Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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I am happy to be a Lake Wales resident and City Commissioner. I was born in Rochester NY, and moved to Lake Wales at the age of 12. I fell in love with Lake Wales less than a year after moving here in 1998. I started going to First Assembly of God, which is Impact now. My mentor was Pastor Shawn Rudy who took me in as his own child. I learned so much and gave a lot of my time back to my community. I never thought about becoming a city commissioner, but I knew Lake Wales needed...
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dover Kohl consultants will present their plans to the Lake Wales City Commission, serving as the Community Redevelopment Agency, at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the City Administration Building, 201 W. Central Ave. You can view and download the plans online at https://www.doverkohl.com/lakewales- The City of Lake Wales has hired Dover Kohl & Partners Town Planning to draft and propose a comprehensive redevelopment plan called "Lake Wales Connected." This plan...
The Lake Wales Little Theatre's first Season 42 production, Having Hope at Home, opens Friday, Nov. 8 and runs for three weekends. Having Hope at Home is described as a light comedy with serious intentions. Directed by Glenda Thurmond, the productions will be at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 24 in the intimate 140-seat theater at 411 N. Third St. Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for those under age 18 and can be purchased online at...
Tilted Tiara events is hosting a Florida Highwaymen Pop-up Art Event and Sale Thursday, Nov. 21 in the Rhodesbilt Arcade in historic downtown Lake Wales. The one-day-only event, which includes a wine and cheese reception, is sponsored by Crooked Crown Antiques, Sugar Magnolia Salvage and Melange Antiques and Art Gallery. Al Black, one of the original Florida Highwaymen artists and Kelvin Hair, son of Highwayman Albert Hair, will be on hand from 2 to 8 p.m., bringing their...
The Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society Nov. 21 gathering will feature Kenneth J Cody, the author of six anthologies of prose style poetry about living and coping with bipolar disorder. The free event starts at 7 p.m. in the Melange Antiques and Art Gallery at 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. Due to the sensitive subject matter, parental guidance is suggested. Guests are invited to bring snacks and beverages to share. Attendees are encouraged to bring...
Recognizing her increased responsibilities in development services as the City of Lake Wales experiences a growth spurt, Kathy Bangley recently was promoted to assistant city manager for planning and economic development. Bangley's promotion carries with it an annual salary of $98,000, a pay increase of 10 percent over what she was making in July. Bangley's office has been extremely busy working with numerous developers planning new restaurants, retail establishments and...
The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales joins the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) in recognizing all Veterans past and present in recognition of Veterans Day The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales will hold their November General Meeting at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at 275 E Park Avenue, downtown Lake Wales, and all ladies are invited to attend. This meeting is dedicated to honoring our Veterans both fallen and living. The program will be include the Color Guard from...
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...
An unofficial advisory committee working toward redevelopment of the city's northwest section is now incorporating as the Lincoln Community Development Corporation. On the heels of the City adopting a Northwest redevelopment plan, recommended by urban planners Dover Kohl and Partners, Lake Wales attorney Sara Jones is organizing the group to help ensure the plan's successful implementation. "Organization and community input are vital to the success of the redevelopment plan...
Lake Wales is home to attorney Flora "Tonya" Stewart where she lives with her husband, Sam, and three children ages 3, 8 and 10. But she works here, too, and operates Tonya Stewart Law, P.A. from an office located at her 1924 downtown building purchased in 2017 at 229 E. Park Ave. in Lake Wales. She also has an office in West Polk County at 1102 Florida Ave. S., Lakeland. Her phone number is 863-279-4473. Why use Stewart and her law firm? She says she is a "compassionate...
Downtowns are the heart of a town. To devote time, money, energy and dedication to a city's downtown is to embrace its essence. Therefore, it was with great enthusiasm that we at the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council asked the city and the business community to fully endorse the Lake Wales Connected plan to revitalize downtown and the Northwest. Our team from the Chamber/EDC had a large contingent in attendance on Oct. 1, when the Lake Wales Community...
A new exhibit by noted local landscape artist Tom Freeman, his friends and students, opened Friday, Oct. 11 at the Melange Antiques & Art Gallery, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. The exhibit will run through Nov. 15. Other artists exhibiting include Marcia Pennington, Jayne Crews, Diane Lescard, Willa Campbell, Carmen Gonzales and Char Rivera. Freeman is 94 years old and has been painting Florida landscapes most of his life. He has shared his gift and...
