Archive
Anniversary 1997
5th Anniversary of SACI with D.J. Juan Carlos Gayoso at Kristie’s on the Ocean Restaurant Ft. Pierce beach (South Beach)
Por Herman Santa
Our Club celebrated its 5th Anniversary on June 24, 1997. For the anniversary, the members celebrated with a dinner at “Kristie’s on the Ocean,” an elegant restaurant located on Ft. Pierce beach (South Beach). President Mr. Thomas González welcomed the guests, and after dinner, we danced to the rhythms of the club’s D.J., Juan Carlos Gayoso. Juan Carlos entertained us with his repertoire of compact disc music until late at night.
To commemorate, Herman Santa, co-founder, published an informative brochure containing events since the establishment of the “club.” Photos of the boards, committees, and activities over the past five years were published. The brochure will be released annually and clearly defines the purposes and goals of the social “Club” of Martin and St. Lucie counties. The Club is a non-profit corporation, and one of its main objectives is to promote cultural exchange, language, geography, customs, history, art, and folklore of Spanish-speaking countries.
Halloween 1997
Alegre baile de máscara
Por Herman Santa
En un ambiente alegre y de buena camaradería se celebró el tradicional “Baile de Máscaras el sábado 1 de noviembre en el Polish American Club de Port St. Lucie. Con un salón bien decorado para la ocasión, el presidente Tom González recibió a los socios e invitados para dar inicio a la mejor fiesta del año. La música estuvo a cargo del “Trío Pop Caribe” de West Palm Beach quien nos puso a bailar hasta la una de la madrugada. Allí había de todo, desde brujos, fantasmas, musulmanes y hasta magos. Gracias a los directores y a todos los que ayudaron a planear la primera fiesta del año.
Trio Pop Caribe
L to R: Ron Bryson, Isa Bryson, Tom González, Kathy González and Herman Santa
L to R: Olga González, Yolanda Sanchez and Ray Sanchez
Halloween 1995
Fiesta de “Halloween” del SACI
Por Herman Santa
Sin lugar a dudas, el baile de Máscaras fue todo un éxito. El evento fue celebrado el sábado 28 de octubre en el salón de bailes del Jensen Beach Women’s Club. La fiesta fue amenizada por la banda “Papa Coco” y desde las 9 :00 p.m. nos tocó salsa, meringue, cumbias y boleros hasta las 2 de la mañana. El salón quedó bien decorado, gracias al Comité de Decoración que hizo un trabajo dándole una apariencia muy apropiada para el día de las Brujas. La fiesta de “Las Brujas” la disfrutamos con nuestros familiares, amistades y muchos aprovecharon la ocación para celebrar aniversarios y cumpleaños.
La hermosa fiesta rindió una recaudacíon de más de $500 para ayudar a estudiantes hispanos de los condados de Martin y St. Lucie. La Junta Directiva le dan las gracias a las personas y establecimientos que auspiciaron la actividad, entre ellos a Tony Ruiz de Don Ramón Restaurant, Cecilia Vignier de simply Travel, Susan Tesoriero de Palm Realty y Juan Auto Repair, para mensionar algunos.
Papa Coco Band
Some of the participants for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place
L to R: Herman Santa, Gustavo Santa and Patrcia Lopez among others
Scholarship 1998 (Luna)
5th scholarship from the “Spanish American Club, Inc.”
By Herman Santa
(Photo Not Available)
The Spanish American Club, Inc. awarded the scholarship through the “Indian River Community College” to the outstanding student Pedro Luna from Fort Pierce. The ceremony, which Pedro could not attend, was held at the monthly “Get Together” of the members on June 26 in the meeting hall of the “Holy Faith” Episcopal Church in Port St. Lucie. The annual scholarship is awarded to a low-income Hispanic student, which can cover the college student’s tuition or book expenses. The scholarship is granted through an evaluation process conducted by the “Indian River Community College” and by the scholarship committee of the “Spanish American Club, Inc.”, which is appointed by the club president.
The club is a non-profit organization, and according to the club’s statutes, we must allocate a percentage of the annual profits to the community. In the last assembly, the members agreed to donate 10% of the year’s profits. The scholarships and certificates for low-income families are part of these donations.
