Community events …
Help save lives by donating blood
The need for blood donations doesn’t stop for summer vacations. If you are in good health and over the age of 17, you can help One Blood ensure area hospitals have a safe blood supply ready to handle emergencies.
June/July blood drives in Okeechobee include:
• Tuesday, June 26, at Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office from noon to 5:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 26, at Walmart from 1:30 to 7 p.m.
• Friday, June 29, at Walmart from 2 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, July 4, at the Ag Center from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Friday, July 6, at Okee Discount Drugs from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Friday, July 6, at Walmart from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
• Thursday, July 12, at Walmart from 2 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 14, at the Trading Post Flea Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sunday, July 15, at Golden Corral from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, July 21, at Walmart from noon to 5:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 22, at Walmart from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Thursday, July 26, at Dr. Brown’s Clinic from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday, July 27, at Walmart from 2 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 28, at the Back to School Bash at OHS from 8 to 11 a.m.
• Saturday, July 28, at Walmart from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• Sunday, July 29, at Publix from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Town Hall meeting by the GOP
The Okeechobee Republican Party invites you to attend a festive event with an Old-Fashioned Town Hall meeting where you can meet and hear candidates in city, county and some state races express their views on current Issues. Come and bring your family for free hot dogs, drinks, popcorn, music and balloons for the kids – at Veterans Memorial Park on West Park Street, downtown Okeechobee on Friday, June 22, from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
VFW will serve steak dinners
Big Lake VFW Post #10539, 3912 U.S. 441 S., will host a steak dinner with salad, baked potato and garlic bread on Friday, June 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. Music will be performed by Jay Boree from 7 to 10 p.m.
Oasis Lounge opens
The Okeechobee Shrine Club Oasis Lounge, 1855 S.W. 53rd St., will be open this Friday, June 22, and Saturday, June 23, from 5 to 10 p.m. For the first hour and a half, all drinks are $1 off. There will be hot dogs for sale. Popcorn is free! For information, call Keith at 863-643-2682.
Legion will host dinner
On Friday, June 22, come and enjoy dinner at the American Legion, 501 S.E. Second St. Everyone is welcome. Dinner will be fish, shrimps or chicken and french fry baskets, for a $6 donation and is served from 5 until 8 p.m. with music from 6 to 9 p.m. For information, call 863-763-5309.
DOH will hold CPR classes
Okeechobee Department of Health, 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave., will hold CPR/AED and basic first aid certification class on Saturday, June 23, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, call Chuck Akers at 772-260-9026 or Sara Yates at 863-532-3436.
VFW will serve breakfast
The VFW Riders are serving breakfast at Post 9528, 29012 S.R. 78 W., on Saturday, June 23, from 8:30 to 11 a.m. All proceeds will go to veteran services. For information, call 863-467-2882.
Ladies night out planned
The Leadership Class of 2018 will host a Ladies Night Out at IRSC Williamson Center, 2229 N.W. Ninth Ave., on Saturday, June 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 and there will be tons of vendors, drawings, prizes and more. For information, call Kara at 863-763-9312, Lori at 863-697-2829 or Sherry at 863-697-9053.
Legion opens Sunday bingo
American Legion 64, 501 S.E. Second St., will host Sunday night bingo on June 24, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. in the bingo area. All proceeds will benefit the American Legion veterans’ programs. The event is open to the public. The legion is now offering a chicken dinner from 1 to 7 p.m. with all the fixings for a $5 donation.
AMVETS serves breakfast
The AMVETS will serve breakfast on Sunday, June 24, at VFW Post 9528, 29012 S.R. 78 W., from 8:30 to 11 a.m. All benefits go for veteran’s services. For information, call 863-467-2882.
Amvets host 5-card bingo
Join Amvets Post 200, 3651 U.S. 441 S.E. Suite 6, on Sunday, June 24, at 2 p.m. for five-card bingo. Food will be available at 1 p.m. For information, call 863-484-8135.
