Okeechobee The Magazine Summer 2013

Plus

SUMMER 2013 THE MAGAZINE

Bringing You the Best of Okeechobee

A Salute toLonnie Pryor

Judge “Jerry” Bryant Mark and Darlene Mayers Real Life Children’s Ranch

Looking Back Okeechobee County Court House

1796 Highway 441N • Okeechobee, FL 34972• 863-763-2151 • RaulersonHospital.com

We go back a long way.

We’ll be there every step of the way.

In our community you don’t have to look very far to find someone who works at Raulerson Hospital or is related to someone who works at Raulerson Hospital. Living in such a connected community is just another reason the staff at Raulerson Hospital strive to exceed our patients’ and their loved-ones’ expectations.

Our commitment to patient satisfaction includes continual renovations and upgrades to make our patients and visitors more comfortable. For example, the x-ray portion of our Radiology Department just received brand new imaging equipment and is also undergoing remodeling. This and many similar projects are investments which enhance the patient-experience and lessen wait times.

I invite you to stop by and see our facility for yourself. We are happy to host a tour and explain the many healthcare services we provide. For 34 years we’ve been here to serve the community’s medical needs and help patients return to good health and we will continue to be here for the you and your family. I am proud of the care that Raulerson Hospital delivers everyday in a friendly, clean and safe environment- all with a personal touch.

My door is always open, so please do not hesitate to contact me if you have a comment or question regarding your care or our services.

Thank you.

Robert Lee Chief Executive Officer

Clinical CornerSTROKE: Every Minute CountsThe sooner someone suffering from a stroke is brought to the Emergency Room, the faster our stroke team can help. Take time to know the signs of a S-T-R-O-K-E: S Smile: Is person’s smile even?

T Talk: Is person’s speech clear?

R Reach: Are arms equal strength?

O Off-balance: Is balance normal?

K Kick: Are legs equal strength?

E Eyes/Vision: Is person seeing without difficulty or blurred vision?

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4 | Summer 2013 OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE

Florida Public Utilities Company (FPU) is proud to join the Okeechobee community. In February of this year, FPU acquired Glades Gas, a family-owned propane gas distributor that has served Okeechobee residents for over 80 years. We look forward to continuing the tradition of excellent service established by Glades Gas Company and expanding our propane business around the Lake. FPU is also making a significant investment to extend natural gas service to the City of Okeechobee.

Our natural gas expansion is underway. Over the next few months we will interconnect, just north of the city, to the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline that transports gas into Florida. FPU’s gas mains will initially be installed to serve the commercial businesses along and close by US 441 and SR 70. Most businesses will be able to convert to natural gas at no charge—FPU handles the appliance conversion and interior piping installation.

Natural gas availability in a community drives economic development and provides reliable, low cost energy for homes and businesses. Today’s exploration and production technologies have significantly increased the supply of natural gas in the U.S. The availability of an abundant, domestic, low priced natural gas supply is great for both our country and Okeechobee’s long-term economic recovery.

I see a bright future for Okeechobee and other communities surrounding the Lake. The expansion of the Panama Canal will increase activity at Florida ports. The areas around the Lake stand to benefit from the overland freight moving in and out of the ports. We believe Okeechobee and other Lake communities are in a perfect position to provide logistical support for the south Florida ports. Natural gas will play an important role in attracting manufacturing and industry. Additionally, natural gas is growing as a motor fuel for vehicles, especially for the long haul trucks delivering to the ports. Of course, small businesses and residential customers in Okeechobee will also enjoy the cost savings and lifestyle advantages of natural gas.

At FPU, we work hard to develop strong relationships with our customers and the communities we serve. We want to become a solid Okeechobee corporate citizen. FPU has a long history of supporting local business, civic and charitable organizations. It is important to me that our company becomes a trusted, valued member of the community.

FPU is looking forward to serving Okeechobee and the surrounding area. We appreciate the kind and enthusiastic reception we have received. You can depend on us to become a valued community partner and neighbor.

Sincerely,

Jeff Householder President Florida Public Utilities Company

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www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com Summer 2013 | 5

Florida Public Utilities Company (FPU) is proud to join the Okeechobee community. In February of this year, FPU acquired Glades Gas, a family-owned propane gas distributor that has served Okeechobee residents for over 80 years. We look forward to continuing the tradition of excellent service established by Glades Gas Company and expanding our propane business around the Lake. FPU is also making a significant investment to extend natural gas service to the City of Okeechobee.

Our natural gas expansion is underway. Over the next few months we will interconnect, just north of the city, to the Florida Gas Transmission pipeline that transports gas into Florida. FPU’s gas mains will initially be installed to serve the commercial businesses along and close by US 441 and SR 70. Most businesses will be able to convert to natural gas at no charge—FPU handles the appliance conversion and interior piping installation.

Natural gas availability in a community drives economic development and provides reliable, low cost energy for homes and businesses. Today’s exploration and production technologies have significantly increased the supply of natural gas in the U.S. The availability of an abundant, domestic, low priced natural gas supply is great for both our country and Okeechobee’s long-term economic recovery.

I see a bright future for Okeechobee and other communities surrounding the Lake. The expansion of the Panama Canal will increase activity at Florida ports. The areas around the Lake stand to benefit from the overland freight moving in and out of the ports. We believe Okeechobee and other Lake communities are in a perfect position to provide logistical support for the south Florida ports. Natural gas will play an important role in attracting manufacturing and industry. Additionally, natural gas is growing as a motor fuel for vehicles, especially for the long haul trucks delivering to the ports. Of course, small businesses and residential customers in Okeechobee will also enjoy the cost savings and lifestyle advantages of natural gas.

At FPU, we work hard to develop strong relationships with our customers and the communities we serve. We want to become a solid Okeechobee corporate citizen. FPU has a long history of supporting local business, civic and charitable organizations. It is important to me that our company becomes a trusted, valued member of the community.

FPU is looking forward to serving Okeechobee and the surrounding area. We appreciate the kind and enthusiastic reception we have received. You can depend on us to become a valued community partner and neighbor.

Sincerely,

Jeff Householder President Florida Public Utilities Company

ADVERTORIAL

Thank you

Jeff Householder

FPU President

for Welcoming FPU Into Your Community.

FPUC.com/Okeechobee

PROPANE SERVICE

Clewiston: 863.983.8112

Okeechobee: 863.763.2115

NATURAL GAS INFO

888.220.9356

CONTACT FPU

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publisher/managing editor

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copy editorJason Budjinski

office assistantsPatti BerglundRose Brennan

bookkeepingCarol Lieberman

account executiveTrish Grygo

photographersSharon CannonSandra Pearce

writers Raye Deusinger

Renée Mims

contributorsMaureen Burroughs

Charles MurphyMichael Shellen

Tonya Young

distribution

Jackie Martin

ryan Martin

Vicky Shanklin

Okeechobee The Magazine, is published quarterly in Okeechobee, Florida. Copyright 2013, all rights reserved by Okeechobee The Magazine, LLC. 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.

volume 7, number 2 | Summer 2013

I’d like to say hello again to our wonderful and loyal Okeechobee friends and readers. It’s been an incred-ible three months. We have so many Okeechobee events to show off in this issue, including the Rotary Bike Ride, Relay for Life, Okeechobee Christian Academy Fun Shoot, Veterans Appreciation Day at Freedom Ranch and lots, lots more. Many people tell me the first pages they go to are the event pages, so they can look at the photos. This issue has plenty of that and more.

The cover story is special to the staff here at Okeechobee The Magazine as it’s the second cover fea-

turing local star athlete Lonnie Pryor. We are proud to highlight eight years in Pryor’s life with the Okeechobee High School and Florida State University football programs. I want to especially thank our photogra-pher Sandra Pearce for the hard work she did on this article by getting all the testimonials and, even more so, having spent the past eight-plus years documenting his rise through the ranks with her photos.

Many people drive by and possibly know about Real Life Children’s Ranch, but in this issue we get to know the driving force behind the orga-nization. Meet Mark and Darlene Mayers and learn what this Christian-based nonprofit organization does for children in need. Also, read about our very own Okeechobee Judge “Jerry” Bryant. A former Marine who was born and raised in Okeechobee, Bryant serves our community well through the Okeechobee Drug Court, as well as other programs. Our Behind The Business profiles feature Skull Hill Steel and Bella Rose Day Spa & Salon. These two local businesses were started from the faith of their respective owners, and both stories are truly spiritual and inspiring.

New to Okeechobee The Magazine is Looking Back, a continuing feature on Okeechobee history written by local historians. Our feature writer this issue is Judge William L. Hendry, whose story on the Okeechobee Courthouse comes complete with wonderful historical photos. Next issue’s Looking Back will be written by Okeechobee Historical Society President Betty Williamson. Since people archive the magazine, this is a great feature to add, and we are proud to do so.

OK, now on a personal note: I so appreciate all your thoughts, e-mails, notes, phone calls and prayers regarding our copy editor and my son, Jason Budjinski, who is facing some serious health issues. I have been working remotely to be with him for the past few months. However, he is still our editor and responsible for the professionalism and integrity of all editorial of the magazine. I can still be reached by calling our office at (863) 467-0054.

I love the Okeechobee community, and I know you will enjoy this spe-cial edition of Okeechobee The Magazine — your magazine.

Publisher’s Note

Okeechobee The Magazine111 NE 2nd Street

Okeechobee, FL 34972Phone: (863) 467-0054

www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com

Maureen Budjinskipresident

Joshua I. Manningvice president

Barry S. Manning chairman & ceo


features

departments

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

Around Okeechobee Advertiser Index

20

56

columnsFishing on Lake OkeechobeeBy Capt. Michael Shellen

Sarah DavisBy Charles Murphy

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78

8082

66

Summer 2013

A Salute to Lonnie PryorEight Years of Football at Okeechobee High School and Florida State UniversityBy Sandra Pearce

Judge “Jerry”Okeechobee Judge Jerry Bryant serves the court and communityBy Raye Deusinger

Mark and Darlene MayersCarrying on the legacy of Real Life Children’s RanchBy Renée Mims

Looking BackBy Judge William Hendry

Behind the Business Bella Rose Day Spa Skull Hill Steel

30

Plus

SUMMER 2013 THE MAGAZINE

Bringing You the Best of Okeechobee

A Salute toLonnie Pryor

Judge “Jerry” Bryant Mark and Darlene Mayers Real Life Children’s Ranch

Looking Back Okeechobee County Court House

ON THE COVERLonnie Pryor

Story on page 20Photo by Sandra Pearce

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66

Contents

Okeechobee County FairOkeechobee County Livestock ShowSpeckled Perch FestivalSpring RodeoRelay For Life ECO Spring SocialSheriff’s Office Torch RunO.L. Raulerson BBQRotary Bike RideAgVentureOCA Fun ShootPregnancy Center WalkSheriff’s Fun ShootVeterans Appreciation Day

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4850



Upcoming Shoots

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June 23- NSCA Shoot


Community Event

The seventh annual Okeechobee County Fair was held March 12-17 at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. The fair opened with a wonderful fireworks display at dusk. There were a host of events throughout the week, including the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show and Sale, the Okeechobee Idol con-test, Lucky the Magic of Lance Gifford and Company Show, DJ Ken Keller of WOKC, Heroes (Cops vs. Firefighters) competition, and the Dennis Lee Show.

