Test reduction

Visit us on the Internet at www.FrostproofNews.net

The

CARING

Wednesday January 1, 2014

Frostproof News Frostproof ’s Hometown News for more than 85 years Volume 87 Number 93

USPS NO 211-260

75¢

Frostproof, Polk County Florida 33843

Frostproof students are kids who care

Page

18

Copyright 2013 Sun Coast Media Group, Inc.

Fallen Frostproof star inspiring a new one Travis Henry’s misfortunes inspiring Nickell Robey

By BUCKY GLEASON

SPECIAL TO THE NEWS Nickell Robey nodded his head and smiled in the Bills locker room midway through a question recently, as if he had been waiting with the answer all year.

The subject had turned to his tiny hometown in Florida and the high school he shared with a local legend who became a cautionary tale in the NFL. Sure, he knew Travis Henry.

Everybody did.

“He was a god,” Robey said.

Henry was the pride of Frostproof, an inspiration for Robey and most boys his age who grew up in the aptly named town. Henry was evidence that a kid from their area could play big-time college football, become a second-round pick in the NFL and make millions of dollars.

They became friends, as much as an NFL star and a Pop Warner star could.

Robey was 11 years old and already following in Henry’s footsteps when they first met. Henry loaded up a bag of goodies he accumulated from the Bills during the season and gave it to the boy after returning home from Buffalo.

Jackpot.

“He was in the NFL, and I will never forget it,” Robey said. “He gave me a crazy load of gear. It was like workout sweats, cleats, shirts — you name it — the Nike wristbands, brand-new Reebok gloves, everything. I was in love with him from day one. If anybody talked about him, I took off on them for what he did for me. I was in awe.”

Henry was a terrific player in his prime, but these days he’s remembered for the wrong reasons. By last count, he fathered 11 children with 10 women.

He was charged with a sex-related crime involving a 15-year-old Hamburg girl before the Bills shipped him to Tennessee. Two years later, after he was released by Denver, a once-promising

AP PHOTO

STAR | 16 Buffalo Bills defensive back Nickell Robey had two sacks in Buffalo’s win over Miami on Dec. 22.

Teacher of Year ‘can’t imagine anything else’

By JAMES COULTER

FROSTPROOFNEWS@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Some teachers claim you should never teach in the community you live in, but for George E. Wyre, eighthgrade math teacher and former girls’ soccer coach at Frostproof High, as well as the 2013-14 Teacher of the Year, he can hardly imagine teaching anywhere else.

Though not a Frostproof native, he has a deep love for his community. Having been raised in the big city of Tampa, he prefers the close-knit setting of small town Frostproof. It is where he knows everyone’s face and name, where he raises his children, and for the past 24 years, where he has taught and coached.

In the center of his community is Frostproof MiddleSenior High, where he goes to work every day and loves every minute doing what he loves most, which is teaching children.

“I know it sounds corny, but it’s true,” Wyre said. “I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

His students’ success is something he genuinely cares for and will always go the extra mile to ensure it. To him, there is nothing he loves more than when a student finally comprehends a subject.

“What I love most about teaching is seeing kids catching onto ideas,” Wyre said. “When that lightbulb comes on, seeing those kids when they get something, and

TEACHER | 16

SO CLOSE

Local fans getting ready for national title game Monday

By DENNIS LATTA

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT The Florida State Seminoles will have a number of high-powered local fans come Monday night when they meet Auburn for the national collegiate football championship.

And that includes Frostproof Mayor and FSU graduate Anne Dickinson.

“I really do think Florida State will win. I’m not just saying that. I think their quarterback is good and they have good leadership,” she noted.

As for watching the game, Dickinson plans to watch it at home with her husband Dick, a Gator fan.

“He’ll probably be asleep before halftime,” she chuckled. “We agreed a long time ago that if one of our teams loses, the other doesn’t rub it in.

But I think I can gloat a little.”

Dickinson might not be a crazy dedicated football fan, but she knows something about the game.

“We need to have a good start. Sometimes we don’t play too well in the first quarter. But I do

TOP STUDENTS

Lady Bulldogs nipped by Fort Meade

Page

Frostproof’s ‘First Lady’ among Seminole boosters

22

Rotary Club honors top Frostproof students

Page

22

AP PHOTO

Florida State’s Jameis Winston was named The Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. think we’ll win.”

Jesse Jackson, Superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, isn’t sure how much he’ll actually get to see the game, but has confidence the No. 1 Seminoles will win the title.

BOOSTER | 16

GET YOUR GAME ON Polk County Senior Games sign-ups begin

Page

10

Page 16 The News

STAR FROM PAGE 1 career ended with a yawn.

In a flash, it was over.

Henry landed in prison and was slapped with a $4 million fine after striking a plea agreement with authorities who claimed he was a drug dealer.

Henry was a friendly guy, he really was, but he was grossly irresponsible and took football for granted. He didn’t understand how quickly it could be taken away until it was too late.

And that’s one reason Robey treats every play like his last. He continued a week ago Sunday in the 19-0 washout of the Dolphins. The 21-year-old rookie cornerback was everywhere, as he has been all season. He had two sacks. He could have had four and a safety if Ryan Tannehill didn’t manage to escape two other times.

“That makes me play so hard, knowing that somebody had an opportunity, messed it up and can’t come back from it,” Robey said. “I’m in that same position that he was in. I’m in it right now, and I’m not going to mess it up for nobody. It’s all in front of me.”

Yes, it’s all right there, waiting for him.

Robey has been a bright spot in another dark season for the Bills, who have missed the playoffs 14 straight years.

At 5-foot-8 and 165 pounds — in cleats and soaking wet — he’s a little man who has played twice his size and evolved into one of the most consistent players on the Bills’ attacking defense.

Miami should be convinced. Robey

BOOSTER FROM PAGE 1 “I might watch a little bit,” Jackson explains. And he’ll be in Tallahassee when the game is played.

“I’m trying to graduate in the spring with my doctorate. I haven’t got time to sit and watch a whole football game,” says Jackson, who earned his master’s at FSU and that is where he is working on his Ph.D. But he is familiar with Florida State’s accomplishments.

“The Seminoles have shown themselves to be a dominate force regardless of who they are playing. Their play is centered around their quarterback (Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston) and he has been flawless.

They’re really just unstoppable on offense.”

Jackson expects FSU to earn the national championship in Pasadena, Calif.

“They are the best team and the best team should win that game. They have proven themselves all season.”

A.J. Jackson is a member of the Bartow City Commission and there is a commission meeting scheduled for

TEACHER FROM PAGE 1 letting them know if you can help out, it’s been a blessing to be able to do it.”

Not only does he care about his own students’ success, but that of the entire school. It matters not if the student is his own. If they need his assistance, he is more than willing to offer it.

When one of the math teachers was struck with cancer earlier this year, Wyre gladly accepted the extra burden of teaching that class while also teaching his own. “Not many people would do that without asking anything in return,” said Natalie VanHook, eighthgrade language arts teacher.

Once one of Wyre’s fifth-grade students, VanHook was inspired by his love of teaching to pursue a teaching career of her own. For the past nine years, she has been honored to teach

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 picked off Tannehill on the opening possession of the first meeting, taking the interception 19 yards to the house in a Bills’ victory Oct. 20. He twice had perfectly timed blitzes Sunday that allowed him to come off the edge and drop Tannehill. The Bills are watching him come of age.

“It’s been a blast,” defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said. “He’s a guy that has everything but height. We were shocked that he went undrafted. It was one of those things. He’s very football smart. There are some guys that just make plays. There are some guys that have everything, but they can’t finish whereas Robey, the ball finds him.”

To think he could have slipped through the cracks. He started at USC as a true freshman but left after three years convinced he was ready for the NFL. In fact, he was right. The problem was convincing NFL scouts who paid so much attention to his size that they ignored the size of his heart.

Bills General Manager Doug Whaley signed him shortly after the draft knowing he was getting a terrific athlete, but Robey needed to prove as much on the field. The same kid who was dismissed in the draft played so well in training camp that the coaching staff couldn’t take their eyes off him.

“It’s a big-man’s game, there’s no doubt about it, but there are exceptions to every rule,” Whaley said. “What you have to say is, ‘What’s in this guy’s heart?’ You can’t put a quantitative measurement on heart and desire and will and passion. It’s something you notice in a guy when you see him play.

This guy has it.”

AP PHOTO

Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone was about the only thing that could slow Nickell Robey down following a two-sack performance against the Miami Dolphins.

Robey after the season will return to his high school, where his jersey is on display. Robey has become the player kids want to emulate these days. Henry is no longer in prison, but the money is gone, outstanding debts remain, and job opportunities are scarce.

Henry was among the first people who called Robey when he signed his contract with the Bills last spring. Ten years after their first meeting, with his own pockets empty, Henry gave Robey the only thing he had left to offer: A

lesson in life.

“The first thing he said was, “Don’t make the same mistakes I did,’ ” Robey said. “He kept it real with me. He told me about his kids, making bad decisions, going to prison, and he’s broke.

He told me everything, that if you don’t control your lifestyle, your lifestyle will control you.”

(Bucky Gleason is a columnist for the Buffalo News. This story can be found online at www.buffalonews.com. Story is reprinted with permission.)

Jan. 6. He isn’t certain he’ll catch the start of the game.

“I’m surrounded by Gators on the commission. I’m not sure I’d get much sympathy for rescheduling a commission meeting because of a football game,” A.J. points out.

A.J. is a member of the FSU booster club and has football season tickets.

“I’m pretty dedicated. I’ve had season tickets for years. I gave some consideration to going to the game, but I decided against it.”

The local leader is confident his alma mater will prevail.

“I don’t think Auburn can stop our passing offense. The question is whether we can stop the Auburn running offense. I think there are going to be some points scored. We’ve not faced a rushing attack like they have. I hope it doesn’t come down to luck, because they’ve been pretty lucky this season.”

Casey Fletcher, president of Pallet One in Bartow, remembers the bad times at FSU. “I went to school there before Bobby Bowden arrived and turned it around. I went to one game this year in the new stadium. When I was in college, it was so quiet. It’s not that way anymore. It was my first game in 15 years,” he said.

Fletcher will watch the game, but

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is hoping for one more victory shower this college football season, like the one he got after winning the ACC title game in December. he’ll have it in perspective. each other. I think if Auburn wins, my “It’s a bunch of kids running into wife and children will still love me.”

alongside him as a fellow co-worker.

“He is a wonderful teacher,” she said.

“He’s probably one of the few that go above and beyond what is asked of his students. He brings a love of learning to the classroom and that makes him unique because not every teacher can do that.”

His students are more than just pupils. They are another part of his community, and he loves and cares for them like any other member of it.

Having taught for 24 years, many of his current students are children of former students.

This sense of community is something he finds lacking in big city schools. While coaching, he often encountered teams from big city schools where students only attend for a few years and lack the cohesion found within a community.

“The big schools don’t get it,” he said.

“When they come to Frostproof, they get that sense of community.”

Wyre was born in Tampa in 1966.

After graduating from Chamberlin High School in 1984, he attended Warner University where he double-majored in business administration and elementary education.

Originally seeking a future in the business world, he found a career in teaching to be much more fulfilling while working as a substitute teacher and assisting professors.

Upon graduation, he moved from Tampa to Frostproof. His career started at Frostproof Elementary where he spent three years teaching fifth grade.

When Ben Hill Griffin Elementary opened, he transferred there and taught for 12 years before finally transferring to Frostproof Middle-Senior High School where he has been ever since.

Aside from teaching, he has coached girls’ soccer for the past 17 years until last year. His coaching career allowed him to coach students that he once taught, allowing him to foster his bond

AP PHOTO

with them on the field as well as in the classroom.

With his wife working as a media specialist at Frostproof Elementary, his daughter in seventh grade, and his son in third grade, his family life is intertwined along with his school life, thus making the connection between school and community all the more stronger.

For his 24 years of dedication, he was named the 2013 Frostproof Teacher of the Year, a title which he humbly accepts, though acknowledges that others are much more deserving than he.

As a teacher, he loves seeing his students graduate and come back from college years later to tell him how much they have succeeded in life because of him, and he expects to continue helping students achieve their potential well into the future.

“I can’t say there have been many challenges,” he said. “I have been really blessed in my career, and blessed to be where I am at.”

Visit us on the Internet at www.LakeWalesNews.com and www.Facebook.com/TheLakeWalesNews

The

SEARCHING

Wednesday

City looks for more burial sites

January 1, 2014

Lake Wales News Lake Wales’ Hometown Newspaper Since 1926 Volume 90 Number 52

USPS NO 302-900

75¢

Page

Lake Wales, Polk County Florida 33853

2

Copyright 2013 Sun Coast Media Group, Inc.

A look back at 2013

The second half of the year’s top ten stories Compiled by KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ

KLBERKOWITZ@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

6. Lake Wales gets new city manager After the city’s former city manager, Judy Delmar, retired, the city set about hiring a new city manager, and in her place, was Ken Fields. He came to the city with more than 20 years of experience in progressive municipal management with 15 of those as the chief or assistant chief administrative officer. In Boca Raton, he helped the city to develop financial policies and procedure with an aim to reduce operational costs and when he worked at Southwest Ranches, he was the town administrator, key in helping to roll out a new procurement code and application of a new Broward County Code of Ethics. Upon coming to Lake Wales, he said, “I really look forward to what we can accomplish together.

“I came here partly because of the great opportunities I saw when I was interviewing and researching this area … The city is well-poised to really take advantage of a lot of things that are going on. I look forward to working with you the citizens, with the city commission, the mayor, the new Economic Development Council and getting the city moving in a very positive direction.”

7. Man receives his WWII Bronze Star at age 91 Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Homer Allem enlisted in the Army in April 1940 when he was 18 years old. He was discharged in July of 1945.

PHOTO BY ALIDA SCHAT PHOTO PROVIDED BY FAMILY OF NICOLE SMITH Former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Homer Allem shows off his WWII Bronze Star medal.

Nicole Smith and her daughter, Ryleigh, in a photo posted on her Facebook page, just a few days before her accident. Smith perished in an early morning auto accident, but her daughter, almost Sixty-eight years later, at 91, Allem two years old, survived. Nicole had strapped Ryleigh into a child safety seat. received the medals he earned for his service in World War II. “When we got up there they said ‘oh discharge when you’re 23 years old and Upon returning home from the war, you’re a Valor’ and I said, ‘What are you you’ve spent five years in the service?”

Allem was unaware that he had even talking about?’ and she said, ‘Well you asked Allem. earned these medals. It was not until have the Bronze Star medal’ and I said, After his family further looked into March of this year that Allem found ‘I don’t have any medals at all,’” said making sure Allem would finally reout. When his wife, Ruth, recently Allem. ceive his Bronze Star medal, they found passed away, Allem was required to It was at that point that Allem was out he had also earned the American show his discharge form to have her told this information was on the back Defense Service Medal with one remains interred in a military cemetery of his discharge form. in Bushnell, Fla. TOP TEN | 16 “Well who reads the back of a

Getting the jump on 2014

By BRIAN ACKLEY

She added that Skydive Lake Wales, the official hosts, will again regularly bid on the event, that is often rotated between sites in Florida and Arizona.

Football isn’t the only college event crowning a The public is invited to come watch the jumps champion during this holiday season. and mingle with the students. There is no admission In fact, Lake Wales is in the midst of hosting the U.S. charge.

Parachute Association’s collegiate championships, an “Thousands,” she said when asked how many total event which has drawn about 100 young jumpers to jumps would be recorded during the competition, the city to compete for gold, silver and bronze medals which started last Friday and will conclude tomorrow in both individual and team events. It ends Thursday. with an awards dinner. “They can do 300 jumps a The airport’s operator, Betty Hill, said Lake Wales day.” used to regularly host the event prior to severe hurriThe host hotel is Holiday Inn Express. With associatcane damage in 2004 at the facility. They did host in ed support personnel and parents, family and friends 2005 — working out of trailers — but hasn’t seen the who come to watch, the economic impact for the Lake championship event return here before this year.

Wales area is significant.

“I put a bid in a year and a half ago,” she noted. “It Organizers say there will be “thousands” of jumps for the was our turn.”

SKYDIVE | 16 competition, which will come to a close tomorrow.

BACKLEY@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

POSING

LESSON LEARNED

Highlander basketball in photos

Page

6

Polk Avenue Elementary teacher arrested

Page

11

WHO AM I Dorothy Wilson loves to research the past

Page

14

Page 2

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Looking for more burial sites Lake Wales company conducts survey for city

By BILL ROGERS

BROGERS@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Lake Wales might have more burial sites than it realizes and a local company is helping the city figure that out.

A ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was recently performed by MCD Geosciences and Engineering in the older sections of the Willow Lawn Cemetery located on Washington Avenue in Lake Wales.

The older sections of the cemetery were deeded to the city by a group of community churches in 1941. In the

PHIOTO PROVIDED

Eric Shock works on the ground penetrating radar survey at Willow Lawn Cemetery.

of that transmitted signal from buried objects, subsurface soil horizons or geologic strata, a press release stated.

The GPR survey was performed by MCD Geosciences and Engineering through a contract with the city. Tom Moran, public works director, said it paid the company between $9,000 and $10,000.

Moran said the city had been talking about finding unmarked graves for more than a year. Moran noted that the marketing representative from the company came by City Hall and introduced herself. She left a brochure that included information about the GPR. The northern part of the cemetery has no grave stones there now, Moran said.

He added that the city needs to know if there are potentially extra sites.

“It is something to keep in our tool box,” he said.

The final results of the GPR testing at the Willow Lawn Cemetery are still pending and a report is expected to be PHOTO PROVIDEDissued directly to the city in the next few weeks.

Willow Lawn Cemetery is located on Washington Avenue in Lake Wales.

Due to the fact that it is running out of space, the city has decided to build a third older sections of the cemetery, some stone markers cemetery and is in the process of developdo still exist, but in general, the burial records for ing a conceptual plan. these older sections were poor, incomplete, or MCD Geosciences and Engineering also performs nonexistent. geophysical surveys in support of geologic projects to Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical identify sinkhole prone areas, mining related projects, testing technique that operates by transmitting radio geotechnical engineering projects, and environmenwaves into the subsurface and capturing reflections tal evaluations.

Pay for parking?

Thought of that at courthouse, county building not favorably received

By STEVE STEINER

SSTEINER@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

A proposal recently floated to Polk County Board of Commissioners is going over like a lead balloon with Polk County citizens.

The proposal is to consider charging people to park in any of the parking lots set around the county courthouse and Neil R. Combee building, which houses the offices of county commissioners as well as many county departments. It comes at the suggestion of Houston Texas-based Cambridge Development Group, which submitted an RFB (Request for Bids) to construct a parking garage.

The original intent of the RFB, according to County Manager Jim Freeman, was for the possibility of a parking garage to be built with little or no financial contribution by the BOCC. Of the companies that filed RFBs, Cambridge Development Group’s was deemed the best and negotiations soon began. However, Cambridge stated it wanted the option to charge $4 per day in order to keep the parking charge for the garage to $5 per day; otherwise, the cost to park in the garage if current parking remained free would run an estimated $12 per day.

As might be expected, the idea of paying for something that currently is free has not been favorably received.

While Jay Patterson, of Lakeland, acknowledged it often is difficult to find parking at certain times, he considered charging for parking a case in which the county would be “double dipping.”

“They’re getting money twice. It’s (already) costing you money to walk through the door,” said Patterson, who further explained that when people

enter the courthouse, more times than not it’s for something in which they have to pay, such as court fines and filing fees. He added that people would find places to park where they wouldn’t have to pay.

“You’re going to cause people to park at Publix and walk.”

Patterson also questioned the legitimacy of possibly requiring people to pay.

“What is their excuse for charging?” he asked. “Don’t the county taxes cover this?”

Having to pay for an entire day did not sit well with Ashley Diaz, also of Lakeland, who was awaiting a ride from a friend.

“What if you’re here for only five minutes?” Diaz asked. “I don’t think that’s fair.”

She added parking fees would lead to more traffic, as people would either circle the block or park illegally for short periods of time.

At this time, however, no formal action has been taken, said Freeman.

He said his office was still gathering information, but he would need to go first to the constitutional officers before the BOCC. That would include Stacy Butterfield, Clerk of Courts and County Comptroller; Rex Deming, Public Defenders Office; Jerry Hill, State Attorney’s Office; and Sheriff Grady Judd, Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The need for that, Freeman said, was to get input, that having to pay for parking could possibly have an impact upon those who work for Butterfield, as well as Sheriff’s deputies and those with the State Attorney or Public Defender’s offices, who need to make appearances in the courts.

