okeechobee the magazine spring 2008

SPRING 2008

THE MAGAZINE

PlusShopping with Teresa Chandler

Terry BurroughsThe State of Real EstateChildren’s Miracle Network

Okeechobee 4-H Club’sBarnyard Buddies

RAULERSON OSPITAL

We Care

1796 Highway 441 NorthOkeechobee, Florida 34972

e a re proud to be par t of Okeechobee The Magazine , promot ing our community and its vision. This year, Raulerson Hospital celebrates its 29th Anniversary of service to Okeechobee and the surrounding areas. Raulerson Hospital is proud to serve this community and will continue to strive to be your first

choice for all your medical needs. Raulerson Hospital provides a full spectrum of medical and surgical services performed by physicians and support staff who take a team approach to treating you like one of their own family. Whether it is a routine exam or a revolutionary procedure, Raulerson Hospital partners with you to provide everything you need -- including the services, physicians, surgeons, staff, and the latest high tech equipment -- right here in Okeechobee. As our community grows and the need for new technology increases, you can count on us to continue to invest in the resources necessary to ensure your family's well-being for years to come. We continue to improve patient safety through the use of best practices, improved technology, and increased patient involvement in their healthcare. Our goal is to ensure you are safe and secure while you are in our hospital. Our commitment to patient safety continues with the implementation of the Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) technology system to reduce the possibility of medication errors. As we continue to meet your needs, we encourage your feedback. Feel free to stop by anytime with comments and suggestions -- my door is always open. Robert Lee

Chief Executive Officer

From the CEO of Raulerson Hospital

is just around the corner.

Phone: 863-763-2151

The Raulerson HospitalEmergency Room isavailable 24/7/365

www.raulersonhospital.com

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Publisher’s Note

publisher/managing editor

Maureen Budjinski

creative director

Bridgette Waldau

office manager

Vickye Polizzi

bookkeeping

Betty Buglio

senior photographer

rafael Pacheco

copy editor

Marilyn rinear

writers

susan etchey

jan fehrMan

charles MurPhy joyce MurPhy

Michael W. White

contributors

Michael shellen

distribution

shelly doyle

Okeechobee The Magazine43 Lake Drive

Okeechobee, FL 34974Phone: (863) 484-0110

leW Blatte

president

josh Manning

vice-president

Barry s. Manning

chairman & ceo

Okeechobee The Magazine, is published quarterly in Okeechobee, Florida. Copyright 2008, all rights reserved by Okeechobee The Magazine, LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form with-out the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibil-ity for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted mate-rials. All submitted materials subject to editing.

volume 2, number 1 | Spring 2008

It’s been quite busy here in Okeechobee lately. There have been many events and happenings in our community that are featured with pages of photos in this issue.

I continue to hear so many positive remarks about Okeechobee The Magazine and I appre-ciate that. We are a year old now and I hope that you thank the advertisers who make it pos-sible.

We have quite a mix of stories in this issue. You know how important our 4H clubs are in Okeechobee and we thought we’d share with you how it starts with the group, Barnyard Buddies. Meet six local youngsters who share their love of animals.

It is such a pleasure to meet people who love what they do and, in this issue, you’ll meet Terry Burroughs, with roots deep in Okeechobee, who left after school to pursue a career but came back to give back. Faith Nielson, President of the Okeechobee Board of Realtors, gives us a look at the state of real estate and Denise Huggins finds her passion in her job with Children’s Miracle Network.

Our spring shopper, Teresa Chandler, a woman involved in many charities and dedicated to the community, took time out of her busy schedule to shop in Okeechobee.

Finally, as we enter our second year we would like to keep Okeechobee The Magazine fresh and interesting. Please look for our “Day of Beauty Contest.” If you think you deserve a day at the spa, we encourage you to apply. If chosen, you will be featured in the summer issue of the magazine. Wouldn’t that be fun?

Enjoy the beautiful weather throughout the rest of the season. And enjoy this issue of Okeechobee The Magazine, YOUR magazine.

Sincerely,

Publisher

Costopoulos Helton

Certified Public Accountants Registered Investment Advisors

Partners In Your Financial Journey

www.chcpa.com

As you travel forward on your life’s journey, Costopoulos and Helton is here to help you every step of the way. We are available to assist our clients in every aspect of their financial lives, from accounting and taxation to business strategies and portfolio management.

We are here to help you in your life’s journeytoward your personal financial goals.

Taxation Accounting Business Consulting Wealth Management

Investment and insurance products distributed by Genworth Financial Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and a licensed insurance agency (dba Genworth Financial Securities and Insurance Services in CA); investment advisory services are offered through Genworth Financial Advisors Corporation, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Home office at 200 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; (847) 330-7900. Financial Planning and Portfolio Management Services are offered solely through Costopoulos and Helton, P.A. a state of Florida Registered Investment Advisor which is not affiliated with Genworth Advisors Corp. or Genworth Financial Securities Corp.

CostopoulosHelton(863) 763-1120

195 S.W. 28th Street - Okeechobee, Floridawww.chcpa.com

Costopoulos Helton

Certified Public Accountants Registered Investment Advisors

Partners In Your Financial Journey

www.chcpa.com

As you travel forward on your life’s journey, Costopoulos and Helton is here to help you every step of the way. We are available to assist our clients in every aspect of their financial lives, from accounting and taxation to business strategies and portfolio management.

We are here to help you in your life’s journeytoward your personal financial goals.

Taxation Accounting Business Consulting Wealth Management

Investment and insurance products distributed by Genworth Financial Securities Corporation, member FINRA/SIPC and a licensed insurance agency (dba Genworth Financial Securities and Insurance Services in CA); investment advisory services are offered through Genworth Financial Advisors Corporation, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Home office at 200 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173; (847) 330-7900. Financial Planning and Portfolio Management Services are offered solely through Costopoulos and Helton, P.A. a state of Florida Registered Investment Advisor which is not affiliated with Genworth Advisors Corp. or Genworth Financial Securities Corp.

CostopoulosHelton(863) 763-1120

195 S.W. 28th Street - Okeechobee, Floridawww.chcpa.com


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features

departmentsOKEECHOBEE SHOPPERTeresa Chandler takes us on a shopping spree toCustom Windows and Blinds, Custom Sights and Sound, and Morgan’s Furniture. She then lunched at the Golden Corral. BY JOYCE MURPHY

HENDERSON AND ERWIN -A LOOK TOWARD THE FUTUREBY CHARLES MURPHY

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COMMUNITY EVENTSOHS Tennis Fundraiser Speckled Perch FestivalChildren’s Miracle Network Clay Shoot BenefitRylee’s Hope Chili Cook-offTop of the Lake BBQ - Okeechobee Main StreetMotivational Speaker Craig MacFarlaneTop of the Lake Art Fest - Okeechobee Main StreetABWA Golden Oldies DanceM.E.’s Clay ShootOkeechobee Battlefield Re-enactment

FISHING ON LAKE OKEECHOBEEBUSINESS PROFILESADVERTISERS INDEXAROUND OKEECHOBEE

BARNYARD BUDDIES 4-H CLUBMeet six animal loving youngsters of Okeechobee. BY JAN FEHRMAN.TERRY BURROUGHSNo ordinary hometown boy.BY SUSAN ETCHEY

THE STATE OF REAL ESTATEMeet Faith Nielson, Okeechobee County Board of Realtors’ President .BY SUSAN ETCHEY

DENISE HUGGINSLocal woman finds passion in her work with Children’s Miracle Network.BY MICHAEL W. WHITE

DAY OF BEAUTY CONTESTSOMETHING NEW FOR OUR READERS

ON THE COVERDavid Daniel with Bugs BunnyMember of the Barnyard Buddies

Read more about Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club on page 24.

PHOTO BY RAFAEL PACHECO

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THE MAGAZINE

PlusShopping with Teresa Chandler

Terry BurroughsThe State of Real EstateChildren’s Miracle Network

Okeechobee 4-H Club’sBarnyard Buddies

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(Left) Val Douglas shows Teresa the custom aqua and brown Dana valance.

(Below) Teresa orders a white shut-ter for her kitchen window.

Dimes; Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association Media Relations; O.C.R.A. Cheerleading Coach 2005; O.C.R.A., Cheerleading Coordinator 2006 & 2007.

On her shopping trip, Teresa visited Custom Window Treatments and Blinds, Custom Sights and Sound, and Morgan’s Furniture. She then lunched at the Golden Corral.

Due to the custom work involved, Teresa visited Custom Window Treatments & Blinds and Custom Sights & Sounds for consultation prior to her shopping trip. Teresa stopped first at Custom Window Treat-ments & Blinds (357-6555). Owner Val Douglas was eager to show Teresa the custom aqua and brown Dana valance and draperies ($525) she made. The valance was mounted on a board and would be installed with L brackets.

Teresa ordered two sets of the window treatment for her living room and was looking for a blind to match

Shopper Teresa Chandler, Assistant Vice President/ Regional Sales and Marketing Manager at Seacoast National Bank, was this issue’s shopper. Teresa is responsible for sales and marketing in seven coun-ties for Seacoast National. Originally from West Palm Beach, Teresa and her two daughters, Savannah, 18, and Allison, 14, have lived in Okeechobee for three years.

Teresa’s community involvements include Secretary for the American Cancer Society Board of Directors; American Cancer Society Event Chair for the Cattle-barons’ Ball 2007 & 2008; American Cancer Soci-ety Media Chair for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk 2006 & 2007; American Red Cross Advisory Board Member; American Red Cross Event Chair for the “Heroes” Campaign 2007; Coordi-nator for the Hurricane Katrina Event 2005, rais-ing over $20,000 for the American Red Cross; Main Street Member; Memory Field Event Coordinator for CASTLE for the prevention of child abuse; March of

Okeechobee ShopperShopper Teresa Chandler, Assistant Vice President / Regional Sales and Marketing Manager at Seacoast National

Each issue, Okeechobee The Magazine will send a local resident out into the community to visit local retailers on a $10,000 shopping spree. To help narrow the choices, each retailer selects three items for our shopper to consider. The shopping spree is imaginary; we don’t really fork over the cash. However, we do get a great look at what’s available at area stores.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JOYCE MURPHY


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the ensemble. Trusting Val’s 22 years of experience, Teresa took the Mahogany Hunter Douglas blind ($173) that Val suggested. Val explained that the blinds come with a lifetime warranty.

