Members of the 55+ Club of Satellite Beach recently enjoyed a memorable paddleboat day trip aboard the Barbara Lee, traveling along the historic St. Johns River from Sanford. The three-hour sightseeing cruise featured beautiful river scenery, a multi-course meal, and live entertain-ment as the group dined in style.
Adding to the fun was Allan Coffin, who entertained everyone with a lively performance as Elvis. With great food, music, and fellowship, the trip was a wonderful experience enjoyed by all.
As the Barbara Lee traveled along the river, members admired the beauty of Florida’s land-scape, including towering cypress trees and glimpses of wildlife along the riverbanks. The adventure continued with a visit to the City of Sanford’s history museum, where the group ex-plored exhibits
highlighting the area’s rich past.
One of the museum’s fascinating displays featured a 21-foot Timucua canoe recovered in 1981. The canoe dates to approximately 800 C.E., offering a remarkable connection to Florida’s earliest inhabitants. Other exhibits showcased the lives and legacy of Henry Sanford’s family, for whom the city was named.
Members also discovered an unexpected piece of Sanford history: in 1944, the city was known as the celery center of the United States. Entrepreneur Mr. Paulucci purchased celery that had been discarded because of size or appearance imperfections and used it to help build the success of his Chun King Corporation. Who knew celery played such an important role in Sanford’s history?
The group also learned that the local area was once known for growing exceptionally large peanuts. The day was filled with history, nature, laughter, and new discoveries—a wonderful outing that created lasting memories for every-one who attended.