Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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For the second time in three years, $2.5 million of Polk State College’s recurring operational budget – more than 5 percent of the College’s total budget – is at risk of veto and the College is requesting the community’s support to protect these funds to ensure the Polk State JD Alexander Center, Polk State’s Lake Wales Campus, may continue to serve southeast Polk County with quality higher education and workforce training. The 2019 Legislative Session concluded May 4 with...
Yoga is a great tool for relaxation, and the exercises stretch the body, resulting in better muscle tone, balance, and general health. This video is entitled Morning Spinal Warmup, and is the first in a series by contributor Megan Rimer, owner and instructor for Yoga Bliss, a local studio. If you are interested in classes, she can be reached at 813/299-5159. Namaste....
The Lake Wales City Commission will meet Tuesday, May 14 to discuss priorities for the 2019-2020 budget. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the City Administration Building, after the commission meets at 5:30 p.m. serving as the city's Community Redevelopment Agency According to the budget workshop agenda by Finance Director Dorothy Eklund, "as the City Commission begins the annual budget process, it is customary for the City Commission to first hold 'priority setting workshops'...
An adult-size fuzzy otter is visiting kindergartners at Spook Hill Elementary School in Lake Wales May 1 and May 3 to stress the importance of safety around the water. Rotary on the Ridge Vice President-elect Trey Heath read the book "Josh the Baby Otter" to teach the children some very important water safety concepts. Heath reinforced the importance of having a swim buddy, making sure there's an adult present at all times and floating on their backs should they ever end up...
Raymond Eugene Johnson, 59 of Lake Wales, died at Lake Wales Hospital. He was born Oct. 30, 1959 in Brooksville. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is in charge of arrangements....
Orvid Eugene Johnson, 91, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, May 11 at his residence. He was born October 25, 1927 in Kansas City, KS to the late Oliver Barber and Sarah (Jurkovich) Johnson. He has been a resident of the area for 20 years coming from Miami and Sebring. He was Emeritus Professor of music at The University of Miami. Gene was a veteran in the U.S. Navy. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Kansas and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Royal...
William Dean “Bill” Stroud, 84, of Lake Wales passed away Monday, May 13 at Water's Edge. He was born November 2, 1934 in Richmond, Virginia to the late George A. and Dorothy Stroud. He worked for the U.S. Government in Weapons Engineering and was a veteran in the U.S. Air Force serving in Korea and Vietnam. He is preceded in death by his daughter Bobbie Dean Stroud. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Nancy Stroud, daughter Kimberly Marie Stroud of Las Vegas, sons Brian Stroud and wife Mary of Las Vegas, Steven Str...
The historic Seminole Hotel in Lake Wales is in "good condition and solid enough to restore," according to Architect Darrin Engel, who has more than 30 years' experience in historic building restoration. A senior project manager with REG Architects of West Palm Beach, Engel did a walkthrough assessment April 30 along with his assistant, Brian Lara. "I've been in some very dangerous buildings that do require care but that is not one of them," Engel said. "I was comfortable...
The Lake Wales City Commission changed slightly Tuesday, May 7 with the installation of new City Commissioner Al Goldstein. Goldstein was elected without opposition for a two-year term after Commissioner Tonya Stewart failed to qualify when her collection of signatures fell short. With wife Shirley at his side, Goldstein was installed by state Rep. Melony Bell, who also swore in Mayor Eugene Fultz, who won re-election in April and will serve three more years. Several family...
Rotary on the Ridge installed a new member Monday, May 6. Professional photographer LaVaughn Williamson was sponsored by John Walldorf. Williamson moved to Indian Lake Estates four years ago from the Atlanta area, where he grew up. He owns Williamson Photography of Lake Wales, a full-service photography business that produces still photography and videos. He also has a remote pilot's license from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly a drone, which he uses for aerial...
