[Music] so thank you all for joining us U my name is Evan Anderson um I'm the current chair of the historic preservation board Martin County and uh and want to thank you I want to start off with just a a quick quote and uh hopefully I don't mess it up here um is it not cruel to let our city die by degree stripped of all her proud monuments until there will be nothing left of all her history and Beauty to inspire our children if they are not inspired by the past of our city where will they find the strength to fight for her future that was a quote by uh Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis uh as she was trying to fight for the uh to save the Grand Central Terminal and so thoughts like those and people like her are why we do what we do and why we have what we have and so we all care very deeply about uh maintaining our history and saving buildings and um saving the way that we live and and all of the things that surround us that's why we're all here and so thank you for joining us um I'm the chair of the board now the historic preservation board in Martin County um we don't have a great deal of power and we don't have a great deal of influence but we work hard to uh recognize people in places who contribute to our community and we try to do our part to save the buildings and the things and the places that we love and that have turn Stewart Martin County Port Sero all these wonderful places into what they are today uh that's why people want to move here so uh it's even more important now to save what we have than it has has been in the past as you all recognize the the development and everything that's going on so uh quickly I'd like to just recognize we we do have a couple of uh local dignitaries in the room um if You' if you don't mind standing uh we have Sarah herd with us who's our commissioner and uh she does a great deal for us and we'll mention uh her or we'll actually let her speak here shortly um and also I'd like to recognize Susan corus who uh is on the CRA she's the head of the C board and she contributes a great deal as well um so I'm GNA hand this off to Robert Steel Rob steel who is a board member and he also does a great deal for historic preservation um he's the president CEO of the Historical Society Elliot Museum Gilbert bar and just as a wonderful person and uh I'm going to let you speak now so here we are I'm so glad to be with you all of you here tonight in this room uh it's been my great honor and privilege to serve as the president and CEO of the Historical Society for the last five years and we have discovered on our journey that there are people that live in Martin County that are deeply committed to to our history and I think the most important thing and I mentioned this to Sandy thurow as I I try to every time I see her many people that are relocating the ones that were saying you know it's a great place to live but maybe not everybody can come here but as they come a lot of them are are migrating from the Eastern Seaboard and they're so thrilled to see that we are preserving our history and they're so acutely interested in it the books fly off our shelves from people that are are relocating here so so we do have support out there everyone um I'm looking around this room I I feel more like it's a room of a of a high school prom than a room full of dry and Dusty historians so you guys you guys all look good but I would expect more here the color of mine and I'm just not seeing it tonight so I'm not at all disappointed about that but here we are and and we're part of a cause we're part of a a a movement to try and keep things around here that are so important to everybody to understand where we came from and we're trying to do our part but we're just part of a of a family here in Martin County and historians not notoriously love to argue with each other and fight with each other and do all that and I'm looking around the room I'm seeing a few little corners of the mouse turning up and everybody knows yeah I know what he's talking about but all in all we're all all in the same canoe we're all paddling in the same direction we want to make sure that there's something left to talk about that was so so important here and the history is fascinating um I I want to credit last year's winner Lloyd Jones when I when I when I first met him I said well you know Lloyd Florida's history is kind of short and sweet and everything he said uh he stopped me dead in my tracks and turned me on on another track uh to understand our our his history is ancient archaeologically and in every other aspect so so let's let's stick together let's this is a full house tonight and we're we're starting to see that more and more so I I feel like the worm has turned and we're we're starting to headed in a direction where people understand and cherish and realize that if we don't get this done right right now nobody else is going to f in our tracks and do it because it's all going to be gone so let's Let's Stay Together and all of this to the best of our ability good evening thanks for joining for inviting me here tonight in 2003 Martin County Board of County Commissioners created the historic preservation board in order to memorialize the importance and the permanence of our historical locations and buildings