The Vernon/Micheal family PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

It was a reunion like no other, one in which descendants of Vero’s pioneer families gathered at the Heritage Center to celebrate the legacies of the men and women whose impact significantly influenced the growth and character of our still ‘charming little city by the sea.’

From 2000 to 2019, the nonprofit Vero Heritage Inc., which manages the Heritage Center and its adjacent Citrus Museum, hosted a series of Pioneer Family Dinners to honor families individually.

When the board opted to bring back the popular event this year, board member Preston Perrone suggested hosting a Pioneer Family Reunion this time, bringing together all of the previously honored families.

Robyn Berry, Vero Heritage executive director, explained that to be categorized as a pioneer family, an individual or family must have moved to Vero Beach no later than 1925.

As soon as the history-rich fundraiser was announced, tickets quickly sold out. The result was a truly unique and heartwarming event, a sort of living museum steeped in history. Memories from decades past were suddenly as fresh as yesterday, and guests were brimming with nostalgia.

The room was filled with warm greetings, camaraderie, surprises, hugs and tears, as people spotted friends they hadn’t seen in years. Family members had come from across the state, and as far away as Connecticut and Texas.

One attendee, delighted to spy a long-ago friend from another family, was heard to declare happily, “I thought he was dead!”

Each family was provided with a roomy space beneath colorful signs suspended from the lofty ceiling and a display table on which they lovingly set out treasured artifacts, memorabilia and photos showcasing the lives, history and contributions of their families.

The honored families included: Sexton/Tripson, Schumann, Michael/Vernon, MacWilliam, Graves, Helseth, Vocelle, Zeuch, Cox/Gifford, Holman, Carter, Schlitt, Loy/Guy, Kennedy, Wodtke, Knight, Howard, Idlette, DuBose, and Hamilton/Mathis. Together, they represented virtually every aspect of Vero’s growth over the years.

A heartfelt invocation was delivered by pioneer descendant “Uncle” John DuBose, who had traveled from Okeechobee to attend.

“It was like old-home week,” said Peggy Hamilton.

She related that her great-grandfather Edward came down from north Florida “in 1906 with eight children and an ox and wagon, and settled in what is now John’s Island. Her grandfather, “Jessie James” Hamilton, served for many years on the first Board of County Commissioners, including as board chairman.

T.P. Kennedy said he was thrilled with the turnout, which was even more than expected.

“So many families responded, like old times. Robyn Berry did a great job with the layout. It was a huge success. Now we can get back to honoring another of our pioneer families each year,” he added.

In keeping with the old Florida ambiance, dinner included such comfort dishes as mac-and-cheese, collard greens and barbeque by Pepper & Salt BBQ; with bar service by Ray Hooker’s Indian River Distillery.

The venue itself has its own story to tell. Built in 1935 as the city’s first community center, the historic structure was saved by concerned residents from fading into the shadows of lost memories.

Berry and Secor agreed that all those who work and volunteer at the lovingly restored building are dedicated to keeping Vero’s story alive and take every opportunity to share it, referring to themselves as the “storytellers for the county.”

For more information, visit VeroHeritage.org.

Photos by Joshua Kodis