David Faber, of Winter Haven, is the most recent member of Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens to achieve Third Degree status in the K of C. Faber, who joined the K of C one year ago, achieved this milestone on Saturday, September 30 by participating in a Third Degree Exemplification at headquarters of St. Cloud Kissimmee K of C Council 6624 in Kissimmee. He was one of 20 knights from around Central Florida who advanced to the Third Degree.
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This morning the four candidates for the City Commission Seat #5 joined members of the Greater Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce for a forum where they answered a series of questions prepared by the Government & Legislative Affairs committee and questions from the audience. This forum was once again sponsored by Chamber member Sharit, Bunn & Chilton, P.A. and moderated by firm partner Bob Stambaugh. Click below to watch the Facebook Live feed from this morning's event. The candidates for Seat #5 include JoNathan "Joey Hilliard, James Hogan, Steven Hunnicutt and James "JP" Powell. Seat #4 is also up for election, however Commissioner Brad Dantzler is running unopposed. Election Day is November 7. If you are not registered to vote, you can do so here: https://www.polkelections.com/Registration-Form. Voter registration deadline for the Nov. 7 election is October 10th! You can view a sample ballot here. Theatre Winter Haven is in the midst of producing a new original play called, “The Veterans Project,” which is written locally and inspired by 42 local military veterans. These veterans have been interviewed by Darian Henne and Katrina Ploof as inspiration for the script and production itself. The interviewing process started in 2016 and the play is said to launch in November of 2017. Interviewees served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam as well as younger veterans who are still active in the field. In a win for customers and a win for the environment, Tampa Electric has reached a landmark agreement with parties representing its customers to significantly expand its use of solar power.
During the next four years, Tampa Electric plans to add 6 million solar panels in 10 new photovoltaic solar projects across its service territory in West Central Florida. In total, Tampa Electric plans to install 600 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar energy to its fleet, which is enough electricity to power more than 100,000 homes. When the projects are complete, nearly 7 percent of Tampa Electric’s energy generation will come from the sun – a higher percentage of solar than any other Florida utility. To lift the spirits of Florida children in the wake of Hurricane Irma, LEGOLAND® Florida Resort will donate 18,000 theme park tickets to the UNICEF Kid Power Schools program and 2,000 tickets to Citrus Center Boys & Girls Clubs, the Central Florida vacation destination announced today.
Made in conjunction with Merlin’s Magic Wand, the global charity of LEGOLAND parent company Merlin Entertainments (LONDON:MERL), the total donation is valued at more than $1.8 million. It represents the largest ticket giveaway in the resort’s nearly six-year history and is intended to brighten the lives of the storm-battered state’s youngest residents. Polk State College is offering support to students displaced from their homes in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria. Gov. Rick Scott asked Florida state colleges and universities this week to provide support by offering in-state tuition to those students and understanding that they may have limited access to transcripts and other documentation. “Polk State College welcomes students from Puerto Rico with open arms, a safe and secure environment, and the resources they need to achieve higher education while they continue to recover from the storm,” Polk State College President Angela Garcia Falconetti said. Over 430 people gathered to spend an evening at Nora Mayo Hall celebrating Winter Haven and the people who make it home. This reimagined event combined the Banker's Cup Awards with the Chamber's Annual Meeting. We celebrated the 92nd presentation of the Banker's Cup Citizen of the Year Award, experienced the fine dining of Terrie Lobb Catering, awarded the Small and Large Business of the Year, and passed the gavel from 16-17 Chamber board chairman Hap Hazelwood, to incoming Chair Adrian Jones. We also had a few surprises - including the unveiling of a new brand video that celebrates this place we call home. Share and embed this video on your social media channels and your own companies website!
With the holiday season around the corner, Edward Jones is getting ready for the festivities. Now is a great time to remember the less fortunate in the community. Edward Jones would like to inform the community that they will be one of the drop-off locations for this year’s 15th annual Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run for Edward Jones. If you would like to contribute, you may bring in a new, unwrapped toy to the Ryan Conley Edward Jones office between now and December 1st.
If you are unable to drop off your donation, Edward Hones will be happy to pick it up! Simply call 863-293-5912. Address: 150 3rd Street SW. Winter Haven, FL. 33880 Many of our members and friends have family in Puerto Rico that has been affected by the devastation of Hurricane Maria. The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Polk County is hosting a supply drive with collection locations around the county. See below for collection sites and supplies needed.
Today at noon was the filing deadline for candidates looking to run in the 2017 election for City Commission. This year two seats are up for election; Seat #4 currently held by Commissioner Brad Dantzler and Seat #5, currently held by Mayor Steven Hunnicutt. The elections will be held on Tuesday, November 7. Read more below to find out who has filed to run for office. If you are in the City limits, you need to mark November 7 on your calendar. During the last election cycle, one seat was decided by 20 votes. Every vote counts, but even more so in municipal elections where voter turnout sits at a meager 11%! Meet the candidates on Wednesday, October 4 from 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. in the Chamber auditorium for the City Commission Candidates Forum. RSVP here. Breakfast included in ticket price. Candidates filed for Seat #4: Commissioner Brad Dantzler is running unopposed. Candidates Filed for Seat #5
Last night, The Ledger held their 2017 Best of the Best Awards which is their 'people's choice awards' for businesses in the Polk County area. Several Chamber members were recognized! Congratulations to the following Chamber members!
