Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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As you read this, you may see yourself. Parts of the story might remind you of someone that you know. Maybe you've heard similar stories. The number of stories are as limited as there are people, 'cause everyone has their own. No two are exactly alike but the conclusions are the same. How about the hookers, the junkies, the drug dealers, the homeless because they want to be, etc.? The so-called "dregs of society." I've even heard them called "pimples on the ass of humanity."...
According to the philosopher, John Dewey, the primary drive in every man's life, without exception, is the desire to be somebody. Take John Dillinger for example. He was once America's public enemy number one. On the loose, one night in a rural Wisconsin area the notorious gangster suddenly appeared in the living room of an elderly couple. Sensing their benumbed terror, he spoke reassuringly, "I'm not here to hurt you; I just want you to know I'm John Dillinger." By contrast,...
There's just something inherently wrong about people who clearly don't understand social media trying to regulate others' use of it. Lake Wales City Manager Ken Fields, through the city's HR director, proposed a social media policy that required not only employees, but also city officials to get approval prior to posting on social media. At 72, Fields is at the upper end of the Baby Boomer generation. According to a 2018 Facebook demographic study only one in four people over...
Wow, what a week! People are important in each community. Yes, even in Lake Wales. We honor the Pioneer every year, we elect city commissioners, and there are many other important people who don't hold city positions who affect our daily lives. Although what I am about to write about isn't directly related to the City proper, all of these helped shape me to become the person I am. I now understand the importance of bringing these outside experiences back to my town. For 10...
Just four months ago the Lake Wales City Commission leased a 2019 Ford Explorer XLT for the police department. That vehicle apparently wasn't good enough for City Manager Ken Fields. Instead Fields wanted the 2019 Ford Explorer Limited, which comes loaded with luxury, comfort, power and cosmetic features not included in the XLT. It also comes with 60 monthly payments of $773.17 – about $227 more per month than what the XLT costs. The Limited is a really nice vehicle. It comes...
Capt. Beau Mabery loves being part of the Blue Angels team. It's the second year for the U.S. Marine captain from California to fly "Fat Albert," the C-130 transport that carries the U.S. Navy aviators and their equipment to about 60 air shows a year. Mabery said flying into Lakeland Linder Airport for the 45th Annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-In and Expo was an interesting experience, "like flying into a hornet's nest of planes all around." Thousands of private pilots fly to Lakeland ea...
Hosting 200,000 guests is a big undertaking. More than 2,000 volunteers helped make things happen at the 45th Annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-in & Expo at Lakeland's Linder Airport April 2-7. They shuttle guests in golf carts, offer hospitality as greeters and serve in many different roles, selling tickets, checking wristbands and helping with media or in a variety of logistical jobs. Jack Madden from Frostproof has been volunteering for eight years. He and wife Sandy moved from Key...
United Way of Central Florida will have a new president and CEO April 1. The Board of Directors named Christina Criser Jackson to lead the organization. Criser Jackson, vice president of resource development, began her career at UWCF in 2008 as the Director of the Leadership Giving Association. In 2012, Criser Jackson was named Vice President of Major Gifts and Young Leader Engagement. She was named VP of Resource Development in 2015. "Christina knows the ins and outs of this...
Rotary on the Ridge inducted Destini Lewis as a new member March 18. Lewis is Realtor ® and founder of her own company, Unique Destiny. She was sponsored by the club's newest member, Jonathan White, who supports her in marketing her real estate business, Homeexpo. Rotary on the Ridge is family friendly, and members have enjoyed getting to know White, Lewis and their 3-month-old Lily and 9-year-old Charles-Anthony. The family lives in Bartow. The county's only after hours...
The GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales raised more than $1,000 at its March 8 spaghetti dinner, reaching nearly half of their goal of $2500 in support of Operation Smile. Operation Smile is an international nonprofit that offers life-saving surgery to children with a cleft palate or cleft lip. Each year, Operation Smile conducts hundreds of medical missions in locations around the world. Club members donated all the supplies, prepared and served the food so the entire proceeds...
The Lake Wales Branch of the American Association of University Women is offering Educational Achievement Awards to mature women residents of Polk County who are interested in continuing their education. Recipients must be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education. The postmark deadline is Friday, March 8 for applicants to write a letter with proof of college admission. Award winner will be chosen by March 31, and selected recipients must attend AAUW luncheon o...
Stacy Gayle, RN, was named Employee of the Month for January for Lake Wales Medical Center. A Charge Nurse since 2017, Stacy consistently receives accolades. "Her quality of care is superior," one patient told a nurse leader. "Her level of compassion and empathy is amazing and refreshing." Her supervisor noted, "Stacy ensures the patients and their families are well informed and able to participate in their care. She has an amazing work ethic, and the patients and physicians...
For Debbie Paschal, Shirley Woodward and Betty Harper it's like an annual reunion, coming back to Lake Aurora Christian Camp where they spent time in the summer of 1947, the camp's inaugural year. The three ladies from Miami, Port Charlotte and Orlando gathered March 7 with about 200 other seniors from about 25 churches for the annual "Young at Heart Day." "They are from supporting churches so they come back every year – they are just longtime camp friends," said Phyllis B...
