C M Y K Whittington savors FACA All-Star experience Sebring star Lindsey Whittington gets a chance to play with stateʼs best SPORTS, B1 www.newssun.com Make the season NEWS-SUN simple & Highlands County’s Hometown Newspaper Since 1927 sweet Wednesday-Thursday, November 27-28, 2013 Volume 94/Number 142 | 50 cents WHATʼS COOKING, B12 No decision Festival on proposed A new tradition? of Trees Quest for cash has retailers moving art museum returns in Avon Park ‘Black Friday’ into Thanksgiving Dec. 8 Council asks for more details, Fundraiser for written lease Habitat set for By PHIL ATTINGER Sun ’n Lake [email protected] By SAMANTHA GHOLAR AVON PARK — City leaders aren’t [email protected] opposed to the idea of having a muse- SEBRING — The holiday um upstairs at the city’s community season is under way and once center. the turkey has cleared the But they said Monday they want table, the spirit of Christmas something in writing and a guaranteed begins to take a hold for most rental payment before people. agreeing to any pro- Holiday fanatics both posed project, especial- young and old have another ly since Fred Leavitt, thing to add to their calendar president of the non- of events this year — the profit Heartland Festival of Trees hosted by Cultural Alliance, is the Sun ‘N Lake requesting almost Leavitt Improvement District and the $35,000 in Community Highlands County Habitat for Redevelopment Agency funds to make Katara Simmons/News-Sun Humanity organization. it happen. Lakeshore Mall shoppers make their way to and from stores Tuesday morning as the holiday sales swing into full gear. Some of the mall’s stores will open at 8 p.m. Thanksgiving evening to accommo- Festival of Trees is a Leavitt has proposed setting up an date those who wish to get in on the early Black Friday shopping this year. Christmas tree sale that raises art museum dedicated to the work of funds to benefit Habitat by recently rediscovered artist Peter allowing businesses, church- Powell Roberts, 89, on the second floor Some Lakeshore Mall stores to be es, non-profits and individu- of the Avon Park Community Center at How to be open at 8 p.m. on Thursday als to showcase their artsy a calculated side by decorating trees in See COUNCIL, A7 By SAMANTHA GHOLAR Thanksgiving — called Black Christmas cheer. [email protected] Friday because it starts the holi- The trees will then be dis- SEBRING — Thanksgiving day shopping rush, which most shopper played throughout the day on has always brought family and retailers rely on to put them “in Dec. 8 before being judged Special to the News-Sun friends together to a table full the black” for the year — has and sold to the public. The Third Thursday With careful planning, of food and memories. evolved into a enormous money festival, which returns after consumers can make the But some people may be maker for department stores in taking last year off, is being most of their holidays with- leaving the table early this year America as moms, dads, aunts, headed by Tenille Smith of out straining their budgets. in a search for sales as the start cousins and friends rushing to Better Business Bureau SNL Improvement District. of the Christmas shopping sea- the shelves of local department and ClearPoint Credit “The major change this son creeps earlier each year. stores looking to score new Counseling Solutions are See FESTIVAL, A5 Over the past several years merchandise at deeply discount- encouraging consumers to the unofficial start to the holi- ed prices. be “calculated gift givers” day shopping season has grown Over the past few years, this holiday season. Here into one of the most anticipated major retailers, including Target are five tips to help you be SFSC to host Wildlife — or dreaded — days of the and Toys R Us, slowly have more calculated in your Corridor exhibit Dec. 5 year for American consumers. pushed opening times into holiday planning: Dating back to the early PAGE A3 1960s, the day after See BLACK, A6 Become an expert on big ticket items Windy, cooler If you are considering a High 72 CRA says yes high-dollar purchase for a Low 38 loved one, itʼs important to become an “expert” on the Details, A10 to grant for item. This will allow you to make the best decision Index regarding cost and quality Celebrations B6 cemetery of the product. Maybe one Classifieds A9 product is made with high- By PHIL ATTINGER er quality materials, or Clubs B6 [email protected] maybe it offers an extra Crossword Puzzle B11 AVON PARK — Lakeside Historical warranty. Whatever the Dear Abby B11 Cemetery will get its new fence, case, you can make the included in up to $10,000 worth of best decision by doing Editorial & Opinion A4 Katara Simmons/News-Sun improvements, if needed. Conlin Lee, 18 months, is happy to be along for the ride as his thorough research into the Friends & Neighbors B9 The Avon Park Community grandmother Robin Lee of Lake Placid gets in some shopping product and its different Obituaries A7 Redevelopment Agency Board voted 3- recently at the Lakeshore Mall in Sebring. models. 