The carnival midway, games and food were family favorites as well as the free petting zoo. Local arts and crafts were also on display. For more info., visit www.okeechobeecountyfair.com.

2013 Okeechobee County Fair

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Photos By Sharon Cannon

Orrin Wilkerson feeds the zebra a carrot.Jade Osceola and Jay-leigh Osceola purchase a funnel cake from Emily Berggren.JD Mixon (left) with the OCI Team II, who won the Heroes com-petition. (L-R) Albaro Arara, Johnny Harris, Daveon Barron, Max Heaney, Mitchell Com-fort, Jimmy Lankford and award presentors Destani Whaley and Darby Jones.Abby, Logan and Reed Whitlock show off their face paintings.Maureen Burroughs is happy to be at the fair.

(Right) 2013 Little Miss Okeechobee Teen USA Little Sister Destani Whaley and Miss Okeechobee County Teen USA Darby Jones.

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Okeechobee County Youth Livestock Showand Sale at the Okeechobee County Fair

Photos By Sandra Pearce

Grand Champion Sarah Davis.Reserve grand champion, Hog,Latt Durrance.Overall grand champion, Dairy,Cady McGehee.Youth Livestock Show Committee.Reserve Grand Champion Bailey Kirton. Grand Champion, Hog, BlaineGibson.

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Community Event

The Speckled Perch Parade kicked off festivities for the Speckled Perch Festival held March 9 and 10 at Flagler Park in downtown Okeechobee. Okeechobee Main Street coordinated the festivi-ties for the weekend, drawing a huge crowd that enjoyed the arts and crafts as well as the many food vendors on hand.

Central Elementary School safety patrol membersJohn Norris checks Deliliah Bel-levi’s gems as Rachel Belleville, Mason Centeno and Brandi Centeno watch. Andrew Gomez tries to catch the bubbles.DP Productions had a festive Mardi Gras theme.Jerry Jolicur of Paddock Farms.Maureen Burroughs and Marilyn Hadley.

Photos By Sharon Cannon

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Speckled Perch Festivaland Parade 2013

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Photos By Sharon CannonCommunity Event

The Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association Spring Rodeo was held March 9 and 10 at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. The two-day event fea-tured bull riding, steer wrestling, bareback riding, tie-down roping, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf scramble and barrel racing. The crowd enjoyed the rodeo events as well as the special entertainment.

Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Spring Rodeo

(Top left) Miss Rodeo Florida Jenna Smeenk of Santa Rosa. (Left) Denny West purchases 50/50 tickets from Miss Wisconsin River Pro Rodeo Queen Jessica Hargrave as Miss Rodeo Florida Sweetheart Nicole Boulton looks on. (Above left) A cowboy holds on tight while bareback riding. (Above right) Barrel man Keith Isley and rodeo announcer Jerry Todd.

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Photos By Sharon CannonCommunity EventRelay for Life

The American Cancer Society’s Okeechobee Relay for Life was held April 13 and 14 at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. This year’s event was full of fun and excitement for the entire family and kept everyone participating through the night. Highlights included the survivor and caregiver lap, luminaria ceremony, Ms. Relay contest, the Bachelorette Game Show and corn hole tournament, as well as lots of food.

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(Left, L-R) Activities & Entertainment Chair Pam Peppers, Event Chair Angie Griffin and staff partner Emily Gregory.

Mary Kathleen Barber, her mom Susan and brother Joe walk in support of their dad, Thomas (second from left).Okeechobee County Commissioner Bry-ant Culpepper needs to be “bailed out of jail.”And they’re off! Extreme box car racing.Wacky Hat Lap participants Lauren Hazellief, Lexi Manson, Kathy Simmons, Payton Campbell and Pam Peppers.Ms. Relay first-runner up Thomas Barber, Emily Gregory and Ms. Relay winner Coach Scooter Gillis.Limbo winners Brayleigh and Corleigh Stephen.

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“Specials onTeeth Extractions”

When we decided to do a follow-up story on homegrown football standout Lonnie Pry-or, we wanted to approach it in a different way. Rather than provide a list of statistics that you can look up on the Internet, we wanted a story of how Pryor touched lives over the years. The following are testimonials from people who have gotten to know Pryor over the years.

A SAlute to lonnie Pryor

Photos and Coordindated by Sandra Pearce

Eight Years of FootballAt Okeechobee High School and Florida State University

“Long before anyone had heard of Lonnie Pryor or observed his athletic prowess, I knew he was somebody special. It was a unique pleasure to teach him during three grades of elementary school, and what a joy he was. From the beginning of that first-grade year, Lonnie was known for his eagerness to learn and courtesy to others. Every day I was greeted by his infectious smile and this statement: ‘What are we going to learn today, Mrs. Bryant?’ He is a young man of whom we can all be proud because of his work ethics, determination and kind heart! May God continue to bless you, Lonnie!” — Carol Bryant, teacher

“I first met Lonnie when he was a fresh-man at Okeechobee Freshman Campus. As his principal, his smile warmed my heart. I was curious during his freshman year why he would always wear pink shoe laces on his cleats. I will never forget his response to me when he said, ‘It is to honor my mother, who died.’ He was such a role model for so many students. Even today, that smile captures my heart. Lonnie Pryor, you truly demonstrate Okeechobee High School’s vision of excel-lence through PRIDE (perseverance, respect, integrity, dependability and ethics).”— Toni Wiersma, principal, Okeechobee High School

Photos and Coordindated by Sandra Pearce



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“It is hard to only say a few things about a person like Lonnie Pryor. So I will try to capture a few things that sum up what he means to me. This spring makes the 13th year in my coaching career. In all of those I have encountered some special players. Some of them had special skills; some, personalities; some, maybe their intelligence on the field or in the classroom. Ev-ery player I have ever coached is special to me in one way or another, and then there is Lonnie. He had all the skills and characteristics every coach wants in a player, but then there was the ‘Lonnie factor.’ He could walk in a room, and the whole atmosphere changed. His smile would light up, and he would try to speak to everyone. He is the only kid or person I have ever come across that you have to wonder, has he ever had a bad day? There have been some; don’t get me wrong. He could have turned out a very different child, but he has been blessed with this personality that makes anyone he comes in contact with feel special and con-nected to him. I could talk about his skills on the field, but they have been well documented through the years; his work ethic has always been second to none. But the ‘it factor’ that resides in him is what makes Lonnie Okeechobee’s favorite son.” — Chris Branham, head football coach, Okeechobee High School

“Actions speak louder than words. Lon-nie’s actions on and off the field show his heart and character. He has found success by working hard and doing things the right way, always with kind-ness and a smile for family, teammates and fans. He has taken time over the years to check up on me, send a motiva-tional text, or watch me play soccer. I love Lonnie. He is my hero, role model and friend.” — Alex Vandegrift, age 14, Fort Pierce


“If you look up the definition of a football player, a picture of Lonnie Pryor will be there. Lonnie is one of the most unique players I have ever been around. His football IQ was tremendous. The game made sense to him. He could run the ball and was not overly fast or big, but was not slow or little. He could block, catch, play special teams, and he was one of the best leaders I was ever around. He affected everyone on our football team in a positive way. To me that’s when you are truly a great player. He is a tremendous ambassador for FSU and will be remembered as an integral part of the senior class that brought FSU football back to national prominence.” — Jimbo Fisher, head football coach, Florida State University

“Some of my favorite memories consist of Lonnie and Curtis [Everett, Holly’s son] staying up all night, building a complete town in their bedroom with Legos, Lincoln logs, hot wheels and various pieces of furniture, playing football in the front yard for hours, riding and wrecking the go-cart. Lon-nie is a leader by choice, and he has al-ways had a heart filled with love and compassion. He is a true role model for the younger generation, including my grandchildren.” — Holly Everett, Okeechobee

203 SE Second AvenueOkeechobee, FL 34974

863.467.3000


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Okeechobeans Taking Care of Okeechobee

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“People who see Lonnie Pryor on the field know that he is tough, talented, focused, dependable and a leader. But what people miss is his off-the-field humility, his honesty, his humor, his smile and his heart-opening love for others. Lonnie Clinton Pryor was my roommate, was my teammate, is my friend and my brother!” — Dustin Hopkins, Clear Lake, Texas

“Lonnie is hard working, and if Lonnie wasn’t a big football star I would still love him very much. Everyone loves Lonnie because Lonnie loves everyone else. Well, that’s all I have to say about Lonnie.” — Holly Virginia Younger, age 9

“Lonnie is a kind of person you think to yourself and say, ‘I can’t believe you’re even part of my life’ … someone you’d struggle to live without. He has always been around since I was little and since I really didn’t know what was going on when he was getting recruited. Because I was 6 at the time, he wasn’t known as ‘OHS football star Lonnie Pryor’; he to me was known as Uncle Lonnie.” — Cole Younger, age 11.


We Accept and Bill Most Major Insurance,Medicaid, Medicare &

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

Dr. Charles W. BartelsBoard Certi�ed Optometric Physician


“I’m proud of you, Lonnie. We are like brothers you, Erick and I. We started young, playing in the yard every day. We even played before we went to school at 6 a.m. while waiting at the bus stop. We always dreamed of playing on the big stage, but to get there we had to get through high school and then college. Those are done now. No matter what happens, I love you.” — Nate Pollard, lifelong friend, Okeechobee

“Lonnie is more than an awe-some football player; he is like family to everyone he spends time with. The biggest change is his perspective, in my opinion, is the best education he received while at Florida State University. Lon-nie was able to travel, meet peo-ple from everywhere, and make the most of his opportunities as a student, athlete and young man. Oh, and I admit he is No. 1.” — Paula Younger

“Lonnie left in 2009 to play for legendary coach Bobby Bowden at FSU. While the squad was well stocked at running back, the coaching staff, including then-offensive coordinator (now head coach) Jimbo Fisher, wanted to find a way to get Lonnie on to the field immediately. Asked to switch to fullback, Lonnie agreed and went on to join the starting lineup as a true freshman. — Jeff Younger


Celebrating 20 Years!

