Tourism Still Has Its Place in The Glades

By Jeff Barwick

Jeff Barwick enjoying a swim at the Pahokee Waterfront in 1959.

Back in 2000, when [Hendry] County formed tourism, I was at the Clewiston Chamber. We were very interested in tourism. Back then, I went around making presentations for the bed tax, which would produce revenue for tourism projects, and it passed. I loved that work. I was on two boards of Visit Florida. They had great programs and they did special things. We brought writers here from magazines, we’d take them on tours and three months later we had an article in travel magazines. All we had to do was find them a place to stay for a few nights and meals.

We had this consultant specializing in rural tourism from Lakeland, Jim Brantley. He did a windshield tour of Hendry County and afterward told me: “Jeff, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The one thing you have in Hendry County is Lake Okeechobee. That’s your asset. You can develop other things, but the lake is your thing.” We brought more fishing tournaments into Roland & Mary Ann Martin Marina. The fishing’s good, particularly in February when it’s colder up North. We increased that tourism. We also did some other nature tourism with the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail around the top of the dike. We had maps, places to see and stay.

Fishing is still pretty good on the lake. It’s more than bass. Fly fishing is a big deal. So is pan fishing. But, the potential of nature tourism is big, too. People talk about going to the Everglades. Get out on Lake Okeechobee, and you’ll see the same things that you’ll find in the Everglades. You get out in the water and back up in all that grass, it’s beautiful. Lake Okeechobee is not your typical lake. You have to get out on the lake to really appreciate it and that costs money. We found a boat operator with a boat who took about 50 people out on tours. The boat was usually full. During my last year at the chamber, we added boat tours to the Sugarland Tours. We took 6,000 people out. I don’t think they’re running that many people now. It’s a different program.

I think tourism is a facet that has some potential. It takes money, of course, but you need people with a vision to build tourism here in the Glades. As a community, The Glades is unique. While we may have different cities, like Belle Glade and Clewiston, we still are “The Glades.” Most of the people raised around here, that’s how we think. We have some commonality. It’ll take vision and leadership, and I think you can get it from the city governments. Tourism in Palm Beach County is all about Palm Beach County and the coast. That’s where the money’s at. There’s not enough power in Hendry County to pull tourism together. So, I think it’s up to the cities and visionary entrepreneurs who could then present plans to the Tourism Development Councils and gain their backing and bed tax dollars for new projects.

Where’s the potential for tourism growth here in The Glades? The interest in railroads in this country is unbelievable, especially in steam-engine railroading. U.S. Sugar has a steam engine and some rail cars that they’re cleaning up to run for tours. The company bought that old rail engine back in the 30s and 40s. They found it out in the Midwest and brought it back on a rail car, in parts. You could see the framework of it. They took that thing apart and rebuilt it. These guys that work in the sugar mill, they can build anything. It’s amazing what they can do. So, they got the steam engine running. I understand they found another one that they’re going to bring back, and they’re going to do tours. That engine is on a Facebook page – No. 148. When they advertise that there’s an event featuring the train, you’d be surprised at the crowds that show up. They eat this stuff up. When you get that going and taking people out into the sugarcane fields to explain farming, that’s going to be a big deal.

I still think tourism can bring benefits to The Glades, but nothing just falls in your lap. Building any industry is hard. If it was easy to do, it would have already happened by itself. However, people are looking for something different. They’ve already done Disney; they’ve been to the beach. It’s time to figure out how to make The Glades a must-see destination in Florida.

Jeff Barwick grew up in Pahokee and currently lives in Clewiston. He served as president and CEO of the Clewiston Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Hendry County Tourism Development Council.

Bruce Hightower: Growing Up & Growth in the Glades

Born and raised in Belle Glade, Bruce Hightower was influenced by the strong work ethic of his family and the agricultural community.

“Agriculture played a tremendous part in who I am as a person,” explained Hightower. “My entire family grew up in agriculture. My entire family worked the farm system throughout their life.”

Both Hightower’s mother and father’s family were involved in the Glades agricultural industry with his mother’s family migrating from Jamacia to Belle Glade to find work.

It was the values of his family that drove him to pursue a degree in education at Youngstown State University in Ohio.

“Agriculture is the heart and stable of the city and it also plays a significant part in who I am today,” stated Hightower. “Those people work 12 hours a day.”

In his observations, he recognized that drive is what carried a person far in life.

It made a lasting impact on Hightower who returned to the Glades after college. He was driven to help serve the youth in the Belle Glade and South Bay communities and show them the meaning of those hard-working values.

Today, Hightower serves as the principal of Rosenwald Elementary School. Not only a leader in education, Hightower is also committed to reaching the students in the Glades beyond school walls.

“I am passionate about making sure when [the kids] see me, they see me as a positive role model.”

Hightower aims to show the children of the Glades positivity. Every day he works to shine a light on the good in the community and that individuals like himself, want to bring out the best of everyone.

Barbara King on Her Love For the Glades Community

Barbara King’s love for her community is overflowing. Even more so, is her humility when discussing her work in the Glades.

“I want to make people happy,” said Barbara King. “I want to keep a smile on the kids’ faces and not only serve the kids but also to our senior citizens.”

Born and raised in the South Ba, King founded KTM Youth and Community Network, Inc. after her own life experience.

“I was a single parent raising four kids,” explained King. “My son was a teenager at the time and was acting out.”

King dedicated her time outside of work to attend counseling with her son. Over time she saw a notable difference as he reached high school.

“When I saw his improvement, it motivated me to start a mentorship program for the youth. I saw other kids trying to navigate the same road that I experienced my son go down.”

At KTM, based in South Bay, King works with a team of coaches and volunteers to mentor children through different activities including recreational sports and a community garden program.

“Before KTM, there were no resources for parents or kids,” explained King. Her new organization carved out an opportunity to provide positivity in the community.

KTM partners with the local Glades bookmobile where kids can check out books to read. Reading is one of the requirements to participate in KTM’s recreational sports.

KTM hosts outdoor practices at the Cox Park Center where children aged 5-14 can participate in sports including soccer, football, basketball and baseball.

In addition to sports, children take part in a community garden where they learn how to plant and care for produce. They’ve grown collard greens, carrots, cabbages, onions, sweet potatoes and more.

KTM also offers other resources like a youth job fair with professional resources such as business and financial planning. The children undergo a week of training on how to run a business. Then KTM’s hosts a pop-up shop to invite community members to patronize their enterprises.

When KTM first opened, King started out with 45 kids. Most recently, over 300 kids participated in KTM’s program last season.

Through King’s dedication, she has touched the lives of over 1,200 kids and countless families. She humbly explains she is doing the calling of God’s work in her efforts.

When asked about her goals for the new year, King responded, “I am hoping we can come together with the city and work to take our program to the next level. With the support of the city, we can have a truly larger impact on the children.”