The Elliott Museum and House of Refuge will be closed on Thanksgiving day, November 23.

However you spend this holiday — be it gathering with family and friends, feasting on various goodies, watching football, enjoying the Treasure Coast's beautiful weather or something else — we hope you have a wonderful day!

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” - Tecumseh (I actually lived in Tecumseh, Michigan for 13 years.)

“Even in the chaos of everyday life, moments of gratitude remind us to hold on to the good things.” - Brit Morin.

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” - John F. Kennedy

“Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” - Fred De Witt

“Gratitude will shift you to a higher frequency, and you will attract much better things.” - Rhonda Byrne



“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” - Rumi

November is a cornucopia month. It brings us many things. Some of these things are trivial, and some are profound. November brings the Thanksgiving holiday just like the Mayflower brought the Pilgrims.

North of our tropical paradise, November brings apples, apple cider, and fresh doughnuts. It brings rivalry games in college football and snow tires in Minnesota. According to Gordon Lightfoot (RIP), “Superior, they said, never gives up her dead when the gales of November come early.” Sadly, it seems that the Thanksgiving holiday has been relegated to a nominal status as holidays go. I’m not at all happy about this, and among the small group of loyal readers of my message in our monthly newsletter, I hope to inflate the concept of giving thanks like a balloon in the Macy’s parade.

I have become an avid student of the body of knowledge that is coming to be commonly referred to as “mindfulness.” My studies and practices within the thoughtful world of mindfulness are centered on the simple yet powerful notion of gratitude. While I still consider myself to be a neophyte, I am getting to be pretty good at stopping myself whenever I find that the news or some other problem in my daily life causes me to have a moment of anger, and I recenter myself on taking stock of everything that I am grateful for. On the surface, it sounds like a silly exercise, but I can assure you that I have found it to be a singularly powerful tool for my personal mental health, energy, and enjoyment of life.

If a person brings me a troubling and stressful problem du jour, I blink my eyes once, smile, look them in the eyes, and take inventory of all the reasons I am lucky to have this person in my life. This simple practice has a way of dissipating even the most challenging of situations. We are surrounded by mountains of information to sort through and test for truth, technical wizardry that purportedly makes our lives easier, and 5G broadband radiation that did not exist just a few years ago. We can be angry at these encroachments on our peace of mind, or we can be grateful for them as options to assist us as we navigate our course. The odds are favorable that a stoic “cloak” of gratitude will always keep you safe and comfortable regardless of what is spinning around you.

I can easily speak for all of the Historical Society of Martin County’s staff, volunteers, and board members when I say that we are all filled to the brim with boundless gratitude for all of the kindness and generosity that this community seems ever ready to bestow upon us. Very recently, we have been blessed with a stunning 1913 Hardman baby grand piano that plays and sounds as beautiful as it looks, a compelling and engaging statue called “Other side of Eden,” and a brilliant mural of the House of Refuge.

These marvelous donations keep our trajectory on a dizzying upward trend and assure that our museum will continue to intrigue our guests with a never-ending stream of dynamic new things to see and do at our museums. We are all beginning to realize that our heartfelt gratitude is the kindling for a fire that continues to burn brightly.

Whether you are having a magnificent dinner surrounded by a bustling group of family members on November 23 or wrestling with a crowded store full of shoppers on Black Friday…I most sincerely hope that you will stop and take a moment to take stock of all of the small and all of the grand things you have to be grateful for.

All the best,

Rob

I am humbled by your generosity. Almost every day, you give me good news, express interest, share your opinions and offer suggestions. Sometimes you’ve called telling me you’ll be a sponsor, you’re going to buy a brick, adopt something or join the Legacy Society or Sterling Society. Or you’ve called for a lunch date or you’re in the lobby. Your generosity of caring, time, interest and love of the Elliott and House of Refuge humbles me every day. 

When I began seeking sponsors for recent projects/exhibits/events, I was met with many positive responses. Not very sexy, but very needed were six new garage doors. Henry & Rachelle (Rocky) Grady, Bill & Patti Spurling, Linda L. Miller, and the Ray & Peg Hirvonen Foundation said “yes” and soon you’ll see the beautiful new doors. A match grant proposal came from an anonymous donor through the Community Foundation Martin - St. Lucie to purchase a 12-passenger van to transport guests between the House of Refuge and the Elliott. The grant was matched with the help of Rip and Noreen Fisher and Shawn Donnelley. Of course, we wanted to wrap it, and Carole Hauke said “yes.” But wait, there’s more good news.