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“I have documented Lonnie playing football from high school through col-lege in photographs. I used to call him ‘Hollywood’ to get that smile for the camera. There are too many words and photographs for one article. I have watched him grow into the man he is today. Thank you, Lonnie, for shar-ing your life with me and Okeechobee. We are proud of all you have accom-plished.” — Sandra Pearce. O


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UNION

BAKER

BRADFORD

SUWANNEE

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LEE

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West Palm Beach

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Brief Background FPU has been providing energy to homes and businesses throughout Florida since 1924. In 2009, Chesapeake Utilities acquiredFPU; Chesapeake already operated in Florida as Central Florida Gas. This acquisition expanded Chesapeake’s energy presence throughout the state while providing FPU the opportunity to grow and expand its services. The two Companies share a combined rich history spanning more than 200 years and are committed to distributing safe, reliable, fairly priced energy.

Scope of ServiceSFPU currently provides natural gas, electricity and propane gas service to growing residential, commercial and industrial markets throughout Florida. As part of our Company’s commitment to provide customers with the tools they need to save energy and money in their homes and businesses, we offer a wide range of valuable resources, including cash rebates and energy-saving services.

propane Service At FPU, our goal is to deliver the highest possible level of service. We strive to offer multiple payment and delivery options at competitive pricing, together with our industry expertise. Attractive incentives and promotions are currently offered to customers, which may include up to a $250 cash rebate on a propane water heater, a $300 tax credit on a propane tankless water heater and a $150 tax credit on a propane furnace.

natural gaS Service With the universal demand and increased awareness of the benefits and applications of natural gas, FPU is in the initial stages of expanding natural gas service to commercial customers in the City of Okeechobee. Natural Gas benefits include cleaner, more cost-effective operations and equipment efficiency. Natural gas is domestic, clean-burning, and supports our national interests by lessoning our dependence on foreign oil.

F lorida Public Utilities (FPU) is delighted to announce that it has acquired the propane operating assets of

Glades Gas Company, and is now serving Glades, Okeechobee and Hendry counties. FPU has also been granted a thirty-year non-exclusive franchise agreement with the City of Okeechobee allowing us to bring natural gas to the area!

In addition to providing energy service to customers, we also look forward to developing a strong relationship with the community. FPU and its employees take pride in maintaining strong ties with residents, as can be reflected in our long history of supporting local commerce and charitable organizations. As part of our commitment to the Okeechobee area, we plan on working hard to become a valued community partner and a

trusted community leader.

FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES:Energy for life!

growing Service territorieS

clewiston: 863.983.8112

okeechobee: 863.763.2115

We’re excited to be in the Okeechobee area and look forward to the many possibilities ahead. —fpu president Jeff Householder

kevin weberfpu vice president

Jeff Householderfpu president

contact fpuArea residents can call the appropriate number below or visit fpuc.com/okeechobee to learn more about FPU’s current propane service, as well as to reach Customer Service or 24-hour Emergency Response.

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WALTON

BAY

HOLMES

GULF FRANKLIN

GADSDEN


TAYLOR

HAMILTON

UNION

BAKER

BRADFORD

SUWANNEE

LAFAYETTE

DIXIE

PINELLAS

INDIAN RIVER

OKEECHOBEE

HIGHLANDS

HARDEE

SARASOTADESOTO

CHARLOTTE

LEE

GLADES

HENDRY

COLLIER

MONROE

MIAMI-DADE

JACKSON

CALHOUN

LIBERTY COLUMBIA


AMELIA ISLAND

DUVAL

CLAYST JOHNS


LEVY

MARION

FLAGLER

VOLUSIA

SEMINOLE

LAKE

SUMTER

CITRUS

HERNANDO

PASCO

HILLSBOROUGH

POLK

ORANGE

OSCEOLA

BREVARD

ST LUCIE

MANATEE

BROWARD

PALM BEACH

MARTIN

WAKULLA

WASHINGTONMarianna

Newberry

DeBary

Winter Haven

West Palm Beach

Inglis

Electric

Propane

Natural Gas




overview of BenefitS

Please call 888.220.9356 or visit FPUC.com/Okeechobee to learn more about

the natural gas service coming to businesses within the City of Okeechobee.

FPUC.com/Okeechobee



WALTON

BAY

HOLMES

GULF FRANKLIN

GADSDEN


TAYLOR

HAMILTON

UNION

BAKER

BRADFORD

SUWANNEE

LAFAYETTE

DIXIE

PINELLAS

INDIAN RIVER

OKEECHOBEE

HIGHLANDS

HARDEE

SARASOTADESOTO

CHARLOTTE

LEE

GLADES

HENDRY

COLLIER

MONROE

MIAMI-DADE

JACKSON

CALHOUN

LIBERTY COLUMBIA


AMELIA ISLAND

DUVAL

CLAYST JOHNS


LEVY

MARION

FLAGLER

VOLUSIA

SEMINOLE

LAKE

SUMTER

CITRUS

HERNANDO

PASCO

HILLSBOROUGH

POLK

ORANGE

OSCEOLA

BREVARD

ST LUCIE

MANATEE

BROWARD

PALM BEACH

MARTIN

WAKULLA

WASHINGTONMarianna

Newberry

DeBary

Winter Haven

West Palm Beach

Inglis

Electric

Propane

Natural Gas





WALTON

BAY

HOLMES

GULF FRANKLIN

GADSDEN


TAYLOR

HAMILTON

UNION

BAKER

BRADFORD

SUWANNEE

LAFAYETTE

DIXIE

PINELLAS

INDIAN RIVER

OKEECHOBEE

HIGHLANDS

HARDEE

SARASOTADESOTO

CHARLOTTE

LEE

GLADES

HENDRY

COLLIER

MONROE

MIAMI-DADE

JACKSON

CALHOUN

LIBERTY COLUMBIA


AMELIA ISLAND

DUVAL

CLAYST JOHNS


LEVY

MARION

FLAGLER

VOLUSIA

SEMINOLE

LAKE

SUMTER

CITRUS

HERNANDO

PASCO

HILLSBOROUGH

POLK

ORANGE

OSCEOLA

BREVARD

ST LUCIE

MANATEE

BROWARD

PALM BEACH

MARTIN

WAKULLA

WASHINGTONMarianna

Newberry

DeBary

Winter Haven

West Palm Beach

Inglis

Electric

Propane

Natural Gas




Brief Background FPU has been providing energy to homes and businesses throughout Florida since 1924. In 2009, Chesapeake Utilities acquiredFPU; Chesapeake already operated in Florida as Central Florida Gas. This acquisition expanded Chesapeake’s energy presence throughout the state while providing FPU the opportunity to grow and expand its services. The two Companies share a combined rich history spanning more than 200 years and are committed to distributing safe, reliable, fairly priced energy.

Scope of ServiceSFPU currently provides natural gas, electricity and propane gas service to growing residential, commercial and industrial markets throughout Florida. As part of our Company’s commitment to provide customers with the tools they need to save energy and money in their homes and businesses, we offer a wide range of valuable resources, including cash rebates and energy-saving services.

propane Service At FPU, our goal is to deliver the highest possible level of service. We strive to offer multiple payment and delivery options at competitive pricing, together with our industry expertise. Attractive incentives and promotions are currently offered to customers, which may include up to a $250 cash rebate on a propane water heater, a $300 tax credit on a propane tankless water heater and a $150 tax credit on a propane furnace.

natural gaS Service With the universal demand and increased awareness of the benefits and applications of natural gas, FPU is in the initial stages of expanding natural gas service to commercial customers in the City of Okeechobee. Natural Gas benefits include cleaner, more cost-effective operations and equipment efficiency. Natural gas is domestic, clean-burning, and supports our national interests by lessoning our dependence on foreign oil.

F lorida Public Utilities (FPU) is delighted to announce that it has acquired the propane operating assets of

Glades Gas Company, and is now serving Glades, Okeechobee and Hendry counties. FPU has also been granted a thirty-year non-exclusive franchise agreement with the City of Okeechobee allowing us to bring natural gas to the area!

In addition to providing energy service to customers, we also look forward to developing a strong relationship with the community. FPU and its employees take pride in maintaining strong ties with residents, as can be reflected in our long history of supporting local commerce and charitable organizations. As part of our commitment to the Okeechobee area, we plan on working hard to become a valued community partner and a

trusted community leader.

FLORIDA PUBLIC UTILITIES:Energy for life!

growing Service territorieS

clewiston: 863.983.8112

okeechobee: 863.763.2115

We’re excited to be in the Okeechobee area and look forward to the many possibilities ahead. —fpu president Jeff Householder

kevin weberfpu vice president

Jeff Householderfpu president

contact fpuArea residents can call the appropriate number below or visit fpuc.com/okeechobee to learn more about FPU’s current propane service, as well as to reach Customer Service or 24-hour Emergency Response.

NATURAL GAS PROPANE

environMentallY friendlY ✓ ✓

doMeStic ✓ ✓

efficient ✓ ✓

econoMical ✓ ✓

taX creditS ✓ ✓

StorM-proof reliaBilitY ✓ ✓


WALTON

BAY

HOLMES

GULF FRANKLIN

GADSDEN


TAYLOR

HAMILTON

UNION

BAKER

BRADFORD

SUWANNEE

LAFAYETTE

DIXIE

PINELLAS

INDIAN RIVER

OKEECHOBEE

HIGHLANDS

HARDEE

SARASOTADESOTO

CHARLOTTE

LEE

GLADES

HENDRY

COLLIER

MONROE

MIAMI-DADE

JACKSON

CALHOUN

LIBERTY COLUMBIA


AMELIA ISLAND

DUVAL

CLAYST JOHNS


LEVY

MARION

FLAGLER

VOLUSIA

SEMINOLE

LAKE

SUMTER

CITRUS

HERNANDO

PASCO

HILLSBOROUGH

POLK

ORANGE

OSCEOLA

BREVARD

ST LUCIE

MANATEE

BROWARD

PALM BEACH

MARTIN

WAKULLA

WASHINGTONMarianna

Newberry

DeBary

Winter Haven

West Palm Beach

Inglis

Electric

Propane

Natural Gas




overview of BenefitS

Please call 888.220.9356 or visit FPUC.com/Okeechobee to learn more about

the natural gas service coming to businesses within the City of Okeechobee.

FPUC.com/Okeechobee

ber 1925, and a contract in the amount of $185,000 was awarded to the firm of Rogers & Duncanson Inc. The con-tract was for the building only and did not include sewer lines, electrical fix-tures, vault doors, extra foundation pill-ing and similar items, which were let by separate bids or treated as “extras.”

The economy was in decline in May 1926, and the Bank of Okeechobee

failed the following June. To save costs, the commissioners voted to omit the dome on the building and by Jan-uary 1927, they transferred $32,500 from the State Road 29 bond fund to the courthouse bond fund to com-plete the courthouse and purchase fur-niture. The courthouse was completed and accepted by the county commission Feb. 21, 1927; however, no record has been found indicating whether a dedi-cation ever took place or when the new courthouse was first occupied. Com-

IN April 1917, while the United States was entering World War

I, House and Senate bills were circulat-ing through the Florida Legislature cre-ating Okeechobee County, with the City of Okeechobee as the temporary county seat.

