During a special presentation by Centennial Committee Liaison Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough-McCormick at the December City Council meeting, the Homestead Centennial Steering Committee presented a recognition award to Florida Power & Light/ Turkey Point Power Plant for volunteering to build the Homestead Centennial parade float, a replica of Homestead’s old Flagler Railway station.
“We are so grateful for FP&L’s support of the Homestead Centennial,” said Centennial Steering Committee Chairwoman Yvonne Knowles, who presented the plaques. “Not only are they one of the main sponsors of the Homestead Centennial, but their generous efforts made a reality our dream to create a Centennial float to commemorate the 100 years of the City of Homestead.”
Chairwoman Yvonne Knowles and other members of the Centennial Steering Committee met with Bob Bertelson, Land Utilization Supervisor at FPL/ Turkey Point, and his team, just four weeks before the Centennial float was scheduled to run its first course at the Homestead Veteran’s Day Parade. With dedication and hard work put into effect, without delay, the reproduction of the railway station was completed on time for their debut.
“After meeting with Chairwoman Knowles and the Centennial Steering Committee, my team and I, immediately, went to work on something that would grow and we could take pride in,” said Bob Bertelson. “Now, we have this awesome Centennial float.”
The volunteering recognition awards were presented to Senior Vice-President of Turkey Point, Michael Kiley, Bob Bertelson, Land Utilization Supervisor at FPL/ Turkey Point, and a team of 14, who volunteered their time toward constructing a replica of Henry Flagler’s old Homestead Flagler Railway station into a Centennial float. The float was first present at the Homestead Veteran’s Day Parade, and can next be seen at the Homestead Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, Saturday, January 19th at noon, and the Homestead Rodeo Parade, Saturday, January 25th at 11 am in Downtown Homestead. The float will also be on display at the main Homestead Centennial event Saturday, February 2nd at Harris Field.
“This was not created for the recognition, but for our commitment to the community,” said Michael Kiley. “This is just one additional project that we are giving back to the City of Homestead.”
