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  • 5 Psalms a Day Helps Keep the Adversary Away

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Do you have a busy life with many responsibilities? Are you feeling frustrated, tired, and beaten down by the "new normal" of COVID-19, work (or unemployment), kids' eLearning, personal health issues, a relative in ill-heath, talk of hurricanes, rhetoric in the 2020 political season, the media, social media, adolescents, a broken down vehicle, etc, etc, etc? Ponder this advice someone reminded me (a busy person, a recovering legalist, and someone who likes math) of recently....

  • Taking Sides

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Trump or Biden? Mask or no mask? Open school or eLearning? Open the economy, or public safety? Work or family? Push through and get it done, or pull back and reflect? Make a splash, or keep a low profile? Prove your point, or stay out of it? Conspiracy theories, or Occam's razor? Grace and mercy, or truth? Ephesians 5:19-21, or Ephesians 5:22-24? Cut the grass, or clean the garage? Has the pandemic and less physical interaction with people caused you to think that everything...

  • Reading to Challenge Our Thinking

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Are we reading words that genuinely challenge our current thinking? Do we read books, blogs, posts, and news feeds that only tend to be in line with our world experiences? Are we drawn to read organized printed thoughts (which are likely edited for maximum impact) that really only infuriate us to the point of more solidly reaffirming our preconceived world view? We are blessed to have the ability to actually read and comprehend meaning in printed symbols. There is so much...

  • Proverbs 30 in 2020

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    As the events around of COVID-19 continue to unfold and test our human and societal frailties and brokenness, I have been pondering many verses from Proverbs 30. May these words from God, penned many years ago by someone named Agur, be Humbling, Encouraging, Lasting, or Priming for all of us (author included) in these days. 1The man declares, I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. 2 Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. 3 I...

  • Sins of Omission

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Forgive me Father, for the many times I have not done what You have placed on my heart to do. There were things that I perceived were right to pursue, but out of inconvenience, discomfort, tradition, distraction, fear, or procrastination I did not pursue them. There are many times, when we are confronted with a difficult situation that we run from it, preferring not to "rock the boat" or not face criticism from others. Let us act in accordance with God's will for where and...

  • No Masking the Importance

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    In times of injustice, sickness, turmoil, and fear, where should we turn? Why should we turn there? Here are some instructions we should heed from Paul: 1 Thessalonians 5:17-22: Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (ESV) 1 Timothy 2:1,8: First of all, then, I urge that...

  • We ALL Need Help

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Have you watched the news lately; or checked Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, or other "media" outlets recently? James 3:6-8: And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full...

  • Be Encouraged

    Christian Ponder, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    Whether it is the half-anniversary of when the pandemic shutdowns began in full in Lake Wales, the 19th anniversary of September 11th, or listening to the rhetoric with being less than two months from "the most important election in our lifetime," or all of these and much more, life may seem scary and unprecedented these days to some. To the majority of others in the world (and even people in Lake Wales) daily life was extremely challenging before the pandemic, actually...

  • Letter to Class of 1985 to Right a Hurtful Wrong

    Terri Miller, Staff Writer|Updated Jan 10, 2021

    In 2016, I was compelled by something deep inside me to right a wrong. The wrong, I felt, was how I had been treating other people my entire life. At the time, Lake Wales News, print newspaper, was still in operation and I thought I would write a letter and submit the letter to the editorial department in hopes it would get published. I had never sent a letter to a newspaper before, but I had a heavy heart and I wanted to apologize. I was raised in the same town I live in even...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Oct. 26

    Updated Oct 29, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Oct. 19

    Updated Oct 22, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Oct. 5

    Updated Oct 7, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • Lake Wales Public Library Offers New Adult Learning

    Updated Oct 7, 2020

    Polk County residents now have free access to Gale Presents: Udemy, an online learning platform that connects patrons to video-based courses taught by leading experts in business, technology, and more. Users can explore thousands of continuously updated, on-demand video courses. As the employment landscape continues to change, workers are being tasked to learn new technologies and skills to stay competitive. It is essential for libraries to offer services that help adults...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Sept. 21

    Updated Sep 23, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Sept. 14

    Updated Sep 16, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Sept. 1

    Updated Sep 3, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Aug. 17

    Updated Aug 20, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Aug. 10

    Updated Aug 13, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at the Lake Wales Public Library - Week of Aug. 3

    Updated Aug 13, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • New Books at the Lake Wales Public Library - Week of July 27

    Updated Jul 30, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, has revived a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • Summer Arts Camp Now Online and Free for All

    Chevon T. Baccus APR, Executive Editor|Updated Jul 30, 2020

    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...

  • New Books at the Lake Wales Public Library - Week of July 20

    Updated Jul 22, 2020

    The Lake Wales Public Library, with the assistance of lakewalesnews.net, is reviving a tradition that existed in our local weekly newspaper for many years, the publication of a sampling of new books available at our library. The list will be updated weekly. The Lake Wales Public Library continues to offer safe door-side pickup of materials during our current hours of operation. Call the library to request that holds are placed on items for pickup at the Lake Wales Public...

  • Lake Wales Cancels 2020 Pioneer Days Festival

    Updated Jul 15, 2020

    With regard to the health environment in Polk County, the Lake Wales History Museum has cancelled the Pioneer Days Festival, originally scheduled to take place on October 24 & 25, 2020. The health and safety of our community is first and foremost, and due to the national and local concern regarding coronavirus, hosting a large scale event of this proportion is not possible this year. The Pioneer Days Festival encourages engagement with vendors, historical demonstrators, food...

  • Restoring a Vision

    Robert Connors, Lake Wales Heritage|Updated Jun 24, 2020

    Lake Wales has long been known as "The Crown Jewel of the Ridge," but that didn't happen by accident. It took the efforts of Edward Bok and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. While many are familiar with Bok, the name of Olmsted, arguably the more significant historic figure, is an enigma. It was Olmsted who designed Bok's famous gardens, as well as Mountain Lake, and scores of private landscapes there. It was Olmsted who designed the Colony House, and our familiar Town Clock. And it...

  • Alligator Nesting Season Closes Some Trails at Circle B Bar Reserve

    Updated Jun 24, 2020

    A portion of Alligator Alley and all of Marsh Rabbit Run at Circle B Bar Reserve has been closed until further notice due to alligator nesting season. Alligators often become territorial and protective of their nests and young during this time of year. The trail closure is to protect wildlife and keep people safe during nesting season. Visitors can still access the dock on Lake Hancock by hiking the Shady Oak trail to Alligator Alley. Signs are posted at the beginning of the...

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