Okeechobee the Magazine - April 2019 by Okeechobee The Magazine

www.okeechobeethemagazine.com

APRIL 2019 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 2

Small-Town Values, Natural Wonders – PAGE 32

THE HIGHWAYMEN’S LEGACY:

CAPTURING THE BEAUTY OF OLD-TIME FLORIDA PAGE 16

FFA –

A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OKEECHOBEE’S FABRIC OF LIFE PAGE 24

Bringing You the Best of Okeechobee

Betty Williamson hosted a soup-to-dessert brunch with lifelong school friends at OHCF to review and reminisce about 1950-52 OHS pictures and the February issue of Okeechobee The Magazine, to which Betty is a contributing author. Betty spends mornings getting stronger in therapy and afternoons working on her fourth book. Pictured Left to Right: Wilma Williams, Faye Haverlock, Nell Williams, Laura Maye Evans, Betty Williamson, Sonny Williamson, Sue Horrick and Onnie Jean Walker. Not pictured: June Clements and Susanne Morton.

Longtime Laundry Supervisor Gladys Dejesus and Acting Activities Director and new employee Betty-Jo Holmes enjoy roses that Jason Ferrell of Ferrell’s Market donated to the residents and employees. Thanks, Jason! Fresh flowers make a heart smile!

Jim Clark, with golden retrievers Emma and Annie, is now singing and visiting regularly in the late afternoons with the residents, in addition to his guidance counselor duties at the Okeechobee Freshmen Center. His phenomenally smooth, easy-listening baritone-to-soprano range (truly!) allows him to effortlessly sing jazz, country, blues, and show tunes from Elvis, Frank, and Hank to Nat King Cole and beyond! While Jim is crooning, Emma and Annie are under his watchful eye visiting with the residents in the room! There are never too many friendly pats to a pet!

The Timmy Bast band entertained the residents, especially mother and grandmother Betty Bast, with some good old time rock and roll. Left to Right: Art Sage-bass guitar, Mike Bast-drums and Timmy Bast-singer and lead guitar. Miss Betty was the first female bailiff in Okeechobee County and featured in Betty Williamson’s article, First Ladies of Okeechobee, in the 2015 Nov. Edition, Okeechobee The Magazine.

New nurse from West Virginia by way of Spokane, Washington, Wesley Powell, was the guest country western singer at the Valentine’s Day party much to the delight of the employees and residents, especially Jeannie Zeiher. Wesley has an album out, California Gold, that his band, Doolin Run, recorded, and was also recently picked up by iHeart radio in the country section. Check out his original songs at www.reverbnation.com/WesleyPowell. Nice low notes and amazing vibrato!

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE PUBLISHERS NOTE

APRIL 2019 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 2

Volume 13, Number 2 | April 2019

A LIFETIME OF TEACHERS We are very happy to be introducing a short series of articles about teachers in Okeechobee. Teachers have one of the toughest, most demanding jobs in any community. Motivating kids to achieve, finding ways to help them learn lessons when they stubbornly refuse to care, and ensuring they are prepared for the challenges they face as they grow into adulthood is not an easy job. I hope you’ll join us in celebrating these vital members of our community. But we don’t just learn lessons from the teachers we meet in classrooms; we also learn lessons from people close to us as we grow. It’s from our parents and our community that we learn integrity, work ethic, kindness, and more. We are gifted with a lifetime of teachers if we’re willing to open our eyes and ears and continue to learn. Jim Wider was one of the men that I was lucky enough to learn from when I was a boy in Colorado Springs. Jim, an avid biker, rode with Uncle Billy and my grandmother in the mountains to the west of the city and regularly joined us for holidays and birthdays. He was a constant source of uplifting generosity and kindness. In the world around us, Jim, after leaving his military career behind, was embarking on an art career that would see his paintings sold to Oprah Winfrey, Gen. Colin Powell, Maya Angelou, and more. His walls are now filled with plaques and letters of recognition from the Air Force Space Command, the U.S. House of Representatives, and both the Colorado and Texas House of Representatives. To me, though, he was a good family friend who taught me gentle kindness and good humor. He also taught me to appreciate art. Speaking of art, in this issue, along with our regular range of columns and articles, we’re also pleased to be sharing Raye Deusinger’s unique view of The Highwaymen and the threads of their story that run through Okeechobee. We hope you’ll enjoy it and find some inspiration of your own.

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Publisher David Jones Managing Editor Rachel Buxton Editor Lisa Elia Writers Raye Deusinger Robbi Sumner Feature Photographer Sandra Pearce Photographers Jane Kaufman Shirley Palmer Account Executive Trish Grygo Art Director Francesca Peeples Graphic Design Valerie Wegener Office Manager Patti Berglund Kuimba River Publishing, LLC DBA Okeechobee The Magazine 314 N.W. Fifth St. Okeechobee, FL 34972 Phone: (863) 467-0054 www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com President David Jones Founder Maureen Budjinski Kuimba River Publishing, LLC DBA Okeechobee The Magazine, is published bi-monthly in Okeechobee, Florida. Copyright 2019, all rights reserved by Kuimba River Publishing, LLC DBA Okeechobee The Magazine. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

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CONTENTS

APRIL 2019 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 2

IN EVERY ISSUE:

Publisher’s Note 4 Community Calendar 12 Teacher of the Year 22 Okeechobee Cooking 44 Behind the Business 64 Gone Fishing 48 Day Trips 72

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Calendar 12 Community Events 50 Around Okeechobee 84 FEATURES: The Highwaymen’s Legacy: Capturing the Beauty of Old-Time Florida 16

FFA – A Significant Part of

Okeechobee’s Fabric of Life 24 State FFA President Wants to Continue to Spread the Word About Food Safety 30

ON THE COVER

Small-Town Values Plus Natural Wonders – Add Up to Lifetime of Happiness for Okeechobee Family 32

24 8

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PHOTOS BY: Sandra Pearce

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR APRIL Apr. 5 – Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Torch Run. Starts at 8:30am at OCSO 504 NW 4th St., ends at Publix. BBQ Rib Dinner, begins at 10:30am. Michelle Bell or Denise Sikorski, 863-763-3117. EVENT POSTPONED

Apr. 6 – Adam Bryant Regatta. Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center Lake Regatta. J.D. Mixon, (863) 800-0196, Michael Hazellief, (863) 532-0646. www.facebook.com/minimalregatta/

Apr. 6-7 – Florida B.A.S.S. Nation ABA Open Series. Southern Region Adult & Junior/High School Qualifier. Scott Driver Park, Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council. Sharie Turgeon, 863-763-3959. Apr. 9 - Free Chevy Youth Baseball Clinic. 5:00 - 9:00pm. Okeechobee High School. 2800 U.S. 441 N. J.D. Mixon 863-824-3636.

EVENT POSTPONED

Apr. 10 – Spring Business Exchange Luncheon. 11:45am “Okeechobee an intricate piece of the Florida Trail” IRSC-Williamson Center 2229 NW 9th Ave. Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 863-467-6246.

Apr. 6 – 5K Run for the Booty. Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center Lake Regatta. J. D. Mixon, (863) 800-0196. Michael Hazellief, (863) 532-0646. www.facebook.com/minimalregatta/

Apr. 11 – Chamber Rise – Up Breakfast. 7:45 – 8:30am. Indian River State College 2229 NW 9th Ave. Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 863-467-6246.

EVENT POSTPONED

Apr. 6 – Ford Drive 4 UR Community. 7:00am - 3:00pm. Adam Bryant Regatta- Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center.

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Apr. 11 - Library 20 yr. Celebration. 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Okeechobee Library, 206 SW 16th St. Kresta King, 863-763-3536.

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR Apr. 19 – Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon. 11:30am. Cowboy’s Restaurant, 202 NE 7th Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com. Apr. 20 - Concealed Weapons Class. 8:00am – 12:00pm. The Gun Shop, 2020 S Parrott Ave. Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 863-467-6246. Apr. 21 – Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee Pancake Breakfast. 7:30 - 11:30am. Tin Fish 301 N Parrott Ave. Ken Keller, 863-532-8197. Apr. 25 – Ford Drive 4 UR School. 7:00am - 7pm. South Elementary 2468 SW 7th Ave. J.D. Mixon, 863-824-3636. Apr. 26 – ECO Spring Social. (Invitation Only) Jennifer Tewksbury, 863-467-0200. TBA – April Main Street Mixer. 5:00 – 7:00pm. Bella Rose Spa, 311 NE 2nd St. Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 863-467-6246.

MAY May 4 – Annual Rubber Duck Derby. 10:00am - 2:00pm. American Legion, 501 SE 2nd St. Myranda McAllister, 863-697-8579, myrandamcallister@gmail.com. May 9-12 – Florida High School Rodeo State Finals. Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. Florida High School Rodeo Assn. Sharie Turgeon, 863-763-3959. May 9 – Main Street Mixer. 5:00 - 7:00pm. Philip DeBerard Injury Attorney. 413 S. Parrott Ave. Okeechobee Main Street, 863-357-6246. May 14 - Chamber Rise-Up Breakfast. 7:45 – 8:30am. Okeechobee Dodge Chrysler Jeep, 4224 U.S. Hwy 441. Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 863-467-6246. May 16- OHS Scholarship Night. Okeechobee High School 2800 Hwy 441 North N, 863-462-5025.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Welcome to the Rest of the Story... Once upon a time, in a place not so far away, a young lad with a set of Hot Wheels toy cars, trucks and a garage would be the foreshadowing of things to come. The boy had real-life experience in what would be the origin story to a lifelong profession in the trade of mechanics. At the young age of 6 years old, the boy took apart the family toaster and successfully put the toaster back together with at least one of the two sides operational. An optimistic outlook could be seen early on in the kid regarding the toaster’s progress from not working at all to at least halfway now doing what it was intended - toast the bread as opposed to not toasting it at all. Our tale continues when the boy establishes residence in a small town, a southern version if you will, of the famed Mayberry from “The Andy Griffith Show,” down in south central Florida at the shores of the second largest lake encompassed in the United States. It is in this town that the path will be forged culminating into what could be deemed now a successful operation, in the barest sense of the means as not to inflate the ego of the humbled hombre.

Pick Up The Next Issue For The Rest Of The Story…

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR May 17 – Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon 11:30am. Cowboy’s Restaurant, 202 NE 7th Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com.

JUNE June 16 – B.R.A.T. Father – Daughter Dance. Okeechobee Shrine Club, 1855 SW 53rd St. Matt Buxton, 863-634-3706.

May 18 – American Bass Anglers. Scott Driver Park, 10100 W Hwy 78. Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council. Sharie Turgeon, 863-763-3959.

June 21 – Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon 11:30am. Cowboy’s Restaurant, 202 NE 7th Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com.

May 18 – Honoring Our Vets - Veterans Appreciation Day 10:00am. Freedom Ranch 11655 U.S. Hwy 441 S, Alpha Ministries. John Glenn, 863-763-9800.

