The Spanish American Club, Inc.

Milestone Reached:  Spanish American Club members celebrated 20 years

By Herman Santa

Over 120 people attended the 20^th Anniversary Party with a catered dinner and live band on Saturday, August 25, at the Disabled American Veterans Club in Port St. Lucie.  Guests enjoyed a delicious Latin buffet prepared by “C. Wedding & Events” and boogied to the sweet sounds of “La Nueva Herencia Latina” band.  After dinner, President Herman Santa acknowledged the many accomplishments of the club during the past 20 years and thanked all the present and previous members of the Board of Directors who served since the foundation of the club in 1992.  These members were recognized for their contribution and dedicated work to the club.  Those present were: Nora Candelario, Nancy Rozon, Ron and Isa Bryson, Al Feliciano, Gladys Piñeiro, Mary Figliola, Blanca Mireya Kaiser, Ray Matias, Dr. Enrique Ospina, Lucy Santa, Maite Peterson, Guillermo “Bill” Vignier and Cecilia Vignier.

The club started with nine members and today has over 100 active members representing 10 different countries including the USA, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba, Venezuela, El Salvador, Perú, Ecuador, Mexico, Honduras, Spain, Argentina and Panamá.  This social and civic organization has become quite influential in the Treasure Coast area, playing a key role, for instance, in the scholarship program for Hispanic students.  At the present time 29 students have benefited from this college scholarship. These students have come from Mexico, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela and Cuba.  This non-profit organization’s mission is to preserve the Hispanic heritage on the Treasure Coast and to unite Hispanics from the Treasure Coast.

After the president’s announcements, the band played “Happy Birthday” for the members and their guests who were celebrating their birthdays during the month of August.  Among them were: Maritza Rivera, Juan Piñeiro, Linda Manzanares, Mireya Kaiser, Charlie Rodriguez and Luis Rosa.  Following the birthday celebration, the directors held the 50/50 raffle, the door prize drawing and the hat dance contest.  The 50/50 winners were: Felix Sanabria and Rae Anne Ospina.  Other door prize winners were: Al Feliciano, Angel Pellot, Billy Betancourt, Maria Lopez, Chris Hickey and Mary Figliola and the hat dance contest winner was Maite Peterson.

The orchestra “Nueva Herencia Latina” directed by Luis Rosa performed several songs among them: “La pollera colorá” and “Mentirosa” (Cumbias), “Anacaona” and “La verdad” (Salsa), “Oye abre tus ojos” and “Tu sonrisa” (Merengues).  DJ “Max” played between the breaks until 11:00 P.M.  The next event of the club has been planned for Saturday, September 22, to celebrate our “Annual Luau” with a Latin buffet and D.J.  Admission is $5 for members and $20 for non members.  Reservations are required before Saturday, September 8.

L to R: Juan Piñeiro, Linda Manzanares, Mireya Kaiser, Charlie Rodriguez and Luis Rosa.

CWedding & Events
L to R: Gloria Ramirez, Carly Werhly and a helper

L to R: Herman Santa, Nora Candelario, Nancy Rozon, Ron and Isa Bryson, Al Feliciano, Gladys Piñeiro, Mary Figliola, Blanca Mireya Kaiser, Ray Matias, Dr. Enrique Ospina, Lucy Santa, Guillermo “Bill” Vignier and Cecilia Vignier.

L to R: Juan Piñeiro, Gladys Piñeiro, Carolina Weeks, Julieta Greene, Nancy Rozon, Naomi Sanabria, Felix Sanabria, Jo Ann Carderin and Roberto Carderin

“La Nueva Herencia Latina Band” L to R: Albert Garcia, Julio Antoiemma, Luis Rosa, Max Duhalde, Ronnie Andrini and Willie Suarez

L to R: Felix Sanabria, Angel Pellot, Rae Anne Ospina, Maria Lopez, Chris Hickey, Billy Betancourt, Al Feliciano and Mary Figliola.