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  • Talk is Cheap

    Michel Wilder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    It is most probable that you have heard the phrase, talk is cheap. Perhaps you have even said it yourself. The phrase suggests that it is easier to talk about doing something than to actually do that thing. It is usually a commentary that someone is not following through on a guarantee or promise. We might say, "Put your money where your month is" or "You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?" Most people you talk to today claim a relationship with God. Claims vary,...

  • The Fight For Women's Right to Vote

    Juanita Zwaryczuk, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    "Don't forget to be a good boy and help Mrs. Catt put the 'rat' in ratification." So were the words of the note that Tennessee Representative Harry Burn's mother had tucked in his pocket that fateful day of Aug. 18, 1920. The note inspired him to cast the tie-breaking vote, assuring the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Finally, a 2/3 majority of states had ratified the amendment and after more than 70 years of enormous personal suffering and sacrifice by countless women,...

  • Experience New Life

    Updated Jan 10, 2021

    "I wish I had more time." "There are not enough hours in the day." We have all probably uttered these words or something very similar. This year is Leap Year. That means we in fact do get more time, a whole extra day. Even so, one day every four years is not much. There is another way to get more time. The Bible states that we all have a definite allotment of time here on earth; that one day we will be called from this life. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but...

  • Lake Wales Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM Adds Joshua Fairbanks to Service Team

    Updated Mar 18, 2020

    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...

  • Friends of Library Host Tom Freeman's Florida Book Signing March 16 Postponed

    Updated Mar 15, 2020

    Renowned Lake Wales artist, Tom Freeman and his companion, Marcia Pennington, have released a new book, Tom Freeman's Florida. Freeman has selected one of his paintings that is representative of each of Florida's 67 counties. The paintings and background stories are featured in Tom Freeman's Florida. Also included is poetry written by Freeman. Tom Freeman's Florida is a beautiful collection of Mr. Freeman's works, featuring text by Ms. Pennington. Tom Freeman was the Lake...

  • Library Offering One-Week Bok Tower Family Passes

    Updated Mar 15, 2020

    Bok Tower Gardens and the Lake Wales Library Association have partnered to create a unique program that will allow library patrons to check out passes to Bok Tower Gardens for up to four adults and up to six children. The Garden Lane Pass program, as it will be known, was developed by Bok Tower Gardens' Education Director, Tricia Martin. Martin reached out to the Lake Wales Public Library with the proposal and the Lake Wales Library Association, the library's non-profit...

  • Lake Wales Attorney Cassandra Denmark to Run for Circuit Judge

    Updated Mar 11, 2020

    As the 2020 elections take shape, one race for circuit court has drawn the interest of a prominent civil, family and general law attorney from Lake Wales. Attorney Cassandra L. Denmark filed as a candidate for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Group 19 seat now held by Judge John Radabaugh. "If given the opportunity, I assure I will serve with integrity, respect and fairness," Denmark said in announcing her candidacy. Denmark has practiced law in the state for 18 years. Prior to...

  • Circle of Friends Hosts Chili Challenge Fundraiser March 6

    Updated Mar 4, 2020

    Circle of Friends Ministry will hold its annual Chili Challenge Fundraiser beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, March 6. The meal includes all you can eat chili, cheese, corn chips, crackers and sour cream. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. Beef stew and the snack shack will be available for those who don't eat chili. All proceeds go to the ministry, which for more than 20 years has been enhancing the lives of friends with disabilities. Chili cooks...

  • Leaping Pancakes!

    Updated Feb 26, 2020

    Leap Over on Leap Day to the Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Saturday, February 29 for the Lake Wales Kiwanis Club's all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes and sausage from 7 to 10 a.m. As part of the pancake festival activities, there will be other events running simultaneously with the pancake breakfast; a 20-family garage sale, silent auction, gift certificate sale, fresh fruit sale and plant sale. At 10 a.m. a pancake speed eating contest will be held. Immediately after...

