C M Y K www.newssun.com EWS UN NHighlands County’s Hometown-S Newspaper Since 1927 Bringing it home Bandstands Rise and Dine Wrestlers bring home A favorite symbol of our Breakfast dishes for the hardware pasts anytime SPORTS, 1B INSIDE, 2A LIVING, 10B Wednesday-Thursday, February 20-21, 2013 www.newssun.com Volume 94/Number 22 | 50 cents Forecast Flourishing art A new face in Nice with periods of sun the race High Low 79 55 for city Complete Forecast PAGE 10A council Online By SAMANTHA GHOLAR [email protected] SEBRING – Two city council member seats are up for elections in the coming weeks and there are currently Question: Do you three people in the running for those spots. Long-time expect any more council members John cooler temperatures Griffin and Scott Stanley, after this week’s cold whose elected terms will snap? expire on March 31, have both qualified for re-election. A third qualifier, Lenard Yes Carlisle, 64, has also entered the race for one of the two % News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS seats. 47.5 The Tourist Development Council is planning to create new arts and music festivals in an effort to attract tourists to Carlisle is a Sebring native Highlands County. and employee with the city of Sebring Code Enforcement Department. Carlisle has No been a member of the Code HCA: It helps a community thrive Enforcement Board for the past four years, and has 52.5% By CHRISTOPHER spend all the revenue pro- served as president of the TUFFLEY moting anything they board for the past two years. [email protected] choose.” “I was born and raised in SEBRING — The Tourist “I absolutely understand Sebring. I’ve always been Total votes: 80 Development Council wants where the HCA is coming interested in what is going on to change how it does busi- from,” said County in this city. I love Sebring,” Next question: ness. Commissioner Don Elwell, Carlisle said. Members of the also a member of the TDC. Carlisle is not only a resi- Do you think art and Heartland Cultural Alliance “For the first nine years, not dent and native of Sebring, culture will draw are suspicious of the pro- enough attention was spent but a business owner as well, visitors to Highlands posed changes, worried they on (monitoring the pre-set much like many of the cur- County? are directed at lowering percentages). I understand rent members of city council. funding for arts and culture the historical background. Carlisle began his compa- Make your voice heard at so more money can be spent “On the other side, there ny, Living Water Services www.newssun.com marketing golf and fishing. is a new era, the TDC has Inc. (a citrus irrigation com- The TDC has proposed a to adapt,” Elwell said. “The pany), in 1984, and has been News-Sun photo by KATARA SIMMONS new ordinance for the coun- The Heartland Cultural Alliance’s Antiroom currently fea- council was only intended in the business since the late Obituaries ty commission to sign into tures the Lake Wales Ridge traveling art exhibit at to function for two years; it 1970s. The experienced busi- law. Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring. has now been around for nessman knows all about Rose Bell Funding for the TDC 11. We have to come up agriculture, economics and Age 90, of Sebring office, including salaries, TDC’s operations per say, munity having voting repre- with different plans.” culture of the Heartland and Harry Hummel Jr. said director John although he and others feel sentation on the council, A main goal is to simpli- is excited to possibly become Age 92, of Sebring Scherlacher, will be taken 42 percent is high. and therefore no advocate, fy the current process, a more hands-on part of the off the top of the budget. The main worry, he or expert. Elwell added. “Currently Sebring community. Obituaries, Page 6A He added that would come added, is the other provi- He adds, “(Council) the percentages are compli- “I decided to do this to 42 percent of the total sion – that is the remaining members don’t know how cated — 12 percent, 17 per- because I wanted to do some- Index tourist tax received by the finds would be pooled to market art. They have no cent, for example. By not thing different. I know in a council. together for the council to concepts, no plans, no carving out specific catego- city council or county board Classifieds 7A The HCA, its president dispense with as it wishes goals, no organization ry percents things are sim- or any type of council Clubs & Organizations 7B Fred Leavitt said, is not without a representative of whatsoever. Furthermore, See