“ghosts of fort pierce past” historic walking tours · 2 main street focus october 2015 october...

Main Street Focus122 AE Backus Ave.Fort Pierce, FL 34950

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Volume 11, No. 3 October, 2015

“Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic Walking Tours

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2 MAIN STREET FOCUS OCTOBER 2015 OCTOBER 2015 MAIN STREET FOCUS 3

I look forward to October. It means

cooler days and nights and my favor-

ite Main Street Fort Pierce event “The

Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic

Walking Tours. Join us on Wednesday,

October 28, for this one night historic

event. We are always adding new characters and stops to the

Ghost Walk. The historic tours continue to get bigger and bet-

ter every year.

The Historic Trolley Tours of Downtown Fort Pierce, the

Lincoln Park District and the Sunrise Theatre will resume in

November. Tours have been a great success thanks to Mayor

Linda Hudson, Mike Reals at the City of Fort Pierce Public

Works Department and John Wilkes at the Sunrise Theatre.

To date, we’ve had over 800 folks take the tours. Visit our web-

site to find a date that works for you – www.mainstreetfort-

pierce.org or call us at (772) 466-3880.

Other events this month include Friday Fest on Friday, Octo-

ber 2nd on Melody Lane. The band is the River Dawgs. Coffee

with the Mayor will be held on Friday, October 16th at 8:00

a.m. It is now being held at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club located

at 700 North Indian River Drive in Fort Pierce. Golf enthu-

siasts will enjoy the Main Street Golf Tournament at Gator

Trace Country Club on Saturday, October 24th.

Main Street Fort Pierce holds over 30 events each year. This

helps us to renovate and refurbish historic buildings like the

Sunrise Theatre, Historic City Hall, and the Platts/Backus

House. Main Street Fort Pierce is committed to preserving the

past, enriching the future, and making our community the best

place possible to live, work, and play!

Remember to shop and dine locally in beautiful, historic, Down-

town Fort Pierce! ❖

by Sue Dannahower

Happy Halloween!

Sue DannahowerPresident

Britt ReynoldsVice President

Patty CraftSecretary

Dave MillerTreasurer

Doris TillmanManager

Pam GilletteMarketing Manager

Mimi EwanFinance

Board of Directors

Phone: 772.466.3880 • www.mainstreetfortpierce.org

Staff

Pat AlleyEddie Becht

Patti CraftDana McSweeney

Michelle Miller-MorrisAnne Satterlee

Donna Sizemore

2014 – 2015Officers, Board of Directors & Staff

Volume 11, No. 3 October 2015

Publisher Main Street Fort Pierce Inc.

Editor Joanne Blandford

Advertising Director Main Street Fort Pierce Inc.

Graphic Design Susan M. Roberts

Contributing Writers Joanne Blandford, Sue Dannahower, Pam Gillette, Michael Howard, Mayor Linda Hudson, Debra Magrann, Anne Satterlee, Holly Theuns, Doris Tillman

Photography John Culverhouse, Mary Ann KetchamCopyright © 2015 Main Street Focus Inc. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Main Street Fort Pierce. Contents may not be reproduced without prior written permission of Main Street Fort Pierce Inc., 122 AE Backus Ave., Fort Pierce, FL 34950. PHONE 772-466-3880 • FAX 772-466-3917 • [email protected].

WITH THE MAYOR

Friday, October 16, at 8:00 a.m.

New Location!Fort Pierce Yacht Club

700 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce

Mayor Linda Hudson invites you to join her for Community News, Special

Announcements, Complementary Coffee, Orchid Island Juice, Breakfast Treats, and more!

Fort Pierce Coffee

with the Mayor

HOSTED BYFort Pierce Yacht Club, Main Street Fort Pierce,

Orchid Island Juice Company, and The City of Fort Pierce. Call Main

Street Fort Pierce for more information at

772-466-3880.

Sponsored by

Tell us what you want tomorrow

to bring.

(772) 672-5125 | (888) 767-7570101 North U.S. Highway 1, Suite 120

Fort Pierce, Florida 34950

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com

Michael L. Dillman Vice President/Investments

Stocks | Bonds | Mutual Funds | Insurance | Annuities | CDs Money Market Funds | Financial Planning| Retirement Plans

UITs | Managed Accounts | Estate Planning

F. Earl Campbell Vice President/Investments

J. Jeffrey Cook, AAMS® Associate Vice President/Investments


CalendarMONTHLY EVENTS

October 2, Friday: Friday Fest — 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.; Live music by River Dawgs; Main Street Fort Pierce, 466-3880; www.mainstreetfortpierce.org

October 5, Monday: The Cake Lady’s 1st Monday Girl’s Night Out — Learn cupcake decorating techniques. All materials included, as is wine and appetizers. Please register in advance. $35 per person, all inclusive; 772-242-8128.

October 8, Thursday: Bike Night — 2nd Thursday of every month; Located at the Fort Pierce City Marina between Cobb’s Landing and the Original Tiki Bar; live music @ 6 p.m.; originaltikibar.com or 461-0880.

October 9, Friday: John Cleese & Eric Idle — 8:00 p.m. at Sunrise Theatre; tickets $110/$90; sunrisetheatre.com or 461-4775.