JULY

May 18 – Concealed Weapons Class. 8:00am – 12:00pm. The Gun Shop, 2020 S Parrott Ave. Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County, 863-467-6246.

July 12-14 – Florida Airboat Assn (FAA) Unity Weekend. Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council. Sharie Turgeon, 863-763-3959.

May 31 – OHS Graduation. 7:00pm, Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center, 4601 State Road 710.

The Community Events section is sponsored by Total Roadside Services, and event information provided by the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County and Okeechobee Main Street. Do you have an event that needs to be promoted? Let us know at info@okeechobeethemagazine.com.

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A.E. Backus

The Highwaymen’s Legacy: Capturing the Beauty of Old-Time Florida Story by Raye Deusinger It has been said that art is in the eye of the beholder. This is the story of an unusual art explosion which began almost 70 years ago. Some of the painting styles that began back then were seen as recently as February 2019 at the annual Okeechobee Art Fest. There, two men, Kelvin Hair and Richard Edwards, exhibited their work. They are members of a group known as The Highwaymen. Kelvin’s father, Alfred Hair, was a Highwayman. The group began to coalesce in the mid ‘50s along Florida’s East Coast. At the time, there were few employment opportunities for African-Americans other than citrus work, packing houses or day labor.

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Albert Ernest (Beanie) Backus was an accomplished and successful white artist creating Florida landscapes in the early ‘50s. A young self-taught black artist named Harold Newton had just come to Florida from Georgia where he painted religious art, but it didn’t sell well in Florida. Backus, who enjoyed helping artists, influenced Newton to take up landscapes. In an era of segregation, when a black painter would not be allowed a gallery presentation, Newton took to the streets to sell his art. A friend of his, Alfred Hair, also took art lessons from Backus from 1955 to 1957 and became exceptionally good, but had nowhere to sell. He joined

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Newton selling on the highways, in a park, or on the beach, all out of the trunk of his car. Eventually, they sold their artwork by visiting businesses like attorney’s and doctor’s offices, banks, real estate and insurance firms. It was Hair who became the chief motivator and promoter of the group. At the time they were just friends and painters, not “Highwaymen.” The name -- The Florida Highwaymen -- was given to the group in the mid-1990s by Jim Fitch, a Florida art historian, because of where they sold their art.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the original 26 artists were inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Painting was not the purpose; selling the paintings was more important. The faster they completed paintings; the faster they could sell them and make money. A single $20 sale made more money than a day of picking oranges. A quote from The Highwaymen: - Florida’s African-American Landscape Painters, by Gary Monroe, said “Painting fast increased sales revenues and the speed with which the artists painted determined their style. Speed freed them from working self-consciously and allowed them to paint exuberantly and confidently. “The early buyers of their art may not have known good from bad but they ‘knew what they liked.’ The Florida landscape was lush and primeval, lending itself naturally to raw artistic interpretation.” Friends joined Newton and Hair. As they learned to paint, they also learned to promote. The two men who displayed at the 2019 Art Fest, are considered second-generation Highwaymen. One of those men, Kelvin Hair, took 1st place. Only five when his father, Alfred, died, Kelvin grew up wanting to paint. He began in 1984, at 16, and met Beanie Backus at 17. Backus critiqued his work and encouraged him, and Highwayman Johnny Daniels helped him along. Hair said, “Working with these artists has been a remarkably positive thing. They have told me stories of the days of working with my father, and it gives me a feeling of being with him.” A release from the Backus Museum in Fort Pierce said, “Backus was the earliest supporter of these young artists of color, opening his studio and helping them to work around social and economic constraints. He encouraged

Alfred Hair

Harold Newton

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their vision and their latent talents, and he later exhibited their work in the Fort Pierce Art Gallery (the future Backus Museum). In fact, the very first retrospective of The Highwaymen was held at the museum in 1995, and the tradition of honoring the origins and achievements of these artists continues today.” People would gather to watch them paint. In Monroe’s book he quoted Mary Ann Carroll, the only woman Highwayman, as saying that some artists “nailed 1 x 4s against two trees to hold two to four paintings to work on... to develop specific areas of several pictures at one time. Kelvin Hair, the son of Alfred Hair, won 1st place at this year’s Art Fest.

A.E. (Beanie) Backus’ generosity and encouragement helped to give birth to the artists known as The Highwaymen. Their work is still exhibited in the Backus Museum in Fort Pierce, FL.

500 North Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida 34950 (772) 465-0630 www.backusmuseum.com Hours: Wed - Sat 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | Sun Noon - 4:00 pm

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Some of the artists often cranked out more than 20 paintings a day. Time was a commodity.” They would then frame their paintings with inexpensive molding, stack them in their cars and hit the road to sell. Okeechobee’s Dr. Patrick Brennan was an early buyer of Highwaymen art. He told of opening his new optometry practice in Okeechobee on S Park Street, near a craft shop, in 1978. While setting up, a man dropped in saying, ‘I’m selling paintings.’ Brennan said, “He showed me a big 24 x 30 painting, already framed; of a beautiful red-flowered royal poinciana tree. His name was James Gibson. He wanted $20 for it; so I gave him $20. Then he said he could fix it up a little and proceeded to paint on it some more and even put some paint on his thumb and rubbed that in. “Almost every week he’d come back; I’d give him $20 for another painting. This went on for quite awhile. Once he said he wanted to do a painting on canvas -- his others were on Upson board (a hard, smooth compressed wood)-but he needed some brown paint and would I give him money to buy brown, because he didn’t have that color. I gave him $5. He went next door and bought the paint, then left. A week later he came back with a painting with a lot of brown tones. “Altogether, I must have bought about 18 paintings; I used them to brighten the walls of rentals I had. I gave most of those paintings away, but if you visit my office today, you will see those Highwaymen paintings in each of my examining rooms. Brennan’s daughter, Dr. Christine Bishop, told of her mother buying a painting by Highway-

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man Al Black at an auction. The black and white landscape, in another examining room, is one of only two black and white paintings Al Black ever did. Highwaymen sold their work from Jacksonville to Miami and inland. Author Gary Monroe said,

“The story about The Highwaymen is not about great painting. It is about young black friends who .... survived, prevailed and left a legacy about their time and place.” Their earliest customers were northerners who were beginning to come to Florida to winter. They arrived on the coast where seeing Highwayman paintings helped them see what the interior of Florida was like. Their paintings became a boon for real estate development. Their fame kept growing, more artists expanded the group. This continued through the ‘50s and ‘60s, but by the ‘70s, it began to wane partly due to a dip in the economy. From the mid ‘50s to the ‘70s, The Highwaymen created an estimated 200,000 works. By the 80s solicitation laws were coming in, and selling on the road was harder. They stayed in touch, but drifted apart. It wasn’t until the ‘90s that they began to reappear. But many had been caught up in the craze. In the 60s, Rick Amsden worked in a bank in Haines City, about two hours from Okeechobee. Highwayman Robert Butler, came in showing his paintings. Rick said it was a small painting of a Florida scene with a deer coming to a pond to drink. Butler had framed it himself. In fact, he even showed Rick a watercolor painting he had done. The deer painting is one of several paintings Rick came to have. Butler, though a Highwayman, did not assemble frequently with the others; he continued to study and improve on his style. At one point, a paint manufacturing company took him on a tour around our country and finally to Africa, testing and promoting their paints. While in Africa, he painted one of his largest paintings, an African wildlife scene. Butler’s marriage to Dorothy lasted more than fifty years. He taught all nine of his children to paint. Robert, more than other Highwaymen, concentrated on painting wildlife,

Mary Ann Carroll is the only female Highwayman and is listed with the original Highwaymen. She was known as Queen of the Road and has been honored by the City of Fort Pierce. Her work hangs in the Florida House in Washington, D.C. Mary Ann is currently recovering at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute in Fort Pierce, from a stroke.

Mary Ann Carroll’s daughter, Tarsha, represents her mother at exhibitions, at her mother’s request.

This 1977 Robert Butler painting of the pier at Lock 7, was painted for the Chamber of Commerce when Paul Buxton was its president. When that Chamber closed, Paul bought it from them and it has hung in the entry room of Buxton Funeral Home ever since. It is a 4 x 8 on wood, with a pecky cypress frame made by Butler.

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This painting by Robert Butler Sr. was commissioned by George Cooper’s grandfather. The inspiration was a photograpgh from his grandmother’s cabin.

Willie Daniels began painting in 1957 after he saw Mary Ann Carroll painting a picture on the side of a house and was fascinated. At 12 he painted his first painting on the back of a cigar box top and sold it for $15. By 25 he was selling paintings out of his car. When he worked in a group, he was the one to do the sky, clouds and water. He is a very accomplished artist.

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including cowboys, cattle, hunters, hunting dogs, deer, wolves, wild hogs and turkeys. Longtime Okeechobee residents Mary Beth and George Cooper, big Butler fans, have three paintings by Robert Sr. and two by Robert Jr. in addition to one by Highwayman George Buckner. Cooper bought this painting in Belle Glade, in the 70s, on the road, from the trunk of Buckner’s car. They commissioned Robert Jr. to paint a scene from the Cooper ranch north of town. Mary Beth’s grandfather commissioned Robert, Jr. to paint, from a photo, his grandmother’s shack where his grandfather grew up in Missouri. Mary Beth even took six painting lessons from Butler, Sr. when he taught in Okeechobee. In 2009, the Okeechobee Main Street Oktoberfest was held at The Fraternal Order of Eagles on Hwy. 441 SE, with seven Highwaymen as special guests showing their work. Kathie Papasso, then an aspiring local artist, met with them. Three years later, Robert Butler held an exhibit at the opening of Kathie’s new art store, bringing with him his wife and two of his children --- an exciting day for Okeechobee. I’m sure if you ask, you will find some of your friends have Highwayman paintings, or they know someone who does. Their paintings have been exhibited in the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in 2016; the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee; at the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando; The Florida Aquarium in Tampa; The Florida House in Washington, D.C. and most notably, in 2017, in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. That talent is also proudly on display in Okeechobee’s Chamber of Commerce. From the streets of Florida to the halls of a national museum, The Highwaymen’s journey has been one of determination, perseverance and raw talent.

