Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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How do we worship during a pandemic? With our connected world, we are fortunate to have the ability to still connect via the internet or devices such as phones, tablets and computers. While church offices may still be open and operating, social distancing is very important. I thought I'd start by telling how First Baptist Church of Lake Wales, my home church, is still serving The greater Lake Wales community during this unprecedented time. I reached out to Sr. Pastor Dr....
LakeWalesNews.net recently celebrated our one-year anniversary. During our first year we published more than 1,200 stories and about 1,500 photos. This online news site is still a volunteer venture. The editor, writers and photographers receive no compensation. Most of us consider it a public service and a labor of love. We hope you enjoy LakeWalesNews.net and will continue sharing it with others. For those of you with time on your hands (like, most of you) now is the time to...
The University of Florida has announced plans to honor attorney and Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson for a lifetime of exceptional accomplishments related to his law career and his support for education. An Evening of Excellence presented by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida was originally planned for April 17, but due to coronavirus concerns will be rescheduled once people can safely gather again. In announcing the recognition,...
One year ago April 15, a devasting fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral, nearly destroying the iconic destination. The cathedral's bourdon bell (the largest bell) was rung for the first time on the one year anniversary as a symbol of resiliency and support for the French frontline health workers. In tandem with this message of hope, Bok Tower Gardens' Carillonneur Geert D'hollander rang the Singing Tower's Bourdon 10 times and then shared his performance of "La Vie En Rose"...
Polk County Public Schools will be joining the national movement "Be The Light" on Thursday, April 16. The significance of the movement is designed to honor and celebrate all Polk County Public School students and the Class of 2020 by illuminating our stadium lights at 8:20 PM (20:20 military time) for 20 minutes. With athletics, band, JROTC, and cheerleading, being such an important part of the Polk County community, Athletic Directors feel it will be a deserved act of...
The Lake Wales History Museum is hosting a Virtual History Happy Hour starting at 5 p.m. Friday, April 17. "Join us from the comfort and safety of your own home You just need a computer or mobile device," according to Museum Director Jennifer D'Hollander. D'Hollander encourages participants to make a cocktail inspired by the 1940s – Manhattans, punches or frozen drinks. "Wear your favorite vintage, fun or sporty hat, and we'll play some fun games, history trivia, and catch u...
Florida Polytechnic University announced that its Spring 2020 graduates will get their chance to walk to Pomp and Circumstance at a special commencement ceremony scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The event will be held at the RP Funding Center, located at 701 W. Lime St. in Lakeland. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted all universities to remote instruction for the rest of the 2019-2020 academic year. It also forced the cancellation of all in-person events on and off campus,...
Mark Lombardo, 62, of Babson Park passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 at his residence. He was born June 4, 1957 in Flushing, NY, to Angelo and Marilyn Lombardo. He was a retired mechanic for Sky Motor Sports. Mark was preceded in death by his father, Angelo Lombardo. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Lombardo; niece, Michelle Pena and husband Al of Coral Springs, Florida and great nephew, Allen Pena. No services are scheduled at this time. Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangemen...
Q: Are we prepared for a surge in patients? AdventHealth has aggressively been planning since February for a surge in patients. We have made significant investments in services, infrastructure, personnel and technology so we can best serve our community. We've been a trusted community partner for more than 110 years and will continue to be. Some of the ways we are planning for a surge: • We have task force teams dedicated to evaluating all aspects of their disciplines – fro...
Florida TaxWatch's work continues to be recognized by Florida leaders and media outlets. Florida Politics just released a post-session online edition of INFLUENCE Magazine. On page 74 of this magazine, TaxWatch is highlighted as one of the winners emerging from the 2020 Legislative Session as we celebrated victories in multiple fronts this year. To access the magazine, go to https://issuu.com/influenceflorida/docs/influence_spring2020 "Florida TaxWatch has long been known as...
Enrollment is open at Polk State College for the Summer 2020 Semester, which will be fully online to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The semester will begin on May 6. Currently enrolled students are also able to register for Fall 2020 Semester classes starting April 13. Open enrollment for fall will start on June 1 and classes will start on August 17. Students currently enrolled at Polk State may register for classes through their PASSPORT accounts. Dual enrollment...
Charles David "Dave" Smith, 89, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, March 23, 2020 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born December 11, 1930 in Independence, VA to the late Grant and Ethel Smith; for the last 27 years was a permanent resident of Lake Wales and spent his summers in Boone, NC and Michigan. He was a retired administrator for Appalachian State University, a member of the Boone United Methodist Church in North Carolina and attended the First Presbyterian Church of...
For over 45 Years, SUN 'n FUN has brought millions of aerospace professionals, businesses, supporters and enthusiasts together each spring to celebrate the incredible wonder and limitless opportunities of flight. In 2014, we proudly unveiled that the annual SUN 'n FUN event would become the primary fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), our STEM-based learning campus created to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals....
The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Fully Forgiven Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will...
Annie D Culbreath, age 66, of Lake Wales, died Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at Advent Health Care Lake Wales. She was born Nov. 14, 1953. She is survived by husband George L. Culbreath, Grand Rapids, MI; two daughters: Tami S. Culbreath of Lake Wales, Demetrice Culbreath of Guntersville, AL; two sisters: Opelia Wright of Utica, NY, Daisy O'Neal of Plant City;12 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren. Viewing at Gause Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 17, 10 at a time with...
A team of Florida Polytechnic University faculty, staff, and students is working to build critical personal protection equipment for clinicians treating patients amid the current COVID-19 pandemic. The effort is in partnership with AdventHealth and will help address the shortage of protective supplies facing healthcare organizations nationwide. The group is using 3D printers on campus to create components for protective face shields. After the 3D-printed headbands and other...
Patients with severe cases of COVID-19 may find help in an unlikely source – the blood plasma of patients who've recovered from the disease. It's called convalescent plasma, and the idea is that antibodies in the donated plasma will help fight the disease in patients who are suffering through it. "This is an extremely exciting development that shows promise in helping our sickest patients," said Dr. Juliana Gaitan, who is leading the project. "We're among the first h...
Starting Thursday April 9 the Lake Wales Charter School bus drivers will start delivering meals to 18 locations along five routes. Meals will be available to children 18 and under regardless of where the student attends school. Social distancing of at least six feet is mandatory for neighborhood pickup locations. If able, masks and gloves are highly recommended for the safety of all. Children need to be present to receive the meals. Meals will be delivered Monday through...
My lawyer friends who specialize in trademarks or criminal law, have had a relatively smooth switch to practicing remotely while social distancing. Some of these lawyers always work remotely, and have given up on bricks-and-mortar. Clients, other lawyers and professionals moved from face-to-face to the telephone and Zoom. Courts are convening via teleconference, including for adoptions and first-appearance criminal hearings. Switching to a fully remote practice is not easy or...
The Lake Wales City Commission in its role as the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) April 14 agreed to sell the old school property off Seminole Avenue to the Lake Wales Charter Schools system for $575,000. Charter system officials say they plan to invest upwards of $7 million to turn the property into the permanent site for Bok Academy North. "They are under some time pressure but they hope to open by fall," said City Manager Ken Fields. Bok Academy North is leasing...