Brian Foss and Dennis Fruitt said “yes” to sponsoring “Alma Latina-Latin Soul Concert” and Judy Yaker said “yes” to holiday decorations for the Elliott. Renato’s & Josephine’s Restaurant are providing appetizers for a House of Refuge holiday celebration and Carole Hauke is having new landscaping installed at the Elliott. With the newly recoated/paved/striped parking lot, the new landscaping will provide the perfect finishing touch.

If all of this isn’t example enough of the generosity I see every day, please let me share the current list of sponsors who are going to make our premier exhibit, “In Celebration of King Tut,” come to fruition January 3, 2024. Our Gold sponsors include The Lichtenberger Family Charitable Fund, Bill & Carole Hauke, Gloria Whittle & Stan O’Hoppe, Henry & Rachelle (Rocky) Grady, and The Freed Foundation. Silver sponsors are Daniel E. Smith & Elizabeth G. Riley and Bronze sponsors include Arati Hammond Team @ kwTreasure Coast and Nicki vanVonno. Other sponsors are the Community Foundation Martin - St Lucie and the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs. 

Quite impressive isn’t it? Your generosity humbles me every day, and I’m pleased to share this good news. 

Please visit soon, share in all the excitement at the Elliott and the House of Refuge, and please stay in touch! 

As always, we truly appreciate your thoughtful consideration and continued support.

Linda Prange

Director of Development

772-225-1961, ext. 110

linda@hsmc-fl.com

Please join us for a lecture by Martin County Preservationist of the Year Joyce Fletcher Menard. She will be honoring veterans who are interred at the All Saints Episcopal Cemetery. The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Elliott Museum and is free to members and $15 to non-members.

He's BACK!

Russ created his one man frontier band, which he dubs "the only full sized sounding band in Alaska that will fit inside a single engine plane." He plays 14 instruments, including harmonica, piano, bass and guitar, and busts out as many different instruments as he can travel with during shows.

Admission is $20 Online or $25 at the door. Seating is limited.

Before the concert, enjoy dinner and your favorite beverage at our Tiki Bar and Restaurant, hosted by Philly Down South at the Elliott. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Buckle your seatbelts. Read more and buy tickets at https://hsmc-fl.com/special-events.

Please join us on Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for a special reception featuring photographers John Nelson and Sonia Sousa. This is your opportunity to meet them in person and see their photography, editorial and videography works. Then on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m., we invite you to attend John Nelson's lecture. Both events are free to members and $15 to non-members. There will be a cash bar for both events. Please visit the website to RSVP or call 772-225-1961.

 The fall season in the curatorial department has certainly been productive. Curatorial assistant Sami Brodnick has been hard at work accessioning parts of our collection that have never been digitized! Items include old watches, clothing, jewelry and even baseball memorabilia. While we are on the subject of baseball, our Baseball Exhibit will soon be receiving a facelift. Items that have been kept behind the scenes will soon be brought out into the light and a new narrative will be displayed in the room. Keep an eye out in the 2024 season for more information about the Elliott Baseball Exhibit. 

Treasure salvor Chaz Francoveglia added a new item to our 1715 fleet collection. He was gracious enough to donate an authentic onion bottle. These oddly shaped flaky glass bottles are one of the rarest items a diver could find. Chaz remarked that within the last few years, less than 10 have been recovered. The Elliott Museum is very lucky to be able to say we have one proudly displayed. 

Local artist Chris Kling will be showing a handful of her colorful paintings, one of which is shown below, in our Local Artist Spotlight wall in our Forum room. Her exhibit opened yesterday and runs through the end of January 2024.

Chessy Ricca

Curator

The "Path of the Panther" exhibit, featuring Carlton Ward Jr., in tandem with Mac Stone's "Wild Everglades" exhibit is now open for your viewing pleasure. These award-winning photographers use their celebrated photography and videography skills to capture the essence of the power and the plight of the Florida ecosystems.

The exhibits are part of the museum's "Protect Our Peninsula" series, which focuses on Florida's natural environment, one of a handful of core focuses at the Historical Society of Martin County. These exhibits are made possible because of the generosity of Dr. Ed Lippisch & Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Henry & Rachelle (Rocky) Grady along with Bill & Carole Hauke, and Gloria Whittle & Stan O'Hoppe.

The photos will be on display through December 18 so be sure to come and see them for an inspirational lift!

Looking for a perfect gift idea? Look no further. Adopt something in our permanent collection for one year and you’ll not only be supporting us but you’ll also receive a personalized Adoption Certificate, a sign telling everyone you adopted the item, a special key ring if it’s a vehicle (No, it won’t start the car!), and a photo by your adopted “treasure.” We have a 1911 Harley-Davidson, 1966 Ford Mustang, a 1940 Gilbarco gas pump, a barber chair and so much more!  For complete information and to view the vehicles and items that are available to adopt, please visit https://hsmc-fl.com/adopt-a-car/ and/or https://hsmc-fl.com/adopt-something.

