Okeechobee the Magazine - October 2019 by Okeechobee The Magazine

Okeechobee Health Care Facility

Jackeline Hernandez 9/29/09 Nutritional Services Aide, CNA

Julia Honore 9/26/13 Nutritional Services Baker

Jaqueline Marrero 9/29/11 Housekeeping, CNA

Brianna Tijerina 6/27/13 CNA

Chanelle Parker 2/1/08 Housekeeping, CNA

Nelida Perez 6/27/13 CNA

Okeechobee Healthcare Facility (OHCF) proudly presents its newest “Home-Grown” nurses featured above on their graduation day. Four of the six nurses participated in the OHS Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) program prior to graduation. Five graduated from OHS and all six completed the IRSC part-time LPN degree at the Okeechobee campus while working at OHCF. All of them passed the rigorous state LPN exam on the first attempt and are all currently working as nurses! OHCF provides nursing scholarship opportunities from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) through Registered Nurse (RN) to qualified employees. Also listed are the nurses’ hire dates and the department(s) in which they previously worked prior to realizing their dreams!

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PUBLISHERS NOTE

AN ISSUE OF SURPRISES

Volume 13, Number 5 | October 2019

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Robert Burns wrote something a bit like that in his poem, “To a Mouse,” and captured the truth that we all face: nothing quite goes the way you expect it to. That is what happened with this issue. This issue flowed together late in the month after Hurricane Dorian got us a little off track. We had planned to have a feature article on Okeechobee’s military veterans, and another on youth sports along with a few pages devoted to Labor Day weekend festivities. But the hurricane scotched plans for interviews and photoshoots and set us all a bit back on our heels. Those articles will run in one of the next few magazines, but, as the issue came together, after I realized that what we had was going to be strongand an issue to be proud of. We have a wonderful article about how a community and a basketball team rallied around a grieving man and a story about how Okeechobee’s main battle tank was refurbished by a local group of individuals and businesses. We look at the arts in the community, and the events that shaped these last few months. We get closer to the Seminole Brighton Casino and Penny Colt and Charity Lovely’s business, All About You Caregivers. Something that I seem to have to relearn on a regular basis—and this month reminded me—is that, yes, those best laid plans may go awry, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t something better waiting to take its place. I hope you enjoy this issue and I offer my thanks to all of the contributors who work so hard to make every issue special.

Publisher David Jones Managing Editor Rachel Buxton Editor Lisa Elia Writers Raye Deusinger | Robbi Sumner Contributors Beth Wise Mikaela Queen Feature Photographer Sandra Pearce Photographers Sharon Cannon Daniel Kidd, Sr. Account Executive Trish Grygo Maureen Burroughs Art Director Francesca Peeples Graphic Designer Valerie Wegener 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.

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

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CONTENTS

OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 5

IN EVERY ISSUE: Publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Note 4 Fishing 14 Okeechobee Cooking 52 Behind the Business 66 Day Trip 72

IN THE COMMUNITY:

Calendar 10 Community Events 56 Around Okeechobee 84 FEATURES:

Okeechobee Restores a Classic 16 Lifesaving Power of Giving Blood 36

From Sculptures to Murals, Okeechobee Art Scene Reflects Rural Roots 46

ON THE COVER

Faith, Family and Players Help Heal Grieving Coach Who Lost Wife to Cancer 18 PHOTO BY: Daniel Kidd, Sr.

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Refrigeration ~ AC ~ Ice Machines Serving the Glades Since 1929

Happy Anniversary Serving Your Community for 90 Years

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

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Things are looking better and better for the Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Market! Our prices are up and our numbers too! Come see us this Tuesday and Wednesday. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also like to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of our buyers and sellers. Thanks for your business, we appreciate YOU! Jake Anuez

Come meet our great staff! Bonnie Arnold Brenda Wilder

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*UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP* Management Jim Burnette Justin Hale 863-357-2125 Phone 863-357-0841 Fax 1849 NW 160th Street Okeechobee, FL 34972 www.cattlemensmarketofokeechobeellc.com cattlemensmarketokee@gmail.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

OCTOBER

October 18 &-19 - Indiantown Rodeo Timer Powers Park, Citrus Blvd., Indiantown (772) 597-2184 or www.indiantownchamber.com

October 10 - Caregiver Support Group 2:30 p.m. Grand Oaks of Okeechobee, Main Entrance. 203 SE 2nd Street, (863) 467-2321

October 25 - The Allman Betts Band w/ special guest Joanne Shaw Taylor & JD Simo 8:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

October 11-13 – Florida Bass Nation Jr./High School State Qualifier Tournament C. Scott Driver Recreation Park, 10100 Hwy. 78 W. Hosted by TDC October 11 – 14th Annual Boots & Pearls Gala 6:00 p.m. KOA Convention Center 4276 US 441. Tickets and Donation: Eli’s Western Wear (863) 763-2984 Hosted by Hospice of Okeechobee (863)467-2321

October 31 - Halloween Extravaganza 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Agri-Civic Center Hosted by Okee. Elks, Contact: Michelle Harper (863) 634-6397 or crackersam2000@gmail.com

NOVEMBER

October 12 – Oktoberfest City Walk. Okeechobee Main Street, (863) 357-6246. info@okeechobeemainstreet.org

November 1,2,8 & 9th - SEE HOW THEY RUN Okeechobee Community Theatre, Freshman Campus Auditorium. (954) 815-5272 or (863) 332-2053 www.okeechobeecommunitytheatre.com

October 18-20 – Oktoberfest KOA Campground (800) 562-7748 or www. okeechobeekoa.com

November 7 - The Mayhem Poets 7:00 p.m. Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center,

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR 1977 SW College Dr., Belle Glade. (561) 993-1160 www.dollyhand.org November 15–16 - 2nd Annual Okeechobee Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep RAM Extreme Rodeo Agri-Civic Center November 15–17 - Toho Marine Pro Team Trail Tournament C. Scott Driver Recreation Park November 15 - Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon 11:30 a.m. Lakeside Grille, 1111 S Parrott Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com November 15 – United Way of St. Lucie County Women United Presents Learning to Lead 7:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

November 16 – Florida Bluegrass Express 5:00 p.m. Okeechobee Shrine Club 1855 SW 53rd St Keith Tommey (863) 763-8072 November 16 & 17 – Okeechobee FBRA Fred Smith Rodeo Arena, 14700 Sports Complex Rd. www.wpra.com November 19 – Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting for the 14th Annual Festival of Trees 6:00 p.m. Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, (561) 993-1160 or www.dollyhand.org November 22 - Los Vivancos-Born to Dance 8:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775 November 23 - AEG Live Presents Michael Carbonaro Live 7:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

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Welcome to the Rest of the Story... Our journeyman worker was now taking his first steps into running a business. He opened a shop in Taylor Creek Isles at the sewage treatment plant, previously owned by Mr. Wayne Roland. The problem wasn’t for a lack of customers, it was more than he and Dave Tomey dually could handle. Also learning the woes of realizing how taxes and accounting works, the Internal Revenue Service hit them with a reality check, forcing the sale of their equipment, so dear to them and closed shop to work at automotive center numero cinco (Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company). While there, he was able to get his friend who he had known since the sprite age of 12 years old, a job. For now, we will call this kemosabe to the likening of our own “Lone Ranger”, “Tonto.” Prior to joining our “Lone Ranger” at the new store, “Tonto” was employed with Seminole Electric Cooperative. Having support of the business, this facility put stock into these then young men, investing dollars to support their education in automotive engineering, at what is now Indian River State College. Both earned an associate’s degree in this respectable field. After four years of employment with this shop, our mechanics decided to leave for shop number six(St. Lucie Battery & Tire), a competitor company who offered more money to run a tire truck and opportunities to work in the repair shop. The manager whom our dynamic duo was hired and worked for Mr. Bob Nolkie was relieved of command; the new manager changed the shop’s operations. After being exposed to what he perceived a flawed system looked like, and the light bulb lit. He thought “I could do better than that,” and asked his sidekick “Tonto” on their way to work one morning. “Tonto” was asked about his thoughts on running a service truck handling basic mechanical issues and changing tires on the side of the road. “Tonto” according to the man telling me this story, thought it was too expensive, no doubt a reasonable concern, but was willing to “give it the ol’ community college try.”

Pick Up The Next Issue For The Rest Of The Story… WWW.OK EEC H OBEETH EMA GA Z INE.C OM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

November 23 & 24 – 14th Annual Okeechobee Blood Round Up 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Freshman Campus Auditorium Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com

JANUARY

January 4 - Ride for the Fight Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Arena (863) 634-3971 January 11 - The Righteous Brothers w/ Bill Medley & Bucky Heard 8:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

DECEMBER

December 5 - The Nutcracker 7:00 p.m. Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (561) 993-1160 or www.dollyhand.org

January 14-19 - Yeehaw Music Fest Agri-Civic Center. www.evansmediasource.com

December 13th & 14th - Jim Clark in Concert Okeechobee Community Theatre, Freshman Campus Auditorium

January 17 - Simply Sandi: An Intimate Night of Songs & Stories w/ Sandi Patty 7:00 p.m.Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (561) 993-1160 or www.dollyhand.org,

December 14 - Okeechobee Main Street Christmas Festival & Parade December 21st - 36th Annual Christmas Boat Parade 6:00 p.m. Begins at Burger King on Hwy. 70 Hosted by Okeechobee Yachtette Club Arnie (863) 824-0681 or Harry (863) 467-4782 December 22 - Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – The Musical 3:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre,(772) 461-4775

January 18 - Chris MacDonald’s Memories of Elvis-Rockin’ Birthday Bash 7:30 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775 January 24 - REZA-Edge of Illusion 7:00 p.m. Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (561) 993-1160 or www.dollyhand.org January 24 - The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston Starring Belinda Davids 7:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

December 26 - The Nutcracker 7:00 p.m. Sunrise Theatre (772) 461-4775

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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PUBLISHER’S GONE FISHING NOTE

Bass Fishing Season Heats Up for Fall and Winter STORY AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY FAST BREAK BAIT AND TACKLE

First photo: Scott Critten and Mowty Peters Second photo: Rebecca Marsocci Third photo: Landen Marsocci

Although Lake Okeechobee’s water level was low most of this summer, late summer and early fall have brought plenty of rain. The water level is expected to be between 15 ½ and 16 feet after the rainy season. Vegetation has been growing throughout the north end and west side. Bass fishing has been strong and should remain that way through the fall and winter. On the west side of the lake, water clarity has been as good as it has been in a long time. Plenty of big bass will be caught using 15- to 20-pound fluorocarbon lines, rigged with 3/8 – 1/2-ounce beaver bait in green pumpkin or watermelon colors. As you work to the north, expect clean, but darker, water — allowing you to use a braided line with half-ounce and darker baits — like black and blue or Junebug. The bass start to spawn now through late spring, and I like to use SPRO Poppin frogs in the killer gill color for dark water. For clean water, use green pumpkin or nasty shad color. When using the frog, target the dollar pads and work the bait slow, letting it pause for several seconds before popping it again.

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If fish don’t respond to these techniques, switch to weightless Senkos or use a smaller weight of 1/16 ounce. Senko baits work year round, especially when the bite is tough. The best and most productive way to catch giant South Florida largemouth is to use wild shiners, or hire a guide to show you how it’s done. Crappie reports this summer have been very strong. There’s catching limits on most days, and several fish measure in the 12- to 13-inch range. We also have experienced a lot of crappie in the 7- to 10-inch range — supporting my theory of a couple strong seasons to come. Late fall and early winter should produce nice catches in the Kissimmee River. Target the bridges or rock piles off the points. Using minnows or a favorite jig, fish about 10 feet down tight to the bridge pilings or on the dropoffs. As the weather cools off, you can expect plenty of crappie around bullrush or hyacinth matts as they begin the pre-spawn. The water levels should be high enough to fish your favorite spots. Good luck with fishing this year. If you need any help or covert information, come by Fast Break Bait & Tackle or call (863) 763-0973. Tight lines.

