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God’s Grace

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God’s Grace

By Carl Fish

Hi my name is Carl,

It is only by the Grace of God that I’m able to write to you today. You see like so many people I have had my trials and tribulations that could have forever changed my life. It could have been that time that I broke into the local school with friends when I was a boy. It could have been that time when I lied about sorting cans when I was a boy just to get paid fast to buy some candy. It could have been when I stole that inappropriate magazine when I was a very young teenager. It could have been that time when I got drunk at 16 just to be cool. It could have been that time I smoked pot with my cousin, just because I succumbed to peer pressure. It could have been the many times I road home from a party with my best friend, when we were both drunk. It could have been that time when I was extremely tired driving home from work and spun my car 460 degrees and narrowly missed a telephone pole. It could have been the time I wrote a check that I didn’t have the funds in the bank to pay. It could have been the numorous times I allowed myself to be distracted and narrowly missed the dark figure walking near the side of the road. It could have been the many, many times that I allowed my arrogance to hurt my family and those people I care about. It could have been that It is only by the Grace of God that I’m able to write to you today. You see like so many people I have had my trials and tribulations that could have forever changed my life. It could have been that time that I broke into the local school with friends when I was a boy. It could have been that time when I lied about sorting cans when I was a boy just to get paid fast to buy some candy. It could have been when I stole that inappropriate magazine when I was a very young teenager. It could have been that time when I got drunk at 16 just to be cool. It could have been that time I smoked pot with my cousin, just because I succumbed to peer pressure. It could have been the many times I road home from a party with my best friend who was drunk. It could have been that time when I extremely tired driving home from work and spun my car 460 Degrees and narrowly missed a telephone pole that would have surely killed me. It could have been the time I wrote a check that I didn’t have the funds in the bank to pay. It could have been the numorous times I allowed myself to be distracted and narrowly missed the dark figure walking near the side of the road. It could have been the many, many times that I allowed my arrogance to hurt my family and those people I care about. It could have been those times when I did my friends wrong.

It is only by the Grace of God, that I have not been a headline in a paper or a mugshot on the wall. Or inevitably worse. Y

So please remember when you read a story and you see someone who has made a mistake that it could have been me or maybe you, that is in that position. Only by th Grace of God and the blood of Jesus are we forgiven and given numerous more chances in life, to get it right.

Community Gathers to Beautify Dundee

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Community Gathers to Beautify Dundee

Community Gathers to Beautify Dundee

By Allison Williams

 

The Town of Dundee partnered with Keep Polk County Beautiful and hosted a spring-cleaning day on Saturday, June 23. With over 50 volunteers ready to pick up trash, plant flowers and prepare food, Dundee was beautified in just one day.

Deena Ware, MPA, Town Manager helped organize and also attended the event. When volunteers arrived, they checked in and received a map that showed the various locations around Dundee that would be attended to throughout the day. Groups were then sent out to begin cleaning.

Ware was thrilled with the participation and outcome of the event. Adults, children, churches, among many others were present to clean up Dundee.

Volunteer groups included:

  • Residents of Polk County
  • The Church on the Hill
  • Friendship Baptist Church
  • Commissioner
  • Polk County Sherriff’s Office
  • Assistant Chief of the Dundee Fire Department

Advanced Disposal graciously donated four dumpsters. They were dropped off Friday evening before the weekend event, and by Monday morning, they were completely full.

Due to the success of this year’s event, Ware plans to make it an annual cleanup occurrence. Her hopes are to have it at an earlier date next year when the weather conditions are more friendly with working in outdoor conditions.

“We just had our commission meeting on Tuesday night and the commission spoke highly of the event,” Ware said. Members of the commission were also present at the cleanup event. Ware added, “They were there of course and got dirty. It was a nice event.”

Joe Garrison, Assistant Chief of the Dundee Fire Department, was at the event helping clean and also keeping everyone safe.

He brought his two teenage sons along with him to volunteer and they rode around in a mule, checking on all the volunteers throughout the duration of the cleanup event.

“We put a cooler in the back of the mule and went down the street and went to each person,” Garrison said. “We kept people hydrated. I had my medical kit there with the fire department. I had a big tank filled up with fresh ice water in case anybody overheated.”

Ware enjoyed being a part of the cleanup and also seeing the volunteers around the community come together.

“I enjoyed seeing everyone come together for a common cause,” Ware said. “A lot of times in public service we always hear the bad stuff of what’s going on, what we are not doing right and what we should be doing, but Saturday wasn’t like that. It was everyone coming together for the common cause of the cleanup of the community. Nobody was complaining. It was everybody just working together.”

