Mango Season Is Just Beginning

While peak season for visitors is ending in South Florida, and many of the snowbirds return north, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t primetime for other activities down here -

And while it might not be considered an “activity,” be on the lookout for mangoes, which are more decidedly IN season in the coming weeks.

Mango trees bloom yearly, often peaking in the May/June timeframe, and in our area of Florida you’ve no doubt noticed they’re all over the place. These mangos are often fresh as it gets - with my own two eyes, I’ve seen trucks of people show up under trees during peak season to harvest the fruits before they drop.

So long as you get them before the fruit flies, they are fair game - simply acquire a mango, wrap it in newspaper so it ripens, and enjoy any way you like.

Among your culinary options:

-A simple mango salsa

-Just eat it

-Smoothie

-Mango Bread

As you can no doubt tell, I am not a chef by trade - but I’m certain there are many other creative ways you can use them. Recipes for my suggestions linked above.

Additionally, a little birdie (a lawyer) once told me that any mango which falls on public property is yours - so if your neighbor has a mango tree, but the mango falls on the sidewalk, on public property, it’s fair game. However, the mangoes in their yard are their own. Please be advised, and happy hunting.

The Immaculate Field Of Greens Chicken Caesar Wrap

This is a subject close to my heart - for many years, I have worked tirelessly to discover the best chicken caesar wraps in Palm Beach County. This flavorful blend of ingredients is a go to at most any sandwich shop you might find locally - but which is the best?

As of right now, the go-to is the FOG wrap, with jalapenos. You have a lot of options in the area, but local chain Field Of Greens is the go to for a wrap which has the right mix of flavorful, not too goopy, but also not dry.

It’s a wrap that covers all the bases, and can be complimented with many of the smoothies on their menu. FOG has several locations - one downtown on Clematis street, one of the island, one on South Dixie Highway, and one up in North Palm, to name a few. Wherever you are, an inspired chicken caesar wrap is within striking distance.

As a gentleman who routinely enjoys chicken caesar wraps, please be advised - this is not the last wrap review, you’ll read here, but it is the first. Keep note of the ranking (8.7/10) and going forwards you’ll have a good benchmark for other wraps in the area.

Runner’s Gallery

Too many folks wait around hoping to one day get in shape - this is not the case at Runner’s Gallery, a run club founded by Andy Melillo, a graduate of Forest Hills High School in WPB and a born and raised native.

Every Monday and Thursday at 6pm the Runner’s Gallery run club meets up at Okeeheelee Park (Mondays) and on Palm Beach Island (Thursdays) and gets after it - if you’re the kind of person who wants to get after it, show up as you are and get ready to run baby !!!

Anyone is welcome to join, beginner or otherwise - just make sure you’re ready to show up and get 1% better every time and this is the place for you.

Thursdays are shorter runs and Mondays are longer - so depending on how far you want to go and what kind of run you enjoy, show up at whichever location! If you’re looking to start your fitness journey, get into cardio, or are just looking for a new challenge, this could be the perfect opportunity right around town. Nothing helps motivate like a group who’s down to get after it with you.

If you’re at all curious, check them out on IG as well @runnersgallery - will give you a great picture of what they’re all about.

The Big Abandoned Building Off 45th Street

If you’re like me, you’ve probably wondered …. what is that massive wreck of a building off 45th street near the Mangonia Park Tri-Rail station ?

I am unique in that I’m an explorer - I love going to out of the way places, for no good reason, except to check them out and understand their history.

And some time ago, I first stumbled across this massive, vacant structure looming in the distance across a wasteland of a parking lot while driving to the highway. What is it?

This building, which is now much worse for wear than even in the picture, is a Jai Alai fronton - a stadium of a forgotten sport with only 2 remaining active locations in Miami and Dania Beach.

Jai Alai was (and is) known as a betting sport, and seems like a mix of lacrosse and squash, on a much larger court - invented originally in the Basque country of Spain.

While the sport itself has all but died out in the US, this particular fronton met it’s demise before that, having been destroyed by a fire in 1978. It was reopened from 1980-1994, but has sat closed an abandoned since.

Additionally, the fire was determined to be an arson, although the arson was never solved. There is speculation that, due to the gambling nature of the sport, the arson stemmed from mafia involvement, somewhere & somehow.

The building has now stood for 31 years unused, overgrown and taking up an enormous amount of space in Mangonia Park. The only testament to its history are the faded letters & the fact that you can buy “Jai Alai” beer all over the place down here, to the point where those who don’t know the history might’ve thought this was a distillery.

Just another reminder of the rich history that surrounds us, even with South Florida only being settled en masse by non natives for the last 100 years or so.

If you found anything in this week’s edition of the Palm Beach County Courier interesting, all I ask of you is this:

Please

and

Looking forward to seeing you all, as well as some new faces, next week.