Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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We all want the Norman Rockwell Christmas with the perfect family gathering of laughter and well-behaved children. We want our homes to look like something out of a magazine. We want to create precious memories with our children that will last a lifetime. These are all good desires, but bad idols. In the blink of an eye, an honorable desire gets out of hand when we put it above the people who come into our lives. Life happens, and in our quest for perfection, we forget that...
Laura A. Helm, 60, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 at her residence. She was born December 1, 1960 to the late Benjamin and Gladys Waski and was a lifetime resident of Lake Wales. Laura was a retired office manager; she liked to fish, and was a big Alabama music fan, attending their concerts all over the country. She helped organize class reunions and assisted other classes as well. Laura is survived by her husband of 40 years, Wayne Helm; brother, Kenneth Waski (Jenny) of Jacksonville; brother-in-law, Gary...
Lake Wales City commissioners in a workshop session Dec. 9 indicated support for continuing with their foreclosure action on the historic Seminole Hotel. Only Commissioner Curtis Gibson expressed interest in holding off on the foreclosure and working with Henry Kebabjian, who purchased the hotel in August at a bargain basement price of $10,500. "Here's the deal," Gibson said. "We want to be pro-business. We want entrepreneurs to come into our city and work with us." But City...
To brighten Christmas for local children, the City of Lake Wales is offering calls from Santa Dec. 21 and 22. The city Recreation Department is coordinating the calls both nights from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for children age 10 and younger to talk with Santa about their holiday wishes. Those wishing to participate should complete and return a form by 4 p.m. Dec. 18 to the city administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. The form, which includes information about the child to assist...
The Lake Wales Public Library will conduct the annual Holiday Food for Fines program through Dec. 31. Food for Fines is an annual fine amnesty program that provides library patrons the opportunity to "pay" overdue fines with a donation of food to the Lake Wales Care Center's Food Pantry. Overdue materials may be returned with at least five non-perishable food items, or outstanding fines owed may be "paid" with the same donation. The library will accept returned library...
Dr. Rollie Tillman, Jr., died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 from complications due to COVID-19, surrounded by family in the hours before his death. He was an exceptional man, a loving husband, extraordinary father and grandfather, a mentor and friend to many, and a man of deep faith. While he was a man of many accomplishments, both academic and civic, his finest contributions were those he made to his family. He showed us what it meant to be kind and generous and was...
Lake Wales City Commissioner Al Goldstein has been appointed to serve on the "new and improved" Florida League of Cities' 2020-2021 Advocacy Committee. In appointing Goldstein, FLC President Tony Ortiz said advocacy is one of the primary missions of the Florida League of Cities. "This committee will be responsible for fulfilling the responsibilities outlined in the Advocacy Mission Statement and for developing ideas and activities that strengthen our influence with state...
Rather than allow the COVID-19 pandemic to eliminate its annual Christmas celebration, the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales is offering "Drive-Thru" Christmas Dec. 12 and 13. Each evening from 6-8 p.m. vehicles will be directed to pass from one scene to the next along a marked route. The event will feature musical elements and visual depictions of the biblical Christmas story. The final stop will include carolers, a snow fall and distribution of child-focused gift bags from...
The Citizens and Police Community Relations Advisory Council will hold its third public forum on Dec. 17. The town hall style meeting is designed for citizens to communicate with the police, ask questions and learn more about law enforcement operations and procedures. The forum will begin at 6 p.m. at the Lake Wales Woman's Club, 275 E. Park Ave. Masks are required and the room will be set up for social distancing. The newly reestablished committee includes five citizens, each...
The Polk County Democratic Executive Committee organizational meeting & election was held Monday, Dec. 7 via the ZOOM online platform and also live on Facebook. Elected to serve as the 2020-2022 Board Officers include: Catherine Price, Chair; Veysel Dokur, 1st Vice-Chair; Jiwa Farrell, 2nd Vice-Chair, Polly Burkhart, Secretary; Norman Wilderson, Sergeant-At-Arms and Cindy Ransbottom, Treasurer. Also elected to serve from 2020-2024 were Karen Welzel, State Committeewoman, and...
Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland has been named one of the five best universities in the Southern states for tech students by Deep South Magazine. Florida Poly, the only public university in Florida exclusively dedicated to STEM, shares the top 5 spotlight with renowned institutions like Georgia Tech and the University of South Carolina. The University was also recently recognized as No. 14 in student career outcomes, right behind Harvard and ahead of Stanford...
The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...
Harvey Legrant Blocker, 57, of Lake Wales died Dec. 6, 2020 at Advent Health in Haines City. He was born May 20, 1963 in Lake Wales. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home in Lake Wales is handling arrangements....
Esaw Brunson, 88 of Lake Wales, died Dec. 7, 2020 in Miami, FL. He was born Oct. 17, 1932 in Summerton, SC. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at Epps Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Ten at a time will be allowed in and masks are required. Graveside service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Lake Wales Cemetery on U.S. 27 South. Masks are required....