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OKEECHOBEE RESTORES A CLASSIC Community Rallies Together to Restore Army Battle Tank in Veterans Park

Story by Raye Deusinger | Photos by Joyce Allison

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Many towns have a park in their center, but Okeechobee has six. One end has a beautiful butterfly sculpture garden, while the other is bookended with a memorial honoring veterans. An online commenter said this about the park: “This is a neat park to look at military equipment. There are memorials dedicated to the local fallen. It is also a good place to remind us of the ones who have sacrificed everything, and reflect on that.” This park honors warriors from WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan and displays the weapons with which - and in which - they fought. Today, you will meet a different kind of warrior – the local businesses and Okeechobee residents who remember and honor our current and fallen military. Gregg Maynard is a U.S. Army veteran, born in Okeechobee, who loves his community and who helps it in many ways.

When he drove The Veterans Park, he saw something that concerned him. “The memorial was looking tired, declining at a fast rate.” Viewing the tank, which looked pretty sad, he decided, “I’m gonna re-do this tank. “I talked to my friend, Bryant Culpepper and talked with Dan Ferrell, ex-commander of the American Legion, who explained that they don’t have the resources to take care of it. Knowing all its history, Dan further said they tried to have the Boy Scouts paint it almost every year.” The tank arrived in Okeechobee in November, 2007. American Legion Commander Charles Harvey looked into getting the tank in 2004. He wanted to display it with the guns, which were already in the park. They started with the Department of the Army but were told none were available. However, the Army offered to give them an artillery piece. A friend persisted and, through a contact

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BMJ Towing volunteered its equipment and costs, as did its employees Cody Yates, Mitch Cope, Randy Yates, Tyler Callaway and Andrew Doe.

at the Department of Defense, they got ‘the last one.’ Getting it to Okeechobee required road permits and finding a driver who could plan the route and who knew the road qualifications that could handle a 60-ton tank. That company was George Harris Transportation of Hobe Sound. The demilitarization was performed at the Army National Guard in West Palm Beach. Once it arrived in Okeechobee, the U.S. Property and Fiscal Officer for Kentucky was notified. This process took two years. The tank arrived in November, 2007 and was finally positioned by BMJ Towing Inc. on March 21, 2008. All hatches and entrances were welded shut by K & N Welding, Inc., who did the work for free. The last time the tank was worked on before it was moved for renovation was when the color was changed from camouflage to desert tan. City Administrator Marcos Montes de Oca said, “We had been having some pressure from the city that the park needed some sprucing; the tank became the catalyst for it.” Marcos talked with Gregg, and the city joined the cause. Marcos’ front yard became Area 51 1/2. His home, outside the city limits, had enough land for the tank to be placed between trees, where, for four months, it went through its metamorphosis. BMJ Towing owners David and Pam Williams were happy to help. Planning the move involved determining size and weight, removal from the park without damaging the pad or grass, and evaluating the land on which it would be placed. City of Okeechobee Police shut down S. Park Street and escorted the move on city streets, which were barely wide enough to get through. Crowds watched BMJ negotiate the turn off S. 441 onto SW 6th Street and past Central Elementary. The move required two heavy duty wreckers and a heavy hauler. BMJ volunteered its equipment and costs, as did their employees Cody Yates, Mitch Cope, Randy Yates, Tyler Callaway and Andrew Doe. Gregg also had recruited his friend, Jack Nash, the sheriff’s community relations deputy, who helped as a mechanic, and recruited more volunteers.

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Jack and Gregg shared veterans’ memories as Jack was a Marine Corps ‘tank buster’ on the Combined Anti-Armor Team, where his job was to demolish tanks. Gregg talked with veteran Bryant Culpepper, who offered volunteers to help with the restoration project. Gregg put the word out on Facebook and that same day received a reply from Roger Allison, who has worked as a sandblasting/ painting contractor for more than 50 years. When asked about the job, Roger smiled and said, “I wouldn’t volunteer to do another one.” But Roger and his son Dwayne Thibodeau accepted the job. Sandblasting is a dirty job, which could not be done in the park. Roger said tanks are made with an extremely hard metal, making sandblasting difficult, “but I couldn’t make it any worse than it already was. When these tanks were made,

there wasn’t time to do a perfect job on the finish. We had to blast it down to the metal.” Wearing an air-conditioned helmet/hard hat and viewing through a shield, he used three 2,000-pound ‘super sacks’ of sand and four pallets of 50-pound bags to remove the buildup of paint. The ‘super sacks’, were winched up, slit and emptied into two tubs, from which the spray bucket was filled. Sandblasting the tank, which has multiple layers of paint, is a delicate operation. Only a small area can be blasted at one time. This process is known as bruising the paint, which happens because the paint can’t get too hot from the friction or it turns rubbery and sticky and won’t come off. Raw metal is vulnerable to moisture, even one drop of

“This was a great cause and a worthy project. Okeechobee always proudly supports our vets, and this was a cooperative effort between our business community, veterans, volunteers and the city.” - Mayor Dowling Watford

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Primer applied to prevent rusting after sandblasting.

The tank required seven gallons of paint.

Roger Allison and his son Dwayne Thibodeau accepted the dirty job of sandblasting the tank.

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sweat starts the rusting process. Blast, blow dust-free and apply red primer became the constant order of work for five days, often being helped by the city administrator wielding the blower. Roger and Dwayne gave their time, materials and expertise for veterans and Okeechobee. The legion and the city helped with the sand, provided the paint and Gregg did the painting. Veteran Christina Goudeau painted the turret, which required two coats of primer and seven gallons of paint. Now, it was time to “bring it home.” Jeremy LaRue of Total Roadside Services, whose father and grandfather were veterans and who is a paramilitary working with the police department, stepped up to complete the tank’s journey. Using two tow trucks, the tank was winched into position on a lowboy trailer. LaRue said, “The most difficult part was off-loading it onto

the slab in the park without damaging the tank, the new paint job, the concrete pad or the grass.” A maneuver called a double-keeler twist, spun the tank into place, perfectly. The crew included Timothy Keeler, Chad Taylor and Johnny Taylor. “Donating time to a community project is a way for us to give back.” Both Gregg and Jack couldn’t resist going into the tank, through the engine department, which was accessed from the rear grill. They advanced into the turret bucket, but it was a tight squeeze exiting through the small opening. Jack even had the privilege, when inside, of rotating the gun to its proper direction. Creating history, Jack’s son, Cooper, also inside, helped rotate the turret. Once the three were out, Gregg welded the grill shut. But, still, there was something missing. Marcos spoke with Manny Cisneros at JMC Landscaping Service, who also works as an auxiliary with the police department. Manny said, “As a citizen, I told Marcos I wanted to step up. I told my workers to do their very best for their community. We want to be able to give back without reward.” They planted viburnum hedges around some units, arboricola around others; white and purple wax myrtle trees by the memorial and purple and red crepe myrtle around the flag stand -- all this was at a time when there was little rain. On many nights, Manny could be found watering the plants and trees to give it the best chance of taking root. “We wanted to join in making a difference; you plant from the heart, not from the ground,” he said. Manny told his friend Johnny Ray

NOVEMBER 1, 2, 8 & 9th

SPRING AUDITIONS will be held on December 16th and 17th from 7-9pm

DECEMBER 13 & 14th Performances are 8pm each evening and 2pm Saturday Matinees

610 SW 2nd Avenue • Okeechobee • Tickets are $12

Tickets are available at the box office or online at okeechobeecommunitytheatre.com

(863) 332-2052 or (954) 815-5272

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Should the tank ever be re-opened, a cache, left by Jack Nash, will be found – a sort of time capsule with patches from the city police, sheriff’s department and fire department, and business cards or names of each person or group who helped with this project.

THIS TANK’S SERVICE 15,000 M60 Main Battle Tanks were made for the Army, Marines, National Guard, Israel and other countries. It saw action with Marines in Kuwait City, Desert Storm. 1790 V12 Diesel Engine with Allison Automatic Transmission It carried: one M2406 Axel machine gun with 900 rounds, one M85 anti-aircraft machine gun with 5950 rounds and M2340 grenades with 100 rounds

about it. Johnny owns Home Front Electric, Security and Sound. He told the city administrator he wanted to help with the park to make it look better. He brought his wife Julie and sons Justin and Judd, along with friends TJ Tarner, his wife Amanda, their two children and others. All helped with painting the handrails and then Johnny ‘was ready to light it up’. He donated the materials, parts, and labor and suggested doing the red, white and blue lighting that is now around the military equipment and landscaping. Manny sometimes worked until midnight. People often came by to admire his work and thank him. He said, “I did this for my community and for the veterans, for all they’ve done and sacrificed for us.” Marcos said, “I absolutely loved the project; you get a wonderful feel-good doing it. It looks like a memorial should. Gregg did this community a great service.” Mayor Dowling Watford said, “This was a great cause and a worthy project. Okeechobee always proudly supports our vets, and this was a cooperative effort between our business community, veterans, volunteers and the city. “ Deputy Jack said, “Veterans appreciate and respect what Gregg Maynard initiated in this park. In my opinion, if it weren’t for Gregg not allowing people to drag their feet, this would not have happened. He put the care and well being of veterans and Okeechobee above himself.”

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FAITH, FAMILY AND PLAYERS Help Heal Grieving Coach Who Lost Wife to Cancer

Story by Beth Box Wise | Photos by Daniel Kidd, Sr. Don’t you love a good sports movie? The underdog battles his way to the big game, the ticking of the clock in the last seconds, and the enormous wave of joy we experience when our hero makes the game-winning shot. The thrill of victory is what makes sports movies so irresistible. Or maybe a love story is more your thing? I have to admit, there’s no pleasure like the vicarious thrill we feel when the guy gets the girl, and they live happily ever after. What about those special films, “Rocky,” “Bull Durham,” “Love & Basketball,” that manage to combine the two? There’s a reason movies like that are considered timeless classics. They take the best parts of humanity - struggle, determination, hope, and compassion - and let us experience the greatest highs and lows that life has to offer. So what if I told you that right here in Okeechobee, under all our noses, is a living, breathing example of athletic grit, underdog spirit, and enduring romance. Demetre Riles, born and raised in Okeechobee, was kind enough to share his story with me, and I can honestly say it is more exciting and more heartbreakingly romantic than any film I’ve ever seen. His story could have been plucked from a Hollywood script, and I thank him for sharing it with us all. Demetre Riles’ passion for basketball quickly established him as a star. After a year on the JV squad, Riles was moved up to varsity his sophomore year where he played an integral part in the team’s success. By his senior year, the Brahmans battled their way to districts, and they won the 1991 championship. This feat earned Riles a scholarship to Bethune-Cookman University, a Division I school. He played there for a year before transferring to Cumberland University, but after the move, Riles began to question his direction and purpose.

His first child already had been born, and Riles knew he had to start making choices that would give his family a better future. Ultimately, he made the difficult decision to leave school and enlist in the United States Army, a move that profoundly impacted the rest of his life. “That was probably one of the best choices I made in my life, but I gave up something I loved doing.” In the Army, Riles served as an MP (military police) for seven years, traveling to Heidelberg, Germany, and all through Europe, Alaska, Alabama, Honduras, and eventually landing in Fort Monroe, Va. At first, this was a bit of a disappointment to Riles. “The unit I was in was doing all this high speed ‘cool guy stuff’…and I’m hot! I’m wired up! And they said ‘Man, you got to calm down!” Every day, Riles came into work, bored with his new post, but there was one thing that caught his attention. “Every day I came in to shift, I see this picture of a lady who was NCO (non-commissioned officer) of the year…and I said to the desk sergeant, ‘Hey man, who is that girl?’” The desk sergeant filled Riles in. The woman in the picture was Sergeant Rondia Davis. Riles knew he had to meet this mystery woman. He started dropping off his daily paperwork with Sgt. Davis - a job he wasn’t technically supposed to be doing - just so he could have a few minutes with her each day. It wasn’t long before Rondia realized what Riles was up to. She invited him to a gathering she was having with some friends. They began regularly seeing each other, but any good soldier knows you can’t get too comfortable in any post. Soon, they were both transferred - Riles to Miami and Rondia to Georgia. They agreed to continue the long-distance relationship, but this didn’t work for Riles.