For the 7th consecutive year, Lake Wales Medical Center's Wound Healing Center has received the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence award from Healogics for outstanding patient outcomes and superior patient satisfaction ratings. To achieve the award, the Wound Healing Center must achieve patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent, and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal. "We are very proud of this award, but more...
Mahalak Auto Group is proud to partner with the American Heart Association during "stroke month" to raise awareness for better health and provide educational information on preventing heart disease. In May, Mahalak Auto Group is urging all Americans to support healthy living and the work of the American Heart Association by donating at the point of sale. The campaign will allow consumers to think about their reasons to live longer, healthier lives and to give in honor of...
Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, at 250 East Park Avenue in Lake Wales, is proud to offer some very exciting and collectible new art. Recently, the ever-popular and prolific local artist, educator, and storyteller Tom Freeman, along with his good friend Marcia Pennington, have agreed to be artists in residence at Melange, so there will always be several works by each artist on permanent display in the showroom. "We sold one of them less than an hour after the artists dropped...
Losing a spouse is a traumatic event. It drains your emotions and makes it hard to focus on simple daily tasks, let alone financial matters. Unfortunately, financial obligations don't stop for grief; there are bills to be paid and decisions to be made. Taking an active role in understanding the key financial issues you could face before they happen can help you implement a plan that will bring more confidence and clarity to your life. Your Journey to Financial Well-Being The...
Vera Mathews, 88, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, May 5 in Lake Wales. She was born January 30, 1931 in Lake Wales to the late E.C. and Bernice (Tatum) Dyal. She has been a lifelong resident of the area. She was a homemaker and a member of the Central Avenue Baptist Church in Lake Wales. Esther was a past member of the Lake Wales Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and she enjoyed gardening, bowling, fishing and crafts. She is preceded in death by her first husband William P....
Gayle S. Reeder, 75, died April 27 in Lake Wales. She was born December 10, 1943, in Mebane, Alamance County, NC to Roy Clifton Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith. She moved with family to Lake Wales, Florida, in 1959. Gayle graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1962, married Dennis Reeder August 3, 1962. Their son William Luke Reeder was born 1970. She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis Reeder, and parents, Roy C. Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith...
Longtime Lake Wales area educator Harold Maready has announced plans to retire after 50 years in education at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Maready has been Head of the Vanguard School since July 2014. "Harold's commitment to Vanguard School and to every child who walked through its doors has inspired us all," said Peter Phillips, chair of the Vanguard Board of Trustees. "In concert with a team of extraordinary educators, Harold has led Vanguard to reach its highest...
Lake Wales area people of faith gathered at noon Thursday at the City Administration Building for the National Day of Prayer. Many prayers were lifted calling upon God to have mercy on America and "heal our land." John Motis, co-director of the Business, Civic and Ministry Coalition of Lake Wales, welcomed the 100-plus attendees and put the day in historical context: President Harry Truman in 1952 called for a National Day of Prayer and President Ronald Reagan made the first...
People embarking on a travel adventure do research and consult professionals. Janet Farmer says new parents also should be fully prepared for what she calls the adventure of childbirth. "I feel like birth is the trip of a lifetime. It's an epic adventure and it takes preparation," Farmer said. That's why Farmer opened her new "gathering place," Bellies-2-Babies, in the historic downtown Lake Wales arcade, where she'll offer "workshops and doula services to help families...
I've said it often and focused on it previously in this column space, but it bears repeating: Economic development - successful and robust economic development - really is a team effort. It's a fact borne out weekly. Though the EDC arm of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council is tasked with primary responsibility for local economic development efforts, our work has the help and support of dozens of government agencies, utilities, business...
New restaurants, coffee shops, micro-breweries and grocery stores planned for the heart of Lake Wales are eligible to take advantage of up to $50,000 from a new CRA grant program to help get them off the ground. The grants are designed to stimulate the development of new food-related businesses in Lake Wales' two Community Redevelopment Districts. They are administered through the City's Community Redevelopment Agency. Targeting a variety of food and beverage businesses, the...
