Okeechobee the Magazine - July 2020 by Okeechobee The Magazine

www.okeechobeethemagazine.com

JULY 2020 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3

OKEECHOBEE IN A TIME OF CRISIS

Snapshots from the Community

Begins on Page 22

A Letter from Miss Betty | Page 34

Addiction Alternatives | Page 68

Raulerson Hospital Keeps Okeechobee Safe | Page 57

Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Air | Page 70

Life at OHCF has been very different for all of us since Saturday, March 14th. The restrictions of no visitors, no leaving the building, no items allowed inside, having temperatures taken each shift, wearing masks and social distancing have been sometimes overwhelming and challenging. But, we’re happy to announce we have no documented (with a second, confirming test) positive COVID-19 cases! The daily increase in the number of positive cases in Okeechobee is extremely concerning, thus our current restrictions are staying in place. We do provide video conferencing and FaceTime between residents, families and friends, when requested, which has been rewarding even for the employees involved in those settings. The heartfelt well-wishes and contributions from the community have been such a welcomed surprise. A big shout-out to the numerous seamstresses who donated home-made masks for the residents, which brightened our days! Shown below are members of the community who provided meals for the employees, especially the nursing staff. Thank you Okeechobee for caring and sharing!

Indian River State College – IRSC - Twyla Blair, OHCF - Diana McQuade, IRSC - Russ Brown, Okeechobee Campus and OHCF- Sandy Perry

Gretchen Robertson State Farm — OHCF - Patty Ebanks, State Farm - Emily Peterson

Matt Bowen, Pastor of Christ Fellowship, Okeechobee

We LOVE to CARE!

Okeechobee Health Care Facility

Rehab Care • Long-Term Care • Memory Care • Personal Nursing Care 24/7 5-Star Federal and State Rated • 2 Time Governor’s Gold-Seal Recipient Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Nursing Care Center Accreditation Baldridge National Business Silver Award Recipient

1646 US Highway 441 North • Okeechobee, Florida 34972

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863-763-2226 H H H H H

www.Okeechobeehealthcare.com Hiring RNs, LPNs and CNAs! Apply at 115 NE 3rd ST, Okeechobee

Board Certified Optometrist

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Walk-ins Welcome

Dr.Charles Charles W. Dr. W.Bartels Bartels Board Certified Optometric Physician

Board Certified Optometric Physician

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We Accept and Bill Most Major Insurance, Medicaid, We Accept& and Bill Most MajorHealthy Insurance, Medicare BlueCross BlueShield Kids

Medicaid, Medicare & BlueCross Blue Shield Healthy Kids

606 North Parrott Ave.

Okeechobee

863.763.3937

www.BigLakeEyecare.com

606 North Parrott Ave Okeechobee 863-763-3937 Visit : www.biglakeeyecare.com

PUBLISHERS NOTE

GETTING BACK TO BUSINESS

Volume 14, Number 3 | July 2020

Publisher David Jones Managing Editor Rachel Buxton Editor Sonja Hassler-Jones Writers Lisa Elia Aaron Joseph Hall Raye Deusinger Robbi Sumner Beth Wise Contributors Dayton Buxton Judy Throop Betty Chandler Williamson

While I know that the crisis is far from over, I am thrilled that Okeechobee is getting back to business. Our city and our nation will be dealing with the repercussions of this pandemic for years to come—not only the tragic loss of more than 118,000 of our fellow citizens but the economic damage from closed businesses and additional debt—I hope that we are safe from the worst of COVID-19. In this issue of Okeechobee the Magazine, we are celebrating the grace, care, and generosity of this city. We are happy to feature a selection of photos shared by your fellow citizens and our photographers; a set of photos that we found uplifting and informative. You will also find a business index filled with contact information and hours of operation for our advertisers. We hope you’ll choose to support your local businesses as the recovery continues. Make no mistake, this recovery will be painful. But we are committed to doing everything we can to support local businesses (and we hope they will continue to support us in return) as we navigate the return to normal.

Feature Photographer Sandra Pearce Photographers Sharon Cannon Account Executive Trish Grygo Maureen Burroughs 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 2020, all rights reserved by Kuimba River Publishing, LLC DBA Okeechobee The Magazine. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

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CONTENTS

JULY 2020 | VOLUME 14 | ISSUE 3

IN EVERY ISSUE:

Publisher’s Note Mental Health Column

2 12

Calendar

Spirituality

Okeechobee Cooking

Business Listings

Behind the Business

Miller’s Central Air

Addiction Alternatives

BINGO Events

Around Okeechobee

FEATURES: Milking R Dairy

Okeechobee in a Time of Crisis

A Letter from Miss Betty 34 Timely inspiration from local author and historian

Danish Visitors Learn the Best of Okeechobee Agriculture 52 Okeechobee Brahman FFA give an educational tour

Raulerson Hospital Keeping Okeechobee Safe Through the Crisis ON THE COVER

Okeechobee High School seniors enjoy a proper graduation ceremony during pandemic. 28

28 4

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PHOTO BY: Sandra Pearce

J U LY 2020

Come visit Dr. Matthew Schiermyer in our Okeechobee location

GET YOUR LIFE BACK! Our Mission:

to provide the very best patient care while achieving the highest quality results. At Simpson Advanced Chiropractic & Medical Center, we strive for excellence through superior patient treatment, education and satisfaction.

OKEECHOBEE

863-410-2860 319 N Parrott Ave

STUART | PORT ST. LUCIE

772-463-2344

simpsonmedical.com

This is accomplished through the utilization of the most current techniques and advanced technologies, as our staff continually expand their education and practical applications. Simpson Medical prides itself on using the most advanced technology and equipment that is available to quickly alleviate the most severe health problems.

Our Services:

• Chiropractic Adjustments • Physical Therapy • Laser Disc Relief • Cold Laser • Spinal Disc Decompression

• Neuropathy Treatment • Arthritis Relief • Massage Therapy • Internal Medicine • Weight Loss / Nutrition Counseling

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Vicki Anderson (863) 634-4106

(863) 634-4107 Eric Anderson

Your Top Realty Company in Okeechobee That Your Family Can Trust to be There For You! Serving ALL Your Real Estate Needs 30046 E SR78 - Buckhead Ridge Okeechobee, FL 34974 Vic_Anderson@earthlink.net

Anderson Realty Co. is seasoned at aiding new and experienced buyers and sellers in all areas of real estate. Contact us if your needs include a real estate pro experienced at the business side of real estate.

Shelly Doyle Personal Assistant 863.801.8463 shellydoyle@ymail.com

For All of Our Listings, Please Visit Our Website @ www.AndersonRealtyCo.com

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR JULY Fireworks Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center Okeechobee Fraternal Order of Police J.D. Mixon (863) 800-0196, Michael Hazellief (863) 532-0646

July 4th

Great American Gun Show Okeechobee KOA Convention Center 4276 Hwy 441, (863) 763-0231

July 17th—19th

AUGUST

Fast & Furious Buckle Series Barrel Race Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666

July 16th

Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon July 17th 11:30 a.m. Lakeside Grill, 1111 S Parrott Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com

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American Bass Anglers July 25th & 26th C. Scott Driver Park 10100 West Hwy. 78 Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council, (863) 763-3959

Southern Most Jr. Calf Roping August 1st & 2nd Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666 Fast & Furious Buckle Series Barrel Race August 6th Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666 First Day of Classes Okeechobee Schools

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August 10th

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Sunshine State Drill Team Competition August 15th & 16th Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666 Elections/Primary

August 18th

Business Women’s Referral Network Luncheon August 21st 11:30 a.m. Lakeside Grill, 1111 S Parrott Ave. Raye Deusinger, rayedeusinger@gmail.com All Florida Jr Rodeo Association August 22nd & 23rd Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center, 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666

Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show — Cattle Battle August 29th & 30th Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666

SEPTEMBER

Okeechobee Main Street Labor Day Festival and Art & Wine Walk September 5th – 7th Flagler Park Downtown Okeechobee Hosted by: Okeechobee Main Street, (863) 357-6246 Florida High School Rodeo Association September 12th & 13th Okeechobee County Agri-Civic Center 4601 Hwy 710 E, (863) 763-1666

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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VOTE

Kelly

OWENS

for

County Commission District 5

Let’s Keep ! d r a w r o F g Movin • County Commissioner, 2016-Present • 30-Year Private Business Owner • American Business Woman of Distinction • Treasure Coast Business Summit Trailblazer

Integrity

Experience

Ethical, trustworthy, fair and equitable

Commitment

Proven fiscally responsible with tax dollars

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT

Ensure future economic development Stimulate expansion of industry and jobs

Chamber of Commerce Board • Kiwanis Club • Okeechobee Educational Foundation • CenterState Bank Advisory Board

STATE INVOLVEMENT Finance, Tax and Administration Legislative Policy Leader, 2017 • Health and Safety Legislative Policy Leader, 2018-2020 Florida Association of Counties Presidential Advocate Award, 2017-2020

FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT National Judicial/Public Safety Legislative Committee, 2019 - present

Share your ideas with me! Commissioner Kelly Owens (863) 634-7502, Owens4Okeechobee@gmail.com PAID BY KELLY OWENS, REPUBLICAN, FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 5

Your Amazing, Elastic Brain

BOOST YOUR MOOD WITH THERAPY, GRATITUDE AND MEDITATION STORY BY BETH BOX WISE

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE superheroes. Movies, comics, TV shows —if a superhero is involved, I’m going to be invested. The epic storylines and fantastic characters make for endless hours of fun and debate. My favorite characters have always been Wolverine and Deadpool. If you’re not familiar with these characters, you may not know that the unique ability that sets them apart from other superheroes is their ability to heal and regenerate. No matter how badly they’re hurt, their wounds will heal themselves. Sometimes they will even completely regrow parts of their body. What an amazing power! Can you imagine having that ability? How incredible would it be if our bodies could completely reconstruct itself after a devastating injury? I’m going to let you in on a little secret. There is one part of your body that is capable of this kind of miraculous regrowth—your brain. Your brain is a mysterious thing, but in the last century, we’ve started figuring some things out. We know that the brain is departmentalized, meaning that specific abilities are located in specific parts of the brain. For example, vision lives in your occipital lobe at the back of your head, memory lives in your hippocampus right behind your ears in the middle of your brain, decision making

