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“The world is a great mirror. It reflects back to you what you are. If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful, the world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you. The world is what you are.” – Thomas Dreier
As 2009 comes to end, let’s reflect on how many unselfish people contributed to the quality of life in Glades County this past year.
At Buckhead Ridge (BHR)’s community association, the Moose and VFW, the Lion’s Club, garden clubs, schools and churches, civic, religious and social groups throughout Washington Park, Brighton, Ortona, Muse, Palmdale, Moore Haven, BHR and Lakeport, people worked to make the holidays special for all. There were many Christmas celebrations, toy drives, food banks, and people helping people in ordinary and extraordinary ways.
But many noble volunteers in Glades County work year round to bring about community and encourage connections. These people do not expect anything in return. Few are running for office, or want to be paid.
Through many holidays and festivals, most volunteers go unnoticed and under appreciated. They are our “unpaid” public servants. Some of these volunteers sit on county committees and library boards and attend meetings, and others help protect us, like our really-heroic volunteer fire fighters.
In a recent post I paid tribute to one Lakeport Community Association (LCA)volunteer, Jo Randolph. In humility, she sent me an email which I have quoted, with her permission. Her thoughts are an example of how volunteering is at its best when it is a network of people.
“Thank you for the kind words in your newsletter,” wrote Jo. “I don’t know that I should be volunteer of the year, but I thank you for the thought. There are several people who worked behind the scenes to help make my term as president of the LCA successful,” she wrote. ” Jan Irwin spent much time handing out flyers about meetings, etc. She also has worked hard with the sour orange pie booth. I could not have done all I did without her help. Gail Young, since she became active, has been a big help. She has kept very accurate records and did it while her husband was the treasurer. I guess that what a good wife does. She is now our treasurer.” Jo continues wih her pats on the back. “Another person who is working very hard is Dori Evans. She is energetic and has kept the ball rolling. She is doing a great job this year for the Sour Orange Festival taking care of the vendors. I look forward to a successful festival and she deserves credit for her work well done.” And finally, Jo, in passing the torch, wrote “I trust that the LCA will have a great year with Claudia Jinkins as our (new) president.”
Well, I also feel compelled to mention a few people as 2009 ends whom I can’t thank enough for their enduring commitment to the Glades County people over the years.
One is Anne Coffey, a former Glades County Democrat reporter known as Anne Deuschle. Anne has been the president of the Glades County Historical Society for the past 9 years. She, and a handful of dedicated members, have been the inspiration, motivation and perspiration for the successful restoration of the historic Westergard House on Avenue L. Despite weak support or apathy from some Glades County officials, Anne has gifted Glades County with a valuable repository of their heritage. Historic homes are often a tourist attraction and this will be one too someday, if tourists ever come to Moore Haven. But, an official historical society carries out an important mission to preserve the memories of a place for future generations to appreciate. This house is already filled with treasures. Anne Coffey and all the Glades County Historical Society members who labor without recognition or appreciation deserve a big thank you.
Another volunteer is Julie Wigton. Julie has impacted my life and many other men and women in Glades County because she leads a class in yoga that is good for health and good for the mind. But she does more. I know she has served as president of the Glades County Women’s Club. She plays music at her church. As a member of the Glades County Historical Society she put in many hours organizing the Christmas Open House. Then she played music with another “volunteering” musician at the Open House.
Another is Lakeport’s Voulnteers Fire Chief, Chuck Lahown. He has been a devoted firefighter for more than 30 years and never seeks any notice or praise. What a job! Year after year weekly meetings, exhausting trainings, certification classes. Nights with sleep broken. But, he never complains. He has the the welfare of the community in his big heart.
These are just three people that come to my mind, but I know there are many, many more. Please send me names and photos of deserving volunteers and you can thank them here at the Glades County Reporter.
I don’t think you lose weight but you do strengthen your muscles doing yoga . Younger people might prefer to do Pam Chesley’s aerobics class in Lakeport twice a week. I admire them. But for me, I am content with doing yoga. It is so great to meet others who do care about their health, weight and energy as we all age. Yoga is better than zanax for insomnia. Prozac for anxiety. Or other pills that have horrendous side effeccts. Doing yoga with a group is empowering. So don’t knock it unless you try it.
If you love nature this is a wonderful place to meditate and appreciate the wonders of glorious Glades County… This is a photo of a canopy of shade along the Fort Center Nature Trail on Fisheating Creek. To read about the trail click on this link: 