It would also have an impact on costs

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER

At peak hours, it is not unusual for there to be a shortage of parking spots for people who have to go to the Polk County Courthouse (in the background) or Neil R. Combee County Commissioner building.

if the BOCC approved charging for parking. If an area or certain parking lot was designated for employees as well as those connected with law enforcement to park free of charge, the cost to offset that loss might have to be re-assigned to the general public.

“It’s a balance of the revenue you (would) need,” said Freeman.

However, nothing yet has been determined, he said. Several possibilities exist if the decision is made to build.

“They (the BOCC) may end up deciding to do it by themselves,” said

Freeman.

About the parking situation As Polk County grows, the need for additional parking will be required.

There currently are an estimated 1,500 parking spots. At peak time, there is an estimated shortage of nearly 600 parking spaces needed. The BOCC is considering having a parking garage constructed on the lot that borders Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ restaurant. If built, it would add 627 spots, spread through four stories.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 3

D L O S

2972963

SOLD

Page 4

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

VIEWPOINT

Putting tax authority where it belongs

At a legislative delegation hearing in December, the Polk County School Board asked for authority to impose a half-mill tax increase for school maintenance projects.

We think it’s a great idea: the authority, not the tax.

It is too soon for the public to decide if the tax is a good idea; there has been little public debate of the issue. But we support the concept of giving the county school board more authority to make funding decisions about Polk County education issues.

School Superintendent Kathryn LeRoy told the Polk County delegation that the board needs more money to maintain its schools, in particular the older buildings.

Mrs. LeRoy proposed that the board be given the authority to add a half-mill tax (50 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, equal to $25 on a piece of real estate with a taxable value of $50,000) only by a “super-majority” vote of the school

Our Viewpoint board.

That means that five of the seven board members would have to vote to impose the tax increase.

We would like to propose three other measures to help “keep the system honest.”

• Require approval of the tax increase by voter referendum. Yes, it would be harder to sell a majority of the voters on the merits of the increase than it would be to sell it to five members of the board. But on issues with sufficient merit, it can be done.

• Put a two-year “sunset” provision on the tax increase, eliminating it after two years. If the school board has done a good enough job to sell the taxpayers on their stewardship of the funds, consider another two years. Or perhaps after

two years, real estate values will have recovered enough to make the additional tax unnecessary.

• Create a “blue ribbon oversight committee” of citizens to ensure that the additional tax revenues are used for the intended purpose, and that the board does not simply use the half-mill increase to free up existing operational funds for other purposes.

We would be proud to claim all three — or even one — of these proposals as our own, but they are not.

All three — voter referenda, sunset provisions, and oversight committees — have been used to help win public approval of tax increases, as well as to increase the likelihood that the money is spent as represented.

We support local authority for school boards to increase their funding for educational needs, but we believe that extraordinary taxing authority should be accompanied by extraordinary protection of the interests of taxpayers.

Letters to the editor

Time for volunteers to SHINE In Polk County, volunteers have the opportunity to shine and serve local elders and persons with disabilities.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs in partnership with the West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc., heads a health insurance assistance program in which volunteers provide one-on-one counseling and information to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers. Appropriately called SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), the program’s mission is to provide free and unbiased health insurance counseling through a dedicated network of volunteers,

empowering Florida seniors to make informed health care choices. SHINE gives volunteers the opportunity to learn new skills through professional training programs, to meet new people during outreach and partnership, and to acquire healthcare related knowledge that can be applied to their own lives. The SHINE Program also offers a unique volunteer experience that engages individuals in their communities. To continue the program’s success in serving Polk County seniors, West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging,

SHINE | 5

Legislature cast difficult vote to fill budget hole Recently Gov. Rick Scott announced his intention to cut the insidious car tag fee increases that occurred five years ago. During his announcement in his opponent’s backyard of Tampa Bay, he hinted that he was reducing the taxes that his predecessor raised.

This is a smart political move, no doubt orchestrated by political consultants who hoped no one would notice it was fellow Republicans who crafted and then passed the bill to increase fees. To understand the dynamics of the “Great Fee Hike of 2009,” a brief primer on Florida’s budget numbers and process is in order. In 2007, during Charlie Crist’s tenure as governor, the state budget reached a high of $72 billion.

By 2009, revenues were estimated to be a much lower $66.5 billion because of the recession. Legislators preparing the budget tried to maximize spending in certain areas to obtain federal stimulus funds. After making severe cuts to many programs, some vital, legislators were still struggling to fill a $2 billion budget hole.

A desperate Republican-led Legislature had little choice but to

SB 1778 was sent to then-Gov. Crist along with the budget, known as the appropriations bill. It’s important to note that this was no ordinary bill; it was a conference committee report that was negotiated in the final days of session. The bill to increase fees was needed to enhance revenues so that Paula Dockerycan be contacted at they matched the amount of money pdockery@floridavoices.com spent in SB 2600, the appropriations bill.

Why is this important? If the governor temporarily raise fees and taxes to fill had vetoed SB 1778, known as a conthe gap. In all, they raised revenues $2.2 billion, including a $1-per-pack tax forming bill, it would have thrown the budget out of balance. In this case, the increase on cigarettes generating $935 budget would have authorized spendmillion, and fee increases on certain ing $800 million in revenues that would court costs totaling $195 million. The not have been collected. At that point, toughest vote was for increasing fees it would have made sense to veto the on drivers’ licenses and new car tags entire budget. However, that would be to generate $800 million. This was highly unusual, particularly when the done in Senate Bill 1778, which passed governor and legislative leaders were 40-0, with all senators, Republican from the same political party. In 2011, and Democratic alike, voting for the increase, even though many did so with when state revenues were almost $70 billion, the Florida Senate wanted to extreme reluctance.

In the Florida House, the auto fee hike roll back the 2009 fee increases but Gov. Scott was more interested in reducing passed, 74-43, but it did so primarily along party lines, with one Republican corporate income taxes.

During the 2013 session, state Sen. joining 42 Democrats in dissent.

Paula Dockery Political Ponderings

Joe Negron, Appropriations Committee chair, introduced and passed in the Florida Senate SB 7132 to take revenue from eliminating a tax credit benefitting insurance companies and use it to reduce a portion of the auto fee increases. The Florida House refused to go along. Gov. Scott didn’t weigh in.

In September, as legislators started preparing for the 2014 session, Gov. Scott expressed interest in reducing taxes by $500 million and began a listening tour to hear from the public how to do so. He also indicated that he had no list of what taxes and fees he had in mind to cut. It is estimated that there will be a surplus of at least $840 million above the $74.5 billion in the current budget.

During the October committee week, Senate Appropriations Chair Joe Negron introduced SB 156, again trying to reduce certain motor vehicle fees but this time using the surplus in general revenue funds. Then in December, Gov. Scott announced his plan to cut $401 million in car and truck registration

DOCKERY | 5

We welcome your letters Letters are welcome on virtually any subject, but we do have some rules. Please keep them to less than 250 words. Letters will be edited to length as well as grammar and spelling. All letters must be signed with full name - not initials. An address and telephone number must be included. The phone number and address are not for publication, but must be provided. The Letters to the Editor section is designed as a public forum for community discourse and the opinions and statements made in letters are solely those of the individual writers. Readers in the Lake Wales area can send letters and column submissions to letters@lakewalesnews.com or mail them to 140 East Stuart Avenue, Lake Wales Fl. 33853.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 5

The Inquiring Photographer If you had a New Year’s resolution you wish you could keep, what would it be?

Frances Collier Lake Wales

Laura Johnson Lake Wales

Ralph Schaberg Lake Wales

Make sure at midnight you kiss the one you love and then you will be able to stay with them for the next year.

Having a good attitude and not getting aggravated as easily.

(She has four boys and three are teens.)

Lose the 10 pounds permanently that I have put on at this time.

Trucking company buys land off SR 60

By BILL ROGERS

south side of Winter Haven.

The facility, which has been in the planning for five years, will include A Jacksonville-based trucking coma truck, rail and warehousing hub/ pany that will be doing business at the terminal for the transfer and storage of CSX facility has bought land off of State containerized consumer goods.

Road 60 near Lake Wales. FMX Inc. has According to its website, FMX speacquired 45 acres of land on the south cializes in intermodal drayage (the side of SR 60 at West Lake Wales Road, transport of goods a short distance) according to Bob Kelly, Realtor with and over the road trucking. It claims to Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT. be one of Florida’s largest local drayage The CSX Integrated Logistics Center is companies and has more than 100 years scheduled to open in early 2014 on the of experience in the transportation

industry.

It provides dry van, flatbed and refrigerated transportation.

Helen Venson, president and owner of FMX, said she has been working for or with CSX for 30 years. She added that she worked for CSX for almost 10 years.

“I have to go where they go,” she said.

Venson said she had been looking for land for several months. She said the property was in her price range and added that “it was just an ideal opportunity.”

The property will be used as a storage area for trailers. Venson was quick to point out that the drivers will be parking their trucks on the property.

Kelly said the potential of the property is “great” that could include a major service station or a motel locating there.

He noted that the land is already zoned industrial.

The purchase price for the property was a little more than $1 million, Kelly

SHINE

have the opportunity to serve your community by providing information and counseling assistance about Medicare, Medicaid, health insurance, prescription assistance, and long-term care planning. SHINE volunteers also conduct educational presentations

in the community and participate in health fairs and outreach events.

Floridians who enjoy interacting with people, learning new skills and information, and are ready to fill a serious need by volunteering should consider contributing their time to

SHINE. For more information on becoming a SHINE volunteer, call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 or visit www.Floridashine.org.

Senate President Don Gaetz welcomed the governor to Joe Negron’s bandwagon. With more than an $8 billion increase in the state budget from 2009 to the present, isn’t it well past time to undo the fee increases that were supposed to be temporary? The timing and location of the governor’s

announcement, along with his inaction over the past three years, make the governor’s motives appear more opportunistic than sincere. It’s an insult and a disservice to the Republican legislators who took the tough but responsible vote to balance the budget.

Wouldn’t it be more honorable to be

honest with voters rather than to try to deceive them for political gain?

BROGERS@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

FROM PAGE 4 Inc. needs more volunteers to join in its efforts. As a SHINE volunteer, you’ll

DOCKERY FROM PAGE 4 fees. If passed, it could save the average motorist about $25 a year, a very popular idea with reelection looming.

LAND | 10

Dani Donohue SHINE Liaison/Volunteer Manager

Paula Dockery is a syndicated columnist who served in the Florida Legislature for 16 years as a Republican from Lakeland.

Strength for the Injured Lakeland/ Bartow Office 863.733.9090 877.883.9090 www.moodylaw.com 2982125

Lake Wales News

2982719

Mention this ad for discount LAKE WALES 863-676-9999

Jim Gouvellis - Publisher

FROSTPROOF 863-546-6010

AVON PARK 863-784-0478

Frostproof News

• Paul Northrop - Sales Manager • Jeff Roslow - Editor • Brian Ackley/ Kathy Leigh Berkowitz - Managing Editor LAKE WALES NEWS Published every Wednesday HOME DELIVERY SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN POLK COUNTY at 140 E. Stuart Avenue by Three Months..$7.00 Six Months..$12.00 One Year..$22.00 Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. at its Office.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN-COUNTY MAIL Periodical postage paid at Lake Wales, Six Months....................$13.00 One Year......................$24.00 Florida 33853 and additional Entry Office SUBSCRIPTION PRICE •Phone (863) 676-3467 •Fax (863) 678-1297 OTHER FLORIDA COUNTIES Postmaster: Send address changes to Six Months....................$20.00 One Year.....................$40.00 140 E. Stuart Avenue OUT OF STATE SUBSCRIPTION Lake Wales, FL 33853 Six Months....................$22.00 One Year.....................$44.00

FROSTPROOF NEWS Published every Wednesday at 14 W. Wall Street, Frostproof FL 33843 by SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN-COUNTY MAIL Sun Coast Media Group, Inc. Six Months............$12.00 One Year................$19.50 at its Office. Periodical postage paid at OUT OF STATE SUBSCRIPTION Frostproof, Florida 33843 and Six Months............$22.00 One Year................$36.00 additional Entry Office SUBSCRIPTION PRICE OTHER FLORIDA •Phone (863) 676-3467 •Fax (863) 678-1297 COUNTIES Postmaster: Send address changes to Six Months............$20.00 One Year.................$32.50 140 E. Stuart Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

SPORTS

EXTRA

Page 6

Highlanders enjoy victory at home

Railond Garrett of Lake Wales (13) and Nathan Byrd of Auburndale (22) take center stage as the referee throws the jump ball at the start of a game at Lake Wales High School against Auburndale right before the holiday break.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Lake Wales Highlander Savonte’ Frazier enters the court through a team of cheerleaders as he joins his teammates for home game against Auburndale Dec. 19. Lake Wales defeated Auburndale 60-51.

SFSC Performing Arts Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence

Dick Maley’s

WYSIWYG Jazz Band Monday, Jan. 6 7:30 p.m.

SFSC University

Center ter Auditorium dit ium

Lake Wales’ Shaka McGriff eyes the goal as he fights past Auburndale’s defense to put points on the board at Thursday’s game in Lake Wales.

Piano Battle

Charles Lindbergh: Lone Eagle

Saturday, Jan. 4

Saturday, Jan. 11 • 7:30 p.m.

Sponsor: Drs. Audwin and Patrice Nelson (Exclusive)

Performance Sponsors: The Daisy Girl Shop / Cindy Mungall Sunny K. Zengler C&C Plumbing & Repair Inc.

7:30 p.m.

SFSC University Center Auditorium

2014 Jazz Series Season Sponsors

Mitchell • John P. Mills • Charles and Anne Reynolds • Anonymous Tom and Nancy hens Jr. • Highlands Today (Media Sponsor) • The Journal (Med ep t S s. Norman L. ia Sponsor) Dr. and Mr

eries Season Sponsors 2014 KaleidoscopMres. S Norman L. St

ephens Jr. • Clem and Bet ne Reynolds • Dr. and z Newbold Charles and An or) • ns Th po e S J ou ia d rnal (Media Sponsor) Me ( y da o T ds n Highla

600 W College Dr., Avon Park FL 33825

2980462

Head Coach Randy Lee goes over game strategy during a break in the action at Thursday’s game.

Lake Wales defeated the visiting Auburndale Bloodhounds by a score of 60-51.

Box Office: 863-784-7178 • Mon. - Fri. 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Box Office closed Dec. 21 - Jan. 1

www.performances.southflorida.edu

Page 7

SPORTS

EXTRA

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Lady Highlanders roll over Sebring, 2-1

Lake Wales’ Anna Gilbert works her magic as she moves the ball into Sebring territory at Thursday’s game in Lake Wales. Lake Wales defeated Sebring by a score of 2-1.

Lady Highlander Anna Gilbert throws the ball into play at Thursday’s match against Sebring.

Lake Wales won its 13th straight game in defeating the Blue Streaks, 2-1.

PHOTOS BY ROBERT BLANCHARD

Teams shake hands at the end of Thursday’s match between the Lake Wales Highlanders and the Sebring Blue Streaks. Lake Wales won with a score of 2-1.

Mariah Daly of Lake Wales jumps up to meet an incoming ball as it comes down near her at a recent home game against Sebring at Legion Field. Lake Wales defeated Sebring with a final score of 2-1. The Lady Highlanders are next at home Jan. 10 against Winter Haven, looking to avenge one of the team’s two losses this season.

Can I get help paying for my health insurance?

Find out.

Sebring Goalie Shannon Bloemsma (center) dives towards the ball as she defends against a Lake Wales scoring attempt. The Lady Highlanders, who have been tough to beat this year, will be on the road Jan. 6 at Lakeland Christian.

Beginning in October, you will be able to purchase new health plans on the Marketplace. We can help you understand your choice of plans, plus other options for health plans through Florida Blue. We can help you apply and enroll.

Call us or stop by our office today to find out more.

We are here for you.

Esther Echeverria

863-676-2886

estherecheverria@greatflorida.com www.LakeWales.GreatFlorida.com 1386 St. Rd. 60 E. Orange Grove Shopping Center (right behind Subway)

Lake Wales, FL 33853 These Lady Highlanders lock arms as Haylee Peters of Sebring (9) make a penalty kick on the Lake Wales goal during Thursday’s game at Legion Field.

Florida Blue is an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

78486-0913/77200-0913R Agt 2940159

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

SPORTS

EXTRA

Page 8

Local Seminoles ready for title game

By DENNIS LATTA

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT The Florida State Seminoles will have a number of high-powered local fans come Monday night when they meet Auburn for the national collegiate football championship.

Jesse Jackson, Superintendent of Lake Wales Charter Schools, isn’t sure how much he’ll actually get to see the game, but has confidence the No. 1 Seminoles will win the title.

“I might watch a little bit,” Jackson explains. And he’ll be in Tallahassee when the game is played.

“I’m trying to graduate in the spring with my doctorate. I haven’t got time to sit and watch a whole football game,” says Jackson, who earned his Masters at FSU and that is where he is working on his Ph.D. But he is familiar with Florida State’s accomplishments.

“The Seminoles have shown themselves to be a dominate force regardless of who they are playing. Their play is centered around their quarterback (Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston) and he has been flawless.

They’re really just unstoppable on offense.”

Jackson expects FSU to earn the national championship in Pasadena, California.

“They are the best team and the best team should win that game. They have proven themselves all season.”

A.J. Jackson is a member of the Bartow City Commission and there is a commission meeting scheduled for Jan. 6. He isn’t certain he’ll catch the start of the game.

“I’m surrounded by Gators on the commission. I’m not sure I’d get much sympathy for rescheduling a commission meeting because of a football game, “ A.J. points out.

A.J. is a member of the FSU booster club and has football season tickets.

“I’m pretty dedicated. I’ve had season tickets for years. I gave some consideration to going to the game, but I decided against it.”

The local leader is confident his alma mater will prevail.

“I don’t think Auburn can stop our passing offense. The question is whether we can stop the Auburn running offense. I think there are going to be some points scored. We’ve not faced a rushing attack like they have. I hope it doesn’t come down to luck, because they’ve been pretty lucky this season.”

Anne Dickinson, the Mayor of Frostproof, has kept an eye on her school too.

“I really do think Florida State will win. I’m not just saying that. I think their quarterback is good and they have good leadership,” she noted.

As for watching the game, Dickinson plans to watch it at home with her husband Dick, a Gator fan.

“He’ll probably be asleep before halftime,” she chuckled. “We agreed a long time ago that if one of our teams loses, the other doesn’t rub it in. But I think I can gloat a little.”

Dickinson might not be a dedicated football fan, but she knows something about the game.

“We need to have a good start.

Sometimes we don’t play too well in the first quarter. But I do think we’ll win.”

Casey Fletcher, President of Pallet One in Bartow, remembers the bad times at FSU. “I went to school there before Bobby Bowden arrived and turned it around. I went to one game this year in the new stadium. When I was in college, it was so quiet. It’s not that way anymore. It was my first game in 15 years,” he said.

Fletcher will watch the game, but he’ll have it in perspective.

“It’s a bunch of kids running into each other. I think if Auburn wins, my wife and children will still love me.”

AP PHOTO / BOB LEVERONE

Florida State’s Jameis Winston was named the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year.

NEW OFFICE IN LAKE WALES

Here we grow again!

Board Certified Ophthalmologists & Optometrists Offering you the finest in: Cataract & Small Incision Implant Surgery Laser Vision Correction (LASIK) Complete Glaucoma Care Treatment of Macular Degeneration/ Diabetic Retinopathy Complete Eye Examinations Blended Vision Program Large Selection of Fashion Frames & Contact Lenses 407 Avenue K Winter Haven, FL 33880 AP PHOTO / CHUCK BURTON

Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher is hoping for one more victory shower this college football season, like the one he got after winning the ACC title game in December.

Doctors, back row left to right: Drs. David Burry, Thomas Brinton, Edward Attaway, William Corkins.

Middle row: Drs. Julia King, Evan Brinton Terrance Haffner, Alan Fisher, John Davidson, Valerie Moulds.

