Halloween 1994
Halloween Dance with “La Gran Union” orchestra at the Polish American Club
By Cecilia Vignier
The Halloween ball was held in Port St. Lucie on October 29. Once again, the Spanish American Club, Inc. excelled in its organization and attracted a great turnout of 300 guests who attended the dance. Mr. Herman Santa, the club’s vice president, showcased his usual friendliness and presided over the ball, welcoming the guests and also directing the costume contest, which turned out to be very lively.
The first prize was awarded to Mrs. María Rodríguez, who was dressed as a clown; the second prize went to the couple formed by Miss Sherley Taylor and Mr. John Tucker, dressed as Arabs; and the third prize was won by Miss Den Hartog, disguised as a large skunk. The winners were chosen based on the audience’s applause.
The guests also enjoyed the good music from Ramón Báez, who came from West Palm Beach. This group from the Hispanic American Club works hard to bring us our much-needed Hispanic American music here. With the proceeds from these activities, the members have created a scholarship that will be awarded to a Hispanic student in spring 1995. We take this opportunity to, on behalf of the Hispanic American Club, thank all the people who attended the dance and helped make it a success.
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
Father’s 2010
Annual Father’s with Disc music Day at DAV
By Herman Santa
Over 60 members and guests gathered at the Disabled American Club in Port St. Lucie on Saturday, June 12th to celebrate the Annual Father’s Day Dinner-Dance Party. The monthly “Get Together” set the mood for drinking, dining and dancing as members and their guests enjoyed an evening of fun and camaraderie. After the buffet, as members and their guests enjoyed the coffee and dessert, Herman Santa presented Patti Tobin who is running for County commissioner in District 2 in St. Lucie County.
The members and their guests having their birthdays during the month of June Alicia Abbate, Amparo Preciado and Henry Velez were asked to come up and stand near the cake while the members were singing happy birthday to them. Later in the evening, during a break, the grand raffle winner was announced by Al Feliciano, secretary of the club, who informed us that the raffle generated over $500 for the scholarship. The lucky winner Jimmy Rivera who sold over hundred tickets was the recipient of a 42” Flat TV or $500 in cash.
Also, the directors held the raffles, (Door prizes, Fifty/Fifty and the hat dance contest). Winners were: Alicia Abbate (Door Prize), Xiomara Guanill (Door Prize), Norma Castro (Door Prize), Nancy Rozo (Hat Dance Contest), Alicia Abbate (50/50), Lucinda Zelaya (50/50), Celia Alarcon (Certificate donated by Mi Casita Restaurant) and William Betancourt (Certificate donated by Jose’s Barbershop).
Congratulations to Jimmy Rivera, for his dedicated directors and their committees for working tireless to make the Father’s Day Dinner-Dance Party a big success. The directors are Nancy Rozon; Vice President, Ron Bryson; Treasurer, Al Feliciano; Secretary and Mary Figliola; Director. Next month event of the club is the annual Picnic on Saturday July 17th. For more information check the Website (Events”).
Valentine 1994
Annual Valentine with Ramón Baéz Orchestra at the Polish American Club
By Sam Del Rosario
The Spanish American Club, Inc. of Port St. Lucie celebrated Valentine’s Day on February 12 at the Polish American Club of Port St. Lucie. Ramón Baez’s orchestra from West Palm Beach entertained the party with a rhythm of cumbias, merengues, and salsas. The club’s hall was beautifully decorated, thanks to the committee that did an outstanding job with the decorations, giving it a very appropriate appearance for Valentine’s Day. The dance floor was spacious, and its wooden floor made the dancers’ feet move with great agility.
Many of the people who did not purchase their tickets in advance were left without entries, as they sold out long before the party. The Board, the committee, and some of the partners, especially the new president, Thomas González, worked hard to make this party a success. During the band’s break, the president, Mr. Thomas González, presented a plaque of appreciation to Mrs. Annie Del Rosario, Editor of Alma Latina, for her selfless collaboration with our club.