Teresa also wanted shutters for a kitchen window where she would like light as well as privacy. Val informed Teresa of the different widths that blinds come in. “The wider the slat, the more light comes in the shutter,” she said. Val showed Teresa a white shutter ($320) that has slats that open and a frame that opens also. Though the shutter is available in a wide assortment of colors, white was Teresa’s choice for the kitchen.

Val also pointed out to Teresa that the blinds and shut-ters can be remote controlled. “Men love the remotes,” Val said.” They are nice if your home has high win-dows.” Teresa asked if Val would be there when her window treatments were installed.

“I am involved in the entire process,” Val assured her. With an assistant who helps her sew, Val offers hours by appointment if someone cannot get to her shop Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Her website, www.cwtblinds.com, shows pictures of window treatments that Val has done as well as customer testimonials and other window treatments available. A true professional, Val has done window

treatments in commercial buildings, homes and nurs-ing homes in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and even Hawaii. She can also help people get their house ready for sale.

Leaving Custom Window Treatments and Blinds, Teresa went to Custom Sights and Sounds (357-2199) to check with Joe Stras and Eric Vanderau about her custom home entertainment system.

Joe and Eric assured Teresa that her wide screen TV, stereo and speakers would be ready soon. The com-plete home entertainment system package includes a 50” Norcent flat screen, high definition Plasma TV ($1799) as well as a 1200 W DVD Video/Audio system ($499).

Joe and Eric, along with two other employees, install a lot of custom home and auto systems. When he saw Teresa looking at speakers, Eric pointed out that they carry quality name brands such as Powerbass, MB Quart, and MMATS.

Teresa asked about sat-ellite radio and Joe told her he could install XM or SIRIUS satel-lite radio in either her home or her car. Teresa then chose a SIRIUS satellite radio ($149.99)

(Above) Powerbass Speakers can be purchased at Custom Sights and Sounds.

(Left Joe Stras and Eric Vanderau shows Teresa a 50” Norcent Plasma flat screen TV.

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that comes with a cradle, a suction cup mount, power adapter and roof mount antenna.

Joe assured Teresa that her new satellite radio could be installed during the shop’s regular hours, or she could make an after-hours appointment. He even offered to come to her home or business to do the installation.

With half her money spent, Teresa headed to her next stop, Morgan’s Furniture (467-2072).

Owner Wayne Morgan greeted Teresa as she stepped into the 20,000 sq. ft. showroom. The large showroom was filled with Lane, Serta, Lazyboy, Bassett, Stanley and other top brands.

Teresa was interested in bedroom furniture and a Broyhill four-poster queen size bed ($1599) caught her eye right away. Teresa decided on a Serta mat-tress ($699) and an American Era chest dresser ($899) in Alexandria warm cherry to go along with the four-poster bed.

Wayne assured Teresa that delivering her purchase would be no problem. With five employees, the family-owned and operated store makes deliveries promptly.

As Teresa moved through the showroom, Wayne explained that he offers price matching as well as having financing available and offering twelve months same as cash.

An authentic oil painting from Texas ($259) caught Teresa’s eye and she decided it would look nice in her new bedroom.

One wall of Morgan’s Furniture contains Yankee Candles and Teresa could not resist picking out one ($21.99) to add to her growing collection.

Teresa wrapped up her shopping trip with a hand-crafted Howard Miller gold and Hampton cherry finish Grandfather clock ($1799). Wayne pointed out that the clock comes in silver and has a moon phase dial.

Teresa left Morgan’s with the intention of returning to check out their line of gifts and accessories. After a busy morning of shopping, Teresa was ready for lunch. Knowing that the salads are made fresh daily and the meat is prepared right at the restaurant, she found Golden Corral (763-0444) an easy choice for lunch.

General manager, Charlie Hukriede, took Teresa’s order for unsweetened tea and handed her a buffet plate as she retrieveda tray and silverware. With three l a r g e i s l a n d s plus, and a des-sert bar, Golden Corral is easy to maneuver even when busy.

(Above) Wayne Morgan shows Teresa an American Era Chest dresser.

(Right) Teresa wrapped up her shopping by purchasing this handcrafted Howard Miller Gold and Hapton cherry fininshed Grandfather clock.


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OKEECHOBEE THE MAGA-

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Quality Professional Service with Hometown Hospitality

100% FinancingFirst Time Home Buyers

New constructionCommercial - Residential

VA Loans

863-763-8030

White House Plaza1126 South Parrott Avenue

Okeechobee, Florida 34974

Mention this ad and receive$150.00 credit toward closing cost.

www.okeechobeemortage.com

Mark and Jill TurlingtonFamily Owned and Operated


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Everything was full and looked appe-tizing. Bypassing the salads, Teresa chose fresh fruit instead. The canta-loupe and honeydew looked cool and crisp.

Next, Teresa chose a small piece of meat from the grill and filled her plate from the wide variety of vegeta-bles that Golden Corral offers. To top it off, she added one of those famous Golden Corral rolls.

Charlie, who is also Vice President of the Okeechobee Chamber of Com-merce, likes to be involved with the community. The restaurant patrons are often served by celebrity servers and the money they raise goes to help local schools and churches. Golden Corral is involved with the Children’s Miracle Network and sells balloons in March for Shands Hospital. They also sponsor the Kids’ Corral at the Speck-led Perch Festival and they give out candy at the Halloween In The Park event.

Charlie and associate manager Tony Gubler stopped by to talk with Teresa, who is also involved in a lot of com-munity events.

“Our sirloin (available after 4PM) is cut fresh everyday,” Charlie told Teresa. “We grind our meat for ham-burgers and meatloaf and we cook our pot roast for 12 hours. Our cakes and


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salads are made fresh. We believe in giving you a good value.”

Golden Corral is open 10:45 AM until 10:00 PM seven days a week. The res-taurant is known for its fresh baked rolls and their catered events. There is also a banquet room available in the off-season. The 54 employees at Golden Corral work hard to keep the place clean and the buffet full.

Stop by 700 South Parrot Avenue and let Charlie and Tony tell you why their restaurant has been in the com-pany’s Top 10 for the last four years and counting.

I Wish It Would RainFebruary 29th - March 15th

“Brighton” Up Your EarsApril 25th - May 11th

1011 East Oak Street

WEMMER

Family Orthodontics

863-467-2332Vero Beach

772-562-5876

Sebastian772-589-5959

OkeechobeeMaking a difference, one smile at a time.

(Above) Teresa enjoys her meal at the Golden Corral. (Below) General Manager, Charlie Hukriede, greets Teresa and sets her up for her meal.

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Community Event

Custom Window

&BlindsTreatments

www.cwtblinds.com

4253 Hwy 441 So.Okeechobee, FL 34974

Fabric & Trim ~ Decorative RodsDraperies ~ Valances ~ Bedding

Cornices ~ Blinds ~ Shutters ~VerticalsAll Window Coverings ~ Custom Sewing

863-357-6555Call Val Douglas

Let's get the job done together!

Over 20 years Experience!

BY MICHAEL W. WHITE

Tennis Tournament Benefits OHS Team

On January 26th and 27th, athletes of all ages gath-ered to test their tennis skills in the Sixth Annual

Okeechobee High School Tennis Team benefit tournament. The tour-nament was co-sponsored by busi-ness partners and tennis enthusiasts Mike Costopoulos and Donna Helton. Assisting them in directing the tourna-ment were high school tennis coaches, Dave Ellis and Jay Huffman.

Approximately 45 teams, consist-ing of 6 different divisions, played single-elimination / doubles matches over the two-day weekend. The play-ers enjoyed beautiful weather on Sat-urday and a BBQ meal cooked by Beth White and Andy Arrants. The tournament concluded on Sunday with cooler temperatures. Co-sponsor Donna Helton said, “This is our sixth year, and it keeps getting better. All proceeds from this tournament will benefit the high school tennis team.”

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We are thrilled to become part of the Okeechobee community. Our Community Health System, a network of highly skilled healthcare providers, will soon be providing care to patients in this county.

We work diligently to find the best healthcare providers to join us and offer customized services and solutions to meet their needs.

Over 1,600 providers have joined Renaissance in 26 Florida counties because our model is different. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Call today and learn more about us - we look forward to meeting you around town!

the art and science of healthcare

A new face in Okeechobee County

a Quantum Group company

Call today to schedule an appointment with your local Provider Specialist

877.778.9300

www.RHSFL.com

Tennis Tournament Benefits OHS Team

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1. (l-r) OHS graduate, Catherine Spangler and Alyssa Wright, OHS Tennis team.2. Corey White waits for the opponent’s serve.3. (l-r) Jay Huffman, OHS Assistant Tennis Coach, and Dave Ellis, OHS Tennis Coach.4. Mike Costopoulos (l) and Donna Helton (r) present First Place Men’s Division A trophies to Duke Clements and Jimmy Mills.5. Costopoulos and Helton present First Place Women’s Division A trophies to Kari Berger and Samantha Rivero.