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When he had a free weekend, he called Rondia’s supervisor and asked him to make sure she had the same weekend off. Riles drove to Georgia and proposed to Rondia. Riles remembers thinking, “I can’t be down in Miami with her up there. If I don’t marry her now, it’s not going to happen.” Within six months of the proposal, they were married and Rondia was transferred to Miami with Riles. Both Riles and Rondia had two children from previous marriages, but you would never guess they were a blended family. “All of us…we don’t know the difference. We’ve always been mom and dad.” After a few years, they added a set of twins to the mix, and their family was complete. After the wedding, Rondia began working in Miami at MEPS (military entrance processing station), and Riles worked as a recruiter. Riles loved the opportunity to help kids change their lives. The pleasure he took in his job made him an ideal recruiter -- regularly receiving recognition for his efforts. Soon he was promoted to special forces recruiter. He was able to undergo the same training that special forces soldiers endure so that he could better inform potential candidates of the dangers they would face. Again, Riles distinguished himself and was inducted into the Audie Murphy Club, an elite organization that recognizes soldiers who go above and beyond

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their duties for their fellow soldiers, and for their families. These distinctions made Riles an ideal candidate for recruiter investigator. In this position, he traveled the country inspecting recruiting stations to ensure that they were being honest and forthright in their practices. His work took him all over, but, despite the excitement, he never forgot his first love. When Riles was near Okeechobee during basketball season, he would drop by and watch a game. He made sure everyone knew that if the head coaching position ever opened up, he’d be first in line to apply. By all accounts, Riles and Rondia were living a perfect life. They both had excellent military careers. Their children were thriving, and their marriage was near perfect. Their home was always a bustling place because of Rondia’s love for children - her own and everyone else’s. Her endless capacity for love made her passionate about helping children. Rondia took great pride in being there for all the children in her life. Even Riles’s basketball players weren’t exempt from Rondia’s devotion. Every year, she’d buy them all team gifts. When she couldn’t make it to games, she’d call and cheer them on over speakerphone. Rondia’s compassion extended to all aspects of life, and Riles credits Rondia with teaching him how to forgive. She forced him to repair broken relationships and be more present with his extended family. “She was a good woman,” Riles said with a smile.

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When Rondia retired from the military with 20 years under her belt, she took a job in Afghanistan. It wasn’t long after that Riles received the call he’d been waiting for. The head coaching position at Okeechobee High School had just become available, and Riles was at the top of the list of replacements. Riles retired from the Army with 20 years of service and returned to Okeechobee with their twins to begin his coaching career. Soon, Rondia headed back stateside, and in 2017, she settled into a job at Fort Gordon in Georgia, and Riles traveled between their homes in Georgia and Okeechobee. “We almost treated [coaching] like we were still in the Army. I was down here on a mission.” To celebrate Rondia’s return from Afghanistan, she and Riles had planned a trip to Cancun. However, during the excitement of planning the trip, Rondia noticed something was wrong. “Two weeks before [the trip] she called me, and said she found a lump on her breast,” Riles said. They quickly set up appointments to get the lump checked out. A biopsy confirmed their worst fear; Rondia had breast cancer. Riles and Rondia did not wallow for long. “We have to fight this. It’s mentally exhausting to just cry all the time. We gotta fight. This is not a death sentence,” Riles said. They turned to their faith and to each other for strength. Riles drew on every tool he had, but recognized this fight was unlike any he had ever faced. “I had coached basketball, but I had never fought this way. But we fought it.” Rondia showed enormous strength, and she urged Riles to pursue his passion for basketball. Riles had put coaching on the back burner, but Rondia insisted that he pick up where he left off.

“She heard us laughing. She knew we were going to be OK. She was at rest.” Riles gave Rondia a final kiss and said goodbye.

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Brown Cow Sweetery Riles remembers her saying, “I don’t want you to stop doing what you’re doing. You have to live. We’re going to beat this.” Riles continued making trips to Okeechobee where he worked diligently to improve the high school’s basketball program. When he returned to Rondia, he would take her to her treatments and help with the kids. After a particularly long summer trip to Okeechobee, Riles returned to see that Rondia’s hair was starting to fall out from her treatments, but she was stubbornly holding on to what was left. Riles said, “When we were dating I would always tell her, ‘Don’t cut your hair!’ I think she remembered that, but I said, ‘Nah, I’m going to cut your hair. I’m going to cut mine too, and we’re just going to fight together.’” And fight they did. During the course of the next year, Rondia responded well to her treatments. By May of 2018, a little more than a year after her diagnosis, she had beaten the cancer. All seemed well for the Riles’ family, except for a strange backache that Rondia couldn’t seem to shake. After countless doctors visits, an ultrasound exposed the truth. Cancer had spread to Rondia’s liver. Riles and Rondia were ready to fight again, confident in their recent victory, but something was off this time. “Looking back I see how the doctor’s face was different. When you’re in the zone, you don’t notice it,” Riles recalled. Rondia insisted that she didn’t want to hear any time frame for her survival; she just wanted to keep going. Riles didn’t hesitate to help his wife with this new battle. He made her appointments at the Moffitt Center and completed all the paperwork so

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that Rondia could focus on healing. Riles was so determined to save his wife, he missed many of the signs that this fight wasn’t going to go like the last one. “One day she said, ‘Baby, are you OK?’ I said, ‘Of course, I’m just trying to get this paperwork going,’ and she said, ‘Baby, do you really know what’s going on? Just let me pray for you.’” It was then that Riles realized his best friend was trying to prepare him for the inevitable. “She felt sorry for me. I could tell.” The family packed up everything and moved down to Okeechobee so that Rondia could get to the Moffitt Center more easily. Her treatments prevented Rondia from working, so Riles took a job as a permanent substitute teacher, which allowed him the flexibility to get Rondia to her treatments. All the while, Riles continued to coach basketball. Having the comfort and familiarity of basketball to come home to was a touchstone for Riles. During one of the most chaotic and stressful times of his life, Riles could always find joy on the basketball court. His happiness manifested into one of the most successful seasons in Okeechobee history. While Riles was supporting Rondia in her treatments, he also led the basketball team to a 23-5 record for the 2018 season. Things on the court were going better than anyone could imagine, and Riles believed he and Rondia’s off-court battles could be just as easily won. Sadly, this was not the case. After a few months, the Moffitt Center said there wasn’t much more they could do for Rondia. Riles said they considered alternative treatments but could never be sure what was real and what was a scam. When they were almost out of options, a friend referred them to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Atlanta. Every two weeks, Rondia and Riles flew up to Georgia so that she could receive her treatments. Even though this new option gave them hope, things were not going well. Rondia’s quality of life was declining, and Riles didn’t know what to do, so he called her family and asked for help. A new arrangement was made that seemed to make sense. Rondia would fly to Georgia for her treatment and then go home with her mother to Mississippi for two weeks. Then she would come back to Georgia and come home with Riles for two weeks. At first, the schedule worked out well. Rondia got time with her family that she desperately needed, and Riles got the support he needed to keep Rondia healthy. But soon Rondia’s pain became overwhelming, and the constant shuffling back and forth was too much to bear. Riles knew it was time to end his coaching career. As much as he loved his team and despite the amazing progress they had made that season, his heart was with Rondia. He had to be near her, and she couldn’t leave Georgia. Riles told Dylan Tedders, then principal of Okeechobee High School, that he could no longer fulfill his coaching responsibilities. He moved his twin daughters, the only children still in school, in with his mother so that their education would go uninterrupted, and he joined Rondia

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in Georgia. When Riles arrived, the doctors were clear that there weren’t many options left. They said there was one more thing they could try that Friday. They began talking about hospice. “You know,” Riles said, “the last days are tough. She hurt so bad. I couldn’t hold her at night.” With no other available alternatives, Riles flew back to Okeechobee to pick up his daughters, still believing with his whole heart that Rondia would find a way to pull through. Before he left, Rondia asked him, “Do you know what [the doctor] is trying to tell you?” Riles replied, “You just hang on till Friday.” Riles picked up the girls from school while the older children drove from their homes to meet in Georgia. Riles warned his children that their mother was weak and that they needed to be strong. When they arrived at the hospital, the truth finally began to sink in for Riles. “When I went into the hospital room, she wasn’t the same person I left 24 hours before. I couldn’t understand that. She didn’t recognize us.” Rondia held on through the week, sleeping most of the time. That Friday, December 21, 2018, the family was sitting in her hospital room watching the news, which was airing a story about one of Riles’ Army buddies who was pulled over for erratic driving. The man had gotten himself into a ridiculous situation, and everyone in the room was tickled at his predicament. In the midst of their laughter, Rondia sat up, suddenly alert. Saying nothing, she laid her head back down, and within a few minutes, quietly passed on.

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“She heard us laughing. She knew we were going to be OK. She was at rest.” Riles gave Rondia a final kiss and said goodbye. The grief was unbearable for him. “I told my mom; my heart is broken. I didn’t think anybody could ever feel like this, ever. I don’t want anybody to have this feeling.” He came back to Okeechobee, not knowing what to do next, “Being with someone twenty years - you get so used to talking to that person - bouncing decisions off of them. Now, it’s tough because I don’t have her. I have to find myself now.” In his despair, Riles returned to what he knew best. He began attending OHS basketball games, but not as a coach, even though his team was enjoying a landmark season. Although he still loved his team and the game, Riles just didn’t

Riles and Rondia with Destinee’s Grad Squad

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have it in him to coach. He felt like an outsider. “I used to get so upset at bad calls and bad plays, but after losing my wife….it’s just a game.” His players begged him to come sit on the bench. They tried to convince him that the court was where he belonged. Finally, Riles relented. He returned to finish the season with his boys. And what a finish it was. The Brahmans made it all the way to districts, a feat that hadn’t been accomplished since Riles’s own district win in 1991. The boys poured their hearts out onto the court for their grieving coach. They all loved Rondia too, and they knew that this was the best way they could pay tribute to her. With the same tenacity Rondia fought her cancer, the Brahmans battled their way to the final district match. They ultimately fell to Dillard High School by one point, but no glory was lost in the defeat. Every player had given it their best to honor their coach and Rondia’s beautiful spirit.

This past summer was an exciting time for Riles and his family. Riles was named Florida Athletic Coaches Association Class 7A Coach of the Year for the 2018-2019 season. His son graduated from USF, and Riles’ travel basketball team made it all the way to the USSSA National Championship, where they won for the third year in a row. Riles is busy preparing his Brahmans for the 2019-2020 season. He’s still trying to find his way without Rondia, but life is moving on. When he received his championship ring, Riles knew exactly what he wanted to do with it. He flew to Mississippi where Rondia had been laid to rest. After spending some time reflecting on the events of the year, Riles set the ring on her tombstone, and he recalled the advice Rondia had once told him. “I don’t want you to stop doing what you’re doing. You have to live.” And that’s exactly what Demetre Riles is doing. Every day, no matter how badly it hurts, he is living for Rondia.

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His players begged him to come sit on the bench. They tried to convince him that the court was where he belonged. Finally, Riles relented. The Brahmans made it all the way to districts, a feat that hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been accomplished since Rilesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own district win in 1991.

