The Lake Wales City Elections will take place on Tuesday April 5, 2016. The election is being held at Lake Wales Municipal Administration Building, 201 W Central Avenue, Lake Wales, Florida 33859.
Lake Wales has 8,848 registered voters. They are listed as 3,844 Democrat, 2,986 Republican, 1,764 No Party Affiliation and 254 other parties. 5,462 White, 2,147 Black, 806 Hispanic & 433 Other. 3,716 male, 4,930 female and 202 unknown!
Here is a sample ballot!
LAKE WALES – Carmine ‘Charlie’ Stango of Lake Wales, Florida died peacefully on March 26, 2016 after struggling with dementia and heart disease for quite some time. He was 95 years old. He was born at home in Brooklyn, New York on April 19, 1920 to the late Rocco Stanco and Teresa Vito Stanco.
From April, 1942 to November, 1945, Carmine served his country during WWII and the Korean Wars as a Sergeant in the US Army Air Corps. He specialized as an Airplane Engine Mechanic. While performing service in Avon Park, FL, he met his future bride of 70 years, Barbara Ann Sims of Lake Wales.
Carmine retired from Florida Power Corporation as a truck mechanic and was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for many years, After retirement from Florida Power in 1982, he worked performing many duties for Johnson Funeral Home, volunteered his time with the ‘Piddlers’ benefiting people in need of home repairs, and was a member of LWPD’s V.O.I.C.E. (Volunteer Observers Impacting Community Effort). For quite a few years he was a member of the Lake of the Hills Club, volunteering countless hours of his time, which included serving at their annual chicken dinner and ice cream socials. Also, during retirement, he found great fulfillment serving his Lord and Savor, Jesus Christ by doing prison ministry. Finally, Carmine ‘Charlie’ was passionate about building and crafting birdhouses and lawn art, which was a big hit to many in the Lake Wales community and beyond.
Carmine is survived by his wife, Barbara Sims Stango (93), his four children: Shirley Stango Jolly and husband, George ‘Butch’ of Ft. Meade, FL, Charles Richard Stango of Long Beach, CA, Edith Stango and husband, Barry Tetreault of North Miami Beach, FL and Asheville, NC, and Holly Stango Thornhill and husband, Jonathan of Lake Wales, FL, seven grandchildren: Angie Jolly Hall of Lake Wales, Barbi Jolly Goodin of Somerset, KY, Sherry Stango of Chico, CA, Ricky Stango of Talcoma, WA, Amber Thornhill Pierson of Winter Haven, FL, Ashley Thornhill Russell of Gainesville, Fl and Rebecca Thornhill of Lake Wales, 14 great grandchildren and seven great great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, Carmine was preceded in death by four sisters.
Carmine was remembered by a private family memorial gathering.
Lake Wales, Florida – The National American Legion Commander, Dale Barnett, will visit the Lake Wales American Legion Post 71 today, Tuesday, 29 March. A special reception will start at 5 PM. It will include a sit down dinner and entertainment by the over 55 show band from Polk State College.The public is invited. Admission to the reception is free, and the public is invited to meet Barnett and other legion state and national dignitaries. Cost for the dinner is $10. For more info contact the Legion at 863-589-5689.
The LW Legion address is: American Legion Post 71, Philip Gardner All Veterans Center, 1230 N. Scenic Hwy (next to Patton Tires) Lake Wales FL 33853
More information about Dale Barnett:
Dale Barnett was elected national commander of the 2.2 million-member American Legion on Sept. 3, 2015 in Baltimore, Md., during the 97th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.
Barnett graduated from the U.S. Military Academy and served as an Army infantry officer from 1974 to 1996, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. A member of American Legion Post 105 in Fayetteville, Ga., he served The American Legion at every level, including Department (State) Commander of Georgia from 2007 to 2008. After leaving the military, Barnett taught high school social studies and coached basketball, baseball and cross country. He was the Creekside High School Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006 and a national board certified social studies teacher in 2003.
