The Loxahatchee River Historical Society (LRHS) held it's annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon April 21, at Admiral's Cove Country Club. The Bessie DuBois Award is given each year in recognition and gratitude for outstanding contributions to the community and the Society. This year the award was presented by Congressman Tim Mahoney and Congressman Ron Klein to Society volunteers, Red and Marylou Shirar. "Individuals who are dedicated to preserving our past on behalf of future generations are honored with this prestigious award," says Jamie Stuve, LRHS Executive Director. The luncheon was graciously hosted by LRHS Board Member, Joan Hudiburg.

Congressmen Mahoney and Klein thanked LRHS volunteers for their dedication and service to the Society and for the work they do to preserve history and take care of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Congressman Mahoney gave an update on the Federal Legislation naming the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and surrounding 126 acres as "Outstanding Natural Area." Congressman Klein presented the volunteers with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition and spoke about the significance of this designation and the important role the volunteers have played and continue to play preserving our area's history.

The Shirars have been volunteering for the Society for over fifteen years. Visitors to the Lighthouse & Museum are greeted by Marylou in the gift shop while Red conducts lighthouse tours. Red, President of the Society's Docent Organization, and Marylou coordinate annual Society Docent field trips, monthly Docent meetings and the Docent newsletter. They also serve on the LRHS Board of Directors and continually give of their time and talents to special events and fundraisers. Many visitors and school children have directly benefited from their tireless efforts to preserve and teach our local history. "It's always a pleasure to be honored by the people you work with, especially when it's a beneficial project for the community and the future. ...it takes all of us to do it," says Marylou. Red remembered when he was teaching in Jupiter that Bessie DuBois used to come and teach local history while her husband, John, would run the slideshow. "Marylou became involved with the Loxahatchee Guild and then got me into helping out with different events," states Red. Today they are the recipients of the honor that bears her name.

Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus spoke to the attendees and presented a special Cooperative Conservation Award on behalf of the Society to Faye Winters, Bureau of Land Management Field Biologist. Winters was instrumental in creating the Jupiter Inlet Working Group, bringing together all levels of government agencies and the LRHS to cooperatively manage the JILONA acreage surrounding the lighthouse. Winters also worked with Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management on the environmental restoration of the north property and the creation of wetlands.

Town of Jupiter Vice Mayor Wendy Harrison, guest speaker at the luncheon, applauded the work accomplished by Society volunteers acknowledging that there would not be a restored lighthouse open to the public if it were not for them. She recalled the days when the lighthouse was open one day a year and folks stood in line all day just for the opportunity to climb to the top. "Now the lighthouse is open six days and week and we have the Society volunteers to thank for that," brimmed Harrison. She spoke of the preservation of historical buildings at the site - the World War II Museum building, the Lighthouse and the Tindall Pioneer Homestead Exhibit currently being installed. "But they would just be empty shells if there were not people to interpret the history and tell visitors the stories of the Loxahatchee River," said Harrison. The Vice Mayor praised the Society volunteers for bringing that history to life and for adding their personal touch to the tours and exhibits.

Closing the luncheon, Roger Buckwalter, LRHS Board Chairman and Leslie Cook, Loxahatchee Guild President presented Board Member Skip Gladwin with a special Appreciation Award. Gladwin was thanked for his dedication and oversight moving the Tindall Pioneer Home to its current site and the construction of the kitchen building next to it. Nature landscaping is also being installed. The exhibit will feature pioneer life along the Loxahatchee. The Loxahatchee River Historical Society operates the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum and the DuBois Pioneer Home. For more information on the Society or volunteering, visit www.jupiterlighthouse.org or call 561-747-8380.