LAKE PLACID –– Dave Alden remembers his brother-in-law, Wendell, fondly, although he was only a child when his adopted sister married. It was partly because Wendell's life was a success story but more importantly he always made time for Dave. That mentoring of honesty and setting a good example made a lifetime impact. Born in Vermont, Alden retired in 1989 as a project engineer with Kennicott Copper. He and his wife, Marie, traveled the United States and Alaska for two years before the snowbirds decided to find a warm place in Florida to land. While zigzagging across the state, they discovered Lake Placid and fell in love with this town of murals and caladiums. Dave feels that their secret to being married 48 years –– besides luck –– is that they love each other and have the same goals. Marie was the type who wanted to help people and he was brought up the same way. ...more

December 31, 2007

SEBRING — Go figure. You'd think that after the Christmas shopping rush, local retailers should be able to take a breather, but several store representatives said Wednesday that snowbirds will continue to keep workers busy for a little longer. Kathleen Trussell, store manager of Bealls, said operating hours will go back to normal starting today, but there will be no employee layoffs, in anticipation of continued heavy business. ...more

December 27, 2007

Although its produce market opened quietly Dec. 6, people are already flocking for Goodson Farms strawberries. ...more

December 17, 2007

SEBRING — When Howard Jenkins retired from the Air Force, he used his veteran benefits to go back to school and improve himself. From his experience, he saw the shortcomings of the military and wanted to help others. After starting as a veterans representative in Winter Haven, he transferred to Sebring in 1992 as a local veteran employment representative for Heartland Workforce. Jenkins enjoys helping the young, returning troops, showing them how to apply and get their earned benefits under the GI bill. ...more

December 17, 2007

I have been a snowbird for years and took up permanent residence in Sebring seven years ago. I love it! The best place in the states to live. ...more

November 28, 2007

SEBRING — Some of you already found your new phone book lying on the driveway, so now what are you going to do with your old one? If you're planning to throw it away, the schools and some homeowners associations around the county would rather you left it with one of them. And not with anyone else, either. "We have the telephone book challenge with the homeowner associations as well as the schools," said Sherri Cooper, the coordinator of Keep Highlands Beautiful which also runs the county's recycling program. ...more

November 26, 2007

GO FISHING is a daily look at the area fishing scene through the eyes of local charter boat captains and fishing guides. Today: Billy Nobles, left (with "Reel Animals" partner Mike Anderson). ...more

November 9, 2007

The Manatee Viewing Center, a popular stop for locals and snowbirds alike, has reopened for the season. ...more

November 1, 2007

A new property tax-cutting plan offered Sunday by Senate leaders is simpler, would provide less relief to some taxpayers and includes a scaled-down version of the House's assessment cap for businesses, snowbirds and landlords. ...more

October 29, 2007

It's sad that a recent effort to infuse more culture into Hernando County floundered. To their credit, organizers seeking to schedule concerts by the Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra are not giving up. ...more

October 26, 2007