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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAlice Klimas_Courier-TCPalm_12/29/2010TCPALM Print -or - friendly ;tur5 FL01).1DXSTFEASUFE COAST AN1) PiILM BEACHES Read mare attcpalm -eom Alice Klimas: A Life worth celebrating jtdavisson #376847, a member of the Treasure Coast community. This story is neither endorsed by nor affiliated with this site. Originally published 09:43 a.m., December 28, 2010 Updated 09:44 a.m., December 28, 2010 JUPITER — When I arrived in Jupiter /Tequesta back in 1969, the Jupiter /Tequesta /Juno Beach Chamber of Commerce, which began in 1947, was functioning without an executive director and had a staff of one, Jupiter pioneer Anna Minear who served as the secretary. It certainly wasn't ready for the growth explosion that was about to happen. Then in 1972/73 several local businessmen including Tommy Orr, Bill Taylor and Bob Grogan, M.D. decided to get things moving and set about searching for an executive director. Taylor found the perfect candidate in the local chamber office in the wilds of West Hartford, Ct. Her name, Alice Klimas, formerly from New Britain, Ct. It didn't take too much convincing on his part to get her to leave the snow and cold and move to Jupiter, Florida. Suddenly, in 1973 under Klimas' direction, the Chamber became "the place to be." Between the Lighthouse Gallery in Tequesta and the numerous social Chamber of Commerce functions, Jupiter /Tequesta had a full blown social calendar. The season always kicked off in September at the Royal Lion Restaurant located at the southeast corner of U.S. 1 and Tequesta Drive. Events ranged from the annual political barbeque held at the Florida Power & Light Park off Indiantown Road to a dinner dance in June. Throughout the year, fun activities were planned by Klimas and the board of directors. She was the energized bunny come to life, making each event run smoothly. In the seventies, Royal Palm Festival, a county wide event, was planned by Discover Palm Beach County, a committee serving the tourism industry. Since I represented the Chamber and the Jupiter Beach Hilton on the committee, it was important for our Chamber to become involved. The festival events, to be held during the shoulder season, were created to generate interest in visiting the area during April and May. Events were held from Boca to Jupiter over a ten day period. The Royal Palm Festival was the forerunner of Sunfest.