LAKE PLACID –– Dave Alden remembers his brother-in-law, Wendell, fondly, although he was only a child when his adopted sister married. It was partly because Wendell's life was a success story but more importantly he always made time for Dave. That mentoring of honesty and setting a good example made a lifetime impact. Born in Vermont, Alden retired in 1989 as a project engineer with Kennicott Copper. He and his wife, Marie, traveled the United States and Alaska for two years before the snowbirds decided to find a warm place in Florida to land. While zigzagging across the state, they discovered Lake Placid and fell in love with this town of murals and caladiums. Dave feels that their secret to being married 48 years –– besides luck –– is that they love each other and have the same goals. Marie was the type who wanted to help people and he was brought up the same way. ...more

December 31, 2007

Seniors Ashley McClain and Brittany Yates didn't let the fact that they were temporarily sidelined with minor injuries dampen their excitement for the upcoming softball season. ...more

December 29, 2007

A story in today's Highlands Today shows an example of local parents doing an extremely smart thing: investing early in their children's college education. We hope all Floridians find someway to save for such expenses. Andrew and Susan Bible made college funding for their four children a priority. They couldn't sink a lot of cash up front into a plan that locks in tuition rates at Florida public universities for their children, ages 3 through 9, but they could do it in installments. For $200 per month, they are putting money away to help ensure a bright future for their children. And if their children go to colleges or universities outside the state, although the tuition won't be locked in, the money still is available. ...more

December 19, 2007

Among the wonderful aspects of our democratic republic is that we can make choices and then elect representatives to implement our choices. I am now thinking of two choices. Both choices provide for food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, education, etc. Choice No. 1: All fathers work 32 hours per week. (This is possible because of automation and other advanced technology.) The mothers stay home and take care of the children until the youngest is perhaps 12 years of age. There is adequate money to meet all expenses, provide for family vacations and save money for the children's college education. The family is permitted to keep nearly all of their earnings. ...more

December 7, 2007

Several Hillsborough County high schools will hold college nights this month and next, including seven conducted only in Spanish. Chamberlain, King, Jefferson, East Bay, Gaither, Plant City and Alonso will host the Spanish meetings, which will promote the benefits of a college education and discuss preparing for college as well as applying for admission and financial aid. At the end of the final meeting, on Nov. 27, the district will give away a $1,000 scholarship. Jefferson and Plant City, meanwhile, will also host a general career and college fair this month to give middle and high school students and their parents a chance to talk with representatives from colleges and industries. Attendees will be able to participate in breakout sessions on construction, culinary, engineering, medicine and technology. ...more

October 19, 2007

Recently Sen. Hillary Clinton said that she if elected president she would give $5,000 to each child for college education. Here are a few facts: ...more

October 3, 2007

An Arizona-based foundation that made headlines last year by giving millions to Florida colleges and universities has set up shop in Tampa. ...more

September 21, 2007