In The Field Heartland

INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009 1

SEPTEMBER 2009

Heartland’s AGRICULTURE Magazine®

HARDEE • HIGHLANDS • DESOTOOKEECHOBEE • CHARLOTTE

CLYDE HOLLINGSWORTHCattle & Cadillacs

2 INTHEFIELD MAGAZINE SEPTEMBER 2009

Compassionate, Competent,

Comprehensive Care... Our Promise!

ospital Services:• Wound Care

• Laparoscopic Banding Weight Loss System

• Vascular Access Unit

• Orthopedic Center

• 16 Bed ICU

• Emergency Medicine

• Medical and Surgical Units

• Outpatient Surgery

• Diagnostic Imaging Center

• Cardiopulmonary Services includingDiagnostic Cardiac Catheritization

• Neuroscience/Rehabilitation Center

• New Beginnings – LDRP BirthingSuites

• OB/GYN

• CAP/AABB Accredited Laboratory

• Physician Referral Program

• Med-Key Quick Admit

• Free Education Seminars

General Information

863-385-6101

3600 S. Highlands Ave., Sebring • www.highlandsregional.com

4 Blocks South of Lake Jackson on US 27 at Sebring Parkway in Sebring

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YOU TOO CAN BE A WINNERHEY READERS, hidden somewhere in the magazine is a

No Farmers, No Food logo. Hunt for the logo and once you find the hidden logo you will be eligible for a drawing to win a FREE InTheField® T-Shirt. Send us your business card or an index card with your name and telephone number, the page on

which you found the logo and where on that page you located the logo to:

InTheField® Magazine P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, FL 33563-0042All Entries must be received by Sept. 12, 2009.

Winner will be notified by phone.You Too Can Be A Winner - Enter Now!

No FarmersNo Food

Tee Off to Benefit Florida 4-H FIRST ANNUAL OKEECHOBEE CORN MAZESponsored by Okeechobee County Farm Bureau

Oct. 23-31, 2009At The Super Wal-Mart, East end of

the parking lotMon-Fri. 4 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

Sat. & Sun. 12 p.m.-6:30 p.m.Admission is $2 per person

Come out for a great time and Help support the Okeechobee Farm Bureau!

The Florida 4-H Foundation, Inc. hosts its 2009 Golf Classic to benefit the 4-H youth development program in Florida.

The 18th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc./Florida 4-H Golf Classic will take place on Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 am at Highland Ridge North, 4100 Carter Creek Drive in Avon Park. This event is open to the general public.

“Throughout my life 4-H has played a major role,” said Congressman Adam Putnam, honorary golf classic chair. Congressman Putnam continues, “I grew up working in my family citrus and cattle business, and we were always participating in 4-H activities. When I was in high school, 4-H was my introduction to public service when I served as state 4-H President. Not only do you learn a lot in 4-H, you have a lot of fun too. And that’s why I continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of 4-H and am thrilled to be Chairman of this year’s 4-H Golf Tournament.”

Florida 4-H provides hands on learning activities to youth 5 – 18 and supports adult learning opportunities for volunteers. Funds raised through the golf tournament support 4-H activities in local communities throughout the state.

“I have seen first-hand the many positive impacts 4-H has upon so many young lives,” said Mike Waldron, the 2009 golf chair. “Your continued support of the 18th Annual Golf Classic helps to maintain a ‘full menu’ of 4-H programs.”

For more information about the event, contact Kristin Bird at [email protected] or call (352) 846-0996. Registration deadlines, hotel accommodations and information about becoming a sponsor are available online at www.florida4h.org. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. is sponsoring this event.

Founded in 1909, Florida 4-H Youth Development Program works with more than 263,000 youth, ages 5-18, and is active in all 67 counties, and with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Florida 4-H is the youth development program of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (CES), headquartered in Gainesville within UF’s IFAS. The CES is funded by a partnership between federal, state and county government agencies. For more information about Florida 4-H, visit www.florida4h.org or contact your county Extension office. All programs are open to all persons regardless of race, color, age, sex, handicap or national origin.


Publisher/OwnerKaren Berry

Senior Managing Editor and Writer

Sarah Holt

Manager/Editor Matt K. Elliott

Office ManagerBob Hughens

SalesMatt K. ElliottLacy CarltonKaren Berry

Rhonda Wetherington

Ron Brown

Art DirectorJulie Bedford

Staff WritersSharla Elliott

Anne ReynoldsForrest SteeleKyla ShiverBlake Farrer

Matt Sherwood

Contributing WritersFred Lieb

David SummersJames Sharpe

Charles M. Shinn, IIITina Clarke

PhotographyMatt K. Elliott

In The Field® Magazine is published monthly and is available through local businesses, restaurants and other local venues within Hardee, Highlands, Charlotte, DeSoto and Okeechobee counties. It is also distributed by U.S. mail to a target market, which includes members of Farm Bureau and those with ag classifications on their land. Letters, comments and questions can be sent to P.O. Box 5377, Plant City, Florida 33563-0042 or you are welcome to email them to: [email protected] or call 813-759-6909.

Advertisers warrant & represent the descriptions of their products advertised are true in all respects. In The Field® Magazine assumes no responsibility for claims made by their advertisers. All views expressed in all articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Berry Publications, Inc. Any use or duplication of material used in In The Field® magazine is prohibited without written consent from Berry Publications, Inc. Published by Berry Publications, Inc.

From the EditorVOL. 1 • ISSUE 12

SEPTEMBER

6 Letter from DeSoto County

Farm Bureau President

8Farm Bureau Highlight

The Derisos

12Grub Station

JR’s Runway Cafe

16Business Upfront

Signs Now

17FFA Journal

20Farmers Wife

24Fishing Hot Spots

27Florida Lychee Recipes

39Ag Real Estate

Tip of the Month

48Strut-N-Rut Outdoor

Adventures

I T F M S 2009 1

SEPTEMBER 2009

Heartland’s AGRICULTURE Magazine®

HARDEE • HIGHLANDS • DESOTOOKEECHOBEE • CHARLOTTE

CLYDE HOLLINGSWORTHCattle & Cadillacs

Cover Story: Clyde HollingsworthPage 50

Dear Readers:

It’s September….Summer’s over, kids and teachers are back in school, football and other fall sports are getting started, and we’re seeing hurricanes on the radar. Late nights and early mornings are a little cooler, finally.

On what seemed like one of the hottest days, I competed in the Cowboys BBQ and Steaks First BBQ contest in Okeechobee, which coincided with the National Day of the American Cowboy celebration. The whole day was a great event for agriculture in Okeechobee County. People excitedly lined the streets to await the passing of the cattle drive. Folks also braved the heat to check out the vendors, BBQ contest, and the Ranch Rodeo.

With one month remaining, I am still surviving on the Biggest Loser contest diet. Some of the guys in my group are really dropping the pounds. I am proud of all of our participants who are trying to improve health and wellness. It’s a tough battle, but it can be done and must be done for us to stick around and be healthy for our families and future.

You’ll notice we’re advertising many fundraising events for area groups. Please come out to support their causes. Schools, 4-H groups, FFA, and many other organizations, as well as individuals, need money to operate their programs this year. If you have any funds to spare, think about which group you’d like to help. We’re building the future as we help out these organizations.

County Farm Bureau meetings are just around the corner. If you haven’t received notice of when yours is, call your county office. It’s important for all members to attend these and get to know your county board. Also, plan ahead to attend the Florida Farm Bureau conference in October in Daytona.

A special Happy Birthday to both of my in laws, Charley and Judy Morgan, this month. We certainly are thankful for them and hope Judy’s health continues to improve. Thanks for everyone’s prayers this summer.

Covering What’s Growing.

~Matt [email protected]


Dear Members and Friends:

We have an important project coming to a close in our area. The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority is now completing a reservoir expansion project designed to pump and store water from the Peace River into a new 600-acre, 6.5 billion gallon reservoir. The Authority has been pumping from the river for many years into a much smaller reservoir. This project greatly increases their storage capacity. Most of us involved in agriculture will never receive any water from this operation, as it will be pumped to the growing population on the coast. But by helping to supply the coastal counties with water, we are preserving our own use of groundwater inland.

In the past we all relied on groundwater both for agriculture and public supply. However, as the demand for water increased with a growing population, water managers were forced to look for alternative supplies. Some of these alternatives include saltwater desalination “desal,” the reuse of wastewater, and the use of surface water. Desal has been used in several places along the coast with some recent success, although it is expensive and requires co-location with another facility such as a power plant. Reuse water, less expensive than desal, has provided water in some areas for lawns and even some agriculture along the urban fringe, but requires a costly, additional distribution system. Surface water has been utilized for many years in our area, both in stream, such as in Manatee County, and off stream, such as the plant in DeSoto County.

We are fortunate to live in a water rich environment. Florida receives on average 52 inches of rainfall a year on its 35 million acre land mass. This represents a tremendous amount of water. The problem with the use of surface water is timing and storage. Most of our rainfall occurs during a short time in the summer, making it difficult to capture in large quantities and store until it is needed. It is like having to buy all of your groceries from a store that is open only three months of the year. The expansion project on the Peace River is increasing our ability to capture large amounts of water when stream flow is high and store it to be used during the dry months of the year.

Agriculture, in most cases is limited to the use of groundwater because of the prohibitive cost of alternative supply. We cannot afford to build desal plants, to pump reuse water from urban areas, or build reservoirs to store surface water. For most of us, the water that we pump from the ground is the only supply of water we will ever have. In some instances, we have found ourselves directly competing for this groundwater with an ever-growing population and the political reality is that water will be supplied to the public through whatever means necessary, even if that causes a reduction of agriculture’s use.

It is in agriculture’s best interest for our area to identify and develop alternative supplies of water for our neighbors on the coast, like the expansion of the plant on the Peace River. Most of us will never use a drop of it on our land or in our homes, but by supplying the growing coastal urban population with water we are ensuring our own future supply.

1278 SE US Hwy. • Arcadia, FL 34266863.494.3636

DESOTO COUNTY BOARD OF DIRECTORSKen Harrison, President;Jeffrey Adams, Vice President; Jim Selph, Sec./Treas;

Jim Brewer, John Burtscher, Mike Carter, Steve Fussell, Richard E. Harvin, Matt Sullivan, John Pfeil, Ann H. Ryals, Mac Tuner, Bryan K. Beswick

DESOTO COUNTY FARM BUREAUCHARLOTTE/DESOTO COUNTY FARM BUREAU

1278 SE US Highway 31Arcadia, FL 34266

FARM BUREAU INSURANCE

SPECIAL AGENTS

OFFICERS ANDEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

DIRECTORS FOR 2008Jim Brewer • John BurtscherMike Carter • Steve Fussell

Richard E. Harvin • Matt SullivanJohn Pfeil • Ann H. Ryals

Mac Turner • Bryan K. Beswick

County SecretarySummer Chavarria

President ............... Ken Harrison

Vice President ..... Jeffrey Adams

Sec./Treasurer ..... Jim Selph

Office Hours: Monday-Friday9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Phone:863.494.3636

Charlotte Line:941.624.3981

Fax:863.494.4332

Agency ManagerCameron N. Jolly

AgentsDawn A. Hines

Matt Sacilowski


(863) 494-3636

Charlotte/DeSotoCounty.indd 1 11/11/08 11:21:16 AM

Ken


HARDEE COUNTYFARM BUREAU

1017 US Highway 17 NWauchula, FL 33873


SPECIAL AGENTS


DIRECTORS FOR 2008Joseph B. Cherry • John Platt

Corey Lambert • Daniel H. SmithSteve A. Johnson • Bill Hodge

David B. Royal • Greg L. ShackelfordBo Rich

Susan ChapmanCounty Secretary

President ............... David B. RoyalVice President ..... Greg L. ShackelfordSec./Treasurer ..... Bo Rich


Phone:863. 773.3117

Fax:863.773.2369

Agency ManagerN. Jay Bryan

AgentGeorge L. Wadsworth, Jr.

1017 US Hwy 17 N.Wauchula, FL 33873

(863) 773-3117

HIGHLANDS COUNTYFARM BUREAU

6419 US Highway 27 S.Sebring, FL 33876


SPECIAL AGENTS


DIRECTORS FOR 2008Sam Bronson • Carey HowertonDonna Howerton • April ButlerCurt Matthews • Tom Andrews

Andy Tuck • Mike WaldronJim Wood • Doug Miller

County SecretaryJanet Menges

President ............... Matt K. ElliottVice President ..... Marty WohlSecretary .........Drew PhypersTreasurer .........Scott Kirouac


Phone:863. 385.5141

Fax:863.385.5356

Web site:www.highlandsfarmbureau.com

Agency ManagerChad D. McWaters

AgentsJoseph W. Bullington

Seth Rogers


(863) 385-5141

OKEECHOBEECOUNTY FARM BUREAU

401 NW 4th St.Okeechobee, FL 34972


SPECIAL AGENTS


DIRECTORS FOR 2008Wayne Buchanan • Ben ButlerJames C. Daniel • Jared Figley

Melissa MontesDeOcaDavid Raulerson, Jr.