Raised in central Indiana, Barnett attended Whiteland Community High School, where he was student body president, captain of the track and basketball teams and president of the Whiteland United Methodist Youth Basketball Team. He credits his experience with Hoosier Boys Nation in 1969 with his decision to attend West Point.
Barnett served from 1990 to 1991 as the battalion executive officer of the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. His decorations include The Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2 Awards), Kuwait Liberation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge.
In addition to an International Relations / Public Affairs degree that Barnett earned at West Point, he holds a Masters of Business Administration from Boston University and graduated from Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Barnett served as The American Legion National Membership and Post Activities Chairman from 2008 to 2010 and National Economic Chairman from 2010 to 2013.
Dale and his wife, Donna, live in Douglasville, Ga., and have five children: Michelle, Andrea, Desiree, Kathalyn, and Joseph. They also have four young grandchildren: Heather, Daniel, Joanne and Brandon.
Lake Wales, Florida – The Lake Wales High School girls soccer team is very good. One of the reason’s has been solid goal keeping by junior Sarah Owen. This Spring Owen is getting the opportunity of a lifetime. Owen will travel to Brazil with the United States Olympic Development Program Region III soccer team. During the 10 days in Brazil, the team will play games against Brazilian clubs, have training sessions with US Youth Soccer staff, attend a Brazilian National League Professional game, and enjoy extensive sightseeing at world famous sites. Sarah has been a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) Florida state team since 2012 and she advanced to the ODP Regional pool in 2015. ODP Region III consists of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, North Texas, and South Texas. ODP identifies elite level player and facilitates their selection to the U.S. National Team programs. The selection process takes place through state, regional and national trials. The primary benefit to the player is to be able to try out, train and play against the best soccer players in their age group, allowing the best players to further their development. Players are evaluated on technique, tactics, fitness and athletic ability, and psychological component (attitude). She is a true athlete having been on accomplished teams for not only soccer, but softball and volleyball. She has very good grades and is often seen volunteering with the Lake Wales Care Center summer programs.
Sarah Owen is the daughter of Debbie Owen and the late Michael Owen. We here at The Daily Ridge and I know the rest of the community are very proud of Sarah and all of her accomplishments. We pray for her safe travels and know that she will represent Lake Wales very well everywhere she gets the chance.
Ewing, Blackwelder, & Duce Insurance is an independent insurance agency that has been serving Polk County since 1984, with 6 locations around the county that are located in Lake Wales, Lakeland, Haines City, Bartow and two in Winter Haven. As an independent agency Ewing, Blackwelder & Duce represents many insurance companies, which give us an advantage over others to offer great pricing with great coverage. We have the experienced and diversified staff to offer you coverage for all your insurance needs. Come by one of our locations to see one of our staff members to take care of your personal, business, health, or life insurance needs.
Many who are familiar with Lake Wales Care Center have taken part in its various fundraisers at one point or another. Care Center is well known for hosting an annual charity golf tournament, Run Like You Care 5k/10k, and its annual Empty Bowls auction. For the first time, however, Care Center hosted a clay shoot on Saturday, March 19th. The event was sponsored by The Story Companies, and lunch was provided by Weikert Ford. In total, 60 shooters participated in 15 different teams.
The event began early Saturday morning at the FFA Training Center in Haines City. Shooting stations were hosted by Catfish Creek Sporting Clays, which is one of the few clay shooting ranges in the area. Shooters took their places at ten different stations, each featuring a different style of clay shooting. For example, one station would throw two clay pigeons one after the other, while another station would throw them simultaneously. The setup of these stations, in combination with the various levels of difficulty, paralleled a golf tournament in some respects.
