Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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As an increasingly-serious drought has wilted crops and increased fire dangers across the region, the hope for rain may be atop the holiday wish list for many. It's a hope that may be answered. With little measurable rain across the area since the October 10 passage of Hurricane Milton, much of central Florida, including southeast Polk, is suffering from rainfall deficits and parched vegetation. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) lists central Florida as "abnormally dr...
Frostproof's landmark, and perhaps haunted, Ramon Theatre is in serious trouble, and the volunteers who manage the venerable auditorium are turning to the community for help, pinning high hopes upon the success of a January 18 "Barn Bash." The Ramon is the cultural and entertainment soul of the southeast Polk Community. Built in 1925 at the height of the Great Florida Land Boom, the theatre hosts musical and theatrical performances around the year. The double-blows of...
Mr. Winston Henry Martin was born April 23, 1956 in Brooklyn, New York to the late Eunice Hollingsworth and the late Eugene Decosta Martin. Winston transitioned to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Advent Hospital in Sebring, Florida. Winston served in the United States Army 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper where he was honorably discharged after 20 years. He later worked for the AutoZone Corporation. He ended his work history after six years at the...
A three-weekend "Pumpkin Patch" fundraising effort generated more than $2,000 in support of Mothers of Veteran Suicide, a non-profit offering support to those suffering due to those tragedies. Funds raised by the effort will provide assistance serving to help prevent suicides among veterans disturbed by PTSD and other emotional challenges. The October weekend fundraisers were held at the Red Barn Farmer's Market Frostproof and The Gravely Red Barn. The events allowed allow...
What do model railroad trains, lawn mowers, rare coins, and collectible art have in common? They will all be offered for sale this Saturday, November 2, along Scenic Highway. Thousands of bargain shoppers are expected to enjoy ideal conditions for browsing among the hundreds of booths that will line the route of the annual 39-mile Yard Sale. The event draws visitors from across the state and beyond to explore the arcane and sublime offerings brought to the sale by vendors...
The latest update from the National Hurricane Center in Miami has raised the stakes for a direct strike upon southeast Polk County and the Lake Wales area. Residents are strongly urged to rush preparations to completion. The 11 a.m. NHC report said that with sustained winds of 155 MPH, Hurricane Milton is continuing to approach Florida. Continued intensification is expected, and Milton should be at Category 5 this afternoon with sustained winds of 160 MPH or more, accompanied...
A slight south-eastward movement of Tropical Storm Milton could offer a small ray of hope for southeastern Polk County as the storm approaches the west coast of Florida later this week. The worst impacts of the storm are expected locally on Wednesday. The 11 a.m. statement from the National Hurricane Center in Miami noted that the center of the intensifying cyclone has been moving slowly to the east-southeast, a trend that has moved the needle on the multiple computer models...
A three-weekend “Pumpkin Patch” fundraising opportunity will allow local shoppers to enjoy raffles, apple cider, and photo ops while also supporting the non-profit group Moms of Veteran Suicide. The Red Barn Farmer's Market Frostproof and The Gravely Red Barn will be hosting the charitable organization as a fundraiser on three consecutive Fridays in October. The events will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the 11, 18, and 25. “These folks do an awesome job of helpi...
Polk County and the Ridge will escape the worst effects of Hurricane Helene, but area residents should still be prepared for a blow, according to specific forecasts. Heavy rains and winds gusting to near hurricane force are also possible as the storm passes to the west. Helene, currently entering the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, is expected to charge north and northeastward as it rapidly intensifies to become a major hurricane, reaching Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson scale,...
Guelda V. Wise of Frostproof passed away Sunday, September 15, 2024 at her residence. She was born September 5, 1929 in Bereah to the late Rudolph Bennett and Rita Best Donahoe; she has been a lifelong resident of the area. Guelda was a business owner. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Frostproof and the American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed doing needlepoint, playing bridge, sewing, and crafts. Guelda was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Wise; and son,...
Francis Donald Hodge of Frostproof, Florida passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at his residence. He was born August 18, 1937 in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania to the late Julia Hodge; he has been a resident of the area since 1984. Don loved to fish, work on cars, sing karaoke, and tell jokes. He enjoyed playing cards, especially poker, and having coffee with his friends and family. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, and sisters. He is survived by his...
The storm came in a destructive rush, defying predictions, and caught most Polk residents completely off-guard. When it had passed, Hurricane Charley had left a trail of incredible destruction in its wake. It was a Friday, the 13th of August, twenty years ago this week that the first hurricane in 44 years struck southeast Polk. It's a date that many who experienced the storm will never forget. In a matter of about two hours the fast-moving storm damaged virtually every...
Ridge cities are facing a challenging and expensive future effort to obtain water supplies for a growing population, according to officials from the Polk Regional Water Cooperative. PRWC Executive Director Eric DeHaven joined a team of engineers at a forum this week to explain the status of an ambitious project that expects to extract brackish water from a depth of more than 1,000 feet, substantially lower than the Floridan aquifer that currently supplies water to area...
