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Lake Wales Little Theatre delivers a heartwarming rendition of On Golden Pond for audiences each weekend from November 3, 2023 to November 19, 2023

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Lake Wales Little Theatre delivers a heartwarming rendition of On Golden Pond for audiences each weekend from November 3, 2023 to November 19, 2023

By Kaytlyn Parker

Lake Wales Little Theatre delivers a heartwarming rendition of On Golden Pond for audiences each weekend from November 3, 2023 to November 19, 2023. Get your tickets and check showtimes here: https://www.lwlt.org/shows.


On Golden Pond was originally written for the stage in 1979 by writer Ernest Thompson, who then wrote the screenplay for the Academy Award Winning 1981 film starring Katherine Hepburn and Henry Fonda. For the play here at Lake Wales Theatre, there is a group of the theater’s very own star-studded cast that brings Thompson’s words to life on the stage. Larry Helm and Dorinda Morrison-Garrard play the characters we get to know the most throughout the show; Norman Thayer Jr. and Ethel Thayer. Helm and Garrard have phenomenal banter and chemistry on stage. Garrard’s performance rivals that of Katharine Hepburn– every line is delivered with such poise and articulated in such a way that Katherine Hepburn herself would approve.


Helm gives us the dry, sarcastic humor of Norman hilariously, breaking the otherwise serious mood on stage. You can tell that, despite his dry-natured humor, Norman has a deep love for his long-time wife Ethel. Despite his humor, or lack thereof depending on how you look at it, Norman is worried about his mind which seems to be going slowly due to his age. Larry will be directing Every Little Crook and Nanny at Lake Wales Little Theatre. The show will run from April 12th, 2024 to April 28th, 2024.


Elijah Lewis joins us for his first show on the stage as Charlie Martin. He steals the stage effortlessly with the loud and boisterous laugh– a very important asset for Charlie. Lewis commands each scene he is in with his presence, you simply cannot wait to hear his next line.


Maddison Glockner plays Jane Fonda’s character, Chelsea Thayer Wayne, the somewhat estranged and preserved daughter of Norman and Ethel. The moment Norman and Chelsea are together in the room, you can feel the tension, the hard feelings, the dislike between the two. Glockner is able to capture the deep uncomfortableness Chelsea feels toward her father in just a few short scenes. You can see more of Maddison on stage as Natalie Haller in a production of All Shook Up presented by Theatre Winter Haven from January 18th, 2024 to February 4, 2024.

Veteran actor Nicholas J. Bique returns to the stage for the part of Dr. Bill Ray, the nervous dentist who is pretty sure he met a bear on the way into the Thayer vacation home. Though such a small part, Bique shows us a transformation with Bill– from anxious to stern and unyielding. Nicholas will be directing the next show for Lake Wales Little Theatre: Bed, Breakfast and Broadway. The show will run from January 13th, 2024 to January 29th, 2024.


Another newcomer is presented on stage: Roman Shano! While Shano was a zombie extra in the teen summer play Not Your Average Zombie Apocalypse, On Golden Pond is his first big role. Dr. Bill Ray’s son, Billy Ray Jr., is a precocious 16 year old boy who is forced to spend the summer with his potential grandparents. When we first meet young Billy, he is a boy that has the weight of the world on his shoulders. He’s hanging out with his dad and his dad’s new girlfriend, whisked away from his mother to a different rate of speed. By the end of the play, Billy and Norman are two peas in a pod and Billy has transformed into a spritely boy that loves to fish despite his Los Angeles upbringing. Shano brings Billy to life on stage and it is quite a treat to see the young actor so committed to his role.


This cast from On Golden Pond come together to create a heartwarming and love-filled journey about the test of time, relationships, and forgiveness. To see more on the Lake Wales Little Theatre stage, keep an eye out for Bed, Breakfast and Broadway which will premiere on January 13th, 2024 and run through January 29th, 2024. Follow the theater on Facebook for more updates.

Polk Man Arrested After Beating Up Teenager Who He Accused Of Jumping His Son

Carl Fish
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Polk Man Arrested After Beating Up Teenager Who He Accused Of Jumping His Son

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Lakeland man on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, after a Door Dash food delivery driver reported seeing the man hitting a 16-year old boy on David Street in Lakeland.

47-year old Jarrett Garrett McCabe was booked-into the Polk County Jail with a charge of simple battery (M1).