The director of this year’s scholarship committee is Ms. Kathy Gonzalez. Also on the scholarship committee are Ms. Isa Bryson, Ms. Angela Hurley, and Mrs. Lillia Bohorquez. Thank you to the committee for the excellent work they did this year. We also want to thank an anonymous donation of $50.00 for the scholarship at the “Get Together.” The education of our young Hispanics is one of our club’s priorities.
Assembly 1997
The Spanish American Club, Inc. elects a new Board of Directors.
By Herman Santa
On January 20, 1997, the Spanish American Club, Inc. elected its new Board of Directors at the Don Ramón Restaurant in the city of Stuart. The new club directors are: Thomas González; President, Juan Carlos Gayoso; Vice President, René Arnao; Treasurer, Yolanda Sánchez; Secretary, and Liliana George; Director. The event concluded with the presentation of plaques to the former board directors of 1996. They were presented to the outgoing President Pete Echevarría, Isa Bryson; Vice President, Arnaldo Palenzuela; Treasurer, Odette Gayoso; Secretary, and Lilia Bohórquez, Member, for their contributions made last year for the club.
Anniversary 1996
4th Anniversary of SACI with D.J. “Johnny’s Music” at the Jensen Beach Women’s Club
Por Herman Santa
The “Spanish American Club, Inc.” celebrated its 4th Anniversary on Saturday, July 22, at the Jensen Beach Women’s Club.
The dance was enlivened by D.J. “Johnny’s Music.” Johnny Saltos had us dancing from early on with his modern rhythms. The psychedelic lights, smoke, and his way of energizing the crowd made us feel as if we were in a disco. As usual, we did the wheel, the bridge, and there was no shortage of the “cañita” to dance to the calypso style. José Lorenzatto’s Argentine family entertained us with a tango.
The occasion was also used to celebrate the May birthdays of club 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.
The club is among the non-profit civic organizations in the “Treasure Coast” that have taken the initiative to preserve the folklore, art, customs, language, and cultures of our Spanish-speaking countries. Board of Directors: Lilia Bohórquez; Director (Cuba), Pete Echevarría; President (Puerto Rico), Isa Bryson; Vice President (Honduras), Arnaldo Palenzuela; President (Cuba), Odette Gayoso; Secretary (Puerto Rico).
Halloween 1993
Spanish American Club, Inc. celebra el día de las brujas
Por Herman Santa
El Spanish American Club, Inc. celebraró el dIa de las Brujas (Halloween) el sábado 30 de octubre en los salones de los “Knights of Columbus”, localizado en el 451 S. W. R.avenswood Lane, Port St. Lucie. Más de 200 personas asistieron a la fiesta. La fiesta fue amenizada por la Orquesta de Salsa “Grupo Chevere” de Miami. El baile empezaró a las 8:00 PM y terminaró a la 1:00AM. La entrada fue de $20.00 por persona y $25.00 en Ia puerta. La boleta incluyó trago gratis toda La noche (Open Bar). Habia “Snacks” en las mesas y premios para los tres mejores disfraces.
Para aquellas personas que no fueron al baile de “Halloween” del año pasado se perdieron otro gran baile. Esta fiesta fue una de las mejores que el Spanish American Club Inc. ha programado. Gracias a nuestros auspiciadores: Restaurant Don Ramón, 100 S. W. Monterey Road, Stuart, Suntropic Bakery and Deli, 8950 South Federal Hwy. Port St. Lucie (Village Corner), Jenny’s Silver Scissors, 7656 South Federan Hwy, Port St. Lucie.
Members and their guest getting ready to participate for the 3 best costumes
Salsa Band “Gropo Chevere” from Miami
Members and their guests enjoying the party
Bowling 2002
Successful Monthly Bowling Games
By Herman Santa
The members of the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” (SACI for its acronym in English) are bowling at the “Port St. Lucie Lanes” in the city of Port St. Lucie. A large number of members gather with their families. The sizable group of participants enjoys an afternoon filled with fellowship and camaraderie. The members will meet on the last Sunday of each month at 5 PM. The bowling alley is located on U.S. 1 in Port St. Lucie.
