Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
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In a special recognition of his efforts, Lake Wales resident Joseph Lunsford will be the recipient of his very own "day" upon the issuance of a Proclamation from the City of Lake Wales declaring a "Joseph Lunsford Recognition Day." Lunsford, 28, has been selected to represent Florida in the 2022 Special Olympics USA to be held in Orlando June 5th-12th, 2022. Lunsford is a multi-sport athlete and has competed in a wide range of Special Olympics sports, including track,...
Ardella Green has been a resident of Lake Wales since 1942 and at 97 years old, she has gotten to the point in life that climbing up to fix the roof of her aging home on Alabama Street was no longer an option. Thanks to a grant from the Lake Wales Community Redevelopment Agency, that is no longer a challenge she must contemplate. Hers was one of several aging homesteads in the city that have been repaired thanks to a $68.000 fund established by the CRA board. Referred to the p...
Fueled by the generosity of Wawa, Healthcare Heroes can enjoy the healing power of nature with complimentary admission for themselves and a guest at Bok Tower Gardens from October 1-31. This offer is being extended in gratitude for the hard work and sacrifices Healthcare Heroes have made to keep our communities safe and healthy. The complimentary admission offer is open to all employees of healthcare providers in the US with an employer-issued photo identification badge. To redeem the offer, healthcare heroes must present...
The public is invited to bring their loved pets to receive the annual blessing this Saturday at the Church of the Good Shepherd. The service will take place outdoors. It's non-denominational and open to the all animal lovers and their pets, said event coordinator Jessica Bray. The date honors the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals and the Environment, and is hosted by the Good Shepherd Church's Daughters Of the King Chapter. The 10:00 am program...
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has announced changes to rules governing camping reservations on District lands. These rules went into effect June 23 and will be enforced beginning Oct. 1, 2021. The draft rules were submitted to the Florida Legislature during the 2021 legislative session. The newly implemented rules "provide more fair opportunities for all users and create greater consistency with the other water management districts," SWFWMD stated in a news...
(NAPSI)-It's estimated that a family of four spends, on average, $1,500 a year on food that goes uneaten-but you can help save food and money and improve your kids' health. As kids go back to school, these six easy tips can help you reduce food waste in your child's packed lunch. Lunch Packing Tips And Stats 1. Get your children's input on what they like. Avoid "wish packing" foods that your child won't eat at home as these foods will likely be discarded at school. If clementi...
(NAPSI)-Parents can help their children practically eliminate their chance of getting cavities, often at no cost-yet they don't. Here's a closer look at this conundrum: Be Smart About Sealants Beyond daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities in kids-yet the clear protective coatings, which work by filling the deep grooves where bacteria can accumulate-remain largely underused. The thin, slippery coating applied...
(NAPSI)-More Americans may be looking to retire before age 65, according to several studies. However, they need to understand their financial needs, both long term and before age 65. This includes enrolling in health insurance to cover the gap before they are Medicare-eligible at age 65. "Choosing the right health coverage may seem difficult as many people have never shopped for their own health insurance or worry that they cannot afford it," said Mark Smith, president of...
Polk County Fire Rescue has received the American Heart Association's Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore...
(NAPSI)-Whatever happens with the new phase of the pandemic, and the glimmers of normalcy that bring joy and hope to many, the light at the end of the tunnel is difficult to see for many. This is particularly true of the loved ones of the nearly 4,000 U.S. healthcare workers who have died from COVID-related illness. Not only are these people coping with the death of their loved one, they may have lost the main breadwinner and be overwhelmed with the stress of paying for a...
Sometimes death comes without warning. The most common causes are heart attacks, and accidents. But sometimes, people just die without warning-in their sleep. We are going about our lives and suddenly, with the unexpected loss of a loved one, everything has changed for us. It changes you forever. The news arrives, and time stops. There are few things in life as devastating as the sudden death of a beloved friend or family member. As your world changes forever and you're...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement reminds boaters to exercise caution and practice safe boating during the Labor Day holiday weekend, traditionally a time of increased boating traffic on waterways. Boaters are reminded not to operate vessels under the influence. In addition to decreasing the operator's ability to make sound judgments, the consumption of alcohol also negatively affects the ability of passengers to respond...
Nature or nurture? It's probably both when you look at three generations of women sharing a heart for serving the community. When she turned 18 in July, Jillian Gillis became Rotary on the Ridge's youngest member, joining her parents and grandparents as full members of the service club. Jillian's mom, Megan Gillis, is the 2021-22 club president and grandparents Sheri and Marshall Hartley joined when Megan served her first term as president in 2018-2019. Rotary is indeed a...