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The Foot DoctorsDR. BRIAN DAVID FINKE, P.A.*DR. ARTHUR CARL HASPEL *^

Podiatric Physician & SurgeonDiseases of the Foot and Leg

Preventative Diabetic Foot CareDR.COMFORT SHOES - HOUSE CALLS

863-467-65773912 SE 18th TerraceOkeechobee, FL 34974

Board Certified by:American Board Medical Specialties in Podiatry *American Board of Ambulatory Foot Surgery *^

PET

Dreams don’t retire.SM

A unique and collaborative approach to financial planning that starts with your dreams, not just numbers.George David Fritts, CFP®, CLU®, CRPC® Financial Advisor500 Sun Valley Dr|ste C-2Roswell, GA 30076 [email protected]

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member NASD and SIPC.

Community Event

The Speckled Perch Festival was held February 9th and 10th in downtown Okeechobee. This year marked the festival’s 40th anniversary.

The parade, preceding the festival, had a large number of entrants includ-ing Congressman Tim Mahoney who walked the route.

An antique car show was held on Sat-urday and Golden Corral sponsored a Kids’ Corral that benefited the Chil-dren’s Miracle Network. Crafts and a large variety of foods, as well as Sem-inole Indian crafts and cooking, were available in the parks.

Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce volunteers sold refreshments through-out the parks and coordinated park maintenance.

Speckled Perch Festival turns40

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Pet Paradise Day Care“Where Every Paw is Welcomed”

Board by the hour, day, night, week or month.We offer a well secured atmosphere,plenty of play areas, pool, indoor A/C

and much more.

Come by and tour our facility502 North Highway 98 - Okeechobee, FL

(Just North of the Livestock Market)

Office Phone 863-763-3763Cell Phone 863-610-0168

of Okeechobee, Inc.Perfect Pools

We Build Fun!

319 SW Park StreetOkeechobee, FL 34972 863.763.8952

Fax 863.763.9694License # RP 0031448

Swimming Pool Service & RepairFamily owned business since 1970

The Skinner Family

BY JOYCE MURPHY

1. Selling drinks in the park. (l-r) former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Brenda O’Connor and Mary Ann Schneider.2. Congressman Tim Mahoney talks to Kelly Owens from the Okeechobee School Board.3. Jenny Slaton watches the parade with Nate Wilson and Jenna Slayton. 4. Cassie Coker leads the Brahman band.5. Kids from Central Elementary ride in the parade.

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Ferrellgas is your one stop for propane. From BBQ grills to fireplaces, and cylinder fills to home deliveries. We have everything you need.

Call us or come by our new showroom to see what we have to offer!Okeechobee showroom

204 SW 7th Avenue

863-763-7557

We also offer turnkey installations from start to finish. Permitting, tanks, piping for water heating, pool heating, generators, cooking and more. We serve all your residential and commercial needs.


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Ferrellgas is your one stop for propane. From BBQ grills to fireplaces, and cylinder fills to home deliveries. We have everything you need.

Call us or come by our new showroom to see what we have to offer!Okeechobee showroom

204 SW 7th Avenue

863-763-7557

We also offer turnkey installations from start to finish. Permitting, tanks, piping for water heating, pool heating, generators, cooking and more. We serve all your residential and commercial needs.

BARNYARDBARNYARDBUDDIESBUDDIES

PROUD BARNYARD BUDDIESKneeling (l-r) Logan Evans and Chance Deen.Standing (l-r) David Daniel, Caitlyn Albers,

Ryan Albers and Ivy Campbell

BY JAN FEHRMAN PHOTOS BY RAFAEL PACHECO


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Excitement was in the air at this year’s Speckled Perch Festival, as the Barnyard Buddies 4-H Club got their animals ready to display. Chickens ruf-

fled feathers. Bunnies wiggled their noses. A big green iguana stared warily from his aquarium. Meanwhile, Chance Deen, a six year-old member, arranged his two chickens Pretty and Shiny. He smiled from under his cowboy hat. “I like to feed them and collect their eggs and play with them.” David Daniel stood nearby keeping a close eye on his cute white rabbit, Bugs Bunny. All the members proudly showed their animals and answered the questions of festival-goers.

What could be more fun than a club with a baby goat, dogs, an iguana, gerbils, snakes, kittens, bunny rabbits, chickens, even a hermit crab, and lots of kids who love animals? Animals are both pets and 4-H projects in Barn-yard Buddies, a small animal, non-competitive 4-H Club for five to eighteen year olds.

This beginning club teaches its sixty-one members how to care for small animals and show them at fairs, festi-vals, and the livestock show. Caitlyn Albers, vice-pres-ident of Barnyard Buddies, who exhibits a hen and a rooster said, “4-H and showing my animals has helped me get over my stage fright.”

Janet McKenna, leader of Barnyard Buddies said, “Showing their animals helps the kids. It’s a chance to tell what they’ve done and be rewarded for caring for them.” Janet has been a 4-H leader for eleven years, and her daughter Samantha was an active member for nine years until she recently went to college. Janet is the kind of long time volunteer leader that gives a 4-H club con-tinuity and quality.

Co-leader Karen Albers moved to Okeechobee with her husband Paul, one of the leaders of The Udder Bunch 4-H Club, so their children could enjoy country life with room for lots of pets. They both feel 4-H is important because it teaches their children about animals and gives them a sense of responsibility. It does keep them busy. For example, Paul recently spent five days at the South Florida Fair helping with the 4-H exhibits. Their seven year-old son Ryan has already been in 4-H for two years. He is the enthusiastic owner of a chicken named Cutie. He said, “You can catch her up and pet her and she’s really nice to work with.”

The parents of all the members frequently attend the meetings and go to the shows with their children. For

Barnyard Buddies, exhibiting is non-competitive, but the youngsters learn confidence and poise, and they do receive awards. Sometimes siblings, who are too young to be in 4-H, tag along when mom or dad are helping out. At a 4-H awards banquet several years ago, Ivy Camp-bell got in line to receive a trophy when she was only three, so she could be just like the big kids. Now Ivy has been in 4-H for four years and this year will show her chicken Gloria. As leader Janet McKenna has said more than once, “4-H is all about family.”

Debbie Clements, 4-H Extension Agent in Okeechobee County said, “ the parents who volunteer here are good, kind, compassionate people who give 4-H a lot of sup-port and by doing so become positive adult mentors to the young members.”

Since there are more cows than people in Okeechobee County, it makes sense that most of the twenty 4-H clubs here deal with livestock. Steaks and Chops leader Cindy Howell says that some of her members over twelve spend as much as $1500 purchasing and caring for their beef breeding animals, but they hope to earn this back on sale day. This experience shows them the economic realities of working with commercial livestock.

Okeechobee 4-H also offers non-animal clubs such as the Sharp Shooters, Vittles Cooking Club, What’s Your Focus Camera Club, Places to Go, Mighty Sprouts, County Council, and Junior Leaders.

Communi ty ser -vice is emphasized in the 4-H creed: “I pledge my head to clearer think-i n g , m y h e a r t to greater loy-alty, my hands to la rger se r-vice, and my health to better living. For my club, my com-muni ty , my country and my world.” The 4-H’s are prom-inently dis-


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played on the green cloverleaf logo known around the world.

The Barnyard Buddies take the motto seriously with volunteer projects such as a fund-raiser BBQ and donating a Christmas tree for Hospice, which won first place in its division. Other activities for the community included a workday at the Agri-Civic Center and the annual Farm-City Day.

With the emphasis on community involvement and responsibility, not surprisingly 4-H prepares children to be leaders in their school and commu-nity. One such young person is Barn-yard Buddies’ president, Logan Evans who is ten years old and has been in 4-H for four years. She’s also president of the Central Elementary School stu-dent body and is a reporter for Steaks and Chops, another 4-H club. Logan thinks the best thing about showing her animals is meeting new people.

Around the turn of the century, 4-H began with the need to get research out to farmers who did not readily accept new ideas. The university agricultural experiment stations found that young people were more open to the latest farming methods, and so clubs were formed to bring modern techniques to rural communities through the youth in 4-H. From a few clubs in the Mid-west, 4-H has grown to 6.5 million members in approximately 90,000 clubs.

4-H began in Okeechobee in the six-ties and is now a vibrant force in the county with children from five to eighteen participating in club meet-ings, field trips, community service, leadership conferences, shows, and camp. The 4-H Agent for Okeechobee County is Debbie Clements. who has been with the extension office since 1995. With a Masters in Agriculture and Extension Education from UF, she uses her experience and educa-tional background to advise the clubs and also acts as a liaison between the

clubs and the University of Florida. The Okeechobee County Extension service of which 4-H is a part is sup-ported by the University of Florida/IFAS and Okeechobee County.

Members of 4-H must be at least eight years old before they can be in a com-petitive club. But you can join the Barnyard Buddies at five and the only fee is one dollar to cover the cost of insurance. You don’t even have to own an animal. Some members will stay with this club but many will go on to join other clubs when they are eight

so that they can compete in the live-stock show and fairs.

The youth of Okeechobee can count on 4-H to teach them new skills, lead-ership, and community involvement. Because of their experiences in 4-H, they will be better prepared for what-ever careers they choose. Helping young people become informed cit-izens and leaders is what 4-H is all about. For more information call 4-H Agent, Debbie Clements at 863-763-6469.

“The parents who volunteer here are good kind, compassionate people who give 4-H a lot of support and by doing so become positive adult mentors to the young members.” - Debbie Clements


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www.computershopp.com

Phone 863.763.8340

909 S. Parrott Avenue - Suite 11C - Okeechobee, FLorida 34974

We Specialize InIn House & O� Site Repairs

Complete Desktop / Laptop RepairCustom Computer Builds

Hardware Sales & Networking 863-763-8340

We Are Okeechobee’s1st Internet Gaming Cafe

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Servicing:Martin, St.Lucie,

Glades, Palm Beach,Okeechobee, Indian River,

Desoto, Hendry &Highlands counties.

909 S. Parrott Avenue 9EOkeechobee, FL 34974

Happy BirthdayGordon!