Legion hosts 5-card bingo
American Legion Post #64, 501 S.E. Second St., will host five-card bingo on Monday, June 25, from 1 to 3 p.m., with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. For information, call 863-763-5309.
Shrine Club hosts dinner
The Okeechobee Shrine Club, 1855 S.W. 53rd St., off of U.S. 78 W., next to Fast Break, will hold a spaghetti dinner Tuesday, June 25, from 4 until 7 p.m. for an $8 donation. This event is open to the public and all members of the Shrine Temple. Entertainment will be provided by Southern Daughter. For information on the activities of the Okeechobee Shrine Club or to lease the club, contact the Shrine Club at 863-763-3378.
Suicide awareness group to meet on June 26
A support group for parents whose children have attempted suicide and for parents whose children have taken their own lives meets on the last Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Church of God, 912 N.W. Park Street. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 26.
VFW Auxiliary will serve dinner
The VFW Auxiliary will serve a sausage, peppers and onions dinner with macaroni salad and dessert on Wednesday, June 27, at Post 9528, 29012 S.R. 78 W. All proceeds will benefit Florida military veterans in distress. For information, call 863-467-2882.
Town hall meeting set
Sheriff Noel E. Stephen will present a town hall meeting on Wednesday, June 27, at the Okeechobee Historic Courthouse in the BOCC chamber room 122 from 6 to 7 p.m. The topic of discussion will be the sheriff’s office budget. Join live on the BOCC website, www.co.okeechobee.fl.us. For information, call Connie Curry at 863-763-3117 Ext 5022 or email to ccurry@okeesheriff.com.
Camp puts on a production
The sixth annual migrant theater camp presents “Junie B. Jones Jr. The Musical,” for one night only Thursday, June 28, at 7 p.m. in the OHS lecture hall. The show is free and open to the public.
Butterfly sculptures will be unveiled
Okeechobee Main Street invites you to the Butterfly Sculpture Project presentation on Saturday, June 30, at 4 p.m. at the Hamrick Butterfly Garden, in downtown Flagler Park number six. An artists’ reception will follow at Nutmegs, 515 S.W. Park St. At the event, all sculptures will be unveiled and guests will have a chance to meet and mingle with the artists.
Breakfast fundraiser set
Hospice of Okeechobee is hosting a flapjack fundraiser breakfast at Applebees, 1210 U.S. 70 E. on Saturday, June 30, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 each. For information, call 863-467-2321.
Flea Market hosts car show
The Big O Flea Market, 3600 U.S. 441, will host a Classic Car & Truck Show on Sunday, July 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission, registration and parking is free! A live DJ will be playing music from the 50s and 60s. Enjoy family fun at this free event. Lots of awesome classic automobiles. Come on out and see!
Summer reading camp set
A summer reading camp is being sponsored by Okeechobee Children’s Services Council which is open to all students of Okeechobee Public Schools. There are certified teachers and free snacks. The camp will be held at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1258 N.E. 13th Street now through July 1. The camp is Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. For information, call Mrs. Baker at 321-749-7924.
Fourth of July at Lakeport
Lakeport Community Association, 1059 Red Barn Road, Lakeport, Fla. will host a Fourth of July celebration at 2 p.m. There will be food, live music, bounce houses, water slides, games and more. Please bring a lawn chair.
Arts and crafts show set
The Big O Flea Market, 3600 U.S. 441, will host its inaugural Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. Many craft vendors are participating. Come out and support local artists and talent. Enjoy free admission and parking. Hope to see you there!
Backyard Chickens: The workshop
Come learn about the basics of backyard chickens on Thursday, July 19, from 4 to 5 p.m. at the UF/IFA Extention Office, 4509 George Blvd., Sebring, Fla 33875. There is a $10 registration fee, you can register online at www.eventbrite.com/e/backyard-chickens-tickets-4582633371 or call 863-402-6540.
Summer Reading Camp to be held
Ms. Kim at the Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., is excited to announce that the “Summer Reading Camp” will be every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. from Wednesday, June 20 through July 25. Camp is for ages 8 years old and under. If they have a sibling that is older, they may attend as well. Parents must attend! For information, call 863-763-3536.
