Port St. Lucie
4
Coming together as
friends and neighbors
For some people, making
friends is as easy
as saying, “Howdy
neighbor!,” or “What’s
happening?” For others, it
might take more time to warm
up to those who are living
next door. In this month’s
issue of Port St. Lucie Magazine,
we take a look at what it
means to be good neighbors;
whether you are city officials,
businessmen or just the guy
next door.
Making neighborhoods
friendlier and safer is a major
mission of the city’s K-9 unit.
To help the officers and their
canine partners maintain their
readiness, the police department
has set up a new training
center at McCarty Ranch
Preserve with the help of a
$60,000 grant from the Ronald
J. Woods Charitable Trust.
Page 8
On Page 32, Jerry Shaw writes that rapper, actor and reality TV host Vanilla Ice, whose
real name is Robert Van Winkle, believes his investments in the city’s housing market are
due to rise in value.
What better way to extend a hand in friendship to our veterans than to ensure they have
a sound roof over their heads. In a story on Page 36, writer Debra Magrann details the efforts
of many businesses and organizations to provide mortgage-free homes for those who
served and sacrificed their all to keep our country safe.
For years, it could be said that the history between the city hall and its residents has been
a mite frosty. Writer Susan Burgess takes a look at the steps city officials are taking to mend
broken fences by being more inclusive when it comes to governing and making the city a
friendlier place to live. Page 40
Is there anything more important than friends and family? Just ask the diverse group of
more than 40 residents of Tradition who have formed a genealogy club. As friends, they
share new additions to their family trees with each other and as families, they pass down
their histories to their children and grandchildren. Page 50
And there’s lots more to read including a profile on playwright and youth counselor Sonia
DuPree on Page 54 by Pattie Durham as we strive to keep you informed and involved
with friends and family in your Port St. Lucie neighborhoods.
Reach Associate Publisher Allen Osteen at
772.466.3346 or osteen@portstluciemagazine.com
Reach Publisher Gregory Enns at
772.940.9005 or enns@portstluciemagazine.com
PUBLISHERS’ NOTE
PortStLucieMagazine.com
4
Publisher & Editor
Gregory Enns
772.940.9005
enns@portstluciemagazine.com
Associate Publisher
Allen Osteen
772.466.3346
osteen@portstluciemagazine.com
Associate Editor
Judith Collins
Copy Editors
Pattie Durham, Gaettane A. Paul
Writers
Susan Burgess, Lori Van Dien,
Pattie Durham, Greg Gardner,
Ellen Gillette, Debra Magrann,
Jerry Shaw
Photographers
Ed Drondoski,
Rob Downey, John Biondo
Photo Retouching
Herb Paynter
Design Editor
Michelle Burney
Cover Photo
John Biondo
To Advertise
772.940.9005
advertise@portstluciemagazine.com
Advertising Representatives
Kelly Farish
772.359.3697
kelly@portstluciemagazine.com
Laurie Cox
772.466.3346
laurie@portstluciemagazine.com
Marsha Lange
973.714.4141
marsha@portstluciemagazine.com
To Subscribe
Visit IndianRiverStore.com
On the Web
PortStLucieMagazine.com
M A G A Z I N E
Port St. Lucie Magazine and
St. Lucie Magazine, published
each January, March, June and
September, are publications of
Indian River Magazine Inc., a
locally owned company based at
308 Ave. A, Fort Pierce, FL 34950.
All material contained herein
is copyrighted by Indian River
Magazine Inc. Member of the
St. Lucie County Chamber
of Commerce.
JOHN BIONDO
K-9 Officer Blek spends at least 10 hours a week at the city’s new
training center at McCarty Ranch Preserve learning how to serve and
protect the neighborhoods of Port St. Lucie.
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