For Florida Highwaymen Paintings, News, Resources and Auctions visit: www.floridahighwaymenpaintings.com

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Jim Fitch: Florida Art and Antique Dealer and Art Historian “The Highwaymen” is a name I’ve given to a group of black artists working on the East Coast of Florida from approximately 1955 to the present. So called because their marketing and sales strategy consisted of traveling the highways and byways of central Florida peddling their paintings out of the back of their cars. ..by painting for the marketplace they inadvertently created an awareness of and appreciation for Florida regional art. They deserve recognition for that contribution.” Jim Fitch, Arts & Antiques Around Florida 1995 To learn about the man who gave The Highwaymen their name visit: www.thefloridahighwaymen.com/portfolio/jim-fitch/

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR FIRST IN A SERIES

Teacher’s Sweet Fairy Tales Still Fresh in the Heart and Mind of One Student STORY BY BETTY CHANDLER WILLIAMSON

We have 47 previous “Teachers of the Year” in the Okeechobee County School System. These teachers were nominated by their peers at each school, and a committee of various residents chose the ‘one’ to be honored to receive the local “Teacher of the Year,” award. This has been an annual event since 1972. As we each look back at our school experiences, one always remembers a favorite teacher. Perhaps this was (other than family) our first mentor along the trail of life. My most unforgettable instructor was Mrs. Enola Elledge; she had taught all seven of my siblings. I was familiar with her name, but as a six-year-old, I was a little apprehensive, as I had not seen her. I was prepared for school. I knew my ABCs, could count to one hundred, had a box of crayons and a pencil. I also had a primary notebook, with the letters of the alphabet and numbers on the cover and a sack lunch. As we arrived with our mothers, we were told to say goodbye and take a seat. Then, mama kissed me goodbye. I chose a bench-type desk up front, close to this lady, whose name was familiar in our household. I looked around the room, especially at the cursive letters (both capital and small) and numbers O through 9. Mama had tried to teach me how to write those important characters, but our efforts looked like “hen scratching” compared to the perfectly formed ones displayed up high, near the ceiling. The best part for most pupils was recess time. We played on the seesaws, slides and swings (which were so much better than what we had at our home, which was an old ‘car tire’ hung with a rope from a tree). The only problem was when we got thirsty, some of us would run over to the well, which had several waterspouts for drinking. It ran continuously, as the water was cold, and there was a bad smell, because it was a sulfur well. However, we had another choice, we could drink from the outside water fountain, but the water was usually warm. We would eat our lunch on bench-type seats at long tables in the cafeteria. Some students purchased a hot meal, but most of us ate from paper bag lunches.

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My most enjoyable remembrance was storytime. After eating our noon meal, we were instructed to sit, place one arm on the desk, bent at the elbow so we could rest our head and perhaps take a nap. This arm-pillow was very restful, as we listened to Mrs. Elledge’s voice read fairy tales. With my eyes closed, I could vividly imagine the prince and princess and the royal court. For several years, as I washed dishes alone in our lamp-lit kitchen, I would imagine hearing a horse outside with my prince on it. He would rescue me from the household chores, and I would be like the females in the fairy tales. Mrs. Elledge remained in the local school system for more than two decades. She then became a substitute teacher, and taught a child of ours, a time or two. In my mind, she was always the “Teacher of the Year.”

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” - William Butler Yeats

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FFA A Significant Part of Okeechobee’s Fabric of Life Story by Robbi Sumner

Those distinctive blue and gold jackets, and the sense of pride conveyed by those who wear them, come with a long and distinguished history. The national Future Farmers of America organization, now known simply as FFA, was first established in 1928, in Kansas City, Missouri. Florida followed with its charter in 1929, having 30 chapters and 450 members cited in their Application for Charter. According to the Florida FFA Foundation, there are currently more than 17,300 FFA members in 334 middle and high school chapters across our state. In 1988 the Future Farmers of America changed its name to the National FFA Organization to represent the growing diversity of agriculture

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and to attract other students who might not see themselves as farmers. While FFA is often considered a “club,” it is actually one important part of a well-rounded agricultural education program. Combined with classroom instruction and hands-on supervised ag career experiences, FFA provides leadership opportunities and tests students’ skills in areas from tractor driving to public speaking. To be eligible for membership, students between the ages of 12 and 21 must be enrolled in an Ag class through their school. Headquartered in Gainesville, the Florida FFA Association provides direction, program materials and support for local chapters, including the three we are fortunate to have in Okeechobee: Yearling Middle School

Chapter with Advisor Buddy Mills; Osceola Middle School Chapter with Advisor Brian Trimble; and the Okeechobee Brahman Chapter (OHS) with Advisors Brian Dryden, Clint Thompson, and Jared Prescott. FFA Advisors are a special breed of people, dedicating not only the usual classroom teaching time, but also countless hours after school and on weekends, coaching their students on everything from aquaculture to veterinary science. Through the years, a number of outstanding men and women have impacted the Ag education of Okeechobee students, and among those who been around awhile, the names of Jim Knight and Roger McWaters always seem to come up. Mr. Knight taught for 20 years before becoming the Director of Vocational Education. Lynda Doonan Durrance, who during the 1966-67 school year became the first female to join FFA in Okeechobee, recalls acting as

Mr. Knight’s classroom secretary and was also the Chapter Sweetheart. Mr. Mac, as Roger is known, taught from 1983 to 2016. “What impressed me the most is the opportunities for students, not just with livestock, but with leadership as well. If a student wants to do it (be successful), they have opportunity through FFA,” he shares. Superintendent of Schools Ken Kenworthy is also a past OHS Ag teacher and was named as Florida’s State Agriscience Teacher of Year in 1995-96. Photo info: The 1995 State Champion Dairy Judging Team consisted of Okeechobee Brahman FFA members David Thomas, Ben Butler, Travis Larson and Dale Gilliland, pictured here with State Area Vice President Pam Fuller, Advisor Roger McWaters, and sponsor representative Woody Larson.

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Gladys Freeman spearheaded the effort to charter the Okeechobee FFA Alumni in 1969. “Jim Knight had a group of people who acted as alumni prior to that, but it was not formally chartered,” Gladys explains. The alumni group provides invaluable assistance to all three chapters by providing coaching, mentoring, and financial assistance to attend leadership conferences, and state and national conventions. According to current Alumni President Jamie Burnham, the group has been very busy this year holding fund-raisers such as selling advertisement signs, holding a sporting clays shoot and the Okeechobee Team Challenge Ranch Rodeo. They sponsor judging contests to give kids an opportunity to practice before state competitions and help the advisors with sub-district contests. The alumni also provide the Jack Bylsma Memorial and FFA Alumni Scholarships of $500 each to deserving graduating OHS seniors. Anyone who is interested in supporting FFA members is encouraged to join the alumni group – you don’t actually have to be a former FFA member! As a rural, agriculturally based community, FFA has always held a prominent place in Okeechobee. From the days when the “Ag barn” was located where the current American Legion building is downtown to now, Okeechobee FFA members have achieved success from the farm to holding state office. Some former state officers include Ted Edwards, Brandon McKee, Ben Butler, Taylor Pearce, Valerie McKee, Ashley Hassan, James Sharpe, Nathan Candler, Clint McWaters, and current State President Artha Jonassaint. Okeechobee FFA members have excelled at every level in various Career Development Events (CDEs) and Leadership Developments Events (LDEs). The livestock, citrus, meats, and land judging teams have been especially successful in recent years. Local students also are competing at the state level in vegetable judging, ag mechanics and veterinary science. LDEs include contests like parliamentary procedure, extemporaneous and prepared public speaking, further demonstrating the diversity of the Ag program. The practical hands-on aspect of Ag programs can include a variety of activities such as vegetable gardening, raising cattle, and mechanics – all of which teach valuable life skills, not to mention covering the basic educational subjects of reading, writing, and arithmetic. As a community, we all benefit from having active FFA chapters. Good luck to all of those members competing in upcoming state competitions!

1977 Okeechobee News Clipping

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Okeechobee FFA was well represented at the Farm City Luncheon held in November.

Members of the 2018-19 Okeechobee Brahman FFA Chapter.

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State FFA president wants to continue to spread the word about food safety Artha Jonassaint

“I was honored to welcome the new state cabinet members to the Florida State Fair in February.”

Okeechobee High School 2018 graduate Artha Jonassaint is a shining example of the success that FFA membership can encourage in young people. Finishing summa cum laude (with the highest distinction), Artha certainly possesses the intelligence and inner drive, not to mention the compassion and warmth, that would make any group proud to have her as a member. Artha’s participation in FFA began in 7th grade in Buddy Mills’ Yearling Middle School Chapter. When asked what initially drew her to FFA, she responds that “The people -- very embracing and receptive to new members – it’s like a family within itself.” Throughout her remaining school years, she expanded her knowledge and found success competing in various activities including dairy judging, parliamentary procedure, extemporaneous public speaking, creed speaking, food science, and the aquaculture Career Development Event (CDE). Last June, as the pinnacle of her FFA experience, Artha was elected to serve as the 2018-19 Florida State FFA President. She said that a few of her favorite moments have included traveling from Miami to the Panhandle of Florida and meeting other FFA members and sharing their experiences. “I was honored to welcome the new

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state cabinet members to the Florida State Fair in February -- we were able to converse like friends and develop sound relationships,” she said. Artha also was chosen as one of five state presidents who had the opportunity to meet President Donald Trump at the 2018 National Convention in Indianapolis last October. As her term of service draws to end, Artha is staying busy with state convention planning, representing FFA at events like the Strawberry Festival, and attending many of the various spring competitions. In March, she attended the State Leadership Summit where members develop an understanding of partner relationships and begin the initial phase of the state delegate process, the FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City. “I’ll also be traveling across state to see students who have completed their Supervised Ag Experiences (SAE) to crown State Star delegates,” she adds. Having been accepted to both Harvard and Yale universities, Artha chose deferred admittance in order to serve her term as state president but will be attending Harvard in the fall to study with a concentration in government and global health. Beyond Harvard, she would like to pursue a political career, working on the policy side of agriculture food safety and security.

When asked how she thinks her involvement in FFA has influenced her educational and career paths, Artha responds “As I was deciding what college I’d apply to and attend, I quickly realized that agriculturalists are sorely underrepresented in some of the most prestigious universities in our country. Because of the FFA, I was inspired to share the stories of agriculturalists in these spaces while receiving one of the most comprehensive, transformative educational experiences available. Throughout my enrollment in agricultural education and particularly my year of service as a state officer, I noticed how misinformed people are to their food supply and the resources that make agriculture possible. I want to provide sound information to consumers and spearhead legislation for all Americans to have access to safe, healthy food and for farmers to produce that food.”

