Archive
Get Together 1995 (Clark)
Get Together with music at the residence of Richard and Vera Clark in the city of Palm City
By Herman Santa
The Spanish American Club held its monthly social meeting at the estate of Mr. Richard Clark and Mrs. Vera in the city of Palm City. Mr. Richard, always so kind, showed us the farm and his greatest pride, his horses. He told us where they acquired the horses, how to train them, and everything they can do. Everything was delicious. The children enjoyed this picnic by swimming in the pool, feeding the kids, and having fun all around. We had a great day sharing with the members. Richard and Vera were wonderful hosts.
Christmas 1994
The Spanish American Club, Inc. celebrates its Christmas dinner.
By Herman Santa
The members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. gathered on Saturday, December 17, at the Community Center in Port St. Lucie. This is the club’s second Christmas party where members, family, and friends donated toys for children from low-income families. The toys will be distributed in Indiantown, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Pierce. The members showcased their culinary specialties by bringing exquisite dishes to celebrate the holiday party. The delicious roast pork was a highlight. Immediately after the meal, they celebrated the birthdays with a cake for our president, Tom González, and our dear member, Kino Vélez, who both have their birthdays on December 22.
After dinner was over, the president welcomed the members and guests and addressed them, among other things reminding them of the New Year’s party to be held on December 31 at the Jensen Beach Women’s Club and the General Assembly to elect the new Board of Directors on January 29 at Don Ramón restaurant. We all had a great time dancing to the lively musical rhythms provided by the members.
The Board of Directors thanks the members for the donation of the toys, which will bring a bit of joy to the children who otherwise would not have had a small Christmas gift, and for all the support they have provided us throughout this year. The Spanish American Club, Inc. wishes its members, families, and friends a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Event 1993 (Cultural Show)
Cultural Showcase of SACI “Dan McCarthy School”
By Herman Santa
On Saturday, May 14, the Spanish American Club, Inc. participated in the “Multicultural” Festival in Ft. Pierce at Dan McCarty School. The club showcased Latino artists such as Colombian Artists, Argentine Cultural Organization of Palm Beach, Latino Folklore Group, and Peruvian Stamps. This activity began at 10:00 in the morning and continued until 4 in the afternoon with various presentations featuring dances and foods from different countries.
And of course, Alma Latina was present with “The Cart of Piraguas.” After the event, Tom González invited the artists and guests to a dinner at his little school “Educare Center” in the city of Port St. Lucie.
Picnic 1993
Annual Picnic at Ft Pierce Inlet State Park
By Sam Del Rosario
On Saturday, September 25, the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. gathered at “Ft. Pierce Inlet State Park.” This activity, which the club had planned in advance for members and friends, turned out very well. We all enjoyed the delicious meals that the members prepared. It was a perfect day to spend at the beach. The children had fun playing in the water, the adults played dominos, and others walked along the beach. The members took the opportunity to celebrate the birthdays of George González, José Arnao, Sam Del Rosario, and Maela Arias. Later, they danced to music from CDs that Herman Santa brought. Even the Americans at the table near the members joined in.
The club’s next activity will be on Saturday, October 30. The Halloween party will be held at the “Knight of Columbus” halls in Port St. Lucie. The club has hired the Salsa orchestra “El Conde,” which is very sought after in various hotels and nightclubs in the city of Miami. Their first album, titled “I Don’t Want to Be If You’re Not,” will be on the market very soon. Don’t miss it! The entry ticket costs $20 if purchased in advance, otherwise it will cost $25 at the door. The price includes free drinks all night and snacks at the table. Tickets are on sale at Don Ramón restaurant in Stuart, Suntropic Bakery, and Jenny’s Scissor in Port St. Lucie. For more information, call Herman Santa or César Bohórquez.
