Communication Builds Our Community

Articles from the December 2, 2020 edition


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 13 of 13

  • Seeking Right Things

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    How should we spend our limited time and energy? Which opportunities (no matter how small) do we need to pursue with our whole heart, and which opportunities (no matter how big) should we respectfully decline? When is a thing "right" to seek after, given the unique positions, talents, and gifts God has bestowed on us in this specific point of our lives? When we are tired, frustrated, confused, angry, and wondering if a thing should be pursued, here some passages worth...

  • Farmers Market Offers Fruit, Veggies, Gifts

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Dec 4, 2020

    Holiday shoppers looking for a locally grown or handmade gift will revel in the news that the Lake Wales Farmer's Market is once again re-open in the city's historic downtown district. The market returned with almost 40 vendors on Nov. 14, and is expected to host upwards of 50 or more vendors on Saturday, December 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market operates on the second and fourth Saturday each month, and will be open Dec. 26 as well. Market manager Lynn Greenfield said the...

  • Seminole Hotel Owner Asks City to Halt Foreclosure, Waive Fines

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Dec 2, 2020
    1

    Henry Kebabjian is not giving up on his plans to redevelop the historic Seminole Hotel and is still hoping to convince Lake Wales city commissioners to drop their foreclosure action, waive code enforcement fines and allow him to go forward with the project. Kebabjian told commissioners at their Dec. 1 meeting that he now has more than $40,000 invested in the hotel, which he purchased for $10,500 in August. He said he has purchased property for parking south of the hotel on...

  • 15-Year-Old State Swimming Champion Sets Sights on Olympic Gold

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Dec 2, 2020

    An active swimmer since age 5, Mary Leigh Hardman dreams of some day competing in the Olympics. The Lake Wales High School freshman moved closer to her goal last weekend by winning Florida state swimming championships in the 50 and 100 yard freestyle events. "This is my first ever high school win. I'm very excited," said Mary Leigh, noting "I just knew I was going to do my best." Mary Leigh is following in the footsteps – or swimming strokes - of her mother, Molly Magill H...

  • City Creating Master Plan for Parks, Trails, Open Spaces

    Brian Ackley, City of Lake Wales|Updated Dec 2, 2020

    City leaders are continuing to cast an eye towards improving the quality of life by approving the creation of a master plan for parks, trails and open spaces in Lake Wales. Commissioners have approved the hiring of S&ME to come up with the plan, a process that will involve a number of public workshops and meetings, and should take around 10 months to complete, according to the Orlando-based firm. "A master plan will serve as a guiding tool in order to elevate the current...

  • Polk History Center Hosts Voices and Votes Smithsonian Exhibit

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    The Polk County History Center is hosting a traveling Smithsonian exhibit - Voices and Votes: Democracy in America - through Dec. 11. Our democracy demands action, reaction, vision, and revision as we continue to question how to form a more perfect union. How do you participate as a citizen? From the revolution and suffrage to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story-the story of our American democracy. The exhibition...

  • Mural of Oranges, Blossoms and Butterflies Brightens Downtown

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Lakeland artist Gillian Fazio specializes in "new age flora and fauna." She completed her largest project this week in downtown Lake Wales, a 3,000-square-foot mural of oranges, blossoms and butterflies. When restoration of the One Scenic Central Building required resurfacing of the building's north wall, Lake Wales Main Street stepped up to sponsor a modern mural to replace the one depicting the area's turpentine industry from the early 1900s. Local artist Tom Freeman, who...

  • Clara Mae Gay, 1930-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Clara Mae Gay, 90 of Lake Wales, died Nov. 30, 2020 in Lyons, NY. She was born Aug. 2, 1930 in Cairo, Grady County, GA. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....

  • Bobbe Graaman, 1950-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Bobbe Jeanne Graaman, 70, of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020 at Lakeland Regional Hospital. She was born August 26, 1950 in Nuremberg, Germany to the late Casmir Stanley and Bertha Emma Rzeminski; she came to Lake Wales in 2002 from Illinois. Bobbe was a retired Manager of Project Managers for IBM Technology and a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She enjoyed singing, playing the piano, and traveling. Bobbe is survived by her husband of 42 years, Thomas...

  • Antoinette "Jeanette" Stitt, 1924-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Antoinette "Jeanette" (Delfino Salvucci) Stitt, loving Mother to Jeanie Salvucci (deceased), Rita Salvucci Strempack and Len Stitt, passed peacefully Nov. 24, 2020 at the age of 96. She was born April 23, 1924. She was the youngest child of Mazzio Nazzaria Delfino and Maria Immacolata Barrone, who arrived at Ellis Island from Italy in 1935. They settled in Chester, PA and parented nine children. Beloved Grandmother to Kymberly Strempack Clark of Delray Beach, FL, Guy and Joy...

  • Kathryn Sizemore, 1950-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Kathryn Sholar Sizemore, 70, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at her residence. She was born February 8, 1950 in Lake Wales to the late Barry and Doris Sholar. Kathryn was a retired LPN who worked at Lake Wales Hospital, Dove Nursing Home, and the Grove Center. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church in Lake Wales. Kathryn was preceded in death by her sons, Tommy Bumbalough, and Michael Bumbalough. She is survived by her husband of 25 years, Marvin Sizemore; son, David Bumbalough and wife Dawn of Lake Wales;...

  • Ruby Nelson, 1937-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Ruby Nelson, 83, of Lake Wales passed away Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at Bartow Regional Medical Center. She was born March 20, 1937 in Fries, VA to the late Onnie and Pheobe Rhudy; she moved to Lake Wales from Fries, Virginia in 1942. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, gardening, taking care of her yard, and collecting rooster figurines. Ruby is survived by her daughters, Cindy of Georgia, and Rose of North Florida; 11 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. A private family service will be held at a later date....

  • Karen Burcham, 1977-2020

    Updated Dec 2, 2020

    Karen Burcham, 43, of Babson Park passed away Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at her residence. She was born August 17, 1977 in Lake Wales to Roger Wellman and Donna Ward. Karen was a gardener for Marshall Carolle. Karen was preceded in death by her mother, Donna Caraway on August 14, 2017; father, Roger Wellman; daughter, Melissa Burcham; and brother, Aaron Wellman in 2013. She is survived by her sons, Bobby Burcham and wife Jasmirelis of Vero Beach, and Rocky Lee Carter of Plant...