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Small-Town Values,

Natural Wonders – Add Up to a Lifetime of Happiness for Okeechobee Family Story by David Jones and Photos by Sandra Pearce

Meeting Phil Baughman and his family is a little like meeting Ian Hay’s Fairy Godmother Department, and that probably requires a little explanation. Back in 1915, a British schoolmaster and soldier named John Hay Beith (who wrote under the pen name, Ian Hay) wrote about his service in World War I in the book The First Hundred Thousand. It was meant as a light comedy and it sold remarkably well. While he’s seldom referenced today, he did write one thing that is still remembered: he described the common structure of military bureaucracy. Hay broke up that bureaucracy into three main components: the Round Game Department, the Practical Joke Department, and the Fairy Godmother Department. In more general terms, it looks a bit like the following. Anyone who has ever opened a business or dealt with the IRS up close and personal will recognize the Round Game Department as the group responsible for everything in triplicate — every form deceptively named, every fee being just the first in a line of payments, and every response leading to another form needing to be filed. This

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is the soul of the bureaucracy: Everyone is busy working themselves silly, but nothing seems to get done, except by accident. The Practical Joke Department supplements the bureaucracy by doling out hilarious surprises of its own—surprises that usually inspire those dreaded words, “That’s not fair!” No one knows the true size of this department, but the sheer amount of practical jokes played by any bureaucracy indicates something pretty impressive. Lastly, there is the small Fairy Godmother Department. This is typically just one, overworked, grandmotherly type who just wants to help. She’s responsible for the good surprises — the refund from a credit card, a chance encounter with someone uplifting, or a little decrease in an insurance premium. No matter how much she tries, though; she’s always running behind, and her little miracles never seem to match the power of the other departments. The truth is what he described wasn’t just military bureaucracy (or bureaucracy of any kind), but of those

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Left to right: Brandon Baughman, Brent Baughman, Michelle and Phil Baughman

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Left to Right: Phil Baughman, Tim Baughman, (sitting) Brandon,Walter, Lena and Sherry Baughman

A Family Affair

34 seat: O KE E CHO BE E T HMiddle E M A GA Z IBrandon NE | and A PR IL 2019 Back seat: Michelle and Phil Baughman Front Wayne Patterson, seat: Brent Baughman,

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moments where life feels a little like getting shuttled back and forth between the Round Game Department and the Practical Joke Department and wishing that the Fairy Godmother Department would make an appearance. Meeting Phil, with his enormous smile, his willing laugh, his friendly good humor, and his absolute love of Okeechobee, is exactly what a person needs when they need a reminder of just how wonderful this area is. The rest of his family – his wife, Michelle, and the boys, Brandon and Brent, — are just as friendly and just as uplifting. After a month of bad surprises, unforeseen expenses, and personal loss, spending even a little time with this family felt a little like a visit from the Fairy Godmother Department. Phil is Florida through and through. Born in Fort Lauderdale, his father had him enjoying the outdoor life— camping and fishing on the weekends, going up and down the coast. It’s a life that is unique to this area — the coastal California lifestyle is entirely different, of course, but so is Texas and Alabama and Louisiana. Old Florida coastal culture is a tradition that you won’t find anywhere else. “My dad would take me to the Keys in the summer because he sold the Yellow Pages,” Phil says as a way of explaining his addiction to the ocean. “Back then that was advertising. Yellow Pages was it, and he was a top salesman in South Florida, so in the summer he would work the Keys. He’d take the boat down, and we lived on the boat. He he’d be done by noon. We’re talking early seventies; you could shoot lobster with a gig pole. It wasn’t illegal.

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Woody Hazellief

Earl and Louise Hazellief

Phil Baughman

“I didn’t know how much I missed it until I was away from it for awhile.” For more than thirty years, Phil has run B&B Site Development, Inc. He’s proud of his business and of his work. It’s been hard work, but it’s also a job that has left his fingerprint on developments throughout the city. He sounds a bit like Mike Rowe, the television personality, when he talks about hard work and college. Rowe, best known for his show, Dirty Jobs, started a non-profit, the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, to combat the stigma commonly attached to skilled labor jobs like carpentry and plumbing where jobs are readily available and pay tends to be good. Like Rowe, Phil doesn’t have a problem with college or white-collar jobs, but he does have an issue with the “college-or-nothing” mentality that is driven into this new generation. “Colleges brainwash kids into believing they are too good to go work with their hands; you’re not a sorry person, you leave that for people with lower IQs.” He has no time for that kind of thinking and he knows, firsthand, that physical labor can bring happiness and success. It can also be a tremendous source of pride. “We did the site work for that McDonald’s. We did the Walmart.” He looks thoughtful, considering three decades worth of involvement in the growth of the community. “I could go up and down the road and every three or four blocks, I’ve done the site work. We’ve been around a long time, and we have filled a lot of the blanks in these lots over the years.” Professionally, his own hard work and willingness to get his hands dirty

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have served him well. Phil has acted as both regional vice president and national president of the Land Improvement Contractors of America, a position that allowed him to travel and see the nation—and showed him that there is nowhere like Okeechobee for the life that he wants to live. “I’ve traveled every state in the United States,” he explains. “I used to have to travel all of the states with LICA. Every time I’d get back, my wife would ask, ‘What did you think?’ Every time I’d say, ‘I’m glad to get home.’ “People ask if I had all the money in the world, where would I live? In this spot, right where we’re sitting, I can go four hours south and have a beautiful vacation in the Keys; I can go to Steinhatchee and go scalloping and red fishing; I could go straight across to Stuart and Fort Pierce and go fishing; or I could go twenty miles north and go deer hunting or turkey hunting. Where else can I do that?” He makes it clear that he enjoys his work and he’s proud of his work, but he does it so that they can live the kind of life that they enjoy: Filling up on every bit of Florida’s rich, diverse, natural beauty. Airboats figure heavily in that equation. Airboats are a family obsession (and business— the family offers charters, and through Skull Hill Steel, complete airboat servicing). Phil shows pictures of three generations of airboat captains— his stepfather, himself, and his boys — along with the evolution of the Okeechobee region. “I fell in love with airboats,” he says. “I’m gonna tell you something, riding on it is one thing; but if you ever operate one, it will hook you. I don’t

know that I’ve been hooked on anything harder than that.” Riding on an airboat is loud and fast and fun. In some ways, it has the sensation of riding a motorcycle: the push of the wind, the lean of the turns, the feeling of being exposed to the world. The airboat is all of that -- plus water spray, and a fluid sensation of almost gliding through the turns and absolutely flying across the water. Going through family pictures, his pride is obvious. He displays a picture of Brent, the younger son, and says, “He will stay out on this boat we have out back— we have an upper deck with lights around it for bowfishing at night, but he uses it for speck fishing. This kid will sit there until the sun comes up, fishing every minute. He’ll have fifteen poles out and he’ll catch as many speck fish as catfish…I love it.” Brandon, his older son, began designing motorcycles at age fifteen and was winning awards for those designs at sixteen, but he found his passion when he discovered archery. Not only did he follow that passion, but he took a risk and opened a world-class archery shop. In 2018, Brandon earned the Archery Shooters Association State Champion Shooter of the Year honor. Brent jokes that Brandon took up archery because, “It’s hard, it’s weird, nobody else does it, and it makes him feel good.” Brandon doesn’t disagree, but he also admits that, ultimately, he feels that archery makes him a better person. The focus on perfecting form and controlling himself isn’t just a hobby or a job; it’s a way to improve

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Woody Hazellief

“We step out on a limb all the time. Sometimes the limb breaks, sometimes it doesn’t…”

himself in a much bigger way. The sense is that this is a family that doesn’t do things in half measures, and their love of Okeechobee is because it has given them the perfect mix of opportunity and support to live their very best life. According to Phil, “We step out on a limb all the time. Sometimes the limb breaks, sometimes it doesn’t…” Okeechobee’s lure is simple and easy to understand. It’s a small town where people know and care for each other. It’s a throwback, in many ways, to old-town values and notions. Its great climate and array of outdoor activities and entertainment make this a city worth loving. Michelle can’t imagine living anywhere else. Her family is here and everything she enjoys doing is here. Working with her husband, she’s been an integral part of the success of the company. “We’ve been in the construction business since we’ve been married, and we’ve been through good times and bad times, but we’ve always been together and God is our glue.” Like every member of her family, she worries about the health of the lake. They know that these things that make Okeechobee special are things that can be lost—and they aren’t the only ones.

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Jason Williams, who owns another local airboat charter business, talked about how business had slowed because of the issues surrounding Lake Okeechobee. The money that flows into the community from his clients has a ripple effect through the community. “They wouldn’t come here if it weren’t for the airboat ride or fishing, and most of them stay for lunch or to go shopping. If this dries up…” If this dries up, indeed. Phil has run for county commission twice and lost twice; he suggests that his political life might be done. But he also exercises his civic conscience by working with the city planning board and as a board member of Okeechobee Main Street. “The reason I invested so much in this community, and the reason I ran for county commission is I want to help it grow,” he says and he goes on to explain that he hopes that the city will eventually find ways to expand the economy to create opportunities for the next generation. From his point of view, that means taking some chances and inviting new businesses and new ways of thinking about the local economy and governing. In his mind, wise choices could safeguard the future of this community, so that his grandchildren will be able to grow up and know the same Florida that he’s known while also having more job choices and a more vibrant economy. It also extends to the lake. He fears that overspraying and draining the water levels too low are killing the lake to the point where it might not be able to recover. Lake Okeechobee isn’t just a form of entertainment; it’s one of the foundations of the

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economy. If the lake can’t be brought back to health and the city hasn’t wisely planned for its future, then everything he lives for will surely fade away. The Baughman family loves Okeechobee and this Florida life that they live to the fullest. The warning they sound, that without care and that without putting aside political grandstanding, is one that any conservationist would understand: If we want our kids to have the same chance at this great life, if we want our communities to thrive, and if we want the lake to be healthy again, it’s time to find the right answers. And, while we’re looking for those answers, maybe we can go for another ride out on the lake. Front seat: Phil Baughman, Back seat: Louis and Donnie Raborn

Front seat: Brent Baughman, Middle Seat: Brandon Baughman, David Jones, Back seats, Michelle and Phil Baughman.

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

Eat Out Outside That Is Al Fresco Dining, Life’s Simple Pleasure By Rachel Buxton Recipes Courtesy Brown Cow Sweetery | Photos By Jane Kaufman

Dining al fresco, when the weather is beautiful, and cooperating, is a simple pleasure I try to enjoy as much as possible. Having lived in New York City where spring can seem like a distant dream at times, sitting outside is something to be cherished. As soon as warm weather was on the horizon and the tables and chairs were spotted outside the many restaurants lining the streets, anyone and everyone, including

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myself and my furbabies, flocked to the eateries for a little sunshine and good dining. However, you don’t have to live in a big city to enjoy one of life’s little gifts. Your backyard or porch will suffice. And Brown Cow Sweetery has provided us with the perfect Italian menu to enjoy while sitting in the open air with a nice glass of wine or sparkling water. So, there’s nothing else to say but Buon appetito!

