Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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Editor's Note: This message is being reprinted from the sheriff's Cyberstar Community Update: Dear Friend, As all of you probably know by now, a man by the name of George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25. Clearly and unequivocally, the death of George Floyd at the hands of those officers was outrageous and we need to hold them accountable for his death. Though it took too long in my opinion, all four have now been charged. Since Mr. Floyd's...
We are elected to make tough decisions for the citizens of our community and the betterment of our city. I have always been a stand alone official, where I do not have anyone controlling me on the way I vote. I like to say I speak to everyone in our community and beyond to help me make the best decision. In this position you will not make everyone happy, but you must ultimately feel good about the decision you made because people will hold you accountable for your vote. The...
Hello my name is Curtis Gibson, I am a Lake Wales city commissioner in district 19, seat 2. I never thought about getting into politics. In fact, I used to say I am not a politician. The fact of the matter is I am. When I jumped into this arena it was in 2015 when I ran for mayor of Lake Wales. I was terrified and didn't know what the outcome was going to be. I had so many people from both sides wanting to know who pushed me to run against the mayor and I simply told them I...
I am so blessed to live in such a wonderful and diverse state. Not only do we get to boast about being the happiest place on earth because Disney World is not too far down the road, but we also are a huge agriculture state - from citrus to cattle to fruits and vegetables. Sometimes I take it for granted how blessed I am to have all this bounty around me. When my sister asked if I wanted to go pick blueberries three weeks ago, I was so excited. Growing up, I thought...
Greater love has no man than this, that a man would lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13. Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Those who serve are certainly cut from a different cloth and while I was at the Lake Wales History Museum today, I decided to go and actually read the plaque that has been there for, well, I don't actually know how long it has been there. What is says is, "BLUE STAR...
The recent kerfuffle in Lake Wales over a secular invocation and the subsequent rush by the commission to craft a policy that would exclude future similar invocations is nothing more or less than history repeating itself. One would have hoped that nearly 250 years of hands-on experience with the religious freedom and the equality guaranteed by our constitution would have brought us to a point where offering an invocation in a public meeting would immediately be met with "Cool....
Think of 25 people you know. One of them is likely atheist. And probably afraid of you finding out. We know that there are even nonbelievers working in governments and sitting on Boards or holding other elected positions who feel their nonreligious identities must remain hidden because they are made to feel as second class by things like discriminatory invocation practices and some of the public response we saw this week in Lake Wales, FL. A few weeks ago, I was approached by...
In Luke's Gospel (chapter 10) we read about 70 disciples, who had been sent out by Jesus, returning to the Lord sharing what they had experienced. Jesus told them that they should rejoice, not for what they had accomplished, but because their names were written in heaven. Hearing this, a certain lawyer (an interpreter and teacher of the Mosaic law) asked the Lord, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, you are a lawyer, you tell me. The lawyer stated, "Thou...
Theologian John Wesley is attributed with once saying that "Christ came to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable." After witnessing the actions of several local "Christian" leaders, I believe Rev. Wesley's words proved, unfortunately, to be true of those "comfortable" religious leaders that felt compelled to speak out during the Lake Wales City Commissioners meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. Controversy had been generated after a person, personally identified as...
I found out that this job can be incredibly challenging. It is not part-time as some will say. This job is tough, and it is not for everyone. You can be elected today and gone the next time around. Especially, if you are not up to putting in the work to carry out your duty to the people who elected you. There is no one-sided view on ANYTHING - you need to have an open mind and a drive to search for the answers that you need to effectively make the best decision for the people...
The Democratic National Convention starts Aug. 17, and Polk County Democrats will be revving up enthusiasm with three "Ridin' with Biden" caravans the day before the convention kicks off in Milwaukee. On Sunday, Aug. 16, the caravans will start at 2 p.m. at three Polk locations. One will start in Lakeland, one in Poinciana, and one in Winter Haven. One hundred cars or more are expected to hit the road in Polk. They'll join thousands of cars around Florida that will be...
Sandy Dent is very worried about her 9-pound chihuahua that got frightened and ran off during to the July 4 fireworks. Valdez has kidney disease and without special food he could get sick and die. The fawn colored dog with a little white fur on his neck, chest and toes was lost from the Nature's Edge Community on Orchid Boulevard in Lake Wales. He was first seen standing by the entrance to Jennings Resort where Watkins Road curves into Canal Road near Cherry Pocket. Then Dent...
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, founded January 16, 1920, began as an idea conceived by five coeds at Howard University in Washington D.C.: Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings and Fannie Pettie Watts. These five women, also known as our Five Pearls, dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization predicated on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and...