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Lifesaving Power of Giving Blood THREE LOCAL RESIDENTS RECEIVE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

Story by Raye Deusinger | Photos by Sandra Pearce

Photos provided by OneBlood Biologics

The only place where blood cannot be found in the human body is in the cornea

Like almost everything in life, great discoveries become routine as we get used to them; shocking revelations in one age become commonplace in the next. We see change in transportation, communication, travel, information, medicine and many other ways. But one thing hasn’t changed, hasn’t improved, hasn’t become passe’ since it was created -- blood. There is nothing that can replace blood. We can replace teeth, skin and corneas; we can lengthen a bone, make a functioning hand, construct an ear by 3-D printing, replace a damaged eye with an ocular prosthesis and even make heart muscle. But there is nothing that can replace blood. Knowledge about blood has progressed; ways to use it efficiently has grown, but it is a never-changing creation, that does what it was designed for, keeping the human body working. Today I’m going to tell you about

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three people who can swear to that truth. Judy Mattern, mother of five, grandmother of 13 and great grandmother of 13 is always a busy woman. She is determined to continue making the most of her life, despite the death of her husband of 66 years, Richard (Dick). They lived in Bremen, IN. Not long after they married in 1962, she went to a doctor after contracting mumps. He checked and treated her and went on to inform her she was six weeks pregnant. It was a hard pregnancy as both babies were positioned facing each other. “Standing at the kitchen sink,” Judy said, “I couldn’t even reach the faucet.” They lived across the street from Dick’s parents. On Good Friday she was helping her father-in-law plant potatoes but didn’t feel well. He took her to the hospital and called her husband. She remembers being admitted but nothing else. When she

Judy Mattern

Doug Jordan

Val Douglas

62.5% of the total population of the U.S. is INELIGIBLE to donate blood. Out of the remaining 37.5%, THREE people actually donate blood. awoke, she learned she had a boy and a girl but that one placenta remained inside. It was a small hospital, only 6 beds. Judy’s babies were also tiny, one weighted 4lb 11 oz and the other 5lb, 1oz. The girl, Denise, was so small Judy said she could hold her whole body in her hand. A night nurse placed a bed pan under Judy in case she passed the placenta, but didn’t return to check. When the AM nurse came in, she found Judy laying in a blood-soaked bed. They called the doctor who rushed her into surgery. They began transfusions but the hospital ran out of blood. The administrator called the blood bank in Fort Wayne, 70 miles away. Judy’s father volunteered to go get the blood. He drove, often, 90 mph, returning with the blood, fearing the whole time, she wouldn’t make it. Time without blood caused a problem. Judy had lost so much that her veins were collapsing and they could not find one to accept the needle. When the veins in her left arm didn’t work, they tried at the shoulder, then at the wrist. Still they were too small from blood loss. They began at her left hip and tried sites all the way to the ankle.

Then to the right ankle and on up to the right hip. Then they began searching on the right arm. Coming to the area just below the bend in her right arm, they sliced open her arm - known as a cutdown - and found a vein deep enough within to insert the needle for transfusion and so it began. Judy was ‘out of it’ for several days after receiving multiple transfusions, but slowly recovered. Ultimately they had four more children, Dick, Donna, Dianne and Dorothy. That first born boy, Douglas, passed away in an auto accident at age 21. Husband Dick became a regular blood donor. In 1989, shortly after moving to Okeechobee, Judy began donating prior to a 12 1/2 hour back surgery for a benign cervical tumor which required 110 staples down her spine. She had hip surgery and in 1994 endured a second 12- hour surgery to rebuild her shoulder, once more requiring transfusions. As donors they always gratefully remembered those whose donation saved her and their twins. About 8 years ago her church was having a dinner and cake auction. The Big Red Bus was there. Judy got on the bus expecting to donate, then return for dinner. After an hour, it was realized

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The Platelet Agitator is very important for keeping platelets healthy after they have been separated from whole blood. Platelets are floating and suspended in plasma, but have to be constantly moving or “agitated” so they don’t clump together and so that they get enough rich oxygen. While red blood cells are refrigerated, platelets are kept at room temperature until they are transfused within 5 days from donation. Photo provided by OneBlood Biologics.

Blood donors rush to donate after every major shooting, catastrophe or accident, but that blood does not help those injured at that time. Their donation replaces blood taken from the shelves to help those injured. Donating keeps those shelves stocked.

Blood makes up 7 percent of the weight of a human body.

she wasn’t there. A check on the bus found her about to come back in the church. She had missed the dinner and half of the auction. She entered wearing a six-inch bandage above and below her elbow. Her vein had ruptured and they kept her on the bus for further care. The resultant leakage turned her arm black and blue. There was a lot of teasing and commiseration, but she was OK. Today Judy is a volunteer with the Blood Roundup and still an O+ blood donor. Had the blood not been on the shelf in Fort Wayne, I would not have been writing Judy’s story. Blood donors are Judy’s heroes. a

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The Plasma Extractor is the device that begins the blood separation process, by extracting the plasma from the whole blood bag after it has been spun in a centrifuge. The red blood cells are more dense and fall to the bottom. The plasma, along with the floating platelets are then extracted from the top and is processed separately. Photo provided by OneBlood Biologics.

A newborn baby has only about 1 cup of blood in his body.

You’ve seen him around town, always smiling, always a good word. Most remember that smile when he managed The (old) Clock Restaurant. He has worked at Gilbert Ford, the Okeechobee Correctional Institution (OCI) and now Boral (formerly Entegra) Roofing. But there was one place he definitely wasn’t smiling - Raulerson Hospital. Doug Jordan and his wife, Helen, came to Okeechobee early in 2006 from Pennsylvania. An experienced corrections officer, he was asked by a friend with whom he worked in Pennsylvania, to come to Okeechobee to take a job as Commander of the G4S Juvenile Detention Center. The job went well until, in 2007, he was found in the driveway of his home experiencing violent abdominal pain. Rushed to the hospital and ICU (Intensive Care Unit), a physician finding his blood pressure was “off the

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scale,” recommended and performed exploratory surgery. He found a badly twisted intestine which was blocking food and liquid from passing. The surgery was successful. The cause was possibly due to scar tissue from earlier surgery and probable damage from his acid reflux and Barrett’s esophagus. Barrett’s is when the normal cells that line your esophagus turn into cells not usually found in your body. A year later, that intense pain hit again, causing another trip to Raulerson Hospital’s ICU. Dr. Manny Garcia did this operation, also finding twisted intestines as well as the presence of gangrene. He removed 60 percent of Doug’s intestine and rejoined the ends. Two days passed without improvement necessitating a second surgery to check for further gangrene. There was none; he was reclosed.

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Leukoreduction Filters remove white blood cells (or leukocytes) from the donated blood to reduce the chance of the blood transfusion recipient from having a reaction to the white blood cells. White blood cells react to foreign substances, including donated blood. Photo provided by OneBlood Biologics.

Blood must be processed, blood types compared and specific confirmations made before blood can be transfused into a patient.

Blood can be donated every 56 days (8 weeks); blood platelets can be donated every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

For the following four nights he fluctuated between pain and still greater pain. Another surgery was needed - the third in 10 days. By this time he was hemorrhaging both inside and outside his body. Helen said â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was bleeding from every orifice of his body. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Doug told his wife to let him go; he wanted no more surgeries. He knew that inside his body was scar tissue from previous bypass surgery, recent surgery and also his constant gastric reflux. But she persisted. This third surgery found that his ulcers had erupted. A severe (perforated) ulcer can sometimes burn through the wall of the stomach, allowing digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity. Dr. Garcia surgically repaired the ulcers and began blood transfusions. Altogether, Doug, who is A+, used

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10 units of whole blood and four of Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP), a blood product made from the liquid portion of whole blood which is used to treat conditions in which there are low blood-clotting factors. He began to improve. After spending a total of 30 days in the ICU, Doug was released on Independence Day, 2010. But in 2011, during specialized prostate cancer surgery at Celebration Hospital in Orlando, he again experienced hemorrhaging. More transfusions, more healing, more patience. Today, despite pain from all his body has gone through, Doug says “I’m happy; you never know what is going to happen. I have lived a blessing. If not for the people of Okeechobee, who give blood not knowing when or why or who is going to get it - young, old, rich or poor, I wouldn’t be here today. Just an hour of their time can save one or more lives and fill them with pride.” Doug and Helen were blood donors in Pennsylvania but neither, under doctor’s orders, are allowed to donate now. However both are active in telling people to donate blood and both volunteer with the annual Okeechobee Blood Roundup. a

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.

She went to a specialized facility to have hip surgery, but Val Douglas never dreamed she’d need blood. She had recently learned that her long-time back pain was caused by a degenerated hip. “Otherwise healthy, I thought I would be up the next day,” she said. Day one she settled into her room and last minute prep was done. Day two was surgery. Determined to get better quickly she looked forward to getting up. She eagerly walked a little with her nurse. It went well but “The

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The Plasma Freezer stores plasma for a long period of time, until it is used for the development of many treatments. It is usually only stored for a maximum of a year. If the temperature seems cold, it is! This temperature on the freezer of -85 Celsius is -121 degrees Fahrenheit!

Mosquitoes prefer blood group ‘O’ more than other blood groups.

only thing I couldn’t figure out was my need for water; I couldn’t seem to get enough of it. I kept asking for more and I couldn’t stay awake.” As a child she didn’t walk well and was frequently tired, in school often sleeping through classes. At 15 she was diagnosed with anemia, a condition where the stomach cannot absorb the needed B12 found in food we eat. She was put on B12 shots for the next three months to build her blood and, thankfully, has never experienced that lethargy again. Val said, “On day three, the nurse brought the walker again. The minute she got me up and I grabbed the

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handles, I started shaking - not just hands and arms but my whole body. The nurse asked me if I shake regularly or if I had Parkinson’s. I almost screamed NO.” Val assumed her body was reacting to some kind of surgery-shock. The nurse quickly sat Val down on a chair where she immediately fell asleep. Val woke when she heard the nurse and her husband, Ronnie, talking. The nurse told him Val had lost a lot of blood during surgery, that she had asked the doctor, at that time, if the patient needed blood. His reply, “I think she’ll do alright, she’s healthy, she’ll do well.” A doctor was called and blood was

ordered. It felt like a long time passed, but they explained it was on the way. Before administering it, many checks were made verifying the donor blood matched the patient’s type. Present was the head nurse and Val’s nurse, the person who brought the blood and the one who administered it. They explained to Val that this was normal procedure, guaranteeing the safety of the transfusion. She received two units. At the end of the first unit, she realized she was feeling better - she was wide awake and energized.. She had been exhausted with the attempted walking episode, went right to sleep and suddenly realized she was totally awake and energized. They then hung the second pint and administered it. They waited a couple of hours before letting her up. There was no more shaking. The feeling made by the transfusion, she said, “was as intense as going from dark midnight to daylight in a few minutes. From that moment she walked several times a day, with no recurrence. Val said, “ For a long time both Ronnie and I have donated blood but never realized how important it was until I was the one who needed it. I also didn’t know all it takes to prepare and administer a transfusion, but now I know it personally.”

Dogs have more than a dozen different blood types.

14th Annual Blood Roundup Sat Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;

Sun., Nov. 24: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WILLIAMSON CATTLE COMPANY Presents ‘Photos of the Past’

Freshman Campus Auditorium (behind Golden Corral) 700 Southwest 2nd Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34974

In 13 years, the roundup has drawn 5,299 units of blood, possibly saving as many as 15,000 lives!

Morris Leslie Chandler, son of Sadie and Frank Chandler, joined the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of sixteen. He served our country for almost three decades.

Acknowledgment The Chandler Family Album Submitted by Betty Chandler Williamson

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From sculptures to murals,

Okeechobee Art Scene Reflects Rural Roots Story by Raye Deusinger

Standing Horse is the first sculpture purchased by The Alliance and today stands at the County Library.

Cattle Drive sculpture, currently a prototype that the sculpture will be based on. Photo by Bridgette Waldau.

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Art in Okeechobee has always been something to go look at. But art is more than an object, a painting or a sound. It is a feeling, a contentment, a gift and a unifier. For many years, Bridgette Waldau, the director of the Art and Culture Alliance of Okeechobee County, a division of Okeechobee Main Street, has been working to promote the art culture of our town. She is working on a 10-piece, bronze sculpture of a cattle drive in Flagler Park between the highway and the Butterfly Sculpture Garden, which features painted butterflies as large as six feet. Waldau said, “We hope to design all the art installations and murals of Okeechobee around our unique lifestyle, which the community can relate to and that visitors will enjoy.” For 40 years, large projects – musicals, dramas, comedies - were performed by the Okeechobee Community Theatre, founded and led by Ron and Jackie Hayes. Recently retired, their dream to keep the theater going is being kept alive by former actors, electricians, stagehands, who now are working to continue the tradition that the Hayeses and the community developed and enjoyed. Training the artists of tomorrow is Fawn McNeill Barr who has, for more than 30 years, been part of Art in Okeechobee. Always finding joy in painting, she went to college, earned her degree and became an art teacher at Okeechobee High School. She owns a studio and gallery at which she uses her talents and joy to teach youth and adult art classes as well as framing pieces for local and area art devotees. Another local art teacher-turned-

Butterfly Sculpture Garden. Photo by Bridgette Waldau.

