Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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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...
How has the Holy Spirit been prompting you to seek God? What are some things you can do this week to grow closer to Him? This was an interesting question from Our Daily Bread Bible daily devotional recently because I have been on a more spiritual path since 2017 than a religious path. I have been seeking my truth; Why am I here? What promise did I make to be born into my mother's womb? What is my soul's purpose? I have come to believe we are spiritual beings having a human...
How do we worship during a pandemic? With our connected world, we are fortunate to have the ability to still connect via the internet or devices such as phones, tablets and computers. While church offices may still be open and operating, social distancing is very important. I thought I'd start by telling how First Baptist Church of Lake Wales, my home church, is still serving The greater Lake Wales community during this unprecedented time. I reached out to Sr. Pastor Dr....
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 current health crisis has noticeably altered many of our ideas of what, and who, is most important. Some of the things we would have listed as essential in order for us to have a "successful" life on March 1, may not have made our list here at the end of May. The perspective, words, and interactions we have with others has likely been altered by COVID-19. Upon further reading and reflecting on John 15:13 in recent weeks, (Greater love has no one than this, that someone...
Not having lived through a global pandemic, every day may seem fraught with more uncertainty. Here are some pieces of information regarding our present situation that I believe to be true: • Some people have gotten sick or died, and it is a small percentage of the population. • More people are in very serious need of daily food, monthly shelter, and steady employment. • Everyone has been inconvenienced at the very least, some much more inconvenienced than others. • We are mov...
There are times when acquaintances in our life provide a timely and caring prayer or action of encouragement that reminds us to keep going, to persevere in where we are or the direction we are moving. There are times when companions in our life provide a necessary rebuke or message for us to straighten up, remember the bigger picture, and get on to where we need to be. There are also times when certain people just give us their silent presence and complete attention in a...
"Look at me." "I did this." "He is not as good as me." "She is bad, and I deserve your attention." While phrases along these lines are most often uttered by young children (or politicians in Washington D.C.), we all struggle to some degree with jealously and envy in every sphere of our lives. Contentment is tough. Personally, I realize more and more every day, every hour even, that I need divine help, grace, and protection from erronously striving for recognition from others,...
We are constantly bombarded with pieces of information (verbal and nonverbal) from news reports, children, neighbors, employers, employees, government, churches, parents, marketing companies, and many others. For each of us, how we observe the world around us depends on the quantity and specific providers of the information we choose to consume throughout our waking hours. The specific media platforms which we tune in, people with whom we socialize, and establishments we...
As severe thunderstorms are rolling through Lake Wales this morning, I am reminded that we are truly at God's mercy, and He sustains us. It can be frustrating to plan our day, our week, our job search, our special event, our retirement, our funerals, etc; only to have things like ailments, illnesses, flat tires, weather, power/wi-fi outages, other people, newly discovered home repair needs, company layoffs, or world-wide pandemics upset our plan. Personally, I have attempted...
Life in Lake Wales has changed dramatically since early March 2020. Many more people are now truly struggling with making ends meet financially. More people are battling with mental and physical health challenges. Many non-retirees are inconvenienced with the new way of children "going" to school, and "going" to our job (if we are fortunate to still have employment). Many retirees are inconvenienced with getting around stores, or the new methods for getting medicine....
After a week of monitoring visitor safety concerns, Bok Tower Gardens reopened Monday, June 1, without timed ticket entry. For limited contact service, visitors may purchase tickets online. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the gate upon arrival. The member preview week provided enough data and onsite evaluation that Bok Tower Gardens leadership felt comfortable suspending the advance ticket/timed entry requirement making the admission process more accessible and...
To provide the community with a beautiful destination for healthy walks and mental well-being, Bok Tower Gardens is reopening to the public on Monday, June 1, with timed entry. A soft opening for members is planned for May 26 through May 31. Until further notice, all visitors/members planning to visit the Gardens must reserve/purchase a ticket at boktowergardens.org before arriving at the entrance gate. Visitors must select their entry time from the following periods: 10...
Faith communities around Central Florida are making decisions about re-opening for services and one church in Lake Wales has decided this Sunday, May 17, is the time to re-open their Sunday Morning Worship Celebration to the public. This service, which begins at 10:30 a.m. has been live-streamed since before the pandemic and will continue to be shown on four platforms. The lead pastor at First Baptist, Dr. Scott Markley, reports the views on those platforms have been good...
On a typical Earth Day, Bok Tower Gardens would be filled with the sounds of thousands of local school children learning about nature, wildlife, conservation, and more. However, on the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2020, the beautiful music of the Singing Tower and images of the stunning Gardens will be streamed to the community instead. Celebrating Earth Day's 50th Birthday Understanding the importance of this day in the current pandemic, the education team at Bok...
Despite being physically closed due to COVID-19 virus precautions, the Lake Wales Public Library is celebrating National Library Week, April 19-25. The library is inviting all community members to find the library from their own personal place by visiting the website, www.lakewalesfl.gov/library to access virtual services and resources. Despite the temporary closure, the public can discover ebooks, movies, video games, online storytimes and much more-all from home on our websi...
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"...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