Blueberry Egg Custard Pie

Mushroom & Tomato Bruschetta

Papaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shrimp & Asparagus Pasta

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Papa’s Shrimp & Asparagus Pasta

Mushroom & Tomato Bruschetta

Ingredients

½ cup drained, oil-packed, sun-dried tomatoes (save oil) 1 lb. fresh asparagus trimmed and cut on the diagonal into half-inch pieces 1¼ lbs. uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined ½ cup chopped fresh basil 2 large garlic cloves, chopped ½ teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon dried, crushed red pepper 1 and 3/4 cups canned, low-salt chicken broth ½ cup dry white wine 2 tablespoons tomato paste 12 oz. penne pasta ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Heat oil reserved from sun-dried tomatoes in heavy, large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to bowl. Add sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp, ¼ cup basil, garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper to same skillet and sauté until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 3 minutes. Transfer shrimp mixture to bowl with asparagus. Add broth, wine and tomato paste to same skillet. Boil until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but al dente (firm to bite). Drain and return pasta to same pot. Add shrimp mixture, sauce, remaining ¼ cup of basil, and cheese to pasta. Toss over medium heat until warmed through, and sauce coats pasta. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

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1 loaf bruschetta bread cut into half-inch slices ½ cup olive oil ½ pound fresh mushrooms, diced 5 green onions, minced 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley 3 large ripe tomatoes, diced 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from heat source. Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet in a single layer. Broil bread slices until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes; watch carefully to prevent burning. Remove toasted slices and set aside on baking sheet Heat oive oil in a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir mushrooms, green onions, garlic, salt, pepper and parsley until mushrooms are softened and juicy, about 5 minutes. Set mixture aside. Mix diced tomatoes with balsamic vinegar in a bowl and set aside. Top each toasted bread slice with mushroom mixture, and spread tomato mixture on top. Spread mozzarella cheese over each appetizer. Return to broiler until cheese has melted and bruschetta are hot, about 5 minutes.

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Blueberry Egg Custard Pies Ingredients

2 9-inch unbaked pie crusts 3 extra large eggs, beaten ¾ cup sugar ¼ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg white 2½ cups scalded milk ¾ cup blueberries ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 3 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla. Stir well. Blend in scalded milk. For more color, add the yellow food coloring. Brush inside bottom and sides of pie shells with the egg white to help prevent a soggy crust. Pour custard mixture into pie crusts. Add blueberries, and sprinkle with nutmeg. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on rack. Recipe makes 2 9-inch pies.

For more information: Brown Cow Sweetery 103 SW Park St. (863) 357-3357 FOLLOW US

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PUBLISHER’S GONE FISHING NOTE

Best Places and Baits for Spring Bass Fishing

Bluegill Shellcrackers

STORY BY MILE KRAUSE / PHOTOS PROVIDED BY OKEECHOBEE FISHING HEADQUARTERS

Ronnie Critchlow

Lake Okeechobee is alive and well, despite some of the negative publicity it receives. Contrary to some reports, Lake Okeechobee is NOT TOXIC or POISON. With water levels currently at 12.57 feet, it can be a little rough to navigate in certain areas. With caution and awareness of the water levels and winds, you still can fish anywhere on the lake. Travel off the outside grass lines about 100-200 yards. When you reach the general area you want to fish, trim your engine up and idle into the grass area where you want to fish. When you want to move, idle back out of the grass, about that same difference, before trying to run. If you stop by Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters, we will be give you our perspective on how to navigate at the current water levels. With that said, going into the early spring, the largemouth bass spawn is in full swing, and there are giant bass to be caught.

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

Kings Bar, Tin House Cove, North Shore, Observation Shoal, Uncle Joe’s, West Wall and South Bay areas have been heating up with the spawning fish that are moving into those areas in waves. Gambler Big EZ or Reaction Innovations Skinny Dippers are the main search baits that anglers are using to find the prime areas. Once located, you can use Boy Howdy or Devils Horse as a topwater bait or OFH 6-inch Strike Stick, Gambler Fat Ace or Yamamoto Senkos to pick apart isolated cover, which presents the opportunity of a lifetime to catch bass. For the fishermen who just want to relax and have that same opportunity, stop by and pick up the best wild shiners on the lake and hit that magic spot. Local guides are always a great help for fishermen who don’t know the lake as well as they would like, or don’t want the headaches that are beyond their control. That’s just another of the services we provide.

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Crappie fishing or specks, as we call them, has been good, not great; but good for the anglers who work for their catches. For the past few years, crappie fishing has been off the charts. When speaking to FWC Biologists, the thought is this year is just kind of a down or rebound year. Crappie on Lake Okeechobee have a life expectancy of between 5-7 years, with spawning maturity around 2-3 years. The weather patterns and water levels contribute to the spawn of those fish; so pray for good weather and stable levels, and the crappie population will thrive. The Kissimmee River is the most popular spot for crappie fishing with live bait. Minnows are being fished in 10-14 feet of water, with daily limits being caught. Most of the minnow fishermen, day or night, tend to use a medium minnow, light weight and float, either anchored or slow drifting. The jig fishermen are fishing chartreuse, white or pink Andy’s Jigs in 18-36 inches of water around Kings Bar, Third Point and Indian Prairie areas in the buggy whips or around floating vegetation. If you have never been on Lake Okeechobee, take the time to get out and see what we see daily. It is the most diverse ecosystem Mother Nature has ever created. With guide service, airboat tours, boat rentals and scenic trails around the lake, there are so many ways to enjoy it. Don’t miss out. Stop or call us at Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters for your fishing and informational needs. For more information: Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters (863) 763-2248 ofhokeechobee@hotmail.com www.fishokeechobee.net

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Okeechobee Greeter Returns Home to Warm Welcome STORY AND PHOTOS BY PATTI BERGLUND

Our community gathered to welcome home one of Okeechobee’s favorite greeters. Mr. Doug Gerbing is known for sitting on the overpass on Hwy 70 with a “smile” sign and waving at travelers driving by. Back in October 2018, Mr. Doug’s bicycle broke, and he suffered many injuries. He has been away recuperating and getting stronger. He has finally been able to come home. It was only fitting that our community come together and greet him as he has done to so many of us. He has truly touched so many people’s lives by his simple but caring gesture.

You, sir, are my Okeechobee hero. Welcome home!

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Art, Puppies and Food Draw Crowd at Annual Art Festival STORY BY RACHEL BUXTON PHOTOS BY PATTI BERGLUND, RAYE DEUSINGER, AND TRISH GRYGO

Downtown Okeechobee was bustling the weekend of Feb. 9-10 as Okeechobee Main Street hosted its biggest celebration of the arts-Top of the Lake Art Fest. This annual event was created to provide an opportunity for people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds to experience and embrace all types of art, including sand sculptures, and chalk art, student artwork, nature photography and a variety of handmade art was on display for all to view and purchase. In addition to the various art mediums lining the park, the weekend provided a little bit of tail wagging and puppy cuteness for all dog lovers. Puppies paraded through the park all vying for the number one spot and “barking” rights. And while “Pawcasso” was going on, community members filled up on samplings from Okeechobee’s best restaurants during the Taste of Okeechobee. The 2019 Best Taste of

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

Okeechobee was awarded to Nutmeg’s Cafe for their white chicken chili, which set them apart from their delicious competition.

A PR IL 2019

15% OFF

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Battle of Okeechobee Brings History To Life STORY BY RACHEL BUXTON PHOTOS BY SANDRA PEARCE

History came to life the weekend of Feb. 23 as visitors from all over got the opportunity to experience a re-enactment of the largest and fiercest battle of the Seminole Wars –The Battle of Okeechobee. During the weekend-long festivities, spectators –young and old – enjoyed a variety of activities; including a colors presentation, artisan and Seminole exhibitor demonstrations, powwow dancing, alligator wrestling, folk music, and a daily re-enactment of the Battle of Okeechobee. What became the bloodiest battle of the Second Seminole

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

War began when the U.S. Army pursued a band of Seminoles to the shoreline of Lake Okeechobee in an event that would later be referred to as “Col. Zachary Taylor’s Christmas Party.” And on Dec. 25, 1837, the Battle of Okeechobee was fought, and it ended with many U.S. casualties. The Seminole Indians retreated deep into the swamp, remaining unconquered. The Okeechobee Battlefield State Park, commemorating the event, is located on U.S. Hwy 441 SE, just a few miles southeast of the city.

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COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • BUSINESS

NIKI SALMON LICENSED REAL ESTATE BROKER

863.532.9096

WELCOME TO THE TEAM:

Donna Huth, Dale Ann Watford, Mary Lookabill

Board Director

Niki@remingtonrealestate.com www.remingtonrealestate.com www.okeechobeehomesforsale.com BK3268539 / CBD1256085 / PCC056704

FREE GIFT! Ask about Seller/Buyer Incentives!

SNEIDER LAW Glenn J. Sneider Attorney at Law

Helping good people facing tough problems. Divorce

Custody

Paternity

DUI

Criminal Law

200 SW 9th Street•Okeechobee, FL 34974

863-467-6570 www.SneiderLaw.com

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jor All Mnads &

B r a turers nufac

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Doctors Clinic Family Health Center, LLC

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Se habla español • Wir sprechen deutsch Nous parlons français

204 SE Park Street • Okeechobee

Stanley H. Sweda M.D.

Jane Powell ARNP-FNP-BC

Most Insurances Accepted • DOT/CDL Physicals Family Practice and Occupational Medicine Lifestyle Weight & Wellness Accepting New Patients • Walk-ins & Appointments

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

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C A R PE N T E R I N S U R A N C E

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• Home • Auto • Boat • Motorcycle • Motorhome • Workers Comp • Commercial • Health • Bonds • Life

Home For All Your Insurance Needs

Peggy Carpenter-Brady

VP & Commercial Account Specialist

3960 SE 18th Terrace, Taylor Creek Plaza • Okeechobee, FL 34974 • 863-824-0885

Custom Home Building & Remodeling

Because Dad deserves

the best!

UNTIL I GOT I DIDN’T FIND OUT IT A LOT OLDER.

long his workday But no matter how s, Dad never went or how tired he wa quietly peeking t firs to bed without ke sure my into our rooms to ma fe and sound. sa re brothers and I we herwise. He wouldn’t rest ot he feels. At Grand Today, I know how fessionals from Oaks, healthcare pro ciation of Florida so As the Visiting Nurse urs a day and able are available 24 ho ytime at night. I an to check on him owing he’s being sleep a lot easier kn o. to watched over,

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Love you, Dad.

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203 SE 2nd Street Okeechobee, FL 34974 (located next to the fire station)

863.467.1933

866-986-2151

www.GrandOaksOkeechobee.com

Okeechobee, FL 34972 STATE LICENSED & INSURED - Lic #CRC1331883

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

William Wallace Takes Office as New County Court Judge STORY BY RACHEL BUXTON | PHOTOS BY SANDRA PEARCE

Judge William Wallace was sworn in as the newest Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court Judge during an investiture ceremony on Feb. 22 at the Okeechobee County Courthouse. Wallace was surrounded by his family, friends and members of the community as he proudlytook his oath of office, with his mother, Jean Wallace, holding the Bible. Wallace took the seat of Judge Jerry Bryant, who retired in December 2018. A 1988 graduate from Nova Southeastern University-Shepard Broad College of Law, Wallace was elected Okeechobee County Judge after spending the past 30 years in private practice. During his tenure, he will be responsible for all Okeechobee County court cases and all juvenile delinquency cases, including juvenile drug court. He also will preside over adult felony and misdemeanor drug court.