Donald Sellers, Sr. • Randy BurnhamDonald Sellers, Jr. • Hank Rucks

President ............... Trey Whitehurst

Vice President ..... Travis Larson

Secretary .........David Hazellief

Treasurer .........Jacob Larson

Office Hours: Monday-Thursday8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Friday8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone:863.763.3101

Fax:863.763.1624

Agency ManagerBlair H. Harris

AgentsJames L McInnesTimothy M. Craig


863.763.3101

County SecretaryCharlene Dewey

Insurance SecretaryLisa Marie Wisener


Farm BureauHIGHLIGHT

This month’s Farm Bureau Highlight is on JC and Nicole Deriso, a young couple from Desoto County. The Deriso’s involvement with the Desoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau has grown in leaps and bounds since they first became members in December of 2008. From attending Young Farmer Rancher Leadership Conferences and working with Farm Bureau, to participating in agriculture projects with local Elementary School students, JC and Nicole have certainly proven that they are dedicated and loyal individuals.

Growing up, JC and Nicole were both involved in 4H and FFA. They showed hogs and steers at the fair each year. JC graduated from Desoto High School in 2002, and began working on the family sod farm. Nicole graduated from Riverdale High School in 2006 and attended the University of Florida, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. The couple first met at a steer show at the Desoto County Fair. Needless to say, their relationship continued to blossom and they were married in June of 2008.

Shortly after JC and Nicole were married, they were given the opportunity to become members of the Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Group. They accepted the honor and since, have traveled to Tallahassee and met with various senators and congressmen.

“It has been a great experience and privilege to meet so many new people. When we get to meet senators and congressmen, it allows us to discuss what is going on in agriculture and let them know our side of things as farmers,” JC said.

In January of 2009, JC and Nicole attended the National Young Farmer and Rancher Conference with Farm Bureau in California. They were given an inside look at the farms in California, the techniques used by farmers there, and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

The couple also helped organize a local, tomato growing contest at Nocatee Elementary School. Four classes of fifth grade students were challenged to see which class could grow the biggest and most tomatoes. The winner was awarded a booth of their own at the Desoto County Fair.

“After the kids got done growing their tomatoes, we took all of the classes on a field trip to a watermelon and sod farm as a reward for participating. The project was such a success because it got the kids involved in what it takes to grow and produce food of their own. They realized that food doesn’t just come from the grocery store, it takes a lot of effort and hard work. We are in the process of expanding tomato growing to other schools and getting more kids involved in agriculture,” Nicole said.

JC and Nicole have many goals that they hope to achieve due to their involvement with Farm Bureau, from their desire to help educate others about agriculture, to their own desire to learn more about the issues farmers are facing.

“Nicole and I both want to be well versed in issues that are affecting agriculture and our farmers. We want to be a source of information for our friends and other people who aren’t involved in agriculture. We like to let them know what’s going on in the industry so when they

go to vote, they can keep in mind what is in the best interest for farmers. We also love being involved with Farm Bureau because we have met so many new people and nice families with similar goals to our own. It is so great to be able to meet new people and talk to them about their opinions and the techniques they use on their farms. Hearing their stories allows us to use the skills they have learned to improve our own operations and farms,” JC said.

Although the couple remains extremely busy with Farm Bureau, they still manage to find time to be involved in their community and their hobbies. Nicole began barrel racing when she was only five years old. Her passion developed after attending a horse camp and has continued to grow ever since. She travels all over the state to participate in various rodeos and barrel races. In October, Nicole plans to travel to Georgia for the National Championships. JC works at the family business, Other Side Sod Company, which was founded in 1989 in Arcadia. He also has his own cow/calf operation of Angus cross cows that he began when he was only fifteen years old. JC recalls that in the summers he worked in orange groves. Instead of being paid with cash, he was paid with cows. Thus, his own herd of cattle was started. He hopes that it will become a full time business within the next few years and reach his goal of maintaining about 400 head.

“Nicole and I are both first generation farmers in our family. We hope to pass down the farm and what we have learned for many generations to come. We want them to be able to build on what we started and continue to grow and impact the lives of others.”

As is evident, JC and Nicole Deriso are two extremely motivated and talented individuals. Their dedication to their jobs and their desire to be involved with helping educate others has proven that they are very valuable and treasured assets to the Desoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau.

By Blake Farrer


We Feed the Plants that Feed the World

6209 N. County Road 663 • Bowling Green, Florida 33834 • 863-375-4321 • www.cfindustries.com

CF Industries proudly celebrates

30 years of Phosphate Operations

and Service in Hardee County and

30 years of supporting community

events and organizations

Remember to put safety first, and to do your part in protecting Florida’s fish and wildlife resources for future generations.

CF Industries Supports Florida’s Fish and Game Industry


Their names are Garden White, Firecracker Red and Summer Rose and they represent the first three of eight new caladium varieties recently released as a result of a multi-year breeding program at the Gulf Coast Research and Education Center(GCREC). The program was led by Dr. Zhanao Deng, Associates Professor of Environmental Horticulture with the cooperation and assistance of retired GCREC Horticulturist Dr. Brent Harbaugh and Plant Pathologist Dr. Natalia Peres, as well as their respective teams.

Caladiums are members of the aroid family. People love to grow caladiums for their colorful leaves in pots, hanging baskets, in their yards and many other locations. Potted caladiums can instantly add color and bring life to any occasion in which they might be used. In landscapes, they attract attention whether just a few plants are grown or they are displayed as a massive planting. The bright colors and unique patterns of caladiums are rivaled by few other plants. Many consider them rare and exotic.

In 1976, the University of Florida/IFAS initiated a caladium breeding program at its GCREC in Bradenton. Since then, this program has been the only major organized breeding effort in the world. It was initially directed by Dr. Gary Wilfret from 1977 to 1999 and by Drs. Harbaugh and Baldwin Miranda from 2000 to 2002. Since late 2002 Dr. Deng has been directing the breeding program.

The team’s primary focus was to meet the demands and needs of caladium growers in Florida. “Among those demands are developing new breeds that are disease resistant and sun tolerant, offer high yield potential with new and pleasing colors,” said Dr. Deng. Two specific problems that had to be overcome were fusarium tuber rot and pythium root rot. Dr. Deng said both can influence plant performance while in production or when planted.

“Florida poses some special challenges that had to be overcome and they include heat, rain and high humidity conditions. Collectively those conditions favor disease development and can potentially impact yield and plant quality. The team’s initial steps included isolation of the virulent fungal strains that caused the diseases and the development of proper inoculation techniques and incubation conditions. Next was either isolation of the tuber or application to the root ball with the fungal isolates. Some 43 varieties were screened by the team and they found five varieties resistant to fusarium and seven varieties resistant to root rot.

Using the “short list” of varieties as the basis for new breeds, the team set out to produce varieties that are disease resistant, colorful, offering strong growth habits and high yield potential together with sun tolerance.

Once appropriate breeding parents were selected, cross pollination took place to produce seeds. “We produced more than 100,000 new seeds with the new generation’s progeny carefully screened in the laboratory, greenhouse and field,” said Dr. Deng. This process takes anywhere from five to 10 years and the ultimate cost associated with creating a new variety of caladium ranges from $80,000 to $150,000. While that may seem costly and time consuming, it is far less in cost

and time than typically is required for new varieties of citrus or strawberries, said Dr. Deng.

Promising breeding lines are then compared to existing varieties and those with potentially superior performance proceed to field tests and then on to grower trials. Those that successfully complete field testing and growers’ trials are then released as new varieties and licensed to growers. “The University of Florida holds the licensing rights to these new varieties and collects royalties on sales,” said Dr. Deng. “These royalties help underwrite additional breeding as this process continues.”

In addition to the just introduced Garden White, Firecracker Red and Summer Rose, additional varieties of caladiums to be introduced over the next two years include Cranberry Star, Angel Wing Dwarf White, Angel Wing Dwarf Tricolor, Berry Patch and Dr. Brent, named in honor of team member and retired GCREC Horticulturist Dr. Brent Harbaugh.

“This entire process has taken many years,” said Dr. Deng. “It is a continuing effort devoted to help our caladium growers maintain profitable operations in a global economy that is highly competitive.” Other factors that influence the development of new varieties of caladiums are ever-rising labor costs for planting, weeding and harvesting, as well as issues such as alternatives to methyl bromide, a fumigant that will soon be unavailable to growers in the U.S.

For additional information about caladiums and the new varieties developed by Dr. Deng and his GCREC associates, visit caladiums.ifas.ufl.edu or edis.ifas.ufl.edu (and use the search function keying in: caladiums).

“This process takes anywhere from five to 10 years and the ultimate cost associated with creating a new variety of caladium ranges from $80,000 to $150,000.”BY JIM FRANKOWIAK


Lake Placid Middle FFA Chapter was one of 29 Florida FFA chapters chosen as Florida’s Finest based on the completion of the National Chapter Award application. Chapters chosen for this award are recognized as excelling in the areas of student, chapter and community development and have worked hard to fulfill the mission of the FFA. Advisor, Cheryl Humphrey, and Chapter President, Heidi South, were recognized on the main stage during the fourth General Session of the 81st Florida FFA State Convention on Wednesday, June 10, 2009. These chapters have been chosen to represent Florida at the National level in the National Chapter Award Program. Mrs. Humphrey and three members are hoping to attend the National Convention in October to represent the chapter and state.

Activities the Lake Placid Middle FFA Chapter have participated in this year include AgVentures, Agriculture Literacy Day, raising chapter pigs for showing at the Highlands County Fair and the Florida State Fair, many contests and Career Development Events throughout the state, as well as our local Lake Placid Christmas Parade. Lake Placid Middle FFA Chapter helped to host the Peace Ridge Federation meeting and held a Leadership Retreat for officers and members. The chapter also hosted an Open House, a teacher luncheon, a breakfast for local veterans and their Annual Awards Banquet, all at no cost to those who attended. Costs for all these activities were paid by fundraisers the chapter held including selling concessions at the Middle School basketball and volleyball games, selling plants donated by Windmill Farms, selling hams and turkeys for Thanksgiving, and selling beef jerky after school.

Fundraising will be continuing throughout the summer by the

members who are planning to attend the National Convention in October. Heidi South, Patricia Wantuck, and Amelia Troup are the Graduating Officers of Lake Placid Middle FFA who are eligible to attend the National Convention with Mrs. Humphrey. The Chapter is seeking business partners who are willing to help sponsor the trip and donation boxes will be placed at Heron’s Garden and other locations throughout town for those who would like to contribute to the travel expenses. Pictured Right: Lake Placid Middle School FFA members attending the 81st Florida FFA Association State Convention were (l-r) Bonnie Lee, Chelsey Turner, Nicole Tiner, Amelia Troup, Heidi South, Kayla McMahon, Patricia Wantuck, Shelby Hill, and Dalton Shelton.

Lake Placid Middle School FFA Chapter Named 2009 Florida’s Finest and Earns National Recognition

Anniversary1929 2009

Serving our Community Since 1929!www.wauchulastatebank.com

Six convenient locations throughout Hardee and Highlands Counties!

The strengths of our beginnings live on today.From good beginnings come good things. Wauchula State Bank’s

conservative, customer-focused foundation has produced a strong, experienced bank. Financially sound. Fundamentally secure.

That’s Wauchula State Bank.

La Casita Mexican Family RestaurantAuthentic Fresh Food Made to Order

**SPECIALS**2 For 1 Lunches: 11-3 p.m.

Happy Hour: 3-5 p.m.20 oz. $1 Drafts

863-531-0032

Room Available for Banquets, Weddings and PartiesFor 100+ Guests; Beer & Wine

Open 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. 7 Days A Week

131 S. Sun ’N Lakes Blvd.

Lake Placid, FL

Best Authentic Mexican Food Around!


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JR’s Runway Cafe at Sebring Regional Airport130 Authority Drive • Sebring, FL863-655-0732By Forrest Steele

My favorite part of writing this column is discovering special eating places you may not know about. I’m especially excited to have the opportunity to tell you about JR’s Runway Co Café because this place is quite a find.

JR’s is located a little off the beaten path, at least for those of us who use cars and trucks to get around rather than airplanes. It is situated in the Sebring Regional Airport terminal, and the dining room looks out onto the runway.

I expected to find a typical lunch counter when I headed over there, but what I found was a spacious, attractive dining room with a small counter near the entry. There is also a covered porch for those who want to be a little closer to the action. We saw a couple of fellows get out of their airplane and come in for lunch, flying out when they were done. This is an everyday thing, and when you think about it, both business travelers and aviation enthusiasts have to stop for lunch just like everyone else. Customers from all walks of life drive to the restaurant as well. People come over from

the racetrack, which is right next to the airport, but people also come from all over, whether for a business meal or a casual outing.

It’s not hard to understand what draws them. There is a wide variety of breakfast and lunch items available at very reasonable prices. But what makes the café special is the excellent food. Both a dedication to freshness and true expertise in preparation are obvious. Owner John Rydecki learned about the restaurant business at an early age in the kitchen of his father’s restaurant in Ft Myers, Florida. As he says on the cover of the menu, “…it is our mission to provide the best meal money can buy.”

