FELLSMERE — In honor of his hard work and determination in saving the Old Fellsmere School, the Fellsmere City Council has named the auditorium “The Clarence F. Korker Center for the Performing Arts” and made the announcement a surprise to “Korky” Korker, who was at a loss for words.
“I’m speechless,” Korker said, whose face got red and eyes teary. “I am. I’m speechless.”
City Councilwoman Sara Savage noted that Korker is never without words – hasn’t been in the 15 years they’ve known each other.
“I don’t deserve that honor,” Korker continued after he had composed himself. “I did what I thought was right, to save that building. A thank you would’ve been fine with me.”
Korker has been a resident of Fellsmere since 1948, traveling back and forth from the city to the north and called Fellsmere his permanent home in 1992.
He was “motivating force” behind the Save Our Old School project, according to Vice Mayor Joel Tyson, who asked Korker to attend the meeting.
The project raised nearly $600,000 that was used to preserve and restore the old school. Korker also worked on the Fellsmere Frog Leg Festival Committee, a committee that directed $200,000 toward the school through proceeds from the annual festival.
When he wasn’t out campaigning for the school, Korker did what he could to protect it from storms, vandals and other destruction up until the City of Fellsmere took over and completed the restoration.
The Old Fellsmere School reopened as the new Fellsmere City Hall earlier this year. The schoolhouse, built in 1915 at a cost of approximately $40,000 (in that year’s money), cost about $3 million to restore.