During an interview with a PCSO detective, McCabe said that he was told by a neighbor that two boys had jumped McCabe’s son on November 6th. 

The investigation determined that McCabe’s son had a fight with the one of the boys a few weeks ago, and the other boy on Monday, and the boy hadn’t been jumped in either incident.

On Tuesday, McCabe went to the bus stop and waited to see if the boys were going to fight his son again, but when he saw the boys get off the bus, he confronted them instead. McCabe said he slapped one of the boys in the face with an open hand. According to the witness, McCabe punched the boy in the face and twice in the stomach.

“It’s understandable that a dad would be upset about his son getting jumped, but waiting at a bus stop to beat-up a kid is not the kind of example you want to be setting for your child. Based on this and his criminal history, he clearly has anger-management issues.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff.

The victim was the child who fought with McCabe’s son a few weeks ago. The boy who was with the victim when McCabe confronted them was the boy who fought with McCabe’s son on Monday. 

Following the fight on Monday, the boy and his mother spoke with McCabe and the boy apologized to him for fighting with his son. 

Jarrett McCabe’s criminal history includes prior convictions for 2nd Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, and Shooting/Throwing Deadly Missile into Building or Vehicle (served six years and eleven months in Florida state prison).

Lake Wales Tire Kingdom, Employee Fraudulently, Uses Customers, Credit Card Number

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Lake Wales Tire Kingdom, Employee Fraudulently, Uses Customers, Credit Card Number

On November 4, 2023, a customer at Tire Kingdom located at 4561 Macy Lane purchased tires using their credit card. The transaction took place via telephone, with the customer giving an employee their credit card number. Within 24 hours, the victim began receiving alerts their credit card had been used in an attempt to transfer money via an online app.

On Monday November 6th the victim contacted police to investigate, suspecting the employee had been using his credit card information. During the investigation,

Detectives learned the employee, Jorge Ruiz, had indeed attempted to use the victim’s card twice in an attempt to transfer money to himself. Ruiz later admitted to using the card information and was taken into custody.

Officials with Tire Kingdom, who has been purchased by Mavis Tires and Brakes, were cooperative during the investigation and stated they did not condone Ruiz’s actions.

If any customers of the Tire Kingdom in Lake Wales had a similar experience with Ruiz, please contact the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.

Land Being Cleared For New Lake Wales Community Taylor Groves

Carl Fish
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Land Being Cleared For New Lake Wales Community Taylor Groves

It’s become a common sight around Lake Wales, land that used to have orange and grapefruit trees being bulldozed over for housing.

Lake Wales New Subdivision Taylor Groves 108 Homes

One of the newest is a 28 acre development originally called the Tangelo PDP or Planned Development Project, is no called Taylor Groves. A 10 acre parcel approved back around May of 2022 by the Lake Wales City Commission. Those 28 acres are located just South East of Walmart on State Road 60 and Tangelo St.

The site is planned to have 108 homes along with a small park near the middle.

The development was one of many the city has been considering in the last 2-3 years. It’s estimated if all of these housing projects come to fruition that the population would triple in Lake Wales in the next 10 years.

Proposed 3-2 bath homes going in to Taylor Groves In Lake Wales, Florida

The project is being build through D.R. Homes. Here is a little more about the from their website:

In 1978, D.R. Horton broke ground on our first home in Fort Worth, Texas. Since that day, the company has defined its success not by bricks and mortar, but by the satisfaction of the families that make our houses their homes. Our foundation is a single, guiding principle: a value-first dedication to the individual needs of each and every one of our nation’s homebuyers.

From first-time homebuyers to empty nesters, D.R. Horton provides a home for every stage in life. Our highly-trained, market experts are where you want to live, from New Jersey to Hawaii, providing unique, personalized services tailored to your individual needs. But the real value comes from the quality construction we put into every home, and the peace of mind that comes with a premium-backed warranty from America’s Number One Homebuilder.

What else should you consider as you select a new home? We believe the financial strength of the builder is an important consideration. Below are a few items for your consideration in determining our ability to be there for you, both during the construction process and after you close on your home.

  • We’ve delivered more than 1,000,000 homes to our nation’s customers since our company’s inception.
  • Since 2002, more homebuyers have chosen D.R. Horton than any other national builder.
  • We operate in 45 of homebuilding’s top 50 markets in the U.S., and rank among the top 5 in 37 of these.
  • Our team of operating experts are spread across the nation in 33 states and 118 markets.