This motto certainly proved true with the soup and sandwich that I ordered. The vegetable beef soup was flavorful and chock full of vegetables. I love chicken salad and I am very particular about it. This was fresh as can be, and the results showed in the flavor and texture in my sandwich. John made a point that they will only serve salads made the same day, and boy

Continued on next page

No FarmersNo Food


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ROYCE SUPPLY830 US 27 South • Lake Placid, FL 33852

$149.95

does that make a difference. My better half had blackened mahi mahi and cole slaw, both of which I sampled. The fish was firm but delicate, the way it should be, and the cole slaw was also light and fresh. Against our better judgment we had the chocolate pineapple upside down cake for dessert. I also made the mistake of expressing an interest in seeing one of their “shotglass sweets,” which come either as a banana split or chocolate brownie. The brownie was also brought to the table. In a selfless move to protect me, my sweetheart somehow made it disappear while I was in conversation with John and his wife, Diane.

A little more about the menu, breakfast includes all the offerings you would expect and more, with hearty platters that can be ordered with bacon, sausage, ham, ribeye steak, or pork chops. Omelets to order, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes and French toast, and biscuits with homemade gravy are also available, and occasionally you might find polish crepes, potato pancakes, or even pumpkin pancakes.

For lunch there are plenty of hot and cold sandwiches, subs and salads, plus seafood baskets and plate lunches, way too many choices to list here. Suffice to say there is no need to get stuck in a rut ordering the same thing over and over in this restaurant. There is even pan-seared Norwegian salmon, Ahi Tuna, or Norwegian Sea Bass if you decide you need something really special.

Take US Highway 98 east from US 27, after 3.1 miles turn left on Airport Road/Haywood Taylor Blvd. Follow the road and the signs to the terminal.

Visa, MasterCard and Discover Accepted. Open seven days for breakfast and lunch. Monday-Friday, Breakfast 8 a.m. - 11 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, Breakfast 7 a.m.- 11 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Grub Station-Continued from previous page

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1) Get rid of mosquito-breeding containers. Destroy or dispose of tin cans, old tires, buckets, unused plastic swimming pools or other containers that collect and hold water. Do not allow water to ac-cumulate in the saucers of flowerpots, cemetery urns, pet dishes, birdbaths, boats/canoes or livestock troughs.

2) Prevent your swimming pool from becoming a breeding ground. If you aren’t using your swimming pool, put a cover over it. Make sure the cover doesn’t sag and hold pools of rainwater, which can also provide a breeding ground. Another option is to stock the pool with fish, which will eat the mosquito larvae and prevent them from hatching off.

3) If you have bromeliad plants in your yard, regularly rinse them out with a garden hose. Mosquito larvae need water to grow and evolve, and bromeliads are an excellent host. The average brome-liad can be expected to produce around a hundred mosquitoes per year. That may not seem like much, but if you have ten or twenty plants in your yard, that’s several thousand mosquitoes!

4) Protect your children from mosquitoes, especially at night. Hot, sweaty children playing outdoors at night are like a glowing bea-con to mosquitoes. Protect your children by ensuring they cover exposed skin, and wear an insect repellent containing DEET. Please read the label before using this product and avoid direct application to the face.

5) Keep your rain gutters cleaned out. Rain gutters can get clogged with leaves and debris, which impede the flow of water. Not only

is that bad for your roof, it creates an ideal habitat for mosquito larvae, which need water to grow into adults.

6) Take special precautions at dusk. Dusk is a mosquito’s favorite time to fly and bite. A good onshore breeze will keep the mosqui-toes at bay, but if you haven’t got one, a portable fan will do the trick. Mosquitoes aren’t strong fliers, and air currents moving past you will keep the mosquitoes moving too. Remember also to wear long sleeves and insect repellent containing DEET. Please read the label before using the product and avoid direct application to the face.

7) Take special precautions in high mosquito areas. Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high mos-quito populations, such as salt marshes. Also use insect repellent containing DEET on any exposed skin. Please read the label before using the product and avoid direct application to the face

8) Be extra careful when a warning is in effect. If there is a mosqui-to-borne disease warning in effect, stay inside during dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are more active.

9) Make sure window and door screens are “bug tight.” Check your screens periodically to make sure there are no holes and replace worn-out screens.

10) Watch out for puddles in your yard. Irrigate lawns and gardens carefully to prevent water from standing for several days.

Top Ten Mosquito Prevention Tips


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Business UpFront

This month’s business upfront brings to mind the old song, “Signs, Signs, Everywhere there’s Signs.” Signs Now of Sebring recently celebrated twenty years in operation. Pam Soler, an original employee, has owned the store for the past eight years. Originally a graphic artist, Pam enjoys owning a sign business because she can utilize her creative talents, but does not have to deal with the deadlines of a publication. Signs Now produces all types of professional graphics, including vehicle graphics, banners, window graphics, labels, dimensional signs, lettering, illuminated signage, and exhibits.

As with most other businesses, technology has greatly advanced in the sign industry. Pam explained that today’s technology makes her tasks much simpler than the hand painted signs of the past. Signs Now has a computer system with a Composer program, on which the sign layout is created. This system sends the design to a plotter that cuts vinyl for lettering. The employees must then “weed” the vinyl from around the letters. Lastly, transfer tape is placed over the letters to move them to the sign.

Once the only sign shop in town, Signs Now must stay competitive with several other businesses in the area. Signs Now of Sebring is a franchise of the national Signs Now chain. Being a franchise has some benefits, explains Pam, as the corporation provides tech support and training for its stores. The sign business has been slower in the past couple of years, but Signs Now continues with quality service to its many customers.

On July 16, Signs Now held a huge 20th anniversary party and Chamber of Commerce mixer. Over two hundred customers and friends of the store attended to celebrate with Pam and her employees. A Cohan radio group station broadcasted live from the party and food was catered by Sweet Magnolia and Sunitas. Gift bags and raffle prizes were given to attendees. We wish Signs Now many more years of successful business in the area.

By Sharla Elliott

My JournalNathan Candler

FFA Area VI Vice President

Hello, readers! I’m Nathan Candler, the 2009-2010 Area VI FFA State Vice President. I was just elected to this office at the FFA State Convention in June, and already I’ve started to experience the busy lifestyle of a State Officer.

My teammates and I started out our year by attending the conference for Building Leaders And Strong Teams of Officers, or B.L.A.S.T. Off. We learned a lot about all of our teammates, and we even learned about ourselves as well. The team got to see what their strengths were, and how they could be used to work together with the strengths of other people.

Following that was our road trip up to South Carolina for the National Leadership Conference for State Officers. We got to work together with the State Officer teams from Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The team spent the week in Charleston, where we learned about our year of service as State Officers from the presenters of this conference who were two of our National FFA Officers. Following that, the Florida FFA State Officers took a road trip to Pensacola, which was quite a drive for all of us, especially me, coming all the way from Okeechobee. We spent the week at the Magnolia Plantation as an officer retreat to give us all a chance to get to know each other better, and to get a head start on our planning for our first leadership conference, the Chapter President’s Conference.

Speaking of which, I’d just like to say that I’m really looking forward to presenting CPC. It will be located in Daytona Beach again this year, and our theme for the conference will be “Full Throttle!” This is going to be fun!

I’m also looking forward to getting to travel to Ft. Meyers for their annual Citrus Expo. Until next month, thanks for reading, and remember: Live long and prosper!

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On Mar 14, 2009 the Lake Placid Clovers 4H Club visited the Lake Branch Dairy in Hardee County. Paula Sapp the 4H leader stated that approximately 23 kids (all not shown), plus chaperones, toured a working dairy. The dairy is located in Hardee County near the Highlands County line. The trip was a fun-filled, as well as an educational trip. All the kids had chocolate milk and ice cream while at the dairy.This dairy is a full functioning dairy with approximately 1,500 head of cattle. The cows are milked twice daily. This is a non-stop job for the worker’s at the dairy. It is very possible that some of the milk at our local grocery stores comes from this very dairy. The kids toured the entire dairy including the state of the art office above the milking chutes where you can either watch milking from the window area or watch it on the computer monitor.They got to see the huge holding tanks for the milk awaiting transport. They have semi-trucks come in approximately every 18 hours to be loaded. The milk is cooled very quickly and maintained at specific temperatures until pick up. It is then pumped into a temperature controlled tanker truck until it gets to the distribution center.The kids had a lot of fantastic questions for the owner’s of the dairy. The 4H members got a hands on experience of how they are fed, milked, and even cared for when they have the “flu” by a vet that is on call 24/7. It was obvious that these cows have a specific job to get milk to us while at the same time they are given great nutrition and health care.This was a great and exciting experience for the kids one and all. I give many thanks to the owners of Lake Branch Dairy for giving us a rare opportunity to get a hands on experience and a possible once in a lifetime experience for many of my members. Without people like them, our kids of today would not be able to see what it takes just to have a cold glass of milk. Remember without Agriculture we do not eat. Thank you farmers one and all.

Lake Placid Clovers 4H Club Visits Lake Branch Dairy

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FARMER’S WifeBy Blake Farrer

Throughout the lives of many individuals, the pressure to juggle the responsibilities of family, children, work, and extra activities can be a very demanding, yet rewarding job. This is true in the case of Linda Syfrett, a retired pharmacist, who is constantly looking for ways to make a difference in the lives of her family and community through her involvement with agriculture.

Linda grew up in Jupiter, Florida. Although her childhood did not include agriculture, she does recall that she was very involved in Girl Scouts. Her family lived near the beach so she always enjoyed water skiing in her spare time. As Linda grew older, she chose to attend the University of Florida, where she graduated in 1970 with a major in pharmacy. In 1971, she and her husband, Chuck Syfrett, were married. Her involvement with agriculture began after they were wed. Chuck’s father began a feed mill, known as Syfrett Feed Company, in 1956. The mill, located in Lake Park, FL, became a family operation. In January of 1977, the Syfrett family moved their business and built a new mill in Okeechobee, where it remains located today.

Linda and Chuck have three grown children, Melissa, Jill, and Charles. When the children were

growing up, they were all very active in 4H and showed dairy cattle. They enjoyed participating on dairy judging teams and showing in the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show, the South Florida Fair, and the Florida State Fair. Linda grew extremely involved in helping with 4H, and

still remains an active leader today, although her children are grown. She is currently a leader of the Junior Leaders Club. Over the years, Linda has personally seen the positive impacts 4H has made on the lives of youth.

“I really believe that 4H is an outstanding organization that is life-changing for many people. It helps kids develop so many skills and learn so many new things. I think it is the best development system there is because it teaches kids real life lessons. When the kids are required to keep record books on their animal, it teaches them

organizational skills. If they grow up and get a herd of cows, the records they keep in 4H will help prepare them to keep records in their own businesses. I’ve seen so many kids come in who were so shy and withdrawn. After a few years, they grow into a different person. The friends that they make and the social skills that they obtain

Continued on page 22


LAKE PLACID NOON ROTARY

Saturday, December 5, 2009Parker Island, Lake Placid

Fried Turkey, Catfish, Roasted Pig, Gator Tail, Frog Legs, Swamp Cabbage and More!

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For Tickets Contact:Bruce Stratton 863-699-5544 • Scott Hanks 863-465-4134 Paul Elliott 863-465-1777 • Donald Elliott 863-441-9367

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Tel: 863.465.5033 Offices in Lake Placid & Sebring

Fax: 863.465.6022The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based soley on advertisements. Before you decide, ask

the lawyer to send you free written information about his/her qualifications and experience.

Senator Bill Nelson (left) and Jim McCoin (right), owner of Cowboys Restaurant and SkipJacks Restaurant at the American Day of the Cowboy event in Okeechobee, FL.

are priceless. We have taken youth with us to Tallahassee to see the legislature work, the Supreme Court, and other important places in our capitol. I take great joy in the education of our young people. It is so amazing to see how they grow and develop into leaders,” Linda explains.

Along with her involvement in 4H and her family, Linda still finds time to devote to her community. She has been a member of the Florida State Fair Authority Board for five years and holds the position of secretary. She is also a member of the Agriculture Committee of the State Fair. Linda has been on the Okeechobee Youth Livestock Show Committee for 18 years. She previously served as the group’s president and secretary. In 2000, Linda was elected as the 4H state volunteer of the year in Florida. She serves as President of the Okeechobee Educational Foundation and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Indian River State College. One of her greatest accomplishments is her position of President over the Okeechobee County Fair. She was the first president over the fair, and still holds the position today.

“We really wanted Okeechobee to have its own fair each year. We were faced with many problems, including not having property. I volunteered to be a member of the committee that helped find land for the fairgrounds. The county purchased 150 acres of land and built an arena and barn. In March, Okeechobee will hold its fourth annual county fair. I am so glad I got to be a part of the project and make a difference in our town,” Linda said.

One of Linda’s biggest goals is to see the Okeechobee County Fair grow in attendance. She would love to see more people come out and enjoy all of the activities the fair holds. She also is helping out with an ambitious long-range expansion project at the Florida State Fair. She hopes to see those goals met as well.

Linda has one granddaughter, Kathryn, who is a year old. Although it will be a while before Kathryn is involved in 4H and the family business, Linda already has high hopes and goals for her granddaughter.

“I am really looking forward to being with Kathryn in 4H and teaching her about the importance of agriculture. There are so many things for her to learn and be involved in, and I want pass down my knowledge and love to her. 4H has been passed down in my family for generations. My husband’s mother was in 4H as a child. We just celebrated 100 years of 4H in Florida, so she was one of the first to join the club when it was originated. Passing it down to my granddaughter means a lot to me,” Linda concludes.

