Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 58
Debra Smith Wright, a beloved educator and mother, whose legacy is the countless minds she opened and hearts she touched, transitioned on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. She was 67. Born Feb. 21, 1953 to Eddie Lowe Smith and Essie Mae Jackson, Debra graduated from Lakeland High School in 1970 and Florida Memorial College in 1973. She went on to earn her master's and specialist in education leadership from Rollins College in 1984. Debra began her long and influential career in...
The Rotary Club of Lake Wales is holding a drive-thru Barbecue fundraiser this Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Family Elder Law, 122 E. Tillman Ave. in Lake Wales. Tickets are $12 and proceeds go to support education and student scholarships. The meals, brought to your car, include chicken or pulled pork, baked beans, cole slaw, roll, dessert and a drink. Here is the direct Eventbrite link for tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rotary-club-of...
The Lake Ashton Veterans Association is facilitating an initiative by Wreaths Across America to remember "the sacrifice and impact upon our great country" on September 11, 2001 from the terrorist events in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. The organization is asking Lake Ashton residents to wave the U.S. flag outside of their homes at 8:46 a.m., 9:37 a.m. and 10:03 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11 to honor those lost and those first responders who still suffer the after-ef...
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, founded January 16, 1920, began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C.: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings and Fannie Pettie Watts. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and...
Lake Wales Arts Council Executive Director Andrew Allen supports the philosophy "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Instead of canceling summer arts camp due to COVID-19 concerns, Allen and his staff found a way to move it 100 percent online and to make it free for all. Despite cutting enrollment in half, spending thousands of dollars and countless hours developing plans to keep the children and staff safe, Allen finally realized the increasing numbers testing...
In the midst of Florida's stay at home order, the clubwomen of GFWC Florida (www.gfwcflorida.org) used online meeting technology to announce the unprecedented accomplishments of their 8,400 volunteer force. Participating in the online celebrations were clubwomen and guests from across the state and dignitaries from the General Federation of Women's Clubs (www.gfwc.org). GFWC Florida club women volunteered over 1.2 million hours in 2019, a 50% increase over 2018, and donated...
Suncoast Credit Union, Florida's largest credit union, announced Monday that it will donate $25,000 to the Polk State College Foundation with $20,000 of the generous gift designated for scholarships. The remaining $5,000 will assist students who are experiencing financial hardships because of the coronavirus public health emergency. "This generous donation came in at a time when it's needed most," Polk State President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. "The Foundation's emergency...
For over 45 Years, SUN 'n FUN has brought millions of aerospace professionals, businesses, supporters and enthusiasts together each spring to celebrate the incredible wonder and limitless opportunities of flight. In 2014, we proudly unveiled that the annual SUN 'n FUN event would become the primary fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), our STEM-based learning campus created to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals....
Friends say when 22-year-old Kaitlyn Kinard smiled the atmosphere grew happier and more positive. "She had such a contagious type of personality - whenever she walked into a room you could feel an energy change - just the positivity she brought," explained Elise Coon, Kinard's longtime friend and co-captain of the color guard at Frostproof Middle-Senior High, where the two graduated in 2016. Coon is now mourning the loss of her friend, who died March 22 along with her dog...
One of America's iconic historical figures speaks to us across the decades when touring actress Jane VanBoskirk presents Across A Barrier of Fear: The Life of Eleanor Roosevelt at The Vanguard School's Performing Arts Center in Lake Wales at 4 p.m. Feb. 21. The performance-part of the 100-year commemoration of women's gaining the right to vote in the U.S.-will benefit the Lake Wales AAUW's scholarship fund for mature women returning to school for higher education. Tickets are...
Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is experiencing a significant increase in the number of students applying to become Phoenixes. At only two-thirds of the way through the 2020 recruitment cycle, the University has received 31% more freshman applications compared to this time last year. This includes a 44% increase in applicants from out of state. The new numbers are a stark contrast to the current trends in postsecondary enrollment throughout the nation. Higher...
A variety of activities are planned Jan. 16-20 in Lake Wales to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee is inviting participation in the following: 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16 at James P Austin Community Center, 315 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. A pot luck dinner is being sponsored by Unity in the Community entitled "Dessert First". Please come out and get to know your community neighbors. For more...
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,...
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...
