🌅 🔥 $10 BBQ, Fort Pierce’s Facelift & What’s Next for St. Anastasia?

Good Morning, Sunland

It’s Wednesday! Middle of the week, nearing the end of the month—for some reason, these weeks always feel like the toughest. But we will prevail! Alright…

🔥 Meal Deal: It’s Wednesday, so you know what that means—$10 Wednesdays at Stoney’s BBQ! Every week, all chicken and rib dinners are just $10, making it the perfect day to feed the whole family without breaking the bank. 👉 Check it out here

🌡️ Weather Update: A bright and breezy midweek

☀️ Day: High of 77°F | ☀️ Plenty of sunshine
🌙 Night: Low of 62°F | 🌤️ Partly cloudy, with some winds.
🌅 Sunrise: 6:48 AM | 🌇 Sunset: 6:20 PM
Sounds like: “Send It On” by D’Angelo 🎶

🍋 The Main Squeeze: 🌐 St. Anastasia’s Facelift is Complete
But What’s Next?

TL;DR: Unlike some Fort Pierce restoration projects that have stalled, the $700,000 exterior renovation of St. Anastasia Catholic School is officially done. Now, attention turns to what comes next for the historic site.

What’s happening: The Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency (FPRA) set aside $500,000 for the project over a year ago, and now the work—led by Minnesota-based Innovative Masonry Restoration (IMR)—is complete. The school, originally built in 1914, now closely resembles its historic look, with stucco repairs, brick restoration, and fresh paint carefully selected to match the original structure.

Why it matters: In recent months, we’ve talked a lot about restoration and revitalization efforts in Fort Pierce—some of which have gone quiet after big announcements. This project, however, actually got done.

💬 Commissioner James Taylor: “I didn’t realize how bad it looked until now—it’s a widely loved building.”

But a facelift is just step one. The interior still needs work, and city officials are now exploring what the building’s future use should be. A community charrette is planned to gather public input.

What’s next: Some ideas have already been tossed around, but the question remains—what should St. Anastasia’s next chapter be? Should it serve as a community space, museum, event venue, or something else entirely?

💭 What do you think? 🏛️ What should St. Anastasia’s historic building become?

🍊 The Press Round: What Local is Saying!

🏥 New Maternity Facility in Martin County Could Cost $5M

With Cleveland Clinic Martin North’s labor and delivery unit closing in five weeks, efforts are underway to build a new maternity center. The Healthy Start Coalition is seeking land and funding, with $2 million in state support requested toward the estimated $5 million total cost.

👉 Read more

✈️ Daher Investing $30M to Build Aircraft in Stuart

French aerospace company Daher is investing $30 million into its Witham Field facility to manufacture and assemble TBM and Kodiak planes by 2027. The site already produces key components for Boeing and Gulfstream aircraft.

👉 Read more

🌳 Torino Park’s First Phase Hits Roadblock

Port St. Lucie officials are weighing costly wetland mitigation against altering plans for Torino Regional Park. The choice? Preserve a second entrance or cut costs to avoid delays. No final decision yet, but discussions continue.

👉 Read more

🍹The Refill: 💌 Dr. James Maxie Ponder
A Pioneer in Florida Medicine

Sponsored by: Anley Cardiovascular

Dr. James Maxie Ponder was more than just a physician—he was a trailblazer for Black healthcare in Florida, breaking barriers at a time when access to quality medical care for African Americans was scarce.

Born in 1888 in Jacksonville, Ponder earned his medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1915. During World War I, he served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Reserve Corps, earning a Presidential Citation for his service.

In 1926, he became the first Black physician admitted to Mercy Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he served as the sole Black doctor for over two decades. His impact went far beyond the hospital walls—he was a champion for Black education and medical advancement, serving as chairman of the Trustees for Black Schools in Pinellas County and the first African American member of the Pinellas County Medical Society.

His dedication to service, education, and community health left a lasting legacy in St. Petersburg and beyond, paving the way for future generations of Black physicians.

❤️ Sponsored by Anley Cardiovascular: Your heart health matters. Learn how to protect it here.

🎉 Weekend Events: Fair Starts This Week!

Friday, February 28

• 🎭 It’s a Date at 3114 Okeechobee Road. A roaring ‘20s-themed night for a cause, supporting the local community. | 7 PM–10:30 PM | Join the Celebration

• 🎤 Karaoke Night with the Karaoke Kop! at Westside VFW Post 8058. Enjoy great food and entertainment—no need to sing to have a blast! | 5:30 PM–8:30 PM | Sing Along

• 🎨 Artist Spotlight at Cool Beans Brew. Discover local talent at this monthly art event featuring Fort Pierce Art Club members. | 6 PM–7:30 PM | See the Artists

• 🚗 Cars and Stars: Shift Culture FuelFest Pre-Meet at 500 NW California Blvd. A high-energy car meet with food trucks, entertainment, and a two-step showdown. | 7 PM–10 PM | Rev Up Here

• 🤠 PRCA Rodeo at St. Lucie County Fair. Two nights of professional rodeo action with high-energy bull riding and more. | 7:30 PM–10 PM | Grab Tickets

Saturday, March 1

• 🛍️ Olive Branch GreenMarket in St. Lucie West. Shop fresh produce, artisan goods, and local crafts at this vibrant community market. | 10 AM | Explore the Market

• ❤️ Black Family Health Expo at The Life Shift Church. A day of education, resources, and empowerment for better community health. | 9 AM | Learn More

• 🌙 STEAM Talk: Moonscapes at Hallstrom Planetarium. A fascinating look at lunar craters and the history of the early solar system. | 6 PM | Explore the Cosmos

• 🎰 A Night in Las Vegas at Pelican Yacht Club. A retro casino-themed night where “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” | 6 PM | Try Your Luck

If you have an event, send it to me here

💧 The Last Drop: Waste!

1. ⚾ Mets Workouts Open to Fans Catch the New York Mets in action! Daily workouts at Clover Park start at 9:30 AM and are open to the public. Check the Schedule

2. 📉 Treasure Coast Housing Shift

   Fewer home sales, more listings—January saw a 54% surge in new listings, pushing 2025 toward a buyers’ market. See the Trends

3. 🚛 PSL Hazardous Waste Drop-Off

   Got old paint, chemicals, or electronics? Drop them off for free this Saturday, March 1, from 8 AM–Noon at 450 SW Thornhill Dr. More Info

4. 🚒 Fire at Line-X on U.S. 1

   A blaze at Line-X sent smoke miles away, but crews contained it with no injuries reported. Read More

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