VETERANS NEWS ----

VFW Post 9528 events
BUCKHEAD RIDGE — The VFW Post 9528, 29012 State Road 78 East in Buckhead Ridge will host the following events:  For information, call 863-467-2882.

VFW Post 4423 events
OKEECHOBEE — VFW Post 4423, 300 N.W. Fourth St., will host the following events: On Tuesday April 9, there will bingo at 6 p.m. with food. On Wednesday, April 10, there will be an eight-ball Pool League Tournament at 7:30 p.m. and the grill opens at p.m. On Friday, April 12, there will bingo at 2 p.m., the grill will open at 5 p.m. and then Karaoke Capt. TP from 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturday, April 13, there will be a bingo extravaganza at 1 p.m. On Sunday, April 14, there will be a dinner of meatloaf, mashed potatoes or rice with peas, from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 863-763-0818.

VFW hosts Bingo Extravaganza
OKEECHOBEE — VFW 4423, 300 N.W. 34th St., will hold Bingo Extravaganza on Saturday, April 13, at 2 p.m. For information, call 863-763-0818.

American Legion holds events
OKEECHOBEE — The American Legion Post #64, 501 S.E. Second St., will host the following events: Fiesta Wednesday with margaritas and tacos will be held on Wednesday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The grill will be open. Music by Jay from 3 to 6 p.m. Thirsty Thursday will be held Thursday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Karaoke and Fish Fry Friday night will be held on Friday, April 12, from 5 to 8 p.m. Choice of fish, shrimp or chicken in a basket or on a salad. Music by “Medicine Man” GW Poole from 6 to 9 p.m. The Sons of the American Legion will hold a spaghetti dinner and dance on Saturday, April 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. Homemade meat sauce and spaghetti, salad, dinner roll and dessert for a $6 donation. Music by D & K Karaoke. NASCAR (Richmond) & College game day - tailgate with them! There will be $9 buckets of domestic beer. Bingo will be held on Sunday, April 14, at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Kitchen open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Five Card Bingo will be held on Monday, April 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. The Post will hold a S.A.L. meeting on Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m. Food will be available all day. For information, call 863-763-5309.

VETERANS NEWS END

HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF

Diabetes workshop to be held
OKEECHOBEE — There will be a six-week Diabetes Self-Management Workshop for adults and seniors with Type 2 Diabetes at Our Village Okeechobee, 1703 S.W. Second Ave. The workshop will meet for 2.5 hours once a week for six weeks. Attend session-zero on Wednesday, April 9, to meet the co-leaders. The workshops will be on Wednesdays, April 16, 23, 30, and Wednesdays, May 7, 14, and 21, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Plan to attend at least four of the six meetings. To register, visit www.lorhn.org, or call 888-880-8242, or email info@lorhn.org.

Chronic disease workshop set
OKEECHOBEE — There will be a chronic disease self-management workshop for adults and seniors living with chronic conditions at Our Village Okeechobee, 1703 S.W. Second Ave. Groups will meet weekly for 2.5 hours for six weeks. Attend session-zero on Wednesday, April 10, and meet the co-leaders. The workshops will be on Wednesdays, April 17, 24, and May 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, call 888-880-8242 or email info@lorhn.org.

Literacy Workshop scheduled
OKEECHOBEE — Health Literacy is the ability a person has that helps them find, manage, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions. Workshops are three weekly sessions to be held on Mondays, April 8, 15, and 22, May 6, 13, 20, and June 3, 10 and 17, at the Okeechobee County Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Healthy snacks, giveaways and Certificates of Completion will be included. For information, call 561-844-4220 ext. 1500 or email info@lorhn.org.

Children’s Mental Health System of Care hosts ‘Family Nights’
The Okeechobee Children’s Mental Health System of Care will present monthly Family Nights at IRSC until April 23, 2019.
Bring the kids and join in the fun at the Williamson Education Center at Indian River State College, 2229 N.W. Ninth Ave., for evenings that include dinner, fun and great information from experts on children’s mental health, education, safety and more. The events will be held on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Topics will include:  April 23: How to advocate for your child and yourself.
For more information, contact Jane Kaufman at 863-462-5125, ext. 135 or email jane.kaufman@okee.k12.fl.us.

