Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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"Bloody Murder" isn't normally anything to laugh about, but when interpreted by a cast of characters in the current production at Lake Wales Little Theatre you'll find yourself doing just that. From its generic roots as a set-piece "murder in an English mansion" circa 1930's drama, the play quickly sweeps the audience into something quite different. The action takes place in the elegant home of Lady Somerset, played by Jessica Jimenez, who has invited the group together to...
A new Tree Advisory Board being created by City Ordinance will create a five-member board that will be charged with a host of tasks assisting the city's Horticulturist Lester Gulledge. "This board will be there simply to help our horticulturist and our horticulture program," said Michael Manning, assistant to the city manager, in presenting the item to the city commission at their workshop. "It was just about one year ago today that we started a horticulture program," Manning...
Converting downtown streets into a shady pedestrian oasis through the Lake Wales Connected plan got a financial boost as the City of Lake Wales has received a Federal grant. Congressman Darren Soto (Dem, Kissimmee) arranged an $800,000 infusion for downtown street rehabilitation in the bi-partisan Infrastructure package approved by the US Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. Those funds will aid in fulfilling the Lake Wales Connected plan, augmenting Community...
Lake Wales Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (CDJR) will host a live, nationwide television broadcast on National AgDay, March 22. The dealership was selected by the Certified Agriculture Dealer (CAD) Program, and their partner RFD-TV to serve both as a host for the live television program, as well as a local Certified Agriculture Dealer location providing remote visits during the 3-hour live broadcast on RFD-TV on March 22nd. That is the date marked as National Ag Day in recognition...
On Jan. 27, 1931, residents along Tillman Avenue in Lake Wales got good news. The oak trees would be saved. A plan drawn up by the world renowned landscape-architect Frederick Olmsted Jr. for extensive tree planting in the city had called for some of their nearby oaks to be removed. Residents petitioned Olmstead to reconsider, and he did. As noted in a letter from his firm on that date, Olmsted's plan took many things into consideration, simplicity being chief among them....
A special event this Tuesday, March 22 will honor three area "Women Who Made History." The event will be hosted by the Lake Wales chapter of the American Association of University Women. "Women Who Made History on the Ridge" will honor Johanna Buscher-Shedler, Kathe Galloway, and Ethel Austin, (posthumously) will be feted for their work. Charlene Bennett, speaking on behalf of the AAUW, invited area residents to "join us in learning about the contributions, challenges, and...
Several new large-scale residential developments took shape in presentations heard by the Lake Wales City Commission during their Wednesday workshop, at which only three commissioners were present. The poor attendance at two meetings this week prompted complaints from Mayor Eugene Fultz. The rapid growth of Lake Wales in the face of multiple large-scale development projects has concerned many citizens as judged by questions submitted at recent elections forums. The latest...
With some $4 million in interest payments riding on the decision, three city commissioners gave direction to staff at Wednesday's workshop to pursue a 30-year bond rather than shorter-term bank loans to finance the $18.5 million earmarked for the Lake Wales Connected plan. The most-significant action ever undertaken by the City of Lake Wales or its related Community Redevelopment Agency, the huge investment is intended to breathe new life into the venerable heart of the city,...
Frank Manley Thullbery of Lake Wales, FL passed away Wednesday January 13, 2022, at his residence. He was born May 26, 1930, in Lake Wales, Florida to the late Howard and Hattie Thullbery. Frank owned Thullbery Caretaking Inc. He was a Horticulturalist. Frank was preceded by his wife of 68 years Catherine D. Thullbery; his 3 brothers, Howard Thullbery Jr.; Douglas Thullbery; and Charles Thullbery. Frank is survived by his daughters Kathy Clower and her husband Kenny of Lake...
Lovers of beauty and the arts expect a breezy and beautiful weekend for the Lake Wales Arts Festival which opens Saturday morning March 12 in Lake Wailes Park for a two-day show. Presented by the Lake Wales Arts Council, the 51-year-old show attracts artists from across the region and nation. Up to 100 artists are expected to display their works while competing for more than $22,000 in awards, including two Judge's Choice awards for "Exceptional Works" and five Awards of...
The re-imagining of downtown Lake Wales and the application of the Connected plan is now inspiring some significant proposed changes to Central Avenue between Scenic Highway and First Street. In keeping with the concepts advanced in the award-winning Lake Wales Connected plan, a new pavement configuration which will add a bike lane to the north side of the street was approved at Tuesday's Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. The board will enter a $35,000 contract with...
Bok Tower Gardens is participating with gardens across the nation to commemorate the 200th birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., father of American landscape design. His son, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed Bok Tower Gardens and many of our nation's finest public spaces. As part of this nationwide celebration, the National Association for Olmsted Parks and Olmsted 200 sponsored an international carillon composition competition in 2021, entitled Inspired by Olmsted. An...
