By Herman Santa

Pass board of directors were presented awards while hosting their annual general assembly on Saturday, Jan. 21, at a private clubhouse in Port St. Lucie. 

Last year directors were: President; Mary Figliola, Vice President; Kathy Rivera, Treasurer; Nora Candelario, Secretary; Nancy Rozon, and Director; Karen Diamond were presented with their awards for their dedication and service for the club..  Also honored was Jimmy Rivera.

Congratulation to each and every one of them, they deserve their awards for their hard work.  They are the reason the Spanish American Club, Inc. is one of the best social club on the Treasure Coast.

(Left) Nancy Rozon receiving a picture plaque from Mary Figliola

Jimmy Rivera receiving a picture for his wife Kathy Rivera from Mary Figliola

(Left) Nora Candelarion receiving a picture plaque from Mary Figliola

Karen Diamond shoing her picture plaque

Herman Santa presenting a picture plaque to outgoing President Mary Figliola

Distinguished member award 2012

This year’s Distinguished Member Award winner is Jimmy Rivera.  The purpose of this award is to recognize a member who has shown exceptionally meritorious service for the club and whose performance and involvement have been extraordinary, unselfish and consistent in the areas for helping the directors, the members and helping the club.

Jimmy Rivera receiving a picture for his wife Kathy Rivera from Mary Figliola

By Herman Santa

L to R: (Back Row) Lionel Román, Herman Santa and Reinaldo Matías. (Front Row) Isa Bryson, Nancy Rozon and Nora Candelario

On Saturday, January 21,2012, the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. helds its Annual General Assembly in Port St. Lucie.

The new Board of Directors are: Herman Santa; president, Lionel Román; Vice President, Isa Bryson; Treasurer, Reinaldo Matias; Secretary and Nora Candelario; Vocal/Director.

Herman Santa was born in Ciales, Puerto Rico.  He worked as in inspector for 20 years and retired from Martin County Building Department in 2007.  He also worked for 20 years as an inspector at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft. 

He has a son Gustavo Santa and a daughter May Santa and has three grand children.  He moved with his wife Lucy from Glastonbury, Connecticut in 1986 to Jensen Beach, Florida.

Congratulations to the new board.  The members are looking forward to a great 2012 and the celebration of the 20^th Anniversary this year.

More information about the new directors later

By Herman Santa

The Spanish American Club, Inc. annual General Assembly to elect new directors was held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at a private clubhouse in Port St. Lucie.

More than 60 members and their guests were in attendance for the party.  They celebrated after the election of the new board for fiscal year 2012 with awards, good food, drinks and door prizes while dancing with the rhythm of D.J. José Ramirez into the late night hours.

Guests attending were: Barry and Rachel O’Conner, Thomas Burger, Jose and Gloria Ramirez, Ernesto and Silvia Suarez, Lilian Cruz, Patrick and Carly Wehrly

The new Board of Directors are: Herman Santa; president, Lionel Román; vice president, Isa Bryson; Treasurer, Reinaldo Matias; secretary, Nancy Rozon; Public Relations and Nora Candelario; Director.  Congratulations to the new board.  The members are looking forward to a great 2012 and the celebration of the 20^th Anniversary this year.

All those with birthdays during the month of December and January were asked to stand near the birthday cake while the DJ played the “Happy Birthday” song.  Among them were: Jimmy Rivera, Virginia Feliciano, Mary Figliola, Nereida Pellot, Rai Matias, Nilda Betancourt and Joe Castro.

There was one 50/50 winner, a hat dance contest winner and 5 door prize winners.   The 50/50 winner was Mary Figliola and and the hat dance contest winner was Nerida Pellot.  Door prize winners: Al Manzanares, Lilian Cruz, Thomas Burger, Al Feliciano, Gladys Piñeiro.

Many thanks to the previous board of directors who donated the door prizes and those who helped with the decoration, the set ups and planned the event. The new board extends its thanks to generous members and their guests who bought tickets for the 50/50 raffle and for the door prizes. 

The Spanish American Club, Inc. is a not-for-profit social organization comprised of members in Martin and St. Lucie who are dedicated to the promotion and preserve the Hispanic heritage on the Treasure Coast.

Our next event has been schedule for the month of February to celebrate Mardi Gras.  Date, location and time are not available yet.

D.J. José Ramírez singing the song "El Rey" during the celebration of the annual general assembly

L to R: Al Manzanares, Lilian Cruz, Thomas Burger, Al Feliciano, Gladys Piñeiro and Mary Figliola door prize winners

L to R: Nilda Betancourt, Nereida Pellot, Mary Figliola, Jimmy Rivera, Rei Matias, Joe Castro and Virginia Feliciano celebarting their birthdays

By Herman Santa

Paella, wine and Latin music, that’s what the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. and their guests enjoyed last Saturday, November 19, to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday at Tapas Latin Fusion in Stuart.