Ware and her team also installed a pond by the front door of the Town Hall.

The event wrapped up with the usual summer Florida thunderstorm. This cooled everybody down after a busy few hours of working hard to clean up Dundee.

Photos by Brian Lueth, Town Clerk

Collage provided by Deena Ware and Town

 

All About Harvey Lemons

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All About Harvey Lemons

All About Harvey Lemons

By Allison Williams

We have all seen the fields upon fields of groves around Polk County while out driving. Did you know that you can find the Harvey lemon right here in the county and it is full of benefits?

The name comes from its founder, Harvey Smith, commonly referred to as Old Man Harvey. He founded the lemon back in the 1940s and brought it to Clearwater, Florida.

Joe Garrison, a local Harvey lemon grower shared some history of the Harvey lemon:

“In the 60s and 70s, we had a couple cold fronts come through Florida. In ‘76 it got down to 16 degrees in Miami. It killed everything, BUT the only thing that was still standing was the Harvey lemon in Clearwater. It’s proven to be a very cold tolerant tree.”

Not only are these trees tolerant to colder weather conditions, but also are tolerant of some diseases according to Steven Callaham, CEO of Dundee Citrus Growers Association (Dundee CGA).

“Dundee CGA is a grower owned cooperative that has been in business since 1924,” Callaham said. “We provide harvesting, packing and marketing services for Florida citrus, peaches and blueberries.”

Callaham added, “The variety has recently received some renewed interest as it seems to tolerate citrus greening disease better than many other citrus varieties. The Harvey is a great piece of fruit with a classic lemon shape and appearance, high juice content and a true tart lemon flavor.”

One of the unique characteristics about the Harvey lemon is the fact that it is technically considered seedless, as it only has a couple seeds inside. The trees are without thorns and produce what Garrison also considers a true lemon taste.

Many local farmers are switching to Harvey lemon trees due to their tolerance to disease and also their cold weather tolerance. They have proven to do well in the unusual cold fronts that come through Florida, and they also have proven to withstand the hurricane conditions over the past years.

After last year’s big hurricane, many of the farmers who lost their other fruit trees are now replanting and choosing the Harvey lemon to grow.

Garrison owns 25 acres in Dundee and planted hundreds to Harvey lemon trees 15 months ago. With his proper care of the trees, they are growing rapidly, producing many lemons. Most of his trees are on C35 rootstock, which is the same rootstock you would find farmers out in California growing their Harvey lemon trees with.

“The unique thing about a lemon tree also is these Harvey lemons will produce three or four pods,” Garrison said. The cycle repeats itself so just in one season a farmer will be able to grow numerous lemons. There are generally three to four pickings in one season alone from the Harvey lemon tree. The more lemons farmers are able to produce, the more opportunity for profit.

Health Benefits

There are all types of health benefits associated with lemons. aham is very familiar with the lemon and all its benefits.

“Harvey lemons are great to use in drinks, marinades, cooking and garnishes,” Callaham said. “They are an excellent source of Potassium, Fiber and Vitamin C.  Research shows that lemons have numerous potential health benefits including weight control and digestive health.”

Interested in trying out these Harvey lemons?

“Most of the plantings have taken place over the past couple of years and the trees are still very young,” Callaham said. “Over the next couple of years, as the trees mature and production increases, the fruit will be available at your local supermarket packaged in our “Florida Classic” label.”

 

Chat And Chew Meet Up To Eat Out Fills Bambu Bar

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Chat And Chew Meet Up To Eat Out Fills Bambu Bar

Chat And Chew Meet Up To Eat Out Fills Bambu Bar

by James Coulter

When you’re on a diet, especially a plant-based diet, finding a meal that’s quick, cheap, and healthy can be quite the hassle.

Fortunately, Bambu Bar in Winter Haven provides healthy and nutritious meals that are both good for you and even greater for your wallet.

While not strictly plant-based, this small cafe offer smoothies, freshly-squeezed juice, and other healthy edibles made from fresh produce and ingredients that are ideal for any healthy diet, be it vegan or paleo.

“I believe that our society is lacking in restaurants like this,” said owner Jennie Harrison. “Most fast food chains use convenient ready-to-go food, whereas we take time to clean our own produce and make our own salads that are not pre-packaged and ready to be thrown in a bowl.”

Last Tuesday, Bambu Bar was able to showcase their food to prospective customers during a special dinner hosted by local health advocate group, Chat and Chew.

