Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 1 - 20 of 20
Betty Hill only jumped once herself, but she brought thousands of skydivers to Lake Wales in the more than two decades she operated the Florida Skydiving Center. Friends, family and aviation sports enthusiasts began mourning her death Dec. 16 after a valiant 19-year battle with cancer. Hill was the brains behind the business and tirelessly promoted skydiving for more than 40 years. Instead of going to college, she and first husband George Kabeller opened their first skydiving...
Mary Louise Jones, 87, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 at AdventHealth Lake Wales. She was born July 26, 1932 in Geneva, AL to the late Julius R. and Grace A. (Harris) Hodge. She has been a lifetime resident of the area. She was a homemaker and member of Grace Life Family Church. She is preceded in death by her husband Ira Albert Jones, daughter Carol Ann Stewart, son Cecil Lewis Jones, brother Ernest Hodge. She is survived by her daughter Barbara Jean...
Ronald Glen Kessel, 76, of Orion, IL and Lakeshore, FL passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. He was born Feb. 4, 1943 in Moline, IL to the late Glen J. and Nellie V. (Engholm) Kessel. He was a retired plans analyst at the Rock Island Arsenal. Ronald was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War. Known as "Ron the tool man", Ron could do and fix anything. His hobbies included volunteering at the Quad City Arts Festival of Trees, woodworking, metal working, and...
Mary Lou Martin, 80, Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born Oct. 11, 1939 in Zanesville, OH to the late William H. and Helen (Risen) Strouse and she has been a resident of this area since 1956 moving here from Ohio. She was a retired secretary for Escod Industries. Mary Lou was a Charter Member of the Lake Wales Moose Lodge, member of the Eastern Star of Lake Wales, Past President of the Lake Wales Elkettes and of...
Mildred Bailey “Millie” Gravel, 71, of Lake Wales passed away Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. Mildred was born April 2, 1948 in Haysi, VA to the late Basil and Altia (Owens) Bailey. She has been a resident of the area since 2004 coming from Moneta, VA. Millie was a retired postal clerk and was of the Christian faith. She is preceded in death by her 2 brothers Jake and Monroe. She is survived by her husband of 31 years David Gravel, daughter Heather Haas (Mike) of Madison, WI, stepdaughter Chr...
In 1912, the early settlers of what is now Lake Wales, were hearty, adventuresome people, real Pioneers, descendants of their ancestors who traveled via oxen-driven covered wagons and were true to their code of "Ten Tandra Via Est" meaning "The way remains to be tried." They came to Lake Wales by way of long, difficult and sometimes dangerous trips through swamps, overcoming their fears of possible snakes and alligators, travelling through Winter Haven, then Haines City,...
It's time to request an entry book to enter the 28th Annual Polk Senior Games scheduled for Feb. 29 to March 16. The Games offer a two-week series of 100 athletic and recreational Olympic-style events. They attract over 2,500 men and women, 50 years and over, with a variety of skills - the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health...
As the holidays approach, keep in mind you will be spending time around family and friends that you might not typically see all year round. Some families will have an amazing time and make tons of new memories. Yet some families will become newly aware that a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, while other families are preparing for yet another holiday that might be ruined by one already in the family. You should be familiar with the signs that your loved could be...
Greg Massey invested in a house in August and made plans to renovate it and rent it out. Unwilling to give him the extra time he requested to submit restoration plans, the City of Lake Wales had it demolished. The demolition took place on Tuesday, Dec. 17 – the same day City Manager Ken Fields knew Massey planned to address the city commission to seek their help. The demolition permit, issued Dec. 3, was good through Jan. 17. At the commission meeting Massey detailed the t...
In partnership with the Florida League of Cities, Lake Wales Mayor Eugene Fultz will be hosting a town hall meeting Wednesday, Jan. 8. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the city municipal administration building at 201 W. Central Ave. Scott Dudley, legislative director of the Florida League of Cities and executive director of the Florida League of Mayors will speak about issues likely to be considered by the Florida Legislature, which will convene Jan. 14. Some topics include...
Dorothy M. Shroyer, 94, of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, Dec.19, 2019 at Winter Haven Hospital. She was born May 5, 1925 in Wabash, IN to the late Loren and Hazel (Ply) Rife. She was a homemaker and of the Presbyterian faith. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and playing golf in her younger years. She is preceded in death by her husband Wendell D. Shroyer, daughter Cathy Gossett and 1 granddaughter. She is survived by her sons Larry Shroyer of Miami, Gary Shroyer of Lake Wales, and Uniondale, IN, Michael Shroyer of Markle,...
Juanita O. Durso (Mrs Carl F. Durso) died Dec. 7, 2019. She was born Sept. 23, 1920. A sixth generation Kansan of Scottish descent, Juanita Orrick an original "Designing Woman" was owner of Nita Durso Interiors with customers in the Alameda Plaza and Kansas City area. Attending Kansas City Business College and Chicago Arts Institute, she was a Mid West Tennis Champion, and musically talented as a pianist and trumpeter performing with the Wyandotte High School Band and on local...
Enid Morgan, 88 of Lake Wales, died at home Dec. 21 under Good Shepherd Hospice Care. She was born June 14, 1931. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....
On the heels of a sale yesterday of a 1971 VW kit car featured in a previous Florida Pickers column in addition to the sale last week of a rare 1936 Buick Roadmaster I immediately began searching for new listings of old classic cars to fill the void and generate future sales and stories. Then I found this 1968 Chevy Camaro survivor, blast from the past online. I called and made an appointment with owner Tim to scope out his original Camaro convertible in showroom condition. A...
And there were, in the same country, shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them. The glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not, for behold I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall...
A City of Lake Wales incentive program to draw new restaurants to downtown has reeled in its first big catch. Melanie's Seafood Co. is scheduled to open in January at 120 Park Ave., thanks in part to $50,000 in grant funds from the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. The 35-seat eatery will be open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the site of the former Pedro's Downtown Deli, and will be owned and operated by Steve and Melanie Manwell, a couple who spent 17 years in a partnership at...
The life of David McArthur Smith Sr. was celebrated Dec. 21 by a large crowd filled with his law enforcement brothers and sisters and many, many friends. Sheriff Grady Judd told of his close working relationship with Smith, affectionately called "Junebug." Various classmates, family members and fellow church members remembered the large man with a big heart who left a lasting imprint on the Lake Wales community. Smith died Dec. 9 after a lengthy illness, seven years after his...
Rebecca Jean Donadio, 41, of Frostproof passed away Wednesday, Dec.18, 2019 at Advent Health in Sebring. She was born March 31, 1978 in Lake Wales to the late Lawrence T. and Rosemary (Creem) Donadio. She has been a lifelong resident of the area. She was a word processor for State Farm. Rebecca was a former member of a Computer Club, President of Sunray Homes Association and she wrote their newsletter and was a flag majorette in high school. She is survived by her son Ryan...
Ida Mae Jones, 91 of Lake Wales, died Dec. 20 at The Groves Center Nursing Home in Lake Wales. She was born Oct. 23, 1938 in Carrollton, AL. Services are incomplete. Epps Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements....
Jeri Ann Nicolas, 37, of Lake Wales passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 at AdventHealth in Orlando. She was born December 29, 1981 in Haines City to the late Abner L. and Donita (Mahoney) Hayes. She was a homemaker. Jeri was a caring and wonderful mom, children always loved her and would go to her. Jeri's family was her life and she loved them dearly. She is survived by her husband of 18 years Rafael Hernandez, daughters Kellee Yolanda Nicolas and Diana Elizabeth Nicolas,...