Chevon Baccus, executive editor and publisher of LakeWalesNews.net spoke to the members of the GFWC Woman's Club of Lake Wales Thursday, March 7 about the community's new online publication. Baccus told the group that since its soft launch Feb. 13 the online news site has published more than 100 stories and nearly 500 photos. "The site is growing in popularity and readership and we're looking forward to a bright future," Baccus said. The loss of the local newspaper, The Lake...
For the past 13 years she served as the voice on the phone and the smile at the counter of the Lake Wales Area Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission. Many Chamber members and most of the people who served as president/chairman during her tenure showed up Feb. 26 to wish Charlotte Kosek a happy retirement. Past CEOs Betty Wojcik and Jim Bell came to recognize her service. Current President/CEO Kevin Kieft said she really would be missed. "There's always the...
Nearly a month into his new position as Dean of Academic Affairs on the Polk State College Lakeland Campus, John Glenn already has his finger on the pulse of what students need because "I am our students," he says. "I was the student who didn't know how to go to college," Glenn explains, pointing to the demographics of Polk State's students, including the 52 percent who are the first generation in their families to go to college. In addition to 75 percent of students enrolled...
In 1975, Florida's Escambia County and the city of Pensacola experienced a pernicious chain of events. A sheriff's deputy killed a young black man at point-blank range. Months of protests against police brutality followed, culminating in the arrest and conviction of the Reverend H. K. Matthews, the leading civil rights organizer in the county. Viewing the events of Escambia County within the context of the broader civil rights movement, Dr. J. Michael Butler demonstrates that...
Rotary on the Ridge has installed William Heath III as a new member. "Trey" is a REALTOR ® with Century 21 At Your Service Realty in Lake Wales. Trey's wife, Michelle, mother, Sara, and in-laws Ruthie and Ken Welch attended the installation service Jan. 28. "Trey obviously has a servant's heart," said sponsor Chevon Baccus, co-founder of the regional service club. "I am honored to sponsor him to become a Rotarian so he can put his energy and commitment to work serving our...
Rotary on the Ridge installed Jonathan Lamont White as a new member Monday, Feb. 18. White is an investor with Empower Through Enterprise and also works to promote the Bartow real estate business of his wife, Destini Lewis, Heavyweight of Real Estate. Curtis Gibson sponsored White into the club and vouched for his character and commitment to community service. "Jonathan wants to really make a difference in the community," Gibson said. "He will be a great addition to our...
Tom Freeman turned 93 years old on October 19, 2018. Who is Tom Freeman? Well, he's kind of a legend around here - a Lake Wales treasure. He's somewhat of a renaissance man: an artist, poet, farmer, educator, businessman, war hero, golfer, historian, fisherman, storyteller, wildlife expert and activist. His life is an inspiration to many, and his art is a fabulous and important legacy. As are many, I am honored to know Mr. Freeman, and I am grateful for the privilege of...
Principal Donna Dunson may or may not have shed a few tears when she was interviewing Lillian Anderson a while back. But what is clear is Dunson was convinced Anderson needed to teach at Lake Wales High School, and that she was going to do whatever it took to get her there. Seven years later, Anderson has been named Teacher of the Year for the Lake Wales Charter System, honored recently along with teachers and support staff from each of its seven schools during the system's...
Lake Wales lawyer Cynthia Rignanese recently received the "Rising Star Award" from the Boss Lady Esquire Group. She was one of only four lawyers to be recognized. The recognition was for "engaging and meaningful" contribution to the group within the first month of membership. The Boss Lady Esquire Group is open by invitation only and has 5,851 attorneys. To qualify, the attorney must be a female attorney managing a law firm. Rignanese is the founder and Senior Managing...
In its efforts to get more voters to the polls this November, the Democrat Party moved its headquarters to a more centrally located place in Polk County. On Feb 2 the local political party had an open house at 1549 E. Combee Road in Lakeland moving from Haines City. "This is wonderful," said Polk state committeewoman Karen Welzel. "This is the beginning of what we'll turn in Polk County." About 100 people attended the opening of the office in Polk and Chair and the Executive...
A Celebration of Life honoring Carmine and Barbara Stango will be held at the Lake Wales First United Methodist Church on March 8. There will be a time for visiting with the family starting at 6 p.m. The service will be held at 7 p.m. Barbara Sims Stango passed away peaceably on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 at Pretty Pond Manor in Zephyrhills, FL. She was 96 years old. Carmine "Charlie" Stango died peacefully on March 26, 2016 after struggling with dementia and heart disease for...
Three Polk County chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution joined together to host a visit from Florida DAR State Regent Dawn Lemongello in January. Upon an early arrival at the Polk County History Center, Lemongello was welcomed by the chapter regents: Doris Wooden, Bartow chapter; Earlene Head, Lake Wales chapter; and Christine Page, Ponce de Leon Chapter in Winter Haven. Myrtice Young, Historic Preservation Manager for the historic old courthouse and a Bartow...