April Bloodmobile visits planned
OKEECHOBEE — If you are over the age of 17 and in good health, you can help save lives by donating blood. The bloodmobile will visit Okeechobee on the following dates. Donors will receive gifts.
• Monday, April 15, Walmart, 2101 S. Parrott Ave., 1:30 to 7 p.m., $10 Walmart gift card, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.
• Saturday, April 20, Walmart, 2101 S. Parrott Ave., 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., $10 Walmart gift card, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.
• Sunday, April 21, Walmart, 2101 S. Parrott Ave., 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., $10 Walmart gift card, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.
• Monday, April 22, Okeechobee Correctional Institution, 3420 N.E. 168th St., 1:30 to 7 p.m., One Blood cap, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.
• Friday, April 26, Publix, 3551 U.S. 441, 1:30 to 7 p.m., $10 Publix gift card, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.
• Tuesday, April 30, Raulerson Hospital, 1796 U.S. 441, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., One Blood cap, $5 Golden Corral card, $8 Lion Country Safari card.

END HEALTH NEWS IN BRIEF

APRIL

Register for the swim team
OKEECHOBEE — Registration starts soon for the Okeechobee Shockwaves Swim Team. Go to the Sports Complex, 580 N.W. 25th Lane, on Wednesday, April 10, from 4 to 6 p.m., or Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Coach Jack Boon at 863-801-1407 or by email at jackdboon@hotmail.com.

OREA meeting set for April 8
OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee Retired Educator’s Association (OREA) will meet on Monday, April 8, at 11 a.m., in the meeting room of Beef O’Brady’s, 608 S. Parrott Ave.

Essential oils class to be held
OKEECHOBEE — There will be a class on essential oils at the Okeechobee Public Library, 206 S.W. 16th St., on Tuesday, April 9, at 1 p.m. Contact Maria Hagg at 863-243-4011 to confirm a seat.

Diabetes workshop to be held
OKEECHOBEE — There will be a six-week Diabetes Self-Management Workshop at Our Village Okeechobee, 1703 S.W. Second Ave. The workshop will meet for 2.5 hours once a week at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17, 24, and Wednesdays, May 1, 8, and 15. Plan to attend at least four of the six meetings. To register, visit www.lorhn.org, or call 888-880-8242, or email info@lorhn.org.

Library hosts celebration
OKEECHOBEE — The public is invited to the 20th anniversary celebration of the Okeechobee County Public Library’s current building, 206 S.W. 16th St., on Thursday, April 11, at 6 p.m. Event features live music, food, photo booth and more. For information, call 863-763-3536.

Disney play to be performed
OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee High School Thespian Troupe 7319 presents Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast.” It will take place at the high school, 2800 U.S. 441, in the Lecture Hall. Other show dates are April 12, and 13, at 7:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 and students get in for $5. For more information, call Miss Raulerson at 863-462-5025 ext. 8011.

Community Choir will present cantata; 20th year
The Okeechobee Community Choir, in its 20th year under the direction of Sandy Perry, will began rehearsing at the Okeechobee Presbyterian Church, 312 N. Parrott Ave. The cantata will be presented at Okeechobee Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13; and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 14. Rehearsals are held on Sundays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The Easter cantata, Who is Jesus?, Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus and other seasonal selections will be presented. Rehearsal attendance is suggested, but not mandatory. All interested singers of any age, both locals and northern friends, are invited to participate. There is no audition, but singers must be able to match pitch. Rehearsals are stimulating and loads of fun! Music and rehearsal CDs with accentuated parts are provided. Last year, singers representing 15 local churches participated. For more information, call Sandy at 863-634-7714.

Funeral education event set
OKEECHOBEE — Seawinds Funeral Home, 3833 S.E. 18th Terrace, would like you to attend its free “Ducks in a Row” educational program on Friday, April 12, at noon. Lunch will be served and you will learn how to go about planning your final arrangements. For more information, call 863-357-7283.

Ride for Rights event set
OKEECHOBEE — The 19th Judicial Circuit, Victim’s Rights Coalition presents its annual Ride for Rights on Saturday, April 13. Ride to benefit the victims of Okeechobee and the Treasure Coast. Riders from surrounding counties can choose to start from Okeechobee County or Martin County. Onsite registration for Okeechobee will be at the Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office, 504 N.W. Fourth St., from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Kickstands up at 10 a.m. For those choosing to start in Martin County onsite registration will be at Indiantown Sheriff’s Substation, 16550 S.W. Warfield Blvd., from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and kickstands up when all motorcycles arrive at the sub-station. You may download a registration form from www.19JCVRC.org. For more information, call 863-634-0727 or 863-634-0651. You can also email at JJohnson@okeesheriff.com or bstark@okeesheriff.com.

Tea party to be held
OKEECHOBEE — Our Village Okeechobee is hosting a tea party on Saturday, April 13, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Okeechobee High School Cafeteria, 2800 U.S. 441. Wear your favorite princess dress and come have a good time before the play, “Beauty and the Beast.” There will be games, food, and fun. Tickets are $15 per princess and per adult or you can purchase a four-ticket family pack for $50. Tickets admit you to the tea party and the play. For more information, call Leah Suarez at 863-697-8718.