Front row: Drs. Damon Welch, David Loewy, Daniel Welch, Neil Okun

Call toll free

800-282-Eyes (3937)

www.EyesFL/com

2025 E Edgewood Dr. Lakeland, FL 33803

5032 US Hwy 27, N Sebring, FL 33870

100 Patterson Road Haines City, FL 33844

NEW LOCATION

2800 A Ridge Way Lake Wales, FL 33859 1050 US Hwy 27 N, Suite 1 Clermont, FL 34711

2935464

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 9

AND 3 YEARS FREE MAINTENANCE INCLUDED!

2982280

866-215-8943

Page 10

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

LWPD hosts Citizen’s Police Academy The Lake Wales Police Department will host a Citizen’s Police Academy from Jan. 21 through April 29, 2014. Participants will meet at the Police Department every other Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is designed to provide the citizens of Lake Wales a greater understanding of what the police department does on a daily basis. Participants will gain a greater understanding of the vital roles and responsibilities of the police

department and how they can work together to help maintain a safe community.

This program benefits both the community and the police department by providing citizens a better understanding of police operations, how policies are developed, the decision making process, and what an officer experiences on a day-to-day basis.

“The Lake Wales Police Department believes community involvement is crucial in our efforts to reduce

crime and maintain a high quality of life in Lake Wales. We welcome the opportunity to meet and work with our community and hope to see a large turnout again this year,” notes Deputy Chief Troy Schulze.

Applications for the Citizen’s Police Academy are available at the Lake Wales Police Department. For more information, contact Judi Gladue, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police at (863) 678-4223 Ext. 260.

Victim succumbs to Polk Avenue teacher charged with domestic violence injuries in Dec. 15 crash

LAND FROM PAGE 5 said.

The company has 130 drivers and will be looking for more. Venson said she

6 and 9.

PCSO says the truck slid into eastbound lanes and into the path of a Ford Taurus driven by 62-year-old Elizabeth Miller of River Ranch.

According to reports, the left front of the Taurus and right front of the truck collided.

Miller was trapped in her vehicle — she was extricated by the Polk County Fire Department and flown by helicopter to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, reports say, where she was in surgery Sunday afternoon with life-threatening injuries.

The only person injured in the pickup truck was Wayne Zimmerman.

He was treated for a shoulder injury and released from Lake Wales Medical Center. Everyone was wearing seat belts and all airbags deployed, according to reports. No criminal charges are anticipated at this time; the traffic crash investigation will continue.

doesn’t know how many, noting that it will depend on the volume of freight coming out of the CSX facility.

Owner/operators who are interested in FMX may call 904-598-2683 for information.

Venson said she expects another trucking company to locate in the Lake Wales area.

Pilot hopes to reenact 1914 Tampa Bay flight POLK CITY (AP) — A Florida man is hoping to reenact the nation’s first commercial flight on the centennial of the aviation milestone.

The Tampa Tribune reported that Kermit Weeks has recreated the biwing seaplane that pilot Tony Jannus first flew over Tampa Bay 100 years ago. Using scraps of archival data and photographs, Weeks and his crew have built nearly everything from scratch, trying to honor the original design.

The aircraft’s wings are made of wood, a wooden lever moves the rudder and foot pedals operate the throttle.

“You’re hanging out there like a bird, and it’s just awesome,” Weeks said.

New Year’s Day will mark the 100th anniversary of what is considered the country’s first regularly scheduled commercial flight. In 1914, passengers paid $5 for a one-way ticket across Tampa Bay. But Weeks must first get approval from Federal Aviation Administration officials to launch from St. Petersburg’s North Yacht Basin on Jan. 1 and retrace Jannus’ 23-minute trek with a passenger.

“Although the FAA doesn’t care if I kill myself, they do care if I kill

somebody else,” said Weeks, who has invested four years of meticulous research, staff hours and his own money to construct the plane from scratch.

The idea started with an offhand comment.

When a group of aviation enthusiasts planned to build a radio-controlled model of the airboat for the centennial of the Jannus flight, Weeks suggested he create an actual replica.

He recruited Ken Kellett, who built a replica of the Wright brothers’ flyer and flew it at Kitty Hawk in 1978.

The crew had no instructions or schematics to offer guidance, so they had to rely on photos and other documents. Weeks, who has built several historical replicas, has tried to reproduce the finest details, even in features that make the plane challenging to a modern pilot. The plane’s maximum speed is 64 mph.

“He wants to fly it the way it was originally done,” Kellett said.

The FAA must decide whether Weeks has logged sufficient test flight hours to safely ferry a passenger. Weather conditions New Year’s morning also will be a factor.

threatened to kill his wife. Reports say he also allegedly spat in her face twice.

The couple’s 16-year-old son witnessed the incident and contacted law enforcement, according to the Donna Martin sheriff’s office.

Mrs. Martin was charged with domestic violence-battery and Mr. Martin was charged with domestic violence-battery, and domestic violence aggravated assault.

Reports say Timothy Martin told deputies he was a teacher at Ridge Career Center in Winter Haven; Donna Martin told deputies she was a teacher at Polk Avenue Elementary in Lake Wales.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Martin were booked into the Polk County Jail. They have since bonded out, according to the sheriff’s office.

MON, JAN 6TH & TUES, FEB 4TH WED, JAN 8TH FRI, JAN 17TH & FRI, FEB 14TH SAT, JAN 18TH Highlands Park Church Tangelwood Resort Lake Ashton Recreation Complex 4730 Lakeland Highlands Rd 3000 Tanglewood Pkwy 2100 Cypress Gardens Blvd. SW 4141 Ashton Club ClaudeLAKELAND Pepper SeniorSEBRING Center WINTERThe HAVENCentreLAKE WALES 6640 Van Buren Street 1500 16th Street FRI, JAN 31ST & THURS, FEB 13TH Prevention Plus Screening Center New Port Richey 34653 Palm Harbor 34683 11 Ryant Blvd.

SEBRING

STROKE IS SUDDEN. TEST FOR PEACE OF MIND!

Preventive health screenings are one of the most important things you can do for your health.

Screenings find diseases like cancer or arterial disease early, often before you have symptoms, and when they’re easier to treat.

PROPER SCREENING CAN FIND A DISEASE EARLY ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU THE BEST CHANCE OF OVERCOMING IT.

ONLY COMPANY OFFERING THYROID, ABDOMINAL AND HEART ULTRASOUNDS.

STROKE/CAROTID ULTRASOUND ............................. $40 $35 STROKE/CAROTID ULTRASOUND .............................................

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA)...................................

ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA)................... $40 $35 THYROID ULTRASOUND ............................................................

ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND ...................................... $40 $85 (SCANS LIVER,DISEASE PANCREAS, (PAD) KIDNEYS, GALLBLADDER & SPLEEN) ARTERIAL TEST ....................................... ......... $40 THYROID ULTRASOUND $35 ABDOMINAL ULTRASOUND........................................... ...................................................... $95 ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD) TEST ............................... $35 (SCANS LIVER, PANCREAS, KIDNEYS, GALLBLADDER & SPLEEN) HEART SCAN ........................................

HEART SCAN– –ECHOCARDIOGRAM ECHOCARDIOGRAM ........................ $95 $95 .

OUR TESTS ARE ACCURATE as we adhere to a stringent protocol AND RELIABLE: Results are read by a Board Certified radiologist.

ALL RESULTS & FILMS MAILED TO YOU IN 2 WEEKS.

vidual tests or Schedule indiand SAVE BIG: X SI L AL GET

Call for appointment Call for appointment

888-667-7587 or visit www.StrokeTesting.com

888-667-7587 or visit www.StrokeTesting.com

HOST A SCREENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY OR CHURCH AND RECEIVE YOUR ULTRASOUNDS FREE.

2983165

ETE COMPLT EVALUoundAs ION All Six Ultras

11769

$$ ONLY

10 OFF PACbriKngAa frieGndE. $

If you IF YOU D InsAWe lk-ING IENme WaBR FRlco

BLOOD TESTS INCLUDING LIVER, CHOLESTEROL, PSA & TSH are ALSO AVAILABLE

003261 01 003261-01

A 62-year-old River Ranch woman has perished from injuries she sustained in a two vehicle crash that occurred ten days before Christmas.

Elizabeth Miller, of #1 Long Hammock Dr. in River Ranch, passed away at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, according to reports.

The Sunday morning traffic crash stopped traffic for several hours on S.R. 60, about one and a half miles east of County Road 630 in Lake Wales and Miller was airlifted because of her injuries.

According to Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports, around 9:40 a.m.

Dec. 15, a Dodge pickup truck driven by 41-year-old Racquel Zimmerman of Port St. Lucie was westbound when it lost control on the wet highway.

Reports say Zimmerman had other passengers, her husband, Wayne Zimmerman, and two daughters,

A teacher at Ridge Career Center and a teacher at Polk Avenue Elementary School have been arrested for domestic violence, according to Polk County Sheriff’s Office reports.

Deputies arrested 47-yearold Timothy Martin and his wife, 51-year-old Donna Martin, at around 9 a.m.. on Saturday, Dec. 28, after reports say the two became Timothy Martin involved in a verbal argument in the couple’s living room.

PCSO alleged that as the argument escalated, Mrs. Martin attempted to slap Mr. Martin in the face. Reports say Mr. Martin blocked the strike with his arm and wasn’t injured.

The Sheriff’s Office notes, in a press release issued Monday, that Mr. Martin then allegedly armed himself with a handgun, racked the gun’s slide and

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 11

A new year’s day hike planned Polk County Commissioners are providing residents resolved to living healthier lifestyles an early start to their New Year’s resolutions with a hike at Circle B Bar Reserve, one of Polk County’s environmental lands.

Commissioner George Lindsey is hosting the New Year’s Day “Here’s to Your Health Hike� at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at the 1,267-acre park on State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) in Lakeland.

The event features a two-mile hike led

by Commissioner Lindsey through the oak hammock of Circle B and along the shoreline of Lake Hancock. Polk County Parks & Natural Resources staff and volunteers are also stationed on the trail to talk about the reserve’s wildlife and restoration.

The event is designed to get everyone unpluggedfrom their new televisions, computers, video games and gaming systems they received for Christmas and get them out enjoying the outdoors and exercise.

Circle B Bar Reserve, a county-managed environmental land, was recognized by “USA Today� Travel in 2011 as one of the 51 Great Places to See Wildlife. The area plays a key role in

the preservation efforts of the Upper Peace River / Lake Hancock system with Banana Creek and Upper Saddle Creek both flowing through the property.

Visitors to Circle B can enjoy a stately Oak hammock, freshwater marsh, hardwood swamp and lakeshore. There is also a tremendous bird population, including a variety of wading birds, waterfowl, ospreys and bald eagles.

The event and park entrance are free. For information, call Circle B Bar Reserve at 863-668-4673 or www. polk-county.net Spirit of the Buffalo Pow-Wow coming this month The annual Spirit of the Buffalo Pow-Wow event is coming and will be featured for two weekends in January.

The family-centered event is scheduled Jan. 10-12 and Jan. 17-19 and it includes an Indian Village with historic artifacts, an intertribal dance competition, artisans and crafters and Native American food and music.

The featured show is the East Meets West show presented under a Big Top Tent. It compares the Eastern tribe, Creek, and the Western tribe, Comanche, and spans the eras of

primitive life through the 1800s.

Entertainment new this year is the Survival Skills Workshop to precede the family event. The workshop runs from Jan. 3-5 and teaches advanced skills in fire making, bow and arrow, and primitive weapons. It can be useful during hurricanes and earthquakes, and cyber terrorist attacks that affect utilities, organizers said.

The shows run from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

International Market World is at 1052 U.S. 92 W., Auburndale. For information, go to www.intlmarketworld.com Prayer brunch scheduled The Miracle Temple FBC has scheduled at prayer brunch on Jan. 25 with the theme The Necessity of Prayer.

It is scheduled at 10 a.m. at Miracle Temple FBC, 2051 Macon St., Bartow.

There is a $10 donation sought for entrance.

It will feature Swedish meatballs, baked chicken wings, yellow rice, green beans, dinner roll, tossed salad, fruit cup, banana pudding and iced tea.

Communities of Excellence awards

call for entries Volunteer Polk wants local condo or Homeowner Associations active in volunteering to represent Polk County by entering the Florida Communities of Excellence Awards.

Now entering its sixth year, the Communities of Excellence Awards are the first comprehensive, independent recognition program for the tens of thousands of community associations throughout Florida. More than 400 associations and more than 400,000 residents have participated in the Awards with 66 different associations receiving top honors.

The Awards is open to all community associations statewide. There are no entry fees and submission is done online, go to communitiesofexcellence. net/entering-the-competition/ Entries are judged by a select panel of independent experts chosen from among educators, policy experts, journalists, consultants, public officials and professionals within each industry/ category represented.

The deadline for entering is Jan. 31.

The winners are to be announced at the Communities of Excellence Conference & Awards Gala, May 2 in Orlando.

Registration coming for Polk Senior Games Polk Senior Games begins Jan. 2 and the games, scheduled for Feb. 22-March 10.

It offers a two-week series of 99 Olympic-style events in 38 athletic and recreational sports.

It normally attracts nearly 2,500 men and women, 50 and older, with a variety of skills – the serious competitor, the fun at heart, the seasoned athlete, the late bloomer, and the physically challenged. The purpose of the Games is to promote friendly competition, fellowship, health and wellness, an active lifestyle, and volunteerism.

Competition, held at various locations throughout Polk County, is offered in Archery, Badminton, Bag Toss, Basketball Shooting, Basketball 3

on 3, Billiards, Bocce, Bowling, Bridge, Checkers, Chess, Cribbage, Ballroom and Social Dancing, Square Dancing, Darts, Euchre, Field Events, Fishing, Fly Casting, Golf - 18 Hole and Putt & Chip, Horseshoes, Lawn Bowling, Pepper, Pickleball, Powerlifting, Punt Pass Kick, Racquetball, Road Race 5K, Scrabble, Senior Smarts, Shooting – Rifle, Skeet and Trap, Shuffleboard, Softball, Sudoku, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track, and Walking. Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in each event and age division.

The individual entry fee is $10 for the first event and $3 for each additional event up to a maximum of $28. Fees for team sports are $125 for Softball and $50 for Basketball 3 on 3. There is also a

$25 facility fee for 18-Hole Golf, a $3.50 facility fee per event for Bowling, a $5 range fee for Archery and a $5 range fee for Skeet and Trap Shooting.

Everyone gets a specially designed T-shirt. A free Closing Celebration for participants, family and friends is scheduled at The Lakeland Center on

Nell’s Country Kitchen *QOGOCFG &CKN[

DELICIOUS BUFFET SPECIALS!

Boat shop owners find Cypress Gardens relic WINTER HAVEN (AP) — Owners of a boat repair shop in Winter Haven are donating a relic they found lodged in the dirt behind their building to a local museum.

Co-owners Dave Miller and Diane Stanton said they’re donating the concrete Cypress Gardens crest to the Museum of Winter Haven History.

They found the aged and cracked crest from Florida’s first theme park earlier in December.

Monday, March 10 and includes goody bags, health fair, special awards, door prizes and entertainment.

To request an entry or for more information contact Executive Director Deena Wilbur at 515 E. Boulevard St., Bartow or by calling 863-533-0055, or visit polkseniorgames@verizon.net.

MON. .. Homemade Meatloaf, Cube-steak, Baked Chicken, Catfish Filet TUES... Fried Pork Chops, Salisbury Steak, Chicken Pot Pie, Country Fried Steak, Catfish Filet WED.... Fried Grouper, Fried Chicken, Chicken w/ Peppers & Onions, Chicken Braised Marsala THUR.. Fried Pork Chops, BBQ Ribs, Liver & Onions, Catfish Filet FRI. ..... Roast Beef, Roast Turkey, Roast Pork, Fried Grouper, Fried Chicken SAT...... BBQ Ribs, Fried Pork Chops, Liver & Onions, Stuffed Peppers, Catfish Filet SUN. ... Fried Chicken, Fried Grouper, Roast Pork, Roast Turkey, Pot Roast

There, it will be restored by local historian Bob Gernert, who says he wants people to be able to see what the crest once looked like.

Bernert says it’s really no surprise the crest was found behind the boat shop. The property is the former site of the Cypress Gardens ski manufacturing company.

The Cypress Gardens park site was replaced by Legoland Florida.

Veggie Plate (5 Veggies) $7.50 Small Plate (3 Veggies & 1 Meat) $8.00 Large Plate (3 Veggies & 2 Meat) $9.00 Price includes beverage, dessert and tax

Coffee and doughnuts taste better when you are reading your hometown newspaper

Choice of Lunch Entrees • Choice of 19 Vegetable Huge Salad Bar Catering - $8.50 includes Drink, Dessert and Tax Open 7 Days • Breakfast Every Day 5am-2:30pm Just minutes from Downtown Winter Haven

Don’t believe it?

Call today and subscribe to the

1518 7th St. SW, Winter Haven, 33880

Lake Wales-Frostproof and see for yourself.

863-676-3467

1RGP %JTKUVOCU CPF 0GY ;GCTU &C[ CO RO 1PN[

863-294-6050

2978372

NEWS

DINE IN OR TO GO

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

POLICE

B EAT

Page 12

The information is gathered from police, sheriff’s office, Florida Highway Patrol, jail and fire records. Not every arrest leads to a conviction and guilt or innocence is determined by the court system.

Debit card found and returned to owner

Compiled by Kathy Leigh Berkowitz

forwarded to the SAO for review.

officers responded to a report of violation of injunction at 134 C St. Flat screen TV stolen Officers met with the reporting person, Police were working a call, when it On Dec. 26, police responded to who said he had a confrontation with was reported that a Bank of America Cohasset Avenue in reference to a Ernest Hampton at the BP gas station debit card was found and it was able to residential burglary. Reports say the at 704 N. Scenic Hwy. The reporting be returned to the owner, according to resident reported her 36-inch flat screen person said he was hanging around reports. The card was discovered at the TV stolen. There are no suspects at this with friends and Hampton pulled into Racetrac on State Road 60. time, reports say. the store parking lot and went inside the store. Reports say Hampton came Arrest made after earring theft Arrest made for Polk County warrant out of the store and began announcing According to reports, on Dec. 26, Lake Police were called to a warrant arrest the reporting person was a “snitch” Wales Police responded to Sears at 301 at Dr. JA Wiltshire Avenue and D Street. because he has an injunction against Eagle Ridge Drive in reference to a retail Reports say Kendrick Akins was arrested Hampton. A verbal altercation ensued theft. Guadalupe Vaca allegedly stole a on an outstanding Polk County warrant and Hampton told the reporting person $10 pair of earrings and was arrested for for aggravated battery/person uses a he had a gun. The reporting person has the retail theft and transported to the deadly weapon, and was turned over to a concealed weapons permit and had a Polk County Jail without incident. the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. gun on his person at the time, reports say. Police note that Hampton popped Battery-domestic violence Retail theft the trunk of his vehicle and went to the On Dec. 26, officers responded to a According to reports, a retail theft back of his vehicle suggesting he was battery/domestic violence call. Police arrest was made after Sabrina Lopez going to arm himself, but never showed made contact with the complainant, allegedly concealed merchandise a firearm. The reporting person left the who said she had been in a verbal (cosmetics) in her purse. Police say she store and went back to his residence, altercation with the father of her child then passed all points of sale and was where he contacted law enforcement. that turned physical. The woman told detained by loss prevention. After she He currently has a temporary injunction police, according to reports, that the was detained, police say it was discovfor protection against Hampton which man had pushed her into his vehicle ered she had additional merchandise has been served and entered into FCIC. and kicked her. Police say the man, in her purse. She was then arrested and The injunction prohibits Hampton Prisciliano Macario-Palma, allegedly left transported to the county jail without from having direct or indirect contact the scene prior to law enforcement’s ar- incident, reports say. with the reporting person and prohibits rival. Officers made numerous attempts Hampton from knowingly coming to locate Macario, without success, Violation of injunction served within 100 feet of the reporting person’s reports say. A complaint affidavit will be According to reports, on Dec. 25, vehicle. According to the reporting person’s sworn statement, Hampton’s actions violated the injunction for protection. Hampton was unable to be located. an complaint affidavit was completed and will be forwarded to the SAO reference to the violation.

KLBERKOWITZ@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Lake Wales and Frostproof arrests

Dec. 16 John Collins, 39, of 1048 Hiawatha Ave., charged with out-of-county warrant.

