By Philip Earl Johnson (aka MooNiE)

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SpectatorTM Magazine

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There's SO much to do this month!!

May is always a month we think of for Moms first, but in the USA, our Freedom is due to the sacrifices of both men and women who have fought for and insured our freedom. This month we get a Federal Holiday on May 30 combined with a long weekend, not just so we can enjoy picnics and family time, but to remember those brave souls who lost their lives in an effort for us to relish our American lifestyle. This year, please honor these soldiers by attending a special service, flying your flag at half-mast from dawn until noon and/or patriotically decorating your yard and the graves of those who served. We are blessed beyond measure and owe it all to those who have gone before us with purpose and vision. Reveling in our liberties while forgetting those unselfish souls will only condemn us to repeat history. Happy Memorial Day! Remember all of those who paid for your freedom. God bless you and our soldiers,

Shellie & Scott

MySpectator Twitter@/MySpectator



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A Mother's Laughter

By Philip Earl Johnson (aka MooNiE)

If I were to write down all that I have learned from my mother, I'm not sure where to begin. I am certain I would leave out more things than I could list. Since that topic is too vast, I will bring it to a finer point. I will ask this question: What one thing have I learned from my mother that has served me more than any other?

The answer would have to be my understanding of laughter. As a professional comedian and actor for 27 years, never having a different job, laughter is not only my specialty, but my bread and butter. It is like a food, as it literally sustains my family and I. And just like some foods, some laughs are better than others. The most favorite of all the laughs I get are from my mother.

Photo by Tom Barnes

I recently was thinking about her laughter during family gatherings when we sit around the table talking and reminiscing. We will talk throughout dinner, dessert and beyond about what is going on in our lives, catching up and revisiting memories of times past.

The laughter during those visits is likely more treasured than the food that has been so carefully prepared, and no one laughs bigger or harder than my mom. She cannot help herself and probably wouldn't if she could. Her laughter is the big prize we are all after, like a teddy bear at a carnival game, and the best way to get that laughter is by teasing her. Pretty much anything works; impressions of her most indiosyncratic and deliciously loony behaviors, observational or situational comedy, anything that describes her or lampoons the things she says. We all do it and it is a blast.

When she gets going, she cannot keep her food on her fork or off her shirt. Her face will turn red and the peals of laughter tell us to give her a minute to catch her breath before going for the next round. She tells my daughter she wears "lucky jeans" in hopes that she will not lose control of herself. There is no better laugh to get because it ignites our own like a fuse to a powder keg. I asked my self why, and the answer I came up with is that because it is the sound of my own laughter.

From the very beginning, when I was inside her, growing, adding a leg here and an elbow there, she was laughing and it has never stopped. If laughter releases endorphins in our bodies that make us feel good, then I was hearing my mother's laughter before I had ears through the chemicals in our bodies. Thank goodness they didn't have ultrasound back then or they might have been worried about the big dopey grin on my tiny little head! Her laughter helped to create me. I exist, my job exists, my children exist as we do through her laughter and it has been the theme song in the soundtrack of my life.

Since her laughter is such a part of our family's life, as well as our very make up, it is no surprise that the greatest laugh I ever get is from her. And even when her "lucky jeans" don't work and we have to take a break so she can change, we know there will be more laughs to come when she comes back to the table. As long as I am here, as long as my siblings and my children are here, her laughter will always be heard in us just as we hear ours in her.

Philip Earl Johnson, MooNiE the Magnif'Cent, has appeared as MooNiE over 6500 times in the last 26 years in theaters, nightclubs, renaissance festivals and private appearances. See more at

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Designated drivers protect the community. Designated hitters in baseball protect pitchers. Why not have designated adults to protect kids who are swimming?

Now we do. Child safety groups in South Florida are making a push to enlist adults as designated "Water Watchers" who agree to pay undivided attention to children in or near the water. Water Watchers are crucial in an area of the country with a high risk of drowning. Broward County, home to 130,000 backyard pools and miles of waterways, lost six children under age of 4 last year.