The Lake Wales History Museum is planning a larger than ever 44th Annual Pioneer Days Festival Oct. 26-27 in Lake Wailes Park. Admission and parking are free for the heritage celebration that will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, retired Bok Tower carillonneur Milford Myhre will be recognized as Pioneer of the Year. See story at https://www.lakewalesnews.net/story/2019/10/02/news/retired-bok-carillonneur-milford-myhre-named-pione...
Sam Jones drives from his home in Vero Beach every month to visit the grave of his daughter and stop by the downtown Lake Wales mural of the Highlander Band that contains her likeness. The mural was dedicated in April 2006, one year after Amber Jones and her best friend Alena Violette died in a tragic car crash on their way back to Florida State University where the 18-year-olds were freshmen. Amber and Alena were Scottish dancers featured front and center in the mural. Jones...
20, Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President, prohibition had gone into effect, the United States Congress approves the 19th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, World War I ends, The Florida Keys Hurricane killed 600, and Polly Stephens was born in Sumner, GA on September 18, 1919. Polly recently turned 100 and her family and friends celebrated at a Lake Wales restaurant. 100 years, 10 decades - however you want to slice it - that is a long time. Businesses, as rare as they...
The City of Lake Wales now has an ambitious plan for the redevelopment of its historic downtown and the Northwest business district. City commissioners, in their role as the Community Redevelopment Agency, started their new fiscal year Oct. 1 with the adoption of the Community Connected plan developed by Miami urban planning consultants Dover Kohl & Partners with extensive public input over the last year. "Now the work begins," said Karen Thompson, assistant CRA and Lake...
After a summer break, Lake Wales Main Street resumes its Lake Wales Car Show from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in historic downtown Lake Wales. The cars are on display on east Stuart Avenue between First Street and Scenic Highway. There are no registration or spectator fees. The monthly event on the 4th Saturday of each month between September and May will include food vendors, a DJ, door prizes, 50-50 drawing and People's Choice Award....
The new Lake Wales Film Society at Melange will host its inaugural event with two pre-premier screenings of "Body Painting: The Living Canvas," a documentary film by Karyn Finley Thompson and David H.R. Hauser. The 50-minute film will be shown at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28 at the Art Gallery at Melange Antiques, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. The society's promotion says: "What better canvas than the human body? It is art that breathes. W...
Lake Wales History Museum Curator Bartholomew Delcamp worked tirelessly for the last three-plus years cataloguing nearly 20,000 items, organizing collections, creating new exhibits and assisting in educational programs and tours. His hard work and dedication to the history of Lake Wales were recognized Sept. 17 when he was named 2019 Outstanding New Professional by the Florida Association of Museums. Delcamp started as an intern, then served as a part-time museum assistant...
The Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society will hold its 10th gathering starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19. The free event is hosted by Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. Attendees are encouraged to bring original written material or a selection from a favorite writer to share. Guests also are invited to bring beverages or snacks....
There's an old truth about hurricanes: they take out the trees that gardeners don't have the heart to cut down. Like wildfires, they clear the land of deadwood. They fell trees weakened by disease or stunted roots, leaving only the strongest – or the luckiest – when skies clear. Such ruthless pruning reveals which plants can stand up to a 100-mile-an-hour wind. Palm trees hold up beautifully in storms: their limber trunks bend with the wind, which blows right through the...
Lake Wales City Commissioners will hold their second and final public hearing Sept. 24 to adopt a $55 million budget for 2019-20, with a slightly lower property tax rate. Commissioners approved the budget at their first hearing Sept.10, with a millage rate of 6.9339, or approximately $6.93 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. This is considered the "rollback rate" that based upon anticipated growth can be expected to generate the same amount of tax revenue as this...
Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society is hosting a wide open poetry and creative writing SLAM. Interested persons should bring original written material or a selection from a favorite writer to share. The gathering begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 22 at Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. Guests are invited to bring preferred beverages or snacks for themselves or to share. For more information, contact Robert Bullock at...
Urban planner Victor Dover was man of the hour Tuesday, receiving applause and high praise after presenting a draft Lake Wales Connected plan for redevelopment of the city's downtown and northwest business district. About 75 interested persons, including numerous downtown merchants and community business leaders, listened attentively as Dover described the potential to turn Lake Wales into a popular destination, returning to city founders' concept of a city in a garden, as des...
Lake Wales City officials are reviewing the 100-plus page draft "Neighborhood Plan for the Core of Lake Wales" in preparation for its official presentation Aug. 13 by urban planners from Dover, Kohl & Partners. "Lake Wales Connected is more than just a plan for improvements to a single street, district or neighborhood; it is a strategy for revitalization of Lake Wales' historic Downtown and one of its most important close-in neighborhoods. Together, the Downtown and Northwest...
