We early "snowbirds" arrived during the months of October, November and December. We anticipated the many craft fairs prior to Christmas, as in years past. ...more

January 23, 2008

While many Christmas decorations went back into their boxes with the arrival of the new year, hundreds of people in Wimauma were not done celebrating the holidays. ...more

January 12, 2008

Driving my truck through Arcadia the other day, I was thrilled to see Christmas decorations on the courthouse lawn. ...more

January 2, 2008

SEBRING — Christmas decorations are going back into boxes, but what happens to that live tree that brought holiday cheer? Residents just have to cart the tree, with the ornaments and tree stand removed, to the curb and solid waste officials will take care of the rest. Richard Gorman, landfill operation manager for Highlands County, said the county residents' Christmas trees are picked up with the yard waste and mixed with dirt and sand to make a ground cover at the Highlands County Landfill. The ground cover, which is spread over the landfill daily, is used for odor control and as a barrier from intrusion by birds and animals. ...more

December 27, 2007

BRANDON - Shopping the day after Christmas was no Black Friday as throngs of bargain hunters lined up in pre-dawn hours. ...more

December 26, 2007

SEBRING — Is Santa Claus full of hot air? Dozens of bigger-than-life inflatable blow-up Santas and various Christmas displays are popping up in yards all over Highlands County. Erick Kelecseny has $8,000 worth Christmas decorations, including eight blow-ups in his front yard on Duffer Road. There's the compulsory Santa, plus Mickey and Minnie, and even a full band, including shade-wearing musicians, which pumps out funky Christmas carols. "I grew up poor my whole life and now I say I do it for the kids," said Kelecseny, about the holiday displays with fans that quietly hum all night long. "But I really do it for my own enjoyment." Kelecseny said on Thursday night that he enjoys turning off the house lights, sitting in the yard with his daughter, 15-month-old Ericka, to watch the reaction of motorists and pedestrians. ...more

December 22, 2007

I never have to check the calendar to see if the Christmas season is approaching. As soon as the "season to be jolly" approaches all those jolly-challenged people begin their sniping. I think Jack Frost is nipping at more than their noses and some people are nipping at more than hot chocolate. ...more

December 18, 2007

WHO: Linda Harns CLAIM TO FAME: She has given her time and decorations and Christmas trees from relatives to bring cheer to Gulfside Regional Hospice houses at Lafayette Street and Sunset Bay in west Pasco. ...more

December 16, 2007

The holiday season has just begun, but in Boyette Springs, a grinch has set about stealing it. ...more

December 8, 2007

Trucks, tempers, Christmas displays and a gun proved a violent mix Thursday night for one Polk County neighborhood, the sheriff's office said. ...more

December 8, 2007