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YourHub.com \\ Port St Lucie \\ Stories \\ Non-profit Organizations \\ Social Events

Saint Lucie River DAR Celebrates 25 Years

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Contributed by: Montell Truitt on 10/23/2009

The Saint Lucie River Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution held its October 14th meeting and luncheon at the Port St. Lucie Holiday Inn. Regent Mary Lou Piacesi called the meeting to order and welcomed guest Lynn Ann White from Halpatiokee Chapter in Stuart. National Defense Chairman, Joan Sells spoke about three DAR women's dedication to improving the health and wellness of women, Dr. Dillon, M.D., Peggy Doheny, PH.D, April Sandmeyer. After the business reports and the Oath of Membership was administered to new member Angela Stotz, lunch was served and later everyone gathered around the birthday cake to sing Happy Birthday. Commemorative gifts were given to all.

Our guest speaker, Florida State Program Chairman, Past Honorary Regent and member of Halpatiokee Chapter Roberta Hoffman spoke on the history of our chapter. The name of the chapter was chosen in honor of the St. Lucie River. The Spanish Explorer Menendez named the river 'Santa Lucia'. A Spanish map dated in 1605 identified the location as somewhere around Jensen Beach, Sewalls Point or Jupiter. Pirates found the river a restful haven and early settlers found the area as the most beautiful place they had seen, yet it remained unsettled because of hostility by the Indians.

Through French and Spanish influence, the original Spanish "Santa Lucia" eventually became the "St. Lucie River." The Saint Lucie River Chapter was organized October 6, 1984 by Organizing Regent Martha York Clements and other Halpatiokee members who had planned to organize a chapter north of the St. Lucie River. Martha was a Regent of the Halpatiokee Chapter in 1982-1984. The July 1, 1984 Ft. Pierce News Tribune presented a bold headine, 'The Daughters are Coming!'. The article reads, 'As we enter the week in which this country's independence is celebrated, it seems appropriate to announce that the Daughters of the American Revolution are coming to Port St. Lucie. NSDAR established the chapter June 8, 1984. Additional publicity features Martha York Clements receiving the Proclamation for Constitution Week from the then Port St. Lucie Mayor William McChesney. We became the states 100th chapter on October 3, 1984 with State Regent Elizabeth Foster of Tallahassee presenting an engraved gavel to the chapter in commemoration of the occasion.

Five of the original organizing members who remain members are: Martha York Clements, Regent 1984-1986, 1990-1992, Martha Baker, Lois Weaver, Regent, 1988-1990. Lorraine McCallister (Retired Navy Veteran) and her daughter Cynthia McCallister.

The chapter has marched in parades, raised funds for veterans, sponsored school essays, scholarships and ROTC awards, planted trees at schools and gave the Conservation medal and certificate to Dr. Carol Noon, former Founder and Director of Save the Chimps center in Fort Pierce. We traveled to the center several times donating, food, blankets and toys to the chimps.

We have suffered the loss of 40 members and have placed books in honor of each of them in the Morningside Library.

We are proud of our accomplishents through the 25 years of history.

Montell Truitt
Publicity Chairman

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