Spring 1995
Annual Spring with D.J. Johnny’s Music at the Port St Lucie Community center
By Dra. Renee Arnao
On Saturday, March 11, the Spanish American Club, Inc. held its regular monthly meeting at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. Our President, Herman Santa, along with his wife, Lucy, warmly welcomed everyone and excelled as hosts; the decoration and arrangement of the venue was beautifully crafted by our members, creating the feeling of a cozy “Family Room”; as usual, our members and invited friends prepared their favorite dishes for the delight of all attendees.
After the meal, we had a talk from the organization “Big Brothers-Big Sisters.” We celebrated the birthdays of our members Renee Arnao and José Lorenzatto by singing them their respective “Happy Birthday.” We welcomed our three new members, Antío and Christel Espinosa, Stephan and Toñita Donbrosky, and Robert and Pola Sánchez, and we introduced 8 candidates for membership. Then the dancing started; we had a great time, the music was fantastic, and we enjoyed the tunes from D.J. Johnny, who had us forming circles, train lines, and even dancing the “Twist.” We stayed until 12:00 A.M. Here, I want to give a special mention to our friends Gregory Cortez and Pete Echevarría, who have recovered from their health issues, and seeing them so happy truly fulfilled one of our club’s missions.
As you can see, we are growing, and the quality and friendliness of the people who support us is a sign that we are going to be a great and powerful club; where, despite the great mix of races, especially Latinos from all countries, we are united by a common idea: the great love we have for our roots, the desire to be together in joy and sorrow, and the wish to share our food and our music, and there I believe that lies the fundamental purpose of our club.
And now our next activity will be on Saturday, April 25, from 8 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon; we will be part of a great “Flea Market” at Jaysee Park, 1301 South West Bayshore Blvd. in the city of Port St. Lucie. The funds raised will be exclusively for the scholarship we donate to a Latino student to help them attend college. So, let’s clean out closets and garages before Easter and donate them for this purpose; we will appreciate it. For information, call Lucy Santa, Cecilia Vignier, or Reneé Arnao.
Scholarship 1995 (Rodriguez)
2nd scholarship from the “Spanish American Club, Inc.”
By Herman Santa
The “Spanish American Club, Inc.” of Martin and St. Lucie counties recently chose the winner of the college scholarship for the year 1995. The recipient was Elisa Rodriguez, a student at Port St. Lucie High School who graduated with a 4.3 GPA. Elisa has been accepted to the University of Central Florida and plans to study to become a teacher. She was born in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico, but since 1990 her parents moved to the city of Port St. Lucie. Her parents are Mr. Victor M. Rodríguez and Mrs. Doris Oronóz de Rodríguez.
Students graduating in Martin or St. Lucie counties who are children of parents born in a Spanish-speaking country are eligible for the $500 scholarship. The committee, made up of four members of the Club and chaired by Dr. Antonio J. Castillo, bases its decisions on applicants’ academic achievements, willingness, and need. Candidates must speak, write, and read Spanish.
The Club was founded in 1992 and is made up of 25 families. They raise funds for the scholarship through dance activities, tag sales, and social gatherings. The scholarship will be awarded to Elisa on July 22 at a cultural show at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. For more information regarding this activity, please call Herman Santa.
Mother’s 1995
Annual Mother’s Day D.J “Johnny’s Music” at the Port St. Lucie Community Center
By Herman Santa
On Saturday, May 13th, the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” celebrated its first dance in honor of mothers at the Community Center of Port St. Lucie. The dance was enlivened by Johnny Saltos “Johnny’s Music.” Johnny Saltos had us dancing from very early on with his modern rhythms. The psychedelic lights, smoke, and his way of energizing the audience made us feel as if we were in a nightclub.
As usual, we made the wheel, the bridge, and there was no shortage of the little drink for dancing in calypso style. José Lorenzatto’s Argentine family entertained us with a Tango. The occasion was also used to celebrate the May birthdays of members Isa Bryson, Reneé Arnao, and Odette Gayoso. In the end, Johnny dedicated songs to the mothers. I want to thank everyone who collaborated and supported us in this activity, especially the organizer, César Bohórquez, the Board of Directors, and the club members who contributed.
