Four diesel-powered buses and one gasoline-fueled bus will be sold at auction at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road. These buses, and other items to be auctioned by Elliot Paul of Stuart-based Elliot Paul & Co. Auctions, will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of price.

The transit buses, all Fords with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs, are eight to 10 years old and have between 102,000 and 148,000 miles on them. The smallest of them has room for nine passengers and one wheelchair; the largest seats 14 passengers, or 10 with two wheelchairs.

The buses have been professionally maintained throughout their use.

“They are perfectly good vehicles,” Paul said. “They were not taken out of service because they are old.”

Besides the buses, the Council on Aging is selling a Lowery electric organ, eight fare boxes that had been used on buses and 1,600 linear feet of surplus hand rails, 640 linear feet of wall trim and some baseboard trim. The handrails and trim were left over after construction of the Kane Center was completed in June.

President and CEO Barbara Kauffman said the Council on Aging will maintain a smaller bus fleet now that its transit service, Kane Carriage, provides transportation only to people traveling to and from the Kane Center’s clinic and adult day care program. Kane Carriage is supported by a three-year federal grant for $36,000 a year.

The Council on Aging had been providing transportation service in the county since the late 1970s through its Community Coach service, but MV Transportation of Fairfield, Calif. took over the bus service on Feb. 1 after federal rules changed to require a greater emphasis on traditional bus routes and less on door-to-door service.

A Realtor from Santa Maria, Calif., on the Pacific coast about midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, Bruno Bornino outbid 23 others to buy the 110-year-old St. Lucie Club residence.

Bornino’s successful bid was $410,000, plus a 10 percent buyer’s premium.

“I just love the house and the area,” said Bornino, 64. “I will consider it as a second home and at the same time get some income.”

After his successful bid, Bornino met and took photos with his new tenants. Six of the building’s eight apartments are leased.

The 8,780-square-foot, three-story structure was originally built as a Florida retreat for eight influential Republican politicians from Pennsylvania. The building, on eight-tenths of an acre at 2601 N. Indian River Drive, is listed in the National Register of Historic Homes and is a focal point of St. Lucie Village in the historical district.

Bornino said the historical aspect of the building intrigued him because his wife, Robin, is a member of the Santa Barbara County (Calif.) Central Republican Committee.

“That and the appearance and location caught my eye,” Bornino said.

The building became known in its early days as the “Southern White House” because a group of influential Republicans led by Pennsylvania Sen. Matthew Quay, who for a time was chairman of the Republican National Committee, met there to pick the Republican presidential nominee before the primary election system was developed, Lucille Rights wrote in her book “A Portrait of St. Lucie County.” Rights is a board member of the St. Lucie Historical Museum and Regional Learning Center.

Elliot Paul, the Stuart-based auctioneer who conducted the sale, said, “I think it was an incredibly fair price. The sellers are pleased and the buyer got a great deal.”

One of the sellers, Rick Ginn of Palm City, said, “In the end I think it worked out for everybody.”

Ginn and his partner, Stuart Cohen of Port St. Lucie, bought the property about a year ago for $315,000.

Bornino said he decided on Sunday to come to Florida to bid on the property and flew in Tuesday. He said he checked out the neighborhood and looked at the building’s exterior on Wednesday, but didn’t see the inside until an hour before the auction.

The 110-year-old St. Lucie Club residence, now an eight-unit apartment building, is a focal point of St. Lucie Village in the historical district. The 8,780-square-foot, three-story structure was originally built as a Florida retreat for eight influential Republican politicians from Pennsylvania, Lucille Rights wrote in her book “A Portrait of St. Lucie County.” Rights is a board member of the St. Lucie Historical Museum and Regional Learning Center.

The group of Pennsylvania politicians was led by Matthew Quay, who served two terms in the U.S. Senate after winning the Civil War Medal of Honor while serving as a colonel in the Union Army.

Later, Quay was chairman of the Republican National Committee.

“In those days, the Republican nominee for president was picked by the committee in session in St. Lucie,” Rights wrote in her book.

St. Lucie County resident Susan Grimes and her then-husband bought the property, on eight-tenths of an acre at 2601 N. Indian River Drive, for $103,000 in 1988. Grimes said she spent about $500,000 restoring the property to its original elegance. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes.