The winners of the tournament were broken into two categories: best team and best individual. The winning team was from the Polk State College Foundation, including Mike Huff, Tracy Porter, Robbie Manikis, and Keith Hartsfield. The best individual shooters were Tracy Porter (93 out of 100 shots) and Dr. Mark Shabla (95 out of 100 shots). Winners received a commemorative stainless steel tumbler and, of course, an invitation to next year’s tournament.
“I think it was a great first-time event. We hope to make it an annual event,” event sponsor Vic Story said of the event. “I hope that it exposed more people to the mission of Care Center and I had a good time doing it.” The event raised over $10,000 toward Care Center’s ministries.
For more information on how to take part in Care Center’s next special event, visit their website, www.lakewalescarecenter.com, or follow them on Facebook @lakewalescarecenter.
Polk State College Foundation
Mike Huff
Tracy Porter
Robbie Manikis
Keith Hartsfield
With tournament sponsor – Vic Story
Tracy Porter – high score female – 93 out of 100
Dr Mark Shabla – high score male – 95 out of 100
Tournament sponsor – Vic Story
Bok Tower Gardens will present the 90th annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sunday, March 27 at 7 a.m. with free admission from 6 to 8 a.m. An annual tradition since 1926, worshipers are invited to experience the majesty of the sun rising over the horizon atop Iron Mountain. Accessible parking, shuttle service, and seating for guests will be available. The Entrance Gate, Visitor Center and Gift Shop will open at 6 a.m. Donations are suggested.
Gardens’ carillonneur Geert D’hollander will begin the celebration at 6:30 a.m. with a selection of seasonal music performed on the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon.
This year’s service will feature inspirational music presented by the Parkview Christian Life Center “Sounds of Judah Mass Choir,” led by choir director Lekia Johnson. Pastor Henry Babers, of the Parkview Christian Life Center, will deliver an Easter sermon. The service will conclude with a half-hour concert performed by carillonneur Geert D’hollander on the 60-bell Singing Tower carillon.
Following the service, the Blue Palmetto Cafe opens at 8 a.m. for Easter breakfast buffet – $10.95 per adult, $7.95 per child (under 12).
Menu Items Include:
Lake Wales, Florida – According to multiple witnesses an accident currently has S.R.60 blocked eastbound coming into Lake Wales. The accident is on S.R. 60 and Airport Rd. A vehicle appears to be under a semi tractor-trailer. We will update as more information comes in.
First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland Easter Egg Hunt
March 26, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Search for Easter eggs on the front lawn of First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland at 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive.
Haines City Leisure Services Easter Egg Hunt
March 26, 10:00 a.m.
Haines City will host their 32nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at at Larry Parrish Field on Johnson Avenue.
City of Winter Haven’s Hoppin’ Hunt
March 26, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
This event will feature an egg hunt, live music, kiddie train, face painting, food trucks and a visit from the Easter Bunny. All activities are free for kids ages 0-9. Hoppin’ Hunt will be hosted at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park at 250 South Lake Silver Drive, NW.
Beeping Easter Egg Hunt Lake Alfred
Lake Alfred Lions Park, 175 N. Nekoma Ave., Lake Alfred
Saturday, March 26 at 1 p.m.
The Lake Alfred Lions Club is holding a beeping Easter egg hunt meant for blind children. Every blind child will receive an Easter gift, and there will be pizza and hot dogs after the egg hunt for all the children. The Easter Bunny will be there so bring your camera!
Lake Alfred Lions Club
Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt is almost here… yay yay! All children are invited under the age of 10 to our hunt on Saturday, March 26th at 10:00 AM. We have hundreds of Easter eggs to hunt and great prizes to win! And… the Easter Bunny will be there! Mom’s and Dad’s be sure to take your camera for fun pictures of your child with the Bunny! Our hunt is located at the Lake Alfred Lions Park 175 N Nekoma Ave., Lake Alfred. We will see you there!
Frostproof
Family Life Church – Frostproof’s 21st Annual Largest Egg Hunt – March 26 at 10am Sharp!
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