A dance contest was also held for the best salsa couples. Our dear friend Luis Sanchez and his wife Elizabeth from Jensen Beach took first place. The second prize was awarded to the beloved couple from Port St. Lucie, Jaime and Consuelo Ferreira, and third place went to Hector and Carmen Iriz Nuñez from Port St. Lucie. The decision was made by applause from the audience. The members and the Board of Directors express their gratitude to the individuals and establishments that donated gifts for the contestants, including Tony Ruiz from Don Ramón Restaurant, Cecilia Vignier from Simply Travel, Susan Tesoriero from Palm Realty, Juan from Auto Repair, Julia Prahl from Prahl Institute, Changes Beauty Salon, Dr. Jerome Perlmuter from Quality Dental Care, and Juan Serra from Crystal Water, to name a few.
The Board of the “Spanish American Club” was surprised to see so many people from different parts of Hispanic America dancing to the same rhythm, speaking the same language, and sharing joyfully. We all enjoyed the Valentine’s party with our family and friends, and many took the opportunity to celebrate anniversaries and birthdays. Our club is very proud of the attendees for their joyful spirit and the support they have given us.
Get Together 1993 (Santa)
Monthly Get Together at the residence of Herman and Lucy Santa in Jensen Beach
Por Sam Del Rosario
On Saturday, August 7, the Spanish American Club, Inc. held its monthly members’ meeting. This time they gathered at the residence of Herman and Lucy Santa in Jensen Beach. The children mitigated the heat by playing in the pool. The adults had fun playing dominoes, and at dinner time, they enjoyed a wide variety of Latin American dishes brought by the club members. Afterwards, Mr. Richard Clark’s birthday was celebrated with a birthday cake.
Mrs. Adela Lorenzatto also had a birthday in August but was on vacation in Mexico; we hope she had a great time. After dinner, the club’s vice president, Tomás González, presented a plaque of appreciation to the club’s treasurer, Herman Santa, for his work and contributions since the club’s founding.
Anniversary 1993
First Anniversary of SACI with “Pop Caribe” in Port St. Lucie
By Cecilia Vignier
The “Spanish American Club, Inc.” celebrated its first anniversary of foundation on July 17th. The dance was held in Jensen Beach. It attracted around 170 guests, many of whom were attending for the first time. Among the first-time attendees were Mrs. Iris Marrero with her family and friends from Ft. Lauderdale, Mrs. Nydia Williams with a very nice group of 14 people from Venezuela.
Also present were Mr. Gerardo Delgado and his beloved Mrs. Dolly. Among the regular attendees were Jaime and Noemí López, Nestor Carrión and his lovely wife Marialuisa, Sammy and Anie Del Rosario, Kino and Gladys Vélez, and of course, Gregory and Diana Cortez. The very dear Francisco and Olguita Renta and numerous relatives were also there.
Celebrating their silver wedding anniversary were Rolando and Nelly Garcia. Their children gifted them a beautiful anniversary cake, and their son took a moment to congratulate them and thank them for their support and affection. The Vice-President Mr. Tomás González presided over the dance and, on behalf of the board, presented each of the female members with a corsage in recognition of the support and collaboration they always provide.
Mr. Herman Santa also presented a plaque of appreciation to Mr. González. In the year of the club’s existence, Mr. González and the board have dedicated much of their energy to guiding the club to seize every opportunity for the “Spanish American Club, Inc.” to continue growing and progressing by leaps and bounds. Part of the money raised from the dance will be donated to a fund to offer it as a scholarship to a Hispanic student, as well as for charitable purposes in the community.
The decorations with Spanish motifs were crafted by the ladies who worked hard to create a pleasant and cozy atmosphere. The “Pop Caribe Band” entertained the party with a new repertoire and their unparalleled rhythm, delighting us by playing requests to suit everyone’s taste.
Spring 1993
Annual Spring with live music at the Jensen Beach Woman’s Club
By Sam Del Rosario
On Saturday, March 6th, the “Spanish American Club” celebrated its carnival dance at the Jensen Beach Woman’s Club. The hall was beautifully decorated with masks, balloons, confetti, and on the tables were fans decorated alluding to the occasion.