Fawn Barr’s children’s art classes are always full and lots of fun. Photo by Fawn Barr.

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Fawn’s Studio children’s art classes cover drawing and painting. Photo by Fawn Barr.

Park Street Gallery. Photo by Kathie Papasso

professional is Kathie Papasso who recently brought her art downtown when she and husband, Joe, opened the Park Street Gallery. Long an artist, art framer and teacher, Kathie uses the gallery to exhibit not only her work but that of community artists who would not otherwise receive the exposure. She shares the gallery with her husband’s Hobbie Shop, where her son Joe’s creative auto-design work is displayed. The Art and Culture Alliance Mural Program not only combines historical paintings on local buildings, but helps the community appreciate the growth of Okeechobee. Whether displayed as realism in the windows of the Old Bank Building, on opposing walls on the busiest highway, or as Seminole Indian history on both a commercial building and a school gym, they proudly tell a story which educates and entertains.

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Wikipedia defines art as a group of creative disciplines. The Okeechobee Writer’s League has just resumed after a five-year absence; it was disbanded after several members moved. The remaining members reconnected after realizing they missed creating, discussing and sharing their written works. Many have had their novels and short stories published, and one prolific writer, Gary Hoffman, has had many works appear in print. Group director Carroll Head is eager to add to Okeechobee’s cultural variety. The Okeechobee Ballet, was founded four years ago by Madeleine Bean, a professional dancer. Within two years, her studio grew from 14 to more than 70 students. They have, for two years, put on the Christmas spectacular, The Nutcracker, before appreciative crowds. The ballet is expanding the concept of

What’s New at the

Okeechobee Community Theatre

The Okeechobee Community Theatre is hard at work, preparing a spectacular 41st season full of laughter, suspense and musical celebration. Opening the season on November 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th is “See How They Run” by Philip King - a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud farce set in post-war England. Mix-ups, mayhem and hilarity ensue as this cast of outrageous characters takes to the stage. On December 13th and 14th, Jim Clark will once again woo audiences with his spectacular voice when he treats us to his second holiday-season concert in recent years. Following his previous performance of Christmas classics, standards, and hilarious skits, this show is sure to delight both his devoted fans and new theatre patrons alike. On February 28th and 29th and March 6th and 7th, the Community Theatre will bring audiences along on a journey of mystery and suspense with the play “Death

and Taxes” by Pat Cook. Featuring enigma-laden twists and audience participation, crowds will have a chance to truly feel like they’re a part of the performance. Even after 40 years, the theatre has a few new tricks up its sleeve. This year, patrons will have the opportunity to buy tickets for each show from the comfort of their own home, when a new online ticket platform debuts on October 2. Guests will be able to view available seats and purchase them at their leisure from any computer or smartphone with an internet connection. Fans of the theatre can also now follow the group across a variety of social media sources – where they introduce audiences to their shows, actors, and a bit of behind-the-scenes shenanigans sure to leave guests excited for what’s up next. For more information, check out okeechobeecommunitytheatre.com or search “Okeechobee Community Theatre” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Lunch Buﬀet:

7 days a week 11 am to 1:30 pm

5050 NE 128th Ave. Okeechobee, FL 34974 OPEN: Monday-Saturday 5:30 am to 2:30 pm Sunday: 7:00 am to 2:30 pm

863-763-8333

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art and culture in Okeechobee. So many individual endeavors reflect this growth, but none shows it as much as the number of people who attend the periodic exhibitions at the Art & Culture Alliance Gallery of Art in the Old Okeechobee County Courthouse. Showings feature artists in many mediums, such as student art, nature photography, the State of Florida Smithsonian Waterways Exhibit and other visual arts. Under the impetus of the Alliance, local artists, in every discipline, have begun to not just appear, but to seek venues to display their art. Statistically, rural works of art attract nonlocal audiences at higher rates than urban art exhibits. Art is not confined to a showy gallery in a big city; it is a way to encourage a small community’s pride by showcasing the many benefits and ways to experience art in rural America.

306 NE 19th Dr. Okeechobee, FL 34972

Rick Chartier (863) 467.9090 • Sales • Service • Audio Visual • Networking Art & Culture Alliance Gallery of Art in the Old Okeechobee County Courthouse.

COMPUTERS

• Phone Systems • Cabling • Accessories

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

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

SCORE A TOUCHDOWN

This Thanksgiving WITH THESE EXTRA-POINT-WORTHY RECIPES BY RACHEL BUXTON

There is just something about Thanksgiving and the thought of endless helpings of food – and football, Green Bay to be exact, – that makes my mouth water, tummy grumble and heart skip a beat. Thanksgiving is truly the holiday of champions (or competitive eaters). Think about it – you start at lunchtime and gorge yourself on turkey and all the trimmings only to do the exact same thing during round two at dinnertime. Trust me, I’m not judging. As long as football is on the buffet table is open, right? But, if you’re like me, you’re probably stressing out just reading about Thanksgiving right now. There is so much preparation that goes into this glorious feast of a holiday. What if I were to tell you about a little secret gem in our town that could help or at least give you a few recipe ideas. You’ve probably eaten there before. Known for their fresh ingredients served in the form of paninis, sandwiches and

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made-from-scratch pea, pasta and potato salad – Nutmeg’s Café is serving up adventurous and tasty food made with love and nutrition. Salads, quiches and homemade soup are their specialty along with their many delicate, creamy and sweet desserts. They are an awesome choice for lunch if you’re looking for a little something different. And, as an extra bonus which may come in handy for the day of feasting and football, they offer family-size take-home dinners on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You simply place your order by 2 p.m. the day before and your dinner is ready for pick-up the following day. In the meantime, here are a few recipes provided by Nutmeg’s to get you in the cooking spirit. I don’t know about you, but the butternut squash soup and peanut butter pie is screaming my name and is for sure going to be a touchdown at my Thanksgiving gathering.

Custom Home Building & Remodeling “The Pilgrim Panini” Ingredients 2 Large Slices of Italian White Bread Spread Mayo on one side and Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce on the other 4 Slices of Provolone Cheese 4-5 Slices of Turkey

Directions

Leftover Thanksgiving Stuffing Spread over one Side Butter Bread and Grill until Warm and Toasty!

863.467.1933

221 NE Park Street

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

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

Butternut Squash Soup

Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients

1 large butternut squash, diced ½ cup of salted butter 2 cups white onion, diced 2 tbsp fresh garlic 2 cups heavy whipping cream 2 cups whole milk 8 cups hot water 3 tbsp chicken bouillon 1 ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper ½ tsp nutmeg 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper ¼ tsp cumin powder

8 oz cream cheese, softened ¾ cup powdered sugar 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 cup heavy whipping cream 3 tbsp powdered sugar ½ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Take one large butternut squash and cut off the ends and then cut into thirds. Using a very sharp knife carefully trim and peel off all the pieces and discard. Cut sections in half and scoop out any seeds. Dice remaining squash into half-inch chunks. In a large pot, saute the squash, salted butter, white onion and fresh garlic on medium heat for about 10 minutes;. Add the following ingredients -- heavy whipping cream, whole milk, hot water, chicken bouillon, salt, black pepper, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, cumin powder --- to the squash mixture and simmer it for about 25 minutes until the squash is soft. Once the squash is fully cooked and very soft, take about half of the soup and blend in a blender and then add back into the rest of the unblended soup. Stir and enjoy! (Makes about 6 quarts)

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In a large bowl, mix the following using the beater attachment on your mixer; cream cheese, powdered sugar, peanut butter. Set aside. In another medium sized bowl, mix the following on high using a whisk attachment until thick and stiff peaks form; heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract. Slowly add the whipped cream mixture to the peanut butter mixture, carefully stirring by hand. Do not over-mix. Pour into a premade 9-inch graham cracker pie crust or Oreo pie crust. Refrigerate for at lease 3 hours. Top with desired garnish: Oreos, chocolate drizzle, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, etc. Cut and serve! (Makes one 9” pie)

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Recipes provided by: Nutmeg’s Cafe 515 SW Park St, (863) 763-2233 www.nutmegscafe.net

SUNRISE THEATRE 2019/20 SEASON

The State Ballet Theatre of odessa Presents :

rudolph the red-nosed reindeer the musical

the nutcracker

november 2nd november 22nd December 22nd December 26th january 11th The Greatest Love of All:

january 23rd

A Bronx Tale

celebrating the music of whitney houston starring belinda davids

the temptations

starring chazz palminteri

january 24th

january 25th

february 1st

amazing magic of shadow dance

february 15th

january 18th

february 8th

february 14th

dinosaur world live

Georgia on my mind

A DINO-MITE ADVENTURE DIRECT FROM THE WEST END!

celebrating the music of ray charles

february 20th february 22nd february 23rd february 27th National Touring

march 7th

chris botti

company of

Stellar Entertainment Presents:

Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, JR.

march 11th

march 12th

march 14th

march 26th

march 29th

one night of queen

performed by gary mullen and the works

april 16th

may 2nd

shows booked to date , more shows will be added throughout the season !

BECOME A MEMBER TODAY FOR AS LITTLE AS $75 to get your tickets prior to public sale!!

www.sunrisetheatre.com Box office M-F 10am-2pm 772.461.4775.

117 South 2nd St. Historic Downtown Fort Pierce

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Boots, Burgers, & Bikes EVENT HOSTED BY BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF ST. LUCIE, INDIAN RIVER, AND OKEECHOBEE COUNTIES HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR MENTORS

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On August 24, Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties hosted Boots, Burgers, & Bikes at the C. Scott Driver Recreation Park. The event featured games, and raffles (along with an impressive afternoon rain that didn’t stop the attendees from enjoying the live music). Proceeds from the event go to fund Big Brothers Big Sisters one-to-one mentoring programs in Okeechobee County. The Best Burger of Okeechobee contest featured fantastic burgers from The Flavored Fork Catering, the Okeechobee Livestock Market, and Hwy 55 Burgers Shakes and Fries. In what must have been an extremely close vote, Hwy 55 won Best Burger of Okeechobee. For motorcycle enthusiasts, the drive-in bike show was a big draw with dozens of local riders showing off their bikes. Winners were awarded custom signs created by Rough River Metal Works. The event was sponsored by Be A Man Buy Land, FPL Connect, 1 Stop Party Shop & Catering, Bernie Little Distributing, Coca-Cola, Nutmeg’s Cafe, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Okeechobee, WOKC, CenterState Bank, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union, the Gilbert Family of Companies, Wells-Fargo®, and the Penrod Construction Company. Individual contributors included Gordy and Malissa Morgan, Mr. Terry Burroughs, Mickey L. Bandi, Neil and Kristy Crawford, and Rough River Metal Works. For more information, visit http:// bbbsbigs.org/

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Okeechobee Friends of NRA Host Banquet to Raise Money for Firearms Training, Gun Safety Programs

Shelby Sumner shared her NRA Y.E.S. experience with the crowd

Tobi Kogut was the winner of a Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Magnum

Past and current members of the Sharp Shooters 4-H Club volunteer at the annual event

On Friday, August 23, the KOA hosted more than 300 defenders of the Second Amendment at the annual Okeechobee Friends of NRA banquet. Throughout the evening attendees enjoyed fellowship, games of chance, silent and live auctions, and a steak dinner catered by Cowboys Restaurant. Friends of NRA events raises money on behalf of the NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works on behalf of the National Rifle Association to support the future of shooting sports. Monies raised help fund educational firearms training at local, state, and national levels. Such programs include youth education, female-focused clinics, law

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enforcement training, hunter safety, firearms range improvements, and marksmanship training and safety. South Florida NRA Field Representative Tom Knight shared, “I am so proud of this Okeechobee committee. They have worked so hard to make this a great event, and it has really paid off. I can’t thank Jeff Sumner, Carrie Muldoon, their families and the rest of the volunteers enough for all that they have done to help promote and support the future of the shooting sports. To top off the tremendous success of the banquet, we were honored to have one of our NRA Y.E.S. students, Okeechobee resident Shelby Sumner, as a guest speaker. It was a fantastic night overall.”