  • Local Woman's Club Celebrates All Things Conservation

    Mary Walkup, Contributing Writer|Updated Feb 26, 2020

    The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales will participate in the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) efforts in Conservation. The GFWC Conservation Community Service Program encourages awareness of our natural resources and caring for the world around us. It offers information and ideas to promote environmental appreciation and protection. The Florida Federation of Women's Club, and particularly the Preservation Committee chairwoman May Mann Jennings, took a deep interest...

  • Don't Miss 49th Arts Festival on Shores of Lake Wailes Feb. 29-March 1

    Updated Feb 26, 2020

    New features and patron events and more than 50 artists from around the world look to make the 49th Annual Citizens Bank & Trust Lake Wales Arts Festival Feb. 29 and March 1 the best one to date. Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the Festival will kick off with the 9th Annual Art-B-Que on The Shores of Lake Wailes, 33 N. Lakeshore Blvd., from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday February 28. The free-to-attend Arts Festival will continue on February 29 and March 1. Additions to the festiva...

  • Skydivers Pay Tribute to Betty Hill at Life Celebration

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 26, 2020

    Twenty world class skydivers dropped onto the golf course at Lake Ashton Saturday Feb. 22, paying tribute to Betty Hill, the former owner of the Florida Skydiving Center at the Lake Wales Airport. Hill died Dec. 16 at the age of 66 after a valiant 19-year battle with cancer. About 200 friends, family, neighbors and skydiving enthusiasts gathered to celebrate Hill's amazing life. She only jumped once herself but brought thousands of skydivers to Lake Wales and introduced countl...

  • Meg Smith Shares Love for Music While Building Community Orchestra

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 20, 2020

    Meg Smith calls herself "the luckiest girl in the world." She says she's filled 10 bucket lists by being blessed to play her violin with the likes of famous musicians Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman and for noted composer John Williams. For nearly a decade she's played in the orchestra on tour with opera singer Andrea Bocelli, whose voice is considered one of the finest in the world. Smith's newest endeavor is directing an adult stringed orchestra sponsored by the Lake Wales Arts...

  • Living Out Loud Feb. 20 Features Graphic Novel Author, Illustrator

    Updated Feb 20, 2020

    The Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society gathering Feb. 20 will feature author and illustrator Grace Engholm reading her latest adult graphic novel accompanied by her own illustrations on a big screen TV. Sponsored by Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, the event will be held at 222 S. Lakeshore Blvd. starting at 7 p.m. Engholm's presentation will be a retrospective of her work, including an hour-long reading of her recent graphic novel followed by a lively critique and...

  • Breakfast Rotary Hosts 10th Fun-Filled Girls Camp

    Beverly Lynne, Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary|Updated Feb 19, 2020

    Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary Club's mission is "to be a service club that focuses on caring for the youth of our community while participating in Rotary's global efforts". Our Rotary Club held an annual Boys' Camp for 27 years, but needed enough women in the club to band together to organize a Girls' Camp. Girls' Camp was created in 2011 with the theme "I AM Smart, Unique, Important, Beautiful, and Fun." Girls' Camp is an annual event, held at Lake Aurora Christian Camp in...

  • Preschool Continues Valentine Tradition to Promote Kindness, Good Manners

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 19, 2020

    Twenty-two years ago Heather Eiland watched her 5-year-old daughter Jessica and her pre-school classmates link arms and parade around the school courtyard in their finest outfits. Mom and daughter watched Jessica's 5-year-old son Jaxson Hood continue the tradition Thursday, Feb. 13 in the First United Methodist Preschool's annual Valentine's Day parade. Parents and grandparents snapped photos and beamed proudly as the 44 children circled the school courtyard for the kickoff...

  • Life of Eleanor Roosevelt Event Feb. 21 to Support AAUW Scholarships

    Updated Feb 19, 2020

    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...

