Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Frostproof native Mason Gravley was part of a two-person team that has apparently established a new endurance record for Florida. The duo paddle-boarded approximately 34 miles over the course of 11 hours and 27 minutes, navigating the vast and unpredictable waters of Lake Okeechobee. Mason Gravley of Palmetto and Jordon Wolfram of Lakeland successfully completed the crossing on January 1 after a 5:00 am start, marking the first-ever recorded journey of its kind. The...
Four days of observances will be part of the annual observances surrounding the birthday of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in Lake Wales, according to organizers of the events. Monday, January 15 is a national holiday, and will see the closing of banks and most government offices. Many events will take place at the James P. Austin Center, 315 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Lake Wales. Also on Monday the MLK parade will wind through the streets of Lake Wales...
Seniors who are feeling that competitive edge and want to show their best moves against a field of peers have their best opportunity of the year fast approaching. Registration for the 31st Annual Polk Senior Games will open January 2 for those wishing to participate in a long list of athletic endeavors. The Games, scheduled for February 24 through March 9, offer a two-week series of 97 Olympic-style events in 38 athletic and recreational sports. They attract over 2,100 men and...
the prestigious Stamps Scholars program at Georgia's Mercer University has welcomed a local resident to the program. Mercer's newest Stamps Scholar class includes Ellen Rose Jones from Lake Wales. "Stamps Scholars are among the highest-achieving students at Mercer," said Dr. David A. Davis, director of University Honors. "Recent graduates have gone on to prestigious graduate programs and high-profile careers. We are excited to imagine the future for this cohort of scholars."...
Ronni Wood, a seasoned and dedicated professional in the field of downtown redevelopment, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the Florida Redevelopment Association (FRA). The remarkable accolade was presented during the 2023 FRA Annual Conference and Awards Reception, where the outstanding contributions of community organizations, as well as individual excellence, were celebrated. With a career spanning several decades, Ronni Wood's journey in...
Are you a busy pet owner in the Lake Wales area? Do you find it difficult to schedule regular vet appointments due to your hectic schedule? If so, mobile vet care may be the perfect solution for you and your furry friend. With mobile vet services, you can save time, reduce health risks, and keep your pet happy and anxiety-free. Whether you're looking for a Dunedin mobile vet or one nearby, they're a great option for anyone looking to save time and improve their pet's health....
Owners of homes and other real estate in Polk County have an opportunity to save some jingle before the holidays by paying real estate taxes early. "We encourage taxpayers to pay as early as they can, to save as much money as possible!" said Polk County Tax Collector Joe G. Tedder. The 2023 Property Tax Notices were mailed Friday, October 27, and if yours is still sitting around you may be missing out on some significant savings. There's a four percent discount for paying...
A series of free downtown street concerts will enliven evenings downtown over the coming months, thanks to an alliance between the Lake Wales main Street, Lake Wales Arts Council, and the City of Lake Wales. The shows kick-off with the Outta Hand Band on Friday, November 10. "Lake Wales Live" will offer residents good reason to visit the downtown area, and perhaps get a sneak peek at the ongoing transformation of the area as the Lake Wales Connected plan proceeds, according to...
The 11th annual "18 Aces to Conquer Cancer" golf outing to raise funds for pancreatic cancer research and patient aid will take place on January 8 at the Country Club of Winter Haven, giving area golfers a chance to compete for huge prizes and do a good deed at the same time. The event is sponsored annually by the Mahalak Auto Group. Proceeds will benefit the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute for Pancreatic Cancer Research. The event offers a chance to win a Jeep lease...
A green display of orchids, succulents, flowering plants and garden art offered by 26 vendors from across Florida will give area residents a great opportunity to up their gardening game during the free Plant and Garden Festival. Fifty-five different vendor spaces will be filled with fruit trees, house plants, bamboo, and native species to entice visitors. In addition to the 55 outdoor vendor spaces, seven different expert speakers will take the indoor stage to share...
Ridge area retirees will see an increase in their benefit amounts for 2024. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024, the Social Security Administration announced today. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA)...
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has published its new, free recreational guide highlighting nearly 70 properties. With its new sleeker design, users can scan QR codes to discover specific up-to-date details about each property. There are thousands of acres of recreational lands throughout the District and access to most of them is free to visitors. The new recreation guides also allow users to take notes, learn about various volunteering opportunities and...
According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires, with nearly half of all home fires involving cooking equipment; cooking is also the leading cause of home fire injuries (42%) and 20% of reported home fire deaths. State Farm and the National Fire Protection Association have teamed up to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 8 through 15 to educate everyone about simple but important steps they can take to keep themselves and those around...
