In what has become a Brandon musical tradition, the First United Methodist Church of Brandon music ministry will present its annual Fourth of July concert Sunday. ...more

June 28, 2008

Mr. Jones, you are absolutely correct when you stated we should or should not elect a president because of his or her color. However, that being said, there are some definite qualities and morals that come into the equation. First of all, let me state that most companies and organizations require much more experience when hiring someone for a management position. All the public seems to care about is a person's charisma to run the country with the biggest economy on the face of the Earth. ...more

June 23, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Flag Day ceremonies in honor of the Stars and Stripes are planned for Saturday at Morton Plant North Bay Hospital and Morgan Funeral Home. ...more

June 10, 2008

On behalf of the Post VFW 3880, the Ladies Auxiliary and the Men's Auxiliary in Lake Placid, we wish to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to the business that allowed us to stand at their doors to accept donations from our generous citizens on May 23 and 24, which was our semiannual Buddy Poppy Drive. Thank you to Publix, Winn-Dixie, CVS, Gate Gas Station, Sweetbay and Circle K. Your kindness is greatly appreciated by all. ...more

May 28, 2008

The first day of May is Loyalty Day and is such a day filled with activities designed to involve everyone in a great display of loyalty to our flag and or country. The VFW has fought a long and hard battle to have this day approved by Congress and it not only belongs to the VFW but to each and every American citizen. All staunch Americans must awake and live up to their obligation as responsible citizens if we are to remain free, for only the loyal and responsible fully deserve to be free. ...more

April 25, 2008

I read Terri Otterman's column on "A Change We Can Believe In," in Highlands Today and found it very interesting. With the primary elections at hand and all the candidates calling for change, your column was very timely. Without getting overly political, I am leaning toward a Mormon candidate. I wanted to know more about the Mormon church, their mission regarding Christianity and their view on politics. I was pleased to find out through the church's Web site that political neutrality is their position. The church's mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to elect politicians. Many Christians believe the Mormon church to be a cult; it is not. The Mormon church is as much Jesus Christ-centered as any other Christian denominational church. In short, at this time, when we have many voters who lack knowledge of the Mormon church, you could apply your views to your readership. You also must stay neutral in your writings regarding politics. ...more

January 19, 2008

The roster of songs battling to represent Florida faces new competition, after a lawmaker from the Panhandle filed a bill Tuesday to designate a new tune as the official state anthem. ...more

January 9, 2008

SEBRING — Iraq War veteran Joshua Gdovin was pleased and a little surprised when a child greeted him with thanks at a Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Beach on Monday. The Avon Park Battery "B" 3-116 Field Artillery National Guard member attended the ceremony on the shores of Lake Jackson, along with about 150 others, many dressed in uniform. "The kids came up and shook hands and I was so proud of what's going on," said the 22-year old who joined the service in 2003. "The more people here, the better." Like many with similar thoughts, Gdovin said he was moved to hear "Taps" played at the close of the ceremony. ...more

November 13, 2007

For the faithful followers, a Jimmy Buffett concert is like a religious experience. ...more

November 2, 2007

The engine sound was especially comforting as we watched the lights of Havana, Cuba. First they appeared out of the darkness that made up sea and sky as tiny specks of light in the distance. From those flickering distant lights we were soon flying over the bright lights below of a tourist mecca belonging to Fidel Castro. The route was from Miami to Panama, to refuel, and then on to Lima, Peru. The cargo was telephone equipment. The aircraft was an old military C-46 cargo plane. The tail of that plane had patches on it covering bullet holes. The bullet holes were from that very airplane having taken part in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. ...more

October 4, 2007