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  • Easter Brings Memories of Passion Play in Lake Wales

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Apr 1, 2021

    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...

  • Maria Tovar Becomes 100th Family Literacy Academy GED Recipient

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jun 16, 2019

    Maria Tovar just achieved two major milestones: she obtained her high school equivalency diploma (GED) and became the 100th person to accomplish that goal with the help of the Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy. Cleaning houses for a living and taking care of her 5- and 8-year-old children kept her so busy that there were times she thought about quitting. She dropped out of Lake Wales High School her junior year and wasn't sure she would ever be able to earn a GED or go to...

  • Summer Salad #2 Broccoli Salad

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 30, 2019

    Broccoli Salad 2# broccoli, cooked to taste (boil 4-7 minutes), then drained ½ cup mayonnaise of choice 1 teaspoon whole grain Dijon mustard zest of 1 large lemon ¼ + 1/8 t table salt or 1 t anchovy paste Mix the remaining ingredients while the broccoli is cooking. After the broccoli is well drained, stir in the mayo mixture. Chill or serve warm. Anchovy paste doesn't make this taste fishy, but adds umami flavor. If you use anchovy paste, omit the salt. Omit the...

  • Aspen Dental Offers Free Care for Veterans

    Updated May 29, 2019

    Aspen Dental in Lake Wales is offering free dental care to veterans on Saturday June 8 as part of its annual Day of Service. In a notice about the offering Dr. Maryam Bangash, dentist/owner of the Aspen Dental in Lake Wales, said "Each year, hundreds of Aspen Dental practices around the country designate one day to help those in our communities that have given so much of themselves without asking for anything in return . . . our veterans." On Saturday, June 8, Aspen Dental...

  • Free Health Fair May 31 in Auburndale

    Updated May 29, 2019

    A free Central Florida Health Expo is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. May 31 at the International Market World Flea and Farmers Market, 1052 U.S. 92 West in Auburndale. Hosted by the Central Florida Media Group, the Expo will include free health screenings, door prize drawings, healthcare education and health insurance information and enrollment. For more information or to reserve exhibitor space call 863-248-7547 or visit www.centralfloridamediagroup.com/events. The...

  • Yoga: Spinal Stretch 2

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 29, 2019

    Yoga is a great tool for relaxation, and the exercises stretch the body, resulting in better muscle tone, balance, and general health. This video is entitled Morning Spinal Warmup, and is the first in a series by contributor Megan Rimer, owner and instructor for Yoga Bliss, a local studio. If you are interested in classes, she can be reached at 813/299-5159. Namaste....

  • Morning Spinal Warmup

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 28, 2019

    Yoga is a great tool for relaxation, and the exercises stretch the body, resulting in better muscle tone, balance, and general health. This video is entitled Morning Spinal Warmup, and is the first in a series by contributor Megan Rimer, owner and instructor for Yoga Bliss, a local studio. If you are interested in classes, she can be reached at 813/299-5159. Namaste....

  • Kairos Prison Ministry Volunteers Prepare for May 25 Weekend

    Cassie Jacoby, Lifestyles Editor|Updated May 26, 2019

    A team of Kairos Prison Ministry Weekend volunteers is headed to the Avon Park Correctional Institution to bring light into the darkness of prison during the annual event that begins Friday, May 25. The mission of Kairos, a Greek word meaning in "God's Special Time" or in the "Fullness of Time," is to share the transforming love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ to impact the hearts and lives of incarcerated men, women and youth, as well as their families, to become loving and p...

  • Book Review. Don't Sing Songs to a Heavy Heart:

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 22, 2019

    A friend of mine, Gene, died on May 4th about one in the afternoon. His brother called to tell me of his peaceful passing. We had been friends for a long time, although we hadn’t seen each other in person for 15 years. Sometimes we talked on the phone multiple times a week; sometimes a month would go by before we talked. We knew this was coming. Lung cancer. He was a smoker. He didn’t call me for a while last fall and when he finally did, he said he hadn’t wanted to worry...

