Let’s face it. Florida is a land of immigrants, whether it’s people coming from another
country or another region of the United States. Unless your name is de Leon or
Menendez, your family likely arrived on the Treasure Coast just a few years or
decades ago.
The state’s willingness to welcome newcomers with open arms allows families moving
here to make their mark quickly. As Christina Tascon writes in her story beginning on Page
10, the Schlitt family of Vero Beach is one such case study.
The family arrived in Vero in 1918 as farmers, but many members would eventually
transition to tie their fortunes to the state’s fast-growing homebuilding industry. Starting
with a painting contracting business, family members would expand to run businesses in
home construction, real estate, finance and many other areas.
The Schlitts’ impact was helped by their numbers — the first family arriving had six
children — and today more than 100 Schlitt family members call Vero Beach home. While
making contributions to the community as entrepreneurs, they also have been active in their
church and in various community projects, including the building of Jaycee Park in Vero.
We hope you enjoy Christina’s story on how a single family can make such an impact
on the Treasure Coast and she and we look forward to bringing you more. If you have
suggestions for other families you think we should feature in St. Lucie, Martin or Indian
River counties, we hope you will contact us.
And speaking of the home industry, we hope you’ll check out our Homes of the Treasure
Coast feature Page 18. This edition’s section focuses on the sturdy Hobe Sound luxury
home of Frank and Linda Todd, which was built to withstand winds of 200 mph.
As always with our fall issue, check out our Treasure Coast Medical Report Page 58.
Especially inspiring is the story of cancer doctor William McGarry who shares his own
battle with esophageal cancer. His wife is also battling breast cancer.
In our Taste of the Treasure Coast Page 52 feature, we sample some of the best shellfish
the region has to offer. And catch the splashy art of Taylor Loughlin, who was raised on the
Treasure Coast, in our art feature, beginning on Page 44.
We hope you enjoy these offerings as we begin our incredible 10th season showcasing the
best the Treasure Coast has to offer.
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
Publisher & Editor
Gregory Enns
772.940.9005
enns@indianrivermag.com
Associate Publisher
Allen Osteen
Writers
Janie Gould, Jerry Shaw,
Gloria Taylor Weinberg, Donna Crary,
Camille S. Yates, Willi Miller,
Susan Burgess, Sandra Thurlow,
Catherine Enns Grigas, L.L. Angell,
Rick Crary, Greg Gardner
Christina Tascon,
Siobhan Fitzpatrick Austin
Photographers
Ed Drondoski, Bob Dobens,
Rob Downey
Design
Michelle Burney
Copy Editors
Jay Goley, Judith Collins,
Julie Blomquist
Cover Photo
Peter Gorman
Advertising Coordinator
Laurie Cox
772.466.3346
laurie@indianrivermag.com
Advertising Representatives
Marsha Lange
772.237.1717
marsha@indianrivermag.com
Sunny Gates
772.204.5043
sunny@indianrivermag.com
Susanne Cruz
305.710.5315
cruz@indianrivermag.com
To subscribe
Visit indianriverstore.com
or send $20 check with
recipient’s mailing address to
Indian River, 308 Ave. A,
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
All address changes must be made in
writing to the above address or by
e-mailing subscribe@indianrivermag.com
On the Web
www.indianrivermag.com
A TREASURE TO READ
Indian River Magazine Inc. is a locally
owned company based at 308 Ave.
A in Fort Pierce, FL 34950 Indian River
magazine publishes five times a year: early
October, late November, mid-January, early
March and early May. All material contained
herein is copyrighted by
Indian River Magazine Inc.
One family, one big impact
4
Reach Publisher and Editor Gregory Enns at
772.940.9005 or enns@indianrivermag.com.
Reach Associate Publisher Allen Osteen at
772.466.3346 or osteen@indianrivermag.com.
Signatures:Signatures 2/25/13 4:25 PM Page 1
ED DRONDOSKI
The Schlitt family arrived in Vero Beach in 1918. Today, many family members have businesses tied to the home industry.
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