Linda Syfrett is a motivated woman who has undoubtedly left her mark on the people of Okeechobee. Her passion for agriculture and youth through 4H is obvious to all those she meets. She is truly a remarkable woman who will continue to positively affect generations to come.

Farmer’s Wife-Continued from page 20


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SEPTEMBER FORECASTSummer fishing is winding down while the fall fishing patterns are starting to shape up. September is definitely a transition month. Snook season opens, and many anglers pursue linesiders to the exclusion of all else. While snook are perhaps the most glamorous edible target this month, there are other options for the table, and as far as string stretching goes, there is some terrific tarpon fishing available. Here’s a rundown of area action for September.

SNOOKThe season is open for snook, which simply means that they can be kept now. In order to do that, you need a snook stamp, and you need to catch a fish between 28 and 33 inches long, measured with a pinched tail. The limit is one fish per angler per day. The snook spawn is winding up for the year, and fish will start moving away from the beaches and passes. Early in the month there will still be large aggregations of snook at the passes. Pick an outgoing tide and fish large whitebait, pinfish, or thread herring

By Captain Fred Lieb

CHARLOTTE HARBOR-PINE ISLAND FISHING REPORT SEPTEMBER 2009

on the bottom along the pass edges. Mullet heads and cut ladyfish can also account for keeper sized snook. Fishing the many docks along the intracoastal will produce numbers of legal snook. These docks will also produce oversized snook. The docks at Punta Rassa are legendary for the snook they produce year after year. If you do try your hand at prospecting the docks, gear up. You’ll need stout tackle to extract a large snook from a piling forest which he’s reluctant to leave. Later in the month the fishing will

pick up around the mangroves as more fish filter toward the back country. Areas close to the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River can start to stack up with hungry snook. Artificials fished around the mangroves this month will also produce snook. As a bonus, you’ll be fishing areas which can also produce redfish and trout. Your odds of scoring a slam increase in such areas.

REDFISHFish mangroves on higher tides, fish the flats and potholes on lower tides. This approach will still work this month for redfish. The new pattern for September is fishing large schools of upper to over slot redfish. The larger fish will be forming schools and foraging heavily prior to making the transition from the sound and harbor to the Gulf.

Look for these schools along the bars lining Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, and over flats close to the intracoastal. These fish are actively feeding, and are considerably less shy than you might think redfish usually are. It is possible to have these schools boiling on chum within an arm’s length of the boat, and attacking on every cast. Most of these fish, however, are too big to keep, so this is a catch and release game. If you locate one of these schools, the explosions you can elicit with surface plugs are memorable.

TROUTTrout fishing starts to pick up in September, and by month’s end

Happy girl, Unhappy snook

Oversized Redfish from the bushes


it is really good. Action for trout should be good near the passes over three to five-foot deep grass flats. Use whitebait or soft plastics. At first light, and again just before dark, topwater action can be very good. If you see birds hovering over glass minnow schools along the edges of deeper flats, throw a lure a few times. The fish underneath the birds can be ladyfish, mackerel, jacks, or trout. I’ve caught many a trout under birds in Matlacha pass.

SNAPPERYou are shortchanging yourself if you don’t take advantage of the great snapper fishing that is still available in September. Large (to 14” or so) snapper are around inshore structure such as downed trees and area docks. They are frequent bycatch for those targeting snook. The passes are still producing as well. Drift an incoming or slower outgoing tide with smallish whitebait just off the bottom, and you should have a limit of five in short order.

TARPONSeptember is a great month for tarpon fishing. The crowds are gone, but the fish aren’t. Tarpon can be found along the beaches on their southward migration. “Along the beach” can mean out several miles or so. A guide friend of mine had his best tarpon day ever one September morning about five miles seaward of Cayo Costa, when he landed 11 of 25 jumped tarpon to 200 pounds on artificials. Two years ago, there were tarpon in Boca Grande Pass through Christmas. These fish can be targeted with large threadfins or pinfish. Freeline these baits as you drift the pass. In the harbor, tarpon will be crashing bait schools, eating both the bait and the ladyfish which are under the bait. They can be selective, so be prepared to fish live ladyfish, large plugs, small plugs, or soft plastic swim baits. Look for birds. They will tell you where active bait pods are. Fight your tarpon quickly, and spend some revival time with your fish. The water is hot, and anything you can do to increase survival odds for the tarpon can only pay dividends in the future.

OTHER SPECIESMackerel action off the beaches and inside the passes should increase as the month progresses. Bird activity will be your indicator of imminent fish catching. Troll or cast artificials, or for some incredible action with skyrocketing fish, chum with whitebait. With a wire trace, some great fly rod action with larger mackerel is possible when chumming. Later in the month, there should be good king mackerel fishing from several miles out to the Boca Grande shipping channel, and even in Boca Grande Pass itself. Trolling spoons and large plugs will work, as will drifting live threadfins. You will also have shots at the odd cobia or tripletail, and permit are still available for those who make the trip to the wrecks and reefs.

That’s it for this month. Go get ‘em.Captain Fred Lieb can be contacted at 239-462-9311.

Redfish ready for release


Nutrient Management WorkshopWhen: Sept. 15, 2009 Time: 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where: Okeechobee County Civic CenterHwy. 98 N. • Okeechobee, FL

1:00 p.m. Welcome and Introduction Pat Hogue, Okeechobee County Extension

1:10 p.m. SL 129 Changes, Soil & Tissue Sampling Dr. Maria Silveira, Range Cattle REC, Ona

1:50 p.m. Fertilizer Materials and Their Use Dr. Tom Obreza, UF Soil and Water Dept. (commercial, animal waste, biosolids)

2:50 p.m. FL Cow/Calf BMP Manual & Overview Flint Johns, FCA & Lykes Bros., Inc.

3:05 p.m. DEP Regulations for Biodiesel & Animal Denise Watts, FDEP SE District Waste Nutrient Use Greg Kennedy, FDEP Okeechobee

3:35 p.m. BMP’s and FDACS Water Quality Division Bo Griffin, FDACS Water Quality Division Program


Strawberry-Lychee ShortcakeIngredients

1 pint sliced, fresh strawberries• 4 tablespoons sugar• 1 cup ricotta cheese• 1 can lychees or 2 cups fresh lychees• 6 individual sponge shortcakes•

PreparationIn a small bowl, crush half of the strawberries. Add remaining strawberries and 2 tablespoons sugar. Refrigerate until ready to serve. In a second small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, lychees and remaining sugar; blend well. Place shortcakes on serving plate and top each with cheese-lychee mixture. Spoon strawberries over filled shortcakes.

Lychee Cheesecake BlossomIngredients

8 sheets phyllo dough• 1/4 cup butter, melted• 1/2 cup cottage cheese• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened• 1 egg• 1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar, divided• 4 teaspoons lemon juice, divided• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla• 30 ounces of lychees peeled, cut in halves, and juice reserved• Fresh lychees and sliced kiwifruit, for garnish•

PreparationPreheat oven to 350 F. Grease 12 (2 1/2 inch) muffin cups. Layer 4 sheets of phyllo dough on waxed paper, brushing each sheet with melted butter. Repeat with remaining 4 sheets, forming seperate stack. Cut each stack in half lengthwise and then in thirds crosswise, to make a total of 12 squares. Gently fit each stacked square into prepared muffin cup, forming 4-petaled blossom.Process the cheese, egg, 3 tablespoons of the sugar, 1 teaspoon of the lemon juice and the vanilla in a food processor or blender until smooth. Divide evenly among cups. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Carefully remove from muffin cups to cool. Bring reserved lychee juice to a boil in a small saucepan. Cook until reduced to 3/4 cup, stirring occasionally. Puree lychees in food processor or blender. Combine lychee puree, juice, remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 teaspoon lemon juice. Refrigerate.To serve, spoon lychee sauce onto 12 dessert plates. Place cheesecake blossom on each plate. Top with fresh lychees and arrange kiwifruit in sauce to resemble leaves.

By Bill Mee & Krystal Folino - Lychees Online Are you a lychee enthusiast? Get your FREE Lychee Idea-Kit or browse hundreds of lychee recipes, photos, tips and articles on eating and growing lychees at the Lychees Online Web site http://www.lycheesonline.com

Do you know of a great recipe that we should feature in a future edition of Whipping Bowl? Submit your recipe to [email protected]

R E C I P E S


Bzzzzz bbbzzzzzz Bzzz Bzzz Bzzzzz bbbzzzzzz Bzzz Bzzz

The great prizefighter, Mohammed Ali, complemented himself by comparison to this quick, hard-hitting insect. When we say someone is “as busy as a bee,” we are saying they are displaying the attributes we find so dear in our Florida heartland - namely, that of husbandry, industry, hustle, initiative. The bee defends his home to the death, but if you give him his space he adopts a “live and let live” attitude. Let us take a look at this little insect that we so commonly anthropomorphize to give a favorable analogy to ourselves.

Go out into the woods. Hang around flowering plants. Take your time. Walk or sit. Contemplate. Hear that buzz. Go toward it. Is it a bee? Not too close. If you don’t crowd her, she will not bug you. When she is finished darting from flower to flower, follow her. She may go a long way, but as you follow her, you will run into an increasing number of bees. Oops, that one went into a hole in the ground. That means she is a bumblebee. Repeat the process until you find a bee going back to a hollow tree or an exposed hive. Now if the bees are buzzing around, slowly and quietly walk up to the tree. If you do not disturb them, and they don’t feel threatened, they will soon be flying and buzzing harmlessly all around you. It is an intoxicating experience to feel the power of these insects as they go about their business. Their incessant buzzing, that “zzzzzzzz,” is all you can hear. The danger is very real, they have been known to sting men to death. Better to back away slowly when you are done enjoying their society.

Please do not fear or harm these insects. Like any wild animal, they should be treated with respect and dignity. Remember, the honey bee was on this earth long before man arrived.

Why should we care about the lowly bee you ask? Let’s get rid of them. They might sting us till we cry, just because we disturbed them. Let’s kill these dangerous bugs. Wait and think before you spray them to death or destroy their hive. The honey bee is responsible for the pollination of many agricultural crops and wild plants. So if you want food to eat or flowery woods to roam in, you had better protect this magnificent and wondrous insect, which is imperative to our way of life.

Primitive man early on realized the value of the honey bee and domesticated him. Honey and beeswax have long been important products that we owe to the humble bee. The honey bee was introduced to the Americas from Europe by the early colonists. Who originally brought them and on what ship is lost to history. The first recorded importation of bees onto our continent was by the Massachusetts Bay Company in 1638. These bees preceded the colonists into the forests and multiplied. The Indians called this immigrant “the white mans’ fly.”

If you go about the orchards and groves of the heartland, you will find where apiaries (“bee houses”) are placed strategically to facilitate the pollination of these crops. The orange blossoms produce nectar, which is made of sugar and water. This is the reward, which attracts the bee to the flower. The best time to gather nectar is when the sun is high so the flower is fully open. The field bee finds the flower. Next, she ingests the nectar through her proboscis. The bee may carry a double load by filling her leg sacks with pollen. This activity spreads the pollen through the grove and aids in the fertilization of the trees. When the bee has a full load she makes a “bee line” for the hive where she will be offloaded by house bees. She then does a dance to impart harvesting information to her sister field bees. The nectar will be used to make honey and the pollen will be used for food. Orange blossom nectar makes a tantalizing honey. Try it.

The honey bee is the only insect under man’s control, which is suited to pollination and especially adapted for it. Albert Einstein said, “If the bee disappears from the surface of the earth, man would have no more than four years to live.” Bee populations are indeed declining at an alarming rate. One theory explaining this phenomenon is that cell phone radiation interferes with the bee’s navigation. Another explanation is global warming. Certainly, disease and loss of habitat are critical factors. Effective pollination of plants is critical for life as we know it.

God save the bee.The information for this article was taken from The Hive and

the Honeybee.

Bee.Godsavethe

Bzzzzz bbbzzzzzz Bzzz Bzzz

BY MATT SHERWOOD



We preserve the best of nature, to produce the best from nature.

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A better Florida and a better world www.mosaicfla.com




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Farm Bureau

Meeting and D

inner

Annual Highlands County

®

YOUR Agriculture Magazine

Thank You... To Highlands County Farm Bureau’s Heritage Sponsors


Proudly Serving Since 1963

We are a family-owned business that started in 1963 serving the agricultural industry around Lake Okeechobee and have grown to 6 locations covering South and Central Florida. We serve a wide range of customers from some of the largest agricultural producers of sugar, citrus and vegetables to individual farmers, nurseries and commercial landscape management companies as well as large and small property owners. We

have become one of the largest John Deere dealers in the world by focusing on customer service and satisfaction. That philosophy continues today and is evidenced by our commitments below:

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We believe our investments in product availability, quality parts, outstanding service and our focus on meeting our customers’ needs as efficiently and effectively as possible is the only way to keep you coming back. Our family initially began and continues to operate a farming operation, so we understand what it takes to make businesses, no matter what industry, a success! We invite you to put us to the test and look forward to doing business together.

EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT CO., INC.820 US Highway 98 North • Okeechobee, FL 34972

Tel: 863-763-1921 • www.evergladesfarmequipment.com

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Proudly Serving Since 1963

We are a family-owned business that started in 1963 serving the agricultural industry around Lake Okeechobee and have grown to 6 locations covering South and Central Florida. We serve a wide range of customers from some of the largest agricultural producers of sugar, citrus and vegetables to individual farmers, nurseries and commercial landscape management companies as well as large and small property owners. We

have become one of the largest John Deere dealers in the world by focusing on customer service and satisfaction. That philosophy continues today and is evidenced by our commitments below:

We carry the full line of John Deere products with over $40 million in inventory at any one time. We also carry many other manufacturers’ products as well. We have what you want when you want it.

Each location has a fully stocked parts inventory with over $8 million in inventory to keep your machine up and running where it makes you money...on the job! If we don’t have the part in stock, John Deere has the finest parts systems in the industry with next day availability on most items or convenient stock order terms on non-emergency items. Internet parts look up and ordering straight from your home or office is also available.


ABOUT US

PRODUCT INVENTORY

PARTS INVENTORY

REPAIR SERVICE CAPABILITIES

We believe our investments in product availability, quality parts, outstanding service and our focus on meeting our customers’ needs as efficiently and effectively as possible is the only way to keep you coming back. Our family initially began and continues to operate a farming operation, so we understand what it takes to make businesses, no matter what industry, a success! We invite you to put us to the test and look forward to doing business together.

EVERGLADES FARM EQUIPMENT CO., INC.820 US Highway 98 North • Okeechobee, FL 34972

Tel: 863-763-1921 • www.evergladesfarmequipment.com

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www.evergladesfarmequipment.comFOR QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS PLEASE CONTACT:Mike Schlechter, VP • [email protected] Schlechter, VP • [email protected]

Okeechobee800-762-3214820 U.S. HWY. 98 N

Okeechobee, FL 34972

Fort Myers888-213-75269501 State Road 82

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Immokalee239-657-4403775 East Main Street

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2017 N.W. 16th St.Belle Glade, FL 33430

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The tales of Old Florida stem from a lively history full of firsts for the country. The way things used to be really sparked an interest in former Miami resident, Ms. Nancy Dale, an author, nationally published freelance writer, newspaper correspondent, SFCC, Barry Univer-sity, and Edison College Adjunct Instructor (English/Speech/Journalism), who now resides in Sebring. She is also an Allied Member of the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and The Treasure Coast Literary Guild. She was recently honored with a publication on Florida “Cow Hunters” in the Cambridge Scholars publication: Florida Studies Proceedings 2007.

Dale became interested in the Florida cow hunters in the late 1980s, when she would go to her camp house in Palmdale. “I started meeting these old timer cow hunters. I realized that these stories needed to be told. So, I started writing.” The first was “Where the Swallowtail Kite Soars,” which came from watching these birds fly high above her. These birds migrate from Brazil each year. But due to the clearing of land in this area, sooner or later these beautiful birds will no longer fly our way.

The next book in line is “Would Do, Could Do, and Made Do, Florida’s Pioneer Cow Hunters Who tamed the Last Frontier. Would do, could do, and made do is an old pioneer saying because of how simply these folks lived. They made a living off their land and did what they could to keep their family healthy and happy. Dale says, “It is interesting how people in our time think, there is no more would do, could do, and made do, it is all, I want this, I want that.”

Wild Florida, told by the Pioneer “Cow Hunters” and “Huntresses” Who Lived It, is the third book. This book came about due to lack of women in the old stories. We all hear of what the men did out on a day or even a week long cattle drive, but we seldom hear about the women or “Huntresses” in these stories. That all changed when Nancy met Beety May Thomas, who is said to be the oldest “Huntresses” in Okeechobee. It is rumored that once the railroad came to Okeechobee, the center of the cattle business and trade in Florida changed. Thomas said, “We lived a hard life, but in the depression of 1900, the country folk were not affected as much because we lived with better self-sufficiency.”

Dale is working on her forth book, which is not yet named. She hopes to have it published by December of this year. It will feature more “Cow Hunter” tales and personal stories of Old Florida, where cattle first came to the United States. Dale’s goal is to be the messenger of these stories and preserve the heritage of Florida. These stories and way of life are becoming less and less a part of our history due to clearing of land for housing, and because no one lives forever.

thetalesof old florida BY KYLA SHIVER

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On August 14, Highlands County 4-H clubs rolled out the red carpet for their “A Night at the Oscars” awards night and dinner. The Bert J. Harris, Jr. Auditorium was filled with families and active 4-Hers dressed in their best to honor all the year’s accomplishments of the county’s clubs. April Butler, the county 4-H agent, welcomed the group and shared that student projects have increased and broadened out of the animal categories to include activities such as camping and hiking.

I dare you - Michael Bickman1. Top Junior - Madison Todd, Top Intermediate 2. Amanda Killmon, Top Senior Paige GillerSpirit award, 1st - Lake Placid Clovers 4-H, 2nd 3. - Sunny Hop 4-H Club, 3rd - Country Clovers 4-H ClubFriends of 4-H, Bill Jarrett, Highlands County 4. NRCS Earth Team Volunteers, Ms. Barbra Mishoe, Cheryl WilliamsGolden Clover, Paula Sapp, Marlen Martinez5. Emerald Winners, Megan Stein, Amanda 6. KillmonScholarship Winners, Paige Giller, Bailey 7. Gornto, Elic Kirby, Ricki Albritton2009-2010 County Council officers - President: 8. Megan Stein, Vice President: Amanda Killmon, Secretary: Rachel Todd, Treasurer: Jessica Todd, Historian: Spenser Madden

“A Night at the Oscars” Highlands County 4-H Awards Dinner


2009FLORIDA EQUINE INSTITUTE & ALLIED TRADE SHOW

Foundations for Florida HorsesThursday, Sept. 17, 2009 • Southeastern Livestock Pavilion

2232 NE Jacksonville Rd. • Ocala, FL 34470*

Weed ID/Control and Herbicide Selection • Jason Ferrell PhD, UF Weed Specialist

These Ain’t Your Father’s Parasites: Dewormer Resistance & Recommendations for Effective Parasite Control • Ray Kaplan, DVM; UGA College of Veterinary Medicine

Riding with Rhythm/Increasing Expectations, Improving Responsiveness (Live Demonstration) • Clint Depew PhD, Equine Specialist, Louisiana State University

The “Unwanted” Horse in the US; An Overview of the Issue • Amanda House, DVM; UF Equine Extension Veterinarian

REGISTRATIONIncludes: Admission to all seminars • Entry to trade show • Bar-B-Que lunch from Tommy’s • Printed program with speaker’s presentations • Chance to win $400 gift certificate from Tack Shack or Tack Shack Too and all refreshment breaks.

$25 Early Registration (postmarked on or before Sept. 4)$15 Student Registration (postmarked on or before Sept. 4, ID required)$50 Late Registration (postmarked after Sept. 4)

HOST HOTEL: Ocala Fairfield Inn • 4101 SW 38th Ct. • Ocala, FL 34474Equine Institute Rate: $69 + tax; For reservations, call the hotel directly at 352.861.8400. Ask for the Equine Institute Group to secure the special rate.

*To register please send name, address and email along with your check to the above address. For additional information

contact the Marion County Extension Office at 352-671-8400 or view the entire detailed agenda at http://cflag.ifas.ufl.edu/

calendar.shtml


During the past couple of months, the County Farm Bureaus have been working on their respective CRP, that is, County Recognition Pro-gram. There are five catego-ries, which encompass many programs. They are, Legisla-tive/Policy Implementation, Public Relations/Information, Organization and Manage-ment, Education/Agricultural Promotion and Leadership Development.

The Legislative/Policy Implementation section in-cludes items such as meeting elected and regulatory officials on all levels of government and effecting change in public policy in accor-dance with Farm Bureau policy.

The Public Relations/Information part is about promoting Farm Bureau and agriculture to the general public.

The Organization and Management area includes membership recruitment.

The Education/Agricultural Promotion section is similar to the PR part. It encompasses formal educational programs for stu-dents.

The Leadership Development category is all about finding new leaders and providing the opportunities to become Farm Bureau and agricultural leaders, in particular, those between the ages of 18 and 35 who are eligible to participate in the Young Farmer and Rancher program.

Each of the County Farm Bureaus, within my district, have chairman for the individual categories. The foundation has been laid to promote strong committees. Each chairman needs good committee members. I encourage Farm Bureau members to get in-volved in one of the areas listed above.

Farm Bureau Field Agent Report...

Andy Neuhofer, Field Representative District 6Florida Farm Bureau [email protected]

Lisa Sherman, C.P.A., P.A.Certified Public Accountant

(863) 465-2835Fax (863) 465-3323

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HMG_nakhate.indd 1 11/11/08 3:54:26 PM



WORKING WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE ATTORNEYBy Ag Specialist Donald Elliott • Century 21 Advanced All Service Realty,.Inc.

Purchasing or selling a home will probably be one of your largest and most important financial transactions. Before signing a contract to purchase or sell a home, both buyer and seller should consult an attorney to assure that the real estate transaction will be handled legally and professionally.

Although an attorney is not a required part of the process, particularly in many states where escrow companies will attend to all closing transaction details, an attorney can protect your interests and help you resolve any potential legal problems before entering a legally binding contract.

Sometimes buyers feel the need to sign a contract quickly and don’t have time to initially consult an attorney. In these cases, buyers can include language in the contract that will allow their attorney time to give final approval on the agreement – usually within three to five business days. This allows both buyers and sellers to expedite the contract process without fear of inadequate legal representation.

Sellers and buyers alike should familiarize themselves with the real estate transaction process before selecting an attorney. Learning the formal steps in the transaction will help buyers and sellers choose the right attorney and proceed with confidence. Throughout the process, attorneys should attend to a variety of responsibilities, including consultation prior to the signing of the contract, preparing or approving the contract, examining documents and supervising the closing of the transaction.

The attorney should be responsible for preparing or evaluating documents which may be necessary for completing transfer of the property. There are usually several documents to prepare in any real estate transaction, and the attorney can

evaluate and explain each document to the buyer or seller he or she represents. The deed, the bill of sale, mortgage, promissory note, title commitment and the closing statement are only a few of the important documents that an attorney should review with the seller or buyer prior to the closing.

One of the attorney’s most important responsibilities in the real estate transaction is to determine the condition of the seller’s title to the property. Through this process, the attorney will discover if the seller is the legal owner of the property and if there is an unpaid mortgage or lien which must be settled before the title to the property can be properly transferred. The attorney will also discover any restrictions or easements which are on the property and the status of any unpaid property taxes or assessments.

The buyer, the seller and their attorneys usually appear together at a final meeting to review all closing documents. As this meeting, usually referred to as the “closing,” the attorneys help explain, sign and exchange the documents and approve or clear up any remaining financial matters relating to the transaction. After the transaction is closed, an attorney will attend to any final details such as properly recording the deed, mortgage or other necessary documents and issuing title insurance policies.

Many attorneys are specialized, and it is important that you choose one who knows real estate terminology and real estate transaction processes. Before hiring someone, you should discuss all the details of the transaction with your possible candidate, including all legal costs you will incur.

The attorney’s duty in any real estate transaction is to provide legal expertise. Through sound advice and thorough execution of all legal responsibilities, a good attorney will help you complete your transaction swiftly and with confidence.

®YOUR Agriculture Magazine

Thank You... To Highlands County Farm Bureau’s Heritage Sponsors.

Please support these businesses!

JOHNSON HARVESTING, INC.

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Steve JohnsonPresident


Toastmasters International is a “user friendly” organization whose sole purpose is to help individuals overcome their fear of public speaking. It has over 250,000 members in 11,000 clubs spread across 90 countries. It started out as a single club in southern California in 1924 and has grown to its present size as a result of the valuable training and encouragement it provides its members. Its stated purpose is to provide training in public speaking and leadership. Both qualities are valuable assets to all who are involved in any activity dealing with other people.

In the past the benefits of Toastmasters were not readily available in the heartland due to a lack of clubs in the region. That has changed now due to several new clubs opening up in the Tri-County Area. When Mack Payne moved to Lake Placid from Naples he wanted to continue his membership in Toastmasters and found that there weren’t any active clubs in the area so he decided to start a new club. In November 2008 the Heartland Talk of The Town Club began operations in Sebring. It now meets in the Heacock Building.

The word spread and interest in having clubs in other communities arose. As a result of this interest The Lake Placid Toastmasters Club started and meets in the Compton Realty Office and the new Hardee County Toastmasters Club formed up and meets in the Chamber of Commerce Office at Wauchula. Payne is now assisting the formation of a new club in Arcadia.

Information about any of the new clubs can be obtained by calling Mack Payne at (863) 441-0479 or [email protected].

Toastmasters International Has Arrived in the Heartland

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Sharla Elliott in the aquaculture lab

FAMILYFun Day

8:30 a.m. - 5K Run9:30 a.m. - One Mile Fun Walk

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Oct. 3, 2009DeVane ParkInterlake Boulevard

Lake Placid

The Mason G. Smoak Foundation is a faith-based organization that partners with non-profits dedicated to make a positive difference in the lives of childrenm youth and families and will assist those who suddenly find themselves in need. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting education, preserving and protecting the environment and fostering opportunities for leadership development.