This activity is solely for members and their families, but those who wish to join the group and enter the club are welcome to come and participate. The bowling alley, with its spacious and modern facilities, has fully automated lanes, a game room, a “Sport Bar” with billiard tables, and a café offering all the snacks that both adults and children enjoy. We had a great time in a family-friendly atmosphere. Activities like these help the club move forward. Go SACI!
Scholarship Dance 2000
Annual Scholarship Night Dance with D.J. “Salsa Express” at Langford Park de Jensen Beach
Por Herman Santa
No Pictures available
If there is something beautiful in this life, it is being able to see a student graduate from school. However, not all students always reach that goal, especially if they come from low-income backgrounds. For this reason, the “Scholarship Night Dance” of the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” was celebrated on Saturday, November 18, in the ballroom of Langford Park in Jensen Beach, with the purpose of raising funds for a student who intends to continue their studies at the university level.
The grand party was fabulous with the entertainment of the famous DJ Bob Roldan and his “Salsa Express” from Port St. Lucie, which created a sensation with its repertoire of modern music. This is the third time “Salsa Express” has played for the Club and it manages to mobilize a lot of salsa dancers to Jensen Beach. Old and new friends came together to celebrate for a good cause. Some of the known attendees were: Mr. Victor Swift and his wife Ana, Dr. Rosie Avilés and her husband Rene, Dr. Chito Sarkar and his dear wife Lourdes, Engineer Kino Veléz and his kind wife Gladys, Ron and Isa Bryson, Rey and Yolanda Sanchez, John and Gloria Fischer, Maria Bentel and her family, Rafael and Ana Febus, Ray and Liz Lopéz, Herman and Lucy Santa, and the best DJ at the moment, Roberto Roldan and his family.
During a break, the committee director of the scholarship and former president of the Club, Herman Santa, welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their support and cooperation with the committee. Through this newsletter, we want to thank Bob Roldan for donating his time and talent. We also want to thank the Scholarship Committee, especially Isa Bryson and Ana Swift, who worked hard to make the dance a success. We cannot forget the members and friends who made donations. All the funds raised went to the Club’s Scholarship Fund for the year 2001. Remember that helping a Hispanic student always warms our hearts. This will be the last club activity for the public this year. The club’s upcoming activities are scheduled in the same location at the same time and with the same DJ. There will be prizes and surprises.
On January 20, 2001, the “Annual Assembly” of the members will be held. After the Assembly (after 7:00 P.M.), the public is invited to join the members in a healthy, joyful, and clean environment. Please make your reservations in advance, as only a limited number of tickets will be available for the public. On February 10, the “Valentine’s Day” will be celebrated at the same venue at the same time with “Salsa Express.” Mark your calendars, as these dances are sure to be a success. Reserve your seats in advance. Space is limited, and prices will be reasonable so that everyone can enjoy themselves with family and friends. Wishing you a happy holiday season and may the coming year bring you luck, health, and happiness!
Scholarship Award 1994
Primera beca del “Spanish American Club, Inc.”
Por Cecilia Vignier
El pasado 23 de julio, los socios del “Spanish American Club, Inc.” se reunieron para hacer entrega de la beca de $500 al joven Armando Gil. Todos tuvimos el placer de charlar con Armando y comprobar lo bien merecedor que es de la beca.
La renión fue en casa de nuestro presidenete Sr. Tomás González y su querida esposa Cathy que ofreció su casa muy gentilmente, todos los socios llevaron un plato de su preferencia y celebraron con baile y música hasta entrada la noche. Se la pasaron muy contentos y tmbién se tuvo oportunidad de presentar a los socios nuevos que se han intergrado a éste grupo tan amistoso y alegre del “Spanish American Club, Inc.”
Photo # 1 José Arnao Jr., Sheila Vélez, Tom González, Armando Gil and Angela Hurley
Photo # 2 Architecto Néstor Carrión and Director of the Scholarship congratulating the first Scholarship winner of the club Armando Gil
Phot # 3 Armando Gil (Left) and Annie Del Rosario (Rigth) enjoying the Get Together at Tom and Cathy González’s residence
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