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The Force is strong with Kissimmee resident as he prepares for Irma

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Kissimmee resident and Star Wars fan Matthew Baranishyn had a creative way of easing the stress of preparing for Hurricane Irma: He painted an image of the beloved droid on the wood used to board up his window.

“I kind of feel like R2-D2 cheers people up, and in the movies, always gets everyone out of a jam time and time again. So I thought he was a good thing to help people laugh during this emergency,” Baranishyn said.

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Baranishyn said the window shape was a perfect fit for R2-D2.

“When I was boarding up my windows, I couldn't resist painting this particular panel of plywood," he said.

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"I hope that gives people a smile break during all of this mounting tension,” Baranishyn said.