SEBRING — Frigid temperatures and a bitter wind was the subject of conversation during day one of the 53rd annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational on Thursday. ...more

January 4, 2008

SEBRING — Progress Energy linemen worked through the cold weather Thursday to restore electricity to pockets of residents throughout the county without electricity. ...more

January 4, 2008

SEBRING — Progress Energy linemen are working Thursday morning to restore electricity to pockets of residents throughout the county without electricity. Chad Demerre, lineman apprentice with Progress Energy, said small outages, affecting less than 200 customers, are common when the weather suddenly becomes cold. ...more

January 3, 2008

SEBRING — It can be a stepping stone or a launching pad. Either way, the 53rd annual Harder Hall Women's Invitational continues to showcase the finest in women's amateur golf year in and year out — and 2008 is certainly no exception. "Word of mouth and time of the year really has helped this tournament grow," said tournament director Carol Semple Thompson. "Many of these girls want to play right after the holidays, so they come here and then many go back to school either college or high school." ...more

January 3, 2008

So how does one remember 2007 now that 2008 is officially upon us? Certainly not with great joy even though we in Florida did not have much of a hurricane season. Like the rest of the nation, Floridians convulsed under the grip of a tanking real-estate market, marked by record foreclosures. In Florida, high property taxes and insurance premiums made things worse for homeowners – and snowbirds, among some, promised to go elsewhere. ...more

January 1, 2008

I would like to express the gratitude of the officers and members of Post 74 of the American Legion, for the wonderful turnout at our first golf tournament, held on Dec. 8 at Harder Hall Country Club. The generosity of our local business community, who gave so freely of their goods and services for our raffle, truly helped make the tournament a success. Space prohibits listing the names of all those who contributed, but you know who you are, so please accept our heartfelt thanks. Thanks also to Harder Hall pro John Phillips, for a great job in handicapping, scoring, and just being an all-around "good guy." We hope to make our second annual tour next year even better. ...more

December 11, 2007

SEBRING — Although no one has come forward with a check, potential buyers are still expressing interest in Harder Hall. City Administrator Bob Hoffman said he receives as many as three phone calls a week from investors wanting more information about the historic hotel and 13.6 acres of property on Little Lake Jackson, and the city is not marketing or advertising it. John Joyner, a Sebring resident who previously managed luxury hotels in Miami, said he is interested in a joint venture with some other local investors to restore the hotel and build condos. ...more

December 8, 2007

SEBRING –– With picture postcard weather and the demanding Harder Hall golf course in excellent shape, Saturday's Meals On Wheels golf tournament was a rousing success. The 18-hole, four-person scramble attracted a field of 76 golfers and the talented foursome of Scott Mauck, Mike Lamere, Don Randloph and Bill Diekman won the First Flight with a 51. The team of Paul Howard, Don Belcher, Bob Parker and Bob Young placed second with a 54, while Floyd Osborne, Alan Price, Cody Watt and Justin Painter came in third with a 55. The Second Flight was won by Tom Jenkins, Ferland Cribb, Tim Cribb and Mike London with a 52. ...more

December 3, 2007

Harder Hall is apparently the white elephant gift that just keeps recycling. About the time we think it's off our hands, we get it back. ...more

November 8, 2007

SEBRING – Harder Hall is up for sale again after the buyer, Steve Israel, pulled out his contract when the Sebring City Council refused his request to extend the due-diligence period. Nils Richter, a representative for Israel, said Tuesday night they could not secure financing for the project to renovate the hotel and build condominiums on the site. "We didn't find it easy in this market to get the financing we need," Richter said. "We are trying to put together something that makes financial sense." Instead of extending the due-diligence period, city council members told Richter to submit another contract if he is still interested in purchasing the property. ...more

November 6, 2007