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Highlands Today

Book Captures History Of Sebring

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By MANDY SHEETS | Highlands Today

Published: January 14, 2008

SEBRING — After countless hours of scanning photos and sorting through records at the Sebring Historical Society, Susan MacDonald was overwhelmed when the book "Sebring" was finally completed.

"All the pictures and captions turned out just how I wanted them to," said MacDonald, a previous Sebring resident. "Now I just hope the people of Sebring will like it."

Through 200 vintage photos, the book chronicles the history of Sebring from its founding as the City on the Circle.

MacDonald lived in Sebring from 1969 to 1978 and is a 1976 graduate of Sebring High School. She called the book a labor of love for her father, Tom Priest, who affectionately called Sebring his adopted home, living here from 1969 until his death in 1999.

MacDonald said she hopes the book will serve as a reference point for students of Sebring's history and to those who enjoy vintage photographs.

MacDonald, who now lives in Lakeland where she works as a librarian, spent most of her summer working on the book, which goes on sale today.

"It was hard coming back to reality after the summer because I had immersed myself in the history of the early 1900s," MacDonald said. "I had so much fun learning about the history, reading old newspapers and gathering information. The Historical Society has a wealth of information."

Carole Goad, archivist at Sebring Historical Society, said she is very impressed with the final product.

"Susan MacDonald is a magnificent writer, and she wrote in such a loving way," Goad said. "She has a lot of love for Sebring and Highlands County and it shows in her writing. When reading the book, you can tell it's written by someone who really cares about the city."

The photographs are grouped by general subject into chapters and MacDonald said she thought the photographs documenting the evolution of the Circle are particularly interesting.

"Sebring" is part of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing, which has preserved the history of hundreds of communities throughout the country.

MacDonald co-authored the book with her husband Randall MacDonald, who has authored three other books through Arcadia publishing.

MacDonald said although she isn't sure of the topic yet, she definitely sees another book in their future.

Sebring Historical Society will sell the book for a $20 minimum donation. The book also will be available at area bookstores, independent retailers, online retailers and through Arcadia Publishing at www.arcadiapublishing.com.

The Historical Society will also have a book signing at its quarterly luncheon meeting at noon on Jan. 26 at Sebring Civic Center.

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