SEBRING — Twenty two balloons went up, up and away last Saturday, and in turn, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Highlands County was able to pull down more than $7,000. Fifty riders paid for the privilege to ride with balloonists from all over Florida. The event will benefit the general budget of the local club and help defray the cost of scholarships for many of more than 160 participants at the club's summer children's program. Pam Mooney, of Ridge Florist, and the event manager, said that the second annual balloon festival was huge or "two and a half times bigger than last year's – which attracted 14 balloons – and is only going to get bigger." More than 500 people on Friday night turned out at Saturday's launch site, at Sebring International Raceway, for "Friday Glow." ...more

June 6, 2008

SEBRING – Broker Chip Boring, of RE/MAX Realty Plus of Sebring, and RE/MAX Realty Plus II of Lake Placid, will sponsor a hot air balloon to benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs of Highlands County's charity event May 30-31. Following last year's successful fundraiser, the second annual "Balloon Glow" will be Friday, May 30, and the "Lift Off Event" will be Saturday, May 31, at the entrance to the Sebring Raceway and Airport. "Young people who attend Boys and Girls Clubs in Florida show higher high school graduation rates and better behavior, resulting in increased lifetime earnings," said Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp. "An investment in our children is an investment in our future. The independent study's results are proof that Florida's Boys and Girls Clubs continue to influence our young people and our economy, both for the better." ...more

May 20, 2008

For some residents, it's the image of Stowers Funeral Home on Brandon Boulevard, built in 1876 by James Brandon, the son of the community's founder, John Brandon. ...more

January 2, 2008