  • Five Minute Spicy Corn Chowder for One

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 21, 2019

    1 cup corn 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice 1/16 teaspoon garlic powder 1/16 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce 2 drops liquid smoke Pulse 5 times in a high speed blender. Pour into a pan and heat over medium stirring or into a bowl and microwave stirring and testing after each minute. I ate at the Blue Corn Café in Santa Fe many years ago. I've been making versions of this soup ever since. It is still on the menu described as...

  • Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society Meeting May 16

    Updated May 14, 2019

    Lesta Woods of Vantage Deluxe Travel will be introducing her series Wine Cheese Travel Parties showcasing countries around the world at this month's Living Out Loud Poet's and Writer's Society. The group meeting starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, 250 E. Park Ave. in historic downtown Lake Wales. Woods is also this month's Guest Poet reading from her book, Thinker Thoughts. Also, the group will introduce the first of many Performing Arts in...

  • Summer Salad #1

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 14, 2019

    Black bean & roasted corn salad, 2-3 servings This simple combination fills me up with great flavor and doesn't leave me feeling heavy. You can tweak it to your own taste and make it even better. 1 can black beans, drained & rinsed 1 10 oz. bag frozen organic corn roasted at 450º for 30 minutes or until slightly brown ½ red bell pepper, chopped 2 green onions, sliced 25 pitted kalamata olives, sliced 2 T parsley ¼ jalapeno, chopped very fine (optional) You...

  • Polk State's Oguntola Receives Community Leadership Award

    Updated May 14, 2019

    Andy Oguntola, director of the Polk State College J.D. Alexander Center, was presented with the Community Leadership Award at the Thursday, May 9 annual awards gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Past winner Brian Marbutt of Citizens Bank and Trust presented the award and announced to the crowd that Oguntola had recently completed his doctorate in higher education leadership. Oguntola started out by thanking "Jesus Christ, my Lord...

  • City Manager Fields Named Public Servant of the Year

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 14, 2019

    City Manager Ken Fields was named Public Servant of the Year at the May 9 Annual Awards Gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. The award was presented by last year's winner, Kathy Bangley, the city's director of planning and development. She said when she won the award she didn't realize she'd be presenting the next one to her boss. She cited his 30 plus years' experience in government and the private sector. "To be a public servant...

  • Family Literacy Academy Recognized as Community Service Organization of the Year

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 14, 2019

    The Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy was recognized as the Community Service Organization of the Year at the May 9 Annual Awards Gala of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council. Academy Board Member, longtime tutor and volunteer Howard Kay presented the award to founders Deming Cowles and Gail Crum and also praised the volunteers and staff: "They're so selfless, they truly deserve this award. Kay announced that just this week two more adults...

  • Rotary on the Ridge Adds New Member

    Updated May 8, 2019

    Rotary on the Ridge installed a new member Monday, May 6. Professional photographer LaVaughn Williamson was sponsored by John Walldorf. Williamson moved to Indian Lake Estates four years ago from the Atlanta area, where he grew up. He owns Williamson Photography of Lake Wales, a full-service photography business that produces still photography and videos. He also has a remote pilot's license from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly a drone, which he uses for aerial...

  • Wound Center Receives Prestigious Award for 7th Straight Year

    Updated May 8, 2019

    For the 7th consecutive year, Lake Wales Medical Center's Wound Healing Center has received the Robert A. Warriner III, M.D., Center of Excellence award from Healogics for outstanding patient outcomes and superior patient satisfaction ratings. To achieve the award, the Wound Healing Center must achieve patient satisfaction rates higher than 92 percent, and a healing rate of at least 91 percent in less than 30 median days to heal. "We are very proud of this award, but more...