Efforts to beautify and green Lake Wales streets got another boost Saturday as community volunteers led by the Lake Wales Woman's Club prepared three street "triangles" along Lakeshore Boulevard for new floral plantings. "I'm totally stoked!" said Bonnie Poller, who is chair of the Environment Committee of the Woman's Club, which is spearheading the project. "Neighbors came out to help." More than a dozen volunteers participated. "This was only Phase one," Poller added....
Zachary Kirkland was in middle school when he started his own non-profit called Silly Sock Saturdays. Now a rising senior at Lake Wales High School, Zachary continues his mission of making hospital stays more pleasant for children by providing them a gift bag with silly socks, toys, games and other items. "Being able to help those in a hard and stressful situation is the reason for creating the nonprofit and getting to hear the feedback and know that what I do invokes a smile...
A group of Lake Wales police officers were treated to a free tasty lunch and desserts on Friday by a group of homeowners from Lake Ashton, who wanted to show their appreciation for the peace-keeping efforts of the department. "The Loop" is a five-block neighborhood of the sprawling development on the north side of Lake Wales, and home of a casual organization that organizes community events three times a month. Calling itself the Looplanders, the neighborhood group has been...
Getting outside provides more than a fun break for adults, children and teens. It is also good for your physical and mental health and development. While staying at home and adhering to guidelines and recommendations during the current coronavirus crisis, spending time gardening is a way to nurture health and wellness for yourself and your children. Gardening is a great form of exercise and regular gardening can bring the joys of woodland animals, beautiful butterflies and...
First Baptist Church of Lake Wales will be holding its annual Vacation Bible School online July 20-24, encouraging children to focus on God. Parents of children ages 4 through 5th grade may register online at www.fbclw.com/vbs-2020. The church will provide a VBS resource box at a parent meeting at the church Sunday, July19. "VBS 2020 may look different, but we're still excited to help kids dive deeper into their faith by putting the FOCUS on God and his amazing plan for us,"...
Rotary on the Ridge held its first "hybrid" meeting Monday, June 22 to install new President Trey Heath and offer thanks to outgoing President Herb Gillis. About 15 members gathered in person, while another 10 used the ZOOM platform to participate online. District 6890 Governor Kip Kipnis was installing officer for Heath, who officially becomes club president July 1. The club postponed its annual celebration and further recognition of Gillis and other members to July 22, in...
Shock, stunned disbelief blanketed Bartow last Sunday, June 7, as the community learned Ken Riley, 72, died suddenly from a massive heart attack. Heartbroken tributes posted on Facebook paying tribute to the NFL all-star demonstrated how beloved and well-respected he was, and showing the fragility of life. "He was at the Solemn Assembly yesterday and seemed fine," wrote Richard Dreyer on his Facebook page, as Riley was among the more than 100 people gathered. "Yes, a great per...
After more than 13 years of devoted service to the mission of ElderPoint Ministries, Executive Director Jane Hammond is taking the next step in her career journey and leaving the organization at the end of May. "I took the job for 6 months and stayed for over 13 years. It is simply time to start a new chapter for me and for ElderPoint to continue to grow under new leadership," said Hammond. During Hammond's tenure, ElderPoint Ministries of Greater Lakeland expanded to include...
In the midst of Florida's stay at home order, the clubwomen of GFWC Florida (www.gfwcflorida.org) used online meeting technology to announce the unprecedented accomplishments of their 8,400 volunteer force. Participating in the online celebrations were clubwomen and guests from across the state and dignitaries from the General Federation of Women's Clubs (www.gfwc.org). GFWC Florida club women volunteered over 1.2 million hours in 2019, a 50% increase over 2018, and donated...
For those of us who've called Lake Wales home, for many decades. For those of us who've had moms, dads, grandparents who've made the Lake Wales Public Library a part of their family's routine since the 1960s, Mrs. Frances Prescott would have been part of your happy place in a pre-internet world. From the bottom of our hearts, we are so sad. Fran was an amazing public servant. She was the library staff member who knew what a child needed. There were no....Accelerated Readers, n...
"Small gestures in everyday life," like showing compassion and performing random acts of kindness, help us feel loved. During this time of the Covid-19 "Stay at Home" rules that so many are diligently upholding, what happens to those elderly and infirm people who don't have the luxury of being in their own homes with their loved ones around them? They are stuck in a nursing facility where they cannot interact with other residents and everyone looks strange in their masks and g...
Since September Raymond had been living in his car. The music education major at Polk State College said he had two blankets for cold nights, but if he didn't remember to tape his car's door gaps on rainy nights the water poured in and woke him. Raymond stayed committed to his studies despite spending most nights in a WalMart parking lot. Two weeks ago he left the ranks of the homeless and moved into the new Lenfestey Scholarship House at the Manse on Avenue Q in Winter...
