Winter Haven, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a two vehicle crash that occurred December 29th at 6:30pm. The crash happened at the intersection of US 92 & 21st Street NW.

According to Sergeant Steve Gaskins , Public Affairs Officer, with the FHP a Lexus sedan, driven by an 83 yr old Lake Alfred woman, was traveling northbound on 21st ST NW. The second vehicle, a Honda sedan driven by a 25 yr old Winter Haven man, , was traveling eastbound on US-92. At the intersection, the Lexus reportedly turned left into the path of and was struck by the Honda.

The driver of the Lexus suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Honda sedan suffered serious injuries.

The FHP adheres strictly to Marsy’s Law thus no names are released of victims in motor vehicle crashes.

December 29 – The PCSO investigated an Amtrak train vs bicyclist in the area of Eloise Loop Road & Macon Road (Winter Haven).

The crash occurred at about 2:20pm earlier today.

The bicyclist is a 37yr old male from Winter Haven.

He suffered trauma to the left side of his body (leg and arm) and was transported by air to a local hospital.

He is in critical but stable condition.

The railroad crossing equipment was functioning properly at the time of the crash.

We will update this article if additional information is released.

Full Service Real Estate Team – Cheryl Brewer has a property available for sale in Waverly!

HANDYMAN OR INVESTOR SPECIAL!!! 3 Bedroom/1 Bathroom features true hardwood floors throughout most of the home and ready to be rehabbed. Whether you want to make it your own or Fix & Flip. Additional parcel included with the sale that is vacant and could be re-sold separately if you choose too. Conveniently located off Highway 27 between Winter Haven and Lake Wales. Schedule your showing today! NO SIGHT UNSEEN OFFERS WILL BE REVIEWED. 

Contact Cheryl Brewer at Full Service Real Estate Team today!

863-224-0045

Price: $124,900

3 bed 1 bath

Full listing details here:

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/M6246532972

Obituary of Betty Jo Smith

Betty Jo Smith, 85, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at the Winter Haven Hospital. She was born on February 28, 1938 in Winter Haven, Florida. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents Nora Tyndal and Henry Blanton, past husbands, brothers Wayne (“Bo”) Tyndal and Bob Blanton, sister Sally Blanton, and son Tommy (“Ray”) Willis. Betty is survived by her daughters, Ramona Bilbrey and Kathy Hicks, her son Allen Smith, daughter-in-law, Cindy Willis, and brothers Jim and Joe Blanton. She leaves behind eight grandchildren (Chris Willis, Alisha Hughes, Jared Gatlin, April Rohde, LaRae Boyd, Beth, Cassandra, and Christine Smith), as well as several great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. 

Betty lived and attended school in the Lake Alfred and Winter Haven area. She worked for Automatic Machinery Corp in Winter Haven for nearly 28 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Alfred since 1952. Betty was described by many as a sweet and kind soul. She was a woman of strong faith and is now rejoicing in the arms of her Lord and Savior. 

A visitation will be held at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home in Winter Haven on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM with a Celebration of Life to begin at 12:00 PM. Following the service, a burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery in Lake Alfred.

“Free, free at last! I am free from this body of pain and sickness. Free to be with my Lord!”

– Betty Smith

OBITUARY OF JACQUELYN V CERIALE

Jacquelyn Vernetia Ceriale peacefully passed to be with the Lord at the age of 90 on December 27th, 2023. She was born in Bradenton, Florida on February 22nd, 1933 to Mary Ola & Eager Jack Miller, and married Joseph Ceriale on June 23rd, 1966. They lived in Cicero, Illinois for many years before moving permanently to Florida in 1987 where Jackie worked at Walt Disney World until retirement. Jackie had five wonderful children, and was blessed with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her family was her most prized possessions and she enjoyed spending as much time as possible with them. Until her health would no longer allow it, she was always out and about, and taking care of her little dog Mitzi. Jackie was preceded in death by her parents Mary Ola & Eager Jack Miller; her husband, Joseph Ceriale; and her siblings Frank Miller, Vivian Prevatt, Charles Miller, Paul Miller, and Johnny Miller. She is survived by her children, Jack “Joel” Parker, Debi Gattis, Gina (Christopher) Graham, Sam (Hazel) Ceriale, Julio (Celia) Ceriale; her sister in law Jeannette Ceriale; her grandchildren Jennifer Dickerson, Joseph Sands, Brandon Ceriale, Ashley Graham, Matthew Graham, Noah Ceriale, Issac Ceriale, Sophia Ceriale, and Zachary Ceriale; and her great grandchildren, Brianna Dickerson, Isaiah Dickerson, Savannah Dickerson, Gabriel Rath, Bentley Sands, and Blakely Sands. She will be remembered especially for her strength and love for her family and those around her. 