here in 2013 the Salo colored Schoolhouse was placed on our local historic register in the heart of the Great Depression in about 1934 the new movian built this school so that their children could be educated in racially segregated Florida that school educated African-American students from grades 1 through six for three decades it was destroyed by hurricanes in 2004 but was lovingly and accurately restored by Martin County in 2012 it's the only one room schoolhouse remaining in Martin County through Lloyd Jones uh tireless efforts we hope to open that piece of History to all as a permanent Museum Martin County has placed on its local register of historic places valuable historic Treasures like the cero colored Schoolhouse the House of Refuge the Mansion at tuckaho the Log Cabin the captain seol house and the only remaining two room Schoolhouse in Martin County the Apollo school which brings me to this evening's deserving honory Kathy Spurgeon she has spent decades working with her foundation to raise money and public awareness to save and preserve the historic Apollo School in hob sound when you look up people saving places in the dictionary Kathy's photo is right there thank you Kathy and thank all of you for coming tonight um this is our 15th year the Martin County historic preservation board's 15th year of um organizing historic preservation month and as commissioner herd pointed out this year is the theme is people saving places and there is nobody that I know that fits that better than um Kathy Spurgeon um she is one of the first people I met when I got on the historic board in 2005 commissioner herd appointed me and um the Apollo school was just undergoing restoration and now it's also beautifully restored but I'm here tonight to just talk a little bit about Kathy she arrived in Martin County in 1945 she attended Hope Sound Elementary School Stuart Junior High School Martin County High School class of 1962 and graduated from the University of Florida in 1966 she's the founder and president of the Apollo School Foundation Meritus director of The Hope Sound Community chest member of the Martin County Library Board of Trustees member of the Florida historical commission from 2018 to 2020 and past member of The Hope Sound advisory committee the Apollo school that beautiful building which the finished building there I mean it was beautiful even when it was old when it wasn't finished but in 2002 it was actually put on the national register of historic places at the Olympia school which was its name at that time and it was the only it's the only place so designated in hop sound it was added to the Martin County Register of historic places by our preservation board on March 9th 2015 now for the schoolhouse Story the historic Schoolhouse was built Circa 1924 it was used as a school until 1962 when the school population was too great for an 1800t building no longer a school it was used as a Thrift Shop by the hob sound first aid Squad after the thrift shop thrift shop closed the building's inhabitants were the trees that grew in its stco the bees that swarmed under its roof and the vandals that desecrated its interior when it became evident to Cathy that her former school was in a pool of properties to be sold she contacted the owner to ask that the building be saved according to Cathy it was one of Hope sounds oldest buildings and certainly is an architectural example of an era era that hopan was leaving in the rearview mirror as historical architect Rick Rick Gonzalez has said in fact he said it just when we were Kathy and I were at the same lecture the other day once it's gone it's gone so permanent Kathy was adamant that a building that played an important role in the community and for the community's children not be gone so the Kathy Saga began in 1999 with the organization of the Apollo School Foundation no grass grew under their feet in 2000 the foundation purchased the former two room Schoolhouse in hop sound with funds for the purchase from an anonymous donor an extraordinary event and it even inspired an editorial in the Stuart news then came the rehabilitation in rehabbing the building the foundation kept much of the original features as well as the day County Pine floor on March 29th 2014th I still have the article the headline in the TC palm read Apollo School restored to former glory after 13 years of hard work but as all Place Savers out there know so well the work was not over today 25 years later Kathy and the foundation are still going strong the building is a community Hub it's now used for cultural education and historical purposes and events it houses book clubs lectures and even a lending library visitors enjoy visiting a building from yester year A two room five grade that the foundation is proud to open as they can the Apollo School future is bright thanks to Kathy and a dedicated loyal board of directors and a group of volunteers and helpers they call the friends of the Apollo I like that all of whom are determined that this building will never be gone as a results of the efforts of Kathy Spurgeon and the Apollo School Foundation that is so dedicated to preserving our past the two room Apollo School in hob sound will continue to to tell the story of its Pioneers for generations to come the