All of this was thanks to a group of talented partners led, as always, by our dear Cecilia Vignier. The group from the city of Stuart showed up, and everyone danced and enjoyed themselves until the end. We had a costume group, and the winner was Mr. Nestor Llanos, dressed as a “Buccaneer,” while the second prize went to the Mexican charros represented by Mary Bleau and Mathew Reid.
We had guests with us who came from as far away as Merritt Island, Melbourne, and Vero Beach because they wanted to enjoy a good orchestra like “Pop Caribe,” in a family-friendly and welcoming environment like the Spanish American Club. That night, the King and Queen of the Carnival were selected, who turned out to be our Vice President Mr. Tomás González and his Mrs. Kathy Basile. We hope to see everyone again at our next dance.
Valentine 1993
1st Valentine dance with “PJ the DJ” at the Jensen Beach women’s Club
By Sam Del Rosario
On Saturday, February 6, the Hispanic American Club of Treasure Coast celebrated Valentine’s Day. As always, it was a resounding success. People were very lively dancing to the beat of “PJ the DJ,” who came directly from Miami to enliven the event. In the dance competition, there was a tie between the couples of Claudia Zapata and her partner, and Mr. Pedro Aguilera and his beloved wife Trini. The competition was very close, as all the contestants were fabulous dancers.
The member ladies, Mrs. Lilia Bohórquez, Mrs. Gladys Vélez, Mrs. Lillian Carrion, and Annie Del Rosario decorated the allegorical hall of the era, always guided by our dear friend Cecilia Vignier, who works so hard to ensure everything goes well. The next activity will be a Carnival party to be held next Saturday, March 6th, featuring the Pop Caribe Orchestra from West Palm Beach. People are very excited about this event, which promises to be excellent.
Assembly 1994
Members of SACI elect Board of Directors at Don Ramon restaurant in Stuart
By Herman Santa
The Spanish American Club, Inc. held its annual assembly on January 30 at Don Ramón restaurant in the city of Stuart. The members elected the new Board of Directors composed of President; Tomás González, Vice President; Herman Santa, Treasurer; Eng. Joaquín Vélez, Secretary; José Lorenzatto, and the members; Mrs. Cecilia Vignier, Dr. Reneé Arnao, and Sam Del Rosario.
Mr. González is of Cuban nationality, owner of the Sunflower Educare Center in Port St. Lucie. Mr. Santa is Puerto Rican and serves as the Code Inspector for Martin County in the Building and Zoning Division. Engineer Vélez is Puerto Rican and works at the nuclear plant of Florida Power & Light in Hutchinson Island. Mr. Lorenzatto is of Argentine nationality and is a Scope Cardiologist at Martin Memorial Hospital in the city of Stuart. Ms. Vignier is Peruvian, a travel agent and real estate agent in the city of Port St. Lucie. Dr. Arnao, also Peruvian, is a Dentist in her home country and is doing her internship at Quality Dental Care in Fort Pierce. Mr. Del Rosario, who is Puerto Rican, is a staff member at Alma Latina in Port St. Lucie.
The Board of Directors was elected by majority for the fiscal year from January to December 1994. After the meeting, the members delighted their palates with a succulent dinner. The event concluded with the presentation of plaques to the club’s directors from the previous Board of Directors. The outgoing President, Ing. Hector P. Arias, Secretary, Sr. Cesar Bohórquez, and the Board Members, Ing. Guillermo Vignier and Ing. Joaquín Vélez, were honored for their work the previous year for the club. A plaque of appreciation was also presented to Don Ramón Villariño, owner of the restaurant “Don Ramón,” and to Sr. Antonio Ruiz, the establishment’s manager.
Bowling 1993
Spanish American Club, Inc. goes bowling…
By Herman Santa
On Saturday, September 18th at 8 p.m., the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. of Port St. Lucie held their first bowling outing at the Bowling Alley of Port St. Lucie Lanes. Many of the members were bowling for the first time in many years. It was a joyful evening. Some members bowled, others watched the game, and we had the chance to meet the new members.
Members will continue to play at this bowling alley every Saturday starting at 8:00 PM. We hope to form a league of Hispanic bowlers in the area. The bowling alley is open on Saturdays (Open Lanes) to the public, and the cost is only $1.00 per game per person. Shoe rentals will be only 99 cents.
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