RECEIVING FRIENDS

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Oak Ridge Funeral Care

2425 Havendale Blvd

Winter Haven, Florida

863 967 5090

FUNERAL SERVICES

2:00 pm

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Oak Ridge Funeral Care

2425 Havendale Blvd

Winter Haven, Florida

863 967 5090

INTERMENT

Auburndale Cemetery

Bennett Street

Auburndale, Florida

Local Restaurant Must Change Name Due To Potential Copyright Infringement

By Allison Williams

If you have not had a chance to check out Eggs Up 27 Breakfast & Lunch in Lake Wales, you are missing out! However, from now on, the restaurant will be called Eggs Breakfast & Lunch, and here’s why:

Owner, Werner Gabriel Salvador said that recently he received a letter from an attorney representing another company that uses “Eggs Up” in their name. He was asked to take down all “Eggs Up” info associated with their business due to a trademark of “Eggs Up.” He was asked to stop using the name, take it off of signage, off of the menu, off of Facebook, etc.

If you have more questions about trademarks or copyright here is some information:

https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks

With all that being said, that will not stop him from serving some of the best meals around! New title is coming, but the delicious food will remain!

New Title: Eggs Breakfast & Lunch

Eggs Breakfast & Lunch is located at:

19301 Hwy 27

Lake Wales, FL 33853

The number to call ahead or get a to go order is (863) 949-6941.

Oh and one more thing! Can’t make breakfast or lunch? Every Friday, the restaurant also offers Fish Fry Friday from 5-8 pm!

OBITUARY OF HELEN MAZAR

Helen Zarovich Mazar

Born in 1936, during World War II in Luxembourg, Helen fled Nazi persecution as a child to southern France. She grew up and spent most of the War in the region of Bordeaux, France.

After the War, she moved to New York City, attending the prestigious Hunter College in Manhattan. She graduated with a Masters in French and Education from Columbia University. Early in her teaching career, Helen taught at East Carolina University, and in numerous other schools in the Northeast, South and Southwest of the United States.

Helen was married to Ory Mazar, a historian, author and publisher of books, mostly about the Bible, the Holy Land, archaeology, and biblical history. A teacher, an artist, a lover of classical music and the literary arts, Helen was a dedicated mother and a loving wife. She entered the world alone, struggled and burdened by the harsh and turbulent circumstances of her childhood, but left the world better off than when she entered it.

Helen is survived by her two sons, Dan and Joseph, her daughters-in-law, Olga and Clarinda, and her three grandchildren, Sophia, Samantha, and David to which she dedicated much of her life.

All those who knew her will miss her. She will not be forgotten.

“Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them” – George Elliot

GRAVESIDE SERVICES

11:00 am

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Rolling Hills Cemetery

4810 Tilden Road

Winter Haven, Florida

8632915761

Blog post, Polk County Government Florida December 28, 2023 by Krista Silva:

The holiday season is over and it’s time to put away your decorations. You’ve taken down the lights, packed up the ornaments and deflated the snowman on your lawn. So far, so good.

But what do you do with your Christmas tree?

Preparing Your Tree for Recycling

First, remove all the decorations from your tree, including ornaments, lights, garlands, stands, etc. Once the tree is bare, there are several options for recycling:

• Chip and mulch – You can rent or buy a woodchipper and process the tree. Store the mulch for a year to let it age.
• Help the birds – You can place the tree in your backyard, giving birds a new place to nest and feed.
• Feed the fish – If you have a pond on your property, you can submerge the tree in the water. Once submerged, discarded Christmas trees can provide shelter for small insects, snails, etc. This, in turn, draws insect-loving fish to the area.

Preparing Your Tree for Disposal

If you live in unincorporated Polk County and you prefer disposal over recycling, you have options:

• If it’s a natural tree, once you’ve removed all the decorations, you can place the tree curbside along with the rest of your yard waste on your collection day. (To find your collection day, go to www.polkwastewise.net. If the tree is taller than six feet, cut it in half.
• If it’s an artificial tree, you can set it out on your Furniture & Appliance collection day. Or you can disassemble the tree and place it in your garbage bin.

Why Should I Recycle My Christmas Tree?

When you recycle your Christmas tree or dispose of it properly, you are giving back to the environment by creating a new use for the tree or by keeping it from clogging the landfill. By doing your part, you’re helping to make the end of the holiday season merry and bright.

If you have any questions about what to do with your tree, contact us at (863) 284-4319.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Early Friday morning (Dec. 29) at around 2:48 am, a PCSO deputy was patrolling the area of US 92 East and Palmer Road (Fussels Corner, between Lakeland and Auburndale), when he spotted a black 2011 VW sedan with a suspiciously unreadable tag.

Upon closer inspection, the tag was determined to be a temporary tag that expired in April of 2023.

A traffic stop was performed, and inside the vehicle was 36-year old Prentiss Johnson of Winter Haven.