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

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Rick Chartier (863) 467.9090 • Sales • Service • Audio Visual • Networking

COMPUTERS

• Phone Systems • Cabling • Accessories

403 South Parrott Avenue Okeechobee, FL email: sales@icsflorida.com www.icsflorida.com

OKEE-TANTIE TITLE COMPANY, INC.

WILLIAMSON CATTLE COMPANY Presents ‘Photos of the Past’

GLADES COUNTY ABSTRACT

105 NW 6th Street | Okeechobee, FL 34972 863-763-2898 | Fax 863-763-0541 Stephen E. Burk, VP Suzie Burk, CEO okeepackage@earthlink.net | www.okee-tantie.com These pupils are Okeechobee High School’s future graduating Class of 1949, seated on the front steps of the first brick school. Okeechobee Elementary School was constructed in 1916. Alma Joyce Trumble is sitting on the far left back step. She is the daughter of Ruth Underhill and George Trumble. Alma Joyce became the salutatorian of her graduating class.

Join the Glades Gas family in celebrating 90 Years with 12 months of giveaways and the ultimate grand prize drawing! MONTHLY PRIZES Enter to win by stopping by Glades Gas! You’ll earn one entry every time you visit. Drawings are held the 4th Friday of every month. GRAND PRIZE Enter to win the grand prize KamadoJoe Ceramic Grill!* Tickets for entry are $3 each, or 4 for $10. Drawing will be held on December 18th. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Lighthouse Cafe and Ella’s Closest located in Belle Glade, Florida.

Information contributed by Jill Bishop Hornung

*Delivery included within the Glades area. Must be 18 or older to purchase ticket.

of Belle Glade SERVING THE GLADES SINCE 1929

5 W. Avenue A, Belle Glade, FL 33430 561.996.3046 www.GladesGasAC.com

Submitted by Betty Chandler Williamson

LICENSE #01852

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Brighton Field Day Marks 81 Years, Celebrates Native American Cultures STORY BY RACHEL BUXTON | PHOTOS BY SANDRA PEARCE

What began as just a â&#x20AC;&#x153;day of fun,â&#x20AC;? back in November 1938, has turned into the longest running Seminole Tribe of Florida festival held on the Brighton reservation. The Brighton Field Day Festival and Rodeo celebrated 81 years as it kicked off its weekend-long festivities Feb. 15 with a warm welcome from tribal officials and royalty. The Brighton Field Day Festival was started by two schoolteachers, Mr. and Mrs. William Boehmer, who lived on the Brighton reservation. Their vision at the time was simply to have a fun-filled day of friendly competition, including relay races and horse races, followed by a great big community barbecue.

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

Fast-forward 81 years, and Brighton Field Day is way more than Mr. and Mrs. Boehmer could have ever imagined or planned for. Drawing a record-breaking crowd each year, the annual event never disappoints. Featuring a variety of native presentations, including Seminole patchwork clothing contests, powwow and Aztec dancing exhibitions, alligator wrestling and snake shows, Brighton Field Day gives spectators a taste of the Seminole and other Native American cultures. And no Brighton Field Festival is complete without a rodeo held at the Fred Smith Rodeo Arena, showcasing some of the best cowboys from across the country.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Gala Raises More Than $24,000 for Peace Lutheran School STORY BY RACHEL BUXTON | PHOTOS BY SHIRLEY PALMER

It was all about the bling and the kids at the 10th Annual Peace Lutheran Gala held Feb. 16 at the Okeechobee KOA Convention Center. Local business people and community members dressed to the nines for the Bowties and Blingthemed gala, and enjoyed an evening of food, fun, dancing and bidding on silent auction items. The event raised more than $24,000 and all proceeds benefit the growth and improvement of Peace Lutheran School. Peace Lutheran School is a nationally accredited school that opened in 1982; and since 2001, has earned accreditation through the National Lutheran Schools Association (NLSA). Peace Lutheran School provides a Christ-centered curriculum that teaches children and students about Jesus and his love.

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

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Stop on by. Entertainment you want. The value you need.

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Hardware and programming available separately. Conditions apply. Call for details.

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Addington Satellite TV 307 SW Park St, Okeechobee, FL 34972

863-697-6047

DIRECTV SVC TERMS: Subject to Equipment Lease & Customer Agreements. Must maintain a min. base TV pkg of $29.99/mo. Programming, pricing, terms and conditions subject to change at any time. Visit directv.com/legal or call for details. ©2017 AT&T Intellectual Property. All Rights Reserved. AT&T, Globe logo, DIRECTV, and all other DIRECTV marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T aﬃliated companies. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Years 25 ver O for ed at per O d an d ne w Family O

HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8am-5:30pm

317 SW Park Street • Okeechobee, FL •

863-763-2220

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

G.M. Worley, Inc.’s Blueprint for Success:

Building Strong Bonds with Clients STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROBBI SUMNER

Founded in 1984 by the father-and-son team of G. “Mack” Worley, Sr. and G.M. “Hoot” Worley, Jr., G.M. Worley, Inc. has withstood the test of time in Okeechobee’s construction industry. Prior to starting their own business, both Mack and Hoot had experience in construction or construction-related industries. Mack obtained his Florida State Certified General Contractors license in 1984 after about 20 years in real estate management and construction. Hoot is an OHS graduate who attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Ag Economics, which he says provided him with many of the business principles that have enabled him to manage G.M. Worley, Inc. He also gained valuable knowledge while working at W&W Lumber for 15 years before he and Mack started their own business. “The contractors I worked with talked to me about the job problems they faced and how they solved them, which gave me a really good education and insight,” he says. G.M. Worley, Inc. operates on a “design and build” concept of construction management. “My dad said we should never pick our jobs, but rather build what someone asks us to build. We start with the owner’s concept and work with them to achieve their desired finished project,” explains Hoot.

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

From left to right: Myranda McAllister, Courtney Holmes with daughter TayLynne, Doug Holmes.

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––– Remodel and addition project –––

––– The Palm City Farms Market & Produce building is a combination of commercial and ag-related construction. –––

Through the years, their completed projects have varied from residential starter homes to commercial buildings and agricultural structures, such as a feed mill and citrus grove pump stations. Having a strong relationship with those in the local ag industry has helped G. M. Worley, Inc. survive five recessions. They continued to provide their services through lean economic periods when the need for residential and commercial projects slowed. Hoot, a State Certified General Contractor, completes all of the necessary design work prior to plans being reviewed and approved by a state certified structural engineer. Hoot also has Wind Mitigation Certification, being recognized by the state as a design professional for residential buildings up to three stories high. Mack retired in 2003 and passed away in 2004, leaving Hoot to carry on the business legacy. Currently permitting jobs in four counties – Okeechobee, Osceola, Martin and St. Lucie – Hoot relies heavily on his “excellent” staff. Courtney Holmes and Myranda McAllister provide bookkeeping and administrative support in the office, and Doug Holmes handles most on-site job inspections and also works closely with Hoot and their clients. According to Hoot, “Doug is quite competent, and I hear compliments on him and his work on a regular basis.” One of the main principles of basic economics is that businesses make money by providing either a product or a service. A guiding principle of G.M. Worley, Inc. is that they are service providers.

“We see ourselves as advocates for our clients, a philosophy which allows us to develop strong relationships with each one. I am pleased to say that we have had the opportunity to work with second-, and even third-generations of some families,” Hoot humbly shares. Speaking of family, Hoot and his wife Joy celebrated 40 years of marriage on Feb. 27. The couple has two daughters, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren – one of whom, baby TayLynn, can be found “helping” mom Courtney in the office, and keeping Hoot wrapped around her little fingers! As for the future, Hoot has no plans to retire anytime soon, stating, “I enjoy what I do and don’t see any reason to.” While the construction industry has evolved in many ways through the years, the basic premise of customer service has not, and regardless of the project’s scope or cost, the staff of G. M. Worley, Inc. works equally hard for all of its clients. If you’re in need of design and build services, from remodels to new construction, stop by their office located at 110 NW 5th Street or call (863) 467-2541.

Making Dreams Come True for 30 years Mack “Hoot” Worley

A State Certiﬁed General Contractor St. Lic. CGC1507657

Hoot and Joy Worley

110 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

863-467-2541

gmworleyinc@gmail.com • www.facebook.com/G.M.Worley, Inc.

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

First, Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll Sell You The Land, Then, She Will Build You A House, Finally, She Will Make It A Home

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

STORY AND PHOTOS BY RAYE DEUSINGER

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“Life is what you make it” were words of wisdom from Bevo, mother of Niki Salmon, which helped lead her daughter to personal and business success. After working as an oil company CEO for more than 20 years, Niki was about to retire. She said, “Since 2004 I had been fascinated by a TV show about building log homes. I knew that the five acres in Alabama I owned, atop the Bear Creek Reservoir, would be the perfect place to build my dream log home.” Niki and her mom attended a log cabin auction in Tallahassee; only one other bidder showed up. Amazingly, she bought a $65,000 log-home package for $22,000 and hired an Alabama contractor to build the log home of her dreams. So thrilled with the completed home, she went to the owner of the log company and asked if she could become a log-home dealer. When they said they preferred to work only with contractors, she returned to Okeechobee, went to school, got her contractor’s license and became a log-home dealer six months later. In 2007, a friend of Niki’s wanted to retire from her furniture store and offered Niki an old-fashioned horse trade on her remaining inventory. Niki owned some land next to her friend’s land, and the two struck a deal: the land for the inventory. With 30 days to find a store, Niki bought and opened a place on Park Street, which she named Rustic Style and Cabins, Home Décor and Gift Shoppe.

The idea of selling “rustic” things — not just western, or country — was appealing.

In Alabama, she met a family of Amish furniture makers, Fred and Mary and their two small children (they now have five). Since that meeting, they have been the primary supplier of Rustic Style’s high-quality, beautiful Amish furniture. They can customize your designs from hickory, sassafras, Indonesian teak and the newest wave of Amish polywood garden furniture. In 2011 Niki joined the team of a friend’s local real estate company. Niki knew that as a broker, she would be able to fulfil her goal of selling the land, building the homes and furnishing them from her store. Her determination made it possible to get her real estate and, ultimately, her broker’s license and open Remington Real Estate LLC at her Park Street store. She said, “I am a genuine entrepreneur and am passionate about whatever I do. To be able to employ and build sales teams is a humbling accomplishment.” Niki’s passion for her store is equaled by her dedication to veterans. The first thing you will notice when you come in the store is our country’s flag, made by a skilled craftsman. The money made on the purchase of his flags is returned 100 percent to help veterans. You can see even more evidence of patriotism throughout her store. Local artist, Gordy Borth, a 92-year-old, World War II vet, makes beautiful wall plaques and wood art. On cash sales, Gordy receives 100 percent of their sale price. Niki said she and her team, “Praise God, love country and thank veteran heroes for our freedom.” For years, drivers passing the store have waved to a mustached borracho who sits in a chair outside Rustic Style; he looks so real. Borracho is

NOW OPEN!