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lives in your frontal lobes just behind your eyes, etc. This is why people lose very specific abilities when they suffer damage to specific parts of their brains. But why is it that sometimes people regain those lost abilities long after the damage? Was that part of the brain not hurt after all? Was it just a temporary loss? The answer is much cooler. You have the same ability to regenerate as Deadpool and Wolverine. Your brain can literally heal itself. Extensive studies have shown that after suffering catastrophic strokes, the brain can reorganize itself completely to re-create structures that the stroke destroyed (Azari & Seitz, 2000; Livingston-Thomas, Nelson, Karthikeyan, Antonescu, Jeffers, Marzolini, & Corbett, 2016). Children suffering from severe epilepsy can have one entire half of their brain removed and lose no abilities long term because the remaining half of the brain will reorganize itself so that those lost structures can be rebuilt (Villablanca & Hovda, 1999; Baiyekusi & Durga Prasad, 2016). One study even found that when a person becomes a taxi driver in London, their hippocampus (where memory lives) begins growing exponentially as they memorize the thousands of routes they travel daily (Maguire, Gadian, Johnsrude, Good, Ashburner, Richard, & Frith, 2000). All of this information is fascinating but not very practical. Most of us, God willing, will never suffer severe brain damage. So what impact does any of this information have on our daily lives? Every time you learn something new or develop a new ability your brain is growing and changing, making new connections and strengthening old ones. It’s this neuroplasticity that makes it possible for us to move through life and adapt to every new day. Your brain is like a lump of clay and everything you do makes small changes to that lump, turning it into the complete experience of your life. Without it, we would all be perpetually lost and confused. And that brings us to a new, frightening discovery about neuroplasticity. There are certain elements in your environment that can cause “negative neuroplasticity.” Negative neuroplasticity is not great; while your brain is built to grow for the entirety of your life, negative neuroplasticity reverses that growth causing the brain to atrophy and shrink. Your decision-making becomes sloppier. Your problem-solving skills become less efficient. Your memory becomes foggy. You get clumsier. Basically, your brain begins dying.

Poor sleep, drug use, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other issues can all cause the brain’s growth to reverse, but there are two major culprits that not enough people are talking about: anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental disorders in the United States. Approximately 10 percent of adults and 8.6 percent of children will be diagnosed with depression and/or an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. Both cause a whole host of nasty problems in a person’s life, and recent studies suggest that many of these problems find their root in negative neuroplasticity (Hellerstein, 2011). Considering how devastating the effects of negative neuroplasticity are and how common anxiety and depression are, it makes sense that we should start trying to figure out how to stop this. Well, good news! Some very smart scientists have already started working on this, and you do have options if depression and anxiety have started slowly draining your brain.

Therapy

Many people have an antiquated view of therapy. If you’ve never been to see a therapist, you may imagine walking into a dark room and laying down on a fluffy couch full of pillows. A therapist silently scribbles on a notepad while you stare at the ceiling and talk about your tortured childhood. That’s not what therapy looks like. Nowadays, most therapists use a method called “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy” (CBT). The therapist’s job is to help their clients identify places in their lives where their thoughts might not be very productive and help them reset those unproductive thoughts. Together, client and therapist set goals and work toward helping the client become the best version of themselves they can be. Studies show CBT to be very effective in counteracting negative neuroplasticity (Månsson, Salami, Frick, Carlbring, Andersson, Furmark & Boraxbekk, 2016). Remember, every new thing you learn or new behavior you develop creates growth in your brain. By challenging those negative thoughts brought on by the anxiety and depression, CBT slows down brain atrophy and kick starts growth again.

Gratitude Work

Did you ever see the movie Pollyanna? In it, the titular character plays a game with her father called the “Glad

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Game.” The goal is to “find something about everything to be glad about,” no matter how dire the situation may be. The Glad Game seems a little saccharine I know, but there is a lot of science to suggest that we should all be playing it all the time! When we think about something we’re grateful for, our brain releases a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for our general well-being. In other words, serotonin makes us feel like our world is a decent place. It just so happens that one of the causes of depression and anxiety is a lack of serotonin in our brains. The less serotonin we have, the less okay we feel about the world. By regularly practicing gratitude, we start building and strengthening the neural connections that release more serotonin. If you want to get started in gratitude work, try getting a notebook or journal. Keep it next to your bed or wherever you go to decompress at night. Before you go to bed or right when you get up in the morning, take 5-10 minutes to write down 10 things you’re grateful for. You can make it quick, simple sentences that start with “I am so grateful that…” If you do this every day for two weeks you’ll begin to see that gratitude becomes your default attitude. You’re rewiring your brain to be glad!

Meditation

I was skeptical about meditation for a long time. I always thought it sounded too “woo woo” to be a real thing. But

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I was wrong! There is plenty of scientific evidence supporting the benefits of meditation and the physical changes that occur in the brain when someone practices it consistently. Meditation isn’t some mystical, otherworldly practice. The true purpose of meditation is to learn to take control of your thoughts. When our thoughts are undisciplined, they jump from idea to idea, memory to memory, worry to worry. By meditating, you learn to be more focused on the present moment and to control the flow of your thoughts. Your frontal lobe (where decision making lives) gets stronger and starts processing things more quickly and clearly. Current research into the long-term effects of meditation shows that practiced meditators can direct their own neuroplasticity. By controlling your thoughts, you are inadvertently targeting growth in specific areas of the brain. When you take control of negative and anxious thoughts and reroute them into more controlled positive thinking, you make it harder for depression and anxiety to develop. Your brain is amazing. It possesses the miraculous ability to heal and regrow itself even after catastrophic trauma. Even more amazingly, modern science has discovered how to harness the power of neuroplasticity to stave off depression and anxiety. By investing time in therapy, gratitude, and meditation, you can completely rewire your brain for happiness, contentment, and peace. That’s a pretty awesome superpower if you ask me.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS *If at any point you feel that you may need help, please don’t hesitate to call any of the numbers below. Trained professionals would be happy to offer you whatever support you need or connect you to a service that can provide you with more information. Both numbers are free to call and are completely anonymous. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Helpline will connect you with local professionals to help with any mental health or addiction issues you may be facing, call 1-800-662-HELP (4357). The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day. Please don’t hesitate to call if you need help—1-800-273-8255.

References Azari, N., & Seitz, R. (2000). Brain Plasticity and Recovery from Stroke: What has changed in the brain of a stroke patient who recovers the ability to move a once-disabled limb? American Scientist, 88(5), 426-431. Livingston-Thomas, J., Nelson, P., Karthikeyan, S., Antonescu, S., Jeffers, M. S., Marzolini, S., & Corbett, D. (2016). Exercise and environmental enrichment as enablers of task-specific neuroplasticity and stroke recovery. Neurotherapeutics, 13(2), 395-402.

Custom Home Building & Remodeling

Villablanca, J. R., & Hovda, D. A. (1999). Developmental neuroplasticity in a model of cerebral hemispherectomy and stroke. Neuroscience, 95(3), 625-637. Baiyekusi, I., & Durga Prasad, S. (2016). Neuroplasticity in play: Outcomes after Hemispherectomy in Rasmussen Encephalitis. Indian Journal of Neurosciences, 2(3), 56-59. Maguire, E., Gadian, D., Johnsrude, I., Good, C., Ashburner, J., Richard S. J. Frackowiak, & Frith, C. (2000). Navigation-Related Structural Change in the Hippocampi of Taxi Drivers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 97(8), 4398-4403. Retrieved March 2, 2020, from www.jstor.org/stable/122166 Hellerstein, D. (2011, July 14). Neuroplasticity and Depression. Retrieved from https://www. psychologytoday.com/us/blog/heal-your-brain/201107/neuroplasticity-and-depression Månsson, K. N., Salami, A., Frick, A., Carlbring, P., Andersson, G., Furmark, T., & Boraxbekk, C. J. (2016). Neuroplasticity in response to cognitive behavior therapy for social anxiety disorder. Translational psychiatry, 6(2), e727. https://doi.org/10.1038/tp.2015.218

863.467.1933

221 NE Park Street

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

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Having Hope Even When Life Is Hard STORY BY AARON JOSEPH HALL I’ll never forget the day the doctors told us they were taking our son to the NICU after having a CAT scan that showed bleeding on his brain in two different places. It was one of those moments where there seemed to be no hope. Fear of the unknown haunted us. At first, all I could focus on as I followed the nurse to the NICU was the spine-chilling silence of the hospital hallways. Each step I took felt like a step closer to completely losing all hope. We had prayed for a baby more times than I can count and finally God had answered our prayers. Here we were, unsure if that little bundle of joy, Oliver, would even come home with us. I had questions. A lot of them. The thought of leaving the hospital without your baby will make any parent’s heart sink and drained of the possibility of hope. In our strength, hope didn’t stand a chance. My flesh was angry. Each step down that hallway was, for me, a step of hope slowly fading away. And that’s how many people live today. Every day is a step closer to having no hope. Each day it gets harder and harder to inhale. The nights grow colder. Many wake up daily already feeling like the day before them is going to be consumed with a negative doctor’s report, an argument with a loved one, an unexpected bill, and the list goes on. The Bible says in Psalm 30:5b, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning” (NLT). The sunrise is coming! Hope is coming! Like the break of dawn at the end of a long, dark night—hope is coming. Don’t give up.” I remember seeing my son in the NICU and feeling like the promise of Psalm 30 was beyond my reach—that joy wouldn’t come, and the feeling of hopelessness would last well beyond the sunrise. Having hope even when life is hard can happen. While my son was lying there, sleeping peacefully without any idea of what was going on, I knew all I could do was cling to hope. Hope, by the way, has a name. It’s Jesus! When I was back in our hospital room with my wife and family, who drove back to the hospital in Wellington well after midnight to be with us, a sense of hope, an all-surpassing peace, entered the room. The atmosphere of the room shifted not long after we prayed. The doctors couldn’t tell us what would happen; therefore, our hope wasn’t in man. It was in the reality that God was ultimately in control and that our son, our newborn, was His before he was ours. Hope entered our hearts the moment we began to pray. I’m here to tell you, hope can reach you right where you are today—even when life is hard.

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Maybe your job was impacted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe a loved one fell ill to the virus. Or maybe you succumbed to intense financial pressure and emotional struggle due to the uncertainty of what is happening in our world today. I’ll never try and say what you are facing—or will face—is small or unimportant. But I will say you can have hope. Just like my wife and I did in that hospital room the night our son was born. I’m a pastor—I’m a Christian—and I’ll never hide that about myself because the most loving thing we can do is tell someone about hope (Jesus). I want you to have a hope that lasts and doesn’t fade with the uncertainties of our world. The night I walked that hallway with hope slowly fleeting was the same night hope began to rise within me. You can choose to have hope today too. That was a Friday. Saturday came and the prognosis remained the same—we didn’t know much other than that our son had been transported during the night to Hollywood because they had better care available.