October 14, Wednesday: Art Walk — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Art Mundo Open Studio at 111 Orange Avenue, 772-766-0021, www.artmundo.org.; The Art House at 108 N 2nd Street, 404-641-4875, www.thearthouseftpierce.com.

October 16, Friday: Coffee With the Mayor — 8:00 a.m. at Fort Pierce Yacht Club; sponsored by Voices for the Children of Okeechobee; Main Street Fort Pierce, 466-3880; www.mainstreetfortpierce.org.

October 24, Saturday: Main Street Golf Tournament — 8:00 a.m. at Gator Trace Golf & Country Club; Main Street Fort Pierce, 466-3880; www.mainstreetfortpierce.org

October 28, Wednesday: Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past Historic Walking Tours — 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; three tours; reservations required; Main Street Fort Pierce, 466-3880; www.mainstreetfortpierce.org.

WEEKLY EVENTS

Tuesdays: Jazz Jam at the Sunrise Black Box Theatre — 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.; 460-5299.

Wednesdays: Wednesday Green Market — Rain or Shine 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., Downtown Marina Square; 971-8480.

Saturdays: The Jazz Market — 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; north side of the Downtown Fort Pierce Library; Jazz & Blues Society, 460-5299, www.jazzsociety.org.

Saturdays: Ft. Pierce Farmer’s Market — 8:00 a.m. to Noon; Marina Square on Melody Lane; Market Manager, 940-1145.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

A.E. Backus Museum772-465-0630

www.backusmuseum.com

The Art House404-641-4875

www.thearthouseftpierce.com

Art Mundo772-466-1010

www.artmundo.org

Downtown Fort Pierce Library772-462-2787

www.st-lucie.lib.fl.us

Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society772-460-5299

www.jazzsociety.org

Fort Pierce Police Athletic League 772-370-6162

www.fortpiercepal.comVolunteers needed: 772-466-0606

Fort Pierce RiverWalk Center772-489-6473

www.cityoffortpierce.com

Heathcote Botanical Gardens772-464-4672

www.heathcotebotanicalgardens.org

Manatee Observation & Education Center772-466-1600

www.manateecenter.com

St. Lucie County Aquarium772-462-3474

www.stlucieco.gov/marine_center

St. Lucie County Regional History Center772-462-1795

www.stlucieco.gov/history

Sunrise Theatre 772461-4775

www.sunrisetheatre.com

Sunrise Theatre’s Black Box772-461-4775

www.sunrisetheatre.com

Save the Date – 6th Annual “Reflections of the Future”

by Sue Dannahower

You won’t want to miss this unique

Christmas shopping opportunity. The 6th Annual “Reflections of the Future” will

feature five diverse, local artists. The show

is spearheaded by Anita Prentice, a cele-

brated Mosaic artist. In addition to Anita you will find won-

derful works of art by clay artist, Ginny Piech Street, oil and

acrylic artist, Julie Loundibos, landscape artist, George Rowe

and abstract artist, Leslie Stokes.

The Artist Reception will be held on Thursday, November

12, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you can’t attend the re-

ception on Thursday, there is a final opportunity to view and

purchase art during the 3-Hour Last Chance Sale on Friday, No-

vember 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mark your calendar

for this spectacular art presentation and opportunity to own a

unique piece of art from local artists. ❖

Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Celebrates

Public Power Week In conjunction with Main Street Fort Pierce’s Friday Fest

on October 2, 2015 and in honor of Public Power Week, Fort

Pierce Utilities Authority will have several vehicles, equip-

ment and personnel available to talk about what we do and

how we keep the lights on in Fort Pierce. Public Power Week

honors all the men and the women of FPUA that work count-

less hours “to provide customers with economical, reliable, and

friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of

life in our community.” ❖

http://www.jazzsociety.org

http://www.fortpiercepal.com


Ghost Lightby Joanne Blandford

A warm ocean breeze lifts the branches of the palm trees that

line the sidewalk as the neon lights of the marquee flicker off for

the evening. Streetlights illuminate the deserted street and cast

shadows on the surrounding buildings. The energy and activity

of the day fades to virtual stillness. He watches these events

night after night from three stories above in his favorite spot,

a room that was once an apartment in the Sunrise Theatre.

From there he can see the calm waters of the Indian River and

he smiles at past memories. He has witnessed a lot, both while

he was living and after.

He knows he is not alone this evening. There are a few more

spirits that occupy different areas of the building. He doesn’t

mind as long as they stay out of “his” apartment. He generally

keeps to himself and doesn’t cause problems but he did have

a bit of fun with ghost hunters a few years back. They stayed

overnight to monitor the happenings throughout the building.

He had a grand time examining the equipment they had set

up in the apartment. It was so different from the old projector

located in the balcony for all those years. He caused a stir when

he kept turning the recording device off.

He is pretty sure there is a ghost or two from the World

War II era lingering around downstairs. That was a time of

great emotions. Thousands of soldiers trained on the barrier

islands across the Indian River. These men would come to

town during their “liberty” time and many would enjoy a show

at the Sunrise. Many brought dates to the Sunrise and some

returned to marry the girls they met here in town. Others never

got the chance and he believes at least one of these guys came

back to this place to relive happier times.