lovely bronze plaques that Adorn it symbolizing its place placement on the national register of historic places and the Martin County Register of historic places are symbols of the energy and capital probably sometimes tears that Kathy and her organization have invested in the pre preservation of one of Martin County's most important local Treasures for as long as I have known Kathy which dates back to 2005 when I I was first appointed the board she has been working on preserving the Apollo School our thanks go out to Kathy and the Apollo School foundation for making Martin's Rich history so much richer thank you all well those of you and I know there's a lot in this room that know Kathy Spurgeon and we all who know her know she's very stubborn and she never gives up and the thing about that is the Hop Sound Community we very happy for that because she restored the Apollo school she's been committed and devoted to the preservation of Apollo school since 1999 fortunately for Kathy lifelong Devotion to Hob Sound Community she was approached and I might have a little different story by Nathaniel Nathaniel Reed representing the hopes Sound Land Company when his family Was preparing to sell all of that property in the Zeus Park which included Apollo school he wanted to see if she had any interest in preserving this historic building that she had attended School herself when she was a child an anonymous donor was found to cover the purchase price of the building and if Kathy had not stepped forward she would not and started the Apollo School Foundation its history and this building would be gone and more than likely right now there'd be 20 town homes in that area Kathy devoted the past 25 years of her life to rehabilitating this dilapidated building which at the time of purchase it did have a tree growing through the north wall of it and a lot of neighbors even called it the Scarecrow I'd also like to read a quote from Nathaniel Reed's book a different Vision Kathy spends the rest of her time and energies overseeing the rehabilitation of the historic Olympia school also known as Apollo School in Hope Sound with creative local fundraising efforts and dogged per persistence she is literally rebuilding board by board the old school Kathy's persistence and tenacity in fundraising and I have to just add one of the very creative way she did many years ago I know she's looking at me for fundraising was that she um dawned a 1920s bathing suit sold tickets to the community so that they could dunker in a dunk tank so I mean talk about creative fundraising that's one I'll never forget and also her great writing skills she wrote grants to underwrite most of the cost of the res renovation of the building which did come to fruition in 2014 when the doors of the schoolhouse were reopened now Kathy and the historic Apollo School Board are getting ready for the celebration of the H 100th anniversary of the Apollo Schoolhouse our community is so fortunate to have such a piece of History preserved in our neighborhood and one that houses a Historical Museum Cultural Arts and is an educational facility you see the community enjoying this facility at our annual speaker series bonly book club historic buildings tour open houses art exhibits and our annual Christmas tree lighting oh and by the way too we have live music events and if you're not busy this Saturday the 25th at 300 p.m. Bach children's music school will be having their spring recital at our building Apollo school is a window on the past and a focus on the future congratulations Kath good evening and good job suan that was really nice um I'm Laura John those of you who don't know me um I am the daughter of Kathy Spurgeon um and I am here not giving a speech that I prepared um my seventh grade teacher Phyllis Parker prepared a speech and couldn't be here tonight so much like she did 35 years ago she gave me an assignment and um I'm going to do my best to to um do her honor um there's one change I'm making in the speech it's very hard for me to call her Kathy so I'll be saying mom um in place of Kathy so congratulations mom you are so deserving of this recognition and I'm pleased to participate in this presentation and so is Mrs Parker Mrs Parker has known mom since I and my brother were in elementary school with her children I've known my mom since I was born and my mom's connection to Martin County is even deeper than that she has been um part of the county since the 1940s and she attended middle and high school in Martin County and has continu to give back by helping organize High School reunions for her class of the Martin County High School um it was mentioned she went to University of Florida and majored in journalism and did work during her college Years at the stort news under the editorship of Ernie Lions several years later she founded and operated her own secretarial service called sound secretarial service and her work as a business owner a mom a wife and a volunteer all um kept her involved and knowledgeable in hob sound and the Martin County Community grounded in this County for most of her life it's no wonder that she's passionate outspoken stubborn about things going on in Martin County she's um passionate about saving historic lands and sites and helping people learn