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Justin was eager to make his debut into the world, arriving in April "just in" time for the summer plantings (think "tomatoes" *grin*). Like most young boys, Justin loved to explore and play in the great Florida outdoors. His early years were spent on the family's 10 acres where he believed his then-calling and birthright was to defend family members from the local snakes and the Florida state bird, aka the flying cockroach, which terrorized the Dervaes female kin. However, it was machines that captured the young Justin's fancy. Like iron to a magnet, whenever there was a sewing machine, mower, or vaccuum cleaner in his vicinity, Justin was uncontrollably drawn, ready to take them apart to see how they worked or attempt to fix them when broken. Early recollections include working the bees with his dad, chopping at trees with his own ax or just working alongside his dad around the 10 acre homestead. Play was an important part of his life; but, when given a chance to work, Justin preferred the work. Work, in any form, was his passion. Give him a broken bike instead of a new one and he'll be forever grateful. Today, Justin is known as the local bike mechanic for his neighborhood and all around repair man and bio-diesel brewmaster on the family homestead. Known early on as the "yogurt baby," he had an natural inclination to healthful foods. It wasn't unusual to find Justin in the veggie garden, eating a raw corn cob, pepper or whatever he could find for a snack. Anything Justin undertook, he did so with gusto and unrelenting drive. There were many times his parents had to tell him to to stop his studies on the computer because he "might break the machine." But, knowing Justin, he probably had an unrecognized secret agenda and would have enjoyed trying to fix it once broken so, in the end, he would win either way. Justin also learned leather crafting under his dad's tutelage. He does incredible leather carvings which have caught the eye of those who know and appreciate such leather work. Today, he sells his goods online at his father's online store www.julesdervaes.com, along with his sisters' handcrafts. He greets life with intensity, passion and an ever-ready smile. Justin plans to pursue homesteading, farming and wants to marry, rear children, and, yes, grow those tomatoes.
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