But Sunday was coming. That’s what we must remember. When Jesus was nailed to that cross on a Friday, I’m sure the disciples thought all hope was lost—nailed on that cross with Jesus. But Sunday was coming! We cling to the promise of Psalm 30 even when the days and nights grow darker and darker. Hope wins in the end (read Revelation 22). Sunday came for us… On Friday, hope seemed nonexistent. But by Sunday night, we were being released from the hospital to take our baby boy home. Jesus was crucified on a Friday afternoon and rose on the third day. Sunday evening, in the Hebrew culture, would be day three from Friday when Jesus was nailed to that tree! God used what happened to my son to remind me of the cross—that hope is alive, that hope always wins even when life is hard! I don’t know what you are facing today as you read this, but please know this: You are loved by God and have a purpose. Hope isn’t beyond your reach. The sunrise is coming—and what a glorious day it will be!

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Practice Core Values

Family Dentistry of Okeechobee Practice Vision

Dr. Laskey anD her team are DeVoteD to growing anD DeVeLoPing eVery year through ProgressiVe innoVation, creating a riPPLe effect that insPires anD emPowers our Patients, our team, their famiLies, anD our community. “in the truest sense freeDom cannot bestoweD, it must be achieVeD.” - frankLin rooseVeLt haPPy inDePenDence Day!

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Dr. Jennifer Laskey, DMD Dr. Jennifer Shiflet ,DDS

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Milking R Dairy Becomes an Okeechobee Obsession STORY AND PHOTOS BY ROBBI SUMNER

You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Since July is National Ice Cream Month, it’s only natural that we celebrate the tasty, refreshing treat. And how lucky are we to have the incredibly delicious Milking R Dairy ice cream made and available to us right here in our own back yard? Located on Highway 98 just north of town, Milking R Dairy is owned and operated by 4th generation farmer Sutton Rucks, his wife Kris, and their adult children, Lindsey and Garrett. The desire to produce their own ice cream began as an extension to their farm tours. Offering a fresh, tasty dairy product to the families and school children who visited the farm seemed like a natural extension of both Southern hospitality and dairy industry education. When the Rucks went public with sales of their ice cream in March, they were blown away by the reception. “We started making one

or two batches at a time (a batch yields 30-35 pints) and sold out immediately,” Lindsey shares. “Now we make 6 to 7 batches at a time—sometimes even 8—and are barely keeping up with demand!” Customers can place orders online for pick-up and there are also days when walk-up purchases can be made. Loyal fans of the ice cream stalk the website and Facebook page for updates on ordering times and flavor availability. And speaking of fans, the “Milking R Ice Cream Fan Club” Facebook page garnered over 4,500 followers in just the first 2 months of its existence. And how do they come up with those unique and heavenly flavors? That too is a family affair. Banana Puddin’, which has become somewhat their “signature flavor”, is a recipe that Garrett came up with. Sutton’s sister Julie also helps by sharing her culinary talents and expertise. One of the secrets to the tastiness of their ice cream is the higher fat content (as

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Photo courtesy of Tammy Colburn

Milking R Dairy can be found off of Highway 98 just north of town.

compared to many commercially available brands) and the fact that Milking R does not skimp on quality or quantity of ingredients. According to Lindsey, “We never want our customers questioning the flavor. You wouldn’t believe how many bananas we go through, not to mention the various candies, nuts, and other ingredients that we use!” With names as unique their flavors—Big Deborah, Nutty Milkmaid, 50 Shades of Chocolate, 24 Carrot Gold, Pucker-up Buttercup, Mango Me Crazy, just to name a few—it’s clear that the family has fun and wants their customers to have fun, too. In a truly short time frame, they’ve developed such a loyal and trusting fan base that a “Mystery Flavor” has been added to the offering and it sells out, too, without customers even knowing what it is they will get! In mid-May, Milking R Dairy gained approval to lease a building in the County Industrial Park to be used as a milk processing and bottling plant. Until that facility is up and running, which is expected near the end of 2020 or early 2021, they are working with a co-packer in Clewiston and have already begun selling milk under their Sutton Milk brand. While the milk is initially being bottled in plastic, the goal is to convert to reusable glass bottles in the future. While the Rucks’ are very forward-thinking in their business enterprises, their family history is evident in everything

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A very lucky Scott Viens enjoying Milking R Dairy ice cream.

they do. The name Sutton Milk was chosen because Sutton was the maiden name of Lindsey and Garrett’s great-grandmother, Glen Rebecca. And the goal of using glass bottles is both sustainable and a nod to the nostalgia of simpler times when the milkman delivered that wholesome beverage door to door. “With everything that people are going through these days, there is a greater desire to know and understand where their food comes from. We’re happy to educate people about the dairy industry and provide safe, nutritious, and local products for families to enjoy,” says Sutton. Looking long-term, the family hopes to bottle not just whole white milk but flavored varieties as well. (Hold on to your hats because their creativity won’t end with ice cream!) We can also look forward to such premium products as heavy cream, sour cream, and butter. Farm tours of the dairy can still be scheduled, and a farm visit to pick up ice cream is not complete without a stop in their country store. Filled with items ranging from T-shirts and ball caps to baby clothes and ice cream bowls, you’re sure to find something special. They even offer gift certificates! To learn more about Milking R Dairy, their farm tours, and to order their ice cream, visit www.milkingrdairy.com.

J U LY 2020

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The first signing of Author Betty Chandler Williamson's book, "Miz Betty's Depression Era Memoirs" was held December 7, 2019 at the Indian River State College (IRSC) at the Dixon Hendry Campus in the Williamson Conference Center in Okeechobee. Shown at the signing above are: Standing - Ann Decker, Executive Director of the IRSC Foundation and Russ Brown, Provost of the Dixon Hendry Campus. Sitting L to R - Kimball Love and Sonny Williamson, Editors; Betty Chandler Williamson, Author. There have been three successful signings of the book. They were held at the site mention above, the Public Library and the Health Care Facility. All proceeds were donated to the IRSC Scholarship Fund. Books are available at Eli's Western Wear.

Submitted by Betty Chandler Williamson

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OKEECHOBEE

Photo courtesy of Sharon Cannon

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

J U LY 2020

IN A TIME OF CRISIS When we were preparing the content for the previous issue of Okeechobee the Magazine, there were 3,244 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States and 62 deaths. As of this morning, there are more than 2.2 million confirmed cases and more than 120,000 deaths. Billions of dollars have been spent by the Federal government to support a population that was asked to shelter in place for months. The economic impact will reverberate through our economies (at every level) for years to come. Small business owners were some of the hardest hit by the shutdown despite the promise that those billions were targeted at helping those businesses stay afloat. Every level of government is likely to face uncomfortable tax shortfalls and no easy solutions for funding the services that they need to provide. We will be facing a difficult job market for the foreseeable future.

It would be easy to say (and defensible) that students, teachers, first responders, and healthcare workers were the hardest hit, but the truth is that we were all severely impacted. There isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a person in this nation that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel the pain of the COVID-19 crisis, whether it was unexpected unemployment, schools struggling to provide distance learning, businesses facing bankruptcy, or hospital workers facing the uncertainty and fear of what every day during a pandemic might bring them... Those of us who have a few years under our belts have seen severe recessions, wars, other health care scares, and times of scarcity, but none of us has seen anything like this. While the experts can say that we were warned, the truth is that none of us knew what would happen in a time like this. Structural weaknesses were exposed in our preparedness, our economic system is being tested

Photo courtesy of Sharon Cannon

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Photo courtesy of Sharon Cannon

Above: Washing hands became a civic virtue. Right: Colorful masks help make working through the crisis more fun.

to the very breaking point, and our social and civic institutions are struggling to keep pace with the problems that face us. But, as in all the times that have tested us, Americans continue to work to address all of these problems with imagination, new technologies, and a sense that if we just keep working at it, better days are ahead of us. This collection of photos, sent from the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s photographers and the citizens of Okeechobee, is a snapshot of this moment. A snapshot of the hope, the grace, the dignity, and the struggles that faced the community during (what we hope is) the worst of the pandemic. This is, once again, Okeechobee at its finest. This communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resilience and generosity might be its most enduring strengths and the best reason for most of us to believe that those better days that we imagine could be right around the corner. While the format of this issue breaks away from our usual offerings, we hope you will truly enjoy seeing these pictures of Okeechobee in this time of crisis.

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

Photo courtesy of Sharon Cannon

J U LY 2020

Photo courtesy of Sharon Cannon

Above: Local businesses worked hard to find ways to continue to do business during the lockdown. Below: Okeechobee Hight School students pick up their yearbooks.

Photo courtesy of Carey A. Pung

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SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PANDEMIC: COVID TESTING STORY AND PHOTOS BY RAYE DEUSINGER COVID-19 testing opened to the public on Monday, May 17. The week prior, a notice in the Lake Okeechobee News said Quest Diagnostics, in cooperation with Walmart, would test for positive/negative exposure to those who made an appointment. A large lot behind Walmart was marked for testing. Windows remained closed. Wearing my mask, I first encountered two individuals in basic protective gear who checked for my appointment slip and photo ID. They directed me to the next station where two people in PPE (personal protective equipment) asked that I put my appointment slip and driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license on the dashboard. One of the individuals copied my ID information onto a piece of paper that was then placed into a Ziploc bag and given to me using an extension pole and slipped through a very narrow window opening. Next, I proceeded to station three, again manned by two people in PPE who approached me and told me to hold my bag while they went over what it should contain: a paper with my ID information, a test tube with a screw cap, a card with instructions for use, and another on how

I will receive my test information. They then described how the test would be taken. I continued to the actual test station led by the head pharmacist of Walmart. She approached my window with a sign instructing me to call a long-distance number. This made a connection that allowed me to talk to her through several layers of protective gear and my car window. She asked me to open the bag, remove the test tube and make sure I could open the screw cap. I could. She guided me through the test, even orally counting me down for the 15 seconds the test stick had to be held in each nostril. On completion, she had me cap the test tube and put it in the baggie in the side separated from the paperwork. She then wheeled a cart with a cooler right up to my window, had me roll the window down and drop the baggie in the cooler. After a thank you on both our parts, I left. I felt comfortable and safe the entire time and very satisfied that I will receive my positive or negative diagnosis, stopping on the way out to take an overall picture of the testing setup.