ALL OVERBAIL

BONDS


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Order 20655 8/23/2007 1:28:07 PM 4.750 x 6.000

On January 26th, shooters of all ages gathered at Quail Creek Plantation in northern Okeechobee County. They came together for a great cause on that beautiful Saturday morning.

The cause was to benefit the Chil-dren’s Miracle Network and was organized by Denise Huggins of Okeechobee. Mrs. Huggins said this was the second year they have put on the event at Quail Creek and it appears they have a recipe for success.

A total of 12 teams comprised of 80 shooters competed. Among the 80 were five in the youth division and nine in the women’s division. After the contest, a wonderful lunch was served by Golden Corral, and there was a prize drawing which included many valuable gifts donated by the community.

Mrs. Huggins also introduced two families who have been affected by the Network’s assistance. It was a great day for all those involved as they showed the caring and giving nature of the Okeechobee community.

Community Event

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www.GilbertChevrolet.com

REAL CARS, REAL TRUCKS,REAL PRICES, NO BULL!

GILBERT CHEVROLET 3550 Hwy 441 South

Okeechobee, FL 34974 877-GO-GILBERT

CLAY SHOOT AT QUAIL CREEKPLANTATION BENEFITS

Children’s Miracle Network

BY MICHAEL W. WHITE

1. Brent and April Kercheville with daughter, Grace.2. Winning Team (l-r) Bob Phillips, Cliff Fuller, Charlie Hollingsworth and Rob Phillips. (front) Isaac Kinchen, one of the children benefited by Children’s Miracle Network.3. Jenna Tenniswood aims for her target as (l-r) Mark Tenniswood, Russell Rucks and Jim Tenniswood watch.4. Top male shooter, Tim Luke with Isaac Kinchen5. Top Female shooter, Vonnie McDaniel with Isaac Kinchen.

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no ordinary hometown boy


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Who would have thought a high school graduate, whose first job was milking Okeechobee dairy cows, would travel the world as a high powered executive in the telecommunica-tions industry; would go from the Florida outback to cosmopolitan life, and then years later gladly give up the glam to come back home to Okeechobee? Instead of lounging in plush corporate offices, 57-year-old Terry Burroughs now hangs out in the back room of one of the most historic shops in the city - Syble’s Flowers & Gifts. He is content to help operate this Okeechobee hometown business with his wife, Maureen. Gone are the 20-hour workdays in the heady milieu of corporate success. Burroughs has a following of childhood friends and new admirers in Okeechobee – for good reasons. He came back to help his aging mom, Syble Burroughs, the first estab-lished florist in Okeechobee. He keeps the shop surviving and thriving through a new age of the city’s exploding economic growth. His wife manages the shop and he handles the finances. The rest of the time, he’s a tireless civic leader. How did this dairy worker growing up at the Flying G Dairy off Hwy 710 rise to top man-agement levels in the telecommunications industry without a college degree? “I was self taught from the bottom up,” said Burroughs. He graduated in 1968 from Okeechobee High School. In 1969, Burroughs landed a blue-collar job as a lineman and telephone installer for Southern Bell. In 1978, he was promoted to first line supervisor over cable maintenance in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach. From that moment on, he was charged up. Being a good learner and hard worker, he began to train, study, and advance. Turning toward sales, he became a sales trainer. He was pro-moted to systems engineer, supervised product development, and became a district man-ager in Ft. Lauderdale. By 1980, he was a working executive in Atlanta. Next, he was promoted to market director for BELLCORE, an umbrella group of national Bell companies, involving emerging software products. He moved to New Jersey.

Terry Burroughs

“When you do things for people,it gives you a lot more than you get.”

no ordinary hometown boyBY SUSAN ETCHEY PHOTOS BY RAFAEL PACHECO

}


SPRING ISSUE

Progress Means MovingForward With Certainty.

Indiantown (Main Office)Palm City • Okeechobee • Lakeport (Branches)

Visit Us Online: www.fboi.com

Okeechobee Office • 205 East North Park StreetOkeechobee, FL 34972 • Telephone 863-357-6880

Success in bass fishing is similar to successfulfinancial management. Both take knowledge,detailed planning and the right equipment. Inboth cases, there’s little chance of “success byaccident.”

To reach your financial goals, it takes a visionof your future and a work ethic to get you there.It also means having a bank like First Bank andTrust of Indiantown, which partners with youevery step of the way. A bank that offers theright solutions with responsive service.

At First Bank and Trust of Indiantown, webelieve in offering our customers a bankingrelationship which assures that your goals arejust as important to us as they are to you.Knowing when and where to fish, so to speak,makes progress a certainty.

Take a moment to talk with us at First Bankand Trust of Indiantown. When you do, you’llfind we create solid financial solutions to helpyou obtain progress in all your goals.

We’re a local bank, making local decisions...come bank with us.

In 1999, Burroughs was promoted to manage worldwide a $220,000,000 software product account. “I traveled 80 percent of my life. I was in Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, Canada, and South America,” he said. After 34 years, he was ready to retire. In 2003, with the failing health of his mother and the passing of his father, George, he began to yearn for home. He took early retirement. Terry returned with his wife, Maureen.

“We came back home and I worked on building a house, playing golf, shoot-ing at Quail Creek, riding my Harley. Then I got bored. Not enough chal-lenge.” “My wife joined Okeechobee Main Street, Inc. and I joined later. I was conned into writing grants and orga-nized the first Top of The Lake BBQ,” he said. “That was the catalyst.” He joined the Rotary Club of Okeechobee. Their motto is “Service above Self.” He is the President this year. “When you do things for people, it gives you a lot more than you get,” he said.

He joined the Economic Council of Okeechobee, because he is bothered by the lack of job opportunities for high-school graduates. “Young people leave after they graduate. Like me,” he said.

He serves on the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center Advisory Group and he’s chairman of the board for the new Okeechobee County Fair. He is encouraged that the county fair drew in 15,000 people and made a profit its first year. Burroughs believes that it takes teamwork to get things done. “No one person is greater than the whole,” he said. Burroughs currently si ts on the

Okeechobee City Planning and Zoning Board. He gets asked, but said he does not want to run, for political office. He gets more done as a volunteer.

“Someone said to me ‘So, what’s your angle?’ I never thought I needed an angle to do what I do. You’re just brought up that way. My mother always felt she needed to give back to the town because they supported her.” Syble Burroughs opened up the flower shop in 1965 while her husband man-aged a herd of 1,300 dairy cows. “My work ethic was developed on that dairy,” said Burroughs. “Milking cows made a man out of me.”

“We came back home and I worked on building a house, playing golf, shooting at Quail Creek, riding my Harley. Then I got bored. Not enough challenge.”


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Progress Means MovingForward With Certainty.

Indiantown (Main Office)Palm City • Okeechobee • Lakeport (Branches)

Visit Us Online: www.fboi.com

Okeechobee Office • 205 East North Park StreetOkeechobee, FL 34972 • Telephone 863-357-6880

Success in bass fishing is similar to successfulfinancial management. Both take knowledge,detailed planning and the right equipment. Inboth cases, there’s little chance of “success byaccident.”

To reach your financial goals, it takes a visionof your future and a work ethic to get you there.It also means having a bank like First Bank andTrust of Indiantown, which partners with youevery step of the way. A bank that offers theright solutions with responsive service.

At First Bank and Trust of Indiantown, webelieve in offering our customers a bankingrelationship which assures that your goals arejust as important to us as they are to you.Knowing when and where to fish, so to speak,makes progress a certainty.

Take a moment to talk with us at First Bankand Trust of Indiantown. When you do, you’llfind we create solid financial solutions to helpyou obtain progress in all your goals.

We’re a local bank, making local decisions...come bank with us.


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Best Rates In Town GuaranteedPIER HOUSE LOUNGE ON THE WATER!

Pet Friendly!

ultimate destinationfor serious sportsmen and family recreation

&the only waterfront hotelin Historic Okeechobee

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BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY 863.634.3414

LiAnn Whipple, LMTMA37128


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1418 S. Parrott Ave. - Okeechobee, FL 34974863.763.6115

Locally Owned & Operated by Gary & Nancy Davis

Over 10 Years Sales & Service

AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVEFULL LINE OF ACCESSORIES

FOR SPRINT & NEXTEL

Community EventBY JOYCE MURPHY

The Rylee’s Hope, Inc. Chili Cook Off moved from a church parking lot to downtown Flagler Park for its second annual event, Saturday, February 2. Nineteen teams competed in the annual chili cook off that benefits Rylee’s Hope. Founders Shana and Lee Jolicoeur were on hand with their daughter, Marlee.

Community leaders such as Clif Betts and Ray Domer judged the teams’ chili entries.

Rylee’s Hope

Second Annual Chili Cook-

1. Rotary Club Team (l-r): Baby Logan, Linda Rucks, Chad Rucks, Charlie Rucks and Rodney Rucks.2. (l-r) Shana & Lee Jolicoeur with baby Marlee.3. Team Barron, Front (l-r): Nate and Maya Pippin; 2nd Row (l-r): Isaiah Pippin, Debbie Barron, Emmabelle Pippin, Becky Barron, Back: David Barron, Sr.

1st Place Team, Highland Pest Control (l-r): Jeff Herrick, Keith Hickman, Bobby Hickman and Jason Hickman.

Beadniks Team (l-r) Robynn Werk, Julie Reno, Kari Steiert, Roy Reno, Bobby Steiert and Brason Harvey

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FALL ISSUE


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www.biglakeeyecare.com

Big Lake

“The Largest Selection ofQuality Sunglasses in Town”

COSTA DEL MAR

763-EYES606 North Parrott Avenue - Okeechobee, Florida 34972

Community Event

With 31 teams this year, the Top of the Lake BBQ Affair needed more room. The sixth annual BBQ Affair was held January 18th and 19th at the Okeechobee Agri-Civic Center. This year, the ven-dors were allowed to sell their own product whereas in the past, Main Street served lunches and dinners. The cooked meat was judged in four categories: chicken, ribs, pork and beef brisket.

