Giving thanks & kudos

Community support

The faculty and staff of Park Elementary School wish to thank the community members who shared their careers and hobbies with our students and faculty members during "The Great American Teach-In."

Their willingness to volunteer time and share their expertise with our school helped to make the event a success. This wonderful opportunity for our students would not be possible without the dedication and support of our community.

The presenters included: Teddy Allen, APHS senior football player; Avon Park Fire Department; Avon Park Historical Society; Roberta Flowers, Avon Park Historical Society; Jean Jordan, Frank Barbour, construction; Jason Beck, police officer; Beverly Brennan, artist; Libby Coughlin, WWOJ Radio; Dr. Danzey, chiropractor; Lucy Derkman, Highlands County library volunteer; Matt Doughney, Avon Park police chief; John Free, Emergency Medical Services technician; Callie Howard-Wall, Center Stage; William Gentry, K-9 officer from Highlands County Sheriff's Office; Brian Giguere, law enforcement; Chris Gunter, K-9 officer from the sheriff's office; Marty Hegwood, SFCC; semi-truck, Highlands County Natural Resources Department, Corine Burgess and Erin McCarta; Highlands Today; Clifford and Ellen Johnson, Musical Instruments; Ron Lambert, Buckhorn Nursery; Seth Lambert, assistant principal; Michelle Lott, Signs of Signtastic; Tanna Markel, SFCC Drafting; Steve Maxwell, Maxwell Groves; Dusty McGee, deputy; News Sun; Jeff Patterson, Channel 8 News; Darlene Saccuzzo/Bob Sconyers, SFCC dental assistant, dental hygiene; Darryl Scott, Highlands County Animal Control; Jonathan Simandl, Jon's Horseshoeing; Dr. Stevens, SFCC Greyhounds; Walmart Bakery.

Deborah Walley

Park Elementary School

Avon Park

Overwhelming donation

This letter is a huge thank you to Boy Scout Troop 847 and especially Joseph DeGenaro from Parkway Food Ministry and the community.

Joseph, who is working on his Eagle Scout Badge, came up with a plan to provide turkeys and groceries for Thanksgiving.

Because of his efforts, we were able to exceed our expectations and give groceries to 305 families on Friday. (286 of those received turkeys; when turkeys were gone, the rest received another kind of meat.)

Thanks again to Joseph and everyone who contributed to his project. Happy Thanksgiving.

The Rev. Dale Hollowell

Parkway Food Ministry

Sebring

Children's Museum

The Children's Museum's inaugural "Walkabout" golf tournament was held recently at Sun 'n Lake Golf Club.

We would like to thank all the golfers who came out to make the event a great success.

We would like to especially thank Outback Steakhouse for sponsoring the event. Luke, Robbie and the workers at Outback were tremendous!

Our thanks also to our major sponsors: Patricia S. Pella and Associates, Bill Jarrett Ford, Alan Jay Automotive and S.Y. Hartt and Sons for their support.

Thanks needs to go to the following hole sponsors: Swaine and Harris, Highlands Today, Heacock Insurance, the NCT Group, Mark Palmer Electric, Woody's Trucking, Baker Septic, Steve Bond Insurance, Morris Funeral Home, Commercial Communications, John Palmer Electric, Positive Mobility, Florida Hospital, Waypoints Financial, Northgate Furniture, Highlands Independent Bank, Hornick Homes, Robert Livingston, P.A., Dr. Idriss and Dr. Huang, Progress Energy, Heartland National Bank, Griffin's Carpet Mart and to Cohan Radio for their hole in one sponsorship.

Finally, a big thank you to Ron, Andy and Marty, the golf pros at Sun 'n Lake; they did a fantastic job and were wonderful to deal with.

I tell people all the time that the museum wouldn't exist if not for the help of the community; this successful event proves that once again. The money raised from this tournament will help with expenses incurred while providing children in the community with a wonderful place to grow and learn.

Linda Crowder

Director of Children's

Museum of the Highlands

Sebring

Sebring FFA

The Sebring FFA Alumni helps to support the FFA programs at Hill-Gustat Middle School, Sebring High School and Sebring Middle School.

Up until last summer, we were guided by Mr. Jerry Huter, who was our alumni president for the last 18 years. We suffered a great loss with the passing of his life.

Jerry was a graduate of Sebring High School and was an agriculture student and FFA member.

Jerry's two sons, Erik and Chris, were both FFA members, and it was during the time they were in school that he became involved in what was the FFA Booster Club at that time. He was a charter member when Sebring decided to charter a local FFA Alumni affiliate with the state and national organizations in 1987.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, the Sebring FFA Alumni held the Jerry Huter Memorial Scholarship Barbecue to help raise funds for the scholarship fund. It was through the generosity of local businesses, alumni members and the community that the scholarship barbecue was a success.

We would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring the event and donating gifts to be given out at the barbecue: Publix Supermarket, Southern Cleaning, Woodhouse Grill, Golf Hammock Country Club, Harder Hall Golf Course, VIP Golf Academy, Sebring International Raceway, A Healthy Alternative, Skin Care By Elle, Mae Lee's Deli, Dee's Place Restaurant, Big T Tire Service, Everglades Seasoning, Feathers Dry Cleaning, the Huter-Yates Family, Glisson Animal Supply and Tractor Supply. Thank you for supporting the FFA programs in Highlands County.

Teresa Ware

Sebring FFA Alumni

Sebring

Counting blessings

This Thanksgiving Day, as we gather with family and friends to count our blessings, let's give thanks for the bounty we enjoy, not just on this holiday but every day.

The safe, plentiful food that is available to us, and the products used to produce the clothing, housing, medicines, fuel and other products we use on a daily basis, didn't just appear in a store. They got there thanks to a tremendous partnership of farmers and ranchers, processors, brokers, truckers, shippers, advertisers, wholesalers and retailers.

In appreciation of this farm-city partnership, the president of the United States annually proclaims the week leading up to and including Thanksgiving Day as National Farm-City Week.

Rural and urban residents are "Partners in Progress," who produce the products, consume the products, and make them readily available through an efficient production and marketing chain.

Farmers and ranchers are just the beginning of that chain. Farm workers, researchers, processors, shippers, truck drivers, inspectors, wholesalers, agribusinesses, marketers, advertisers, retailers and consumers all play important roles in the incredible productivity that has made our nation's food and fiber system the envy of the world.

This week, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, let's remember the vital farm-city partnerships that have done so much to improve the quality of our lives.

Rural and urban communities working together have made the most of our rich agricultural resources, and have made significant contributions to our health and well-being and to the strength of our nation's economy. For this, we can give thanks.

Donna Howerton

Farm Bureau women's

committee chair

4502 Sebring