D.A.R. meeting to be held
OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have a meeting on Saturday, April 13, at 10 a.m. at the Okeechobee Public Library, 206 S.W. 16th St. Light refreshments will begin at 9:30 a.m. Come meet others interested in preserving the history of this great nation.

S.A.R. hosts monthly meeting
OKEECHOBEE — The Okeechobee Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will meet on Saturday, April 13, at Beef O’Brady’s, 608 S. Parrott Ave., at 11:30 a.m. Earl Taylor, from the Okeechobee Family History Center, will be the guest speaker. The public is welcome and invited to attend. If you have any questions, call Register, Gary Howard at 863-801-9730 or President, Gary Miles at 863-801-9872.

Moose Lodge hosts events
OKEECHOBEE – The Moose Lodge will host the following events: On Wednesday, April 10, there will be five-card bingo from 5 to 7 p.m. On Thursday, April 11, legion bingo is canceled. On Saturday, April 13, there will be a dinner of chicken and yellow rice at 5 p.m. for $7. There will be music by Double D from 6 to 9 p.m. On Sunday, April 14, there will be breakfast from 8 to 9:45 a.m. and three-card bingo from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Historical Society to meet
OKEECHOBEE — The Historical Society will meet on Monday, April 15, at noon in the museum, 1850 U.S. 98 N. If interested, bring a covered dish to share.

Garden Club to meet
OKEECHOBEE — The Garden Club will hold a meeting on Monday, April 15, at 6 p.m. followed by the Orchid Club meeting at 7 p.m., at the UF/IFAS Extension Office, 458 U.S. 98.

Palm Sunday event set
OKEECHOBEE — The Fountain of Life Church, 1302 S.W. 32nd St. invites the public to watch a musical drama, “The Last Supper,” that portrays Jesus keeping Passover with his disciples. This event takes place on Thursday, April 14, at 10:30 a.m. This presentation is by His Majesty’s Ministries. For information, call 863-763-8945.

Code Enforcement meeting set
OKEECHOBEE — Okeechobee County Code Enforcement will hold a Special Magistrate Hearing on Tuesday, April 16, at 2 p.m. at the Health Department Auditorium, 1728 N.W. Ninth Ave. For information, call 863-763-5548.

Benefit to be held for Lana Palmer
OKEECHOBEE — American Legion post 64 will be hosting Quarters For A Cause, for the Lana Palmer Benefit. This event will take place on Tuesday, April 16, at 501 S.E. Second St., from 6 to 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Lana Palmer is a single visually impaired mom. Wear pastel colors to be entered into the Special Raffle. Paddles for bidding will be $2 each. If you make a purchase from a vendor while attending, you will get a ticket in the 50/50 raffled. If you would like to make a donation, or have any questions, contact Janice Pietro at 561-310-3285.

Democrats to meet April 17
OKEECHOBEE — Democrats will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, in the banquet room at Beef O’Brady’s, 608 S. Parrott Avenue.

Businesswomen’s meeting set
OKEECHOBEE — Whether a businesswoman, an entrepreneur, a job-seeker or would-be volunteer, you will benefit from attending the Okeechobee Businesswomen’s Referral Network, on Friday, April 19, 11:30 a.m., at Lakeside Grille, 1111 S. Parrott Ave. Please bring a small exchange gift, curiosity and enthusiasm. For information, call Raye at 863-467-2557.

Easter egg hunt to be held
OKEECHOBEE — First Baptist Church of Okeechobee is hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for children up to grade five. It will be open to the public on Saturday, April 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Recreation Outreach Center, 310 S.W. Fifth Ave.

CCC meeting set April 23
OKEECHOBEE — Community Collaborative Council, a part of the Shared Services Network of Okeechobee, will be held on Tuesday, April 23, at 10 a.m. in the board room 303 of the Okeechobee County School District Office, 700 S.W. Second Ave.

MAY

Thrift shop to have sale
SEBRING — A Bountiful Barn Thrift Store, 442 U.S. 27 S., is holding a store-wide liquidation sale going on now through May 1. The store hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The store is right next to Cafe 27.



Gospel Sing Along

The church at 912 Northwest Park St. (across from Eli’s in Okeechobee, the little white church with the cross), holds a gospel sing on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. They invite you sing, play an instrument or just join them. Everyone welcome. Non-denominational. For information, call 863-610-0330.

Fire/Rescue offers free blood pressure checks
Okeechobee County Fire/Rescue will 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.