One of the first duties of the new county commission was to obtain a suitable building for a county court-house. Commissioners chose the second floor of a wood-frame building, above a furniture store, at the corner of South Park and Miami streets. The rent cost $50 per month. In March 1920, the Okeechobee Com-pany, the developer of Okeechobee and First Addition to Okeechobee, donated all of Block 138 to the county as a site for a courthouse. With the growing population and lack of space in the rented courthouse, the fall term grand jury of 1924 found it necessary and expedient that the county construct a courthouse as soon as pos-sible.

In February 1925, Miami archi-tect George Gaynor Hyde presented sketches of a proposed courthouse. The commissioners considered both one- and two-story plans but decided on the latter. They financed the construc-tion by issuing courthouse bonds in the amount of $200,000. Bids for con-struction were received in late Septem-

By Judge William Hendry

Looking Back

mission minutes show that Chairman Ed Alderman was designated to work with the fair committee on a dedication program, and that the last rent paid on the rented courthouse was April 1927.

A grand celebration of the opening of State Road 8 west, an extension of Con-ners Highway, to the west coast, com-plete with county fair, rodeo, parade, barbecue and street dancing was held in

Okeechobee on March 24, 1927. It is likely that a dedi-cation took place in conjunc-tion with these events.

Over the years many articles have been written describ-ing this beautiful court-house as Greco-Roman, Greek Revival and Mediter-ranean Revival style archi-tecture. The most imposing space in the building was the court room that occupied the midsection of the second floor, surrounded by an open loggia on the east and west sides. Windows opening on to the loggia provided venti-

lation as well as access to birds flying in and out of the court room. The main entrance of the court room was deco-rated with pediment and entablature, like the front entrance of the building, supported by two round columns with Corinthian capitals surrounding two huge leather covered doors.

Since 1927 there have been a number of changes made to the courthouse and grounds, including the erection of the first flagpole in July 1933; the dedi-

(Above) The first courthouse,located on the second floor of the O.O. Davis Building from Sept. 1917 to April 1927.



By Judge William Hendry

At the construction site

(1926)

John E. Duncanson,

George A. Rogers

and Anna Dunsancson.

Under construction (1926)

.

Courthouse (1927).

Construction finished F

ebruary 21, 1927.

cation of a larger flagpole, donated by American Legion Post 64 on July 4, 1942; the first sign above the entrance “Okeechobee County Courthouse” in November 1950; two additions on the northeast and northwest sides for the clerk of court and the tax collector in 1968; the enclosure of the first-floor hallway for a county commission meet-ing room in April 1970; the first judge’s bench and jury box were constructed in 1981; the installation of the first ele-vator in 1989; and vacating the court-house for complete renovation in 2008, with a rededication on June 26, 2010.

This historic structure is more than just a building where you go to get a mar-riage license, record a deed or serve as a juror. It has been the “heart” of the county and served the public in many ways. For example, it has been a desig-nated hurricane shelter for many years and served as a morgue following the September 1928 hurricane; it was a meeting place for the Home Guard in 1942-43; it provided space for draft reg-istration in 1942; Boy Scouts held their Court of Honor in the court room; the WPA (Works Progress Administra-tion) provided training in the sewing room during the Great Depression; the formation of the Flood Control Dis-trict began here in 1947; in 1970 the Fourth District Court of Appeals con-ducted appellate hearings in the com-mission meeting room; at least two high school graduations were held there; and

(Photos clockwise top) The dec-orative pediment of the court-house; the original light fixture, which was located in the lobby at the courthouse entrance; the corinthian capital at the top of a flat fluted engaged column; an image of the Okeechobee County Court House just prior to restoration; the wrought iron grill and coat of arms at the court house entrance; medallions and dentils on the pediment at the front of the courthouse.



(Top) The interior entrance to the courtroom. (Above left) The ballustrade surround-ing the circular stairway to the second level.(Above) Inside of the courtroom.

WILLIAMSON CATTLECOMPANY PRESENTS

Photos of the Past

Acknowledgements:Palm Beach County Regional Preservation O�ce

Florida Division of Historical Resources; Dale Barrett, Director of Operations of the Okeechobee County

School Board and Ron and Jacque Hayes.Pictures supplied by Ann Hansel Lindesmith and

Frank and Betty Chandler Williamson.

Okeechobee High SchoolAuditorium

The Okeechobee High School Auditorium was constructed in 1934 in the Colonial Revival style. Operettas, plays, band concerts, piano recitals, talent shows and most important graduation exercises were held here. Special events such as the, “Crowning of the King and Queen of Halloween,” were held annually.

The Community Theatre has presented two plays per year for over

three decades here under thedirection of Ron and Jacque Hayes.

1946 Halloween CarnivalQueen and King, Betty Jean Hansel

and Elphia Harden

the funerals of two long-term county commission chairmen, Charles Wesley Harvey and Cliff Betts Jr., were con-ducted there.

Many people from other areas of the country have often referred to Okeechobee as “the place with the beau-tiful courthouse.” This unique building has truly been an integral part of life in this county.

Judge William L. Hendry is a sixth-generation Floridian, born in Okeechobee in 1929. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1957 and was in private practice from then until 1980. That same year Hendry was elected county judge and served until appointed as the first circuit judge from Okeechobee County before retiring in 1995. In addition, he was chief judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit 1990-1993 and senior judge in the 10th and 19th cir-cuits from 1996-2010.

Hendry has an extensive community service record and was honored when Indian River State Col-lege named its Okeechobee campus the “Dixon-Hendry Campus.” He was also honored by the naming of the “Judge William L. Hendry Court Room” at the Okeechobee County Courthouse.

Hendry is married to Etta Merle Sullivan and has three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

O


Photos By Sandra PearceCommunity Event

More than 100 people gathered at the Lodge of Quail Creek Plantation in Okeechobee on April 23 for the Economic Council of Okeechobee’s Spring Social. Members and guests enjoyed great food and fellowship. For more information on the ECO, contact Executive Director Tara Rowley at (863) 467-0200 or visit www.ecok.org.

Economic Council of Okeechobee Holds Spring Social

(Front row, L-R) Executive Director Tara Minton Rowley with directors Dawn Hoover, Christa Luna and Donna Hel-ton; (back) Economic Council direc-tors Erik Melville, Keith Walpole, Wes Williamson, Jon Geitner, Hoot Worley, Nick Blount and Rick Chartier. Not pictured: Sandy Perry, Bob Riedel and Robert Lee.Curt Siegmeister II, a regional repre-sentative from Gov. Rick Scott’s office, with Justin Domer, Cindy Domer and David McAuley.Okeechobee Undersheriff Noel Ste-phen and his wife Laurie with Sher-ry McCorkle of Congressman Tom Rooney’s office.Erik and Julia Melville.

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Torch Run participants gather for a group photo.The participants run on Highway 70 east.John Rhoden proudly pushes his uncle Mike Rhoden in the walk.Sheriff Paul May speaks to the crowd.

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By Sharon CannonCommunity Event

The 2013 Okeechobee County Sher-iff ’s Office Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics was held April 26. The run began at the OCSO headquarters and sprinted through the downtown area, finishing in the Pub-lix parking lot. The benefit barbecue lunch raised $6,972, exceeding last year’s total.

Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics

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By Sharon CannonCommunity Event

The O.L. Raulerson Jr. Scholarship Fund is named in honor of the late Sher-iff O.L. Raulerson Jr., and this year’s two-day event was held May 3-4 at the Okeechobee Agri-civic Center. Funds are raised annually through a barbecue cookoff competition, with the goal of sending a graduating Okeechobee High School senior to Indian River State College for a degree in law enforce-ment. This was accomplished with the help of volunteers, barbecue teams and sponsors.

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Event To Benefit O.L. Raulerson Jr. Scholarship Fund

(Above) Kodi Stephen, Johanna Kenworthy and Lau-rie Stephen.

(Above right) The Grand Champion Open Division win-ners: (l-r) Donna Durand, Dalton Durand, Kasey Du-rand and Scott Durand.

(Right) Noel Stephen collects ballots from taste-testing judges Mickey Vause, Charles Sander, Steve Schoon-maker, Charles Syfrett II, Bryan Holden and Tony Adams.

(Above) Summer Goodbread and Tim Reynolds await customers at the Pig in or Pig Out booth.

(Below) Tom McCoin carves pork for Jack Davis and Robert Carver.


Growing together with Jesus

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Photos By Sharon CannonCommunity EventRotary L.O.S.T. Ride/Run/Walk

Enjoying the ride, Bett Connell heads back.Three generations: Craig Rustay, Sean Rustay and Glenn Rustay.Members of the Rotary Club of Okeechobee and event committee volunteer.Tandem cyclists Dand and Bonnie Brinson.Gretchen Robertson and Jeff Shef-field take a break along the trail.

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The tenth annual Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (L.O.S.T.) bike ride/run/walk was hosted by the Rotary Club of Okeechobee the morning of April 20. The 54-mile round-trip ride started at C. Scott Driver Park and took place along the Hoover Dike to Port Mayaca and back. More than 100 bikers and walkers enjoyed the scenic route overlooking Lake Okeechobee. For more info., visit www.okeechobeerotary.org.

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In March, when Jennifer became seriously ill she trusted her care to Raulerson Hospital. Jennifer was first treated in the Emergency Department. Her condition necessitated her admission to the Intensive Care Unit.

As Jennifer began to recover, she was transitioned to the Main Nursing Unit. Throughout her 10-day stay at Raulerson Hospital she encountered multiple staff members from various departments.

“I was very impressed with the caring and courteous treatment I received. Everyone I encountered from doctors and nurses to administrative staff and housekeeping met me with a smile and asked if they could assist me in any way. I was especially impressed with the fact that everyone was willing to go that extra step to make sure that I was comfortable and not in need of anything. I noticed such a sense of teamwork and camaraderie which really made me feel at ease and allowed me to rest and recover.” Jennifer recalled.

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The second annual AgVenture was held May 1 and 2 at the Trading Post Flea Market. Sponsored by TD Bank, the event was held for Okeechobee’s fourth-graders from pub-lic and private schools, as well as home-schooled students. Students learned the essentials of farming through dem-onstrations at different stations. The topics covered were vegetables, citrus, forestry soil and water, dairy, beef and gator farming. The students, teachers and volunteers en-joyed lunch after the activities.

Photos By Sharon CannonCommunity Event

AgVenture 2013

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(L-R) Wayne Cunningham, Cindy Bird-ashaw, Lindsey Mann, Diane Davies, Melissa Montes De Oco, Kay Duke and Debbie Clements.