More than 38 people visited the cafe to enjoy an evening of healthy soups, salads, and sandwiches, while also being taught about healthy whole food plant-based nutrition through lectures and even music.

Harrison first became involved with the group a few years ago when her restaurant was in its former location, and the first event she hosted with them drew in around 10 or so people, she said.

She appreciates the message that it has to offer the local community about healthy eating, and was more than willing to help them spread this message with events such as this.

“It was wonderful,” she said. “I love having different groups come here and see what we have to offer.”

Started by Cathy Thornhill in 2013, Chat and Chew is a local health advocacy group that promotes whole food, plant-based nutrition.

While not strictly a vegetarian or vegan group, they do advocate for a meatless approach towards diet that emphasizes “more plants on your plate.”

Chat and Chew helps educate the local community on healthy living through events such as this, as well as cooking classes, grocery store tours, and public teleconferencing chats with national health experts.

Their Meet Up To Eat Out event on Tuesday offered participants a chance to try out such a healthy lifestyle at a local restaurant, thus not only promoting healthy eating, but also local small businesses.

“I thought it was exciting to see that so many people came out on a summer evening to put more plants on their plate and have a social time with other people who like to do that,” Thornhill said.

Providing live music entertainment that evening was Nat West on acoustic guitar as he played his own songs about whole food diets.

One such song, “Whole Body Effects”, was a satirical jab at the pharmaceutical industry and how it often promotes medicine that makes people sicker through side effects rather than better.

“So often when you see medications on advertisements, they say that there are side effects when in fact they affect our whole body,” he said. “So the song is quite humorous but also quite factual.”

West himself became involved with the group four years ago after being invited by Thornhill. After attending several presentations and reading up on the recommended literature, he was inspired to take up a plant-based approach himself.

After the first four months, he dropped 15 pounds; and after four years, he managed to drop 34 points from his cholesterol, so now he feels even healthier than ever, he said.

For him, such a change in diet was of course difficult at first, but it proved beneficial in the long run, which is why such a change can be hard for most people, he said.

“To me, it is short term pleasure,” he said. “You may want that milkshake or that steak versus long-term benefit, and that seems to be the issue to me.”

Whether you are looking to drop a few inches from your waist or a few points off your cholesterol, Chat and Chew will help provide you the information for a healthier you.

“Everybody comes with their own goals, and if you have a goal with health and diet, this is a place where you can get the information you can use to meet your goal,” Thornhill said.

Their next Meet Up To Eat Out will be hosted at Cornerstone Grill in Lake Alfred, located at 175 E Haines Boulevard, later in July.

For more information on this and other future events, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Chat-and-Chew-More-Plants-1578022735745353/

Young Entrepreneur Offers Lawn Mowing Services to the Community

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Young Entrepreneur Offers Lawn Mowing Services to the Community

Young Entrepreneur Offers Lawn Mowing Services to the Community

By Allison Williams

Summer is here and the grass is growing! Looking for help mowing your lawn?

Joshua Bryan, 15 years old, offers his very own lawn mowing services in Babson Park, Florida.

Joshua B’s Lawncare:

https://www.facebook.com/Joshua-Bs-Lawncare-1980708361960465/

Joshua grew up in Babson Park and loves living in the area. He has been a resident there since he was just 3 years old. He currently mows lawns around this area and is willing to travel to the surrounding areas, such as the Lake Wales and Frostproof areas.

He has been cutting grass for years with the guidance of his grandfather.

“My grandfather taught me when I was younger how to cut and how to weed eat and edge, and I figured that I would use that experience to make a little bit of money,” Joshua said. “I have mowed a lot of lawns since I’ve started. I have mowed lawns for my grandfather since I was about 10.”

While Joshua is not mowing lawns, he enjoys engaging in other outdoor activities. Fishing, hunting and riding four-wheelers are a few of the things he likes to do in his spare time for fun.

Joshua is considered a handyman as well. He enjoys doing work on his four-wheelers and building things. He also has experience with carpentry and welding work.

For those who would like more information on Joshua’s lawn services, please contact him via Facebook or by phone.

He can be reached by text or call at 863-605-0193

OR

Message him on his Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/Joshua-Bs-Lawncare-1980708361960465/

Circle B Bar Reserve – Trail Closure

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Circle B Bar Reserve – Trail Closure

POLK COUNTY, Fla. (June 29, 2018) – Polk County’s Environmental Lands program has closed a portion of Marsh Rabbit Run Trail at Circle B Bar Reserve. The trail, from the intersection of Marsh Rabbit Run and Alligator Alley to the viewing platform in the marsh, is closed for safety reasons due to an alligator nesting season. Alligators often become territorial and protective of their nests and young during this time of year. A portion of Alligator Alley also remains closed.