Joe Neal Kincaid, 95, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Good Shepard Hospice House, Auburndale, FL. He was born March 31, 1929, on Easter Sunday to the late James Cecil Kincaid, Sr. and Mary Alma Davis Kincaid. Joe's family was one of the first pioneer families in the Lake Wales area, where his grandfather established the Lake Wales Dairy, also known as the Kincaid Dairy, in the Spook Hill area. His family also established a dairy outlet and ice cream store known as the...
After a lull of several weeks without even a tropical depression, let alone a named storm, the Atlantic Hurricane Season is heating up again. August and September form the heart of the storm season, which peaks around September 10, according to historical records. Forecasters and computer models have alerted to the possible formation of a new cyclone this week in the vicinity of the Antilles. If the storm forms there, it is likely to track in the general direction of the...
Twelve "Safe Zones" under the monitoring of the Polk County Sheriff's Office are now available to all Polk County residents for the purposes of custody exchanges of e-commerce sales, according to officials with the sheriff's office. The locations offer 24/7 continuously-monitored video surveillance with recordings retained for at least 45 days. They also provide adequate lighting and signage for safety. The Florida Legislature recently passed a law which requires count...
Cities across the county are seeing significant rises in property tax income, according to the preliminary tax roll published by Polk County Property Appraiser Marsha Faux. Despite the recent surge in home prices and the value of new construction, however, property values in most Ridge-area municipalities have seen only modest increases so far. The valuations have significant impacts on city budgets, since local shares of the taxes are based upon the millage rates set by...
Emily Shade, 85, passed away at home in Frostproof, FL on June 28, 2024. She was a longtime resident of Salisbury, MD until 2020. Emily was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 30, 1938, the same night of Orson Welles' famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast. Her family soon made its way to Berlin, MD, beginning her love of the Eastern Shore. Her father's work in the poultry business led her to North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, and New York. Emily attended St. John's...
A new county boat ramp is being constructed to provide public access to Lake Buffum in un-incorporated southern Polk County. According to county officials, the new boat ramp "will include a walled channel to provide entry to the lake no matter the water level." The annual fluctuation of water levels in the 1,268 acre lake have often caused problems for launching boats. While the new boat ramp is under construction, the old boat ramp is open for public use. The new ramp is...
An upbeat message of economic progress was shared with more than 100 area business leaders during a Business After Hours event at the Eagle Ridge Mall Tuesday evening. The event was sponsored by the Lake Wales and Winter Haven Chambers of Commerce. Eagle Ridge Mall General Manager Curtis Gibson told the gathering that the mall "belongs" to the people of the Ridge, from Frostproof to Winter Haven, and touted the expansion of business that has been happening there. When he took...
The June Business Expo luncheon hosted by the Frostproof Chamber of Commerce drew a crowd of local businesspeople Tuesday to network, sharing camaraderie and ideas. More than 20 organizations were represented at the event, organized by the Chamber's new executive director Emily Bennett, who introduced each business to the crowd. Business representatives were then given an opportunity to speak at the event, offering a chance to introduce their product or services to others in...
Joan Carole Brown of Frostproof passed away Friday, June 7, 2024 at Treasure Cove Hospice in Fort Pierce, Florida. She was born February 6, 1942 in Perrysburg, Ohio to the late Edwin and Maxine Kohl; she moved to Frostproof from Ohio in 1997. Joan was a fine arts teacher for Arlington School then a photographer for Life Touch. She enjoyed woodworking and had a sixth sense when it came to gardening. She had a special place in her heart for cats, antiques and orchids and was...
A large wildfire is raging tonight near Indian Lake Estates and the Canopy Oaks resort in eastern Polk County. More than 25 emergency units have been assigned to try to bring the inferno under control, and the Florida Forest Service has delivered heavy equipment to firefighters in an apparent attempt to build firelines to stop the spread of the flames. Units from Lake Wales and Frostproof were sent to the scene to assist state and county firefighters under the direction of the...
Celia Morales Inagawa, 72, of Frostproof, Florida, passed away on May 29, 2024. Celia was born to the late Geronimo Morales and Maria Gonzales on November 6, 1951, in Cotton Center, Texas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Olivia and Esperanza, and two brothers, Eleazar and David Morales. As a child, the Morales family relocated to Florida, where Celia spent most of her youth. While on the campus of The University of Miami, she met a...
Sara Ann Morey, a beloved member of the Frostproof community and a cherished mother, daughter, and friend, passed away at her home on Friday, April 19th, 2024. She was born on December 31, 1947 to the late Richard and Gladys Riley. Sara was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of many with her kindness, compassion and love. A lifelong resident of the area, she was a proud member of the United Methodist Church of Frostproof and volunteer for the Frostproof Historical Museum...