Dining choices in Lake Wales have expanded recently, and the official grand opening of one new restaurant drew a happy crowd of diners to celebrate. Wales Pointe, already a popular spot for brunch, lunch and dinner. was welcomed to the business community at noon Thursday by Lake Wales Mayor Gene Fultz and Chamber of Commerce officials. A formal ribbon cutting ceremony at the stroke of 12:00 saw more than 30 crowding to be included in the celebratory photos. Wales Pointe is...
As a pair of contested city elections move toward a climactic vote on April 5 citizens will have another opportunity to see and hear the five vying for the two open seats. A forum will take place Monday afternoon, March 14, beginning at 5:00, a time chosen by organizers to allow working people to stop in before heading home, according to Juanita Zwaryczuk, co-president of the sponsoring American Association of University Women. The cosponsoring GFWC Lake Wales Women's Club...
A day after a bare three-member quorum at the Community Redevelopment Agency meeting gave city staff direction on the form of a planned $18.5 million dollar bond issue in the absence of commissioners Jack Hilligoss and Daniel Williams, Mayor Eugene Fultz voiced his frustration at the absence of the same two commissioners at the City Commission's 2:00 pm Wednesday agenda workshop. Vice Mayor Robin Gibson, who attended both meetings, had let his fellow commissioners know that...
A new agreement being struck between the City of Lake Wales may result in fairer bills for sewer service. The plan comes after complaints from area residents after the county took over the operations of the sewer system in 2001, and the city purchased the water system. Those purchases came about after the original operator fell into default and was unable to operate the system, which had caused a spill of raw sewage into Crooked Lake, which is rated as Outstanding Florida...
Private investment in the Lincoln Avenue commercial district, one of the goals of the Lake Wales Connected plan, seems to have begun even before the first spade of dirt is turned. In a presentation before the Community Redevelopment Agency on Tuesday, representatives of restaurant operator Whadda-Wing LLC and NuJak Construction described their plans to construct a new restaurant building on a parcel at the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and A Street. It's the third new...
Lake Wales Police are seeking witnesses or information after receiving a call about shots being fired within an apartment complex only two blocks from McLaughlin Middle School. The incident occurred shortly after 3:00 pm Wednesday, according to a statement issued by Lt. Griffin Crosby of the LWPD. The school was placed on lockdown for a short time during the investigation, during which no further evidence was revealed. Although police believe the incident involved a dispute...
Two candidates for mayor and a single commission candidate discussed their visions for the future of Lake Wales Monday evening at a community forum, with broad agreement on most issues, but with a few significant differences emerging in their positions. Curtis Gibson and Tammy James, both pursuing the mayoral post, and James Loydd, seeking the district 4 commission seat, all accepted invitations to the forum, sponsored by Rotary on the Ridge and LakeWalesNews.Net. About 25...
A nearly year-long search to recruit a new superintendent for Lake Wales Charter Schools concluded Tuesday evening, leaving many in the community determined to heal the divisions created during the process. After an effort that at times seemed more like an election campaign than a search and involved seemingly unending political maneuvering, the Board of Trustees settled upon Dr. Wayne V. Rodolfich, who comes to the city from Pascagoula, Miss. As the vote was taken he was...
A portrait of a city undergoing numerous changes was delivered to about 100 community and business leaders Friday at the annual "State of the City" report delivered by outgoing Mayor Gene Fultz in a darkened auditorium at the Vanguard School. It was the first opportunity for him to deliver the speech since 2019 due to the impacts of Covid-19. He will be leaving office this year after nine years as the city's first elected mayor. Citing an aggressive pursuit of improvements...
Mary Palmer Foutch Wagoner was born on January 8, 1925, in Springfield Illinois. She attended Illinois College in Jacksonville. Her first job was secretary to mayor Buddy Kapp. During Buddy Kapp's tenure several projects changed Springfield dramatically, including construction of Lake Springfield and the power facility, construction of the John Hay Homes, and administration of 92 federal projects (WPA, CWA, PWA). She later became Society Editor of the Springfield Journal...
Keeping ahead of the numerous development proposals is a concern for city leaders and residents alike as some ten thousand new dwelling are at various stages of the lengthy approval process. City planning staff has been increased, but creating an overview is the goal of a new land use study The approved by the City Commission this week The action authorized funding for S&ME, an engineering firm, to evaluate land in the city's designated utility service area surrounding Lake...
Peggy Sue Anderson, age 77, passed away February 27, 2022, at Lakeland Regional Health and Medical Center. She was born on January 18, 1945, in Lake Wales, FL. She was a citrus packer for Hunt Bros. She enjoyed home décor, gardening and playing games. Most of all she loved her family and friends and spending time with them. She was preceded in death by her father Manley Stephens, mother Elizabeth Lolies, and brother Charles Colvard. She is survived by a loving family that...
A nationally-syndicated and web-streamed radio show aimed at veterans originates in a Lake Wales for most of the year. Local residents Mike and Irene Spotswood record the "Cup of Joe Radio" show, often with Mike's service dog Truman at their feet. Mike, a Marine who did two tours in Vietnam over the course of 19 months, and Irene, a former nurse say their two-hour radio show is "80% music, 20% information." Their mission statement is "The healing power of music." Their show...