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I can hardly believe how fast this summer has flown by. It’s already September and around my house, school has started. We’ll have to leave the snapper alone in Boca Grande Pass for a while and my daughter will allow the trout population to recover! It seems that with all of the technology available for fishing, the thing I appreciated the most this summer is the wide brim straw hat my mother-in-law got me this past Christmas. Yes, even “Bubba Gadget” appreciates some of the simpler things in life …especially with a good wireless signal and a squeeze of lime. As I reluctantly put up my fishing rods I’ll pick up my trusty ol’ soil probe off the shelf. Yep, that’s right…its time to start doing some soil and tissue sampling. But as you might have guessed, I can’t resist integrating some technology into sampling!

Most folks know when and how to pull samples. What I want to talk about is where to pull them and what to do with the information. I have tried to teach my older daughter a new verse to “Old McDonald.” It goes something like this: “…and on that farm he had multiple years of geo-referenced sample data…e-i-e-i-oooh, with a soil sample here and tissue sample there…” I suppose I might be setting her up for some teasing from the rest of the class. Typically, most people select a random sample location about every 20 acres or so, that is representative of that 20 acres. In many cases, this is certainly adequate on smaller fields or blocks. But for a more in depth look into the nutrients in your soil (what you need) and tissue (what you’ve got), geo-referenced grid or zone sampling is the way.

Geo-referenced sampling simply refers to identifying where the sample was taken. Typically, this is done using GPS. Usually, the first round of sampling is done on a grid pattern, usually either 2.5 acres or 5 acres depending

Here a Sample, There are Sample

Question of the MonthGeo-WHAT?

A New Verse to an Old SongBy David Summers

Q: How accurate does my GPS need to be to perform geo-referenced sampling?

A: Any differentially corrected GPS will suffice. WAAS enabled GPS units work well and are pretty affordable.

David Summers(863) 441-1200 • [email protected]

on budget and needs. The sample location is recorded using GPS and the sampler will return to the location for subsequent sampling year after year. This helps to identify variables as well as establish trends.

Once a pattern in sample results can be established, you can take it a few steps further and the results can be combined with other types of geo-referenced data, such as soil type maps, yield data, and imagery. You can then establish management zones which ideally will increase your production and/or save you some money on input costs by taking advantage of variable rate application technology (as in the VRT application map shown above). That said, you may not even have to use variable rate technology, you may simply better identify the needs of particular blocks or fields and adjust your applications accordingly.

There are many ways you can use your geo-referenced data to help you better manage your crop, but the key is to take it one step at a time. Geo-referenced sampling is the first step.

As always, I’d be glad to help you get started with integrating this type of technology into your operation. If you’d like some help with geo-referenced sampling, feel free to give me a call.


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Padgett.indd 1 8/17/09 8:44:22 PM

:




It is the third celebration Okeechobee has had to celebrate the National Day of the Cowboy.

Okeechobee Cattlemen’s Association put together a cattle-drive, which took place down the middle of town with many

different ranches represented, beginning on East Highway 70 and concluding at the Agri-civic center where everyone gathered for a huge BBQ cook off.

At the Civic center there were many vendors serving food and drinks of all kinds, crafters of bullwhips, western wear, belts, a fine array of tack, along with some home decor and pony rides.

To begin, a shootin’ match took place in the arena and then the grand entry began to introduce the Ranch Rodeo, with events such as wild cow milking, and branding. The National Day of the Cowboy is a wonderful celebration to recognize the meaning of our heritage, in the life of all ranchers and cowboys in our nation.

cowboynational day of theBY BOBBI POOLE


863-471-11662520 US Highway 27 N. | Sebring, FL 33870

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D. Clinton Updike, II863-537-5121

100 Packing House RoadAlturas, FL 33820

Florida FFA Hall of Fame to Induct Five in 2009The Florida FFA Association is pleased to announce the 2009 FFA Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2009 inductees are Marion Bishop, Bill Gunter, Richard Kelly, Joe Kirkland, and C. M. Lawrence.

“Florida FFA owes an immense debt of gratitude to these outstanding leaders,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Charles H. Bronson. “Their dedicated service in agriculture education helped make FFA the outstanding student organization recognized throughout the state.”

They will be inducted into the Florida FFA Hall of Fame during the third annual awards celebration October 3, 2009, at the Florida FFA Leadership Training Center in Haines City.

“These individuals are responsible for the tradition of excellence that our FFA members have come to expect,” said Caitlyn Prichard, president of the Florida FFA Association. “This year our theme is ‘in motion.’ Through the tireless and unselfish efforts of individuals such as these, Florida FFA has set ‘in motion’ an outstanding program for Florida’s agriculture education students for many years to come.”

The Florida FFA Hall of Fame began in 2007 to pay tribute to those outstanding individuals who have helped make the Florida FFA Association the premier youth leadership organization in the state. Because of the support of these individuals, Florida FFA has become home to more than 15,000 FFA members in more than 300 FFA chapters across the state. FFA members are engaged in a wide range of agricultural education activities, leading to more than 300 professional career opportunities in the agricultural industry.

Tickets to the event will be available from the Florida FFA Foundation. For ticket information, contact Gary Bartley at (863) 439-7332.


“This is for my brother and all the love [he] had for the great outdoors. Until we meet again, we will go on showing people how the great outdoors can make a difference in their life just as it did for him and me.”

By Julie Bedford

The joy of shooting her first deer overwhelmed her. She screamed, “I can’t believe it! I just shot an eight-point buck!” And for a moment, her pain was gone.

Madison suffers from Familial Dystonia. Dystonia is a neurological disorder that affects the entire body, causing involuntary muscle movements that can be very painful.

She had always wanted to go deer hunting, but an outdoor adventure like that seemed impossible given her circumstances. Little did she know, dreams like these are made possible every day by Strut-N-Rut Outdoor Adventures.

Madison was treated like a star on the day of her adventure. The Strut-N-Rut staff and the staff of the hunting lodge came to meet her and hear her story. She also received gifts of a camouflage shirt, hat and Bible.

Strut-N-Rut has been helping children and adults like Madison fulfill their outdoor adventure dreams since July of 2007.

Sonny Hancock, a former business owner in the construction industry, and his partner Phillip Sandlin, founded the organization after a life changing experience with an old friend. Both men, who are husbands and fathers, have since devoted their lives to fulfilling the wishes of those less fortunate.

Years earlier, Sonny was reunited with a childhood friend, J.W. Shreves. J.W. told Sonny he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. Shocked and saddened, Sonny wanted make the most of J.W.’s final days.

They started fishing, hunting and playing on a softball team together. One day J.W. shared his desire to go turkey hunting with Sonny. Soon after, Sonny took him to harvest his first turkey. It was a big gobbler that seemingly waited there in the clearing for J.W. Just two short weeks after his turkey adventure, J.W. passed away.

He was a loving father to three wonderful children. His bravery is the foundation behind Strut-N-Rut Outdoor Adventures.

“It put a burden on my heart, my son’s heart and my husbands heart,” said Tammy Sandlin, wife of Phillip Sandlin. She and her husband knew they had to continue making dreams come true for other sufferers of physical and mental illness.

Tammy helps to organize adventures and raise money for the organization. She recalls how J.W.’s courageousness continues to empower her.

“J.W. never accepted pity or believed in giving up. He never complained or asked ‘why me’,” Tammy said. “J.W. was determined to live life to the fullest despite his cancer. His legacy lives on, and we continue to love and care for others as J.W. would’ve wanted us too.”

Philip shares her sentiment. “This is for my brother and all the love [he] had for the great outdoors. Until we meet again, we will

go on showing people how the great outdoors can make a difference in their life just as it did for him and me,” he said.

More than a dozen volunteers and several Mossey Oak pro staff members make up Strut-N-Rut Outdoor Adventures. Their mission is similar to that of Make a Wish Foundation, only many of the recipients are not suffering from a terminal illness, rather a debilitating condition.

Strut-N-Rut puts together a variety of outdoor adventures. They arrange everything from fishing trips, deer hunting trips, equine activities, duck hunting trips and more. Tammy is currently scheduling a trip to Sea World for a recipient to swim with the dolphins.

“We try to show people, kids and adults, that are wheelchair bound or disabled in some way, that there is life outside of the doctors office,” Tammy said.

The Strut-N-Rut staff is also highly mobile. They bring the adventure to the recipient. This is a benefit for many people who may not be able to travel long distances. Countless hours go into planning the perfect local adventure for each recipient.

“Our motto is “one adventure at a time,” Tammy said. “This is so the staff can give each participant our full attention.”

The biggest challenge for Tammy and her staff is collecting donations. She has been fortunate to receive the support of sponsors like Wrangler, Daisy, M&D Outfitters and more, but with each adventure, comes specific needs.

“It’s been rough going out and trying to raise money right now,” Tammy said. “My dream would be to someday have land donated that we could put cabins on.”

Despite hard economic times, Tammy and the Strut-N-Rut staff remain positive. “We have great people like Cowboys Restaurant in Okeechobee, who feed us, and Mossey Oak, who

wrapped our equipment trailer,” she said. “These people make it possible for us to go on.”If you are interested in making a tax-deductible donation or learning more about Strut-N-Rut

Outdoor Adventures (a 501-C3 organization), please contact Tammy Sandlin at (407) 957-6767, or visit their Web site at www.strutnrut.org.

Strut-N-Rut Outdoor Adventures

Clyde began his family history saying, “We wouldn’t be here today where we are, or have what we have, if it weren’t for my dad and my mother.” It became apparent, as his story unfolded, that his father was crucial to building the family legacy.

Clyde’s father was Vernon Clyde “Mose” Hollingsworth. He had a bird dog named Mose that he held by the tail, letting it drag him around and the name developed from that.

His father died of a heart attack when Mose was 11 years old. His mother moved to Jacksonville and took the youngest brother, leaving Mose and his other two brothers to fend for themselves on forty acres. Fortunately, Mose’s father had five brothers who

made sure the boys had groceries and took them to school. Mose started getting in trouble, so he was sent to the Georgia Military Academy for two years, where he said they beat sense into him.

He came back in 1917 and tried to go into WWI, but he was too young, so he moved to Jacksonville and got a job helping build ships for the war. When the ship building

stopped, he worked in a lumber yard. He came back to Arcadia and said he was starving to death, so he moved to Sarasota and got into the real estate business. He

learned how to trade and how to buy and sell, saying it was the best education he’d ever gotten.

When the Depression came his real estate mentors bought out his lots. He used the money to buy a new Cadillac. He dressed a grove worker in his Georgia Military Academy uniform and they drove through Arcadia blowing the horn while he was smoking a cigar and waving to everybody. He said, “It was like the prodigal son coming home.”

Mose began selling Model T’s and working on the 40 acres. The property had 10 or 15 acres of grove and the rest was pasture. In the afternoon, when the cows came out of the creek, they’d shut them up in the grove where they could bed down and in the morning they’d drive them out.

“The Model T’s did real well. He (Mose) got this idea or gimmick to help

CATTLE & CADILLACSBy Anne Reynolds

The Story of Clyde Hollingsworth

“I believe in helping people. What’s life

worth if you can’t help your fellow man?”

-Clyde Hollingsworth


him sell cars. He had a little can of red paint and painted a red spot on the back of one motor’s cylinder head when he needed a sale. People would come in and talk and look at the cars. He’d send them out to look saying sometimes they’d make a mistake on the assembly line. When they were building one for a governor or mayor or some important person, they’d designate it by a little red cylinder dot. He’d say, ‘you just never know when you’re going to run across one of those. Check them all if you want to’.” Clyde said Mose could hear them out there opening every hood, and he knew when “the one” had been found. The hood was dropped. It made a little louder noise and the person would call out, “I’ve found me one. I’m going to buy this one back here.” Clyde added, “That’s not very trustworthy, you know, but I guess the times called for it.” He sold cars until WWII.

Mose married Abbie Harrison, who moved to Arcadia from Georgia at a young age and became a schoolteacher. Mother would say, “I’d take my little ‘ole salary, which was like $15 a week teaching, and buy the groceries and your daddy would take what he made in commissions and start buying tax certificates.” They were about a dollar or dollar and a half an acre. Every chance he got he bought tax certificates and started putting land together. The pieces looked like a crossword puzzle and he kept filling in the missing pieces through his car sales. “I came along and then my two sisters, Caro and Sue.”

After the war, Altman Chevrolet called Mose from Sarasota and asked him what he thought about partnering with them in the Chevrolet business in Arcadia. They talked him into going in as a third full partner. He bought the partners out in Arcadia and owned the dealership for 25 years until about 1975.

His mother stopped teaching to stay at home and start a garden. She loved to grow a garden. We’d sell turnip greens, mustard greens, all kinds. We were in the garden when we heard Roosevelt died. Mama was hoeing mustard greens and she fell to the ground crying like she’d lost her daddy.”

“She’d get these feed sacks and make the girls dresses and me and my daddy shorts. My daddy said he was proud to have a pair of shorts that had ‘A 100 lbs. of Pure Sugar’ on the back of them. My mother couldn’t wait to see the new prints coming in the next week.”

Daddy was back on the farm, raising cattle, hogs, and growing sugar cane for syrup. He believed it was best to have both grove and

cattle. When the price of one was up, the other was down and vice versa. It balanced out. “He favored the citrus because at that time it brought in more money and didn’t have the problems of today.”

