Historical Community Club begins its 67th year
Article published on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 |
ST. PETE BEACH – The Community Club is celebrating its anniversary. It was founded in 1939 and was originally named The Beach Community Club of the Greater Gulf Beaches. In 1941, the club was incorporated and then reorganized in 1949.
The purpose was to provide recreational activities for residents and to assist with Civic Projects. On May 20, 1966, the club was incorporated under its present name.
The club’s original building was built in 1947, on the site of the St. Pete Beach Public Library as a recreational center. In 1951 the library was founded by the Women of the Community Club and was then called Long Key Library and located in the Community Club’s Building. During these early years, some of the activities were rolling bandages for the cancer unit, a hobby club was begun and a welfare committee for those in need.
The many appeals were answered through volunteer labor and funds raised by two sales a year. The club provided bus stop benches, a police boat, Encyclopedias for the elementary school, beautification programs, fire department telemetry unit and equipment at Blind Pass Park.
In 1957 the city assumed operation of the library, which later was renamed St. Pete Beach Public Library. The Community Club donated land on which the library was built. The Community Club then relocated to the Recreational Center on Boca Ciega Drive. The club provided for the recreational center, meeting chairs, kitchen, storage cabinets and games, a VCR for the children’s enrichment program and many other needed supplies.
Rebekah Brown Upham was one of the founders of the Community Club who passed away in 1972. In her generosity after death, she provided for some of the needs of the Recreation Center and other related projects. In honor of Rebekah’s dedication to the community, the recreation room was named the Upham Room, where the club now holds meetings.
In May 1989 the club celebrated its 50th year at a gala at the Dolphin Beach Resort. The gala was attended by many dignitaries and residents. The Community Club continued to grow and was in a position to give financial support to many new projects, such as, the Summer Recreational Program and Scholarships for Children at the Recreation Center, Elementary School Discretionary Fund, Gulf Beach Historic Museum, fire and police departments, stuffed toys to be given to children in a crisis situation, Dare Program, library, CASA, Hospice, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Free Clinic, Happy Workers Day Care and many other related projects.
New members are welcome to continue work for future generations. You do not have to be a St. Pete Beach Resident year-round to become a member. The club meets September through June on every third Tuesday of the month at noon. The club’s schedule is as follows:
• April 18 – Roberta Whipple, the St. Pete Beach librarian will speak at Warren Webster, 1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach
• May 16th – Metro Crime Prevention Program, Personal and Home Security at Warren Webster
• June 20 – Meet at the Don Vista Art Center, next to the Don CeSar Hotel. Bring lunch and beverage. Dessert will be at the Don CeSar Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor. People are allowed to walk around the Don if they wish.
Meet at the Warren Webster Building in September until the completion of new facilities.
Call Elaine Ghormley at 384-8017 or 367-2520.
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Article published on Wednesday, April 12, 2006
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