Plans are underway for its 2nd Annual Fall Festival, a free event that features food trucks, beer, music, professional carnival games, inflatables including two bounce houses, general vendors, community booths, farm animals from several area schools, selfie photo spots, and more. The annual event is sponsored by the GFWC Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club, and will run from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm on Saturday, October 14. at Lake Wailes Park. Event proceeds will fund programs that...
A gallery exhibition entitled "Floridian Fire: Contemporary Ceramics in the Sunshine State," will be unveiled September 5th at the Lake Wales Arts Center. Featuring 39 ceramic pieces created by 17 exceptional artists from across Florida, the show will display vivid colors, intricate textures, and captivating forms that will take viewers on a journey through the rich diversity of ceramic artistry. A special evening gallery reception will be hosted on Thursday, September 14,...
Who will be the next "Pioneer of the Year?" That's a honor you may have a hand in deciding. The annual honor of Pioneer of the Year has been a highlight of the two-day Pioneer Days festival in Lake Wales since Morris Jones won the honor in 1978. Now it's time for the community to step forward to nominate another honoree. The award is bestowed by the Lake Wales History Museum, which has announced the commencement of nominations for the 2023 award. This accolade celebrates...
The partners who founded a planning firm that has become closely identified with Lake Wales have been announced as the 2024 recipients of the prestigious Seaside Prize, presented annual by the SEASIDE Institute. The award will recognize Victor Dover and Joe Kohl, who in 1987 founded the Miami-based town planning firm, Dover, Kohl & Partners. The prize, which is awarded annually, celebrates individuals or organizations whose life's work or accomplishments are emblematic of the...
Polk County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller Stacy M. Butterfield, CPA, has announced the release of the annual list of unclaimed funds from the Clerk's office. These funds consist of unclaimed checks issued during court-related activities. "Our hope is to get the word out so that we can get these funds to their rightful owners," Clerk Butterfield said. "The process to check for your name is simple, so I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the list."...
Another Lake Wales business is joining the growing wave of movement to solar power, with installation of a large rooftop array slated for this fall. The Low Payment Kings dealerships, powered by Mahalak Auto Group, has announced a major commitment to sustainability by going solar at their Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Winter Haven, and Posner Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT dealerships. "We are thrilled to partner with ESA to take this major...
Area teachers are now eligible to apply for individual grants of up to $250 that can fund special classroom activities or programs that can enhance the educational process for their students. The GFWC Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club has announced its Grants for Great Ideas mini-grant program for the 2023-2024 school year. To be eligible, teachers and other school-based professionals that work directly with students must work at an LWCS or PCPS school that has a physical Lake Wa...
Lake Wales Main Street was among winners of 2023 Florida Main Street Awards, which were announced during the Preservation on Main Street Conference in Ocala last week. Florida Main Street is a program administered by the Division of Historical Resources under the Florida Department of State, which currently oversees 57 communities throughout the state. By implementing the National Main Street Center's Four-Point Approach, Florida Main Street encourages economic development...
A general lack of sidewalks on county roads in eastern Polk County may serve as motivation for local residents who would like to become advocates. Polk County commissioners are looking for volunteers who would like to serve on the county's Sidewalk Advisory Committee. The 12-member advisory committee assists the Board in determining the priority of locations for new sidewalks to be built throughout the county. Five members of the committee are appointed by the Board, with...
A Lake Wales High School graduate bound for college will be honored at a special celebration hosted by a local auto dealership Friday. Hannah Battles, a 2023 graduate, will be celebrating her scholarship signing at Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on Friday at 4:00 pm. Battles was part of the Highlanders softball team that won the 2023 state championship. "Hannah Battles is a shining example of what dedication, hard work, and perseverance can achieve," said Mark Graham,...
You can expect to meet crowds of bargain-hunters on one area roadway as the 16th annual Ridge Scenic Highway "39 Mile Yard Sale" takes place on on Saturday, November 4th. The event typically draws thousands of visitors from across central Florida and beyond, coming to seek unusual finds and great bargains brought forth from barns, garages, attics, and other treasure storerooms. The sale runs from 8:00 am until 2:00 pm along the entire length of the Ridge Scenic Highway,...
As McLaughlin Academy of Excellence completes its transformation from a middle school to a middle-high school, community organizations are stepping up to support the effort. Students at McLaughlin are as at home in Fine Arts Classes as they are in Electrical Technician training. The well-rounded nature of education at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence caught the attention of the Dyer Difference Award Committee, which celebrates the school and its dedication to producing...