This year’s grand champion received $2,000.00 in cash as well as a Traeger Grill donated by Eli’s Trailer Sales. Reserve grand champi o n r e c e i v e d $1,000.00 in cash as well as a custom BBQ apron made by Rabe Rabon. This event is a Jack Daniels qualifier event so the winner will go to Lynch-burg, Tennessee in October. Again this year, the People’s Choice compet i -tion was popular.

Okeechobee Main StreetTop of the Lake

BBQ Affair

Above (l-r) Leroy Davis and Steve Cates prepare for the competition.

Below (l-r) Main Street volunteers Jim Vensel, Linda Woloski, Cheryl Daniels and Toni Doyle.

Above (l-r) Terry Burroughs presents the Grand Champion trophy to the Woodhouse Grill team, Mike Leonardo and Jimmy Brod.

Left (l-r) The Swine Time 4-H Club. (l to r) John Michael Rick-ards, Lorraine Lutjen, Naomi Cook, Selena Bowman and Van-essa Bowman.

BY JOYCE MURPHY

www.biglakeeyecare.com

Big Lake

“The Largest Selection ofQuality Sunglasses in Town”

COSTA DEL MAR

763-EYES606 North Parrott Avenue - Okeechobee, Florida 34972


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SaturdayMarch 29th

20088:00 AM

Come see and enjoy themagnificent vistas of

Lake Okeechobee while you ride,run or walk its scenic trail

To Participate Please CallJim McInnes863-763-3101

ProceedsDonated To:

Boy Scouts ofOkeechobee Okeechobee

Rotary


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Every Home We BuildIs Custom

www.mikebevisconstruction.com

Our Mission is to pursue excellence in homebuilding while providing exceptional

service with personal attention to your details.

Servicing Highlands and Okeechobee Counties.

Community EventBY MICHAEL W. WHITE

On January 17, Okeechobee High School’s Academy of Finance and Sharon Ming of Edward Jones Investments sponsored an hour long motivational program featur-ing Canadian-born Craig MacFar-lane.

MacFarlane became blind at age two due to an unfortunate acci-dent. He spoke of his condition as being nothing but an inconvenience and understands there are many less fortunate than he. Despite being blind for most of his life, MacFar-lane has exceeded expectations by becoming a successful writer, ath-lete and businessman. He contrib-utes his success to his parents. His mother always told him she didn’t

Locals Learn Secrets to Success From

know how to raise a blind kid, so she just raised a kid.

MacFarlane has always lived by that philosophy and refused to let his condition hinder his actions. A champion wrestler in high school who has competed worldwide, Mac-Farlane has excelled in many sports such as water and snow skiing, and even played golf in Michael Jor-dan’s celebrity classic. Along his many journeys, MacFarlane has associated with the most successful people in the world.

MacFarlane is a remarkable indi-vidual and if you would like to know more, log onto his website, www.cmpride.com.

Craig MacFarlane

Above (l-r) Craig MacFarlane and Sharon Ming. Below Front (l-r): Mary Flores, Craig MacFarlane and Faveola Hernandez Back (l-r): Daryl Roehm, AOF Director, Matt Walker, Matt McPeak, Sharon Ming, Edward Jones Broker, Juan Fonseca and Bryan Suarez.


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that before making a decision to move to Okeechobee, they researched the Internet for places to live. Utilizing the web is a critical element in adver-tising property in today’s market. Nielson said the real estate news about the drastic mortgage crisis and record foreclosures has not hit Okeechobee as bad as elsewhere. “In general, the higher foreclosure rates are on the coast and not hitting Okeechobee, Glades and surrounding counties, partially because of our population, and mostly because our local lenders didn’t buy into and utilize some of the

her degree in Pennsylvania, where she was born and raised. Married now for 18 years, the energetic Nielson estab-lished a home-based business as an interior decorator while she stayed at home raising her young children and to this day continues with her sideline business called Florida Interiors by Design. A real estate friend admired her work and convinced her she could also be successful in real estate. She moved to Okeechobee with her husband after looking for a small town to raise their kids and have room for a few horses and cattle. Nielson said

TThe Okeechobee real estate market doesn’t have realtor Faith Nielson in jitters. She doesn’t buy into the media. Nielson believes the market will cor-rect itself and rebound, but meanwhile there is greater opportunity for buyers. “It’s a wonderful time to buy right now because prices are coming down. You will get more house for your money,” she said. “A large number of houses are for sale and it’s a great time to buy your dream home.”

Nielson is the 2008 President of the Okeechobee County Board of Real-tors, whose mission statement reads “to promote, educate and enable all the members of The Okeechobee County Board of Realtors to better serve the public, our community and their fellow members.”

“Being a Realtor is an honor. We are guided by a code of ethics that stands for honesty and integrity,” says Niel-son. Nielson, wife and mother of three boys in Okeechobee schools, joined Cold-well Banker Berger - Real Estate as a Realtor after moving here from Bro-ward County five years ago. She began her working life as a nurse after getting

The

STATEofReal EstateBY SUSAN ETCHEY PHOTOS BY RAFAEL PACHECO

Okeechobee County Board of Realtors Seated (l-r) Kathy Godwin, Preferred Properties; Shannon Bobbitt, Elite Title; Sharon Johnson, Tucker Group; Jonathan Bean, Cumberland Realty Group; Betsy Sheffield, Preferred Properties; Toni Doyle, OCBR Association Executive; Pam Newcomer, GMAC Realty. Standing (l-r) Karin Ammons, Cassels & McCall; Linda Woloski, United Country MidFlorida Realty; Debbie Davies, Coldwell Banker-Berger Real Estate; Jim Fowler, Gil Culbreth Real Estate; Karen Bowers, National City Bank; Faith Nielson, Coldwell Banker-Berger Real Estate; Julie Turner, United Country MidFlorida Realty. Not pictured; Dave May, GMAC Realty; Billy Hill, GMAC Realty and Gail Brown, Coldwell Banker-Berger Real Estate.


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crazy mortgage practices. What was driving our market here were investors coming from Broward, Dade and Palm Beach Counties. People were selling over there and coming out here or they were buying second homes here and that was driving our prices up. They drove up the price very quickly. For a while you could almost put any price tag on a home or lot, and you could get a buyer,” said Nielson. “Our lot values alone just kept increasing because we had such high demand for them.”

Loans are available for well-quali-fied buyers, says Nielson. “You

have to have a good credit score; lenders are under a tremendous scrutiny. A

sizeable down payment may be nec-essary. FHA loans are currently at 3 percent where conventional loans tra-ditionally range from 10% to 20% of the cost of the house as down pay-ment,” she said. “New home buyers need to learn how to build and pro-tect their credit rating. A lot of people haven’t been taught how to do that,” said Nielson. “The best place to start

“Being a Realtor is an honor. We are guided by a code of ethics that stands for honesty and integrity.” -Faith Nielson

Faith Nielson, President Okeechobee County Board of Realtors


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Cottage One-Eleven

Bridgette Waldaustudio of graphic design

863.467.7300www.okeechobeegraphics.com

Visual Arts Studio

111 NE 2nd Street . Okeechobee . Florida . 34972

award winning artist - fine arts & graphic artslogo design - corporate branding

ad design specialist - full color print design the studio with the education and experience you deserve stetson university (bfa) & art institute of ft. lauderdale (aa)

over 25 years experience locally & nationally all work done professionally on a mac

graphics-photography-webmarketing consultant

Creative Director ofOkeechobee The Magazine

from concept to print

Cottage One-Eleven

Senior Photographer of Okeechobee The Magazine

is with your bank. Go and talk to the mortgage lenders and see what you need to do to qualify to buy a home.”

Once a month the Okeechobee Board of Realtors, 200 members strong, meets for lunch to discuss the real estate issues of the day. “We all expected the market to slow down when people were buying and flipping properties very quickly. The investors were out here to make a big profit for a couple of years. We all expected it to slow down but we didn’t expect it to come to an abrupt halt for a year, which is what has happened almost over night. The housing market will recover and we have buyers now looking to buy. That is a good sign of things to come,” said Nielson. Nielson has faith that the Okeechobee market will get better. “It is predicted in 2008 that our inventory will go down because more people are moving to Florida and buying homes,” she said. Meanwhile she wants the sell-ers to take faith, too. “Sellers may per-ceive they are losing money if they sell now, but the actual fact is what we had was an artificial market and it’s adjusting now. In most cases, a home is the most valuable asset people own. Homeownership gives people a sense of pride. If people really need to move or sell they will have the same oppor-tunity to buy in another place where they can take advantage of the buyer’s market,” she said. As for the drought and its affect on home sales, she said the history of the lake has always been one of droughts and wet seasons. “My broker, Phil Berger assured our real estate team that this has happened before. The lake goes low and then comes back up and it’s a cycle.” Nielson, who keeps up with lake conditions, said the fish-ing is reported to be great in the canals and when the lake comes back it will be better than ever. It’s just a matter of time.

”“People want to bank where they’re known

and where they have influence. We work hard

to be that bank for this part of Florida.

It’s a matter of being professional about

our job…and understanding and respecting

our customers. Stop in and talk with us.

We’d like to become your banking home.