Above all, our customer-driven principles have allowed us to work closely with each individual market to gain insight into the needs and wants from those who matter most: you.

Building the Future

We’ve come a long way, and while more people choose our family of brands over any other builder in the country, we never forget the most important thing of all – the families that choose us for their place to call home. 

So continue to live out those dreams, America, and know we’ll be here for you every step of the way. 

D.R. Horton. We are America’s Builder.

Rescued Bald Eagle Released at Bok Tower Gardens

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Rescued Bald Eagle Released at Bok Tower Gardens

by James Coulter

Two months after being discovered near a fallen tree following a storm, a rescued bald eagle has been returned to the wild.

The eagle was released on Knoll Hill at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales on Saturday. Several dozen curious spectators gathered to take a glimpse at the bird as it was released and took flight.

The bald eagle was transported to Bok Tower by volunteers from the Audubon Society, who had delivered the bird from the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay in Brandon.

The spectators were able to get a glimpse of the eagle up closer before they were instructed to watch its release from the bottom of the hill.

The bird’s handlers unlocked its shackles and removed its hood before allowing the bird to first fly to the crest of the hill, and then take flight toward the south.

“It is an exciting and beautiful day,” said Catherine Price, wife of David Price, President of Bok Tower Gardens. “It is wonderful. There are a lot of bad things happening in the world, but this was a good thing that happened. A lot of people came out to see an eagle released. So it’s a great beautiful day.”

The female eagle was found lying on the ground on a side road on Walk in the Water Road in Lake Wales on Sep. 12. Ricky Norris, a county employee, discovered the eagle next to a fallen tree the night following a bad storm.

“So, we are thinking the eagle was in the tree when the tree came down, or it was hit by a tree when it came down. Not sure how it happened,” said Cathy Terry, a local member of the Audubon Society Eagle Watch.

Upon being notified of the injured bird, Terry called the Raptor Center of Tampa Bay. She then called Catherine Price to ask if she had something to transport the bird in. Price replied that she had a chicken cage and volunteered to deliver the bird.

So, Price drove to the location of the injured eagle and then drove it to Bartow, where it was then transported to the Raptor Center of Tampa. Price mentioned that the bird was discovered in bad condition, thus raising doubts about the likelihood of its survival.

“When Ricky picked it up, the bird was limp,” she said. “She laid her head down and closed her eyes. We looked at her and said there was no way. He found another juvenile who died. [And yet] she perked up a little bit in the car.”

The eagle remained at the Raptor Center where it was treated and rehydrated with fluids through subcutaneous transmission. After two months, the eagle had recovered to the point where it could be released back into the wild.

Bok Tower Gardens was chosen as the release location as it was close to where the eagle was discovered. The only reason it was not released in the location where it was found was because of three other eagles’ nests within the area, Terry explained.

“Normally, you would release an eagle where they were found because they may have mates or babies there,” she said. “But in this case, [we] were not sure which nest she came from. Even if she came from a nest there, there are three monitored eagles’ nests there in a three-mile radius. If we release her there, and none of them are her nests, she will get into a territory fight with the other eagles. They have a two-mile radius around the nest. So, if it is hers, Bok Tower is not too far away that she can’t find her way back home.”

Terry mentioned how very few injured birds can recover. As such, many of them are sent to animal control to be euthanized. This eagle was one of the lucky ones to survive and be returned to the wild. Being able to help that bird recover and see it released and take flight is nothing short of a miraculous experience, Terry said.

“They were pretty happy that she will get to go free,” she said. “Not everybody gets to rescue a bald eagle, and not everybody gets to see one released. It is an amazing experience.”

You Won’t Believe How Much This Winning Catch at the 20th Annual Reel’Em In For Rotary Weighed!

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You Won’t Believe How Much This Winning Catch at the 20th Annual Reel’Em In For Rotary Weighed!

by James Coulter

Jason Foss and Chandler Cornelius have been attending the Reel’Em In For Rotary annual fishing tournament for the past seven to eight years. This year, they both managed to reel in a winning catch of 19.26 pounds.

Jason and Chandler won first place at the Reel’Em In For Rotary tournament. Second place went to Austin Marveli and LoLo for their catch weighing 17.36 pounds. Third place went to Ray Trudeau and Walter Thompson for their catch weighing 16.35 pounds.