He enjoys the sounds of applause from the auditorium

on busy nights. It reminds him of the days when excited

children came bounding in to watch Saturday morning

matinées. Even though the Sunrise was built during the

Vaudeville Era it was quickly converted to a movie theater

once the “talkies” came out. There was a time when it was

one of the only places around that was air-conditioned.

Nowadays folks take that for granted.

Some nights he drifts down the maze of hallways to the stage.

There the ghost light glows and its light billows outward to-

ward the seats. He is happy here. He spent many lonely years

lingering around when the building sat empty. He watched her

seats rot and her façade crumble. Now he is rarely alone, espe-

cially after great performances such as the one that took place

earlier this evening. Tonight the Sunrise is full of energy. ❖


Whimsy Fort PierceProud supporter of

Main Street Fort Pierce

Visit Whimsy for fresh new styles and all your fashion needs

521 North Second Street • Located 2 blocks South of Seaway Drive in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce • Open 10 am to 4 pm Mon – Sat

772-882-4397 • www.whimsyclothing.com

The Unique Chic Boutique That Everyone Can Afford!

Present this ad for 20% OFF any one clothing item(Excludes sale items — cannot

be combined with other discounts)

Main Street Halloween Golf Tournamentby Pam Gillette

The mist rises off the manicured

fairways and greens as the sun comes

up to shine on Main Street Fort Pierce’s 7th Annual Halloween Golf Tournament. There is no better

way to start the day than on the golf

course. Gator Trace Golf & Country

Club would like all golfers to come

out and play for a great cause — Main Street Fort Pierce.

The tournament will be held on

Saturday, October 24th. The day starts

with registration at 7:30 a.m., a conti-

nental breakfast and a beverage of your

choice. Golf begins at 8:30 a.m. with

a shotgun start. Prizes will be awarded

for men and women closest to the pin

and the longest drives as well as 1st,

2nd, and third place teams.

The cost is $75 per player or $300

per team. Your entry fee will include a

continental breakfast, a round of golf,

lunch and raffle prizes. Every golfer

will walk away with a goody bag and a

gift from one of our sponsors. Are you

a good putter? Every year, Main Street holds a putting contest to see who is

the best putter at the tournament. For

a small donation you will get three

chances to putt your ball through a

special layout for a great prize.

Sponsorship opportunities are

still available and tombstones will

be set up around the course ready

to add your business name as a tee or green sponsor.

Call the Main Street Fort Pierce office at 466-3880 to

sign up your team, get a tombstone sign or be a sponsor

for the Halloween Golf Tournament. Sponsors of the

tournament as of printing are Budweiser and Waste

Management of FL, Inc. ❖


The Fort Pierce Sunrise Kiwanis Fall Beer Pairingby Karl Guettler

Who doesn’t like an ice-

cold beer and good food? It

is even better when you put

the right food together with

a great beer. On Thursday,

October 15th at 6:30 p.m.,

the Fort Pierce Sunrise Ki-

wanis is hosting a beer pair-

ing and five course dinner to

be held at Cobb’s Landing

at 200 N. Indian River Drive

in Fort Pierce.

The Fort Pierce Sunrise Kiwanis Club has been a charter

member of Kiwanis International for 34 years. Their mem-

bership is made up of approximately 25 members, both male

and female, whose focus is to make a difference in the lives

of local youth in the community and for the community as

a whole. They are a service organization and their member-

ship ranges from individuals who are early in their career, mid-

career, to retirees.

For the past 24 years Sunrise Kiwanis has partnered with

Main Street Fort Pierce and provided leadership, volun-

teer labor, and assistance in the coordination of the annual

Sights and Sounds Christmas Parade and tree lighting in

downtown Fort Pierce. They also sponsor the educational

exhibits at the St. Lucie County Fair and provide financial

support to many other groups and organizations including

WPSL’S Christmas Kids program, IRSC’s President Chal-

lenge Scholarship program, Florida Sheriff Youth Ranch,

and many other needy organizations.

The Club’s major fundraiser is a golf tournament held an-

nually in June at the Legacy Golf and Tennis Club in PGA

Village. Other fundraisers

such as a wine pairing and a

beer pairing are held to sup-

plement the proceeds of the

golf tournament and enable

the Club to provide addition-

al support to the community.

Cobb’s Landing has been

a great partner for the Fort

Pierce Sunrise Kiwanis

Club. The Club meets every

Thursday morning (except

holidays) at 7:30 a.m. at Cobb’s Landing next to the Fort

Pierce Marina where members can enjoy their breakfast and

watch the sunrise. They are also the host for the Beer Pairing.

This year’s pairing will feature a fall season inspired menu

paired along with the season’s best craft beers. The 5-course

menu includes: Ranchero Braised Brisket over Arepa with

homemade pickles, whipped feta and micro greens; Lobster

Mac-and-Cheese topped with Arugula, Tomato and Truffle

Oil; Potato, Beer and Cheese Soup topped with Mustard Pret-

zels; Mushroom Stuffed Ravioli, Blue Cheese Cream sauce with

a Walnut, Apple and Watercress Salad; Stout-Infused Choco-

late Cupcakes Topped with Buttercream, Beer Salted Caramel

Sauce, White Chocolate Pretzel and Chili Bacon Stick.