Robert Croft, 41, of 3836 Carriage Dr., charged with battery-touch or strike.

Joy Davis, 48, of 301 Wetmore St., charged with two counts failure to appear-written promise to appear, disorderly intox-disorder intox public place cause disturbance, procure for prostitute-solicit another for lewdness assignt 2nd offense, battery-touch or strike, indecent exposure-in public.

Horris Howard, 55, of S 430 Scenic Hwy., charged with trespassing-occupied structure or conveyance.

Virginia Sonhayes, 62, of 111 D St. W, charged with 2 counts probation violation.

Hubert Leeks, 57, of 1518 Scenic Hwy., charged with battery-touch or strike, 2 counts marijuana possession-not more than 20 grams.

Lakesha Reeves, 30, of 3884 Ox Bow Ct., charged with larceny-grand 1st degree 100k dollars more or leo semi.

Christopher Torrez, 26, of 4706 Brezzer Dr., charged with moving traffic violation-knowingly drive while license suspended revoked.

Shawn Whitman, 23, of 1122 Voncile St., charged with moving traffic violation-drive while license suspended 2nd offense, moving traffic violation-fail to have required endorsement on drivers license.

Warren Wilkerson, 46, of N 1723 Scenic Hwy., Frostproof, charged with stalking-follow harass cyberstalk another.

Dec. 17 Janice Chapman, 38, of 400 Austin St., charged with public order crimes-criminal attempt solicit conspire 1st degree felony, obstruct criminal invest-false info to LEO re missing person or felony.

Philip Hadden, 44, of 5098 Lisk Lane, charged with 2 counts failure to appear-written promise to appear.

Roberto Medina, 52, of 473 Lakeside Dr., charged with moving traffic violation-operate motor vehicle without valid license.

Thomas Morrison, 49, of S 3724 Scenic Hwy., Frostproof, charged with failure to appear.

David Schmidt, 29, of 2013 Oriole Lane, charged with 8 counts probation violation.

Dec. 18 Kristopher Ayers, 22, of 14 E St., Frostproof, charged with burglary-unoccupied dwelling unarmed, burglary-unoccupied structure unarmed, damage property-criminal mischief-over 200 dollars under 1000 dollars, 3 counts probation violation.

Amy Crews, 35, of 23 Center St., Frostproof, charged with drugs-possess controlled substance without prescription, drug equipment-possess and or use.

Richard Fee, 52, of 2819 Mountain Lake Cut-Off, charged with moving traffic violation-operate motorcycle without license.

Johnathan Guinan, 24, of E 14 St., Frostproof, charged with burglary-unoccupied dwelling unarmed, burglary-unoccupied structure unarmed, damage property-criminal mischief-over 200 dollars under 1000 dollars.

Patrick Holliday, 31, 3000 Camp Rosalie Rd., charged with marijuana-possess-not more than 20 grams, drug equipment-possess and or use.

Thomas Johnson, 62, of 2319 Lilly St., charged with failure to appear-written promise to appear.

Brandon Scruggs, 27, of 24 Garcia Lane, Frostproof, charged with marijuana-possess-not more than 20 grams, drug equipment-possess and or use.

Violation of injunction On Dec. 26, Earnest Hampton of 306 Pearl St. was arrested for violation of injunction charges, reports say. He was transported to the county jail without incident, police say.

Waiver signed after alleged dispute involving firearm On Dec. 25, officers made contact with Dontwae Coleman, who reported

that he was in a verbal altercation with two men traveling in a white Chevrolet Impala, according to reports. Police say Coleman then stated once the males got out of the vehicle, he identified them as Charles and Antwon Francis. Coleman advised the two males began making verbal threats towards him, according to reports. Police say Coleman then advised the two males went back to the vehicle and continued the verbal dispute. While at the vehicle, Coleman stated the two males grabbed firearms and pointed them in his direction, but not directly at him, reports say. Police say Coleman then advised while the two were holding the firearms in their hands they continued making verbal threats. In fear of his life, Coleman fled the scene for safety, reports say. Police note Coleman was unable to identify what type of firearms both males were holding, and say that Coleman was uncooperative throughout the investigation and refused a taped statement.

Coleman stated he did not want to pursue charges against the suspects and signed a waiver of prosecution against both suspects.

Frame is bent According to reports, a woman on 4th Street South reported someone had bent the door frame of her vehicle.

Police say she last saw her vehicle in good condition without damage on Dec. 24 at around 11 p.m. Police did a canvass of the area, and several residents advised they did not see or hear anything out of the ordinary.

Holiday burglary On Dec. 24, a woman at Cohassett Avenue secured her residence around 4 p.m. A neighbor found her dog roaming the neighborhood the next day around 9 a.m. and contacted her to put the dog back into the residence, and that is when they discovered the residence had been burglarized, reports note.

Xenofon Papadopoulos,MD Urology

Bond Clinic is pleased to introduce the addition of Xenofon Papadopoulos, M.D., Board Certified Urologist.

Dr. Papadopoulos specializes in Urologic Oncology, Robotics, and Endourology and is proficient in stone disease, pediatric urology, and vasectomy.

• Medical Degree: University Medical School, Debrecen, Hungary, 2000 • Internship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2004 • Residency: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 2009 Dr. Papadopoulos is excited to bring his experience to our community and is now accepting new patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 863-293-1191, ext 3220.

2981616

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 13

LWCS Superintendent Jackson shares plans, views, accomplishments

BY BRENDA EGGERT BRADER BBRADER@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM It was a pleasant chat, time in the early morning to sit back and talk about the Lake Wales Charter Schools – some accomplishments, steady and spurts of growth, and yes, a look to the future. Schools Superintendent Jesse Jackson took time just before Christmas to share his passion for his position, duties and pride in accomplishments since his arrival in 2008.

The schools district plans a North Bok middle school in hopes of capturing the more than 300 students currently and consistently on the waiting list for the Edward Bok Academy on U.S. 27.

“This is a project I have been working on for the past two years,” Jackson said. “If we received funds this year we could start with an alternative locality downtown to give people confidence for the families on the waiting list.”

The Edward W. Bok Academy has a current attendance of 570 students with a waiting list of 450, Jackson said.

Noting the attraction of parents to the school isn’t always the academic reputation and accomplishment, it also is the “need for parents to have confidence that their children are safe, are not harassed and can thrive in the school atmosphere.”

Jackson has “been working with the city of Lake Wales, the current owner of the former middle/high school 1918 school structure (at 401 Fourth St. North) about renovation and having the city turn it over to us. The building would be named the Hardman Performing Arts Center – Bok Academy North Middle School. The city is prepared to transfer ownership of the property to the LWCS, Inc.” Jackson said the LWCS would “start with 300 students of middle grades sixth through eighth, 20 teachers with an annual budget of $1,687,400.

“As a start-up charter school, Bok Academy North will qualify for state charter school start-up and capital outlay funding based on student enrollment” – thus the plea for legislative input (approached recently at a meeting with state legislators held in Lakeland) for the estimated renovation costs of $1,700,000.

Behind the scenes, the staff areas would be an academics program with a fine arts focus to compliment the Lake Wales High School program and get kids off to a good start feeding into band and chorus at the high school.

The difference between the schools is that the current Bok Academy would continue to focus on its technical, science and mathematics academics.

Another “big thing” is the change from an outreach/public relations staffer in the LWCS district to a professional fundraiser/marketing individual the school district will “initiate and role out sometime in January,” Jackson said.

“The process is already started with many applications being submitted” to an outsource in Lakeland.

Jackson explained the position would be twofold – scheduling fundraisers and cultivating, not only the revenue sources who are currently friendly to the Lake Wales Charter School system, but to cultivate new people, and to begin a “process of building relationships.

“It is important here to cultivate revenue sources to give people confidence in what we are doing and show we are striving for excellence,” Jackson said.

“We need to find people who believe in our technique and then contribute.”

Jackson noted that was “required in

our inception (for the school district) for the purpose to do things that are necessary and for the front end of the program. Through the years large and small donations have been given and people then contribute time and effort to help.”

He noted he has seen other surrounding communities who are seeking charter school systems and many of those have visited “our district to have tours of the schools and see what we are doing and how our system is working.” Some of those communities have been in Lakeland, Winter Haven and Poinciana.

“They are trying to put together a charter and if people are not serious about it, it will not happen. You just want to provide the very best for your community. If you can’t get the whole community interested don’t even bother because it won’t work.”

The LWCS receives its charter school funds directly from the “state leaving no speculation on funds we are supposed to get,” Jackson said.

The school district assessments are based on student population resulting in extra dollars.

Jackson stresses the school district needs to work to deal with people all along the way, to bring in new people and special subject areas like the IB program. It is a process of training and development that is ongoing.

He cautions the LWCS “has a tough task here when you have poverty and educational background that play into a child’s learning and development as opposed to the effects of race or ethnic status. A family’s poverty affects the level of learning. Don’t use an excuse or blame, just get to work. It is a challenge, a great mission.

“We’ve been to jail, court with kids to work on all the issues cause if you don’t then you won’t get far in turning events around.”

Jackson says one of the best ways for people to contribute is to show them how committed you are to your own system suggesting an eventual payroll deduction system.

Jackson says his position is “a test of my skills that is why I took the job in the beginning. For any professional there is a sense of pride you have about the work you do, always working another strategy or plan to get great incentives.”

The Lake Wales High School is currently putting its best foot forward in taking students who would otherwise never see a college campus or even consider going to college, to visit surrounding college campuses.

Growing up in what he calls projects in Jacksonville and being raised by relatives, Jackson contributes his growth toward education to the work and guidance of his aunt and uncle, his minister and people of the community that nudged and guided him in what he is thankful was the right direction.

“I consider being blessed and it being a tremendous blessing to be here in Lake Wales.”

Other Topics When the subject of religion in the schools rears its head, Jackson offers these thoughts on the subject for his school district.

“As I shared with a group at one of our schools, religion and praying is not being promoted enough in church.”

If it was, then there would not be questions about wanting it in the schools, Jackson said.

In a question concerning why some principals in his school district, who

Jesse Jackson, Lake Wales Charter School superintendent reside outside of the LWCS community, may be having their own children home schooled, Jackson had this view.

“Schools are not required,”Jackson said. “I don’t think it is a matter of believing in the schools as it is a thought that you, as a parent, may be able to do it better.”

He cites one of his principals has the

children home schooled but the wife doing the homeschooling is a certified educator.

If you have a stable background and one of the family members has academic background, he doesn’t have a problem with it. His thinking is that the parents make that decision.

GET THE ADULT EDUCATION YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! Convenient Classes available all around Polk County Including Online!

ENGLISH CLASSES

GED CLASSES

• In Class & Online • 11 classes in the area • Day & Evening • Certified Teachers

• In Class & Online • 12 classes in the area • Day & Evening • Certified Teachers

(Clases de inglés)

Attend Orientation & Register Today Please call 863.965.5475 for more information LOW COST TUITION FEES!

• ONLY $30.00 Per Half-Year (for in-state residency)

• ONLY $120.00 Per Half-Year (for out-of state residency)

Please go to East Area Adult School Facebook page. The official page has a picture of our students and our official phoenix logo. www.facebook/.com/EastAreaAdultSchool

2980451

Page 14

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Connecting with the past Local woman researches her genealogy

By KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ

successful and started searching for her grandmother’s family information.

Someone told her she should get her She remembers that her grandgrandmother’s birth certificate, and she mother looked, as she says, different. says, “I said she has a birth certificate?

And that is how Dorothy Wilson got And on the birth certificate, it labeled her start in genealogy research. her as white, and I am scared to tell A scholar with a chemistry and her.� nursing background, she notes that Wilson continues, “Well, back in the in college, the class did some cross day, you just didn’t come up with this matching. kind of information. I had an aunt who “And they were talking about who looked just like her. And I said well, if did what and where they came from, that is the case, then cousin Dorothy and there were dominant and recessive who named me and worked with traits,� she said.

Miss Gibson all of their lives, I said so “Well I had a grandmother who something is going on there too.� looked different, very different, for our So Wilson obtained birth certificates class of people,� she said. on various family members. “I used to always ask her, ‘Well What she discovered was a rich history that ignited her interest in genealogy. “They all had a party that they would do on Friday nights. These women, and they were very different than the average Lake Wales group of people.�

She said that her grandmother’s two sisters, “could get around in the community, and were in all the organizations.� “Everybody liked them, the church was good and liked them.

My grandmother just seemed to sit in the house all the time by herself and wouldn’t even go to the store, and I thought something is wrong with that,� she said. “Now later on, I found PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ out that she would Here, Wilson reviews some of the material she has gathered always tell a story that about her own family. she could ride the train.

And I’m thinking that grandmother tell me this’ and I was Rosa Parks didn’t ride the bus until 19 a little girl, I was 6 years old. She says and something, well, how were you on ‘Mommy you ask too many questions,’ the train?â€? so as I grew up ‌ now my mother, if Then she set about finding out what she went into a room of science people her grandfather looked like. then you would say, well she’s just a His name was Lemuel Haynes, and Spanish woman, she just different. the story with him was that he came But not my grandmother, she was just down with a huge railroad man from different. I later found out that she was the north. in the Eastern Star.â€? “That’s where all the money and stuff “And she said it was the only organiwas coming into this area,â€? she said. zation that they were allowed to be in, They were in Gainesville, she in Lake Wales,â€? she added. said, and her grandfather met her So after Wilson finished her degree grandmother. in nursing, she said she became She noted that all the transition was KLBERKOWITZ@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

around the Naval yards. “And my grandfather who migrated “They have pinpointed that these from these great men was up there people would follow their rich people, with all these other great men, and and they were their workers, and they they treated them as equals. So somewere the people that took care of them how, if the real truth was told, that was and took care of their children. They somebody’s daughter’s child, Lemuel.� were part of that little Mecca,� she said. “Genealogy experts now do the DNA What was interesting is that when for $99 and the $99 DNA will tell you she saw her grandfather for the first whether you are of that origin and that time, he looked middle eastern. people, that is how this got started,� “And I thought oh no, do I have my she said. work cut out,� she said.

So she started picking others in the His fourth generation grandfather northwest Lake Wales community that was a Minute Man, she adds. as she describes, “looked so different.�

She took a trip to the Cooper Wilson has discovered she has midMemorial Library in Clermont, Fla., dle eastern Indian in her background, which is in Lake County. and that pleases her to know more of There, they not only have genealogy, her history. but they give one on one attention.

And that is not all. Wilson leads a And they are, she notes, “Ladies who genealogy research class the first Friday know their business.� of every month at 11:30 a.m. in the “They know every migration, they downstairs meeting room of know every boat ship, when it came, the library. She is when it was supposed to come, and available to help they have records. They prove what others in the they say,� she said. community Wilson visited the library for about research their six months, and thus learned her genealogy. history. “She said, ‘Well, you are middle eastern more, the Indian look and the Indian African.’ I always thought I was French,� Wilson notes.

Evidently, Lemuel Haynes — his fourth generation grandfather married a Scottish woman. “The story was that he was a very inside, business type man that ran with this guy that owned this big farm in Connecticut. Now any rich man had a black man right up under him. Now you know that story behind that, because the black man is not going to be intelligent enough to steal his business or his ideas.

So he kept a man like that up under him to make certain nothing goes wrong with the business,� she said.

Somehow one of the slave children came to be adopted by a white family, and they didn’t put him in “as an outPHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ side guy,�

Dorothy Wilson teaches others how to research their genealogy. she said.

ALUMINUM EXPERTS 25 Years Serving Polk County Specializing in: Roof-overs • Carports Screen Rooms • Glass/Vinyl Windows Rescreening • Pool Cages, Seamless Gutter • Vinyl Siding/Soffit Materials for do-it-yourselfers

AT GRAPE HAMMOCK ON LAKE KISSIMMEE

Make Your Reservations Today!

Greg Shelton, Owner 508 Edgewater Dr. • Lake Wales, FL 33853

Licensed & Bonded • RR #0061766

2981752

2980062

863-676-5174 • 863-528-0353

863.692.1500

www.grapehammock.com

25 MILES EAST OF LAKE WALES

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 15

OBITUARIES

Julia Ellis Livingston

PHOTO BY STEVE STEINER

RSVP Coordinator Kathleen Roehm holds aloft the book volunteers will read to students in classrooms at Title 1 Polk County elementary schools.

RSVP, please, ahead of Jan. 20 Say the following, then ask, what does it mean: RSVP. Many may not know the exact words, from the French, “rĂŠpondez s’il vous plaĂŽt,â€? but do know the translated: “Please reply.â€? In Polk County however (as well as across the nation), RSVP means something else. It stands for Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and is one of several nationwide programs involving senior citizens. “It (the federal government) provides communities across the United States with grants and RSVP is one of them,â€? said Kathleen Roehm, RSVP coordinator in Polk County. It is all part of Senior Corps, along with the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, which are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency.

Roehm explained that each RSVP has to develop an area in which to focus its efforts. Polk County has chosen literacy.

Tied into that, one of the projects the federal government has charged the CNCS, thus RSVP, is to establish activities for the two annual National Day of Service and Remembrance events.

Those two events are held to commemorate the birth date of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, and 9/11.

The former takes place on Jan. 20, King’s birth date. “It’s called ‘A Day On, Not a Day Off,’� said Roehm. However, because schools are closed that day in Polk County, RSVP will go into the schools the following day. Its goal for this year is to go to every elementary school that has been designated as Title 1 and have volunteers read to students.

A Title 1 school Title I provides additional resources to schools with economically disadvantaged students. These resources provide additional teachers, professional development, extra time for teaching, parent involvement activities, and other activities designed to raise student achievement.

Therein lies the challenge. Not only are volunteers needed, so too is the specific book that will be read to students. “Right now, all we have are approximately 90 copies,� Roehm said. “We would like to read to over 500 students.�

In Polk County, there are 51 elementary schools that are Title 1 and Roehm

would like the program to go into 30 classrooms, not only to read but to distribute the books to students.

The challenge is, the books need to be purchased. RSVP can get the books for $2 apiece, a dollar less than retail.

However, because the department is a part of the county government, Roehm and her assistant (the only two employees of the department and whose source of salary is the money received from the grant), cannot directly solicit any outside funds. There is an RSVP advisory council, though, which is separate and apart, and it is through that arm funds can directed.

The RSVP program also is affiliated or aligned with other agencies and organizations, such as The United Way, but Roehm would like RSVP to “cast a wider net� and partner with any other person, business, agency and/or organization.

husband, Robert Marshall Livingston.

She is survived by her daughters, Marsha Manley and her husband Buddy of Sebring, Judy Bagwell and her husband Frank of Frostproof; sisters, Minnie Dempsey and Dolly Woodley both of Frostproof; brother, Billy Ellis of Frostproof; 3 grandchildren, Frank Bagwell III, Laci Brooker and Allisa Manley; 3 great grandchildren, Easton Bagwell, Marlee Brooker and Karsyn Brooker.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, 2013 at the First United Methodist Church of Frostproof with Pastor Brian Smith officiating.

Interment will be held at the Silver Hill Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com.

Alan D. “Al� “Honeybear�

Hinkle

Wallace Tervin

Alan D. “Al� “Honeybear� Hinkle of Marion, Ind. and a winter resident of Frostproof, passed away Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 at the Lake Wales Medical Center. He was 75. Arrangements are by Marion Nelson Funeral Home in Lake Wales.

for reading the Heartland Newspapers

Auto-Owners Insurance and your local independent agency have been a winning combination since 1916. We’ll work with you to insure your home, auto, business and life and keep everything you value Safe. Sound. Secure.Ž

Why Title 1 schools targeted Roehm cited a study — “the Early Catastrophe: The Thirty Million Word Gap by Age 3,� by Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley — in which children from three different socioeconomic households were studied; a total of 42 households. Those households were 13 high income and professional, 10 middle class, 13 low income, and six welfare families. The children were observed from seven months to age three. (Other factors such as race and gender were also calculated).

The findings were troubling. To begin with, 86-to-98 percent of words used by children came about as a result of the vocabulary of parents. The number of words heard varied greatly. Children from the welfare homes heard about 616 words per hour; working class family word count was 1,251; and children from professional households heard approximately 2,153 words per hour.

In total, by the time a child is 4 years old, children from professional families hear an estimated 45 million words; working class children hear an estimated 25 million words, and children from poor and welfare families hear 13 million words, hence the 30 million word gap.

Interested?

