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(155) stories found containing 'lake wailes'


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  • National Acts Expected to Draw Thousands To Orange Blossom Revue This Weekend

    Robert Connors|Updated Dec 1, 2024

    One of central Florida's biggest annual music events happens this weekend when the annual Orange Blossom Revue opens in Lake Wailes Park. The festival will feature eight top touring bands who are expected to draw large crowds from across the nation to the annual lake-side performances. Headlined by JJ Grey and Mofro, the charity fundraiser also offers performances by The War and Treaty, Robert Earl Keen, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sam Grisman Project, Emily Nenni, Wyatt Ellis, and...

  • FallFest Happens This Saturday in Lake Wailes Park

    Special to the News|Updated Nov 6, 2024

    The 3rd Annual Fall Fest will feature a day of fun in Lake Wailes Park, offering food trucks, face painting, a DJ, carnival games, bouncy houses, vendors, petting zoo, selfie photo spots and more on Saturday, November 9. The event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is sponsored by the GFWC Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club. "The club is excited for the event and we look forward to seeing the community," said President Shelley Clemons Proceeds from the event will support our...

  • Hallowe'en: The Holiday When You Can Be Anything You Want

    Kelli Durkin|Updated Oct 24, 2024

    Editor's Note: This first-person tale of the fun "horrors" of Hallowe'ens past and present as created by her mother, Kandi Lamb, is offered as a seasonal post by Lake Wales resident Kelli Durkin "As I was growing up my mother absolutely loved Halloween. Every Holiday was memorable in our home. Birthdays, Christmas, and the 4th of July were always fun, but Halloween was different. My mother thought of our costumes well in advance and insisted we create our costumes from...

  • National Town Builder's Group Tours Lake Wales, Leaves Impressed

    News Staff Reports|Updated Oct 21, 2024

    A tour of Lake Wales by an influential group of specialty builders may lead to interest in new "traditional neighborhood" housing in the area, according to organizers of the event. Several dozen members of the National Town Builders Association arrived by motorcoach to visit the area, with stops at Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wailes Park, and a walking tour through the downtown area. The group was led by Victor Dover, principal of the planning firm of Dover, Kohl & Partners,...

  • Dick Howell Named "Pioneer of the Year"

    Special to the News|Updated Oct 14, 2024

    With the annual Pioneer Days festival only days away, the sponsoring Lake Wales History Museum has revealed Richard "Dick" Dane Howell as the 2024 Pioneer of the Year. "Mr. Howell's exceptional dedication to the Lake Wales community and his remarkable achievements truly define him as a pioneer and a worthy recipient of this prestigious award," said museum president Brandon Alvarado in revealing the selection, The honorific of "Pioneer of the Year" has been bestowed upon a...

  • History Museum Offers to Share "Beers With Pioneers" October 25

    Special to the News|Updated Sep 8, 2024

    The Lake Wales History Museum will add a new kick-off feature to the popular annual Pioneer Days festival in October by hosting "Beers with Pioneers: A Fun Evening of Craft Beer and Local Heritage." Described as "a one-of-a-kind event," the fundraiser will take place on Friday, October 25th beginning at 6 p.m. A $20 ticket allows each adult participant to sample a wide variety of craft beers, according to Museum Director Angela Rosado. The tasting will run until 9 p.m. "This...

  • Country Club Redevelopment Plans Change, Developer Addresses Issue of Dark Past, Use of Alias

    Robert Connors and Howard Davies|Updated Sep 7, 2024
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    A controversial high-density development involving Lake Wales Country Club and Oakwood that was nixed by city planners earlier this year is returning with new designs even as new information emerges about Falgun Dharia, the principal behind the project, who had introduced himself last year as Frank Ghandi. (See our stories below.) The new conceptual site development plan still combines the two golf courses but relies more heavily on single-family home sites. Many residents at...

  • Lake Wales Teachers Offered "Grants for Great Ideas"

    News Staff Reports|Updated Aug 20, 2024

    Teachers and other school-based professionals that work directly with students at a Lake Wales Charter School or Polk County Public School in Lake Wales are eligible to receive one of ten $250 grants that will be awarded by the Lake Wales Junior Woman's Club. Grants for Great Ideas is a competitive grant, and applications have been sent to all eligible school principals and assistant principals for the first grant cycle of this school year. A volunteer committee of key communi...