Yulaynie Cruz tries her hand at milk-ing the cow as Miguel Nunez, Brian Garcia, Destainy Tagle, Jose Zepeda, Alaina Hines and Franciso Montoya watch.Tara Hunt and Hayley Garcia squeeze fresh orange juice.Students enjoy petting the calf.Jerry Jolicoeur of Paddock Farms.Katelyn Shaw pets the alligator while Randy Harris holds him.Maureen Burroughs and CindyBirdashaw.

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TD Bank, N.A. | Equal Housing Lender | Loans subject to credit approval. Other terms and conditions may apply. Some fees and restrictions may apply. Some credit restrictions may apply.

• Term Loans and Lines of Creditup to $500,000

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Stop in at 1506 South Parrott Avenue, and let’s talk business. Or call Diane Davies at 1-863-824-6700, or connect to www.tdbank.com/smallbusiness.

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Photos By Sarah RenoCommunity EventOkeechobee Christian

Academy Fun Shoot

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Adding a Little Charm to Okeechobee.Clayton Williams, Elvie Posey and Bill Dover of the Berger Real Estate team. Charles Bethel sponsored byGilbert Chevrolet.John Creasman, Marcos Montes DeOca, Rob Lawson and Russell Ryan of the MDO Engineering team. Daniel Rickards takes aim.Brandon Tucker, Bobby Tucker, Billy and Jerry Hill of the Tucker Group team.Three Generations of shooters:Karson, Kyle and Roy Reno sponsored by Multifab Enterprises.

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The Okeechobee Christian Academy Fun Shoot was held April 6 at the OK Corral Gun Club. The event was spon-sored by the Tucker and Grigsby families (OCA alumni). Funds raised will benefit OCA programs.

It was a great day of food, fun and fellowship. A total of 22 sponsored teams and 88 shooters competed. For more information on Okeechobee Christian Academy, or to learn about participating in the 2014 OCA Fun Shoot, visit www.okeechobeechristianacademy.net.

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Behind the Business

arla Rose is a woman des-tined to be in the business she loves. All her life she seemed drawn to roses. She gathered them, she loved the smell, and she found them mentioned in her Bible. She looked at the rose as the sym-bol of love and was convinced that love can heal. One day, her oldest daughter called her on the phone and said she had found the man for her mom, and the best part: His last name was Rose. To-day Bill and Darla Rose own Bella Rose Day Spa and Salon, where Darla treats her clientele with love, and Bill is the spa “handy-manager.”

“We are a Christian-oriented day spa,

passionate about health and wellness, so people can live the best life possible,” Darla said.

The Roses first opened a small shop called Living Well Health and Well-ness Center, which featured a massage table in the back and an exercise studio in front. In less than a year, they had outgrown that spot and soon found the right location, renamed the business and haven’t stopped growing since.

If you look online at www.mysalonon-line.com/bellarose, you will find a list-ing of more than 100 individual beauty treatments available, including Swedish,

deep tissue, neuro/muscular and hot stone massage, as well as facials, mani-cures, pedicures, spray tanning and many types of hair services.

“Every employee is trained in his or her specialty and so dedicated that they would do their work for free, if pos-sible,” Darla said. “We can’t do that, of course, but we do work to keep every-thing at a reasonable, affordable price.”

The most notable thing about Bella Rose is the peaceful atmosphere — soothing music, quiet individual rooms for each beauty treatment, an unhurried pace and an attitude and appearance of deep faith.

“This is a Christian-based, Christian-filled business,” Darla said. “Every day we share in a new story of what God has done. Women and men as well can come here to be touched and renewed. We don’t force our faith but believe this gentle environment benefits everyone.”Darla went to school to learn massage 14 years ago. She worked in five differ-ent spas on Florida’s east coast for 11 years and considers it a time of prepara-tion for the business she has today.

While each Bella Rose employee is a specialist in his or her trade, most are skilled in multiple specialties. In ad-dition to herself, Darla’s staff includes Tiffany Whitlock, Michael Askin, Tobi Cross, Julia Lester, Amanda Markham, Marci Weseman, Sarah Douglas, Cindi Domer and Celia Kendell. They work with the most up-to-date equipment, such as the newly installed pedicure chairs with circulating water wash.

By Raye Deusinger

Bella Rose Day Spa

Darla Rose and William Rose Jr.


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You can enjoy a tanning room and re-ceive a full-body tan, in privacy, in a booth automatically set for each client. You can also relax in the “soaking room” in a claw-foot tub with candles, soft music and a feeling of “heav-en on earth.” Bella Rose hair treat-ments use only pure nutrient-organic hair color, which uses natural pigments. Clients rarely have to wait for your appoint-ment, but if you should have to, you might be treated to a zero-gravity, automatic massage chair that, in a short 15 minutes, will massage every part of your body, from your head to your toes. This is a wonderful pickup after a hard day of work that can be done quickly. O

The atmosphere of peace and relaxation is promoted throughout the treatment areas with floral decoration, netting,

candles and soft music. The newest ad-dition is the completion of a beautiful, relaxing room where a couple can enjoy their massage together.

Darla is also a personal trainer and one day hopes to offer exercise as an added spa service. “I love what I do,” she said. “At one point in my life, I suffered from fatigue and fi-nally found a holistic doctor who taught me a great deal. I now have compassion [for] others who suffer similarly, and I love helping them. Energy is a gift I have now, and I’m grateful to be able to share it.”

Bella Rose Day Spa is located at 311 NE Second St. For more in-formation, call (863) 357-3333.

Julia Lester, Sarah Douglas, Amanda Markham, Tiffany Whitlock, Michael Askin, Darla Rose,

William Rose Jr. and Cindi Domer

Embrace Your Inner Artist

Private studio teaching you how to paintstep-by-step in a relaxed and fun setting.

It's the perfect place to get together, unwindand enjoy time painting with friends while sipping your favorite beverage (BYOB).

Call or go online for more information on how you can sign up, session dates,times, themes and price. Private Group Sessions Also Available.

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Behind the Business

keechobee is proud to have in its midst a young man who, at only 15, became the world’s youngest motorbike builder. Brandon Baughman, now at the “ripe old age” of 24, is the owner of Skull Hill Steel, a business well known by all those with a love of motorcycles.

Born in Pahokee and raised in Okeechobee, Baughman has a lifelong fascination with bikes. His family’s favorite TV show is Orange County Choppers, a bike-builders show. While they were watching one evening, Baughman said, his brother saw a bike and said he’d like to have one like it. “My dad and I got up right then, walked into our shop and started building a bike so my brother could ride it in a parade,” he said.

Baughman built an old-school chopper, and when comments began coming in, he built three more and realized he could possibly make this a career. And so he did, with support from his parents, Phil and Michelle Baughman, owners of B&B Site Development. “I learned early that you should shine with what God has given you,” Baughman said, “and when I realized I’d soon be graduating high school, I wanted to go to

Skull Hill SteelBy Raye Deusinger

the Motor Mechanics Institute in Orlando, one of only two in the U.S.”

Baughman ultimately graduated from MMI, the only Har-ley-Davidson certified school in the country, at the top of his graduating class.

Though working on bikes is Baughman’s job, building bikes is his joy. “Seeing something you created roll down the road is wonderful,” he said.

In 2004, Baughman became the world’s youngest builder when he and his mini-chopper took fourth place at a compe-tition in Laughlin, Nev., which he traveled to with his father. In 2006 Baughman took the “digger-style” bike he built for Beef O’Brady’s to the Boardwalk show in Daytona and won second place against more experienced builders. That bike has been on display at Beef O’ Brady’s ever since.

In 2007, Baughman’s skill in design and building earned him first place, again in Laughlin, when he showed the “three-

fourths chopper.” Rather than needing to promote

his skill and talent, Baughman had other builders and writers come to him, asking for his picture with the bike, a picture which appeared in American Motorcyclist Association magazine. The out-standing feature is the “hubless” rear wheel, w h i c h c a n h a n d l e speeds of 70 mph.

Baughman took on the job of rebuild-ing a “museum piece,” a 1917 bike that the owner wanted returned to original condition. “It wasn’t easy, but it


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was fun,” he said. “Only a handful of stuff had to be remade, but the bent-up front end needed rebuilding. I took every part, every bolt and nut, wheel and wire off as I disassembled and rebuilt it to original condition. It was awesome.”

Baughman then asked permission to enter it in a show, the last contest he entered; he took four trophies, placing sec-ond in Best of Show, first in Judges’ Choice, first in people’s choice and first in stock vintage. A judge told him it was the first time anyone had taken four trophies in one show.

In 2008 Baughman opened Skull Hill Steel, a name that grew out of his faith, representing a tribute to his Lord who was crucified on “the hill of the skull” known as Golgotha.

Since the motorcycle shows began to disappear from TV, Baughman’s business has evolved into parts and repair with customizing as a sideline. To thank Okeechobee for con-tinued support of his business he said, “anyone can chase a dream, but if you can do something more to achieve it,

do it.” He has done this by giving, for several years, a $500 scholarship to an Okeechobee graduate who wants to go into mechanics or welding school to help them chase their dream.With his high school sweetheart wife, Heather, who also works at Skull Hill, and his newborn son, Drayden, Baugh-man also conducts a ministry through archery. The group meets once a month for a 16-target tournament. It is a com-munity/family fun time with a “very” short testimonial time, the tournament and then food. Details can be found on Face-book under “Moment of Truth Archery.”

Baughman’s next dream is to open a full-service archery store at the same location as Skull Hill Steel, where Baughman proudly displays the more than 20 trophies he has earned. He feels confident it would succeed because he believes “ev-erything through these doors has been a provision of God.” Skull Hill Steel is located at 1505 S. Parrott Ave., Unit C. For more information, call (863) 763-9512 or visit www.skull-hillsteel.com.

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Walk, Run, Bike for Life Photos By Tonya YoungCommunity Event

The Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee held its Walk, Run, Bike for Life on Saturday, May 11 at Flagler Park. The pregnancy center has plans to relocate sometime this summer to North Shore plaza with the hope of having better exposure and availability to increase services offered.

For more information on the Pregnancy Center of Okeechobee, call (863) 467-8748 or visit www.okeepregcenter.com.

The starting line is packed with a steady stream of smiling faces as participants take off.

(Above) Chase Trent with mom CenterState Bank Branch Manager Tabitha Trent and Shannon Conrad at the second pit stop along the route.

(Right) This biker is ready to go early in the morning on his very unique bike.

(Below) Crossing the finish line first, this runner keeps his pace at a steady jog.

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Seacoast National Bank Arcadia Branch Manager Jan Schmitz, DeSoto County Sgt. Bill Bevis and Sheriff Will Wise, Highlands County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brian Kramer and Lt. John Barcinas, and Seacoast National Okeechobee Branch Manager and Community Executive Jon Geitner.Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. John Sluth, Sgt. Brian Ronk, Colleen Lockwood of Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch, Sgt. Ed Carpenter and Sgt. Steven Dickinson of the PBSO, and Seacoast National Community Board Member Brandon Tucker.The first-place team from Highlands County: Lt. John Barcinas, Noel Stephen and Sgt. Brian Kramer. Okeechobee County Sheriff Paul May with Undersheriff Noel Stephen.

