All Aboard! Santa to Deliver Toys Across the Glades Community This Saturday

All aboard the Santa Express! For a second year in the row, Engine No. 148, also known as the Sugar Express, will be delivering toys to boys and girls across the Glades community.

The Sugar Express steam locomotive No. 148 is a 4-6-2 type steam engine manufactured in 1920 by the American Locomotive Company (ALCO).

The train would transport sugarcane from the harvest field to the processing plant. From 1952 until 1969, No. 148 was in operation before being sold.

In 2016, U.S. Sugar repurchased No. 148 and oversaw its restoration. In 2020, the Sugar Express officially returned to service.

For the second year in a row, the Sugar Express has partnered up with the Toys for Tots programs in Moore Haven, Clewiston, Belle Glade and Martin County to spread holiday cheer.

This Saturday, December 11, the Sugar Express Santa Train will be operating on the mainline of the South-Central Florida Express Belle Glade and Lake Placid.

Santa and his elves will be on board, greeting children and delivering gifts. At each stop, children will be able to wave to Santa and deliver their own letters.

Families can visit the website or Facebook for more information.

Individuals looking to support the Toys for Tots Programs in the Glades can provide unwrapped gifts and visit online at https://www.toysfortots.org/ for more information. Interested parents can also sign up to receive toys later directly from their local program.

Local Radio Station Spreads Holiday Cheer in Ninth Annual Toy Drive

If you live in the Glades, chances are you’ve turned on the radio and heard the lively voice of Nicole Reid.

Nicole serves as the news and public affairs director for the Glades Media Group. But she is known by most Glades residents as a morning show host on the WAFC-FM Pure Country.

Most everyone starts their day listening to Nicole and her colleagues discuss the happenings of the Glades community.

For Nicole, the focus is on local.

“We talk about the local news, what’s going on in the Glades. We talk about high school football and sports and upcoming events.”

Her energy adoration of the Glades community is tangible. Especially when it comes to the annual WAFC Pure Country Free Drive-Thru Toy Drive.

Since its inception in 2012, the radio station has partnered with local community organizations to get out into the community and ensure the holidays were a little brighter for the children and families of the Glades.

Over the years, the event has grown immensely, causing the drive to relocate to John Boy Auditorium to accommodate the hundreds of cars and families.

Last Saturday, the radio station hosted its 9th annual toy drive. It was by far their biggest and best yet.

Partnering up with the Sugarland Mason Lodge #281 and the H.E. Hill Foundation, this year’s drive saw almost 500 toys were distributed throughout the community.

When asked about her favorite part event, Nicole paused before sharing a heartfelt answer. “It is priceless to see the instant impact of the event. The way these kids’ faces light up and the look of relief on the faces of parents, the gratitude is infectious. It’s positivity that makes the real impact on our community.”

At the event, Nicole loves to interact with the families and children. Between her breaks on-air, she makes sure to interact with the families. Between passing out toys, making fun with Santa or waving at the kids, her focus is on keeping the holiday spirit alive in the drive-thru.

In addition to the toy drive, WAFC Pure Country also hosts a backpack giveaway. The team comes together to stuff backpacks for children in elementary, middle and high school. Utilizing the supply lists from local schools, the team works to make sure children are prepared with the items they need for a successful school year.

“Donating your time to the community and those in need is one of the most beautiful and selfless things a person could do,” explained Nicole. “I am so happy to be a part of an organization that hosts these community events for the Glades.”

Mayor Kristine Petersen: 10th Anniversary of Honoring Veterans in Civic Park Ceremony

The Clewiston High School Public Service Academy (CHSPSA) celebrates its 10th annual Veterans Day ceremony this week to honor military members and veterans. The first ceremony was planned in 2011 by Mayor Kristine Petersen, who is a criminal justice teacher at Clewiston High School and retired law enforcement officer.

In her classroom, she teaches the students about the contributions to our nation by the selfless service of active-duty and veteran service members.

Mayor Petersen shares a philosophy with her students that extends beyond the walls of her classroom, “No one left behind.”

One year, she coordinated a Bronze Star ceremony for one of her former students. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded for meritorious service or acts of valor and is the fourth-highest ranking award a service member can receive. She hosted his ceremony in the very place where it all started, her classroom.

Another year, students inspired by her message helped raise funds to install a memorial honoring fallen soldiers who trained at Riddle Field in Clewiston during World War II. The memorial now stands in Clewiston’s Civic Park and pays tribute to their service and sacrifice.

Petersen’s military pride runs deep. “My dad was in the Army and a patriot. I am a Navy wife. My brother-in-law was in the Coast Guard and my son-in-law was in the Navy.”

“The military provides a good opportunity for students who may not be able to afford college. Through the military, they can find growth and gain skills to not only take care of themselves but also those around them.”

For this year’s Veterans Day service, Mayor Petersen recruited one of her colleagues, Master Chief Petty Officer Sam Thomas, a retired Navy veteran. Master Chief Thomas is a student coach at Clewiston High School who helps seniors stay on track with their education and achieve their curriculum requirements.

“In the Glades, we tend to have a larger group of veterans in the area,” shared Petersen. “Working with your hands on the land and patriotism seems to go hand in hand.”

Though Petersen herself does not have direct family ties to the agricultural community, she feels a connection. “I consider my students my family,” stated Petersen. “Most of my students, their families work in the agricultural industry, so by extension, I am connected. When we see the issues going on, I know it impacts my students and everyone in my class.”