  • Pioneer Days Coming, Annual Pioneer Award Nominations Due

    Special to the News|Updated Aug 15, 2024

    The annual Pioneer Days is set to happen in Lake Wailes Park and it's now time to submit nominations for the accompanying Pioneer of the Year Award, according to officials with the non-profit Lake Wales History Museum, which hosts the popular annual festival. The two day event will take place on October 26 and 27, typically drawing several thousand people to witness the displays and exhibits while enjoying the free entertainment. The award has recognized the contributions of...

  • City's New "Turf Manager" J.C. White Eager to Put Athletic Fields in Top Condition for Area Sports Leagues

    Eric Marshall|Updated Jun 18, 2024

    Keeping fit and active is important for thousands of Lake Wales residents, so the City of Lake Wales is now making an extra effort to see that the sports facilities they use are in top shape. J.C. White is now in charge of making the town's many sports fields look their very best. White is Lake Wales' new Athletic Turf Superintendent, which places him in charge of bringing the athletic fields 'up to snuff,' where they deserve to be. With 16 baseball and softball fields and sev...

  • The Orange Blossom Revue Announces Lineup for 10th Annual Concert

    Special to the News|Updated Jun 4, 2024

    The local favorite Orange Blossom Revue is poised to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a jam-packed musical lineup of bands featuring JJ Grey & Mofro, The War and Treaty, Robert Earl Keen, Steep Canyon Rangers and more December 6-7, 2024 in Lake Wales, FL. Held annually amidst the bounty of Spanish moss, palmetto trees, and citrus groves that define the central Florida landscape, the boutique music and arts festival has steadily become a cultural cornerstone that reflects th...

  • Park Avenue Streetscape Project Advances, Only Tip of the Vast Connected Plan Effort

    Robert Connors|Updated May 6, 2024

    A new Park Avenue is steadily emerging in downtown Lake Wales as work continues on the first phase of a multi-million dollar reimagining of the city's heart. The ongoing work is creating a shady pedestrian oasis in the heart of the city, replete with rows of spreading live oaks, new benches, lighting, wider sidewalks, and brick-paved streets and parking areas. The stretch of Park Avenue between First and Market streets is rapidly nearing completion, offering business owners an...

  • Mardi Gras Awards $20,000 to Area Non-Profits

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 28, 2024

    Eleven local non-profit organizations benefitted from grants distributed recently by the Lake Wales Mardi Gras Committee. Several dozen representatives and community members gathered at the Lake Wales Arts Center for the annual check presentation. The Lake Wales Mardi Gras Committee and Lake Wales Mardi Gras President Joshua Curchy presented a total of $20,000 from proceeds raised in the 2024 Mardi Gras event. The Mardi Gras celebration, now planning for its 41st year, draws t...

  • City's Trail Network to See Major Expansion

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Apr 5, 2024

    The popular network of walking and biking trails weaving through Lake Wales is about to grow a great deal better, thanks to grants received by the city. New planned segments include the Ridge Scenic Highway Connector Trail that will connect the western end of the Lake Wales Trailway to the new Park Avenue Trail near Crystal Lake. It will run south along Third Street from a point just west of the Lake Wales Little Theatre, thereby also accessing the Lake Wailes Trail. That link...

  • Historic Photo Reveals Evidence of "Monster" that Once Inhabited Area Lakes

    Special to the News|Updated Apr 1, 2024

    An old photograph of Crystal Lake, reportedly taken by a pioneer resident, has revealed a long-overlooked secret. Visible in the background is what appears to be a large animal, it's head and neck protruding from the water, partially obscured by palm trees in the foreground. "The image appears to be unaltered, and further evidence that there actually was a large beast living in local waters," said Dr. Jonathan B. Normativo, saying that the image reinforces one story of the ori...

  • Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, 1927-2024

    News Obituary Service|Updated Mar 27, 2024

    Christine Frances Magruder Hackl, age 96 of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on March 23, 2024. Christine was born on June 16, 1927 in Jackson, Mississippi. She married Albert James Hackl and celebrated 67 happy years of marriage, and raised eight children seemingly with ease, navigated numerous moves around the country with an adventurous spirit, and never wavered in her Catholic faith. Known for her strong convictions, Christine never shied away from tough topics and...