To learn how to enroll, or to contribute, call 863-534-5329; fax: 863534-5356, or email: kathleenroehm@ polk-county.net. The street and mailing address is: Social Services, RSVP; 2135 Marshall Edwards Drive; Bartow, FL 33830.

Wallace Tervin of Lake Wales passed away Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at his residence. He was 82. Marion Nelson Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Your #1 Fans . . .

For all your insurance needs contact us today!

AGENCY NAME

Town Name • 555-555-5555

2 North 1st Street • Ste. 130 • Lake Wales, FL 33853

website

2944534

By STEVE STEINER SSTEINER@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Julia Ellis Livingston, 87 of Frostproof passed away Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2013 at her residence.

She was born June 5, 1926 in Frostproof, Florida to the late Aaron B. and Eva Julia Ellis Livingston R. (McRae) Ellis and has been a lifelong resident of the area. Julia was a Self Employed Citrus Grower. She was a Founding member of the First United Methodist Church of Frostproof for over 60 years. Mrs. Livingston was very independent person who loved working in her groves and happiest while riding through them. She loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending time with them.

She was preceded in death by her

12695 (09-11)

Page 16 The News

TOP TEN FROM PAGE 1 bronze service star, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, the WWII Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge First Award, the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII, and the Expert Badge with Rifle Bar. The Bronze Star means the most to him. “That means the whole world to me, because not everybody gets the Bronze Star.”

The Bronze Star Medal signifies that a heroic act was accomplished.

“When you get a Bronze Star it’s usually indicative of valor. You can’t study for it, you have to act at a moments’ notice to do something heroic,” said Allem’s son in-law, Edmund Butch who is a retired lieutenant army colonel.

Allem was presented his medals at a ceremony of World War II Military Medals in July, which was held at the Saddlebag Lake Resort in Lake Wales where Allem lives.

8. Business, Civic and Ministry Coalition continues their charge “A city or a house divided cannot stand,” noted the Bible scripture from Matthew 12:25 printed on the front of the 2014 Christmas Proclamation supper, and this year’s outline for the Coalition’s goals. At a large gathering attended by hundreds of business, government, law enforcement, educators, churches and others, the Coalition read six proclamations addressing different areas of the city.

The mission statement of the coalition is “To help utilize the resources of government agencies, the business community, and the ministries of the church in order to create a continually improving spiritual, economic, and cultural environment in Lake Wales.”

Regarding the civic organizations, the Coalition wants a new intervention of the church to “minister to the least of them” and reach the “oppressed and disenfranchised people in our community.” There is emphasis on service activities which incorporate all facets of the community to address the needs of the people. Regarding corporate city gatherings, they say, “We proclaim a new and deeper Body of Christ expression in Lake Wales.”

Additionally, a renewed focus in men’s ministry will continue. The pastors who belong to the Coalition, who continue to meet once a week for prayer, also dedicate themselves to the community projects, and these are pastors from various denominations.

The Coalition has been active in the community. They have held project days where volunteers beautify the community, a “Great Giveaway,” in which food, clothing, furniture and appliances were freely given to those who had need — without cost. They also are heavily involved in the National Day of Prayer, The Kingdom Supper (held twice yearly at

SKYDIVE FROM PAGE 1 “Most of them are in hotels,” Hill said. “We are a huge asset to Holiday Inn Express all year long.”

Not all the teams have such nice accommodations, but they are not complaining. Army is staying at the National Guard Armory on the airport’s grounds, and Air Force teams are staying at the Avon Park Bombing Range.

Officials from the USPA noted that the event is a fun one to come watch.

“From sunrise to sunset each day, sports fans and spectators can catch the adrenaline-pumping action happening thousands of feet above the drop zone on video monitors, as well as view hundreds of colorful canopies

Wednesday, January 1, 2014 a nice restaurant or country club, in which the pastors give tickets — a set amount — to individuals who would like to come but cannot afford it), and other events.

They went from house to house to pass out fire alarms and batteries, and to test those as well. According to John Kimbrough, many of those people also asked for prayer, so the Coalition was further made aware of community needs. One night, after a shooting in the area, the men of the Coalition gathered and went from house to house, checking on city residents.

The group has been active in helping with The Lake Wales Revival, the first ever of its kind in the town, under a tent, where churches of various denominations join for a multicultural prayer and revival service.

This year, the Rev. Billy Graham’s sonin-law, Jim Wilson, was the minister.

The Coalition, along with Capernaum Inn Ministries, coordinated to bring in Joseph Jennings, who also passed away this year, to minister to the area’s youth and press forward to combat the gang issues in Lake Wales, and reach out to youth in the community who are hurting and dealing with various family issues, including poverty.

Jennings, who ministered at the Revival to many, had visited most of the area schools to share his message of living pure, drug free lives, and making right choices.

The Coalition prayed, asking God to send “another Jennings” to the youth of the Lake Wales community. Jennings was a former gang leader who built his ministry on helping those who struggled with drugs, alcohol and other abuses. One young man at Lake Wales High School told him during his visit there to not “leave us hanging,” and asked that he would come back.

Jennings had one more opportunity to return, and did. But his presence was missed at this year’s revival.

There were tears under the pavilion as the men prayed for each other and the things they face in ministry, a few days prior to the Revival.

Since its formation, the Coalition has taken a proactive stance in helping the community. They held a “Great Giveaway” in which everything was free — household items, clothes, furniture, food. Anyone who had a need was able to come, and one family traveled 10 miles just for the food. Another time, the Coalition, along with many other businesses and private individuals, did community projects at various locations throughout the city, some for private individuals who needed help, amongst many other projects. They are active in every element of the city, with ministers being assigned to the schools, to help reach out to them and see what their needs are. Some are assigned to keep watch over business and government officials, to minister to them.

PHOTO BY KATHY LEIGH BERKOWITZ

The Christmas Proclamation Supper was attended by hundreds of people from area businesses, churches and civic leaders. was being stabbed. When the witnesses attempted to stop the attack, they were met with fierce opposition by Rios. Rios threatened to harm the witnesses if he did not back away from the scene and threatened them by saying they better not call the police.

According to witnesses, when Rios stopped the attack on the unidentified man, who was no longer moving and Rios pulled the man to his vehicle. Rios was seen putting the unidentified man in his gray 2010 Hyundai Sonata, Florida license plate 114 NBA. The witnesses were in fear of Rios after he made what they believed to be, a credible threat toward them and noted that as the reason for their delayed Sept. 22 reporting of the incident, according to reports.

9. Man arrested for stabbing another man and dumping the body in an orange grove Police went all the way to Dallas,

Texas, to track a man accused of stabbing another man and then dumping his body in an orange grove.

Reports say Steven Mark Rios, who witnesses stated repeatedly stabbed an unidentified black man on Sept. 21, was located and arrested in Dallas, Texas, without incident, and the body of a man he is accused of killing was found in an orange grove on East Lake Buffum Road, Lake Wales. Police identified the victim, formerly the unidentified black male, as Gerald L. Stoudemire, a 32-year-old Lake Wales resident, deceased in the grove on Sept.

24 at around 3:15 p.m. Reports say that detectives conducting the Dallas interviews provided information which helped lead to the discovery.

The crime scene was worked by Polk County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit.

Rios was arrested at approximately 8:47 p.m. Central Time Sept. 23 with the assistance of the Tampa Bay Regional Operations Center Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the United States Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force. At the time of the arrest Rios’ 2010 Hyundai Sonata was secured as part of the investigation.

According to reports, Rios was seen by two people who reported witnessing a violent stabbing on Sept. 21 at 323 Townsend Ave., Lake Wales. The witnesses told police at about 10:40 p.m. on Sept. 21 they observed Steven M. Rios, 24, of Frostproof, violently attack and repeatedly stab an unidentified black man. The witnesses said Rios and the unidentified man were together earlier in the evening and seemed to be getting along. Witnesses told Lake Wales police they did not know what prompted the attack.

Lake Wales detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Rios for two counts of tampering with witnesses. Rios has an extensive criminal history.

Police were told Rios and the unidentified man exited Rios’ vehicle and shortly after got into an altercation.

Witnesses told police Rios began to stab the unidentified man and they heard the man yelling for help as he

filling the sky and thousands of dramatic landings as competitors swoop swiftly, gracefully back to earth,” noted USPA spokesperson Nancy Koreen.

In addition to the military squads, regular universities like the University of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech who have teams here too.

Parachutists compete in two-, fourand six-person formation skydiving, two-person vertical formation skydiving and individual accuracy landing events. The jumps are also judged for things like technical proficiency.

“They have videographers that go with every skydive, and they turn in their work to the judges and they judge it from there,” Hill noted.

The event concludes Thursday afternoon and early evening with an awards dinner.

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be handed out in both individual and team competitions.

10. Mother dies in car accident, her child lives because of seat belt Nicole Smith, age 26, perished in a vehicle accident, but her daughter, Ryleigh, is alive today because her mother had fastened her in her safety seat device.

She was on her way to drop her baby off before she went to work at Citrusuco, reports say. She was a lab tech there, and every morning at 7:30 a.m., she’d leave her house on Domaris Avenue for work.

The July accident sent shock waves through the community, as many struggled with their grief.

Her mother, Loretta Shoumake, cried as she looked around her daughter’s bedroom still full of awards and trophies she’d won through the years for raising pigs for the Future Farmers of America and playing Little League softball. Born in Lake Wales, Nicole attended Hillcrest Elementary, McLaughlin Middle School and then Lake Wales High School.

She was the secretary of the Future Farmers of America at the high school.

“She raised pigs. She loved them pigs,” her mother said.

News of her death traveled quickly, but many were likewise reminded that seat belts save lives.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 17

TASTE OF HOME AG D 2981703

UIDE TO INING IN POLK COUNTY

Stacked New York Style Sandwiches, Salads & Fresh-Baked Desserts.

Historic Downtown Lake Wales 120 East Park Ave.

863-676-DELI (3354) Mon.-Sat. 10:30 am to 3pm

Check Out Our Daily Specials

10% OFF Your Meal With this ad.

Present this coupon to the cashier at the time of sale and receive a 10% discount off your total bill (including entrees, drinks, side items and desserts).

Coupon expires January 31, 2014. Valid only at participating Perkins Restaurant and Bakery locations.

150 E. Van Fleet Drive, Bartow, 863-533-9688 One coupon per person per visit at participating Perkins Restaurant & Bakery locations. Not valid with any other discount or offer. Coupon void if purchased, sold or bartered for cash. Only original coupons accepted. Mutilated, tampered, forged or photocopied coupons are not accepted. Sales tax, if applicable, must be paid by customer. Prices may vary in Canada. Printed in the U.S.A. Š 2010 Perkins & Marie Callender’s Inc.

The best authentic Cuban food in Polk County!

Here, you are family!

BUY 1 TAKE 50% OFF 2ND ENTREE

155 Main St., Bartow 863.533.6947 10am-8pm, Mon through Sat C AT E R I N G A VA I L A B L E

 Mikes Famous Sirloin Steaks 1590 North US Highway 98 Bartow, Florida 33830 (863) 533-2060 Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

2 for $ 1999

Includes 1 side and salad bar

Mon-Sat 5:30am - 10:00pm • Sunday 5:30am - 9:00pm

• Daily Cupcake Selections • Holiday Platters • Gourmet Cupcakes • Cake Pops • Cookies • Pies

8625 Hwy 60 East

cialS Lake Wales, FL 33889 Weekend Spe atfish Prime Rib • C hrimp S • Fresh Fried • Frog Legs

(863) 696-1901 Daily Lunch FREE & Dinner WI-FI Specials

Must-haves for any Super Bowl party The Super Bowl, the annual championship game of the National Football League, has become a global event. According to Nielsen, a ratings measurement firm, the 2013 game, which pitted the Baltimore Ravens against the San Francisco 49ers, drew an average of 108 million viewers, peaking at 113.9 million during the final 17 minutes of the broadcast, when the Ravens withstood a furious rally from the 49ers, ultimately winning the game 34-31.

Fans and non-fans alike typically spend at least some time watching the big game, and many people do so at parties geared around the game itself. A good Super Bowl party can make the game that much more enjoyable, and the following are some must-have items no Super Bowl party host should forget. * Snacks: Snacks play an integral role on Super Bowl Sunday. Unlike other popular gatherings, Super Bowl parties do not typically feature a sit-down meal as part of the festivities. Though it’s customary for hosts to make one large dish or order pizzas for guests, it’s still necessary to stock up on snacks to keep guests from getting hungry as the party progresses. The game itself often lasts three hours or more, and many guests will begin to arrive an hour before kickoff, if not earlier. So be sure to have snacks like potato chips and pretzels as well as some healthier fare, like vegetable trays, on hand for guests. * Dips: Of course, snacks always taste better when guests have something to dip them into. When choosing dips for the party, encourage guests with culinary skills to make their own homemade dips and bring them to the party, and make some of your own as well. Hosts hesitant to try their hands at making dips can always buy some from the store, just be sure to choose popular dips like onion- or cheese-flavored dips and even some salsa. * Nachos: Certain foods have become synonymous with Super Bowl parties, and nachos certainly fall into that category. If hosts and guests all eat meat, cook up some homemade nachos with tortilla chips, ground beef (or even ground chicken), green peppers, red peppers, jalapeno peppers, shredded cheese, and salsa, be it homemade or store-bought. Exclude beef or chicken when hosting guests who abstain from eating meat or poultry. Nachos can be made in a snap, so hosts might want to wait until just before the game starts to whip up some homemade nachos. * Beverages: Beverages are another important musthave when hosting a Super Bowl party. According to

Buy One Cupcake Get One FREE EXP.: 12.31.13

NOT COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS Limit 1 per customer per coupon

Millers Landing Plaza Less than 1 mile off Hwy 27

7000 Cypress Gardens Blvd.

Winter Haven

First Visit SPECIAL

Buy one Dinner get the second Dinner

HALF OFF

Limit one per customer. Exp. March 31, 2014 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

bake shop

www.gcupcake.com 863-670-7113

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • LUNCH & DINNER • 11AM-10PM

19001 US 27 SOUTH • LAKE WALES • 863-679-1300

Nielsen estimates from 2011, Americans consumed roughly 50 million cases of beer in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.

Baked Jerk Chicken Wings Serves 4 as an appetizer

18 whole chicken wings, or 12 drumsticks 1 1/2 cups jerk marinade 1 1/2 cups tamarind-apricot sauce 1/4 cup soy sauce In a baking dish, combine the chicken and 1 cup of the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 11/2 hours or up to 4 hours, turning occasionally. The longer the chicken marinates, the hotter it becomes. Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the chicken in a greased baking dish. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, basting twice with the reserved 1/2 cup of marinade. When done, the juices will run clear when the chicken is pierced with a knife.

Prepare a dipping sauce by combining the tamarind-apricot sauce with the soy sauce. Serve the chicken hot or at room temperature, with the dipping sauce.

 Â

Page 18

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Frostproof has kids that care

PHOTO PROVIDED

Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary was a busy place at the start of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. All grades third, fourth, and fifth were bringing in food for the annual food drive. The total collected was 659 pounds. which was donated to the Frostproof Care Center. For the 5th year in a row Alethea Martin’s 4th grade class won the food drive with a total of 115 items collected. Soon they will receive an ice cream party for the class. Students involved in the effort includes, front row from left: Yaritsi Palacios Vargas, Emma Coatney, Jeremy Ryan, Alexia Miller, Jesus Salazar, Samantha Alavez, Vanessa Rivera, Ismael Espoinoza, Jacob Spence and Jose Medina. Middle row from left: Jesus Cruz-Chavez, Brandon Lujan Navarrete, Mia Ortiz, Elisabeth Cruz, Martin Garcia, Angela Balleza, Ulises Hernandez, Maria Macedo Alvarado, Alexis McElroy, Hugo Hernandez, Principal Patti McGill and Frostproof Care Center’s Ralph Waters. Back row from left: Alethea Martin, and Assistant Principal Linda Rodriguez-Herrera.

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Augustina Anaya, Noemi Cruz and April Fridley are wrapping presents that were purchased and donated to local children in need by youngsters at Frostproof Elementary School.

Not only did students at Frostproof’s Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary School collect food for people right before the holidays, they made sure this fall not to forget about all our furry four-legged friends as well, collecting supplies for dogs and cats that were donated to the Humane Society in Winter Haven.

Students from back to front: Carla Mendoza, Rafael Vargas, Kara Lang, Makayla Rhoden, Shelby Garrett, Kendalyn Spurlock and Caleb Williamson. The students are pictured with Assistant Principal Linda Rodriguez, standing left, and Principal Patti McGill.

Students at Frostproof Elementary School earn “Frosty Bucks” for good behavior at school. After earning Frosty Bucks, students may visit “Frosty’s General Store” to purchase items. Many students chose to spend their money earned on gifts for others. Volunteers at FES then labeled and wrapped 155 gifts for students. The gifts were then delivered to classrooms on Friday before vacation. Noemi Cruz, a parent volunteer at FES, runs Frosty’s General Store. She, along with help from other volunteers, made it possible for the students to purchase Frostproof Elementary school had their annual can food drive and the students collected a total gifts for others, Here, Cruz helps of 874 items for the Care Center. Care Center workers then stopped by at the school to make sure Mason Chambers and Mia Lara-Trevio, the foodstuffs would be on hand for the holiday season. with their purchases.

Gallery, library plan art shows Frostproof will have two art shows this month, one at the Frsotproof Art League Gallery and a second at the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library.

Guardian ad Litem Volunteer Information at the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library This is your chance to be exhibited during the most significant Art Show on Frostproof Art League and Gallery’s schedule for 2014. The Annual Fine Art Show Reception

will be held on Sunday, January 5 at 2PM at the Gallery. Artists may submit up three art works of Oils, Acrylics, Watercolor, or Mixed Media on either December 26, 27 or 28 , 10am- 2pm. Entries forms are available at the Art Gallery, located at 12 East Wall Street. Don’t miss your opportunity to become the next emerging artist.

The Guardian ad Litem program, which serves

abused and neglected children across Polk County, is seeking volunteers. Dawn Shinskey, a recruiter for the program, will have information about becoming a volunteer at the Latt Maxcy Memorial Library in Frostproof on Thursday, January 9th from 1:00pm until 3:00pm. Please stop by with any questions you may have. If you cannot attend this orientation session, please call Dawn Shinskey at 863-534-4597

or email Dawn.Shinskey@ find out how much they gal.fl.gov. are worth. For more information, please call Threads of Our 863 635-7857 and ask for Community Quilt Group Kellie or Teresa.

The Threads of Our Community Quilt Group will meet at the Library on Thursday, January 9th from 5:30 - 7:30. The evening program is open to all quilters regardless of experience and will feature an AQS Certified Quilt Appraiser. Bring in your old quilts and

Latt Maxcy Memorial Library Annual Art Show The Library will hold its annual art show February 1 - 28, 2014. Each artist or photographer may enter two pieces that must be the original work of the artist, completed within the past two years

and have never been shown in the show before.

Each piece must also be equipped with wire hangers for hanging. No saw toothed hangers are allowed. Categories this year will be 1) Paintings and Drawings and 2) Photography - Film or Digitial. Entries will be accepted from January 21 - 31, 2014. Late entries will not be accepted.

Prizes will be awarded on Thursday, Feb. 20th at 6:30 p.m.

Page 19

BULLETIN

B O ARD

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Right To Bear Arms Hazel Poole, 85, was at home playing with her puppy around 8:30 p.m. when there was a knock at the front door. Little did she know that she would open the door to two masked men wielding knives. Poole wasted no time and dashed to her bedroom where she kept her .38-cal. handgun. Poole, who was married to an avid trapshooter and whose son works at NRA Headquarters, is no stranger to firearms. With confidence she pointed the gun at the men and ordered them to leave her home or she would shoot. Both men fled without hesitation. (The Star Press, Muncie, IN, 12/14/12) Jeremy Reed, 30, and Anna Soto, 24, were asleep in the same room as their oneweek-old baby girl when they woke to a loud banging sound. They later learned that the sound was their front door being broken into by two convicted felons.

