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There is a lot of uncertainty today, not the least of which is the effect the coronavirus is having, and will have in the long run. I have seen posts today stating that the National Guard is being called into service in some states. I've read where Italy has determined not to treat older people who have the virus (think socialized medicine). We have watched the stock market plunge, losing most of what it had gained in months prior. The President has declared a national...
Due to a deadly virus, one with a 100% mortality rate, governments have secured the services of the world's most prominent scientist to find an antidote. Many ideas have been brought forward, but none were successful. The government has declared a State Of Emergency. Laboratories were being set up throughout every city, and at which time the civil service siren sounded, residents of that community were to come to the laboratory in their community to be tested; scientists were...
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 University of Florida has announced plans to honor attorney and Lake Wales City Commissioner Robin Gibson for a lifetime of exceptional accomplishments related to his law career and his support for education. An Evening of Excellence presented by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at the University of Florida was originally planned for April 17, but due to coronavirus concerns will be rescheduled once people can safely gather again. In announcing the recognition,...
One year ago April 15, a devasting fire broke out at Notre Dame Cathedral, nearly destroying the iconic destination. The cathedral's bourdon bell (the largest bell) was rung for the first time on the one year anniversary as a symbol of resiliency and support for the French frontline health workers. In tandem with this message of hope, Bok Tower Gardens' Carillonneur Geert D'hollander rang the Singing Tower's Bourdon 10 times and then shared his performance of "La Vie En Rose"...
Attending the annual Easter Sunrise Service has been a tradition for generations; however, this year, viewers will be able to worship in new ways. Bok Tower Gardens has made two viewing options available. First via Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/boktowergardens/ or second, the embedded virtual viewer on the Bok Tower Gardens website at https://boktowergardens.org/join-us-live/. The service is also being recorded and uploaded later to the Bok Tower Gardens YouTube...
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...
ElderPoint Ministries of Greater Lakeland is a non-profit agency committed to serving nutrition and transportation needs of elderly Polk County residents, with a goal of meeting seniors at their point of need. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for senior residents of Polk County through empowering services that support healthy, independent living. The ministry delivered 45 hot meals Thursday from Mission BBQ to clients in Winter Haven and Lakeland and continued...
Addicts and alcoholics will be quick to jump into a detox program in hopes to solve their addiction in 3-7 days. One of the reasons they get stuck on drugs and alcohol is because when they try and stop they go into withdrawal and it is very uncomfortable. Short-term medical detox programs will get you through the physical withdrawal as comfortably as possible with the use of drugs, and that's really it. Let's not forget that they still need to deal with why they got addicted...
Many people would find this very surprising but Soma abuse is actually very common and being prescribed by tons of pain management clinics. Be cautious of the effects this medication could have on you or someone else. Soma is a muscle relaxant that acts as a sedative of the central nervous system putting it in the drug class of a tranquilizer. It has been known to be mixed with other narcotics to form different kinds of "cocktails" which can be deadly. A person abusing Soma...
Kathryn "Kat" Gates-Skipper from Lake Wales, along with 16 fellow Floridians, was inducted Monday, March 9 into The Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame at the Capitol Building in Tallahassee. The Florida Veterans' Foundation joined with the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs to recognize these Military Veterans that have made a significant contribution to the State of Florida. The Medal Ceremony began at 10:30 a.m. in the Cabinet Meeting room. The medal was presented by CFO...
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...
The Early Learning Coalition of Polk County is encouraging parents who want to help prepare their preschoolers for kindergarten to sign them up for a VPK (Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten) Program. ELC officials say VPK provides high quality early childhood programs that will include great introductions into literacy, math and important social emotional learning skills. They say at the end of the program VPK students score higher on school readiness tests and are better prepared...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...