LAKE PLACID — The alleys in town might not be major thoroughfares like the Panama Canal, I-75 or Pennsylvania Avenue, but a move is on to clear these publicly owned roadways. Resident Lynn Connolly counted 12 east-west and five north-south alleys located in backyards, or behind businesses, south of Interlake Boulevard, in the oldest residential part of the town. She presented the idea at the most recent town council meeting. Only Edgemon Alley is named. Most are grass covered. Many are 19.5-foot wide, the same width as most town streets. ...more

May 28, 2008

AVON PARK — Renovations to South Florida Community College's Lake Placid Center and University Auditorium are in the works. The SFCC Board of Trustees approved an architecture firm and construction management company at Wednesday's meeting. College officials will now begin negotiating contracts with Chastain-Skillman and Mathews Construction. ...more

February 21, 2008

Landscaping costs in the three Highlands County incorporated areas: (budgeted costs vary wildly, and shouldn't be directly compared, since most employees perform several tasks not connected with landscaping, while grant funding varies and pays for many improvements.) • Highlands County-$2.5 million yearly budget for landscaping of 40 county owned properties which includes the cost of a four-person, full-time department. • Avon Park-$52,000 of Avon Park city funding goes to contractor Cutting Edge, which maintains the U.S. 27 corridor, the Main Street mall and other city properties. Inmates perform much of the landscaping at no cost to the city, as is the custom in many areas of the county. Five recreation department employees oversee upkeep of the city ball fields with a $16,000 yearly budget. ...more

February 10, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Downtown was crowded, usually so for a Saturday morning. Going west on Interlake, half the parking spaces were filled for a few blocks, but closer to Main Avenue, they were all full and people were walking toward DeVane Circle. It's the Lake Placid Arts and Crafts Country Fair, and by 9 a.m., thousands were already gathered to check out the Panama hats, jewelry, wooden parrots on perches, and wooden walking sticks with birds for handles. ...more

February 2, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Several merchants and the town mayor agreed on Monday that uprooting and replanting six recently planted cabbage palms and installing 11 new ones is an improvement. A $25,000 Urban and Community Forestry Grant from the Florida Division of Forestry paid for the planting of 127 cabbage palms late last year, and almost immediately, residents said they either loved or hated the addition of the trees. Complaints from drivers concerning poor visibility at the Eucalyptus Street and Interlake Boulevard intersection even sparked an investigation by the Lake Placid Police Department. ...more

January 29, 2008

SEBRING –– It started as a hobby because Jerry Syfert always loved working with his hands. So with seven children, 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, he kept busy making toys. He crafted large-scale trains, doll cradles, rocking horses, trucks, cars and occasional pieces of furniture. He thought that selling his work at craft fairs with his wife would be fun. His wife agreed and was his manager, taking care of sales and finances as they traveled to major craft shows for over 20 years. ...more

January 7, 2008

The clearing of unwanted plant growth surrounding Lake Jackson has those driving by on U.S. 27 receiving a better look at one of Sebring's most pristine sights. To enhance the area around Lake Jackson, especially the south shore along U.S. 27, it might do well for a city endeavor to emulate what the town of Lake Placid has done. The entrance to Lake June Point in Lake Placid, as well as the entrance from U.S. 27 west on Interlake Boulevard, had sable (cabbage) palms planted to enhance the feel of our tropical Florida. The Lake June Point landscape also has monsteria planted around the palms that require a minimum of maintenance and enhance the beauty of the palms. ...more

January 3, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Police think a man stole a car New Year's morning on Catfish Lane, then crashed it within a few miles of the owner's residence, killing himself. "The people who live across the street heard a crash about 3 a.m." said Lake Placid Chief Phil Williams, "but they couldn't see anything through the fog. Sometime later this a.m., someone else discovered the car and called it in." ...more

January 1, 2008

LAKE PLACID — Downtown streets will be lined with people Saturday, Dec. 8 at 7 p.m. during Lake Placid's annual Christmas parade. This year's theme is "A Child's Christmas Fantasy." The parade will feature floats, bands, cloggers, clowns, civic and social organizations, cheerleaders, fire trucks, beauty queens and Santa Claus. The event is a joint effort between the Greater Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce and the town of Lake Placid. Eileen May, chamber CEO/president of operations, said on Wednesday that almost 100 floats had registered for what she expects will be the town's "best parade, ever." she expected good weather for the evening event. ...more

December 7, 2007

LAKE PLACID — The town's two newest murals were dedicated this week, but no firm plans are in place for when another mural — the 41st — might grace downtown streets. Harriet Porter, who co-founded the Lake Placid Mural Society, spoke at Tuesday's dedication of the town's latest mural to honor Richard Archbold, founder of Archbold Biological Station, and the centennial of his birth. The 184-foot long by 8-foot wide mural is painted on a wall of Miller's Central Air, at 19 Interlake Blvd. The town's longest (but not biggest mural) was created in May and June of this year, by nine-time Lake Placid muralist Keith Goodson. Lake Placid's most popular muralist also painted "Trail to Eagle Scout," located at 204 S. Main Ave. on the wall of Home and Office Essentials, which was dedicated Sunday and painted after the Archbold mural was completed. ...more

November 28, 2007