Lake Placid Library To 'START' Program

The Lake Placid Memorial Library is set to launch a new pilot program on Feb. 19 called START, which stands for Stay Active Retirement Trends.

The project's main goal is lifestyle enhancement, according to a press release from the library.

This will be accomplished by providing information to residents who are seeking knowledge about ways to have a healthy, active and enjoyable retirement life in the Lake Placid/Highlands County area.

The program will feature speakers from community groups along with government, law firms, real estate professionals, educators and members of the medical community.

The objective of these presentations will be to provide current information on varied subjects of public interest that will meet the project's goal.

The United States Census Bureau's 2005-2007 ACS Demographic and Housing Survey estimated that 30,549 (31.4 percent) of Highlands County population had reached 65 years of age.

The statistics did not include the baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964. Members of this age group that totaled 21.4 percent of the county population in 2007 are now gradually joining the over-65 ranks.

•Bob Sheets, the former director of the National Hurricane Center, will speak about hurricanes this Thursday at 2 p.m. Registration required.

•Eduardo Maldonado of Wachovia Bank will discuss reverse mortgages for seniors at 2 p.m. Feb. 26.

Schedules may be subject to change.

For questions, call 699-3705.