Among the members and their guests were: Ron and Isa Bryson, Marcel and Zipy Cartagena, Jaime and Clara Rojas, Herman and Lucy Santa, Dana and Mireya Kaiser, Leonides and Nilda Perez, Ivan and Xiomara Guanill, José and Gloria Ramírez, Julio Reyes and Sandra Salas, Jack Israel and Sara Mesco, Raul Ruiz and Roberta Linares, Augusto and Alma Ferreira, Carly Wehrly, Berta Pérez, Gloria Wright, Lisa Garcia, Ivan Muñoz, Dan Shea, Clara Arango and Rosa Morán.

We began the evening with cocktails during the “Happy Hour” and then enjoyed paellas (Paella de mariscos – Shrimp/Squid/Mussels/Scallops.) David Rodriguez, chef and owner of the restaurant prepared 6 “Paelleras” for us which included a bottle of wine for two, salad and dessert.

During the dinner, Hungarian guitarist Frankie Holiday entertained us with his beautiful flamenco melodies. Then D.J. Joe V. Shari Tessier took over with music for dancing.

The Highlight of the night was José Ramirez who sang a few ballads and Roberta Linares who danced flamenco before every one came to the dance floor.

There probably is no better place on the Treasure Coast to celebrate with a group for a special occasion or a get together. A big thank to David and his assistant Greg for reserving the big room for us. We had a great time. The group is planning another get together soon.

Isa Bryson (Left) and Carly Wehrly enjoying the party

L to R: Ivan Muñoz, Gloria Wright, Dan Shea and Lisa Garcia

Flamenco dance Roberta Linares

By Herman Santa

Paella, wine and Latin music, that’s what the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. and their guests enjoyed last Saturday, November 19, to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday at Tapas Latin Fusion in Stuart.

We began the evening with cocktails during the “Happy Hour” and then enjoyed paellas (Paella de mariscos – Shrimp/Squid/Mussels/Scallops.) David Rodriguez, chef and owner of the restaurant prepared 6 “Paelleras” for us which included a bottle of wine for two, salad and dessert.

During the dinner, Hungarian guitarist Frankie Holiday entertained us with his beautiful flamenco melodies. Then D.J. Joe V. Shari Tessier took over with music for dancing.

The Highlight of the night was José Ramirez who sang a few ballads and Roberta Linares who danced flamenco before every one came to the dance floor.

L to R: Jaime Rojas, Lucy Santa, Clara Rojas and Herman Santa

Guitarist Frankie Holiday and Singer José Ramírez

By Herman Santa

Paella, wine and Latin music, that’s what the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. and their guests enjoyed last Saturday, November 19, to k

We began the evening with cocktails during the “Happy Hour” and then enjoyed paellas (Paella de mariscos – Shrimp/Squid/Mussels/Scallops.) David Rodriguez, chef and owner of the restaurant prepared 6 “Paelleras” for us which included a bottle of wine for two, salad and dessert.

ick off the Thanksgiving holiday at Tapas Latin Fusion in Stuart.

D.J. Joe V. Shari Tessier from Infinite Entertainment & 14th Ave Dance Studio

L to R: Dana Kaiser, Isa Bryson, Clara Rojas, Jaime Rojas, Greg (Assistant Manager of Tapas), Clara Arango, Blanca Mireya Kaiser, Frankie Holiday, Herman Santa, Raul Ruíz, Iris Garcia, and Roberta Linares

By Herman Santa

On Saturday, November 5, 2011, some members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. dined and danced at the “Royal Party” at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Port St. Lucie West.

After the dinner the members enjoyed a hat parade presented by “Grupo de Oraciones” and a performance of the local singer Alejandro”.  The elegant hat competition was coordinated by Carly Wehrly.  Alejandro sang a few songs for the audience.  After the show the guests danced with the music of D.J. José Ramirez until 11 P.M.  

The food was delicious, the show and the singers were great.  Proceed
of the party went to the “Baby Jesus Birthday Party” in December.

L to R: Unidentified guest, Mary Figliola, Ron Bryson, Kathy Rivera, Xiomara Guanill and undientified guest.

L to R: Al Feliciano, Virginia Feliciano, Mary Figliola and Kathy Rivera

L to R: Lionel Roman, Mercy Roman, Isa Bryson, Ron Bryson, Herman Santa and Lucy Santa

By Herman Santa

On Saturday, January 23 the members of the Spanish American Club, Inc. (SACI) celebrated the Three Kings Day after the election of the new board at the Plantation House in Port St. Lucie.

DJ Adan Mendoza

Dick and Diana Sperl dancing with the beat of Adan Mendoza Sound

Back Row: Diana Sperl, Kathy Rivera and Nora Candelario. Front Row: Joe Abbate and Alicia Abbate

By Herman Santa

The members of the Spanish American Club, Inc.  celebrated “Father’s Day at the annual picnic of the club on Saturday, June 20, 2009.

Over 60 members, families attended  picnic.  The weather was perfect for an outdoor event.  Lots of food, music, games and laughs were had by all.

Back RowL Victor Ocasio and Robert Candelario. Front Row: Delia Diaz and unidentified guest

L to R: Jimmy Rivera, Maria Lopez, Andrea Lopez and Nora Candelario waiting for Jimmy to pass the hambergers

L to R: Al Feliciano, Virginia Feliciano, Kristal Cifuentes and Lila Cifuentes