Shelby is a high school junior and was one of only 60 teens chosen from across the U.S. to participate in the NRA Youth Education Summit in Washington, D.C. in July. The mission of the Y.E.S. program is to help students explore our American government, Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution, while encouraging them to become responsible citizens who participate in the democratic process and return to their community with a proactive voice for the Second Amendment. “It was an honor to be a part of such an incredible program,” Shelby said. “Throughout the week, we enjoyed activities ranging from practicing marksmanship at the NRA firing range and visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to debating real-life issues, like raising the minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21.” Okeechobee FNRA Committee Co-Chair Carrie Muldoon, who also serves as leader of the Okeechobee Sharp Shooters 4-H Club, was overjoyed by the success of the event, which achieved new attendance and fund-raising levels. “The Okeechobee Friends of NRA committee is so grateful for the generous support of our local shooting sports and hunting community. By continuing to work together in supporting the grant program funded through Friends of NRA, we will be able to ensure that these important programs can continue to help educate, inform, and equip our youth with the knowledge and leadership skills that will help them develop into involved and civic-minded adults and community leaders.”

ARE YOU TURNING 65 OR NEW TO MEDICARE?

Time to review your Medicare options? Looking for someone who still makes house calls? Call your local, licensed sales agent for a free in-home Medicare consultation.* Diana Stark

863-447-3651 (TTY: 711) Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ¿En español? Llame gratis al 863-447-3651 (TTY: 711)

*No obligation to enroll. Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to H1036-229 At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). (Chinese): 1-877-320-1235 (TTY :711). Y0040_GHHJNPYEN_19_M

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Hurricane Dorian DEVASTATION IN THE BAHAMAS LEAVES OKEECHOBEE’S HEART ON DISPLAY

Hurricane Dorian approaches Florida. Photo courtesy NOAA.

We had originally planned to have photos from a few events from the 2019 Labor Day weekend. Hurricane Dorian had other ideas. On August 24, Tropical Storm Dorian formed in the Central Atlantic and initial indicators were that it wasn’t going to be much of a storm. By August 28, it was a hurricane that looked to be aimed directly at Florida’s Space Coast (or into the Gulf or up the Eastern Seaboard-- the

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models for the slow-moving storm were nothing if not confusing) and fears were growing that it would intensify into a serious hurricane. While the hurricane ended up giving Florida a miss, resulting in a bit of high wind and extra rains, the hurricane did grow to a Category 5 status with sustained winds of a terrifying 185 mph, making it the equal of the 1935 Labor Day hurricane

as the strongest ever hurricanes in the Atlantic to make landfall. There is no doubt that Florida was lucky; the damage along the coast and interior could have been devastating. In the future, when people remember Hurricane Dorian, it could be simply in those terms: How fantastically lucky we were to have avoided damage. That would be a shame. Before barely grazing Florida’s coast, Hurricane Dorian utterly destroyed the Bahamas. Making its initial landfall east of Abaco Island at Elbow Cay as a Category 5 hurricane, Dorian scoured its way across the islands leaving only destruction behind. As of this writing, some 50 people had been reported dead but 1,300 were still missing. Property damage for the Bahamas alone is estimated at $7 billion dollars. The UN has projected that Dorian may have left as many as 70,000 people homeless in the Bahamas. And Okeechobee immediately reached out to help. Numerous organizations in Okeechobee, including The Gilbert Family of Companies, The Okeechobee County Sherrif’s Department, Back to Butch’s Bar and the Okeechobee Livestock Market, focused on collecting and organizing shipments of desperately needed goods to help relief efforts. Years from now, when we remember Hurricane Dorian, I hope we remember the damage left in the Bahamas as well as the heart and generosity that was shown in Okeechobee.

QUAINT

Country

LIVING

From sharing stories on our Southern-style porch to sharing recipes in our spacious country kitchen, Grand Oaks of Okeechobee is all about bringing our residents together in a comfortable, safe and engaging environment.

Call today to schedule a tour!

863-824-6770

203 SE 2nd St. I Okeechobee, FL 34974 www.GrandOaksOkeechobee.com

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

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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

Indoor Air Quality 100% FINANCING AVAILABLE • FREE ESTIMATES

Photos by Jack Nash, Corporal, Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office, Community Relations & Training Division

863.467.4733 / 863.634.2836 www.CRSOkee.com

CALL US FOR HONEST & DEPENDABLE SERVICE

A name you can trust. COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Call us about our FREE or DISCOUNTED Engineered Plan Design Offer!

Over 20+ Years of Experience

863.623.4459 www.AbneyBuild.com

207 NE 2nd Street • Okeechobee, FL 34972 LIC #CBC058152

CA LIC #32599

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COMMUNITY EVENTS PHOTOS PROVIDED BY GILBERT FAMILY

BMJ Towing dropping off supplies

Okeechobee crew helping in Ft. Pierce

Don Spires

Huge thanks to everyone that helped with our first shipment!

Loading up the container with supplies

Enfinger Family

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The first shipment was packed full!

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Mother-daughter Business Offers Companionship and Care in the Comfort of Patient’s Home STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKAELA QUEEN

Eighteen years ago, Penny Colt , LPN, started All About You Caregivers whose aim is to provide good home-care services to the Okeechobee community. Her and daughter, Charity Lovely, tag team as administrator and assistant to run the business. As a nurse, Penny wanted to see more patients staying in the comfort of their homes for as long as they can. When Penny opened the business on August 31, 2001, she had two people working out in the field. Today, her company employs 35 to 40 independent contractors who provide services such as nursing assistants, homemakers, and companions. They believe that keeping patients out of nursing homes and in the comfort of their own home continues to allow them to be independent. Everyone becomes invested in the patients by working

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with them. When it comes to losing a patient, they try to show their support by going to the viewing and funeral services. They treat their patients as people -- not a number. They are invested in the care and know all about their patients’ lives. “When we lose a client, it hurts; it hurts all of us,” Penny said. In the past five years, All About You Caregivers has grown tremendously. The number of clients hasn’t changed too much, but the size of the staff has increased from around 8 to 40 employees. Due to long-term managed care, clients can receive more care because health insurance gives them the option to have people there longer, and that provides more opportunities for employment. Penny and Charity don’t see themselves as “typical

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bosses.” When it comes to the girls who work for them, they are flexible and understand that life might throw unexpected punches their way. Charity said when the girls have a flat tire or their kids are sick, she understands, and she is willing to work with them. “We’ve given girls months off if they needed it. We’ve bought tires, we’ll babysit; we’ll do what we have to do to keep that person working,” Charity said. Several employees have been with Penny and Charity for more than 10 years; two of them being have been there for 16 years.

We don’t just care FOR you, We care ABOUT you! Providing quality home care for the people of our local community since 2001. We offer services such as Personal Care, Homemaking, Companion and Respite Services.

All About You Caregivers, Inc. 206 S.W. 3rd St. • Okeechobee, Fl. 34974

863.824.8733

“We appreciate what they do and if we didn’t have them, we wouldn’t be in business,” Penny said.

NR#30211037

1033 Hunter Road • Okeechobee, Fl. 34974

863.623.5832 NR#30212012

Celebrating 90 Years Serving the Glades

All About You Caregivers recently expanded to the Belle Glade area by opening an office in Buckhead Ridge. Much like their reason for opening the Okeechobee office, their goal is to reach more people, and provide that area with quality home care.

For more information:

All About You Caregivers (863) 824-8733 206 SW 3rd St., Okeechobee, FL 34974 www.allaboutyoucaregiversinc.com

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Rolling the Dice: Seminole Brighton Casino an Odds-On Favorite for High-Stakes Fun STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKAELA QUEEN

A 27,000-square foot steel building sits on about 10 acres of land at 17735 Reservation Road. It features 431 machines, including 35 slot machines in a non-smoking area, six blackjack tables, a 300-seat bingo hall, and a restaurant. That building is known as the Seminole Brighton Casino.

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

A U GU ST 2019

The casino is one of several Floridabased gaming facilities owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is in Glades County, but general manager Marty Johns likes to point out that it has an Okeechobee mailing address. The casino, built in 1980, started out

1980 - The “Little Red Barn” Bingo Hall

The same building with a new name, Seminole Brighton Casino.

as a bingo hall in what was known locally as the “Little Red Barn,” -- not long after the first high-stakes bingo parlor opened in 1979 in Hollywood, FL. The barn was meant to be a hardware store and beauty parlor. However, tribal member and regular on the rodeo circuit, Josiah Johns, had other ideas for the building. He and his wife Lucy Chandler Miller signed off on a contract with the Seminole Tribe and made it into one of the first high-stakes bingo halls in the United States. At that time, today’s rules and regulations didn’t exist, and most games were played outside on car hoods. A few years later, Josiah and Lucy passed away in a car accident, leaving the “Little Red Barn” to their son Marty Johns. At the time, Marty was young and had no interest in high-stakes bingo. However, in the span of a year, something changed.

tables and a three-card poker table. In 1999, a new building replaced the “Little Red Barn.” That building was plain on the inside and out, but after a few short years, it blossomed into a piece of art. Marty knew that he wanted the casino atmosphere to reflect the area’s cowboy heritage. The casino features Native American designs, tropical colors and a western-style, rodeo theme. The casino attracts people within a 100-mile radius, from Avon Park, Sebring, Lake Placid, LaBelle, Clewiston, South Bay, Belle Glade, Moore Haven, Okeechobee, and Fort Pierce, and brings Vegas-style gaming to a small town. Marty doesn’t think of the business as having highs and lows; he takes it day by day, and “there are challenges we work through, and we plan for and attack them.” “I apply the KISS method to it,” Marty said, but not in the way the traditional acronym was intended. He shortened it to: “Keep it simple.” One of his biggest goals is to keep guests and team members happy -- that can mean walking around the casino floor and talking to them, or planning improvements for them. “When you’re concerned about the guest and team members, you’re gonna have a successful business.” Marty acknowledges that you can’t satisfy 100 percent of the people who walk through the doors, but he believes that if he tries his best, he will succeed. He strives to give guests what they want, with “a little bit of a wild factor.” Marty believes that when you hire people with talent,

“Something sorta clicked in me and drove me to get into that business,” Marty said. In the beginning, Marty knew nothing about the business, but he had the drive to learn more. Accompanied by his sister, in 1982, he went to Tampa and took a crash course to learn the business. It took some time, but the casino began to grow, and the success of the bingo hall brought additional gaming opportunities such as Blackjack

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS it’s just a matter of putting it together and then success happens. Directors in various departments come from all over, demonstrating excellence in their fields. Together, they create that “wild factor” for the guests. Along with running the casino, Marty produces PRCA rodeos across the state and owns a construction company, Native American Construction. He puts on about 20 rodeos a year, and he does construction work for the Seminole Tribe and in the community. He was recently awarded the bid to be the general contractor for the new office building that will house the Okeechobee County Tax Collector, the Okeechobee County Proper ty Appraiser and the Driver’s License Bureau. “I have a busy life,” Marty said. The future looks like even busier for Marty, who plans to build a bigger casino with a hotel on a different reservation site. “My life is full, and I enjoy it.”