The tickets for the beer pairing are $60 and reservations are

required. All proceeds from the beer pairing will go to help the

children of St Lucie County through the education founda-

tion, IRSC and directly to local schools.

For information on the Beer Pairing or ticket information

please contact Jimmy Burchard at 872 519-1573 or visit Face-

Book page at www.Facebook.com/FPSunrisekiwanis. ❖


question just how hard it is to paint

a palm tree, take a tour of the Mu-

seum’s collection of Backus paint-

ings and then compare his palms

to those of other artists. Backus’s

palms are like no others, they are

alive with color and motion. When

viewing a Backus painting, one can

hear the fronds rustle in the wind

and the mosquitos buzzing around

your head. They are unlike the stiff, broom-like palms one

often sees in lesser works. The Museum’s entry sculpture pays

homage to the Dean of Florida Landscape Painting with this

emblematic entry sculpture.

The Sabal Palm, also known as a Cabbage Palm, Sabal

Palmetto or Cabbage Palmetto was designated the State Tree

of Florida in 1970. They are found as far north as Cape Fear,

North Carolina, along the southeastern coast of the United

States and throughout the Caribbean. Beloved by locals for

their tasty heart, which is commonly

called swamp cabbage, Sabal Palms

are one of the most prevalent species

of trees in Florida. Unfortunately it

is currently under siege by an incur-

able phytoplasm. Perhaps you have

noticed the increasing number of

dead Sabal Palms around the area?

Imagine what it would look like

to travel down South Indian River

Drive without Sabal Palms. They are a part of the landscape

that we take for granted, like a pair of comfortable shoes.

The City’s planning and engineering staff as well as their

fabulous Public Works Department are facilitating the

Sabal Sentinels project. Glo-Master signs is collaborating

with the Museum’s design team to facilitate the installation

of the digital signage. Once completed, the sculpture and

the sign will serve to welcome people to downtown’s premier

waterfront cultural destination. ❖

Sabal Sentinels Standing Sentry Soonby Kathleen Fredrick, Executive Director, A.E. Backus Museum & Gallery

As the first part of a long anticipated expansion and rei-

magining of the Backus Museum & Gallery, a monumental

sculpture, designed by artist Pat Cochran of Shadetree Studio

and landscape architect, Lisa R. Nelson, is slated for installation

during the first week of December. The sculpture will serve as

the supporting element of a high definition, state-of-the-art,

digital sign that will be suspended between the two cast-con-

crete palms. Capable of displaying both artwork and messaging

with a television-like clarity and fluidity, both the sign and the

sculpture will be the first of their kind in St. Lucie County.

The Sabal Sentinel sculpture will stand at just over twenty

feet at its highest and is designed to be in proportion to the

array of palms currently flanking the entrance to the parking

area and the sidewalk leading to the River Walk promenade.

Constructed of integrally tinted, cast-concrete trunks and

boots and adorned with fronds of fabricated aluminum, the

two palms will create a landmark for the City and a compel-

ling invitation to Museum visitors, tourists and passersby to

explore the Museum, the waterfront park’s attractions and to

connect with and discover the Indian River Lagoon.

The dozens of aluminum fronds needed to create a realistic

palm canopy are already under construction at Shadetree

Studio, tucked beneath a shady oak on the edge of Old

Dixie Highway in St. Lucie Village. Artist Pat Cochran, is no

stranger to creating monumental sculptures in the City; His

show-stopping piece, “Leap of Faith,” graces City Hall’s entry

plaza. While this piece will be more organic in appearance,

with the sculptural fronds modeled upon actual fronds —

each a slightly different shape to create a natural feel — it will

still be a dramatic showcase of Cochran’s artistic talent and

imagination. Actual trees are being used to create the molds

for the sculpture’s trunks and boots. For those unfamiliar with

Sabal Palm anatomy, the boots are the flared wood-like pieces

left attached to the trunk after fronds have broken away. Fiber

optic lighting will illuminate the Sentinel’s canopy after dark.

The Museum’s namesake and founder, A. E. “Bean” Backus,

is well known for his mastery of painting Florida’s magnifi-

cent clouds and its iconic Sabal Palm. For those tempted to


Fort Pierce Mayor Awards Gold Hammer Winners at Coffee with the Mayor

City of Fort Pierce Mayor Linda Hudson announced the

winners of the Mayor’s Gold Hammer Award on Friday,

September 18, at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club at the monthly

Coffee with the Mayor.

The award recognizes the efforts of residents and business

owners in the Fort Pierce community that have significantly

improved their home or business through new construction

or rehabilitation efforts. The Gold Hammer Award is pre-

sented in March and September. Nomination forms are avail-

able in the Mayor’s Office at City Hall or the city website

throughout the year, http://www.cityoffortpierce.com/pdf/

goldenhammer.pdf.

The award is sponsored by East Coast Lumber and

Supply Company. Each category winner receives a $100 gift

certificate from the sponsor, a sign displayed in front of their

home or business and an Energy Saving Kit from the Fort

Pierce Utilities Authority.