Reading challenge at the library
The Okeechobee Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., will team up with Scholastic from now through Sept. 7, as students take the pledge to read as many minutes as they can this summer! To join, simply call the library at 863-763-3536 or come in to sign up with a librarian. Students will receive a pledge certificate along with a username and password. By logging reading minutes on the Scholastic website, students can unlock digital rewards and complete weekly reading challenges online. Reading minutes will also count towards special summer prizes and events at the library. Join the fun and sign up today!
Library will host summer programs; get ready to rock!
Each week, beginning June 1, the Okeechobee Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., will host a free program. From cooking to crafts to giant games, every week will be a different and fun experience. Be sure to check the summer calendar to see what programs you’d like to attend. All events are free and open to all ages. You must be registered to attend. For details and to register, call 863-763-3536 or come in to sign up.
Swimming lessons offered locally
Swimming lessons are offered in Okeechobee for ages six months and up at the Okeechobee County Sports Complex Swimming Pool in June and July. Registration for the classes starts on June 7 and 8 between 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. For more information on the lessons, you’re encouraged to contact the swimming pool located in Darrell Enfinger Sports Complex at 863-467-7667.
Skate Park is open again
The Parks & Recreation Department is proud to announce the re-opening of the Okeechobee Skate Park at Kiwanis Park located at 350 N.W. Sixth Avenue. The Skate Park had been closed for several months in anticipation of installing new skate-lite wood surfaces on all of the ramps and some structural repairs to several modular frames. The Skate Park is open seven days a week from dawn to dusk.
Blood Roundup volunteers needed
Looking for a place to volunteer? Check out the Okeechobee Blood Roundup. The 13th annual Blood Roundup will be held Nov. 17 and 18. Find out how you can help save lives while having a lot of fun and satisfaction. For more information, call Raye at 863-467-2557.
Fire/Rescue offers free blood pressure checks
Starting May 1, 2018, Okeechobee County Fire/Rescue ill offer free blood pressure checks from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at:
• Fire Station #1, 504 N.W. Sixth Street,
• Fire Station #2, 3511 S.E. 38th Ave., and,
• Fire Station #4, 1199 N.E. 168th St.
Please understand that if you stop by a station and there is no staff there, they are out on an emergency call. Please stop back later.
Vietnam Veterans will meet
Vietnam Era Military Service Personnel are invited to Gladys’ Restaurant, 511 S.W. Park St., every Wednesday about 7 a.m. No membership required. For information, contact Chapter President Dan Hunt at 863-447-3662.
Tai Chi at the Senior Center
Beginning July 9, Okeechobee Senior Services will again be offering Tai Chi classes on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 at the Lottie Raulerson Senior Center. Tai Chi offers many potential benefits to seniors such as relieving the physical effects of stress, reducing bone loss in menopausal women, improving lower body and leg strength, reducing arthritis pain and reducing blood pressure. Tai Chi is also known to increase energy by releasing endorphins, increase mental capacity and concentration, improve balance and stability by strengthening the ankles and the knees, and promote faster recovery from strokes and heart attacks. This is a great opportunity to do something good for your mind, body and soul, and who knows, you may make some new friends along the way. These classes are offered to beginners and the experienced at no cost. The Lottie Raulerson Senior Center is located at 1690 NW 9th Avenue, just south of the IRSC campus. For further information, please call Senior Services at 863-462-5180.
Line dancing resumes at senior center
Okeechobee Senior Services is once again offering line dancing classes at the Lottie Raulerson Senior Center. Line dancing is a wonderful form of exercise and the classes provide a great opportunity to meet and become friends with other like-minded people. The classes will be taught by Barb Newman each Monday at 11:30 a.m. beginning Nov. 13, 2017. All levels of dancers or would be dancers are invited and there is no cost for these classes. The Senior Center is located at 1690 N.W. Ninth Ave., at the south end of the County Planning and Zoning and Health Department building. Call 863-462-5180 for additional information.
The Okeechobee News is published every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
