RIVER NIGHTS UNDER THE MOON

With the darker nights, the riverside atmosphere was something special ... reminiscent of Old Florida. River Town band played and hundreds of Port St. Lucians sat, had a drink or two and relaxed under the moon in one of of the most historic sites in the city. Some even came by boat to the November 9, 2017, River Nights. Some even came by boat. Of course the PSL Historical Society was there, l to r, Mary Dodge, Jack Kelly, Dianne Aguiar. 

BACK AGAIN AT RIVER NIGHTS

When River Nights started again in October, the Port St. Lucie Historical Society was there. We'll be at all this season's nights along side the St. Lucie River with books, brochures, membership cards and information. Stop by. 

The Westmoreland Boulevard site is slated to be the future home of a museum for the city's history, before and after General Development Corp.

FUN, SHARING, NEW MEMBERS AT RIVER NIGHTS

A beautiful April night on the edge of an historic section of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River was the setting for the city Park & Recreation Department's River Nights celebration on the site of the Westmoreland Project. We were delighted to have a spot to share the stories about the people and places that make this one of the most historic locations in Port St. Lucie -- a perfect location for a museum. A visit by the Mayor topped off the evening. Hundreds of people were on deck to enjoy the band, some refreshments and a fantastic view. 

PSL Historical invited to speak to PSL Rotary

Vice Chair Dennis Grabhorn and Secretary Mary Dodge took the PSL Historical Society story "on the road," all the way to the 19th Hole of the Sandpiper Bay Saints golf course club house on Tuesday, April 9, 2017. An active question and answer session followed the brief presentation about the city's and the society's history.

Long-time member Beth Gessner leaving area

Beth Gessner moved here from Fort Lauderdale with her husband Dave and their family in 1959, before there was a city of Port St. Lucie. The couple were responsible for much of the fun and games that centered around the Northport Marina in the early days. Dave was recreation director for General Development Corp. Their children went to school in White City and Fort Pierce. (Port St Lucie had no schools.) She was an elementary school teacher for many years and taught many now-grown current residents of Port St. Lucie. Beth is moving to The Villages to be closer to her daughter.

Shown left to right Rosemary Grabhorn, a resident since 1965, Christine Williams of the Shell Bazaar, who has lived in PSL her entire life, Beth and Rosemary's son Dennis

PSL Historical Society awards 3 for History Day Exhibit

Three Port St. Lucie High School students received copies of the Port St. Lucie at 50: A City for All People to recognize their creative work for the St. Lucie County Schools History Day in January 2017. The books went to Annery Abreau, Jesurajh Kavinaash and Freedom Scholes for their presentation on Nelson Mandela. The theme for the year was "Taking a stand in history."

Dianne Aguiar and Mary Dodge attended the award ceremonies February 15 at Fort Pierce Central High School. The historical society participated in the judging of the History Day competition.

Historical input sought for Neighborhood naming project

The Port St. Lucie Historical Society organized a small meeting February 9 to help the City's Neighbor Services Department with some historical background for its neighborhood naming project. The residents will do the naming, but we added some historical info where we had it. 

Left to right, St. Lucie historian Lucille Rights, Beth Gessner, City Volunteer Donna Selquist and Rosemary Grabhorn. Beth and Rosemary were living here before the city incorporated in 1961. Board members Mary Dodge and Christine Williams were also present.

Members act as judges for Schools History Day & Project Citizen

For the third year, members of the Port St. Lucie Historical Society were among the judges at the St. Lucie County Schools' History Day. Deb Mock (shown right handing her results to the School Board's Liz Pruitt), Dennis Grabhorn and Mary Dodge were on deck Jan. 12, 2017, at Indian River State College. The Society will make a special award of its book, Port St. Lucie at 50: A City for All People to a selected entry. Dennis, Deb and Dianne Aguiar are on tap to be judges at Project Citizen on Jan. 20, 2017.