 Polk County Parks and Natural Resources Division staff will monitor the situation and reopen the trail when it is determined to be safe for visitors.

 Circle B Bar Reserve is a 1,267-acre Polk County and Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Land site located on the northwest shores of Lake Hancock. For a location map and additional information on Polk County Environmental lands, visit www.polknature.com.

2 People Shot & Suspect In Custody After Shooting In Winter Haven

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2 People Shot & Suspect In Custody After Shooting In Winter Haven

Winter Haven, Florida – On 6/27/2018, at 3:56pm, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a apartment on Williamsburg Court, Winter Haven in reference to a shooting. They arrested Gregory Mikell on multiple charges including attempted 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Assault With A Deadly Weapon. Two victims were being treated at a local hospital for gunshot wounds. The suspects girlfriend Mikayla Kirkland was one of the victims and the other was the suspects sister’s boyfriend, Jysiah Peterson. Mikell initially advised the shootings were an accident.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office during an initial call by resident in the apartment complex, that this incident occurred, the resident reported, an argument was heard from the apartment above her. During the argument, the resident heard approximately ten gunshots.

The incident appears to have started as a domestic dispute between multiple people. According to Polk County Sheriff Office reports Gregory Mikell allegedly fired 12 rounds, from a rifle (deadly weapon), at Peterson and two other people as they were fleeing the residence. Deputies determined Mikell’s alleged intentionally and unlawfully, through culpable negligence, inflicted actual personal injury onto Mikayla Kirkland. His actions of firing the firearm at Peterson resulted in Mikayla Kirkland being shot in the leg.

Mikell was placed under arrest and taken to Polk County Jail. He was not eligible for bond at the time of this article.

Polk County Public Schools Improves to a “B” District for the First Time in Eight Years

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Polk County Public Schools Improves to a “B” District for the First Time in Eight Years
Polk County Public Schools Improves to a “B” District for the First Time in Eight Years
Polk County Public Schools is a “B” district for the first time in eight years, according to grades released by the Florida Department of Education on Wednesday.
“I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd.
“Our ‘B’ is the result of a huge amount of hard work on the part of every single student, employee, parent, and community supporter of our school district. I am immensely proud of this grade and the huge steps forward our district is taking.”
Polk County Public Schools last earned a “B” in 2010. In each of the years since, it has received a grade of “C.”
For the first time in seven years, none of the school district’s schools earned a grade of “F”; in the 2016-17 school year, the district had three “F” schools.
The district also reduced its number of “D” schools to seven, down from 17 in the 2016-17 school year.
Meanwhile, the number of schools earning a “B” or “C” increased. There are 27 “B” schools, up from 23 last school year, and 66 “C” schools, up from 57 a year ago.
Twenty-three of the district’s schools earned a grade of “A,” down slightly from 25 in 2016-17.
The two schools that made the biggest jumps were Garner Elementary, which improved from an “F” to a “C,” and Mulberry High, which improved from a “D” to a “B.”
Garner was among six schools in the second year of a turnaround process after having earned a grade of “D” or “F” for more than two consecutive years. The other schools were Bartow Middle, Griffin Elementary, Kathleen Middle, Lake Alfred Polytech Academy and Lake Marion Creek Middle.
All but two of those schools, Lake Marion Creek and Griffin, improved their grades to a “C.” Earlier this year, the School Board contracted with an external operator, Educational Directions, to manage any of the six schools that did not improve to a “C” or better.
An additional highlight from the data released Wednesday is that three high schools, including Mulberry High, improved their grades: Mulberry High jumped from a D to a B, George Jenkins High improved from a “C” to a “B,” and Lakeland High improved from a “C” to a “B.” In 2016-17, no traditional public high school in Polk County scored higher than a C.
Polk County is now ranked 50th out of 67 school districts in the state, a jump from 56th a year ago.
Polk County Public Schools’ school grades data includes both traditional and charter schools. See the complete reports on Florida’s latest schools grades at https://tinyurl.com/yd2yjqk2.