Circumstances, challenges, drifting, distractions, perfectionism, and fear of criticism sometimes lead us off the path on which we were. If that path truly was what God intended for us, and still has for us, we would be wise to just get back on the path while we have opportunity to do so. We will likely not be perfect at doing the things we are called to, and we will almost certainly encounter challenges, distractions, and criticism from others. We may feel we are not...
Retired Lake Wales Police Chief Gary Helm died July 29 after a lengthy illness and hospitalization. He was 74. Many people in Lake Wales remember him as a community hero, who as a young sergeant in 1972 helped save a grocery store full of people and a fellow officer by engaging five armed robbers in a gun battle. Helm shot and killed two robbers at the Publix on SR 60 and arched his back to narrowly avoid being shot himself. Friends said he kept the shirt with the bullet hole...
Andrew Allen has resigned as executive director of the Lake Wales Arts Council. His last day is Aug. 5. Board Chair Rusty Ingley announced Allen's planned departure with "both sadness and gratitude." "Andrew leaves LWAC in a strong position for continued growth, and we sincerely thank him for his contribution and leadership here," Ingley wrote in a letter to friends, patrons and partners. Ingley said since Allen joined the Arts Council in 2008, "he has helped usher in a new...
The congregation of First United Methodist Church will celebrate Caroline Reddick of Lake Wales for 50 years of faithful service to the church and to God as Church Organist with music and singing during 10:30 AM worship on Sunday, August 29th, 2021. The public is invited. "For 50 years, we've been blessed that this dedicated servant of the Lord has contributed her sizable musical gifts to the glory of God right here in Lake Wales," said Pastor Robinson. Especially, she said,...
The Lake Wales Public Library is home to a unique new exhibit of public art. In partnership with the Lake Wales Arts Council and the Lake Wales Library Association the Book Bounce Banner Public Art project is now displayed on the library's grounds. Four new banners, created by local artists, feature literary quotes, or book covers. The banners were painted by artists from the Lake Wales Arts Council's Artist Registry. Creators include: Alice Absolutely, Sherry Ross, Hiroshi...
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the selection of Randy Mink as the next County Attorney. Mink will succeed current County Attorney Michael Craig when he retires next month. A vote on Mink's contract will be made at a later date. Mink, 42, graduated from the University of South Florida in 2001 and received his Juris Doctorate in 2006 from Stetson University College of Law. While at the County Attorney's Office, Mink has advised several of the...
Does Congress really want professional police reform? Police professionals support and welcome real police reform. Why is Congress missing a huge opportunity to change and improve police culture in America? The current federal police reform bill includes a laundry list of fragmented proposals designed to create political talking points, not a genuine attempt to fix problem policing where it exists. There is a big lie being told in the police reform debate: "qualified immunity...
Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti was inducted in June as Chair of the Florida College System Council of Presidents for 2021-2022. The Council of Presidents (COP) is comprised of the presidents of Florida's 28 public colleges who advise and advocate to state and federal legislators, oversee the coordination of statewide functions such as risk management, and maintain close working relationships with universities, school boards, and more, among other...
Qualified attorneys who would like to be considered for a county judge opening have until 5 p.m. Friday, July 23 to apply. The Tenth Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission has been asked to provide Gov. Ron DeSantis with nominees for the vacancy on the Polk County Court created by the elevation of Judge Lori A. Winstead to the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court. The commission requests that interested candidates submit an application for consideration. Applicants must meet the...
The Lake Wales Public Library, in partnership with the Polk County History Center, will offer a series of three Genealogy Workshops. The workshops will be led by the Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library's Research and Genealogy Historian, Preston Petermeier. Preston has instituted an excellent series of workshops for the Polk County History Center. He's bringing his expertise to our library for these informative sessions. The series begins, at 11 a.m., Wednesday,...
Drama students at McLaughlin Middle School & Fine Arts Academy presented a special Josh the Baby Otter water safety program to Head Start pre-kindergarten students June 1. Under the leadership of first year drama teacher Alexandra Meridionale, the students acted out the Josh the Baby Otter book and created their own version of the "Learn to Float" song and dance. Rotary on the Ridge, a regional after hours service club, has presented the Josh the Baby Otter program to more...
A We Swim Splash Party will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 18 at the Lake Wales YMCA, 1001 Burns Ave. The event will include free music and food. It is designed to bring families to the Y to sign up for free swim lessons for their children. The City of Lake Wales will be providing vouchers for children to sign up for free swim lessons, which normally would cost $30 to $70. City residents also can register for free access to the pool during designated hours: 11 a.m. to 1...