  • Library Offers Free Grants Database Service for Nonprofits

    Updated Feb 12, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library is proud to announce a new service focusing on connecting individuals and non-profit organizations with foundations who provide funding opportunities, Foundation Center's the Funding Information Network and Grants to Individuals. The database of more than 13 million grants and 140,000 grant makers is available within the Lake Wales Public Library, during regular hours of operation. You are encouraged to bring your own device, use our computer...

  • Head Pilot Greg Love Retires After 25 Years with Sheriff's Aviation Unit

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Feb 12, 2020

    Lake Wales pilot Greg Love officially hung up his wings and rotors Friday, Feb. 7 after a 25-year aviation career with the Polk County Sheriff's Department. Turning just 60 this year Love actually will continue flying as a sheriff's reserve deputy and as a pilot with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The sheriff who hired him, Lawrence Crow, and current Sheriff Grady Judd showed up to recognize Love's service along with family, friends and co-workers at a luncheon held insid...

  • Chef Warren Presents Healthy Southern Cuisine Feb. 1 at Library

    Updated Feb 5, 2020

    My, how quickly things change. Just a few short years ago, restaurants were booming and cooking at home was something one watched on TV, but rarely attempted in real life. Then something shifted. In a big way. Perhaps it was the economy. Or a desire to eat healthier. For whatever reason, people wanted to rediscover the joy of cooking. Recognizing that need, Chef Warren Caterson of Sarasota wrote the award-winning cookbooks Table for Two – The Cookbook for Couples and Table f...

  • Car Show Celebrates 10th Anniversary

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    Event coordinators Larry & Cheryl Bossarte celebrated their 10th Lake Wales Car Show Anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 25. East Stuart Avenue was filled with vintage cars and cruisers. David Zimmerman took home honors and trophy for Cruiser of the Month leading the parade in his beautifully restored 1940 Ford. Car enthusiasts enjoyed watching a parade of participants exit the concourse after the event....

  • Back from Iraq, Army Capt. Vacha to Read to Children Jan. 29 at YMCA

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    U.S. Army Reserve Captain Alexander Vacha will soon be returning to his post as the director of the Winter Haven Airport, but first he has an important engagement to keep with a class of preschool students at the Lake Wales Family YMCA. Dr. Marc Hutek, CEO of the Coalition, said is thrilled to have the special guest coming to read. "We're so glad to be able to have such an outstanding individual take time out to come and read to our children," said Hutek. "Captain Vacha is a...

  • Sheriff Offers Free Self-Defense Class for Ladies Feb. 1

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    The Polk County Sheriff's Office is offering free personal safety and self-defense classes for women; the next one will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at the sheriff's operations center, 1891 Jim Keene Blvd. in Winter Haven. Except for July and December the classes are held the first Saturday and third Tuesday of the month. Each class is approximately one hour long unless more than 30 women attend. For every additional 10-15 females, an extra 15 minutes is added to the time...

  • Register Now for Spring Fine Arts Classes that Begin Feb. 3

    Updated Jan 28, 2020

    Enrollment is under way for the Lake Wales Arts Council Spring Semester of youth and adult fine arts classes, which start Monday, Feb. 3. Regular classes are eight weeks in length. New workshop classes will run monthly on a select Tuesday & Thursday from February to May. Enrollment fees are for the entire semester and include ALL supplies (excluding band/orchestral instruments and self-guided visual arts classes). Multi-enrollment discounts are available. Scholarship...

  • Library Hosts Presentation Feb. 11 on African Roots of Southern Cooking

    Tina Peak, Library Director|Updated Jan 28, 2020

    Enslaved Africans brought their food ways and special skills such as rice cultivation with them during their forced journey through the Middle Passage. Dr. Martha Bireda will present the journey of African foods and food preparation to modern day at the Lake Wales Public Library in celebration of Black History Month. The Lake Wales Public Library annually presents a Black History Month program. This year's will not only be informative, but also tasty. Dr. Martha Bireda, Direct...

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