and understand that these sites create a connection with our area's Rich history and culture 25 years ago when mom decided to concentrate her time not only on her family but on also on the Apollo school um she became the president and founder of the Apollo School Foundation which she remains today her efforts to restore the schoolhouse were supported by my dad and the community and the county in which we live and it took over a decade to get that work done and this project near and dear to her heart has created a Living Museum for all to enjoy today and we hope you will visit and learn more about the the Apollo school on a personal note Mrs Parker wanted to acknowledge that my mom laboriously edited a book for Mrs Parker entitled The Pine School our first 50 years and the book covers the history of the school previously known as St Michaels in Stewart and now known as the Pine School um the school is currently housed on 142 Acres that are historically significant in hobes sown the book also contains much Martin County history from the late 60s to 2019 as the school grew and prospered my mom has mentioned more than once that she does see that book in The hobes Sound Library in the Florida section and that's where um she does happen to also volunteer because she's a trustee of the Martin County Library board and they meet there regularly as an Ardent follower of Martin County's commission my mom is committed to saving our County's resources and the connections we have to our past buildings parks and undeveloped land are all witnesses to the aesthetic and cultural history of our County and these important features give us all a sense of place and pride and a visual connection to our past which we cannot lose thank you so much for recognizing my mom for her Decades of work in this County she is most deserving congratulations greetings to our distinguished guests and Kathy span's friends and neighbors what a glorious day to celebrate recently I ran into a friend at a party we chatted about places we love she mentioned that she came to Hope Sound as a baby her father purchased property on Jupiter Island and built a home for his family he bought the house from Sears suddenly just a few years later her dad had to begin building again after losing their home to the hurricane of 1949 slightly older but much wiser he used concrete blocks that he purchased locally for the foundation as she told me this story with her singular R smile I had a few thoughts the first thing that struck me was that architectural standards that inform construction on Jupiter Island have changed quite a bit since World War II the second thing I realized is that once upon a time even though you could get anything in the world from Sears doing so might not be the way to go then I imagined how An Occurrence like that might affect an ultimately Inspire someone to not let an old building filled with meaning and purpose go gently or suddenly into that good night that friend I'm referring to is today's Honore Kathy Spurgeon Kathy as most of you know is a well-known champion of many initiatives that enrich our community in this case Kathy worked with her characteristic multifaceted aptitude to not only save the Apollo School in Hope Sound but also return its nent dignity to both the building and by extension the community by collaborating with other dedicated participants to accomplish the goal of preserving and responsibly restoring the school which brings us to the subject at hand honoring preservationists saving a beautifully built two room Schoolhouse would be reason enough to celebrate but the Apollo School hasn't just been a school long ago and far away January 10th 1925 to be exact the hopes Sound Community Presbyterian Church was formed but had no Sanctuary to call its own so the church is proud to recognize the Apollo school as its inaugural place of worship and over the course of many decades when necessity dictated this two room Beauty seamlessly Rose to every occasion until it closed that might have been a sad ending to an otherwise lovely Legacy happily however this didn't happen thanks to Cathy's Vision in creating the Apollo School Foundation today it's still the case that we meet down at the schoolyard for book talks speaker series musical events and even fish fries we and Hope Sound feel truly blessed to have such a gem right in our community's backyard if you haven't done so I strongly encourage you to visit the Apollo school so that you can experience Hope Sound Hospitality at its best buildings are seen as lasting structures that house our ephemeral moment hopes dreams laughters and tears appear and disappear as part of our daily lives once experienced these occurrences live within us always some are latent some become our touchstones and those of us who are lucky to recall a cherished building such as a two room Schoolhouse recognize that every preserved building is a gift that keeps on giving for even if it isn't your Schoolhouse just being inside allows the Mind's Eye to recall facets of one's own personal history by enabling these connections we can see that affecting preservation is a gift to all in Sundry that has Untold benefits historic buildings are memory's sacred spaces and a generally EX accepted truth is that behind every