Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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The City of Lake Wales will close, or restrict, many of its services to the public beginning Tuesday, March 17. Recognizing the diverse populations that city departments serve, the closures are undertaken to protect all ages, most critically, those in high risk categories. The city's staff will continue to work; however entry to the City's Municipal Administration Building, 201 West Central Avenue, will not be available to residents and customers. Phone calls and email...
Just under 316,000 Polk County residents are eligible to vote Tuesday, March 17 in Florida's Presidential Preference Primary. As of the Feb. 18 registration deadline, Polk had 160,589 Republicans and 155,335 Democrats. Florida is a closed primary state so those registered as independents or with no party affiliation are not eligible to vote in the primaries, which are held to help major parties select their candidates for president. As of Jan. 31, Florida had 4,793,897...
Renowned Lake Wales artist, Tom Freeman and his companion, Marcia Pennington, have released a new book, Tom Freeman's Florida. Freeman has selected one of his paintings that is representative of each of Florida's 67 counties. The paintings and background stories are featured in Tom Freeman's Florida. Also included is poetry written by Freeman. Tom Freeman's Florida is a beautiful collection of Mr. Freeman's works, featuring text by Ms. Pennington. Tom Freeman was the Lake...
Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Wales Library Association have partnered to create a unique program that will allow library patrons to check out passes to Bok Tower Gardens for up to four adults and up to six children. The Garden Lane Pass program, as it will be known, was developed by Bok Tower Gardens' Education Director, Tricia Martin. Martin reached out to the Lake Wales Public Library with the proposal and the Lake Wales Library Association, the library's non-profit...
In an abundance of caution to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus various organizations in the Lake Wales area are canceling events or taking extra safety measures. As of 1 a.m. March 14 the Florida Department of Health still reported no cases in Polk County, and a total of 83 cases statewide, which resulted in three deaths. Updates are available online at http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/index.html Walt Disney World and Universal...
Lake Wales Little Theatre is proud to announce its upcoming production of Super Freaks, which opens Friday, March 13 for a three-weekend run. The theater is taking extra precautions to deep clean the lobby and sanitize the chair armrests before and after each performance. Come out and support the arts at this little 140-seat community theater. This show has a great cast of new and returning actors as well as a new director to the LWLT stage. Super Freaks is hilarious, witty an...
NOTE: The city has canceled this event due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus. The City of Lake Wales Recreation Department will host Lake Wales Live starting at 6 p.m. Friday, March 20. The first entertainment will be provided by Cory Greenway. The Autumn Brown Band will begin performing at 8 p.m. The free event is held in the park in front of the Lake Wales Public Library at 290 Cypress Gardens Lane. Food will be available for purchase from food trucks. Rotary on the...
Donna Smith, 81, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Lakeland Regional Hospital. She was born June 13, 1938 in Haverhill, MA to the late John and Mary Deschamps. Donna came here from Massachusetts 25 years ago. She was a retired foster parent. Donna is survived by her husband of 60 years, Fred Smith, Jr. of Lake Wales; daughter, Tara Grandmont of Lake Wales; son, Fred Smith and wife Marion of Merrimack, New Hampshire; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. No services are scheduled at this...
Frances C. Saxon, 92, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, March 7, 2020 at her home. She was born May 3, 1927 in Jacksonville to the late Frank and Marion Crowe. She was raised in Tampa and she moved to Lake Wales in 1961 from Atlanta, GA. Frances received a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and English Literature. She was an avid reader and enjoyed walking. Frances was proceeded in death by her husband Richard A. Saxon; son, Shon Alan Saxon; and a grandson, Devan Dickey. Survivors include her daughters, Nora S. Dickey of V...
The Lake Wales City Commission Candidate Forum is still scheduled for Monday, March 16 but with a change of venue and other modifications to restrict attendance. The event will be videotaped and broadcast on Facebook Live to grant public access while limiting group contact due to concerns about the COVID-19 virus. Rotary on the Ridge is coordinating the event, which now will be held in the community room at the Ouellette Law Firm, 151 E. Central Ave. in downtown Lake Wales....