My mother was partial to cattle. She would say, “When hard times come, cattle can pull you through and you can eat cows and not get too tired of it. Oranges you can get tired of eating.” Clyde favors cattle more than citrus now. “The screw worm deal was the best government deal that ever happened for cattle. Cows have never had the problems they have in citrus. Every time you turn around another disease is attacking your fruit business. Tristeza, Canker and Greening are costly and a detriment to the grower. I guess down the road if you had to vacate the groves, you could put it in cows or peaches or another crop.”

While Mose was accumulating land and putting it together, Clyde farmed watermelons for about 18 years. He said, “I was the farmer while he was selling cars.” One of the reasons he got out of the watermelon business was he couldn’t get reliable help. “Watermelons would come in and we always felt like you made a little money every third year. One year you lost, one year you broke even and the third year you’d ‘kinda hit’ and made money. Daddy never wanted to put in a well. We just relied on Mother Nature for rain. The rains would pull us through. He couldn’t think about putting several thousand dollars in a well.”

“During WWII Daddy raised a lot of sugar cane to sell to make syrup. He sold it to bootleggers for their trade. He made the stuff so thin that if they didn’t come and get it real quick, it started exploding and sounded like a war going on back there in the cooking shed – ‘another batch too thin and delivered too late.’ Those cans were fermenting and blowing the lids off. He did it two or three years until the end of the war.”

The first time Clyde saw his future wife, he was in seventh grade and riding on a school bus. She had climbed a flagpole. I said, “Who in the world has climbed that flag pole? Someone said, ‘That’s Betty Jo Sellers’.” She was born in Okeechobee and moved to Arcadia when she was nine or ten. They married in 1950 and had five children, three daughters, Lynn, Lou, and Beth, and two sons, V.C. and Ed. His first daughter was born while he was at the University of Florida. He was there three years, and it was hard to make ends meet. Mose wanted

The Hollingsworth Cow Crew

Clyde Hollingsworth-Continued on next page


him to finish as fast as he could and get back on the ranch. He called him the third year and said, “‘Boy, you better pack up and come home. I have plenty of work for you to do here.’ I’ve been here ever since.”

Mose was a frugal man most of the time, but he did dream of owning a Rolls Royce. In 1969 he sold some property to a phosphate company and bought his dream car. He loaded up his drinking buddies and they headed to New York. They stopped at the first gas station to fill up and after the attendant admired the car he asked if he wanted the high or cheap gas. “The cheap one, what do you think?” he replied and told him to fill it up. The problem was he didn’t know where the gas cap was and they had to get out the book to find it. He finally traded it for a new Cadillac plus $19,000.

Most of the branching out came after his dad’s death in 1989. Clyde was then able to expand and to institute some of the things he’d learned in school. He believes in culling the herd and would tell his father, “We’ve got to get rid of some of these old cows that are not doing a thing and he’d say, ‘But she’s been so faithful. Let her die natural. You just don’t know what that cow’s meant to me’.”

Clyde has friends, like Cary Mercer and Gene and Brother Turner, who he trusts to give him good advice. He sold some property when prices were high and bought two ranches in Texas, one in Crockett that is 5,800 acres and they lease 3,000 more for cows and calves. There are 1,600 cows there and one in Corsicana that is 2,800 acres for the weaned, yearling, and feeder calves.

In 1987, Clyde and his son, V.C., started a partnership. They put together 8,200 acres in south Highlands County and raise commercial bred cows, Brangus and Braford type cattle with Charolais and Angus bulls. They now have 8,000 brood cows and about 400 bulls on 16,000 acres.

Clyde buys cows and keeps bulls with them all year and they have four sales a year. He sells some at the local market, but they have a good reputation and put a lot into Superior Livestock Auctions. He notifies the man representing him in the area and tells him he has calves to sell. The agent sits down with him and gives him his ideas and advice on how to divide and sell them as to kind and weight to make a better sale.

When prices are down, he weans calves weighing 400 to 500 pounds early and sends them to Texas and sells them at 700 to 800 pounds. The freight is cheaper when buyers get cows in Texas, saving 7 or 8 cents per pound. “When we were going through the drought, five months without rain, I was out of hay and trying to buy syrup and anything to keep them alive. The calves we were going to sell in June, so we took them off the cows and sent them to Texas early where they’ve gained 200-250 lbs.”

They have 4,500 acres of grove left with 90 percent in Hamlins and Valencias and the rest Navels, Red Grapefruit and Early Golds. They contract out harvesting with H2A workers. Clyde bought out his sisters, and he’s still paying off the IRS on a huge inheritance tax. My daddy said of his estate,”If this place is worth keeping, you figure out a way to keep it.”

Their son, Ed, was killed in a tractor accident when he was 14. He credits his church friends and prayers with helping them through the hard times. Their other son, V.C., graduated from Florida Southern College. With Clyde’s help he started a citrus nursery, a successful enterprise until this year when the state closed him down. V.C. has worked for the company for thirty years and in January of this year, he took over the general running of the business. Lynn graduated from USF, taught school nineteen years, and is now working for the family, learning the cattle business from her dad. Lou graduated from USF with a degree in finance, worked in banking eighteen years, and now brings that experience to the business handling the office. Beth continues to be a secretary at the school, raises motherless calves, and hopefully will be involved in the company office after retirement. “Betty and I are proud of our children’s many accomplishments.”

Clyde is the Lay Leader at Pine Level United Methodist Church. Faith is a big part of his life. “I believe in helping people. What’s life worth if you can’t help your fellow man?” Pine Level, once the County Seat of Manatee County, is on his property. The railing in the church is the same as was in the courthouse.

Clyde and Betty have been married fifty-nine years and leave a very big challenge and a legacy for their children and nine grandchildren.

Clyde Hollingsworth-Continued from previous page


Highlands County 4-H Foundation Invites You to Show Your Support of the 27TH Annual 4-H Fundraiser

This year’s fundraiser will be held on Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Four Points Sheraton, Chateau Elan in Sebring. If you are interested in purchasing a ticket to attend the function, please contact 4-H Agent I April Butler at 863-402-6540 or by email at [email protected].

You can also show your financial support by becoming a Platinum sponsor for $1,500 or up, a Diamond S p o n s o r - $1000-$1,400, Gold S p o n s o r - $ 5 0 0 - $ 9 9 9 or Silver Sponsor up to $499. You may provide S i l e n t / L i ve Auction items such as trips, apparel, jewelry, home décor items, truck accessories, farm supplies or equipment. You may even consider donating a door prize such as gift baskets, theme park tickets, concert tickets, gift certificates, plants or rounds of golf. Finally, you may also show your support through an in-kind donation of services. Highlands County 4-H youth will benefit by any avenue of involvement you choose.


2nd Annual

Seafood Depot, Everglades City, FL

September

For Info or to Register

Benefit:

FISHING FOR A CURE!17-202009

More than$15,000 in CASH & PRIZES

Thanks to the following sponsors for making this possible:

Quality Turf of Okeechobee

Arcadia Stock Yard

EvergladesSeasoning

www.theanglerscup.com

FRED SMITH

RODEO ARENA

®


SALE OR RENTON-SITE

STORAGE

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863-634-7129SK.indd 1 8/17/09 6:17:40 PM


CHEMICAL • NUTRITIONAL • FERTILIZERTriangle Chemical is Highlands County’s locally based Ag chemical supply company. We strive to provide our customers with the best options and quality on pesticides,

herbicides, nutritionals and fertilizers while placing customer service as our top priority.

2821 Old State Road 8 • Venus, Florida 33960P.O. Box 2615 • Lake Placid, Florida 33862

Office (863) 699-5680Toll Free (866) 893-7848

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STOLEN DOG DAISYStolen Dog, Last seen

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REWARD

Food safety legislation (HR 2749) passed in the U.S. House of Representatives with broad bipartisan support (283 in support, 142 opposed), having recovered from a procedural stumble. As the measure was debated, congressmen on both sides of the aisle praised the leadership of Congressman Adam Putnam (R-Fla.) the author with U.S. Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) of key provisions that have been included in the bill.

Speaking on the House floor Putnam noted that many incidents of food-borne illness have involved imported foods. “This bill takes an important step forward in setting the same standards for imported food that we place on domestically produced food,” Putnam said.

(If you would like to view a video of Putnam’s floor speech during the debate on this measure, go to www.youtube.com/fl12putnam)

As he introduced Putnam to speak on the House Floor, U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.) said, “I want to recognize my colleagues Mr. Costa and Mr. Putnam for their bill the SAFE Feast Act, which I was an original cosponsor of, and which got rolled into this bill. It was a great help when they did that.”

Following, Putnam’s speech, Congressman John Dingell (D-Mich.), the longest serving member in the history of the U.S. House of Representatives, praised Putnam “…particularly for seeing to it that foreigners now have to meet the same requirements that American (food producers) do.”

The food safety measure incorporates key provisions Putnam has championed in bi-partisan food safety legislation he introduced earlier this year and in previous sessions of Congress.

These provisions would make significant improvements such as identifying specific risks of food-borne contamination, giving the Food and Drug Administration the authority to issue mandatory recalls of contaminated food and holding imported goods to the same safety and quality standards as American food products.

In addition, this legislation gives FDA the authority to set commodity-specific standards for the safe production, harvesting and packaging of fruits and vegetables, including mandatory standards for high risk produce and voluntary Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS) for all produce.

Since 2001, Putnam has represented Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which includes most of Polk County and portions of Hillsborough and Osceola counties.

PUTNAM PRAISED FOR

SAFETY LEGISLATION


Jimmy Frazier Jr.CITRUS REMOVALSpecializing In

Citrus tree clipping & Removal•Land Clearing•Ponds•Track hoe work•

Statewide•NoMin./Nojobtoobigortoosmall•ReferencesAvailableCALL863-443-1049•207BallardRd.•AvonPark,FL33825

AgCalendar9/8-12/09 – Florida Tomato Committee and Florida Tomato Exchange Joint Tomato Conference, •Naples, FL9/12/09 – Grazing Management 101, Highlands County Agri-Civic Center, Sebring, FL•9/17/09 - 9/20/09 - The Anglers Cup; www.theanglerscup.com•9/25/09 – FCA Bred Replacement Heifer Sale, Arcadia Stockyards, 1:00 PM, Arcadia, FL•9/26/09 - Highlands County Farm Bureau Annual Dinner, 6 p.m., Rafter T Ranch•10/1-3/09 – The Landscape Show, Orange County Convention Center•10/2/09 – Brangus/Hines Cattle Co./Express Ranches, Brangus & Angus Sale, Arcadia Stockyards, •1:00 PM Arcadia, FL10/3/09 - Smoak Foundation 5k Run & Family Day, DeVane Park, Lake Placid; 8:30 a.m.-5K; 10 •a.m. - 2 p.m. Family Day10/6/09 – UF/IFAS Ona Weed Field Day, Ona Range Cattle Research Center, Ona, FL•10/8/09 - DeSoto/Charlotte County Farm Bureau Annual Dinner, 6:30 p.m.•10/19/09 - Hardee County Farm Bureau Annual Dinner, 6 p.m.•10/23/09-10/31/09 - Okeechobee Corn Maze at the Super Wal-Mart, East end of the parking lot; •Mon-Fri. 4 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. 12 p.m.-6:30 p.m.10/28/09-10/30/09 - Florida Farm Bureau Annual Meeting; Hilton, Daytona Beach•




2005 JOHN DEERE-Front blade tractor blade 54” or series 300, 400, F900 series mowers. 1 year old with hitch & quick connect. Hydraulic hitch $1,200 obo. Call 863-537-2905 (Ft. Meade)

1984 KUBOTA B6200-2 wd, w/4 ft. Finish Mower$3,750.00. 863-698-2967

•2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON•-Dyna Glide Streetbob, cobalt blue, only 368 miles, EXCELLENT condition.Extras added!!! Ready to ride. 15,100 Serious Inquiries Only! (813)659-3402

1984 KUBOTA B6200-2 wd, w/4 ft. Finish Mower$3,000 • 863-698-2967

ERA ADVANTAGE REALTY-120 Acres Valencia+Hamlin (Lake Placid, FL) $8,000/acre; 34.8 Acres Valencia on Hwy 27 (Lake Placid, FL) $15,000/acre.; 347 Acres high fenced hunting ranch, 2 homes (Lake Placid) $7,500/acre; 45 Acres Pasture (Lake Placid) $7,500/acre. Contact: 743 US 27 S. Sebring, FL 33870. Douglas Karlson, P.A. (Realtor). (863) 441-4735 cell, email: [email protected]

RIVERVIEW-2.5 Acres 3/2 ranch w/pool, fenced pas-ture, barn and tack room. Reduced to $299,900. Call John at Kilgore Real Estate 813-689-5881

1997 ANDERSON GOOSENECK TRAILER- 26ft. with an addition 4 ft. hinged beavertail. Duel axle, duel wheels, good tires, hinged ramps. $5,000 AS IS. C&J Equipment, Lake Wales. • 863-638-0671

LAKE FRONT HOME-with 162+/- feet on Lake Sirena (Lake Placid) $215, 000. Contact: 743 US 27 S. Sebring, FL 33870. Douglas Karlson, P.A. (Realtor). (863) 441-4735 cell, email: [email protected]

MOUNTAIN COUNTRY KETTLE KORN (Blairsville, GA) Email: [email protected] -We Ship!

