SEBRING — 'Tis the season to spread a bit of the bounty of Highlands County to friends and family up North. There are several locally produced and unique products and goods available for shipping a piece from the Sunshine State or for gifts for friends closer to home. At Maxwell Groves, Highlands County grown citrus is shelved along with orange blossom honey, assorted jellies and even citrus bubble gum. Owner Steve Maxwell said his plant is the only commercial house for orange production in the county. He bought much of the machinery still used, and on display, in 1970 and said it was 30 years old then. Then, there are several outlets for local artists to display and sell their wares. The Caladium Arts and Crafts Co-Op in Lake Placid, and Sebring's LK Gallery and Village Gallery, and gift shop of the Highlands Art League specialize in locally produced and affordable art. Other locally produced food products include Everglades Seasoning, direct from the manufacturer, and wines, gift baskets and other assorted goodies from Henscratch Farms and Winery. ...more

December 11, 2007

The area's newest elementary school will bear the name of former school board member Doris Ross Reddick. ...more

November 24, 2007

Fifty years ago, the Florida boom was in full bloom. From Arcadia to Zephyrhills, cattle ranches and orange groves sprouted subdivisions, shopping centers and trailer parks. Never in the history of the state had so many people come so far to invest so much. ...more

November 4, 2007

Florida, it turns out, must be a powerful muse. Two days after the postmark deadline for the state song contest, 185 songs have piled into the offices of Florida Music Educators' Association. The size of the trove exceeded expectations of organizers, who thought they might end up with about 100 nominations. ...more

October 4, 2007

TAMPA - Florida, it turns out, must be a powerful muse. Two days after the postmark deadline for the state song contest, 185 songs have piled into the offices of the Florida Music Educators' Association. The size of the trove exceeded expectations of organizers, who thought they might end up with about 100 nominations. "Gee whiz. Wow! Wow. That's exciting," said Sen. Anthony Hill, D-Jacksonville, who is leading the effort to find a new Florida state song. "Apparently some people want some change. That's what it sounds like to me." ...more

October 3, 2007

SEBRING — The Nan-Ces-O-Wee Hotel has a new owner, who has plans to revitalize it into a vibrant part of downtown. Jhonson Napoleon, owner of Napoleon Real Estate in Miami, closed Friday on the hotel, located at 139 N. Ridgewood Dr. "I want to make the hotel into a project that will make the city of Sebring proud," Napoleon said. He is already working with an architectural firm in Lakeland on plans for condominiums on the upper floors and a restaurant on the ground level. ...more

October 3, 2007

Jim Pollard, Annie Mae Thompson Robinson's son, says his mom partied hearty for two days recently to celebrate her 99th birthday. ...more

September 24, 2007

Home is where the heart is, and every room in the Jennus house reflects the love Carol and Darryl Jennus have for the ocean. When they moved here from New Jersey four years ago to be near his mom, who was in her 90s and has since died, Carol Jennus left her hairdressing career and began creating themed rooms that reflect their passion for the sea and its creatures. ...more

September 17, 2007