John Williams

Riverside Bank President,

Okeechobee County

863.824.0400 or 800.741.3283Member FDIC / Equal Housing Lender www.Riversidenb.com

RiversideBank_Williams_VerAD.pdfPage 1 10/16/07 1:50:06 PM

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Cottage One-Eleven

Bridgette Waldaustudio of graphic design

863.467.7300www.okeechobeegraphics.com

Visual Arts Studio

111 NE 2nd Street . Okeechobee . Florida . 34972

award winning artist - fine arts & graphic artslogo design - corporate branding

ad design specialist - full color print design the studio with the education and experience you deserve stetson university (bfa) & art institute of ft. lauderdale (aa)

over 25 years experience locally & nationally all work done professionally on a mac

graphics-photography-webmarketing consultant

Creative Director ofOkeechobee The Magazine

from concept to print

Cottage One-Eleven

Senior Photographer of Okeechobee The Magazine


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In 1990, musical legend, Jon Bon Jovi wrote a song for the soundtrack of a popular movie, Young Guns

II. It was titled, Miracle. A verse of the song goes like this:

Gonna take a miracle to save us this timeAnd your savior has just left town.

Gonna need a miracle‘Cause it’s all on the lineAnd I won’t let you down

(No, I won’t let you down).The river of your hope is flooding

And I know the dam is busted.If you need me, I’ll come running

I won’t let you down…no, no.

All one needs to do is spend five min-utes with Denise Huggins, and this song comes to life. She proves that there is compassion in this crazy world we live in.

I spent some time with Mrs. Hug-gins one afternoon and she told me her story. After spending twenty plus years working with Shands Healthcare in Gainesville, Florida, she moved to Okeechobee. Hoping to find work in Human Resources in the medical field, she never thought in her wild-est dreams she would be able to con-tinue her work with Shands. She knew there was only one position that allows one to work outside of Gainesville. In a chance meeting, she learned that position would be open and she got it. She became a project coordinator for the Children’s Miracle Network, a job that would in fact allow her to con-tinue her employment with Shands and

also allow her to live in Okeechobee. “I went looking for a job and found a passion. Children’s Miracle Network and Shands Children’s Hospital has changed my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined,” she said.

Denise Huggins met her husband Al when the two attended school in North Florida. Originally from Lake City, she met Al when he moved to the area as a senior in high school. An Okeechobee native, Al Hug-gins could not stay away from home. A f t e r g r a d u a t -ing from the Uni-versity of Florida and starting work in the construc-tion business, Al came back home to Okeechobee to start a business with long time friends. Today, they operate Platinum Performance Builders here in Okeechobee. Denise works from her home for Shands. Their two sons still live up north while attending col-lege at the University of Florida and Santa Fe Community College.

For those not familiar with Shands Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, it was very pleasing to learn of their work in the field. There are seven participating hospitals in Flor-ida that are associated with Children’s Miracle Network.

Our five-county area of Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee, is served by Shands Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Each year, money is raised for research, life-saving medical equipment, diversion-ary items, and patient education. This is Mrs. Huggins area of expertise. “I

focus on getting $1 at a time, like a grass roots type fundrais-ing,” she said. She began meeting the families affected by their children’s illi-nesses. She told me, “These are the most resilient people on earth. These fam-ilies are faced with the most unexpected crisis of a lifetime and manage to come

through it with incredible fortitude and hope, always hoping for the best in the worst situation, looking for a miracle.”

A typical week with Denise Huggins consists of a diverse activity sched-ule. She sometimes spends three days on the road with corporate sponsors. She also visits with families that are struggling with a horrible part of life, childhood illness. She coordinates and plans local events, prepares and delivers paperwork, press releases, and invitations. All the while, she still spends time answering phones, e-mails, and works the budget. Her main

duty is to share the sto-ries of affected families. Kids like Brooke, Isaac, and Kristen, real children who still haven’t been able to comprehend the issues that they must face on a daily basis. Four

Local Woman Finds It In Her Work With Children’s Miracle NetworkPassion Found

BY MICHAEL W. WHITE


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www.biglakeeyecare.com763-EYES

Big Lake

I don’t trust my baby blues withanyone but my Daddy!

Dr. Charles W. Bartels606 North Parrott Avenue


You should trust him too!

liver transplants by age four? Heart sur-gery before age one? Parents search-ing for answers? Children searching for comfort? The stories go on and on. Mrs. Huggins’ job and the mis-sion of Children’s Miracle Network and Shand’s Children’s Hospital are to provide life saving medical care to all kids with all kinds of illnesses.

As we concluded our interview, she said, “This job has given me a com-passion for people. I work many weekends and I don’t mind. I have a wonderful time serving.” She’s become close to many families that are helped by the Network and has a huge extended family due to this. This fact is evident when speaking with her.

If you would like more information about Shands Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network, log onto the Internet at www.shandskids.org. O


ZINE 51

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Big Lake

I don’t trust my baby blues withanyone but my Daddy!

Dr. Charles W. Bartels606 North Parrott Avenue


You should trust him too!

Community Event BY MAUREEN BUDJINSKI

OKEECHOBEE MAIN STREET

Top of the Lake Art Fest

The Second Annual Top of the Lake Art Fest was held on February 23rd and 24th in beautiful Flagler Park in the heart of the City of Okeechobee.

1. Best of Show Booth Artist, Diane Richmond Hall 2. Best of Show Adult Division, Megan Kirby 3. Linda Woloski, Susan Barber, Denise White and Keith Stripling 4. Zeke Elijah Bryan, age 3, enjoys the Magazine 5. Sitting (l-r) Bridgette Waldau, Top of the Lake Art Fest Chair, and Rafael Pacheco, 2008 poster artist, Standing (l-r) Maureen Burroughs, Okeechobee Main Street President; Toni Doyle, OKMS Secretary; and Karen Hanawalt, OKMS Program Manager. 6. Selling baked goods for the dance competition team. Seating (l-r) Taylor Hammock, Virgina St. Pierre, Kelly Barcia. Standing (l-r) Natalie Carlson, Cameron White, Samantha White, Nikki St. Pierre. 7. Dance performers of Leslie’s Dance Studio. 8. (l-r) Nancy Murphy, Janet Holden and Artist Kelvin W. Henderson. 9. (l-r) Audrey Bonell, Artist Burke Carter, and Nancy Bickett10. (l-f) Artist Lisa Faulkner, Austin with his mother, Laura White.

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John & LindaWoloski

863-634-7267863-532-0790

BeckyBarber

863-697-9786

Nobody knowsCountry like we do!

210 NW Park St. - Suite 202Okeechobee, FL 34972

United Country MidFlorida Realty

JULIE TURNER LICENSE BROKER

www.midfloridarealty.net


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VanityHair Skin Nails

Manicure PedicuresFacials MicroDermabrasion

Permanent Makeup WaxLash Extensions

Sweet Pea Princess Parties

Spa PackagesGift Certificates

Available

Vanity

3936 SE 18th Terrace Okeechobee, Florida

Sandals

863-763-0404863-763-0404

Community Event

GOLDEN OLDIES

Dance

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The Golden Oldies Dinner Dance Party held on February 16 at the KOA Convention Center was spon-sored by the Women of Tomorrow Chapter of ABWA (American Busi-ness Women’s Association).


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BY JOYCE MURPHY

1. The Party Dolls led off with a rousing medley from the Andrews’ sisters.2. ABWA Dance Committee. Front (l-r): Karin Ammons, Marie Kirchoff and Kathleen Shatto Back (l-r) Bonnie Kinchen, Marilyn Buxton, Marilyn Rinear and Linda Bridges3. DJ Jerry Chambers serenades Cathye Folsom, backed up by the Party Dolls with a tune from “Grease.” 4. ShaBoom, performing the harmony of such groups as the Four Tops and the Temptations.5. Table tops decorated as 45 rpm records (compliments of Jerry Chambers).

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Women Love

Okeechobee Family Practice, P.A.

Okeechobee Medical Cosmetic Center

Look Great By ReversingBrown & Red SpotsFacial & Leg Veins

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Make Your Botox, Laser &Restylane

Appointment Todaywith Leland M. Heller, M.D.


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Women Love

Okeechobee Family Practice, P.A.


Look Great By ReversingBrown & Red SpotsFacial & Leg Veins

Rosacea - Birthmarks Chin & Lip Hair

Wrinkle Reduction�e “Frown of Aging”

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Leland M. Heller, M.D.


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Appointment Todaywith Leland M. Heller, M.D.


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All Roads Lead to...

Homes by Jolicoeur,Inc.Homes by Jolicoeur,Inc.

Phone: 863.357.2700 1669 Highway 70 East - Okeechobee, Florida 34972

Seventeen four-person teams gath-ered at Quail Creek Plantation on Sat-urday, February 2, to raise money for M.E.’s Team. Major League base-ball player, Scott Proctor and his wife Carrie founded M.E.’s team after their struggle with daughter Mary Eliza-beth’s struggle with a heart defect that required surgery.

The Martin County resident and Los Angeles Dodger’s pitcher brought a couple of his friends and family to shoot at clay targets at the Quail Creek course. Volunteers from M.E.’s Team Foundation coordinated the event in addition to a celebrity benefit ball held the night before. The trappers on the course also volunteered their time and expertise for the event.

Major League Baseball Stars Community Event

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Shoot ClayFundraiser Benefits M.E.’s Team


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STUART’SRecreational Depot

Sales & Service - Parts & Accessoriesand Consignment

Office: 863-357-65314300 Hwy 441 SouthOkeechobee, FL 34974

New and Used RVs

[email protected]

Major League Baseball Stars BY JOYCE MURPHY

1. NY Yankee Outfielder Johnny Damon, LA Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Proctor and NY Yankees relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth.2. The MLB players and families.3. The M.E.’s Team Foundation volunteers who put together the clay shoot at Quail Creek Plantation and kept it running smoothly.4. M.E.’s Team Foundation volunteer Steve Swann emceed the raffle giveaway after the clay shoot.

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Shoot ClayFundraiser Benefits M.E.’s Team


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Furniture ForYour Entire Home

863.467.2072707 S.W. Park Street

Okeechobee, FL 34974

Family Owned & Operated Since 1983

Yankee Candles

Gifts & Accessories

“Your Comfort Is Our Busine�.”