I would also like to thank the Hispanic group of Vero Beach, who always shows up for our club’s activities. With the support and generosity of our members and friends, we will continue moving forward. Once again, thank you for your cooperation.
Independence 1994
Independence at the residence of Richard and Vera Clark in Palm City
by Sam Del Rosario
On July 4th, the hospitable Richard and Vera Clark invited a group of family and friends from the club to celebrate, as good patriots, the Fourth of July. They decorated their estate with streamers and red, blue, and white balloons, fitting for the occasion. The children enjoyed the pool accompanied by their parents. They were joined by a group from Miami and Boca Raton, who lively entertained the party with romantic songs of yesteryear, playing the accordion and guitars.
As always, Mr. Richard Clark went above and beyond making the pork in the Cuban style, of which he is very proud, for being the “gringo,” he can make it just as good as the Cubans. Everyone thanks the Clark family for such a wonderful day we had.
Thanksgiving 1994
Annual Thanksgiving Day with disc music at the Port St Lucie Community center
By Cecilia Vignier
On November 19, the Hispano-American Club held its monthly meeting in Port St. Lucie. Members gather monthly at the IRCC building located at 200 Prima Vista Blvd. in Port St. Lucie. This meeting was well attended by members and their guests. Everyone prepared their favorite dish, and after dinner, they took time to dance and chat with their friends.
President Tomás González welcomed all members and new people interested in joining the Club. This month’s project will be to donate meal certificates for “Thanksgiving Day” to three families with low resources. The families will be from Ft. Pierce and Stuart. The directors in charge of organizing this meeting were Mr. José Lorenzatto and Cesar Bohórquez, who were also responsible for preparing the delicious turkey and roasted pork, as well as providing the music that kept us dancing non-stop.
The next meeting will be on December 17 at the same venue, and this time members and their guests are asked to bring a toy or clothing for babies or children to donate at Christmas to needy families. Every year before, this has been done and the toy collection has been a great success. For the end of the year, the members are organizing a big New Year’s dance in Jensen Beach, which will feature a DJ, champagne, noisemakers, and party horns.
New Year’s 1994
Baile despedida de año
By Herman Santa
On Saturday, December 31, the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” held its second farewell dance for the Old Year at the Jensen Beach Women’s Club. The venue was elegantly decorated for the occasion by the corporation’s committee. The president, Tom González, warmly welcomed the members and guests. The tables were filled with noisemakers, hats, rattles, crowns, and other items to celebrate the New Year, which the guests used upon arrival, adding a special color to the party.
Before midnight, we delighted our palates with the delicious Cuban sandwiches prepared by Jorge Sori, the owner of the new restaurant “Cuban Tropical” in Port St. Lucie. Many enjoyed the snacks brought to celebrate the arrival of the New Year. In the center of the dance floor, two large bags filled with colorful confetti were hung. When the DJ, Johnny Saltos, announced the arrival of the New Year, we all had fun searching for the gifts hidden inside the confetti. Cesar Bohórquez was one of the grateful ones, as he claimed that he found two lottery tickets under his seat.
Others quickly opened the bottles of champagne to toast with our family and friends for a happy New Year. Johnny Saltos surprised many of the guests with his repertoire of international music from our Spanish-speaking countries, as he made us dance joyfully to his rhythms of new music from yesterday. We did the famous wheel, the bridge, and other dances that delighted the members. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank all the members who helped us sell tickets and worked hard on the decorations for the hall. It is worth remembering that without the support of the public and the good behavior of our Hispanic people in this area, we would not have reached where we are now. If you continue supporting us, we will keep throwing parties.
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming “Enamorados” party, scheduled for Saturday, February 11, at the Polish-American Social Club in Port St. Lucie. The dance will be enlivened by Angel Roque and his new “Pop Caribe” orchestra. Angel tells me they have already recorded an album (C.D.) and will be giving away some at the dance.
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