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Photos By Amy StoreyCommunity EventSecond Annual Sheriff Shootout

Seacoast National Bank, in conjunction with Okeechobee County Sheriff Paul May, hosted the second annual Sheriff Shootout March 20 at Quail Creek Plantation. Seacoast invited sheriffs from each of the counties the bank serves to compete in a round of sporting clays. The Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranch then received a contribution of more than $3,500 on behalf of the winning team from Highland County, donated by Seacoast and the other participating teams. Rep-resentatives from Okeechobee, Highlands, DeSoto, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Glades, Hendry and Indian River counties partici-pated in the event.

(Left) Shootout sheriffparticipants.

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Law Office OfGerald Lefebvre1910 S. Parrott Ave.

Okeechobee, FL

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By Raye Deusinger O Photos by Sandra Pearce

When one hears the word judge, many other terms come to mind — legal, staid, reserved, dominant, powerful. But for Judge Jerald D. “Jerry” Bryant, the words would be caring, innovative, pleasant, giving, gentle and, especially, fun.

Bryant presides over the Okeechobee County Court in the 19th District, which covers Okeechobee, Indian River, Martin and St. Lucie counties. An attorney since 1982, he is currently in the first year of his second six-year term as judge.

A true Okeechobee native, during his school years Bry-ant was a delegate to the American Legion Boys State, band captain at Okeechobee High School and played on the school’s football, baseball and basketball teams before graduating in 1967.

Two years later Bryant joined the Marines and found a career — no, not the military, but the law. Serving as an avionics technician, working on F-4 and A-4 jet aircraft radar systems, he received meritorious promotions and the Commanding Officer Commendation for meritori-ous service. While serving a special detail escorting pris-oners from the brig to their hearing and back again, Bry-ant watched with fascination as the opposing attorneys in one case got into heated exchanges to the point of real anger. After returning the prisoner to the brig, Bryant stopped off at the PX and saw the same two attorneys in a friendly discussion of racquetball and immediately saw that, despite vigorous workplace disagreements, they could, be friends in personal life. His reaction was, “Neat.” That’s when he decided to become an attorney.Bryant served in the Marines until 1973 and the reserves

from 1973-75, marrying Carol Hinnant Bryant in 1974. A teacher with the Okeechobee school system since 1982, she is currently the media specialist at Okeechobee High School.

Once back in civilian life, Bryant enrolled in Indian Riv-er Community College. Graduating with an associate’s degree in business administration in 1974, he went on to the University of Central Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accountancy, and was inducted into Beta Alpha Psi Honorary Account-ing Society. While attending school, he worked with the Commercial Bank of Okeechobee and Sun Banks of Florida in Fort Pierce, Orlando and Tampa.

Bryant went on to receive his juris doctorate degree from Stetson University College of Law in 1982, where he served as president and vice president of Phi Delta Phi le-gal fraternity. He was also Honor Court Justice and Inns of Court chairman and received an award for meritorious service to “school and fraternity.”

Bryant began his law career in the public defender’s office for the 19th Judicial Circuit in 1982 before opening his private general law practice in 1984. In 1985 he became the city attorney for the City of Okeechobee, serving as general counsel to municipal government. He then spent two years working with a Tampa law firm that specializes in nursing home residents’ rights litigation, helping draft changes to state law. Afterward, Bryant returned to his lo-cal private practice and became a certified civil mediator. These years of varied experience prepared Bryant for his current position as a county judge, where he is responsible for all county court matters, from misdemeanor crimes,

Judge “Jerry”Okeechobee’s Judge Jerald Bryant

serves the court and community



By Raye Deusinger O Photos by Sandra Pearce

Judge “Jerry”

“So many work so hard to help our youth.”


landlord-tenant disputes and traffic court cases to the programs nearest his heart — those involving juveniles.

Upon taking office as county judge Bryant began holding weekend first ap-pearance hearings live at the county jail rather than by video, saving the sheriff considerable overtime expense. That wasn’t Bryant’s only innovation. “With the cooperation of the state attorney, we set up a driver’s license review program for people charged with driving with

Carol and Judge Jerry Bryant

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no license or suspended license, which helps them get their license and avoid a criminal conviction,” Bryant said. “This creates legal drivers, helps the individ-ual be better able to find and maintain work, helps families, and puts money in the county budget by collecting all the unpaid fines and collection fees.”

On a case in Martin County, Bryant watched a drug court at work and intro-duced the concept in Okeechobee, mak-ing it only the fifth county in the state

to have this misdemeanor court. This has now expanded to include felony and juvenile drug courts. Defendants, who appear before Bryant as first-time offenders, are offered an opportunity to have those charges dropped if they complete an intensive program of sub-stance abuse treatment and testing. Af-ter successfully completing the six- to 12-month program, the participant has developed skills to manage abuse issues and can have charges dismissed.

It is an intensive program with daily ac-countability, and has a 90 percent suc-cess rate in Okeechobee. There have been 70 felony graduates, 93 misde-meanor graduates and 17 juvenile grad-uates. There are 49 current participants, with 14 of them scheduled to graduate soon. “I am so proud of all the local involvement and care that make this program so successful,” Bryant said. “So many work so hard to help our youth.”

“I have had the honor of working very closely with Judge Bryant for the past six years through the drug court pro-grams in Okeechobee,” Circuit Drug Court Coordinator Wendy Parent said. “His kindness and compassion for drug court is not only felt by his team and the participants but community leaders as well. This is evidenced by their con-

“Jerry is an amazing person.He just seems to know how to

handle every situation.He is the most respected man I

know. I’m glad to be able to call him one of my best friends.”

- Frank DeCarlo


Carol and Judge Jerry Bryant

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tinued support and attendance at each graduation ceremony. It has been my pleasure to know him professionally, and as a friend, these past few years.”

The Bryants’ first child, Adam, was born in 1982, followed by Sarah and Jesse, in 1985 and 1990 respectively. Sarah was her class salutatorian at Okeechobee High School and graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, Bryant said, jokingly, because Sarah “loves to argue,” she decided to move into law. Though accepted by six law schools, she decided on the University of Denver, where she is studying environmental and interna-tional law.

The death of Adam in 2004, at the age of 21, inspired Jesse’s educational di-rection. While working as a volunteer fireman in 2002, a diving accident left Adam a quadriplegic. His care became a family enterprise.

Jesse, who was valedictorian of his class at Okeechobee High School, graduated from the University of Miami in 2012

Judge Bryant with JudicialAssistant Rhoda Hill


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with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. He is now attending grad-uate school at Texas A&M University. While at UM, he worked on the Miami Project, the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center. Jesse will be serving an internship in bio-me-chanics in California this summer.

For many years, but especially now, Bry-ant has been a stalwart supporter of the University of Miami.

Adam i s we l l r emembered in Okeechobee, and in his memory a scholarship for aspiring firemen is awarded annually from the proceeds of the Adam Bryant Memorial Mini-mal Regatta. Begun in 2011 by Adam’s long-time friend, J.D. Mixon, the re-gatta is a race of homemade boats and is a fun-filled day attended by most of the county.

Besides helping with the Regatta, Bryant is a member of the Substance Abuse Co-alition and heads the Okeechobee Drug Court Advocates, which helps finance drug/alcohol counseling and treatment locally. He previously served as a mem-ber, then chairman, of the Okeechobee County Planning Commission and Board of Adjustments, is a former di-rector of Hospice of Okeechobee, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee (having served as grand marshal for Labor Day and Speckled Perch Festival parades), and has coached and sponsored youth football, soccer and T-ball teams.

Bryant is a sponsor of the non-alcoholic Grad Night party and a proud member of Kiwanis, for which he has served as president, first and second vice presi-dent, chairman of the annual Eas-ter Pancake Breakfast and annual radio auction, and as lieutenant governor for Florida Kiwanis Division 16.

Relaxation is also important for a busy man. Bryant’s comes as a member of the


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Porch Gremlins, a group of men who share the pleasure of cigars weekly. Be-gun by three friends who met on each other’s porches just to relax and talk, it has now grown to 32 members who not only share friendship but also help the community. What began as snacks to

be shared soon became quarterly par-ties with a Christmas party shared by all their families. At Christmas, leftover dues are used to purchase restaurant gift cards which they give to needy families. “Once a week the Gremlins solve the problems of the world,” he said.


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of the world,” he said.

One of Bryant’s friends, Frank DeCar-lo, tells of Bryant’s joy in organizing a trip to see The Story of Jesus in Wauch-ula, Fla., for the kids at Real Life Chil-dren’s Ranch. Never passing up an op-portunity for fun, once on site, several hours early, they set up a tailgate party, complete with a huge cooker, where the kids enjoyed a barbecue. It was another first for Bryant as he learned that no one, in all the years the production has run, had ever held a tailgate party there. “Jerry is an amazing person,” DeCarlo said. “He just seems to know how to handle every situation. He is the most respected man I know. I’m glad to be able to call him one of my best friends.”

While some young attorneys might see law as a pathway to power, Bryant saw it as an opportunity for service. And as long as he’s involved in the community, he’ll continue to find new opportuni-ties to serve.


Photos By Tonya YoungCommunity EventFreedom Ranch Veterans Appreciation DayFreedom Ranch held its third annual Veterans Appreciation Day Saturday, May 18 to honor and thank all the local veterans. There were booths set up offering services for veterans, and lunch was provided. Freedom Ranch holds its annual Veterans Appreciation Day every year the weekend of Armed Forces Day. For further information, contact (863) 763-9800 or visit www.alphamin-istries.org.

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Okeechobee 4-H Sharp Shooters Club Advisers and Lake Okeechobee Airboat Association President, Je� Brockway coordinated the �rst “Lake ‘O’ North Shore clean-up project on April 21, 2013. The

recyclable materials collected during the project were picked up by Waste Management and taken to the recycle transfer station at Okeechobee Land�ll for processing.

Waste Management employee volunteer program allows employees a paid, eight hour shift, to volunteer at a non-pro�t of their choice. Michael Burgess selected to assist at Real Life Children’s Ranch. Michael painted a bookshelf in one of the sta� houses. Michael has also volunteered at Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center building cages and caring for animals.

Pam Casperson and Haley meet every Wednesday and work on reading vocabulary and comprehension. Over the course of the match, Haley has shown great improvement in reading.