Photo courtesy of Raye Deusinger

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J U LY 2020

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J U LY 2020

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PANDEMIC: OKEECHOBEE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

PHOTOS BY SANDRA PEARCE

Okeechobee High School seniors were faced with the very real possibility of enduring the last year of their high school education in lockdown and without so many of the normal things that mark the transition into adulthood. The community rallied around the students by â&#x20AC;&#x153;adoptingâ&#x20AC;? them and celebrating them through a Facebook page organized by Daniel Kidd, Sr. and encouraged school officials to find a way to hold an in-person graduation. As the pandemic waned and Governor DeSantis issued orders for the state to slowly open, school administrators made the decision to have a limited, live graduation so students and immediate family members could celebrate the occasion properly. Sandra Pearce took these memorable pictures of the event.

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This page and opposite: Sandra Pearce captures the unique face of Okeechobee High Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2020 graduation ceremony.

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J U LY 2020

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Below and opposite below: Students receive their OHS yearbooks as school staff are careful to maintain safe distancing. Opposite top: Melanie Tabbert works to prepare the OHS 2020 Scholarship Book.

Photo courtesy of Carey A. Pung

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

J U LY 2020

Photo courtesy of Carey A. Pung

Photo courtesy of Melanie Tabbert

Photo courtesy of Carey A. Pung

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A Letter from Miss Betty STORY AND PHOTO BY BETTY CHANDLER WILLIAMSON

My husband, Frank (Sonny) Williamson Jr., and I arrived at the Okeechobee Health Care Facility in December of 2018. We share a room that is similar to a small apartment. Nutritious meals are provided, laundry is done, activities are available all day, and we used to have and see numerous visitors and friends from the community. The activity programs included games and book readings. One of our activity leaders, Paula White Williams, read several of Patrick Smith’s books to a small group of us. I even read a few of my published books to the group. Jay Boree and Jim Clark sang for us at times, as well as other performers from different church groups and bluegrass bands. Sunday morning church was well attended with Sandy Perry on the piano and Tippen Padget on guitar leading the inspirational religious songs. We had guest speakers and soloists, including the pastor of the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, Loy Mershimer, Gregory Durozel on the violin and also my niece, Diane, and her husband, Kenney Stanley, who sang gospel songs and brought the message. We have enjoyed dress-up occasions such as the Fall formal and the Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties all without worrying about the weather or getting a good parking spot! After my morning exercise and therapy, I had time to write while Sonny attended activities. Our family came regularly to visit and take us out to eat. The last time we were out with them for dinner at a restaurant, I had a seizure upon my return and was admitted into Raulerson hospital.

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And then the COVID-19 crisis came… Since then, I have returned to Okeechobee Health Care Facility and everyone was on lock down. We have been on lock down since March 14th. Residents are quarantined to their rooms for 14 days if they have to be sent out to the hospital. We all wear masks when we leave our room and when receiving care from our nurses and CNAs. No visitors are allowed to enter the building. We talk with our families regularly on the phone, and those of us with iPhones have ALMOST mastered FaceTime! The staff also arranges video chats between residents and their families and friends. Unfortunately, no flowers are allowed to be delivered to the building for fear of spreading the virus. We celebrated Easter by watching church on the in-house resident TV system and having prayer time in our rooms. Sonny and I have watched movies about military history. Residents and employees have been tested twice. The first time one resident, one night nurse and a part-time dietary employee tested positive with absolutely no symptoms at all. The second time with no positive results at all. On two subsequent tests, all three had negative test results. I believe the kinks will be worked out over time and the tests will become more reliable. Hopefully, a vaccine will be developed in the near future that will protect us all. Springtime has always been a special time for me. We celebrate our anniversary and my birthday. I turned 83 and we had our 68th wedding anniversary all while being on lock down. Being together is the most important part, but celebrating special events with family and close friends makes events even more memorable. Just like all of you, we are looking forward to being together again without the worry of COVID-19 robbing us of our remaining time together. We sure do miss seeing smiles and having hugs! We must be diligent by wearing masks when in public and maintaining that dreaded 6-foot distance between others. Our positive cases are steadily rising every day in Okeechobee and we absolutely each must do our part to keep everyone safe. My generation survived the Great Depression. Together, by following the CDC recommendations, we will survive COVID-19 too!

J U LY 2020

Whether by mail or at the polls, remember, your vote is your voice

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SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PANDEMIC: THE COMMUNITY PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY

Photo courtesy of Carli Watt

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

J U LY 2020

Photo courtesy of Ruthie Nettles

Clockwise from left: Raulerson nurse, Robert Shoemaker, and eight-month old daughter Rosie enjoy a bike ride. A husband gives 2020â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest possible gift. Collin Pfennig with younger brother Karter Barton learning about science and dinosaurs. Mason, Fender, and Kyis Preston doing schoolwork from home. Opposite: Serenity Watt gardening at Gigiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house.

Photo courtesy of Carli Watt

Photo courtesy of Tammy Colburn

Photo courtesy of Shannon Keller

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Logan Preston and his friend Tiva.

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

Photo courtesy of Tammy Colburn

J U LY 2020

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Six-month old Ari Luna Martinez and her family traveled to Miami and enjoyed the Blue Angel flyover.

Photo courtesy of Juan & Ami Martinez

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

J U LY 2020

Photos courtesy of Katelyn Rhoades

Our friends at Everglades Pediatric Dentistry sent these pictures of their COVID-19 adventures. Dr. Kindell discovered gardening and adopted chicks. Left: Team members let their patients know that they are missed.

Photo courtesy of David Jones

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Photo courtesy of Kristina Morgan

Above: Brynn and Blake Morgan bake a birthday cake for their father, Wayne Morgan. Below: Elizabeth Aguilar, left, and Rachel Espinoza, right, working at Pritchards & Associates.

Photo courtesy of Letty Madrigal

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

J U LY 2020

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SNAPSHOTS FROM THE PANDEMIC: PARKING LOT SERVICE

STORY BY RAYE DEUSINGER | PHOTOS COURTESY JUDY THROOP

When churches had to close because of the coronavirus, many ideas came forward on how to “Keep the Faith.” First United Methodist Church, along with other places of worship, began online services via Facebook. Shortly thereafter, on May 4, they announced a drive-through communion service located in the Methodist church parking lot. For an hour, Pastor Don Hanna and Assistant Pastor Jim Dawson stepped up to each vehicle, prayed over the bread and wine, and administered the sacrament. Several volunteers helped direct traffic as 39 vehicles came through and 76 persons were served with ease. Pastor Don said, “For many, it was their first time out in public since the coronavirus hit.“

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

J U LY 2020

Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Laskey

Above: Dr. Jennifer Laskey, DMD, and her great-niece, Scarlett Rose. Right: Scarlett Rose with a baby bird. Photo courtesy of Dr. Jennifer Laskey

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J U LY 2020

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Above: Kubeba, adopted in 2019 from Okeechobeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trail of Hope animal shelter, enjoys extra pool time as her owners shelter in place. Opposite top and bottom: The Corona family finds ways to enjoy life during the lockdown.

Do You Have a Favorite?

Our staff will be selecting a winner from all of these wonderful submissions and will announce that winner in the next issue of the magazine. The winner will receive a special prize. But we will also be giving a Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Choice award based on the feedback we get from our readers. Send us your choice by August 2, 2020 to let us know whose picture you think is the best. Send your vote to info@ okeechobeethemagazine.com.

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Photo courtesy o

Photo courtesy of Dawn Murphy

Above: The lockdown requires creative fishing techniques. Above right: Distance learning while the schools are closed. Right: Lila, Lexi, and Lily Bishop enjoying Earth Day 2020. Below: Matthew Lookabill practices social distancing worship with More to Life on the back porch on Sundays. Opposite: Suzette Murphy and Jaxson Gray.

Photo courtesy of Marci Lookabill

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

J U LY 2020

Photo courtesy of Christine Brennan

of Dawn Murphy

Photo courtesy of Dawn Murphy

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Photo courtesy of Tammy Colburn

Left: Brooklyn Ellerbee. Above: Caden and Cameron Ellerbee playing with new baby sister, Brooklyn. Right: Owen Berglund making Easter cupcakes. Photo courtesy of Tammy Colburn

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J U LY 2020

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High School Students Showcase Best of Okeechobee Agriculture for Danish Visitors STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAYTON BUXTON

It’s no secret that when one thinks of Okeechobee, they think of agriculture. From the dairies and ranches to the different agribusinesses, it is evident that the two go hand in hand. Everyone in Okeechobee is aware of the many ways that the county is intertwined with the agriculture industry. That being said, one main agriculture-related part of our community that gets overlooked is the high school agriculture CTE program. The program’s four classes—Ag Foundations, Agricultural Mechanics, Animal Science, and Aquaculture—are housed on the High School Ag Farm across the street from Okeechobee High School. This program has meant that Okeechobee has become one of the stops on the Experience International’s South Florida agriculture tour that includes 40 college students from Denmark each year. In November of 2019, the Okeechobee Brahman FFA

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

Chapter organized and delivered an educational tour as well as a presentation to our visitors. This has been an annual event for the chapter, which started in 2017. This year the FFA advisors and students divided the event into three parts: a guided outside tour, dinner, and an interactive classroom presentation. These components were assigned to the three standing committees the FFA organization requires of each chapter, which are Strengthening Agriculture, Building Communities, and Growing Leaders. Approaching the event in this manner not only gave the event a strong structure, but it also gave the students the opportunity to work together to plan a fun yet informative evening. Upon arrival, the Danish students were separated into three groups to begin their outside tour of the facility. This tour, outlined by the Strengthening Agriculture Committee, included three stations for the students to visit.

J U LY 2020

The first was the multi-functional greenhouse, which gave an up-close and personal look at the aquaculture operation. Kristin Thomas, the chapter’s reporter and two-year aquaculture student, described the class and the skills that they acquire. One of the most significant aspects of the class was the water system and how the wastewater from the fish is used to fertilize the plants. Kristin then directed the students to the Ag Mechanics shop, where the class instructor, Mr. Thompson, gave an overview of his class, and how students are taught mechanical skills, the basics of plumbing, how to weld, and much more. From the greenhouse and the shop, the group was brought to the show barn, which houses many of the FFA students’ show animals. Here the guests were able to witness a roping demonstration by FFA members, Bailey Harden and Rance Pendrey, using the ag farm’s roping dummy. After some encouragement, a few of the Danish students gave it a try. Following the roping demonstration, FFA member David Daniel told the group about the use of the whip and, of course, how to crack one. This was an impressive sight for the group, and they quickly learned where the term “Florida Cracker” originated from. The last segment was presented by the Strengthening Agriculture Committee Chair and the chapter’s treasurer, Kaitlyn Williams. She gave a brief introduction to showmanship, and how she works with her heifers to prepare for the livestock show each year. The last of the three stations may not have been the most educational, though it may have been the most fun. For this

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rotation, a few of the FFA students gave a crash course on the game of cornhole. It did not take long for everyone to join in on some friendly competition in this new game. Following the end of the three rotations, and after everyone had their fair share of cornhole, the group made their way inside for a home-cooked meal organized and served by the Growing Leaders Committee, chaired by Jillian Johnston. To give the Danish students the true taste of Okeechobee, dinner consisted of New York strips, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, and swamp cabbage. The juicy pork and sapid swamp cabbage, made by Okeechobee’s own Buddy Mills, were certainly the talk of the night. The meal was quite possibly one of the most exciting periods of the night, as all of the students and adults commingled and talked.

