Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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As McLaughlin Academy of Excellence completes its transformation from a middle school to a middle-high school, community organizations are stepping up to support the effort. Students at McLaughlin are as at home in Fine Arts Classes as they are in Electrical Technician training. The well-rounded nature of education at McLaughlin Academy of Excellence caught the attention of the Dyer Difference Award Committee, which celebrates the school and its dedication to producing...
Going back to school in August is as intimidating for some students as it is exciting for others. Polk State College understands the challenges faced by many families in our area and the trepidation so many young students and their families feel, and they've come up with a way to help. On July 29, 2023, Polk State College will be hosting an event called "Start Right." The goal of this program is to reduce bullying, enhance students' success rates in the classrooms, and...
Lake Wailes Park will again host a day of family fun on Saturday, April 29 as the city celebrates the annual Olmsted Day in the Park. This years' event promises to be bigger and better than ever as plenty of new features and attractions are being added. Food trucks, lots of games for both kids and adults, live bands, and the added feature of "Beers With Pioneers," a beer-tasting event, will make the day fun for every member of the family. For kids, an inflatable obstacle...
A $3000 grant has been awarded to a local athletic league that will allow them to continue to provide participation and support for local athletes wishing to participate in their programs. Nearly every parent knows how costly it can be to have children involved in sports. Between the registration, equipment, cost of transportation, meals, and even the time commitment, the price can become prohibitive. No Limits Volleyball in Polk County helps to bring affordable, Christian-bas...
Several happy amateur detectives are celebrating their wins in the Lake Wales News Treasure Hunt game after finding the prize claim forms at area businesses. Charmaine Walker, Bridget Nicole, Thomas Dunn, Juanita Zwarczuk, Hattie Johnson, Amy Mincet and Cristina Carver collected prize packages sharing $1000 worth of gift certificates, event passes, and prize items. Sponsors including Melanie's Seafood Company, Dyer Chevrolet, Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Maggie Mae's...
The LakeWalesNews.net Treasure Hunt Game is concluding, but there are still three prizes that remain unclaimed. Did we make our clues too tough for the Sherlock Holmes of Lake Wales? We hope not! If you were one of those who tried without success to determine where to go and how to claim one, we are going to give you the answers now so you can still grab one of the great prize packages. We would first like to thank both our contest sponsors and the prize donors, including...
The Dyer Difference Award for February has gone to Polk Sheriff's Charities. Since 2006, Polk Sheriff's Charities have been supporting first responders and members of the community in a variety of ways that show dedication, commitment, and loyalty to Polk county residents. What started as a response to the murder of Deputy Matt Williams and K-9 DiOGi after a routine traffic stop, has blossomed into a veritable font of kindness and compassion for the community. First...
Sometimes even pain and disaster can lead to blessings for others. Such was the result of the tragic death of 22 year-old Kaitlyn Kinard. Just as the rest of the world was going into lockdown in March, 2020, Kinard's family was falling apart for a completely different unexpected disaster. Kinard was killed in a car-crash involving a wrong-way driver, a crash which also critically injured the love of her life, Landon. A nursing student who was just about to graduate and begin...
Feeding veterans and their families and aiding in preventing suicides is a pretty significant contribution to Polk County residents, and the Dyer family has taken the time to recognize that effort. Last year, the All Veterans Center in Polk County helped feed over 34,000 veterans and their families. You might think that's a pretty amazing accomplishment, and it is, but it's not all the All Veterans Center did last year. The nonprofit organization which assists veterans, their...
There are few diagnoses as frightening as cancer. In addition to the physical and emotional toll battling the cancer takes on patients and their families, there are often other issues which can wear patients down and take a toll financially and emotionally. The Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida understands the challenges that accompany a breast cancer diagnosis; they know that it's hard to be at work the day after a chemotherapy treatment, and missing work may mean m...
More than eighty community and business leaders were in attendance this week as the Dyer family celebrated the grand opening of their second new auto dealership across from the Eagle Ridge Mall on US 27 in Lake Wales. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at Dyer Chevrolet marked the official dedication of the new 28,000 square-foot facility, which cost more than $5 million to construct. The Chevrolet operations stands adjacent to their recently-constructed Kia dealership. Guests...