  • Olmsted Day Festival Offers Fun For the Family in Lake Wailes Park March 23

    News Staff Reports|Updated Mar 18, 2024

    A day of free fun for the entire family is offered in Lake Wailes Park on Saturday, March 23 as the annual Olmsted Day event takes place. The event is the Lake Wales observance of Arbor Day and takes place in the shade of the historic Olmsted Oaks in the park. Entertainment, exhibits, games, musical performances, and food trucks form part of the attraction, along with vendors offering live plants and trees and a wide range of other products. Special exhibits will be offered...

  • Two Forums Offer Voters Insight into City Election Choices

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 29, 2024

    Voters will have two chances next week to see and hear incumbents and candidates for seats on the Lake Wales City Commission air their views and positions on a wide variety of topics during two candidate forums. Events are planned for both Monday and Wednesday evenings, March 4 and March 6, giving registered voters within city limits extra opportunity to become informed. Five candidates will vie for two seats on the commission in the April 2 vote. Although candidates must...

  • Five Candidates Will Vie for Two Commission Seats

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 28, 2024
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    The final ballot is set for the April 2 City Commission election is set, and all registered voters within the city limits of Lake Wales will have an opportunity to choose two two guide the city through the current wave of growth. Area residents outside the city limits are ineligible. Incumbent commissioner Daniel Williams will face two challengers in Brandon Alvarado and Crystal Higbee in the race for Seat 2 on the commission. Williams was elected in 2001, representing...

  • Lake Wales Arts Festival Happening This Weekend

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 27, 2024

    Ideal weather conditions and a wide area of beautiful works of art are expected to draw residents and visitors alike to the shores of Lake Wailes this weekend as the 53rd annual Lake Wales Arts Festival take place in Lake Wailes Park. The show will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10: a.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday. Seventy artists have been accepted into the juried showing hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council and will offer an array of media and...

  • Lake Wales Arts Festival Happens February 24 and 25

    Diego De Jesus, News Staff Writer|Updated Feb 22, 2024

    An annual event that draws thousands of art lovers from Lake Wales and around the state, the 53rd Annual Lake Wales Arts Festival ill be happening Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25 at Lake Wailes Park, preceded by a special event for artists and patrons on Friday evening. Hosted by the Lake Wales Arts Council, this year's festival will be enhanced as 70 artists have been accepted into the juried show to display their creative works. The show attracts submissions from...

  • Carol Gillespie First to Qualify for One of Two Lake Wales City Commission Seats Up For Election

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 22, 2024

    Carol Gillespie was a prompt qualifier for the April 2 Lake Wales City Commission Seat 4 on Monday as qualifying opened for a pair of three-year terms on the board representing seats 2 and 4.. Gillespie is challenging incumbent Commissioner Danny Krueger in the non-partisan city-wide vote. Krueger had not yet turned in his qualifying packet as of late afternoon on Monday, the first day of qualifying. Both Gillespie and Krueger are residents of Lake Ashton. Seat 4 candidates...

  • Mardi Gras Season in Full Swing in Lake Wales

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 14, 2024

    The two-and-a-half weeks of the 40th annual Lake Wales Mardi Gras festivities are rapidly approaching their climax as hundreds of "krewe" members prepare for the combined parade on Saturday, February 10. The series of masquerade parties and musical events mark the days of the pre-Lenten "Carnival" season here. Last week's kickoff party, hosted by the Krewe Renaissance, will be followed by the Saturday, Feb. 3 Blacklight Ball sponsored by the Loyal Order of Wild Shiners....

  • Lake Wales Mardi Gras Events Begin This Week, Expected to Draw 20,000

    News Staff Reports|Updated Feb 14, 2024

    The biggest outburst of fun and frivolity in the region, the Lake Wales Mardi Gras is preparing to offer its 40th year of festivities to residents and visitors from far and wide. The event draws an estimated 20,000 to the two-and-half-weeks of activities. Highlighted by a zany parade and two-day music festival, the celebration also features three masquerade dance parties offering live music, and a special "Mardi Gras Pre-Party" that will celebrate the 40 years of event...

  • Northwest Recreation Complex Next to Receive Improvements

    Robert Connors, Managing Editor|Updated Dec 27, 2023

    Improvements to the Lake Wales Northwest Recreation Complex on Florida Avenue are on the way after the city received a $50,000 recreation grant from the state. The sports facility is the home of Frasier Field and hosts a variety of other recreational activities along with picnic facilities. The grant from the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program, known as FRDAP, will pay for improvements to basketball and tennis courts, two new picnic tables, and fencing at the...

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