SEBASTIAN — A third book about Sebastian’s history is about to hit bookshelves, adding to a list of books from the Sebastian Area Historical Society chronicling stories and tales from the historic fishing village.
“It’s not often a book comes along which appeals to all ages, a book that is both entertaining and educational, a book full of adventure and discovery which highlights what came before us, a book which relives history and helps us identify ourselves in the colorful history of Florida,” said Valerie Van Haltern, educator and Friends For Seniors coordinator, of “Even More Tales of Sebastian.”
Beth Mitchell, executive director of the Sebastian River Area Chamber of Commerce, was just as enthusiastic.
“I was surprised by how up-front many of those interviewed by Phil Bova were with their comments,” she said. “It takes a special skill to draw out decades-old feelings and details about growing up in Sebastian.”
Another reader, Sally Maio, City Clerk of Sebastian, realized while reading the stories people told in the book how much she had been a part of what is now considered history.
“Although I didn’t spend my childhood in Sebastian, I have lived here for 27 years,” she said. “When I came here, you could drive down CR512 — then it was called Fellsmere Road — go to FoodTown and not see another car on the road.”
“I went to work at City Hall in 1986 in the former old Sebastian Elementary School in the same area that now houses the Historical Society. My old office now displays Military, Farming and Fishing exhibits. So much has changed. This book brings back all those memories.”
The Sebastian Area Historical Society will hold a book signing Nov. 13 at Squidly’s Book Store from 1 to 3 p.m., 717 Coolidge St. Refreshments will be served. There is no admission charge.
Al Scortino, lead singer and songwriter for “The Ashley Gang” will play and sing. He has written several songs about the local area, one about Jungle Trail and another recounting the capture of The Ashley Gang at the St. Sebastian River bridge.
Scortino and the Ashley Gang have been playing for the North County Library’s Coffee House programs since 1994. He regularly performs at the Florida Music Festivals, Florida Humanities Council programs and will be at the Emerson Center in Vero later this year.
Books are $20 each and will be Christmas wrapped at no extra charge.
The first part of the 148-page book has interviews with 25 local and former residents who went to school or worked in Sebastian.
Some interviews were by later generations of pioneer families.
Minimal editing preserves the “down-to-earth” conversational appeal of the taped interviews by Sebastian Area Historical Society board member Phil Bova.
Photographs and stories told in the Society’s first two books, “Tales of Sebastian” and “More Tales of Sebastian” are not repeated.
George Keyes, who selected photographs for the first two “Tales” books, was again asked to illustrate the articles, using his own and the Society’s rich photographic collections. He also contributed several chapters, including one on the beginnings of the Sebastian Area Historical Society.
Doris Jorgensen served as a senior editor, wrote several chapters and also described early Historical Society programs.
Phil Bova interviewed the majority of those whose stories are told. Wilma Bertling served as Chair of the Committee, transcribed the interviews and did the computer production of the book.
Official FEC Historian Seth H. Bramson volunteered a chapter on the Fellsmere Railroad that once ran between Sebastian and Fellsmere.
Kathy McDonald, Anne D. Michael and Valerie Van Haltern were key members of the Book Committee; they were assisted by community readers and other contributors in getting the book ready for publication.
Andrea Frank at Sebastian River High School and Pamela Sommers at Sebastian Middle School submitted student art to illustrate the local interviews. John Sahlman’s painting of a Cracker House, aerial views by Jerry Peterman and John Boncek, photographs by Judith Keyes Knapp, Bill Ocker and Dot Judah are other highlights of the book.
Of special interest are interviews with Douglas Kroegel, Deanie and Buddy Taylor, Betty Taylor Walther, Robert Hardee Chesser and Meta Chesser Keen, all from pioneer Sebastian families.
Also, fishermen (and one woman) Archie Joe Warren, Jeff Green, Alfred Conniff, Carl Boberg, Tom Stewart and Pat Davis contributed stories for the book.
Other interviews are by I. J. Anderson and James Hume who were Sebastian Volunteer Firemen in the 1950s, Daisy Knowles, long-time associate of Dr. Kip Kelso, founder of Sebastian River Medical Center; and Peter D. Wimbrow, whose father, mother and sister edited the North County newspaper, “Indian River News,” Wimbrow’s sister, SallyDale, was also a General Development Corporation (GDC) sales representative while the Sebastian Highlands was under construction by the Mackle Brothers.
Lee Skinner lived in the Quay Depot after it was moved to Roseland. Laurent Smith was Principal of the old Sebastian Elementary School when it closed, and Richard Thomas lived in Sebastian and was principal at other Indian River County Schools. Connie Lawrence Willis was in the last graduating class at the old Sebastian Elementary School.
Kip Kelso, Jr., supervises the Sebastian Cemetery where visitors can learn a lot about Sebastian history. Cindy Bowman saw the beginnings of the population explosion when the Sebastian Highlands development changed Sebastian forever. Airport Manager John Van Antwerp provided the impetus that successfully built the Sebastian Golf Course.