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

There was not an empty seat or quiet person in the room. Every individual was deep in conversation, discussing the commonalities and differences in each other, their lives, and their countries. With full bellies and new friendships, it was time for Okeechobee Brahman FFA students to get a glimpse into the country of Denmark. This slideshow presentation outlined things that make Denmark unique. They talked about the country’s geography, agriculture enterprises, and culture. Unbeknownst to our students, raising mink is very popular in Denmark, and so is getting paid to go to college. Yes, that’s right, in Denmark, the college students receive payment for their schooling, not the other way around. Many high school students were outraged. This presentation was truly enlightening, and it was interesting to see how countries do things differently and how cultures vary from place to place. Now it was time for the OHS students to give their inside presentation. In this 45-minute period, the FFA students gave a leadership-based educational workshop from the Building Communities Committee. The Danish students were separated back into three groups, and each group was directed to a different classroom. One room was led by the chapter President Aubrey Pearce, another by the chapter Vice President Jillian Johnston, and

J U LY 2020

the last by the chapter Secretary and Building Communities Committee Chair Dayton Buxton. Here, the students explained the high school ag program and gave an overview of the different parts of the FFA. These different parts included premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, which help students develop a multitude of different skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives. Next, the high school students discussed Florida’s citrus, beef and dairy industries and row crop production. They talked about how the state’s climate allows year-round cultivation and how it is a top producer of different commodities. To give the Danish students a taste of Florida, they hand-squeezed their own orange juice and made their own butter by shaking a small cup of heavy cream. The workshop’s final part covered American culture, briefly exploring cuisine, sports, movies, and education/ grade levels. Many were surprised about how different our educational system is from Denmark’s, especially at the college level. At the end of the presentation, students answered questions, and the three groups joined together for a few closing words. The students and advisors thanked the Danish students for allowing them to be a part of this event, while the Danish students and chaperones did the same. Boundaries were undoubtedly being broken as unlikely friendships were made that evening. It was amazing for the OHS students to have this opportunity, and who knew our dairies, ranches, and different agriculture endeavors would be what gave it to them?

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

J U LY 2020

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PROMO: MA19-057A 040119

PLEASE NOTE: AS THIS ISSUE WAS GOING TO PRESS, RAULERSON HOSPITAL ISSUED CHANGES TO ITS VISITATION POLICIES. PLEASE CALL FOR UPDATES BEFORE VISITING. Emergency Department team members Janet-RN, Marcy-RN, ER Secretary Laura, Robert-RN, and Kyle-RN appreciate the dinner provided to the night shift by The Gilbert Family of Companies.

Raulerson Hospital

Keeping Okeechobee Safe Through the Crisis STORY BY RAYE DEUSINGER | PHOTOS COURTESY RAULERSON HOSPITAL We readily give kudos to those who go above and beyond the norm. But what do you give to those who surpass even those boundaries? Brian Melear, Chief Executive Officer for Raulerson Hospital, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a healthcare facility, Raulerson Hospital is accustomed to thorough sterilizations and many infection-prevention protocols, but since the COVID-19 pandemic has spread nationally, these practices have been enhanced for increased protection against the virus.â&#x20AC;? The added precautions put into effect early on will remain in place throughout the pandemic. Let us recap the ways Raulerson Hospital has adapted to the pandemic while continuing to care for our community. Early on, designated care areas were established for COVID-19 patients and those patients under investigation (PUIs) whose test results were pending. Non-Pending patients, including outpatient and surgical patients, are/were treated in separate areas and assigned caregivers

who are not caring for COVID-positive patients at the same time. The first line of protection begins upon entry into the hospital. All physicians, staff, patients, and visitors are met by a screener, asked a series of screening questions, and undergo no-contact temperature checks and hand sanitizing procedures. Entrance is denied to anyone who does not pass the screening protocols. In-line with national standards, a no-visitor policy was established for COVID-positive patients and those still under investigation for COVID-19. There were many weeks when no visitors were permitted for any patients. As the pandemic continued and certain restrictions were lifted, in-patients were permitted one visitor at a time, after meeting the screening standards. Raulerson Hospital, and all facilities within HCA Healthcare, instituted a policy of universal masking, requiring

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everyone entering the building to wear a mask. This policy exceeds CDC guidelines. Social distancing protocols were enacted in common areas such as the lobby, waiting rooms, and the cafeteria by restructuring the seating areas. Volunteer services have been temporarily suspended and the gift shop closed. Jenny Pung, Director of Public Relations and Communications for Raulerson Hospital, said, “We miss their smiling faces and their help, but we want them to be safe.” Nurses developed communication stations and offered to help their patients by using dedicated iPads and phones to keep loved ones up to date on the patient’s medical progress and to give the patient the ability to contact family and friends for emotional support. Virtual communication (through computers) has become the norm. Business travel, classes, and events – even the annual awards banquet – were canceled. Social distancing protocols for in-person meetings with multiple attendees resulted in a barrage of conference calls and virtual meet-

ings. Even the Board of Trustees and Medical Executive Committee meetings went virtual. With a mission of improving human life above all else, Raulerson Hospital exceeded the expectations, creating a dedicated, free-service hotline to help connect individuals that may be faced with health insurance coverage challenges due to unemployment. This hotline is staffed by patient benefit advisors and can help patients with their situation to find their best coverage options. The Uninsured Patient Advisor Hotline can be reached at 833-541-5757 and is offered Monday-Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST. When asked about lessons he and the Raulerson Hospital team have learned thus far through the COVID-19 pandemic, Melear said he would describe his most impactful takeaway as more of an actualization or crystallization about the potential depth of the federal and state government’s role upon a private business during an emergency declaration. Melear explained that while the healthcare industry, including Raulerson Hospital, are accustomed to, and even thrive, operating every day within the guidelines of certain relevant governing bodies, like The Joint Commission, Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Agency for Healthcare Administration and others, hospitals also, normally, enjoy a tremendous amount of autonomy regarding decisions which impact their services and business. So as the days, weeks and months of the government’s response to COVID-19 played out, dramatically changing the rules for businesses, with no firm ending date in sight, the role of the government in a business’ day-to-day operations became obvious to Melear, and likely other business owners and even private citizens, in a way that it never has before in our lifetime. Melear referenced how hospitals were mandated to restrict visitors, elective surgeries were canceled for six weeks, and various levels of masking and social distancing were implemented Raulerson Hospital nurses Chris, Mary, Jennifer, Rebecca, Emily, and Criselda are committed to everywhere within healthcare instituthe care and improvement of human life.

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

J U LY 2020

Massage•Facials•Waxing•Eyelash Extensions•Eyebrow Microblading Pedicures and Gel Manicures•Plantlife Essential Oils•Diffusers

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Left to right: ICU Director, Deborah; Chris- RN; Clinical Resources Director, Ashley; HCA East Florida Division Chief Nursing Executive, Silvia; Educator, Cheryl; Chief Nursing Officer, Dorothy; Mary-RN; Surgical Scheduler, Tammy; Case Management Director, Andrea; Chief Executive Officer, Brian; Nursing Supervisor, Beth; Patient Care Technician, Yesenia; and Med/Surg. Nursing Director Cheryl.

tions. “Raulerson Hospital accepts and embraces our role of being part of the solution in this public health response,” Melear said. “Our leaders, including myself, have been proud to work together with our Okeechobee County partners throughout the entire pandemic and we are united in our commitment to provide a safe environment for our community.” Melear said, “We have truly been showered with love and support from our community throughout the whole pandemic. Gratitude has been shown in many different ways. We have been refreshed and touched by special lunches and dinners, hams on Easter weekend, local produce, energy drinks, PPE gear, and self-care goodies, as well as moral support and comradery, with a touching tribute from our fellow first responders during shift change.” Through all the unprecedented changes, the pandemic has brought to Raulerson Hospital – the weeks of halls void

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of visitors, operating rooms restricted from hosting elective surgeries, the cancellation of traditions like the Doctor’s Day Luncheon and the EMS Week Breakfast, and the absence of the ‘pink ladies’ greeting patients in the lobby – the level of quality healthcare Raulerson Hospital colleagues are committed to providing has never wavered. The Raulerson Hospital team was proud to learn that Raulerson Hospital earned a Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade of “A” for the spring. The Radiology Department also completed re-accreditation by The American College of Radiology, earning this recognition for all five imaging modalities offered at Raulerson Hospital. No one knows exactly when or how the COVID-19 pandemic will end, but Raulerson Hospital has demonstrated the dynamic ability to keep pace with the changes of this demanding situation while also maintaining the quality care our community deserves.

J U LY 2020

Lunch BuďŹ&#x20AC;et:

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OPIATE ADDICTION? We are committed to providing affordable and effective medication-assisted treatment to facilitate and maintain abstinence Immediate, private appointments available

772-618-0505

www.AdditionAlternatives.org www.facebook.com/AddictionAlternatives We treat our patients like family

A LT E R N AT I V E S

with Charles Buscema MD

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OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS OKEECHOBEE GETS BACK TO BUSINESS, REMEMBER TO SHOP LOCALLY!