For more information: Seminole Brighton Casino 17735 Reservation Rd., Okeechobee, FL 34974 (800) 360-9875 www.seminolebrightoncasino.com

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Ybor City DAY TRIP TRIPS

mixes past with present but retains Old World charm Story by Lisa Elia Photos provided by Ybor City Development Corporation, Visit Tampa Bay and Wallace Reyes

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In the 20 years after the Civil War, Tampa was a backwater town, plagued by malaria and yellow fever, with a military outpost and about 1,500 people. But one man with a vision transformed the town into an industrial powerhouse and built one of the South’s greatest melting pots. “You’ve heard of the California Gold Rush. Well, in Tampa’s Ybor City, we had the Tobacco Rush,” said Dr. Wallace Reyes, who gives historical walking tours of Ybor City. (pronounced eebore) “Ybor City cigars put Tampa on the map,’’ said Reyes, who is a culturalsocial anthropologist, historian and author. Spending a day strolling around in Ybor City is a great way to soak in a past culture. You can smell the espresso

and cigar smoke in the air, you can hear roosters cock-a-doodle-dooing, and you can see the former cigar factory that helped make Tampa the undisputed cigar capital of the world. The wrought-iron balconies, cobblestone streets and brick buildings with ornate cornices along Ybor’s main thoroughfare, Seventh Avenue, are reminiscent of the French Quarter in New Orleans, and the art, culture, nightclub and restaurant scene keeps it humming with life. Up and down Seventh Avenue in a few storefront windows, men and women are keeping the cigar-making tradition alive as they roll fermented tobacco leaves with premium tobacco. The cigar industry transformed the economy of Tampa from agricultural

“You’ve heard of the California Gold Rush. Well, in Tampa’s Ybor City, we had the Tobacco Rush,”

Wallace Reyes’ workstation, where he learned to make cigars from his father and grandfather at his family-owned Gonzalez Habano Cigar Co., is featured at the Ybor City Museum State Park, housed in the century-old Ferlita Bakery.

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DAY TRIP

At Jose Marti Park, visitors can step foot on Cuban soil without ever leaving Florida, because the land was deeded to the Republic of Cuba in 1956, and it remains Cuban property today.

to industrial. “Tampa can be considered in two ways -- BC and AC: Before Cigars and After Cigars,” Reyes said. Thanks to the cigar industry, Tampa was made famous all around the world, and skilled workers and merchants wanted to move here and make money, he said. The industrialist Vicente Martinez-Ybor, who started his business in Cuba and then moved to Key West, bought 40 acres of Tampa swampland in 1885. When he had a hard time keeping homesick workers at his Key West factory, Tampa’s climate, railroads and ports convinced him to move. The cigar industry also attracted many Italian, Romanian Jewish, Spanish, German and Cuban immigrants to work in the factories and start small businesses to serve the growing population, which swelled to more than 37,000 residents in 1910. In Ybor City’s heyday, from 1896 to 1929, the city had more than 234 redbrick factories, some of which were topped with towers or cupolas where workers could spot ships carrying

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

Cuban tobacco as they sailed into port. Thirty-thousand workers produced an astonishing 596 million cigars per year, Reyes said. “Don Vicente’s factory had 2,200 workers, and his was the biggest cigar factory in the world. His factory produced 120,000 cigars a day and 25 million a year,” Reyes said. “Let me put it this way, in Cuba, in 2018, there were 12 factories which made 19 million cigars,” Reyes said. To keep workers from nodding off in these factories, readers or lectores, (who were picked by the workers) stood on high platforms and entertained workers by reading stories from newspapers, popular books or from the great works of literature, such as Don Quixote. Cigar rollers were paid about $20 per month. Reyes said that was a high wage for workers, many of whom didn’t know how to read or write, yet they often made more than teachers or doctors. To lure these skilled workers to primitive Tampa, cigar

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manufacturers built prefabricated cottages, or casitas, around the factories. Owners, such as Ybor, didn’t charge them interest or require a down payment. He would deduct the mortgage or rent payment, which ranged from about $1.25 to $2.50 per month, from their paycheck. A twobedroom, 750-square-foot casita was $300, Reyes said. Larger bungalows ranged from $900 to $1,200. One feature of the casitas, a few of which still can be seen along 9th Avenue and which are open for tours, is a simple nail near the top of the front door. The nail was to hold freshly baked Cuban bread each morning, and it was placed high enough so wild animals couldn’t reach it. Health care was another benefit

A good neighbor has your back.

factory owners offered its workers. For 25 cents a month, the workers received medical insurance, Reyes said. The system was so successful that in 1959 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was considering a Medicare system, he sent congressmen and senators to Ybor to study how its health-care system worked. The center of life in the immigrant communities was the mutual-aid societies or social clubs, which took care of the workers from cradle to grave, Reyes said. There was a club for each ethnic group. They provided health care and housed libraries, classrooms, theaters, and ballrooms where weekend dances went until the wee hours of the morning. The club buildings still can be seen today around Ybor’s Historic

Cigar rollers often made more than teachers or doctors.

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DAY TRIP

The La Segunda Central Bakery, which features mouth-watering pastries, has also been making its well-loved Cuban bread for more than a century.

District, which covers about 10 city blocks.. Cigars weren’t the only thing workers were churning out in the factories. A culinary first -- the Cuban sandwich -- was invented in Ybor (not Miami) as a quick but filling lunch for workers. The sandwich draws from the ethnic groups in the community. Salami is a nod to the Italians, roast pork to the Cuban, ham to Spain, and mustard, pickles and Swiss cheese to the German and Jewish influences. Ybor City was a hotbed of activity for the Cuban revolution when the island sought independence from Spain in the late 19th Century. Jose Marti, the poet and Cuban revolutionary, visited Ybor City often to raise money and drum up support for his full-scale revolt. In 1893, Marti delivered an impassioned speech to more than 10,000 cigar workers on the steps of Ybor’s cigar factory. With shouts of “Cuba Libre,” the crowd vowed to support the revolution, and some say that was the moment that sparked the Cuban War of Independence. Marti often stayed at the Pedrosa boarding house in Ybor, and he even recovered from an assassination attempt there.

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Jose Marti Park was built on 8th Avenue at the site of the former wooden, rooming house to honor the freedom fighter. It allows visitors to step foot on Cuban soil without ever leaving Florida, because the land was deeded to the Republic of Cuba in 1956, and it remains Cuban property today. A statue of its namesake hero overlooks the small green space. Ybor offers an array of eye-catching architectural gems, one of which is the El Pasaje Hotel, which opened in 1888, and was the first upscale hotel in central Florida. The Colonial Corinthian-style hotel with Spanish influences was next to Ybor’s cigar factory, which is one of the few still standing today and is now owned by the Church of Scientology. Teddy Roosevelt and his regiment of Rough Riders stayed at the hotel during the Spanish American War, as did Clara Barton and Winston Churchill, who was reporting on the war for a London newspaper. The hotel closed in 1939, and the building has since been recycled as a nightclub, alternative newspaper, speakeasy, military recruiting center, a Cajun restaurant, and most recently, as offices for an oil company.

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DAY TRIP The Columbia has more than 1,700 seats in its 15 dining rooms that stretch an entire block.

The Columbia Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Florida and has been serving authentic Cuban and Spanish dishes since 1905.

Another building that has found new life is the former Bank of Ybor, built in 1905, which is now the Italian restaurant, Bernini. An old safe still sits in the middle of the dining room while the safety deposit vault serves as a wine cellar on the second floor. While exploring Ybor, you can’t miss the chickens roaming the streets. The wild birds are direct descendents of the domestic fowls that lived in the neighborhoods of the earliest residents more than 100 years ago. They are protected by a city ordinance that makes Tampa a bird sanctuary. Don’t leave Ybor without visiting the Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida. It’s been serving authentic Cuban and Spanish dishes since 1905. The Columbia has more than 1,700 seats in its 15 dining rooms that stretch an entire block. Some rooms can evoke a conquistador feel with velvet-covered walls and swords, while others have a traditional Spanish courtyard ambience with ornate mosaic tiles, a bubbling fountain, palm trees and lattice-work balconies. A tuxedo-clad waitress makes the restaurant’s delicious signature 1905 salad tableside -- tossing iceberg lettuce, baked ham, olives, tomatoes, and Swiss and Romano cheeses in a garlic dressing. Another foodie must-stop is the La Segunda Central Bakery, which has produced its well-loved Cuban bread for more than a century. The doughy loaves are cooked the old school way -- each prepped with a single strip of palmetto frond on top, creating a crease line down the middle. When the leaves curl and turn brown, the bread is done.

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DAY TRIP

Up and down Seventh Avenue in a few storefront windows, such as Tabanero Cigars, men and women are keeping the cigar-making tradition alive as they roll fermented tobacco leaves with premium tobacco.

Businesses such as La Segunda and the Columbia survived Ybor’s tough economic times, but many did not. The Great Depression sent the cigar market into a downward spiral, as did the automation of cigar making, the influx of cheaper and more popular cigarettes, and finally urban renewal. Many homes and businesses were bulldozed to build Interstate 4. As Reyes puts it, there was a lot of urban, but not much renewal. In the 1970s, residents successfully lobbied to make Ybor City a National Historic Landmark District, which protected its historical buildings. In the 1980s, artists, in search of inexpensive places to live and work, began calling Ybor City home. Then in the mid 1990s, nightclubs and restaurants began to open, cementing Ybor’s reputation as an entertainment district. Today, Ybor is

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transitioning once again as new tech startups, small retail shops, boutique hotels, coffeehouses and craft breweries move in. Yet, with every renaissance, Ybor remains committed to keeping the stories of its past alive. Some of that history hits home for Reyes. His workstation, where he learned to make cigars at his familyowned Gonzalez Habano Cigar Co., is displayed at the Ybor City Museum State Park, housed in the century-old Ferlita Bakery. “That table has a lot of meaning to me. I apprenticed there as a teenager, and that’s where I learned to make cigars from my father and grandfather,” said Reyes, who is one of four Grand Master Cigar Makers in the world. “I feel proud when I see that table and what I accomplished.”

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DAY TRIP For more information: Cigar Industry History Tours www.yborwalking tours.com (813) 428-0854. Ybor City Visitors Information Center (813) 241-8838 Ybor City Museum State Park (813) 247-6323 Visit Tampa Bay www.visitTampaBay.com (813) 223-2752 or (800) 44-TAMPA

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Around Okeechobee

Where friends, family and neighbors meet

Special Deputy Conner Jackson

One little boy got the surprise and dream-come-true of his life when he was given the honor of becoming the newest “Special Deputy for the Day” of the Okeechobee County Sheriff ’s Department. That very courageous boy is Conner Jackson who has continued to defy the odds and prove he is stronger than any illness or hurdle that he is faced with. For most of his young life, Conner has fought Chiari malformation and hydrocephalus - a condition in which a portion of the brain herniates creating an excess buildup of spinal fluid in the brain. To date, Conner has had to undergo 24 surgeries all while also being diagnosed with Aspergers. As soon as Sheriff Noel Stephen

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

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heard of Conner’s dream to become a Deputy Sheriff for the department, he put his Community Relations team to work. Conner was given the “Oath of Special Deputy” by Sheriff Stephen making it official and becoming Special Deputy Conner Jackson. After receiving his own unique identification badge and magic bracelet, Conner got busy having to make his very first arrest – Deputy Robert Gonzalez – with the help of Deputy Ivan Aristy. Conner then went “on patrol” with lights and sirens before ending his time with the department. “I am privileged and honored to meet and make smile, a young man that has been through so much in his young life, and we can all learn from his strength,” said Sheriff Stephen.

O.H.S. NHS’s Backpack Program Okeechobee High School has an initiative called the “Backpack Program” which is run by the Okeechobee High School’s Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). The program provides food on weekends for students at elementary schools whose families might struggle to provide enough for them to eat. These children may receive their daily meals at school during the week for free with the reduced lunch program, but that program cannot help those children on the weekends. That is where the Backpack Program comes in. Teams of the NHS students at OHS packed food for two days and put the food in the backpacks on Friday afternoon. Last year the program supported all five elementary schools in Okeechobee and this year, the program continues. The Backpack Program helps 158 students per year.

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Around Okeechobee

Where friends, family and neighbors meet

Ribbon Cuttings

The Meat Shack

Elite Office Services of Okeechobee

First Responders Luncheon

On September 11, 2019, VFW Post 10539 held a luncheon to say thank you to Okeechobee’s First Responders. Post Commander Kevin Stripling explained the purpose of the luncheon as a “thank you” to all the First Responders who work so hard to keep our community safe.