Reed recalls seeing one of the men standing at the foot of their bed. Soto grabbed the infant and hid in the bedroom closet as Reed confronted the intruders with a .22-cal. rifle. The men took off in Reed’s car. But by then, flashing blue lights could be seen in the distance. Both men were arrested just 20 minutes later and charged with multiple felony counts, including home invasion robbery. (Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg, FL, 12/10/12) A man in his early 40s entered a nail salon at about 5:30 p.m. and began asking a female employee about purchasing diamonds. When the confused woman told the man she had no money to buy diamonds, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a pistol. When a customer getting her nails done saw what was happening, she reached into her purse and pulled out her own firearm. Upon seeing the woman’s gun, the man quickly fled the salon. It was last reported that the suspect is still at large. (Casper Star Tribune, Casper, WY, 12/11/12)

PHOTO BY BILL ROGERS

Work on the Lake Wales Fire Department’s substation on Chalet Suzanne Road is continuing. The building is expected to be completed by the end of February.

Ridge Organic Club meets

Two men targeted the home of Jerry Stremovihtg, 62, and Kenneth Conley, 53, one evening. Conley was having a meal on the front porch when the two suspects approached him. They beat him and repeatedly used a taser to subdue him. After gaining entry to the home, the suspects entered Stremovihtg’s bedroom. Stremovihtg met the intruders with a .38-cal. revolver. He fired several rounds causing them to flee the home. One suspect, a 35-year-old male, died in the front yard from a gunshot wound. It was last reported that the second suspect is still at large. Conley and Stremovihtg were taken to a nearby medical center and were treated for non life-threatening injuries. (The Daytona Beach News-Journal, Holly Hill, FL, 11/18/12)

Compiled by Kathy Leigh Berkowitz

com or go to Barranco Field at 300 N. Lakeshore Blvd. in Lake Wales, and the schedule for that is as follows: Saturday, The Ridge Organic Club will hold Jan. 4, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and Monday, their monthly meeting on Jan. 13 from Jan. 6 through Friday Jan. 10 from 6 6 to 8 p.m. at the Youth Coffee House, p.m. to 8 p.m. The last day to register for 205 E. Park Ave., Lake Wales. Learn the spring season is Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. about gardens and plants. Share seeds to 1 p.m. To register, you must bring a or extras from your garden. The event copy of birth certificate and proof of is open to all. Call Gail at 863-605-5802 residency. Registration fee is $60. Jim for more information.

Maggard notes that sponsors are always needed for everything. There are banner Lake Wales Little League Registration sponsorships, team sponsorships, begins and child sponsorships available. Call Register now for Lake Wales Little Maggard at 863-632-3369 for more information on how to help.

League, online at www.lakewalesll.

KLBERKOWITZ@HEARTLANDNEWSPAPERS.COM

Dispatchers received a call one afternoon from a man claiming to be the victim of a road rage incident. The man called 911 from the highway and said the van he had just passed was ramming his SUV from behind. The dispatcher instructed the driver to pull over and wait for officers. When the man pulled over, the van pulled over as well. The man and woman occupying the van approached his vehicle and began hitting him and stabbing him with car keys. The driver of the SUV, a concealed carry permit holder, retrieved his gun and pointed it at his assailants until police arrived. They were later booked on possible charges of battery and disorderly conduct. (Antigo Journal, Wausau, WI, 12/6/12)

Top MLK essay winners named

Gary Cherry was driving at approximately 8:30 a.m. when he noticed two vehicles on the side of the road. Cherry pulled over to help when he saw there was a man holding a woman to the ground face down and stabbing her repeatedly. Cherry, a concealed carry license holder, quickly retrieved his firearm and ordered the man to get on the ground as he dialed 911. Crystal Ward was traveling the same route when she spotted Cherry holding the perpetrator at gunpoint at the side of the entrance ramp. Ward stopped to assist and discovered a crying baby boy in one of the vehicles. The suspect was later taken into custody and the victim was flown to a nearby hospital with multiple stab wounds. It was last reported that she was in stable condition. The baby was unharmed. (Montgomery County Police Reporter, Plum Grove, TX, 12/24/12)

“The students were asked to write about what they saw as Dr. King’s dream and what he had hoped to see More than 1,900 Polk County students and what they can do today to prosubmitted entries in the 13th annual Dr. mote and advance that dream,” says Martin L. King Jr. Essay Challenge and Shandale Terrell, chairman of the Polk the winners will read their essays at the Community Relations Advisory Council. celebratory breakfast to be held on Jan. Terrell also said the council had 15 at the Bartow Civic Center. worked “hard to communicate in the Taking home first place honors this schools the importance of this historical year were Yameliz Alamo-Cintron of educational program and learning the Lincoln Avenue Elementary School, life and legacy of Dr. King.”

Nicklaus Miles of McLaughlin Middle The recognition breakfast will begin School and Khianti Terry of Lakeland at 7 a.m. with the meal, followed by High School. They were awarded $500 the program at 8 a.m. The program will each for the entries that were judged include a welcome by Terrell, comments by members of the Polk State College from Sheriff Grady Judd, comments faculty. from County Manager Jim Freeman Second place finishers who earned and a member of the Polk County $250 each were Caitlin Mobley of Eagle School Board, the council chairman lake Elementary, Joseph Maguire of said. The first place winners also will Lawton Chiles Middle Academy and present their essays.

Ashley Elliott of Gause Academy. Third Anyone wishing to attend the breakplace prizes of $100 were awarded to fast celebration is asked to contact Hannah Holden of Brigham Academy, Germain Fuller in the Board of County Audrey Cossin of Lawton Chiles Middle Commissioners office at 863-534-6444.

Academy and Amanda Thiele of George Jenkins High School.

The essays were submitted from September to November and the contest was open to all students kindergarten through high school. This year’s theme was “Realizing the Dream.”

The essay contest is sponsored jointly by the Polk County School District and the Board of County Commissioners, Lake Wales-Frostproof and overseen by the school district’s Bartow-Fort Meade Diversity Management Department.

for reading the Heartland Newspapers

2983111

By CATHY PALMER CORRESPONDENT

When a 79-year-old man heard arguing outside his home, he went outside to investigate. In the front yard, the man discovered his 17-year-old granddaughter being beaten by a 19-year-old male. When the grandfather confronted the suspect, he was threatened with a “stun gun.” The suspect approached the elderly man. The grandfather warned him to stop, but the suspect continued toward him. The grandfather pulled out a handgun and fired once. The suspect’s wound proved fatal. (Courier & Press, Evansville, IN, 12/25/12)

• Repair • Buy • Sell • Trade • Appraise • Firearms •• Unusual Ammo

UPS SHIPPING 108 W. Broadway Street Fort Meade, FL 33841 863-285-9234

Monday-Friday 9am-6pm • Saturday 9am-3pm • Sunday Closed

www.mcsgunsmith.com

Page 20

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

HOME&

G ARD EN

Helping you improve your home Inside and Out

Garage organization 101

Garages are coveted by homeowners across the country, offering a space to park a car and protect it from the elements. But many people do not park a car in their garage, only to find the garage becomes a home to clutter.

Garages tend to become the official catch-all of a home. When an item cannot be crammed into a hiding space elsewhere, it often ends up dumped into the garage, where it joins the long list of other abandoned items. It can be easy to let garages become a wasteland because everything put inside a garage is behind a closed door. That mess can quickly build up, and reclaiming your garage requires energy, time, organization, and a plan.

Organizing a garage will take some time. An entire weekend or two consecutive days may be necessary depending on the level of disarray.

Taking everything out of the garage and going through the sorting process may take the most time. When sorting, separate any broken items, which can immediately be put at the curb for trash pick-up. Examine things that you have

not used in some time. If you haven’t missed it, there’s a good chance that you can discard the item or donate it.

Create separate piles for donations and trash.

Move the items that will be kept into a separate pile. After all of the trash and donations are removed from the premises, then you can look at what is remaining and begin planning out a more organized storage system.

There may be things in the “keep� pile that are simply out of place in the garage and may be better stored elsewhere. Think about which items can be moved to a basement or attic because of their infrequency of use, such as holiday decorations, suitcases, and collectibles. You may prefer to move lawn and garden items out of the garage and into a shed in the backyard.

After completing the sorting process, look at the garage as a blank space and measure out the room that you have.

This will provide an empty canvas as a starting off point. To maximize the amount of space you have as a work area or a place to park your car, invest

in as many tools as possible to utilize vertical space. Shelving, hooks and cabinetry will take things off of the floor, while storage units with doors can hide items that lack aesthetic appeal. Rolling tool caddies and cabinets can keep all tools neat and in organized drawers so you’re never hunting and pecking for a tool again. A cabinet that has a lock and key can be utilized for dangerous chemicals that need to be kept out of the hands of children and away from pets. Think about how the garage will appear from the curb when the door is raised and create a design that will be functional and neat.

Take the opportunity while the garage is empty to give walls and floors a fresh coat of paint and improve the lighting in the garage. A brighter garage makes for a better work station.

For those who can use a little extra help, there are professional garage organization companies that can come

in and install custom cabinetry and work surfaces. This is an option if you desire a high-end garage.

When putting items back into the garage, label where everything is stored until you become accustomed to the new organization. This way you’ll be able to find everything easily.

Organizing a garage can be tedious, but the reward is ultimately worth the effort.

for reading the Heartland Newspapers Lake Wales-Frostproof Bartow-Fort Meade

2951583

863.559.8174

Even a home that looks neat from the outside may be housing a disorganized mess behind the garage door.

2969866

WHOLE HOUSE WATER TREATMENT

NEW & USED APPLIANCES SERVICE PARTS

2979955

FLOORING of Lake Hamilton Commercial & Residential

ALL MAJOR BRANDS

49

¢

per Sq. Ft.

1 Color, In-Stock Only Does not include pad & installation

1

Starting at

$ 29 per Sq. Ft

89

¢

per Sq. Ft Not Installed In-Stock Only Not valid with any other offer Coupon Expires 1/31/14

89

¢

Starting at per Sq. Ft

In-Stock Only While Supplies last.

Not valid with any other offer

Coupon Expires 1/31/14

Bamboo Vinyl

Landlord Special!

Laminate Vinyl

Vinyl Plank Carpeting

863-439-5300

1

$ 66

per Sq. Ft Installed!

In-Stock Only

FIVE SYLES to Choose From

1

DO-ITYOURSELF & SAVE

$ 99 per Sq. Ft

3 inches wide 1/2 inch thick Natural color

FREE 6 MONTH WARRANTY FURNITURE COMING SOON!

While Supplies Last Not valid with any other offer

Coupon Expires 1/31/14

www.appliancesbartowfl.com

Carpet • Vinyl • VCT • Tile • Laminate • Hardwood Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm • Sat: 9am - 1pm • Sun: Closed • Sales & Installation

www.flooringoflakehamilton.com

2981609

30049 Hwy 27 South • Lake Hamilton, FL 33851

220 Manor Drive • Bartow, FL 33830 (863) 533.8775 • Fax: (863) 533.8730

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 21

HOME&

G ARD EN

Helping you improve your home Inside and Out

Fence etiquette prevents disputes

People fortunate enough to own their own plots of land often choose to fence in their pieces of paradise. Fences serve many purposes: to designate property boundaries, keep pets or children contained in a safe environment, corral livestock, offer privacy or add aesthetic appeal.

Although installing a fence may seem like the right idea for you, going about it the wrong way may lead to problems among neighbors, particularly if you live where the houses are relatively close to one another. Some homeowners find fences become the final point of contention among disagreeable neighbors or create tension with a neighbor with whom you previously had a good relationship. Being courteous with fence plans is the way to avoid any animosity along the way.

There are certain things you must do and should do if you plan to erect a fence. Most people find neighbors appreciate being informed of any changes you are thinking of making to the property that can affect their views or their adjoining property. Before drawing up fence plans with a contractor, talk to the neighbors on either side of your home and gauge their receptiveness to a fence. At this point, you may want to consider offering to make the fencing project a joint deal to save money should the neighbors decide to install a fence as well. Contractors will often discount if they have several customers doing an installation at the same time. Property owners can save by splitting the costs of the shared walls of the fence where their property lines meet.

Explain your case for the fence. Most neighbors are receptive to the idea if they know the reasoning — especially if the desire for a fence is not to keep them at bay. It’s hard to protest a fence that is a safety precaution for children.

If your neighbor already has a fence, you must ask whether you can connect your fence panels into the support post on your shared side.

Once you notify your neighbors as a courtesy, there are certain steps to take that will prevent any legal disputes down the road. Even the most easy-going neighbor could grow aggravated if the fence is put up carelessly or ends up partially on his property. The best way to prevent this is to apply for a new, professional property survey and have property lines indicated with paint or wood markers.

Each town or city has different regulations with regard to fencing, so it is important to learn the ropes or hire a contractor who is familiar with the rules. It might be illegal to install fences directly on the property line. The law might require the fence be installed a few inches inward. There also may be rules about how high fences can be in the front of the home, sides and back.

Corner lot properties may have added regulations depending on whether the fence could prove a visual obstruction to drivers.

If you live in a planned community, or one with a homeowners’ association, it is your job to find out the guidelines for any home improvements. The HOA may dictate the style, size and maintenance of the fence or may not allow a fence at all.

Once all the details are checked, you may have to apply for a fence permit.

This way the construction of the fence and finished product will meet safety standards, and the area in which you live can provide consistent quality control. If the fence is installed by code, there is little chance it will have to be torn down or changed in the near future. Also, doing it by the book means that a neighbor can be unhappy about a fence but not have legal recourse to ask

STATEWIDEELECTRIC ELECTRIC STATEWIDE of Central Florida, Inc. of Central Florida, Inc.

24 HR. SERVICE

ER 13013911 2964692

1

Starting at

$ 29 per Sq. Ft

per Sq. Ft Not Installed

In-Stock Only Not valid with any other offer Coupon Expires 12/31/13

89¢ Starting at per Sq. Ft

In-Stock Only While Supplies last.

Not valid with any other offer

Coupon Expires 12/31/13

Bamboo Vinyl

per Sq. Ft.

1 Color, In-Stock Only Does not include pad & installation

Laminate Vinyl

Vinyl Plank Carpeting

49

1

$ 66

per Sq. Ft Installed!

In-Stock Only

FIVE SYLES to Choose From

1

$ 99 per Sq. Ft

3 inches wide 1/2 inch thick Natural color

Come Visit Our Showroom on Main Street in Bartow 115 1st Ave N., Bartow, FL 33830 FREE ESTIMATES

While Supplies Last Not valid with any other offer

Coupon Expires 12/31/13

Carpet • Vinyl • VCT • Tile • Laminate • Hardwood Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm • Sat: 9am - 1pm • Sun: Closed • Sales & Installation

www.flooringoflakehamilton.com

2981715

30049 Hwy 27 South • Lake Hamilton, FL 33851 2967994

www.statewideelectricfl.com corey@statewideelectricfl.com

• TILE • STONE • WOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL • CARPET • CULTURED STONE • PAVERS

863-439-5300

89¢

863.223.8306 863.223.8306 863.223.8306 CAC 1816595 Corey Mullins, Owner

Commercial & Residential

¢

AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION

Air Conditioning & Refrigeration

• HVAC • Residential• RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL 10% • Commercial • ELECTRICAL SENIOR • Industrial • WALK IN COOLERS & FREEZERS DISCOUNT • HVAC Cooking Equipment • GENERATOR SALES & INSTALLATION All Major • Electrical Credit Cards • ICE MACHINE SALES & SERVICE Accepted • Ice Machine Sales &EQUIPMENT Service REPAIR • RESTAURANT

FLOORING of Lake Hamilton Landlord Special!

you to remove it.

As an added form of courtesy, it is proper fence etiquette to put the “good” side of the fence facing the neighbors’ yards. That means the side of the fence that doesn’t show the support panels and posts. Remember, it is your fence so you are also responsible for all maintenance of the fence — on all sides.

Just because your neighbor also will be benefiting from your fence, doesn’t mean he will have to care for it.

863-533-2992

www.flooringbyjmi .com

Page 22

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Frostproof Rotarians wrap up another busy year

PHOTOS BY K.M. THORNTON SR.

Harrison Johnson, Jr. was honored as October’s Student of the Month recently by the Frostproof Rotary Club. He attended along with his father Harrison who is network manager at Frostproof Middle Senior High School. Harrison Jr. plays both football and basketball, and carries a 4.2 grade point average.

He was an all-district pick in football and all-academic selection for basketball, and is a Polk County Sunshine Scholar. He hopes to attend Harvard, Troy University or The Citadel to study business management and accounting. The Johnson’s are shown with Rotary Club member Mary Ruth Wilson.

The Frostproof Rotary Club welcomed its newest member in December, Capt. Jeff Henry of the Polk County Sheriff’s Operations. Capt. Henry oversees operations at the South County Jail in Frostproof, and has been a member of the sheriff’s office for more than two decades. He was welcomed to the club by current Frostproof Rotary President Chuck Thornton.

Leah Lanoue was honored recently as the December Student of the Month by the Frostproof Rotary Club. Two years ago, her sister Jenna was similarly honored. Leah is a dual-enrolled student at Polk State College and winner of a Polk Service scholarship. Leah is a cheerleader and member of student council as well. She attended along with parents Bill and Tammy Lanoue, and was presented with her plaque by Rotary Club member Mary Ruth Wilson.

Lady Miners nip Bulldogs, 3-2

PHOTOS BY K.M. THORNTON SR.

The Fort Meade Lady Miners are on a four-game win streak, following a tight 3-2 win over rival Frostproof right before the holiday break. Here, Miner Anahi Arroyo tries to keep possession of the ball as Frostproof’s Lorna Pinell closes in.

Yesica Loza of Frostproof tried to get around Fort Meade’s Veronica Aviles during action in late December. Frostproof returns from the holiday break with a road trip to Sebring Jan. 7.

Frostproof’s Lorna Pinell tries to deflect this kick from Fort Meade’s Esbeyda Hernandez during girl’s varsity high school soccer action recently. The Lady Bulldogs came into the game off wins over Mulberry (1-0) and Sebring (3-2), but fell to their U.S. 98 rivals, 3-2.

Frostproof’s Perla Vazquez and For Meade’s Angelica Luna both race for this 50/50 ball during girl’s varsity high school soccer action before Christmas. The Lady Miners topped their U.S. 98 rivals, 3-2.

All eyes are on the prize as Fort Meade’s Maria Hernandez tries to hold off two Frostproof players, Kathryn Springfield (1) and Perla Vazquez.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 23

• 20� Chrome Wheels • Sunroof • DVD

• Automatic • Full Power

Stk# 261262

Stk# 213430

• 2nd Row Bucket Seats • Leather • 20� Wheels • All Star Pkg

Stk# 152830

Stk# 302220

Stk# 134406

• Custom Sport Pkg • LT Convenience Pkg

• 19� Wheels • Automatic

Mark Pike - Fleet Manager

863-287-3393

Stk# 125721

Stk# 187382

All prices plus tax, tag and $499 Dealer Fee. Tahoe & Suburban prices must qualify for Owner Loyalty. Silverado price must qualify for Loyalty and Trade Bonus Cash. All rebates and incentives assigned to dealer.

2012 Hyundai Sonata • One Owner • Automatic • Full Power Stk#059650

$11,850

2012 Mercedes C250

2973134

• Sport • Navigation • Sunroof Stk#10868S

$28,500

2013 Chevy Spark

$10,975

• One Owner Stk#A09589

2011 Camaro SS

• Only 7,000 Miles • HURST Shifter Stk#80428S

$28,900

2010 Chevy Cobalt

• One Owner • Automatic Stk#122014

$9.925

2009 Saturn Vue

• Crossover • Automatic • Full Power Stk#575526

$10,650

2009 Ford Shelby Mustang • One Owner • Must See • Must Drive Stk# 34035S

$33,990

2012 Corvette ZR1

• One Owner • 9,000 Miles • Ultimate Performance Car Stk#800019

$87,990

2012 Nissan Titan SV Crew Cab • One Owner • New Tires • Full Power Stk#302512

$22,890

2006 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Crew Cab

• Duramax Diesel

• Allison Transmission

• Full Power Stk#138613

$19,850

2011 Chevy Silverado

• Automatic • Clean - Only 35K Miles • Toolbox Stk# A42270

$15,480

2010 Landrover LR4 • One Owner • Navigation • Sunroof Stk#25720S

$33,975

Page 24

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

PASSION for PETS

New Year’s resolutions, how a pet can help

Happy New Year.

Most of us want to make a fresh start when the new year rolls around. Many of us make a resolution to do something or change something, for the better hopefully. One in three of us will make a resolution this New Year’s Day, but less than half of those who make a resolution will stick to it for six months.