Morgan’s Furniture

Fishing on

Lake Okeechobee BY CAPTAIN MICHAEL SHELLEN

As you all know Lake Okeechobee is still in a severe drought period;

we are in need of rain and lots of it. In spite of the low water situation and the problems associated with it, bass fishing has been very good; our guided shiner trips have been averaging 25 to 35 bass per trip, with bigger fish in the 8-pound class being caught almost daily.

The lower the lake gets, the more con-centrated the fish will become. As the lake gets lower and lower this spring, the Rim Canal and the Kissimmee River will be brimming with fish of all species.

We are approaching the time of year when bluegill and shell cracker will become the most pursued species on the lake. Okeechobee is known for its large, hand-sized bluegill.

There are several ways to catch these fish, either on a cane pole with a worm or cricket as bait, or on a fly rod with a small popping bug. Last year several anglers found shell crackers bedding several miles offshore and caught hun-dreds of them; the water is right for the same scenario this year.

The SFWMD has several proj-ects planned for the early spring and summer. Let’s just hope the money that they are spending is going to ben-efit the lake in the long term. There are plans for more silt to be removed in


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820 US Highway 98 NorthOkeechobee, FL 34972

Nothing Runs Like A DeereFrom Everglades

PARTS - SALESSERVICE

Same or Next DayParts Availability

Huge Inventory

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Knowledgeable Staff!

All MajorCredit Cards Accepted

Captain Michael ShellenShellen Guide Service

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order to return the lake to its original state. By late spring and early summer, it is projected that the lake might get as low as 7 to 8 feet. If this is the case, it will take rain of major proportions to return the lake to proper levels.O

Taylor CreekPrinting

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Serving the Lake areafor over 20 years!

For All Your Printing Needs

Full Color Business Cardsfrom $65

AgriculturalCommercial

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211 Sw 3rd StreetOkeechobee,Florida


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Community Event

The Battle of Okeechobee Re-enactment was held February 2 & 3 at the newly created Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park.

Battle ofOKEECHOBEE

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BY JOYCE MURPHY

1. State Representative Richard Machek speaking at the opening cere-mony for the event.2. Mable Doctor presenting Seminole Jacket to Shawn Henderson.3. Bill Steele, Seminole Tribe of Flor-ida’s Historic Preservation Officer and Jack Williamson, also known as “Zachary Taylor.”4. Re-enactor City Councilman Dowl-ing Watford (r) leads the way.5. Jack Williamson as “Zachary Taylor.”6. (l-r) Andrew Bowers, Moses Osceola, Pastor Wonder Johns and Shawn Henderson.7. Re-enactment of a battle scene.

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LIBERTY FENCE

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Selling or buying? Call us for all your real estate needs!


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We will handle any Real Estate transaction for only 2%. Please call for details.


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Pristine Properties InternationalFlorida’s Recreational Property Specialists

Buying, Selling, Leasing, Developing, or Managing Properties, letPristine Properties participating with Cabela’s Trophy Properties work for you.

Deer Creek RanchCounty, offers a 280 acre exotic game preserve. This unique property consists of a nicely appointed lodge, newly refurbished custom home, barns, 8 ft. high game fence and game including Axis Deer, Pere David, Red Stag, Fallow Deer, Black Buck, Water Buffalo, White Tail Deer, Osceola turkey, and

Wild Boar. Call for details!

The Lodge at Sundance TrailsThis very unique, luxury lodge is situated on 12 pristine acres (additional acreage is available) East of

Okeechobee, Florida in an upscale equestrian community. The nine-bedroom Cypress log home is used as a private residence but easily used as a corporate retreat. Call for details!

Bull Head RanchLocated in South Central Florida, this 145 acre Florida Ranch includes a 3,300 sq. ft. dwelling and a

mostly cleared and very improved pasture property. Call for details!

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ALARMCOMPANY

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Security SystemsFire Alarm Systems

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Medical Alert Systems Closed Circuit TV

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BUSINESS PROFILES

E & E Automotive (863-763-2666) has been located at 3585 North Highway 441 since 1968.

S t eve De twe i l e r has owned the NAPA Auto Care Center for the last nine years.

“We pride ourselves on customer service and qual i ty work,” Steve said.

A full line light truck and auto repair shop, E & E Automotive technicians are qualified in all aspects of repair. ASE Certified, Steve, along with two top-notch line techni-cians and an apprentice, get the customer in and out quickly.

Buck Elkins, one of the original owners, still helps out part-time at the shop.

E & E Automotive is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Stop in and let Steve and his staff get you back on the road in no time.

Mr. Fernando Vergera started the family owned Coco Sod Farm (763-1 5 1 0 ) 2 0 y e a r s a g o . Naming the business after a nickname for his son, Mr. Vergera and his staff grow their own sod as well as deliver and install it. Their sod farm is located on SR 70 about 10 miles west of the office.

Insured , cer t i f ied and bonded, Coco Sod Farm’s mission is “to provide the highest quality sod at the lowest market prices.” Their product is 100% guaranteed and Coco Sod Farm prides itself on being producers of the highest quality sod in the United States. With over 2,000 acres of Argentina Bahia and 1,500 acres of Floratam, Coco Sod Farm can ship orders within 48 hours.

M e m b e r s o f t h e Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, The Flor-ida Sod Growers Coop-erative, Inc., and Flor-ida Agri-Women, Coco Sod Farm is “here for you.” They also sponsor an OCRA Major League Baseball team each year.

Co c o S o d F a r m h as installed sod all over the state of Florida. More information can be found on the website: www.cocosodfarm.com.

Paradise Land Services is locally owned and operated by Greg and Debi Caldwell. Greg has an extensive back-ground in the lawn care industry and has been oper-ating Paradise Land Ser-vices for one year. “I started Paradise Land Services for one reason and that was to offer a quality service cou-pled with affordability for all of your lawn and land-scaping needs,” Greg said.

Paradise Land Services is a full service lawn and landscape company. Ser-vices range from basic mowing packages to land-scape design and installa-tion. Additionally, Para-dise Land Services offers mulch and rock installa-tions, sod installation, and vacant lot mowing. Greg is licensed with the Florida Department of Agriculture to diagnose and treat many problems within your land-scape. These range from insect infestations to differ-ent diseases of your orna-mental plantings.

Fully licensed and insured, Paradise Land Services offers services to both res-idential and commercial customers as well as pack-ages for contractors and realtors. Visit www.par-adiselandservices.com or call (863) 634-1479 to set up an appointment and get ready to “Come Home to Paradise”.

Coco Sod Farm E & E AutomotiveServices

Paradise LandServices

Okeechobee Air Condition-ing and Refrigeration Co. has serviced Okeechobee and surrounding areas since 1978. They are a licensed and insured authorized dealer for Trane, Carrier, Amana, Lennox, Gran-daire, Goodman, Rheem and York.

The family owned and operated business offers sales, service and installa-tion of commercial and res-idential air conditioning and heating systems along with commercial refrigeration equipment. The company also offers additional ser-vices such as air duct clean-ing and sanitizing, germi-cidal lights, custom main-tenance agreements and air duct design for new con-struction.

Owner Dwayne Blair said, “Our service and installa-tion departments take pride in giving our customers the best service and workman-ship possible.

Call Okeechobee Air Con-ditioning at 863-763-8391 or toll free at 800-741-3994 to prepare your system for

t he long ho t summer ahead.

Okeechobee AirConditioning

BY JOYCE MURPHY

Friendly Staff of Okeechobee Air

Conditioning


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BUSINESS PROFILES

P e r f e c t P o o l s o f O k e e c h o b e e , ( 7 6 3 -8952) carries a full line of swimming pool and spa supplies. The store, located at 319 SW Park Street, is open Monday, Tu e s d a y , T h u r s d a y and Friday from 9:00 am until 5:00 p.m. and Wednesday and Satur-day from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

O w n e r s G a r y a n d Maxine Skinner opened the store in Okeechobee in 1984. The family came from Ft. Lauder-dale where Gary had 16 years experience in pool care and mainte-nance. Son, Michael is vice president and helps install and service pools while his wife Juliet works in the office. Family owned and oper-ated, the four-staff busi-ness offers “only the best. We provide great service,” said Gary.

P e r f e c t P o o l s o f Okeechobee installs in-ground pools as well a s s p a s a n d a b o v e -ground pools. They also do repair work on in-ground pools . Pools and spas can be ordered from a wide selection of brochures. The Skinners also offer consultation and advice on pool and spa problems or care.

Perfect Poolsof Okeechobee


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a great thing for me.

Dad said he expects to do a lot of trav-eling to Jacksonville this coming fall. “Rafe has always been kind of a spe-cial kid. I thank his mom for putting up with a lot of football over the years and he put up with me. I kind of put some pressure on him to do well,” he said.

On Wednesday , Feb-ruary 6, Leshawn Hen-derson became the fifth Okeechobee Brah-man in history to sign a

national letter of intent to play college football at Marshall University. Days later, Brahman offensive linemen Rafe Erwin decided he would attend Jack-sonville University.

While Henderson joins such Brah-man greats as Kerry Parks and Larry Davis, he also joins two of his cous-ins, John Grace and Curtis Jones, as players that attended the university in Huntington, West Virginia. “I just felt comfortable there. I like the educa-tion they offer, and I’m very excited. I think it’s pretty great actually. I will miss Okeechobee. I’ve lived here most of my life. I’ll miss my family, my friends, and the coaches.” Henderson was a four-year starter for the Brahmans. He was a standout at cornerback, where he has six career interception returns for touchdowns. He had over 4,000 total yards on offense and special teams in his Brah-man career. He had 19 overall career interceptions.

Brahman Coach Chris Branham said he was proud of Henderson and also of his program. This is the first ath-lete under Branham’s coaching to sign a Division I football scholarship. He said that bodes well for the future of the program here.

