Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Easter Week always brings fond memories of the three months each winter that the Lake Wales community came together to participate as "extras" to help dramatically depict the last seven days of Jesus Christ on Earth. I don't remember exactly how many years I participated in the Black Hills Passion Play winter productions – so many Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays and a few Wednesday matinees. But even more than 45 years later the memories are vivid. My hometown w...
Pastors, church leaders and other concerned people plan to assemble near the gazebo at Lake Wailes Lake at 7 a.m. Tuesday, June 9 to pray for the city, state and nation. Lake Wales City Commissioner Curtis Gibson presented the idea to Pastor Walter Nelson of IMPACT Church, who immediately started spreading the word. Rather than choose specific people to offer prayers, Nelson sent out an email, providing a corporate prayer for all assembled to use. He suggested bringing the...
This is the fifth installment in the Lake Wales Renaissance series. Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson serves as Deputy Mayor and Chairman of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. Dover, Kohl & Partners is an internationally known town planning firm working out of South Miami. Among their many achievements are nationally recognized revitalizations of traditional communities much like Lake Wales. Victor Dover is co-author of the definitive work on the subject...
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was first published in April 2019. We are re-publishing it on Palm Sunday 2020 as we enter into Easter Week. Easter Week always brings fond memories of the three months each winter that the Lake Wales community came together to participate as "extras" to help dramatically depict the last seven days of Jesus Christ on Earth. I don't remember exactly how many years I participated in the Black Hills Passion Play winter productions – so many Tuesdays, T...
Eugene H. "Gene" Schedler, 85, of Lake Wales entered into glory with the Lord Monday, March 9, 2020 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. He was born May 30, 1934 in Hamburg, WI to the late Pastor Herman and Lilly Schedler. Gene grew up in Hamburg, WI where he attended the Maple Grove one room schoolhouse. He then attended Concordia Lutheran College in Milwaukee, WI where he completed his high school and two years of college. Gene joined the U.S. Air Force after college...
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...
Sellers and buyers alike have a special opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Ridge Scenic Highway Scenic corridor Saturday, Nov. 2 while hunting for bargains along the 39-Mile Scenic Highway Yard Sale. The Lake Wales History Museum at 325 S. Scenic Highway is one of seven official locations, hosting 30 booths along with music and food. Tables will line the Scenic Highway from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Other official locations are the Lake of the Hills Community Clubhouse, Krewe of...
The newly refurbished visitor center at Bok Tower Gardens, now called the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Exhibit Hall, reopens to the public Oct. 19 with dazzling new exhibits and high-tech interactive displays. Donors, board members and friends of Bok Tower attended a reception Oct. 17 where they got their first look at the $1.8 million renovation, which took about three months to complete. The gallery is named in honor of the parents of Dorothy Jenkins, a major donor from...
Mildred B. Esteve, MSW, 76, of Lake Wales passed away on Monday, June 10, 2019 at Lake Wales Medical Center. Mildred was born on December 30, 1942, in New York City to the late Anna (Ricci) and Charles Briand. She had been a resident of Lake Wales since 2005, after retiring from her career as a certified social worker in Stony Brook and Moriches, Long Island, NY. Mildred earned her Master's of Social Work, (MSW), from Stony Brook University, and she was extremely proud of her...
Mary Neil Hardman Whitmire Chandley, 88, passed peacefully in her sleep on June 9, 2019 at 4 a.m. She was a lifelong resident of Lake Wales, born on January 5, 1931 to Cleo and Neil Hardman, both pioneer residents of Lake Wales. Throughout her life, Mary Neil was always very active in school, church, community service, youth organizations, music and other local projects. She graduated with honors from Lake Wales High School in 1948 and attended Piedmont College in Demorest,...
The hills are alive with the sound of music during the fifth annual Sandy's MusicGirl Camp 2019 at the Lake Wales Arts Center. Following the Junior MusicGirl program for girls ages 6-9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10-11, girls ages 10-19 will attend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 12-14. Free lunch and snacks are provided. "We offer fun-filled activities such as singing, percussion, crafts and instrument introduction or advancement in small groups," explains Steve Morrison, who...
Gayle S. Reeder, 75, died April 27 in Lake Wales. She was born December 10, 1943, in Mebane, Alamance County, NC to Roy Clifton Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith. She moved with family to Lake Wales, Florida, in 1959. Gayle graduated from Lake Wales High School in 1962, married Dennis Reeder August 3, 1962. Their son William Luke Reeder was born 1970. She was predeceased by her husband, Dennis Reeder, and parents, Roy C. Smith, Sr. and Lottie Corene Blackard Smith...
Ronald Anderson, 92, of Rochester Hills, MI, passed away at his winter home in Lake Wales. Born on August 6, 1926 in Belfast, Ireland to the late John and Mabel (Dockery) Anderson, he began coming to Lake Wales in 1999 from his home in Rochester Hills, MI. He was a chief designer for General Motors for over 40 years. He is preceded in death by his wife Marian Marcia Anderson who passed away in 1999, and his siblings. Survivors include his daughters; Jean Hardy of Ft. Wayne, IN and Janet Engler of Clarkston, MI; 5...
Lake Wales attraction Spook Hill has now earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. City Clerk Jennifer Nanek announced the special designation at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting April 16. City Manager Ken Fields credited Nanek with persistence in seeking the special designation, which needed nomination by the State of Florida and then approval by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The National Register is the official list of the nation's historic...
Congratulations to "Team Planktons," winners of the third annual Big Kahuna Paddle Challenge on Saturday April 6 at Webber International University. Team members Jennifer Nanek, Richard Moody, Dan Hurst and Webber students, along with Bill Redmon at the helm, were victorious, but gave the winning prize to their competitor, The Vanguard School of Lake Wales. It's the third year for Nanek, Lake Wales city clerk, to compete in the event. "The secret to success is teamwork,...
It's blueberry season, and blueberries are good for your health. Crown Jewel Farms U-Pick season opened April 1 for blueberries. We are fortunate to be able to get certified organic produce this good in our back yard. Their address is 106 Egg Farm Road in Lake Wales. Their phone number is 863-528-2402. Their website is https://crownjewelorganic.com/ Right now they also have cabbage, cucumbers, and kale. Egg Farm Road is on the west side of Scenic Highway between Mountain Lake...
Lake of the Hills Community Club is offering a gourmet grilled chicken dinner from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 30. The event at their clubhouse at 47 E Starr Ave north of Lake Wales will include live country music, drawings, a clown and silent auction. Dinner cost is $8 and includes a grilled quarter chicken, cole slaw, baked beans, homemade desserts, iced tea, coffee and lemonade. Root beer floats will be available for $3. Takeout meals will be available until sold ld....
AAUW is hosting a Card Party from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 23 at the Lake of the Hills Clubhouse at 44 E. Starr Ave. off Scenic Highway north of Lake Wales. Players should reserve a table to play games with their own group. The cost is a donation of $10 per person, which covers desserts and beverages. Seating is limited. Call Betty Martin at 863-638-1877 to reserve a table. AAUW Lake Wales Branch is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable corporation promoting education and equity for...
For more than 50 years, the Lake of the Hills Community Club has hosted an always popular Ice Cream Social. This year's event will run from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the historic clubhouse, 44 E. Starr Ave. in Lake of the Hills off Scenic Highway north of Lake Wales. The Rock & Roll themed event will include servers in 1950s dress and music from that era. The event also includes raffles and a silent auction, which closes at 4:30 p.m. at the same time the last ice cream is...