Polk State College and the Polk State College Foundation were collectively named the Philanthropic Corporation of the Year during the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Polk County's National Philanthropy Day Celebration, where student Makenna Hansel was also honored with the Youth in Philanthropy Award. Polk State joins corporations recognized in previous years including Allen & Company, Citizens Bank & Trust, Mosaic Company, Regal Lakeland, and Publix...
Dr. Muhammad Rashid knows from experience what a difference education can mean in a person's life. As a first-generation college graduate, he sees his own struggles and concerns reflected in many of the students he encounters at Florida Polytechnic University, where he is professor and chair of the electrical and computer engineering department. That's why he and his wife decided to make a $100,000 gift to the University to create the Drs. Muhammad H. and Fatema Rashid Future...
The Green and Gold Foundation Nov. 2 honored retired school teacher Gladys Howell for her dedication and contributions to the Lake Wales community. Howell was surprised with a tribute at the foundation's gala, which raised funds for the B Street Community Center. Howell and her school teacher husband, Robert, moved their family to Lake Wales in 1964. She started her local career at Roosevelt High School and then taught at Polk Avenue Elementary, retiring in 1992. She earned...
The Green & Gold Foundation will host a Black & Gold Gala to raise funds to support the B Street Community Center. The Gala will include an enjoyable evening of dinner and music from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Lake Ashton Ballroom. Tickets are $65 each or $500 for a VIP table of eight. Tickets or sponsorships can be purchased online at www.bstreetcommunitycenter.org. Sponsors also are needed for the event. Sponsor levels are: $150 for Sparkle, which includes one gala tic...
The annual SUN 'n FUN Fly-In has been an iconic mainstay in Lakeland, FL for over four decades, and in that time, millions have attended the annual gathering of aviation enthusiasts. The event is hallmarked by the arrival of thousands of aircraft to the Lakeland Linder International Airport, and the showcase of aerospace-related exhibits, flight demonstrations, military displays, forums and workshops and seminars. It is recognized as the second largest event of its kind in...
Estefany Arenas was born in Mexico and came to Lake Wales at the age of eight. Her family worked in agriculture and had very limited means, and "Things didn't come easy. It was very hard." "College wasn't really on my radar until I went to Lake Wales High School," said Arenas, noting her International Baccalaureate diploma in 2015 helped her attend Stetson University in DeLand on a fully paid scholarship. "I was incredibly inspired by my IB teachers who helped me all the...
The Lake Wales Arts Council is launching its 2019 Fall Semester education classes beginning Sept. 16. A variety of returning favorites and some new programs are scheduled for kids and adults. Classes are eight weeks in length. Enrollment fees are for the entire semester and include ALL supplies (excluding band and orchestral instruments). Multi-enrollment discounts are available as well as scholarships for youth programs. Payment plans are available for all Lake Wales Arts...
Vincent Harris struggled in high school and took 10 years to earn his bachelor's degree. His own experience makes him even more committed to helping adult students with disabilities find meaningful employment after their nine-month internships at Lake Wales Medical Center. As the Project SEARCH instructor, Harris shared his passion at a gathering Aug. 28 to kick off the program for students with disabilities, ages 18-22. The five students – four from Lake Wales High School a...
Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club's plans to plant 200 southern live oaks around Lake Wailes lake hit a snag recently when homeowners along Lakeshore Boulevard South complained that the trees eventually would block their view of the lake. Club member Dick Howell on Aug. 21 updated the city commission about the project, noting the 50 trees planted in the spring of 2018 on the north side of the lake were "thriving nicely." After the second 50 trees were planted in May of 2019...
Eighty Lake Wales area young people got to explore their artistic selves during two-week summer camp programs sponsored by the Lake Wales Arts Council. The children, ages 7-13, had opportunities for lessons in the digital arts, two music classes, sculpting, painting and drawing. At the end of the second camp session their work was displayed in the gallery at the arts center and their families were invited to a special reception. "Our goal is always to reach as many children as...
In 1914 Nellie Stewart gathered 17 Lake Wales women for a "thimble party" and while they chatted and sewed they decided to form a club. Now 105 years later, members of the GFWC Lake Wales Woman's Club gathered July 10 for a tea and luncheon where they encouraged guests to join their organization. Secretary Mary Walkup described the club's history, which included an amazing list of accomplishments. The Woman's Club over the years has spearheaded or been involved in many local...
