Page 8 - Palm City Spotlight - November '23

Page 8, Palm City Spotlight

In Your CommunItY

Harbour Ridge Yacht Club In 1831, a significant milestone was reached when King childcare so she can worry less about how to pay her bills

Members Embark On Historic William IV granted the club the prestigious privilege of using the and focus on reaching her dreams.
coveted prefix “Royal.” From that moment onward, it became
For more information or to apply for a Live Your Dream
Visit To The Oldest Yacht known as the “Royal Cork Yacht Club,” forever etching its place Award online, visit www.soroptimistofstuart.org.
Photo by Nidia Bernstiel
in maritime history.
Club In The World The visit by Harbour Ridge Yacht Club members to the Royal
Cork Yacht Club is a celebration of the enduring spirit of sailing, Harbour Ridge Yacht &
A delegation of avid a shared passion for the seas, and a tribute to the rich heritage of Country Club Wins Audubon
sailors from Harbour maritime tradition that both clubs represent. This historic visit
Ridge Yacht Club in Palm serves as a symbol of the deep-rooted connections that span Biodiversity Award
City, Fla., embarked on an across oceans and unite sailors from around the world.
unforgettable journey to 2023 BioBlitz results are in! After a three-year hiatus
the Royal Cork Yacht Club It’s Time To Apply For Live caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the seventh annual
(RCYC) in Cork, Ireland, Audubon BioBlitz event returned in June, and the results
on Aug. 18. Established in Your Dream Awards are nothing short of astounding. The 2023 BioBlitz
1720, the RCYC proudly winners have been announced, and Harbour Ridge has
holds the distinction of By Jackie Holfelder taken home the prestigious Biodiversity Award.
being the oldest yacht club Since 1972, Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream 2023 Winners: Biodiversity Award first place with 607
in the world, a testament to Awards program has been helping women who are working species: Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club, Florida.
its enduring legacy in the to better their lives through additional schooling and skills Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club in Florida,
world of sailing. training. made waves during the 2023 one-day BioBlitz species
Sailing for pleasure, The financial support they receive is often the difference counting contest held on June 6. The event was not only
a pastime now enjoyed in whether or not they a resounding success but also a thrilling experience for
by countless enthusiasts Harbour Ridge Yacht Club can continue with the all involved. Participants and nature enthusiasts gathered
worldwide, has its roots Commodore Steve Kiss education that is so to explore the rich biodiversity of the area, and the results
traced back to the early exchanging burgees with precious to them. exceeded expectations.
1600s in the Netherlands. Manager Amy Hyde of the RCYC T h i s sp r i n g , In a remarkable achievement, the participants observed
The sport’s popularity Soroptimist International a staggering 607 different species, spanning across
grew, and it eventually made its way to England, where King of Stuart (SIS) was able various categories such as birds, mammals, reptiles,
Charles II became an avid and passionate sailor in the London to present two women amphibians, insects, spiders, invertebrates, fish, trees,
area. It was one of his loyal courtiers, Murrough O’Brien, the with 2023 awards at their palm trees, plants, aquatic plants, grasses, wildflowers,
First Earl of Inchiquin, who played a pivotal role in reintroducing Awards Dinner in May. fungi, and lichens. This remarkable count represents an
the love of sailing to the coastal city of Cork in the late 1600s. On Aug. 1, the impressive increase of 132 species compared to the 2019
As the interest in sailing continued to burgeon, it was in the application portal for the BioBlitz.
year 1720 when William O’Brien, the grandson of Murrough 2024 Live Your Dream The boost in the species count can be attributed
O’Brien, along with five of his like-minded friends, decided to Awards opened and the Barbara Spyke, Soroptimist to a combination of factors. More participants meant
formalize their sailing activities. They established the “Water enrollment process – Southern Regional Governor- more eyes on the lookout for different species, and the
Club of the Harbour of Cork,” setting the stage for a long and which is completely elect, Marie Kennedy and engagement of observant and knowledgeable nature
illustrious history of seafaring camaraderie. online – couldn’t be Breanna Buchanan, 2023 Live enthusiasts, including members of the Harbour Ridge
simpler. Your Dream winner Birding Society, played a crucial role. Additionally,
The parameters for a well-organized master species list facilitated the
the Live Your Dream award specify the recipient must be a identification of numerous species of amphibians,
primary breadwinner for themself and their dependents, be crustaceans, fish, fungi, invertebrates, lichens, trees, and
attending an undergraduate degree program or a vocational warblers that had not been previously observed.
skills training program and have a financial need. Steve Kiss, a dedicated member of Harbour Ridge
Recent winners have used their monetary awards at Yacht & Country Club, stood out as the top identifier,
local schools such as IRSC and Keiser University to pursue with an impressive tally of 202 species.
degrees and careers in nursing, digital media, health care Audubon International’s BioBlitz competition, which
management and social work, among other fields. is open to golf courses worldwide, serves as a platform for
Eligible applicants should submit their applications promoting biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
between Aug. 1 and Nov. 15. For Harbour Ridge, BioBlitz is an integral component
Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the of its Outreach and Education initiatives, furthering its
The dining room of the RCYC potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, commitment to the Audubon International recertification
purchase books, apply towards transportation or find reliable of its golf courses.

EVERY SUNDAY
9AM-2PM

FLAGLER PARK

•FRESH PRODUCE
The bar at the RCYC
•LIVE MUSIC
Southern Exposure Technologies •MOBILE CRAFT BAR
Computer Install/Setup/Repair •KIDS MARKET
(561) 315-0144 Operated by Stuart Main Street (First & third Sunday of every month)
getsetgo.annie@gmail.com
* DSL, Broadband,Wireless Install
* Networking, Troubleshooting Fresh Local Produce & Honey
* Instruction
* Hardware/Software Installation Organic Eggs, Beef, Seafood & Poultry
* Virus/Spyware/Adware Fix Household Plants & Florals
* Cleanup/Maintenance/Backup
* Business Consult/Startup/Move Homemade Cheeses
* Website Design/Maintenance Spices & Sauces
Call S.E.T. to install your “new computer, printer Freshly Baked Breads & Tasty Treats
and wireless network”!
GET S.E.T. GO! Pottery, Art & Home Décor
REASONABLE HOURLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY RATES Handcrafted Jewelry & Accessories
FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FOR AS LOW AS $50.00 AN HOUR, Pet Items BE A PART OF
WITH A MINIMUM OF 6 HOURS A MONTH,
OR 2 HOURS A WEEK, OR ON AN AS-NEEDED SOMETHING
BASIS RATE OF $75.00 P/HOUR. A market for growers, crafters, artists & other creators FRESH!
START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH SECURE BACKUPS,
QUALITY MAINTENANCE, ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND
PERSONABLE ON-SITE SUPPORT!
(561) 315-0144 772-285-0502 | stuartmainstreet.org/market
CALL S.E.T. TODAY FOR YOUR COMPUTER NEEDS! Stuart Main Street is a 501c3 non-profit focused on promoting the Historic Downtown.