Sally A. Bensavage, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, March 8, 2020 at her home. She was born November 16, 1931 in Carbondale, PA to the late Robert and Sarah Elizabeth Bridges. Sally was a retired bookkeeper, and she enjoyed being around people. Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Bensavage; and 10 brothers and sisters. Survivors include her son, Myron Moody and wife Linda of Lake Wales; grandchildren, Kieley Bronaugh and Therman, and Michael Moody and Katie; and great-grandchildren, James, Chris,...
Richard James "Blue Bird" Cornell, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, March 9, 2020 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was born October 9, 1931 in Bridgeport, CT to the late Frank and Anna Cornell; he came here from Connecticut in 1982. Richard was a retired equipment operator and attended St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He could fix anything, and never met a stranger. Richard was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Nancy Marie Cornell in 2012. Survivors...
Eugene H. "Gene" Schedler, 85, of Lake Wales entered into glory with the Lord Monday, March 9, 2020 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was born May 30, 1934 in Hamburg, WI to the late Pastor Herman and Lilly Schedler. Gene grew up in Hamburg, WI where he attended the Maple Grove one room schoolhouse. He then attended Concordia Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI where he completed his high school and two years of college. Gene joined the U.S. Air Force after college...
The largest single development project in Lake Wales history has taken the first small step to becoming a reality. Winter Haven Corporation has revealed plans to develop 1,800 acres of vacant land south of Thompson Nursery Road. The company hopes to master plan all 1,800 acres at once, company officials said. About 600 acres of the property would remain undeveloped, officials added. As such, city commissioners approved a first-reading Feb. 18 of an ordinance that would allow a...
Greg A. Prichard of Muncie, IN passed away Friday, March 6, 2020 at his winter residence in Lake Wales, FL. He was born August 12, 1953 to the late Clarence and Jewell Prichard. Greg was a tool and dye maker for General Motors. Greg was survived by his daughter, Christa McPherson of Spring, Texas; sister, Gena Mason (Carl) of Gaston, Indiana; brother, Randy Prichard of Michigan; and three grandchildren, Jordan, Mason, and Carter. No local services are scheduled at this time. Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales is...
As the 2020 elections take shape, one race for circuit court has drawn the interest of a prominent civil, family and general law attorney from Lake Wales. Attorney Cassandra L. Denmark filed as a candidate for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Group 19 seat now held by Judge John Radabaugh. "If given the opportunity, I assure I will serve with integrity, respect and fairness," Denmark said in announcing her candidacy. Denmark has practiced law in the state for 18 years. Prior to...
Life is full of unexpected happenings. Like all good and bad things, death is also a part of life. Florida residents should acknowledge this reality and plan in advance. It ensures that a person's estate will be distributed among the relatives and friends, according to the decedent's will. Make 2020 the Year you "see clearly with 2020 vision" to making your will and estate plan crystal clear. There are times when prolonged legal issues surrounding estate administration occur,...
Greg Massey says he won't withdraw as a candidate for Lake Wales City Commission despite the likelihood he is ineligible to run because he never had his voting rights restored after felony convictions for second degree murder and armed burglary. "As it stands right now, until the supervisor of elections says I can't run, I'm moving ahead," Massey said. The city charter requires candidates to be registered voters and city residents for at least one year. Massey, 56, moved to...
Nicholas Andrew "Nick" Miller, 27, of Frostproof passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at the Lakeland Regional Hospital. He was born April 1, 1992 in Yokosuka, Japan to Greg and Sandra Miller; he came here from Washington in 2006. He was a produce clerk at Walmart. Nick loved playing computer games and connecting with his gaming friends, he was a computer techie. He enjoyed spending time with his coworkers and friends and riding his motorcycle. Nick is survived by his parents,...
Lake Wales City Commissioner Terrye Howell has been declared re-elected for another 3-year term following the withdrawal of her opponent Greg Massey. Massey submitted a signed statement to Lake Wales City Clerk Jennifer Nanek Tuesday, March 10 indicating his decision to end his campaign. It is possible Massey would have been ruled ineligible to run since he had a felony conviction for second degree murder and hadn't had his voting rights restored. City officials were awaiting...