About Coffee with the Mayor: Join Main Street Fort Pierce

and Mayor Linda Hudson for Coffee with the Mayor. Cof- Paradise Home & Patio

Commercial Rehabilitation

4051 S US Highway 1, Fort Pierce

Linkside Shoppes

Alan Karrh, Holland G & C Ft. Pierce, LLC

Commercial Rehabilitation

1401-1495 S US Highway 1, Fort Pierce

Tim & Cindi O’Connell

Residential Renovation

420 N 2nd Street, Fort Pierce

fee with the Mayor is held every third Friday of the month

at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club at 700 N. Indian River Drive

in Fort Pierce. The event begins at 8:00 a.m. and is a posi-

tive networking experience for those that attend. Businesses,

community organizations, and newcomers to the area are

welcome to share information about upcoming events or ac-

tivities occurring in the Treasure Coast region. For more in-

formation about Coffee with the Mayor call the Main Street

Fort Pierce office at 772-466-3880 or e-mail pamgillette@

mainstreetfortpierce.org.


Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past Historic Walking Toursby Sue Dannahower

Join us on an eerie journey into Fort Pierce’s haunted past as you stroll 19th century

regions of Fort Pierce and Edgartown. Stories and legends of the unusual and supernatu-

ral are combined with the fun and fascinating history of our city.

Tours are approximately one hour in length and are chocked full of old stories and leg-

ends of paranormal experiences. Hear about sightings, strange noises and ghosts walking.

See movement in the shadows, smell burning tobacco and brimstone.

The “Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic Walking Tour will be held on Wednesday,

October 28. This event happens only once a year. Don’t miss your chance to hear the

many secrets of Downtown Fort Pierce and the stories of the people who made our great

town. You will encounter live characters at every stop! Actors will share the history of

buildings and the evidence of a “ghostly presence.”

Explore the little known Edgartown which is located to the north of Tickle Tummy

Hill. Edgartown was an important part of the history of Fort Pierce’s history. Once a

fishing village, it was founded in the mid 1800s. Alford Lagow was the founder of Ed-

gartown and named the new town after his grandson, Edgar.

The Edgartown Tour features Lucinda Lagow, wife of the

founder of Edgartown. She shares the gossip of the early

settlers and life as it was in the 1890s. You will encounter a

rugged old fisherman mending his nets reminiscing about his

life on the river. The Coral and Yellow houses, sitting side-

by-side, boast of ghostly souls who rap on windows and slam

doors. Meet Mr. Hill, the official photographer for Henry Fla-

gler and Mrs. McCarty, grandmother of Dan McCarty, whose

husband was gunned down in the streets over a land deal.

The South Tour is brimming with history and paranormal

activities. Stroll through the Sunrise Theatre where you may

encounter one of the many ghostly ushers who still roam the

building. Wander through the haunted Sun Trust building, home of Art-

Mundo, where spirits move to greet you. You will encounter an authentic

blacksmith reenacting his early profession. Other stops include Mr. Miley,

reporter and editor for the Fort Pierce News and Mr. Klopp, the courthouse

architect who was crushed by a 10-ton safe.

The North Tour includes a stop at Fee’s Hardware & Mortuary where

the notorious Ashley Gang’s bodies were laid out “dead” on the sidewalk.

Throughout the evening you will hear the explosion of cannons detonated

by a squadron of soldiers reenacting war time. Other stops include pioneer

rancher Henry Flagler and the “Night Train” and Zora Neale Hurston,

folklorist and author.

Walk with us on Wednesday, October 28, for the “Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic Walking Tour. There is a $5 per person donation; children

under 5 are free. The North and South Tours leave from the City Hall Plaza

(between the new parking garage and City Hall building) on Orange Avenue

in Downtown Fort Pierce. The Edgartown Tour leaves from the Platts/

Backus House. Parking for this tour is at North Indian River Drive and AE

Backus Avenue (Avenue C.)

The “Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic Walking Tour sells out every

year. Each tour includes 10 historic stops. Tours will last approximately 1 to

1-1/2 hours. Reservations are required. Call Main Street Fort Pierce at 466-

3880. Arrive 15 minutes before your tour and wear comfortable walking

shoes. The “Ghosts of Fort Pierce Past” Historic Walking Tour is fun for

the entire family.

If you miss the Tour you can still learn more about Fort Pierce by taking a

Historic Trolley Tour. Scheduled tours will start again in November. Private tours

are available. For more information call Sue Dannahower (772) 618-0155. ❖


Historical Military FortsFort Pierce (1838-1842), named for its first

commander Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Kendrick

Pierce, was abandoned at the end of the Second

Seminole War and burned down the following year.

Today, the site is a park along the Indian River which

is also the site of an ancient burial mound of the Ais

Indians. History and artifacts are on display at St. Lucie County Regional History Center at 414 Seaway

Drive on South Hutchinson Island.

Fort Capron (1850-1858) was built to replace the

old Fort Pierce. Lt. Ripley named the log buildings Fort

Capron, after Captain Erastus Capron, an Artillery

officer known for his courage during the Second

Seminole War. Fort Capron was destined to become

larger and more important than Fort Pierce had been.