Chandler owes his success to his love of fishing. He just keeps his head in the game and goes to work reeling in the big ones, he said. He did not expect to win, and yet win he and his fishing buddy did.

“It is awesome,” he said. “I didn’t think we were going to do it, but we did it…It is like my second home down there. I love fishing at Lake Kissimmee this time of year.”

This year was the 20th Annual Reel’Em In For Rotary fishing tournament hosted by the Lake Wales Breakfast Rotary at Camp Mack, A Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, and RV Resort in Lake Wales. More than two dozen boats attended this year and took off on Lake Kissimmee to see who could land the biggest catch.

Proceeds for the event will go toward the youth programs hosted by the Breakfast Rotary throughout Polk County. One such program is their Boys and Girls Camp, with proceeds helping elementary school students attend camp who otherwise would not attend for free.

“The turnout was great,” said Rotarian Jolee Martin. “There were a lot of other tournaments going on today. So we are pretty happy…Again, based on all the other tournaments, I think are doing great. The raffle is a huge draw this afternoon. We are excited about all of the choices.”

City of Auburndale Celebrates Autumn at Fall Fest

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City of Auburndale Celebrates Autumn at Fall Fest

by James Coulter

Though you might not be able to tell with the typical Florida weather, we currently are in the middle of autumn. (However, with the recent weather dropping to the “chilly” 60s, it’s technically jacket weather around these parts.) Last Saturday, several Auburndale residents and visitors celebrated the autumn season with the city’s annual fall fest.

The Auburndale Fall Fest drew hundreds of attendees downtown to the City Park, where they were able to bounce around in bounce houses, take a spin on a few carnival rides, peruse several dozen local vendors, listen to live music, and even check out a few dogs for adoption.

More than 80 vendors set up shop at the park in conjunction with the city’s First Saturday Market. These vendors showcase many of their wares, including homemade arts and crafts, clothing, local-grown honey and produce, and even freeze-dried candy.

Cody McGee, the City Recreational Director, owed their success this year and in previous years to the beneficial partnership between the City of Auburndale with the downtown market. Such cooperation allows the city to draw in both residents and visitors to the downtown area while the vendors attract potential customers.

“Everybody seems to be happy,” he said. “It seems to be good weather. Everything is working out. “I think we have a pretty good partnership with our First Saturday Market and the city because they want to bring in some funds to be able to bring in the fun stuff like bounce houses and the train ride and live music. And it gives us an opportunity for partnership. And it works out well. I enjoy seeing the kids and the face painting with the overall food and atmosphere.”

The City of Auburndale will be hosting several upcoming holiday events. Their annual tree lighting ceremony will officially kick off the holiday season on Dec. 7. Next will be the Havendale Holiday Parade, the annual parade held in conjunction with the City of Winter Haven, on Dec. 8. Finally will be Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 9.

For more information on upcoming events, visit their Facebook page at: https://www.mainstreetwh.com/

Jesus is the Reason For the Season at Believers’ Fellowship Church Hallelujah Night

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Jesus is the Reason For the Season at Believers’ Fellowship Church Hallelujah Night

by James Coulter

Jesus may be the reason for the season on Christmas, but Pastor John Friedt of Believers’ Fellowship Church in Lakeland wanted people to know that Jesus is the reason for every holiday season—especially Halloween!

On Halloween night, Believers’ Fellowship Church hosted their annual Hallelujah Night Fall Fest. Several hundred costumed children and their families turned out that evening at the church to enjoy hay rides, bounce houses, carnival-style games, and free food like popcorn, hot dogs, and snow cones. They could even roast marshmallows over a campfire and make smores!

However, more than simply providing residents with a fun Halloween evening, Pastor John Friedt used the event as an opportunity to share the gospel message with the community. He and his church members even hosted a prayer tent to pray over attendees and their needs.

“Our goal, the reason why we are here, is to spread the gospel of Jesus,” Pastor Friedt said. “It was effective for our mission to minister to people and pray for them. As far as the turnout goes, it is fantastic. It is a fantastic turnout. They are having some parking trouble. It’s a good trouble to have.”

This year’s event was their fifth annual event. Believers’ Fellowship Church has hosted similar events this time of year for 40 years. Their big annual event is their Christmas event, which usually draws in a turnout 150 percent greater than the Halloween event. They even hosted a special political rally during the 2020 Elections.