THREE, page 5A Community Briefs 2A opposed to money taken for the arts and cultural com- (council members) can See HCA, page 5A Crossword Puzzle 9B Dear Abby 9B Dinner Diva 9B Editorial & Opinion 4A Arc gets a dose of Friends & Neighbors 5B Lottery Numbers 2A Movie Times 9B hope from traveler NASCAR This Week 6B Sports On TV 2B By SAMANTHA GHOLAR life following his accident that left [email protected] him nearly completely paralyzed Follow the SEBRING – Ridge Area Arc and the hope he has gained because employees and members received a of it. News-Sun on word of hope Monday when a spe- Dixon was paralyzed after falling cial guest stopped by to share his from a ladder hanging Christmas story. lights at his Colorado home. Rich Dixon, a quadriplegic “He is sharing his story of hope,” www.twitter.com/thenewssun cyclist, has been on a long journey said Dixon’s wife Becky. “We’ve and across the country where he has met so many people that are looking shared his story with all who are for hope and are facing disasters and willing to hear. difficulty. He wants to give the gift Dixon rides what is known as a of hope to others.” www.facebook.com/newssun hand cycle, which has been his sec- Dixon’s journey, with his wife and Courtesy Photo Consumers and staff from Ridge Area Arc cheer on Rich Dixon, a retired ond home for the past several dog Monte by his side, began four educator from Fort Collins, Colo., on Monday as he pedals out on his hand months. The Colorado native is also weeks ago when a desire to travel cycle from the main campus on College Drive in Avon Park. As part of a published author; Dixon has Dixon's 1,000-mile journey along the coast of Florida, he is making stops 0790994 01001 authored two books that describe his See HOPE, page 4A throughout the state talking about his Convoy of Hope tour. 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; 00027351 C M Y K Page 2A News-Sun ࡗ Wednesday, February 20, 2013 www.newssun.com Avon Park bandstand: A heart-warming symbol of the past Special to the News-Sun excuse to have a celebration AVON PARK – in town.” Bandstands were most popu- The hotel was the center of lar across the country during social life for the young the late 1800s and early-mid- town. Local residents and 1900s – and Avon Park was guests would gather on the no exception. Local residents porch of the hotel in the craved music and that’s what evenings to listen to music bandstands provided in those and play a card game (proba- early days. bly “Whist” – an early form Many of the original band- of bridge). The music was stands have either disap- often provided by the Avon peared, fallen into disrepair, Park Concert Band. or been removed because In 1912, the Ladies Civic they stood in the way of League agreed to move the progress. The Avon Park bandstand from the hotel to a bandstand, built in 1897 in vacant lot near Main Street to front of the Hotel Verona make it more convenient for Courtesy photo (near what is now Donaldson the townspeople. When Main Courtesy of Historical Society of Avon Park The Bandstand as it appears in more recent history. The Bandstand in Avon Park as it was in 1912. Park), is nothing if it’s not a Street was divided around survivor. It’s still standing, 1920, the bandstand was then would grab their lanterns, Editor’s Note: The above is still surviving as an Avon moved to its present location At a city council meeting allow time for funds to be walk down to the bandstand a preview of the PowerPoint Park landmark. on the Mall and again to discuss the future of the raised. The association took and stand around while lis- presentation (called “Then The bandstand served as became a gathering spot for bandstand, Cliff Thomas, on the job. Some folks gave tening to the concert band and Now”) to be offered by the hub for a variety of down- the townspeople. The band- representing the Old Settlers money, others donated mate- perform. Afterwards, they’d Depot Museum volunteer and town activities. Along with stand also served as the city Association (forerunner to rials and men from the local light their lanterns and head Historical Society board those concerts, you’d find police headquarters for sever- the Historical Society of prison did the work. home. member James Deal at the political rallies, auctions, al years. Avon Park), said, “We need The bandstand was The Avon Park bandstand society’s annual banquet, set PTA-sponsored cake-walks, For many years after World to save it; it is part of our his- restored to its original condi- is reported to be one of for 6:30 p.m.