The Capron Trail is still located in St. Lucie Village in

Northeast Fort Pierce. ❖

by Sue Dannahower

Rosslow’s — Timeless, Current, Florida Coastal Fashion

Rosslow’s Women’s

Apparel in Historic

Downtown Fort Pierce

celebrates its 65th year in

business this year. It has

survived downtown de-

terioration and revival,

the rise and fall of sub-

urban shopping malls,

and the latest challenge

— Internet shopping.

Owners, Greg and Cindy Rosslow, say they strive to offer

classic wardrobe items, but also include some frills and cur-

rent fashions that are suited to our coastal and subtropical

climate and lifestyle.

In 1950, Greg’s parents, both World War II veterans, moved

to Fort Pierce and purchased Carnleigh’s. They renamed the

ladies clothing shop, Rosslow’s. Competitors have come and

gone, but Rosslow’s has remained, enlarging its original foot-

print over time to sell shoes, gifts and accessories.

During the 1950s, downtown shops were thriving

but the proliferation of shopping malls hurt downtowns

all over America. In the mid-1980s the State of Florida

established the Florida

Main Street program

to help communities

like Fort Pierce revive

their downtowns. Greg

Rosslow was one of the

first on board in the Fort

Pierce effort. He helped

host the first Friday Fest

with the goal of bringing

people back to downtown.

Greg and Cindy believe that the Sunrise Theatre restoration

is a major contributor to bringing residents as well as visitors

from surrounding communities and seasonal residents back to

downtown. “Sunrise Theatre goers stroll by our window dis-

plays, then at a later time, come back to shop,” says Greg. “The

Sunrise helps offset the negatives they may have heard about

Fort Pierce,” he says.

Greg and Cindy look on downtown Fort Pierce like they

would their home. They want it always to look good for visi-

tors. “I’m always conscious of how downtown looks,” says

Cindy, especially when there is a show at the Sunrise and I

know that people will be coming downtown. I would like to

see the City of Fort Pierce have a focus on regular downtown

maintenance and improvement, so that our neighborhood

shows the world we care about it. As a business, we would be

willing to contribute to that effort and we think other busi-

nesses would as well.”

For classic and classy women’s fashion, gifts, accessories and

jewelry, shop at Rosslow’s located at 102 S. Second Street.

They are open Monday through Saturday. Find them on Face-

book or call 772-461-1222. ❖

Benjamin Kendrick Pierce

(August 29, 1790 – April 1, 1850)

was a career officer in the United

States Army. He was the son of

Governor Benjamin Pierce and the

brother of President Franklin Pierce.


Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society Going Platinum!by Don Bestor

�Love, Jazz Community:

and snagging the great deals, the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues

Society’s board of directors will gather and select the top four

entries from four different categories – children 12 and under,

teen artists through the age of 18, professional artists, and gen-

eral community members.

We’ll turn the top four entries into a collage and create the

poster, invitations, and all collateral and printed materials fea-

turing the work of the four, platinum artists, making sure to

credit the artists and give each of the four winning artists brag-

ging rights, a $100 prize, and free tickets for two to the final

Jazz Week celebration event.

So grab your Crayolas®, dust off your brushes, or slap out a

hunk of clay and get creating because time is ticking away. For

additional information about the contest, as well as all the legal

mumbo jumbo that we have to include to do it right, please

visit our web site today. And mark your calendars right now for

a whole week of fantabulous music, celebrations, and creativity.

And cake! ❖

The modern etiquette guides suggest that the twentieth an-

niversary is the platinum anniversary. With so many profes-

sional musicians whose work has gone platinum in our midst,

the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society is excited about 2016,

which will mark twenty years of our existence here in St. Lu-

cie County. And while we’ll be celebrating all year long with

special events and concerts, our major celebration will be in

March 2016, as we present our annual Jazz Week Festival.

Mark your calendars now for March 27th, starting with our

wildly popular Waterside Blues concert and happening every

day through April Fool’s Day. On that day, we’ll surprise the

whole community with a fabulous show that will have you on

your feet, dancing and shouting with unbridled joy.

Along the way, there will be surprise birthday cakes and spe-

cial concerts and appearances at the Sunrise Black Box The-

atre, and even our weekly Jazz Jams at the Sunrise Black Box

in Fort Pierce and the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens will

take on a more celebratory feel during the coming year. You

never know when someone will walk through the door with

a birthday cake and get everyone to sing the Birthday Song to

get the party started.

Speaking of getting the party started, everyone knows that

every great party has a terrific theme and an awesome invita-

tion. Since the Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society knows that

St. Lucie County is home to the coolest and most creative mu-

sicians and artists ever, we thought it might be nice to com-

bine the two creative fields. Starting October 1st and through

Thanksgiving, Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society would like

you to get your creative juices flowing and come up with a de-

sign for our twentieth birthday celebration posters and flyers.

We don’t care what medium you use, paints, posters, ceramics,

sculpture, aluminum cans, old tires, or pieces of your old clari-

net – we just want you to be creative.