The deputy discovered Mr. Johnson was a wanted man–he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest based on Lakeland PD charges for Dealing in Stolen Property, Felony Petit Theft, and False Information to a Pawn Broker.

It was also discovered that today is Mr. Johnson’s birthday, so our deputy gave him a pair of silver bracelets and a free ride to the Polk County Jail.

City of Auburndale, Fl Government

THE BAYNARD HOUSE IS A HISTORIC GIFT FOR THE PRESENT!

We travel back to December 7th, 2023. A crowd gathers near the Historic Train Depot. Everyone is talking about the upcoming Christmas tree lighting. Across the street, the Baynard House celebrates the Christmas season with us. It is dressed in bows, tinsel, glitter, and glam. Before the Christmas tree lighting, we had the chance to tour this historic home!

Walking there, we discuss brief portions of the home’s story. In 1894, a young Ephraim M. Baynard left his native South Carolina to visit his sister Josephine in Auburndale, Florida. Here he met 18-year-old Nettie Lee Brook. The young couple married in the Hampton House (a hotel near where the present day Shake Shoppe is located; the hotel burned down). Tragically, major fires destroyed Downtown Auburndale. Mr. Baynard contributed toward rebuilding the new Downtown with brick structures. The Baynard House survived these fires. In 1933, Mr. Baynard passed away in Auburndale.

Baynard House in 1907

The Baynards raised two daughters in this home. The girls went to grammar school in Auburndale; however, there was not a local high school yet. Therefore, the Baynards sent their girls to a boarding school far away.

Some of the over 200 students who helped restore the Baynard House.

Though it may look like a dash of magic was used to preserve the historic home, this is not so. It is the product of dedicated volunteers and community members. In the 1990’s, a massive preservation operation was undertaken by staff, volunteers, and student-volunteers from Auburndale High School (the local school that Mr. Baynard surely would have been esteemed to send his children to). Today, Baynard House is owned by the City of Auburndale and cared for by the Baynard House Committee.

This long history of preservation is the reason why the Baynard House greets us tonight in rich Christmas dazzle. The house glows with a welcoming warmth as the sun sets over the horizon.

As we enter through the front door, we wonder what it must have been like to own such a grand house. Tonight, Cindy Hummel has the chance to enthusiastically greet us. How would you have greeted guests? After a few words of well wishes, we sign our names into the welcome book.

In a nearby room, a father tells his child “Not to touch” the elegant piano. The child snaps her fingers back, mere inches away from the piano’s keys, her eyes beaming with surprise in a wildly silly expression.

Her siblings laugh heartily, the young girl follows suit, and the father can’t help but chuckle.

Seeing this humorous scene, we get a chance to speak with the dad. He comments, “I’ve grown up in Auburndale but never been to the Baynard House. Being here gives you another perspective about the people who built our hometown, and now it makes me want to leave behind a good legacy too… that’s why I wish I had visited sooner. It is an odd feeling thinking about how my children will one day grow up, followed by their children, and so on, and all those generations will analyze how I lived.” Thank you for the resounding words, sir!

We pause for a moment in the dining room. A Christmas tree shines bright, along with holly, tinsel, twinkling candles, and a treasure trove of Christmas delights. The dining room table is beautifully prepared, perhaps in preparation for a lovely holiday meal. Wrapped gifts sit under the tree. You can hear the small eager steps of children upstairs, excitement brimming from all the holiday festivities.

We venture upstairs to the bedrooms. Many artifacts, including a historic typewriter, dresses, dressers, beds, and more, stand as if the Baynards had left their home only months ago. This home is an active time capsule that invites residents and guests to explore local history.

The Baynard House Committee, tonight consisting of a group of ladies who are full of laughter and good cheer, is instrumental in protecting the heritage and history. We were able to see this firsthand as we spoke with Cindy Hummel, Zelda West, Lynda Moore, and Evelyn Pearce.

From Left to Right: Evelyn Pearce, Zelda West, Lynda Moore, and Cindy Hummel

After a marvelous tour, we wave to our friendly neighbors about to enter through the front door where we had started our journey. The Baynard House has transformed from a piece of Polk County history into an important part of American history. The home is a member of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, a national program meant to protect and preserve buildings of important American historical significance. Thank you to the lovely ladies who gave us a great tour! Also, thank you to all the volunteers who work hard so that we may visit and reflect within another era of Auburndale. Also, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Interested in supporting the mission of historical preservation for current and future generations? You can choose from giving tours, construction, the use of fresh ideas and perspectives, or another important way. Please contact Parks & Recreation at (863) 965-5545 or visit them at 119 W. Park Street, Auburndale, FL 33823. Your support will be much appreciated.

Published December 22, 2023- by Josh Starr

Group and private tours of the Baynard House are available by appointment: (863) 965-5455.

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Want to contact the City of Auburndale’s Communications Office? Feel free to email us at [email protected] or call at (863) 837-510