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“Being aprofessional

parent at the ranch is not a job, rather

a calling, as theprofessional

parents at the ranch have committed their lives to the

program.” -Mark Mayers


By Renée Mims O Photos By Sandra Pearce

For more than 57 years, Real Life Chil-dren’s Ranch has provided a faith-based ministry that offers residential, family-style group foster homes for abused, abandoned and neglected children. Mark and Darlene Mayers — the ranch’s executive director and community rela-tions director — will soon celebrate 20 years since graduating from college with master’s degrees to enter the mental health profession. Though their jour-ney once took them away from Real Life Children’s Ranch, they eventually returned and remain there to this day.

Real Life Children’s Ranch is commit-ted to providing a stable, loving and learning environment for the children in their care. The living arrangements are organized as a Christian family en-vironment. The children live in “fam-ily homes” that are the responsibility of “professional parents,” who become members of the family. The ranch is unique because it can take siblings who have been uprooted and keep them to-gether to reduce the stress of separation.

Each household operates as a real family would: attending church, eating dinner, going shopping and traveling on vaca-tions together. “Being a professional parent at the ranch is not a job, rather a calling, as the professional parents at the ranch have committed their lives to the program,” Mark said. “While the national turnover rate for house par-

ents is 18 months, Real Life Children’s Ranch is blessed to have several pro-fessional parent couples that have been here for over five years. Professional parents Bob and Mary Young have been at the ranch for 19 years.”

The Mayers met as students attending Palm Beach Atlantic University. Dar-lene was studying psychology, and Mark was a business major. After getting mar-ried 1992 the pair decided to pursue their master’s degrees. Together they at-tended Nova Southeastern University and studied marriage and family thera-py while living in Miami. When Hurri-cane Andrew came through Homestead in 1992, the Mayers were visiting their relatives in Okeechobee. After learning of the devastation Andrew brought to South Florida, the couple decided to move to Okeechobee and commute to finish their education.

As part of the Mayers’ program of study it was required that they complete an internship. Their interest was in mental health, and they started doing some re-search to find the jobs they needed. This brought them to Real Life Children’s Ranch, after Mark dropped by to in-quire about possible job openings. Mark and Darlene soon found themselves hired and working for the ranch. They became fulltime licensed mental health

professionals after graduating in 1994.

One day 2007 Darlene joined a tour of Real Life Children’s Ranch that was be-ing presented by the executive director at the time, Scott Fraser. Fraser was the son of the founders James and Mary El-len Fraser. Fraser stated that the original house was purchased in 1957 from Re-ese and Grethel Upthegrove. The name Grethel caught Darlene’s attention. She remembered she had heard the unique name before but was not quite sure where, when or why. That night she called her mother and told her about the tour and asked her about the name. Her mother told her that one of Dar-lene’s great grandmother’s sisters was named Grethel.

After doing some research, Darlene learned that she turned out to be her great, great aunt Grethel and was her great grandmother Adrianna’s sister. Darlene had grown up with her great grandmother Adrianna and her great, great aunt Tessie close to her family, but she had never met Grethel. Her mother knew part of the family had moved to the Okeechobee area but did not know there was a beach on the shores named for their family as Upthegrove Beach.

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Darlene was amazed to find out that her great, great aunt Grethel originally owned the property that had become Real Life Children’s Ranch, where Dar-lene and Mark were serving as thera-pists.

Due to the birth of their second child in 1999, Darlene decided to resign from her position to raise their children. Lat-er, funding cuts forced Mark to resign his position at the ranch. In 2001 they started a private counseling practice in Okeechobee called Caleb Center for Counseling. In 2007 Darlene received a call that the executive director of Real Life Children’s Ranch, was leaving and she accepted the invitation to return to the ranch as the interim executive di-rector. A few months later, Mark came back on board and was hired as the ex-ecutive director, and Darlene was hired as the community relations director.

As executive director, Mark’s responsi-bilities cover everything from balanc-ing the budget to helping muck out the horse stalls. He oversees contracting of work that is performed at the facility and is responsible for staffing. He is also responsible for knowing the state regu-lations and ensuring that the facility meets these requirements.

As community relations director, Dar-lene works to obtain funding grants and organizes fundraisers. She continues her work as a marriage and family therapist at the Caleb Center for Counseling, and also teaches peer counseling and drama at Okeechobee Christian Academy.

Okeechobee County Commissioner Frank Irby, a board member of Real Life Children’s Ranch, has witnessed the Mayers’ commitment to the ranch. “When I think of Darlene and Mark, I see professionals dedicated to changing the lives of children, humble in man-ner and strong in their faith — a couple who lives the idea that the best gift you can give a child is you,” Irby said.


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When deciding on a location for Real Life Children’s Ranch, James and Mary Ellen Fraser chose Florida because they wanted a place where the children can enjoy the outdoors all year long. The Frasers’ vision is definitely present in the activities available to the children at the ranch today.

There are horses and farm animals, in-cluding goats, lambs, chickens, don-keys, cows and hogs. The children learn how to care for and love all of these ani-mals, and also have the opportunity to participate in 4-H and FFA clubs. “The rural setting of the ranch is very dif-ferent from where these children came from,” Mark said. “The animals, trees and wide-open land are so important to their emotional healing.”

There is a maintenance shop where the farm tractors, lawn-mowing and land-scaping equipment are maintained. The kids get an opportunity to help work on the equipment to keep it operating properly. A wood shop is on the prop-erty to learn to build and be involved in construction projects.

Rosie Brennan, Real Life Children’s Ranch’s current administrative assis-tant, has been involved with the ranch for most of her life. She lived there as a teenager and was one of the original children at the ranch when there was one house with two parents and 14 chil-dren.

The ranch’s dance and drama teams travel to churches and other groups lo-cally and throughout the state and is available for booking by contacting the ranch.

Children come to Real Life Children’s Ranch because they have been abused, abandoned and/or neglected. They are often living in horrible conditions with parents who cannot care for them. They usually have resided in one of the five surrounding counties — Palm Beach,


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Mark recalled the circumstances of one recent admission. It was about 5 p.m. when he received a call asking if he had room for five siblings. He learned that when the Department of Children and Family Services went to the home of the children, the conditions were hor-rible. The mother told them they could do whatever they wanted with the chil-dren. She said she didn’t care, and she was leaving to go to work.

The children arrived at Real Life Chil-dren’s Ranch at 11:30 p.m. that night. The only clothing the children had with them was what they were wearing. The children were dirty and showed serious signs of neglect. Among them was a lit-tle girl who had two shoes on but both were for the right foot. When the little girl met Mark she politely asked him, “Where do you want us to go and what


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do you want us to do?”

Mark said that throughout the years he has learned the meaning of true resilien-cy and trust “from the children.”

Real Life Children’s Ranch receives enormous support from volunteers. The members of the First Baptist Church of Okeechobee provide every child with a handmade quilt, a pillowcase with their name embroidered on it and a quilted Christmas stocking with their name embroidered on it.

When one boy received his stocking he was stunned and said, “Thank you, I have never had one before.” Darlene replied, “Your name embroidered on a stocking?” The boy said, “No, a Christ-mas stocking.”

Mark shares the story of receiving a call one afternoon from a gentleman who said he was a member of a men’s church fellowship group that was looking for a project. Mark said he thought for a few minutes and suggested the group help with landscaping around the ranch property. The man said they could help with the landscaping but were really looking for a bigger project. After talk-ing to the man for a few minutes, Mark told him of an older home at the ranch


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863-467-7770that he had tried to have torn down (having hired a contractor) but with no success at organizing the effort. The man asked if he could come see the house, and he arrived the same week with an-other man who was an engineer. They took a look at the house and offered to tear it down and carry away all of the debris. In addition, the group ended up building a new home for Real Life Chil-dren’s Ranch in its place.

Mark and Darlene appreciate the Real Life Children’s Ranch staff members, who dedicate their lives daily to care for children in need. The Mayers also ap-preciate the outpouring of support they have received throughout the years from the community. They are eager to con-tinue carrying on the heritage of Real Life Children’s Ranch, maintaining the faith-based, family-style group foster homes that were the vision of the Fras-ers — and, most important, caring for abused, abandoned and neglected chil-dren in need of their help.

For more information about Real Life Children’s Ranch, visit its web site at www.rlcr.org or contact Mark Mayers at (863) 763-4242. O

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By Capt. Michael Shellen

As summer ro l l s a round in Okeechobee I find myself remi-niscing about all the great times

our family has experienced while spend-ing beautiful sunny days on the Big “O.” Each trip started as a fishing excursion, at least in my mind, but somehow they morphed into much more than that.

When the kids were younger, snacks were a major concern when any trip was planned, so Belinda and the boys would spend the time leading up to a trip by planning the menu. It started with cold drinks, potato chips and Lunchables and somehow grew into a full-blown picnic. After several trips to the grocery store we had the cooler packed with goodies and headed for the lake. Back in those days there were numerous fish camps around the lake where we could stay for as little as $25 per night. Our favorite fish camps were Uncle Joe’s, Slim’s, J&S, Twin Palms and Buckhead Ridge, and we spent a good deal of time at all of them, fishing, sightseeing and having fun as a family.

My children now share those sto-ries with their own children, creating memories with a new generation that is learning to love and appreciate Lake Okeechobee as much as I do. Oh, sure: fishing is still the headliner at our house, but the things most often remembered relate to our family and friends spend-ing time together.

To my point, summertime is family time, and Lake Okeechobee is a perfect place to create memories that will last a lifetime. For bass fishermen, the early-morning bite is incredible. As the water

Fishing

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1993- 2013

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«««

Fishingon Lake Okeechobee

By Capt. Michael Shellen

Fishing


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warms the baitfish become active and bass can be seen actively busting bait in the grass. A top-water plug or spin-ner bait that imitates a fleeing shad will draw heart-stopping strikes. Once the sun gets well into the sky and the bass quit actively chasing, a lightly weighted fluke, worm or senko will work to con-tinue catching fish.

Pan fishing for blue gill and shell cracker is a lot of fun and is something the entire family can enjoy. Blue gill are prevalent in the lake and can be found and caught in huge numbers. A bream buster pole equipped with line, a small bobber and a tiny hook are all you need to catch a boatload of these chunky, hard-fishing fish. Red worms, crick-ets and grass shrimp are the better baits for catching pan fish and can be found at local tackle stores. The Okeechobee blue gill are large enough that they can be filleted, and when properly prepared, they are some of the best table fare the lake has to offer.

Spend some time with your family exploring Okeechobee this summer. Aside from the first-class fishing, the lake offers a close-up view of animal and bird life seldom seen anywhere else. It’s a more quiet time around Okeechobee. Come see what we’re all about.

Capt. Michael Shellen

O

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Oto try out for Texas A&M’s Division I volleyball and or softball programs. Davis said she might get to see snow in the winter there and although she will miss home, she said she will enjoy the challenge of experiencing something new.

Davis’ parents both attended Texas A&M and have given her a lot of guidance and advice about the campus and its activities. “I think it’s a big package,” Davis said. “They have great academics, and it will be nice to be around the college atmo-sphere. It helps when the football team is winning so I’m excited to be there.”