well-preserved building be that structure great or small there is a great woman that said we owe a debt of gratitude to Kathy Spurgeon who helped give our community a Timeless gift right here in Martin County by working to preserve the Apollo school once used for both scholarship and worship congratulations to this year's Honore Kathy Spurgeon this is a well-deserved tribute good evening good evening good evening uh by the way I'm another Hope Sound person yeah cther and I and Jim and all of us are is Jim here tonight there he goes okay good deal man good to see you well uh let me start out I thought I maybe uh write out a script tonight if I don't I'll probably be all the place and we'll be here for a lot longer than than was expected so I just want to start and say U Martha Marthur me said never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world indeed is the only thing that ever has my friends the spirit of History needs our help mahart mandhi said the best way to find yourself is to Lose Yourself in the service of others I want each of you to think for a moment about what you can do to have preserved our historic buildings our cemeteries arts and culture and our Bonita Landscapes they are so beautiful here in Mar County presenting Kathy this award does not mean her work is done Kathy you're not finished okay nor does it mean my work is finished recognizing Cathy's accomplishments is a signal that there is plenty of work to be done however my friends we have a shortage of workers out there I have a great deal of respect for the Martin County historic preservation board who is a handful of volunteers whose sacrifices made the idea of historic preservation a reality and I thank all of you for once again coming out each year to to support our growing list of preservationist thank you morning County historic preservation board for presenting Kathy Spurgeon for this award that represents her Timeless commitment to serving our community cath has generated has demonstrated for decades time and time again the qualities of a preservation awareness compassion passion determination unlimited energy and a soft heart kath is someone I describe as having a Perpetual philanthropic Spirit Kathy by accepting this award we know that you are still committed to keeping our history relevant ladies and gentlemen I present to you our 2024 preservations Mrs Kathy Spurgeon I do want to thank you all so much for coming um I um don't know if I'd like that girl that everybody talked about the last three speakers but I'm going to get used to being around her and maybe maybe things will go better um I started this uh organization the Apollo School foundation in 1999 Bill Clinton was the president President Martin County had about 40,000 fewer residents than it has today and Sarah herd was three years away from serving on her first term in the County Commission right um some things change Sarah hasn't and I haven't she's still with the County Commission and I'm still with the Apollo school I would like to thank the people who are here tonight I'd like to thank Lloyd Jones first for for his nice words and for the presentation I'd like to thank suelen and Deborah and my beautiful daughter Laura for their speaking I'd like to introduce my board members because without them I would not be here and the Apollo would not be where it is so when I say your name would you please stand up uh Sue Butler [Applause] June overhal and Russ overh hold Miriam Holt there you are Peggy Wagner Cindy [Applause] fusa and my wingman who's written shotgun for me all these years over 20 years soelen [Applause] Milroy soelen is coming to the end of her tenure at the Apollo school I'm sorry to say I don't know if One retires from an unpaid unsolicited 49 hour a day job or if you resign or if you just run away but suellen's going to do one of those things and we're going to miss her desperately so good luck suelen and um know that the 21 years you spent at Apollo is very very much appreciated I'd also like to um notice uh note the former board member Bob Steiner who's one of your county people had it not been for Bob we wouldn't be where we are in the building Bob would you stand up please and I'd like to recognize the spouses the husbands the wives and the children of all of the board members who have sacrificed so much because I make the board members work so hard somebody has called called me a control freak I don't know why um all I did is I wrote the speeches today and asked them to write read them I mean that's not trolling is it right no um I'd like to thank my family my husband Jim who's right there alongside me who with my son Mark is are the yard people among other things and my daughter Laura who helps me dress for these occasions um I'd also like to just say hello and would everybody from hob sound please stand up these are my peeps these are my people and this is why I do what I do uh I'm not going to go into too much more because we've sat now and listened for a while but I I said this may the 1st when Heritage Month kicked off and I say it again preservationists are saving the world one building one book one picture at a time let's just do what we can do think what we're doing is right and just and keep doing what we're doing thanks very much [Music]