Marshall plays in the very competitive Conference USA. They slumped to a 3-9 record last year, the second under Head Coach Mark Snyder, includ-ing a 31-3 loss to Miami. In 2008, the Thundering Herd will play at Wiscon-sin in addition to their league contests. They don’t have any games scheduled in Florida next year having played at Miami in 2007.

Rafe Erwin, a three-year starter for the Brahmans, said he was very comfort-able when he met the coaching staff at Jacksonville led by former Gator QB Kerwin Bell. He noted he was also comfortable with the campus, which is located in downtown Jacksonville and is surprisingly quiet. “They are also building brand new facilities. I feel comfortable there, and I think it’ll be

210 W. North Park Street 210 W. North Park Street 210 W. North Park Street Suite 102Suite 102Suite 102

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A treat boutique with a passion for pets

HomemadeAll Natural Treats

For Your Pet!

Made fresh when you call!Pet Treats - Doggy Birthday Cakes

Upscale Pet Boutique - Spa Products

863-801-5487

www.dogdishtreats.com

Debi Caldwell & Lisa JarrielOwners

[email protected]

Lawn Care & Landscaping

Come Home To Paradise

Licensed - Insured

863-634-1479

Land Services, LLC

ResidentialCommercial

www.paradiselandservices.com

Okeechobee List of Advertisers14K Gold Store .................................................. 15Aaron’s Sales & Lease ..........................................62Abney & Abney .................................................. 21Alarm Company ................................................... 65Ameriprise Financial ........................................... 20

Bass Electric ........................................................ 61Best Buds .......................................................... 50Best Built Homes ..............................................16Bevis Construction Company .................................43Big Lake Can-cer Center ....................................... 40Big Lake Eye Care ........................................... 3, 41 & 51 Big Lake Hospice ............................................... 62Big Lake Roofing .................................................15Brahma Bull Restaurant ...................................... 72Bridgette Waldau Graphic Design .........................47Brooke Insurance ..................................................42Buxton Funeral Home & Crematory .................... 42

Cabela’s Trophy Properties.................................. 65Cattle Barons’ Ball ............................................... 62Clock Family Restaurants ................................. 68CoCo Sod Farm ............................................... 45Coldwell Banker – Faith Nielson ......................... 5Computer Shop Cafe, All Over Bail Bonds, and Razz-Ma-Tazz ................................................... 27Cooke’s Environmen-tal Services........................... 23C o s t o p o u l o s & Helton, P.A. ................................ 9Creations in Fotografia ........................................ 47Custom Sights & Sounds ..................................... 68Custom Window Treatments & Blinds ................... 18

Davis Communications ....................................... 37Day Of Beauty Contest ....................................... 74 E & E Automotive ................................................ 58Eli’s Western Wear................................................. 17Everglades Farm Equipment ................................61

Fantasy Lighting .................................................. 19Ferrell Gas ........................................................ 22First Bank & Trust of Indiantown .......................... 35Fly-N-High Enterprises ......................................... 71 Foot Doc-tors ...................................................... 20

Gilbert Chevrolet ................................................. 31Glades Gas ........................................................ 45Golden Corral ................................................... 71

Heller, Leland M. MD .......................................... 56, 57Highland Pest Control ......................................... 17Homes By Jolicoeur .............................................. 58

ICS Computers ................................................... 74Independent Nuclear PET Imaging ....................20

K & N Welding ..................................................... 50K Builders ............................................................ 30

Lakeview Builders / Cumberland Realty.................63Landing Strip Restaurant ...................................... 54Law Office of Gerald Lefebvre ............................ 68Law Offices of Philip DeBerard ........................... 75LiAnn Whipple, LMT...............................................36Liberty Fence Compa-n y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 3Luviano Roofing .................................................... 72

Maximum Tanning ............................................... 36MidFlorida Hardware ........................................... 31 Mike Racine, Massage Therapist ........................ 54Morgans Furniture .................................................. 60Morgan Stanley ................................................... 53Morton Ag ......................................................... 60

National City .................................................... 30

Okeechobee Air Conditioning .............................70Okeechobee Mortgage.......................................... 15Open MRI of Okeechobee ................................... 65


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Suncoast Medical Equipment

Complete Line of Medical SuppliesContracted Medicare Assignment24 Hr Oxygen Service

Manual & Motorized WheelchairsLift Chairs & Hospital Beds

Rentals Available

412 NE Park Street - Okeechobee, FL

863-467-8711We are open

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

Rau erson'sA SHOPPING ADDICTION

Committed to bringing Luxury Home!

863-357-1199

Absolutely ArtCustom Framing and Matting

401 SW Park StreetOkeechobee, FL 34972

Vera Bradley - Lilly Pulitzer - Crabtree & EvelynEmily Ray - Borghese CosmeticsBedhead Pajamas - Hanky PankyBridal & Baby Registry Available

New Spring Colors Are Here!

We Now Carry Brighton Handbags & Shoes!

Okeechobee List of AdvertisersParadise Land Services / Dog Dish.......................... 70Perfect Pools ....................................................... 21Pet Paradise ..................................................... 21Pier 2 Resort ........................................................ 36Platinum Performance Build-ers ............................. 55

Platinum Performance Realty ............................. 64Porter’s Dry Cleaning .......................................... 55

Quail Creek Plantation ......................................... 11

Raulerson’s Absolute-ly Art .................................... 71Raulerson Hospital ............................................... 2 R a u l -erson Hospital ........................................ 38, 39Raulerson Hospital .............................Back CoverReal Stone & Granite ............................................... 7Renaissance Health Systems ..............................19Riverside Bank ................................................... 46Rotary Bike Ride ................................................. 42

Seacoast National Bank ....................................... 36 Sears ................................................................... 72Singh, Roshan MD................................................50Special Occasions ................................................ 67Stafford’s Salon ................................................... 67Stepping Stones Academy .................................... 28Stitchin Post ...................................................... 68Stuart RV Sales ................................................ 59Suncoast Medical Supply ............................. 71Superior Water Works .......................................... 20 Syble’s Flowers & Gifts ......................................... 36

Taylor Creek Printing.............................................61The Tucker Group ............................................... 48Treasure Coast Dermatology ...................................6

United Country MidFlorida Realty ..................... 53Vanity Salon ........................................................ 54Walpole, Inc. ......................................................... 59


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APPLIANCES ELECTRONICS LAWN & GARDEN TOOLS

Authorized Retail Dealer 863-467-1200"Please stop by and check out our store"

Full Service ShopOrder Parts All

Mowers & Appliances

Carlos and Maria BahamonOwners & Operators

9am - 6pm - Monday - Saturday11am - 4pm on SundayHOURS3290 Hwy 441 South

Okeechobee, FL 34974


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Around Okeechobee

The 30th Anniversary Brighton Seminole Princess Pageant was held on February 14. Pictured above is Brighton Miss Seminole Princess, 13 year old Jarayaca Baker and Junior Brighton Miss Seminole Princess, 9 year old Rumor Juarez.

Okeechobee’s Flagler Park served as first host to the Memory Field presented as a joint effort between Seacoast National Bank and CASTLE, the premier organization for the prevention of child abuse on the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee County.

(L to R): Frank & Debbie Riddle, Mr. & Mrs. Sonny Williamson, Teresa Chandler, Billy Dean, Carrie Heineman, Debbie Mathews, Maria Fanizzi, Cindy Domer and Keith Stripling. Not pictured: Teri Sauter.

Okeechobee’s First Energy Star Certified Home

(l-r) Kyle, John and Wes Abney proudly held an open house on February 2 in Basswood Estates.

2008-2009Brighton Princesses

Crowned

Tabitha Trent, Vice President and Office Manager of Riverside Bank, was designated Branch Manager of the Year at the bank’s annual conference in Orlando on February 1st.

Okeechobee Hosts “Memory Field” to Stop Child Abuse

Billy Dean, event emcee walks through the memory field

GILBERT OIL CELEBRATES 80 YEARS

Buddy Lisle, Manager of Gilbert Oil (center) joins the Gilbert family (l-r) Bert Culbreth, Christa Luna, Marie and Gil Culbreth.

Congratulations to Tabitha Trent

2008 Cattle Barons Ball Planning Committee

Teacher of the Year

Pictured left: Superintendent,Dr. Patricia G. Cooper with Teacher of the Year, Heather Hawk (r), Everglades Elementary.


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Name:Address:

City/State/Zip:

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Send this form to:Okeechobee The Magazine

43 Lake DriveOkeechobee, Florida 34974

Are you Ready for a

Something New for our Readers!

Contest Rules: You must be 18 years or older to participate. We choose the salon/spa and the beauty experience. Contest entrants must be available to take a weekday off from work. The decision of the selection committee is final. Employees of Okeechobee The Magazine, all affiliated companies and their family members are not eligible to enter. Accepting your Beauty/Spa package includes the agreement that we may use your image, take photos of you at the spa/salon and publish information about your Day of Beauty in Okeechobee The Magazine.

Okeechobee The Magazine selects one lucky reader each

issue to enjoy a day of relaxationand luxury at a local salon/spa.

Can you use an escape from your daily grind?If so ENTER this CONTEST today.

All you have to do is fill out this form andmail it to the address on this form.

Please include a photo of yourself and a shortnote as to why we should pick you.

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

Phone Number(s) ______________________________________________________

Mail this Entry Form to: Okeechobee The Magazine, Day of Beauty Contest

43 Lake Drive - Okeechobee, FL 34974

Okeechobee The Magazine Day of Beauty Contest


ZINE 75

SPRING ISSUE


SPRI

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okeechobee the magazine spring 2008

Documents

com8 okeechobee

t of okeechobee

raulerson hospital partners

ceo of raulerson hospitalis

patient safety

improved technology

advertisement errors

medical needs