A/C & HEATING CONTRACTORS CRS

863-467-4733 250 NW 102nd St www.crsincokee.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday -Friday Emergency after hours and weekend service

Glades A/C 863-763-2114 804 N Parrott www.gladesac.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday 24 hour Emergency Service

Millerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Central Air 863-467-1545 www.millerscentralair.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday 24 hour Emergency Service

AGRICULTURE

Williamson Cattle Company 863-763-4740 9050NE 12th Dr www.williamsoncattleco.com

COMPUTERS

Gilbert Ford 863-204-2206 3175 US Hwy 441 www.gilbert-ford.com 8:30 - 7:00 Monday -Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday

Gilbert Outdoors / Gilbert LINE - X 863-763-6434 315 S Parrott www.gilbertoutdoors.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday 8:00 -1:00 Saturday

Gilbert Fleet & Commercial 863-824-3518 3592 US Hwy 441 gilbertchevroletworktrucksolutions.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS Treasure Coast Food Bank 772-489-3034 401 Angle Road, Fort Pierce www.stophunger.org 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

CHILD CARE

A Childs World

ATTORNEYS

Hoskins, Turco,Lloyd & Lloyd 863-357-5800 1910 S Parrott www.hoskinsandturco.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

AUTOMOBILE DEALERSHIPS Gilbert Chevrolet

863-204-2203 3550 US Hwy 441 www.gilbertchevrolet.com 8:30 - 7:00 Monday -Friday 8:00 - 1:00 Saturday

863-763-5453 703 SW 6th St 863-467-1400 4664 U.S Hwy 441 achildsworld@embarqmail.com 6:30 - 6:00 Monday -Friday

COLLISIONS SHOPS

Gilbert Collision Center 863-824-3553 3550 US Hwy 441 www.gilbertchevrolet.com/collision 7:30 - 5:30 Monday - Friday

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J U LY 2020

ICS Computers 863-467-9090 403 S Parrott 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday www.icsflorida.com

CONSTRUCTION/CONTRACTORS Abney Building& Consulting 863-623-4459 207 ne 2ND ST www.abneybuild.com 8:00 -4:00 Monday-Friday

GM Worley 863-467-2541 110 NW 5th St gmworleyinc@gmail.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Thursday 8:00 - 4:00 Friday

Platinum Performance Builders 863-467-1933 221 NE Park St loriplatbuilders@gmail.com 7:00 - 2:00 Monday - Friday

DENTAL

Everglades Pediatric Dentistry 863-357-7338 2029 Hwy 441 N www.evergladespedodent.com Okeechobee Office 8:00 - 5:00 Monday and Friday Sebring Office 8:00 - 5:00 Monday and Friday

Family Dentistry of Okeechobee 863-763-2765 202 NE 3rd St www.fdofokeechobee.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday- Wednesday 7:00 - 4:00 Thursday and Friday

0% FINANCING FOR 48 MONTHS

Tenniswood Dental 863-763-3909 208 NE 3rd ST www.tenniswooddental.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thrusday and Friday

SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATION DRYER VENT & DUCT CLEANING

Wemmer Family Orthodontics

EDUCATION

Passionate About Customer Service

863.467.1545 www.MillersCentralAir.com

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863-467-2332 2025 Hwy 441 www.wemmerorthodontics.com 8:00 - 4:00 Monday - Thursday 8:00 -1:00 Friday

Peace Lutheran School

*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.

863-763-7566 750 NW 23rd Lane www.plokee.com 7:00- 5:30 Monday - Friday

ELECTRICAL

Bass Electric 863-467-8705 2801 SW 3rd Terr bass2801@hotmail.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT Dolly Hand

561-993-1160 1977 College Dr Belle Glade 33430 palmbeachstate.edu/theatre/DollyHand/ Temporarily Closed

Okeechobee Community Theatre 610 SW 2nd Ave www.okeechobeecommunitytheatre.com Closed for 2020—2021 Season

Accident in Okeechobee?

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS Seminole Casino Brighton 800-360-9875 17735 Reservation Road www.seminolebrightoncasino.com Open 24 Hours

EVENTS/ENTERTAINMENT (CONT.) Sunrise Theatre

772-461-4775 117 S 2nd St, Fort Pierce www.sunrisetheatre.com All Shows Postponed/ Re-scheduled/ or Cancelled thru August 31st

EYE CARE

Big Lake Eye Care 863-763-3937 606 N Parrott www.biglakeeyecare.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday, Walk-ins 8:00 11:00 and 1:300 - 3:00 Monday - Friday

Value Specs 863-357-2250 1611 S Parrott www.okeechobeevaluespecs.com 9:00 - 6:00 Monday - Friday Walk-ins 9:00 - 11:00 and 1:30 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

FARM EQUIPMENT TRAILER SALES Eli’s Trailer Sales

863-467-4620 908 NW Park St www.elistrailersales.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

FEED SUPPLY

Rabon’s Country 863-763-3447 1852 NW 8th St www.countryfeedokee.com 7:30 - 5:30 Monday - Friday 7:30 - 1:00 Saturday

BANKS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES CenterStateBank

863-763-5573 2100 S Parrott Ave. www.centerstatebank.com Drive-in Service Only 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Thursday 8:00 - 6:00 Friday 9:00 - 12:00 Saturday

Edward Jones Investments 836-357-4724 107 SW 17th St Ste J www.edwardjones.com 9:00 - 4:00 Monday - Friday Call for Appointment

FISHING & FISHING GUIDE SERVICES Fast Break

863-763-0973 1505 St Rd 78 West www.okeechobeebassfishingguide.com 5:00 - 8:00 Sunday - Thursday 5:00 - 9:00 Friday and Saturday

FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES

Buxton Bass Funeral Home 863-763-21111 400 N Parrott www.okeechobeefuneralhome.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

FURNITURE SALES / HOME DÉCOR Badcock Furniture

863-763-3823 512 W North Park St www.badcock.com 9:00 - 6:00 Monday - Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday

Morgan’s Furniture 863-467-2072 707 SW Park St www.morgansfurn.com

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J U LY 2020

9:00 - 6:00 Monday, Tuesday, Friday 9:00 - 4:00 Wednesday 9:00 - 5:00 Saturday

Royal’s Furniture 561-996-6581 324 SW 16th St www.royalsfurnitureinc.com 9:30 - 6:00 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 9:30 - 6:00 Wednesday and Saturday

HEALTHCARE

Addiction Alternatives, LLC 772-618-0505 266 NW Peacock Blvd Port St. Lucie www.addictionalternatives.org 1:00 - 7:00 Monday - Friday

Okeechobee Health Care 863-763-2226 1646 U.S Hwy 441 www.okeechobeehealthcare.com No Visitation due to COVID - 19

Raulerson Hospital 863-763-2151 1796 Hwy 441 N www.raulersonhospital.com Visiting Hours are from 6:00 - 8:00. One visitor (age 16+) may visit at a time. Visitors are restricted for COVID - 19 positive patients and persons under investigation (PUIs) for the virus with pending test results.

Simpson Chiropractic 863-410-2860 319 N Parrott www.simpsonmedical.com 9:00 - 1:00, 3:00 - 6:00 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 - 11:00 Tuesday and Thursday

BEHIND THE BUSINESS Grand Oaks Assisted 863-824-6770 203 SE 2nd St www.grandoaksokeechobee.com Due to COVID 19 Window Visits Only Monday and Thursday

MASSAGE/SPAS

Prtichards & Assoc.

The Purple Orchid

863-763-7711 1802 S Parrott www.pritchardsinc.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

863-824-8782 609 SW Park thepurpleorchid.amtamembers.com 9:00 - 3: 00 Monday and Wednesday 9:00 - 5:00 Tuesday, Thursday, Fridayi 9:00 - 1:00 Saturday

Government

Florida Public Utilities www.fpuc.com

HOBBIES

Big Lake Hobbies 863-357-3200 513 SW Park St www.blhobby.com 12:00 - 6:00 Monday - Friday 11:00 - 6:00 Saturday

INSURANCE

Carpenter Insurance 863-824-0885 3960 SE 18th Terr. www.miltoncarpenterinc.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday Closed daily 12:00- 1:00

NATIONALLY ACCREDITED Peace Lutheran School We accept VPK and Step Up for Students • Serving Children ages 2-K • Small Class Sizes Now accepting enrollment for the 2020-21 School Year Office: 863-763-7566 750 NW 23rd Street • Okeechobee, FL 34972 • peaceschoolinokeechobee@yahoo.com • FMI visit www.peacelutheranschool-okeechobee.org

Gretchen Robertson/State Farm 863-763-5561 309 NE 2nd St wwwgretchenrobertertson.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 - 5:00 Thursday

Humana 863-447-3651 Okeechobee 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

Murray Insurance 863-763-5551 210 SW 2nd St www.murrayinsuranceservices.com 8:30 -5:00 Monday - Friday Closed Wednesday 12:00 - 1:00

Catfish Fresh fish daily from Lake Okeechobee processed in house!

Seafood and much more! RETAIL AND WHOLESALE

7841 Hwy. 78 W. • Okeechobee, FL 34974

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS MOTORCYCLE SALES & SERVICE D-4 Powersports

863-357-0334 P.O. Box883 www.d4powersports.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

PEST CONTROL

Highland Pest Control 863-467-6707 804 SW 2nd Ave www.highlandpest.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

Clear Title & Legal Services 863-824-6776 200 NW 5th St titleandlegal@yahoo.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

Gilbert Realty 863-763-1155 401 S Parrott www.gilbertrealtyflorida.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

Mixon Real Estate Group

OIL COMPANIES

Gilbert Oil Company 863-763-0666 303 NW 9th St www.gilberthasit.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday Gas Pumps 24/7/365

PHARMACY

Heartland Pharmacy 863-763-7633 407 S Parrott www.heartlanddiscountpharmacy.com 8:00 - 8:00 Monday - Friday 8:00 - 5:00 Saturday

RADIO

WOKC 863-467-1570 3936 S.E. 18th Terr. www.wokc.com

REAL ESTATE SERVICES Anderson Realty

863-634-4106 30034 SR 78 www.andersonrealtyco.com 8:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

Berger Real Estate 863-763-5335 425 SW Park St www.coldwellbanker.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

863-763-6000 1306 SW 2nd Ave www.mixongroup.com 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

RESTAURANTS/CATERING Brown Cow Sweetery

863-357-3357 103 SW Park St 8:00 - 4:00 Monday - Saturday

www.puebloviejofl.com 11:00 - 10:00 Sunday - Saturday

RETAIL/SPECIALTY SHOPS Don’s Appliance

863-763-2220 317 SW Park St. www.donsappliancesinc.com 8:00 - 5:30 Monday - Friday

Eli’s Western Wear 863-763-2984 907 NW Park St www.eliswesternwear.com 9:00 - 6:00 Monday - Saturday 11:00 - 5:00 Sunday

Park Street Gallery 863-357-3200 513 SW Park St 12:00 - 6:00 Monday - Friday 11:00 - 6:00 Saturday