While being converted to apartments, the building was rewired and replumbed and a metal roof was installed. Grimes and her daughter lived in the one two-bedroom apartment and rented out the others, all one-bedroom units.

“She really poured a lot of money into it,” said Elliot Paul, the Stuart-based auctioneer who will conduct the 5 p.m. auction at the property.

Grimes also replaced the dock that was destroyed in the 2004 and 2005 hurricanes.

“It’s a wonderful home and it was an honor to raise my daughter there,” Grimes said. “Someone who buys it will really have to love historical properties.”

Grimes said she couldn’t keep up with the high costs of taxes and insurance, so she sold it last June to avoid foreclosure.

“You really don’t get any tax breaks for it being historical,” Grimes said.

Rick Ginn of Palm City said he and his partner, Stuart Cohen of Port St. Lucie, bought the property for $315,000.

“I buy lots of short sales, try to stabilize them and put them back up” for sale in a year, Ginn said.

Ginn said he has caught up on some maintenance issues that had been deferred.

He said he chose to sell the property in an absolute auction, with no reserve price, because “traditional marketing methods through Realtors didn’t produce the desired results.”

Those interested in bidding at the auction must bring a $20,000 cashier’s check. The top bidder’s check will be applied as a partial deposit, which must be increased to 10 percent of the contract price, which includes the customary 10 percent buyer’s premium.

The southernmost lot, which has an income-generating billboard on it, was sold for $112,200, including the 10 percent buyer’s premium, in an absolute auction March 14 by Elliot Paul & Co. Auctions (www.elliotpaul.com) of Palm City.

Noting the $3,000 a year income the billboard produces “probably pays the taxes on that parcel,” Paul said the bidders chose that lot to be auctioned first. He said that lot also is closest to the water and sewer lines that run along Barefoot Boulevard, which connects U.S. 1 to Barefoot Bay, where more than 5,000 manufactured homes sit on 1,500 acres.

The buyer, a Treasure Coast resident and business owner who is an investor and developer, did not want to be identified by name, Paul said.

Paul conducted auctions of the other two lots immediately afterward, but the high bids were not enough to satisfy sellers Frank and Gary Fuchs, who decided to sell the properties after 15 years of trying to develop them.

After more than a week of negotiations, the same buyer agreed to purchase the other two lots for a total of $200,000.

“We got everyone to give a little bit to get the deal done,” Paul said.

The Fuchs brothers acquired the northernmost parcel first, in 1999, intending to develop an independent living facility. They made it through rezoning and permitting, but stalled trying to obtain financing for an $11 million project.

Fuchs said that including some site planning, he figures he invested about $700,000 in the property, which is the county’s biggest undeveloped site on U.S. 1 north of the Sebastian Inlet.

The northern two lots recently were appraised at a combined $800,000, Paul said.

The southernmost lot is likely worth another $400,000, Frank Fuchs, of Fellsmere said.

Proceeds from the sale will fall short of the $420,000 the Fuchs brothers owe PNC Bank on two loans for the properties. One loan was from Harbor Federal Bank and the other from RBC Bank, but PNC acquired both of those banks since then.

Fuchs said he decided to sell after PNC told him two years ago it would not renew the first loan because it not want to hold paper on raw land.

The three adjoining lots, which total nearly 16 acres, are mostly on the west side of U.S. 1 north of the Family Dollar store under construction, but also include corresponding narrow strips of shoreline along the Indian River Lagoon that total about 1.3 acres.

At least one of the three lots, each about 5 acres, will be sold at absolute auction at noon March 14 at the property. Elliot Paul & Co. Auctions of Palm City is conducting the auction.

The Fuchs brothers acquired the northernmost parcel first, in 1999, intending to develop an independent living facility. They made it through rezoning and permitting, but stalled trying to obtain financing for an $11 million project.

“Because we’d never done it, people wouldn’t give us the money to try,” Frank Fuchs said.

Over the next few years, the two parcels to the south became available. Fuchs figures he invested about $700,000 in the property, including some site planning.

The site is immediately east of Barefoot Bay, which has more than 5,000 manufactured homes on 1,500 acres in southern Brevard County.

