ·September 24, 2015 Kris Paronto PVWC hosts community wellness fair to speak on Benghazi controversy Co-author will describe assault, losses at Libyan base, CIA compound “The St. Johns County Republicans are kicking off the fall season with an exciting program,” says Bob Smith, GOP Second ViceChair. The party will be hosting Kris “Tanto” Paronto, co-author of the best seller book, 13 HOURS: The Inside Account of What Really HapParonto pened In Benghazi and upcoming movie by Paramount Pictures, 13 HOURS: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, on Saturday, September 26th at 7:00 p.m. at the World Golf Village Renaissance St. Augustine Resort. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Kris will share his story of the last hours of an American diplomatic outpost in one of the most dangerous corners of the globe. He’ll describe the bloody assault, tragic losses, and heroic deeds at the US State Department Special Mission Compound and at a nearby CIA base in Benghazi, Libya, from the night of September 11, 2012, into the morning of the next day. “Benghazi is back in the news, for many good reasons, and we’re eager to hear the full account,” says Smith. General admission is $20 per person. A limited number of VIP tickets are also available for a Private Reception at 6 p.m. with Mr. Paronto for $75 per person. To reserve seats, please go to http://www.sjgop.org/ or call St. Johns County GOP at 904-429-2015. Kris will also be available to sign copies of 13 Hours, and these can be purchased that evening for $30. “13 HOURS: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” movie will be released January 15, 2016 and is directed by Michael Bay (Transformers). Visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CJBuUwd0Os for more. Ponte Vedra gathered on Sept. 10 to celebrate more than a decade of wellness with the Ponte Vedra Wellness Center. The free, family-friendly event included food, live music, prizes, a variety of informational booths and other freebies. Each Wellness Fair participant offered attendees a special service or wellness product at no charge, although donations to the local YMCA were encouraged. All those who made a donation to the YMCA received a special “thank you” gift from the Ponte Vedra Wellness Center. Wellness Fair participants this year included: A Way of Life Acupuncture, Baptist Beaches, Coastal Dermatology & Med Spa, Healing Massage of Ponte Vedra, Mind Body Yoga, Ponte Vedra Eye Associates, Ponte Vedra Medical Center and the Ponte Vedra Training Company. Food was provided by local restaurants including Tropical Smoothie. The event was hosted in cooperation with First Atlantic Bank, the St. Johns County Chamber Ponte Vedra Beach Division and the Ponte Vedra Beach YMCA. The Ponte Vedra Wellness Center is located at 100 Corridor Rd., S., Ste. 220 in Ponte Vedra Beach. Call (904) 273-2691 or visit www.pontevedrawellnesscenter.com for more information. — Kelly H. McDermott Photos by Ed Johnson Above left: At the Healing Massage of Ponte Vedra Booth, Emily Polatas LMT gave a massage to a wellness fair participant. Above right: Lt. Mike Meacham with Pink Heals St. Johns County Chapter and Ashley the fire truck Left: From left to right, Dr. Lauren Preis, Ellice Mae Sanchez, Dr. Erika Hamer, Daniel Brauch, Jeff White