Teez 2 Pleez Crossroads 863-763-8333 5050 NE 128th Ave. 5:30 - 2:30 Monday -Saturday 7:00 - 2:30 Sunday

863-467-0580 620 S Parrott Facebook Teez 2 Pleez 9:00 - 5:00 Monday - Friday

ROADSIDE SERVICES

Total Roadside Services

Los Cocos 863-467-0922 107 NW 5th St www.eatloscocos.com 10:30 - 8:00 Tuesday – Thursday 10:30 - 9:00 Friday and Saturday Closed Sunday and Monday

Okeechobee Fish Company 863-357-7500 7841 Hwwy 78 W www.okeechobeefishco.com/ 9:00 - 5:00 Monday – Wednesday 9:00 -6:30 Thursday – Saturday

863-357-8772 3176 Hwy 710 www.totalroadsideservices.com 7:00 - 5:00 Mon -Fri 8:00 - 1:00 Sat. 24 Hour Roadside Service

WELL DRILLING American Drilling 863-763-3221 405 SW 2nd St www.americandrillinc.com 8:00- 5:30 Monday - Friday On Call Technician 8:00 - 5:00 Saturday

Pueblo Viejo VI 863-357-9641 3415 Hwy 441 S

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

J U LY 2020

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

1852 NW 9th Street Okeechobee, FL 863-763-3447

Home For All Your Insurance Needs

Established 1935

• 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

STORE HOURS: M-F 7:30AM-6PM SAT 7:30AM-3PM PRODUCTS INCLUDE: Bagged Feed, Bulk Feed, Molasses, Hay, Fencing & Ranch Supplies, and Pet Food & Supplies

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1460 HWY 78 WEST • OKEECHOBEE, FL 34974

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Addiction Alternatives, LLC STORY BY RAYE DEUSINGER

Opiate addiction, narcotics, alcohol abuse, pill mills, street drugs, and overprescribing are common terms heard and used today. They have become so common, that the average person reading or hearing about them becomes confused and feels helpless. Not for board-certified addiction psychiatry specialist Dr. Charles Buscema, though, as he has dedicated 42 years of his life to helping those suffering from addiction. Dr. Buscema graduated in 1974 from Albany Medical College in Albany, NY. In 1978, he started in the Department of Psychiatry at the general hospital adjacent to the college. St. Peter’s Hospital, at that time, had an alcohol rehab unit where people were detoxed and rehabbed over a seven- to 14-day period. It wasn’t long before other substance abuse became prevalent. Through the years, Dr. Buscema has seen many changes in care and treatment. He said, “Today, the biggest change is in population, itself, as alcohol and other substances overlap. “After I moved to Port Saint Lucie, FL, in 2007, I saw the explosion of prescription opiate drug abuse in South Florida and the number of addicted and dysfunctional people who suffer from this terrible disorder. At that time, I opened Addiction Alternatives, LLC.

PHOTOS BY STEVE MILLER

Addiction Alternatives, LLC

Charles A. Buscema, MD 266 NW Peacock Blvd. Ste 102 Port St. Lucie, FL 34986 Phone (772) 675-1237

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

J U LY 2020

“People with addictive disorders have to be vigilant, you cannot allow it to creep back into your life. My life, for 42 years, has been dedicated to this mission.” - Dr. Buscema “In my experience, addicted individuals have their own preferences for either Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, based upon the comfort and strength which they derive from meetings. A community of people is often very helpful in achieving goals of sobriety. An outgrowth of this are some non-faith-based programs which employ more of a cognitive/behavioral approach.” In 2000, a medication called Suboxone was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat opiate addiction. Some people were intolerant to the side effects and required Subutex, another chemically related medication, which is also used for reducing opiate cravings. Such drugs can help fight those cravings for three to six months as patients transition to sobriety and help set up a long-term recovery. Shortly after Suboxone was created, Congress established the DATA Privacy Act (Digital Accountability and Transparency to Advance Privacy Act). Dr. Buscema said, “Today, we have a 20-year-readout on its effectiveness, so we feel comfortable using it both for detox and maintenance.” Congress also created an agency called the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which monitors the practices of physicians who prescribe Suboxone, and which established protocols of practice and set numerical limits for the number of patients permitted in each physician’s practice. Dr. Buscema followed the protocol for over three years. In his first year, 2012, he was permitted 30 patients. The following years allowed an increase in practice size to 100, and finally, in May of 2016, the practice expanded to 275 patients. Addictive psychiatry is one of only a few medical practices in this country that is monitored and regulated numerically.

Dr. Buscema recently provided SAMHSA with a four-year summary of his treatment with Suboxone. Dr. Buscema explained that there could be a genetic component in addictive disorders that would involve opiate processing in the dopaminergic portions of the brain. These areas of the brain are rich in excitatory transmitters which regulate the perception of pleasure. There are also natural components, such as chronic pain, which develop in people after motor vehicle accidents that may lead to opioid dependence. Dr. Buscema and his spouse, Donna, work in the office with his assistant, Barbara. “There are no guaranteed results,” he said, “but we experience gratification when the result is long-term sobriety and a reduction of selfdefeating behaviors.” Dr. Buscema continued, “Ours is a mission to assure the patient is clean and sober and not using drugs or alcohol. We also measure the effect of the treatment by the amount of clean time the patient has after he/she has initiated the treatment or therapy. People with addictive disorders have to be vigilant, you cannot allow it to creep back into your life. My life, for 42 years, has been dedicated to this mission.” Dr. Buscema, board-certified addiction psychiatry specialist, has dedicated 42 years of his life to helping those suffering from addiction.

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BEHIND THE BUSINESS Teresa Hernandez, Laura Altman and Rick Miller.

Miller’s Central Air STORY BY RAYE DEUSINGER

Rick Miller grew up in South Florida. He had a friend who had an air conditioning company and allowed him to travel on jobs with him. At a young age, he soon learned to handle tools and deal with customers which benefited him later when, in 1992, he moved to Lake Placid. There he met and married his wife, Jody, and they had one girl and two boys. He followed his youthful interests and worked in air conditioning and today is the owner of Miller’s Central Air which serves Lake Placid, Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, and surrounding areas. Daughter, Taylor, works in the company as the service administrator and son Ricky is involved in service and installation, outside sales, and is the marketing

Miller’s Central Air

Rick Miller 109 NW 7th Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34972 Phone (863) 467-1545 www.MillersCentralAir.com 24-hour emergency service

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

J U LY 2020

Brown Cow Sweetery and IT support person. Rick’s wife, Jody, is in charge of phone communications. Rick founded Miller’s Air in 1992 because he liked doing HVAC (Heating , Ve ntilation , A ir Conditioning) but thought it should be done differently. “I wanted to do work with total honesty, integrity, and value,” he said. He began with only determination. He worked out of his truck, used his washer/dryer at home as his desktop, and began making service calls asking Jody to handle the phone while he “hit the road.” His business grew quickly. It was in 1993 when a family friend in Port St. Lucie asked him to come and work with his company that Miller’s Central Air began building a customer base through dedicated service. Traveling between Lake Placid and Port St. Lucie involved passing through Okeechobee. As years passed, the well-established Miller’s Central Air, continued to grow. In 2017, Bud Neese, at that time owner of Okeechobee’s Quality Air Conditioning and Heating, was considering retirement. Bud spoke to his good friend, Jon Geitner, then branch manager of Okeechobee’s Seacoast Bank, of his desire to sell his business. Jon passed the information on to a friend who just happened to be Rick Miller. Talks began and in 2018, the sale was made, and Miller’s Central Air became an Okeechobee company. On May 17, 2020, the company celebrated its 25th anniversary. Rick said, “I think I got to Okeechobee by divine direction.” A staunch supporter of the community, Miller’s Central Air quickly joined the Okeechobee

Sandwiches • Salads • Quiche Coffee • Lattes • Frozen Blends Chocolate • Ice Cream 863.357.3357

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Chocolate...it’s what’s for dessert!

Monday – Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Closed Sunday

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Offices in Okeechobee, Tradition, Melbourne, and West Palm Beach

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Miller’s Central Air handles residential and commercial HVAC needs of all sizes.

Chamber of Commerce. Rick said the company is a strong supporter of the Chamber in every city in which they do business. They love to be involved with youth groups, high school sports, and local service groups, as well as attending and supporting local events.

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

A change in the name from Neese’s Quality Air Conditioning and Heating to Miller’s Central Air also brought a business location change to a site more central to the needs of the City and County. “It’s all about teamwork,” Rick said.

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Front office employees Laura and Teresa welcome you at the wide-open, welcoming central office which exudes confidence and planning. Service Manager Sean, Installation Manager Mike, the service crew of Daniel, Tony, Alex, Dalton, and Joey, accompanied by Bud Neese, all working sales and customer service, are ready with support for any of your HVAC needs, whether residential or commercial. Throughout the company’s three locations, they employ 61 people waiting to serve you. Miller’s Central Air prefers and recommends Trane air conditioners, which tops the list as one of the most reliable and most renowned names in commercial and residential HVAC units according to testing agencies. You’ve probably heard their motto: “It’s Hard to Stop a Trane.” Rick said, “But if our customer should prefer a different product, we are eager and pleased to work with them. However, most studies point to Trane as number one in quality and customer satisfaction. We are an Elite Dealer on a very selective list established by Trane.” “Customer satisfaction is our top priority,” said Rick. “We have found that when there is a problem, it usually occurs because of a lack of communication. That is why we train our service personnel to ask questions, learn what is important to the customer, calculate the load on a home or office, and learn what temperature range they prefer to live or work. We need their input to find what will work best and what will best fit their budget. We don’t try to ‘sell’, we want to fit the unit to their needs. Just give us a call because we care.”