If you have any questions, please visit Guest Services at the Elliott or contact Linda Prange, director of development, at 772-221-1961, ext. 110, or by email, linda@hsmc-fl.com. 

What's new at Philly Down South's Tiki Hut?

Starting November 9, there will be live bands from 6 to 9 p.m. On November 15, there will be an Eric Clapton unplugged dinner show and on November 29, a Stevie Nicks tribute dinner show.

The Hut is located on the museum's grounds and is open for lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with live music also every Friday and Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m.

Every Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m., professional musicians are welcome to perform as a soloist, duo or whole band as part of “Tim Kyle Carpenter’s Open Jam Session.” It's an opportunity to play and network with other talented musicians. Call 561-718-9733 to sign up.

For more information, call 561-718-9733.

The Elliott Museum and the House of Refuge are blessed with a legion of vibrant and gifted volunteers from across the country who bring their own rich histories from all walks of life. The common thread among them is their shared passion for our museums and their enthusiasm to make your visitor experience the best that it can be. John Tichy can be found giving history packed tours at the House of Refuge!

What did you do for a living in your career life?

After college I served four years on active duty as a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer, first on a minesweeper homeported in San Francisco, CA and then two years on a frigate homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After that I remained in the Navy Reserve for another 18 years retiring with the rank of commander. After completing active duty I earned an MBA degree and worked in business. I then made a “mid-life” career change and spent 26 years as a high school history teacher.

What are your special interests/passions?

I enjoy sport fishing/boating, flying (private pilot license with an instrument rating and complex and high performance endorsements), amateur “ham” radio, and swimming.  Needless to say after teaching history for 26 years and having a master's degree in history, I have a passion for history.

What is something that would surprise us about you?

In high school and college I worked as an ocean lifeguard on Long Beach Island, NJ where I still currently reside for eight months a year. Even though I now look somewhat old, feeble and decrepit, compared to my lifeguarding days, I still swim one mile non-stop continuous freestyle five to six days every week; in a pool, however, not the ocean.

What’s your favorite thing about volunteering at HSMC?

After retiring six years ago, I decided to spend four months during the winter in Stuart.  One of the first places I visited when I arrived was the House of Refuge. The building was charming, the history fascinating and the view spectacular. I spoke to the volunteer conducting the tour and upon hearing about my background, she suggested I become a volunteer.  The history of the Stuart area and House of Refuge has many similarities to the barrier island I live on in New Jersey, including a close association with the U.S. Life Saving Service, U.S. Coast Guard, 1920s rumrunning and World War II submarine activity, so I felt right at home. I enjoyed learning about the local history here in Martin County and sharing it with our visitors at the House of Refuge. It never gets old telling the story of our rich history to visitors from all over the country and all over the world.  Oh, by the way, did I mention the view is SPECTACULAR!

What a memorable way to honor a loved one, mark an anniversary, honor a birthday or just because! Buying a brick is a perfectly unique gift that will last for years to come. Each brick is 4 x 8 inches and installed at the base of the Elliott Museum flagpole. The brick will be engraved as you wish on up to three lines.

For complete information, visit https://hsmc-fl.com/buy-a-brick or access this QR code using the camera on your phone. If you have any questions, or want to discuss wording for your brick, please contact Linda Prange, director of development, at 772-221-1961, ext. 110, or by email, linda@hsmc-fl.com. You may also visit Guest Services at the Elliott for details and to order your brick.

As a Family Level Member or higher, you have access to free or discounted admission to 134 museums in Florida alone with the NARM and SERM reciprocal benefits. One of the participating museums is the Lightner Museum in St Augustine. For more information on this amazing museum, keep reading and visit their website at https://lightnermuseum.org.

Visit this iconic building at the heart of historic St. Augustine and this extraordinary museum collection. Occupying the former Hotel Alcazar, a Gilded Age resort hotel commissioned by railroad magnate Henry Flagler, the Lightner Museum offers an immersive experience of art, architecture, history, and design. 

IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY A MEMBER, CLICK THIS BUTTON TO JOIN!

The world is traveling again—so don’t delay in making your reservations! Bookings are really filling up quickly.

