Thank you and kudos

First Annual Caladium Musicale

Robert and Marlene Barger are to be commended for hosting such a wonderful evening at the Placid Lakes Country Club recently. Gary Filip was the Master of Ceremony for the evening and he together with a wonderful variety of singers kept us well entertained for the evening. It was such a repertoire of country to light opera.

Jeff and Dee Dee Harstine, together with their staff, served a delicious dinner. If you haven't yet visited Placid Lakes Country Club for dinner I would strongly urge you to. The theme for the evening, First Annual Caladium Musicale, was indeed a compliment to the Caladium Festival and Robert and Marlene must indeed be commended for this great idea and Gary Filip and his guest singers together with Jeff and Dee Dee Harstine and their staff must all be complimented for making the evening such an enjoyable and successful one.

For those of you who were not fortunate enough to be in attendance, make sure that you are on the list for next year's musicale and for those of us that were so fortunate to be a guest at the caladium musicale, let us be sure to support the annual event.

Lake Placid is so fortunate to have such talented individuals and how lucky we are to have been able to experience first hand such a wide variety of the talent. It is moments like this that one realizes the many benefits of small town America and I certainly hope that our town council will always strive to keep Lake Placid the place that so many of us call home and want our friends to come and visit.

Thank you Robert and Marlene for such a successful Caladium Musicale.

Shelagh Byatt

Lake Placid

Thank you, HRMC

I was admitted to HRMC on Aug. 4 for my illness, and while there I developed more problems. I was in Room 220. I had the best care from everyone involved. My room was clean, the nurses and doctors and every involved. Everyone was so competent and pleasant. I would recommend HRMC to everyone. The people are so hard working and really care about the patients. I will never forget the great care by all and helping me get to feeling better again.

Carol Andersen

Sebring

AP Summer Sunday Series a hit

This is to thank those who made our August Summer Sunday Speakers Series a solid success. Thanks to them, each of our four programs provided us with entertainment, information and a sense of excitement.

To name names: Don Appelquist, executive director, SFCC Foundation, who provided an in-depth look at the Hotel Jacaranda, yesterday and today.

Lucy Derkman, one of the organizers of the Avon Park High School "Red Devils" Circus Program back in the 1950s. She served as the emcee at one of our Sunday programs, providing us with the details of that glorious circus era and making sure all former performers and technicians attending our program shared their own circus stories.

Paul Ebersback, chief environmental flight, at the Avon Park Air Force Range, who gave us a history of the base, from its World War II training days to today's military mission.

Peter Anderson recently retired after having served as park manager of Highlands Hammock State Park for 27 years, who relived his experiences with the Florida Park Service, both in the Keys and locally.

A special thanks to Sharon Schuler, general manager of the Hotel Jacaranda, and her staff for making sure the two sessions we held there went so smoothly.

Larry Levey

President

Historical Society of Avon Park

Avon Park

World Series champs success

We, at Lake Denton Camp, would like to thank everyone who helped to make the celebration for the Dixie Ozone World Series Champs such a success. A wonderful time was had by all and we had a very nice turnout. The weather was gorgeous and due to the many folks listed below, the food was plentiful and great. A special thank you goes out to McDonalds of Avon Park, Alan Jay Corp, Riverside Bank, Vickers Chiropractic, Wicks Brown and Williams Accounting, Wendy's, Winn Dixie, Ruby Tuesday's, Dee's Cafe, Mae's Deli, Papa John's Pizza, Wal-Mart in Avon Park, Sonny's Bar-B-Q, W&W Lumber, Homer's Restaurant, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Tri-co Wholesale Supply of Okeechobee, Kentucky Fried Chicken, our lifeguards-Sarah Straub and Matt Vickers and, of course, the Highlands Today newspaper for all their encouraging and helpful press!

Pam Elder

Avon Park

Thank you Highlands County community

I would like to thank the Highlands County community for your vote of confidence in giving me the opportunity to serve as your school board representative.

To my lawn-sign friends, thank you for your belief in my campaign. To my friends and family, thank you for your support and help with the campaign. I promise to do my best for all of Highlands County and to be available to listen to your concerns and suggestions. For the voters who decided not to vote for me in this election, I hope through hard work and dedication to gain your trust and confidence during the next four years.

Bill Brantley

Lake Placid