STEEL BUILDINGS-Factory Deals, Can Erect. www.scg-grp.com Source#14Y. Phone: 727-420-6693

BEAT THE HIGH COST OF BOARDING-3 stall barn for rent. Lighted arena, within walking distance of Dover Trails. $500.00/month Call 813-689-8625

2005 CHEVROLET 2500 CREW CAB- 4X4, 6.0L, auto, 72k miles, lthr int, power everything, loaded, new tires. Runs great. $15,999 863-381-2179

NEW HOLLAND REPOS-TN60A 2WD 2007 models w/front brooms and box blades. Never used, sold new $31,270.Sell $27,000, balance of warranty. 813-623-3673

GOOSENECK BRAND-24X6, Canvas Top, 3 Com-partments. Call 863-528-4356 or 863-692-1082

ANGUS FREEZER BEEF-$2.75/lb. cut and wrappedWhole, Half or Quarter. Cash, Mastercard or Visa863-206-2828

2004 MASSEY FERGUSON 461-2-55 pto hp, 2 wheel drive, shuttle shift, hydrolic remotes. $10,500. Call 813-752-8722

2000 LULL 644B-42’-Reach forklift 3,952 hours.$29,469 Call 863-698-4114

06 FREIGHTLINER FL60 M2 CLASSChassis 300 Cat engine, Allison 6sp, auto transmission, Nav. System, sound system, back up & trailer camera system, CD, DVD, all leather, wood trim, air ride, 4 door. Only 16,000 miles. $85,000 Call 813-478-9193

FARM EQUIPMENT-Marking Bar & Hole Punchers. Call 813-759-8079

SURPLUS WINDOWS-Starting at $55.00 • Call Ted 813-752-3378

ANTIQUE CLAW FOOT TUB-Only $350.00 • Ask for Ted 813-752-3378

WOODS ZERO TURN MOWER F27-demo unit $8500.00 • 813-623-3673

TRACTORS FOR SALE-Antique 8N Ford 1952, like new tires, engine $4250; Almost new 06 Kioti 120 trac-tor, bucket and box, only 70 hrs $8900; Neil 863-465-8144 Lake Placid

FOR SALE-10 acres with 4 BR – 3 bath.Call 813-716-2808

NEW HOLLAND TN 60A-2 wd, w/loader, 45-hpLate Model $16,500. Call: 813-623-3673

TOP BRAHMAN COWS-4-6 Years Old. Bred to pure-bred Brahman Bulls. Available NOW. Contact our ranch at (305) 218-1238

STEEL BUILDINGS #1-Recession Discounted. Some below cost to site. Call for availability. www.scg-grp.com. Source#0JR. Phone: 813-774-6584

2 ea. NEW HOLLAND TN60A Tractors2WD 45 hp 8X8 • $13,500.00 each. 813-623-3673

LAKE CITY, FL Beautiful 9.8 Acre home site in deed re-stricted subdivision, heavily wooded, large oaks .$147,000. Owner, 863-465-0198

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DISCOUNTED STEEL BUILDINGS, Big & Small Get the Deal of Deals! Placement to Site. www.scg-grp.com. Source #0RJ. Phone: 813-774-6584

250 ACRES in BUTLER GEORGIA Flowing creek 4 bed-room, 4 bath house built in 2007. Food plots, feeders with cameras, 20 stands. $950,000. Call Rhonda Wetherington at 813-763-0986

1952 JOHN DEERE TRACTOR-M MODEL Runs Good! $1,985 O.B.O. Jim 863-858-2226

POLLINATION SERVICES Strong bees when you want them.We also have honey and skin care products made with honey and ingredients from the hive. Cantu Apiaries, 863-735-1679

FOR SALE DODGE CHARGER- 2007 Black Dodge Char-ger. v6 2.7 L engine that is very quick yet fuel efficient. 17 inch alloy wheels. Moon roof with premium sound system with iPod connectivity in the center console. Only 25,000 miles driven by one per-son, non-smoker. The in-terior is in perfect shape. Asking $13,400 OBO. Call Gilbert 813-787-6171.

New Holland 644 Round Baler-$8,000.00813-623-3673

HOMOSASSA LOT-One acre lot, high & dry, approx. 100 yds. From the Mason Creek River. Fishing & Boating Heaven! 813-503-9033

HUSQVARNA LZ 6127-Zero turn mower. 61” cut, 27 hp Kohler engine, 5 yr. warranty $7,499 (MSRP $9,699) C&J Equip. Lake Wales, 863-638-0671

HUSQVARNA IZ 5223-Demo zero turn mower. 52” cut, 23 hp Kohler engine, 5 yr. warranty. $5,999 (MSRP $9,699) Call C&J Equip., Lake Wales, 863-638-0671

WANTED-PARTS OR TRACTOR-For Massey Ferguson 235 diesel. Call Clifford863-984-2858 or cell 963-660-0731

3600 FORD DIESEL TRACTOR-Only 80 hours, ready to work! Call Jim 863-608-0630

C L A S S I F I E D S

1983 KUBOBTA B6100HSE-2wd tractor • $3,500 Call 863-967-0651

2006 JOHN DEERE 5325 4X4-7 ft. box blade, 7 ft. bush hog and grapple rake, 240 hours of use. $30,000 (863) 381-3282

TOO GOOD TO MISS-2.5 Acre Parcel on corner of Josephine and US 27. Must Sell. $399,000. Call Brittany Phypers at Premier Realty. 863-441-1297

BEAUTIFUL HOME NESTLED ON 20 ACRESIn Lake Placid. Call me for a tour! $825,000. Ask for Bri-tanny Phypers at Premier Realty. 863-441-1297

KEATON BEACH RENTAL-4 Bedroom, 3 Bath on Canal Great fishing and Scalloping. Call Keith @ 386-208-2729

**Lake Placid Christian School Students: Have Your Parent(s) Sign Here:_________________ and please return to Mr. G.

Call to place your classified ad:

863-441-1263


Bar-B-QueBig Daddy

HEARTLAND BBQ NEWSBy Jim McCoin, Cowboys BBQ and Steak Co.BBQ Contest-American Day of Cowboy

Who would have thought, when we were little kids dreaming of being a fireman, superman, a doctor, and in my case a veterinarian, that one day my life and many of my best friends lives would revolve around BBQ.I love to hunt, fish, ride ATV’s, and do the beach thing, lobster, scallops, etc, but they all revolve around BBQ as well. I really don’t think catching lobster would be so much fun if I couldn’t cook it over the grill, watching the flames rise when I paint it with melted butter. And let it be known I would never get up early, stay up late, and never ever skin and gut a stinkin’ hog if I couldn’t inject it, rub it, salt it, and smoke it on my smoker late into the night, with my daughters Jamie and Carley and my nephews, and see the joy of my family when they pick it apart the next day and we feast like kings! This is a sport and family tradition as well.

This year at The National Day of the Cowboy in Okeechobee, Cowboys BBQ and Steak Co. put on its first annual BBQ contest. There were 12 teams and we raised $1100 for Miss Okeechobee, Alex Ming. Bill Parcel, of Eli’s Trailer Sales, donated the grand prize, a large Green Egg with stand and all accessories, and Eddie Lehman of Lehmans Auto Body donated the reserve grand prize, a hitch. I really want to thank them both for being so generous and helping bring our town together.

We had all locals enter, with the exception of some skinny folks that came from Lake Placid. The team name was Smokin’ In The Field, Matt Elliott and team. Other teams were Frank DeCarlo with American Drilling, Brian Vick and Jaime Mullis (Bassinger Boys), Charlie’s Trees, Mike McCoin and Tommy Harden, 3-D Ice, Davie Altman and family, 57 Smokers, Tom McCoin, Tim Arnold, Fat Steve, Charmin Charlie Welch, and Rhonda Talley headed up this bunch! There was one team, I think they were called The Fat Guys or something, they were all Spanish except for one white guy named DJ. I think they were confused what was going on. I think they thought we were having a beer drinking contest and a taco eating contest! There were many local businesses there to support the cause and have fun with friends and family. All the contestants were allowed to vend their food to help pay for the expense of entering the contest. Most of them sold out shortly after the cattle drive arrived at the arena.

I had locals do the judging. I put on a little class so they

Jim McCoin (left), Davie Altman with Team 3-D Ice, and Alex Ming, Miss Okeechobee at the First Annual Cowboy BBQ and Steak Co. BBQ Contest.

would all know what to expect. I asked that they score between 1 and 10 and to let me know if something was lower than 7 and higher than 9, they all did great!

ChickenThird Place: Pork U - Lehman Auto Body, Patrick LehmanSecond Place: Eli’s Trailer Sales, Bill ParcelFirst Place: Mike McCoin and Tommy Harden, Charlie’s TreesRibsThird Place: Lehman Auto BodySecond Place: 3-D Ice, Davie AltmanFirst Place: Daryl Hampton and the crew of Five Star ConstructionBrisketThird Place: Smokin’ In The Field, Matt Elliott and crewSecond Place: Eli’s Trailer Sales, Bill ParcelFirst Place: 3-D, Davie Altman

The reserve grand champion and winner of a hitch was Lehamn Auto Body, Eddie Lehman and Jimmy Stiert. Eddie had originally donated the hitch, but after winning it, donated it back for an auction to benefit Alex Ming. David Hampton of Five Star Construction purchased the hitch.

The grand champion was 3-D Ice, Davie Altman. He won a Big Green Egg and a huge first place trophy.

Congratulations to all, I can’t wait to do it again next year! If you are interested in going to a BBQ competition, check

out the Web site flbbq.org, go to contest and see when there is one near you.


Where it’s ALWAYS 5 O’clock!!

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 104 SE 6th St. • Okeechobee, FL863.467.0711

LUNCH SPECIALS DAILY MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN

Fried Soft Shell Crab Sandwich served with one side $8

Coconut Dolphin Sandwich served with one side $9

Southern Chipotle seared Shrimp Salad $9

Yellow Tail Snapper sandwich … served with one side $8

Fish and Chips served with coleslaw $8

All You Can Eat Snow Crab Legs all day and night! Served with 2 sides $18

Skipjacks Seafood Alfredo! Grilled

Shrimp, Scallops,

and steamed

broccoli served

over linguini- all

covered in our

creamy Alfredo

Sauce $15

DINNER SPECIALS

MON 31 TUE 1 WED 2 THU 3 FRI 4 SAT 5 SUN 6

Seared, Fried, or Blackened Yellow Tail Snapper served with asparagus and one side $15

Garlic & Parmesan Cheese Crusted Grouper served with steamed broccoli and one side $15

Soft Shell Crab Dinner- 2 Soft Shell Crabs Fried, Seared, or Blackened served with 2 sides $17

All You Can Eat Shrimp! Seared, Fried, or Blackened served with 2 sides $17

Surf and Turf! 8 oz NY Strip and 6 LG Shrimp Seared, Fried, or Blackened served with steamed broccoli and baked potato $22


Lobster Stuffed Yellow Tail Snapper served with steamed asparagus and one side $17


Jumbo Coconut Shrimp Dinner served with 2 sides $14

Skipjacks Chobee Platter- Fried Gator, Catfish, Frog Legs served with 2 sides $19



Seafood Platter- Seared Scallops, Shrimp, Dolphin, and Crab Stuffing served with 2 sides $21


All You Can Eat Frog Legs! Served with 2 sides $18


Skipjacks Fried Seafood Platter- Scallops, Clams, Shrimp, Dolphin, Crab Stuffing served with 2 sides $21

Citrus Marinated Grouper served with 2 sides $14



Sesame Crusted Tuna served with 2 sides $17


Fried Flounder served with 2 sides $14


Seared or Blackened Salmon served with 2 sides $15

Strawberry Vinagrette Glazed Mahi Mahi served with 2 sides $14



Surf and Turf! 8 oz NY Strip and 6 LG Shrimp Seared, Fried, or Blackened served with steamed broccoli and baked potato $22


Blackened or Seared Scallops with Sweet Balsamic Reduction Drizzle served with 2 sides $15

MON 28 TUE 29 WED 30

Jumbo Coconut Shrimp Dinner served with 2 sides $14

Skipjacks Chobee Platter- Fried Gator, Catfish, Frog Legs served with 2 sides $19


SEPTEMBER SPECIALS!!

Don’t Miss ‘Em

Catfish • Clams • ShrimpOysters • Grouper • DolphinScallops • Crawfish • GatorFroglegs and More!


Auto • Homeowners • Life

Helping You Is What We Do Best.

HIGHLANDS COUNTY

DESOTO COUNTY

OKEECHOBEECOUNTY

Cameron N. Jolly, Agency ManagerDawn A. Hines

Matt Sacilowski


(863) 494-3636

Blair H. Harris, Agency ManagerJames L. McInnesTimothy M. Craig


(863) 763-3101

Chad D. McWaters, Agency ManagerJoseph W. Bullington

Seth Rogers


(863) 385-5141

HARDEE COUNTYN. Jay Bryan, Agency Manager

George L. Wadsworth Jr.

1017 US Highway 17 N.Wauchula, FL 33873

(863) 773-3117

Documents

In The Field Heartland