“I love getting to meet a lot of people from the community,” he said. “Lakeland is an absolutely amazing place. We love Lakeland. Jesus loves Lakeland. And the Spirit of God is here for people to set them free.”

Tillmans BBQ Wins RBBQ Competition at Rock n Brews

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Tillmans BBQ Wins RBBQ Competition at Rock n Brews

by James Coulter

Tillman Lee Nelson, owner of Tillmans BBQ, sells a BBQ sauce made from a recipe that has been in the family since after World World II. His grandmother, Ann Carlson Nelson, learned it from her mother, who had learned it from her uncle after his service in the war as a sharpshooter and trainer.

“After the war, he returned to his hometown of Hialeah where he developed the recipe,” Ann said in a quote on the website. “He did not share it with anyone except his sister, Frieda Gaylord, my mother. We do not share the recipe with anyone other than family. I remember as a little girl, eating ribs cooked with the sauce. They were wonderful! Sometimes at home with my Dad doing the barbecue or at Uncle Joe’s when he did the cooking. They were party animals!”

Tillman BBQ was created to honor her memory. Tillman Lee Nelson has been barbecuing since 2008. He won his first competition in 2013, and he has been competing with his signature red sauce ever since.

“In 2008 I got tired of replacing burners in my gas grill,” his website states. “I went out and bought myself the Weber silver charcoal grill for $100 at Home Depot. Since then I’ve learned fire control and that began my passion for slow-smoked BBQ. In 2013 I entered my first BBQ competition. I won first place in pork shoulder and best overall backyard cook team. I’ve been hooked on competition BBQ ever since.”

Tillman and his BBQ team won first place as the grand champions in the professional barbecue division at Rock n Brews hosted last weekend at Camp Mack in Lake Wales.

This year was their second time attending the annual event. Both the beautiful venue and the lively camaraderie with their fellow barbecue teams inspired him to return this year.

“This is a beautiful venue with great people, and Kevin [DeNall] puts on a killer event,” Tillman said. “He takes care of all the cook teams. We will be back every year.”

Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, & RV Resort, hosted its annual Rock n Brews event last weekend. Several hundred people visited to sample finger-licking barbecue and listen to great finger-picking tunes.

More than 42 teams arrived from across the state to compete. This year’s turnout proved to be their biggest yet, explained Kevin DeNall, event coordinator. He owes their success to the resort and its effort to put on an event worth coming to time and time again.

“We love Rock n Brews,” he said. “Every year, it’s great for the camp. The camp smells great. It is outdoors. It is a lot of fun with a lot of great teams. This year was great. We had a lot of

enthusiasm from our teams. We are a qualifying team contest and teams cook hard. It is a great attendance. A lot of fun. A lot of great fun [barbecue teams] that were out here in pro and backyard teams.”

For more information about future events at Camp Mack, a Guy Harvey Lodge, Marina, & RV Resort, visit their website at: https://guyharveycampmack.com/

More Than 2,500 Attended the 42nd Annual Lake Wales Pioneer Days

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More Than 2,500 Attended the 42nd Annual Lake Wales Pioneer Days

by James Coulter

A blacksmith hammers away at a glowing red metal bar pulled straight from the forge. A spinster spins away at a spinning wheel under the shade of an oak tree. And a woodsman whittles away at a new rifle handle.

These sights could have happened hundreds of years ago. However, most of them occurred only a few days ago at the annual Lake Wales Pioneer Days, hosted at Lake Wailes Park.

Several historical reenactors showcased their traditional crafts and skills during the event, which also included other festivities including live music, arts and craft vendors, and food trucks.

Children’s activities like pumpkin painting, bounce houses, and pony rides were also hosted in the children’s area. Even the Cypress Gardens Ski Team performed a free ski show on the lake.

For the past 42 years, the Lake Wales History Museum has been hosting the annual event to celebrate the city’s history and heritage.

More than 2,500 to 3,000 attendees turn out each year, and the event is expected to continue growing to up to 7,000 annual visitors, said museum curator Anderson Hanna.

“We keep getting bigger and better every year,” he said. It always exceeds expectations. “We hope to get anywhere between, we shoot low to 2,500 to 3,000 per day. It feels like we have reached that amount so far.”

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