The Lake Wales Youth Football League, which sponsors the Lake Wales Steelers teams, has been selected as the recipient of the Dyer Difference Award for August. The Lake Wales Football League provides healthy, educational, fun to up to 600 participants each year between the ages of four and 15. Whether they are learning about first downs and defense or how to encourage and support a team as a cheerleader, children who participate in the Lake Wales Youth Football League are...
The gradual expansion of the Lake Wales Business Community is receiving another boost as the Dyer Auto Group prepares to open their new Chevrolet dealership on US 27 North across from Eagle Ridge Mall. Dyer's new $5 million dealership is a significant expansion from their current location two miles south, according to General Manager David Dlugokecki. The new location will also allow the family-owned business to co-locate their two local new-car dealerships. Dyer Kia moved int...
Architect Frederick Law Olmsted may be best known for designing New York City's Central Park, but his many creative accomplishments also included the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, and our own treasure, Bok Tower Gardens. Just before the Great Depression in late 1929, Frederick Law Olmsted and Edward Bok designed a master plan for Lake Wales, with plans to include small parks, plenty of trees, and a lovely place to stroll the downtown area. Nearly a century later, Lake...
When it comes to conservation, restoration, and management of North America's wetlands and waterfowl habitats, there is little that can compare with Ducks Unlimited. The grassroots organization, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary, works tirelessly using research, biology, and common sense to help conserve wetlands and the waterfowl who inhabit them. While this is wonderful for the waterfowl, all of humanity also benefits from the efforts of the conservationists and...
Life is challenging in so many ways, and sometimes it's a comfort to know that there is a place you can go filled with people who are committed to helping engage, restore, and empower individuals in the community to reach their fullest potential. That's exactly why Peace River Center is the go-to resource for individuals in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties who are need help with mental health, substance abuse, and victim services. The nonprofit organization provides...
One in five children in Florida lives in poverty, and statistics show that children who live in poverty are five times more likely to drop out of high school. Since 67 percent of the prison population is comprised of high school dropouts, programs promoting stability, independent living, counseling, mentoring, and guidance are critical to help turn the tide. It might be a surprise to learn that one in four children in the Florida Foster Care System is working with a team...
City residents can thank a local restaurant for helping the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce find its 2020 Public Servant of the Year. Lake Wales Fire Chief Joe Jenkins – born and raised in the city and now celebrating 30 years with the department – was honored with the award in late December, for not only his service as chief, but as the city's Emergency Operations Director during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Jenkins said he didn't really know what he wanted to do whe...
For the past 12 years, the Lake Wales Police Officers Association (LWPOA) has made the holidays a little happier for children in the community through several events, including the much-beloved Shop-With-A-Cop program, which pairs officers with children on a shopping spree neither will ever forget. An average of 40 children each year receive a $100 gift card to spend at Walmart and have the opportunity to spend the day with a police officer chosen especially for them. This...
A lot was different about this year's "Shop With A Cop" event, except for one very important thing – dozens of local families will have a much merrier Christmas because of the Lake Wales Police Department. In fact, a total of 70 area children will have presents under the tree and holiday food on the table thanks to the annual program, run by the Lake Wales Police Officers Association. Normally, children and their families meet at the Lake Wales Wal-Mart to pick out C...
Rob Boggess, Service Manager at Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM recently announced that Joshua Fairbanks has joined the Service Team. "It is great to have Joshua Fairbanks on board at Lake Wales," said Boggess, Lake Wales Service Manager. "I am creating a team of exceptional service professionals to handle all the automotive service needs of central Florida. Joshua is an important part of my service team." Fairbanks has joined Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM as a...
Mike Mahalak, president of the Mahalak Auto Group recently announced that Robert Boggess has joined Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM as Service Manager. "We are very excited to have Rob join our award-winning service team," Mahalak said. "Rob brings over a decade of Central Florida service experience to our dealership". Boggess said service customers today have higher expectations and it's the goal of his team to meet and exceed those expectations: "I am working with the Lak...