Come join us for a fun game of billiards in our NEW BAR connected to our already established Tin Fish Restaurant!

We offer leagues and tournaments billiards. Billiards open to the public. Monday – Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

301 N Parrott Ave / Okeechobee

863-357-0722

B AT T O N

C O N S U LT I N G & Construction

863-634-7460 CBC 008329

State Certified CBC 008329

COMMERCIAL R

RESIDENTIAL TURN KEY CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING OFFICE

863.357.2272 CELL

863.634.7460 e.b.battonconsulting@gmail.com

200 NW 5th Street Okeechobee FL 34972

Let Experience Work For You

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS the honorary mascot for one of Niki’s bestselling, private-label wines, Borracho’s Red Neck Wine. It is rumored that he told Niki, “A-ris-to-cats don’t drink no wine before its time, but rednecks know it’s always time.”

Rustic Style features items from well-known artists: R.A. Guthrie Metal Art, paintings by Orlando artist Maria Barry, The Highwaymen and her own art creations. Wooden furniture

“Life is what you make it”

Niki Salmon

She is the only dealer in South Florida that carries Yurana blown-glass stemware, and the only Okeechobee store that sells Pandora. You’ll find wood carvings and furniture designs to fit every pocketbook. There are name brands as well as

Metal wall art

O KE E CHO BE E T H E M A GA Z I N E

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custom-made knives; American Expedition wildlife series mugs; deer and alligator heads; lamps and chandeliers; cornhole boards; unique, petrified, wood washbasins; bed linens and decorative pillows; jewelry; and gift items that you can’t find anywhere else. Niki’s design experience will guide you in decorating your home or business. Niki recently opened a sister store in Sebastian called the Blue-Eyed Salmon Gift Shop -- after a pet name her dad (Tom) gave her -- blue-eyed tadpole. The Sebastian store also shares an office for the expansion of Remington Real Estate LLC. As a broker, she can sell you the land; as a contractor, she can build your home; as a designer, she can conceive its interior; and as a store, with unlimited variety, she can furnish and decorate it. To borrow a phrase, “Why would you go to anyone else?”

Besides Beef feed — Syfrett EP Cubestm, Bull Grower, Heifer Developer, Calf Pellets, Dairy and minerals, we carry Swine, Poultry, Sheep, Goat, Deer, Game feed and more! Check out ALL our programs—from great starter/growers and finish/withdraws, to a special layer ration for poultry. We’ll deliver direct to your operation—6 tons + minimum. We have established routes from Jacksonville thru Homestead and Coast to Coast. We deliver bulk, bagged pallets, or totes. Call Charles Syfrett: 863.634.7366/John Eubanks: 352.213.2671. For smaller quantities, drive into The Feederytm for fresh feed available in any quantity. Bring your own container, drive up and be well taken care. If you don’t have a container or need more, we carry barrels w/lids—up to 300 lbs, sacks—up to 100 lbs, or super sacks—up to 2000 lbs. Feed is also available in 50 lb. bags. We invite you to give us a try, experience superior nutrition, unsurpassed support and competitive pricing. OPEN | M-F 7:30 - 5:30 SAT 8 - 2 3079 NW 8th St | Okeechobee, FL 34972 Mill: 863.763.5586 | Jose: 863.634.6547 FRESH | LOCAL 3RD GENERATION FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

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DAY TRIPS

A Peaceful Retreat Bok Tower Gardens’ beauty runs deep through Florida’s history Story and Photos By David Jones A National Historic Landmark, Bok Mountain Lake Sanctuary and Singing Tower’s calling card, the Singing Tower, is reason enough to make the quick drive north to the facility, but the extensive, serene gardens and an intimate view of an old Florida mansion are the best parts of the visit. In 1921, Edward W. Bok, the publisher of the magazine Ladies’ Home Journal, and his wife, Mary Louise Curtis Bok, decided to create a bird sanctuary on the highest hill in Lake Wales. They hired landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. to transform the sandy hill into a beautiful garden filled with oaks and palms and flowers and fruit shrubs. The garden that Olmsted created was nothing less than spectacular. When arriving at the facility, the massive 205-foot Singing Tower is an obvious landmark. The visit begins at the tasteful visitor center, complete with a short orientation film, an exhibit hall that explains how the tower and gardens came to be, a small gift shop and the Blue Palmetto Café. It’s a good idea to take the opportunity to orient and prepare, since the gardens consist of meandering paths covering more than 200 acres. It’s typical of Bok Tower Gardens that Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, by itself, consists of nearly three acres of water features, plants, a performance stage and plenty of animal life to keep things exciting. Everything about the place is as big as it is gorgeous.

A beautiful garden was created to provide birds and other wildlife a sanctuary.

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DAY TRIPS

Olmsted Gardens at Peak Bloom The gardens span an impressive 200 acres.

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That size can be daunting with the gardens and the many paths covering around 50 acres. On a hot day with no breeze, visitors should be well-hydrated and should give themselves time to rest and enjoy the views. The paths are easy to navigate, and there are places to sit and simply enjoy the views. There are also a number of places where visitors with disabilities or those who just need a little ride can wait for for golf carts to shuttle them from section to section. Aside from enjoying the hundreds of varieties of flowers (depending on the season, of course), birdwatchers will love spotting the 126 various species of birds that call the

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gardens home, and sharp-eyed visitors also might see the eastern indigo snake and gopher tortoise. Its variety is unique to Florida and, very likely, the world. The Singing Tower carillon is, itself, a unique work of art. The overall structure is a heavy, powerful neo-Gothic shape that pushes its way skyward; but the details and intricate carvings reflect an Art Deco style and a naturalistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; theme. The steel frame structure of the tower is encased in stone from St. Augustine, Fla., and marble from Georgia, and the elaborate detail work is remarkable.

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It is a grand and meaningful appreciation of nature, and the balance of all things through God’s creation. Inside, throughout its eight stories, is the Anton Brees Carillon Library (with the largest collection of carillon history and music in the world), an archival room housing historic objects and documents related to the garden, and, of course, the carillon bells and the players cabinet and keyboard. The Bok Tower Carillon contains 60 massive bells weighing up to around 12 tons and the mechanical action of the keyboard causes clappers inside the bells to strike, creating incredible, resonant tones that can be heard throughout the area. From mid-October to mid-May, Thursday to Sunday, the daily concerts and short selections are played live; the rest of the year, the carillon music is pulled from recordings in the Anton Brees Carillon Library. That tower is impressive, but the most compelling reason to go the gardens is Pinewood Estate. Built in the 1930s by

Charles Austin Buck, an executive with Bethlehem Steel, the mansion offers an intriguing comparison between Buck’s wealth and the expectations of today. The elegant, Mediterranean-style mansion was originally named “El Retiro” (“retreat” in Spanish), and there is no doubt that the mansion is a fabulous structure, with the kind of woodwork and detail that simply isn’t found in many modern structures. The Oriental Moon Gate and English country garden are beautiful, and the architecture by Charles Wait is flawless in creating a 12,900-square-foot structure that is impressive in scope but warm and comfortable in its spaces. As big as it is, in its bespoke detailing, and with its spaces for staff members, this is obviously the home of an incredibly wealthy family. But, in comparison to contemporary houses, the bedrooms and private spaces are small and spartan. Not to take anything away from the grandeur, but it is sometimes hard to recognize the actual wealth and relative luxury that most Americans live in today; a guided tour through the Pinewood Estate manages to provide an

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The elegant, Mediterranean-style mansion was originally named “El Retiro” (“retreat” in Spanish). intriguing context to our lives now in comparison to the truly wealthiest Americans of that era. Unfortunately, the hours for tours of the mansion are more restricted than the hours for Bok Tower Gardens, and an extra cost is required for entry. The groups allowed into the mansion are small, so visitors are guaranteed a very personal tour with an engaged guide. Visit the Bok Tower Gardens website for more information on times and costs. Whether visiting to see the unique architecture of the tower or to spend hours strolling through the gardens, enjoying Florida’s glorious scenery, Bok Tower Gardens counts as a great family outing. Adults will appreciate the serenity and the special history, while kids will have enough space to explore and enjoy the sunshine (and maybe learn a little local history in the process).

For more information: Open year-round 8 a.m.-6 p.m., daily, with no admission after 5 p.m. Visit online at www.boktowergardens.org For more information, call (863) 676-1408 Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853

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Okeechobee’s Onlylasering Full-Service, Family-Owned & Operated Funeral Home In-house to provide you with personalized, unique keepsakes to cherish your loved one’s memory.

Unrivaled personalized urns

Customized cap panels for caskets

Engraving for special occasions

• Phones Monitored By 24/7in-house • Guaranteed Pre-Arranged Pricing All Family lasering done by Matthew Out-of-State Buxton. • Burial, Cremation, Transfers • Full Casket & Cremation Showrooms • On-Site Crematory • Military Funeral Honors 400 N. Parrott Avenue | Okeechobee, Florida 34972 • Custom Monuments & Memorials • Grief Support Programs (863) 763-1994 | www.okeechobeefuneralhome.com • Public Or Private Gatherings • Personalized Memorial Tributes

400 N. Parrott Avenue - Okeechobee, Florida 34972 - (863) 763-1994

St. Lic. #CMCO54668

Refrigeration ~ AC ~ Ice Machines Serving the Glades Since 1929 Jim and Monica McCarthy Clark

Okeechobee 863-763-2114 804 N. Parrott Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34972

Clewiston 863-983-8111 311 E. Sugarland Hwy. Clewiston, FL 33440

LaBelle 866-942-7280 We also service LaBelle, FL

Carrier 78

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Happy Anniversary Serving Your Community for 90 Years

TERVIS TUMBLER DEALER

A good neighbor has your back.

Life’s a combination of good days and bad. I have your back for both. And who has my back? The company more people have trusted for 90 years. I’m here to help life go rightTM. CALL ME TODAY.

Life’s a combination of good days and bad. I have your back for both. And who has my back? The company more people have trusted for 90 years. I’m here to help life go right. CALL ME TODAY. TM

113 SW Park Street • Okeechobee, FL 34972

863.623.4267

Tues - Fri: 10am-6pm / Sat: 10am-3pm / CLOSED Sunday & Monday

Gretchen Robertson Ins Agy Inc Gretchen Robertson, Agent Gretchen Robertson Ins Agy 309 Inc NE 2ND ST Gretchen Robertson, Agent Okeechobee, FL 34972 309 NE 2ND ST Okeechobee, FL 34972 Bus: 863-763-5561 Bus: 863-763-5561 State Farm Bloomington, IL 1606039

16066039

State Farm Bloomington, IL

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NATIONALLY ACCREDITED Peace Lutheran School We accept VPK and Step Up for Students • Serving Children ages 2-K • Small Class Sizes Now taking Enrollment for the 2019-20 School Year and Summer Camp SCHOOL YEAR: AGES 2 – Kindergarten SUMMER CAMP: AGES 2 – 4th Grade

Office:

LIVE BAIT•TACKLE APPAREL•GROCERIES

863-763-7566 750 NW 23rd Street • Okeechobee, FL 34972 • peaceschoolinokeechobee@yahoo.com • FMI visit www.peacelutheranschool-okeechobee.org

Professional Guide Services

More than 27% of the children in Okeechobee County struggle with hunger. Sponsor a child’s meals at stophunger.org

1505 State Road 78 West Okeechobee, FL 34974

863.763.0973

Mission: Our mission is to alleviate hunger by obtaining and distributing food and other essentials in Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee Counties. s t o p h u n g e r . o r g

www.okeechobeebassfishingguide.com 80

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Treasure Coast Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization.

