Page 5 - Hobe Sound Reflection - July '21

Hobe Sound, Page 5

In Your CommunItY

Banner Lake Club Celebrates community advocate for
Julie Preast, a local
Its Historic Register Status historical preservation who
has been instrumental in
Banner Lake residents and friends gathered on May 7 to developing numerous
celebrate an important milestone in the 82-year history of applications for historic
The Banner Lake Club in Hobe Sound. Through the diligent registry designations in
work of Banner Lake residents, led by club President Alfred Martin County, provided
Miller, the original clubhouse has been officially placed on a detailed account of the
the Martin County Historic Register. history of the clubhouse and
The Banner Lake Club has been through a world war, its architectural features to
hurricanes, civil rights movements for racial justice, building the audience.
booms and economic busts. Originally funded by
In a 1938 column in the Stuart Daily News, titled “The local philanthropists Mr. and
Banner Lake Club marked an entirely new effort in Martin Mrs. William Barstow, the
County for the betterment of negro recreational facilities and clubhouse has been cared
social events,” Hugh Callen, the designer and contractor for for by area organizations and
the building from start to finish described the vision for the most especially by Banner
building to “serve as a recreational facility and as a double Lake residents as it met ever-
purpose, a stormproof refuge in the time of a hurricane.” changing community needs.
“The Banner Lake Club was a generous donation to the It was the only building of its Niki Norton, Julie Preast, Harold Jenkins, Wendy Reynoso; (back) Scott Berry, and
residents of the community that would achieve an incredible kind at the time where people Alfred Miller
positive impact for a race of people,” Miller remarked during of all races were welcome.
the plaque presentation for the historic designation. Miller The structure is famous for being one of the earliest residents of Banner Lake including programs on nutrition,
made additional comments, describing the clubhouse as the buildings to use poured-concrete walls. This was a technique healthcare, financial planning and tax preparation, computer
center of family and social life of Banner Lake since 1939. pioneered by Barstow when he worked with Thomas Edison literacy, career planning and job search assistance, in addition
The Banner Lake Club’s original vision was to establish in building the first electrical plants. to transportation and physical fitness.
a building for African-American workers from Jupiter Island Its sturdy structure is mirrored by the strength of the The historic clubhouse building, currently referred to as
and the surrounding Hobe Sound area so they would have community it serves. the Teen Center, is home to the B.L.A.S.T. (Banner Lake
a place to meet for social functions, as well as serving as a In preparing the successful application for historic After School Time) Teen Program which helps to foster teen/
youth recreational facility and a hurricane shelter. designation, community supporters noted, “The building tween leadership skills. The program provides opportunities
“Over the decades, many dreams came true here, many stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when a for teen members to spearhead events to raise funds for
wishes were granted. Marriages, birthday parties, baby vision and philanthropic support are combined.” The Banner annual end of year trips, college tours and other activities
showers, school plays, sporting events, recreational activities, Lake Club has served as a hub for the African-American that expand their world view. Keeping youth involved in
church services and memorial gatherings all took place community for generations. It sits at the highest point of program activities encourages a sense of ownership in the
at the Banner Lake Clubhouse,” Miller recalls. “What a any property within the community. Within its history are Banner Lake community.
magnificent donation it turned out to be.” the names of countless Banner Lake families who lived Michael Ennis Construction Company of Hobe Sound
and worked in the area, raised children was the contractor in charge of the historical renovation.
and grandchildren, and gave testimony His company took special care in renovating the building to
to the changing historical and cultural maintain its special character while bringing the infrastructure
patterns of the region. It joins the House up to code. “We were always aware of the importance of this
of Refuge, Captain Henry Sewall’s building to the community,” Ennis says. “One of the great
House, the Golden Gate Building and things about renovating the building was the members of
the mansion at Tuckahoe, among others, the community that would come by and reminisce about
as sites that preserve and resound with their experiences. This gave us insight to how important this
local history. building is to the community. It was our goal to preserve its
Most recently the Banner Lake Club history and spirit while serving the community for the next
held a successful capital campaign to 80 years and beyond.”
expand its footprint and impact in the “We owe a great deal to those who came before us,” says
community with the building of a new Wendy Reynoso, executive director of the Banner Lake Club.
community center. The new center better “Now it’s up to the next generation to carry their vision of
accommodates the club’s many youth the community forward.”
educational and enrichment programs About Banner Lake Club Inc.
Alfred Miller, Janice Berry, Rob Ranieri, and Wendy Reynoso as well as a variety of services for adult The Banner Lake Club (BLC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization whose mission is to improve the quality of
life for Hobe Sound residents, primarily those in need in
the Banner Lake Community. BLC provides community
and educational services including a free after school and
summer program called B.L.A.S.T. (Banner Lake After School
Time) for children ages 5 to 18 as well as a new academy for
students in kindergarten through third grade. BLC also has
a teen program, a food pantry, community café, soup kitchen
and a senior meals program that delivers meals to qualifying
The Heart of Hobe Sound (772) 402-5167, email office@bannerlake.org, or follow
Est. 1926 seniors. For more information visit bannerlake.org, call
them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bannerlakeclub.

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