Page 4 - Martin Downs Bulletin - September '22

Page 4, Martin Downs

Club News

Explore Loxahatchee history programs. Torres is a member of the South presentations in four simultaneous sessions ranging from

History And Family Trees Florida Archaeological Society and serves as a Heritage pursuing colonial ancestors and using DNA technology
Monitoring Scout for Florida Public Archeology Network.
to researching German, Irish and Italian ancestors and
With The Martin County Chessy Ricca, a Palm Beach County native, is vice American lineage societies. Lunch and dessert will be
offered. Free and open to the public, the fair will run
president of the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists
Genealogical Society board. Preserving and interpreting Florida history is her from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Nov. 5 at the Family
paramount goal as a historian. Her training ranges from History Center, 2401 S.W. Matheson Avenue, Palm City.
Understanding the Second Seminole War, specifically 16th century Spanish Florida and paleography to modern Preregistration is suggested at mcgsfl.org or by emailing
the 1838 Battle of the Loxahatchee, is critical to Florida in the 20th century. With a Bachelor of Arts in mcgsfl@gmail.com.
interpreting our local history, some of which has been Fine Art and a Master of Arts in Florida History, Ricca is The Genealogical Society offers a variety of services
obscured for nearly 200 years. At the Martin County currently completing her Master of Arts in Florida Studies at the Genealogy Room in the Blake Library in Stuart
Genealogical Society’s (MCGS) October meeting, Holly at the University of Southern Florida St. Petersburg. including an extensive research library, access to
Torres, and Chessy Ricca, representing the Loxahatchee Looking ahead to November, MCGS will host a Family several genealogy websites and assistance from MCGS
Battlefield Preservationists, will explain the Seminoles’ History Fair in partnership with the Church of Jesus volunteers. For more information about membership,
journey and the role they played in this event. Learn Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Palm City. There will be 18 activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.
about the Seminole leaders, the weaponry they used and
the children who were present during the battle.
Free and open to the public, the meeting will be at the White Shirt Night from page 1
Elliott Museum, 825 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart from 1 to
3 p.m., Friday, Oct. 21. To participate via Zoom, go to All proceeds from White Shirt Night benefit Helping
mcgsfl.org and register by Oct. 20. Regular admission People Succeed’s Camp Success, a free therapeutic
is required to tour the Elliott Museum which is free to summer camp led by master’s level therapists for children
museum members. 6 to 12 years of age. The camp is available to families
Serving her third term as president of the board of who fall below the federal poverty line. Each year, kids
directors of the Loxahatchee Battlefield Preservationists, embrace this eight-week camp as an incredible cultural
Texas native Holly Torres has a deep connection to the and educational experience – one that they wouldn’t have
past and ancient native cultures. She shares her passion otherwise.
with the public through the Preservationists’ immersive Helping People Succeed is a local nonprofit that has been
serving the Treasure Coast for over 58 years. Through its
Business diversified, effective program services, the most vulnerable Marcia Benson, Lori and Ben Posdal, and Lou Benson
local children, families and adults have been able to improve
their lives through education, counseling, training and
employment.
spotlight To learn more, visit www.hpsfl.org.
Photos by Cara Rose DeMichael

Kelley Decowski Joins EFMC
Board

By Jackie Holfelder
Kelley Decowski, an
award-winning realtor
at RE/MAX of Stuart,
has joined the board of
directors of the Education
Foundation of Martin
County (EFMC). Maureen DeThorne, Kathy Lowery, Jenny Yingling and
Lisa Rhodes, executive Ken Fajardo, Melanie Douglas, Cheri and Pat Vancura Amanda Yingling
director of the nonprofit
shared news that the
Palm City resident has
become part of the team
that enriches and enhances Kelley Decowski. Provided
educational opportunities by Education Foundation of
for all students and Martin County
teachers in the Martin
County School District, through effective fundraising
efforts, positive collaborative partnerships, innovative
programming, and efficient allocation of resources.
Decowski is a product of the Martin County School
District, graduating from Martin County High School
in 1993. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in
Beth and Ward Williams Conchita and Jose Valecillo Mary Frasier and Deb Harsh
Business Spotlight on page 5

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