  • New Art at Melange: Florida Highwaymen Gibson and Roberts

    Robert Bullock, Staff Writer|Updated May 8, 2019

    Melange Antiques and Art Gallery, at 250 East Park Avenue in Lake Wales, is proud to offer some very exciting and collectible new art. Recently, the ever-popular and prolific local artist, educator, and storyteller Tom Freeman, along with his good friend Marcia Pennington, have agreed to be artists in residence at Melange, so there will always be several works by each artist on permanent display in the showroom. "We sold one of them less than an hour after the artists dropped...

  • Vanguard School's Maready Announces Retirement Plans

    Updated May 8, 2019

    Longtime Lake Wales area educator Harold Maready has announced plans to retire after 50 years in education at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Maready has been Head of the Vanguard School since July 2014. "Harold's commitment to Vanguard School and to every child who walked through its doors has inspired us all," said Peter Phillips, chair of the Vanguard Board of Trustees. "In concert with a team of extraordinary educators, Harold has led Vanguard to reach its highest...

  • Bellies-2-Babies Opens in Downtown Lake Wales

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 8, 2019

    People embarking on a travel adventure do research and consult professionals. Janet Farmer says new parents also should be fully prepared for what she calls the adventure of childbirth. "I feel like birth is the trip of a lifetime. It's an epic adventure and it takes preparation," Farmer said. That's why Farmer opened her new "gathering place," Bellies-2-Babies, in the historic downtown Lake Wales arcade, where she'll offer "workshops and doula services to help families...

  • Health and Wellness Snippets

    Nancy Gossard, Wellness Editor|Updated May 3, 2019

    Here is a compilation of recent articles of relevance to our readers. I hope that's something just for you! From NPR.org: Are compassionate doctors better at their jobs? The short answer? Yes. In their new book Compassionomics, two physicians lay out their research findings about the win-win effects of compassionate care. When doctors take the time to make human connections that help end suffering, patient outcomes improve and medical costs decrease. It also helps health care...

  • Family Literacy Academy Celebrates Founders Cowles and Crum

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated May 2, 2019

    Lake Wales Family Literacy Academy friends and volunteers celebrated founders Deming Cowles and Gail Crum at a dinner Friday night, April 26. The Lake Wales High School orchestra, directed by teacher Meg Smith, performed a special concert for the event, closing with "You Raise Me Up," as a tribute to what Cowles and Crum do for others. Howard Kay, a longtime academy volunteer and board member, praised the commitment of Cowles and Crum: "I never dreamed of all the families...

  • Hospital Seeks Patient Advisory Council Members

    Updated Apr 30, 2019

    Lake Wales Medical Center is seeking applicants for its Patient Advisory Council. "Having patients and family members give their perspective on their hospital experience provides invaluable information to us as a means to improve the overall patient experience," said Andrea Clyne, Chief Nursing Officer. "So we've formed this Patient Advisory Council to offer insights to us." Feedback received from the Council will be used to improve hospital operations, patient safety,...

  • An Interview with Andrew Allen, LW Arts Council Executive Director

    Lake Wales Arts Council|Updated Apr 30, 2019

    The Lake Wales Arts Council is excited to announce that Executive Director Andrew Allen will be performing a tribute to the Modern Jazz Quartet at 7 p.m. May in Updike Hall. We had a conversation with Andrew on his career, accomplishments, and inspiration. We hope you enjoy this interview! How has the Modern Jazz Quartet's music influenced your career as a musician? I first heard of the Modern Jazz Quartet when I was studying for my Bachelor of Music degree at the University...

  • Crowd Enjoys 93rd Easter Sunrise Service at Bok Tower

    Terri Miller, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 23, 2019

    The 93rd annual sunrise service at Bok Tower In Lake Wales is a tradition for many people and families. The sun created the horizon at exactly 6:59 and the brisk spring breeze gave all who attended one more reason to pull out the sweaters, boots and pashminas before the mercury rises and humidity sets in. The birds singing joined in to the chorus of the Lake Wales Chorale and orchestra. Carillon music filled the air. The crowd sang "In Christ Alone," and the sounds of...

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