"The No. 1 thing you can do to prevent drowning is have a qualified adult watching the children at all times," says Cassie McGovern, Drowning Prevention Program Manager at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, which is funded by the Children's Service Council. "Water Watchers do not need special training," she says, "but must be able to swim and ideally know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They receive a badge to wear around their necks ? to show everyone who is responsible for watching the kids." She continues, "Too often, many adults are in the area where children are swimming, but no one is really watching them. A drowning can occur in as little as two minutes."

Water Watchers Agree to:

? Face the children in the water at all times.

? Never engage in distractions such as texting, talking, drinking, eating and internet browsing while watching the children.

? Never leave the children alone, not even for a brief moment.

? Leave the area only if relieved by another adult Water Watcher

? Continually scan the surface and bottom of the water. Check each face every 10 seconds.

? Have a throwing device, reaching device, signaling device and a phone at hand

? Be positioned to reach every child within 20 seconds.

? Wear swim attire and be ready to launch a rescue.

? Think ahead, know pool safety rules

Remember that a personal flotation device does not substitute for adult supervision. In larger groups of children, more than one Water Watcher may be needed. Drowning is a serious risk and a grim reality (it is the leading cause of death for 1-4 year olds in Broward County). Be sure to appoint those who will take the responsibility seriously. If the group will be very large, while still keeping watch, consider hiring a lifeguard for the event.

Most of these tips and bullet points can be found on the website While visiting the site be sure to take advantage of the CSC funded swim coupon...the swim coupon can be used at the majority of Broward County swimming facilities. The swim coupon is available to all Broward County children 6 months- 4 years of age.

Another undervalued resource is the YMCA Mobile Aquatics program, for those Broward County residents who live in apartment complexes. For more information on how to get your property management to request the Mobile Aquatics, contact Justin Edelstein, Mobile Aquatic Supervisor jedelstein@ or by phone (954) 334-9622.

Remember the issue of drowning is more prevalent than ever and the community as a whole benefits mutually when we all take notice and responsibility when it comes to our neighbors and loved ones. More information: 954-467-4700, Ext. 5695 or cassie.mcgovern@

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The Oropesas Danielle, Omar and their family are living the good life in Parkland. Grateful for their two children, surrounding community and successful business, Danielle says, "In the first 5 years of our marriage, I was very involved in growing our business." Business owners in the Financial Services industry, they now have 40 offices and 2500 licensed representatives. Proof that hard work pays off, she continues, "Now I'm a full-time mom, love spending time with our kids, volunteering at their school and being the room mom for both of them."

Children Brady, 9, and Olivia, 8 are both enrolled at Coral Springs Christian Academy and are in the 3rd and 2nd grades. Brady's favorite subjects are reading, science and social studies and Olivia's are math, reading and P.E. When they aren't in school, the kids are both active with extracurricular agendas as well as plenty of family time. Brady has a brown belt in Taekwondo and Olivia loves her dance, piano and art lessons. The kids also enjoy fun together on the weekends including video and arcade games as well as traveling with their family.

The Oropesas love their movie nights, going out for hibachi dinners and traveling. Danielle says, "We take 8 to 10 vacations a year and some of our favorite places to go are Disney, Universal Studios and New York City."

Danielle grew up in Coral Springs and Omar grew up in Miami. Settling happily in Parkland 9 years ago, Danielle tells us, "We love living in Parkland because we love the small town feel ? where all of the neighbors are nice, we know our police officers and the mayor, but we're less than half an hour from cities like Ft. Lauderdale and Boca Raton. "

With a focus on greater things, Danielle says with firm conviction, "We are passionate about our church, Church by the Glades....and we are also passionate about the kids' school, Coral Springs Christian Academy." She concludes with a statement that personifies her family in one sentence. "We want everybody to know that the Oropesa family is all about loving God, working hard and chasing dreams & goals every day."

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