Provided by: City of Winter Haven – Natural Resource Division What is Hydrology?Hydrology is the study of water and how it interacts with our environment. This field of science is important for us to understand where our water comes from, how it affects the Winter Haven area as well as how we, as a society, impact our water resources. Hydrological changes can influence other aspects of our natural resources such as water quality and local ecology in our lakes and wetlands. That is why the City Natural Resources Division (NRD) monitors hydrology as part of its overall management strategy. Tallahassee, Fla. – Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier is encouraging Floridians who are now dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma and assessing damage to their homes and businesses to be aware of what they may be signing for repair work. A homeowner who has a loss may contact a contractor, water extraction company, roofer, or a plumber to assist with emergency repairs. After assessing the damage, the homeowner may be presented with a document to sign before repair work begins, which could also contain what is known as an Assignment of Benefits (AOB). If signed by the homeowner, it may give the repair vendor the right to exclusively communicate with the insurance company, negotiate and endorse insurance claim payments and file a lawsuit against the insurance company, with or without the homeowners knowledge. AOBs have been a cost driver leading to rising homeowners insurance rates across the state due to unnecessary litigation associated with certain AOB claims.
Three LEGOLAND® Parks to Transform Roller Coasters into Supercharged Virtual Reality Adventure9/19/2017 Prepare to take a ride on the wildest LEGO® race ever imagined when cutting-edge virtual reality technology combines with roller coaster thrills in an exhilarating new attraction opening in late 2017 at LEGOLAND Malaysia Resort, followed in 2018 at LEGOLAND Florida Resort and Germany’s LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort, UK parent company Merlin Entertainments Group announced today.
Bank of Central Florida is proud to announce that Carl J. (Bud) Strang, III, was voted onto the Bank’s Board of Directors in late July. Strang currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Six/Ten LLC, a privately held investment company based in Winter Haven, FL. Strang has been actively involved in the start-up, growth and development of a variety of business ventures including real estate, agriculture, software and business services. He is a managing member of Island Grove, LLC – one of the state’s largest blueberry farming operations – and is a director and officer of Gapway Grove Corporation, a closely held land and citrus business.
Seven days after Hurricane Irma’s winds blew through the Tampa Bay area, Tampa Electric has restored power to essentially all customers who are able to receive it.
Some customers who are affected by other factors, such as flooding or damage to their home’s electrical equipment, may not be able to safely receive electricity. Some customers with more complex damage may take additional time to restore. “Hurricane Irma caused more power outages than any storm in Tampa Electric’s history,” said Gordon Gillette, president and chief executive officer of Tampa Electric. “Although this storm affected more customers than hurricanes Charley and Jeanne – combined – we were able to restore power in about half the time. This is thanks to our wise investments in storm improvements, intensive preparations, help from other utilities, cooperation with local and state government and the trust and support of our customers. “We could not have completed this restoration as efficiently without the strong mutual-assistance support from our fellow utilities and line contractors, including some who drove for three days to get here just to help us,” Gillette said. “And I’m very proud that we completed this work safely, with no serious injuries.” Any Tampa Electric customer who remains without electricity should contact us:
In total, 425,000 of our 750,000 customers were impacted by the storm. More than 4,000 line, tree and other personnel – from as far away as Oklahoma, Maine and Nova Scotia, Canada – worked around the clock in 16-hour shifts to restore power quickly and safely. Over the past 10 years, Tampa Electric has invested $479 million to harden our equipment against severe weather. As our Polk County community begins to repair and restore from the effects of Hurricane Irma this week, Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center and Lake Wales Medical Center are offering free telehealth visits on Virtual Health Connect to help area residents get non-emergency medical care. The free telehealth visits are available through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 15, 2017 on any mobile device, computer or tablet. Virtual Health Connect provides on demand, live access to physicians and nurse practitioners at any time, but may be particularly helpful as members of the community are coping with the impact of rain, winds and flooding. The clinicians can help counsel individuals and families in their time of need with this quick and convenient program.
SUN ’n FUN and the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) are hosting the camps’ fifth annual Classroom in the Sky, a unique aeronautic learning experience for teachers on September 30, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Classroom to the Sky provides aerospace STEM lessons (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) that the teachers can take back to their classrooms for their students. Instruction is provided by ACE/SUN ’n FUN Educational Director, Richele Floyd.