Shortly before the recession, Fuchs said, a developer that works with Publix offered to purchase the two southern lots for $2.3 million.

That and a subsequent offer from a condo developer to buy all three parcels for $2.5 million fell through with the recession, leaving the property the county’s biggest undeveloped site on U.S. 1 north of the Sebastian Inlet.

The northern two lots were most recently appraised at a combined $800,000, on which Fuchs owes $350,000 to PNC Bank. He owes an additional $70,000 on the southernmost lot, which is likely worth $400,000.

Telling Fuchs it did not want to hold paper on raw land, he said, PNC chose not to renew his first loan two years ago.

Fuchs said at age 63 his priorities have changed.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” he said. “We gave it our best shot. Now it’s time to move on.”

A separate $20,000 registration fee is required to bid on each property, Elliot Paul said, and successful bidders must increase their deposit to 10 percent after the auction.

Paul noted the southernmost lot has an income-producing billboard. The northern lot remains zoned institutional with commercial potential, fitting an assisted-living facility; the other two are zoned commercial retail.

Paul said the registered bidders will advise him which to bid on first, usually the most desirable lot. After high bids are established in live auction on all three, any bidder will have an opportunity to buy all three.

At least one lot will be sold in an absolute auction. Fuchs wouldn’t mind selling all three.

A nine-bedroom, 12,300-square-foot mansion in Bear’s Club to be auctioned soon is a bit above your price range?

You’d prefer to be on the water and wouldn’t mind having National Football League coaching legends Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick for neighbors?

A 3,000-square-foot condo at Jupiter Yacht Club & Marina will be auctioned at 5 p.m. March 7 at the property.

Parcells and Belichick both own penthouse condos in the luxury development, which has five buildings.

A $25,000 cashier’s check in required to become a registered bidder. The high bidder must increase the deposit to 10 percent after the auction and has 30 days to close.

Auctioneer is Justin Paul of Palm City-based Elliott Paul & Co.

The unit, which has three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a split floor plan, was first purchased unfinished in January 2006 for $950,000.

The current owners, Mike and Susan Termini, purchased it for $800,000 in June 2008. The original owners paid $950,000 for it unfinished in January 2006.

Its most recent assessment was at $600,000.

The Terminis are selling because they now have a grandchild and want to move back to Martin County to a house with a back yard, Elliot Paul said.

The auction will have an undisclosed reserve price, allowing the Terminis to accept or reject the high bid.

Unit 110 on the first floor at 600 S. U.S. 1 (the Commodore) also has a 5,000-square-foot lanai with a gazebo, the only unit in the Yacht Club so appointed. Other features include a custom chef’s kitchen with stainless steel Viking professional refrigerator.

Condos in the Commodore, a 23- unit building overlooking the Intracoastal and private lagoon, have 9 foot ceilings. Each unit has two deeded garage parking spots. Other amenities in the Commodore include a library, theater, putting green, landscaped pool with hot tub, as well as a social room with a pool table, wet bar and flat screen TV.

A dock with ocean access suitable for a sportfisher or motor yacht also is available for rent or purchase.

