President’s Message, Fall 2025
Dear Fellow Treasure Coast Smithies,
I hope each of you has had a wonderful summer, wherever you call home during those months. For those up north, you know that fall’s gentle knocking at the door of the last weeks has given way to more persistent banging. This morning in RI the temperature hovered just below 40; must be time to head to Vero Beach and get ready for this season’s Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast activities!
We have an exciting season of events planned in which we hope you will be able to participate, including what promises to be a very interesting lecture & discussion by Sara Newland, Smith College professor of East Asia Studies and an expert on China & Taiwan.
We appreciate your input and engagement. Our dues this year will remain at $30, and we ask that you consider making a donation as well. The donations and any remaining funds from our fee-based events are sent to the college for scholarships. Last year we supported Amelie Kurlander, Class of 2027 from Deland, Florida. A resident of Gillett House, Amelie is a history major. Our club donation to enhance her education at the College was $6,500.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ocean Research & Conservation Association (ORCA) 1235 16th St, Vero Beach
- Thursday, November 13 at 2 pm. Presentation on their activities to protect the lagoon.
- To join us for the tour and talk, contact Barbie McKelvey, our Community Relations Coordinator, as soon as possible at barbmckelvey@gmail.com or 203 536-9529 to reserve a spot.
- ORCA is celebrating 20 years of protecting and restoring out waterways, especially preserving aquatic ecosystems like the Indian River Lagoon.
Smith Cocktail Party 910 Ladybug Lane, Vero Beach
- Wednesday, January 21 at 6 pm, $40pp fee
- Phyllis & Guy Fritts are our hosts. It promises to be an enchanting evening!
Smith College Professor of East Asia Studies, Sara Newland, Vero Beach Museum of Art, Leonhardt Auditorium
- Wednesday, February 11 at 3 pm. Sara is a specialist on China and Taiwan, a timely discussion topic. This event will be open to spouses and friends.
Vero Beach Museum of Art Tour & Tailgate
- Tuesday, February 24 at 2:30, $25 fee
- This year’s exhibit is: American Made: Paintings and Sculpture from the DeMell Jacobsen Collection
- Meet inside the Museum and join us after the tour in the grass parking area
Annual Meeting & Luncheon, Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy, 1028 20th Pl, Vero Beach 32960
- Tuesday, April 7 at 11:30, $30 fee
- This year’s annual meeting & luncheon will be hosted at Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy. We will tour their newly renovated facility, hear from Phil Barnes, their Executive Director, have our meeting, and be treated to a luncheon prepared by their students participating in the Pre-Apprenticeship program in Culinary Arts under the direction of Executive Chef Brannon—an executive chef, restaurateur, and instructor at the Culinary Institute of America.
We are looking forward to reconnecting this season and celebrating our shared connections.
Heidi Hild Sommers
President, Treasure Coast Smith Club
Directory updates (name, street address, email address, phone numbers) should be submitted to Becky McManus at mcmanus.becky@gmail.com.
Annual dues and donations to the Scholarship Fund for the 2025-2026 season are now due and can be mailed to our treasurer Cynthia LaMothe at 1080 Reef Road, #207, Vero Beach, FL 32963. Make sure your name is on the check so you can be properly credited. OR, if you prefer, you can use Zelle to make your payment. The recipient is Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast and clamothe@verizon.net is the email to use.