Registration now open for St. Paul’s vacation Bible school

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Registration now open for St. Paul’s vacation Bible school

Registration now open for St. Paul’s vacation Bible school

WINTER HAVEN, FL – St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Winter Haven is now accepting registrations for its summer vacation Bible school (VBS). The fun-filled program takes place July 16 to 20 from 9 a.m. to noon each day. Children ages 3 through rising sixth grade are welcome. The church is accepting donations of $5 per child and $3 per additional sibling for the entire week. Registration is available online at www.saintpaulswinterhaven.com or by calling (863) 294-8888.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has been holding summer vacation Bible school for the past seven years. It is directed the church Children’s Director Callie Head. Youth Director Sarah Head who is a Polk County elementary school teacher assists. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2017 at her elementary school in Lake Wales. St. Paul’s Rector Fr. Paul Head, his wife Callie and daughter Sarah, and many members of the church organize and conduct VBS, which includes much adult supervision.

This year’s theme is SonCanyon River Adventure! SonCanyon VBS is a place where kids will learn to rely on God and His Word to make wise life choices! Survival skills for life are taught from the Proverbs. Each adventure-filled day includes a Bible story, lesson, Bible memory verse, craft, outdoor skill, song, snack and skit. Lessons will teach children to follow God’s instructions, choose friends wisely, make peace, show respect and trust Jesus.

St. Paul’s campus will be transformed to a whitewater adventure for the week! Indoor adventures include improvisational whitewater rafting, hiking, camping, and other thrilling activities one might expect to find on a real canyon river adventure! There are outdoor activities as well, weather permitting, on the beautiful church grounds.

All families are welcome back for Celebration Sunday on July 22, where children will perform songs and share experiences from the week!  A family tubing trip on the Wekiva River north of Orlando takes place on Saturday, July 28 for parents, children, siblings and extended family and friends of those participating in the SonCanyon VBS. There is an additional fee for this optional activity.

All children are welcome at St. Paul’s VBS regardless of faith, ethnic background or ability to donate.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 656 Avenue L NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881. For more information, please visit www.saintpaulswinterhaven.com or call 863-294-8888.

 

Richard Conway Strickland III Gets Life Sentence for Brutal 2017 Murder in Highlands County

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Richard Conway Strickland III Gets Life Sentence for Brutal 2017 Murder in Highlands County

Richard Conway Strickland III Gets Life Sentence for Brutal 2017 Murder in Highlands County

Highlands County Sheriff Release:

SEBRING — Judge Peter Estrada on Wednesday, June 27, sentenced 51-year-old Richard Conway Strickland III to spend the rest of his life in prison for the brutal murder of his roommate last year in Sebring.

Strickland was found sitting outside the Barnum Street home he shared with 51-year-old Shirley Anne Temple covered from head to toe in blood when the first deputy arrived following the report of the crime the night of May 16, 2017. Inside the home, deputies found Temple’s body. She had been stabbed 99 times by Strickland, who used five different knives — getting a new one each time the one he was using either bent or broke.

Evidence at the crime scene indicated Temple fought hard to get away from Strickland, trying to get out a door in the living room where the attack began and then crawling into the kitchen, where she died.

Strickland, who was indicted on first-degree murder charges and pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on May 2, testified during the sentencing hearing that he and Temple had been drinking and doing drugs, either crack or methamphetamine or both, the night of the crime. When they ran out, Strickland said he borrowed more money and got more crack cocaine, which he split with Temple. It was after he smoked his half of the drugs that he attacked Temple. He said he doesn’t remember what caused the argument that led to the murder.

Strickland, a former sanitation worker for the City of Sebring, admitted that he called a relative shortly before the crime and said he was going to kill Temple, then told Temple the same thing as he grabbed the first knife from the butcher block in the kitchen. She thought he was kidding, until the attack began.

At least 16 of the stab wounds were inflicted from behind Temple. Many of the other wounds were defense wounds suffered as she tried to fight off Strickland. “She was literally stabbed from her head to her feet,” Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Houchin told the court.

Strickland said he doesn’t remember much of the attack other than grabbing the first knife, but testified that Temple “didn’t do anything wrong. That girl did not deserve anything like that. She was a young, beautiful woman, full of life.”

Strickland’s attorney asked the judge for a sentence of 30 years, but Houchin argued in his request for a life sentence that despite the charge being dropped from first- to second-degree murder, “this certainly was a viscous, viscous second-degree murder. It’s hard imagine a more viscous crime.”

Judge Estrada agreed, citing Strickland’s two convictions for felony domestic violence as part of the reason, but mostly speaking of the nature of the crime. “This was a brutal attack, carried out in such a manner … that there was literally blood everywhere. Ninety-nine times, you stabbed someone who was supposed to be important in your life. When one knife broke, you went and got another knife. You have lost the right to live among us.”

Strickland was returned to the Highlands County Jail, where he has been since the murder, and will be transferred to the Department of Corrections to serve his sentence.

 

 

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