Contemporary Christian musician Michael W. Smith will take center stage on Nov. 6 during Florida Hospital Heartland Division's 14th annual Gala Festivities at South Florida Community College. During an 18-year career, Smith has recorded 15 albums, which earned him two Grammy awards and 27 Dove awards. Smith was a member of former Gala performer Amy Grant's band, prior to branching out on his own. Smith's performance at the SFCC Auditorium is one portion of the hospital's fundraiser. A golf tournament, silent auction, black tie dinner, a children's art contest and a 5K walk/run are all Gala Week highlights. ...more

June 24, 2008

SEBRING — Wednesday's emergency preparedness drill at the Agri-Civic Center was only practice, but almost 200 volunteers and county employees acted like the mock exercise was real. Andrew Pease, a Sun 'n' Lake Elementary School student, gave up a day of summer break to volunteer and portray a "victim," along with his mother Mary and sister Becky. The 9-year-old took the drill to heart and said he was "a little scared." "My mom tells me to not talk to strangers, but I trust the police and others," said Andrew Pease. "This is like some kind of play, but it's real, too." ...more

June 19, 2008

EDC Board To Hold Meeting SEBRING — The board of directors for the Highlands County Industrial Development Authority/ Economic Development Commission will meet at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 11 in the board room of the EDC office, 2113 U.S. 27 S., Sebring. ...more

June 7, 2008

SEBRING – The Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce is trying to move forward with several networking events scheduled for members this month and one event open to the public. The public is invited to attend the chamber's breakfast meeting Tuesday, June 10 that will be held in the upstairs conference room at Florida Hospital Heartland Division. It will begin at 6:45 a.m., and the cost is $8 per person. The topic will be the Heartland Triathlon, which is set for July 12-13 in Sebring. Cheri Starr, the race director, and Patrick High, race coordinator, will talk about the triathlon and the kids race. Information will also be provided for those interested in participating in the event for the first time. ...more

May 31, 2008

AP Chamber To Hold Awards Banquet AVON PARK — The Avon Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual awards banquet Thursday, June 5 at the Avon Park Community Center. The theme for the banquet is "A Hawaiian Luau," which will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. Dinner will follow at 7. The cost is $35 per person. There will be a silent auction, door prizes and entertainment. ...more

May 17, 2008

SEBRING — The Florida Highway Patrol was investigating Friday the death of Francis Duplessie, 90, of Avon Park, who was injured in a U.S. 27 north motorcycle crash on April 24. ...more

May 9, 2008

SEBRING — Although three key members of the 2008 Heartland Triathlon committee resigned this week, Florida Hospital pledged on Friday to continue as title sponsor and pitch in $10,000. Don Elwell sits on the boards for both the triathlon committee, and a major organizer for the past two years, the 1,000 member Greater Sebring Chamber of Commerce. ...more

May 2, 2008

SEBRING — On Friday, at Florida Hospital Heartland Division, about 200 attendees prayed that no disasters hit the county – but just in case – those representatives from 67 churches and several local agencies should be better prepared. ...more

May 2, 2008

LAKE PLACID –– When you mention birdies, pars and bogeys, you think of golf. That wasn't the case on Sunday in the second annual Tees & Pins Bowling Classic at Royal Palms Bowling Center. The birdies and pars were flying, but it was on the lanes where the action was happening. The one-day event, which was a fundraiser for the Florida Hospital Lake Placid Foundation and the Rotary Club of Lake Placid, attracted 72 bowlers and was sponsored by Wauchula State Bank. "This is a chance for young and old to get together to help raise funds for two great organizations," said Rotary member and event coordinator Jim DiNapoli. "It's a bowling tournament, but we run it like a golf tournament."Each team of four bowls on 18 lanes and the scores are figured out using birdies, pars and bogeys. "Then we use each team's handicap to come up with their final scores. ...more

January 29, 2008

SEBRING — Don't be surprised if a neighbor is wearing a bike helmet the next time he hops on a riding mower to cut the grass. The Aging Advocacy Coalition sponsored the 23rd annual Elder Fair at Firemen's Field on Thursday and bike helmets were just some of many giveaways. About 60 exhibitors — including Florida Hospital Heartland Division which gave away almost 100 helmets — attracted about 700 seniors to the day-long event. ...more

January 25, 2008