Winslow appoints two new members to its Board of Directors

Warwick — Leo Kaytes, president of the Winslow Therapeutic Center Board of Directors, recently announced the appointment of Cindy Vander Plaat and Frank Truatt to the Winslow board. Winslow is a not for profit Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Center accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and devoted to the special needs population of Orange and surrounding counties. “With Cindy’s experience as a member of last year’s committee for our Denim and Diamonds Gala fund raiser and her love for horses and children, along with Frank’s help with publicity on WTBQ, we have two people with wonderful backgrounds to bring to Winslow,” said Kaytes. Cindy Vander Plaat Vander Plaat came to Warwick in 1987 to join the town’s equine community. She rode for many years and later managed Meadowood Farm, where she met her husband, Roger Vander Plaat. The couple, who own and manage Lazear-Smith and Vander Plaat Memorial Home, live in Warwick with their two sons, Matthew and Jack. While raising her family, Vander Plaat focused much of her time on youth and youth ministries at the Warwick Reformed Church. She now teaches Sunday School at Warwick United Methodist Church and she also serves on the Bon Secours Warwick Health Foundation Board. After visiting with a student at Winslow and learning about his mother’s experience, Vander Plaat knew this was where she wanted to be. “One of our students was unable to communicate prior to coming to Winslow,” she said. “Since he has been coming for regular lessons, developing relationships with our instructors and being able to communicate with an iPad, this boy’s life has changed and in turn, his family’s life has changed. They can now all communicate and have dinner conversations together as a family. A few years ago that would not have been possible. Winslow is changing lives.” Frank Truatt Truatt is the owner and manager of Warwick Radio Station WTBQ (1110 AM/93.5 FM). Truatt, who earned two bachelor of science degrees in industrial management, has had a lifetime love of radio broadcasting. In 1981, a co-worker introduced him to the program director at a local station in Sussex County, N.J. Truatt was hired part-time but he longed for a regular scheduled time slot. He began working at other stations in New Jersey and New York while also managing his own mobile DJ service. When he learned that his last station employer would be changing over to an all satellite format, and that local DJ’s would no longer be needed, he decided to see if any nearby stations were for sale. WTBQ’s name came up. Truatt was familiar with the station as he had once worked there. He purchased WTBQ in 1994 and the Warwick radio station has since been a longtime supporter of Winslow Therapeutic Center. “We’ve had a continuous relationship with Winslow,” said Truatt, “and I feel that by serving on the board what we do at the station can be even more helpful.” Winslow Board of Directors The current board of directors are: President Leo Kaytes Vice President John Buckley Secretary Janet A. Sommer, Treasurer Michael Kennedy Board Members: Wayne Corts, Roger Gibboni, Marcia Jacobowitz, Alan Lipman, Edward Lynch, Jonah Mandelbaum, Louis Marquet, M. Vincent Mezzetti, Janice Spencer, Sally Wiley, Emily Zarow and newest members, Frank Truatt and Cindy Vander Plaat. Essential information Winslow Therapeutic Center, located just off Route 17A in Warwick, has been offering unique horseback riding experiences to children and adults with special needs since 1974. For additional information, call 986-6686 or visit www.winslow.org.