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facebook.com/ tcfoodbank twitter.com/ tcfoodbank instagram.com/ tcfoodbank

Why advertise with us? Family Owned & Operated Heating • Air Conditioning • Commercial Refrigeration • Mini-Split Systems • Ice Machines Sales • Service • New Installation • Warranty • Maintenance • Residential • Commercial

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE • REPAIRS ON ALL MAKES AND MODELS

Duct Cleaning & Sanitizing • Indoor Air Quality 100% FINANCING AVAILABLE • FREE ESTIMATES

863.467.4733 / 863.634.2836 www.CRSOkee.com

CALL US FOR HONEST & DEPENDABLE SERVICE

Because if you're reading this...there's a good chance your customers are too. • Precision Hair Cut Designs • Balayage Hand Painting • Brazilian Blowout • Waxing • Manicures • Microblading • Nail Enhancements • Spa Pedicures • Eyelash Extensions

(863) 763-3933

313 SW Park Street | Okeechobee Monday-Friday 9-5 | Saturday 9-3

www.staffordssalon.com AFTER HOURS APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Gift Certificates Available

314 N.W. Fifth Street Okeechobee, FL 34972

Phone: 863.467.0054 www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com

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Okeechobee The Magazine gives our community exactly what it needs — a metropolitan quality-type publication that still resonates Okeechobee's rich heritage and intimate community bond. — Lori Mixon,

Mixon Real Estate Group

RABON’S COUNTRY FEED From Your Farm, to Your Family Pet - We Have it All

BAGGED FEED • BULK FEED • MOLASSES • HAY • RANCHING & FENCE SUPPLIES • PET FOOD & SUPPLIES 1852 NW 9th Street • Okeechobee FL 34972 Store 863.763.3447 • Fax 863.763.5205 STORE HOURS M-F 7:30AM-6PM Sat 7:30AM-3PM www.countryfeedokee.com

WE DELIVER!

Celebrating 90 Years Serving the Glades Authorized

Dealer

2435 HWY 441 SE OKEECHOBEE, FL

863.634.3878

Family Owned and Operated Since 1929

camsmobilemarine@gmail.com

10% OFF

Any oil change or 100 hours service

NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER OFFER OFFER EXPIRES 5/31/19

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FIVE CONVENIENT SHOWROOMS:

Okeechobee, Belle Glade, Clewiston, Immokalee and Sebring 804 NE Park Street Okeechobee, FL 34972

(863) 763.6293 In Store Financing Available

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ADVERTISER INDEX 1st Choice Jewelry & Pawn...........................................................................53 A Child’s World......................................................................................................37 Abney Building & Consulting, Inc.......................................................49 Addington Satellite TV...................................................................................63

1008 N. Parrott Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34972

All About You Caregivers, Inc..................................................................49 American Drilling................................................................................................63 Anderson Realty...................................................................................43, 84-87 Andrea Noelle’s Boutique...........................................................................79 Badcock Home Furniture and More.................................................57 Batton Consulting & Construction................................................... 69 Berger Real Estate..............................................................................................80 Big Lake Eye Care....................................................................................................1 Buxton Bass Funeral Home......................................................................78 CAM’S Mobile Marine.....................................................................................82 Carpenter Insurance.........................................................................................56 Cattlemen’s Market of Okeechobee.....................................................3 Clear Title & Legal Svces...............................................................................41 Crossroads Restaurant..................................................................................43 Cooling Refrigeration Services................................................................81 Custom Sights & Sounds............................................................................78 Custom Window Treatments...................................................................57

Murray Insurance................................................................................................47

Tenniswood Dental Associates..............................................................27

D-4 Powersports...................................................................................................56

Okee-Tantie Title..................................................................................................59

The Purple Orchid...............................................................................................61

Doctors Clinic Family Health Center...............................................56

Okeechobee Health Care..........................................................................IFC

Tin Fish Restaurant & Bar......................................................................... 69

Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center.........................................................35

Peace Lutheran School...................................................................................80

Total Roadside Services............................................................................12-13

Don’s Appliances.................................................................................................63

Penrod Construction........................................................................................41

Treasure Coast Food Bank..........................................................................80

Edward Jones Investments........................................................................79

Platinum Performance Builders...........................................................57

Dr. Trinidad Garcia, M.D................................................................................83

Everglades Pediatric Dentistry..................................................................6

Pritchard’s & Associates...............................................................................53

Usborne Books......................................................................................................83

Family Dentistry of Okeechobee...........................................................15

Pueblo Viejo VI Restaurant.......................................................................39

Visiting Nurse Association........................................................................56

Fast Break Bait & Tackle................................................................................80

Quail Creek Plantation.....................................................................................9

Waste Management...........................................................................................21

Florida Public Utiities.......................................................................................11

Rabon’s Country Feed.....................................................................................82

Wemmer Family Orthodontics..............................................................75

Gilbert Chevrolet............................................................................................. IBC

Raulerson Hospital......................................................................................... BC

Williamson Cattle Company....................................................................59

Glades A/C.................................................................................................................78

Remington/Rustic Style Furniture......................................................55

WOKC 100.9 FM......................................................................................................61

Glades Gas of Belle Glade.........................................................................59

Royal’s Furniture..................................................................................................82

Worley Construction........................................................................................67

Glenn Sneider, Attorney................................................................................55

Sandra Pearce Photography....................................................................... 71

Heartland Discount Pharmacy.................................................................5

Seminole Brighton Casino..........................................................................10

Highland Pest Control...................................................................................79

Signature Signs......................................................................................................51

Highway 55.................................................................................................................31

Simpson Advanced Chiropratic & Medical Ctr.......................29

Humana.......................................................................................................................39

St. Lucie Battery & Tire......................................................................................7

ICS Computers......................................................................................................59

Stafford’s Salon.....................................................................................................81

Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant..............................................................51

State Farm ................................................................................................................79

Mixon Real Estate..................................................................................................2

Syfrett Feed................................................................................................................ 71

Morgan’s Furniture............................................................................................37

Teez 2 Pleez................................................................................................................78

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Around Okeechobee Brought to You By:

When only the best will do.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

The County Boutique 102 SW 3rd Ave. (863) 357-0211

Advance America | 3559 S. Hwy 441 | (863) 763-1159

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Around Okeechobee Brought to You By:

When only the best will do.

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies

Create & Decorate 410 SE 2nd Ave. (863) 634-8660

Midway Primary Care | 113 NE 19th Dr. | (863) 623-4195

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Around Okeechobee Brought to You By:

When only the best will do.

Main Street Mixers

January 2019 Brand It Gifts & Designs Mixer

February 2019 | The Hope Chest Mixer

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Just $18 per year gets you 6 issues of Okeechobee the Magazine mailed directly to your home! Every issue of Okeechobee the Magazine is filled with stories about the people and events that shape this unique community. For just $18 per year, you can keep up with everything that Okeechobee has to offer!

OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION Enclose check made payable to Okeechobee the Magazine and mail along with completed form to: Okeechobee the Magazine 314 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972 Name _____________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________ OKEECHOBEE COUNTY | GLADES COUNTY | HENDRY COUNTY | WESTERN PALM BEACH COUNTY

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Get Your Own Copy of Destination Lake Okeechobee for just $10.95 shipping & handling.

The Destination Lake Okeechobee regional guide is filled with facts and information about the entire Lake Okeechobee region and includes ideas for recreation, fishing information and much more! Pick it up free locally or order your own copy today!

City _________________________ State ______ Zip______________ Phone _____________________________________________________ Email Address (Optional)* _____________________________________ Select Options (Offers Available ONLY in the continental United States) __ One Year (6 Issues), Okeechobee the Magazine $18 __ Two Years (12 Issues), Okeechobee the Magazine $36 __ 2019 Destination Lake Okeechobee Regional Guide $10.95 S/H Total Enclosed

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LAST PAGE “So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.” -Helen Keller

From left to right: Trish Grygo, Maureen Budjinski, Patti Berglund

It was a stormy month in my household as well as our editorial office. My sister-in-law — a woman that I knew years before Sonja, my wife—passed away. My wife and I had visited Denver at the beginning of the month to say our goodbyes and to support her husband. They were, without a doubt, more devoted to each other than any other couple I have ever known, and he cared for her through her difficult final months, with gentleness and an endless strength. I have nothing but admiration for him. And then, right before we went to press with this issue, our office manager Patti Berglund lost her dear mother, Grace Horne at the age of 85. Over the years, Ms. Grace – who was often referred to as Mama in the office – was known for her jovial spirit and keen sense of humor. Her chicken and dumplings will always be an office favorite – so I hear.

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So, as we were beginning the editorial process for this issue, some of us were burdened with sadness. But life, seemingly unfair, also is often kind, if we just manage to notice. For me, part of that kindness came in the meeting of Maureen Budjinski, the founder of the magazine. It was like meeting an old friend, and her spirit and joy were just what I needed to remind me of the good in life—and she is, truly, a good woman. Maureen, who has been doing volunteer work, sat with Patti; Trish Grygo, our sales manager; and me for an afternoon, and I don’t know that I’ve laughed that much in months. Her love of the community and the magazine were obvious. My thanks to Maureen for her kind words and for bringing a little extra happiness into our lives. I hope she visits again soon.

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Purchasing from Gilbert Outdoors was simple. I spoke to one of their team about my wants and needs and they provided us with multiple options. The purchase process went very smooth and fast! We even had their team from Gilbert LINE-X customize the units with spray-in bed liners and accessories. The experience was first-rate!

Teresa & Steve Kotula

Co-Owners of Villa Margaret Home and RV Park

Line-X of Okeechobee 315 South Parrott Ave â&#x20AC;˘ Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-6434 â&#x20AC;˘ www.GilbertOutdoors.com

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Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got you .

covered

Short Wait Times. Convenient Location. Kid Friendly ER.

1796 Hwy 441 N. | Okeechobee, FL 34972

In an emergency, choose Raulerson Hospital. To speak to a nurse 24/7 or for a FREE physician referral, call Consult-A-Nurse at 763-9228 or visit us online at RaulersonHospital.com to see our average ER wait times.

Okeechobee the Magazine - April 2019

Articles inside

Publisher's Note - A Lifetime of Teachers