On November 1st, we’ll announce on our webs, www.jazz-

society.org, when and where you can turn in your submissions,

and we’ll display as many of them as we can at local galleries

and businesses. On Black Friday, while you’re out shopping


Purple Shrimp at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ MarketSubmitted by Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market

Every Saturday morn-

ing at the Downtown Fort

Pierce Farmers’ Market,

Purple Shrimp special-

izes in Cajun cuisine

featuring shrimp, oyster,

vegetable & fish Po’ Boys

(prepared onsite), gumbo,

shrimp ‘n grits, browned

butter bourbon bread

pudding and Cajun-style

roasted vegetable, shrimp and fish tacos. Cyndi Rolle taught

herself how to prepare complex dishes, right at Downtown

Fort Pierce Farmer’s Market, in front of our customers! Can’t

be more of an open book than that!

Purple Shrimp began in 2010 in Washington, DC, at the

CMS Farmers’ Market as a food vendor serving the Washington,

DC / Baltimore, MD community. After participating in

the Georgetown Farmers’ Market, Dept. of Transportation

Campus Facility Farmers’ Market and FDA’s Campus Facility

in Washington, DC she moved to Florida and brought her

authentic New Orleans style cuisine with her.

She hides nothing in her preparations — as a matter of fact,

it’s her pleasure to teach everything she prepares and answers

any questions along the way. She puts her money into top

quality food using real butter and market vegetables. A lot of

people ask why she doesn’t have a restaurant or food truck,

and the answer is she would much rather put her money into

the quality of her ingredients rather than the building struc-

ture! Take the challenge at the Downtown Fort Pierce Farm-

ers’ Market — get a free sample — you’re guaranteed to taste

the difference in her cuisine.

Now located in West Palm Beach they have brought their

success with them. Currently they participate in several local

green markets from Fort Lauderdale to Fort Pierce, includ-

ing Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market every Saturday.

Purple Shrimp started out with a lot of samples and before

long, they had a following that they can barely manage! Her

passion is to show market goers that good quality food can

be made right in front of them for a restaurant experience at

their fingertips.

Come join Purple Shrimp for a taste delight at the

Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers’ Market – it’s a Saturday

morning tradition! ❖

To support the Main Street Focus and promote your business, call 466-3880 today!

Advertise in the Main Street


Let’s Chew the Fatby Kristen Barchers

One of the most lasting and widespread diet trends in the

Western world has been the low fat diet. Doctors and nutri-

tionists have proclaimed the evils of fat for years and low fat

and fat free products have cemented themselves in our stores

and in our lives. But recent scientific evidence is revealing that

our aversion to fat may not only be unfounded, but harmful

to our health. Our bodies need dietary fat as an energy source

and for the proper functioning of our cells, immune system

and hormones, among other things. Some fats are better for us

than others when considering long-term health:

Trans Fat – These are a byproduct of a process called hy-

drogenation, which causes oils to solidify to prevent spoil-

ing. They are mostly found in processed and packaged foods

that require a long shelf life. Trans fats increase harmful LDL

cholesterol in the bloodstream and reduce beneficial HDL

cholesterol. They create inflammation and insulin resistance

which can contribute to heart disease, diabetes and other

harmful conditions. Trans fats have no beneficial properties

and should be completely avoided.

Saturated Fat – These are found in animal products,

such as meat and dairy, and coconut oil. When consumed

in large amounts, they can cause increased harmful LDL

cholesterol which can lead to clogged arteries. Saturated

fats should be eaten sparingly.

Unsaturated Fat – These types of fats come from vegetables,

seeds, nuts and fish and are liquid at room temperature. They

reduce concentrations of harmful LDL cholesterol and increase

beneficial HDL cholesterol. Use these fats liberally and replace

trans and saturated fats with them as often as possible. Unsatu-

rated fats come in two main forms:

Monounsaturated – These are found in high concentrations

in olive oil, peanut oil, canola oil, avocados and most nuts.

Polyunsaturated – These are found in high concentrations

in fish oils and plant oils like corn, sunflower, and safflower.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats fall in this category and are both

extremely beneficial to overall health.

So, fat is not a four-letter word. Your body needs some fat

for long-term health. Include good fats in your diet. Bad ones

including industrial-made trans fats should be eliminated and

saturated fats should be consumed sparingly. ❖


Tech ByteS: Buying a New Computer by Michael Lewis, Mike’s Downtown Computer Repair

The average computer should

last a minimum of 3 to 5 years

before you need to consider pur-

chasing a new one. You can ex-

tend the life of your computer by

completing these steps:

1. Most computers include a tremendous amount of Malware,

Trial-ware, and Manufacturers software that essentially kill

the performance of your computer right out of the box. Re-

moving programs that you do not use can increase speed and

free up hard drive space.

2. Keeping the system cool is a great way to ensure optimal

performance, be sure to clean the computer fans out on a

regular basis.

3. Computer makers are also still selling slower outdated physi-

cal hard drives, which add to the slowness of your computer.

Upgrading to a SSD (solid state drive) is a good way of ex-

tending the life of the computer and it ensures your data

is safe.

By applying these steps you should be able to recover some time

with your beloved computer. Good luck and safe computing!

