November 2014
A special supplement to the
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Ag Fest is a family friendly festival, designed to educate and entertain. Our goal is to highlight the importance of agriculture in observance with National Farm City
Week. Its participants show the agricultural industry and its suppliers impact the lives of all citizens every day, no matter where they live. Ag Fest is a one-day event that honors Florida’s Agricultural Heritage. More important, the many commodities produced in DeSoto County, Florida, a unique semi-tropical production area in the United States. Citrus, cattle, and watermelons are the most common agricultural products in DeSoto County but peaches, blueberries, native plants, tomatoes, and a variety of other row crops are also grown locally. Other agricultural related businesses in the area include juice processing plants,
sod farms, honey production, herb farms, organic farms, irrigation applications, crop hauling, blackberries, grove maintenance, and fish farms. This year will mark out 4th annual event and we begin our activities with a kick-off to the Ag Fest Banquet to honor our legends and a young farmer of the year. This year our banquet will be held Friday, Nov. 14 at the Turner Civic Center. Tickets are on sale at the Turner Center for $30 per person or you can reserve a table for eight for $300. Participants and guests travel from aross Florida to share and see how agriculture shapes our lives. For
2014 Ag Fest Planning Committee
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Back row from left: Joe Gallimore, Tim Vowels, Katie Marks, Cary Mercer, Jan Schmitz, Jody Sullivan, Jerrod Gross, Randy Coldiron. Front row: Denise Pilarski, Heather Nedley, Mandy Hines, Kristi Popa, Anna Beswick, and Janet Harvin. Not pictured: Margie Turner and Jolene Westberry.
some, agricultural pursuits provide production employment and for others, it is an educational outlet to pass on the knowledge and opportunities of an industry that many take for granted. Individuals and organizations enjoy agricultural related leisure activities and hobbies. Please join this community effort to put our way of life, front and center, on November 22, 2014. With your involvement we can secure the continuation of this annual event. For more information, contact Jody Sullivan, Ag Fest Committee Member 863-993-4807.
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
COME HONOR ALL OUR VETERANS December 4-7, 2014 FREE ADMISSION AND PARKING *** OPEN 24 HOURS *** VENDORS AND FESTIVITIES DAILY
Turner Agri-Civic Center 2250 NE Roan Street Arcadia, FL 34266 • 863-993-4807
www.turnercenter.com Live Music & Dance Friday 7pm-9pm
General layout for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall events taking place December 4-7, 2014.
Remembering our veterans
On Remembrance Day, we honor the members of our armed forces who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. Their courage and dedication will always be remembered.
Lest we forget.
Bit s N Pe ace’s Gift Boutique 1128 SE Airport Rd. Arcadia 50475960
(863) 494-0177
Fender
Auto Parts Rodger B. Fender
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50475962
1442 SW Hwy. 17, Arcadia, FL
863-494-1866
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
December 4-7, 2014
DeSoto County P
By Susan E. Hoffman Arcadian Editor
The original Wall is in Washington, D.C. in Constitution Gardens, north of the Lincoln Memorial. While three million people visit the wall annually, not everyone can make the trip. The Vietnam Traveling Wall was designed to be 3/5 the size of the original A replica of the The Wall is coming to DeSoto County in December. DeSoto is fortunate to have The Vietnam Traveling Wall here from Dec. 4 through Wall in Washington, D.C. It is six feet tall and almost 300 feet long from one Dec. 7, allowing the county to hold its annual Pearl Harbor Day ceremony end to the other. It is made portable so that it can be transported to any place next to this replica, a commemoration of our entry into World War II in front in the country, making it accessible to many. It is sponsored by the Vietnam of a symbol of the Vietnam War. and All Veterans of Brevard, a nonprofit veterans organization formed in 1985. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial — more commonly just called “The The Traveling Wall crisscrosses the United States. Over Memorial Day Wall” — has been a destination in our nation’s capital for countless veterans, their families and friends since its dedication in 1982. Commissioned in 1979 weekend it was in West Virginia; next it will head to Illinois, then Mississippi, and will be in Ohio over the Fourth of July. to honor service members who died or were missing in action during the Vietnam War, it includes more than 58,000 names engraved on two panels of The Traveling Wall accurately represents the original after which it is gabbro (a dark, coarse-grained rock) whose surface is highly polished. Visitors patterned. Although it is made of materials that are easier to transport, each can see their own reflections as they gaze at the names engraved on the wall. name carved on the original also appears on the replica.
Thursday, December 4, 2014 Wall set up 8 am until completion Wall locater tent open until 9 pm Vendor set up Helo static display arrives Opening ceremony – Sunset 24 hour security starts Vietnam Memorabilia tent set up
Friday, December 5, 2014 Wall locator tent open 9 am - 9 pm Vendors open Helo static display 9:30 am - 2 pm DeSoto County School Touring the Wall Vietnam Memorabilia tent open POW/MIA ceremony 5 pm Concert in Turner Center 7pm
For more information about this event, please email Lee Ga For vendor registration, please email Jody Sullivan For information about Arcadia lodging and acco
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Proudly Presents
FREE Admission & Parking
Photos use with permission of Welsh Photography.
