Speaker Series - Sue Holbrook & Ken Kennedy
March 26, 2025 @ 6:00PM — 8:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Vero Heritage Center & Indian River Citrus Museum: 2140 14th Avenue Vero Beach, FL 32960 Get Directions
Deep Roots: The Legacy of the Kennedy Family
Join us for a special evening as we kick off our Speaker Series with Sue Holbrook and Ken Kennedy, proud members of Vero Beach’s very own Kennedy Family. Hear firsthand stories of their family's deep roots in Indian River County and their contributions to the region’s rich history. This engaging discussion will offer a glimpse into the past while celebrating the legacy that continues today. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with local history and community heritage! 📍 Location: Vero Heritage Center & Citrus Museum - 2140 14th Avenue, Vero Beach, 32960 📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, 3/26/25 - 6:00pm-8:00pm
WHO WAS FRANK AYERS?
He may be one of Indian River County’s least known settlers, but Frank Ayers is surely among the most significant. On March 26, the Heritage Center will host his two descendants to share the Kennedy family’s IRC history which dates back to the life of this funny little man. Not only is he acknowledged as the one who made an important archeological discovery, he should be remembered as a naturalist who had a keen insight into his environment.
Sue Kennedy Holbrook and her brother Ken Kennedy are fifth generation Indian River County residents who love to share their family lore with anyone who will listen. Both graduated from Vero Beach High School (Sue 1962 and Ken 1969) and earned degrees at the University of Florida; Sue in journalism and Ken in agricultural economics. They worked together for years in various aspects of Kennedy Groves. Sue also partnered with her husband, Ed, in their pharmacy, Ed’s Apothecary on Beachland Blvd.
While these siblings may have slipped into retirement, life is still full and family dominated. Sue has two children and four grandchildren and Ken has three children and nine grandchildren. Ken spends his days growing vegetables and flowers in his yard and Sue’s time is centered around her writing projects. In addition to bringing the devotion message each Thursday at First Methodist church’s Ladies Lunch, she has published three books and is currently completing the fourth, entitled Pieces of Peace. The Heritage Center will launch this latest effort when it is published, sometime in November.
Sister and brother look forward to sharing Frank Ayers as part of the county’s centennial celebration. “All our lives we heard our father’s memories of his Uncle Frank and what his legacy meant, not only to our family and to the family business but to the county at large,” says Sue. “It will honor our father to bring recognition to this man he dearly loved. As Uncle Frank’s only remaining local descendants, it’s up to us to share that legacy.”