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

COMPUTERS

• Phone Systems • Cabling • Accessories

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

Celebrating 40 Years of Service and Dedication to the Okeechobee community and the entire Lake area as a 3rd Generation, family owned and operated funeral home & crematory. Thank you for allowing our family to serve yours. 400 North Parrott Avenue, Okeechobee, FL 863-763-1994 - Time/Temp 863-763-0123

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

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

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

FUN-IN-THE-SUN RECIPES TO ADD TO YOUR FAMILY BARBECUE SPREAD BY RACHEL BUXTON

Summer is officially here and so is the heat that accompanies it. We lucked out for a little bit and had some unusually cooler and very comfortable days back in May. I feel like it gave us false hope that the summer wouldn’t be as brutal. Unfortunately, those cooler days are definitely a thing of the past because it is H-O-T with no reprieve in sight. Regardless of the high temperatures, summer is the season for fun and getting to spend some extra time with friends and family, especially now that the school year and homeschooling-pandemic days are over and things are starting to go back to a little sense of normalcy with people starting to

venture out and converse with one another. Soon, backyard barbecues and pool parties will be hosted and well attended. So, for this issue, I’m featuring some great summer recipes that are super easy and make great additions to any barbecue spread. One recipe is a roasted veggie pasta dish which can be modified to your liking to include whatever vegetables you choose. I’ve also included a chickpea Greek-inspired salad that takes literally no effort to prepare. And, keeping with the chickpea and Greek theme, I’m sharing a falafel recipe. One of my guilty pleasures when I lived in New York City was stopping off at the falafel cart at the end of my

street. There is, or at least was preCOVID, definitely no shortage of food vendors on the streets of NYC. No matter the time of day or night, you could venture out on the streets and indulge. Obviously, I can’t just walk out my door here in Florida and order a falafel gyro (no meat) with tzatziki sauce, so I have no choice but to make it at home. I use an air fryer, which is hands down, my favorite kitchen appliance. When temps spike to 90 degrees and higher, the last thing you want to do is turn the oven on and heat up the house. An air fryer not only keeps your oven off and house cool, but it also cuts down on cook time as well as grease and fat. The awesome part is, you can cook, or even bake, almost anything in an air fryer. If you don’t have one, no worries, you can still make the falafel recipe in the oven. I, like probably so many of you, am so excited to finally be able to get out and live a little. For me, that means preparing yummy dishes for friends and family. And with the Fourth of July just around the corner, it is the perfect time to do just that. I wish you all a very happy, healthy, and wishful-thinking cool summer. Let us know if you make any of these recipes or some of the past recipes we’ve featured. We love hearing from you!

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING BALSAMIC ROASTED VEGGIE PASTA Ingredients For vegetables: 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp dried Italian herbs 1 tsp kosher salt 2 tbsp olive oil 2 cups broccoli florets 8 oz sliced mushrooms 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into pieces 1 zucchini, cut into chunks 1 yellow squash, cut into chunks 1 dry pint cherry tomatoes, halved 1 red onion, cut into one-inch pieces For pasta: 1/3 cup pesto 1/2 pound small-type pasta such as Fusilli, Ditalini Rotini 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese Red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, mustard, garlic, Italian herbs, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 2 tablespoons oil and whisk until blended. 3. In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with the dressing until evenly coated. 4. Spread vegetables out in an even layer onto a non-stick sheet pan. Roast for 30 minutes, tossing halfway through. 5. While vegetables are cooking, cook pasta according to the package directions in salted boiling water. 6. Combine the cooked pasta, pesto, and beans. Add the roasted veggies, parmesan, and toss well to coat. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with red pepper flakes, if desired.

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

CHICKPEA SALAD Ingredients For vegetables: 2 1/4 cups diced cucumbers, partially peeled 1 cup diced, seeded tomato 1/4 cup diced red onion 1/2 tbsp minced fresh parsley 1 tbsp olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and pepper, to taste 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained Feta cheese

1/2 tsp Dijon Mustard 1/2 tsp dried oregano Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. Whisk vinaigrette ingredients. 2. Combine all the ingredients, add vinaigrette, and toss well. Top with feta cheese.

For vinaigrette: 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinegar

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

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

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OKEECHOBEE COOKING

FALAFEL Ingredients 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 small yellow onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, chopped 1/3 cup chopped parsley 1/3 cup chopped cilantro 1/3 cup chopped scallions 1 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 1 tsp baking powder 4 tbsp all-purpose flour, extra for dusting olive oil spray

Directions

1. If using an oven, preheat to 425 degrees F. 2. Dry rinsed chickpeas on paper towels. 3. Place chickpeas, onions, garlic, parsley, cilantro, scallions, cumin, salt, and red pepper flakes into a food processor. 4. Pulse until blended, not pureed, 30 to 60 seconds. 5. Add the baking powder and the flour, scrape the sides of the bowl down with a spatula and pulse 2 to 3 more times. 6. Transfer chickpea mixture to a bowl and cover. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours. 7. Form the falafel mixture into even-sized balls. Add flour to your hands and work surface if mixture is too sticky. 8. Spray falafel balls with oil. 9. If using an air fryer, set temperature to 350 degrees F and cook in batches for 14 minutes turning halfway. If using the oven, place falafel on non-stick baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway. Serve with hummus or in a pita with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, and tzatziki sauce.

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BINGO & EVENTS

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Around Okeechobee

Where friends, family and neighbors meet

Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Annual Fundraiser The Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center annual fundraiser started with a great meal prepared by Bari Fischer and the meat prepared by a very supportive Sheriff Noel Stephen. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies, Matt Buxton, maintained an upbeat pace throughout the evening. The fun began as Markel Rasa delivered a medley of sing-along songs and dance routines. After Rasa’s performance, Elvis-impersonator Darrell Dunhill took the stage. Everyone in attendance enjoyed the performance, his third time supporting Arnold’s. After the performance, he posed for pictures with members of the audience. Arnold’s is greatful for the support from the community. Arnold’s survives strictly on donations. They appreciate donations of checks, gift certificates to Home Depot or Walmart, or with their bill at Okeechobee Feed. Visit Arnold’s online at arnoldswildliferehab.weebly.com and follow them on Facebook for more information about future events and how you can help.

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Above: Antoinette Rodriguez and Matt Buxton. Below: Sue Arnold and Melanie Diette.

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Right: Elvis-impersonator Darrell Dunhill strikes a pose. Below right: Sue Arnold and Bari Fischer Below: Markel Rasa entertains the audience.

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Around Okeechobee

Where friends, family and neighbors meet

Peace, Love & Unity Gathering There was a sense of great promise and even joy at the Peace, Love & Unity barbecue in Flagler Park on Saturday, June 13. Organized by David Altman, Dwight Chandler, Daniel Kidd Sr., and other hometown high school friends, the event was well attended by local business and civic leaders along with law enforcement officers. “The event was a step in the right direction,” according to Kidd. “It was heartwarming to see how our small community came together to make it possible. Honestly, we were told that it was too short of a notice and we wouldn’t be able to do it in time. But we saw a community of people come together for a common cause and unselfishly donate what they had to offer. “The only way we are going to be better or accomplish greater things is when we are able to accept our differences and love what makes us different. What I saw was a blueprint being worked out to something so many people have questions about.”

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Companies that provided food, drink, and other material support included Big Tastys, 3D Ice, Backwoods Billiards, OCPD, W&W Lumber, Kyle Schoonmaker, Big Boy Bail Bonds, Homefront Electric, American drilling, Tucker Group Realty, Ferrels Market, Ag 98, Golden Corral, Black Bull Media Films, and More 2 Life Ministries.

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OKEECHOBEE

REPAIR We Come to You! Mobile RV Service

863.261.3892 Denykay1@yahoo.com

Dennis Reynolds, Owner, Certified Technician LICENSED AND INSURED

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ADVERTISER INDEX A Child’s World .............................................................50 Abney Building & Consulting....................... 27 Addiction Alternatives............................................ 61 American Drilling ......................................................67 American Legion Post #64...............................80 Amvets Post 200...........................................................80 Anderson Realty................................................................7 Badcock Furniture....................................................... 21 Bass Electric......................................................................85 Berger Real Estate ..................................................... 73 Big Lake Eye ..........................................................................1 Brown Cow Sweetery.................................................71 Buxton Bass Funeral Home .......................... 73 CRS................................................................................................ 21 Carpenter Insurance ..............................................67 Clear Title & Legal Services..............................43 Crossroads........................................................................... 61 D-4 Powersports...........................................................67 Don’s Appliance............................................................ 27 Edward Jones..................................................................... 51 Everglades Pediactric.................................................6 Family Dentistry .......................................................... 18 FastBreak..............................................................................59

Florida Public Utilities..........................................56 Glades A/C........................................................................... 47 Gordon & Partner ......................................................... 3 Gilbert Family of Companies DJ...........IBC Gretchen Robertson/State................................. 27 Heartland Pharmacy............................................. BC Highland Pest ................................................................85 Hoskin, Turco, Lloyd & Llyod..........................63 Humana.................................................................................59 ICS Computers ............................................................. 73 Kallkell Builders LLC...............................................55 Kelly Owen ......................................................................... 10 LaMadeleine Graphic Design Studio...85 Lisa Rodriquez................................................................53 Mark Brandel....................................................................35 Melissa Arnold .............................................................50 Miller’s Central Air.....................................................63 MixonRealty.......................................................................39 Murray Insurance........................................................ 47 North VFW Post 4423.............................................80 Okeechobee Health Care.................................IFC Okeechobee Fish Company............................65 Okeechobee Moose LodgePost 1753......80

Okeechobee RV Repair ........................................85 Park Street Gallery.....................................................67 Peace Lutheran School.........................................65 Platinum Performance ......................................... 15 Pritchard’s Insurance ..............................................71 Pueblo Viejo VI...............................................................55 Rabon’s Country Feed............................................67 Royal’s Furniture........................................................... 51 Sandra Pearce Photography............................. 81 Simpson.................................................................................... 5 South VFW #10539 ....................................................80 Teez 2 Pleez......................................................................... 27 Tenniswood...........................................................................11 The Purple Orchid......................................................59 Total Roadside Services......................................8-9 Toys for Tots.......................................................................86 Treasure Coast Food Bank................................53 Visiting Nurses Association...........................43 Wemmer Family OrthonticsTG...................45 Williamson Cattle Co.............................................. 21 Worley Constrution ...................................................31 WOKC........................................................................................ 81

Subscribe Today! Every issue is filled with stories about the people and events that shape the community. For just $18 per year (6 issues), you can keep up with everything that Okeechobee has to offer! To subscribe, enclose a check for $18 made payable to Okeechobee the Magazine and mail along with name, complete address, and phone number to:

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LAST PAGE

Community shows up for Peace, Love & Unity Okeechobee showed up on a beautiful afternoon to celebrate the Peace, Love, & Unity gathering on June 13. Attended by local civic and community leaders and law enforcement, it was a display of collaboration and support for addressing racial inequities. See more on page 84.

Are you a winner? See below to find out. Thank you to Miller’s Central Air for sponsoring our latest survey giveaway. All winners will receive a gift certificate to Crossroads Restaurant and a copy of Betty Chandler Williamson’s latest book. The grand prize winner also receives a gift basket provided by Miller’s Central Air. Winners will be contacted by email. Watch this space for more contests and opportunities. Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, too!

Winner List