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Technology helps people hear the word of God
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When it comes to amazing Florida foliage, first thoughts typically lean toward the Sunken Gardens or the old Cypress Gardens. Bok Tower Gardens, however, is considered one of America’s finest gardens, offering a feeling of serenity, and making a trip to Lake Wales a memorable one. Find out more about this park on Page 20.
At some point in life, most people know how it feels to be out of the loop. They’re sitting at a table in a restaurant, but they’re too far away to hear what is causing the laughter erupting at the other end of the table. They’re at the edge of a crowd and can’t hear what the speaker is saying. Someone is singing on stage, but they can’t make out the words. Imagine if that was an everyday experience. That’s the kind of social isolation that people with hearing difficulties often face. Even with hearing aids, it can be difficult for them to hear in acoustically challenging places, such as a restaurant, a concert hall or a church. But technology is available to help change that scenario in places where sound systems are used. And recently, St.Timothy Catholic Church installed a hearing loop to help parishioners who have hearing difficulties become full participants in the liturgy. Charlie and Judith Reese of JC Audiology contributed the system components, which cost about $8,000. The Reeses are parishioners, and Judith is an audiologist with an office at 1541 Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 201, in Lutz. Keith Thal and his friend, James Weeks, volunteered their time and expertise to install and fine-tune the system.They both are professionals in the electronics field and knowledgeable in the science of sound, Judith said. Chase White, the director of music at St. Timothy, also played a key role. “St.Timothy is the first and only Catholic See HEAR, page 14
Lutz Patriots continue making every Friday a flag day StJosephsNorth.org
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By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
Every Friday afternoon, drivers on U.S. 41 near the Old Lutz School are making hand gestures and honking their horns. But they aren’t frustrated residents stuck in a traffic jam.The hand gestures are waves and thumbs-up, and they’re honking their horns at the Lutz Patriots, who line up American flags by the former school once a week. The Patriots are not a political organization, but they do want to remind drivers that troops remain in harm’s way, and that military personnel and their families still need support. According to member Bruce Hockensmith, people are getting the message. “If you stand here and watch us, you’ll hear the horns honking and see the lights flashing,” Hockensmith said.“It’s like a silent majority, people who support the troops.” The Lutz Patriots have waved to drivers almost every Friday since 2003.The group was founded by two sisters, Karen Williams and Barbara Mueller, who wanted to show support for a family member at a time when
there was public anti-war sentiment during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. Now, a core group of about 10 make up the organization, who still line up flags by the school and still get a strong showing of support from the drivers who see them on their Friday afternoon travels. The Lutz Patriots is mostly made up of retired military, and they recognize that their weekly message is seen by those who serve and their families, as well as the general public. Sometimes members of the military will stop and say hello and thank them for their display. For Jim Russell, a Lutz resident who was in the U.S. Navy, it’s especially important that members of the military feel appreciated for their service. Russell was in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War, and received a negative, disrespectful reception when he came home. “I got off the ship in San Francisco in 1967. Does that tell you anything?” he said.“I don’t want to see things get back to that. It’s part of the reason I’m out here.” While the Lutz Patriots can be found See FLAG, page 14
MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO
Jim Russell, left, Bill McCray and Bruce Hockensmith of the Lutz Patriots wave to drivers along U.S. 41, who honk their horns in return to show support. The group has been setting up flags near the Old Lutz School on Fridays for more than a decade to show support for the military and their families.