Travel with the Elliott and discover a world of exceptional itineraries, rich cultural experiences, superb dining and wines, and wonderful camaraderie with fellow travelers. And when you book through the Elliott travel program, you will receive a complimentary HSMC Annual Membership to the Elliott and the House of Refuge museums. Choose from the great cruises and tours hosted by the Elliott, as well as an amazing array of domestic and international tours offered by Mayflower Cruises and Tours. Contact Debbie Banta at 772-225-1961, ext. 124 or email her at dbanta@elliottmuseumfl.org.

• Opryland Christmas Tour - November 26-December 1, 2023 -- A truly wondrous and entertaining holiday experience. Registration will be closing soon!

• Ionian Adventure - April 24-May 4, 2024 -- Free airfare and early bird pricing has been extended on a limited basis for this exclusive 100-passenger super yacht experience

• Alaskan Cruise - New dates! July 16-28, 2024 – A splendid land and sea tour aboard the elegant Holland America Noordam. Register here.

• Danube Christmas Market Cruise - December 7-18, 2024 – It’s a magical journey of a lifetime!

Watch this video on YouTube to learn more about the Holland America Line MS Noordam Ultimate Ship Tours.

Deena Rahill, founder of HI Mindfulness Forums, presents the following Sound Vibration events at the Elliott Museum.

For more details on these events and/or to register, please visit her website, www.soundvibration.net, or click on the individual events below.

One evening only with Mike Tamburo! - Gong sound, Performance & Meditation Concert - Friday, Nov. 17, at 6:30 p.m., limited space.

November Beaver Full Moon - Saturday, Nov. 25, at 6 p.m. - Join Deena in harnessing the power of the Beaver full moon.

Saturday Series, Tune-up Tuesday and Sunday Sound Healing continues.

To learn more about sound healing, new events and what Deena does, visit her website - www.soundvibration.net.

The Elliott Museum showed off two of its cars in Jensen Beach High School's homecoming parade on October 12. HSMC President & CEO Rob Steele drove Madison Wojcieszak, class of 2026 representative, and her escort, Zane Price, in a 1941 Lincoln Continental Cabriolet. Mia Fowler from the class of 2024 represented The Key Club as their president rode in the 1957 Chevy Belair. The HSMC also participated in the Martin County High School homecoming parade.

Did you know Ford's early Model T's, made completely by hand, took 12.5 hours to make?

Every Wednesday from 4-7 p.m., this colorful and lively event will take place in the Elliott Museum's parking lot.

Come and enjoy the best of the best in classic cars, great food from the Tiki Hut right on the premises and live music! There's no charge for spectators, and to show a car or motorcycle, it's free to members and just $5 for non-members.

Cars & Coffee is usually held the second Saturday of each month from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Elliott Museum's parking lot, weather permitting, but will not take place this month. Co-sponsored by McKee's 37 and Oldies 95.9/106.9FM, the next Cars & Coffee will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9. Bring your pride and joy ride or just come and hang out with other car owners and enjoy the outdoor ambiance. The event showcases an amazing display of different makes, models and years of vehicles. This event is free and open to everyone. Coffee and donuts are provided at a nominal charge.

To take advantage of the museum's weekly tours of its auto collection on Thursdays at 11 a.m., meet at the front desk at 10:55 a.m. We recommend calling first at 772-225-1961. You also can take a joy ride to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion. The minimum suggested donation is $200.

Contact Jim Ferrare at 305-878-7795 to make arrangements or email him at jferrare@hsmc-fl.com.

Whether you're shopping for a gift or for yourself you'll see plenty of unique items at the museum's Emporium Museum Shoppe. Merchandise includes wildlife photos, a variety of jewelry, baseball merchandise, pirate and other books, glow-in-the-dark butterflies, Beadworx sculptures, artwork, decorations, children's toys, note cards, an assortment of soaps, clocks, clothing, signed baseballs, baseball literature and much more. No museum admission is required if you just wish to browse and shop.

As you can see from this newsletter, the Historical Society of Martin County continues to grow and offer more to the community than ever before. But we can't do it without your support. Every little bit helps! Thank you in advance for your support. PLEASE CLICK THIS BUTTON TO MAKE YOUR DONATION TODAY — AND DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DONATION MONTHLY!

Click here to see all the local happenings and more on discovermartin.com.

For concise information on what's happening with the Arts Scene on the Treasure Coast, subscribe to Willi Miller's ARTS BLAST! at willimiller.com.

The Historical Society of Martin County

A Treasure on the Treasure Coast since 1961!

www.hsmc-fl.com | 772-225-1961

Two Museums on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, FL 34996

Elliott Museum | 825 NE Ocean Blvd.

Hours: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Sunday

House of Refuge • 301 SE MacArthur Blvd.

10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m., Sunday