For more information on Classroom to the Sky, please contact Richele Floyd at 863-644-2431 or email her at RFloyd@flysnf.org. About SUN ’n FUN The SUN ’n FUN mission is preserve and enhance the future of flight through world class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages. The SUN ’n FUN Convention Campus offers an experience for all ages year-round. Proceeds from any event at SUN ’n FUN, a 501 (c)(3) non profit corporation, are returned to education programs and activities and help support the Central Florida Aerospace Academy and Aerospace Center for Excellence. For more information on SUN ’n FUN visit www.flysnf.org. Central Florida Health Care announced that their visit to their HRSA site was very successful. Although it is very rare to see a FQHC pass all 19 program requirements, Central Florida Health Care passed all HRSA 19 program requirements with no conditions. Now that this has happened, Central Florida Health Care will now be considered a highly functioning grantee.
The HRSA Site visit team spent over 2 days reviewing all of their contracts, policies, procedures and numerous documents as well as visiting their Magnolia, Winter Haven and Haines City Clinics. They were very impressed with the clinic visits and the care that Central Florida Health Care provides their patients. Steve and Sandy Earley recently presented the Achievement Academy with an automated external defibrillator (AED) for its Winter Haven campus. An AED is a portable device that checks the heart rhythm and can send an electric shock to the heart to try to restore a normal rhythm. AEDs are used to treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), a condition in which the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops beating. The unit will provide a potentially life-saving piece of equipment for our students and staff.
Are you or someone you know an artist just hitting the art scene (no matter what time in life) or an artist desiring professional traction in the area – specifically those using their skills in non-traditional media and content? APPLY NOW for the fifth annual Art Crawl! Art Crawl is a one-day art festival serving as a catalyst to celebrate the emergence of new and innovative artists in and around Central Florida. This juried art festival is an accessible venue for art sales, art collection, entertainment and the introduction of contemporary artists to a varied audience. Event Date: November 4, 2017 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Application Deadline: Friday, September 15, 2017 (midnight) Event Location: Munn Park (Downtown Lakeland) Fees (non-refundable): Application Fee: $25 Accepted Artists 12’x12’ space fee: $75 Click here to apply! Humane Society of Polk County is lending helping hand with Bake Sale to Hurricane Harvey four-legged victims located at the Friends 4 Life No Kill shelter in Houston , Texas.
Spear-headed by a local volunteer, Dee Hage, and with the help of BIG community supporter, Publix Supermarkets, a bake sale will be held at the shelter THIS Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm in the multi-purpose room . Entrance is at the back of the building. Gift cards and money will be collected to assist Friends 4 Life the No Kill shelter in Houston, Texas. They have a matching gift goal of $15,000 and Humane Society of Polk County will make an online donation to assist them in achieving this goal! When the Humane Society of Polk County was planning their new eco-friendly shelter design, the Executive Director, Lisa Baker visited several similar shelters in other states on a fact-finding mission. Friends 4 Life No Kill animal shelter in Houston, Texas was one of them. Several of their shelter designs were incorporated into the new building on Dundee Road. The Humane Society of Polk County will continue to be friends for life as we share the common goal of a no kill nation and conserving our environment through green initiatives. After Hurricane Harvey, Lisa Baker spoke with their shelter's Executive Director, Salise Shuttlesworth, regarding their needs. At this time, they are over flowing with food and blankets but will need financial assistance for the long - term recovery efforts needed to make their shelter complete again for all of the animals. Friends 4 Life has already needed to place over 300 animals in foster homes due to Hurricane Harvey! Events like this pass unnecessary extra stress to animals, and their safety is the number one goal. Fourth- to eighth-grade girls from Lake Wales schools will have the opportunity to learn Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) from female scientists at Polk State College in the Polk Girls in STEM program. Polk State received a grant for the new program from the GiveWell Community Foundation and has partnered with Janie Howard Wilson Elementary and Bok Academy to expose young girls to the ideas that college is attainable and science is a possible career path.
Polk State College's District Board of Trustees elected a new chairman and vice-chairman during its annual reorganization meeting Monday, which was also President Angela Garcia Falconetti’s first Board meeting. Mark Turner, who previously served as vice-chairman, is now chairman and Dan Dorrell is now vice-chairman. Turner replaces Greg Littleton, who still serves on the Board. Other members of the Board are Cindy Hartley Ross and Teresa Martinez.
Knights of Columbus Council 7091 of Cypress Gardens and its affiliated Frank J. Durbin Fourth Degree
Assembly 2608 installed new officers for the 2017-2018 Columbian year in a pair of induction ceremonies conducted on Saturday, August 26 in the parish center at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Winter Haven. The council induction began with Father Nicholas O’Brien, pastor of St. Matthew Church and chaplain of Council 7091, calling upon God to guide the new officers in discharging their duties. After the opening prayers, District Deputy Terry Gallardo of Haines City and District Warden Tom Berdis of Winter Haven installed the slate of officers headed by Grand Knight Phil Pierpont.
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