Davis said she was proud of the suc-cess the OHS volleyball and softball programs had the past four years. She played a big role, not only with her strength and skill, but also with her leadership qualities and steady per-formance. Davis said she was kind of surprised to win the Gold Glove Award.

Sarah Davis finished her athletics career at Okeechobee High School this spring with her third district title. She was a four-year starter in softball.

Davis was among the team leaders in hits, runs scored, runs batted in and batting average. She also won the team’s Gold Glove Award, which honors the best fielder.

In addition to softball, Davis was also one of the best volleyball play-ers in Okeechobee for the past four years. She was a four-year starter on varsity and took a back seat to no one who has played in that sport either.More impressive than that is the fact Davis is her class valedictorian. She

will give up certain college athletic opportunities to attend Texas A&M University, one of the finest univer-sities in the country.

Davis said her high school experience was a long and interesting venture. She said it took a lot of hard work to excel athletically and academically but doesn’t regret the effort. “I did a lot, and I didn’t get much sleep, but in the end both things have helped me become a better person,” Davis explained. “I’m glad that I pushed myself in both areas.”

Davis plans to focus on academics with a variety of possible careers in mind, including becoming a veteri-narian, but she might find the time

O

By Charles M. Murphy, WOKC’s Voice of the Brahmans

Sarah Davis after hitting a home run in a victory over Port St. Lucie.

4276 US Hwy 441 So. - Okeechobee863-763-0231

come join the funat okeechobee KOA!

Pool and Golf MembershipsDaily and Senior Golf Rates

April 1 – Nov. 1, 2013

Shanty Lounge Open DailyLive Weekend Entertainment

SArAh DAviS excelS on AnD off the fielD


WOKC Radio has been on theair for every Okeechobee Sunrisesince 1962.

A Local Legend

Sunrise at Nubbin Slough 2011 863-467-1570 Fax 888-875-1570


AROUND Okeechobee

Businesses from top to bottom: Rep. Cary Pigman’s office, located in the chamber building and Pat’s Floral Design.

Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies

Frank Thompson, a resident of Grand Oaks assisted-living facility, celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, May 19. Frank is a longtime resident of Okeechobee and a lifetime resident of South Florida.

Frank Thompson Celebrates 100th

Volunteers Refurbish War MemorialJim Vensel leads refurbishing efforts on May 7 with the help of Home Depot.

Pictured right (front, L-R) Home Depot Manager Hope Murphy, Bill Bilbrey and Denna Ricket; (back): Dan-iel Fennell Jr., Charley Whidden, Annie Worth, Michelle Smith, Project Coordinator Jim Vensel, Rick Bilbrey, Ed Canning and Tom Jolly.

Many came out to Indian River State Col-lege Williamson Conference Center on Friday, April 5 to celebrate Betty William-son’s 80th birthday, which was April 11.

Family and Friends Celebrate 80th Birthday of Betty Williamson

The Williamson family gathers.

The Chamber of Commerce of Okeechobee County held its quarterly investors lun-cheon May 22 at the Williamson Confer-ence Center. (L-R) Joe Charles of Charles Composites, Nick Blount from FPL and Chamber President Terry Burroughs.

Chamber of Commerce ofOkeechobee County Luncheon

(Right) Maureen Budjinski with Williamson.


Okeechobee Main Street Mixers

Okeechobee Main Street members held mixers at their businesses: (top)Staffords Salon, (middle) KOA Okeechobee and (bottom) Real LifeChildren’s Ranch.

ECO Presents CARE AWARDSFirst and Second Quarter of 2013

The ECO also present-ed the second quar-terly CARE Award to the Okeechobee County School Dis-trict for its new school, Okeechobee Achieve-ment Academy, locat-ed at 1000 NW 34th Street in Okeechobee. Pictured (L-R) are School Principal Ran-dy Weigum, Assistant Superintendent Joni Ard, School Board Member Joe Arnold, ECO Chairman Jon Geitner, School Board Member Gay Carlton, Bob Riedel, School Board Member India Riedel, Superintendent Ken Kenworthy, Sandy Perry, Director of Operations Dale Barrett, Rich Opalinski with BMK Architects, and Project Manager Jimmy Vessels with MarcoBay Construc-tion.

The Economic Council of Okeechobee proudly presents the first quarterly Community Award Recognizing Enhancement, or CARE Award, to Wemmer Family Orthodontics for its new office building located at 2025 Highway 441 North in Okeechobee. Pic-tured (L-R) are Jon Geitner, Bob Riedel, Sandy Perry, Dr.David Wemmer, Patricia Wemmer, Nick Blount and Hoot Worley.

County Commis-sioner Frank Irby (right) presented the proclama-tion to attorney Glenn Sneider at a commission meeting on April 11, which is a national dayto recognize and cel-ebrate our justice system and the rule of law.

County Proclaims May 1 as Law Day

KOA HoldsCare Camps Benefit

March 1

The beach party-themed event featured Howard Livingston and the Mile Marker 24 Band. Over $6,000 was raised that eve-ning.

Pictured is KOA manager Wendy Woodham.


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Coldwell Banker/Berger Real Estate ...... 72Center for Laser Hair Removal ............... 52CenterState Bank ................................... 17Charlie’s Landscaping ............................ 51Colonial Life ........................................... 72Cowboys Steak & BBQ Co. ..................... 45Custom Window Treatments & Blinds .... 38

Dental Surgery Specialists ..................... 19Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center ............. 77Domer’s ........................................ 36DR Willson Land Co. ............................... 69

Echols Plumbing ................................... 55Edward Jones Investments ................... 61Everglades Pediatric Dentistry ................ 19Evie’s More Than Hair ........................... 55

Farm Bureau ........................................ 61Fawn’s Studio ....................................... 72Fitness & Aquatic Center ....................... 22Florida Eye Institute ............................ 68Florida Public Utilities .................. 4, 28, 29Flower Petals .......................................... 62

Gilbert Chevrolet .................................... 83Golden Corral ..................................... 16

Hampton Inn ....................................... 70Heartland Discount Pharmacy.............. 60Highland Pest Control ........................... 24

ICS Computers ..................................... 75

Jeanette’s Interiors ............................... 72

KOA ................................................ 78

Lake Okeechobee Digestive Disease Center 73Lakeshore Marine ................................. 74Law Office of Gerald Lefebvre ................ 54Law Office of Glenn J. Sneider ............... 73Linda’s Style & Trends .......................... 63

Mary Kay ............................................... 39MidFlorida Credit Union ....................... 7Mims Veterinary............................. 26Mixon Real Estate Group ......................... 77Murray Insurance .................................. 82

New Vision Eye Center ........................ 79Nutmeg’s Cafe................................. 65

Okeechobee Claws & Paws ...................... 14Okeechobee Dodge Chrysler Jeep ...... 53Okeechobee Health Care ..................... 37Okeechobee Medical Reserve Corps .... 24Okeechobee Motor Company ........ 9Okeechobee Shooting Sport ............... 13

Pat’s Floral Design ................................. 61Pier II Resort ................................. 39Peace Lutheran School .......................... 39Platinum Performance Builders ............ 5Pueblo Viejo VI Restaurant .................... 75

Quail Creek Plantation ....................... 11Quality Air Conditioning ....................... 40

14K Gold Store ...................................... 735th Street Pharmacy .............................. 45A & G Concrete Pools ........................... 69Affordable Art & Framing ..................... 39Alarm Company ..................................... 17

Badcock Furniture................................... 58Bass Electric ........................................... 74Bass and Buxton Funeral Homes .......... 71Bella Rose Day Spa .............................. 62Berger Clinic .......................................... 63Big Lake Eye Care ........................ 3, 25, 41Bridgette Waldau Graphic Design ....... 49Brown Cow Sweetery... .......................... 45Buyer Brokerage Co. of Okeechobee ..... 65

List of AdvertisersRaulerson’s Absolutely Art .................. 34Raulerson Hospital ................................. 2Raulerson Hospital ............................ 42, 43Raulerson Hospital ................ Back CoverRosato Plastic Surgery Center ................ 27Rustic Style & Cabins ........................... 46

Sanders Dermatology .......................... 47Sandra Pearce Photography ................. 44Seacoast National Bank ........................ 15Sims & Younger ................................... 23Skull Hill Steel ....................................... 63St. Lucie Tires ....................................... 77Stafford’s Salon .................................... 18State Farm Insurance ............................ 12Syble’s Flowers & Gifts ......................... 17

TD Bank ............................................... 45Teez 2 Pleez .......................................... 62The Heritage ......................................... 62Toni’s Chic Boutique .............................. 65Total Roadside Services .......................... 6Trinidad Garcia, M.D. ............................. 70

UBS Financial ......................................... 39USA Mobile Drug Testing ...................... 59

Waste Management ............................. 64Wemmer Family Orthodontics .......... 17Williamson Cattle Company .................. 33WOKC 1570 AM ..................................... 79Women’s Health ................................... 76Worley Construction .............................. 35

Nikki hasn’t been in the Okeechobee office for a while.

She misses you.


20131933

Celebrating

YEARSYour Hometown Dealer Since 1933.

“Guided by our founding principles, it is our mission to provide industry excellence through customer service. Our boundless commitment to long term customer satisfaction guarantees our ability to lead the market and provide quality products and services in a practical and economical manner.”

Gilbert Culbreth, Sr.

(877) Go-Gilbert or (863) 763-3154 3550 Highway 441 South • Okeechobee

www.GilbertChevrolet.com View on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet!

SALES: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM-7:00 PM • Sat. 9:00 AM-5:00 PM SERVICE & PARTS: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-5:30 PM • Sat. 8:00 AM-4:00 PM

BODY SHOP: Mon-Fri 7:30 AM-5:30 PM • Closed Sundays


800 SE Tiffany Ave.Port St. Lucie, FL 34952

—

KID-FRIENDLY CARE 24/7The HCA Hospitals of the Treasure Coast offer convenient care for all emergencies, even those troublesome minor injuries that

aren’t major emergencies but definitely require medical attention. We’ll have your little superhero back in action in no time.

Care you can trust:• Experienced physicians, nurses and staff

trained in Pediatric Advanced Life Support• High quality, personalized care• Short wait times• Hugs and smiles

RaulersonHospital.com

Because even

SUPERHEROESget bumps and bruises!

KID-FRIENDLY CARE

Raulerson HospitalSt. Lucie Medical Center

Lawnwood Regional Medical Center & Heart Institute

For average ER wait time text ER to 23000. Message & data rates may apply

Emergency Services - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week • 1796 Hwy 441 North Okeechobee, FL 34972CONSULT-A-NURSE ® • For Free Physician Referral & Health Care Questions call 763-9228

OK Mag Back Cover Ad-summer 2013.indd 1 5/31/13 1:52 PM

Okeechobee The Magazine Summer 2013

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