So, I thought we would take a fun look at how pets can help you keep your resolve.

Some of the top resolutions are to lose weight, volunteer, decrease stress in our lives and save money. So let’s take a look at how your furry friend can help you.

Losing weight is hard for most of us.

We all know if we eat less and more healthy, and exercise, we will lose weight. And what better way to exercise than to take the dog for a walk. It will do your dog good because he/she will get out and get some exercise, and once you start a routine, he/she will make sure you remember it is time to get off the couch and go for that walk. And of course the more you do it, the further and the faster you both will be able to travel. Start off slowly and build up to a stronger you.

Dr. Carol Thompson Pet Vet

Volunteering makes us feel better and makes others feel better. There are many people all over, but especially right here in our community, who cannot get out or have no family. A visit to a nursing home can do wonders for the patients there. If your dog or cat is friendly and outgoing the joy they can spread is huge. A dog or a cat can help the elderly by stimulating interactions, increasing sensory stimulation, decreasing loneliness. Visiting with a dog and going room to room can be very rewarding. Years ago, I took my border collie to visit at a facility outside Baltimore, Md. We went about once a month and I would visit any ward they wanted me to visit. On the Alzheimer’s unit, my dog dropped his ball by a gentleman’s foot and stared at him asking him to kick it for him. The gentleman

did and then told me I had a beautiful dog. I was told by the worker with me that those were the first words he had spoken since coming to the unit two weeks earlier. It still makes me tear up to think about the joy my dog brought someone else. We all know the joy being greeted by our own pets; we can share that with others. Be sure to check with the facility where you are wanting to go visit about the requirements they have.

There are also programs to get certified in animal assisted therapy. Another way to volunteer would be to go to the shelters and see if they need help.

You know what they say, many hands make light work. And then you can help socialize the animals at the shelter so they will be more ready for a new home.

Call around and see who needs help.

Decrease stress. Who does not want to decrease the stress in their own lives.

It’s so nice to be greeted by a dog or cat when you get home at night. They love you even when you do not feel lovely.

They do not usually complain if you feed the same thing two nights in a row.

The unconditional love of a pet, the companionship they offer and the need for a routine all help to decrease our own personal stress. And studies have

Now accepting large animal clients

CATS • DOGS • OTHER SMALL ANIMALS Carol Thompson, VMD

General Medicine & Surgery • Laser Surgery Behavior Consultation • Boarding

3631 Hwy. 60 E. •Lake Wales, FL 33898 863-676-5922 • Fax: 863-676-7342 EMERGENCY: 833-676-4677

Thompson’s

EMERGENCY SERVICES ALSO AVAILABLE

If you would like to advertise in

Preventative medicine • Routine surgery • Soft tissue surgery Orthopedic surgery • Digital x-ray • Ultrasound • Dental procedures In-house laboratory • Indoor boarding • Grooming

“Passion For Pets� call Jim at 863-215-8325

2981510

2945745

863-676-6176

Why Advertise On Our Pet Pages?

HERE ARE SOME STATISTICS: Dogs: There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the U.S. 39% of US households own at least one dog 28% of owners own two dogs.

Cats: There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the U.S. 33% of US households own at least one cat 52% of owners own more than one cat.

Statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 Natural Pet Owners Survey.

www.bargaincarts.com 30020 US 27 S. • Lake Hamilton • 863-438-0043 n 2249 State Rd. 60 E • Lake Wales • 863-676-7542

2962612

VeTerinary CenTer

T VC

shown that petting an animal can help to decrease your blood pressure, too.

And how can you be lonely when your dog pushes his nose into your lap for you to rub it?

Now can your pet help you save money? Well, it goes back to that exercise thing. A leash and collar is way less expensive than most gym memberships. And most dogs will keep you accountable to get off that couch. Just be sure to pick a breed that does well with exercise and be careful of the heat for both of you.

Pets can bring great joy to your own life, and the loves of others.

So keep those resolutions.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 25

PASSION for PETS

Hospice care offered to ill pets, grieving owners

AP PHOTO

Veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner prepares to drive away with Mike Kelley’s euthanized cat, Andy, from his home in Newport Beach, Calif. The cat will be cremated and the ashes returned to Kelley.

Mike Kelley, foreground, and veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner stroke Kelley’s 10-year-old cat Andy, on the evening when Gardner came to euthanize the animal in Newport Beach, Calif. A few weeks earlier, Andy didn’t greet Kelley at the door as usual and was soon diagnosed with liver disease, which meant euthanasia.

6KZ :XKGZY LUX )GZY *UMY GTJ +^UZOIY

2UIGR JKRO\KX_ GTJ VOIQ[V G\GORGHRK OT *U]TZU]T .GOTKY )OZ_ *U]TZU]T 2GQKRGTJ GTJ *U]TZU]T '[H[XTJGRK )GRR UX KSGOR LUX VOIQ[V JKRO\KX_ YINKJ[RK

ADOPT ME

LOVE | 26

AP PHOTO

2977725

As Mike Kelley stroked his cat Andy for the last time, he recalled how the feline would eat yogurt every morning and meet him at the door every night.

Kelley told stories about his beloved pet before Dr. Mary Gardner gave the 10-year-old cat a shot and he went to sleep for the last time. After Andy developed liver disease, Kelley sought the support of the hospice veterinarian, who came to his home, listened to him talk about his cat and eventually allowed Andy to die with dignity. It’s in line with a continuing trend of animal lovers committing increasing time and expense to pet care.

About four years ago, Gardner of Yorba Linda and Dr. Dani McVety of Tampa co-founded Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice Inc., a national network of veterinarians providing end-of-life services for sick animals like Andy. The vets don’t just manage a pet’s nutrition, medication, mobility and cremation arrangements, they comfort grieving families and prepare any fellow pets for the tough days ahead. And, ultimately, they will euthanize when the vet and owner agree the time is right.

“He was my best buddy. He was there every day for me. I would have done anything to keep him here,� said Kelley of Newport Beach. But he didn’t want Andy to suffer after medication stopped working and the cat lost his appetite.

Lap of Love is the first organized group of its kind in the country, said Colleen Ellis, director of the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. The group helps with the last hours of life and the first hours of death of animals ranging from dogs and cats to hamsters and pot-bellied pigs.

The association says there are many vets, vet techs and even a Northern California animal sanctuary that take in terminally ill or elderly pets for hospice care and, eventually, euthanasia. Lap of Love is the biggest organization and the only one composed entirely of experienced veterinarians.

There are 68 Lap of Love partner vets in nearly 20 states that handle euthanasia and funeral arrangements, as well as talk to children and help owners say goodbye, Ellis said. They only accept pets nearing the end of life and are often referred by the animal’s regular

2962762

By SUE MANNING

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Don’t wait until Dental Month in February to have your pets teeth cleaned.

15% OFF

ALL DENTALS

with bloodwork November & December

Give us a call today and take advantage of this great deal!

520 Mountain Lake Cutoff Rd. Lake Wales, FL www.lakewalesvets.com 2980574

2962677

“Like Us� on Facebook!

5]TKX Nice2benatural@gmail.com

9NUV 2UIGR 2O\K -XKKT (K 4GZ[XGR

Meet Heart. She would love a house to race around in. Some might say Heart is a lap loving lady, so if you have a lap, she would be more than happy to curl up and nap. Come adopt this lovely lady today!

Tangerine gets along great with other pets, and is easygoing with kid. She enjoys playing with toys and exploring. If you are looking for a spunky cat to add to your family, come and meet Tangerine today!

Mildred is in the market for a loving companion! Mildred is easygoing with humans and cats, but keep those dogs away! She has a very curious personality.

Come down and ask for Mildred today!

Aphrodite is a very inquisitive girl.

She is house trained and would prefer a home without other pets.

She is heart worm positive, but SPCA Florida will cover the cost of treatment. Come down and meet this sweetheart today!

Charli Rose enjoys snuggling and is playful with adults, children and cheew bones. She has quite a bit of energy, will need a guardian who exercises and plays with her. Won’t you please come and visit her today?

Poppy Seed is a sweet guy with a low activity and vocalization level.

Loud noises scare him, so promise to keep him safe during summer storms and he will keep you warm during the “chilly� winter nights.

Come down today and visit Poppy!

For More Information Visit www.spcaflorida.org 5850 Brannen Rd. S., Lakeland, FL 863-646-7722

Page 26

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

AP PHOTO

Dr. Mary Gardner holds Mike Kelley’s euthanized cat, Andy, in a special basket as Kelley gives it a final kiss goodbye at his home in Newport Beach, Calif.

AP PHOTO

Veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner, left, and neighbor Annie Kuzma, right, hug Mike Kelley after Gardner euthanized Kelley’s cat 10-year-old Andy, at Kelley’s home in Newport Beach, Calif.

FROM PAGE 25 veterinarian or a surgeon. “Veterinarian hospice care is a lot like human hospice care. The goal is comfort. We are not trying to cure, just manage the symptoms so that they are as comfortable as possible,� McVety said. “Vet hospice is where human hospice was 50 or 60 years ago.�

McVety started the business in 2010.

Six months later, it was growing so fast that she sought help from Gardner, who’d been a vet school classmate.

They decided to team up and soon were getting calls from vets all over the country wanting to take part.

Every partner vet keeps in touch with the veterinary community, sharing ideas, going over cases and getting and giving advice, McVety said. A typical veterinarian with a practice might euthanize two pets a week, she said, while she will euthanize 20 to 30.

Lap of Love has a free online journal owners can use to help them decide when it is time to call for help. There is also a memorial website that allows owners to tell their pets’ stories and post their photos.

Costs of the services vary across the country, but they range from $200 to $400 for hospice care and about the same for in-home euthanasia. There are extra costs for evenings and weekends, holidays, extended travel, pets over 100 pounds, aggressive animals and some exotic species.

The vets can arrange private or communal cremation, and many pet insurance companies cover euthanasia costs.

For Kelley, who plans to sprinkle his cat’s ashes in Newport Beach, Gardner’s services made a big difference. “She was there for me and really nice to the cat. He was so comfortable. He wasn’t stressed at all. Everything went as smoothly as it could go,� he said.

Gardner said she became a vet to help animals, no matter what form that takes. “That doesn’t mean I save them, but I do help them die peacefully,� she said.

AP PHOTO

Mike Kelley strokes his 10-year-old cat Andy, on the sofa in his living room on the evening when veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner came to euthanize the animal, in Newport Beach, Calif. • Medical Care for Adults & Children BOARD CERTIFIED ~ FAMILY PRACTICE • Office Skin Surgery • School & Work Physicals Accepting New Patients • Medicare and Insurance Accepted 1110 Druid Circle, Lake Wales • Affordable Fees for (across from the Emergency Entrance of the hospital) Uninsured • Convenient Later Appointments Monday-Thursday 9AM-8PM, Friday 9AM-12PM www.drbarringer.com • Home Visits Appointments Preferred, Walk-ins Welcome • Cash and Credit Cards Accepted

William J. Barringer, MD

AP PHOTO

Dr. Mary Gardner, right, comforts Mike Kelley outside his apartment, in Newport Beach, Calif., as she arrives to euthanize his 10-year-old cat Andy after Andy developed liver disease.

863-679-6620

2913602

LOVE

SavannahCourt

• Day Service and Respite Available • Restaurant Style Dining Experience • Personalized Service Plans • Housekeeping & Laundry Services • Excellent Apartment Choices • Scheduled Transportation • 24-Hour,Well-Trained, Caring Associates

Call us today, stop by for a visit, join us for lunch, or all of the above!

You are always welcome!

Savannah Court is licensed for 36 residents and Savannah Cou is an elegant yet intimate community where services are personalized for each resident.

12 East Grove Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853

(863) 679-8246

Mike Kelley, right strokes, his cat Andy as veterinarian Dr. Mary Gardner uses a stethoscope and finds no heartbeat after she euthanized the animal at Kelley’s home in Newport Beach, Calif.

2982792

AP PHOTO

A Signature community of

www.savannahcourtlakewales.com Assisted Living Facility License No. 9888

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Page 27

A Santa kind of breakfast

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS

These two cowboys, Ike Stein and son Zibe, enjoy their breakfast at Babson Park Elementary School’s annual Breakfast With Santa in Lake Wales.

Books and bagels gain popularity PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS

Babson Park Elementary School’s annual Breakfast With Santa supplied a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Amaris Samuel and Kylee Marino are pictured.

Second graders and their parents are spending quality time together while working on reading concepts and skills at Janie Howard Wilson Elementary School. Each Wednesday morning before school, they gather

in Mrs. Kochanowski’s classroom to enjoy a light breakfast snack (bagels) and participate in hands-on reading activities which help build knowledge of foundational reading skills, as well as reading comprehension.

PHOTO BY DEBRA GOUVELLIS

Shannon Jones (white shirt, center) and his fourth grade classmates put a lot of pizazz in their Babson Park Elementary School musical performance during the annual Breakfast with Santa.

Each grade performed various Christmas selections for families and friends.

Education

to make your DREAMS

PHOTO PROVIDED TO THE LAKE WALES NEWS

Jose Lopez and his mother enjoy time together at Books and Bagels.

REALITY!

Is Today Your Day? • HVAC-R Technician • Medical Assistant CALL TODAY! (863) 646-1400

CLASSES BEGIN SOON!

Your Life. Powered By Learning

5925 Imperial Parkway, Suite 200 • Mulberry, FL 33860 For Consumer Information visit www.fortis.edu

2972455

• EMT/Paramedic

Page 28

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

EV EN TS

CALENDAR

WELCOME TO YOUR COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Want to see your event on this page? Call us at 863-676-3467 or email news@lakewalesnews.com.

and

Meeting Room, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Monthly Genealogy group meets in cooperation with the Dr. JA Wiltshire Foundation.

“Happy Hives� World of Bees at Bok Tower Gardens, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Discover the world of bee hives with local beekeepers Jack & Judy Stokes.

Check out their gear including a beekeeper’s suit, beekeeping tools, and Florida’s Natural Grove House a display of their raw, natural, unpro“Love the Logo� 10 a.m. Grove House, cessed honey. Sample a variety of honey 20106 Hwy 27. Ten percent off of any and purchase some to take home.

FL Natural Growers logoed item. For information, call 863-679-4110.

Grief Support by Good Shepherd Hospice at Water’s Edge of Lake Wales, 10:30 a.m.

Lake Wales Charter Schools - staff development day. Teachers and administrators return from winter break.

„Saturday, Jan. 4

„Monday, Jan. 6

„Monday, Dec. 30

Lake Wales Library, main lobby, Guardian Ad Litem Information Booth, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. A representative from the 10th Circuit Court Guardian Ad Litem volunteer program is available in the library’s main lobby to discuss this program. Call 863-534-4605 for more information.

„Tuesday, Dec. 31 Grief Support by Good Shepherd Hospice at Water’s Edge of Lake Wales, 10:30 a.m.

Ramon Theatre - Murder Mystery Dinner - Betting on Death - New Year Eve Special, 6 p.m. Tickets: $45 per person. 15 E Wall St, Frostproof. Call (863) 635-7222 for reservations.

„Wednesday, Jan. 1 Lake Wales Library - closed

„Thursday, Jan. 2 Registration Begins for 2014 Polk Senior Games – 22nd Annual. (February 22 – March 10, 2014) Registration is from Jan. 2 to Feb. 7. $10 entry fee for first event; $3 for each additional event up to a $28 maximum. Some events have additional fees. All participants receive a specially designed T-shirt.

The games end with a free Closing Celebration at The Lakeland Center featuring entertainment, special awards, goody bags, door prizes and more. To receive an entry booklet in January or get more information, call 863-533-0055.

„Friday, Jan. 3 Genealogy at the Library, Schoenoff

„Tuesday, Jan. 7

Classes start - students return from winter break, public and charter schools.

„Thursday, Jan. 9 Lake Wales Library iPad and iPhone class – Level 1 - Schoenoff Meeting Room, 2 – 4 p.m. This class will be a small group setting, with a limited number of spaces. Level 1 will focus on the devices operating system and teaching class members how to update to the most current operating system and what functionality will be provided.

Registration is required and each class is $5 to compensate the instructor.

„Saturday, Jan. 11 Florida’s Natural Grove House “OJ & The Classics� 10 a.m., Grove House, 20106 Hwy 273rd Annual Car Show. For information, call 863-679-4110.

„Monday, Jan. 13 Moonlight Carillon Concert at Bok Tower Gardens Jan. 13, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a carillon concert under the light of the full moon. It’s a unique opportunity to visit the Gardens after-hours and have a light dinner at the Blue Palmetto CafÊ. $5 per person. Free for members. Call 863-676-1408.

„Tuesday, Jan. 14 The Polk County Library Cooperative offers bookmobile service to outlying regions of the county. There are three twice-monthly stops that serve the Lake Wales area: 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Village Green

Holiday closings The following have scheduled these closings for New Year’s week.

LAKE WALES Lake Wales City Hall: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Library: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Lake Wales: On Wednesday Jan. 1 the department is closed and all garbage and yard waste will be collected Thursday, Jan. 2. On Thursdays garbage and recycle will be collected Friday, Jan. 3 and on Friday garbage and recycle will be collected Saturday, Jan. 4.

FROSTPROOF Frostproof City Hall: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Library: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Garbage collection: On Friday, Jan. 3, garbage, recycling, yard waste, bulk will be collected Saturday, Jan. 4.

Neil Combee Administrative Center: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

Polk County Schools: District office in Bartow and schools are closed Monday, Dec. 23-Monday, Jan. 6.

Lake Wales Charter Schools: District office and schools are closed Monday, Dec. 23-Monday, Jan. 6.

Polk County Courthouse: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1.

The Polk Museum of Art is closed on Tuesday, Dec. 31 and Tuesday, Jan. 1 U.S. Post Office: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1 Banks: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1. Some banks are closing early on Tuesday, Dec. 31. Call your branch to make sure it is open before going there.

Newspaper: Closed Wednesday, Jan. 1. Business and editorial offices are open on Friday.

Apartments, State Road 60 east, 10 - 11 a.m.

2nd and 4th Tuesday at Lakeshore, State Road 60 east, 11 a.m. - Noon 2nd and 4th Tuesday at Indian Lake Estates, State Road 60 east, 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Contact Robin Newman, Bookmobile Librarian - 863-834-4270 or robin. newman@lakelandgov.net or for more information, visit http://www.lakelandgov.net/library/Services/Bookmobile. aspx Polk Works Mobile Unit at Lake Wales Public Library, 290 Cypress Gardens Lane, the first Tuesday of every month, 9 a.m. Polk Works Mobile Unit will help in applying for jobs, prepare resumes, submit applications and search for jobs online.

The bus will be parked in the Lake Wales Public Library’s main parking lot. Polk Works staff will provide all services that are available in the Winter Haven and Lakeland Polk Works offices. Trained job counselors will assess job-seekers’ skills, assist in job searching and application preparation as well as provide a variety of counseling services. Additionally, Polk Works counselors will assist with updating unemployment benefits applications, Employ Florida profiles and other government assistance. All Polk Works services are free of charge. The Mobile One-Stop unit has a full computer lab to assist job-seekers.

For information on the Polk Works Mobile One-Stop unit call (863) 5081100. For directions to the Lake Wales Public Library call (863) 678-4004 or visit www.cityoflakewales.com/library/ Cameo Memoirs Writing Group, 2 – 4 p.m., Schoenoff Meeting Room, Lake Wales Library. This group meets monthly to discuss and critique memoirs of members. This is a free and open group, it is not a classroom or workshop setting.

„Wednesday, Jan. 15 Polk State College’s 10th annual MLK Luncheon will be both a celebration of MLK’s vision for a color-blind society and the college’s work toward that goal.

The luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Bartow National Guard Armory, 120 Bartow Municipal Airport Road, where in 1964 the College first opened its doors.

„Thursday, Jan. 16

FREE BREAKFAST There is a free breakfast at B Street Community Center, on the first and third Saturdays of every month, from 9Â a.m. to 11Â a.m. For more information, or to make donations, contact Reverend Alton Norwood at 863-618-7641 or stop by his address at 114 W. Crystal Ave., Lake Wales. The Rev. Norwood has been doing free breakfasts for the community since 2005. He has a website at http://sites.google. com/site/cbmoinclakewalesfl/ iPhone Level 2 class will focus on the more experienced user, or students from the Level 1 class. In Level 2 instructor Len Angel will introduce students to the keyboard, hidden apostrophe, searching, screen shots, accessing and running apps, audio/video and playback controls. Registration is required and each class is $5 to compensate the instructor.