© 2012 TCPalm. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

STUART — On Jan. 23 Samaritan Center for Young Boys & Families hosted its signature event, the Great Chef Adventure, at Mariner Sands Country Club. Event Honorary Chairs Mary and Dan Gescheidle helped make the luncheon the most successful one in recent memory.
More than 200 guests dined on an extraordinary multi-course luncheon prepared by Executive Chef John Saundry some of the most renowned chefs in the area. Contributing their considerable culinary skills were Michel Personnaz, MCF from Jupiter Island Country Club; James Cunningham, from Willoughby Golf Club; Michael Plotkin, from Harbour Ridge Yacht & Country Club; and Mitchell Pagan and Eric J. Potzinger both from Mariner Sands Country Club. The chefs created a most memorable feast in both taste and presentation.
Kelley Dunn, news anchor for WPTV-Channel 5, kept the program both lively and heartfelt as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Justin Paul, auctioneer with Elliot Paul & Company, created excitement during the live auction portion of the program.
“We didn’t need the final numbers to know that this was a highly successful event for Samaritan Center,” commented Dennis Desmarais, executive director of Samaritan Center.
“The participation from our guests, the support from our sponsors and the ‘buzz’ in the room were all clear indicators,” echoed Millie Wood, event cair. “We couldn’t be more grateful. A lot of good will result from this event.”
Sponsors for the event were Mary and Dan Gescheidle, Comerica Bank, Seacoast National Bank, FPL, Northern Trust Bank, Classic Cooling, Forest Hills Funeral Homes and an anonymous donor.
A Christian-based, residential, early intervention program, Samaritan Center addresses the behavioral and academic issues of young boys and discordant dynamics of their family. By providing love, education and discipline to young boys and their families, Samaritan Center keeps families together and boys out of the juvenile court system. Through non-clinical counseling and parenting classes the home environment is addressed as part of a restorative and preventative program. And it all happens without government funding.
Samaritan Center for Young Boys & Families is a 501(C) (3) not-for-profit organization. To learn more about how you can make a positive difference in the life of a boy and his family or to attend one of our parenting classes, contact Amy Christensen, community development director, at 772-287-4123 ext. 203.
At Samaritan Center, we reconcile families and build men…..one boy at a time.

This story is contributed by a member of the Treasure Coast community and is neither endorsed nor affiliated with TCPalm.com

STUART — Twelve of the Treasure Coast’s finest gentlemen donated their time and talent at the second annual Mr. Stud Finder charity auction on Jan. 26. The event raised more than $30,000 for Habitat for Humanity of Martin County’s 2012 Women Build.

Auctioneer Elliot Paul served as master of ceremonies at this fun-filled, lively event at the Lyric’s Flagler Center in downtown Stuart. Twelve ‘Mr. Stud Finders’ presented valuable auction items for bid, valued from $300 to $5,000. The auction featured a cruise with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres aboard Captain Bill Zeller’s 42-foot yacht; a day of beauty at Michael Izzolo’s Michael Leonard Salon; and a wine-tasting courtesy of Jeff Schagrin of Harbour Bay Gourmet.

The 2012 lineup also included Martin County Commissioner Patrick Hayes; Piper’s Landing Yacht and Country Club tennis pro, Cullen de Windt; Michael Flaugh, landscape architect; Chef Adam Fatigate of Chef’s Table; stylist Kenny Kelly of Secrets Hair Salon and Spa; photographer Mitch Kloorfain; Blayne Rosely of Island Beach Resort and Shuckers restaurant; Jermaine Cooper presented a package from Hawk’s Nest Golf Course; and a package from Star Bright Event Designs presented by Steven Way.

A total of $15,000 was raised through the main auction. In addition, the crowd pitched in with bids ranging from $100 to $1,000 to raise $7,700 for the foundation of the 2012 Women Build home. Silent auction items, tickets, Women Build merchandise sales and donations also contributed to the event proceeds.

“We’re thrilled with the result of this second annual auction. Thanks to the generosity of our 12 philanthropic ‘studs,’ the generous bidders, sponsors, our volunteers and staff, we’re off to a great start funding the construction of a home for the Sanchez family,” said Margot Graff, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Martin County. “We set the bar pretty high last year, but we were able to top it by $10,000 – which is no small feat in this economy. It’s truly a testament to the charitable community we live in, and the Habitat mission as well.”

Special recognition goes to Elliot Paul & Company; Wilmington Trust; The Stuart News; Goldstein, Schmitt and Wade, PL; Florida Power and Light Company; Kramer, Sopko & Levenstein, PA, Attorneys at Law; 7 Orchids restaurant, and Dawn V. Gilmore Fine Art Photography for sponsoring this event.

To learn more about Women Build events, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.HabitatMartin.org or call 772-223-9940.

About Habitat for Humanity of Martin County: Habitat for Humanity of Martin County is a not-for-profit organization that works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to help eliminate substandard housing by building homes for others, revitalizing neighborhoods, and transforming lives. Since its inception in 1986, Habitat for Humanity of Martin County has built 94 homes in Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Jensen Beach, Port Salerno and Stuart. For more information, call 772-223-9940 or visit http://www.HabitatMartin.org.

© 2011 TCPalm. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.