0 Monday for the fence, based on a Itʼs also important to Sudoku Puzzle B11 proposal submitted by Deputy Mayor shop with businesses that What’s Cooking B10 Brenda Giles and Shirley Johnson. Cyber shopping tips embody integrity; check Giles and Johnson are both officers out bbb.org to find busi- Closed for holiday nesses you can trust. with the Lakeside Historical Cemetery Special to the News-Sun Enforcement Information The News-Sun office will of Avon Park, an organization dedicat- From all accounts, it appears Security Manager: Give gifts that be closing at 3 p.m. on ed to keeping the cemetery maintained. that quite a large number of provide a return Wednesday and will be Giles abstained from voting. shoppers this holiday season Secure your computer closed on Thursday for Councilman Terry Heston was not will be using the internet to A calculated gift giver and mobile devices Thanksgiving. We will be present for Monday’s CRA meeting. complete their gift purchases. understands that gifts should provide a return. In open at 8 a.m. on Friday. Maria Sutherland, administrative In hopes that you can enjoy a Be sure your computer and services director for Avon Park, said no safe internet shopping experi- some cases, this return is mobile devices are current with one could meet or beat the estimate ence, here are some tips from just the enjoyment of the all operating system and appli- Chris Sheppard, Florida See PLAN, A6 See CEMETERY, A5 Department of Law See ONLINE, A6 0790994 01001 Phone ... 385-6155 Fax ... 385-2453 Online: www.newssun.com WAUCHULA STATE BANK/Cheryl Hen; 11.25"; 1.5"; Black plus three; process, low down front strip; 0 0 0 3 3 4 7 7 C M Y K Page A2 News-Sun ࡗ Wednesday, November 27, 2013 www.newssun.com SFSC Community Education Community Briefs Road to be closed register for spring and sum- for repairs mer term classes through offers training in spring Panther Central, SEBRING — The Registration Tools, on the Special to the News-Sun Highlands County Road and SFSC website at AVON PARK – South Bridge Department will be www.southflorida.edu. Florida State College’s closing Briaridge Circle for This week’s question: For more information, Community Education drainage repairs. Park Was the County call 453-6661, 494-7500, Department is offering a access will be provided via Commission wrong to 773-2252, or 465-5300. variety of classes for spring Hillcrest Road. stop holding night meet- Moose Lodge 2014. The closing will begin ings monthly? In Pilates, learn to be more Monday, Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. hosting dinner- flexible and build strength, and the road will re-open dance, toy drive through a series of stretches, Monday, Dec. 9, at 5 p.m. Yes and moves that will leave author, will teach the basics 21454. For further information, SEBRING – Moose you feeling relaxed. This of writing in an easy relaxed In Conversational Spanish, call 402-6529. 73.8% Lodge 2259 on U.S. 98 is class will be offered as a atmosphere. Learn tech- learn practical Spanish that hosting a Holiday Dinner- seven-week class from niques for bringing words to you can apply to real-life sit- The Salvation Army serv- No Dance and Toy Drive with a 12:05-1:05 p.m. starting life on paper. This class will uations. Spanish grammar ing Thanksgiving dinner special guest appearance by Monday, Jan. 13 and running be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and pronunciation skills are SEBRING – The Erik Estrada, “Ponch” of through Feb. 28. The cost is Mondays, starting Jan. 27 taught in a fun manner. This Salvation Army will hold 26.9% “CHIPS” fame, from 5-9 $47, and the course number and ending March 3. The class will be held from 5:30- its annual Thanksgiving p.m. Friday. Estrada will be is (CRN) 21452. cost is $44, and the course 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, starting dinner from 11 a.m. to 2 Total votes: 84 giving a talk on Safe In Ballroom Dance I, learn number is (CRN) 20528. Jan. 15 and ending March 6. p.m. Thursday at The Surfin’, educating the pub- the basic steps of the Waltz, In Basic Home Computer The cost is $58, and the Salvation Army Church, Poll open through Friday.