„Friday, Jan. 17 Central Florida Speech and Hearing Amplified Phone Distribution, Lake Wales Library Schoenoff Meeting Room, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Free amplified phones to qualified recipients.

„Saturday, Jan. 18 Winter Dog Days at Bok Tower Gardens, 9 a.m. Leashed and friendly dogs are invited for this special day with activities including dog health and safety information and adoptions. Dog admission: $5 each, with 50 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Polk County. Normal human rates apply. Call 863-676-1408.

Florida’s Natural Grove House “Taste of the Grove House� - 10 a.m.

Sample Grove House favorites. Grove House, 20106 Hwy 27, Lake Wales. Call 863-679-4110.

„Monday, Jan. 20 Lake Wales Library will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

„Thursday, Jan. 23 The 4th Thursday Book Discussion Group meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. The January title is “The Art of Racing in the Rain�

by Garth Stein. Books are available for checkout. Schoenoff Meeting Room, Lake Wales Library. Call 863-678-4004 or visit library@cityoflakewales.com

Lake Wales Library, Schoenoff Meeting Room, 2 – 4 p.m. iPad &

'ULYH DQG ULGH ZLWK SHDFH RI PLQG

2913712

„Saturday, Dec. 28

+ 9Z[GXZ '\K 2GQK =GRKY ,R

&RPPHUFLDO :RUNHUV &RPS *URXS +HDOWK 3HUVRQDO /LIH +HDOWK

FEELING

Page 29

FIT

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Nurse finds way to continue caring for patients despite retirement

When Barbara Kelly decided to retire in 2004, she wanted to volunteer for an organization that would allow her to apply her nursing skills. The Lakeland woman became a volunteer for Cornerstone Hospice and Palliative Care providing respite care to patients and their families.

“Currently, I have four patients that I visit once a week in their homes or longterm care facilities,” said Kelly. “One of my patients just turned 100 and I’ve been visiting her for about two years. She is bedbound and can’t communicate but I know she knows when I’m there and she looks forward to our visits, as do I.” Kelly says volunteering with Cornerstone Hospice was a way to stay involved with her work. While the tasks are different, the reward is the same.

“I get them outside if the weather is nice and will give manicures or just comb their hair,” said Kelly. “Helping them keep clean helps the patients feel good. Sometimes I just read to them or watch television with them.”

Kelly says Cornerstone Hospice’s 16-hour volunteer training class was definitely beneficial because it provides

a comprehensive overview of hospice care as well as introduces prospective volunteers to the various ways they can help the organization.

“It does take a commitment to be a hospice volunteer,” said Kelly, but she says the training definitely prepares people to be able to sit with patients, to serve veterans in hospice care, to take care of the patients’ pets or even to help out with Cornerstone Hospice events or in the office.

Cornerstone Hospice seeks more volunteers like Kelly to help with a variety of services. All volunteers must attend training and the following classes are scheduled in Winter Haven: 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18; and 5-9 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 23. Cornerstone Hospice Offices, 2590 Havendale Blvd., Winter Haven.

Lunch, snacks and drinks will be provided. All three days of training are required.

Interested volunteers should preregister by calling Carrie Hess at 863-291-5567.

PHOTO PROVIDED

When Barbara Kelly retired she wanted to do something where her nursing skills could be put to use. She now volunteers at Cornerstone Hospice.

HMA hit with Whistleblower lawsuits

The Naples-based hospital chain Health Management Associates disclosed last week that courts have unsealed four whistleblower lawsuits alleging the company’s hospitals violated federal laws.

The federal government also has intervened in the lawsuits, which were filed in U.S. district courts for the Middle District of Florida, the Southern District of Florida and the Middle District of Georgia, according to an HMA filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The lawsuits allege, at least in part, that HMA hospitals inappropriately admitted patients and submitted reimbursement claims to federal health programs. Also, they allege HMA hospitals had inappropriate financial relationships with physicians and then submitted claims to the federal government that were certified to be in compliance with what is known as the “Stark” law.

In the Securities and Exchange Commission filing, HMA said it would contest the allegations and seek dismissal of the lawsuits.

The disclosure is the latest in a series of controversies involving HMA, including an episode of the CBS program “60 Minutes” that raised questions about whether HMA pressured physicians to admit emergency-room patients to bring in more revenues.

Meanwhile, plans were announced in July for Tennessee-based Community Health Systems, Inc., to buy HMA in a $7.6 billion deal. HMA’s board in November affirmed its support for the deal, which is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2014. HMA is a major player in Florida’s health-care market, as it operates or is a partner in 23 hospitals in the state including Bartow Regional Medical Center, Lake Wales Medical Center and Florida Hospital in Haines City.

Williams retires, Claussen moves in

Gaye Williams retired from the Central Florida Health Care Inc. on Dec. 31.

Williams has served as the CEO more than 20 of her 39 years working for the organization.

Under her incomparable leadership CFHC broke through barriers and made Gayle Williams unprecedented, unparalleled progress. CFHC’s successes can be validated by its committed, stanch mission to increase access in medically underserved communities across a three county service area.

Williams believes that the coming months and many years to follow will

Hear what you’ve been missing

EARLY INTERVENTION IS IMPORTANT Don’t wait years to get the help you need.

Artis Bassett Hearing Aids has been in business for 45 years. We know how important your hearing is. We strive to offer the best hearing devices available plus deliver an exceptional patient experience.

HEARING ANALYSIS

Make an an appointment appointment with Make with our professionals professional hearing our hearing experts today. Your FREE experts today . Your FREE consultation will include: consultation will include:

What type of hearing loss you may be experiencing

LIFESTYLE DISCUSSION

What sounds are part of your regular environment

2980058

Artis Bassett Hearing Aids 137 SR 60W • Lake Wales • 863-676-0616 M-Thurs 10am-4pm

be exciting and challenging as CFHC continues to transition within a changing landscape. CFHC can proclaim its place in history because it knows “for sure” that with improved Ann Causen health, health disparities are reduced and the cost is less when patients enter into a patient-centered medical home.

The Board believes that they have not heard the last from their newly named “Emeritus CEO” and she has been encouraged to take on the next chapter as a mentor and as a public voice advocating transforming healthcare for all people regardless.

Taking her place is Ann Clausen who starts Jan. 2.

HEARING AID OPTIONS We’ll show you the best choices to meet your needs

BUDGET DISCUSSION

Pricing and payment options

Present this coupon for a

FREE Hearing Evaluation $150 Value

Preston Craft Hearing Aids 510 E Crawford St. • Lakeland • 863-687-8420 M-Fri 9am-4pm

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

FEELING

FIT

Page 30

Rarity of some cancer makes screening ineffective Dr. Keith Roach To Your Good Health Readers may write Dr. Roach at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475 endoscopy can be effective. It would be reasonable to speak with the expert taking care of this problem, usually a gastroenterologist, about screening.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My mother, 88 years old, recently switched her medicine for hypertension from timed release, which she has been taking for 10 years, to one that is not timed release, because the timed release was too expensive. I’m worried. Has she compromised her health by doing this?

Her cardiologist gave her the go-ahead. — J.R. ANSWER: In my opinion, timed-release versions for high blood pressure

That’s not a bad apple

Body of Knowledge An adult human spine compresses roughly 0.59 inches from morning to night.

Get me that, stat!

The “total� cost of depression in the United States is estimated to be $44 billion: $12 billion in direct costs of treatment; $8 billion in premature death; and $24 billion in absenteeism and reduced productivity, according to Raymond Lam and Hiram Wok, authors of “Depression� (2009). The estimate does not include out-of-pocket family expenses, costs of minor and untreated depression, excessive hospitalization, general medical services, and diagnostic tests.

Number cruncher A single serving of canned tuna (284 grams: Albacore, solid white, in water) contains 70 calories, 0 from fat. It has 0 grams of total fat, or 0 percent of the

Scott LaFee Well News recommended total fat intake for a 2,000-calorie daily diet.

It also contains 25 milligrams of cholesterol (8 percent); 140 milligrams of sodium (6 percent); 0 grams of total carbohydrates; and 16 grams of protein.

Diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine

Treating all adult illnesses and diseases: 1137 Druid Circle Lake Wales, Florida 2000 Osprey Blvd., Suite 110 Bartow, Florida

• Cardiac Diseases • High Blood Pressure • Pulmonary Diseases • Osteo/ Rheumatoid Arthritis • Hypo/Hyperthyroidism • Diabetes • Skin Diseases/ Cancer • High Cholesterol • Strokes • Wound Care

˜ ol Se habla Espan

Doc talk Anhidrosis – the abnormal absence of sweat

Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

863-533-1617

Never say diet The Major League Eating speed-eating record for fruitcake is 4 pounds, 14.25 ounces in 10 minutes, held by Sonya Thomas. Warning: Thomas set the fruitcake record 10 years ago, which is coincidentally about the time it takes to entirely digest most fruitcakes.

Accepting new patients 16 and older Walk ins welcome Same day appointments

Internal Medicine Institute, P.A.

Internal Medicine Institute

UL ZNK K^GSOTGZOUT OY VKXLUXSKJ H_ ZNK JUIZUX

5;8 96+)/'2:? /9 • • • •

No Stitch Cataract Surgery Cornea Transplants Eyelid Surgery in-office treatments for Glaucoma and Diabetes • We Accept Most Insurance Plans

Observation “He who laughs, lasts.� – American author Mary Pettibone Poole Curtain Calls The famed Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe died in 1601 from complications of a burst bladder after refusing to leave a dinner table to relieve himself because it would have been a breach of etiquette.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CREATORS.COM

for reading the Heartland Newspapers

Benigno Feliciano, M.D

Counts 18 – Percentage of Americans polled who said there should be no minimum age requirement to purchase the morning after birth control pill 17 – Percentage who said a prescription should be required, regardless of the buyer’s age 61 – Percentage who said the morning after pill should be covered by health insurance Source: NPR Truven Health Analytics

Phobia of the Week Chiroptophobia – fear of bats

ANSWER: Spinal stenosis is caused by pressure on the nerves at the level of the spinal column. Physical therapy is one effective treatment, and one I always recommend prior to considering surgery. I thank you for taking the time to point out that gentle stretching can help, probably by opening up the spaces in between the vertebrae to allow the nerve more room.

The booklet on back problems gives an outline of some causes of and treatments for the more-common back maladies. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Roach -- No. 303, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Enclose a check or money order for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealthmed. cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

You deserve personalized quality health care!

2976778

You know the Welsh adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away?

Well, a recent report published in the British Medical Journal found that in people ages 50 and older, the positive effects of eating an apple a day on cardiovascular health are comparable to those of taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug.

Researchers at the University of Oxford calculated the health benefits of 70 percent of Britons older than 50 eating one apple daily compared to the same group consuming a statin. They estimated that by eating apples, 8,500 deaths would be avoided annually versus 9,400 lives saved on statins — based on a total population of 17.6 million people.

Apples are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids and dietary fiber, which is particularly useful in cardiovascular health. A Florida State University study, for example, found that older women who ate apples daily had 23 percent less bad cholesterol, or LDL, and 4 percent more good cholesterol, or HDL, after just six months.

The researchers wryly noted that on the negative side, apples cost more than statins and are not covered by health insurance. On the plus: Apple consumption has no known adverse side effects.

are preferable to non-timed-release because the level of the medication in the blood can go up and down to a greater degree with the regular-release formulation. However, it does depend on the medication, and her cardiologist knows more than I do about her particular situation.

DEAR DR. ROACH: My wife suffered from spinal stenosis. She had a cortisone shot, which helped for 90 days. She had regular physical therapy meetings.

She was in constant pain, but insisted on playing tennis (against her doctor’s wishes).

Then, we happened to vacation for a month in Florida, and one of the offered activities was a “stretch� workout. She insisted that she wanted to try it. After the very first time she thought she felt a little better. She went to several of the sessions, and finally asked the trainer what she could buy to keep it up at home.

The trainer suggested a stretching DVD. It takes about an hour to complete it, and she now does it three times a week. She plays hard tennis five days a week, hasn’t complained about pain since 2010, and hasn’t needed any physical therapy, either. I continue to be amazed.

Certainly this kind of therapy can’t hurt anyone, since you do it only to your personal comfort levels. Perhaps you might mention this type of therapy in your column sometime. It worked miracles for us at virtually no cost. — R.M.

8U_ @ (XG[TYZKOT 3* 56.:.'23525-?

749 State Rd 60 East • Lake Wales, F2

See an Ophthalmologist if you have: Difficulty Focusing, Double Vision, Dry Eyes, Itching, Burning Eye Pain, Floaters, or See Haloes Around Lights 2913613

DEAR DR. ROACH: We recently lost a dear relative to cholangiocarcinoma. He had served in the Navy in Vietnam. The probable cause of his cancer was from a parasite, a river fluke, which is common to that region. The diagnosis came way too late to save his life. How can veterans be tested or diagnosed early enough for a possible successful cure? Are there any current tests available? — J.A.E. ANSWER: I am sorry to hear about your relative. Cholangiocarcinoma is cancer of the bile duct, a rare cancer.

Liver flukes are a risk factor, and so is a condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis, a condition associated with ulcerative colitis. The cancer is rare but highly lethal, because by the time symptoms show up, the cancer usually is advanced.

Also because of its rarity, screening for the cancer in a general population won’t be effective. However, for people at high risk, such as those with PSC or a history of liver parasites, at least one study has shown that screening with a blood test (CA 19-9, CEA) or by

3KJOIGXK 'YYOMTSKTZ 'IIKVZKJ

FEELING

Page 31

FIT

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New therapy eases symptoms of combat-related psychological trauma

By VJOLLCA HYSENLIKA

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Accelerated Resolution Therapy, or ART, is a brief, safe, and effective treatment for combat-related symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans and U.S. service members, researchers at University of South Florida College of Nursing report in a new study.

They found this newer treatment — a combination of evidence-based psychotherapies and use of eye movements — was shorter and more likely to be completed, than conventional therapies formally endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration.

Dr. Kevin Kip, professor and executive director for the Research Center at the USF College of Nursing, led the team of scientists and clinicians who conducted the first randomized controlled trial of ART in a military population. The trial enrolled 57 service members and veterans, primarily from the Tampa Bay area. “Based on this trial and an earlier study completed at the USF College of Nursing, we believe that accelerated resolution therapy may provide the quickest way to effectively and safely treat post-traumatic stress disorder,� Kip said. “Our goal is to obtain enough evidence and interest to warrant classifying ART as a potential first-line treatment for PTSD among both civilian and military personnel.�

ART works in two phases to alleviate psychological trauma symptoms and related disorders such as depression and anxiety.

The patient first visualizes in his or her mind a prior traumatic experience which typically elicits uncomfortable physiological sensations like tightness of the chest, increased heart rate and sweating.

Then, through talk therapy and a series of rapid left-to-right eye movements in which the patient follows the clinician’s hand back and forth, the sensations are minimized.

In the second phase, and with similar clinician input, the patient “replaces� the distressing images they have seen with positive ones in a way that the

original distressing images can no longer be accessed. ART is delivered in two to five 1-hour sessions, requires no homework, and no written or verbal recall of the traumatic experience. “Through this therapy, we’re able to quiet down and separate physiological symptoms that come with re-envisioning a traumatic experience,� Dr. Kip said. “We can also alter or replace the traumatic images and add positive material to them. We are changing how images are remembered in the brain.�

It worked well for Brian Anderson, a former Green Beret, 10-year Army veteran and director of the Pasco County Veteran Services and Stand Down program. He had tried an endorsed first-line PTSD treatment known as prolonged exposure therapy, which was very lengthy and worked for a while, but then symptoms like hyper-vigilance returned. “ART changed my life,� Anderson said. “This brief therapy took the bad memories that constantly resurfaced and put them in the proper order or long-term storage; it was almost like I was thinking about a time in history.

As a veteran, I would much rather go through a therapy that works, in only a few sessions, than sit through intensive and grueling sessions that last as long as 16 weeks.�

In this study, researchers compared ART to a non-therapeutic PTSD treatment called attention control (AC) regimen. Clinicians treated half of the 57 study participants (29) with ART, and the other half (28) received AC, which consisted of either physical fitness assessment and planning or career assessment and planning.

After initial treatment, both groups

suffering from PTSD, including a high representation of those who were sexually abused or previously treated with other PTSD therapies. They will Diego F. Hernandez, Psy. D., also study the cost-effectiveness of Licensed Clinical Psychologist with Veteran Brian Anderson at ART, and further examine how and University of South Florida College why the therapy works. of Nursing demonstrating AccelerPTSD is a prevalent, disabling ated Resolution Therapy ART. disorder that can emerge following a life-threatening event or traumatic experience. Those experiences create chronic symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, sleep received a three-month follow-up disturbances, mood swings, and assessment. loss of interest in life. According to “Before and after these intervenPTSD Foundation of America, one in tions, we compared the response analyzing reductions in PTSD symp- three troops returning from combat suffers PTSD symptoms, although toms, depression and anxiety, and the results were very impressive,� Kip less than 40 percent seek help. The organization also reports that at least said. “In an average of less than four five active duty military members ART sessions, participants had very attempt suicide every day. substantially reduced symptoms of “Accelerated resolution therapy is PTSD, while those who received AC giving hope to many veterans who did not.� felt like they had no hope,� said After the AC regimen, all veterans Lt. Col. (Ret.) Lawrence A. Braue, had the opportunity to receive ART, and in the full study, 94 percent com- director of the USF Office of Veterans Services. “I look forward to the day pleted treatment. Favorable results when this treatment is widely availpersisted at three months. able across the country. USF College The USF College of Nursing reof Nursing faculty and staff genuinely cently began its fourth and largest care about our veterans, and that ART study. Researchers will recruit means the world to any veteran.�

200 veterans and service members

Kevin T. Barlow, Au. D. Board Certified in Audiology Serving Central Florida since 1980

Your lifestyle and budget are factors in providing the right solutuion. Winter Haven Audiology and Ridge Audiology offer a full line of digital hearing products to serve your specific needs. You’ll find reliable, easy-to-wear solutions at an affordable price, along with top-of-the-line hearing support.

At Winter Haven Audiology and Ridge Audiology, we are committed to finding the right manufacturer to serve your specific needs.

Call today for your FREE hearing screening.

We accept most insurance.

Hearing Technology Solutions $ 00 starting at www.winterhavenaudiology.com

995

Get $10.00 OTC products FREE EVERY MONTH Hearing Services Provided by a Doctor of Audiology.

75-Day Trial 100% Service Satisfaction Guarantee 3 Year Warranty Midline and Premium Technologies

It’s Better Care and a Better Value.

with more than 5 NEW or TRANSFER prescriptions

Winter Haven audiology •

2981746

510 1st. St. S • Winter Haven, FL

audiology •

704 S.R. 60 E • Lake Wales, FL

Page 32

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Get On the Road to a Healthy Heart Attend a free screening event and learn more about your health

To celebrate Heart Month, the BayCare wellness buses are coming to your neighborhood. Take part in our Healthy Heart Screenings, which include: ■ Blood pressure ■ Glucose (A1c) ■ Body mass index (BMI) ■ Total cholesterol After you complete your screenings, you will have a snapshot of your overall health and can take the next steps toward living a healthier life.

On the Road Screening Dates and Locations Saturday, February 8, 8am-2pm

South Florida Baptist Hospital - Plant City

Thursday, February 13, 8am-2pm Bardmoor Outpatient Center Medical Arts Building - Largo Friday, February 14, 8am-2pm

BayCare Outpatient Center (Westchase) - Tampa

Preregistration is required:

Saturday, February 15, 8am-2pm

St. Joseph’s Hospital-North - Lutz

(855) 546-6304

Saturday, February 15, 7:30-11:30am Winter Haven Hospital - Winter Haven

2972935

Attend a screening and get on the road to a healthy heart.

Saturday, February 22, 8am-2pm

St. Joseph’s Hospital-South - Riverview

Saturday, March 1, 8am-2pm

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Medical Arts Building New Port Richey

Saturday, March 8, 8am-2pm

St. Anthony’s Outpatient Center (Carillon) - St. Petersburg

Saturday, March 15, 8am-2pm

St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building - Tampa

BC1400037-0114

KnowYourHeart.org