Bringing the Wall here DeSoto County’s Veterans Service Officer, Lee Gallagher, said, “We are very fortunate to be able to host the wall over Pearl Harbor Day. A lot of people in the county worked hard to bring it here. But now, we have to raise the money needed to fund it.” A little less than half of the roughly $25,000 needed has been raised thus far, Gallagher said. Several fundraising events are being planned and donations are being solicited. If more funds are raised than needed to display The Wall, the balance will be donated to organizations which help veterans and their families. “When it arrives in our area, the Traveling Wall will be escorted by the DeSoto County Sheriff ’s Office, the Arcadia Police Department and DeSoto County Fire Rescue, along with several motorcycle groups and veterans organizations,” Gallagher said. It will be set up in front of the Turner Agri-Civic
Saturday, December 6, 2014 Wall locator tent open 9 am - 9 pm Vendors open Helo static display Car/Bike show 9 am - 2 pm JR ROTC Demonstration in Turner Center 10 am Christmas Parade Downtown Arcadia 6 pm Vietnam Memorabilia tent open
Center on Dec. 3 and open for the public Dec. 4 through Dec. 7. The Traveling Wall will be the centerpiece of what Gallagher anticipates will be a community event. Military vehicles, a car and bike show, and a POW/MIA ceremony will all be part of the occasion, along with a Vietnam-era helicopter display. Other organizations, businesses and vendors can participate as well. A committee of veterans is working on the details, and the Vietnam Brotherhood is coordinating staffing. Gallagher said someone will be at the wall to escort people to see it, and they will be able to help visitors find particular names on the wall. They will also have materials for people to make pencil-and-paper rubbings of names etched on the wall. “We want to make people aware the freedoms we enjoy are not free,” Gallagher said. They have been paid for by the sacrifices, sometimes the lives of the members of our armed services. The Traveling Wall is a stark reminder of the debt we owe to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Sunday, December 7, 2014 Wall locater tent open until 9 pm Vendor set up Non-Denominational church service 10 am Helo static display Pearl Harbor Day/Closing ceremony – Sunset Vietnam Memorabilia tent open
allagher at veterans@desotobocc.com or call 863-993-4860 at j.sullivan@desotobocc.com or call 863-993-4807 ommodations please visit, www.visitdesoto.com
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
DeSoto County High School JROTC
Let’s Put Our Hands Together For Our Veterans
For their service and their sacrifice, we salute America’s brave veterans.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
Thank you for your dedication to this great country and our values as a nation. Your courage and conviction make us proud to be American.
for The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Kathryn J. Hill
DeSoto County Tax Collector (863) 993-4861 50475959
December 3 & 8 - Set up and take down December 4, 5, 6, 7 - Look - Up Book December 4, 5, 6, 7 - 9 Some Gave All Tribute
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December 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Security 24 Hours A Day Please Contact Lee Gallagher at (863) 993-4860
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The Vietman Traveling Memorial Wall Committee would like to “Thank” all sponsors for their generous donations!
The School District of DeSoto County Dr. Karyn E. Gary Superintendent of Schools
SALUTES OUR VETERAN’S AT HOME AND ABROAD FOR PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS!
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Thank you to all who are serving and who have served!
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Committee would like to “Thank” all sponsors for their generous donations! Larry Kirsch RV & Bus Repair Bruce Swindle Harlan Wilson Widow Sons Masonic Riders Ken Willis Disabled American Veterans 111 Joe Smedley Bullseye Bar B Q Dave Elder Joshua Citrus Desoto Jewelry Mary Margaret’s Performance Automotive DeSoto Memorial Hospital Desoto Insurance Larry Burch S.O.A.R. Arthur Southwell Rebuilding Treasure Alley Bobby’s Tiques The Valley Florist Suzanne Burns Freeland Arcadia Seafood Co. LLC Col. Tom Damron Lower Class of SWFL MC James De Vaughn
Canoe Outpost Carl Gause Albert & Arlene Conley Wagon Wheel Patrons Am vets Post 60 Patrons Open Road Patrons Joe Kerby Moose Patrons Charlotte Web Patrons Desoto Automall Ted Abbott John Mihalick Caroline m Lackey/Gerald Lawson Jonathan G Loeffler Yates Automotive Two Fat Guys LLC Michael T Lynch Carol Watson Sparks John/Catherine Hawkins Bayshore Farms T & M Mining LLC Steven/Janet Smith Florida Tracks & Trails Gary S. Gyarmathy Kitson Babcock LLC All Care Medical Centers
Performing in Punta Gorda, Florida
PPI Technologies Group Olson Brothers LLC Ponger Kays Funeral Home Mare Branch Farms Circle C Ranch and Farms Heather Cho Chung Hing Robert/Susan King Wendy Hand Edmonson Joyce Riley Lee Gabrielle Linda Honeycheck Paul/Linda Donnelly Cindy Heflin Commissioner Bob Miller Sears Patrons Country Cafe Bryans Feed Store Patron’s Building Contractors Desoto Land Surveying LLC Wagon Wheel Saloon Riverside RV Park Glass, Antique or Not Don Conn—County Attorney (PENNINGTON LAW) John “Bo” Young --(1st Sgt USMC Retired)
Am vets Post #60 Darrell’s Road & Wrecker Service Ben & Jeri Olsen Representative Ben Albritton Commissioner Jim Selph (1st LT Vietnam Veteran) Commissioner Elton Langford (Mare Branch Farms) Commissioner Buddy Mansfield (JJ Transport) Big Tree RV Resort Residents Kaler Real Estate Holdings LLC Berkshire Enterprises LLC Albert & June Decosta Arcadia McDonalds Peace River VFW Post 2824 Veterans Council of Desoto County Big Tree Carefree RV Resorts Eugene H. “Brother” Turner II Peace River Masonic Lodge # 66 Ed Johnson Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo Sons of Am vets Squadron 60 Open Road Bar & Grill The Arcadian
Performing in North Port, Florida