Mike’s Downtown Computer Repair is located at 207

Orange Ave. Suite E in Fort Pierce; phone (772) 448-8153,

cell (772) 480-3427. ❖

Why Marinade?One of my favorite recipes is Burgundy Marinated Shish

Kabobs (see my recipe box in this issue.)The secret to

making the meat tender and juicy is to marinate the

meat. A marinade is a mixture of acid, oil, herbs, and

spices. It’s designed to add flavor and tenderize meat.

The ComponentsAcid — Acidic fruit juices (like lemon or orange),

wine, Worcestershire sauce, or mustard are the acidic

components in the marinade that tenderize meats.

Acid also play an important part in adding flavor.

Fat — The staple is vegetable or olive oil. I use

vegetable oil since it has a higher heat tolerance before

it burns.

Herbs & Spices — Salt, pepper, garlic, basil, ginger,

onion, rosemary, cilantro, and/or the zest of a lemon

or lime will impart a floral, vegetable, earthy or fruity

characteristics into your meat.

But beware, too much time in the marinade and the

acid can turn a good cut of meat to mush. I found this out

when I marinated a pork tenderloin overnight. It turned

mealy, mushy and was disgusting. Tough pieces of meat

like brisket or pork butt can be soaked overnight. However,

chicken, steak, pork or salmon should be marinated for

only 2—4 hours.

The easiest way to marinade is in a large baggie. Place

your protein and marinade in the baggie and squeeze

out all the air. Place in the fridge and turn often. After

marinating, toss the liquid, then dry the meat with a paper

towel. You are now ready to grill. Bon Appetit! ❖

by Sue Dannahower


by Sue Dannahower

Marinade1 cup Burgundy red wine

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 Tablespoon vinegar

2 Tablespoons ketchup

½ teaspoon marjoram

½ cup oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon rosemary

Salt & Pepper

Kabobs1 pound steak, cut into 2-inch chunks

8 small red potatoes, par-cooked

8 mushrooms

8 cherry tomatoes

1 red pepper, chunks

2 onions, chunks

Combine the marinade mixture in a large plastic zip lock

bag. Place kabob vegetables & meat into the bag. Refrigerate

2-4 hours, turning the bag over frequently.

When ready to serve put an assortment of the marinated

kabob vegetables/meat on wooden skewers. Barbecue on the

grill until the meat and vegetables are tender..

Burgundy Marinated Shish Kabobs

Snook Season Has Arrived!by Joe Payne

Are you prepared? Snook fishing is not

only fun but it is a great fish to eat. Some-

times they are hard to catch. So finding the

right time and having the right bait does

help. One hour before high tide to few

hours after falling tide is ideal. Fishing at

night around piers and docks with lights

draw in the bait and the snook tend to hang

around the outside of the light in the shad-

ows. During the daytime they tend to be

on the flats or around structures like docks,

bridges or under manegroves. Snook love to

eat live shrimp on leader line with a 1/0 or 2/0 hool with a

split shot or sinker to get the bait to the bottom. If using live

bait like mullet, pinfish or lady fish use the same rig with a

larger hook depending on the bait size. Using lures like the

Red Tailed Hawk, DOA shrimp, DOA cows or Mirrolures also

work great. Snook fishing is fun and patience is needed. Keeper

Snook must measure between 28” to 32” from the tip of the

mouth to the tail folded together and limits are 1 snook per

day. A saltwater license and snook stamp is required. See www.

myfwc.com for all the fishing regulations.

The ocean is still offering a great day of fishing. Dolphin are

being caught in the weed lines in deeper water 15 to 20 miles

out. King fish are still being caught in the 90 ft of water.

Best of all, the lobster hunt continues. Nice size lobster are

found on the beaches north and south. Even with colder water

on the bottom the deeper dives have been

plentiful. Some of those secret rocks or river

spots that only you have the numbers to

have some shorties but may still hold some

keepers.

There are several ways to cook your catch.

I love fried snook and lobster, but another

great way to serve them up is diced lobster

in a pot with garlic butter. Lay the lobster on

its belly and use a large knife to cut through

the hard shell on the back of the tail. Some

pressure is applied to the large knife to be

able to cut through the shell. Butterfly open the tail and pull

the meat out from both sides and dice up in small 1” chunks.

Place the meat into a pan or pot with a large amount of butter

and add diced garlic and your favorite seasoning. The left over

lobster scampi can be used for dinner the next night reheated

and poured over pasta noodles.

Fried snook is the best. But for something different you can

try in tin foil with a fillet of snook, a splash of lemon juice, a

tablespoon of butter, a favorite seasoning and a some diced on-

ion. Close the tin foil around the fillet and place for 12-15 min

on the grill with medium heat. It may require longer cooking

time depending on the thickness of the fillet.

Nothing beats a great day of fishing except a wonderful

night of cooking what you catch. Good luck and happy fish-

ing/hunting.


3-Course Dinners for $14.99

Open for Lunch and Dinner Every Day

122 North 2nd Street • Historic DowntownFort Pierce

293-9191 • www.2ndStreetBistro.com

Home of the Everyday Happy Hour

3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Early Bird Dinner Specials Every Day

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

@ 2ndstreetbistro.co

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