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Announcement

Jimi Lewis Joins the Steve Hoskins Legal Team

Keeping Our Children Safe

We are proud to announce that paralegal Jimi Lewis, formerly with the law office of Gerald Lefebvre, has joined the Steve Hoskins personal injury team and will be working alongside Susie Pickering in our Okeechobee office.

From left: Susie Pickering, Steve Hoskins, Jimi Lewis

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Deputy Sheriff Ryane Ammons was on routine patrol recently when he was sent to a call in reference to a pregnant woman having pain. Upon arrival, Okeechobee Fire Rescue discovered the mother of four who was expecting twins, was in labor. Fire Rescue transported the mother to the hospital. Meanwhile, dispatch contacted the father, who was at work, (1 1/2) hours away. There were two older children in school and two younger ones at the house. Parental instincts kicked in and Deputy Ammons and Victim’s Coordinator Joan Johnson stayed with the children until the father arrived.

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Contributed by Michele Bell, PIO (Public Information Officer)

IF PAID IN FULL IN 15 MONTHS

Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. *The Wells Fargo Home Projects credit card is issued by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., and Equal Housing Lender. Special terms apply to qualifying purchases charged with approved credit. Minimum monthly payments are required during the promotional (special terms) period. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date at the APR for Purchases if the purchase balance is not paid in full within the promotional period. Paying only the minimum monthly payment will not pay off the purchase balance before the end of the promotional period. For new accounts, the APR for Purchases is 28.99%. If you are charged interest in any billing cycle, the minimum interest charge will be $1.00. This information is accurate as of 1/01/2019 and is subject to change. For current information, call us at 1-800-431-5921. Offer expires 12/31/19.

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Around Okeechobee

Where friends, family and neighbors meet

Two Openings, at One Place!

Park Street Gallery

Kathie and Joe Papasso, owners of Park Street Gallery and Big Lake Hobbies

Big Lake Hobbies

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

OC T OBER 2019

RC custom painted bodies

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

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

PART ONE

READER SURVEY OUR WINDOW INTO THE COMMUNITY BY DAVID JONES

This year, we launched a reader survey in the summer to help us better understand what parts of the magazine you find most useful and most enjoyable. We hoped to have a stronger understanding of the community and to gather suggestions and feedback that would help us do our jobs better. I’d like to offer a thank you to everyone in the community who took their time to share their honest thoughts. We appreciate the criticism just as much as the applause. We are also looking forward to sharing the names of the winners of the gift card drawing for everyone who completed the survey. The personal and private information contained in that survey will never be released to anyone outside of the publication, but there were so many comments and suggestions that I thought it would be a good idea to answer some of them.

local businesses have an outlet and an advocate in the pages of this magazine. We’re proud of this community, too, and we love to tell people why.

The ads because we are new, full-time residents a I especially like that as a transplant here from Palm Beach County I learn so much about my new hometown. I love showing the magazine to friends that visit from out of town. I also like the variety of articles. These two comments are examples of one of the most important things to us: to help introduce new residents to the area. By looking forward to upcoming events, profiling the businesses, and introducing them to some of the faces in town, we hope to make the transition to their new homes just a little bit easier.

What Do You Like Most About the Magazine?

Seeing everything that does happen around here. Everyone is always complaining that we have nothing I love that each month I can read about all different to do here... I’ d say you can stay plenty busy but you local businesses we have here in our wonderful have to get out there and be part of this great community! community —I enjoy reading people’s life stories and how they managed to accomplish such wonderful things We agree. here in our small local town. My children also enjoy learning about local businesses and what they have Learning the different ways of life and local history accomplished. It’s such a beautiful thing to say we are a proud to be a part of our small-town community where Despite the fact that this is a small town, it has a lot everyone helps out everyone and this magazine is proof. of history to tell and they have several events to keep Keep up the good work and can’t wait to see what is the community entertained and informed. published in the coming year. a I like learning new stuff about Okeechobee and its Thank you! history. It is my belief that when local businesses succeed, we all succeed. One of our biggest goals is to make sure that

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

One of the things that newcomers to Okeechobee find out quickly is that its roots run very deep. The historical

OC T OBER 2019

articles are some of the most popular of every issue of the magazine. While we will continue to run historical articles, we’re also planning to add a new, regular column next year that will help you learn even more about Okeechobee’s history and about the fascinating people who helped build this town.

I like the overall look of the magazine from the fantastic photos to the full stories. The articles are informative and keep you in tune with what Okeechobee is doing to enhance our community. I love the “Day Trip” articles. I don’t get to travel and to be able to see and read about sites in Florida is a virtual avenue to get away. This is one of my personal favorite comments. The heart of this magazine is in this: we want to provide a highquality, informative publication that helps to uplift the community. We want readers to see the best of Okeechobee each and every month— and to give you a little something extra to enjoy whenever you pick up a copy. But we know that we aren’t perfect. We strive to serve the community well, but we need to know when we fall short. The next question is about those times.

Title Insurance • Real Estate Closings Telephone: 863.824.6776 Fax: 863.824.6778 titleandlegal@ymail.com

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

Peggy Carpenter-Brady

VP & Commercial Account Specialist

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

MEXICAN RESTAURANT

Stop by today & taste our Authentic Mexican Food that will keep you coming back for more!

Serving Great Mexican Food in Florida and the Treasure Coast Since 1999

Thank you Okeechobee!

Open for Lunch & dinner

7 Days a Week • 11:00am to 10:00pm Full Liquor Bar! Happy Hour 7 Days a Week All Day Long Draft Beer, House Margaritas and House Sangria

MORE SURVEY RESPONSES TO COME IN THE NEXT ISSUE.

H 2 for 1H

3415 US Hwy 441 South • Okeechobee, FL (Located at the Publix Shopping Center)

863.357.9641 • www.puebloviejofl.com

Now Offering Catering!

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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 ___________________________________________________ O KE E CH O BE E CO UN T Y | G L AD E S CO UN T Y | H E N D RY CO UNTY | WESTER N PALM B EAC H C OU NTY

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Get Your Own Copy of Destination Lake Okeechobee for just $13.95 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! 92

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 $13.95 S/H Total Enclosed

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OC T OBER 2019

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THANK YOU. To my friends at Back to Butchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and to the community of Okeechobee, Thank you for your support. Our community has the biggest heart and really comes together for their own. I am truly blessed to be loved and supported in such a way and there are not enough words to thank each of you for your generosity. A special thank you to Jeff and Sharon and to everyone who helped make this possible. Thank you so much,

Patti Berglund

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

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ADVERTISER INDEX Abney.....................................................................................................................63 Addiction Alternatives.........................................................................19 All About You Caregivers, Inc.................................................... 67 American Drilling......................................................................................51 Anderson Realty.........................................................................................77 Andrea Noelle’s Boutique............................................................. 79 Badcock............................................................................................................... 79 Bass Electric...................................................................................................57 Batton Consulting.................................................................................39 Berger Real Estate....................................................................................61 Big Lake Hobbies.....................................................................................57 Blood Drive.......................................................................................................41 Brown Cow......................................................................................................29 Buxton Bass Funeral Home........................................................89 Carpenter Insurance..............................................................................91 Cattleman’s Market................................................................................. 9 Clear Title & Legal Svces...................................................................91 Crossroads......................................................................................................49 CRS...........................................................................................................................63 Custom Sights & Sounds................................................................75 D-4 Powersports.........................................................................................81 Dolly Hand Theatre...............................................................................27 Don’s Appliances.....................................................................................39 Edward Jones Investments............................................................81 Everglades Pediactric Dentistry..................................................2

Family Dentistry of Okeechobee........................................... 35 Fast Break Bait & Tackle.................................................................. 79 Florida Public Utilities........................................................................15 Gilbert - Bahamas Supply Drive..........................................65 Gilbert Experience.............................................................................. IBC Glades A/C...........................................................................................................8 Heartland Discount Pharmacy...................................................5 Highland Pest Control........................................................................21 Highway 55.....................................................................................................95 Hoskins Turco Law.................................................................................87 Humana.............................................................................................................59 ICS Computers.............................................................................................51 Los Cocos...........................................................................................................51 Miller’s A/C.......................................................................................................87 Mixon Real Estate.....................................................................................13 Morgan’s Furniture...............................................................................59 Murray Insurance....................................................................................89 Okeechobee Community Theatre...........................................21 Okeechobee Health Care.............................................................IFC Patti’s Ad...........................................................................................................94 Peace Lutheran School.......................................................................31 Penrod Construction.............................................................................31 Platinum Performance Builders............................................ 53 Pritchard’s & Associates..................................................................29 Pueblo Viejo VI.............................................................................................91

Quail Creek Plantation.........................................................................7 Rabon’s Country Feed.........................................................................75 Raulerson Hospital..............................................................................BC Roll Shade............................................................................................................3 Royal’s Furniture...................................................................................... 67 Sandra Pearce Photography........................................................ 85 Seminole Casino Brighton.............................................................71 Simpson Advanced Chiropratic & Medical Ctr..... 83 St. Lucie Battery & Tire.......................................................................93 State Farm-Gretchen Robertson Ins .Agency Inc....75 Sunrise Theatre..........................................................................................55 Teez 2 Pleez.......................................................................................................81 Tenniswood Dental............................................................................... 23 The Purple Orchid..................................................................................39 Total Roadside........................................................................................10-11 Treasure Coast Food Bank............................................................39 Trinadad Garcia MD...............................................................................51 Value Specs..........................................................................................................1 Visiting Nurse Association............................................................61 Wemmer Family Orthodontics................................................ 33 Williamson Cattle Co......................................................................... 45 WOKC.....................................................................................................................81 Worley Construction............................................................................ 43

! N E N P E O P W O • 863.623.4245 OW NO N 307 N Parrott

Av e

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LAST PAGE

Community Contributions As we move into 2020, we hope that the Last Page becomes a place where readers can give us feedback on the magazine or share things about the community that interest, delight, or concern them. It could be photos or emails, stories or poems, but we encourage you all to reach out and send us your thoughts and your contributions. Contact information is below. This month we start with an email from Sally W. concerning an article in the August 2019 issue.

I enjoyed reading the article how the community welcomes and supports new teachers. This is all true and it has gotten bigger throughout the years. But I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that the Methodist church welcomed all teachers way back before the date noted in the article. I was a new teacher in 1972 and was welcomed with a reception for new and returning teachers in their fellowship hall. As a matter of fact, I met my future husband and gained a church home. I got the impression that this was not their first reception. None of this minimizes any of the great reception the community gives new teachers—I just wanted the Methodist church to receive its due. - Sally W.

Thank you, Sally, for the years you spent teaching in the community and for your feedback. I attended part of the welcome this year for new teachers, and I was impressed by the care and the generosity of the church and the community. My wife is a schoolteacher, and I have never seen a community to do much for its new teachers; it was inspirational. What would you like to share? Send your contribution to david@okeechobeethemagazine.com or by mail to 314 North West 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972. We look forward to hearing from you!

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

OC T OBER 2019

“Gilbert makes life simpler for me when it comes to purchasing and servicing my personal and business vehicles. When shopping for a vehicle, I know I can call, tell them what I’m looking for and they will have it in stock. If one of my trucks is down, I know I can depend on Gilbert’s Service Department to get me up and running as quickly as possible.” - Keith Hickman

Co-Owner, Highland Pest Control

3550 US Highway 441 South Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-3154 www.GilbertChevrolet.com

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Announcing a new breast screening experience. Coming this November: 3-D Mammography Early detection is key. Raulerson Hospital's accredited mammography services offer the latest in 3-D imaging technology. That means women receive sharper, more accurate results. If necessary, this technology can also be used for minimally invasive breast biopsy. High quality care, right here at home. If surgery is your next step, Raulerson Hospital has a team of experienced surgeons skilled in breast surgery. And, Raulerson Hospital's Surgical Services Department has recently achieved the status of CNOR-Strong for their certifications in the specialty of perioperative nursing. To learn more about Raulerson Hospital's comprehensive breast health services, visit: RaulersonHospital.com/womens-health

Okeechobee the Magazine - October 2019

Articles inside

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